Paris, France

Fall 2005

When you look into my eyes
And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
It always comes as a surprise
When I feel my withered roots begin to grow
Well, I never had a place that I could call my very own
But that's alright my love,
'Cause you're my home

Billy Joel – You're My Home

Chapter 17 - There's No Place Like Home

"I'm going to go home."

"Wow, K," Maggie said as she and Bianca got to their feet. "Are you sure?"

Kendall smiled and nodded. "It's time."

The words hung in the air for a moment as all three women digested their meaning.

For Kendall, it meant a return to the land of the living, taking charge and not letting Ethan win after breaking her heart. Getting back to the business of running Fusion, building a cosmetics empire and, yes, being there for Greenlee and her never-fail-to-backfire schemes.

For Bianca, it meant losing her sister, friend and confidante to distance. Not seeing her beloved sibling every day, watching her play with Miranda, teaching the little girl how to be just like Auntie Kendall, no matter how frightening the prospect seemed. And it meant no longer seeing the friendship that had developed between her sister and her partner, something that meant the world to her.

For Maggie, it meant the kitchen would be completely safe again.

Bianca felt a lump forming in her throat. She loved Kendall dearly and her departure would leave a void in her life. "When do you want to leave?" she managed to choke out.

Kendall smiled at Bianca, seeing her baby sister's huge brown eyes shine with unshed tears. The only thing that accomplished, though, was to bring tears to Kendall's eyes. "Well, I'm not going tomorrow!" she exclaimed as a lone tear escaped and slipped down her cheek. "I'm not going to make it that easy on you two." She swiped the tear away with a laugh. "God knows what you'll do the minute I'm gone."

"I've got a few ideas," Maggie replied with a grin.

"I'm sure you- you know what? I don't even want to think about it." She pulled Bianca into her arms. "I'll be back, Binks. You know I can't stay away too long."

Bianca returned the embrace, her eyes closing sadly as she thought about how empty the place would feel without Kendall around. "Well, poor Jean-Paul will be over here pining away for you, you know."

Kendall pulled back and grinned at her sister. "Hey, always leaving them wanting," she said with a toss of her curly locks. "That's my motto."

Maggie's brow knitted in confusion. "I thought your motto was-."

"Maggie!" Bianca interjected quickly before Maggie could finish her thought.

"What?" She looked at Kendall, who was standing with her arms crossed on her chest and an eyebrow cocked upward. "What?!"

"How about a toast?" Kendall said instead, letting Maggie off the hook. "To the future?" She spun around and took off toward the kitchen.

"No champagne!" Maggie and Bianca shouted in unison.

"Maggie, sweetie," Bianca gasped. "Wake up."

"Mrrow, mmpphh" Maggie mumbled unintelligibly, attempting to nuzzle even closer to Bianca's side. "Slee... Fi' more mints…"

"Okay, that last part I think I actually understood." Bianca tried to pry Maggie's arms free. "I understand that you're tired, honey, but you're squishing me."

Well, all that succeeded in doing was wrapping Maggie up tighter around Bianca. As it was, Bianca had awakened to find Maggie hugging her like a child gripping its favorite stuffed animal. To quote an old sit-com, she was 'hugging the stuffing' out of her. And as much as Bianca reveled in the simple joy of sleeping cuddled up against Maggie, the sensation of having her air supply cut off was a little more than she could handle.

Well, there's more than one way to skin a cat, she thought, then mentally apologized to the kitten lying in the doorway to the nursery. Maneuvering herself around, Bianca somehow managed to slide down in Maggie's grasp so that they were face-to-face. Gently brushing a lock of blonde hair off Maggie's cheek, Bianca gave her a soft kiss on the neck then took a deep breath.

And stuck her tongue in Maggie's ear.

Maggie jerked into an awake and upright position so quickly she nearly pulled a hamstring. "What the shit-!" she exclaimed, wiping at Bianca's wet willie with the palm of her hand. "What the hell was that for?!"

"Well, I had to do something," Bianca replied, rolling over onto her other side and presenting her back to Maggie. "I thought you were going to break a couple of ribs. It was like sleeping with a Boa Constrictor."

