Disclaimer- Bianca, Maggie, Miranda, Kendall and any citizen of Pine Valley belong to ABC and All My Children. Jean Paul is based on my cousin.

Thanks for the reviews, everyone, I appreciate the kind words.

Paris, France

Fall 2005

And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.
Happiness, no more be sad, happiness...I'm glad.
If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you.
When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.

Led Zeppelin – Thank You

Chapter 15 - Champagne Hangovers

Morning. It was morning. At least, Maggie thought it was morning. It may very well still be the middle of the night but she was not about to open her eyes and find out. The room was tilted off its axis, the edges still spinning a little hazily. After going through four Magnum's of champagne, opening her eyes would hurt too much. Just the thought of moving her eyelids made Maggie want to whimper. Even her hair hurt...

The only saving grace in this was the fact that Bianca was hurting just as bad. She was curled up against Maggie's side, holding on to her as if she was afraid she'd fall off the planet if she let go. She hadn't moved in several hours, other than to whine in pain, much like Maggie. At one point, she moaned that she couldn't feel her legs anymore and wondered aloud if she'd been paralyzed. Maggie had to reassure her that too much champagne did not induce paralysis, although it certainly felt like it at that moment. A couple times during the night, Maggie actually held herself as still as possible, just so she could make sure Bianca was still breathing, that's how little she had stirred. Well, that and the fact that not moving was about the only time Maggie didn't hurt.

Although, feeling Bianca's bare skin against her own, it appeared they were both naked beneath the sheets, so before the pain it's quite possible there had been a great deal of pleasure...

She so wished she could remember that pleasure right about now.

"Maggie?" Bianca croaked a moment later.

"Yeah, sweetie?" Maggie croaked back.

"Are we dead?"

Maggie chuckled, but stopped immediately when it felt as though jagged shards of glass were rattling around inside her skull, scraping against raw nerve endings and pressing against the backs of her eyeballs. She groaned. "If the pain is any indication... I would have to say unfortunately not."

"So, death would be preferable?"

Maggie smiled, her facial muscles screaming in protest. The movement made her head throb harder. "The answer to that would be a big, fat 'yes'."

Bianca tried to roll onto her back, moaned in pain and instead cuddled closer to Maggie's side. "I feel like I've been sucking on a sock..." She thought that maybe if her head exploded, it would relieve the pressure. "You'd think we'd have already learned our lesson when it comes to champagne."

"Different outcome completely, Binks. When you leaned in to kiss me this time, I think I jumped your bones."

Despite the pain, Bianca smiled against Maggie's shoulder. "Oh, Maggie, I love how you say the most romantic things..."

The previous night-

The door to the den swung open and Kendall entered, Jean-Paul on her heels, the two of them laughing. "Oh. My. GOD!" Kendall shrieked, coming to a dead stop. The girls leapt apart as though hit by an electronic cattle prod. "Is nothing sacred in this house?!?"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Maggie shouted back, pulling Bianca into her arms protectively. "This ain't the kitchen!!"

"That does it," Bianca said, her voice muffled against Maggie's neck. "She gets a bell."

Maggie grinned and pressed a kiss to Bianca's temple, feeling the brunette's arms slide around her waist. "We could always kick her out."

"No, she's family," Bianca replied, her lips against Maggie's throat. "I'd probably feel bad. At first, anyway..."

"You know, we are still in the room," Kendall reminded them.

"Trust me, we know-."

Suddenly, Kendall shrieked, startling both Maggie and Bianca. "Oh, my God, you're wearing a ring!" she shouted. "Are you wearing a ring?! You're wearing a ring!!" Kendall raced over to where the girls were sitting, completely ignoring the intimate setting and the fact that Bianca was still wrapped in Maggie's arms. She grabbed Bianca's left hand and yanked it into better light. "Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God!" There was a pause as she turned Bianca's hand this way and that. "Where's the rock?"

"Kendall!" Bianca admonished.

"Sorry," was the sheepish reply. "Oh, wow... Maggie-?" Maggie held up her left hand so Kendall could see her ring, as well. "Oh, this is... this is so... oh..."

"Wow, Kendall speechless," Maggie murmured in Bianca's ear. "Maybe they'll leave now."

"I heard that, Stone."

"Good, will you be leaving now?" When there was no response, Maggie pulled back to look at Bianca. The tears flooding the brunette's eyes had Maggie quickly glancing over her shoulder to Kendall. "Hey..."

Kendall was crying. With the biggest grin on her face, Kendall was crying. Tears raced down her cheeks as she quickly grabbed both girls in her arms and squeezed them tightly to her heart.

"It's about friggin' time...," she whispered.

"Oh, God," Maggie groaned. "Approval from Kendall. We'll never hear the end of it now." She glanced at Bianca. "You know that she's going to take credit for this for the rest of our lives."

Kendall grabbed Maggie by the face and pressed a hard kiss to her cheek. "Yes, I will."

"I believe this calls for a celebration," Jean-Paul said from the doorway.

"Yes!" Kendall exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "We need champagne!" She ran to Jean-Paul and grabbed him by the arms. "Can you get us some, please?" Then she kissed him hard on the lips. "Thanks." She ran back to Bianca and Maggie, pulling Bianca onto the sofa to sit next to her.

"Tell me," Kendall urged, facing Bianca and holding onto her baby sister's hands. "Tell me everything."

