NINE
Dana and Lara made their way up the front steps and Dana let herself in. She glanced around at the chaos that was left in the living room. She wondered to herself if Tina had made the mess on her way out or if Bette had made it in retaliatory anger. Dana kicked the remains of a vase with the toe of her tennis shoe. She glanced back to Lara who moved to tidy the room up a little and made her way to the bedroom where Bette was lying on the bed on her side, sobbing. Dana sat down slowly next to Bette and ran a hand lightly on her side.
Hey Bette. You okay? She asked quietly.
Do I ***** look okay? Dana I ruined my life tonight! Bette snapped and Dana stood up.
Hey I was just trying to be a friend Bette But If you want to be alone Dana said as she backed away. Youre not the only one thats had a rough few days you know Dana started, Bette held up a hand to stop her, shed never seen Dana lose her cool and was sure she didnt want to keep letting her go on for fear that he usually placid tennis player might lose her cool.
Im sorry Dana Im just being selfish. Bette said, walking to the couch to sit. Lara leant in the doorway watching them. She smiled softly.
Ill find you something to eat She went to the kitchen, feeling a little out of place with the other two women.

Alice sighed and watched Tina sleep on the couch. Shed been bawling since she stepped foot into the apartment and finally had to succumb to sleep. Alice rubbed the back of her neck before standing up. She made her way down the hall to her room and stripped her shirt off. She sighed and picked up a picture of the group of them, Tina, Bette, Shane, Dana and herself that Kit had taken at the Planet about a year earlier. She grinned a little to herself and shook her head, her eyes falling onto herself and Dana she raised a curious brow at something in the picture she hadnt really noticed before. There was something in the look that Dana was giving her in the picture Something more than friendly Something that Alice herself had been feeling but shutting away because it was Dana. Her best friend Not someone who she should have fallen for. But deep down Alice knew it was there. She had fallen hard for the dork of a tennis player. How could she not? Dana was always sweet and caring and god knew she was attractive. Why did she set her up with Lara again? So shed see Dana happy and away from that cat killer. If Alice couldnt have Dana Someone great deserved her Someone like Lara Perkins.

Dana made her way home after calming Bette down and dropping Lara off. She sat in the shambles of her living room. It seemed that Tonya had been back to pick up her things. She picked up some of the mess and tried to restore order. Shane came in the unlocked front door and made her way up the stairs to the living room. She stood watching Dana a moment before helping her clean up.
You heard about Bette and Tina? Dana asked and Shane gave a small nod.
Pretty intense She made a face and started to put books on the shelf. I havent seen anyone this messed up since Alice Shane stopped talking. Never mind.
Dana gave her a curious look. Alice what?
Huh? What are you talking about Dane? Shane asked and left the room to get a beer. Dana watched her go, a little frustrated at Shanes usual escape from talking about anything important. She let her mind wander to Alice and sighed. Lara made Dana happy Unbelievably happy But Alice was Well she was Alice.