Fallout

Title: Fallout
Author: Bergs coffecup26@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Pairing: Maggie/Bianca
Summary: Unable to admit how she feels, Maggie realizes Bianca loves her. Can Maggie understand her feelings for Bianca before it's too late? Or will their friendship pay the ultimate price.
Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for a bit. Thanks to AMC and the writers there for bringing Maggie, Bianca, and the whole town of Pine Valley to us each day.





Part 1

"I wasn't looking to find the truth," Bianca said, "The truth found me." She crossed her legs and sat Indian style. She looked up to the sky and saw the cloud floating overhead. The weather in the small town of Pine Valley was perfect for September. There was a slight breeze in the air. The smell of flowers and the chirping of birds surrounded them.

"That's usually the way it works," Tim replied placing his arms around her in a comforting hug. He took off his black ray bans and sat down close to her. "Tell me about it."

"I don't really know where to begin. I wasn't planning on any of this happening, you know? I mean it's like waking up one morning and discovering you're a millionaire. Things seemed normal enough, but I'm not so sure now."

"What's changed?"

"She has."

"Maggie?"

"Yes."

This was going to be harder than Tim thought. The topic of Bianca and Maggie was somewhat close to him. He had developed a crush on Maggie a few months ago. But as time went on he realized she would never be able to return his feelings.

"She's gone," Bianca said more as a statement, and not a fact. Sighing she laid back. Her legs were starting to fall asleep.

"She's left?"

"No. It's…It's just different with us now. The Maggie I knew and loved isn't here. I can't figure it out. That is what is bothering me. I always figure out people's problems and help them to solve them. But I can't do this one thing on my own. I feel like a failure."

"I think you're being a little hard on yourself, Bink."

"Maybe."

"Not maybe. You are." Tim laid back as well. "This is kind of nice. You could just fall asleep here and get a nice tan."

"Yes, you could. In fact, maybe we should just be quiet and appreciate the scenery?"

"You're not getting off that easy Bianca."

"I didn't think so," Bianca said turning her head and looking at him. "You have great eyes."

"Yes I do. And you're changing the subject."

"Am I?"

"Yup."

"Shit. You aren't going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope."

"Fine. Okay. Here it is. I told Maggie the reason why I have been acting so weird around her lately. She just kept pushing you know? 'Tell me what's wrong? Why do you freak every time I come near you? Why don't you look at me?'" Bianca sighed. God, she wished she could have the moment back again. She wished she had never told Maggie the truth. Somewhere deep inside of her, Bianca had hoped that maybe, just maybe, Maggie might feel the same way for her. But she was wrong. And now their friendship paid the ultimate price.

"So why have you been acting so weird?"

"Because I love her Tim." There that was two times. She had now said it twice out loud. The more and more she said it the more and better it felt.

Tim wasn't surprised. In fact the only thing that had caught him off guard was Maggie's reaction. Tim was certain that Maggie felt for Bianca the same way.

"Sometimes it's like I don't even know her anymore Tim. To think we used to joke about staying close always," Bianca said, adding a bite to always. "We can't even stay friends when she lives 200 yards from me. Who was it that said the truth shall set you free?" Bianca laughed cynically.

"So you guys are having a hard time. It happens you know? I have had fights with friends before. It's normal."

"This is a fall out Tim."

"Out of love?" he asked.

Bianca hung her head.

"You can't let go that easy Bink. You need to fight for her. I know she feels something for you. I mean how could she not. You're an amazing person. Hell if I was a girl, I'd date you," Tim said smiling. The line did what it was intended for. It made Bianca laugh.

She sighed heavy after the brief chuckle. "I have to let go Tim. It's killing me not to. I mean letting go of the fact that there wasn't ever anything there in the first place. Realizing that perhaps we just used each other. I mean if that is the case, if we did in fact use each other, how shallow does that make me?" Tim sighed and thought about his answer.

"This isn't you Bianca. Look at you. Look at the life you and Maggie have together. It doesn't matter if it's as friends or lovers. Rome wasn't built in a day you know?"

"What?" Bianca asked softly and slightly confused. It was responses like that, that made her love Tim so much.

"Forget it."

"What does Rome have to do with Maggie and I?" Bianca asked smiling.

"My Dad always tells me that Rome wasn't built in a day. You and Maggie have a rocky friendship right now. Never doubt that you love each other, and that you'll always be there for one another."

"Oh I don't doubt that Tim. I guess I just doubt us."

"So have you talked to her? You know since then?"

"Twice. She would rather play 'everything is fine and lets move on'. I know she feels this too."

"Feels what? The distance?"

"No…distance is too small a word. I am thinking more along the lines of 'huge void'." Bianca said. Just then she heard someone coming from behind. Out of response she glanced up. Maggie was approaching them.

"Your final all over and done with?" Bianca asked smiling, pretending that the last five minutes hadn't happened, and that everything was fine and dandy. She had gotten good at that lately.

"All done. PVU is quite the college," Maggie smiled.