Bianca gave Maggie a pleading 'get up here' look, so the blonde quickly moved to Bianca's side, scooting up close behind her and sliding her arms around Bianca's waist. "Fire away, K," she said with a grin.

Kendall gave her a dirty look then smiled. "When did this happen?"

"Earlier tonight."

There was a long pause. Kendall kept looking expectantly at her kid sister and Maggie. "That's it? Here's a ring? You've got a ring? I've got a ring? All Momma's children got rings?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Oh, come on, give me something here!" she shouted in exasperation. "I need details!"

Maggie pressed her forehead to Bianca's shoulder, hiding her grin from Kendall. Bianca lowered her head in order to do the same. Suddenly, they were both giggling like schoolgirls, which only made Kendall huff with indignation. If only she knew what had taken place before Maggie opened that jewelry box

"I'm telling Mother," she threatened.

"She already knows," Maggie assured her.

"I'll tell all of Pine Valley."

Bianca shrugged. "Like anybody back there cares."

"I'll tell- Erica already knows?!"

Maggie snorted. "You think I'd give Bianca a ring without telling La Kane about it first? She'd have my head on a stick!"

Kendall grinned. "How'd that go?"

"I don't know, I think I blocked most of it out."

"Smart girl," Kendall told her. She grabbed Bianca's hand again, admiring the ring. "It's beautiful," she whispered in awe. "Simple but so meaningful." She held both girls' hands in hers, admiring the matching bands. "So, baby sis, you're getting your happy ending."

"Nope," Bianca replied with a little smile. "This is just the beginning."

Kendall grinned and leaned over, kissing Bianca happily on the cheek. Then, much to Maggie's dismay, repeated the process with the blonde.

"What do they say?" Kendall asked softly.

"'I am my beloved's'," Bianca whispered. "'My beloved is mine'."

Maggie recited the phrase in Hebrew. "'Ani l'dodi v'dodi li'."

Jean-Paul stood in the doorway, a bottle of Dom Perignon and four crystal champagne flutes in his hands. "It's a beautiful Hebrew verse, from Song of Songs," he said with a smile. "My sister and her husband have rings that say the same. There is another phrase I love just as much."

Maggie grinned. "I had a hard time deciding between the two," she said softly, knowing what verse he would quote.

Jean-Paul met her grin with one of his own. "'V'arastech li l'olam'," he said. His eyes met Kendall's for a long moment then he glanced back to Maggie and Bianca. "It means I am betrothing myself to you forever."

Bianca looked at Jean-Paul. "Are you Jewish?" she asked.

"On my mother's side, yes. She lost several family members during the War, cousins, aunts and uncles. While I do not practice Judaism, I consider myself a Jew by heritage." He gave them a smile. "I'll tell you stories someday. On a day when we are not having a joyous celebration. Shall we toast?" Jean-Paul asked, peeling back the foil on the neck of the champagne bottle.

"Yes!" Kendall exclaimed, running to him, then running back to the sofa to grab Bianca's hand again. She was a whirling dervish... "Oh, my baby sister!" she nearly sobbed. Then she stopped, suddenly serious once again. "So, what does this mean, exactly? Are you engaged? Going steady? Committed?"

Maggie rolled her eyes. "Speaking of being committed..." Bianca smacked her on the shoulder. "It means that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together. That's the important thing. We've got a lifetime to decide the finer points."

Kendall snorted. "If you think Erica Kane is going to just let this go with a simple exchange of rings, you are sadly mistaken. Have you forgotten the 3-ring circus that was her wedding to Jackson?"

"Which one?" Bianca whispered, rolling her eyes.

"That's what I mean. Be prepared for a wedding or union or commitment ceremony at Versailles or something. She will not go down without a fight."

"Speaking of being committed," Maggie repeated under her breath.

"There is a saying," Jean-Paul said suddenly, quickly popping the cork and filling the glasses, "by the Baal Shem Tov." The women all gave him a look. He grinned. "My Jewish heritage again:

'From every human being there rises a light

that reaches straight to heaven

And when two souls that are destined

to be together find each other

their streams of light flow together

And a single brighter light

goes forth from their united being'"

He raised his glass. "To an incredibly bright light."

A simple, perfect toast. Crystal rang out as glasses touched and they drank.

Then they discussed when Maggie found the rings in the little jewelry shop in the Marais and how nervous she was to present Bianca the ring she meant for her. The heartfelt talk they had shared. Maggie's nerve-wracking talk with Erica…

Kendall eyed the rings again. So close was her scrutiny Maggie was surprised she didn't pull out a jewelers loop to get a better look. After the toast, they talked, drank and toasted more. And the more they drank, the more toasted they got. One bottle of Dom led to a second. After the second bottle, they switched to Möet et Chandon, still toasting and drinking.

Bianca noticed the room starting to spin, but the laughter and stories being told seemed to outweigh that small drawback. Suddenly, things degenerated into a giggle-fest. Jean-Paul was regaling them with hilarious family stories that had them howling with laughter, Maggie couldn't keep her hands off Bianca (alcohol + Bianca handsy), Kendall started to get weepy (alcohol + happiness emotional). Bianca was on the verge of tears, yet somehow felt the urge to belt out Broadway show tunes (alcohol + Maggie emotional and musical). Jean-Paul was beginning to feel quite amorous towards Kendall (alcohol + Kendall hots for Kendall).

