MissyJade: I'm grateful for any reviews I get, particularly yours. :) Most of the BAMers have already read this story on the BAM board, and for the others, well, it's pretty hard to trust a writer they don't know who starts a shipper story with a triangle and drags it out for forty chapters.Keep reading, I'll keep posting. :-)

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 FOURTEEN

I didn't mean to treat you bad
Didn't know just what I had
But honey now I do
-- Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Crystal Gayle

--

Stupid Aiden got her into country music.

It started when she had 'stolen' his copy of 'The Thing Called Love' soundtrack. That led to her pulling out her guilt-ridden Shania Twain purchase, which led her on an online pilfering of recommendations on I-Tunes.

Now, Maggie had an entire collection, and quite frankly, she loved it. Not the hokey old stuff that sounded like a cat killing itself, but the new stuff, The heartfelt lyrics. The words that seemed to shoot straight into her heart, float into her mind and plant themselves, nearly bringing her to tears with the words, the despair, the joy and the silliness.

She didn't know what it was about country music that brought out the sentimentality in people. In her.

But Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were all the rage these days, so maybe she wasn't the only one catching the good ole' western fever.

Now, Maggie found herself humming 'Gone Country' under her breath, which garnered her some really weird looks from the students studying at the table next to her, and it was all stupid Aiden's fault.

Sighing, Maggie shut her books, arching her arms behind her to try to crack the bones in her spine, wincing when she heard the pops that came from hunching over her books for hours.

She wondered idly which would be worse – getting no sleep during her fast approaching internship or crackin' the ole' books.

She couldn't study anymore. Four hours pushing away the drama that had enveloped Pine Valley had been enough, and it now seeped into her brain once again, frown emerging as she glanced at the front page of the local paper, seeing Ryan's stupid ass brother plastered on top of it.

Out on bail.

She bit her lip, letting out a sigh. That would be the case when your brother was the uncontested billionaire head of Cambias Industries. Even the mysterious Ethan Ramsey wouldn't take what was left of Bianca's shirt after Bianca's devastation and Jonathan's crime.

Maggie frowned, gathering her books and shoving them into her bag, hauling her backpack over her shoulder and heading out of the library, shivering as the cold of Pine Valley flitted through Aiden's leather jacket, even as she jerked the sleeves over her hands and crossed them.

Bianca had been suspiciously absent, and Maggie, stuck getting ready for midterms and what not, couldn't really complain – Bianca had a lot going on, what with Jonathan's issues, and Babe and Kendall and Fusion and Enchantment. Her best friend, the heiress.

Still, Maggie needed a study break, and settling down on the cold bench, she dialed her cellphone with finicky fingers, lifting it to her ear. When a familiar voice answered, she smiled.

"Hi, Sexy."

"Maggie." Aiden sounded genuinely glad to hear from her, and it made her smile. Her boyfriend was a good one. That no one had ever contested. "Taking a break from studying?"

"You know it," she quipped, eying a crowd of students that passed her, shoving at each other, laughing amongst themselves. "Watcha doing?"

"Arguing with Ryan about this bloody shirt incident," he said, "Ryan's a good guy, Maggie, but he's not convinced his brother is irredeemable."

"Then he's an idiot," she said immediately. "You were there, Aiden."

"Yes," he agreed, "And I'm glad I was. I'll do what I can to make these charges stick, Maggie. Until then, be careful."

"Please. He wouldn't be stupid enough to go after me," she said firmly. Aiden didn't respond, obviously not convinced. "I'll be fine," she enunciated. "It's Bianca I'm worried about."

Another odd pause. "Don't be," he said, "I'm working on that, too. Maggie, I want to talk to you about that – I found some interesting information, but right now –"

"Right, yeah. Sorry." She sighed. "I just needed a distraction. I've been, you know, struggling with this Chem assignment, and I kind of hit the wall."

"I wish I could help."

She slumped her shoulders, cradling the phone against her ear. "Yeah, me too. Back in the old days, Bianca and I – you know, we could catch a snack during a break or something, but she's been unreachable lately. Price of having a cosmetics mogul slash philanthropist as a best friend, and a super spy for a boyfriend, I guess."

"You're lonely."

"Well... Jamie and I aren't exactly on speaking terms," she said, playing the hem of Aiden's jacket, smile faltering. "It's like he's hardly at the apartment anymore, and... I don't know."