Non-deterred, Maggie grinned and slid up behind Bianca. She propped her head in her hand, then gently rested her other hand in the dip of Bianca's waist, giving her a loving squeeze. "Now that I'm awake..." She pressed a kiss to Bianca's shoulder, working her way up her throat to nuzzle the spot behind her ear. "Now that we're both awake..."

"How about if I pretend to be asleep?" Bianca gave her a couple fake snores.

"Then maybe I'll wake you up the same way you woke me up," she murmured as she nibbled on Bianca's earlobe. Then she stuck her tongue in Bianca's ear.

"Maggie!" Bianca exclaimed as she jolted from the sensation. She went to swat the blonde playfully, but managed to catch her solidly in the face with the back of her hand.

Maggie's head snapped back at the contact. "Oh, ouch," she muttered, flopping onto her back and flinging her arms out wide.

"Oh, Maggie!" Try as she might, Bianca couldn't keep from laughing as she quickly turned over to attend to her injured love. "I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

Maggie made a couple faces, trying to move her nose around to make sure it wasn't broken. She gently touched the end of her nose a couple of times, checking her fingers for blood. "I'm okay, I'm okay," she assured Bianca. "Man, when you're not in the mood, you're not in the mood."

Bianca gave Maggie a sly grin as she leaned over her. "Who said I'm not in the mood?"

"Well, I just thought... with the shot to the face and all..."

"Oh, sweetie, I was only playing."

"So, you're saying that was a love tap?"

Bianca grimaced. "More like a love smack..."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"Want me to kiss it and make it better?"

Maggie gave her a pout. "Yes, please."

Smiling, Bianca pressed her lips to Maggie's forehead. "Better?"

"A little lower."

"Where?" She kissed the bridge of Maggie's nose. "Here?"

"Lower."

Bianca placed a kiss to the tip of Maggie's nose. "How's that?"

Maggie appeared to contemplate the gentle touch. "Nope, lower."

"You sure?"

Maggie grinned. "Very."

With another smile, Bianca captured Maggie's lips with her own. As the kiss deepened, Maggie slid her arms around Bianca's waist, her hands smoothing up her back and pulling her closer. After what could have been hours but was probably only minutes, Bianca pulled back then kissed Maggie again. In the comforting quiet of their room, they spent the morning kissing and talking, once again content to be in each others arms.

Bianca kissed Maggie once more then brushed a lock of hair off the blonde's forehead. Maggie could see the distraction on Bianca's face, despite the fact she continued to kiss Maggie in a most seductive manner.

"What are you thinking about?" she whispered knowingly, even with her hands gliding through Bianca's hair.

Bianca sighed, her lips pressed to the pulse point on Maggie's neck. "Kendall."

"Okay, Bianca, here's a lesson in Mood-Killers 101," Maggie stated, taking Bianca's face in her hands to look her in the eye. "The mentioning of family members when, a) you're kissing me; b) I'm kissing you; c) we're kissing each other; and/or d) we're real close to getting naked and incoherent."

Bianca smiled and nodded sheepishly, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear. "No, I know. I just miss her already."

Maggie rolled her eyes. "Binks, she's just on the other side of the apartment in her room. She doesn't leave until Saturday."

There was a moment of silence then they both burst out laughing. "Okay, okay. I'm being silly, I know."

"It's okay, honey, I understand. I mean, she's been here so long, it's almost like she moved here with us."

"It'll be strange without her here."

Maggie chuckled. "It'll be safer without her here."

"Maggie…"

"Oh, come on, Bianca, you've got to admit, she's got some kind of sex radar. The minute you and I touch each other, she's busting into the room. The kitchen, the den... heck, even our own bedroom!" Maggie laughed at a memory. "Remember when she came flying in here one morning without knocking? A few seconds later and she would have been hit in the face by your t-shirt."
Bianca smiled shyly. "Well, you have a tendency to remove it from me with extraordinary enthusiasm."

"I'm surprised she's not in therapy with as many times as she's caught us... otherwise engaged. I know that's where I'd be if I kept stumbling onto her and Jean-Paul in a clinch every time I turned around."

"Can we get back to the enthusiasm with which you remove my t-shirt? And Maggie? You and me? We're always... 'otherwise engaged'."