As the night wore on Kendall found herself on Jean-Paul's lap, drinking straight from the fourth bottle of champagne, a hand-painted Perrier-Jouët Magnum. Across the room on the couch, Bianca was well into the second act of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, while Maggie just stared at her with a look of raw desire on her face.

Apparently, listening to Bianca warble her way through Any Dream Will Do was the last straw for Maggie. She launched herself at the brunette, knocking her back on the sofa, planting kisses all over her face and neck. Kendall, witnessing this display, burst into tears while laughing at the same time. When she accidentally cracked Jean-Paul upside the head with the champagne bottle while in the throes of giggly sorrow, he decided the celebration was veering dangerously close to a possible hospital visit. He took away the nearly empty bottle, bade a non-responsive Bianca and Maggie good-night, and carried Kendall up to her room.

In the living room, Kendall could be heard crying softly, repeating over and over about rings, Bianca, Maggie, happiness and rings.

Back in the den, Bianca wrapped her hands in Maggie's hair and pulled her head back, looking deeply into the blonde's eyes. "I love you, Mags."

"Me, too," Maggie replied, trying, and failing, to dive back in and leave a hickey on Bianca's neck.

"You love you, too?" Bianca asked then giggled.

Instead of answering, Maggie got quickly to her feet. "Come on," she urged, grabbing Bianca's hands. When she tried to pull Bianca up, they both stumbled and almost fell over the coffee table, laughing as they caught their balance.

"Are you drunk?" Maggie asked.

Bianca bobbed her head once. "Yep, think so."

"Me, too."

"Me, too?"

"Yep, you, too." She turned Bianca toward the door and gave her a gentle shove. "Bedtime..."

"Don't wanna," Bianca whined.

Maggie waggled her eyebrows, or rather tried unsuccessfully to waggle her eyebrows, at the brunette. "Not talking sleep..."

"Oh, really?"

"Yep." Her one-eyed wink turned into a two-eyed blink.

Bianca stumbled again, feeling Maggie's hands on her rear. She reached back to give Maggie a gentle smack on the wrist. She missed and almost lost her balance. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" Maggie asked innocently, despite the devilish grin on her face and her hands maintaining their position.

"I can't walk up the stairs with your hands on my ass." Then she stumbled again, listing off to the right.

"You can't walk at all..." But Maggie seemed to be following the exact same path.

"Maggie..." Bianca veered further off to the right, unable to maintain a straight line.

"Man, you even whine sexy..." Maggie reached out to pull Bianca back on track, but stubbed her toe on the carpet and plowed into Bianca from behind.

They tumbled to the floor in a heap, Maggie on top of Bianca, both of them giggling. The champagne had suddenly reached full effect as Maggie pushed herself up and then toppled over sideways. The blonde got to her feet, pulled Bianca upright, then attempted to pick her up in her arms.

"Maggie, if you pick me up and try to carry me, my feet will still be dragging the floor."

"Is that a comment on my height?"

"Um, yeah."

That was a challenge Maggie couldn't back down from. On her third attempt, she swung Bianca up into her arms and stumbled drunkenly up the stairs. She kicked the bedroom door open then kicked it shut behind them. Dumping Bianca onto the bed, Maggie climbed up behind her, grabbed her in her arms and kissed her.

Bianca returned the kiss wholeheartedly, clothes went flying and that's the last thing Maggie remembered...

"Maggie?" Bianca whispered later that morning, after some of the pain had dulled.

"Yeah?"

"Did we make love last night?"

Maggie glanced beneath the sheets at their state of undress. "I think we at least attempted it."

"Dammit."

The upset tone of Bianca's voice had Maggie rolling onto her side to look at her partner. "What's wrong, honey?" she whispered, seeing the regret on Bianca's face. She reached out a gentle hand, settling it on Bianca's flat belly in an effort to comfort her.

Bianca put a hand to her forehead. "Last night was absolutely beautiful, Maggie. The things you said to me, wearing my favorite outfit-," she gave a little smile for the Levi's and Rangers jersey that were currently in a pile on the bedroom floor "-and then giving me this incredible ring." She looked at the band on her finger, tears filling her eyes. "It should have ended with us making beautiful love to each other. Instead, four bottles of mind-eraser and I can't remember anything after you put your hands on my ass."

"Oh, baby," Maggie murmured, trying not to chuckle at Bianca's words. "Come here." She pulled Bianca into her arms, tucking the brunette's head under her chin. "I know. I know, sweetie. So the evening didn't end the way we really wanted it to. That's okay. I'm going to spend the rest of my life making love to you."

"Promise?"

"Are you kidding me? Making love to you is the most incredible feeling I've ever known. You think I'm going to give that up? Not a chance in hell." There was a pause. "How about you, Binks? Is it everything you could have ever hoped for?"

Bianca grinned, her head still tucked beneath Maggie's chin. "Fishing for compliments, Stone?"

"Well..." Maggie sighed, rolling her eyes even though Bianca couldn't see her. "You're the one with all the experience in this area. All the expertise."

"Expertise!" Bianca laughed outright. "A couple sexual encounters does not make me an expert!"

Maggie slapped Bianca on the butt and they laughed. "You know what I mean."

