Title: A Little Respect

Author: Misty Flores

Teaser: Pursuing a relationship with Aiden after discovering Bianca in bed with Babe, Maggie begins to question even her own self worth when she finds herself delving deeper into a baby kidnapping mystery, and an intense love triangle.

PART TEN

Just when I think I'm under control
I think I finally got a grip
Another friend tells me that
My name is always on your lips
They say I'm more than just a friend
They say I must be blind
Well I admit that I've seen you watch me
From the corner of your eye
-- Complicated, Carolyn Ann Dawson

--

The week off from this had been a good thing, and Aiden wouldn't regret it. Still - it had been just long enough for his friend to get shot, for Kendall to get accused of attempted murder, yet again, and now, she was not only standing up for his prime suspect, but had the audacity to let the man show up at the hospital.

The look on Anita's face clearly indicated she thought he was over reacting.

Aiden didn't agree.

Ethan Ramsey was taller than him, but Aiden didn't back down. He kept his place, guarding Ryan's door, ignoring both Anita's concerned glance and Kendall's annoyed expression. His glare was reserved for Ethan Cambias.

"Aiden," Anita said, the pressure of her fingers already on his elbow, trying to get him to back off. "Why would he lie?"

"Why wouldn't he?" he snapped back, eyes narrowing at the taller man. "He's got a lot at stake. Ryan kicks the bucket, this guy inherits his billions."

Ethan looked smug, crossing his arms and smirking down at him. "You're missing out a rather large 'if'. If I can prove I'm a Cambias."

Aiden shook his head at the logic. "Well, it would be a lot simpler if Ryan's not around to disprove it, and that's why you're here." He squared his shoulders. "To finish off the job."

"Wait, hold on a second-" Kendall pushed her skinny body between both men, one arm on Ethan's chest. "You think Ethan's to blame for Ryan being in here?"

Aiden gave her an incredulous look. "Now that you come to mention it, yeah."

Kendall was always beautiful when angry, and even annoyed, he had to admire the flash in her eyes, as she jerked her head back at him, and laughed in disbelief. "No, no, no, no, no. See, I thought I was the unanimous winner of the 'Who pulled the trigger' contest."

"Well," he said acidly. "The jury's still out on who loaded the gun."

"No!" Kendall shook her head vehemently. "You can't have it both ways! Either I'm guilty of wanting Ryan dead or there's tons of Cambias wannabes. Make up your mind, Aiden!"

Aiden smiled, ready to respond, when Ethan took possessive hold of her shoulders, leading her back. "Let it go, Kendall. I'm not interested in this guy's crazy conspiracy theories."

That's right, Aidan smiled. Think less of me. Underestimate me. Let me take you by surprise when I take you down.

Kendall wasn't so naïve. She turned, expression softening, like she was talking to a friend. "I can vouch for Ethan. He's a decent guy."

Unbelievable. This woman - who had once claimed to love Ryan - shacking up with the guy who shot him?

Aiden felt a small twinge inside of him, a memory resurfacing, of Kendall's blind devotion in Michael Cambias, what he had manipulated her to do.

She hadn't learned.

"Really?" he said angrily. "And who's going to vouch for you?"

He hurt her. He could see that - in the flash of her eyes, the hardening of her features.

Staring at him through her brilliant glare, she dismissed him, turning to Ethan and saying snidely, "Get me away from him."

He led her away, and Aiden nearly snorted, crossing his arms and turning back to Anita.

"Was that necessary?" Anita wore a conservative expression, not pleased. Aiden only shrugged. Anita stared a beat longer, before she glanced down at her chart and said softly, "I'm going to check in on Ryan."

She walked away from him.

--

Bianca adored Babe - but even she had to admit sometimes she wondered just what her friend had going on in her head.

Her friend was a martyr, and it was almost a complex - it really had to be the only explanation, why Babe would agree to live with J.R., under this silly pretense of trying to make the marriage actually work.

