Nothing to Write Home About: Bad Habit

As such a sad love
Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel
Open and closed within your eyes
I’ll place the sky within your eyes

There’s such a fooled heart
Beating so fast in search of new dreams
A love that will last within your heart
I’ll place the moon within your heart

As the pain sweeps through
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill has gonst
Wasn’t too much fun at all
But I’ll be there for you
As the world falls down

As The World Falls Down, David Bowie

It had taken Maggie three months to become absolutely sure she knew every nook and cranny of Bianca's body.

Even so, she didn't want to proclaim victory over her little quest just yet. Not when the exploration itself was entirely too wonderful.

She couldn't get enough, and sometimes, when the lucidity gave way to a sort of sense of clarity, it almost frightened her, how easily she took to loving Bianca in every aspect. It was almost too easy, and Maggie, who had had so many things become good and then turn sour, had to constantly force down a small well of panic that told her that this happy ending was just a temporary reprieve before things went sour once again.

But the moments of doubt, witnesses to her ability to still be human, were often pushed aside in favor of her love, her lust, her worship, and her obsession with all things Bianca.

Bianca skin was like silk underneath her fingertips, and Maggie smiled, shimmying along the sheets until she had pressed against her, breasts pillowed against Bianca's bare back, mouth sucking gently on Bianca's shoulder, arm sliding around Bianca's waist, spread over her abdomen.

Bianca moaned in her sleep, and Maggie shuddered at the sound, felt it invade her, as her eyes closed and she pulled in tighter, skimming Bianca's shoulder with a tease of her teeth, settling further into her neck, feeling Bianca arch under her ministrations.

Cool air breezed in through the open window, bringing with it the sound of chirping birds and the smell of ripe fruit, mingled with the perfume of Bianca's lotion. She loved this - she tasted Bianca the way she tasted wine, with her eyes and her ears and her taste and her touch, every sense filling her with Bianca's essence, a vintage flavor blended with love and desire.

Maggie had become the distinctive Bianca-connoisseur, and it was a title she held reverently and took quite seriously.

"Mmmm..." Bianca murmured, tone lowered and octave with lust and sleep. She shifted under Maggie like a purring cat, pressing back into her, sliding fingers behind her, scratching lightly at Maggie's nape, tangling into her lighter locks.

"Hi," she mumbled against soft skin, laving the spot just under Bianca's ear with a warm tongue, settling into a soft, heated suction, feeling Bianca respond, perfect ass against her crotch. Holding her with her arm against her stomach, Maggie held her there, thrusting lightly, smoothing up another arm to cradle across her shoulders, keeping Bianca encircled, teasing the curve of Bianca's left breast with questing fingertips.

"Oh, God," she heard Bianca murmur, and smiled into her kisses, as she felt Bianca shift, arching to capture Maggie's lips over her shoulder, thrusting her tongue into her mouth wildly.

The kiss was anything but lazy, a testament to Bianca's state of desire, as she crashed teeth against teeth, sloppily sucking in Maggie's lower lip, opening wider for more of her.

She kept Bianca against her, wouldn't let her turn, and while Bianca was distracted with her fingers against her breast and her lips battling with hers, Maggie thrust again, shifting her hand from her stomach, into the dark patch of curls between her thighs.

Bianca's moan was instinctive, just enough to break the kiss for split second before Maggie found her mouth again, tasting her deeply while she rubbed, increasing her strokes as Bianca's breath went shallow, slick beneath Maggie's fingers.

Maggie's heart was pounding, and she had to break the kiss to gulp, lips biting down on Bianca's shoulders as Bianca's fingers tangled in her nape and pulled hard, moving furiously against her palm.

"Oh, God," she heard, Bianca's voice louder, body crashing against her, until her girlfriend straightened suddenly, pulling almost violently on Maggie's hair, and suddenly sagged, crumpling into her arms.

Maggie grinned, feeling Bianca's furious hold loosening, pressing lips against her shoulder, drawing her fingers out from between Bianca's thighs to trail them up her skin, smoothing the wet digits over Bianca's taut tummy. "That kinda hurt, you know."

Bianca breathed out, a loud sigh that seemed to deflate her whole body, and Maggie grinned to herself, feeling Bianca's pliant trembling.

And then she was suddenly shoved on her back, and kept there, the move happening so fast she nearly lost her breath, blinking up to discover her love nearly glaring meaning at her, held in place by hands on her shoulders.

Uhoh.

"That was sneaky, Miss Stone."

And still, her mischievous side didn't help her case at all. "Oooh. I like it when you last name me."

Bianca snorted, and suddenly she was assaulted with a searing kiss, Bianca's mouth settled hotly against her own, palm sliding back into Maggie's hair to hold her in place, tongue slipping between her lips, dipping inside to taste her like fine wine.

She broke the kiss, leaving Maggie breathless, as Bianca's glare hinted at a wicked gleam, and her girlfriend shoved down her body and smoothed hands over her breasts, then her stomach, and then her thighs, pushing them apart and settling between them.

Her eyes were like dark coals, and they burned their way into Maggie's heart, parching her throat, forcing her to lose her breath.

As she sunk into Maggie, Maggie exhaled raggedly, licking her lips was she witnessed the brunette hair bob between her legs, felt the first rasp against her, silken strands teasing her thighs.

She collapsed against the sheets, eyes closing, suddenly overwhelmed with sensation.

"Okay," she managed, when the world had almost stopped spinning, and she could actually speak again. "I give." Slipping fingers through dark strands, she felt Bianca chuckle, cheek lifting from the soft pillow of her left breast. "I do. Uncle. You da man."

Twisting so that her chin now rested on her chest, Bianca quirked an eyebrow.

"Woman. Whatever."

Bianca's laugh deepend, voice low and husky, closing her eyes as she squeezed Maggie tight, half draped over her. "I wouldn't give in so quickly, Maggie," she mumbled against her, circling her belly button. "You've got some serious game."

"Honey, you get an 'A' for effort, but you really can't pull off slang, I'm sorry." Bianca retaliated with a pinch. "OWW!"

"Serves you right," Bianca said, shuffling up to collapse against her, falling onto her back. "That was sneaky," she repeated.

"Please," Maggie said, eyes half closed, not quite ready to relinquish the boneless heady state of her body. "You should have seen it coming?"

"Why, exactly?" Bianca asked, voice muffled by the pillow.