Bianca was quiet for a moment, wanting to express herself the best she could. "Maggie," she finally whispered, "when we make love, I get it."

"You get what?"

"Everything. The meaning of everything. Love, joy, tenderness, happiness, contentment, excitement, passion, desire... All my senses come alive. I've never felt that before."

"Oh, come on. I know you've had better lovers than me."

"More experienced? Yes. Better? No way." Bianca worked her arms around Maggie's waist, pulling her close. "I've had dreams...about us making love. And let me tell you, they were... pretty explicit..."

"Really?"

"Really. I mean, wake up in a sweat, short of breath, still aching, 'dammit, why did I wake up right then!' kind of dreams." She chuckled. "They pale in comparison to the real thing."

"Wait, wait," Maggie said. "Back up the truck. How explicit?"

"Oh, no," Bianca replied. "We're not discussing my erotic dreams of Maggie Stone."

"Oh, come on. Tell me one of yours and I'll tell you one of mine."

"No."

Maggie gently cupped Bianca's face in her hands, meeting her eyes with a smile. "How about I show you, then?" she whispered, brushing her lips against Bianca's.

"Maggie Stone, are you planning something kinky?" Bianca wondered, allowing Maggie to press her back onto the bed.

Maggie hesitated, appeared to think about it for a minute. "No, we'll save that one for later," she replied with a grin, her hands beginning to wander and explore.

Suddenly, Bianca's eyes widened. "Maggie!" she exclaimed in amazement.

The front door opened and Maggie pushed Miranda's stroller inside, letting Bianca shut the door behind them. "I can't believe I let you talk me into going to Euro-Disney," the blonde muttered.

"Disneyland Paris," Bianca corrected, reaching out to kick Maggie gently in the butt. "Come on, it was fun."

"It was terrifying. Didn't you see our precious little girl?" Maggie smiled down at a still slumbering Miranda, Mickey Mouse ears perched precariously on the toddler's head, the name Mimo embroidered on the front. "She cried all the way through the 'It's a Small World' ride."

"Oh, she did not," Bianca retorted, gently lifting her daughter from the stroller.

Maggie snapped her fingers. "Oh, yeah, right. It was me who cried all the way through the 'It's a Small World' ride."

"Hey!" Bianca exclaimed. "You know, I saw you laughing when we were riding the 'Pirates of the Caribbean'."

"Yeah, that's because I was thinking maybe we'd run into Orlando Bloom."

"Really? I was kind of looking for Keira Knightley," Bianca replied, giving Maggie a cheeky little grin.

"Hey!"

With nothing more than a quirk of her eyebrow, Bianca scored the final point. She tucked Miranda against her chest and turned toward the stairs. "I'll put her to bed."

"No singing 'It's a Small World'!"

"Har-de-har-har."

In the nursery, Bianca changed Miranda, dressed her in a sleeper and settled her into her crib. The cat, who had been conspicuously absent moments ago, suddenly appeared at Bianca's feet, quickly jumping into the rocking chair next to the crib, curling up in a ball and falling asleep. Bianca marveled at the animal's devotion to Miranda. Always at her side, prepared to defend her from whatever came their way. The little thing kind of reminded her of Maggie and her tenacity. It also reminded her of Leo, who had been Bianca's protector in so many ways. Giving the kitten a tender scratch between the ears, Bianca turned out the lights and slipped quietly out of the room.

The kitten raised its head and watched Bianca leave, meowed once, then settled its chin back on its paws. Loud purring filled the room.

The living room was empty when Bianca returned, humming 'It's a Small World' to herself. She grinned sheepishly. "Mags?" she called out.

"In the kitchen!" Maggie replied. "You want a drink?"

"Sounds good." Bianca pushed open the kitchen door to see Maggie sitting on the kitchen counter. Her eyes grew wide. "Get down!" she exclaimed. "Maggie! Get off the counter!"

Maggie looked confused. "Why?"

"Because you on the counter leads to us making out leads to Kendall walking in on us." She gave Maggie a sheepish look. "And I made her a deal."

"Oh, yeah, the deal... Well, I told Kendall to forget all about that deal." She caught Bianca's hand and pulled her between her knees. "Because it wasn't going to happen."

Bianca went willingly into Maggie's arms and smiled. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah." Maggie leaned in and gave Bianca a quick kiss. "I like necking with you in the kitchen."

"You do, huh?" Bianca whispered, leaning in as they kissed again. Her arms slid around Maggie's waist.

"Well, I like necking with you anywhere, but for some reason, I really like this."

"Mmm," Bianca murmured as they kissed again. "I'm really enjoying necking in the kitchen, too."

Maggie captured Bianca's lips once more, kissing her deeply. There was no hesitation as their tongues tangled and danced and their bodies pressed tightly together. Maggie ran her hands through Bianca's silky dark hair, holding her close, taking complete control. Bianca returned the kiss eagerly, still amazed that this was Maggie Stone in her arms, holding her, loving her, kissing her like there was no tomorrow. The kiss was slow and unhurried as they both enjoyed the feel and taste of each other.

Despite the lack of oxygen, Maggie kissed Bianca again and again, never losing contact with Bianca's mouth. Each kiss grew in intensity and passion, lips lingering longer than a moment before. The feel of those soft, warm lips, the taste of them made Maggie's heart thunder in her chest. The sensations she felt when kissing Bianca was something she would never tire of.

