Chapter Four

Maggie closed her eyes after revealing her true feelings to Bianca. She was so distracted by her own thoughts that she didn't hear Bianca's soft voice gently say, "Maggie, look at me."

Maggie lifted her eyes and met Bianca's. Bianca's finger gently traced Maggie's bruised cheek, "Maggie," she whispered softly, sending a chill down Maggie's spine. "This," Bianca said, referring to the bruise, "This should never happen, ever. You are better than this, Maggie. You deserve more," Bianca said, closing the gap between her and Maggie. "You really have no idea how much you mean to me, do you?"

Maggie shook her head and lowered her eyes, "I...I know you care, Bianca, but I'm fine. Really..."

"Maggie, you saved me. You found me when I was broken, helpless. You pulled me out of the darkness and back into the light. You were my anchor, my friend, my family. And I need you to know how I feel," Bianca pushed a strand of strawberry blonde hair out of Maggie's eyes and moved toward the shorter girl.

"What are you doing?" Maggie whispered breathlessly.

"Something I should have done long ago." Maggie closed her eyes and closed the gap between her and Bianca. As there lips met, energy surged between their bodies. As their energy swarmed together, Maggie opened her lips and allowed Bianca's tongue to explore.

"Hahamm," Anita said, clearing her voice. Bianca and Maggie burst apart, both breathing heavily. "I just wanted to say that Greenlee is in with Kendall now. You guys should go home. It's been a long night," Anita winked at the girls as she turned and headed back down the hallway.

Maggie suddenly found her shoes very fascinating. Bianca smiled at Maggie's sudden shyness. "Ya know," Bianca started, "Miranda would really like to have her Auntie Maggie stay the night with her."

A smile began to form on Maggie's lips as she raised her eyebrows, "Really? I thought I was a bad influence on her?" she said, flirtatiously.

"Oh you will be, but you will also be there to show her all the good that there is in this world."

"She has you for that, Bianca. You are the greatest, and the kindest person I have ever known." She reached out her hand for Bianca's.

Bianca slid her hand into Maggie's and squeezed gently. "Why Maggie Stone, if I didn't know better, I would say that you were coming on to me."

Maggie smiled and leaned forward, "Every chance I get, Bianca. From now on, every chance I get I will show you how I feel." With that, she pressed her lips gently against Bianca's.

"I like this plan. This is a good plan," Bianca said between kisses.

They parted and Maggie looked at her watch, "Well, I suppose I should go and get some stuff from my apartment if I am going to be staying with…Miranda, tonight." She winked at Bianca and turned to leave.

Bianca grabbed her arm gently, "What about Jonathon? Will he…will he be there?"

Maggie checked her watch and sighed, "No, he should be in the office right now. I'll be quick." She kissed Bianca once more, smiled, and left. Bianca felt a cold shiver burn through her body. She had a bad feeling that something was about to happen.

Maggie opened the door to her apartment and was relieved to see that the lights were out. "Jonathon?" she called out, hesitantly. Sighing, she entered the apartment, closing the door and flipping on the lights. When she turned around, she locked eyes with a drunken Jonathon. Gasping she said, "Jonathon!"

Anger crossed his face as he stood, towering over the blonde. "Why Maggie? I gave you everything, why would you go to her?" He threw his beer bottle against the wall and advanced on the shaking girl.

"What…Jonathon? What are you…?" she stuttered.

"What am I talking about? Don't act stupid, Maggie. I saw you, I heard you. You love her? You love that bitch," he shouted, pushing her to the floor.

"Jonathon, please," she begged, trying to get up. "Don't do this," she pleaded with him.

Jonathon sneered at her, "One mistake, Maggie. I made one mistake and you would never let me forget it. What was I supposed to do? You are mine, Maggie." He grasped her arms above her head, pinning her to the floor. "You could have had everything with me, Maggie. I would have given you the world!" He looked down into her pleading eyes and grinned, "Now I have you, Maggie. You are mine again."

Maggie squirmed under his grasp, trying to break free from his hold. She felt his grip on her lighten and she made her move. Lifting her knee up, she pushed against his chest and he was forced to lift a hand to regain his balance. She wriggled free and made a run for the door. She nearly had her hand on the door when she felt the floor disappear from under her feet. Jonathon grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. She could feel her shoulder pop from its socket and she cried out in pain. "Please, Jonathon," she said crying. "Don't…"

Jonathon raised his fist and lowered it across her face, "That's right, Maggie. Beg for me, you know you want it."

Maggie fell to the floor as Jon unloaded his anger onto her face. The pain intensified as he kicked her stomach. Maggie fought to breathe as she felt her consciousness slipping away. She curled into a ball and closed her eyes, envisioning Bianca and the kiss that they shared. Visions of her and Bianca flowed through Maggie's mind until she finally slipped into unconsciousness.