(edited 5 Dec 2004)



*Chapter Seven*



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Tina went to answer the sharp rap on Alices door, recognising it as Shanes immediately, Alice and Dana having snuck off to the bedroom to talk about a half hour ago. She mentally prepared herself for dealing with a potentially worst case scenario Shane in need of damage control. But the sight she saw at the door didnt quite fit with the events of the night before. From what the three of them had been able to piece together a whole pile of Cherie Jaffe ***** had hit Shanes fan, and not having ever seen Shane rejected she wasnt sure what to expect. Yet here was Shane lookingwell, not quite refreshed but definitely rested and showered, with a friendly smile, wearing clean faded blue jeans and a grey hoodie.

Hey T, am I allowed in or are we convening from the front door these days? Shane smirked, amused at the puzzled look of confusion on Tinas face.

Snapping out it Tina moved aside to let her friend in. Uh, sure, come in. Did you go home to change, is that what took you so long?

No, she said simply. At Tinas questioning glance she shrugged and added reluctantly, It just took me a while to figure out where I was exactly, and even then it was a bit of a hike. She followed the blonde in noticing the empty lounge area. So where are Al and Dane? Before Tina could reply an answering long low groan followed by a muffled giggle came from the bedroom, drawing Shanes attention. She turned back to Tina, thumbing over her shoulder with a lazy smirk. And whos playing around in the bedroom?

Tina grinned, happy to blurt out the news first. That would be Al and Dana, and technically theyre ‘talking’, she emphasised with air quotes. But Im starting to think their idea of talking is a little warped.

Totally baffled Shane looked at the door, hearing only shuffling now, and then back at Tina, before doing a double take. Hang on, wait a minute. Holding her hands up as if to stop Tina, she gestured slightly erratically toward the bedroom door. Alice and Dana are in there, playing aroundas in making out, or about to *****, or what? Shane frowned in concentration, trying to understand the weird situation, before seeming to shrug the whole thing off. Ok, so how long has this been going on?

Tina laughed lightly at Shanes reaction, and she smiled thinking how good it felt to laugh and push the other stuff back in favour of gossip. Since last night, Alice turned up at Danas at like 4am, told her she couldnt marry Tonya and kissed her. Im thinking Dane liked it, I mean, not even 24 hours later Tonyas out and Al inliterally. There was another soft moan followed by some rustling. And Im fairly sure theyre not going to *****; they know Im out here and you know how Dana is.

Wow, Shane gaped and shook her head trying to comprehend. I guess that explains why Al was so pissed about Tonya.

Yeah, maybe, that and the fact the woman was a psycho, suspected cat killer.

Right, Shane murmured, her smirk returning, and then growing into a grin. You know this should really feel bizarre, but given the last 24 hours I believe anything is possible. She flopped down in the armchair tucking one leg underneath herself, unscrewed her bottle of juice and took a sip.

Ill second that, Tina replied thoughtfully and with sadness as she sat on the couch.

The blondes reaction tipped Shanes curiosity. Why, what else happened? Tinas face became awash with melancholy and hopelessness. T? the brunette asked, genuinely worried. Whats going on? Wheres Bette?

Her eyes filling with tears, Tina tried desperately to hold them at bay in order to explain what had happened to Shane. But as she was about to speak the bedroom door opened. Alice and Dana practically fell out it with a rush of happy energy, both were flushed and their hair and clothes showing evidence of their make out session.

Not sure whether she was happy for the distraction or not, Tina took it anyway, pulling herself together and directing what she hoped was a playful comment at the newly forming couple. Nice of you to join us.

Heeding the blondes lead Shane too let it go for now and turned to the others. So, what were you guys talking about? Shane asked casually, almost in contradiction to the heightened amusement sparkling in her eyes.

Dana looked up a little panicked, and started to pull away from her girlfriend. That thought brought an instant smile to her face, Girlfriend? At least I think she ismaybe its too soon. Well have to work on the terminology, if we can actually talk in amongst all the talk.

Alice looked up and guiltily blushed, but Shanes cheesy grin told her the game was up, so she just shrugged and smirked as she walked over to the couch, not letting go of Danas hand. What can I say, when she wants my body, she WANTS my body, she bragged, with playful smugness.

Danas jaw dropped dramatically and her head whipped around to eyeball her blonde. ME! You were the one that dragged me in there, and youre intentions were nowhere near honourable, missy. God, I practically had to prise you off to breath.