Bianca slid her hands under Maggie's sweatshirt, letting her fingers glide up a silken expanse of skin. She caught Maggie's mouth with her own, taking the lead in the kiss, seeking entrance and finding it granted. She lost herself in the kiss, taking Maggie right along with her. The velvet glide of Maggie's tongue against hers was almost more than Bianca could bear.

One kiss led to another, then another. Lips barely strayed from each other, hands roamed and caressed, hearts beat in time. Necking as an art-form...

And for once, Kendall was no where in sight.

"Stop it."

Bianca looked up, clearly bewildered. "Stop what?" she asked Maggie, her brows knitted in confusion.

They were in the den, Maggie at the desk with books and papers spread out before her, hard at studying; Bianca on the sofa, quietly flipping through the latest issue of Tempo Magazine. Despite the distance between them in the room, Maggie could practically feel Bianca's touch. And that was incredibly frustrating, considering she really needed to study.

"I can hear you breathing," she replied.

That made Bianca chuckle. "Well, I'd stop if I could, but breathing is kind of a necessity."

Maggie gave her a look. "Then try not to breathe so loud."

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Sorry."

"Yeah, you don't sound sorry."

The room fell silent. Maggie turned back to her text book, taking notes as she went. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bianca curled up in the corner of the couch, her legs stretched out in front of her, ankles crossed on the coffee table. The light hit her girlfriend in such a way that Maggie could see the curve of Bianca's cheek and the flutter of her eyelashes on her skin. The pencil fell from Maggie's fingers as her thoughts careened immediately away from the anatomy text in front of her to a decidedly less scientific study of the human form.

"Okay, quit it!" Maggie exclaimed, reaching for her pencil and glaring at Bianca.

"What?!" Bianca shouted back. "I'm just reading a freakin' magazine!"

"It's the way you're reading it! All sexy... and stuff..." Oh, God, that was lame.

It made Bianca laugh. "I'm reading it sexy? How does one read sexily?"

"You're distracting me, Bianca! I'm trying to study here!"

"Well, I'm just trying to read a magazine here!"

"Okay, you need to get out of my line of vision."

Bianca gave Maggie a look. "I am out of your line of vision. I'm practically sitting behind you." Maggie looked at her pleadingly. Bianca held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, I'll move." She threw herself into the large chair and a half, turning so that they were back-to-back. "Better?"

Maggie sighed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

It was quiet for several minutes as Bianca went back to her magazine and Maggie went back to her studies. It took serious effort, but Maggie managed to focus on the book in front of her, resuming her note-taking in her notebook.

Despite herself, Bianca was having a hard time maintaining interest in the investigative article Brooke English had done on the rise and fall of Daniel Coulson back in Llanview. He was gay and Paul Cramer knew it so Coulson murdered Cramer? That didn't make any sense whatsoever. Hell, everyone knew Bianca was gay, she didn't go on a statewide crime-spree after the story broke. Besides, Paul Cramer had other things to answer for and with his murder he never had to take responsibility for his actions.

Maggie slammed her hands down on the desk in front of her, causing Bianca to jump. "Dammit, Binks, I'm begging you!"

"What? What did I do now?!"

"You're thinking! I can hear you thinking!"

Bianca snorted. "You're cracked."

"No, I'm not. You're sitting there hmphing and snorting. If you tsk one more time..." Maggie turned around in her chair. "What are you reading?"

Bianca held up the magazine. "The latest issue of Tempo."

"Oh, God, the Coulson-Cramer issue."

"How did you know?"

"Your mother called to warn me about, and I quote, 'the latest issue of that rag'."

Bianca gave Maggie a look. "Since when did you and my mother get to be so buddy-buddy?"

Maggie grinned. "I think somewhere around the time I stood up to her and told her I loved you and she accepted the fact by not killing me." She motioned to the magazine. "You okay reading that?"

"I think so."

"Okay. Stop thinking so loud."

Bianca laughed. "Okay."

They settled back into their seats, studying and reading. Maggie had managed to concentrate on the book in front of her, settling back into med student mode. She really enjoyed the learning process and was excited to be back on track to becoming a doctor. The classes were challenging, not only because they were taught in a combination of English and French, but because things were becoming much more focused. She was starting to develop an idea on what area of medicine she wanted to concentrate on. Before she made any decisions, though, she would discuss them thoroughly with Bianca.

Bianca. Beautiful, sexy Bianca. Who was sitting less than 2 feet behind her. Flipping through a magazine. Humming softly to herself.

Suddenly, Maggie's head snapped up. "Okay, that does it!"

"Oh, Lord, what now?" Bianca exclaimed in exasperation.

Maggie spun around in her chair and glared at Bianca. "I can smell you!"

Dear God, her girlfriend was a nutcase. "Hey, I showered!"

"Yeah, I know, I was there, remember? I can smell your perfume!" Maggie raised her nose and sniffed. "You're wearing Angel again, aren't you? You know it drives me crazy!"

"Yeah, well, apparently, it's a very short trip."

"You're driving me crazy on purpose!"

"Oh, you caught me!" Bianca threw her hands up in the air in resignation. "That was on my agenda for today! Breakfast with Miranda and Kendall, shower fun with Maggie, phone call to office about some stupid company we're trying to acquire, beat head against wall over phone call, drive Maggie crazy while she tries to study. That's my day!"