Babe was hiding something from her. The thought hurt her more than she wanted to admit. Everyone lied - Maggie and Jamie and Babe, and Bianca didn't understand it.

Needing to be distracted, needing to help someone that actually needed her, Bianca had found herself once again at Babe's, things were still no better. There was no talking to J.R., no talking to Babe, they were sitting on a landmine and it was about to explode.

"Why won't everyone just accept what I tell them!" Babe snapped, gathering Bess in her arms, moving around Bianca. "Let me live with my choices? Instead, I get bombarded with all these stupid questions."

Bianca wrung her hands together, mouth pursing in a frown. "Well," she began gently, "I can't speak for everybody else, but as somebody who loves you a whole lot, I just want to help you through this."

The sentence seemed to deflate Babe, at least some, as her friend sighed, staring down at her baby, gently running fingers of Bess's little scalp. "And I love you Bianca," she said finally, smiling at her weakly. "I really do. It's just... I really need to do this on my own."

Bianca sighed, the words tightening the ache in her chest. Babe was just so close and yet so far away from her - there was this secret between them, and Bianca hated that. She hated the idea that her friends had put up walls. It happened with Maggie, and now - she'd be damned if it happened with Babe too.

"You know," sbe began softly, "It wasn't so long ago, Babe, that you asked me to help you determine where your husband stood. And that's when we staged that whole you and me in bed together. And J.R. let you know exactly how he felt. And as if that weren't horrendous enough, then he took Bess and he hid her from you. And you knew exactly what you had to do."

Babe didn't look at her. "I changed my mind."

Bianca licked her lips in frustration, struggling to keep her voice even. "Okay," she accepted. "But why? And why leave everyone who would fight so hard for you completely out of the loop? And what did you mean when you whispered to me that there would be a happy ending?"

Babe jerked her head up. "Because there will be one. I know it."

Bianca smiled ruefully, a bitter twinge in her heart, pushing off her seat. "Meanwhile, you're still sitting on a secret, and obviously, you don't trust me enough to tell me."

"No, no! Bianca!" Hands grabbed her, forced her back, until Babe had her in her embrace, blue eyes bright and shining. "I will tell you. I just..." Babe squeezed hard. "I just need a little bit more time. And then I promise you, I will answer all of your questions." Bianca pressed her lips together, but her blonde friend just smiled sadly, eyes moistened with unshed emotion. "Do you know what I wish sometimes? Sometimes I wish that I could be reincarnated as a whole nother person but I could still be your friend."

It was the weirdest thing that Babe had ever said, and Bianca knit her brows together in confusion. "Babe, where did that come from?"

Sharing an intense glance, Bianca got no answer, as whatever guard Babe had put down slid back into place. Bianca's heart hurt with sadness, as Babe released her, pacing back, turning away from her. "I don't know..." she said, forced laughter bleeding out of her. "Well, it's just then I'd be somebody else, a whole different person without a past to hide."

Babe was just so sad. The sight broke Bianca, and the anger seeped away, as she reached forward to draw her into her arms. "Babe," she whispered against the blonde crown, "if you came back as Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, and Sappho combined, I couldn't love you more."

Babe sniffed, just once, and then slid her palms around Bianca's waist, holding on desperately.

"I love you, Bianca," she whispered.

--

Aiden closed his eyes, taking a brief moment to rest against the white wall, trying to block out both the sound of the hospital PA and the looming headache that threatened to break his skull.

"Hi."

Opening his eyes, he lifted his head from the wall, and spotted suddenly, Maggie, holding a cup of steaming liquid and a small bag. She was smiling, hair done up in a small twist, cocking her head.

"Maggie."

She grinned, "Tea," she said, pressing it into his hands, "Real tea," she added, "Earl Grey, and donuts." She shrugged. "I would have gone for the scone thing, but, not surprisingly? I didn't know what kind you wanted."

His headache was quickly dissipating, as he slid a free hand around her waist and pulled her in closer, suddenly grinning like a fool. "What are you doing here?"

