Title: In the World of Maggie Stone—chapter 1

Author: Tracy Winston (don't be confused, that's my penname for writing, I like it, it sounds cool :))

Summary: What's going on back in Pine Valley in the world of Maggie?

Feedback: Yes, please do! Just hit the button at the bottom of the page and send your thoughts out to me

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and such of All My Children; they all belong to ABC, and all those rich people that could sue me if I didn't say this.

Author's Note: Well, it's certainly been a while since I have written something. Things have been changing drastically in my life, and I just haven't had as much time and incentive to write as I used to. Fortunately, I've found both. And now as they say, the bitch is back. :)

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Chapter 1

Leaning back into the deep cushions of the couch, I can't help but get wrapped up in this kiss. Now that I've gotten into a more comfortable position, my hands move up and tangle themselves in dark brown hair, deepening the kiss. 'This is so perfect. Everything I've wanted.' A few minutes later we pull apart to get much-needed air. My eyes open slowly and lock with two of the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen. 'What did I do to become this lucky, to have found someone I'm this happy with?' A huge smile spreads across my face with this thought.

And to make things even better I see the reason for my happiness smile as well. I've never seen a smile as gorgeous as Bianca's, and now is no exception. She moves her right hand up into my hair, brushing back random strands that had come loose during our make-out session. "We got a little carried away there, huh?"

I giggle at that—an actual giggle! Who knew that I could actually do something so carefree like giggle? I guess Bianca just brings out the impossible in me. "Just a little." Another kiss to that adorable little spot on her chin right below her bottom lip. "What can I say? I just can't help myself when it comes to you."

Didn't think it was possible, but her smile actually got bigger at that. "I love you so much, Maggie."

Weird, when did Bianca's voice get all deep? Is she trying to be butch? Wait… oh no, not again…

I blink, then rub my eyes and reopen them, allowing them to refocus on the blurry shape of… Jonathan Lavery. 'Dammit! First the not-so-innocent dreams about Bianca at night, now I'm imagining her while I'm kissing Jonathan? This has got to stop.'

Jonathan looks at me with this look of expectancy and bits of confusion. "Maggie? Are you okay?"

Clearing my throat, I think fast on how to best get out of this situation, and fast. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… got dizzy there for a second." I try to smile a bit saying that, hoping he'll think I'm being affected by him and not my crazy imagination.

"Dizzy? Well you do look flushed." Ugh, that cocky smile again… I wonder if he thinks that that's sexy or something. Maybe if I grabbed a mirror one time he'd see that it's actually really creepy-looking. Kinda like the pictures you see of serial killers after they get captured by the police. That thought alone is enough to make me shudder. It might also have to do with Jonathan suddenly cupping my face with his right hand. Not sure if that makes it a good shudder or a bad shudder. "You sure you're feeling alright? Or did I just take your breath away?"

How come I didn't notice that weird ego of his before? I attempt another smile, placing my hand on top of his, lacing our fingers as I move his hand away from my face and between us on the couch. "Yeah, I've just been really tired lately… busy with school and finals."

"That's certainly true. By the time I get home in the evening, you're either off studying or passed out on the couch covered with your text books. Are you sure you're not working yourself too hard?"

"I've had a bunch of stuff going on lately, including trying to get good enough grades to get into a good medical school. You know how important being a doctor is to me, Jonathan. We've talked about this before, I really need to apply myself more than others to make sure I get where I want to."

He gives me that knowing nod; he's heard this speech before, usually when he tells me we're not spending enough time together. "I know you do Maggie, I just-"

"I know, you want to spend more time together, and I understand that. But right now I have to focus on finals, just like you have to focus on the campaigns at Fusion." My eyes catch the clock on the wall. "Speaking of which, you're getting close to the end of your lunch hour." Before he can get that defeated expression on his face, I work fast to rebuild his self-esteem. "It was great that you were able to come home for lunch today." I give him a quick kiss on the lips; a legitimate smile spreads across my face again as I taste nachos on him. "Mmm, and even better that you were able to bring home nachos from BJ's. Though next time, you need to remem-"

"Remember to get extra hot sauce, yes." He returns the smile. "I'll never understand how you can stomach all of that on your food."

I bite back a comment about how Bianca loves the extra hot sauce. Mentioning my best friend / fantasy lover seems to push the wrong buttons for Jonathan lately, so whenever I can I refrain from mentioning her. Like this time, where I just smile and shrug.

Jonathan stands, straightening out his clothes and putting his coat back on. "Alright, well I should head back to work. Are you going to be here when I get back?"

There was something in his tone that seemed to say "You'd better be here when I get back," but I ignored it. "Actually I'm probably going to head over to campus and study for my cell biology final, head to lab, then study a bit more. But I'll have my cell if you really need me."

"I'll always need you." Jonathan flashes me another cocky smile, accompanied by a soft kiss, before he stands and heads toward the door, grabbing his briefcase on the way. Once at the door, he turns around, almost looking surprised that I didn't follow him.

Instead I sit up on the couch, smile and give him a wave. "Have a good afternoon."

He opens the door. "I'll do what I can. Love you."

I continue to smile, trying to think of how to respond before choosing one of the lamest responses ever. "Ditto." Seeming to be satisfied, Jonathan heads out, closing the door behind him.

Letting out a deep breath, I lie back on the couch and try to relax. What is going on with me? Why can't I stop thinking about Bianca, and just be happy with Jonathan? 'Maybe because I don't love him. Maybe because I'm still hung up on Bianca, no matter how many times I tell myself she's with Lena, that she doesn't feel the same way about me as I do her.'

What do people do when they can't get their mind to stop thinking? That's right, we turn on the television. I reach over and grab the remote, hoping that there's something decent on in the middle of the day besides those over-dramatic soap operas. 'Like that stuff would ever happen in real life, anyway.'

My mental sarcasm is cut short as I catch a glimpse of my best friend as I flip the channels. Flipping back, I stop on a news channel reporting on local news.

"…and now to a story about one of our own away from home. Bianca Montgomery, widely-known daughter of Enchantment guru , Erica Kane, and the founder of the Miranda Montgomery Center for Women and Children, took a trip down to Florida for an event for the Miranda Center, named after Miss Montgomery's deceased daughter."

'Crap, I knew that was coming up. I hope Bianca's doing alright. I know she wants to help out people, but I hope she doesn't push herself or relapse with thoughts of Miranda. Dammit, I wish I could have gone with her.' I look back at the TV. What else is there to report on for the event? Did something happen?

"Shortly after a presentation involving friend Adam Chandler, II, Miss Montgomery returned to her hotel only to fall off a second-floor balcony. Some reports claim that the railing gave way on the balcony; others suggest that Miss Montgomery was pushed. But right now all that is known for certain is that she rests in the ICU of an Orlando hospital, currently unconscious and in critical condition. Her sister, Kendall Hart, who was at the event, awaits news on Miss Montgomery's condition along with Mr. Chandler and Erica Kane, who since the event flew down to Florida to be with her daughters. We'll keep you up to date with any new information as it comes in. In other news…"

My eyes went wide and I felt my jaw drop. Bianca, falling off a balcony, in the hospital, unconscious. Oh my God, Bianca… For the first time since Miranda's death, I feel tears flood my eyes. "I've got to get to Florida."

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ok, if that didn't suck, then let me know and I'll post more as soon as I can write it.

Steph (aka Tracy Winston)