Maggie let a slow smirk drift onto her expression. "Because, Binks," she said lazily, throwing a forearm over her eyes. "It's the last morning." Their 'honeymoon', as they had termed the isolated seclusion, had passed by in a blur, and Maggie, admitted, it wasn't enough. She was almost disappointed that Shane and Sydney had done their jobs so well. "As far as I'm concerned," she croaked, pushing with just enough effort to land against Bianca's shoulder, press a distracted kiss to her collarbone before settling against it, "There hasn’t been nearly enough sex in this bed."

Bianca's arm shifted, pulling her further into her body, and Maggie sank into her embrace, throwing a naked thigh across hers. "The sex has been pretty damned frequent."

"Not frequent enough."

A soft kiss brushed across her brow. "I love you, Maggie."

"Mmmm..." she responded, smug, content smile creeping up her face. "I know." A small thwack slapped her on the shoulder. "Yeah, yeah," she said, shifting again to bury deeper. "Love you too, blah, blah, blah."

"Brat."

"Only cause you spoil me."

"You know what I just realized?" she heard a moment later, jostling her from her half asleep daze. "We've had sex in every room of this place."

"Not every room," she said automatically, eyes still closed. "We're missing the sitting room with the veranda."

"Oh."

"And the downstairs bathroom."

"Oh."

"We could try though," she suggested, eyes opening, ears pricking at the thought. Bianca, she discovered, looked sexy as hell, hair rumpled and curling over her face. Reaching up to snag a curl and smooth it out of her face, she elaborated. "It would be fun!"

Bianca gave her a dubious look. "My mother is due in an hour, Maggie."

"Oh, Come on!"

"And the party starts at six."

"So?"

"You're a nut!"

The door creaked, interrupted their conversation, and Maggie turned, pulling the sheet up as little Miranda stood, holding the big doorknob in her little fingers, rubbing her eyes.

"Well if it isn't our little escape artist," she murmured, smile widening in affection, as she moved off Bianca and fumbled on the ground for her shirt.

"Mommy."

"Come here, sweetie," Bianca said, already reaching out with her hands, as Miranda shuffled her way toward them. "She's going to topple over one day and break her neck if she keeps climbing out of that crib."

"Nah. She's scrappy," Maggie said, shirt on, pulling on Miranda's little arms. "Hey, Munchkin!"

With a fake grunt, she pulled up, keeling over with Miranda's weight and momentum. "OOMPH. She's getting BIG!"

Miranda giggled, splayed over Maggie, bouncing on her stomach. "I bigger than you, Maggie!'

"Ooomph!" She said, rushing out of breath, grabbing hold of Miranda's fingers to keep her from teetering over. "Not yet!" She snuck a look at Bianca, paused between buttons on her flannel shirt, a small smile on her face. "Give her another year, though."

"Maggie's a shrimp, isn't she, Miranda!"

"SHRIMP!"

"I resent the use of the word shrimp," she said, narrowing her eyes playfully, digging her fingers into Miranda's tummy, the girl toppling over with giggles, crashing into her chest. Over Miranda's laughter, she said in a normal tone, "God... she really has gotten big, Bianca."

Bianca's eyes danced with affection as she scruffed at her baby's head, and then Maggie's for good measure. "She's beautiful. My mother is going to die when she realizes how big she's gotten."

"You think she's ready for the real world?" Maggie asked, bouncing Miranda against her, the little girl riding her like a pony.

Bianca sighed, sitting up and crossing her legs, studying her child with a whimsical expression. "I think she might be more ready than either of us."

Maggie considered that, as Miranda scrambled off of her and ventured toward her mother. Splayed on her back, she considered the onslaught of today, and felt a small ache inside her at the thought.

"Bianca?"

"Hmm..."

"I kinda don't want to leave." She lifted her head off the bed, took in Bianca's expression. Her partner wore a soft frown. "Is that wrong?"

"Not really," Bianca said softly. "This was... it really was... nice. All things considered."

Maggie considered the way the time was spent, and suddenly chortled. "We certainly found a way to make the best of things."

Bianca's smile grew. "You could say that again."

"We're missing the room with the veranda and the bathroom, Binks."

Miranda was now bouncing on the bed like a ping pong ball. "Binks! Binks! Binks!"

"Okay, Munchkin!" Maggie said, catching her feet and pulling, causing the girl to fall on her rump, laughing wildly, "No more frosted Cheerios for you!"

"Maggie?" Pausing from her current task of tickling the struggling, giggling Miranda, she glanced up, and found Bianca wearing a curious, fragile smile.

"Bianca?"

"I bought this place." Maggie blinked, stilling her movements, uncomprehending.

"What?"

"This place?" Bianca said, shoving bangs behind her ear, nervous, earnest smile on her lips. "I bought it. For the memories. You know? For whenever we feel like we can't handle the outside world, we can... you know... come here. Get our bearings."

Bianca was amazing. Thoughtful and beautiful and sexy and wonderful, and Maggie's heart literally hurt from the depth of her own feeling. She rubbed at her chest, and found herself at a loss of anything to say. She took in a breath, and let it out, suddenly understanding.

Binks was scared, too.

"And have sex in the room with the veranda and the downstairs bathroom?"

Bianca's eyes rolled upwards, mouth creasing into a sudden smile, and suddenly a pillow went flying her way, catching her full on the face, flinging her back, nearly sending her and Miranda off the bed.

One Derevko's reputation was formidable, but Sydney couldn't recall a time when nearly all of them were united in the same cause.

She and her sister never saw eye to eye, their rivalry for their mother's affection had pushed Sydney's tolerance into outright hostility, but even Nadia had agreed to this.

It was amazing what could be accomplished when the three of them stopped fighting long enough to work together.

It had taken just three months. Three long, involved, complicated months, to discover Michael Cambias' shady connections to the covenant inspired gang that had ordered the hit out on Bianca Montgomery.

Of course, it was never as simple as a hit, and the further they had gotten the worse it had seemed, until it seemed that senators were implicated and world leaders were threatened with exposure for affiliation to a world crime syndicate.

It had been messy and bloody and consuming, but it had been done.

Sydney wore her hair down today, in carefully groomed curls, cascading over the shoulders, her immaculately pressed suit a contrast to her dark eyes, the red underneath setting off her skin tone nicely. She had looked in the mirror and had allowed herself to admit that she looked good.

She was nervous as hell.

Staring at Shane's door, she was never more aware of her heart. She could feel herself sweating, palms fisting together in her nervous agitation.

Timing.

There was finally time, and now, it just seemed appropriate, a perfect lull, a perfect bookend, today was special because it signified freedom, and after all, isn't that what she had been waiting for?

