DISCLAIMER: AMC and ABC own these rights. I own nothing.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
A Single Moment
By Berg
"It's all in the title right? I mean why shouldn't it be? No one wants to hear about a love story that has a title like 'Green Frogs and the Tadpoles They Were.' What the heck is romantic about that? Nothing. Unless of course you like Tadpoles. Or Frogs, which were once Tadpoles. A lot of people don't know that. But I digress. I do that a lot sometimes. I lose my train of thought. I start down one road, one thought, and then BAM…I'm someplace else. If you know me…if you knew everything I've been through in the last two years you'd understand my not so one track mind. Where was I? Oh yes. A title. I was talking about the title for our story. How about, 'Two Girls in Love.' Taken? No kidding. Someone else got his or her creative juices flowing before me huh? Oh well. It wouldn't work anyway. It's too simple a title. It doesn't do the story justice. Let me think. How about 'Oceans 2.' No? Yeah…that is kind of lame mainly cause we don't live anywhere near the ocean, though I've always wanted to visit the beach. You know…like rent a cabin. I always thought that would be fun. Waking up to the sound of the surf. I could be a Beach House Babe maybe. Oh I know! How about 'Lost.' That is appropriate in this matter of the heart, don't you think? A TV show? ABC? Oh no kidding. Is it any good? You know I think I'm trying to hard. What is that? You're asking me what it's about? Why…it's just a love story. Hmmm. Yeah you're right. It does kind of roll off the tongue. I like it. A Love Story. The Love Story of all Love Stories. What? You want to know if it has a happy ending? Sit down. Bartender?"
"Yes?" the short balding man approached the two women.
"Can you get my friend here a drink?"
"Sure. What'll it be?" he smiled.
"Seltzer water please," she smiled.
"Coming up."
"Bianca?" Anita looked at her friend's sad face. "Tell me what happened?"
"It's just a love story Anita," Bianca smiled.
"Ok…so tell me the story," Anita sat down next to her friend reaching over and taking her hand. Bianca took a deep breath and felt her bottom lip quiver.
"Girls meets girl. Girl loses girl. Lost girls twin sister comes to town. Girl falls for best friend. Girls best friend, and said twin isn't into women…but very flattered. Girls heart breaks. Girls meets another girl. Girl falls in love with girl. Girls best friend decides she does love her. Girls loses other girl. Girls loses best friend." Bianca looked up at Anita. "I don't expect you to follow that. I confused myself too…and I was the girl."
Anita smiled seeing the playfulness behind Bianca's eyes.
"Is this about Maggie?"
Maggie felt a tear fall. "It's always been about Maggie. She just doesn't understand that."
"Did Jonathan hurt her again?"
"Not physically no." Bianca could hear the words being shouted from the other side of the door. She shook from the memory.
"Bianca. You're scaring me a little."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to."
"Did you and Maggie have a fight?"
"The fight to end fights."
"So you've made up?" Anita was having a difficult time following Bianca.
"No," Bianca pushed her half a glass of wine away from her. "No. She doesn't want anything to do with me."
"What did she say Bianca?"
"Well…to put it nicely…to get the hell out of her life and leave her alone." Bianca kept hearing those words over and over again. "And I must say…it was a stellar performance."
"Bianca…"
"I can't do this Anita," Bianca stood. "I'm sorry." She looked around the bar. "Do you the last time I was here…Maggie saved my life."
"The Pit?"
"There were some rowdy Bikers. And I had been drinking. It was right after my rape. I just wanted to forget. The situation got out of control so quickly…I just couldn't deal. I freaked. I thought I was going to be raped again. I panicked. My fear only egged them on. Maggie got them all away from me by offering them free drinks. And we left. I was so scared. But Maggie took care of me. She told me it would be alright. She loved me enough to support me. And…and that's all I wanted to do for her. Support her. Love her. And I can't even do that right."
"You do support her Bianca," Anita said softly. "you support her and love her. You do more then any friend would."
"Ding ding ding!" Bianca shouted with a fake smile. "We have a winner."
"What?"
"You just hit the nail on the head. Tell her what she's won chuck," Bianca said in a fake game show voice.
"That you do more then any friend would…is that what this is about?"
"That I exactly what it's about. It's what this has always been about Anita. It's always been more then friendship."
"So you told her?"
"Told her what?" Bianca was confused.
"That…that you're still in love with her."
"Anita," Bianca shook her head. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"The hell I don't," Anita said raising her voice slightly getting some looks from the local drunks.
"It's more complicated then just being in love."
"What's complicated about love?" Anita asked.
"Oh Anita," Bianca laughed softly. "You've never met Maggie and I have you?"
"So you told her you love her…and she freaked out. So what. Give her time. You can't just give up."
"Giving up means you had a chance to begin with," Bianca said boldly raising her voice slightly. "I don't have a chance with Maggie. She made that very clear to me."
