“I really don’t know what I want to do about The Planet, Lara,” Marina finally said.  “It just…it isn’t the kind of place I wanted it to be, worked hard to make it.”

            Lara ducked her head.  “For that, I’ll be eternally sorry.” she whispered, but loud enough that everyone could hear.

            Marina took a deep breath, and laid her hand on Lara’s.  “Give me some time to think about it, all right?  I like it here, it’s fresh.”  She said, speaking on several levels.  She looked around the room, beginning to see in her mind what Doyle was talking about.  Then to Susan, a woman who’d opened up a whole hidden life to her, one she was beginning to come to embrace. 

            Susan smiled and nodded, “Then it’s agreed?  A café, restaurant, coffee house?  A place of our own?  A safe haven of sorts.”

            Marina nodded, Jenny broke into a smile, and Tina gave Doyle’s arm a friendly squeeze.

            “Great!” Doyle said enthusiastically.  “Now, Lara, do you happen to have a decent wine to go with your fabulous lunch?”

            “I sure do,” her head bobbed in agreement.  “I’ll be right back.”

            “Can I help?” Jenny asked, springing to her feet and looking at Susan for just a moment too long so that Marina noticed.

            “Sure,” Lara said hesitantly.  “Marina, is that all right with you?”

            Marina blinked in surprise.  When had she assumed such clear standing as Jenny’s domme?  And when did Lara voluntarily start using the proper protocols?  Her head fairly spun with how rapidly things seemed to be changing, more so than when the vortex had them all in its grip. 

“Of course she can,” she nodded.  Jenny stood up and fairly scampered off with Lara to help carry glasses, while Lara gathered several bottles of wine and an opener.

            “Tina,” Susan said at last, “would you mind joining this little creative venture of ours?”

            “Oh Susan,” Tina tilted her head and frowned just slightly, “I don’t think….”

            “I mean, as a designer.  I’m sure Marina wouldn’t object to paying for your services.  I certainly won’t.  Jo has given us a year’s grace on beginning to pay her back…”