Her heart was in her throat, making it hard to swallow, and she found she had trouble breathing. Sydney couldn't figure out how to make it the three steps that were needed to get into Shane's apartment. She had been standing out here for ten minutes.

Marina would have died laughing if she had seen her now.

"Oh, God," she whispered, "Just DO it already, Bristow."

She did, forcing herself to move fast, like a band aid, rapping on the door harder than she meant to, loud, angry knocks that made her wince when she heard them.

It was dramatic irony that a WOMAN was putting her through this, however unintentionally.

She stepped back, heart pounding with ever second, and when the door opened, she had to clamp her mouth shut to keep herself from just blurting it all out. At least she owed Shane a dignified hello before she spilled her very twisted guts.

Shane looked like herself, dressed in a wife beater and drapey blank pants, squinting at her as she leaned on the door. "Syd? You're early." Shane fumbled for her watch. "You're really fucking early."

"I know," she breathed, small nervous smile sliding across her features. "I was hoping we could talk before..."

Shane still looked confused, but to her credit, her groggy partner only glanced back dubiously and then opened the door wider, letting her in. "You allright?" she asked, as Sydney paused in the living room, hands plastered together.

Sydney turned on her heel, taking her in, and chickening out, she pulled the newspaper out from the crook of her arm. "Did you see this?"

Shane arched a suspicious eyebrow, but took it, opening the flap to read the headline Sydney had read an hour before.

"Bianca Montgomery Alive," she read huskily, eyes rolling across the script. "Terrorist plot revealed." She clucked her tongue and shook her head. "Shoulda known she'd make the headlines."

"Yeah..."

"This what you came an hour early for?" Shane asked, folding it up, eyebrow going into her head. "Cause it could have waited-"

She sounded almost annoyed, and Sydney's nervous heart didn't take it well. She tried to speak, and her throat choked. She cleared it, coughing into her hand, and tried again. "No, actually. I wanted to actually... speak to you about something else-"

"Shane?"

The foreign voice, heavy with sleep and distinctly female, cut hers off completely. Sydney froze, spine suddenly ramrod straight, as a beautiful Latin woman stepped into the living room, fingers shifting a gorgeous brown mane out of her equally striking face.

She was clad in one of Shane's white button down shirts. And only Shane's white button down shirt. And hadn't the decency to button any of the buttons but one.

The stranger took in the situation, and suddenly blinked, pulling the shirt closed. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"It's fine," Shane interrupted, and Sydney couldn't move, as Shane, unashamed, shook her head and smirked. "This is Sydney. Remember? I told you about her."

The girl looked, really looked at Sydney, and suddenly broke into a smile, obvious recognition on her face. "God, of course! Sydney Bristow! Shane's told me so much about you!"

Sydney's response was mechanic, a polite smile and handshake. "Really?"

"Of course!" The woman smiled, stepping back to stand beside Shane, hand on Shane's shoulder, friendly possession. "She talks about you all the time! You're her best friend, right?"

"Right," she said, suddenly hollow. Her eyes stayed on Shane, but her partner only looked back at her coolly.

"This is Silvia Martin," Shane said. "She's an actress."

An actress. Silvia smiled.

"Look we can do this later, okay? I gotta get dressed and you guys looked like you were in the middle of something-"

"Sil, it's fine-"

"Oh, please! I have a flight to catch." Pressing a kiss on the corner of Shane's mouth, Silvia shuffled back to the bedroom, padding on bare feet.

Sydney watched her go, in her mind picturing the countless bare feet that had made their way into Shane's bedroom. There had been one difference.

"She spent the night," she noted dully. They had never spent the night.

Shane cradled one arm with the other, shrugging. "Yeah. She's kinda like... my girlfriend, now."

Her girlfriend. "Wow," she managed.

"I mean, we've been on and off for a couple months, but lately it just seems... I don't know... she's pretty cool."

It was the closest Shane would ever admit to a relationship, and she had no idea she was breaking Sydney's heart.

Sydney's smile was frozen, painful, but Shane didn’t see it. Her partner was focused on the floor, the wall, the bedroom, anything but her.

Shane had moved on.

Her eyes stung, just like her heart, but Sydney was a master of deception, and she took in a harsh breath and said chirpily, "That's great, Shane. She seems... really nice."

Shane looked at her, finally, met her gaze with an even stare. "Yeah. It just seemed like it was time to stop dicking around. Get serious." Sydney couldn't help her stare, drinking in Shane's face, Shane's body, everything she wanted, and suddenly couldn't have. "So... there was something you wanted to tell me?"

She blinked, suddenly lost. "What?"

"You said you came early because you wanted to say something-"

"Oh." Sydney scrambled, mind whirling, unable to come up with a single thing. "I just... Vaughn and Weiss aren't going to make it to the party. I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the airport together..."

"Oh." Shane shut her mouth, arched her neck. "I was supposed to go with Silvia-"

"Oh..."

"She's got a gig in Mexico and we were leaving around the same time-"

"It's fine-"

"No, listen- we can all go together, right? It's cool." Shane flashed her a brilliant smile. "Lemme finish changing, okay?"

There was no way to get out of it. Sydney crossed her hands tightly around herself, and pasted on a smile. "Okay."

Her eyes closed as Shane walked away, and she exhaled raggedly, holding on tightly to keep herself from falling apart.

"Hey, Syd?" She opened them, turned in the direction of the bedroom. "Can you put on a cup of coffee?" Shane hollered. "Make things go faster."

She licked her lips. "Sure," she called out haltingly, and made her way to the kitchen.

She felt like the entire world was in slow motion, and it took her three tries to get the kettle under the faucet, scalding herself in the process.

The kettle was put on the stove, and Sydney reached automatically for where she knew Shane kept the coffee.

"I don't usually walk around buck naked." She arched her neck, discovering a more appropriately dressed Silvia Martin hovering in the doorway, face flushed with embarrassment.

Sydney managed a trembling smile. "It's fine."

"I wasn't trying to reenact Risky Business or anything," Silvia continued, nervous smile on her face.

"Really, it's fine," Sydney said. "It's not like you don't have the body for it."

The sentence came out awkward and weird, and Silvia's expression changed slightly, mumbling, "Thanks," before they fell into a weird silence, glancing at the tile.

"So how do you know Shane?" she asked.

Silvia smiled. "Through Jenny Schecter?" Sydney bit her lip, nodding. "Jenny invited me to this party, and Shane was there, and... we kinda just... hit it off."

