CHAPTER 1

It was nearly midnight and Alice was at her laptop putting the finishing touches on her latest magazine piece — [“Lesbians Cannot Accessorize — Fact or Myth?”] — when she heard a banging at the front door. Not a knock. That was definitely a bang!

She got up a bit warily, and just as she was about to ask who was there, she heard Shane’s voice, “Alice! Lemme in!”

She quickly unlocked the door, “Shane, what the fu…”
Then she saw her, “Oh my GOD, what happened?”

“Nothing happened, I just need to crash here, ‘k?”

“Nothing happened?!?” “Shane, your clothes! Your face!”

“Oh….I fell.”

“Into what…the sewer? Get in here!”

Shane staggered into the living room, “The sewer..heehee, thas’ funny, Al.”

“Shane, did you just giggle? How drunk ARE you? Come on, you’re getting right into the shower, I’ll make some coffee,” and she led Shane into the bathroom, helping her to shed her mud-covered clothes on the way.

“Alice, you’re undressing me,” Shane said, looking down at Alice removing her shirt.

“Yes dear, I know that.” Alice was starting to get a little irritated with Shane. “You’re filthy, so we have to bathe you now,” she said, shaking her head.

“Aw, don’t be mad Al.” Then she grinned crookedly and said in her best seductive voice, “Are you really gonna bathe me?”

Alice scowled at Shane, but inside she couldn’t help smiling. As she turned on the light in the bathroom, Alice threw a towel at Shane and said, “Coffee will be ready when you’re finished,” and shut the door behind her.

This wasn’t the first time Shane had shown up drunk or stoned at Alice’s door, and usually Alice, good buddy that she was, didn’t ask too many questions. But this time there would be no free pass. She was going to find out how Shane had gotten into this condition. (She “fell!” Yeah, right!)
————-
But after the second cup of coffee, Shane still hadn’t been very forthcoming with the details of the evening. She was mostly just staring into her cup. Of course, even on her best days, Shane was never overly talkative, but this was ridiculous. They had been sitting on the couch for almost 20 minutes and Alice’s patience had just about run out.

“Shane, please. I’m dying here. Talk to me. What happened tonight?”

Well, actually Al, it’s really a funny story.”

“Oh goodie,” declared Alice as she leaned way in, feigning rapt attention, “Go ahead, I’m all ears.”

“Smartass,” Shane smirked. She ran her hand through her hair and began. “Okay. I’m at the bar, and I’m dancin’ with this really, really cute girl, and we’re…”

“Do you know this woman?”

“No, I just met her,” Shane said, annoyed at the interruption. “Hey, do you want to hear this or what?”

“Sorry.” Alice made a button-her-lip motion.

“Okay, so we’re dancin’ real close, and everything’s nice, ya know? I mean, “nice,” when this female King Kong comes outta nowhere and WHACKS me on the side of the head!”

“Oh, this IS funny.”

Shane glared at Alice. “That’s NOT the funny part.”

Alice tried to stifle a laugh, but failed miserably. ” I’m sorry Shane, but it was only a matter of time before some jealous husband caught up with you.”

“Well, how am I to know the girl has a lover if she doesn’t tell me? I mean I’m just dancin’ with a girl at a bar!”

“I know hon’, not your fault. Girls like that should come with warning labels. Go on.”

“So, it was obvious I was the innocent victim here, so Godzilla gets thrown out of the bar even before I could get to my feet.”

“She knocked you DOWN?”

“Hey, she caught me off guard. And did I mention she was like, the Incredible Hulk?”

“Yes Shane, I get it, she sucker punched ya. It wasn’t a fair fight. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Your honor is intact.”

“Damn right.” Shane drank down more of her coffee. “So anyway, she’s tossed. And you won’t believe this…”

“And the girl goes with her, right?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?”

“S’typical.”

“Yeah. Women, huh?,” Shane frowned. “I never could figure ‘em.” Shane went back to her coffee.

Silence.

More silence.

“Shane?”

“What?”

“HOW DID YOU GET COVERED IN MUD?”

“Hey, watch the shouting will ya? I still have a headache here,” Shane said, holding her head.

Alice rubbed Shane’s head gently and apologized, “Sorry sweetie. But did anyone ever tell you that you are NOT the world’s greatest storyteller?”

“Yeah well, I have other very nice qualities,” Shane grinned.

“Yes you do. And theeen…?”

