Ditch The Halo: Chapter 4 (All My Children/The L Word Crossover)
Title: Ditch The Halo
Author: cgirl
cgirlspalace
Rating: R for mature themes. Please read responsibly.
Archiving: Only for Passion & Perfection
Fandom: All My Children, The L Word
Pairing: Bianca Montgomery/Bette Porter, Bianca Montgomery/Maggie Stone
Note: I shall be posting new chapters daily. And don't worry if you don't follow the ABC soap opera, All My Children. I only know it through the YouTube videos. Trust me; it won't take much to catch on to the action. Thanks very much for the feedback!
Extra Note: The timeline for Bette is midway through Season 4 - After her and Tina have agreed to joint custody of Angelica, but before Bette meets Jodi Lerner.
Chapter 1: I'm A Bomb
Chapter 2: We Be Like This
Chapter 3: "Oh, F*ck!" And Other Such Important Realizations
Visual Footnotes:
a. For the lunch scene, the shoes that Kendall is eying on Bette:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/Brat...ess27/Prada.jpg
b. For the art discussion during the lunch scene, when Ms. Porter talks about the Cezanne piece, please see: http://www.southern.net/wm/paint/auth/ceza...red-striped.jpg
c. For the referenced piece by Joan Miro "Hand Catching A Bird," please see: http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~harpaul/Joan%2...%20a%20Bird.jpg
Disclaimer: All AMC characters belong to AMC/ABC. Bette Porter belongs to The L Word and Illene Chaiken. Also, don't sue; please get a life, instead.
_____________________________
DITCH THE HALO
CHAPTER 4: WHEREIN MORE SH*T HITS THE FAN
"It's not something I planned, Maggie. I just needed something...else. I wanted to be able to forget my life for awhile. I felt like I was sleep-walking through things, and I needed to be away from everything."
"Did it help?"
"I don't know how to answer that. I didn't think about why I was doing it, and that was part of the appeal. The mindlessness of it. I think a large part of me was so tired of having a running commentary inside my head. What to do about things, how to feel. I think I was headed towards a breakdown at some point..."
"Did it help?"
"I think it did. But I do regret, so much, that you were all worried. I really didn't mean for that to happen. I would never have wanted that. You have to know that, Maggie."
"I think I know that. I just...I don't get why I'm feeling this way..."
"I didn't ever expect for you to find out about it, Maggie. I wasn't going to tell you, or to flaunt it, or anything."
"You think I wouldn't have noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
"The look in your eye. The lightness in your step. You can say it was all temporary, but I can see it, you know. You were practically whistling when you opened the door."
"I didn't know you were on the other side of the door when I did that."
"But I was. And I saw it. I think I would have picked up on it, even if I had seen you days later. Look, I know things have been...awkward...between us and I think that sucks. I just want you to be happy, Bianca."
"Do you know how much I love you?"
"Bianca..."
"I'm not going to say something stupid like I slept with her because of you, or that you pushed me into her arms. I went into that with my eyes wide open. But what you said that morning, after the "I Never" thing, it shattered me, Maggie. I still don't know how to deal with it. I'm so afraid..."
"Of me?"
"I'm afraid of everything. I'm so glad you told me, Maggie, I am. It's just that I'm afraid to really talk to you, to hug you, to hold your hand, to kiss your cheek. Because I'll always be your best friend. Always, always, always. I will always love you."
"Is there a 'but' in there somewhere?"
"But...oh, God..."
"Please, Bianca. Just say it. Whatever it is, we’ll deal."
"But...I was in love with you for so long, especially before Lena, that I don't know what it is I feel anymore. I can't make out distinct shapes in what I feel."
“Shit…you better get that.”
“Why does damn phone ring at the worst time?!”
Is that what you thought when it rang last night?
__________________________
Greenlee looked up at Kendall, walking back to their conference room. “Well, is she going to be joining us?”
Kendall sighed. “Yes, but she needs sometime to get ready. She said she’d explain the morning thing to us later. So, she’ll probably join us for the dessert part.”
“Binks definitely knows the best part of a meal.”
Bette looked between Kendall and Greenlee. “Binks?”
Kendall turned to her and smiled. “It’s a nickname for my younger sister. She’s a part of the fabulous team here. I think you’ll really enjoy meeting her.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Okay, are we ready to hit the Valley Inn for lunch? Greens, you made the reservation right?”
”Yup, and if we want to make it, we should get going. Bette, do you need a ride, or directions?”
