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The Heart Wants What It Wants

Maggie walked the shoreline of the lake. So much had been running through her mind these past few days. It seemed like so long ago when she knew what she wanted and where she was going. But now…now what? '

How could my life change so much in a matter of weeks? Why now? One person. It just took one person to throw everything off. One problem Maggie…it's not who you thought it would be.' Maggie had to chuckle at the conclusion she had come to. Anna's own words kept coming back to her over and over again. "The Heart wants what it wants Maggie…"

'What a mess I've made of things.'

Maggie kept walking till she reached the boathouse. She sat down on the bench and looked around her. A large smile came to her face as she recalled the swim she and Bianca had taken last week. 'Last week. It seems like forever ago that we were here Bink. And now look where we are? You don't return my calls. You're busy and I understand that but God- can't you see how much I miss you?'

"Maggie?" a voice called out from behind her.

"Tim," Maggie said. She recognized the voice right away.

"You okay? You look a little down?" Tim said walking up the stairs. He began to sit down next to her but stopped. Since their date at the wedding his signals from Maggie had been all over the chart. At first he thought he knew what she wanted from him. Now- he wasn't sure of anything. "May I?" he asked gesturing to her.

"Oh yeah- I'm sorry. Please sit." Maggie said moving over and making room.

"What's up?"

"Nothing. Just came here to sit and think about stuff you know? It's a nice place for that."

"Yeah it is. I just enjoy coming here to remember. Bianca, JR and I used to play here all the time."

"Bianca told me about that. I do believe her exact words were 'Timmy convinced me there was a monster in that lake'," Maggie said smiling.

"Yeah Bianca always was easy to tease," Tim said turning his head back to Maggie, waiting for her to look at him. When she did he smiled and took her hand. "Maggie it's okay you know? I understand a bit more now I think. I've had time to think about this since the wedding. And if friendship is all you are willing to give me then I'd be happy for that."

For her part, Maggie didn't know what to say. Tim was giving her the out she'd been looking for since Bianca had pressed the two of them together. "I do care about you Tim. I hope you know that?"

"I know it Maggie. Don't worry. You're a girl who has a lot on her mind. I've been able to tell that about you from the beginning. And sometimes it's nice having friends to listen. I know you've got Bianca but if you need me…I'm here too. Okay?"

Maggie smiled and lowered head her. "Thanks Tim. I mean it." She kissed his hand and let it go as she stood up.

"Feeling better?" Tim asked standing beside her.

"Sort of. I just feel like my brain is going to implode with everything going on you know?"

"Yeah I heard about David and Anna. That's pretty awful. How are you doing with it?"

"Okay I guess. Okay as one could be. I'm more worried about Anna right now. David can take care of himself. Anna just has so much on her lately you know?"

"Like what?" Tim asked tilting his head.

Maggie started to make mention of the baby Anna was now pregnant with but quickly reminded herself that it was still hush hush. Thinking quickly she said, "Just with being chief and having to go after your own husband. I mean that's got to be taking a toll on her."

"I can imagine."

"I can't," Maggie said stating honestly.

"Look Maggie I want to ask you something and I don't want you to get mad at me okay?"

"That doesn't sound like a good way to start a conversation Tim," Maggie said honestly.

"It's about Bianca."

"Oh. Okay, what about her?"

"She said something to me at the wedding that got me thinking. And to be honest I wouldn't have even considered this if not for the way you were acting on our date."

'Finally! Insight perhaps to why Bianca had been avoiding me!' Maggie thought to herself. "What did she say Tim?"

"Well I'm only saying this cause I worry about her you know? Bianca has always had a way of putting other people's feelings ahead of her own you know? Like with the two of you…" Tim paused wondering if he was doing the right thing or not.

"The two of us? What about the two of us?"

"Well I asked her if she had feelings for you…or at least in so many words."

"Why would you do that Tim?" 'Oh my God. He scared her off. He put this thing in her head and that's why she is acting weird around me.'

"To be honest Maggie- I thought…no…I think you care about Bianca a lot more then you're saying. But she doesn't think you could ever care about her that way. She told me about your birthday celebration and what happened."

"She told you about that," Maggie said feeling somewhat upset that Bianca had shared with Tim this personal moment that exchanged between the two of them.