With a grin, Maggie quickly reversed their positions, laced their fingers together and pressed Bianca back onto the bed. They shared a laugh just as Maggie dipped her head and pressed her lips to Bianca's, fully intending on this kiss leading to naked and incoherent.

The kiss had moved passed merely hot and was well on its way to incendiary when the bedroom door was thrown open with such force that it was a wonder it didn't bounce off the wall and fly back to clock Kendall in the face, knocking her unconscious.

"Hey! Get up!" she exclaimed, sweeping into the room with the force of a class 5 tornado.
Maggie slowly broke the kiss and looked down into Bianca's eyes. She gently touched her forehead to Bianca's and smiled at the amused look on the brunette's face. "I honestly don't think they could find 12 of my peers to convict me if I actually killed her."

"Hey!" Kendall exclaimed again. "Am I talking to myself here?!"

"Okay," Maggie muttered. "She says one more word..."

"Kendall..." Bianca said warningly. "Don't..."

"Get up, you little sex monkeys."

"That's it!" Maggie shouted, exploding out of bed.

After one stunned 'deer-in-the-headlights' split second, Kendall shrieked and bolted out of the room with Maggie giving chase. Bianca lay in bed and laughed as she listened to the scream echoing across the apartment, followed by a door slamming shut. She just grinned when Maggie reappeared a few moments later, still incredibly sexy in plaid sleep pants and little white tank top.

"I may be short," Maggie informed her, "but no one messes with the Magster."

Bianca chuckled at Maggie's Super-Hero pose. "You didn't hurt her, did you?"

"Nah, she made it into her room before I could get my hands on her." Maggie gave Bianca a devilish grin. "I think she'll stay out of this room for a while."

"Oh, you think?"

"Shall we give it a try?" Maggie swung the door close behind her and unleashed her sexiest look on Bianca. "I'll even take the ultimate chance of not locking the door..."

"Ooh, living dangerously... how exciting." Bianca threw back the covers on the bed, beckoning Maggie to her side. "Come here, Maggie. Let's take a chance."

"Man, I love it when you're all take-charge, B. Gives me goose bumps..."

"Hmm, me, too..."

With that, Maggie threw herself back into bed and Bianca's arms. Then the two of them laughed in the face of danger by spending the morning making love and not locking the door.

When Maggie finally managed to slip out of bed and pull on a robe, it was after 10:00 a.m. Her only class on Thursday's was at 1:30, so she had plenty of time before she had to leave. Bianca was still crashed out in bed, tangled up in the sheets, sleeping deeply. Before Maggie could make herself leave the room, she found herself staring at Bianca's sleeping form.

She was gorgeous when she slept. Well, Maggie had to admit to herself, she's gorgeous all the time, but there was an innocence and purity to her in those times when she was deep in slumber. When Bianca slept, there was no hint on her flawless face of the trauma she had lived through over the years. She was the sweet, innocent young woman who touched everyone she came in contact with, the one with the pure soul and bottomless heart. Maggie's own heart filled with love for the woman who lay there, finally unencumbered by the nightmares wreaked upon her by Michael Cambias, Paul Cramer, and yes, Babe Carey.

"God," Maggie whispered, her eyes devouring the sight of Bianca in their bed. "How lucky am I? How freakin' lucky am I?"

Without a second thought, she immediately slipped back into bed and pulled Bianca into her arms. Instinctively, Bianca nuzzled closer, cuddling deeply into Maggie's arms, face pressed tightly to Maggie's throat. Maggie smiled and pressed her lips to Bianca's forehead. The only thing that she enjoyed more than watching Bianca sleep was holding her as she did so...

"Okay, sweetie," Kendall said softly, taking a seat on the sofa in the den. "It's just you and me now. What do you say to a little heart to heart talk?"

Miranda, seated beside her on the sofa. looked up and grinned a gap-toothed baby grin. "Aaaah," she sang, playing with her Elmo doll.