She kissed him sweetly, patting the side of his face with her small fingers, and leaned back, palm resting now on his chest. "Well, you've been here all day! I figured you were getting tired. And hungry."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," she answered, pulling out of his arms, crossing her own as he dug into the bag, picking through the small selection she provided. "How's Ryan?"

"He hasn't regained consciousness," he said, smile faltering. "We're just supposed to wait around and see, I suppose."

Maggie frowned, hopping slightly in her agitation. "God... I'm so sorry, Aiden."

"I'll be better when I can nail the bastard who did it," he said, eyeing Ethan Ramsey, still some twenty feet away, standing with Kendall. Maggie followed his gaze.

"Ethan," she said slowly. "Do you really think he's a Cambias?"

"I don't know yet. But that's what I'm going to find out."

When Maggie didn't respond, he looked back at her, to discover his girlfriend wearing a soft smirk. "You're sexy when you're all super spy, you know that?"

He laughed, nearly upsetting his tea when he bent to kiss her again, drawing her in closer, a growing heat in the pit of his stomach harder to ignore when Maggie gave a soft little moan.

His phone, loud and obnoxious, broke the moment, making him nearly growl as Maggie pulled away reluctantly, arching an eyebrow. "Duty calls?"

"Fraid so..." He sighed, reaching into his pocket. "Maggie, can you wait for a bit? Maybe we can go to lunch?"

"Sure!" Already stepping away from him, she bobbed her head. "Look, I'll head over there, let you do your thing... come get me when you're ready."

"Right." Pulling open the phone, Aiden's soft affectionate smile for Maggie turned into a grimace when he heard the caller. "Yeah... You're kidding me."

--

It was a thoroughly smalchtzy moment, and even Bianca laughed awkwardly, as Babe pulled away, tucking bangs behind her ear, heading back for Bess.

"Enough about me," Babe declared, gathering Bess into her embrace, kissing her little head distractedly. "What's going on with you?"

Bianca considered that statement, and found herself smiling painfully, settling down into her seat. "Oh, you know... the usual. Kendall's still accused of attempted murder..."

"And Maggie?" Bianca looked up sharply, but involved in sniffing Bess's bottom, Babe didn't notice the sharp intake of breath. When Bianca failed to answer, Babe glanced up. "You said she was missing," she elaborated. "You were worried about how she ran off when she found us..."

"Oh. That." Bianca's smile was forced now, as she shifted in her chair, flushing at just the thought of the dream she had the night before. "No, she's back. She's fine. More than fine, actually."

Babe's smile was crooked, this time there was no mistaking Bianca's odd tone. "What does that mean?"

Bianca blushed, smoothing hands against her scalp, suddenly uncomfortable. "Meaning, she's with Aiden. She was with Aiden. She's... with... Aiden."

"Aiden Devane?" Babe asked, settling down beside her, bouncing Bess in her lap. "The hot British guy?"

Bianca nearly winced at the description. "That's Aiden," she managed, laughing a little. "They're... dating, apparently."

"Oh... and that's a bad thing?" Babe asked, eyebrow arching.

"No!" Bianca shook her head a little too vehemently. "Of course not!"

"Well you don't seem too thrilled." Bianca glanced down at her hands. "Aiden's a good guy, isn't he? I mean, I don't know him too well, but-"

"No, Aiden's... a great guy," Bianca interrupted, conceding with a small smile. "He's thoughtful and loyal and sweet. He's really one of the nicest guys I know."

"Oh..." Babe mused for a second, "Is that the problem?"

--

She steered by Kendall, offering a small smile in greeting, moved fast, trying to duck away just as quickly.

It was easier not to actually have to talk to Bianca's sister, for a number of reasons - Bianca might have been an Ethan supporter, but Maggie wasn't quite convinced yet, and the strange look Kendall was giving her told her she saw the rather open display of affection she had given Aiden.

"Maggie!"

