Adb – thanks for the comments…Yeah Van is uhm…hes probably me now that I think about it…holding a grudge from years ago but to him she deserves it cause she did do some fucked up *****…..which will be in future chapters.

Lwordjunkie – ok heres a taste…sorry I know this doesnt jump inot Saturday but I was getting bored and I jumped into the world that is Dash….but to be fair…technically it is Saturday :)

M_rave – yo uare not stalking me, I am courting you hahah anyway you must fall in line behind my number one stalker SHY…we have been stalking each other for a while now….so find a new tree to perch in. Heres a little diddy cuz I was bored….but you know that already.

Cfone – yeah Shane is pretty much fucked now…but today will keep her mind off things for awhile.

Seven – you know Shane she ***** everything up she touches….she just touched him a little too much…oh did I let something slip? I guess youll have to wait and see.

JanetM – hey luv a ***** Wanted T-shirt? I thought you were tied down with a woman…tisk tisk…I might have to drive my car (still no name) up to Maine…anywho are far as last night goes…I didnt get trashed, I ended up working at the bar we went to cause they were understaffed and my friend ran the place..and I woke up this morning in the top of my loft with my dad tossing my car keys at me and yelling cause he found them outside in the recycling bins that were getting hauled off….I swear I wasnt drunk I dont know what happened it was an early night…I was home by 5!

Nix – you can sit on the edge of you seat luv, just dont fall off!

Shy – oh and heres one of my fav. People ~winks~ how are you feeling luv? And here is your fix…now go get writing, I want to see what batman does next!




Chapter 35

With true friends even water shared has a sweeter taste. – Chinese Proverb

Shane continued to tie off the last of the roses with a strip of embroidered silk. She looked over to Dash with the intentions to rejoice and realized the girl was sound asleep on the couch. Shane leaned over and stopped the music on the laptop and was brought back to attention when she heard Dashs strangled breaths.

Shane walked over and lifted the girl off the couch and walked her back to her room. Achilles followed suit and she settled her into bed and tucked her in. The dog jumped up and settled at the foot of the bed as if to keep watch in the night. Shane smiled at the well trained dog, wishing she had someone with her at all times when she was Dashs age. She brushed the hair from Dashs face and walked back into the living room.

Shane looked around at the mess in the living room, and began to pack the flowers that would be sent to different locations. She sat on the couch and rubbed her blurry eyes and opened them to see the play list on the computer. She saw four songs listed on the play list and squinted while bringing the computer to her lap. She scratched her head as she saw the four songs listed from the CD Bette had placed in and realized that only the first one was on repeat.

Make Me Whole by Bette Porter
Make Me Whole (A Capella) Bette Porter
Make Me Whole (Acoustic)by Shane
Make Me Whole (A Capella) by Shane
Shane continued to ponder why Big Daddy would make an instrumental version of what Shane had done.

Shane: Why would he make an instrumental and then an A Capella of Bette?

Shane clicked on the acoustic version of the song that played her instrumental. The soft sounds of the piano came from the computer, and she couldnt help but smile to herself. Shed never really heard anything shed done put down and recorded before, and she had to admit she was proud. Shane sat listening expecting to hear just the piano, when her sullen voice wafted through the speakers. Shanes jaw went gaping wide and she nearly dropped the computer.

Shane had no idea they were recording her voice when she was in the studio and was completely taken off guard. Before she could compose herself from the blow she was just dealt, she was hit by another surprise. As Shane reached the chorus that Bette had written, a full orchestral accompaniment joined in. The Cello left a haunting trail at the middle of the song that danced with Shanes voice. It left a contrast that pushed Shanes voice to a place that told the listener of the pain in the womans soul. From listening to the song, you could hear that she had lost a love and was trying to tell her how much she needed her back.

Shane sat back on the couch listening to the song as it drifted through the room. When it finished she clicked on the other version and listened as she sang without music. It was the first time she had ever really heard her voice before. She could hear the pain and longing in her voice, and it made her want to reach out for Alice even more. The words really did speak to her an she knew that Alice was the one she was singing about.

With a new found determination, Shane switched the computer to the songs she had been downloading all night and started finishing the work that needed to be done. She spent the remainder of the night focused on the task at had, while battling her brain to stay off of all topics involving Alice. Eventually she gave up and just wallowed in her misery when she put all the sad songs she had heard on a play list.

At Five thirty in the morning, Dash heard whispering in the back of her head. She was slowly roused from her dreams to two soft voices in the background. She laid silently focusing on their whispered conversation while in Shanes bed.

Shane: Bette leave her man shes only had like two hours…

Bette: Come on youre no fun…and she looks so cute, I could just eat her up.