Kendall smiled and took the baby's hands in hers. "You're the sweetest child on this earth, do you know that?" Giving in to the urge, she picked up the toddler and cuddled her in her lap. Miranda just giggled and held tightly to Kendall's hand. "We have been so blessed to have you in our lives. Me especially. You're a blessing and a joy and how we ever survived before you is a complete and utter mystery." Again Miranda just giggled then handed over her prized Elmo to her Auntie Kendall. "Oh, thank you, honey." They played back and forth with the doll for a moment then Kendall turned Miranda to face her. "I want you to do something for me, okay, Mimo?"

"Kenah," Miranda gurgled, giving Kendall another beautiful baby grin.

"Yes, 'Kendall'," Kendall said with a grin. It was close enough for her. "That was very good, sweetie. Honey, I want you to watch your mommy and Maggie. I want you to see how much they really love each other. See their love for each other and know that you will have that same love of your own someday. I promise you that. I promise you with everything I have."

The baby giggled as the kitten jumped onto the sofa beside them, curling up beside Kendall to keep an eye on Miranda. It yawned and put its head on Kendall's thigh, watching them closely.

With a grin at the animal, Kendall pressed a kiss to the toddler's forehead. "You know they'll make sure of that, too. But, well, they're your parents and there are going to be those times when you just don't want to have to deal with them." She rolled her eyes, thinking of Erica. Then she smiled. "It doesn't mean they don't want what's best for you, but when those times come along, I want you to know you can count on your Auntie Kendall. Always."

"Momma?" Miranda asked suddenly.

"She's still asleep, sweetie, but I'm sure she'll be down soon. She loves you so much, my sweet little girl. You are such a blessing. Our very own angel." She pressed another kiss to the child's head. "You remember this, okay? Auntie Kendall loves Mimo. With all her heart. And she always will."

As she picked Miranda up to give her a gentle hug, the child put her chubby hands to Kendall's cheeks and planted a sloppy wet kiss right on the lips, then giggled with joy. Tears sprang into Kendall's eyes as she laughed with the little girl, knowing that this child had and would continue to heal them all.

"And a child shall lead them..." she whispered.

Unbeknownst to Kendall, Bianca stood in the doorway to the den, having witnessed the entire exchange. She had tears in her eyes as she listened to her sister speak so lovingly to Miranda, assuring her of the love in her heart for the little girl. Quietly, so as not to make her presence known, Bianca backed away from the den and returned to the bedroom where Maggie lay in bed still asleep. Watching her sister, knowing there was such boundless love in her heart made her hope for the future. Kendall's future.

And she could forgive her for all those... ill-advised entrances that Kendall continually made.

When Bianca got home from work on Monday, she found a simple note waiting for her on the entry hall table:

B,

Boathouse.

M

Leaving her briefcase next to the table, Bianca made her way to the balcony. There were only two lights on in the apartment, both burning in the living room, as Bianca passed through. She could see the flicker of candlelight through the French doors, the Eiffel Tower lit up beyond their balcony railing. It had been a spectacularly warm October day, so it was quite comfortable when she stepped outside to see Maggie standing against the railing, a smile on her face.

"Okay, you," Bianca said softly, moving to Maggie's side and accepting her quick yet intense welcome home kiss. "What's this all about?"

"Well," Maggie replied, sliding her arms around Bianca's waist and pulling her close. "Kendall and Jean-Paul have Miranda for the evening and I wanted to do something special for you."

Bianca smiled and ran her hands through Maggie's hair. "Well, you in those Levi's and jersey would have been a pretty good start."

"Later, I promise." Maggie gave Bianca a wink. "Do you know what today is?"

Bianca appeared to think about it for a moment. "Five days before my sister finally leaves us the kitchen?"

That made Maggie grin. "Well, that, too. But I meant, what's the date?"

"Uh, it's the 24th."

"Yeah. October 24th. Do you know that eight months ago, we left Pine Valley and came here to Paris?"

Bianca looked astonished for a moment, her eyes going wide. "Eight months..."

Maggie nodded. "Eight months since we got on a plane and came here to start our lives fresh again. Eight months since you brought your daughter here to live a life free of intense public scrutiny just because of the nature of her conception. Eight months since I ditched everything I knew to jump on that plane and come along." Then Maggie gave her a crooked grin. "Eight months since I started getting my head on straight. Or, not quite so straight, depending on how you look at it." They both chuckled. "Anyway, I thought we should celebrate."

