(edited 5 Dec 2004)



Chapter Three



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Ringing penetrated Shanes unconscious state, indicating that hearing would be the first sense to wake up this morning. Unfortunately taste seemed to quickly follow, and the acrid mixture of alcohol, cigarettes and possibly something dead coating her mouth started her stomach churning and she wondered if she was going to be sick. She peeled her tongue from the roof of her mouth to let out a long almost whining groan, and then she heard the ringing again. Ringingphonefuck, its probably Alshould answer. Realising that if she didnt answer Alice would keep ringing, Shane rolled toward the phone with some effort, and blindly groped for it knowing she would need to work up to opening her eyes. But instead of the phone her hand found… SKIN!!! All plans for the 12 steps to eye opening flew south as her eyes snapped open. What the *****!

The combination of a slap in the face and Shanes scream in her ear jarred Lara awake alerting her to the ringing phone, which she automatically picked up before turning to look at Shane. If she hadnt needed to focus on the phone call Lara probably would have burst out laughing at the comically confused expression on her bedmates face.

Hello? Lara enquired into the phone, sitting up a little causing Shanes hand to slip down to her chest. She looked down at it, drawing Shanes attention to the hand, which was now palming the redheads t-shirt covered breast. Horrified, she snatched it back and sat looking down at the hand trying to will herself to remember what happened after they left the bar, but she couldnt seem to recall past getting into the truck. Lara finished the short conversation with her friend on the phone explaining that she hadnt ended up needing to call them for a ride after driving Shane home. She hung up the phone, sat up fully and turned to face the dishevelled brunette, waiting for Shane to look at her.

Taking the silence as a sign that she was expected to speak Shane looked up slowly and tried to fix her casually cool faade in place and maybe retain some dignity. Figuring that a quick general apology for whatever it was she had done, followed by an equally hasty retreat was the best tactic, she opened her mouth and prayed for coolness. Iah, Im She cleared her throat and looked up at Lara hoping for some help. Lara just continued to watch Shane, raising one eyebrow in question, a hint of amusement sparkling in her blue eyes.

Realising her dignity was shot, Shane decided on a different tactic; plucked up her courage, plastering what she hoped was a look of confident aloofness on her face and started her old spiel. Mornin. Lara smiled in response, her forehead crinkling slightly as she tried to figure out what was going on in Shanes head from the strange wash of expressions crossing her face.

Shane thought the reaction was encouraging, Ok, smiles are good, you can do this, Shane, youre not that out of practice, tell her it was great, she was great, and then get the ***** out of here. Taking a deep breath she continued, Look, thanks for last night. It was great, I really enjoyed it, but I should get going. Climbing out of bed she saw her pants folded neatly on a chair in the corner and her boots sitting equally neatly under said chair. Though it seemed a little odd Shane let it go in her need to get out of this situation and home as soon as possible. She grabbed the pants and quickly pulled them on, then sitting down she yanked her boots on sans socks and stood, shoving her hands in her back pockets in a deliberate display of cool sexiness she added, Ill call you. She turned to grab her jacket and moved toward the door with her trademark gait, but a sudden burst of laughter stopped her in her tracks.

Whirling around she saw Lara flop back in bed laughing loudly. After a moment she seemed to calm a little but one glance at the look of utter bewilderment on Shanes face and her resolve crumbled. Holding her stomach she rolled onto her side and curled into a ball as she lost control completely.

What? Whats so ***** hilarious? Shane bit out, knowing she was the butt of the joke somehow and not liking it at all. Lara just continued to gasp and giggle as she tried to contain herself so she could speak, but Shane had had enough. Youre ***** crazy. Im outta here. Just dont stalk me or anything, ok. She moved toward the door muttering, And I thought I had a problem with girls crying, geez.

You have absolutely no recollection of last night do you?

Shane tried to look a picture of confidence. Yeah I do. You saw me at the bar, offered to drive me home, and I accepted.

Lara grinned as she sat up, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. Ok, then how come were at my place?

Rifling through her head for the logical answer Shane replied, I have roommates. Then remembering something else she muttered, Not that that seemed to be problem for you in the past.

Noting the reference Lara blushed slightly before sobering her expression, adding a twinge of regret for effect, You really dont remember, do you? You came back to my place and spent the night, well morning, in my bed and you dont even remember.

Shane paled even more than her churning stomach had already made her and tried to scramble together a recovery. Ah, yeah Ium, Im notahhhI was a littlefuck! Lara just looked on with a neutral expression, wondering how she could look so shockingly hungover and dishevelled, and so utterly ***** at the same time. Shane dropped her head to her chest and admitted, Im sorry, but I dont remember anything.

Taking pity on her Lara got out of bed revealing that she was wearing baby blue pyjama pants along with the white t-shirt. Shane, she said quietly getting the brunette to look up. You passed out in the truck before I could get directions, so I brought you here to sleep it off. She smiled at the obvious look of relief that appeared on Shanes face as the shame washed away. My couch is very uncomfortable, and I figured you couldnt be that dangerous passed out, she explained further with a knowing grin.

Shane just shook her head with a wry smile. Man, Im really sorry; I just woke up, didnt remember and went into damage control. You wouldnt believe how many times that approach has worked in situations like that. Actually this is the first time it hasnt.

Yeah, well theres a first time for everything.

So it would seem, Shane murmured quietly.

Now that the situation had been resolved Shanes stomach reminded her of its anger, as did her head. She closed her eyes and briefly massaged her brow before looking at Lara. Thankyou for everything, but I really should get going.

No, youre staying, Lara stated in that same no-nonsense voice from the bar. You look like *****, Shane. Youre hungover, maybe even still drunk or high or whatever, youve had four hours sleep after being up for god knows how long, and I wouldnt even want to guess when the last time you ate was. Shane didnt offer any answers or arguments knowing she had seen through her. So youre going to have a shower, because frankly youre a bit ripe, youre going to borrow some clean clothes, eat whatever I feed you, and then youre going back to bed for some serious sleep, she stated. No-one had ordered Shane around like this in a long time, and the last time it hadnt ended well anyway, but for some reason something about this woman broke down her strong facades and halted any of her hard-headed arguments. Lara had been expecting some sort of opposition, but when she got none she continued, Maybe then you will feel like talking about what had you drowning your sorrows in a dark bar and willing to risk your life driving home. That statement did get a reaction from Shane, but before she could object Lara started toward the door pointing to another door off the bedroom. The bathroom is through there, the towels are clean, you can borrow some jeans and a shirt or whatever you find that fits. Any preferences for breakfast?

Trying to catch up Shane didnt answer for a moment, still somewhat dazzled by how this amazing woman was taking care of everything, of her. Without much fuss or dispute she had taken over, and taken away the stress and pressure of how she was going to function with this knot in her stomach and the wounds to her heart. Now she had a plan, a step by step plan, starting with a shower, and some part of her liked that, a lot. She shook her head to Laras question and let her eyes linger as she exited the room, then she turned toward the bathroom, Right, step one.



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