Of course. "That's great," Sydney said automatically. "Then again I'm sure anyone could hit it off with you."

Crap. What the hell was wrong with her? Once again, Silvia's glance at her was disturbed, and for good reason. Sydney sounded like she was hitting on her.

"Yeah." Another pause, before Silvia tried again. "So, Shane tells me you've been with your boyfriend for about seven years now. Wow."

Sydney blinked, rubbing at her neck erratically as she felt suddenly vulnerable at the statement. "Um... yeah," she said softly. "We're together."

It was a lie. They weren't together. They weren't together because Sydney was desperately in love with Shane, and had been too chicken to admit it. Because Sydney had been too chicken to face it, she had yet to tell Shane, in fact had been waiting for this exact moment like a sentimental idiot because Maggie and Bianca's engagement/you're alive/miranda's second birthday party seemed like the best day of any to declare her love.

Still, she said nothing, smiling too widely like an overnice freak, because Shane had moved on, and Sydney had no reason to stop her.

When Shane came in, buttoning cuffs and smiling at Sylvia, Sydney swore something died inside of her.

But she said nothing. Shane deserved to be happy.

Even if it wasn't with her.

Lena had always wondered if the drama that surrounded Pine Valley was an anomaly all it's own or it came with the territory simply because Erica Kane made it her home.

It seemed that the latter theory had proven itself the right one.

Thanking the black tied waiter for her glass of red wine with a smile, Lena turned back toward the commotion, taking a demure sip of the vintage Pinot and eying the dramatics of the Pine Valley elite, setting up the stage for their continuing escapades in Bianca and Maggie's villa.

She was absurdly glad that this time, she was merely a spectator to this insanity and no longer a participant.

It had started when Zach Slater, Michael's long lost brother, she recognized, had entered the large ballroom, intent on expressing his gratitude that Bianca and Miranda were alive. He hadn't had a chance to utter one sentence before the great Erica Kane herself had jumped in front of her daughter like a spider, snapping his head off with a sharp tongued statement about keeping the Cambias money for himself and 'stealing' Miranda's share.

Bianca had interrupted to protest that Miranda didn't need the money, after which Kendall herself, who apparently had somehow gotten engaged to the darkly handsome man, also jumped to his defense, stating his intent to give the money to her following the upcoming blessed event, her marriage.

At that point, Greenlee, of all people, had taken up residence with Erica Kane, doing everything but spitting on Kendall's fiancé, using words that Lena couldn't politely repeat in public.

All the while, Zach Slater looked so amused, she wondered if he was about to pat Erica Kane on the head.

It had gone on for quite a while, and Lena found herself suddenly amused, hidden smirk behind her wine glass.

"Oh, Lord." She turned her head slightly, and found Maggie beside her, lowering Miranda to the floor, letting the child scamper away, eyes wide with horror at the shouting mess.

"Cheers," Lena said, smile wicked. "To what you have married into."

"Seriously," Maggie muttered, shaking her head at the absurdity of the situation. "It's like a dark cloud of drama just follows the Kane family around."

Lena offered her a toast, tilting her wine towards her. "For once, I do not envy you, Maggie."

Maggie shot her an antagonistic look. "Listen, Missy - the perks outweigh the cons. I promise you." But she still grabbed the glass out of her hand, taking a huge gulp. "Oh.... I already miss the serenity of this villa."

"Veeya" Lena corrected the pronunciation, "You may keep the glass, by the way."

She enjoyed Maggie's frustration, indeed, she had missed it, and as such, a small wave of affection washed over her as the spunky younger woman glared again, and took another gulp of wine for good measure. Sliding one arm around Maggie's waist, she squeezed her tightly into her side.

"It's good to see you."

"Funny way of showing it."

"OKAY, ENOUGH!" Blinking, they both jerked their heads back to the scene, where Bianca, Miranda in front of her like a shield, was now between both warring parties, looking haggard and pissed off. "Can we please call a truce on this for the rest of the day?!"

"Oh," Maggie breathed, taking another glass of wine from a passing waiter, "Before I forget, you're a bridesmaid in Kendall's wedding." She said it dismissively, fully intent on leaving Lena behind.

Lena, however, wasn't quite finished. "Pardon?"

Maggie paused, glancing back at her with a lilting eyebrow. "Yeah. Apparently Kendall doesn't have that many female friends." She tilted her head in mock surprise. "Imagine that!" Lena found she had a sudden headache, as Maggie grinned merrily at her, offering her wine glass as a toast. "Welcome to the family, Lena."

Zach Slater, aka Alexander Cambias, folded his niece into his arms as if she was his own.

Kendall found herself caught in the movement, watching as her fiancé by business arrangement breathed in Miranda's baby smell, eyes closing for a gentle moment, until the child jerked her head up and knocked it on his chin, babbling to him about his scratchy stubble and placing soft palms on either side of his cheek, as if to prove it.

Her small smile widened at the sight, Miranda rubbing at Zach's cheeks, smacking at them, while the multibillion dollar head of Cambias Industries tolerated it, smiling against her fingertips, pressing a kiss to the small digits, bouncing her in his arms.

The small rustle of fabric against her forearm alerted her to her sister, coming to stand beside her, a curious expression on her face as she watched the scene.

Kendall fought off the smug emotion, instead taking in a heady breath and a sip of wine. "Say what you will about him, baby sister," she said chirpily, "But he loves your daughter."

Bianca sent her a side long glance, conceding smile on her face. "I never, ever questioned that," she said, laughter in her tone, before the expression softened. "But does he love you?"

Kendall blinked, ruffled like a peacock and jerked her head back to the oblivious husband to be. "That's got nothing to do with this."

"It has everything to do with this if you keep looking at him with stars in your eyes."

"I never have stars in my eyes," she grumbled.

Bianca slipped an arm around her waist, squeezed her tight. Slightly annoyed, Kendall stayed ramrod straight, still in a snit as Bianca pressed a kiss to her sister's cheek.

"You were right you know," Bianca whispered in her ear. Kendall took in a ragged breath, as Zach finally caught her eye, and sent a dazzling smile her way.

"Of course I was," Kendall said automatically. "About what?"

"You all really are just as dysfunctional as when I left."

"Okay. Is this a birthday party for Miranda, an engagement party for Binks and Mags, or a 'We're really glad you're alive and not dead so let's party!' party?"

Shane sounded genuinely confused, and it caused a smile to appear reluctantly on Sydney's face. "I think it's a combination of the three," she said softly, taking two glasses of wine from a passing waiter. "Does it matter?"