“Okay, then, after the Main Event, my head was kinda hurtin’ so I needed somethin’ stronger than beer, you know, for the pain? So I had some shots and I guess maybe I had a little too much and…”

“Wait a minute, hold it! You decided to treat a possible concussion with ALCOHOL?!?”

“I told you Alice – my head hurt. It was medicinal.”

“And where did you study, doctor? At the Kevorkian School of Medicine?”

“Do you WANT to hear this or not?”

“Hey, it’s your body – abuse it to your heart’s content.”

“ANYWAY… Sara, remember her? She was there. She came over and started saying how Xena Warrior ***** shoulda been arrested and how our community has no place in it for demented Amazons like that. And then she asks if I was sure I was okay, that I probably shouldn’t be alone, and how I could stay with her for a few days if I’d like and she’d take care of me. Never can be too careful with a head injury, ya know?

“Yeah, I think I get the picture.”

“What is it with women Al? I mean, why do they have to get all smothering on you like that?”

“Well, Shane, you’ve just gotta understand — No matter how hard you try to avoid it, some women ARE going to fall head over heels in love with you. Just can’t help it. Human nature. Deal with it.”

“Hey, no way. I have NEVER let it go that far.

“You don’t think so? You really believe you have control over that?”

“Well yeah babe, that’s the whole POINT of not doing relationships — no involvement. And in case you haven’t noticed, I really like living my life this way.

“”I know you do,” Alice said softly as she looked down into her coffee cup.

“But…?”

Huh?”

“Sounded like you had something more to say.”

“No, I just….Okay. Okay. I wonder sometimes Shane. Now, don’t bite my head off. But is it possible you just don’t believe any woman COULD love you? Is that why you don’t give anyone a chance? Are you maybe just afraid to find out?”

“Wow, that’s deep Alice. Well, let me ask you this. Do you think women would be lining up to get to know me if they knew the kind of life I’ve lived? *****, even you don’t know half the stuff I’ve done.”

“I don’t need to know everything you’ve done to know who you are Shane. I can see that. I see that every day. And I’VE been in love with you for…”

Alice put her face in her hands. “Did I say that out loud?”


CHAPTER 2

Shane’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. When she’d recovered enough to speak, all she could say was, “Alice?”

“Yes?” Alice squeaked as she peeked out through her fingers.

“Would you like to finish that very interesting sentence?” Shane was smiling now.

“Oh God Shane, let’s not make a big deal out of this okay?” “In fact,” Alice said as she started to get up off the couch, “It’s been a lovely evening, why don’t I drive you home now.” Shane grabbed her arm and sat her back down.

“Al, you just told me you’re in love with me. I think that rates a conversation, don’t you?”

“Look,” Alice said, facing Shane with great difficulty, “We don’t need to have a big discussion about this. There’s no problem here. Really. All the inappropriate feelings have long ago been shoved into the nether regions of my psyche. All totally compartmentalized. Where they can’t cause me any confusion, pain, or embarrassment.”

“Well, those were some lovely words Alice. I even knew what most of them meant.”

“I’m sorry, I just mean I don’t want you to get all freaky about this. Look, we are very good friends, right?”

“Right.”

“And we’re totally compatible as friends. But we’ve never had the same goals when it comes to a loving relationship. I’ve always understood that. So I just put these feelings…away.”

“Uh huh.”

“And it obviously hasn’t affected our friendship. And I don’t want it to. So I really wish you’d just forget I said anything. I think I need more coffee. You want more coffee?”

Alice took the empty cups and started to get up, again. Shane took the cups out of her hands, placed them back on the table, and sat Alice back down, again.

What are you doing?” Alice asked.

“We’ve had enough coffee,” Shane said as she stared into Alice’s eyes. She’d never really looked at her friend this closely before, never really noticed how pretty Alice was. God, she had the most gorgeous eyes. How could she have missed that? Well, to be fair, she’d never been led to believe that she’d had the right to notice Alice in that way.

“Shane?”

“Yeah?”

“Your robe. It’s…come undone.” Alice was staring at Shane’s exposed *****. She didn’t want to be…but she was.

Shane looked down. “Yep, I guess it has.” Then she leaned in, replacing a loose strand of hair behind Alice’s ear, then stroking her cheek with her fingertips. Alice gasped. “But, hey,” Shane said, “Since your feelings for me are…what was that big word you used just now?

“Compartmentalized?” Alice sighed.

“That’s the one. So I guess my body doesn’t have much of an effect on you now one way or the other, huh?” Shane was talking in that husky half-whisper of hers, as she continued to caress Alice’s face.