Bianca eyed the glasses and bottle sitting on the table. "Maggie, is that champagne?"

"Yeah," Maggie replied. "But we're going to get it right this time, I promise."

"Famous last words..."

"Why, B, I'm hurt. Do you think I'd get you drunk and have my way with you?"

That made Bianca laugh. "Not that that hasn't stopped you in the past," she replied, rolling her eyes. "But, honey, you don't need to get me drunk to have your way with me."

"Yeah, I know. I'm actually quite surprised at just how easy you are." She kissed Bianca once more then released her to open the champagne and pour two glasses.

"Maggie!"

"Well, come on, Bianca, think about it. We had one date and then you were all over me-."

"I recall you enjoying the whole necking aspect of our relationship-."

Maggie continued as if Bianca hadn't spoken. "My Lord, we slept together well before we even had a second date!" She handed Bianca a crystal champagne flute. "I think your mother would be amazed at your insatiability."

"Please," Bianca replied, sweeping a lock of hair behind her ear as she accepted the glass. She touched the rim of her glass to Maggie's then gave her a little salute with it. "She's been giving me pointers."

If there was anything worse than thinking about Erica Kane giving Bianca tips on the art of lovemaking, it was thinking that and snorting $125.00-a-bottle Möet et Chandon out your nose...

Later that evening, they sat on one of the chaise lounges on the balcony, Bianca leaning back against Maggie. Maggie had her arms wrapped around Bianca's waist and her chin resting on Bianca's shoulder. The breeze blew dark strands of Bianca's hair around and she tossed her head before pushing the fly-away locks behind her ear.

"Thank you," Maggie said softly.

Bianca turned her head a bit to gaze at Maggie. "What for?"

"For sticking with me all these years."

"Eh," Bianca whispered, waving a hand, "it was nothing."

Maggie snorted. "No, it wasn't."

"Maggie, you're the best friend I've ever known. No matter what has happened, even when we drifted apart, you were always my best friend." She shrugged a little ruefully. "No matter how I acted..."

"I didn't make it easy for you."

"Neither did I." Bianca leaned back into Maggie, pressing her forehead to Maggie's cheek. "Can we just agree that we both made mistakes and move on from there?"

Maggie gave Bianca a squeeze. "Okay, okay." Still holding Bianca with one arm, Maggie reached for her champagne glass. "But these last eight months have been the best time of my life."

Bianca smiled and raised her glass over her shoulder. "Mine, too," she replied, as Maggie delicately touched her glass to Bianca's. The crystal rang out in the night and they drank. "How's the nose, by the way?"

"Huh, effervescent wine through the sinus cavity is pretty painful..."

Bianca laughed. "I'll bet."

In front of them, the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle, its lights flashing and twinkling as they did at the top of every hour after dark. For the next ten minutes, Bianca and Maggie watched the display in silence, no words needing to be spoken. Though the temperature had fallen a little as the night wore on, as Bianca sat in Maggie's arms, the warmth they generated together was enough to sustain them where they sat. Bianca pulled Maggie's arms tighter around her and settled back into her embrace, feeling the reassuring beat of Maggie's heart against her back.

Maggie pulled Bianca close and relaxed back on the chaise, pressing her cheek to Bianca's temple. She took a deep breath, breathing in the unique scent that was Bianca's alone. Okay, she thought with a sigh. This is pretty cool. I got the girl, I got a million dollar view. What can I do for an encore?

Well, this didn't take all that long, Bianca thought, burrowing deeper into Maggie's embrace and filling her lungs with the perfume that was exclusively Maggie. Four years and I finally got the girl of my dreams. I think this is what they call taking the long way...

So I wasn't always the sharpest crayon in the box, Maggie thought as she pressed her lips to Bianca's cheek. Okay, for almost four years, I wasn't even in the box. But I finally figured it out. Yes, I did.

I mean, I beat my head against the wall so much I was getting brick marks on my forehead, Bianca thought. I swear, for as smart as this girl is, she can be sooo dense at times. You'd think she'd have figured it out with Henry, but noooooo...

At least I'm not Babe, Maggie thought, giving herself a mental pat on the back. I mean, come on... how dumb can one person be?

