The cold morning breeze was just another excuse to hug Tina closer. Rubbing her nose against Tinas neck, Bette felt her scent, something that was very precious for her. Noticing that, Bette closed her eyes hugging Tina even harder.

Are you cold? Tina whispered, covering Bette with the blanket.

Can we go home now? asked Bette.

Sure, your place though, dont want to imagine how many people ended up in mine Tina said rolling over to face Bette.

Caressing Bettes cold cheek, she added,

You look so cute with sleepy eyes and your red nose

Frowning, or trying to, Bette answered pretending to be mad,

Are you going to call me Rudolf now?

Only if you are bad Tina teased.

Oohdont tempt me mischievously whispered Bette slowly moving her hand to Tinas hip.

Shhhstoplest go home Tina whispered before kissing Bette.


***

Leaning on the pillows, enjoying the bright sunny day, the breeze coming from the opened windows as much as the laziness of the moment, Alice said,

Thank god I was drunk because if not that outfit could have been really embarrassing

Looking at her, Dana smiled. It was an empty vague smile, but it was the best she could do. It was past noon by then and she was just back from practice. She was tidying the room, throwing clothes in a bag, trying to get busy as she was not sure what to say or how to talk with Alice. She wasnt feeling well either so the whole picture was a bit overwhelming.

Noticing Danas quietness, her sudden shyness, she added,

What?…What is worrying you?, Was practice ok?

Me, I said nothing Dana said opening the closet, pretending to be looking for something

Just because you are using silence doesnt mean you are not complaining Alice said looking straight to Dana, her voice suddenly very clear.

Dane, come herecome Alice said with the sweetest tone she could find.

As Alice said, Dana moved closer and sat down at her side. Opening the bed, Alice invited her in, mischievously winking at her.

No, seriously, come here she added tapping on the pillow.

Laying at Alices side, Dana waited for her to talk again.

Are you ok? Alice whispered, caressing Danas hand.

Nodding, Dana tried to smile. After a couple of minutes she whispered,

Is just that suddenly this is all real

Yes it is quickly added Alice unable to stop the smile on her face. Looking at Dana she noticed how pale she looked.

You really ok? You dont look so good

You are not scared? asked Dana.

Me?…Nahwhy should I? Alice lied I was onceat four, I remember it was dark outside, my parents were out and my brother was watching tv, I heard a noise

Alam serious Pouted Dana, looking at Alice straight in the eyes.

I was worried when you were with Tonya, god I hated that girl!!…

Alices frankness put a smile back on Danas face, but only for a second because as she was sitting on the bed besides Alice, she felt dizzy. Alice, unaware of that was still happily rambling.

and Sandrawellwho can compete with a super modelhey! Apparently I do! she theatrically said, so, why would I be worried?…. She finished, but then, noticing Danas look, she asked again,

Dane you ok?

Shaking her head Dana jumped out of bed and with a hand on her mouth she rushed to the bathroom. Astonished, Alice followed her. Leaning on the doors frame, Alice whispered, as she was hearing Dana throwing up.

Dane, you need anything?

Worried, she walked in, finding Dana on the floor, sweating and looking very pale.

Dane, what is it? asked Alice again, taking a small towel to clean Danas face.

I dont knowI wasnt feeling that well this morning, I thought it was because of the party but

She stopped as her stomach was hurting again.

Ok, am calling a doctor Alice said standing up. Then, as she was already at the door, she turned around, asking,

Do you know any?

Shaking her head, feeling dizzy and weak Dana was getting up when suddenly she saw everything in a blur.

Aaal she mumbled before fainting.

Oh shitDane! Alice yelled, catching Dana just before she hit the floor.

Laying Dana on the floor Alice took her feet up and just as she was praying for somebody to tell her what to do, Dana opened her eyes.

Am not feeling very well Al she mumbled.

Rightlest go to the hospital Alice said, helping Dana to stand up.

Taking her purse and cell, Alice asked,

Were are the keys of your car ?