And youre the big strong athlete, what took you so long, could it be the willing participation, Alice bantered back, quickly kissing the stumped tennis played and pulling her to the couch. Alice sat next to Tina and rather than finding another seat Dana sat on the floor leaning back against the couch.

Very cute, Shane commented absently, taking a swallow of her Go Juice, watching Dana play with the bottom of Alices pants.

The writer screwed up her face, rolling her eyes as she conceded, I know, I know. Yuck, right? She watched Shane take another pull of the strange pinky drink. What the ***** are you drinking?

Shane looked at the bottle in her hand with a slight smile and replied casually, not thinking of any possible connotations, Ah, its Go Juice, a secret hangover cure. Its not bad.

Dana tilted her head on the side eyeing the bottle somewhat strangely, in thoughful confusion she questioned, Go Juice?

Realising she was possibly walking into hot water but unable to stop the guilty flush, Shanes eyes widened before she quickly looked down cursing her inability to mask her emotions like she usually did and muttered, Uh, yeah, its not really an official name or anything. Its not important. So anyway, you guys, huh? *****, didnt really see that one coming. Hoping she had successfully diverted focus back to the happy couple, she chanced a glance up only to find herself mistaken.

Shanes hasty change of subject only supported Danas initial hunch, and the look in her eyes when she glanced up again confirmed it. Oh my god, she grimaced harshly, closing her eyes and letting her head drop back. Please, tell me you didnt? she sighed, flopping her head forward again to glare at the guilty looking known womaniser.

Dane, I didnt, I swear, it wasnt like that. She cringed as she heard the words, realising it sounded like a cheap throw away excuse.

Danas accusing eyes bored into the scruffy brunette’s and Shane could see the hurt, her voice low-pitched and soft even as she demanded, You slept with her?

Well, yeah, Shane replied honestly, but she continued in a rush, But I didnt have ***** with her. I didnt even lay a hand on herwell, actually I did, just once, but it was totally an accident, I swear.

The tennis player raised an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic almost babble from her friend, but quickly turned serious again, her voice low and warning. Dont you dare ***** with her, Shane. Shes a nice, kind and genuinely good person who doesnt deserve to be fucked over. So just dont, please.

A little insulted, but understanding where Dana was coming from, Shane looked her in the eyes and replied steadily, I wont, Im not, I didnt; I promise Dane. And I know shes niceway too good for me.

The other two women watched the exchange in total confusion, not understanding the subtextual conversation, and Alice not being one to stay in the dark, moved forward combing her fingers through Danas soft hair to get her attention. Whats going on?

Alices touch instantly dissolved some of the tense energy running through Dana, she reached back grabbing the blonde’s hand and turning it over to kiss the back tenderly, a part of her amazed at how natural it this new intimacy felt. Ah, Shane, um But she cut herself off, realising she really had no idea what Shane had done, just that she somehow had a bottle of Laras special Go Juice and a guilty expression. She looked to Shane, both eyebrows raised, eyes wide in question as she nodded her head and gesticulated with her free hand for Shane to explain.

Almost angry with herself for her small display of guilt, especially given that she really hadnt done anything worthy of such a feeling in their eyes. *****, she had done so much worse than wiping herself out with drugs and alcohol and crashing at a friends place that these women knew about. This shouldnt feel any different, but it does. Why? She sighed and explained, I spent the night at Lara Perkin’s place, ok. She cooked me breakfast which included the juice. She held the bottle up as evidence before adding, Nothing happened ok, unless you count me humiliating myself and Lara laughing her ***** off at me. She snorted a laugh, shaking her head, muttering more to herself than the others, Shes a bossy lady, wonder if shes always so controlling. She looked across at Dana, deliberately trying for a reaction to divert attention away from herself, Well Dane, is she a top in the sack, you should know?

The tennis player blushed deeply from her place of the floor. ***** you, Shane, she retorted, giving the brunette the finger. Shane just raised a challenging eyebrow, silently daring the athlete to answer, as did Alice from her place beside Dana, her hand giving the other womans a reassuring squeeze, though she was not entirely sure she felt the meaning behind the gesture. Even Tina was curious, hunching forward to hear the answer. Dana looked to Alice and back to Shane, she huffed in defeat. Fine, ok, she can bewell, she seemed comfortable taking control, she conceded. She shrugged, before adding thoughtfully, But it wasnt like she always needed to, you know. She made a face at Shane, silently asking if she was happy with the answer.

