Thankyou to the following for their comments:

FC – Thankyou for reading again. Dana’s assurance will play a key roll in my story. I hope. Thanks again.

Debs – Thankyou for the compliment and encouraging words. I hope you like this chapter as equally if not more than the last.

Spaz – 100 times better huh? I’m not too sure this chapter can better that! ;) Thanks for the encouragement. :)

1cutekid – I’m glad you’re enjoying this. I’m having fun writing it in between working. I hope you continue to read and enjoy what I post. Thanks for commenting. :)

btvsfan – I hope I don’t disappoint.. thankyou for reading and commenting.


Alice looked away to the side, almost ashamed. This was not the reaction she’d wanted at all. She couldn’t actually believe she was stood infront of her best friend, hoping that something more would come of their situation. They’d promised never to have *****, was that all a front? Maybe they never would..

“Alice.” Dana spoke softly. “Al. Alice?” A little stronger that time.

Alice snapped out of her thoughts and locked eyes with Dana.

“Meet me in Milk at 10. Ok? I gotta go.. Tonya.. she..” Dana pointed behind her. Alice just nodded and smiled weakly.

“Uh huh. Ok. See you then. Yeah.” Alice’s nerves were showing.

Dana exchanged an equally weak smile with Alice and turned and started the walk back to her Subaru where Tonya was waiting. Alice decided to return into The Planet, to while away the hours until she could see Dana again. She knew the rationale of Tina and Bette would disallow Alice to get her hopes up. She turned to face the opposite direction to that of her exchange with Dana. She stopped, and put a hand to her head. ‘*****, Alice.’ She shook her hand with keys and cell in frustratedly, and exhaled deeply. Standing in the doorway she could see Tina and Bette still gracing the table and she went over to join them.

“You guys. I need your advice. But first I need a few shots.”

———-

Dana approached her Subaru and saw Tonya wave frantically from the passenger seat. Dana managed to wave back, somewhat half-heartedly, her fake smile lacking enthusiasm also. She took the keys to the car out of her pocket and paused just before opening the door. Placing her hand on the roof of the metallic blue SUV, and her forehead on top of that, she sighed. If only it was Alice she was getting in the car with..

“Sweety? Are you getting in? We have a lot to do today!”

Dana frowned, picked her head up off her hand, looked to the sky and sighed again. She opened the door and slumped languidly into the drivers seat beside Tonya. Dana’s hand slid up to the top of the wheel whilst she used the other to start the vehicle. Tonya started to take out a Wedding Planner magazine as Dana looked on, horrified. They drove off, Tonya wittering on about flowers, Dana wishing she was with Alice.

———-

Tina had persuaded Bette to turn off her cell. They looked onward at Alice as she downed her first of four shots in front of her.

“Ok. Here’s the deal. I kissed Dana.”

Tina grinned whilst Bette looked positively shocked. Tina took Bettes hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“What? When did this happen?” Bette was notably concerned.

“***** 4am this morning.” Alice shot back, downing her second shot of concentrated coffee. Her face contorted as the liquid worked its way through her body.

“And she kissed me back. She ***** kissed me back. Y’know? What the ***** is that about?” Alice shook her head to herself, eyeing up her third shot, frustration apparent.

Tina glanced at Bette. Bette had a look of genuine worry on her face. Looking back at Alice, Tina could tell this storm had been brewing for a while now, and furthermore she wondered why she hadn’t known sooner.

“What happened after you kissed?” Tina enquired.

“I left. I said I had to go, and I ***** left.” Alice’s fingers played around the rim of the third shot cup, turning it slowly as she fiddled. She stared deep into the cups centre, almost in a trance like state. Looking anxious she looked up at Tina and Bette for some form of consolation.

“Guys, help me out? She wants to see me at Milk tonight. What does that mean?”

“It means, Al, she wants to talk to you.” Bette had spoken. She stood up, replaced her leather coat and motioned for Tina to follow.

Tina, of course, did. She looked at Alice and raised her eyebrows in an apologetic manner, and with that, they were both gone.