Shane glanced down at her big fluffy black teddy bear that she hugged in her arms. "Hell yeah. Cause if this is an engagement party? This will seem entirely inappropriate."

Sydney grinned, taken in by the genuine befuddlement on her beautiful partner's face. "I'm sure you can never go too over the top as far as anyone related to Erica Kane is concerned," she murmured into her drink, making her way into the ballroom. "And since when have you cared what anyone has thought?"

"Since the woman in question could freeze me into a block of ice with just a glance. The only person that scares me more than Erica Kane is your mother, Sydney."

"Oh, thank God." Coming toward them, Lena Kundera looked almost panicked, reaching for Sydney's hands, squeezing them gratefully. "I was afraid I would have to endure this alone."

"Safety in numbers," Shane murmured, still concentrating on her gift, lifting her cheek for Lena's European hello, as she fussed with the little suit on the teddy bear. "Don't think it's giving away too much?" she asked, lifting up the tiny t-shirt on the black bear, FUTURE CIA ASSKICKER emblazed in yellow letters.

Lena took in the gift and offered Sydney a quirk of her eyebrow. Sydney just shrugged back, offering a hesitant arm to Shane's back. "I think Maggie will love it," she said helpfully.

"Oh, my. She cleans up nice." The drawl came from Kendall, Bianca's sister wearing a smile on her face that took away the sting of the line, her gaze roving over Shane, moving through the crowded room to greet them.

Shane did look good. Wearing a smartly designed suit from an Italian designer, the CIA agent had actually combed her hair today, letting the bangs fall around her face in snappy wisps, light lipstick on her mouth, and a darkened smudge of eye shadow around her eyes. She looked the part of a trendy designer, often a cover she had employed.

And she looked beautiful.

Thankfully, neither she nor Kendall noticed her small hitch of breath and quick glance away, instead too absorbed in sniping good-naturedly at each other.

"The great Miss Hart. Driven anyone crazy today?."

"Not yet, but the party's just starting. And now that you're here..."

In the midst of the conversation, Sydney felt a soft pull, and turning, discovered Lena leading her a few feet away, until they were in a corner. The brunette's eyes were concerned, deep with emotion. "Have you heard from Marina?"

Sydney glanced at the carpet, felt her stomach pull into knots and her chest tighten. "She's been buried," she whispered slowly. "Looking for her mother. She hasn't resurfaced in couple months."

Lena closed her eyes, wincing inwardly. "Oh, Sydney..."

That Marina had chosen to share as much as she did with Lena was surprising, but Sydney was glad she did it. Her cousin was intensely reserved, and at the darkest moment of her life, she wouldn't even let her cousin in, preferring to deal with her mother's disappearance on her own, keeping Sydney away from it completely.

"Your mother?" Lena asked, lifting her head, tone shifting into a hopeful lilt. "Perhaps-"

Rubbing at her neck, Sydney blew out her breath. "No," she whispered. "She tried - but Katya betrayed the Covenant, Lena. They buried her so deep that not even my mother could get to her." They had all tried, the Derevko women using different tactics in their employ in an attempt to save their own. So far, no one had succeeded. "She'll keep trying."

Lena stared at her, brilliant eyes moist with sympathy, and suddenly she reached for Sydney's hand, squeezing it gently. Grateful for the support, Sydney squeezed back.

"Miss Bristow." The intimate moment interrupted, Sydney took in a breath and smiled for Erica Kane, as the diva of the house shook her hand warmly. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Thanks for inviting me," she answered politely. "And thank you so much for the gift-"

Erica waved her hand dismissively, like royalty waving off a favor. "Don't be silly. It was the least I could do after everything you did for my daughter and her little family."

Her little family. Sydney smiled. "I hear congratulations are in order."

"So it would seem," Erica said easily. "Have you seen either of them?"

Sydney glanced at Lena, but the taller woman only shrugged. "No, I haven't."

Erica clucked her tongue, obviously annoyed. "It's in their honor," she said drolly. "It would be wise of them to put in an appearance." Turning away, Erica was distracted by Kendall's continued sniping with Shane. "Shane. Oh, no, darling - I sent you the cosmetics-"

Shane blinked, overtaken by Erica's judgment. "Miss Kane."

"I admit this is an improvement but you've got a lovely bone structure. What did you do with the blush?"

In her ear, Lena whispered, "What did she give you?"

"A lifetime supply of Fusion and Enchantment cosmetics," Sydney replied softly. "You see all the good something like that would do Shane."

In mid-sip, Lena snorted, and then flushed immediately, hand to her mouth as she excused herself, obviously in search of a napkin.

Sydney watched her go, and kept to herself, eyes on Shane, as the love of her life took in Erica's judgment with a bemused smile, as Kendall held up her teddy bear, looking at the inscription with a widening of her eyes.

Shane never failed to make an impression.

The broken part of Sydney's heart flared into a genuine ache, and Sydney gulped her wine, tears suddenly rushing to her eyes.

She moved toward the exit, feeling a sudden need to be alone.

"I can't believe you're talking me into this."

"Oh, please. You want to do it as much as I do."

Clutching onto Bianca's hand, Maggie ducked her head into the sitting room, peeking in, before she opened it wider and dragged her laughing girlfriend in.

Without giving her a chance to catch her breath, Maggie pulled hard, bringing the taller woman down to her level, kissing her hungrily. Pulling apart a breathless moment later, she fumbled with Bianca's dress. "Come on! We don't have much time!'

Bianca couldn't stop laughing. "Maggie, this is insane!"

"Shush! We've still got the bathroom to get through before your mother finds us!"

Bianca pulled back, expression sour. "Can you please mention my mother some more? That really gets me in the mood."

"Ha ha. Shut up."

Grabbing Bianca with both hands, she kissed her again, laughing against her lips as Bianca's kisses turned sloppy when they nearly tripped, falling back against the embroidered seat, already smoothing a palm up Maggie's thigh.

Maggie moaned, arching her hips against Bianca's, shoving aside material, tilting her head as Bianca began to nibble her way down her neck.

And then she shrieked, nearly kneeing Bianca in the crotch. "SYDNEY!"

Bianca jerked back. "Sydney?!"

Maggie rolled her eyes, shoving at her shoulders. "SYDNEY," she said again, motioning with a jerk of her head.

Sydney Bristow, to be exact, who was standing in the corner of the darkened room, looking pale and a little horrified.

Flushing with embarrassment, Maggie settled on the couch, pulling Bianca down with her, already rearranging her dress.