Back arching, like someone had just scratched nails down a blackboard, Maggie broke into an automatic smile, turning back. "Hi, Kendall."

"What's up?" she asked, enunciating and a little accusingly.

"Nothing much," she answered, just politely. "Just visiting a friend."

"Hmm..." Kendall crossed her arms. "Is Bianca here?" It was a pointed question.

Maggie's smile became just a little more forced. "No," she said through gritted teeth. "Bianca's not here. I don't know where Bianca is. Probably with Babe, her bestest friend in the world. I'll see you, Kendall!"

She kept moving, until she spotted a blonde young man seated in a plastic chair, rubbing palms into his jeans, on his face obvious worry.

Maggie's steps faltered, smile turning into a frown. Clutching her bag, she moved forward. "Hi."

He looked up, obviously surprised at being addressed. "Hi."

"Jonathan, right?" She held out her hand, tone purposely friendly. "Ryan's brother?"

He took it, rising out of his seat. "Yeah... Jonathan Lavery."

"Maggie Stone," she said, shaking it firmly. "We haven't really met."

"Now we have," he said, and she smiled. "Sit," he managed, offering a plastic seat. "They're super uncomfortable, but..."

"It wouldn't be a hospital without them," she finished, head tilting in a friendly manner. "I just... you looked a little down and... not that it makes it better, but for what it's worth, I've kind of been where you are right now."

His handsome face registered surprise. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she said, nodding her head, "And nobody can say anything to make it better except the doctor. So if there's anything that you need... Coffee?" She held up the donut Aiden hadn't taken. "A donut?"

He glanced at the bag, then at her, and slowly, she got a smile out of him. "Just talk," he said finally, reaching forward to take the bag. "Who was it for you when you were in the same spot?"

Maggie's smile faltered, and she inhaled deeply, shifting to avoid the sharp ache that always came at the thought, the mention of her beautiful, tough Frankie.

"My sister," she said finally. "You know, it wasn't the same, though. I -- I was actually too late for the kind of thing that -- the kind of thing that you're sharing with Ryan."

Jonathan's expression was pensive. "What got you through?"

Maggie sighed, closed her eyes and suddenly remembered Bianca, holding on so tightly to the woman she barely knew, because somehow, just touching her made her feel like she could be okay. David, who cradled her in her embrace. Leo...

"Friends," she said suddenly, voice tainted with realization, "Wow."

Catching her stunned, sheepish expression, he began to laugh, and she laughed with him, carefully smoothing a bang back out of her face, flushing. "That sounds so greeting card. Does it?" She shook her head, heated flush running though her, "Oh, no."

"Yeah it does," he agreed frankly, "But it's true."

She nodded. "It's true. So if you need one..."

"Thanks." They shared a smile, and Maggie smacked his leg companionably. "So - are you here with anyone?"

"Oh..." she thumbed behind her, "My boyfriend."

"Boyfriend," he repeated, obviously disappointed. Maggie just shrugged. He was cute, but... "And the lucky guy is?"

"Oh, he's..." Shouting erupted, and she jerked her head back, eyes widening when she realized Aiden was in the middle of a heated argument with Kendall, Ethan, Greenlee AND Simone. "The one in the big fight with the biggest drama queens in Pine Valley..."

They both rose, as Maggie walked fast, Jonathan right beside her.

"Greenlee, I didn't shoot Ryan," Kendall snapped, just as Maggie reached Aiden's side. "The bullet came from another gun!"

"Wait..." Maggie blinked, looking to Aiden for confirmation. "Really?"

"Yeah," Aiden said, hand on her shoulder possessively, "Ryan was shot with a high-powered rifle from a distance. It wasn't the party-game gun. And it was the work of a trained marksman." Maggie blew out her breath, suddenly relieved, smiling at Bianca's sister. Aiden, however, was already back in the action. "In your gun club, they ranked you sharpshooter, didn't they, Ethan?"