"I'll do my best to be home early, Maggie. I promise."

"Thanks." She sighed, bringing down the phone and ending the call, staying seated for a moment longer, until the wind chilled her, and she got to her feet, balancing her heavy backpack once again over her shoulder and trekking back to her car, parked off campus to avoid the fees.

At home there was ice cream, soda and a new Brad Paisley CD waiting.

--

Actually, at home, there was shouting, David, and Jamie – and they weren't waiting for anything.

Faltering in the doorway of her apartment, Maggie nearly ran into her cousin, the handsome, dark-haired guardian of hers wearing a pissed off, haggard expression that was immediate cause for concern.

He stared at her, hands on his hips, obviously exasperated.

"Hi," she said, dropping her bag on the couch.

David just glared, before he shook his head and moved past her, headed out. "Jamie's going off half-cocked," he snapped. "Stop him before it's too late."

Maggie blinked, left standing with her mouth wide open as David left her, slamming the door behind her.

Swiveling around, she discovered Jamie, carrying an armful of clothes, striding into the living room. He saw her, pausing long enough to snort, and dropped the clothes in a suitcase sitting on their couch.

"What? Cousin Davey send you on the case?"

"What did you do to him?" she asked immediately, rounding the couch to step in front of her taller roommate.

"Oh, nothing," he said dismissively. "He's just going on and on about Babe and I leaving town."

Her first reaction was a disbelieving snort. "Well I would, too, if I thought it was..." Jamie shut the suit case, slamming it down with his elbow to buckle the clasps, a dirty sock hanging out. Maggie's half laugh got stuck in her throat, nearly choking her. "It's true, isn't it?" she suddenly breathed, horrified.

Jamie looked up at her, on his face grim determination. Their eyes locked for a half second, until he looked back down at his suitcase, hauling it up. "You know what? Go ahead. Ream me out too," he said, when he saw her face.

"Jamie, NO!" Following him, she kept at his heels, suddenly heartsick with desperation. "Jamie, I knew you were gone over this girl, but you can't ruin everything for her –"

"Babe and I are leaving," he told her, in this firm tone that warned her there wasn't anything to change his mind. Dumb, stupid Jamie.

"Why?" she demanded. "Why suddenly now!" He turned away again, and she wiped at her angry tears, shaking her head as she swallowed, tried to get moisture back into her throat to fight this. "Jamie, one day Babe is all over you, and the next she's madly in love with J.R., and then you again! And then you're hiding things from me – and it's her! I know it is! She's making you keep this secret-"

"You don't know what you're talking about-"

"Jamie, you can't throw away your family and your education and your entire life just because Babe wants a ride somewhere!"

Jamie froze, turning back at her with flashing, resolute eyes. "You know what? It's more than a ride."

"Then what is it!" she said, suddenly desperate. "Jamie, what is it you're hiding! What's going on! Tell me! Trust me, and maybe I can help you!"

"You can't, Maggie! You wouldn't understand."

"Try me," she begged. "Please. Please don't ruin your life over this girl. She's a liar and she's using you, Jamie."

He shook his head vehemently, shouldering past her with another armful of coats. "Maggie, you're wrong."

"Prove it," she said, running to overtake him, hands on his arms, trying to hold him back. "You prove it to me. guys want to shack up -- move in here, take my place. I'll find somewhere else to live. Just don't leave Pine Valley. Please don't leave Pine Valley."

He looked torn, as Maggie's tears came sliding down, and she wiped them off fiercely, desperate not to lose eye contact.

"Maggie, leaving town was my idea, not hers." His broad arms went on her shoulders, her former lover's touch so familiar and sweet. "Want to do me a favor?"

She swallowed, trying to hold herself together. "Anything."

"Remember that Babe never meant to hurt anyone."

Oh, God. She knew it. The bitch was hiding something and Jamie was hiding it for her, and that stupid chapel- "Jamie, what's going on?"

"It's just that things got out of hand, and the best course of action is to move away," he said, untangling himself from her.

"Well, I don't accept that! You're stupid sometimes, Jamie, but you were never a coward!" He froze, coat half on, half off his shoulders. "Just tell me, Jamie. Maybe I can help-"

"Maggie – it's not your problem!" he snapped. Whirling, he finally seemed to see her, and she knew she must have looked a mess, because he came forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, whispering weakly, "I'm going to miss you."