My car? You cant drive my car said Dana taking the keys from the coffee table.

Of course I canam great with big carsdont you see am likelike Paul Newmanam great with cars! Alice said, trying to keep Dana entertained.

Opening the door for Dana, Alice helped her to jump in, was then when Dana mumbled, realizing what Alice was wearing.

Are you going like that?

*****! Alice said looking down at her outfit.

Will be just a sec ok , dont worry she yelled rushing back inside.

In less than a second later she was back wearing the basketball shorts with one of Danas t-shirts.

What?…I couldnt find anything better she added as she noticed the look on Danas face.

Ok, lets go


***

Meanwhile it was a lazy Saturday morning at Poters residence. The been here done that was all over the place, clothes on the floor, shoes under the bed. Tina was idly reading the paper while Bette, laying at her side, was dozing off.

Am so could get use to this was thinking Bette looking at the opened window.

Do you want to go out for brunch? she whispered, caressing Tinas bare leg.

Chuckling, Tina shook her head.

You cant be still, can you? Dont you like being here, doing nothing? not waiting for an answer, she added Ill make something laterare you hungry already?

Shaking her head, burying her face on Tinas belly, Bette sweetly kissed her while mumbling,

Not exactly

Giggling, unable to stop smiling, Tina threw the paper on the floor and taking Bettes head with her hands rose it to meet her lips.


***

Answer machine!, *****!!!, where the ***** is everybody? frantically asked Alice again. Looking at Dana she noticed how quiet and pale she was. Seeing the hospital around the corner she said,

Here we are Dane, dont worry! you are going to be ok!!

Pulling the SUV in the middle of the parking lot, she jumped out and helped Dana out. Almost carrying her, she yelled at the er receptionist,

Hello?…himy friendshe threw up, she faintedshe is not feeling well

A male nurse appeared from behind with a wheelchair and taking Danas hand, sat her down.

Ok good!…Dane is okeverything is fineIll be right here ok Alice said walking besides them. Just as they were going through a glass door, the male nurse said,

You have to wait here

What? asked Alice, seeing how Dana was disappearing behind another glass door.


***

Youve never done it in a car? You are kidding me Shane said, looking at Kate up and down.

No, Im notI swear, I haventwhat can I say? Am boring I know Kate answered, amused by the incredulous look on Shanes face.

No, is okI meanIam sure there are many reasons not toI mean

Laughing, blushing a little, Kate said,

Am glad you decided to come

Yeah me tooand am really glad we using your car Shane added, loving the smell of Kates SUV.

Well, I like yours better Kate said looking briefly to Shane and back to the road.

Its sexier she added, without letting her face show any change, something that was driving Shane crazy.

You know, you look very ***** drivingnot all women are ***** while they driveyou areyou know what you are doingyou enjoy doing it and it comes naturallythis big leather car suits you

Shane said unable to stop the words coming out of her mouth. There was something in Kate that was getting into her, something different, something new. It wasnt just that she was not the kind of women she was used to, it was that she loved the way Kate didnt know, or didnt care how sensual she was.

She didnt need to look at her to know by now the way her right arm was resting over the wheel. She was finding difficult not to touch her blonde hair. It was like Tinas but much longer and right now Kate was wearing it in a loose ponytail. They were not using the ac so it was pretty hot inside, even with the windows open but Shane didnt mind it, she was loving noticing how the hair around Kate ears was all wet by the heat.

Suddenly, surprising her, out of nowhere her cell rang.

Yes? she answered without checking the caller Id.

What?, Al, calm downwhat?…when?..


***

yes!…and you know what they saynothing!!!…. They say nothing because am not her familyit doesnt matter that am her friendher girlfriend even!!…what?…yeah since yesterdayyeah(blushing)..yeah thanks.right, ..no!…they dont tell me anything!…and then the car is lockedyeahI forgot the keys insideyeah I knowbut I was thinking about other things!…I thought she was going to faint again!…yeahno I dont know.and thenI cant call the Busheswhat?…no, no, I mean her parents!!…I dont know their numberDanes purse is in the caryeah her cell tooyeah and then Bette is nowhere to be foundyeahits been almost two hoursShanewhat?…I cant hear you.where are you?…what?….Shane!!!….