"I knew it was you." Maggie blinked, and discovered the sweet Jonathan she had met was suddenly volatile with rage, face construed with anger, "You couldn't con my brother, so you tried to kill him."

"Woah, wait-"

"Hey." Aiden was already there, pushing Maggie behind him, and stepping between them both. "Just calm down. Keep it down a notch, can we?"

"You, worthless piece of -" Jonathan shoved, and plowing Ethan into the wall, and Maggie jumped, eyes wide.

Ethan jumped back, face tight with emotion. "You best not touch me again."

"Oh, my GOD," Maggie breathed, locking eyes with Kendall. "It's night of the living testosterone."

"You're telling me!" Kendall breathed. "Can we knock it off!"

Jonathan didn't hear them, "Oh, or what? You're going to pull out your rifle, huh? You're going to shoot me like you did my brother?"

Aiden shoved Jonathan back, hands out, eyes narrowed, "Just back off before security drags your butt out of here, all right?"

They kept going, as Maggie rubbed at her forehead and once again glanced at Kendall, away from the shovings and threats. "So... congrats on not being the killer."

"Yeah, tell your new boyfriend to stop trying to throw blame around like a bad habit, all right?" Kendall snided.

"Then stop hanging out with shady English guys," Maggie suggested pointedly.

"You first," she shot back, and pushed Ethan back, dragging him from the fight with a hand on his tie, nearly choking him in the process.

Maggie sighed, crossing her arms as Aiden struggled to hold Jonathan Lavery back from going after him.

"Hey, come on," he said, hands on Jonathan's collar. "Let him go. Let him go."

"Why?" Jonathan snapped, shoving Aiden away. "So he can pack up and go to leave town?"

"No," Aiden said firmly. "I promise you, he won't be doing that, ok?"

Jonathan glared. "Whatever." Throwing his hands up, Jonathan slid his hazel eyes over to her, then back at Aiden. "Whatever-" Jerking away, Jonathan walked away, Greenlee and Simone following.

"Wow," Maggie said, now that they were alone. Aiden was breathing hard, hands on his hips.

"That was fun."

He stared at her, and slowly creased his frown into a smile. "What you were doing talking to him, anyway?"

"Oh, jealous?" He rolled his eyes, and she laughed, slipping an arm around his waist, letting him lead her away. "I just felt bad for him. I mean... I've been there, with Frankie." Aiden was quiet, but he squeezed her a little tighter, brushing a kiss against her forehead.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Yeah..." Maggie swallowed, suddenly caught in Frankie, remembering - Bianca's broken expression. "You know? Wait - I think I should call Bianca."

He paused, glancing at her in surprise. "What?"

"To let her know about Kendall..." she shrugged. "I mean it's stupid, right? Just because... if it wasn't for Binks - I think she should know." Aiden had a weird expression on his face, and mid dialing, she caught it. "Aiden, she's still my best friend. For a while she was all I really had..." Licking her lips, she suddenly blinked, an awkward smile floating on her face. "It that... is that weird for you?"

Aiden rolled his shoulders, pasted on an odd grin. "No, no, why would it be?"

She arched an eyebrow, studying him intently. "I swear you look green. Are you a jealous guy, Aiden?"

"Maggie." Hands on her shoulders, Aiden looked at her firmly. "It's fine."

"Cause you know, I'm not jealous that you're still friends with Anita. And Maria. And Kendall..." she stopped, remembering suddenly the parade of woman who swept past Aiden's bed. "You're kind of a slut, aren't you, Aiden?"

The playful smile did him in, and suddenly he was laughing, reaching for her waist, pulling her against him.

"Shut up," he murmured, before plundering her lips in a delightful kiss.

--

Babe's knowing look caused an unconscious flush, and Bianca furrowed her brow, suddenly self conscious. "What do you mean?"