"Your reaction Maggie. She thinks you won't ever care for her because of your reaction. And if it's true, that you don't care about her the way I think you do- then feel free to do nothing. But- if you do care about her Maggie…if you do love her, then you need to show her. Bianca cares about you too much to ever show you any signs of anything more then friendship. And it's only because she thinks you want nothing more from her then just that." Tim said.

Maggie felt like everything around her had slowed. She was so confused now. Even more so then before. 'Bianca does care about me like that? She does love me? No…it was Frankie…that's what she was thinking when she leaned into me at my party. It's Frankie she sees in me when I see the glimmer in her eyes or the longing in her touch. It's not me. It's not me. It's not me.'

"Maggie- it's you. I know what you're thinking right now. It's not Frankie. It's you Bianca sees. I've known her for as long as I can remember…I can see it in the way she watches you, the way she listens to you, and the way her face lights up when you come into a room. It's not 'a friendly' stare. I know…cause it's the way I look at you Maggie."

"Tim…I…I…" Maggie didn't know what to say to any of this.

"It's okay Maggie. I just feel you should have all the facts before you make any choices. I love Bianca like a sister. She means so much to me and I care for you also. If you can make each other happy than please…"

'I need to see Bianca. We so need to talk right now. I need to know if this is true.'

Maggie looked at her watch and decided it was getting late enough. She smiled at Tim.

"Got to be going huh?" Tim answered for her.

"It's about that Time."

"Well have a goodnight. And remember if you need anything I am here for you Maggie," Tim said opening his arms and offering a hug. Maggie smiled warmly and leaned into his welcome comfort.

"Thanks Tim. For everything."





Part 2

Bianca sat in her mothers office looking out the window. She knew backing away from her friendship with Maggie would be difficult but she had no idea it would hurt this much. She honestly felt like a piece of her was missing. She gently tapped the pen on the side of the chair and replayed the events of the last few days over in her mind.

-Swimming with Maggie.

-Being so close and feeling things she knew Maggie didn't feel. The things she would never feel.

-When Maggie invited her to the wedding. Oh how much she wanted to say yes and just spend the evening next to her. But Maggie wasn't asking her for the reasons she wanted to say yes to. She was asking Bianca because she felt bad. And worse yet Maggie already accepted Tim as her date. God how much that hurt.

-Being with Tim and trying to make him understand the real relationship she and Maggie shared. The reason Maggie didn't feel anything for her more then friendship. It was reliving the night of Maggie's birthday over again. They had come so far since then. Bianca had learned if she locked away those feelings that she could remain close to Maggie. That could be near her and not worry. That's one of the reasons she had pushed Maggie and Tim together. Just one problem. As hard as she tried, Bianca couldn't make herself stop feeling the way she did.

She loved Maggie. She loved Maggie Stone with every fiber of her being. She loved her even more than she loved Frankie. And part of her felt as though she was betraying Frankie for this. But another part of her, the greater part of her, realized that it was in loving Frankie so much that Bianca was able to open up. She had learned to stop looking for love. And sure enough, for the second time in her life…Bianca Montgomery had not been looking for love…but she had found it. Just one problem: Falling for straight girls wasn't part of the big picture of love. She had learned that the hard way once before.

Laura.

"I just can't do it again…" Bianca said softly. She turned her cell phone on and saw that she had one missed called. Dialing in, and checking for a message she found one from Maggie. Maggie wanted to see her. She wanted to get together for coffee sometime today or tomorrow. The last part of Maggie's message made Bianca feel awful. She heard the pain in Maggie's voice, "…please call me Bink."

"I'm so sorry Maggie. I don't want to hurt you. If you only knew how much this was killing me," Bianca said as she began to click her phone off.

"Hello Hello!" a voice boomed out as the door to her mother's office opened. Erica, Bianca's mother, walked in smiling from ear to ear.

"Mom! You're back!" Bianca said standing up from the desk and running over to give her mom a hug. "I missed you so much!"

"Well isn't this the sweetest, warmest welcome. I don't think I could have asked for a nicer one." Erica said returning the hug. Bianca stood there in her mothers arms and as she hugged her, she felt the walls crumble. And what started as a happy reunion slowly turned into a soft cry. Erica noticed the change and dropped the bags she was holding in her hands. "What is it Bianca? Did Kendal do something? Was it Greenly?" A thousand awful thoughts went through Erica's mind.