”No, actually, but thank you, Greenlee. I brought my car, and I also happen to be staying there.”
”Perfect. Then I’ll take my car and you can ride with me, Greens. How about we meet you there in about fifteen minutes?”
”That sounds great. I’ll see you there.”
As they finished up their goodbyes, Greenlee and Kendall couldn’t wait for their guest to leave so that they could dish to each other.
“Oh. My. Gawd!” Greenlee said as soon as the elevator doors closed behind Bette. “Did you check out that suit?”
“That is one classy woman, Greens. You thinking about switching teams? ‘Cause I saw that look in your eyes.”
“Whatever, Kendall, I saw it in yours too. Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, she was smooooooth. I’ll give her that.”
“Man, why are the best ones either gay or women?”
“In this case, it’s a double whammy.”
”Wait, are you telling me…”
“Yup, I think the only one who could possibly get lucky with the dishy Ms. Porter would be our Binks.”
“I knew it! I so knew it! Ha! I can’t wait to tell Binks. Oh, man! My gaydar is getting better by the day!”
Greenlee just looked at her.
“What? She keeps telling me that I can’t spot ‘em at all! Finally, the tide has turned!”
“Kendall, you hit on a guy at ConFusion last night who was wearing a skin-tight Armani Exchange shirt, Kenneth Cole shoes, and Aqua Di Gio cologne. Gay, gay, and gay! And he was holding hands with his boyfriend! I doubt that your gaydar suddenly turned on overnight!”
“Whatever, sistah. You’re just jealous because he gushed over my shoes.”
“I have those shoes.”
“Yeah, but you weren’t wearing them. Snooze, you loose, baby.”
“Whatever, Crackhead. Can you stop smoking your pipe so that we can get going? And what the hell is up with Binks missing work?”
“She said she’d fill me in after lunch. I’m just damn glad that the girl is okay.”
“You didn’t badger her for an explanation??”
“She seemed pretty out of it, but she said she was okay. I’m giving her some time. But after lunch, all bets are off…”
“Oooh, can I watch?”
“Watch?! Baby, you can help!”
______________________________________
"You called Peggy Peabody a 'Hasbian'??! Oh, my God, that's so hilarious! I wish I could have been there!"
"I was so petrified for a moment, but it just slipped out. She was talking about being a lesbian in 1974, and only for that one year for some reason..."
"Oh, my God, Kendall, this girl has balls! Peggy Peabody!"
"Seriously, Bette, I gotta agree with Greens. Which, you should know, happens very rarely. But, damn, girl."
"Not one of my better moments, and you're both the first people I've told about that. I blame it on the drinks!"
"Well, both Greenlee and I believe that there's no point in having a lunch slash afternoon meeting if there isn't alcohol involved. Still, I should thank you for the suggestion. I've never tried Campari before."
"You're welcome, I think it's a great afternoon drink really. I think Americans would have a lot more fun if they embraced a more European style of life."
"Hey, if that includes drinking in the afternoon, I'm all for it, baby!"
"You'll have to excuse Greenlee, Bette. We don't usually let her out of the cage this early in the day. Plus, we're trying to get her an AA membership, but they won't even take her."
Bette laughed. "No apology neccesary, Kendall. I'm just glad that I got to meet the two of you. It's definitely been a treat, and I'm really glad that you two are happy to be a part of our fundraiser for the University."
"Of course, Bette. I must confess, I had my reservations before, but after meeting you, I can say that not only is Fusion happy to be a part of a great cause, but also to be working with such a tour de force as yourself."
"What Kendall is trying to say is that she likes your suit, and wants to know where she can get your shoes."
Bette laughed again, almost choking on her drink. "Well, I don't know if I want to be a bearer of bad tidings, Kendall. But this suit is no longer made by the original designer. The shoes, however, are all yours. When you come to LA for the fundraiser, we'll squirrel away and I'll take you to the Prada store there."
"Oh, my God! Prada! I love Prada...wait, did you say your suit is no longer made?"
Greenlee leaned over to Bette and whispered, "Keep her focused on the shoes, please! Otherwise she's liable to start crying over the unavailability of the suit!"
Bette chuckled under her breath. "Got it." Aloud, she said, "You know, Kendall. Not just Prada. LA has every boutique under the sky, especially on Rodeo Drive. You should take a couple of days to come out there before the fundraiser show..."
"Oh, my Gawd! Greenlee! Roadtrip to LA! We could do "Kendall & Greenlee Do Bi-coastal!""
"Yeah, if we don't kill each other before we even leave. Where would we fit all our suitcases??"
