Chapter 5 It had been a couple of weeks since theyd crossed the line. Bette and Tina were living together again, but werent officially back together. They were going to counseling four times a week, and it did seem to be helping. Tina had acknowledged her role in the breakdown of their marriage, and Bette had admitted that she had self destructive tendencies and control issues that were not conducive to an open and honest relationship. They were starting to laugh again, laughter is the best medicin, and things seemed headed in the right direction. It was a rainy Sunday morning at the Planet and Alice, Shane, Bette, and Tina were all sipping their beverages of choice and sharing their exploits of the previous night. Shane had gone home with some hot chick she met at a bar. She seemed less than excited about it, it was more of a concession; a confession asking someone to snap her back to reality, to something real. Bette and Tina had gone to the movies and seen something with Robert Redford that neither of them seemed to impressed with. But then they told some story about a woman they saw on the street dancing in nothing but her underwear and singing an original song about how her parrot had stolen her clothes very strange but more strange was how they both laughed. They were laughing with each other, and looking into each others eyes, Alice thought it was a good omen. When it came Alices turn to share what she had done the night before she kind of stammered and tried to pass some ***** about reading a book that she was really involved with. Eyebrows went up and brows wrinkled, but no one really pressed the issue. Then Dana appeared in the door. Everyone had noticed that over the last week or so something was up, but no one truly believed anything could happen between Alice and Dana. They were inseparable, bosom buddies, they must be planning a surprise, or some secret mission to find Dana a girlfriend, something silly and juvenile. Alice and Dana had been very sly over the last week. Dana had experience hiding relationships, being in the closet for so long, and Alice had her skills as an undercover journalist to fall back on, they were confidently in the clear. When Dana spotted the group she made eye contact with only one of them Alice. The two smiled at each other and Alice gave Dana a little brow wiggle just for kicks. Alice jumped up and asked Dana what she wanted to drink and offered to get it for her while she said hi to everyone. Um Thanks Al. Yeah, Ill Ill just have a vanilla crme SKIM please She shouted after Alice, who knew what Dana was going to have to drink, and really didnt need instruction, but it was all part of their act, nothing too familiar nothing out of the ordinary. Shane asked Dana what she had done the night before. Dana paused and thought, trying not to look concerned, but instead going for a confused, memory lapse kind of look like she just couldnt remember. *****, I know Alice gave me a bunch of excuses to choose from ughhh. Um Im reading this great book so I was just home in my PJs. This was a smart group of women, and realizing that Dana was an easier mark than Alice they decided to prod, just a little. Oh yeah, whats it called? Asked Bette Um Something about a family from Kentucky. Dana knew she was made. Oh yeah, and who wrote it? You know I have a fondness for Kentucky, my great grandparents had a farm there. Tina poked at poor Dana Just then Alice appeared and smelled trouble. She quickly changed the subject and handed Dana her cup. As the cup passed from Alice to Dana their hands brushed against each other and lingered for just a moment, causing each of them to blush just a bit and become slightly flustered. Hum that was something but what ran through everyones head as they witnessed the interaction hum Alice decided that the morning coffee klatch was too dangerous for them right now, so she gave Dana the sign. The sign was specially designed to be conspicuous and undecipherable by those on the outside of their relationship. I just love Sunday mornings. Alice said and began whistling the tune to the Magnificent Seven. Nice whistle theme to classic western movie now she had to wait for Danas confirmation that she got the signal. Oh thats the sign um what am I supposed to do to confirm the communication? Oh yeah. Dana suddenly became flustered Yeah arent these just the. Glory Days! Nice, Bruce Springsteen song title in a sentence, confirmed their plan. Okay guys, Im gonna run. Ive got to be at the Club for brunch. Dana was always so nervous treating her friends like this. But, she also wasnt ready for them to know about her relationship with Alice. After all, they hadnt slept together yet, nothing was official, they were just exploring their options right? Oh, Dane, I think Im parked behind youblocking you in busy morning here at the Planet! The gang looked around and saw almost 10 other people, at best, and again began to wonder what these two were up to. Okay Al, well then, would you move your car? Yeah, of course, no problem, in fact Id better go too. Ive got an appointment. Um Okay guys, I guess well just see you two later? Shane said, not even attempting to cover up the whatever tone in her voice. Oh, yeah tonight BBQ at Bette and Tinas Okay yeah sure we I mean Ill be there Alice had almost committed the cardinal sin of hiding a relationship she had actually used the all encompassing we. She was no longer an I, wow. Ill be there too Ill drive myselfI mean, I always do not that Id drive with someone else Okay, I gotta run. Dana had freaked out she blew it they were sure to be suspicious now! Damn It! The odd couple met up at the rendezvous point, Danas apartment. Dana was waiting on the porch for Alice, who jumped out of her car with a worried look on her face. I think