"No..no mom. I just missed you. It's been hard here the last few days."

"Hard?"

"Oh mom so much has happened." Erica directed Bianca to the seat and sat her down. "What on earth have I missed sweetie?"

Bianca didn't want to go into everything with her mother about Maggie. As good as her mother had been over the last few months, she still hadn't felt fully comfortable. The history between Frankie and Erica also didn't help. "Well with Maria back, the whole town is in turmoil."

"Wait- what? Maria? You mean Maria Grey?"

"Okay I guess I should start from the beginning. Maria was found in town. She has Amnesia. She doesn't remember anything mom. David knew about her being alive and never told anyone. Anna and David are now getting divorced. Brook knew about Maria too. But she still went through with the wedding to Edmund…"

"Brook knew? I can't believe it!" Erica said shaking her head. "I leave town for a few weeks and look what happens."

"I know. Crazy huh?"

"So how are things in the office? You doing okay?"

"Oh yeah. I'm making do. I had a few glitches but so far so good." Bianca said smiling.

"That's my girl. I'm so proud of you," Erica said taking Bianca's hand. "Well what do you say? How about dinner? I know it's a little late but I'm famished! How about we call Chris and dine at the Valley Inn?" Erica said standing.

"Dinner sounds great mom." Bianca stood and followed her mother out the door. "Oh mom- wait one second okay?" Bianca asked as she pulled out her cell phone. She began to dial Maggie's number.

"Bianca who are you calling?" Erica asked.

"I'm calling Maggie. It'll be just one second."

"Well why don't you just see if she wants to join us?" Erica asked.

"That's okay. I'm just going to leave a message for her."

"Oh. Okay. I'll call the driver and meet you down front." Erica said walking away. Strange she thought. Very strange.

'Hi this is Maggie. Sorry I missed your call. Leave me a message at the beep please…'

"Maggie. Hi it's Bianca. Sorry I haven't called sooner. I'm super busy. I don't know which way is up these days. I'd love to meet with you for coffee soon. It's just not a good time right now. I do miss you. Have a good night." Bianca hung up the phone and wiped a stray tear. 'It's for the best. It's for the best…'





Part 3/?

Tag.
Tag.
Tag. That's all Maggie and Bianca had been playing lately. Phone tag. What Maggie couldn't understand was why Bianca wouldn't call her back at her cell phone. She was leaving messages at the Valley Inn for her. This was the second time in a row.

"Alright Bink- enough's enough. What's with cat and mouse?" Maggie said as she picked up her message from the front desk. She was hurt. Now any doubts about Bianca's workload being the reason for her sudden disappearance from their friendship was gone. Maggie was certain now that Bianca was avoiding her. And she wasn't about to leave it at that.

"You're not getting off the hook that easy Bianca," Maggie said as she began walking up the hall area. That was before she heard the boisterous laugh coming from the dining room. She stopped still.

There was no doubting whose laugh that was. Bianca.

Maggie walked around the corner and stood by the entrance to the dinning room. There she saw Bianca sitting with her Erica and Chris.

Maggie felt torn. Part of her wanted to go to Bianca and not let her out of her sight again. But another part of her felt uncertain. Maybe Bianca didn't want her there? The internal struggle drew on as a cheerful voice shouted out.

"Maggie- Maggie come on over here. Join us," Erica said smiling.

Maggie looked at Bianca and saw the look of panic cross her face. It was quickly replaced with a smile. Maggie's head hung and no doubt the pain showed. It was in that moment that Bianca realized Maggie saw her. Bianca realized she had hurt her.

"No thanks. I've got to get going. You guys have a nice night though. Enjoy dinner," Maggie said waving and turning around. Walking out the dining room door, she didn't turn around.

"Maggie please wait!" Bianca said standing from the table, "Mom and Chris, please excuse me."

Bianca made her way out of the dining room as Chris and Erica watched her chase after Maggie. Confused Chris looked to Erica. "I don't know. Something's going on, but she hasn't told me yet what it is. I'm sure they'll work through it though," Erica said softly, "After all- we did."

