An hour later, Dana and Alice were still seated at the same table at The Planet. The awkwardness of earlier had lifted, and they had been discussing the new Tina and Bette situation for awhile now, trying to decide what they should do, if they should tell the others, and if they thought that Bette and Tina could overcome this. They had both finally agreed that they could and they would, but neither of the women were sure if they really believed it, or just hoped it.

Throughout the conversation, both women had occasionally reached out across the table to affectionately touch the others hand. While talking about Bette and Tina possibly breaking up wasnt the best subject, neither woman could deny their happiness and excitement at their own new situation.

“*****!” Alice suddenly blurted out.

“What? Whats the matter?” Danas brow furrowed in confusion.

“Tina, I left her at my apartment, and I told her Id be back soon, and I havent even run my errands! Damn it, I guess I better go.”

Dana slouched in disappointment for a couple seconds, but then flashed a smile. “Ill come!” She offered enthusiastically. “To help you with your errands, and Tina I mean.” The truth was, despite the circumstances, she had never enjoyed someones company as much as she did Alices right now, and she wasnt ready to say goodbye quite yet. She looked imploringly into Alices eyes.

“Yea, ok, that would be cool!” Alice smiled at Danas enthusiasm. Dana stood up first and headed towards the door of the caf, waving a goodbye to Marina. For the first time, Alice intentionally checked Dana out as she walked away, and sighed with a smile and the beautiful woman. She quickly followed her out the door and over to her car.

“Well take my car. Ill drive you back here later, so you can pick up yours.” Dana said. She hopped into her SUV, looking forward to continuing her day with Alice. “Wow, would you look at this beautiful new car, God I wonder how much it cost?.. Oh thats right nothing!” Dana joked, and caressed the steering wheel of her new Subaru.

“Oh God, youre such a sponsor *****!” Alice laughed. “Next time try and get endorsed by Tiffanys or something, I could use me some new bling!”

On the drive to the Quik-E-Mart, Dana blasted the radio, and the two girls giddily chanted out the words to the songs. When the errands had been completed, Alice told Dana that she needed to go to Bette and Tinas house to pick up some clothes for Tina. Dana grimaced at the thought of seeing Bette in her distraught condition again. It pained her to see her friend so down and out, and she had been so emotionally drained that morning while taking care of Bette. None-the-less, she knew she didnt really have a choice, both Alice and Tina needed her support. “Ok, lets go” she finally sighed.


“God, this sucks!” Dana whispered, as she and Alice gingerly climbed the steps leading to Bette and Tinas front door. Everything looked fine from outside, but both women were keenly aware of the turmoil within. Instinctively, Alice grasped Danas hand and squeezed it as they approached the door. Dana shyly smiled at the gesture.

Alice rang the doorbell, and as had happened that morning, the sound of Bettes feet racing to the door could be heard from inside. Alice and Dana quickly let go of each others hands as the door swung open. Again, Bettes hopeful expression fell when she saw that it wasnt who she had been hoping for. “Oh, hey guys” Bette said, her eyes downcast. She was still a mess, and obviously still had yet to shower.

Alice breathed deeply. “Hey Bette, how are you doing?”

“Dana hasnt told you?” Bette asked with little emotion.

“Ummmm, actually I kind of already knew what happened Tina came over my place last night.” Bette suddenly looked up expectantly at Alice. “Im not gonna lie to you Bette, shes having a really hard time.” Bette swallowed deeply, desperately holding back the sob that ached in the back of her throat. “Can we come in?” Bette shifted to the side so that the other two could enter.

“Alice, I have to see her, you have to let me come see her.” Bette spoke quietly, fighting off the urge to burst into tears, for the millionth time.

“I dont think thats the best thing for her right now, Bette, Im sorry, your just gonna have to be patient.” Even though Alice spoke gently, both Dana and Bette could sense a tinge of bitterness in her voice. “You know, you really hurt her Bette.” Alice knew this last statement was unnecessary, but she couldnt help but say it anyway. During the night, as she had comforted Tina, she had felt her pain, and she was having a difficult time facing Bette and remaining relatively neutral. “Anyway, I need to pick up some clothes for Tina, I think shes gonna crash at my place for awhile” Alice said. “Do you mind if I go grab some stuff?” She gestured to the bedroom. Bette shook her head.

While it pained Bette terribly to allow this, she realized that she really didnt have a choice in the matter. When Alice had disappeared down the hall, Bette felt the tears she had been holding back begin to trickle down her cheeks once again. She fought them with all of her strength, knowing that she was not the one who deserved to cry in this situation, that she was the one who had betrayed Tina, but they continued to fall from her eyes anyway. Dana, who had remained silent until now, tentatively approached and wrapped her arms around Bette, pulling her close.

“I know, I know. Its hard, but its going to get better. Just give Tina time, itll get better, I promise” she soothed, gently rubbing Bettes back. Just then, Alice returned from the bedroom with a small pile of t-shirts, pants and underwear. Again, her instinct to protect and defend Tina kicked in and she felt a wave of anger that Bette was the one receiving comfort at this moment. On the other hand, seeing Dana being so caring and attentive pulled gently at her heart- strings.

“Ah-hem. Ok, I think Ive got enough for a few days. We better go Dana.” Alice said as she approached the other women. Bette quickly pulled away from Dana and nodded, hastily wiping the tears from her cheeks. She walked over to the door with Alice and Dana to let them out.

“Hey, Alice, tell Tina that I you know that I want to see her, and that I love her.” Bettes eyes looked deploringly into Alices, and despite her anger, Alice could see that she meant it.

“I will Bette. Well talk to you later.” Alice gave a meek smile as she turned to leave.

“Hang in there ok hun? Call me if you need anything.” Dana gave Bette a kiss on the cheek and turned to follow Alice to the car. Dana backed her car out of Bettes driveway, and headed back in the direction of The Planet so that Alice could get her car. The cheerful sing-alongs from earlier were now replaced by an uncomfortable silence.

“You know Dana, Bette isnt the one who deserves our pity right now, shes the one who decided to go ***** around.” Alice stated after a few minutes of silent driving. She instantly regretted her harsh words when she saw the look on Danas face.

“For your information Alice, Bette is also our friend. And I know that this situation sucks, but she needs us too.” Dana could begin to feel her emotions rising, and her voice began to tremble. “Being the betrayer can hurt too, trust me, I know!” Alice quickly realized that Dana was referring to what had happened between her and Tonya, and was a little more enlightened as to why Dana had been so quick to comfort Bette. She felt a bit guilty for her rash judgement.

“Im sorry, youre right. I need to look at both sides. Its just, spending last night with Tina, I really felt for her, you know? Shes hurting so much.” Alice paused a moment before she ventured into the next topic. “Dana, Im sorry about Tonya.” She said quietly. She looked down at her folded hands as she waited intently for Danas response.

“Haha, yea Im sure.” Dana said jokingly. “But hey, if it was meant to be, than it still would be, but it wasnt, so its not.” While she tried to conceal it, Dana couldnt completely mask the slight sadness in her voice. She still was working through the end of her relationship with Tonya, a break up was a break up, and while she was looking forward to greater things with Alice, the pain of the severance was still fresh.

Alice recognized the sorrow in Danas voice and felt her own sadness at knowing that she had essentially been the cause of it. Silently Alice reached across the car and took Danas hand giving it a gentle squeeze. Looking up, she felt her heart ache as she watched a single tear fall down Danas cheek, despite the smile on her lips, as she gently squeezed Alices hand back.