Tim took his towel and stood. "I need to get out of here. I still have a date this afternoon. You guys stay and…talk," he locked eyes with Bianca. "You might learn something." He smiled and walked up the path.

"So…" Maggie drew out.

"So..." Bianca repeated.

"What did Tim mean when he said we might be able to learn something?" Maggie asked.

"I don't know. What do you think he meant?"

"You guys always do that," Maggie said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Do what?"

"Answer a question with another question. Man that is annoying."

"Just put it on my list of things Maggie," Bianca said.

"And that's another thing too. Why do you think I'm always keeping track of your faults?"

"I don't. I was just kidding," Bianca said becoming defensive.

"Things said in jest are things surly meant Bianca."

"Oh for Christ sakes Maggie, I don't want to fight. Can't we just sit here and enjoy this nice afternoon?"

"You're the one who was talking about me. You've got something to say, so say it."

"You were listening?" Bianca asked confused.

"Let's just call it a hunch Binks."

Bianca knew Maggie was upset. "Why are you doing this Maggie? I told you that I wouldn't do anything to hurt our friendship. Why are you putting me through this?"

"Me? I'm not the one who…"

"Who what? Go and say it Maggie!" Bianca said standing.

"Things were fine just the way they were. Why did you have to say it?"

"Cause it's how I feel! Can't you see that? I can't just make my feelings go away because you don't want to acknowledge them Maggie. Love doesn't work like that," Bianca felt her face start burning with tears.

"Why not just stay away from me then. Why continue to put yourself through this hellish friendship huh?" Maggie said with anger and pride lacing her voice.

"Because your my best friend."

Maggie couldn't do this anymore. She felt like someone was ripping her heart out. A thousand and one emotions were running so close to the surface. 'I'm not gay. I'm not gay. I don't love Bianca like she loves me. I couldn't. I like guys. I like kissing them and being with them…but why can't I stand being near Bianca and not being able to touch her. Why did I have to push her into telling me how she feels when I knew all along.'

"I'll see you Bianca," Maggie said as she began to walk away. She just needed time to think.

"How typical, just walk away," Bianca knew that was a cheap line but part of her also knew it was the truth. Maggie was used to walking away. Why should now be any different.

"Maybe...it's for the best" Maggie said walking away.

"Maybe," Bianca said in a whisper as Maggie disappeared into the trees. "Well that went well," Bianca sighed laying down and beginning to cry.


Part 2

'Oh my God- what have I done?' Maggie thought as she walked back to her room. 'I've managed to push away the only person whose ever loved me. I've hurt her and I've…God this can't be happening.'

Maggie walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Nothing in her life had been simple. She couldn't ever go about doing things the easy way. She couldn't come to this town because she happened in on it one night. No, instead she came here to find the answers to her sisters murder. She couldn't leave and move on. No, instead she had to stay and try to find out what a life with a family would have felt like. She couldn't have Bianca Montgomery and left it as an acquaintance. No. She had to fall in love with her. 'I love her, heaven help me, I do. But I can't make this. I can't make this work. I mean is this who I am?' She thought lowering her head. She thought back to the fateful night days ago that had taken them to this point….

Bianca and Maggie had just come back from a movie. They had laughed and cried and now all was right in the world. The whirlwind of the past few weeks had finally started to settle. They made their way to the park and sat on the bench.

"God what a perfect night," Maggie said looking up to the clear sky.

"It was pretty perfect wasn't it?"

"You know what this reminds me of? The night of your prom," Maggie said smiling. Oh what a great night that had been for both of them.

"That was a great night too. Oh I had so much fun dancing." Bianca stood up and started to sway to the music in her head. Maggie looked around to make sure no one was watching.

"Bianca, what the heck are you doing?" Maggie asked laughing.

"Dancing with my Prince Charming," she said as she swung around behind the bench and swirled plopping back into her seat.

"Don't you mean Princess Charming?" Maggie asked smirking.

"I've already got her," Bianca said scooping her hand around Maggie's. It took just a moment for her to realize what she had said and what she had done. "Sorry," Bianca said removing her hand quickly.

"Why do you do that?" Maggie asked slightly hurt Bianca had removed her hand.

"I was just playing," Bianca smiled, trying to cover up.

"Bianca why are you so afraid of me?"

"I'm not afraid of you Maggie, don't be silly." 'Oh god, not this conversation. Please. Not now.'

"Tell me what's wrong? Why do you freak every time I come near you? Why don't you look at me like you used too? Like the night of your prom…why can't we just go back there and be carefree?"

"Maggie…look I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I'm just going through some stuff right now. Stuff you don't understand…stuff you couldn't understand."

"Like?"

"Like my feelings for you. They've change. I think what I am trying to say is that…well I care about you. That's no big shocker right?" Maggie shook her head, "Right. So…well it shouldn't come as a shock for you to know t hat I've developed deeper feelings for you."

"Deeper? Like beyond friendship?"

"Yes. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted you to know that's why I'm acting different around you. I was hoping that I could make them go away."

"You want them to go away?" Maggie felt hurt by the comment. Someone finally loved her and now they wanted to push those feelings away?