theyre on to us. Al, Im so sorry this whole sneaky sly thing its just not something Im good at Hey its okay. Even if they suspect something, Im sure they dont know. I mean, nothing has really happened anyway right? Well yeah, I mean, nothing physical really. So, we kiss sometimes, I mean no big deal. But it was a big deal. Both of them knew what a big deal it was. They hadnt even they hadnt actually had ***** or touched each other beyond what timid teenagers might do on a first date. Dana was so happy whenever Alice was around, she didnt want to push, she didnt want to mess this up. Shed messed up relationships in the past, she never saw it coming it just always happened, and she didnt think shed survive losing Alice. The two of them hurried into the house peering over their shoulders, as if Danas neighbors might report back to their curious friends. As soon as they were under the cover of Danas roof they leaned in and shared a soft but eager kiss. Alice knew it had only been a couple of weeks, but she had known Dana for years. She knew her entire history, most of her likes and dislikes, she knew how she liked her eggs and how she did that weird gargle thing just after brushing her teeth; why was this side of her so mysterious and foreign? Alices curiosity began to get the better of her. She wanted to know everything about Dana, how she reacted to being kissed in public, how she sounded while she made love, how she well how she was in bed. Alice grabbed Danas hand and headed upstairs. The day was totally conducive to just being in pajamas, on the couch, watching a movie, this played to Alices advantage. As Alice grabbed her hand and headed upstairs Dana was wondering when Alice would make her move. Maybe she doesnt really want that kind of relationship. I thought by now she would have at least tried to get me into bed. Maybe shes waiting for some kind of sign from me I need to send a signal ugh, Im so bad at this. Dana didnt quite know what to do, so as soon as they got to the top of the stairs she stopped. Whats wrong Dane? Come here for a minute. Dana just whispered the command, nervous about being so forward and assertive. Suddenly Alice couldnt feel her feet, something was going on, something was wrong. She immediately followed her orders, hurrying over to where Dana was standing frozen in the hall. God, she looked worried, nervous, but beautiful in the dispersed daylight of the overcast day. As soon as Alice was within arms reach Dana grabbed her. She grabbed her harder than she had expected to, but she was certain her intent was clear. She pulled Alice toward her while also spinning her and pinning Alice between her body and the wall. Dana looked into Alices eyes, and her message was instantly conveyed. Dana pushed her hips into Alice, while still holding eye contact, and then firmly brought her mouth to Alices, which was gaping open from the uncharacteristic brazenness of Dana. Danas tongue entered Alices mouth without the usual timid exploration. She swirled around Alices warm mouth and upon exiting gently pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Holy ***** was that real okay composure Dana wants me okay you know what to do, youve done it a thousand times. Despite her internal pep talk and experience in situations such as these, Alice couldnt move, she was stunned, speechless, flabbergasted if ever anyone was. Have I lost my mind? Shes not moving. Did she kiss me back? Oh no, that was too much. That was amazing. Please do something anything. Dana didnt know what to do next, she hadnt really thought through the next phase of the plan. Okay Alice thought she knew what to do next. She gave Dana her best attempt at a ***** face and said Lets put on some sweats and spend the rest of the day doing whatever happens to come to mind. Okay, you dont want to rush into this this is special, there is no repeating the first time just let things happen SLOWLY. Alice liked her new plan it was smart yet practical, shed let Dana relax a little and then theyd see how things went. Maybe today was the day. Dana smiled back at Alice, her little scheme had worked she knew that look in Alices eye, it was on. Come on Ive got some sweatpants you can borrow. Ill even loan you my favorite shirt of all time, LOAN Alice not give. Just so were clear. Hello? Who do you think I am? I think youre the person whos currently wearing the black socks Ive spent the last two weeks looking for. Oh Damn, caught red handed, or black footed… Dana just smiled at Alice and the guilty look plastered all over her face. Dana reached out and pulled up her sticky fingered friends chin and kissed her. The kiss was slow and loving allowing each of them to feel the others warmth and patience; it was perfect. As they went into Danas bedroom and began to change they each became a little uncomfortable. Theyd undressed in front of each other countless times, but never had a reason to be self conscious; suddenly it was as if they were open for judgment by the other. As Alice pulled off her shirt Dana tried to be respectful and look away without being obvious, but she casually glanced at Alices bare back. She was beautiful. She curved in all the right places and her skin looked like alabaster, carved by a delicate hand and polished to a soft velvet finish. Danas heart skipped a beat as she turned to trade her wool sweater for the comfortable plush fleece she had gathered from the closet. Alice knew that Dana had watched her change her shirt, she felt a little nervous, but also excited at being the object of such attention. As she glanced over at Dana she was lifting the gray sweater over her head, and stared as she unhooked her flesh toned bra and reached for the blue fleece shed laid on the bed. Alice did all she could to not make her staring