“Uh Shane,” Alice said, trying to catch her breath, “I don’t think you really understood the concept of what I was trying to…”

“Shut up Alice.” Then Shane brought her mouth to Alice’s, and Alice greeted the gift like a child on Christmas morning.

No matter how much she had rationalized to herself that she and Shane could never be together like this, now that their tongues were engaged in this erotic “getting to know you” dance, Alice’s resolve was on VERY shaky ground. The taste of Shane, the smell of her. Alice just wanted to…

But wait! What if Shane was just feeling sorry for her? Of my God, that MUST be it! I will NOT be a pity *****! Alice thought miserably.

“Stop Shane,” Alice said as she pulled away and ran into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Shane sat there for a moment, stunned, breathing heavily, and trying to figure out just when the portal to the Twilight Zone had opened.

She took a minute to gather her senses, walked over to the bedroom door and gently knocked.

“Al? Can I come in?”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“Please hon’?”

Nothing.

“Alice?”

Still nothing.

“I’m not going away.”

“Al, open up or I swear, I’ll start singing.” Shane threatened.

“Oh please, not that,” Alice said, as she quickly opened the door.

“Hah! Knew that’d do it,” Shane smiled as she walked in and sat on the bed. “Now, will you please tell me what just happened out there?”

“Just forget it Shane, I know what you’re trying to do,” Alice muttered as she walked over to the window and stared outside.

“You do? Okaaay….Wanna fill me in then?” Shane responded, as she got up and went over to stand behind Alice.

Alice turned around to face Shane.

“Shane, you haven’t fixed your robe,” Alice said, as she reached to tie the belt and shut off the increasingly mouth-watering view of Shane’s body.

“You seem abnormally obsessed with my attire this evening,” Shane replied as she stopped Alice’s hands short of her task. “Tell ya what,” she said, as she casually slipped the robe from her body, “Why don’t I just remove this distraction from the conversation.”

“Shane, stop it. This isn’t what I want,” Alice gasped, as she longingly took in the sight now teasingly displayed before her.

“It isn’t? I’m a little confused then. Because before? On the couch? When we kissed? It felt like you really did.”

“No. Not if you’re just being…..Oh dammit!” Alice turned away again, her arms folded in front of her.

“What? Not if I’m just being, “what”?!? Al, please, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Alice whirled around angrily “Okay! Fine! Here it is — “You’re a sweetheart Shane! Deep down inside you really care about people! You care about my feelings! You’d do ANYTHING to make me feel better, wouldn’t you? WOULDN’T you?!?”

“Wow,” Shane said, now thoroughly confused. “I would’ve never believed anyone could make those things sound like accusations! How’d you DO that?”

Alice sighed in exasperation. “Shane, you don’t really want to sleep with me.”

“I DON’T?!?”

“No, you don’t. You’re just being a good friend. Trying to put a bandaid on the hurt so it feels better. You pity me, don’t you? That’s it, isn’t it?”

Shane looked at Alice as if she’d grown another head.

“Isn’t it?” Alice asked quietly, less sure of her theory now, considering the rather ridiculous expression on Shane’s face.

“Alice, how can someone so smart be so…. stupid?”

Then Shane just grabbed Alice and kissed her.

Alice, nothing if not flexible in her thinking, eagerly returned the kiss.

Alice then found her body almost instinctively enfolding itself around Shane’s, wanting to feel as much of her skin as she could, running her hands over her arms and down her back.

Shane began returning her friend’s favor of earlier in the evening by actively helping to shed Alice’s clothes. But Alice couldn’t wait. She’d waited so long already. Still locked in their kiss, she guided Shane to the bed and eased her down.

Shane was unaccustomed to this behavior from women. She was used to being in control in the bedroom. But considering the circumstances, she wasn’t about to get into a fight over sexual politics right now.

Alice immediately became lost in Shane’s body. After a thorough enjoyment of that delicious mouth, she wanted to taste every inch of her. She kissed and licked her way down to Shane’s *****.

“Baby, come here.” Alice melted at the urgency in Shane’s voice. She was thrilled that Shane enjoyed kissing as much as she did. They kissed passionately and hungrily — as if they were both trying desperately to convey something to each other, using a form of communication that couldn’t possibly be misunderstood.

When they finally broke the embrace, they stared at each other a moment, before Alice continued her eager way down Shane’s body.

Alice was licking a slow circle around each nipple, enjoying the low moans this was eliciting from Shane. Then she sucked and nipped at each erect nipple until she heard, “Oh God Alice!”