"Lets just move past this. Come on Princess Charming. Let's get ice-cream," Bianca stood.

"Bianca! You can't just say something like that to me and then expect ice cream to make it better?"

"Better? Did I do something to make it worse?" Bianca panicked a bit.

"Look. Maybe I should take off. I'll call you tomorrow," Maggie said standing. 'No fool. Don't run. Tell her how you feel. Tell her you do understand. You understand more then she could believe.'

"Maggie, please don't leave…"

"No it's cool Bink. I'm really tired. I'm just going to head home. Okay?"

"Okay. Bye." Bianca said the last part so soft and so sad that Maggie felt it to her core.

"Bye."

Now back at the Valley Inn Maggie knew she needed to fix this. She had fought with her friends before, but none of them had torn her up like this inside. She literally felt as though a part of her heart had been taken away.

"I need a walk," Maggie mumbled under her breath and left the room.



Bianca sat alone in the park. Her head hung low as she kept replaying the events fro the day over and over again. "Frankie, I've messed things up so badly with your sister," she sighed. So wrapped up in her thoughts, she never heard the footsteps behind her.

"Purse, watch, jewelry…now."




Part 3

Bianca turned around and saw a man wearing a hooded mask. Stunned and scared she didn't act quick enough. He raised his hand and hit her across the face. "I said now, bitch!" She fell to the ground. With shaky hands she handed over her purse to him. "Give me your watch and jewelry too. Lets go!"

It was the first time Bianca noticed the man had a knife. 'Oh my god,' she thought to herself. Quickly she took off her watch, a Christmas present from her mother three years ago. She slipped off her three rings also. "Here, just don't hurt me," she pleaded. The man grabbed her things.

"The necklace too," he said pointed to her.

"No. Please, not this."

"Now!"

"Please…my father…it's all I have left," she started to say. The man moved forward and grabbed her hair, striking her again. She felt his cold hands go around her neck and the thin chain break.

"Stupid bitch," he mumbled as he ran off.

Bianca lay on the ground, in shock. She felt warm blood from the corner of her mouth and the side of her face ached. She tired to stand but fell back to the ground. "Help!" she called out.

What felt like minutes, but in truth was only a matter of seconds Bianca heard someone call out her name. Her ears were still ringing from the blow she took to her head.

"Oh my god! Bianca," and Maggie was by her side. "What happened to you? Who did this?"

"Maggie," Bianca said. She started crying and collapsed into the other girl's arms, sobbing and breathing heavy.

"Come on we got to get you to the hospital," Maggie said picking her up.

"No. Please. Just take me home," Bianca said between sobs.

"Bianca you might be hurt. We have to get you…"

"Please, just take me home. I'll be okay." Bianca said attempting to calm down. "It's just a little blood. I'll be okay. I'm more scared now then hurt."

"Okay," Maggie said. She didn't want to upset the poor girl anymore. Back to the Valley Inn it was.



Maggie had Bianca lay on the bed. She brought over some warm water and a cloth. Bianca went to take it from her, but Maggie moved her hand away. "Let me," she said softly. She gently touched Bianca's bruised cheek. Slowly and carefully she wiped away the dried blood from Bianca's lip. A sudden guilt washed over Maggie. "If only I had been there a minutes sooner, this might not have happened," she whispered.

"What are you talking about. This isn't your fault. I should never have been in that park alone. I just needed to get out of here you know? I needed to think," Bianca answered.

"Think about what?"

"I just felt so awful," Bianca said in-between Maggie applying warm water to her face.

"About us? I know. Me too."

"I'm so sorry Maggie. I had no right to talk to you about Tim. I had no right to say the things to you that I did…"

"I'm sorry too. I had no right pushing you away. I was doing the exact same thing I accused you of Bink. I was just afraid," Maggie said. 'It's now or never.'

"You? Afraid?" Bianca smiled.

"Yeah. Me," Maggie leaned in and softly placed a kiss on Bianca's bruised cheek.

Bianca felt her breath catch in her throat. It was the sweetest gesture anyone had ever made. She closed her eyes and reopened them to see Maggie looking at her through sad eyes.

"I'm no Princess Charming Bink. But I promise here and now, that I'll never hurt you again. I won't ever hide from what I am feeling. This is new to me. All of this. I've never been in love before…let alone…with a woman. But if you give me time I know we can work through this," Maggie said gently.

"Love? You love me?" Bianca said. She felt her heart jump into her throat. 'Can this really be happening?'

"Yeah. I do. I've just been dealing with…well trying to understand why I felt the way I did. I put that on you and I had no right too. I'm sorry."

"You love me," Bianca said again. It was like she was repeating it to believe it.

Maggie smiled.

Bianca pushed over on the bed and Maggie laid next to her. Bianca put her hands around Maggie and held her tight. "Binks, I never had something feel so right before."

Bianca smiled and knew she felt the same way. Somewhere inside she was thanking Frankie for making this happen. She knew her angel had watched over them.

FIN





Return to Author Index
Return to Title Index
Return to Pairing Index