"Hi, Sydney," Bianca said breathlessly, elbowing Maggie sharply in the ribs. "I thought you said you checked."

"I did," Maggie mumbled, waving in the still frozen Sydney's direction, shifting to rearrange her thong. "She's a spy, she's slinky."

"I’m so sorry," Sydney managed, palms to her face. "I didn't expect..."

"No, we're sorry," Bianca managed. Her girlfriend's face was bright red, and Maggie, still a little hyper, couldn't help a grin at the situation. "We should have checked."

"I'm almost sorry," Maggie admitted, exhaling sharply when Bianca elbowed her again. "Oww. Stop doing that."

"I should just go-"

"Wait, Syd!" Bianca stood, catching the retreating woman by the hand. "Hi!"

Maggie pushed off the couch, in one piece, just in time to catch Sydney's distracted, "Hey," before she and Bianca both remembered their manners and gave each other a hug.

Maggie's turn came next, and it was when she had Sydney in her arms that she suddenly realized how warm she was. "Hey, are you okay?"

She drew back, nodding when Bianca flipped on the lights, and discovered tears on Sydney's face. "Oh my God, come here-"

She led the spy to the couch, sitting her down and sinking down beside her, tossing Bianca a concerned glance.

"What's wrong?" Bianca asked, already placing another hand on Sydney's shoulder.

Sydney looked cornered, darting from Maggie to Bianca and then back again, but when Maggie smiled encouragingly, she finally seemed to give, leaning forward to bury palms in her face, muttering something intelligible.

"Blah-blah, what?" Maggie said, narrowing her eyes in confusion.

Sydney let out a sharp breath, and lowered her hands from her face. "I said, I'm in love with Shane," she said forcefully.

Maggie nodded and waited expectantly, rubbing at her back. "And?"

Sydney looked at her, surprise on her face. "What do you mean, AND?"

"AND?"

Sydney gave her a disbelieving glare and Maggie blinked, suddenly realizing-

"Oh, honey, we already knew that!"

"You KNEW?!"

"Yeah," Bianca added from the other side. "Everyone knew!"

"EVERYONE KNEW?!" Sydney was up and off the chair now, turning to glare at them both, hands on her hips. "Who's EVERYONE?"

The door opened, and Lena's eyes lit up.

"There you are-"

"Lena," Maggie interrupted, crossing her legs and looking up expectantly. "Sydney's in love with Shane."

Lena paused, glancing back uncertainly and then looking at Sydney's flabbergasted expression. "Of course she is. Aren't they together?"

Nodding smugly, Maggie waved her arm at Sydney, as if saying, 'There you have it'.

"Oh my God," Sydney breathed, turning away.

"Sydney," Bianca said, tone firm and gentle, "What is it?"

Sydney sighed, glancing from her to Maggie, and then to Lena, who now shut the door behind her. "Shane has a girlfriend. The day I decide to tell her that I love her, she comes out with this beautiful actress... bitch."

"Bitch?" Maggie repeated. "Is she mean?"

"No..." Sydney admitted. "She's perfect. She's polite and looks really good naked." Maggie frowned, as Sydney threw her hands down and began to pace a circle in the carpet.

"Well, wait - I'm just confused," Bianca said, holding up a hand to try and slow the spy down. "You mean, you haven't told her?"

"Not exactly."

Lena licked her lips, coming forward. "But didn't you break up with Vaughn three months ago?"

"Sorta."

"Wait." Maggie straightened, "What do you mean, sorta?"

"As in not at all," Sydney admitted grudgingly. Besieged with disbelieving looks all around, she rolled her eyes. "Look, I didn't think it was a good time to bring it up!"

"Right," Maggie said, sagging against the couch. "Why would you tell the woman you're desperately in love with that you've just dumped your boyfriend for her? I mean, why would she want to know that?"

"Shut up."

"Okay, okay-" Bianca pressed Maggie's shoulder, keeping her from opening her mouth. "This might be fixable." Lena sank down beside her, and Maggie tossed her a tired look. "Sydney? Does Shane at least KNOW you and Vaughn have broken up?"

"... No."

"I can't believe-" A palm slapped over her mouth, and Maggie glared, turning her head to Bianca, mumbling against the skin.

"That might be the first step," Bianca said patiently, and then shrieked, jerking her hand back as Maggie glared triumphantly. "I can't believe you LICKED me!" Maggie stuck out her tongue. Bianca wiped her palm on her skirt. "I swear sometimes Miranda acts more mature than you!"

"What's the point?" Sydney asked, ignoring their little spat to speak to Lena, who was currently eyeing them both with a pained bemused expression. "Shane's obviously moved on, and who the hell am I to try and drag this out?"

"You're the person who can make her happy," Lena said diplomatically, jostled when Bianca and Maggie began an impromptu shoving match on the couch. "Ignore them right now. They seem to have forgotten all polite forms of social interaction."

Bianca arched an eyebrow and shoved her too for good measure, nearly sending Lena off the couch.

Maggie giggled, and blinked, suddenly remembering Sydney when the brunette spy looked ready to throttle them all. "I'm sorry," she said, straightening her expression. "Sydney, look - take it from the three of us. You're not out of the game yet. What you and Shane have? It's real. But you gotta get your head out of your ass and TELL her how you feel."

Lena collapsed against the couch, warding off Bianca's attacks with a cushion, and managed a small smile. "You have it on the authority of Pine Valley's one and only lesbian love triangle."

"Oh, yes," Maggie said, "Would the apex like to speak?"

"Huh?" Bianca blinked, glancing up. "Sydney, tell Shane you love her and watch how quickly the actress gets dumped."

"Oh, THANKS," Lena said, rolling her eyes up.

"Oh, Lena, I didn't mean you," Bianca said quickly. "Of course I wouldn't-"

"Excuse me?" Maggie interrupted, straightening to glare at her partner. Bianca swiveled her head back to her, and suddenly bolted off the couch.

"Now, we're getting weird," she announced.

Maggie rolled her eyes, when the door burst open again, and Shane herself stepped in. "Dude. What are you doing?" she said, eyes on Lena. "We send you to find them and you start a fucking pillow fight?"

"I'm not pillow fighting!" Lena said, shoving the couch cushion away from her and into Maggie's lap.

Sydney sighed breathlessly. "Shane? What's going on?"

Shane shook her head, smiling ruefully. "Dude, you gotta come back to your fucking party, okay? Your mother and your sister double-teamed me and nearly fucking tried to force me into a make over. Not to mention? A huge ass package just arrived for Miranda."

