Tinas and Bettes laughter was lost of control. They were losing everything just remembering the look on Alices face when she found out that Shane never really was Bosley or even his shadow. Realizing that all that time Shane has been a very happy, carefully shy girlfriend to an even as private Jack was boiling Alice insides.

Noticing the lack of surprise on Tina and Bettes faces even made Alice angrier. She could not believe that all of them knew but her.
She was slightly relief to know that Dana was as clueless and that Bette only got to know about it, the day before.

Alice didnt have much time to work on her angriness as Danas match was reaching heart attack picks of excitement. She was wining her third set when, out of nowhere, the huge and very focus Polish player stole the last game from her.
Losing that point broke Danas concentration . She walked to her chair talking to herself, whispering encouraging words .

Alice noticing Danas frowning look forgot about Shane kiss. Slapping Shane on the arm Alice encouraged her friends to follow her in her encouraging screaming.
Shane and Tina, clapped, screamed and followed Alices steps while Jack and Bette, sweating from their drunkenness and the killing sun, tried to hide under US open cups, not really enjoying all the screaming, yelling and excitement. They were looking at each other once in a while, giggling, in their own world.

Dana jumped back in the court smiling, very aware of her friends presence. She took a last look at Alice, nodding at her encouraging nod, drinking her loving smile.
Dana hit the ball as hard as before and in no time she finally won the match, making Alice jumped in her seat, waking a very sleeping Jack. The whole box was jumping in excitement of joy, hugging each others, laughing.

Alice was hugging Bette when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around she found a smiling Dana opening her arms for her. Alice ducked into Danas arms, hugging her as tight as her strength made it possible.

You are awesome, you know that, Dane Alice whispered, shyly kissing Dana on the neck, suddenly very aware of the cameras and the public around them, looking at them.



Tina was walking to get some water from the small fridge in the hotel room, looking at Bettes reflect on the mirror. She was still in her underwear, now having a very old, wasted sleeveless white t-shirt on top. Her bare long legs showing the firm, soft muscles Tina knew and loved so much. Looking at Bettes soft body Tina felt her own body shuddering, just remembering the events that scared them so much just a few hours ago.


(seven hours ago)

The finally left Flushing Meadows, heading to Manhattan. They agreed on going to the hotel to get a shower and changed for dinner.

A much less drunken Jack suggested a great Thai restaurant in the Lower East side. Alice was filling Dana in with the news about Shane and Jack and the success of their appointment with Peggy.
They all rushed in the hotel rooms and in less than an hour were at the hotel entrance waiting for Jack and Shane. A very happy Dana was signing some autographs while Bette and Tina shared smiles over Alices drooling look.

They enjoyed a light and very funny meal, being Alice witty humour on top form. As it wasnt too late and they were not far from the hotel they decide to take a walk back.

The sun was gone but it wasnt a dark night. The breeze was calming the humid heat and it was promising a very welcome storm but still the sky was clear.

Bette and Tina were walking on the front, while very close, almost with them, Jack and Shane followed. Alice and Dana, as always, were walking behind them, lost in their own world.

As they were walking along Houston st, a man walked at their side for a few minutes, not being notice by any of the girls.

Bette, noticing a presence at her side, looked up from Tinas hand, as they were holding hands seeing him. Just then the man walked in front of them, stopping their pace. They didnt notice the stiletto, as thin as an icepick that he was holding.

Just as they tried to walk around him, he rose his hand, indicating them to stop.

He was waving the stiletto in front of them, and leaning into a very pale Bette whispered, her words full of content anger and alcohol,
Jewellery, I want all your jewellery.

He moved apart from Bettes face and with the coldest driest smile on his face, said, waving the sparkling knife in front of him,

You (pointed at Jack), and you (at Dana) and yours too (leaning into a trembling Tina, the closest to him), I want all you have

They all nodded in agreement, but as Tina was trying to get her wedding ring off, not very successfully because of the heat and the fear he leaned into her, looking at her hands.

What are you, twelve? He asked, placing the stiletto under Tinas shaking hand, rising it to take a better look of the pink plastic ring.

Step off, *****! He added, pushing Tina away, with such strength that she hit the pavement.
Just as Tina was touching the floor Shane moved to Tinas place, facing the drunken man.

Hey!. Shane said, her fearless anger when it was something related to her friends (Tina in particular) could be seen in the look in her eyes.

The stoned guy was enjoying the scary look on Danas pale face behind Shane, and without paying any attention to Shanes presence he moved forward, into Shanes space.
She didnt move, making him to bump into her. Was then, when he took a look at Shane, noticing the challenging look in Shanes face.

I said moved off *****! He yelled, smiling, slashing the stiletto in Shanes bare arm.

The moment Jack saw the first drop of blood coming from her lovers arm she jumped on the guy, taking him by surprised, throwing him on the floor. She kicked his hand, throwing the knife away and then, finding strength in the pale look she saw on Shanes face while she was noticing blood run down her arm, Jack kicked the guy in between his legs, making him moan in pain and disbelieve.

She took his manhood and breath away and the moment she noticed that as drunk and wounded as he was, he was not a threat any more Jack rushed to Shane who was still looking at her wound, speechless.

Tina was already by her side, her shawl around Shanes deep bleeding wound. Alice was looking at the guy, making sure he was still on the floor, in pain. Dana was trembling, looking at Shane, Tina and Jack, while Bette was comforting her with her arms around her.

Jack removed Tinas shawl slowly, trying to realize the deepness of the wound. Putting the shawl on it again, she took her cell from her jeans back pocket and throwing it to Tina said,
Call him, tell him we are on our way to Beth Israel hospital er.

Tina nodding, checked the cells directory, making the call. Jack was looking at a very pale, trembling Shane. Taking her arm carefully she leaned and kissed her lightly but very deep on the lips.
Come on honey, you are gonna be fine.

Bette and Dana were already on the street stopping a cab while Jack was helping Shane walk and Tina was on the phone. Alice was still looking at the guy on the floor, full of hate and anger. When she was sure that nobody could hear her, she leaned slightly and said, in the harshest tone she could fine,

Be thankful that she, or any of them are not seriously hurt because Id have kill you in so many ways that your family, if you have any, wouldnt have been able to recognize the tiny worthless parts of you.




Tinas memory trip made her unable to noticed Bette looking at her from the bed. She didnt even noticed Bette jumping off the bed, moving closer to her.

You are trembling Tee Bette whispered, taking Tinas hand in hers.

Are you ok? Bette asked, leaning into Tina to read her face as they were almost in the dark, just the street lights lighting their room.

Tina looked up to match Bettes eyes and after sighing deeply she moved closer, slowly, not moving her eyes from hers.

Bette was shivering just from the deepness of Tinas stare.

Just when Tinas lips were merely inches apart from Bettes, she whispered, her voice trembling as well as her lips.

I love you so much Bette, I cant even imagine what if that guy

Tina could not finish as Bettes lips were on hers, reassuring, full of love, sweetness and care.

When they broke the kiss to breathe, Bette moved a little to look at Tinas teary eyes. Smiling she leaned again and after kissing Tina on the cheek she leaded her back to the bed where they both lied down.

Bette put Tina in her arms, and holding her tight she whispered sweet words to her while caressing her bare arms.