Dash felt the mattress shift and knew that Bette had climbed in bed next to her. She lay hugging Achilles whos breathing remained deep and steady. She could feel Bette gently brushing the hair from her forehead in a motherly fashion, and she did everything to maintain her composure. She realized that Cheri was right, the more she was exposed to the soft caresses of a woman, the easier it was to control herself and this time she remained still without a single tremor.

Shane: Bette…leave her we can start without her…

Bette: No shell want to come…besides I think she needs to be included in a group you know?

Shane: Bette….shes tired….and she doesnt look to good

Dash felt the warm and gentle embrace of Bettes arms engulf her timidly. A hand snaked its way around her waste, and the other brushed the hair from her ear. She could feel Bettes breast press against her back and caught the whimper that nearly left her throat. Heat was radiating from the beautiful womans body and Dash lay back enjoying every moment. The moist heated breath at her ear nearly sent her over the edge as she felt Bettes bottom lip grace her ear with a hushed whisper.

Bette: Wake up Dash…..Wake up.

Dash let out a small moan and buried her head into Achilles back to hide her glowing smile.

Bette: Come on kiddo, weve got a busy day and you need to take a shower.

Images of Bette washing her back with a giant soapy sponge floated into her head and she bit down hard on her bottom lip. Dash controlled her emotions and rolled over slowly in Bettes arms and wrapped her own around her. She leaned her forehead against Bettes collarbone and let out a deep sigh. Shane sat in the window watching. She squinted her eyes and crossed her arms.

Shane: Oh now that was pure genius, this kid is a natural! I couldnt have done better myself.

Shane watched with a smirk on her face ad Bette leaned in and kissed her on the top of the head.

Shane: Sucker!

Bette: Dash….Dash come on wake up.

Dash pretended to slowly wake up and nuzzled into Bettes embrace while mumbling under her breath.

Dash: Hmmm…uh uh…Sleep now.

Bette rubbed her back and looked down at the sleeping angel in her arms. This was what she wanted more than anything. She wanted to be nurturing and loving, not the balls to the walls executive that could break you with a single look. She played with Dashs hair and continued to whisper to her.

Bette: Come on baby….wake up…I know you want to get all dressed up and have a day of fun.

Dash let out a small whimper with the word Baby sending more mental images into her head. She couldnt hold out any longer and finally leaned back and let out a small baby yawn. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at Bette with her best. Oh please hold me like the lost tortured soul I am and take care of me look. Shanes jaw dropped when she caught the look.

Shane: Shes got a hold on my best stuff! Howd she pick up that look already? Man she might have to teach me a few things if this keeps up.

Shane just shook her head in awe as the student taught the master a little about getting what you want.

Dash: Im sleepy.

Bette: Aww…Youre so cute like this…I think I like this side of you the most….

Dash: So you like me when Im asleep?

Dash pretended to pout and Shane just let her head fall back against the wall with a thud.

Bette: No silly…when you are all quiet and let that tough guy persona go away….alright you feeling any better today?

Dash: Uhm…Ill be okay once I take my bath….but it feels kinda weird to breathe….maybe you could wrap this thing not so tight today?

Dash looked up with puppy dog eyes.

Shane: Oh now you want to take a bath willingly?

Dash: I just want to do whatevers she thinks is best for me.

Dash rolled over to face Shane sitting in the window bench seat and placed her hands over Bettes at the top of her jeans. She winked at Shane and gave a cocky grin. Shane just nodded as if impressed.

Bette: Im sorry did I wrap it to tight yesterday?….Ill be careful today.

Dash gave a toothy grin to Shane that Bette didnt catch from behind and she buried her head into the pillow to stop from laughing.

Bette: Okay, as much as Id like to just lay in bed with you and the beast, we need to get a move on.

Bette placed a quick and gentle kiss on Dashs neck and jumped up from the bed. The abrupt absence and imbedding coldness made Dashs heart sink.

Bette: Ill go run the water, Shane grab her some clothes.

Dash kept her head buried in her pillow to avoid looking at Shane. Shane ran over to the bed and hopped in behind wrapping her arms around her. She started running her hands along the girls arms and mimicked Bettes soothing whispers.

Shane: Oh Dash youre so sweet and innocent…please, please wake up and spend time with me….Oh Dash look at you… you are so cute when you lay here and pretend to sleep like a little angel.

Shane could see Dash shaking and moved the pillow to hear her laughing into the mattress. Shane started tickling her from behind and made her wiggled in a fit of laughter.

Shane: You are a con artist if Ive ever seen one.

Dash: You knew I was awake?

Shane: Never hustle a hustler man.

