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Dana had almost died of boredom when she saw a familiar face run into the conference room. “Miss Fairbanks, what’s your feeling about tomorrow’s game?” A young reporter up the front asked. Dana didn’t answer for a few seconds, her mind preoccupied by the sight of Alice.

“S-sorry what was that?” She asked quickly as she realised where she was. The reporter repeated his question to which Dana replied with a very general and suitable statement. She noticed Alice‘s hand go up to ask a question just as her manager Victor announced that the press conference had finished, and Dana watched Alice move quickly out the conference doors, a look of defeat on her face.

“Victor, can I ask you to do me a favour?” Dana asked as she tugged on her manager’s suit.

“Sure Dane, what’s up?”

“There is a reporter who just got into the conference late, she um, she’s a friend of mine and I was wondering if you could go out and ask her if she wanted to ask me any questions in private.” Dana continued uneasily as she noticed the smirk which was quickly appearing on Victor’s face. “Don’t look at me like that Victor. I just don’t want her to get sacked that’s all.”

Victor simply laughed and walked outside, returning about five minutes later with Alice in tow.

“Um hi Ms Pieszecki,” Dana stuttered as she offered her one of the many vacant seats in the room. Alice walked over and accepted one of the seats; a look of amazement on her face, and at the same time Victor left the room and closed the door, assuring the two would have some privacy.

“Hi Dana. ***** I mean Ms Fairbanks,” Alice closed her eyes and cursed herself for being so casual. Dana smiled at this stumble on Alice‘s part, and found herself being drawn to the blonde.

“No, Dana’s fine. That whole Ms Fairbanks stuff is just crazy,” Dana assured Alice, pulling a weird face as she said the word ‘crazy,’ causing Alice to now smile.

“So is the Ms Pieszecki thing. It’s Alice.” A short uncomfortable silence ensued, both women unsure of where to take this conversation. After realising that it was in fact her who had called Alice here, Dana began to talk.