Shane ran her fingers through Alice’s hair and began to arch her back in anticipation.

As Alice eased apart Shane’s thighs, she breathed in Shane’s scent and it was the most incredible aphrodisiac!

She started slowly licking her inner thigh, drawing closer and closer… Shane’s groans becoming louder. Alice was nearing the edge herself just listening to her.

Then she felt Shane’s hands tightly gripping her hair. Understanding her cue, Alice began to make love to Shane in the way she’d fantasized from the moment she’d first laid eyes on her.

CHAPTER 3

It was morning and they’d barely slept. Neither had wanted to miss a moment of what was happening to them last night.

For Alice, she never dreamed she’d be with Shane this way — loving her…..Well of course she’d always loved her, but being able to express it so…..physically…. had been so delicious. And having Shane make love to her — She was sure it was something her body would NEVER forget!

And Shane — Shane was lying here now with Alice’s head on her chest and that luscious body draped all over her, not really understanding what she was feeling. Last night for her had been….what exactly?

“You awake sweetie?” Alice murmured in a voice so content it sounded almost like she was purring.

“Don’t think I’ve been asleep yet,” Shane answered with a grin.

Alice repositioned herself on the bed so she was facing Shane. “Poor baby, I kept you up all night,” she said as she started to caress her face.

“I’m not complaining,” Shane replied with a quick kiss. Then she started to get up off the bed.

“I’m sorry, I have to…”

“I know,” Alice said sadly, “You have to run. I understand. Look, I’m going to tell you something before you go and…”

“Alice…”

“No, don’t interrupt. You’re going to listen to this and then you can leave.” Alice sat up and took a deep breath. “I love you Shane. I love you…so much. I really apologize if that upsets you…”

“It doesn’t.”

“What?”

“It doesn’t upset me Alice. And I wasn’t leaving. If you’d let me finish my sentence, I started to say “I’m sorry, I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Oh,” Alice said very quietly, feeling reeeally foolish. Shane grinned at the look on Alice’s face and kissed her again before easing out of bed and sauntering off to the bathroom.

Alice collapsed back onto the bed muttering to herself, “Great move stupid – accuse her of running away.” “God, what is WRONG with me?”

When Shane returned, Alice decided to quickly change the subject and start the morning over on a lighter note.

“Hey,” she said brightly, “you never did finish your funny story last night.”

“Oh yeah, we got interrupted didn’t we,” Shane answered with a wink. “Okay, where was I?” she asked, as she climbed back into bed beside Alice.

“You were complaining about Sara being all over you.”

“Right,” Shane said, as she put her arm around Alice and settled in beside her. “So it looked like she wasn’t gonna let up, ya know?”

“Yes, you devastingly ***** women have it SO rough,” Alice answered as she cuddled up against Shane.

Shane laughed and continued. “I decided I’d better just tell her I wasn’t feeling so good after all and was going to call it a night and go home…alone!”

“And she BOUGHT that?” Alice asked.

“Well, I played it up. ‘Course, then I had to leave.”

“But you weren’t heading home?”

“No, of course not. There are other bars. But when I got outside, I ran right into Linda.”

“My God Shane, L.A. is like a ***** smorgasbord to you, isn’t it?” Alice said as she sat up.

“It’s purely coincidence Al. I can’t help it if I keep running into these women.” Shane replied a bit defensively.

“You just don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?”

“Never mind, go on,” Alice said, shaking her head.

Shane shrugged and continued, “So you know that little street construction they’re doing at the end of the block? Well, Linda and I found ourselves walking by there, and that’s about when she and I started getting pretty hot and heav…..” Shane scratched the back of her neck. “Ya know, maybe this isn’t such a funny story after all.”

“No, no, don’t stop now, it’s just getting interesting,” Alice replied with just a touch of menace in her voice.

Shane let out a deep sigh and, against her better judgment, pressed on.

“Oookay. Well, to make it short, we were leaning against something we probably shouldn’t have been and we fell….into the ditch….on top of each other. Don’t know why it was so damn muddy down there.”

“Possibly because of the rain yesterday,” Alice said in a tight voice.

“”Oh yeah, that could be it,” Shane mumbled. “So, see? Not so funny. How about breakfast? I’ll cook.”

“So how come you didn’t just go home with Linda?”

“Well Linda was really pissed. She’d been all dolled up, on her way to a fancy club or somethin’. Her clothes were ruined. I thought it was hysterical, I couldn’t stop laughing. Of course, that might’ve been the booze. Anyway, when she left, she looked like she wanted to kill me.”

