Chapter 13

JR gazed at Bianca and could see her whole world had fallen beneath her. Her grip on his hand diminished as did she. Bianca had to sit down, how could they—how could the-. She soon lost her balance but JR caught her before she could hit the wooden floor. A crown gathered around while Kendall, Erica and Jackson pushed through.

"What happened?" Jackson asked looking at Bianca worriedly.

The crowd grew in closer, seeing this, JR announced, "Get back! Give her some room," They did. He looked at the young woman's family with a softer tone, "She just fainted, I think it was the shock." JR started to tend to her, unconsciously stroking her face. The action didn't go unnoticed by Erica.

"We should call an ambulance," Erica offered rushing to her daughter's side.

"That's pretty melodramatic mother," Kendall stated coming from behind her, worried for Bianca's wellbeing too, "She'll be just fine. I doubt she'd want to wake up in a hospital for the second time in a month. No, she'll be fine. We just have to clear this place."

Jackson stood up, "I'll go talk to the judge."

The moment Jackson left the concerned group; Babe Carey arrived at the already hectic situation. Kendall quickly got up to stop her in her tracks, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Babe looked over Kendall's shoulder to catch a glimpse of Bianca, "Is she alright?"

"What?" Kendall was sure she hadn't heard right, "You wanna know if she's alright? That's not acceptable, Babe. You—you, Babe, are the one who put my sister in this position. How many more lives will you ruin? Huh? Who's the next victim in PV? You really should give them a fair warning so they'll have enough time to run for the hills."

"Kendall, there's no reason for you to act like this. I was only asking a question," Babe declared.

"Don't," Kendall warned, "Don't. Bianca doesn't need your fake concern. Because you're not fooling anyone. The only thing you wanted to do is cover your own butt. Make yourself look kind and lighthearted in front of the press and media. So you'll be the one everyone sees on tomorrow's newspaper. I can see the headline now, 'Babe Carey, the Next Mother Theresa'. Sub-headline 'Caring for those she's stepped on', yeah, right under the section B.S. You are scum, Babe. You're disgusting and if they is any justice is this world you will get what's coming to you," Kendall looked at the jury purposely, "Not the review of some incompetent pity throwers."

"Kendall! Kendall," Erica called, loudly enough to get Kendall attention, "She's coming to."

Kendall gave Babe a dismissive stare then went to her sister's aid. Not wanting to further complicate things, Babe left the courtroom with her parents and Jamie by her side. Lucky she didn't get the full force of Kendall's wrath. Back with Bianca, JR watched as she blinked open her beautiful brown eyes. He gave her a soft smile. She smiled back or at least he had thought so. Maggie's figure beside him and it was her who's Bianca affection was given to. JR cleared his throat, "You gave us a scare there."

Bianca acknowledged him, looking into his blue orbs, "I'm sorry?"

He pulled her into an embrace and audibly whispered into her ear, "Stop scaring me like that." His lips brushed against her earlobe and Bianca felt a shiver run through her. He pulled away and Bianca felt another chill, this time from his absence. He held onto her arm, while wrapping one his arms around her small waist "Let me help you up." He seated her onto the wooden chair.

Erica eyed her carefully, "Are you alright, honey?" She wasn't quite sure of what to say or how to put it. Right now it was her daughter's mentality that mattered. How would she help Bianca through this? It seemed every time she turned around one of her girls was being hurt, failing to protect her children.

"No. I'm not." Bianca replied her voice low. It was the truth. Optimism was a long shot. She couldn't say everything would turn alright in the end, or I'll fight this. She didn't know if it would. How much more could she stand?

Maggie rested a hand on Bianca's shoulder, and asked her sympathetically, "Do you wanna get out of here?" Her voice held care.

Bianca nodded, "I have to. I can't—I can't take this."

"I'll go with you. I can't stomach this either," Kendall spoke, she turned her attention to Erica, "Mother?"

"I'll go get Jack," Erica responded. Erica slipped into the quiet crowd to look for her best friend and lover.

JR watched Bianca, hating himself for not knowing how to help her. He wanted to tell her that they would get through this. It was just another obstacle for them to overcome. Not guilty? It's crazy. Babe should be behind bars, not celebrating a damn victory. He'd been confident that Babe would get hers. He caught Maggie consoling Bianca. He was thankful Bianca had her as a friend, but he couldn't swallow down the jealously. He almost wanted to ask himself the childish question, what does she have that he didn't but he remembered exactly what that was. Whether Bianca was gay or not, his love for her would never lessen. He wasn't going to let go of it.

"Bianca," he started softly not wanting to startle her but gather her regards. Their eyes met, "Are you sure there's nothing I can do?"

She studied him with a serious expression, "You've done everything you could possibly do. There's nothing left to do." Bianca didn't believe her own words and they came out loose and unestablished. She sounded defeated, ready to quit.

"That's not true," he half whispered, never taking his eyes off of hers. She wasn't going to push him away. He was compelled to be there for her. The two remained silent not needing words to speak. Their chemistry was undeniable. Kendall and Maggie felt like outsiders, when Erica reappeared with Jackson they could have kissed the ground she walked on.

"Bianca, honey, are you ready to go?" Erica asked. Bianca got up from her seat breaking the connection she had with JR, temporarily. Before she had the chance to leave without saying goodbye, he lightly pulled her to the side, "Can I stop by later?" he sought.

