Is everything okay baby? Tanya inquired and began fussing over Dana.

Dana shrugged her off. She was still in a daze and tried to avoid conversation.

Uh, yeah sure.

Tanya looked at Dana in disbelief.

Its 4:00am, someone shows up at the house and youre acting like Im not even here. How can you say everythings okay? Tanya replied indignantly.

Dana ignored her and got back in the bed and Tanya started again.

Dana? Who was that? Came another indignant inquiry.

Alice!

Alice? What did she want?

She had to tell me something.

At this hour? What was it?

Dana snapped out of her daze and sat up in the bed.

What? Tanya? Dana blasted. It was personal! You know, between Alice and me thats why she didnt come in. Lets just go back to sleep. Okay?

Dana slammed herself down in the bed and pulled the sheets up over her shoulders. Caught in a web of mixed emotions, Dana struggled to dismiss the kiss and ignore Tanya. Tanya conceded and snuggled against Dana.

Sorry baby. I didnt mean to upset you. Still love me? Tanya cajoled in baby talk.

Uh, huh. Dana mumbled and closed her eyes.

Alice is driving home

What did I just do? Did I just tell Dana I want her? Am I in love with her? *****! What the ***** did I just do?

Alice was talking to herself. She was driving and not paying attention to the road. Her mind was flooded with the image of her kissing Dana and her confused confession. She wondered what Dana was thinking. She wondered if Dana told Tanya. Alice couldnt stand Tanya, but was she purposely trying to sabotage her relationship? She was so unfocused that she ran a red light. A police car pulled out from a parking lot and pulled her over.

Alice saw the lights, cursed herself, and pulled over.

May I see your credentials please?

Alice said nothing, pulled her papers from her glove box, and handed them to the officer.

Ill be right back.

Okay. Alice confirmed. *****! I dont need this right now.

Alice tapped her hands on the steering wheel as she waited for the officer to come back. She kept looking in her mirror to see what he was doing. When she saw him get out of the car, she stopped.

Your papers are in order, but can you tell me why youre blowing red lights? Good thing theres no one else on the road. You could have caused an accident.

Im sorry officer. I didnt mean to. I have a lot on my mind and I guess I wasnt paying proper attention. Are you…?

The officer cut her off.

Im not giving you a ticket, but consider this a warning. Pay attention to the road and get home safely maam. Think about it then.

Alice sighed and perked up.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Ill be more careful. Thank you.

Alice drove away, thankful that she didnt get a ticket. She drove more aware of the road until she got home.

Alice unlocked her apartment door and raced to her board and saw Tina sitting there. She asked her what was wrong and for a moment forgot about what happened between she and Dana. Alice began to comfort Tina who asked if she could stay there for a while. Alice said yes and Tina walked to the board and added Candaces name off of Bettes. Alice was shocked and hurt for Tina and she comforted Tina until they both fell asleep on the couch.

In the morning, Alice woke to the sound of Tina crying and she started consoling her again. Tina said she could really use some time alone, but Alice didnt feel comfortable with her leaving, so she offered to leave instead. Tina reluctantly accepted the offer and Alice got up to go shower and dress.

At Danas

Dana got up, showered, and paid little attention to Tanya. It wasnt intentional, but her mind was stuck on Alice. She had a thousand questions about it. Tanya was being her usual clingy and whiny self and for the first time since they met, Dana wasnt in the mood to tolerate it. She avoided conversation and was vague in all her responses.

Dana! I said, what are we gonna do today?

Dana continued to browse through the paper.

Dana! Tanya yelled.

Huh? Yes! Dana replied completely unaware of what Tanya had asked.

Tanya was furious and slammed the paper shut and stared at Dana.

What the ***** is going on Dana? What has you in a fog? Alice?

Dana was flustered for a moment then stood up.

Shes my best friend Tanya. She needed to talk to me and she did. Thats what friends are for? Its just the way we all are. Dana squared off.

Tanya digressed and sat down. She knew she would lose the battle if she continued to fight with Dana. Shed never seen her like this. It both intimidated and annoyed her. She wanted her control back. She wanted Dana to yield like she always did. She changed her approach.

Im sorry baby. I didnt mean to upset you. Ive just never seen you like this and it worries me. Is there anything I can do for you? Do for Alice? I like your friends. I want to help. She lied.

Dana paused before replying. She needed to have her thoughts in order. She liked Tanya and things seemed good between them, but Alice was her true friend. Shed always been there for her, had her back on everything, and she knew she could count on Alice under any circumstances. She still didnt know exactly what Alice meant by kissing her, but she had to find out.

Tanya, Alice is going through something right now and she needs me. She didnt mean to come over so late, but it was important to her. Please understand that. I need to go see her, but without you. Okay?

Tanya frowned and nodded. She didnt like being left out and secretly resented Alice for infringing.

Okay. Tell Alice that I hope everything will be okay. Tanya said tongue in cheek.

Yeah, okay. Im gonna get dressed and go see her. Ill be back later.

Tanya hugged Dana and kissed her. She responded half-heartedly and left the room. She was still torn between Alices kiss and Tanya to whom she was engaged. Dana knew Alice was not a malicious person and had never said a bad word about Tanya. She wondered if Alice was coming to terms with suppressed feelings toward her and she pondered whether or not she shared them too. It was too complicated and she had to figure it out soon.

In the car

Pick up, pick up! Dana fussed.

Hello?

Alice, its Dana. Im on my way.

Alice became instantly flustered.

Uhm, ah, okay, but Tina is here.

Oh!

I was getting dressed to go to The Planet though and shes staying her. Gimme like fifteen or twenty minutes so I can finish getting dressed.

Oh, okay. Ill pick you up twenty.

Okay.

She hung up and began rushing around her apartment. Alice raced to finish getting ready before Dana arrived.