Maggie didn't stop. She kept moving forward. She could hear Bianca calling out to her. Finally, Bianca caught up. "Maggie. Would you please stop," Bianca said grabbing hold of Maggie's shoulders. She spun Maggie around only to see tears flowing freely from her eyes. "Maggie please don't cry. What's the matter? Talk to me," Bianca begged.

"Talk to you? That's funny Bink since that's all I've tried to do over the past few days. You don't call me. It's like you're afraid of me or something. I don't get it? What did I do?" Maggie said wiping tears as quickly as they fell. She hated crying. If Frankie were here she knew her twin would tease her.

"I told you I've just been busy is all. I didn't mean to hurt you. Honest." "

Busy huh? Well I don't want to keep you from dinner. Why don't you just go back in there and call me when you're not so…busy."

"Maggie that's not fair," Bianca said softly looking down to the floor. She couldn't even bare to look into Maggie's face.

"Fair. Bianca please don't talk to me about fair. I can't even deal with the things running through my head right now. I needed a friend more then ever these past few days and you've been nowhere to be found. Did you know Anna and David are getting divorced? My only real family here is splitting up. And why should that be any different then every other relationship in my life…" Maggie said sighing.

"Maggie I'm sorry. I didn't think. I…I have no excuses. I..." Bianca looked up and saw the look on Maggies face. She stopped talking. Slowly she reached her hand up and softly placed it on the side of Maggie's face. Her thumb wiped the tear flowing.

It was the "birthday" scenario all over again but this time there was no flinch. Maggie didn't move away or freak out. She just moved closer to Bianca and hugged her.

"I missed you Bink."

"I missed you to Maggie."

They just stood like that, in each others arms, hugging for what felt like an eternity. Both of them had missed the contact so much but neither would admit it out loud. 'this feel so good. It feels so right,' they both thought silently. Maggie took in Bianca's scent and softly sighed. Finally content. Bianca for her own part was touching Maggie's hair, stroking it. 'So soft' she smiled inwardly.

After a few moments they broke apart. "I'm sorry," they both said in unison. It was then followed by laughter. "Look you got your mom in there and Chris. Go back to them. I'm okay. I just…I needed that. I need you Bink. I don't think I've made myself clear on that. Please don't cut me out of your life. I don't think I could stand it," Maggie said taking hold of Bianca's hand.

"Tomorrow. Coffee? Boathouse?" Bianca smiled hoping Maggie would accept the time and place. Maggie smiled warmly and felt a tingle in her stomach at the thought of Bianca and swimming from those days ago.

'Please don't let me blush' "It's a date," Maggie said smiling. She pulled Bianca's hand up to her lips and kissed it softly. "Have a nice evening Ms. Montgomaery." And with that Maggie Stone walked out of the hall and up to her room. She stopped as she rounded the corner and leaned back against the wall. 'No way I just did that!' She thought giggling.

For her own part, Bianca was still standing in the hall. She had a silly smile on her face. She felt…well she felt goofy. Almost like she was 13 again. Bianca had proven one thing to herself this evening. She may never be able to have Maggie Stone the way she wanted her, but to not have her in her life was unbearable. 'It's a date' kept playing over and over in her mind. She walked back to the dining room- but really…. she could have flown.





Part 4

Maggie Dreamed…

She was at the lake again. She and Bianca. They were swimming and laughing. They walked up to the boat house and began to dry off. Bianca walked over to her.

"you missed a spot…" she said and began to wipe down Maggie's lower back area. And then she moved her towel lower drying down the back of Maggie's legs. "You're so beautiful Maggie."

"Thanks," Maggie answered. She just stood there and took in the sensations of Bianca's touch, and how it made her feel. It was wonderful. Suddenly there was no towel. Just Bianca's hands moving on her skin. "Bink…" Maggie said softly.

"Do you want me to stop?" whispered a voice in her ear.

"I want…God…no…please don't stop. I want this. I want you so much. I love you…" Maggie said as she awoke from her dream. 'Wow. What the hell?' Maggie looked around her room. Her face was flush. "What a dream that was." Maggie pouted as she laid back down. She was a bit upset. She had woken up just as it was getting good.

Bianca laid in bed and thought about Maggie. She reached over and pulled out a pen and paper from her nightstand and began to write a letter.