Yeah, figured, Shane mumbled, not sure why the answer didnt bring any satisfaction.

Dana glanced up at Alice a little worried about her reaction to the disclosure; the blonde just smiled gently and raised their joined hands so she could kiss the back of her girls hand. She turned to Shane, squinting slightly. And you, dont think I dont know your trying to avoid talking about what happened. How in the ***** did you end up with Lara, at her place no less, until three in the afternoon, getting fed…and clothed too by the look of it? I saw you talking the Cherie Jaffe and then you took off. She kept leaning forward, but seeing the flash of pain across Shanes face she reined herself in, asking with concern, What happened?

Putting on a brave smile she let her friends see a glimpse of vulnerability. Nothing that I wont recover from, she hedged. Ive got no-one to blame but myself, I set myself up for a fall and it hurt when I hit the ground. Not much to do now but get up and move on. Hoping that even in her vagueness shed given them enough and they would leave it alone.

But as usual Alice wasnt satisfied and asked directly, Did you fall in love with her?

No! Shane replied instantaneously. I guess for once I just thought I could have something more than casual. The possibility of waking up next to someone familiar and welcome has its positives. You know what I mean? The final question she directed at Tina, thinking the blonde could definitely validate her cause.

Tina just dropped her head and burst into tears. Shane rushed forward in shock and concern, wrapping the sobbing body of the blonde in her arms. Hey, T, what is it? she soothed. Looking up at Alice and Dana in complete bewilderment she demanded, Whats going on?



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Kit approached her sisters front door with caution. She knew what she wanted to say to Bette, well she thought she did, after all shed spent most of the day working it all out. She knew Bette was having serious problems accepting her relationship with Ivan, but she believed if she could only explain how much she needed this and how happy he made her that she could bring her stubborn sister around. Ivan left her feeling like a blushing schoolgirl at times; he was so nice, and gentle, and safe, and caring, how could any of that be bad. Standing at the door she took a deep breath, felt in her back pocket for the cue cards shed made in case she got tongue tied and then knocked lightly. Not getting any response she knocked harder, yet still got no response. Disappointed but not wanting to waste all the courage shed built up she decided to go around the back to break in and wait.

Within five minutes she was in the back door. Walking slowly through the kitchen she noticed all the blinds were pulled down even though it was still an hour or so off sunset and guessed from the stuffy humidity that the place had been shut up all day. Bette? Tina? Anybody home? Getting no reply and sensing the emptiness of the house she relaxed and walked into the lounge to sit down. OH, *****! she exclaimed, coming to a screeching halt seeing Bette sitting on the couch in her robe. She smiled, chuckling, Oh, baby girl, you scared me half to death, whatre you doing sitting in the dark?

When Bette didnt answer or even acknowledge her presence she walked further into the room. Getting close enough to make out her sisters features in detail, Kit gasped, Baby girl? Bette was sitting on the sofa staring blankly ahead, her hands were clasped in her lap and her hair looked like it had been left to dry straight from the shower. Extreme concern building, Kit knelt in front of the younger woman trying to catch her eyes. Bette? she pleaded, desperately wanting any response and not really sure how to deal with a situation like this. Reaching out to lay her hand over Bettes clasped ones she asked imploringly, Whats going on, Bette?

The contact of Kits warm hand on top of her cold ones shocked Bette back from her trance-like state. Kit? she croaked, her voice raspy from crying and lack of use. She blinked a few times trying to clear her mind, wondering vaguely what time it was and how long shed been sitting there. Focusing on her sister, her voice was devoid of emotion and her eyes seemed dull and flat as she spoke, You know I hate it when you break in.

Stunned by the lifeless form of he sister Kit looked around in confusion, utterly baffled and concerned. Whats happened? Wheres Tina? Is she alright? Talk to me? Little sis?

Bette pushed to stand, forcing Kit to back up; the stiffness of her legs and pins and needles in her feet told her shed been sitting for a while. She cleared her throat and said the words for the first time in a hushed voice, Tina left me. Shocked into silence, Kits only reactions were eye dilation and jaw dropping. Taking advantage of the moment Bette moved stiffly toward her bedroom, not even turning she added, And no I dont want to talk about it; just go away and leave me alone, Kit. She walked into her bedroom, and Kit heard the door shut surprisingly softly followed by the sound of the lock being thrown. Even thought she knew she could pick the lock Kit respected her sisters privacy and instead sat down drawing her feet up intent to wait Bette out and get to the bottom of this, whatever it was.



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