Bianca looked at him unsure, glimpsed at her family and friends waiting for her, and then returned her gaze back at him "I don't know, JR. My mom and Kendall—you know how protective they are, they're going to want to look after me today. And Maggie-"

JR nodded, "I understand that, but I want to be there for you too." He didn't want to hear about Maggie and how Maggie would help her. He cared for Bianca just as much...maybe more.

Bianca furrowed her brows together, "What are you doing?" She knew exactly was he was doing. He was her friend, she had fallen and JR was going to be there, whether she wanted him to or not. JR loved her. It was a whole new concept to deal with and she felt that now. He was always bonding with her, their connection stronger than ever.

Gaining more resolve, he stated, "I'm not going to let you push me away," Bianca gave him a wary expression, "I'm not trying to close in on you. This..Babe getting off, it's going to be tough and we both know we need each other to get through it."

"Are you calling me needy?" she asked displeased at where he was heading.

"No," he remarked promptly, "I'm not saying that because I know you're not. But we're fri—the more people there for you, the more you'll see you matter and know your full potential and capability to get through this."

"You're not giving up on this, are you?"

"Did you give up on me? Also the longer we, mainly you, drag this out, the more agitated your family will get," he paused, "They love you." JR stated, And so do I.

Bianca's expression softened, "Tomorrow?"

"Yeah?"

She sadly smiled, "Sure. I'd rather suffer through this with you rather than alone."

JR gazed at her, "You won't be suffering if I have anything to say about it."

The next day...

As of the moment JR couldn't choose between his blue button up shirt or his black one. It shouldn't matter though because it wasn't a date. Definitely not a date. He just wanted to be there for her and help her through this. It was going to benefit both of them. He shook his head at the black shirt and tossed it back on the bed. It wasn't a date but JR felt like it was. He would be alone with Bianca. Not that it would be the first time but she was in on his secret. She knew that he loved her, and that fact alone was bound to cause some permanent impact. He slipped on his shirt and buttoned it, leaving the top three undone. Getting that out of the way, he glided a slim belt through the loopholes of his black slacks then checked himself in the mirror. He complimented himself on looking pretty good. JR looked at his wristwatch, the time reading 7:30. He had a half hour to gain some composure. Suddenly feeling the solitude of his bedroom, he walked out heading to the nursery room next to his. The door was open, showing the vibrant blue color of the walls and the countless toys. All of it belonging to his son. JR spotted Winifred about to put him in for an early bed.

"Winifred, let me do that," he suggested lightly, taking the sleeping baby away from the nanny's arms.

Winifred felt a little uneasy but grateful, "Are you sure, Mr. Chandler?"

"Of course," he stated, "and you know what? Take the rest of the night off."

"Mr. Chandler!"

He fanned away her anxiety, "Its fine. Just make sure to have the baby monitor with you at all times and check up on Adam periodically. That's pretty much the only thing that needs to be done around here."

She gave him a semi-bow, "Thank you, sir." then exited the room hastily.

JR looked at the handsome boy in his arms, proudly, "Hey, little guy." The baby squirmed and yawned in response and JR chuckled at his antics, he found his son the most adorable thing in the world, "Well don't let me keep you." He slowly put the infant into his crib, laying him on his back. JR kissed his temple and whispered, "Goodnight." Not taking his eyes off of the crib, he walked over to the door flicking the switch before finally letting it shut behind him. In the nursery as soon as the darkness lulled, a tiny blue night light shined.

JR jogged down the stairs leading into the foyer of the spacious mansion. He was reaching for the knob of the front door when his father, Adam Chandler Sr., beckoned him into the living room. An instant slump came to his posture but his fixed it as fast as it had come. He walked into room and looked at his father expectantly. Adam was fixing himself a drink at the mini bar and asked if he wanted one. JR shook his head declining the offer. Adam looked at him quizzically, "Winifred just told me you gave her the night off."

JR sighed, "I did."

"Why would you do that?" Adam asked bemused.

JR didn't know where this was going nor did he care, he just knew he didn't have time for it, "Why not?"

Adam laughed a short dry laugh and didn't say anything.

JR began to lose his patience, "Dad, if this is serving a purpose..."

"It was just a question, my boy."

"With you?"

Adam studied him and gestured out with his hand, "Have a seat."

"I'm going out," JR breathed out, "Equivalent: I don't have time to play games with you."

Adam settled into the extravagant sofa, the pillows cushioning him as he sat, "But you do with a certain young lady."

"I'd go along with the dumb act but I don't want to prolong your childish inquiry," JR gave him an indifferent face; "Bianca isn't any of your business."

"Oh, quite the contrary," Adam replied, "Do you think your blatant outburst in court yesterday was very wise? It was embarrassing to enter the office today and employees questioning me about your even more questioning ventures. JR, you are a Chandler. What the hell were you thinking? Showing your vulnerability so recklessly."

"This is about you," JR affirmed, "I'm not shocked. It always is."

"What affects you affects me which affects business, JR. It's for your own good to make your way out of Bianca's life. She's a nice young lady, considering the vixen her mother is, but she is making a fool out of you in front of spectators."

"I'm leaving," JR said turning to the exit, "Do yourself a sincere favor and look after your grandson while I'm gone."