"What?" Bianca was already up, and Sydney, presumably desperate to be away from Shane and the emotions she caused, followed her. Lena shoved off, pulling Maggie up with her, and still, Maggie dawdled, eying Shane.

"Hello," she said.

Shane glanced around the room, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You guys were trying to have sex in here, weren't you?"

"Well, we almost got EVERY room," Maggie burst into a whine, finally glad to be with someone who understood the predicament. "We were so close!" Shane threw an arm around her comfortingly and squeezed.

In the middle of the ballroom, a wooden crate stood. It was as tall as a person, and at least six feet wide.

Sydney Bristow, emotions fragile, was fatigued, and she stood by while Bianca, her little girl on her hip, eyed the structure, her partner and playmate coming up to stand beside her.

"Oh, my God," Maggie whispered. "What is that?"

"It's for Miranda," Kendall said, reaching from a small card. "From someone called AEB." Kendall looked up, confused. "AEB?"

"Let me see that," Shane said, plucking it from Kendall's hands, ignoring her small cry of protest. She considered it again, and then glanced up, a knowing smirk on her face. "A.E.B."

"A.E.B.?" Maggie repeated.

And suddenly, Sydney knew, smile floating on her face as she came forward, pushing strands of hair behind her ear. "Amoral European Bitch." When Bianca gave her an odd look, she elaborated. "It's from Marina."

"The girl is all class," Shane admitted, laughing to herself. "Can't make it to the party so she sends a gift in her absence."

"Who is Marina?" Erica Kane asked.

"A friend," Maggie said, pushing through her friends to smooth palms over the wooden crate. "She's a friend from Europe."

"Are we sure it's safe to open?" Kendall asked. "Cause I've seen the movies. What if there's a guy with an AK-47 in there?"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "We're not in the fifties and this isn't the mob, Kendall." Handing Miranda off to Sydney, she was already helping Maggie.

Sydney hugged the child close to her. Thankfully, Miranda kept still, watching with astounded silence as her mothers received help from Zach and Reggie, Bianca's half brother, as the two men used crowbars to tear the crate apart.

No one was prepared for what was inside when the wooden panels fell to the floor.

"Oh, wow," Maggie breathed.

Standing in the room was a large, majestic, antique rocking horse. The black horse, lacquered to a pristine finish, was decorated with a velvet green saddle, French silk, and embroidered gold tassel. The horse's permanent sneer held a golden bit in his mouth, the harness was decorated with rhinestones, glittering merrily in the light. Real horsehair fell from the mane and tale, elegantly kept. The Mopani wooden horse looked as if it would come alive at any moment, stepping off it's gold-dust painted rocker, fit for royalty.

Miranda clapped her hands, yelling, "HORSEY!" as she reached out to the giant toy.

"Oh, my God," Sydney breathed again. "Where would Marina..."

"This must cost thousands," Bianca said, rubbing fingers along the tassle, as the other guests of the party murmured around it, obviously in awe.

Lena looked ready to cry, and when she caught Sydney's eyes, Sydney suddenly understood, her heart sinking lower now, as she looked at the horse and suddenly saw Marina.

"It's antique," she managed, her voice gone husky, barely heard about the crowd. Maggie glanced back questioning, and Sydney pulled Miranda in closer, closing her eyes for a second as her heart thumped in overwhelming sentiment for her loving, misunderstood cousin. "This horse," she said, taking another step forward. "This horse that she's giving Miranda. This was Marina's horse as a child."

Bianca's jaw dropped into a sudden 'oh', palm still on the muscled flanks of the horse. "Oh, wow."

Marina had given Miranda her childhood.

"Sydney, please..." Bianca said, eyes glistening, "This is... please, just tell her-"

"I will," she said gruffly, as Maggie carefully took Miranda out of her arms and let the child reach for the toy herself.

Only Lena seemed to truly understand, as she joined Sydney, apart from the others, and said to her haltingly, "Marina told me she and her father were no longer..."

"Yeah," Sydney admitted. "She must have stolen it from him."

Marina the thief, stealing even her own childhood.

Overcome, Sydney squeezed Lena's elbow gently and moved through the crowded room, heading for the terrace.

She watched as Sydney disappeared onto the terrace and Shane, heart full and eyes watery, did the only thing she knew how to do. She followed her.

She found her partner watching the sunset, back to from her, looking lost and alone. The sight caused a tightening of her heart, and Shane, taking in a hesitant breath, moved forward, until they were standing side by side, catching the red and orange hues.

"That was amazing, what she did," she managed gruffly, breaking the silence.

Sydney let in a ragged breath, not looking at her. "Yeah," she admitted. "Miranda gave Marina back her heart. I don't think Marina will ever forget it."

Shane nodded, as the two fell into a silent pause, the sounds of the party floating out to them from the open doors, the serenity of the vineyard and mountains below them.

Shane looked at Sydney, took in the quiet, haunted expression. "Syd, what's wrong?" she asked calmly, carefully.

The corners of Sydney's mouth turned down, a half-bitter smirk on her face as she shook her head silently. "You're my partner, Shane," she said softly. "I trust you with my life. You don't even begin to realize how much you mean to me."

Shane heard the words, felt the ripple they caused inside of her, but Sydney's defeatist tone was so unlike her she shifted her weight on her boots, laughed uneasily. "Now, you're starting to scare me."

"Are you happy, Shane?"

It was an odd question, and Shane considered it, looking at the beauty of Sydney, and the intimacy of the settling here, now. "It'd be a lot happier if you told me what's going on."

Sydney finally looked, her dark eyes glistening with unshed emotion. "Shane, I love you."

The words warmed her. "I love you, too, Syd. You know that."

Sydney didn't respond, only stared at her, as if it wasn't what she wanted to hear, and Shane frowned, reaching up to rub her fingers through her hair unconsciously. "What's wrong?"

Sydney continued to stare at her intensely, and suddenly, as her mouth opened, the phone inside her pocket began to ring, tinny and unwelcome, buzzing along Sydney's blazer.

Sydney had to take it. She was a CIA agent. It came with the job.

Breaking the glance, Shane stared down at the floor, hands shoved in her pockets, listening as Sydney answered the phone with an angry, "Bristow."

It was when she said nothing else that she looked up again, and discovered Sydney's expression.

Her partner looked haunted.

"I'm coming," she heard, before Sydney hung up, and then just stared at the phone.

She was shaking.

"Oh, Fuck," Shane said, "What's wrong?"