I mean, dumb, dumb, dumb..., Bianca thought, shaking her head a little. She was making Babe look like a nuclear physicist. Notice I said nuclear, not nucular...

Ooh, scary thought, Babe as a brain surgeon... Yikes!

Okay, I'll admit I wasn't exactly a rocket scientist when it came to Lena, either, so I guess we're even...

But I'll admit it, I've always loved Bianca. I've always known deep inside that this is where we'd end up. Okay, okay, maybe I didn't know we'd end up in Paris, but I mean together. And who would have thought the sex would be so good? I mean mind-blowingly, heart-stoppingly fantastic sex…

Oh, Lord, I'll bet she's thinking about sex again. I swear, I can read her mind sometimes.

Incredible sex, really- Oh, man, I think I forgot to do the laundry this week. It was my turn, wasn't it? Yeah, I think it was.

Sex, sex, sex, 24/7. I never knew Maggie would be quite so... athletic... seriously!

Last week I had kitchen duty. Right? Yes, I had to load and unload the dishwasher...

I mean, I always hoped she'd be this enthusiastic. She always was in my dreams, but this, this is... wow...

So this was my week for the laundry. Oh, man, I can't tell Bianca, she'll have a fit! Maggie squirmed a bit as she thought about how she would get out of this predicament. If the laundry wasn't done on a set schedule, it would throw their entire existence into turmoil... Man, the girl's got a jones about having the laundry done... I think she gets that from her mother. Not the laundry thing. Ha! Can you imagine La Kane doing laundry?

See? Thinking about sex... I can read her mind...

No, I meant the whole schedule thing. Who would have thought the great Erica Kane was so damned organized? She's a freakin' Martha Stewart nazi...
I swear, she's like a guy! The girl has the hormones of a 17-year old high school boy. She's got sex on the brain. Mother should be happy, I'm actually in a relationship with a guy...

Oh, Lord, did I just intone Erica Kane and Martha Stewart in the same sentence? Shouldn't lightening strike or something?

Okay, now she's got me thinking about sex. The girl is amazing… Bianca gave a little smile, just one side of her lips tipping upward. Okay, so it may have taken four years- four long, hellish years- but, my, my, my, was it ever worth the wait…

You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to…There's no 'e' on the end of potato... Is there?

Suddenly, Bianca twisted at the waist and covered Maggie's lips with her own, kissing her like there was no tomorrow, pressing her back into the chaise lounge.

"Mmmph," was Maggie's startled, muffled response, the smooch catching her completely by surprise. Then she murmured an appreciative "Mmmm" and relaxed back on the chair to let Bianca take control. She had no idea what brought this on, but who was she to complain? She slipped an arm around Bianca's waist, the other sliding around her shoulders, and pulled her closer.

Bianca broke the kiss then tenderly kissed her again. "Stop it," she whispered.

"Stop what?"

"You were thinking about sex."

"No, I wasn-." Avoid all laundry talk, Stone, go with me on this... "Yeah, you're right. Sorry."

"Yeah, I thought so. I can read your mind, Maggie."

After another tender kiss, they relaxed again on the chaise and held each other, letting the darkening evening envelop them. Maggie's hand absently rubbed up and down Bianca's arm, creating friction to keeping her warm. Bianca could sense there was something on the blonde's mind.

"Okay," she said softly, not wanting to disturb the tranquility of the evening by speaking loudly. "Spill it, Stone."

"Spill what?" Maggie's voice drifted down from above her head. Bianca could feel her smile.

"Well, something's on your mind. You want to talk about it?"

There was silence for so long that Bianca thought Maggie had decided it was something she wasn't ready to share. Then she felt, rather than heard, Maggie sigh. "I've been thinking a lot lately," the blonde whispered. "But I wanted to talk to you first before I made any decisions."

The cryptic tone made Bianca's heart skip a beat for a moment. "What decisions?" she managed to croak out.

Maggie smiled, tipping Bianca's face up to hers. She heard the hesitance in Bianca's voice. "It's nothing bad, honey," she assured her. "I promise."

"Okay."

"I've been giving some consideration to my specialty. What I want to specialize in as a doctor."