"Oh, come on," she said, voice strained, dirty with emotion, as Jamie picked up his bags and moved to the doorway. She reached for his hand, tried to hold him in place. "Please don't go. Don't go-"

"I have to-"

He snapped out of her grip, and shut the door behind him, leaving her alone.

Devastated, Maggie sank to the floor, palms pressed against her face, battling the rattling panic flitting around inside of her.

--

"You've been looking haggard lately."

Aiden sank into the chair, glancing at Edmund Gray, as his friend regarded him with this elegant features and wise eyes.

"Just a lot on my mind, is all," he said immediately.

Edmund ticked his finger against the side of his wheelchair, creating dull clicks with his short fingernails. "Anything you'd like to share with a friend?"

Aiden pressed his lips together, rubbing at his chest, trying to massage out the tension. Edmund was the closest thing he had to a friend in this place. A real friend, a confidence. Him, Anita, Maria, they were his refuge, when he wasn't with Maggie, and when Edmund quirked an inquisitive eyebrow, he finally found himself breathing, "I'm tired of falling in love with everyone else's girl."

Edmund took that in, contemplated it's meaning, before he breathed out slowly, settling back in his chair. "This about Maggie?"

Aiden licked his lips, felt the acrid taste of plastic on them, the taste of the hospital. "I'm working on this case for her. She thinks that Bianca is being lied to –"

"Ah." Edmund clucked his tongue. "Do you think she's being lied to?"

"Bianca's a sweet girl. She's naïve and trusting." Aiden lowered his head, scowling, "And the clues we're putting together, they're suspicious, Edmund. Something's not adding up with that girl Chandler married. Babe."

"Aren't they nearing a divorce?"

"She's shagging his brother," he said methodically. "And she's been in Llanview repeatedly, for no reason. The boy's lied for her, holding some secret Maggie can't get out of him, and Anita told me he was asking her about DNA tests. And there's a chapel – built as a memorial for Miranda."

"What's wrong with that?"

Aiden licked his lips, brows furrowing. "I'm sure once I'll see it it'll come together. The truth lies somewhere within that child, Bess."

"Well, Bianca's gone through enough pain," Edmund noted, hands clasped together, eyes narrowing in thought. "If Maggie wants to protect her from more of it, and so do you I don't see what the problem is-"

"I'm doing it for the wrong reason."

Edmund frowned. "Meaning?"

Aiden glanced at the floor, down at his boots. "Meaning, that yes, I care about Bianca, and yes I'd help if I could, but... deep down, I've got the irrational hope that if I solve this – I figure it out, and put Bianca in the clear, that Maggie's obsession with her best friend will diminish and I'll have her again."

Edmund's mouth twitched, confused. "Aiden, are you telling me you're jealous of Maggie's relationship with Bianca?"

A flush of shame crept over his face, and Aiden sighed.

"Aiden, they're friends. Best friends."

"It's more than that," Aiden snapped. "It's more. I knew it was more when I started this, and I didn't care. I thought Maggie and I could heal each other – mend together." Edmund pressed his lips together. "But I love her, Edmund. I love her and I'm afraid I need her now, and I wouldn't know how to let her go."

"And you think Bianca has the capability of stealing her away."

Aiden shifted his feet, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "Edmund, Bianca had her chance, right? It's my chance. I'm not going to screw it up." Aiden sighed. "I know Maggie loves Bianca – as a best friend, and I care about Bianca. She's had a hard life, I was there for it. But if Maggie and I have a chance to be happy..."

Edmund let out a long sigh, interrupting Aiden's stammer. "Aiden, I don't know what I can tell you." Aiden looked at him, tilting his head as his friend considered his words. "Would you fight for Maggie? Would you have a chance?"

"I think I would."

Edmund pressed his palms against his mouth, thinking hard. "I'm not the best example," he drawled finally, "My wife is wrapped up in Zach Slater – a man I despise and want to destroy. Your case..."

"It's not that simple," Aiden agreed.

They sat in silence, contemplating their problems, and Aiden closed his eyes, rubbing fingers through his scalp.

His phone buzzed, and automatically, he reached for it, flipping it open and lifting it to his ear. "Yes?"

"Aiden?"

