Shane, Alice and Tina are in The Planet having morning coffee. Shane is avoiding work because of a rather large hang over from a film premiere after party which she thinks she attended the night before, but cant actually remember. Alice is brooding after a rather intense date with Lisa, in which both parties ending up leaving after their first real argument. Tina is quieter than unusual, her eyes distant, wrapped up in the world of her and Bette, which recently had begun to show its weaker points.

Oh come on guys, is life really that bad? Shane asked sunglasses on, coffee mug in hand, which was now on its third re-fill.
Well what makes you so happy Shane?
Shane smiled at Alice, showing her teeth.
Unlike you two, I have a rather exciting life and got to meet lots of lovely celebrities last night.
Alice curled one eyebrow up, intent on wiping the smug smile off her friends face.
And exactly how much of this exciting night do you remember, with all of these famous celebrities? Alice said, her words dripping with sarcasm.
Shane titled her head, her smile changing to the familiar, lazy curl which turned up the right corner of her mouth.
Ok so I may not remember everything about the night, but I definatly met famous people.
Shane and Alice laughed, knowing they could always count on each other to bring themselves back to reality.
Hey Tina, are you ok? Shane asked, noticing her friends lack of conversation, eye contact or anything that remotely resembled social behavior.
Tina snapped out of her day dream at the sound of her name and looked at Shane and Alice as if she had just been woken up.
Sorry guys, what was that?
Shane and Alice exchanged looks, sensing a friend in need.
Are you ok hun, hows things with you and Bette? Alice asked her eyes warm and her voice soothing.
Tina was obviously still very emotional after losing her baby, and the recent questioning her and Bette had been doing about their relationship. Tears lined her eyes but she blinked them away, looking down to her hands which were now clasping her, now Luke-warm mug of coffee.
Things are better between Bette and I, weve been really talking this past week, and realized that now maybe wasnt the best time to have a baby. She took in a shaky breath and continued, obviously needing to get a lot off her chest. I mean, I think I was, in particular, concentrating so hard on the baby that I was putting Bette second in my mind and therefore pushing her out, without even realizing it.
Just as Tina began to unload all that had been going on over the past couple of weeks, Shane butted in unexpectedly.
Yeah but Tina, you were pregnant of course you were concentrating on the baby. I think Bette shouldnt have distanced her self at the fist sign of trouble between you two. I mean she wasnt the one having her emotions fucked about with, she should have been there to support you, and not just financially. Shane stopped and breathed. She wasnt quite sure where that had come from.
Alice and Tina were both staring at Shane with their mouths hanging open. Since when did Shane have any other opinion on relationships apart from, I just dont do them.
Alice was afraid to even look at Tinas reaction, as Shane wasnt exactly the most diplomatic with words that unusual outburst could well have pushed Tina over the proverbial edge.
Luckily it seemed as though Tina was as equally surprised that Shane was even voicing an opinion on the subject.
Wow Shane I didnt know you cared so much. Tina breathed. Alice decided Tinas hormones still hadnt stabilized, as she seemed to be the only person who noticed how blunt Shane was being today.
Shanes smug smile returned to her face and she sat back in her chair, silently mocking Alice.
Of course I care Tina; Im not completely oblivious to everything going on outside my own life.
Alice ignored Shane and her hung-over smugness, knowing that that small, but effective outburst was the last they were going to her from her in this conversation.
So you and Bette are still ok?
Tina returned to Alice, her mood noticeably lightened by knowing Shane cared. Alice did not understand how Shane had that effect on people.
Yeah, Bette was definatly distancing her from me; I think we both underestimated just how much a baby would affect our lives. Not that were never going to have children, but I think that right now we need to concentrate on us, then just see what happens. Tina chirped, obviously feeling a whole lot better after sharing with her friends.
Im glad, I tell you if you and Bette broke up I think Id lose all hope in love, ain’t that right Shane?
Shanes head had fallen back and her mouth hung open, her breathing was deep and her body had become completely limp.
Alice was not impressed, it might have only been The Planet, and it might only have been Shane. But she had to keep some kind of dignity, if not for her sake then for Shanes.
Shane! she said, nudging her under the table.
Yeah, cool, whatever. Came out of Shanes mouth in a disjointed mumble as she jumped foreword.
Alice and Tina laughed, watching with glee as their friend desperately tried to play it cool.
I should really go to bed. She muttered into her coffee mug, downing the last of the brown liquid in one gulp.
You think? Alice said, smiling with mild amusement.
Im gonna get another coffee, either of you two want anything?
Alice and Tina shook their heads. As Shane departed she heard them begin to discuss, a rather interesting documentary which they had both caught on TV last night. It had been a good time to leave; Shane was not a TV person.
At the bar Shane just shoved her mug on the side and leant back against the counter, knowing they would re-fill it once they had a spare second.
She glanced around, unimpressed by the lack of, what she would consider, hot people that seemed to not be inhabiting The Planet these days.
Yes, could I have a cappuccino and a croissant please, thank you.
Shane felt her hear skip a beat as all her Christmass came at once. Standing next to her was a British woman, a rarity in Shanes world. Slowly she turned round and leaned against the bar sideways to get a good look at the owner of the voice. She was closer than she thought, which through her off slightly as, not only did this woman have the sexiest British accent Shane had ever heard but she also had one of the sexiest bodies as well. It was a good job Shane was wearing sunglasses as she actually found herself staring intently at this woman. Quickly, realizing her behavior Shane leant foreword, inspecting her still empty mug. As if she had just noticed there was someone standing next to her, Shane began the age-old ritual of chatting-up.
Do you come here often? she asked, glancing at the woman out of the corner of her eye. This was usually enough to bring any female to their knees.
The woman looked to Shane, and then glanced around her to see if the question had been directed to someone else.
Erm, no not really.
Shane smiled; she had a slight stammer that was so hot.
Youre British right?
The look in the womans deep green eyes said that she had been asked that question a million times already and probably thought Americans had some kind of hearing deficiency.
Yeah, the accent gives it away right?
Sarcasm, at least she would get on with Alice.
Im Shane.
She extended her hand but unfortunately the woman had taken her plate and mug, Shane quickly whipped her hand down again, feeling embarrassed for the first time in her life.
Sorry, it was nice meeting you.
And with that she walked off. Shane wasnt too sure what had just happened, she didnt have a name, she didnt have a number and for the first time ever she had been described as nice.
Confused at what could have been her first ever rejection, Shane picked up, her now full mug of coffee, and went back to join Alice and Tina.
Who was that you were talking to? Alice asked.
Shane realized both Tina and Alice were waiting for the usual name, meeting place, date and time and how long Shane thought it would take to shag her.
I dunno, some British chick. She said, averting her eyes.
Hang on, did I miss something? You just chatted up some hot girl and you know nothing about her. Alice loved this. Well, either youve just put the fear of God into some poor, innocent, straight girl. Or you just got rejected.
Shane leant back in her chair, going back to her normal relaxed pose of, arms hooked over the back, legs splayed out and the chair rocking on its back legs.
Ok, she was not straight and I was not rejected, just give me time Al.
Alice shook her head, determined that she was right this time.
Youre being awfully laid back about this Shane. Tina said, eyes widened at the first sign of gossip.
If Shane was any more laid back, she would be permanently reclined. Alice chided.
Ill take that as a compliment Al.