"So you're just walking away…without even fighting?" Anita shook her head.
"What would you have me do?" Bianca asked defensively. "Would you have me march to her apartment, tell her how special she is? Tell her how much I love her. Kiss her?"
"yes!"
"I did that! I did that and look where it got me?" Bianca laughed bitterly. "The door. It got me the door Anita."
"Then you keep knocking. You keep telling her. You keep saying it till she hears you Bianca. There is no voice louder then the voice of love."
"What are you in the lead for new town cupid?" Bianca smiled. "Believing love can conquer all."
"No," Anita laughed. "That's your roll."
"Not anymore," Bianca said sadly.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm leaving."
"Leaving?"
"Miranda and I are leaving. For a little while at least. We've earned this vacation of sorts."
"What about you sister? Your Mother?"
"I haven't told them yet. But they'll understand."
"What about Maggie?" Anita asked saying the name so softly.
"Maggie…Maggie made herself perfectly clear. She wants me to get the hell out of her life. I'm out." Bianca pulled out a ten and placed it on the table. "I don't have any fight in me left Anita." She moved closer to Anita and kissed her cheek. "Thank you. For being a good friend."
Maggie sat alone in the dark apartment.
Alone.
Yup. That summed up how she was feeling right now. She was alone. She glanced at the bottle of champagne Jonathan and she had toasted with a day before…well a day before everything in her life went to hell in a hand basket. "It's better this way," she said. She wasn't sure whom she was trying to convince. She closed her eyes and the only distinctive sound that could be heard was the buzzing of the fish tank.
There was a knock at the door.
Maggie ignored it.
The knock came again. "Go away!" Maggie shouted.
Again the knock.
"Go away Bianca!" Maggie said. "I don't want to ever see you again!"
"If you don't open this door right now…you're going to get your wish!" came the voice from the other side. Maggie stood up slowly and wiped her eyes. She slowly opened the door and saw Anita standing there.
"What do you want? Here to tell me about how my boyfriend and now Fiancé is a ticking time bomb?" Maggie asked.
"No. I came here…"
Maggie cut her off. "Oh You're here to tell me about how I should see the evil in Jonathan, right? Let me guess…Bianca sent you right? She's gone for three hours and she is already sending more groupies of the 'I hate Jonathan' club."
"Maggie…" Anita tried again.
"Boy she must be smiling from ear to ear huh?" Maggie cut her off again. "She got what she wanted! I'm alone…and bitter…just like her!"
"Would you shut the hell up for five seconds!" Anita shouted. Maggie was startled enough that Anita was able to continue on. She closed the door behind her. "You're taking a cue on the verbal abuse from your fiancé?"
"Who are you to come into my home and talk about me like that?"
"I'm the only person in this room who's thinking about Bianca."
"Oh please," Maggie scoffed.
"I came here to ask you a question."
"Fine ask. The get the hell out."
"Do you really want Bianca out of your life…for good."
"From your lips to God's…" Anita turned and didn't give Maggie the chance to finish.
"Then it's just as well."
"What's that?" Maggie asked pleased with herself. At least Anita would leave her alone. That was all she wanted.
Anita paused, her hand on the door. Her back was to Maggie. She didn't need to turn around to know how her words would impact the young woman.
"It's just as well that Bianca is leaving, and not coming back. You're getting your wish Maggie. You don't ever have to hear Bianca's voice telling you she loves you, telling you she worries about you, telling you about her beautiful daughter and the kind of day they had at the zoo. You don't have to ever see her face light up when she laughs at something you've said, or when she watching her daughter experience her first birthday, or the look in her eyes when she is holding you, making love to you. You get your wish…how did you put it? From your lips to God's ears. Congratulations Maggie Stone, you won," Anita said. "But I think you've lost." Maggie just watched the door close…not able to move. Not able to speak.
"Are you sure about this?" Kendall asked biting the side of her cheek. Bianca smiled.
"I'm sure Kendall. I'll be back. Don't worry. And you can come and visit anytime."
"I just can't believe you've decided this so quickly. Did something happen?"
"I just need to get away," Bianca said honestly. "With everything that has happened the last few months. This is just what I need. It's just what Miranda needs."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No," Bianca smiled. "We both need you here…with Ethan. I think he'll need you more. But we promise to call every night and morning," Bianca smiled holding her daughter watching her giggle.
"She has your smile," Kendall said softly. "It's amazing how beautiful she is. Just like her mom."
"You're going to make me cry," Bianca laughed. "Stop."
"Did you tell mother yet?"
"Yes," Bianca nodded. "Mom knows. She actually thinks it's a great idea."
"So when are you leaving? In a few weeks?"
"Tomorrow."
"What? Tomorrow?"
Bianca smiled. "The sooner the better," Bianca nodded. "I just need this Kendall. Please understand."