Maggie- I was going to write a letter to your sister tonight. Since her Death I sometimes find myself able to express my feelings to her this way. But tonight, it's not her I need to work out my feelings with. It's you.

God Maggie do you have any idea how much I love you? Probably not. I could only imagine your reaction. I guess it's your reaction I fear. Like the time at your birthday. I was so upset with myself for doing what I did. I had no right. And for that I will forever be sorry. And while the excuse of you wearing the face of Frankie seemed like a good one, it wasn't the real reason I leaned into you that night. It wasn't Frankie I wanted to kiss then…it was you. You're the one I want. It's you I see when I close my eyes at night and you I think about each morning I wake up. Just hearing your voice make me feel empowered Maggie. When I'm near you I find myself making up excuses to touch you. And God- it's so selfish I know…but I can't help myself. I have tried so hard to make it go away. To make myself not feel anything other then friendship for you. I guess that's why I tried to cut you out. If only you knew how much I missed you these last couple of days. It's been what…10 days but for me…it's felt like an eternity.

You know when you asked me out to the wedding as your date I thought I was going to fall over. I wanted nothing more then to put my arm in yours and spend the evening with you watching two people in love commit to each other. When Tim came through that door and said you were his date. I hated him. I hated you. I think I realized in that moment I wasn't even going to be able to have you.

But now I am content. I know you won't love me like that and I'm okay with it. Okay- that's a lie. I'm not okay with it, but I can learn to live with it. I'll be happy so long as I have you in my life. I love you Maggie and I want so much to spend my life with you. And if that means it's as nothing more then your best friend. I can live with that.

Love,
Bean

Bianca shut off her light and threw the note into her pack. She'd seal it up and put it in the enchantment safe tomorrow along with the rest of her few personal belongings that hadn't been destroyed by the fire. For now, she needed her rest. She had a big day ahead of her.




Maggie sat at the boat house. Sure, she was 20 minutes early but she wanted some time to think about what she was going to say to Bianca. She didn't want to come on full force and declare her feelings for the girl. She needed to go about this carefully. Bianca meant too much to her anything less. She began to rehearse:
"I love you Bink…Bink, you mean so much to me….I think I love you Bianca….Hey Binaca I know this is hard to believe but it's you I want to be with…Bink I know you loved Frankie but I love you…Do you care about me Bianca?…Could you ever spend you life with me Bink…" Maggie stopped. "This is silly. I can't rehearse this. I'll just wait for her to get here and say what comes to mind. Besides, Bianca always brings out the best in me."

Meanwhile…Across town:

Tim saw Bianca in line at the coffee house. He smiled as he saw her with two coffee's in her hands.

"Hey cutie, one for me too?" Tim asked smiling.

"Timmy- hey!" Bianca said placing the coffee's down and hugging him.

"Going to meet Maggie I assume?" he asked gesturing towards the two coffee's.

"Yeah. With work being so busy and all these past days we haven't had much time together. How about you?" Bianca asked.

"What about me?"

"You and Maggie how's that going?"

"Me and Maggie? Bink…there is no me and Maggie," Tim said softly.

"Oh. I thought things were going well?" Binanca asked concerned outside, but thankful inside. She could bare seeing Maggie with someone else…just not one of her best friends. It definitely wasn't one of her finest hours hooking those two up.

"Sadly no, Maggie doesn't have room in her heart for me. It's already full. Someone else has already set up camp there," Tim winked at her.

"Tim I already told you…Maggie and I are only friends. She's straight, as straight as it comes," Bianca laughed nervously.

"Yeah so you say. But I say differently Bianca. And if you took two minutes and stopped convincing yourself that you think you know what's best…you might see something else." Tim ordered his coffee and looked back to Bianca who was still standing still. "Hello? Anyone home?" He asked waving his hand in front of her face.

"Tim- what are you talking about?" Bianca asked calmly.

"Look- I didn't want to say anything. But Maggie and I talked yesterday. And I think she cares about you Bink…more then you're willing to let yourself admit. So go on and get out of here…and when she talks to you, just shut up and listen. Listen to what she's really saying to you. Okay?" Tim answered as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Now have a nice day." He shooed her away towards the door. "I've got a date in like 10 minutes. If she sees me here with a beautiful girl she might get jealous."

