I found this little critter of an update wondering around on my hard-drive and I reckoned I'd put it up here! As I said, I'm working on updating more regularly, but I'm also working on some original writings, wish me luck on that front lol! Anyway, on to the update!

Steven returned shortly after, smiling as he carried the pitcher carefully,

"Sweet tea, for you ma'am." He grins brightly. Bianca chuckles a little, happy to have a distraction,

"He-" her phone cut her off by her phone ringing. She looks at it, "Excuse me." She said standing and moving away. He watched her closely, noting the change in body language and furrows his eyebrows

Bianca felt every worry in her body leave when she hears the voice on the other end,

"What's up Buttercup?" Marissa asked playfully. Bianca chuckled,

"Nothing." She said simply. She leaned against the banister, facing away from Steven giving her a sense of privacy,

"What's wrong?" Marissa asked worriedly. Bianca sighed,

"What are you talking about?" Bianca asked avoiding. She waited a beat, getting lost in her thoughts for a second,

"Earth to Bianca!" Marissa said loudly to grab her attention. Bianca jerked, breathing into the phone, "C'mon, can you get on Skype? I'm taking a break..." Marissa tossed out.

"No." Bianca muttered. On her end, Marissa's brow furrowed,

"Why?" She asked suddenly. Bianca pouted to herself,

"Cos then you'll be able to see right through me..." she said childishly. She heard Bianca laugh and she turned back to Steven, "Hey, Steven, I'm going to have to take a rain check, I'm so sorry." She said.

Steven looked up at her, hiding his disappointment,

"Oh, that's okay." He said softly, "Maybe we could have lunch tomorrow? Or, wait, there's a barbeque tomorrow evening," he started. He watched her bite her lip a little, "Just two friends, and their kids, going to a social gathering." He offered. Maybe if he eased her into the thought, she could see how natural they were together.

"Well..." Bianca seemed to hesitate. He couldn't have that, he grinned boyishly,

"C'mon, I won't tell anyone if you have a regular soda. Be just between us." He said winking. Bianca chuckled at his antics and nodded,

"I'll see you tomorrow," she started to go into the house. "Thank you, Steven." He shrugged,

"It's my pleasure, Bianca." He said grabbing his tea and walking away. "It's really all mine." He said to himself when he was further away.

"Did I interrupt a meeting?" Marissa asked as soon as Bianca's face came into view. Bianca shook her head, sighing sadly and running a hand through her hair.

"No, I was just hanging with Steven but, I wanted to see you." She said ducking her head shyly. Marissa beamed and didn't even try to hide it,

"Now, tell me, what's wrong?" Marissa asked again. Bianca sighed, picking at her nails then finally looked up directly into the camera,

"I saw Reese today." She said softly.

Marissa's heart leapt into her throat when Bianca's eyes looked right into the camera. It was like they were looking into her, and she could admit openly that she felt her body react to the look. She felt her skin prickle with goose bumps and she sighed happily. What she would do to have those eyes right there, so she could reach out and physically comfort Bianca.

"Oh, sweetie," she said softly. She couldn't imagine what Bianca was feeling, "What was she doing there?" she asked.

"She's a contractor here; helping build the new Miranda Center." Bianca explained dejectedly.

"What are you going to do?" Marissa asked softly. If she were honest, she'd always worried that Reese would mess up all the progress that Bianca had made.

"Suck it up and be a professional. I want this over as soon as possible and it could be hell finding ano-"

"I'll find another contractor." Marissa cut in. She couldn't stand to see Bianca so resigned to something she obviously didn't want to do.

"What? Marissa, n-"

"It isn't up for conversation. Don't make me drag JR into this..." she threatened. Bianca's head snapped up and her eyes narrowed,

"You play dirty Tasker." She growled. Marissa grinned cheekily, heh, if only she knew just how dirty I'd like to play.

"Only with you, it's more fun that way." She said before she could stop herself. Luckily for her, Bianca didn't seem to mind.

In the back of her mind, Bianca acknowledged the statement and the look of lust that came with it but on the surface, she refused to get her hopes up.

"Alright, alright you goofball." Bianca chuckled. She shook her head, looking over at the clock at the bottom of her screen, "Shoot! The girls will be home soon!" she said sliding back.

"Give them my love and hugs!" Marissa said knowing the call was winding down. "Same time tonight?" She asked. Bianca grinned,

"It's a date." She said before ending the call.