As Kendall pondered their mutual problem of luggage space, Greenlee smirked at having temporarily distracted Kendall long enough to get a word in edge-wise.
"So, Bette, before you think we're nothing more than lush straight chicks, tell me why you went into art?"
Bette laughed again, she hadn't had this much fun over a lunch meeting in forever. Schmoozing to fund raise for her University mostly involved meeting with ginned up curmudgeons who didn't want to any of their money going to those "new-fangled artists who took it up the ass!"
Really, all of her fundraising meetings before Pine Valley had been an exercise in staying awake. "Well, I'm afraid I'm going to be a bit cliché in telling that story. When I was about twelve years old, my dad took me to the Louvre. This was before it was re-done, of course. But even back then, it was just amazing. But there were two pivotal moments. Now, brace yourself, Greenlee, because this is going to get cheezy."
Greenlee obediently took a swing of her Ketel One Screwdriver. "Okay, fortified!"
"Once I saw this Miro piece called 'Hand Catching A Bird,' I was a goner. I kept staring at that piece. I couldn't get over the color and the juxtaposition of imagery. And then there was Cezanne's 'Portrait of A Woman.' Between those two, I just knew my life was laid before my eyes. The endless beauty of art...it was just...undeniable. There was that intrinsic need to communicate, from the trail of the painter's brush to the absorption of the viewer. A basic yet complex expression of the visual landscape. A keening desire to communicate beauty to someone. And I answered that call."
Greenlee had her chin in her hand, staring dreamily at Bette. "Wow."
Kendall had flashed out of her introspection of Louis Vutton suitcases long enough to catch some of Bette's reasoning. "That's so beautiful, Bette."
Bette blushed a little on the reaction. She almost never blushed. What was it with the women in this town and their inexplicable effect on her?
"Well, I warned you," she smiled gracefully. "Now, it's your turn. How did you two get into the cosmetic business? And together at that?"
"Well it's nothing so deep as your own explanation. Basically I got tired of taking orders from stupid bitches, and Greenlee was loaded. And, thus, Fusion was born."
Greenlee moaned into her drink. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Kendall Hart! Eloquent as always, Kenny."
"Don't call me Kenny!"
Bette laughed until her shoulders shook. She really needed to visit Pine Valley more often.
- TBC -
Author: cgirl
cgirlspalace
Rating: R for mature themes. Please read responsibly.
Archiving: Only for Passion & Perfection
Fandom: All My Children, The L Word
Pairing: Bianca Montgomery/Bette Porter, Bianca Montgomery/Maggie Stone
Note: I shall be posting new chapters daily. And don't worry if you don't follow the ABC soap opera, All My Children. I only know it through the YouTube videos. Trust me; it won't take much to catch on to the action. Thanks very much for the feedback!
Extra Note: The timeline for Bette is midway through Season 4 - After her and Tina have agreed to joint custody of Angelica, but before Bette meets Jodi Lerner.
Chapter 1: I'm A Bomb
Chapter 2: We Be Like This
Chapter 3: "Oh, F*ck!" And Other Such Important Realizations
Visual Footnotes:
a. For the lunch scene, the shoes that Kendall is eying on Bette:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/Brat...ess27/Prada.jpg
b. For the art discussion during the lunch scene, when Ms. Porter talks about the Cezanne piece, please see: http://www.southern.net/wm/paint/auth/ceza...red-striped.jpg
c. For the referenced piece by Joan Miro "Hand Catching A Bird," please see: http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~harpaul/Joan%2...%20a%20Bird.jpg
Disclaimer: All AMC characters belong to AMC/ABC. Bette Porter belongs to The L Word and Illene Chaiken. Also, don't sue; please get a life, instead.
_____________________________
DITCH THE HALO
CHAPTER 4: WHEREIN MORE SH*T HITS THE FAN
"It's not something I planned, Maggie. I just needed something...else. I wanted to be able to forget my life for awhile. I felt like I was sleep-walking through things, and I needed to be away from everything."
"Did it help?"
"I don't know how to answer that. I didn't think about why I was doing it, and that was part of the appeal. The mindlessness of it. I think a large part of me was so tired of having a running commentary inside my head. What to do about things, how to feel. I think I was headed towards a breakdown at some point..."
"Did it help?"
"I think it did. But I do regret, so much, that you were all worried. I really didn't mean for that to happen. I would never have wanted that. You have to know that, Maggie."
"I think I know that. I just...I don't get why I'm feeling this way..."