Achilles jumped up on the bed and began barking at them. Dash rolled over onto her back and put her hands behind her head as Marina came rushing into the room in a lace camisole that hung just below her underwear. Dash eyed the exotic beauty up and down when Jenny came running in after her in boi shorts and a tiny tank top that revealed a tight milky stomach.

Marina: Is everything okay?

Dash looked at Marina and Jenny, and then to Shane who laughed and shook her head.

Dash: I wasnt feeling well….

Dash slipped back into her Orphan Annie routine and started coughing.

Jenny: Oh Ill go get her some water.

Marina: Come here.

Marina swatted at the dog and yelled for him to get down in an ambiguous foreign language. She laid down beside Dash and held her in her arms, cupping her head while whispering in foreign tongues. Dash looked down to see the beautiful silken mounds close enough to lick and smiled. Jenny came rushing back in with a glass of water and sat behind Marina on the bed holding it out for her to take.

Jenny: Do you think youll be okay?

Shane: Oh shell be fine after Bette gives her a bath.

Dash looked up and nodded. Marina was lost, swimming in those endless pools of emerald. Hook, line and sinker, she was done. If Dash wanted the deed to the Planet and all of Jennys manuscripts they were hers right then. Bette came back into the room to see the women in bed comforting Dash and her heart melted. She felt something for this girl and was happy to see the love and attention she probably never received before in her life. She looked at Shane and could see something all over her face. It was like she was proud. Maybe she was proud that she was able to give this to Dash when she never received any attention at her age.

Bette: Okay lets get you cleaned up while everyone else starts on breakfast.

Marina: And by everyone you mean me?

Shane: And by breakfast she means those cinnamon-chip pancakes you make.

Marina: Shane we dont have time for….

Shane: Marina…please I was up all night when you and Jenny fell asleep.

Shane looked down at Dash and shared a knowing and down trotted look.

Bette watched from the doorway and suddenly realized that Shanes proud look was that of the master watching the protege and shook her head in admiration.

Dash: Cinnamon-chip pancakes? Ive never had those before they sound really good.

Dash looked over at Marina and Jenny.

Jenny: Okay Ill go open up the Planet….Marina and you make breakfast. Then Ill come back and take the last shower and eat with you guys.

Marina: Are you sure Zhenny? You will have to do all the …

Jenny: Its okay…its worth it for the pancakes.

Jenny leaned in and kissed her but they soon deepened it with an urgency. Dash looked at Shane with her mouth gaping and quickly took the glass of water before Jenny spilled it. Marina and Jenny continued to go at it and Bette signaled for Dash to go and take a bath.

Dash quickly took a bath, (with Bette washing her back of course) and sat on the toilet waiting for Shane to bring her some clothes. Shane walked in shorts and a t-shirt and tossed them to her.

Shane: Okay what you did back in there was….was…I mean…who does that? Well, I do that, but I mean it was…

Dash: I know…it was priceless….and it felt great, I just wanted to see if I could do it.

Bette walked back into the room with fresh Ace bandages in tow.

Bette: Okay lets get this over with then you can hurry up and eat. Shane hurry up and hop in.

Shane reached up to pull off her shirt but was given a warning look from Bette.

Shane: Yeah yeah…this coming from miss oh youre so cute I want to lay in bed and eat you out…I mean up.

Bettes face was in a look of disgust as Shane climbed in the shower with her clothes on and tossed them over the curtain. She started the shower and began humming the song that Bette had written to herself. Bette started wrapping the bandages around Dash, who had a new found confidence and didnt mind Bette seeing her topless.

Bette: Uhm Shane…did you get a chance to listen to the rest of the CD by chance.

Shane: Yes and tell Big Daddy his ***** is mine…actually dont say it like that he might get the wrong idea.

Bette: Well, the thing is…he wants to talk to you about…uhm…well theres this new movie hes been asked to work on and…well…..

@}~~~~~

Dash, and Bette sat at the table eating with Shane, as Marina took her shower. Jenny and Lara rushed in and sat at the table with next to Shane.

Lara: Oh my God these things are great…I have to get the ……

There was a muttled reply that came from the stuffed mouths of Shane, Jenny and Bette. Bette swallowed her food and repeated.

Bette: Weve tried, she wont give it up….family secret…the only one who has a chance is Jenny.

Jenny: Trust me, Ive tried EVERYTHING to get the recipe from her she wont budge.

Marina walked into the room and continued to towel her wet hair as she reached for a plate.
Shane kicked Dash under the table, and motioned to Marina with her head. Lara looked at Shane in question and she pointed to her enormous stack of fluffy cakes with her fork.

Dash: Uhmm…Marina, thanks so much for making breakfast…that was so nice of you.