Sydney looked up, blinked, as if surprised Shane was still there. "Katya," she said finally. "She's ..."

Fuck. Shane closed her eyes, suddenly thinking of Marina. "Go," she said, jerking her head to the door. "Go, I'll think of something."

Sydney looked at her, and when Shane just nodded again, she moved, back into the room and rushing straight through it.

Shane bit her lip and watched her go, until Sydney disappeared from the hallway. Shane stood in the open doorway and with the cool evening breeze on her back, watched as Maggie held the laughing Miranda on Marina's horse, watching it rocking back and forth as Miranda's family laughed with her.

Marina's horse stood at attention, cold beneath Maggie's touch.

The crate sides and bottom were waiting beside it, ready to be packed and sent back to Pine Valley, following Binks and Maggie and Miranda there.

Still, in the serenity of their last night here, Maggie appreciated it's company, as the moonlight bled into the room.

"I was wondering where you were," she heard, and found Bianca standing in the doorway, in a robe, a curious smile on her beautiful face. Maggie smiled back, and went back to petting the horse, like the wooden toy could actually feel her caresses.

"Just getting acquainted with the only horse I'll ever like," Maggie said, drawing another smile from Bianca. "It was amazing of her to do this, B."

"I think she thinks Miranda's pretty amazing, too," Bianca said, palm atop the horse's head. "Or she wouldn't have done it."

Maggie took in a ragged breath, and closed her eyes.

"Maggie? What's wrong?"

Bianca's palm fell on her cheek, and Maggie leaned into it instinctively, pressing up to hold it there, shift her face to bury her palms into the skin, a reverent kiss to the woman she loved.

"This is it," she said finally. "The honeymoon's over. Welcome reality."

Bianca stayed quiet, only took in Maggie's frightened face and suddenly sighed, pulling her into her embrace.

She held her, tightly, and Maggie returned it, sucking in a harsh breath, trying hard to get her bearings.

"The CIA offered me a job." Bianca froze, and Maggie took the opportunity to pull back slightly, stare into her stunned expression. "They think I have potential. Shane and Sydney recommended me."

Bianca's mouth opened, closed, and already, Maggie could begin to see the struggle in her face. "Oh."

"I turned them down."

Bianca jerked her gaze back to her, surprised. "Maggie... it's... it's a great opportunity."

"I don't care."

"Honey, you shouldn't be so quick to... You have so much to offer and you could make your life something extraordinary."

"My life is already extraordinary," Maggie said firmly, fingers on Bianca's chin, keeping her eyes connected to hers. "Because of you. Because of Miranda."

"Maggie."

"No, listen to me. Sydney, Shane, Marina, even Lena - yes, they're amazing and extraordinary, but... are they happy? Look at them - look at what they go through. Shane and Sydney have been playing the mating dance for five years, and now they're right back where they started. And Marina? God - Marina is a walking tragedy."

"Maggie-"

"I got my happy ending," Maggie said fiercely, cupping Bianca's face in a delicate hold, eyes shining brilliantly in the moonlight. "I'm holding onto to it with both hands. This is where the story ends for us. I'm going to fade into the sunset with you and Miranda."

A tear slipped down her lovers cheek, as Bianca exhaled raggedly and tilted her forehead against hers, holding her intimately, shuddering against her once.

"Maggie," she whispered against her. "Maggie, I can't guarantee you a happy ending. I don't know if we'll ever get one. I mean, we're going back to Pine Valley, of all places."

Maggie smiled, pulled back slightly, and glanced around the darkened ballroom of their villa. "Look at me," she said firmly. "And tell me that standing here, right now, feeling how you're feeling, loving me, tell me this doesn't feel like our happy ending."

Bianca stared at her, eyes dark with expression. "Maggie, I've never been more in love, or more happy in my life."

Maggie's smile trembled with love. "Then, honey - this is it. This is our happy ending. And in the future when things get bad, we're going to remember that this is where we're going to end up. Together. Happy. In love. This is our moment in time, and we're going to cling to it for the rest of our lives."

Bianca sucked in a sob soaked breath. "Forever," she managed, and kissed her. Maggie's eyes drifted shut, as Bianca's lips slid softly against hers, cementing their devotion and their triumph. They made love with their mouths, their lips, their tongues, and their hands, as they deepened the embrace and held each other tight, relishing in their happy ending.

She waited on the bridge in Venice, watching the gondola's as they drifted under, wading down the canals, young lovers and old lovers being serenaded with Italian song.

Sydney was tired of Europe. In her mind she had an image of Katya Derevko, unapologetic, hard, smug. Just about the only thing Sydney was ever sure of was that she loved her daughter.

On the cobblestone, she heard the clop of boots coming toward her, but Sydney didn't look. She never looked.

Still, she pictured Marina in her mind, her beautiful older cousin with the same dark, haunted look she had worn before, the tragic desperation in her eyes that had once found it's way into Sydney's spirit, forged a kindred alliance.

This was Marina's worst fear.

Sydney closed her eyes, and let out a ragged breath. "I'm sorry."

Beside her, her cousin shuffled, and in her peripheral vision, she could see Marina's black gloves clinging to the tile. "I always thought that somehow, no matter what my mother would have done, we would have found a way to speak to each other. To have what you and Irina managed to connect."

Sydney considered that, eyes on a passing boat, taking in the happy woman who took a picture of the man guiding them.

"My mother will never have her happy ending. She killed herself in a prison, Sydney, just to keep them from finding out about me."

Marina was crying, and Sydney couldn't move. Their lives, their jobs, Marina's future, depending on her not moving. Her eyes watered, and her heart stung, and she bit her lip, nearly drawing blood.

"Marina, she knew you loved her. All she wanted was for you to have a happy ending."

She heard a bitter, dark laugh. "Maybe we're not meant to have happy endings."

She thought about Shane, the beautifully skeptical agent who moved on with her life when she was done waiting for Sydney. She thought about Marina, enduring Jenny and her public limelight, her candid affairs.

And still...

"I refuse to believe that, Marina." The gondolas made their way along the canals. Laughter scattered in her ears. "I want to believe in my happy ending. I'll believe in my happy ending forever as long as you're here beside me, believing it too. Tell me you believe it too, Marina. Please."

Her cousin was silent beside her. She didn’t respond, but Sydney didn't expect her to.

She stayed with her, until the sunset, watching the tourists and the gondolas and their happy endings. Somewhere, out there, were their futures, their happy endings.

Sydney knew that if she looked hard enough, she'd see theirs too.