Bianca still dazed smiled and walked out the door. 'He can't be serious. Maggie cares about me that way? No. He's just assuming it. She doesn't like him, so he must think I'm the reason why…

Was it her destiny to be in that spot at that exact moment? Think of all the things that had happen to her that day, the small choices made not only by herself but also by those around her. Rolling at the stop sign that morning, instead of counting to three like her driver's ed. teacher had taught her. Choosing to get extra cream in her cup of coffee. Skipping lunch. Holding the elevator door for the pregnant woman on the third floor of Enchantment. Talking with Tim in the coffee shop. Daydreaming? Was it all of these things and more that led her to that moment, or perhaps just one single second where she crossed the street to her car.

'Do you believe in angels? I mean when it comes down to it, do you really believe? I always thought the answer was yes…for me at least. But than I realized I didn't know what it truly meant to "believe." It's like walking along one day…and thinking that you know what it is like to love, what it is like to have lost, to have experienced pain and pleasure…only to have it realized that you were wrong, that you never knew what it was to love, because now you realize you have loved more.'

Bianca heard the cry. She saw the little boy running out after his ball. She dropped her coffee and moved. She heard the screeching tires. She felt the sharp pain. She remembered hearing cries for help and she began to lose her grip on reality. She heard Tim's voice. She heard him tell her not to move. He called her a hero. She saved a little boy. Someone was calling 9-1-1. Pain. She felt pain. So much pain. She thought about Frankie. Is this what she felt like when she was dying? God her life was passing by her in snap shots. She wanted her mom. She wanted Maggie. Oh God. Maggie. Not now. Not now…she began to slip away and said the last thing she could…

"Maggie…have to tell her…please, not now…"

And it went dark.



It was now an hour and a half after they were set to meet. Bianca was not just late anyone. She had stood Maggie up. No calls.

Nothing. Maggie looked at her watch and tried dialing Bianca's cell again. Nothing.

"I guess you're just too busy huh Bianca?" Maggie said as she walked out of the boat house. "Screw this," she headed back to The Valley Inn. Her declaration of love to Bianca was the last thing on her mind. Right now she was hurt. Bianca had hurt her more than she ever thought possible. Today was supposed to mean something. And right now the only thing Maggie Stone was sure of was that Bianca Montgomery didn't care about that…or her.





Part 5

When Friendships Die

When friendship dies no one hears the sound
Of the deafening scream that circles around
When friendship dies no one sees the tears
Or gathers the moments from all of the years
When souls divide and drift apart
Nothing heals the shattered heart
When memories are dust and blown away
When comfort is only cold and gray
When words become weapons
When hands cannot reach
When love stands totally alone
When laughter and trust have totally drowned
Friendship dies without a sound

-Unknown




Maggie wanted to be mad at Bianca but it was turning out to be more like hurt then anything else. God, how she was hurting inside. She and Bianca had plans to meet. But again, Bianca blew her off. Maggie was sick of it. She was sick of being treated this way. How could Bianca, one of the most caring people Maggie knew, suddenly become so careless with others feelings. `Jesus Bink, the least you could have done was call. I can't wait to hear what kind of excuse you come up with next.' Maggie thought cynically as she entered the Valley Inn.

Tim rode in the ambulance with Bianca. She was unconscious the whole time. For his part, Tim didn't like to admit fear. As a guy, fear was a weakness. But he feared for Bianca that afternoon. Once inside the hospital ER he watched helplessly as they wheeled her in. Jake Martin was on the scene. Tim watched as the EMT's gave the info to Jake. Tim then made a B line for the payphone. He dialed Erica at Enchantment first. He told her what happened. She didn't wait for him to finish. She thanked him quickly and hung up the phone, saying she was on her way. Next he dialed Maggie's cell. No one answered though. He kept trying but stll no answer. He didn't want to leave her a message. Not for something like this, but he had no choice. He waited for her spiel about leaving a message and heard the beep.

"Maggie, it's Tim. I need you to get down to the hospital now. It's Bianca. There's been an accident. Please hurry. She needs you here." Tim hung up.

"Damnet Maggie. Where the hell are you?"



