The pace of preparations for the trip to New York picked up considerably as the departure day neared.  There had been several more meetings on the management structure change and everyone felt comfortable with the choices and the plan. 

Alice and Dana were working hard, but, it was tolerable since they knew they were working towards their future life together in addition to keeping the company going.

Dana had a secret project for the trip.  She had Alice’s birthday party planned out and Shane and Sam were happily assisting in the logistic matters.  There was a very brief discussion on whether the plan should be scrapped since there apparently was someone out to harm Alice.  However, they quickly realized that the party was a much lower risk than most of the itinerary items for the trip.  The arrangements for the party were being made using aliases and it was a location that was not somewhere Alice would be expected.  Sam also ensured that the location would be secured and there would be extra guards on hand.
 
On top of all that, Dana was making a final push to get her coursework complete for her final class.  She and Alice had talked rationally about it and agreed that Dana would use some of their “alone time” to crank the work out rather than getting up at night and losing sleep. 

Alice was working at her desk handling some personal correspondence while Dana was in her suite finishing up her class work for the evening.  The e-mail she just received put a smile on her face.  Bette and Tina would be in New York at the same time she was there and were excited to get together. 

Bette was a former lover who became a close friend.  Bette and Tina had been together almost ten years.  Looking at their relationship over the years had both given Alice hope and also made her feel jealous.  And a bit guilty for feeling so jealous.  Anyone who saw the couple together could see they were meant for each other.  Alice kept trying to fit her relationships into that same mold and failing.  That is, until Dana.  She couldn’t wait for her friends to meet her new love.  Alice sent a note to Sam to adjust the security plan to include a visit to Bette and Tina’s penthouse.  She would also need to pick up something for Angelica.  Alice brought up a toy site and started looking for something her “niece” would love and would provide maximum aggravation to Bette…