Kendall took her sisters hand. "I support you 110% baby sister." She leaned in and hugged Bianca, feeling the young woman crying in her arms. "It'll be okay Binks."
"I know," Bianca nodded.
Maggie glanced at the clock. It read 2 a.m. She got up from her side of the bed and made her way to the closet. There she pulled out a small shoe box. She licked her bottom lip. A shiver ran through her when she wondered what Jonathan would do if he found out she still had these things. She paused. It took a moment for her brain to process what she was thinking.
"What would Jonathan do?"
Would he hit me? Would he make me feel bad for caring about my best friend? Would he make me feel guilty to holding on to sweet memories? Would he verbally lash out at me? Would be drink? Would be kick me out of my own home again? Would be blame Bianca for his issues with our relationship? Would be blame me?
She removed the lid and the first thing she saw was a picture.
Bianca was wearing a pink brides maid dress. And Maggie had on a low cut black and red dress. It was from Babe and JR's wedding. They had been dancing. Bianca was pointing to the camera and smiling as Maggie had her mouth open and was clearly laughing.
"When was the last time I laughed?"
'Even your smile has changed Maggie.'
"When was the last time I felt like myself?"
'You've change everything Maggie. Your clothes. Your hair…'
Maggie picked up the next picture. It was of Bianca and Maggie at the prom. She closed her eyes and smiled. If she thought hard enough she could still feel Bianca dancing in her arms. Still smell her perfume.
"Bianca…" Maggie whispered the name.
'You are smart and beautiful and funny and strong. You were my rock. Remember that? There was a time when I didn't know how to put one foot in front of the other. I cherish every part of you. You are extremely beautifully loveable.'
'as a friend. You love me just as a friend.'
'no…it's so much more then that…'
Bianca watched her baby sleep. Miranda's breathing was steady and even. Bianca enjoyed moments like this, when she could steal back some of the memories that Babe and her parents took from her. She lowered her hand to her belly, remember the feeling of Miranda while she still carried her inside.
'tell your mommy to stop worrying. The three of us are about to have a crazy adventure. No one has to know the truth,' Maggie said whispering into Bianca's belly.
"What did I do?" Maggie asked the empty dark apartment. She stood up. She began pacing.
'I'm not going to be on the run from the mob. I'll call. I'll write. I'll send you picture of the baby. Goofy ones with her face covered in cake on her birthday.'
'great. I can't wait.'
'Maggie what's wrong?'
'Just give me a second. I'm about to lose the person I care about most in this world.'
'you could never lose me, I promise.'
"Oh God," Maggie felt panic rise within her. "Oh God. What did I do?" She grabbed her car keys and ran out the door, pulling her hair down from its up position.
"You all set baby?" Bianca smiled holding her daughter close. "Come on. Lets get out of here," she laughed as Kendall held her nieces hand.
"You'll call me as soon as you get in?"
"Of course," Bianca smiled.
"I love you Binks."
"Love you too," Bianca kissed her sister one last time. "Promise me you'll try to remember to water the plants."
"You'll be lucky if the cactus lives."
Bianca laughed. "Well just give it your best."
"Goodbye," Bianca waved as she and Miranda made their way downstairs. Kendall stood in her sister's empty apartment. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Maggie drove. She needed to see Bianca. She needed to tell her she made a mistake. She didn't mean what she had said. She was just upset. She didn't really want Bianca out of her life. She could never…
Maggie choked on the tears as she thought about how Bianca must have felt when she said the words she did. How she must have hurt her deeply.
Maggie didn't have time to wait for the elevator. She took the steps two at a time. She ran down the hall to see Kendall closing the door. "Wait Kendall," Maggie said out of breath. "I need to see Bianca."
"You missed her," Kendall said looking at Maggie confused.
"Where is she? The park? Fusion? I need to talk to her now."
"Maggie?" Kendall shook her head. "Bianca's gone. She left about half an hour ago."
"What do you mean gone?"
'I want you out of my life for good!'
"She left. I'm confused. Didn't she tell you?"
"She is coming back in what? An hour?"
"Bianca's not coming back," Kendall said not getting a better understanding.
"Not coming back?"
"She and Miranda…they're gone Maggie. They left for California."
Maggie looked at Bianca's door and then to Kendall and then back to the door. Kendall could see the confusion and emotions playing on the young woman's face.
"I have to stop her Kendall. I can't let her leave. I can't let her leave without telling her!"
"Ok…ok…calm down," Kendall soothed the now crying Maggie.
"I have to tell her! She needs to know! She needs to understand."
"The airport," Kendall snapped her fingers. "Her flight…you might be able to catch it. She's taking the Enchantment jet." All Kendall saw was a flash and a "thanks Kendall!" shouted.