“I think I know the feeling.” Alice muttered.

“Come on Al, what is this,” Shane asked gently.

“Oh God Shane, I don’t know. What’s gotten into me? One night with you and I’m acting like the possessive lover?!? This is exactly how I promised myself I WOULDN’T behave!”

Alice looked up into Shane’s eyes. “Forgive me?” she asked in a tiny voice. Then she playfully jumped on top of Shane, pinned her arms over her head and grinning, said, “I’m not going to let you up till you say you forgive me.”

“Well okay then, I’m not going to say I forgive you till you kiss me a couple dozen times,” Shane laughed.

Alice stared hungrily at Shane’s ***** mouth and as she brought her own closer, she growled, “I could kiss you for days.”

When they came up for air, Alice looked at Shane a little sadly.

“Hey, what’s wrong now?” Shane asked.

Alice rolled over.

“Look, I want you to know I understand the rules Shane. I mean, I knew them going in. Yes, you know how I feel about you now – I guess I can’t do anything about that. But I promise you I won’t be an idiot about it.”

“Al, you don’t have to say all this.”

“Yes, I do. What happened just now — the jealous bit? — it’s NOT going to happen again. I totally get your lifestyle Shane. I won’t try to interfere with it. We’re still friends, hon’, always. Nothing’s changed. I really want you to know that.”

Shane just stared at her feet, not speaking.

“Okay Shane, you’ve gotta say something here, ’cause I’m floundering now.

“Al, a LOT has changed. I don’t know what I’m feeling here, I….”

“You’re upset, aren’t you? I knew it. Dammit, I blew it!”

“Alice, you’ve got a bad habit of interrupting my sentences. And you’re gonna miss a lotta good stuff that way.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Go ahead.”

“I don’t know what exactly I’m feeling, but the thing is, I really LIKE what I’m feeling. Last night, after you told me how you felt….when I looked at you, and it was like I was seeing you for the first time. And then when we kissed….”

Shane shook her head. “And why all of a sudden does everything coming out of my mouth sound so CORNY?”

“No, you’re doing great! More corn! Please!”

Shane laughed. She took Alice’s hand, brought it to her cheek, closed her eyes, kissed it.

Alice realized at that moment that her heart totally belonged to this woman. Maybe it always had. She might be in for some incredible heartache. But that was the truth of it. There was no denying it anymore.

And then suddenly Shane’s expression turned serious. “It’s just that you know me so well Alice, better than almost anyone. And still… Still, you can….”

“What, hon’?”

“Love me,” Shane said hesitantly. “Want to be with me.”

“And that surprises you?” Alice asked, mystified.

“Alice, I’m so used to trying to be everything for everybody. I know it looks like I don’t give a ***** what people think of me. Like I’m just going to do my own thing, and they can like it or kiss my *****, right? But….that’s not it,” Shane said, shaking her head. “That’s not it at all.”

“Last night…with you — it was so different being with you Al.”

The two of them were now locked in a gaze so penetrating they seemed to melt into each other.

Shane didn’t know what she wanted to say, there were so many thoughts in her head, so many feelings to sort out. She wasn’t used to working her way through such an emotional labyrinth. But she had to try. It was so important that Alice understand.

“Do you know how much I trust you Alice? I haven’t trusted that many people in my life – you know that.” Shane took a deep breath.

“I’ve gotta tell you, it blew me away last night, sleeping with someone I feel that way about. It was….amazing. I want more of it.”

“Shane, I’ll be here for you anytime you want me,” Alice said, running her hand through Shane’s hair.

“No, you don’t understand,” Shane said, removing Alice’s hand and holding it in her lap. “It’s not just about that. God, this is so hard for me Alice. I…. I don’t know how to do this.”

Alice kissed Shane softly and said, “Just tell me how you feel.”

Shane gazed at Alice and slowly said, “You are so beautiful.”

Alice thought she was finally beginning to understand, and her eyes began to fill and threatened to overflow.

“I’m sorry, she said, “I know how you hate it when girls cry.”

“That’s okay, I think I can let it go this time,” Shane smiled.

Then Shane decided to try to say with a kiss what she was having so much trouble expressing in words. She’d never been very good with words. Her body on the other hand….that could be very expressive.

She pulled Alice on top of her. The feel of Alice’s naked body against her own, especially now when her senses were so heightened, was breathtaking.

Within seconds, their bodies intertwined, hands groping, tongues engaged in a voracious probing, they were both silently confessing all their secrets to each other.


THE END