Babe shrugged, idly playing with Bess' little hands. "I'm just thinkin'. Look, if Maggie had hooked up with a guy of... say... questionable intentions- a jerk," she translated, when Bianca arched an eyebrow. "Then, you know... there'd be an excuse. Cause it couldn't last really that long." Bianca looked away. "But Aiden... he's... sweet and loyal and good, and... not going anywhere."

Bianca sucked in a ragged breath. "Babe..."

"It's none of my business, I know, but I always thought that... you and Maggie were... confusing."

The wording caused a bitter smile as Bianca shook her head, buried her palms into her face. "Oh, God..."

"Bianca?"

Maggie in a towel, eyes dark with desire and want - Maggie telling her she loved her...

"Can I tell you something?" she asked suddenly, low and desperate. Babe nodded. Bianca shook her head, trying to still her shaky insides. "A few months ago, Maggie told me she thought she loved me."

Babe blinked, taking that in with an indrawn breath. "Oh my God - Bianca that's huge!"

"No! It's..."

"Well, what's stopping you?"

"Lena!"

"Oh." Babe deflated. "I forgot about Lena."

Bianca let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, and that's not all, it just... my head just feels like it's been turned inside out and Maggie was really great about it, but I just... I guess I was just waiting for her to take it back."

"Oh." Babe considered that. "Has she?"

Bianca bit her lip. "No," she admitted grudgingly. "But it doesn't change anything. I'm still with Lena, and Maggie's with... Aiden now."

"Bianca," Babe's eyes rolled in recrimination. "Maggie and I aren't exactly on the same wavelength half the time, but I never, ever doubted that she loved you. If you can be happy with Maggie, then... why not?"

"Babe."

"No, I mean it. Maggie's pretty and sweet, and she gets you. And she's here. Not in Poland."

"Babe, the last thing I want to worry about right now is trying to fix my lovelife when there's nothing wrong with it."

"Honey, don't get me started."

"I'm with Lena! I'm committed to her!"

"Yeah," Babe said sardonically. "And I was committed to J.R., and look at how well that turned out."

Bianca sighed. "You know this is different." Babe frowned, ready to start in again, when Bianca was granted a reprieve when her phone rang, a dingy note in her purse. Saved by the bell, she thought, digging through it to unlock it, checking the caller ID. Maggie. Swallowing, she opened it, held it to her ear, "Maggie?"

Babe arched an eyebrow.

"Binks! It's Maggie - wait you - know that - nevermind."

Despite their recent awkwardness, Bianca couldn't help her smile. "Hi, Maggie."

"Hey! Listen - I'm at the hospital with Aiden, and I just thought you should know - your sister didn't do it."

Bianca frowned. "She didn't do what?"

"She didn't shoot Ryan." The sentence took a minute to process, as Bianca felt her heart stutter with hope.

"Are you serious?"

"Totally. Aiden just got this ballistic report thingy, and it confirmed it."

Bianca sighed with relief, eyes closing. "Oh, thank you, Maggie."

A small beat, and suddenly she heard, just as sincerely, "You're welcome."

Bianca grinned, holding the phone to her with both hands. "Maggie, I..."

"I know. Me too." A small, pregnant beat, and then, "I gotta go. James Bond here's tummy's getting growly."

Aiden. Bianca smiled ruefully. "Okay."

"Bye, Binks."

"Bye."

She hung up the phone, feeling an odd ache, a small burst of euphoria trapped by a tender ray of hope.

Babe was eyeing her, wearing an expression that was almost confusing. "I'm just saying think about it, Bianca."

Bianca's heart stuttered, and she fumbled with her phone, stubborn against her twisting insides. "Babe - right now I just want to be here for you and Bess, okay?"

Babe glanced down, expression closed off from her. "I want you to be happy, Bianca. I want you to end up happy. To get what you deserve."

"I will," she said, reaching over to cup Babe's knee. "We both will, I promise."

end chapter

bComing Soon/b

Aiden makes a surprising confession to Maggie, Bianca accidentally eavesdrops twice, and Maggie agrees to help with the 'What's Wrong With Babe?' problem.