“***** great.” Alice threw up a hand and leant her head against it. The fourth shot was quickly downed and Alice too left The Planet, clearing up the tab on the way out.

She got into her silver Mini Cooper and sat in silence in the drivers seat. She looked up at the Mini’s rear view mirror at herself, placing her hands either side of the steering wheel and proceeded to rest her head against the top of it.

“This is insane..” she murmured to herself. It was 11.48. She knew this because she’d checked her watch numerous times throughout the morning in anxiety. She released herself up off the wheel and flipped open her cell. She rang the only person left who could give her advice on the situation.

Shane.

“Alice.” Shane huskily answered.

“Hey. Ok. Shane, I need your help. Get your ***** over to my place all right? I’ll meet you there.” She snapped the lid of her cell leaving Shane no time to reply.

Shane stared blankly at her cell, closed it, shrugged and headed off to Alices.

———-

Dana and Tonya pulled up at Dana’s house and got out. Indecision struck Dana. She was wondering whether to confess to her fianc or not. She decided to wait until she’d talked with Alice at Milk later. Right now she needed to find an excuse to go to Milk without Tonya, and more importantly, what to wear. Tonya went into the kitchen and made herself a drink. She didn’t ask if Dana wanted one. Dana bit her lip in thought and headed upstairs to her wardrobe. She opened the double doors and stared at the garments inside. ‘What look am I trying to go for?’ Dana contemplated. She shifted her weight onto one leg, cocked her head to the side and studied her clothes. She had no idea. Deciding she needed some help, she called the only person who could give her advice on the matter.

Shane.

Shane’s cell rang. She rolled her eyes.

“Alice? I’m on my way ok? Be patient.” Shane spoke exasperated.

“Shane? It’s Dana..”

“Oh. Hey, Dana. What’s up?” Shane’s eyes darted about as she walked with her cell to her truck.

“I need your help. I’m seeing Al later and I have no idea what to wear..” She trailed off. “Did Alice call you?” Her voice heightened with suspicion.

“Yeah. She did. I’ve a feeling I know why now.” Shane slightly grinned.

There was a silence. Dana caught on slowly as the pieces of the puzzle unravelled in her head.

“Oh. OH! Uh.. that’s ok then, Shane. You.. you can see Alice.” Dana bobbed her head in agreement with what she’d just said. “Thankyou.” She quickly added.

“Dana, I don’t know how long I’ll be at Alices, but I’ll call you later. Is that ok?”

“Yeah! Yeah. Sure. Bye.” Dana hung up.

Shane smiled to herself and flipped her cell shut. She jumped into her truck and set off for Alices.


———-

Alice had returned home and was sat on her bed. Staring at the unopened wardrobe, allowing her mind to drift off, imagining all the scenarios that would happen in roughly 9 hours time.

“Nine hours, thirty six minutes to get ready.” Alice said, looking at her gold watch. ‘What the ***** are you doing Alice, counting down..’ she thought. She was losing it.

15 minutes later and there was a knock at the door. Alice jogged down the stairs and opened it for Shane. Shane slipped through the doorway and into Alices kitchen. She went to Alices fridge and pulled out a beer and opened it.

“So what’s up?” Shane said, taking a swig of the beverage.

“Help yourself y’know Shane. My home is your home.” Alice rolled her eyes.

Shane held out the beer to Alice.

“No! Just.. forget it. Ok? We have to sort out what I’m wearing tonight.”

Shane shrugged and took another drink from the bottle. She followed Alice up the stairs to her wardrobe.

“Why’s it so important Al?” Shane asked, already knowing the answer. She grinned, but had to hide it quickly when Alice looked at her.

“I.. um.. it’s just, y’know, I need to look good.”

“You don’t always ask me what to wear..” Shane said as she sat on the side of Alices bed.

“Yeah. Well, it’s just..”

“Alice. It’s ok. I know you and Dana are hookin’ up.” Shane interrupted. She drank her beer casually.

“What?” Alice looked mortified. “Well, I know she’s gonna be at Milk tonight, but..”

“Alice. Calm the ***** down. I know about you guys.” Shane smirked self-satisfactorily. “It’s kinda hot.”