There was silence, then Maggie grinned that lopsided Stone grin. Bianca's eyes widened as she saw the intent on Maggie's face.

"You done?" Maggie asked.

With a shriek, Bianca jumped up as the magazine went flying and she started running, Maggie hot on her heels. Leaping over the sofa, Maggie just missed catching Bianca by the arm, so she chased her out into the living room, around the sofa and towards the stairs.

"Maaaggggiiiieeee!" Bianca screamed, racing up the stairs. Behind her, Maggie just laughed, chasing her the entire way.

"Stop running, Binks!" Maggie shouted back. "You know I'm going to catch you!"

"Nooo!" Bianca replied, trying not to laugh and failing miserably. She ran into the bedroom, hurriedly attempting to slam the door shut behind her.

Maggie caught the door before it closed completely and pushed it open. Two more steps and she threw herself at Bianca, catching her around the waist and tumbling both of them to the floor. After a moment of wrestling for control, Maggie had Bianca pinned to the carpet, straddling her waist and holding Bianca's wrists in her hands above her head. They were both panting from the exertion, trying not to laugh.

"You make me crazy, you know that?" Maggie said finally.

"Yeah, welcome to my world," Bianca replied. "You've been making me crazy for years."

Maggie stared intently at Bianca, her gaze finally settling on her lips. "When are Kendall and Miranda due home?" she asked huskily, closing the distance between them.

"We've got plenty of time," Bianca replied, reaching up to capture Maggie's lips in an explosive kiss.

Letting go of Bianca's hands, Maggie sat back, their lips still sealed together. Bianca followed, raising herself up into a sitting position to slide her arms around Maggie's waist. Maggie reached for Bianca's t-shirt, pulling it from the waistband of her jeans and slowly dragging it upward, her fingertips gliding over warm skin.

"No rug burns," Maggie whispered against Bianca's lips. "Come on." She helped the brunette up and they made their way to the bed. Just before they collapsed back onto the soft down comforter, Maggie kissed Bianca deeply. "I love you," she whispered urgently, needing Bianca to know exactly how she felt. "I love you so much."

"God, Maggie," Bianca replied, kissing her again and again, unable to get enough. "I love you, too."

Once more Maggie reached for the hem of Bianca's t-shirt, gently raising it upward. Bianca lifted her arms, allowing Maggie to pull the shirt over her head and toss it aside. As she undressed Bianca, Maggie slowly set about kissing every inch of alabaster flesh as it was newly exposed, raising goose bumps in her wake.

Then it was Bianca's turn. Slowly, deliberately, she pulled Maggie's shirt over her head, her eyes lighting up as she watched blonde streaked locks cascading back over Maggie's shoulders. With an attentiveness that was awe-inspiring, Bianca returned the favor of laying claim to each stretch of warm, tanned, smooth skin that appeared before her.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in exploration and discovery.

Maggie lay on her back, as boneless as a jellyfish. And quivering like one as well. "My, my, my," she said shakily. "Bianca Christine Montgomery…"

Bianca dropped onto her back beside Maggie, sweeping her hair back off her forehead and breathing heavily. "What?" she finally asked, all sweetness and innocence.

"And to think I told your sister you had a pure soul." Maggie turned her head to grin at the brunette. "There was absolutely nothing pure about that."

"I think I like being naughty," Bianca said with a giggle.

Maggie burst out laughing. "I think I like you being naughty, too," she assured the brunette. She quickly rolled over, pinning Bianca beneath her. The twinkle in her eye said this was far from over. "Now, that's what I call a study break," she murmured before covering Bianca's lips with her own.

Bianca sat down heavily in her chair, the phone pressed to her ear. "No, Uncle Jack, thanks for calling... No, no, I'll tell her. I don't know how, but I will." Bianca sighed. "I love you, too. Say hello to everyone for me." She slowly placed the phone back in its cradle, her mind racing.

It was no secret that Bianca had wanted Jonathan dead for the pain he had caused Maggie, for what he tried to do to the two of them. She still got shivers down her spine when she thought of how he had very nearly succeeded in breaking Maggie's spirit completely and destroying the strong-willed, out-going woman she had been and finally was again. He'd hit her at least once, he was obviously capable of murder. When Bianca thought about the fact that he was quite capable of killing Maggie, she became sick to her stomach. The thought of the world without Maggie Stone in it was unfathomable. She had to stop what she was doing as her vision became blurred with tears, grateful that Maggie was alive and safe.

Now, Jonathan really was dead...

Maggie had called less than 20 minutes ago, having gotten out of class early. It was something she did when she could, call Bianca and come by the office, despite the Paris financial district being well out of her way, and they would go home together, riding the Metro or walking and talking about their respective days. She should be arriving any time.

Seeing Maggie all decked out in her college student gear always made Bianca smile. She looked youthful and carefree, breathtakingly beautiful. God, she didn't want to have to do this. She didn't want to dim that smile in any way.

There was a knock on her office door then Maggie's head poked around the corner. "Hey, B!" she called out, her patented Stone grin lighting her face. "Ready to go?"

Bianca plastered on a smile. "Hey, Mags, come on in. Let me clean up this mess and we'll head out."

"Oh, yeah," Maggie replied, looking over at Bianca's practically spotless desk. "Huge mess there, Binks." She came into the office, hitching her backpack higher on her shoulder. "Any corporate raider stuff happen today?"

