AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is based off the hit soap One Life to Live, yet the "history" has been changed somewhat to suit the purposes of this story. I'd like to note that I do not own ABC's One Life to Live or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.
This story takes place after Victor Lord Junior's death.
~*Vicki's Cabin on Llantano Mountain*~
Life without Victor was hellish for Tea. John still hadn't found his killer, and Tea was heartbroken. Victor hadn't even had the chance to find the true person deep inside himself when he had been so cruelly gunned down. With an aching sense of loss, Tea had gone to Vicki asking her to let her spend the weekend alone at Vicki's cabin on Llantano Mountain. Tea just had to get away and come to terms with the fact that the man she had loved was now gone. Dani was spending the weekend with Starr and Hope at Dorian's, so it was the perfect opportunity for Tea to get away.
Vicki gave Tea the keys to the cabin, so Tea packed up a few supplies and headed up to Vicki's rustic cabin on the mountain. As she drove up the twisting, winding road toward the top of the mountain, a sense of peace overcame Tea. There would be life after Victor; there had to be. Yes, what she had shared with Victor had been powerful and amazing, but he wouldn't want to see her so sad and broken. He would want her to go on with her life and find some measure of happiness.
Tea arrived at the cabin in the late afternoon, and the light was dying fast. It was chilly up here on the mountain, so she went inside and started a fire in the fireplace. Tea then worked quickly to unload the car. After she had carried her supplies inside, she lit a couple of lanterns, giving the cabin a comfortable glow. There was something about this cabin which never failed to bring her a breath of tranquility. She sat down on the couch facing the fireplace and began to relax. A soft sigh left her lips as all the tension began to leave her weary body. She hadn't been sleeping well all these nights following her husband's murder. She had put every bit of her energy into comforting Daniella, doing everything in her power to see that her daughter made it through the terrible ordeal. She had given all her strength to Dani, but who had been there for her?
Tears suddenly filled her eyes, threatening to spill. The one person she wished had been there to comfort her hadn't even shone her face. Her shaky friendship with Blair had seemed to have vanished after that one heated confrontation when Tea had accused Blair of trying to sink her clutches into her husband. "Damn you, Blair. My husband is dead; I need you... and you aren't even here!" Tea growled, picking up a couch pillow and punching it. She had thought Blair had truly cared, but obviously not. Those days of their faltering friendship were over. Tea had never felt more alone.
Sitting there beside the crackling fire, Tea had nearly dozed off. That is when she heard a knock at the door. *Who could that be?* Tea was thinking, knowing she was miles from Llanview and on the top of the mountain. No one knew she was here besides Vicki, so it was a little disconcerting to think that some strange person had happened along and was now standing right outside the cabin.
Walking to the door, Tea asked cautiously, "Who is it?"
"It's me- Blair. Aren't you even going to let me in?" Blair asked, sounding annoyed as usual.
Wordlessly, Tea opened the door, seeing Blair standing there, shivering in the chilly breeze. Tea just stood there, staring at her. "I'm freezing out here, Tea. Let me in," Blair demanded. Then Blair just brushed Tea aside, entering the warmth of the cabin.
Tea closed the door, then turned to look at Blair, a frown upon her face. "What are you doing here, Blair?" Tea demanded. "I thought you hated me after that awful fight we had, and you didn't want to see me again."
Blair wrapped her arms around herself, trying to get warm. She shook her head, hearing Tea's words. "I don't hate you, Tea. And I'm sorry about that fight. Most of all, I'm sorry I haven't gotten my butt over to see you after Victor was killed. I have had my hands occupied with Jack's anger, Starr's endless tears, and Sam's confusion. Dorian's there right now with the kids, so I finally found the opportunity to come see you..."
"But I discovered that you weren't home, so I stopped by Vicki's to ask if she'd seen you, and she told me you'd come up here," Blair said as she walked closer to the fire to warm her chilled hands.
Blair turned, looking into Tea's liquid brown eyes. "Tea, I am so sorry about Victor. I loved him, too," Blair said sincerely.
"I knew it! I KNEW you had designs on my husband," Tea said in a voice tinged with pain and anger.
"No, Tea. I loved him because he's Sam's father, and once long ago, we were together. My kids, Starr and Jack loved him like a dad. And for all his faults, I once thought he was my husband and the father of my children. I didn't love him like you loved him. What you and he had was special. You were so lucky to have had a love like that."
Hearing Blair's words, Tea believed her. Blair hadn't wanted Victor. Continuing to bicker over it was ludricous. It was time to let all that animosity and resentment go. With teary eyes, Tea nodded. "I'm sorry, Blair. I can be such a bitch sometimes."
"Ahhh, that's alright. We both know I am the Queen of the Bitches," Blair said with a little smile. "I understand why you got so upset about the kiss I planted on Victor, and I apologize as I honestly never meant to offend you..."
"Why are you telling me all this? And why did you come up all the way to the top of the mountain to speak to me tonight?"
"Because Tea, I care about you. I care about you very deeply. And I know how much losing Victor has hurt you. I thought you needed me," Blair admitted. "So, I'm here."
"I'm here for you, Tea. I'm here for tonight... if you want me to stay."
Tea looked perplexed as she gazed at Blair as though trying read between the lines and understand Blair's actual motives. "Blair, what exactly is it you are saying?"
"I'll just spell it out for you, Tea. I came here tonight to offer you my comfort, my friendship... and more, but only if you want that, too."
"You want to ... spend the night with me?"
"Yes," Blair answered, going to take a seat upon the couch. She was warming up nicely now, especially with the sudden topic of conversation. Ever since they had been locked up together in that basement room of the KAD Frat house, Blair and Tea had bonded. A connection had formed between them and every time she was with Tea, Blair had felt sparks, as though they were destined to get together somehow. The argument they had shared a couple of weeks prior only seemed to have fueled Blair's desire, not duminished it. Now she needed to know how Tea felt. She braced herself, not really knowing what Tea's reaction would be.
Tea sunk down on the couch next to Blair, gazing into her amber eyes. "My husband just died. I don't know how I can..."
Softly Blair pressed a fingertip to Tea's lips to silence her. "I'm not asking you to do anything you don't want. I just want to hold you and comfort you..."
"I'm here for you, Tea," Blair spoke, wrapping her arms around Tea and pulling her in close.
Going into Blair's arms, Tea lay her cheek against Blair's shoulder. "I needed you, Blair," she breathed. "I was so alone, and I wished you were there."
"I'm here now," said Blair as she caressed Tea's hair. "You've been through so much. I'm so sorry; it just isn't fair..."
Silent tears rolled from Tea's eyes, wetting Blair's shoulder. As Tea cried, Blair caressed her hair, whispering quiet, soothing words. After a good cry, Tea actually felt better. She pulled back a fraction from Blair, looking into her eyes. "Thank you for coming," she said softly. "I'm glad you are here..."
Tenderly Blair brushed away Tea's tears with her fingertips. "You look exhausted. I think you should go lie down now. I'll hold you..." Blair suggested.
