Alice was woken from her uneasy slumber by a noise but not the noise she was dreaming of. Instead it was just the nurse coming in to check on Dana’s vital signs once again.  Alice shifted in her chair to stretch her aching back and looked at the time, 0703. Readjusting herself she spent the next few minutes just watching Dana and her chest rising and falling as she slept.  She studied and memorised every line and feature of her face so that if she woke up tomorrow unable to see she would have Dana’s face burned into her memory forever.  That was what she told herself but she knew she kept doing this so that if anything happened to Dana she would keep her memory alive in her mind.  Alice’s thoughts were broken again as the door opened although this time it signalled the arrival of Shane who smiled lightly as she made her way over to the bed.  She took Dana’s left hand as she too took a few moment to watch her sleep before making her way round to Alice and giving her a Shane hug which Alice has affectionately named a ‘shug.’

“Morning Al, I took you some Planet coffee and a couple of bagels for breakfast.”

“Thanks.” Alice smiled a tired smile.

“Any news?”

“Nope, still waiting, still hoping, and even made a few deals with the big guy upstairs.” Alice said with a chuckle.

“I thought you didn’t do the whole God thing Al?”

“If we get through this my friend I might just believe.”

“Its ok, she’s gonna be fine.” Shane tried to sound believable but seen as how she was scared herself she knew it probably wasn’t all that convincing.

The two friends chatted for a few more minutes and didn’t notice the sleeping beauty that was awakening behind them.

“Hey how about I cancel my 8 o’clock and wait here with you? I’m gonna be late anyway?”

“I wouldn’t pull out of a match for you Shane” A croaky voice announced with a smile.

“Dana!” both women chorused as they made their way back over to the bed.

Dana had overheard some of their conversation although had been unable to process it all but now looking at her friends she noticed that Shane looked relieved and happy to see her and Alice, her perfect, beautiful Alice looked like crap and her eyes were red from tears and lack of sleep.