Bianca genuinely grinned at her girlfriend. "Nope, not today," she answered, admiring Maggie's look. Baggy cargo pants, a Jones Soda hoody sweatshirt, Nike sneakers and her hair pulled back into a pony tail. Oh, my, Bianca thought suddenly, she looks great! God! What the hell is wrong with me? Jonathan's dead, I have to find a way to tell her and all I can think of is how sexy she looks in her 'I'm a hot college student' clothes! I must be sick… She shook her head. "Um, Maggie, I need to tell you something."

Maggie's brow knitted in concern. "What is it, Bianca? What's wrong?"

"Come here," Bianca said softly, going to Maggie and taking her hands. She led her to the leather sofa that dominated one wall in the huge office. "Sit."

Maggie dropped her backpack on the floor and settled on the sofa, her knee bumping against Bianca's. She was starting to get more and more worried when her girlfriend refused to release her hands and couldn't- or wouldn't- meet her eyes. Her heart started to thunder in her chest, her mouth suddenly went dry. This was not going to be good.

"Okay, Binks, come on. You're starting to scare me now."

Bianca nodded. "Yeah, I know, I'm sorry." She took a deep breath. "I don't know how to tell you this…"

"Bianca…"

"Okay, okay." One more deep breath. "Maggie, I just got off the phone with Uncle Jack. He called to tell me- to tell me… God, I don't know any other way to do this." Bianca looked up at the ceiling, seeking some sort of guidance or assistance or at least reassurance. Not finding any, she met Maggie's worried eyes with her own. "Jonathan's dead, Maggie. He was killed in a fight at the institution he was in."

Maggie's face drained of color and her eyes widened in shock as Bianca's words sank in. "No…" she whispered. "No."

"Yeah, honey." She gave Maggie's hands a gentle squeeze. "Apparently, his abusive past made him a bit of a target for some of the other… patients. They don't look to kindly on men who beat up women, and when the others found out what he had done… well, it was kind of open season on Jonathan."

Bianca watched as Maggie's eyes slowly filled with tears. It twisted Bianca's heart to see Maggie in pain, and she surely was now in pain. Whatever else Jonathan was, Maggie had loved him for a time.

"God dammit!" Maggie exploded, leaping to her feet. "That son of a bitch!"

Bianca reared back in shock as she watched Maggie pace across her office and back. "Okay, not the reaction I expected...," she said to herself. She stood up, catching Maggie's eye. "What are you talking about, Maggie?"

Maggie stopped her pacing and stood in the middle of Bianca's office, her hands curled into white knuckled fists at her sides, her jaw clenched in anger. "You know, it's just like that bastard," she ground out. "How dare he die before I could get a chance to give him a piece of my mind!"

Bianca started toward Maggie's side. "Hey, Maggie-."

"Don't, Bianca. Don't try to change the way I feel. I'm really getting good and pissed here and I kind of like the way it feels." She looked at Bianca, her eyes burning with anger. "He gets away with it again," she snapped. "I don't get the chance to face him and he gets away with it again!" She resumed her pacing, fists still clenched at her sides. "That bastard! He never had to answer for his actions! Not for what he did to me! Or to you! To us!! How much other crap did he get away with because he talked his way out of it?! God dammit!"

Suddenly, she grabbed her backpack and was out the door before Bianca could react.

"Maggie!" she called out. Quickly shutting down her computer, Bianca grabbed her briefcase and coat before hurrying after Maggie. She caught her at the elevators, hands on the wall in front of her, head down, kicking at the Italian marble with the toe of her Nike sneaker. The blonde hadn't even pushed a button to summon one of the six lifts. Bianca pressed the down button and an elevator arrived almost immediately. "Come on," she said softly, stepping inside.

After a minute, Maggie followed, hands shoved deep into the pockets of her cargo pants. The ride to the ground floor was silent and Bianca could feel the frustration rolling off Maggie in waves. When the doors slid open, Maggie was out and through the lobby almost immediately.

"Maggie!" Bianca shouted, giving chase. "Dammit, Maggie! Stop!" Great, Bianca thought, this should make a wonderful headline. Cambias Chairperson of the Board Breaks Ankle Chasing After Pissed Off Girlfriend. "Stop! Right! Now!" Maggie actually heeded her words and came to a stop in the middle of the enormous pedestrian plaza outside the office building. Bianca rushed to her side. "Maggie, honey, I know how upsetting-."

"Upsetting?! You think this is upsetting?! Try infuriating! He smacked me! He went after you with a hammer! You and Miranda! He walked away both times!! Both times!!" She was shouting and didn't care who heard or saw. Tears of frustration filled her eyes. "God damn him! God damn the son of a bitch! The bastard! The fuc-!"

"HEY!" Bianca shouted, louder than she ever had in her life. "Maggie, I know you're mad! Hell, I'm mad, too! I wanted him to suffer for everything he did to you and to me and to everyone else! So be mad! Scream! Yell! Throw yourself to the ground in a full-on Miranda special temper tantrum, I will understand! But don't you dare start dropping f-bombs now! You start that here and you could slip up at home where our daughter will hear you and I won't stand for that!"

That slammed the brakes on Maggie's fury, the thought of that precious child. Chest heaving in anger and frustration, she just stood there on the plaza, unable to meet Bianca's eyes. "I never got the chance to tell him," she finally said, her voice so soft Bianca had to strain to hear her.