"I didn't ever expect for you to find out about it, Maggie. I wasn't going to tell you, or to flaunt it, or anything."
"You think I wouldn't have noticed?"
"Noticed what?"
"The look in your eye. The lightness in your step. You can say it was all temporary, but I can see it, you know. You were practically whistling when you opened the door."
"I didn't know you were on the other side of the door when I did that."
"But I was. And I saw it. I think I would have picked up on it, even if I had seen you days later. Look, I know things have been...awkward...between us and I think that sucks. I just want you to be happy, Bianca."
"Do you know how much I love you?"
"Bianca..."
"I'm not going to say something stupid like I slept with her because of you, or that you pushed me into her arms. I went into that with my eyes wide open. But what you said that morning, after the "I Never" thing, it shattered me, Maggie. I still don't know how to deal with it. I'm so afraid..."
"Of me?"
"I'm afraid of everything. I'm so glad you told me, Maggie, I am. It's just that I'm afraid to really talk to you, to hug you, to hold your hand, to kiss your cheek. Because I'll always be your best friend. Always, always, always. I will always love you."
"Is there a 'but' in there somewhere?"
"But...oh, God..."
"Please, Bianca. Just say it. Whatever it is, we’ll deal."
"But...I was in love with you for so long, especially before Lena, that I don't know what it is I feel anymore. I can't make out distinct shapes in what I feel."
“Shit…you better get that.”
“Why does damn phone ring at the worst time?!”
Is that what you thought when it rang last night?
__________________________
Greenlee looked up at Kendall, walking back to their conference room. “Well, is she going to be joining us?”
Kendall sighed. “Yes, but she needs sometime to get ready. She said she’d explain the morning thing to us later. So, she’ll probably join us for the dessert part.”
“Binks definitely knows the best part of a meal.”
Bette looked between Kendall and Greenlee. “Binks?”
Kendall turned to her and smiled. “It’s a nickname for my younger sister. She’s a part of the fabulous team here. I think you’ll really enjoy meeting her.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Okay, are we ready to hit the Valley Inn for lunch? Greens, you made the reservation right?”
”Yup, and if we want to make it, we should get going. Bette, do you need a ride, or directions?”
”No, actually, but thank you, Greenlee. I brought my car, and I also happen to be staying there.”
”Perfect. Then I’ll take my car and you can ride with me, Greens. How about we meet you there in about fifteen minutes?”
”That sounds great. I’ll see you there.”
As they finished up their goodbyes, Greenlee and Kendall couldn’t wait for their guest to leave so that they could dish to each other.
“Oh. My. Gawd!” Greenlee said as soon as the elevator doors closed behind Bette. “Did you check out that suit?”
“That is one classy woman, Greens. You thinking about switching teams? ‘Cause I saw that look in your eyes.”
“Whatever, Kendall, I saw it in yours too. Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, she was smooooooth. I’ll give her that.”
“Man, why are the best ones either gay or women?”
“In this case, it’s a double whammy.”
”Wait, are you telling me…”
“Yup, I think the only one who could possibly get lucky with the dishy Ms. Porter would be our Binks.”
“I knew it! I so knew it! Ha! I can’t wait to tell Binks. Oh, man! My gaydar is getting better by the day!”
Greenlee just looked at her.
“What? She keeps telling me that I can’t spot ‘em at all! Finally, the tide has turned!”
“Kendall, you hit on a guy at ConFusion last night who was wearing a skin-tight Armani Exchange shirt, Kenneth Cole shoes, and Aqua Di Gio cologne. Gay, gay, and gay! And he was holding hands with his boyfriend! I doubt that your gaydar suddenly turned on overnight!”
“Whatever, sistah. You’re just jealous because he gushed over my shoes.”
“I have those shoes.”
“Yeah, but you weren’t wearing them. Snooze, you loose, baby.”
“Whatever, Crackhead. Can you stop smoking your pipe so that we can get going? And what the hell is up with Binks missing work?”
“She said she’d fill me in after lunch. I’m just damn glad that the girl is okay.”
“You didn’t badger her for an explanation??”
“She seemed pretty out of it, but she said she was okay. I’m giving her some time. But after lunch, all bets are off…”
“Oooh, can I watch?”
“Watch?! Baby, you can help!”
______________________________________
"You called Peggy Peabody a 'Hasbian'??! Oh, my God, that's so hilarious! I wish I could have been there!"
"I was so petrified for a moment, but it just slipped out. She was talking about being a lesbian in 1974, and only for that one year for some reason..."