The upset tone knocked him out of his melodrama completely as he straightened in his chair, losing his breath. "Maggie?"

"Aiden..."

"Maggie? What is it? What's wrong!"

--

Maggie hung up the phone, bringing her knees up on the coach and wrapping her arms around them, hugging them to her.

Her mind whirled, her heart ached, and Maggie found herself torn between sobbing for her loss of one of her best friends or wanting to kill him for his stupidity.

When the knock on the door came, she was in no mood to answer it, but desperate for something to do other than wallow in despair, Maggie shoved off the couch.

Reaching her door, she twisted the knob, jerked it open, and discovered Bianca, her friend clutching her purse with both hands, staring down at her with soft, tender brown eyes.

Maggie's heart stuttered, as she deflated, taking her in.

"Maggie." Bianca's eyes drifted over her. "You know."

"Jamie and Babe?" she said, laughing bitterly. "He just left."

Bianca fell silent, as Maggie held tightly to the door knob, afraid to let go.

"Are you doing ok?" Bianca asked finally.

Maggie smiled grimly, eyes stinging with her unshed tears, and she leaned against the door, and said weakly, 'No... no..." she glanced up at her best friend. "Not so good."

Bianca's expression was odd, as she once again just stared at Maggie, and then her friend did exactly what Maggie needed. She opened her arms and drew Maggie into her embrace.

Eyes closing, Maggie shuddered, burying her nose into Bianca's shoulder, wrapping arms tightly around her middle, feeling her tears drift silently over her lids and onto Bianca's shoulder, seeping into Bianca's blazer.

But Bianca just held her tighter, cheek brushing against hers as she rubbed at Maggie's back, bare fingers caressing her skin.

Clinging to Bianca, Maggie finally found herself able to breathe, sucking in her friend's essence through her mouth, her nostrils, Bianca's body trembling against hers.

Bianca brushed a kiss along her forehead, and when Maggie's eyes opened against the contact, let her go, moving back to tenderly thumb a tear off Maggie's face. On Bianca's face was a sweet smile.

"I know how close you are with Jamie," she said softly.

Maggie battled for a smile on her face, but she failed. Letting Bianca go reluctantly, she stepped away from the door, letting her in, closing it behind her.

"Well... the same as you and Babe."

Bianca turned on her booted heel, voice even, under control. "Well, it's going to be hard," she said, sinking down the couch, as Maggie went down with her. "But they really are doing the right thing by leaving."

Bianca was just so... calm.

Maggie wasn't able to get there, not yet. "So..." she said irately, "The gory details? Jamie's crazy for Babe, and she just wiggles her tush and he follows along."

Bianca actually sounded a little upset at that. "It's a little deeper than that, actually."

Maggie only shook her head, pulling at threads on the couch, trying to push down her hate for Bianca's friend. Babe, who had a secret- who had told Bianca she had a son and then told her she had lied about it. Who was hiding secrets and who had dragged Jamie into it – stupid pussy whipped Jamie-

She blinked, head suddenly rising. "You know... now thinking about it – he didn't say anything about Bess." Her eyes narrowed, thoughts tangled now, on the precipice, a prickle of an idea. "Is Babe deserting her little child?"

"No..." Bianca shifted beside her, bringing up her foot to rest underneath her calf. "They're going to take Bess with them."

Maggie's mouth twitched in disbelief. "Right. And on what planet is J.R. letting that happen?"

Bianca looked almost guilty. "Well... they didn't exactly ask permission."

What Bianca was implying caused a sinking feeling in Maggie's stomach, a touch of nausea as she shook her head. Jamie wouldn't... "Bianca... they're – they're kidnapping Bess?"

Bianca must have sensed the horror in the tone, because her friend got defensive, again. "Well, it's more like a rescue mission!" Maggie arched an eyebrow. "They have to save her before the Chandlers crush her soul!"

That was melodramatic. And Maggie didn't even like the Chandlers. Still, her heart was still bruised, and she suddenly didn't feel like arguing. Instead the cogs still didn't seem to want to work in her brain – because she knew how much Bianca loved Bess, and Bianca just seemed... too comfortable with letting her go.

"Okay," she said slowly, working through it, "Bianca, what about you? I mean, losing that little girl—did you get a chance to say goodbye?"

