The nerve of that woman! Can you believe she actually asked me to meet them for dinner tonight? Do I look like I want to be in the company of two people who are madly in love? And I did catch a glimpse of this woman at the gallery the night, ages ago, whats the big deal? Huh? Shes blonde too, heck, she was so, meek, since when do we know a Bette Porter who is into weaklings? Tell me!!!!! alice was pacing aroud the table at the planet, as shane and dana looked on, drinking in every word she said.

Feeling she had to say something to make her feel better, dana caught hold of alices arm, and made her stop the dizzying dance. Al, its normal to feel a little bitter, and well, jealous of an ex, right? Come on, youve got us! dana raised her eyebrows, pointing a finger at shane and herself.

Alice just shook her head. What was coming over her? Why was she so worked up? Bette and Tina had been dating for over a month now, and she still hadnt had the courage to accept any of bettes offers to meet up with them, and well, have a proper introduction with Tina. What was worse, she couldnt believe that shane and dana had managed to persuade to go tonight! And they call themselves friends. Betrayers. Glaring at them, she sat down in her chair and stared at her mug of coffee.

—————————————*************————————————————-

Bette looked the apartment up and down, taking in everything she saw. Everytime she came into the house, it never failed to amaze her. How did she get tina to agree to dating her? She could see a long and happy future with this woman. Look at that, she collected the cutest stuff. A row of intricate blowglass vases lined a shelf, and before bette could go in for a closer look, the sight of tina took her breath away. That was one hot mama! Dressed to the nines, tina gave a small smile.

You think alice would like me? Im really nervous about meeting her in person bette. She seems a little.i dont know. Bette knew tina was awry about the situation, so she tried to ease her nerves.

Baby, if theres nothing else in the world, I would love for you to meet alice. I guess because, she would kind of be in our life a lot. Shes my best friend. And Im sure youll be taken in by her, and her by you. Dont worry so much, bette squeezed tinas hand tightly, before giving her a kiss, and leading her out the door.

———————————*************——————————————————-

Hey Al, you got to go! Dont stand them up! Come on, you know your friend, and I know her too, bette is gonna get so pissedman, AL!!!! get out of the ***** toilet!! shane was losing her patience, and she didnt need to tell alice twice. Hearing that tone of voice, alice rushed out immediately.

ok ok, you win McCutcheon. Im here and Ill be gone A.S.A.P. how do I look? Am I overdressed? Tell me!! alice tried pirouetting around shane.

Giving a cheeky smile, shane slumped in front of the tv. yeps, excellent Al, if I didnt know any better, I would wanna bang you tonight, so you had better get moving, and fast.

Hearing shane say that in such a calm voice, Alice was pretty scared out of her wits, but pleased at the same time that she was dressed to impress. Giving shane a quick peck on the cheek she took off. ( as in sped to her car, not that kind of *took off* for shanes pleasure.)

————————————-*************—————————————————

Bette was getting nervous. Is alice going to show at all? She should at least have the courtesy to call and cancel. If she wasnt here in the nest 15 minutes, bette was gonna order without her.

So sorry Im late hon.Bette. alice came bustling in, looking a wee bit flustered. Hey tina. Anyhow, my luck on the road hasnt changed as you can tell, someone ***** just had to pick this time as any to try to commit suicide, using my car as the murder weapon! What an ***** I tell youyoull never believe she stopped in mid-sentence. Bette was giving her a hard stare, and tina.well that blonde was just in awe of alice.

Getting the hint, alice mellowed down. So, whats for dinner?

————————————-***********——————————————————

Shane was just about to doze off on the couch, when she felt her jeans vibrate vigorously. Damn. She couldnt have a night to herself without being reminded of *****. *****, it was dana. at this time? Oh, it was still early.

Yea dane? Whats up?

*silence*.then Shane? Are you home? Ermis alice there?

ehhh, yea Im home, no, alice had that dinner with bette and her girl, remember? Whats bothering you?

nothing. Nothing. Just, can I come over now?

finding it absolutely strange, shane agreed to danas plea and resumed her comfortable postion on the couch, whilst watching some horror flick.

——————————–*************——————————————————–

She was constantly making mental notes. The eyes, they were nice, and blue, and sweet, and alluring, in an innocent sort of way. Ok, so what if she was attractive. She hasnt said an interesting thing about herself all night. Alice was getting quite restless trying to keep her comments to herself for just over an hour.

Sorry, I need to be excused. Tina got up. Just alices luck. Time to grill bette.