obvious, but That cant be Dana. She looks so so ***** Dont stare, youll make her nervous. Look away LOOK AWAY Alice finally got control of herself and wondered what next. So, should we pop in a movie? Alice thought she could probably use her tried and true methods to start out with, and then once she had Dana comfortable and relaxed shed make her move. Um Sure. Well, if you wanted to we could watch it in here. I mean, its kind of cold out there, and Ive got the TV and DVD thing right here, so we We could just watch from the bed. You know, just prop up some pillows and stay warm under the covers. Bold, but good. Dana thought it was a master plan, once she got Alice in her bed well there would be no turning back, she couldnt escape, or chicken out. Yeah! Alice replied a little too enthusiastically and then tried to cover up her overly excited initial response. I mean, yeah it is cold out there, and I hate it when my toes get cold so in here is fine with me I guess. Nice cover up! I really was cold out there. Dana went out and picked a DVD what to choose this was a very important decision. Okay, something that weve both seen, so no one gets caught up in the who done it or are the are they really going to die! Something funny, but not too funny so that we both end up laughing really hard. I need background noise. She finally settled on Youve Got Mail. Nice, light hearted, romantic but everyones seen it a thousand times. When Dana went back into the bedroom Alice was already all cozied up in Danas bed, and looking might cute to boot! Dana popped in the DVD and went to hop into bed with Alice. Al did you preheat? I dont know what that means Dana. Did I preheat what? Duh, did you preheat the bed? Um, no. Dana reached down beside the bed and pulled out a hair dryer. She turned it on low and placed it in between the two of them, gently billowing the sheets below. Ive never seen anyone do that. Alice was baffled, this was possibly the cutest thing shed ever seen. Dana was clever, using her ingenuity for good and not evil (as Alice so often did). She smiled and enjoyed the warm air engulfing her cold toes. Amazing, shes amazing. After about five minutes Dana turned off the hair dryer and place it back in its hiding place. The bed was nice and toasty now, and Dana cuddled right up to Alice. Danas head fit perfectly on Alices chest. Alice had one arm around Dana and was holding her tightly and gently rubbing her back. Dana had snuck her hand up under Alices shirt and was stroking the soft skin of her stomach. At first Dana just rubbed little circles around Alices belly button. Then she started going in right to left movements, working her way up and down Alices torso. Shed gently ease her fingers just inside the waste band of Alices sweats, sweep from left to right, and then move on, upwards, in the same repeating pattern. Meanwhile, Alice was working Danas back. She massaged the toned flesh of Danas lower back, and then wound her way between her shoulder blades, all the way up to the sensitive skin just below her hair line. Both women were clearly aroused. The butterflies in their stomachs felt more like some kind of giant clumsy bird on speed bouncing back and forth trying to get out. As they stroked one anothers bare skin the excitement continued to mount and each became a little more aroused, and little more confident. Dana kept inching her hand closer and closer to the underside of Alices *****. Alice held her breath with every passing sweep, wondering if this was the one that would bring Danas fingers to her aching chest. The more Dana teased the more Alice squirmed. Alice began running her fingers along Danas waste band. Shed massage downward, just far enough to give Dana that same suspense she was so painfully handing out. Alice would reach around Danas back and run her hand along her side, reaching just far enough to feel where her flesh began to thicken and her breast met her rib cage. They were making each other wild. This teasing and touching went on for almost forty minutes. Alice thought she might explode, if not explode, possibly just drop dead on the spot. During Danas next pass Alice made her move she lowered her chest and slid her body downwards in a smooth and ever so slight movement, but it was just enough. She felt Danas fingertips gently brush the heavy underside of her breast. Danas breath caught in her chest. She looked up at Alice and their eyes finally met. Danas hand never stopped moving. She held Alices gaze, and used her eyes to ask approval as she slowly slid her hand a little further up Alices torso. Alices eyes assured her that it was okay, they almost asked her to touch her, or explore. Dana gently ran her hand up Alices sternum. Extending her thumb and pinky just enough to catch the edge of Alices quivering *****. Alice had all but stopped breathing. All of her attention was on the small area of her body that Dana was so carefully, so gently introducing herself to. Alice reached with her free hand and placed it on Danas wandering fingers. She slowly led them up the side of her left breast, until Dana held Alice in the palm of her hand. its okay. Alice whispered her reassuring words they were barely audible, just a breath, but Dana could feel them throughout her entire body. She shook ever so slightly, over flowing with anticipation, nerves, and the release of so many pent up feelings. Danas heart was pounding out of her chest, she was sure Alice could feel it beating against her ribs. Neither of them said a word. Neither of them processed a single thought, they were focused on the parts of their body that were now skin to skin, nothing separating them. Dana gently moved her fingers around Alices breast while Alice applied just enough pressure to Danas hand to make her yearn for more.