Alice didn’t ask how. She knew Shane just had this mojo that enabled her to read people like books. Alice exhaled and sat and slumped on the bed. She covered her eyes with her hands.

“What the ***** am I doing, Shane?” Alice asked. “She’s my best friend. Why now?”

“I don’t know Al, but you’re hotter than Tonya.” Shane stated with a blank expression on her face. For someone so great at knowing peoples thoughts she wasn’t that excellent at providing substantial advice.

———-

It was now 6.21pm. Shane opened her cell when she was in her truck outside Alices and rang Dana. Tonya answered.

“Hello?!”

Shane drew the cell away from her ear, Tonya was too loud for Shanes delicate ears.

“Hello.” Shane said politely. “Is Dana there, please.”

“She’s in the bathroom, can I take a message?!”

“Can you just get her to.. call me back.. please. Thankyou.” Shane didn’t want to alarm Tonya of any micheivous plans that Dana had planned and so ended the call abruptly.

Shane placed her hands behind her head and her feet on the dashboard of her truck and waited for Dana to call her back. She didn’t have to wait long. Her cell rang. She retracted from her lounging position and picked it up.

“Shane, hey. Are you free now?”

“Yeah. I am. Is it safe to come over?” Shane grinned.

Dana sensed Shanes grin and grinned herself.

“Yeah, I’ll get Tonya to go out, or something. I’ll figure it out. Come on over.”

Dana put her cell down, and wrapped in a towel, padded downstairs to formulate a plan to get Tonya out of the way. ‘What the ***** am I doing? She’s my fianc, I shouldn’t be devising plots to get her out of the house.’ Dana reasoned. Regardless, Dana carried on and saw Tonya sitting at the breakfast bar with her drink and yet another wedding magazine. ‘Ok. No. She so has to go.’ Dana concurred.

“Tonya.” Dana said confidently.

Tonya didn’t look up from her magazine.

“Tonya.” Dana repeated firmly.

“Honey?”

“Tonya, um.. I think.. we need some.. stuff.. for the wedding. Can you go.. out.. to the.. place. To buy it?” Dana made no sense whatsoever.

Tonya looked up from her magazine with a puzzled look on her face.

“What sort of stuff baby?”

“Some.. bachelorette bags.” Dana spontaneously blurted.

“Oh my god sweety! You’re SO right! Aren’t you just the cleverest little tennis-wennis player ever?” Tonya beamed.

Dana smiled weakly, embarrassed. After a moment or two, Tonya had returned to looking over the magazine.

“Ton? Today maybe?”

“Okay honey, i’m going!” Tonya picked up her things and took Dana’s Subaru keys. “I’ll be back in an hour baby!” She announced merrily. She had no idea. Excellent.

As soon as Tonya was out the door Dana rung Shane.

“Yea-” She was cut off by Dana speaking quickly.

“Shane! Hurry up ok? We’ve got an hour to get me ready and out of here.” She shut the lid.

Shane wondered what the ***** was up with people not giving her the chance to reply today. A couple of minutes later and Shane was being ushered into Dana’s house. Dana looked both ways at her door to check no-one had saw Shane enter, oblivious to the fact Shanes unmistakeable truck was parked messily in the driveway.

“Thank god you’re here Shane, come on, you can help me choose something to wear for later.”

“Why’s it so important Dane?” Shane grinned as she wondered if she’d get the same nervous reply as she did with Alice earlier.

“Um.. cause.. I want to be looking nice.. for.. later.” Dana squirmed.

Shane tilted her head and grinned at Dana.

“What? What’s funny?” Dana pouted, looking at Shane.

“It’s ok Dana. Relax, I know what’s going on.” Shane put her hands in her jacket pocket. “All I can say is I’m impressed Fairbanks.”

50 minutes later Dana was ready and her and Shane arranged to meet in one of their usual booths in Milk. What Dana didn’t know is that Shane had no intention of going to Milk at their chosen time, but had arranged to meet Alice there also. She left Dana’s house and went home, grinning all the way. She’d made them both look irresistable.

“Phase one complete.” Shane smirked.