"And what are you thinking?" Please don't say gynecology, please don't say gynecology, please don't say gynecology…

"Well, I was thinking gynecology."

"What!" Bianca exclaimed, planting a hand in Maggie's stomach and pushing herself bolt upright.

"Oooof!!" Maggie exclaimed back as all of her breath was forced out of her body by Bianca's reaction. She grabbed her stomach and grinned at Bianca. "Yeah, I can read your mind, too, you know…"

"Oh! Oh, you!" Bianca snapped, smacking Maggie on the arm. "That was not funny! Not funny at all!"

Maggie was still laughing. "Oh, I don't know about that. The look on your face right about now is pretty comedic."

"Ha ha ha," Bianca retorted dryly. She crossed her arms on her chest petulantly. "You're a regular stand-up comedian."

"Come here," Maggie urged gently, taking Bianca's face in her hands. She kissed the brunette on the forehead. "Man, you are so easy sometimes."

"So you keep saying." But her tone wasn't angry anymore. If anything, she was trying not to laugh. She nuzzled into Maggie's neck, sliding her arms around the blonde's waist. "Okay, be serious now and tell me what you're really thinking about."

"Pediatrics."

Bianca smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah. Well, actually, Pediatric Surgery."

"And why Pediatric Surgery?"

Maggie smiled and brushed a kiss on the top of Bianca's head. "Miranda. And Leora..." And while the answer was simple enough for Bianca, Maggie decided to explain. "When I see Miranda and I realize how lucky we are that we have her, that she's alive and well, I think about all the kids who aren't alive and well. I remember how much it hurt when we thought she was gone. How it nearly killed you, how it felt like it was killing me... What losing Leora did to David and Anna, what that felt like... I don't ever want to feel that way again and I don't want any parent to ever have to feel that way, either. Especially if I can prevent it."

Bianca sat up and faced Maggie, looking in her eyes for a long moment. Then she leaned forward and pressed and gentle, sweet kiss to her cheek. "Do you know what an incredible human being you are? And how much I love you for being that way?"

"Well, I've got an idea."

"Do you?"

Maggie gave her that lopsided grin. "I know that you keep getting me confused with God sometimes."

Bianca's brow knitted in confusion. "How so?"

"Well, you keep calling me 'God Maggie'."

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Binks, just last night you kept saying, 'Oh, God, Maggie', 'Oh, God, Maggie', over and over again."

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Oh, God..." But she was trying not to laugh, because she certainly did say those very words as Maggie claimed. Repeatedly…

"See?"

Shaking her head, Bianca got up and started to walk away. "Well, you've certainly got a doctor's ego..."

Maggie caught Bianca by the wrist and pulled her back down onto the chair, pulling her into her arms and holding her close. "I love you, too, B," she whispered into Bianca's ear. "You're the one who makes me the way I am. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't." There was comforting silence as they held each other close. "Besides," Bianca whispered back. "You've confused me with God a couple of times, too..."

It was Friday afternoon and once again Maggie was having a hard time concentrating on her studies, feeling Bianca's presence in the room behind her. Then the scent of her perfume reached Maggie's nose. Crap, Angel again! Whenever Bianca came within, oh, 100 yards of her, all rational thought flew right out the window. Huh, rational thought? Hell, try any thought! It was pretty much a given that this beautiful woman would be the death of one Maggie Stone...

Suddenly, everything jumbled up in her brain and the words on the page in front of her started looking like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Maggie slammed her text book shut. "Dammit! I hate this class! I hate Histology! I hate Pharmacology! And I hate Orgasmic Chemistry!"

"What?" Bianca asked in bewilderment.

"What what?"

"You just said 'Orgasmic Chemistry'."

Maggie gave Bianca a look that said 'you're off your nut'. "No, I didn't."

Bianca nodded and patiently replied, "Yes, you did. You said you hate Histology, Pharmacology and Orgasmic Chemistry."

Maggie got up from her chair and stomped out of the den toward the kitchen. "Okay, you're really messing with my learning functions, Montgomery."

"I'd think you'd really enjoy Orgasmic Chemistry!" Bianca shouted at Maggie's retreating form, which earned her a flipping of the bird from the blonde. That made Bianca fall into a fit of laughter. It was certainly nice to know that she had such an effect on her girlfriend...