Bianca gently cupped Maggie's cheek, turning her eyes up to meet her own. "Tell him what?"

The tears that had been welling up in Maggie's eyes spilled over, coursing down her cheeks. "That he didn't break me. That he didn't win. That of the two of us, I was the stronger one. Me, not him. Because I got out. And my life is incredible." Then she smiled through her tears. "I wanted him to know about us. God," she laughed. "I wanted so bad to be able to tell him about us."

"I know, sweetie," Bianca whispered. "I know. And I know you didn't get the chance to, but he knew. Reggie took great joy in telling him. Every single chance he got."

Maggie laughed in spite of her tears. "Good for Reggie." She shook her head. "You know, he always wanted us to be together, I'm sure he loved rubbing Jonathan's face in it…"

Bianca gave Maggie a tender look. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so. Amazing how the mention of that little girl can stop me cold." She scrubbed at the tears on her face. "Sorry about that."

"Hey, don't be sorry. You have every right to be angry. Believe me, Maggie, I understand exactly how you feel."

"What do you mean?"

"I was never able to face Paul Cramer and ask him why he stole my daughter and let me believe she was dead."

Understanding dawned in Maggie's eyes. Yes, Paul Cramer got away with taking Miranda and Ace/Baby James/Adam III, nearly destroying dozens of people lives and was never made to answer for his sins. Hopefully he and Jonathan were meeting up somewhere in the deepest bowels of Hell...

"Aw, shit, B…"

Bianca held up a hand. "It's okay, Maggie," she assured the blonde. "We can be as mad as we want, but let's not allow it to take control. We won, Honey. We won."

Suddenly, Maggie grinned, knowing Bianca had it right. "Yeah, we did win, didn't we?"

Bianca matched Maggie's grin with one of her own. "Yeah, we did." She looked around for a moment then glanced back at Maggie. "Walk or Metro?"

Maggie thought about it for a second. "Walk."

"Okay."

They made their way through the plaza that covers La Defense, the business and financial district on the western edge of Paris where the tallest of the cities buildings filled the skyline. As they walked, Maggie leaned close and gently bumped Bianca's shoulder. Grinning, Bianca bumped Maggie back. Suddenly, Maggie stumbled against Bianca's side, her arm snaking around her waist. Bianca slipped her arm around Maggie's shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze.

They walked across the Pont de Neuilly to Avenue Charles de Gaulle, heading toward the Arc de Triomphe. Directly behind them lay La Grande Arche, an incredible feat of architecture. A huge hollowed out cube of white granite and marble, the building housed the offices of major corporations, the French Human Rights Commision and other French Ministries. The gigantic cube was so large that the whole of the Notre Dame cathedral would fit into its hollowed out center.

They spent the four mile walk home discussing of Maggie's day at school and Bianca's day at the office. Along the way, they stopped at a small bakery to pick up a variety of pastries for dessert, and some croissant for breakfast in the morning. Once they passed by Port Maillot they were back in the inner environs of Paris, where the buildings were centuries old, the back streets were narrow and the atmosphere was once again Old World.

When they reached the apartment, Maggie unlocked the door, opening it to allow Bianca to enter first. She grinned as she watched Bianca dump her briefcase by the entry hall table with utter unconcern. The formerly ordered and neat Bianca Montgomery was slowly falling victim to the slightly sloppy, completely laid back Maggie Stone. The day Maggie finds a pair of socks on the den floor, she will know she had succeeded.

"I'm going to put these in the kitchen," she told the brunette, holding up the bag of pastries and dumping her backpack on her way across the apartment. "You want something to drink?"

"Wait for me," Bianca replied, hurrying to catch up.

Maggie pushed open the kitchen door and they both stopped dead in their tracks. Bianca screamed.

"Oh, my God!" Maggie exclaimed. "Aaauugghh!! I'm blind! I'm blind!!" She stumbled backwards, arms outstretched in front of her and her eyes clenched tightly shut. "Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God! Make it go away!!!"

For there on the kitchen counter sat Kendall Hart, Jean-Paul standing in front of her, the two of them in full-on make-out mode…

"See?!" Kendall shouted. "Not so funny now, is it?!?"

It was at least two days before Maggie would step foot in the kitchen again.

The phone was ringing. Insistently.

Maggie cracked open an eye, wondering how the hell Bianca could sleep through the noise considering the phone was on her side of the bed. Then she noticed it was because Bianca was practically laying across Maggie's chest with her arms wrapped around her. Bianca, who once was the lightest of sleepers, now couldn't be awakened by a herd of stampeding elephants.

Trying to blow some of Bianca's hair out of her face, Maggie made to reach for the phone, but Bianca growled and tightened her hold, nuzzling deeper under Maggie's chin.

"Binks," Maggie whispered, gently rubbing the brunette's arm. "Honey, I need to get the phone."

"Grrr…"

"Okay, you get the phone." Bianca never moved. Gently pushing her back a bit, Maggie managed to snag the handset off the night stand. "Hello?" she managed, still trying to get Bianca's hair out of her face.

"Maggie?!" a voice shrieked in her ear. "Put Kendall on the phone! Now!!"

Maggie was rendered speechless for a moment. "Greenlee?!"

TBC-