"Oh, my God, Kendall, this girl has balls! Peggy Peabody!"
"Seriously, Bette, I gotta agree with Greens. Which, you should know, happens very rarely. But, damn, girl."
"Not one of my better moments, and you're both the first people I've told about that. I blame it on the drinks!"
"Well, both Greenlee and I believe that there's no point in having a lunch slash afternoon meeting if there isn't alcohol involved. Still, I should thank you for the suggestion. I've never tried Campari before."
"You're welcome, I think it's a great afternoon drink really. I think Americans would have a lot more fun if they embraced a more European style of life."
"Hey, if that includes drinking in the afternoon, I'm all for it, baby!"
"You'll have to excuse Greenlee, Bette. We don't usually let her out of the cage this early in the day. Plus, we're trying to get her an AA membership, but they won't even take her."
Bette laughed. "No apology neccesary, Kendall. I'm just glad that I got to meet the two of you. It's definitely been a treat, and I'm really glad that you two are happy to be a part of our fundraiser for the University."
"Of course, Bette. I must confess, I had my reservations before, but after meeting you, I can say that not only is Fusion happy to be a part of a great cause, but also to be working with such a tour de force as yourself."
"What Kendall is trying to say is that she likes your suit, and wants to know where she can get your shoes."
Bette laughed again, almost choking on her drink. "Well, I don't know if I want to be a bearer of bad tidings, Kendall. But this suit is no longer made by the original designer. The shoes, however, are all yours. When you come to LA for the fundraiser, we'll squirrel away and I'll take you to the Prada store there."
"Oh, my God! Prada! I love Prada...wait, did you say your suit is no longer made?"
Greenlee leaned over to Bette and whispered, "Keep her focused on the shoes, please! Otherwise she's liable to start crying over the unavailability of the suit!"
Bette chuckled under her breath. "Got it." Aloud, she said, "You know, Kendall. Not just Prada. LA has every boutique under the sky, especially on Rodeo Drive. You should take a couple of days to come out there before the fundraiser show..."
"Oh, my Gawd! Greenlee! Roadtrip to LA! We could do "Kendall & Greenlee Do Bi-coastal!""
"Yeah, if we don't kill each other before we even leave. Where would we fit all our suitcases??"
As Kendall pondered their mutual problem of luggage space, Greenlee smirked at having temporarily distracted Kendall long enough to get a word in edge-wise.
"So, Bette, before you think we're nothing more than lush straight chicks, tell me why you went into art?"
Bette laughed again, she hadn't had this much fun over a lunch meeting in forever. Schmoozing to fund raise for her University mostly involved meeting with ginned up curmudgeons who didn't want to any of their money going to those "new-fangled artists who took it up the ass!"
Really, all of her fundraising meetings before Pine Valley had been an exercise in staying awake. "Well, I'm afraid I'm going to be a bit cliché in telling that story. When I was about twelve years old, my dad took me to the Louvre. This was before it was re-done, of course. But even back then, it was just amazing. But there were two pivotal moments. Now, brace yourself, Greenlee, because this is going to get cheezy."
Greenlee obediently took a swing of her Ketel One Screwdriver. "Okay, fortified!"
"Once I saw this Miro piece called 'Hand Catching A Bird,' I was a goner. I kept staring at that piece. I couldn't get over the color and the juxtaposition of imagery. And then there was Cezanne's 'Portrait of A Woman.' Between those two, I just knew my life was laid before my eyes. The endless beauty of art...it was just...undeniable. There was that intrinsic need to communicate, from the trail of the painter's brush to the absorption of the viewer. A basic yet complex expression of the visual landscape. A keening desire to communicate beauty to someone. And I answered that call."
Greenlee had her chin in her hand, staring dreamily at Bette. "Wow."
Kendall had flashed out of her introspection of Louis Vutton suitcases long enough to catch some of Bette's reasoning. "That's so beautiful, Bette."
Bette blushed a little on the reaction. She almost never blushed. What was it with the women in this town and their inexplicable effect on her?
"Well, I warned you," she smiled gracefully. "Now, it's your turn. How did you two get into the cosmetic business? And together at that?"
"Well it's nothing so deep as your own explanation. Basically I got tired of taking orders from stupid bitches, and Greenlee was loaded. And, thus, Fusion was born."
Greenlee moaned into her drink. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Kendall Hart! Eloquent as always, Kenny."
"Don't call me Kenny!"
Bette laughed until her shoulders shook. She really needed to visit Pine Valley more often.
- TBC -