As her laughter died down, the song on the stereo penetrated Bianca's mind. Oh, dear Lord, she thought. "Your Body is a Wonderland"... It might as well be "Afternoon Delight"... talk about suggesting a little romp... it wouldn't be so bad if the song didn't completely remind me of Maggie...

We got the afternoon
You got this room for two
One thing I've left to do
Discover me
Discovering you

Maggie came strolling back into the den at that moment, a bottle of Evian water in one hand and a huge buttery palmier in the other. She took one look at Bianca, though, and nearly dropped the pastry. Maggie couldn't recall the last time Bianca had looked at her with such raw desire on her face. Actually, she was looking at Maggie like she was a huge buttery palmier that Bianca wanted to devour on the spot.

"Binks?" she asked softly, even though a shiver of anticipation raced up her spine. The she heard the song. Jeez, does this song remind me of Bianca... she thought. Oh, man, forget all about studying now!

One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue

Bianca rose from the sofa and walked right up to Maggie, taking the water bottle out of her hand and setting it on the coffee table. Without a word, she took Maggie by the wrist and led her upstairs to the bedroom. She turned Maggie to face her and captured her lips in a searing kiss, slowly backing Maggie toward the bed.

Maggie felt the mattress behind her, blindly reaching out to drop her palmier onto the night table before Bianca pushed her back onto the bed. Their lips never parted as they fell back onto the down-filled comforter, Bianca wrapping her arms around Maggie's slight body. She felt Maggie's hands tangling in her hair, holding her where she was, deepening the kiss.

And if you want love
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

How they made it under the covers is a mystery, but they did. Bianca, as she liked to do, pulled the sheets up over their heads, cocooning them into their own quiet, secluded world. They made love slowly, savoring every touch, every caress.

"I love you, Maggie," Bianca whispered, taking Maggie's hand in hers and lacing their fingers together.

Your body Is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

"You're so beautiful, B," Maggie replied, reversing their position so she could press Bianca back onto the bed. Reaching out a gentle hand, she brushed a lock of dark brown hair off Bianca's forehead. "God, I love you."

"There you go confusing me with God again. It's Bianca. Say it with me, Bee-an-ka..."

Maggie pinched her on the ass.

Something 'bout the way
your hair falls in your face
I love the shape you take
when crawling towards the pillowcase
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it

Cradling Bianca's head in her hands, Maggie leaned down and captured her mouth in a gentle kiss. Slowly, she slid her lips to Bianca's throat, nuzzling the warm skin, kissing the throbbing pulse beating there. Bianca slipped her fingers through Maggie's hair, brushing the warm golden locks behind her ears. She held Maggie in place, enjoying the warm, wet kisses being bestowed upon her neck.

You want love?
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

When she finally pulled back and looked in Bianca's eyes, Maggie couldn't help but smile. This beautiful woman was hers. Heart and soul, Bianca was hers. Just as she was Bianca's. The smile quickly sliding into a grin, Maggie kissed Bianca again, taking total control. Beneath her lips, she felt Bianca's mouth turn up into a smile of its own. Suddenly, Bianca was laughing.

Maggie pulled back and looked at Bianca like she had lost her mind. "Hey! What's so funny? I know I'm doing this right."

Bianca kept laughing and put a hand to her forehead. "I'm sorry, but we do this all the time. You try to study and we end up in bed."

"Yeah, I know, and I like it!" But Maggie started laughing, too. "Hey, it's love in the afternoon, baby!"

"Considering it doesn't seem like you get any studying done around here, I'm surprised at how easily you seem to be passing your classes..."

"Trust me, Binks, I'm the best student in my anatomy class."

Still laughing, Bianca pulled Maggie into her arms and they made love again. They were so completely in love and it showed in their touch and their laughter.

Your body Is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

"Wow…" Maggie gasped later as she used both hands to brush her hair back off her forehead. "Okay, you were right. I really do enjoy Orgasmic Chemistry…"

Bianca grinned and pulled Maggie close. "And we've got it, honey," she said, brushing her lips against Maggie's again and again. "In spades…"

TBC-