***

What?, what happens? Kate asked noticing the worried look on Shanes face.

I dont knowIt was AliceDane is in the hospital and they dont tell her anythingshe is freaking out

Ok, what hospital? Kate asked pulling the car out of the road.

What?…nois ok KateI can take a bus in the next townyou have to go to San Franciscowe are almost there Shane said looking at her cell, shaking it.

It doesnt matter, I can take a plane tonight, or tomorrowwhat hospital? Kate said turning around.

Shane?..Shane!!

Shane looked up to Kate who was handing her cell.

Use mineDial 007 first she said putting the car back on the road.

Using Kates cell Shane got sign at the first try. Impressed, she shyly smiled at Kate while waiting for Alice to pick up.

Al?…yeah is meme!…Shaneyeah I knowwhat hospital are you at?…okIll be right therewhat?…San Franciscoyeahdont worryIll be right theretry Bette againcalm down Alam sure is nothingwhat?…of course notam sure Alis not you who make her sickwhat?…you tell her what?…okam sure is not because of you she is sickyeahI knowok AlI will call you later okyeah

Noticing Kates voice she looked at her and reading her lips, Shane added,

ALyeahcall me at this number if its any changeok?yeahsee you in a bit

Hanging up, Shane sighed.

Thanks she said handing the cell back to Kate.

Nodding, Kate put her hand on Shanes tight.


***

whats that? asked Tina from under the covers, hearing a buzz she was not able to pictured.

What? asked Bette appearing from under the covers too but a bit southern than Tinas.

That sounddont you hear it? asked Tina again.

I think is my phoneforget it Bette said, covering her head again.

ShhBetteBetteits been a while nowI think is like the fifth time it ringsmaybe is importantohhhhoohh..oook.god!..

Closing her eyes, Tina bit her lip, unable to continue talking.


***

Ok ladyyou dont understandshe is my girlfriendmy partner! In some states thats familymy lover!! Dont you see it?…(noticing that the receptionist was not paying much attention)ok.. okyou rightshe is not my lover yet(noticing she got her attention)..exactlywe havent had time yetI need to know whats going on(losing her audience again)okyou dont know meam a reporteram going to write about thisit wont be prettyyou know what they say about the fifth powerthe press!!…

Seeing she was getting nothing, Alice walked outside, defeat.

Fifth? Maybe it wasnt the fifth she mumbled.

Pacing the sidewalk up and down she tried to call Bette again. Nothing, she was getting nothing, no answer.

*****! Where the ***** are you? she yelled at her cell.

Doing that she noticed the service entrance on the left. A big white truck was parked there. Nonchalantly, as if walking around, she walked towards it. There was no one around, but she could hear voices inside. The back door of the track was open, on the streets were a bunch of big laundry carts. Without much thinking, feeling as if a small Tweety was tapping her on the shoulder, she looked around and then, quickly, jumped into the biggest one filled with clean hospital sheets.

Uggg she heard somebody said.

Feeling trapped, noticing how small the cart was, she moved her hand only to find fresh flesh in between the sheets.

Hello? She whispered, confused.

Hi mumbled a little sweet voice.

Who are you? whispered Alice again.

And you? asked the little voice.

Am Alice whispered Alice, trying to move the sheets enough so she could see her interlocutor.

Finally, as a ghost, in between the white sheets, Alice saw the little boy.

Am Blue he said, sweetly smiling trying to find Alices hand to shake it.

Hearing voices approaching, Alice put her fingers on Blue lips. Nodding, Blue smiled again. Just then, they felt somebody pushing the cart.

Noticing the look on Alices face, Blue whispered,

You dont like needles either?