Bette!!! What is it with that woman? Shes creeping me out! Yea shes sweet and all, but she hasnt uncovered any facts I can use for my investigation. Tell me, whats the deal on her? staring bette intently in the eye, alice demanded an answer.

Sighing slowly, bette flashed a smile. Al? are you, are you actually feeling a tinge of jealousy? Oh Al, you know you can tell me how you feel, dont have to keep it pent up inside.

Alice couldnt stop squirming in her chair. She felt like a 5-yr-old. Oh god, bette could read her like an open book, and that was SCA-RY! Before she could give a smart-mouth retort, tina slipped back into her seat. Damn that woman had timing problems.

Looking around, oblivious to alices foul-contorted face, and bettes grin, tina tried to play hostess. Having fun everyone? Oh look, desserts here! Dig in!

————————————-************—————————————————–

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

shane awoke with a start. Had she fallen asleep so quickly? Oh well that had to be dana. powerful fisted lady. Her knocks were loud.

hey dane, whats the emergency?

looking around as though someone had followed her, dana soke in a hushed tone. remember I told alice and you that I had lost my virginity? Yea, I really did, dont give me that facewell, I dont know what to do! This melanie wants to take it a step further, we had a date last night, and well, I was extremely uncomfortable being in the public eye. God, shane, what am I to do? And please dont tell alice its melanie, she knows her, and I dont want it to become a bigger deal than it already is! dana gave shane a pleading look.

Looking confused, shane just nodded, thinking who the ***** is melanie?, before joining dana on the couch, while she had her nervous breakdown.

——————————————–***********———————————————–

dinner was over, and bette was driving tina home. Tina had been rather silent, and so had alice. It was actuallu quite a painful experience. Bette didnt know what got over her, actually having such optimism that her ex and her current would hit it off immediately.

Bette? She hates me doesnt she? Does she still have feelingsdo you still? You can tell me. Please be honest with me. tina laid her head on the window.

Keeping her eyes firmly focused on the road, bette was still relaxed. No tina, I love you, and only you. Alice, she has her moods sometimes, you know writers. Shes crazy and fun to be with, Im sure shell warm up to you. Give her time, ok? She doesnt hate anyone, not for long anyway, shes got a penchant for being too forgiving. Relax.

Pulling into the apartments 2-car wide porch, bette leaned over and frenched tina good-night. She would have loved to follow her up to the apartment, but she had something to settle. after seeing tina get into the elevator safely, she pulled out, and dialed the first number in her phonebook.

———————————————***************—————————————-

its ok, dont cry dane. Everything will be alright. So its your first real break-up. Theres always a first. Shane tried to comfort a sobbing dana. grabbing her in a big hug, shane felt her shirt absorbing a potful of tears.

Ijustjuscanthandhandle this dana said in between sobs. She had explained that she was a ***** with homophobia. Her own. How senile could she get? She couldnt believe that melanie had told her to either jump out of that closet, or stay shut away and straight-jacketed in place. They had broken up. And she was having the ultimate blues.

Shhhshhhyou wanna sleep here for the night? Im sure Al wouldnt mind. Ill make my bed for you, and Ill take the couch, ok?

looking like an extremely vulnerable child, dana nodded precociously and was happy to have shane there with her, a little surprised that such a cold, unemotional being as her could have been so warm and accommodating, at the right time too.

Fluffing up the pillows, dumping some of her trash onto the floor, shane tried to make her room as presentable as possible. Alice never bothered how untidy she was, because alices bedroom was just as insane, but as long as the living room looked pretty, and kitchen was clean, all was good. Peeking out of her room, she saw dana had calmed down quite a bit.

Dane? The beds ready. Why dont you just hop in.

looking up, dana walked over to shane, tears glistening in her eyes thanks so much. You truly are a blessing to everyone around you.

ermmthanks? Ok, so just get some rest, cya in the morning, pancakes? shane looked nervous. Nodding in agreement, dana went into the room, as shane just gazed at her from the door. Just as she turned to go into the living room, dana called out her name.

shane?

yea dane?

would you, would you sleep next to me tonight? I dont exactly want to be alone right now. Please?

shrugging her shoulders, shane took off her jeans, and slipped under the covers. Finding a comfortable spot, shane left the red sea between them. After about 5 minutes or so, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

sorry to wake you. Were you sleeping? Now your not. Ermshane? Could you hold me. While I sleep that is. is it asking too much? I know your ways, and I dont need a shag, I really need a friend, a friends love. Would you? If you feel too awkward, then Im fine. Really.

This was a new side of dana that shane hadnt yet experienced. What harm could it do? She gave in to the athletes wishes, and wrapped her arms around danas waist, as they both fell into blissful slumber.