Marina: Oh it was my pleasure…youre such a sweetheart now that youve stopped stuttering.

Marina gave Dash a nudge and sat down next to her at the table.

Dash: Yeah but no ones ever made me breakfast before….

Dash looked down at her plate with a sullen look.

Dash: So…this will be my favorite breakfast….Ill always remember it….uhm…how do you make them? I want to make them tomorrow…you know to thank Shane for letting me stay here…since my foster parents are all psycho…and she took me in for the weekend.

Marina looked into that emerald death trap and caved before she knew what hit her.

Marina: Oh here ma petitte I will write down the recipe for you….it is a family tradition, but I suppose that you are all my real family.

Maria jumped up and grabbed a pen. Jenny dropped her fork and moved to choke Dash across the table. Shane and Lara grabbed her and sat her back down as Marina turned around and started to write down the cooking instructions for Dash. Bette sat back and just watched in shock. James came walking in the door calling out for the women. He came into the kitchen and saw the feast of pancakes before them and sat down to eat.

James: Okay everyone ready for the big day?

They all nodded while shoving more food in their mouths. James picked up a fork and started to eat off Dashs plate. She turned to him with a animalistic look and he backed off.

James: Come on share the love.

Dash relented and the two ate off the plate while they went over the days schedule for the last time. As Bette cleaned up, The group got dressed and Marina left to go to the Planet with her supplies in stow.

Jenny: I cant believe you…Ive tried everything short of hypnosis to get that from her…..Do you have any idea how many times weve fucked in the kitchen because I…

Shane: Jenny, I could have gone the rest of my life without the mental image of the two of you on the kitchen table..

Dash: Oh Im doing just fine with it…..please keep going.

Lara laughed as she pulled on her old chefs jacked from the country club. She didnt want to get the new one that Bette bought her dirty while cooking. They all finished getting dressed and walked out into the kitchen where Bette was pacing nervously.

Shane: Bee…calm down it will be fine.

Bette: Yeah youre right….Okay James you are going to drop them off and take Shane with you to go pick up Tina…..Kit and Ivan will be here any minute to help me set up the flowers…okay its gonna be fine right?

They all nodded, and left the kitchen. When the group got outside the door they looked at each other hesitantly.

Lara: Okay I wasnt going to say anything but…..

Jenny: What if Tina is like ***** you guys go away?

Shane: We are going to have a change in plans!

James: What! No we are sticking to Mission protocol.

Shane reached in her pocket and pulled out a few white cards.

Shane: I did these last night…I rearranged the schedule…heres the thing….if I show up first, Tina isnt gonna go for it…she wont go with us, so we have to mix things around okay.

Lara: I hate to say it James but shes right….wait…If you dont go who will? Its not like she would go with any of us….I have to go cook next door and..

Shane: Jenny is going with James to get Tina..I will be at the Botanical Gardens for the…

Jenny: ME! How am I going to convince her to come with me?

Shane: Just give her the card I wrote after you give her the letter from Bette. Each of you have to give her one letter Bettes letter, because I cant be her guide.

Dash: So then youre not going to be there at the studio?

Shane shook her head.

Shane: No you will…by then she should be a little more open to whats going on….We have to do it this way…Lara has to cook, James is the driver and well the truth is if Dash or James show up to get her she wouldnt trust them shed say ***** off…Jennys the only friendly face.

James: Id hate to say it but shes right…looks like were on a new mission guys.

Dash looked at James and rolled her eyes.

James: What? Well just call it Mission Impossible 1.5…Come on well figure it out on the drive over.

Dash: Yeah I want to get in that car already…this is gonna be fun and I look ***** HOT!

Shane: Yeah you do….alright Lara well see you later.

The four climbed into the car that Bette had rented for the day, and drove off to their destinations, hoping and praying that their new additions to the plan would help it go off without a hitch the only thing they had to worry about was whether or not Tina would play ball.

@}~~~~~

Tina woke to the warm breath on her forehead. She looked at the freckles on the collarbone her cheek was nestled against and smiled knowing she was in loving arms. She looked up into the dark amber eyes and saw the pain and confusion that she was sure mirrored her own.

Tina: Morning you.

She leaned up and kissed the woman on the lips gently.

Tina: You okay? You seem to be taking this just as bad if not worse then me Al…

Alice: Im fine….I just…..I just want to stay right here with you all day….no distractions no drama, just me and you.

Tina wrapped her own arms around Alice and pulled her in a close as possible seeking the warmth her body was radiating. She let out a weary sigh when they both her the knock at the front door.


Song to download for next chapter is Make Me Whole by Amel Larrieux…great song and you will finally see what Bette and Shane are up to…I promise! ~ JLO