Over the following few days Dana got stronger and although she was still in some amount of pain, she was healing well.  She had forbidden Alice staying over with her for the past two nights, making sure the writer got a proper sleep.  As soon as she was allowed however, Alice would be back each morning, laptop in hand and ready to keep Dana company while doing some research work when Dana was either resting or working with Judy, her physical therapist.  On the sixth morning post-surgery Dana had a surprise for her.

“Hey you.” Dana said, happy to see her girlfriend, greeting her in the same way they had been doing since she came round from surgey.  Alice smiled back before delivering her good morning kiss. It was just before 8am and Dana was sitting up in her chair and was dressed in sweats, a loose tennis t-shirt and her running shoes.

“Hey yourself.  You’re up early this morning, got something planned with Judy?” Alice asked

“Not exactly, what you doing today?”

“Eh same as usual Dane, hangin’ out here wi my goofy girlfriend to make her feel better.”

Dana laughed, “Ok well if you want to really make me feel better then how about you take me for breakfast at the Planet with our friends?”

“What?” Alice practically shouted “Dana, as much as I’d love that, I’m not about to smuggle you out of hospital before you’re ready.”

Dana smiled a cheeky smile

“Oh well it’s a good job Dr Shapiro popped by earlier and said I could go home then isn’t it?”

“Really?!”

“Yeh baby, I’m homeward bound!”

Alice hovered as Dana stood up and made to give her a hug.

“What’s up Al?”

“Nothing I I’m just really happy but I em..”  Alice didn’t get to finish her sentence as Dana reached out, pulled Alice towards her with her left hand and gave her a gentle and slightly one sided hug to which Alice gently returned.

“You could never hurt me.” Dana whispered in her ear.

Alice pulled back and looked Dana in the eyes as she gave her a quick kiss.

“Ok Fairbanks, to the Planet!”