"No..." Bianca sighed, licking her lips as she glanced again at Maggie. "But it's okay, before it's not forever." Maggie's eyebrow furrowed. "Babe has made me a promise that -- that I'm going to be there for Bess' first day of school and for every amazing step that that little girl takes on her way to growing up. Somehow, Babe is going to fix it so that -- so that I can see it happen."

On the run Babe. Baby Napper Babe was going to do all that? It was idiotic.

"It'll happen. Somehow, my heart knows that it's going to come to be."

Maggie blinked, turning away from Bianca as she tried to fathom how that could be true. How Babe could say that when she would be on the run-

Babe's secret had to do with Bess. What was it about Bess!

Maggie's eyes closed, a sudden headache looming with her confusion.

"Maggie..." A soft palm slid into hers, and she opened her eyes to find Bianca staring at her, tangling their fingers as Bianca smiled this crooked smile, the same odd expression she had been giving her forever on her face again.

"What's up?" she said immediately, turning to face her, reaching to take her other hand in hers as well.

Bianca's hold tightened over hers, as her friend tangled their fingers, held on tight, studying their entwined hands with such diligence and sentiment.

Maggie's breathing went a little funny when she forgot to actually do it, and she had to take in a deep breath to calm her heart, that stuttered in retaliation, reminding her she needed air when she felt a sudden lightheadedness.

Bianca's eyes lifted, and connected with hers, an intense stare searing into her. Bianca's tongue darted over her pink lips, her mouth open in her heavy breathing.

"Bianca?"

Bianca blew out a ragged breath, and Maggie only leaned in further, confused.

"No more goodbyes, Maggie. Deal?"

It was the oddest sentence, but she smiled anyway, clutching on tighter, bringing Bianca's hands to her chest, and dropping a kiss on of their entwined fingers. "Deal."

"I love you, Maggie."

The words warmed her heart, and Maggie finally just smiled brilliantly, eyes streaked with emotion, as she smiled.

"I love you too, Bianca."

Her fingers smoothed over Bianca's as slid up her arms, until they were wrapping around Bianca's shoulders, reeling her in, and her cheek rested against Bianca's shoulder, Maggie once again in Bianca's embrace.

Her safe place.

She could feel Bianca's heart beating against her chest, could feel her breathing as Bianca's breasts pushed against hers, rising and falling with her breaths.

It was an intimate moment, and Maggie needed it desperately.

Her eyes closed, and when Bianca brushed her lips against her jaw, she leaned into it, a small smile floating onto her face at the obvious display of affection.

It warmed her, and she sighed, a deep push out of air that fluttered against Bianca's shoulder, giving Maggie goosebumps when Bianca brushed her mouth against her cheek again.

Maggie's smile froze, and she kept completely still, as Bianca's mouth lingered, hot breath against Maggie's cheek, moist wetness, the flutter of soft skin creeping closer and closer, sweeping across her jaw slowly.

Bianca's hands felt different. They palmed Maggie's back with possession, and Maggie's relaxed form slowly stiffened, suddenly very, very aware of Bianca's position, Bianca's hands, Bianca's mouth, still pressing soft, delicate kisses along her cheek bone, never leaving the skin, just breathing along, moist tufts of hot air that made Maggie shiver.

Her fingers wrapped into fists, tangling Bianca's blazer within them, as Maggie's heart thudded against her chest, and she slowly turned her head to stare into Bianca's face, discovered it millimeters from her own.

Bianca's eyes were dark. So dark.

And then her eyes fluttered closed when Bianca's mouth pressed into hers, barely moving to cling to her bottom lip, holding the kiss, until a soft sigh released her, Bianca tilting her forehead against hers, moaning softly and gently capturing her mouth again.

The jolt that shot through her was uncontrollable, and Maggie's instinct betrayed her, when she opened her mouth just enough to feel Bianca's lips moving against hers again, for another slow press.

In that soft, seductive kiss, Maggie's passion spiked through her, enough to force her to jolt her eyes open, and suddenly break the kiss with a gasp, jerking back, panic sliding in and taking place of her wonder and passion.

WHAT THE HELL!

Bianca's arms fell from hers, and they stared at each other, now a foot away on that couch, Maggie overcome with silence and shock.

Until keys rattled in her door and it jerked open. Maggie snapped her head to the doorway.

Aiden stood there, eyes falling on the couch.

End chapter