Maggie ran like she had never run before. Her lungs burned. They were more then likely towing her car at that exact moment. But that was nothing more then a passing thought. She had one single thing driving her. Bianca. Ok. That was a lie. Two single things driving her. Bianca and Miranda.
I can't lose them.
I won't lose them.
Not like this.
Not without a…
"Bianca!" Maggie shouted at the top of her lungs. Heads all around the terminal turned. "Bianca Montgomery!" Maggie called the name like it was her life line. She needed to hear Bianca answer her. She needed to know Bianca was still there. "Bianca!"
"Ms."
"Bianca!"
The hand grabbed her arm. "Ms. You're making a scene. Please stop."
"Bianca!" Maggie ignored the security officer.
"If you don't stop I'll have you arrested!"
Maggie pulled her arm out of his grip. And began running toward the only gate she hadn't thought to look. "Bianca! Miranda!"
The officer pulled his radio up. "I'm going to need back up at Gate 78. Terminal C. Single woman. She seems to be freaking out about something."
He took off running after her.
Bianca smiled as the last of her bags were loaded on the cart. "Okay Ms. Montgomery. You're mothers informed us of your flight plans, and your luggage is being placed as we speak. Is there any other special needs we could assist you with?"
"No," Bianca smiled. "Thank you."
"Very well then. We'll be ready to leave in just a moment. You can board anytime you'd like."
Bianca smiled and nodded. "Ready for a big ride?" she asked smiling as Miranda laughed. "You ready?"
Bianca paused as she began to move past the gate door. She could swear she was hearing her name. "Maggie?" she paused but didn't hear anything. Laughing she shook her head. "Great…now I'm hearing her."
"Bianca!"
Bianca stopped and backed up from the entry door. She could see a young woman with about four security guards trailing her. "Bianca!"
"Maggie?"
"Bianca!" Maggie smiled as she reached her friend.
"Maggie? What are you…"
The guards surrounded Maggie and pulled her back. "Let me go!" Maggie shouted.
"This is Bianca! This is who…hey! That hurts!" Maggie could feel the handcuffs going on.
"Ms. You are under arrest for disorderly conduct."
"What? You can't arrest me for looking for someone!" Maggie scoffed. "Is this what my tax dollars are going to? I'm writing a letter to my congresswoman…"
"Guys! Guys!" Bianca shouted trying to get the security guards to calm down.
"Is there an issue?" the airline woman asked coming back to the counter.
"Yes! Please ask them to let her go. She's my friend. She isn't some disorderly conduct."
"Officers," the airline woman looked at them and cringed. "This is Bianca Montgomery. Daughter of Erica Kane…I suggest we let her friend go. This is Ms. Kane's private terminal."
The officers looked back and forth.
"she'll say she was sorry," Bianca said looking at her friend. "Maggie."
"I'm sort of sorry," Maggie said rubbing her wrists as the handcuffs were taken off.
They grumbled and walked away. Maggie watched the airline woman leave also. Maggie looked down at Miranda who just watched her with an amused expression. "handcuffed in front of the baby. That'll be my all time low for the year."
"Maggie? What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you."
"Oh."
Maggie bit her bottom lip. "And to tell you…"
"Tell me what?" Bianca asked confused.
"To tell you…" Maggie looked left and right. "Tell you…"
"Ms. Montgomery we're ready for you," the airline woman announced.
"Coming," Bianca smiled. "Maggie…I've got to go. Look if this is about the fight…don't worry about it. I'm just glad you finally saw him for what he was. And he can't hurt you ever again."
"I don't care about him."
"Maggie I really need to go," Bianca smiled sadly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Go."
"Maggie," Bianca shifted the baby on her other hip. "I've got to. I'm sorry. I'll be back…someday."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"No. I mean…that's what I came to say. I came to say I love you."
"Ok," Bianca smiled. "So we're ok," she nodded and reached for Maggie's hand. "I love you too."
"No…I mean," Maggie shook her head. "you know in the movies they make this look so much more god damn easy." Maggie put her hand to the mouth and noticed Miranda.
"Sorry."
"For what?"
"Swearing in front of Miranda. Didn't mean too."
Bianca smiled.
"I don't love you," Maggie said taking a breath and reaching out for Miranda. She pulled Miranda into her arms and looked at Bianca. "I'm in love with you Bianca. It's always been you."
"I thought…"
"Can we just start from right here. Right now. You…me…and Miranda."
"My flights leaving," Bianca looked back.
"Then I'm coming with you."
"You want to come with us?"
"If you'll have me. I mean I can't blame you if you didn't want to see me again after what…"
Maggie was silenced by Bianca's lips capturing her own. It wasn't a deep kiss, but it made it's intentions known.
"We'll have you," Bianca smiled. Miranda clapped and giggled.
"Lets get the hell out of this town then," Maggie smiled taking Bianca's hand in her own.
"I'm with you."
"Always?"
"Always."
The End