Maggie sat on her bed and saw the message indicator come up on her cell. She went to check her messages but her bruised feeling took over her actions. `Why bother checking. Just another "I'm sorry Maggie," excuse from Bianca. She's shut me out too much these past few weeks. It's going to take a hell of a lot more then a phone call to fix this Bianca.' Maggie left her cell phone on the stand next to her bed. Exhaustion taking over, she closed her eyes and laid down to sleep. "I'm on overload right now…" she whispered as she drifted off.



Back at the ER Tim greeted Erica and Chris at the door.

"Tim what happened?" Erica pleaded for answers as she came into the waiting area. Chris clung close to her, holding her for support.

"Bianca was at the coffee house. She had left and I guess a kid was running out into the street. She pushed him out of the way. But she wasn't able to move herself. She saved his life Erica."

"How is she? Can I see her?" Erica began to move towards the door.

"Jake's in with her now. I don't know anything else. He'll be out soon I'm sure."

"This can't be happening. Not again…Chris I can't lose her," Erica said beginning to sob.

"It'll be okay honey. She's a fighter just like her mom," Chris said holding tight to his fiancé. The door to the ER room Bianca was in opened. Jake walked out. His coat had blood stains on it.

"God Jake- what's going to happen to my baby?" Erica said rushing up to him.

"Bianca's in critical condition. She has two broken ribs and some bad bruising on her left leg. One of the ribs punctured her left lung. We had to repair that and incubate her. She pulled through fine. Our biggest concern right now is more with the head trauma then anything else," Jake said sighing. This was the hardest part of working in a small town like Pine Valley. You knew everyone you treated. They were a part of your family. He'd known Bianca all her life. "She's in a coma right now Erica. She's under observation. The next 48 hours will be the most critical. The swelling in the back side of her brain is effecting her spinal cord. We won't be able to know more till the swelling goes down. If it goes down…"

"If?" What do you mean Jake?" Chris asked.

"With any kind of head trauma, there is always a chance the swelling might not go down. If that's the case, we'll have to look at surgery to relieve the pressure," Jake said sadly. "Erica, Binaca's a young woman. She has a lot of fight in her. Don't give up hope."

Erica began to cry. "Can I see her, please?"

"Yes- go ahead in," Jake said opening the door.

The site before them made not just Erica, but Chris too begin to cry.

Bianca's face was badly bruised. She was hooked up to a heart monitor and respirator. She just laid there, lifeless.



Ring. Beep.
Ring. Beep.
Ring. Beep.

Nothing. Tim had now tried Maggie's cell phone four times but received no answer. He phone was shut off.

Maggie dreamed…
She stood at the edge of the hill. Looking out, the storm was approaching faster then she had thought it would. The wind blew her hair as she closed her eyes. She wanted to remember the moment, burn it into her memory. She wanted it to last her through the months to come. Through the battle she was about to fight. It didn't matter what she did or what she said. It didn't matter how much she bled. She wouldn't give up. She heard Frankie. "Wake up Maggie. Someone needs you…"

Maggie opened her eyes. `Odd dream' she thought. She picked up her phone. Four missed calls? That was unusual, especially since most of them had come to her in the last few hours.

She heard Tim's voice. The panic. The fear. "Oh God…" was all she said as she grabbed her purse and ran out the door.





Part 6

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

Maggie rushed into the ER waiting room. Tim sat alone on the sofa. He was so wrapped up in his thought he never heard Maggie call out to him.

"Tim. Tim..where is she?"

"Maggie, thank god you're here."

"What happened…where is she? Is she okay? When? Where?" Maggie kept asking question after question.

"Slow down Maggie. Slow down. She's in there," Tim said pointing to the door. Maggie walked over and looked through the glass. She saw Erica and Chris first. Then the air was kicked out of her as her eyes locked onto the one person she loved more then life, laying lifeless. `Oh God. Bianca…no…'

"A car hit her," Tim said coming up behind Maggie putting his hands on her shoulders and turning her around. Her legs went numb beneath her as her world crashed around.

"She's going to be okay right? I mean she's got to be okay…"

"They don't know yet Maggie. It's too soon to tell. Jake said the next 48 hours would be the most critical." Maggie couldn't speak for the time being. She closed her eyes and continued to weep. "She saved a little boy," Tim said pulling Maggie out of their embrace.

"What?" Maggie said softly.

"She saved a little boy. He was going to get hit by the car and Binks pushed him out of the way. She saved him." Tim said proud of his friend.

Erica came out of the room. "Maggie?"

"Ms. Kane…how is she?"

"She's holding her own. Would you like to go in?"

"May I?" Maggie asked hesitantly.

"I think it would be for the best. Talk to her. Maybe you can reach her?" Erica and Chris left the room leaving Maggie along inside.

Maggie walked to Bianca's bed and took her hand. "You're late for our date Binks," Maggie said leaning down and kissing her hand. "I'm so sorry I ever doubted you. God- I feel awful. To think I was actually mad," Maggie said softly. "Binks, you have to open your eyes. Open them and let me look at those beautiful brown eyes. Let me tell you how much I care about you. I need you to hear it me," Maggie pleaded. But nothing happened. Bianca didn't open her eyes. So instead Maggie pulled up a chair and didn't let go of her hand. And did what she did best. She talked. She talked to Bianca about the things she wanted to say to her that day. She told her about how much she needed her, how much she loved her. She told her that finally she had found the one person she wanted in her life…and she'd be damned if she was going to lose her now. Behind her, unbeknownst to Maggie, Erica wiped a tear and quietly closed the door.

Out in the waiting room Erica sat down next to Chris. She held Bianca's purse close to her. Tim had retrieved in from the scene. She noticed the protruding letter. She opened it and began to read. `Oh my…' Erica thought. She should have stopped reading but she couldn't. She needed insight into her daughter's feelings and this is exactly what she had now. `Bianca doesn't just love Maggie. She's in love with her. And from what I saw and heard, Maggie feels just the same way.'

She stood and walked into the room. Maggie began to get up from her chair. "I'll leave you alone," she said as she let go of Bianca's hand and began to retreat.

"No way Maggie. Please, there's something Bianca needs to say to you," Erica handed Maggie the letter. She turned around and left the room again.

Maggie took the letter and looked at Bianca's still form.

She read.

She cried.

Bianca did love her. And she was pushing her away for the reasons Tim had said. Bianca didn't think Maggie could love her the same way.

`Oh God Binks, how could we have this miscommunication.'

"Maggie?" said a soft voice.

"Bink? Oh God…" Maggie said rushing to her side.

"I feel awful."

"Thank God you're okay."

"What happened?"

"You were hit by a car," Maggie said taking her hand and kissing it. "Thank God you're awake. You had us all so scared Bink. God sweetie- I'm so thankful to have you here." Maggie leaned down and kissed Binaca softly on the lips.

"Maggie?"

"Shh. No talking now. We have plenty of time for that later. Let me go and get your mom and Chris. They're outside. So is Tim. We've all been so worried."

"Don't leave…" Bianca said not letting go of her hand. "Not yet."

"I promise I'll be outside honey. I won't go anywhere. Never again…"

`Honey?' Bianca thought. `Sweetie?'

The next few hours went by quickly. The hours turned into days. Days into weeks. And Maggie never left her side. She never said anything about the letter to Bianca. Bianca never said anything to Maggie about her conversation with Tim.

Bianca was a hero in the town. 'Like she wasn't before,' thought Maggie. 'She's always been mine. So strong. So proud.'

Weeks later…

Maggie and Bianca sat outside the boathouse.

"So we're finally here huh?" Bianca asked.

"Yeah- about time," Maggie smiled back.

"Maggie, listen I need to tell you something. I…God I don't know where to start. I had this whole thing planned out in my mind. And the last few weeks I've wanted to say it a hundred times over in a thousand different ways."

"It's okay Bink…you can tell me anything."

"I love you." There. That was a lot simpler then she had thought it would be.

"I love you too." There. That was a lot simpler then she had thought it would be.

"You do?"

"I do."

Maggie owed this much to Bianca. She leaned in softly. "I'm not going to freak if you promise not too." Bianca smiled and that was all the welcome Maggie needed. Their lips touched and what started as a soft sweet kiss attempting to convey feelings turned into something far more passionate. A sigh escaped Bianca as Maggie pulled away.

"Wow," They both said in unison.

Again, they both laughed, cause all was right in the world.

They had followed their hearts. And they knew what they wanted. It was each other.

FIN





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