Tina brushed her cheek.  No!  No!  You havent done anything wrong, Shane,
believe me.  Youve been incredibly
wonderful.  Through all of this.  Worry lines furrowed between her eyebrows.  Its justthings areits different now, Shane.  You and me.

  Why? 
In the soft morning light, Shane looked
so young, so fragile, and so vulnerable. 

Tina didnt know what to say.  Because she didnt know what to do.  She didnt know what she felt anymore.  She took Shane
by the hand and led her to the couch, sat down and pulled Shane
down beside her.  She took Shanes
strong slim hands in her own and looked into her eyes.  I I cant do Mistress and Pet with you any
more, Shane. 
It isntit doesnt feel right.

  But

Let me finish.  Please.  Tinas own eyes
glistened.  I dont know why I walked
into the Lost n Found that day.  Maybe
the vortex.  Maybe not.  I was so empty, so weak, and so hollow.  And the life I found thereShane,
it filled me up again.  In a different
way, some of it not so good, she looked down, not wanting to think about some
of the things; shed done to her friend. 
It gave me life, Shane.  And it gave me you.  And I will be forever grateful to you.

  So what are you saying?  Shanes voice
was husky with sleep and emotion.  Is it
over?

  Something is over, Tina
nodded slightly, but not all of it.  And
Iwehave to figure out whats done and whats not.  Whatever Jo
and Susan did last night, it ended whatever it
was thatmade us the way we were, but it didnt undo the consequences.  We still have to live with them.

Shane tilted her head and studied Tina,
trying to understand what she was saying, what it meant.  Comprehension dawned in her eyes.  Oh.  The
Change?

  Yes, Tina
nodded slowly.  The Changein you, in
me, in all of us.  Were all different
somehow.  And I dont know what it means
for you or for me or for us.

  Do you even want to find out?  Shane dropped
her head.

Tina released Shanes
hands and cupped her face in her own hands. 
Yes, Shane, she said firmly.  I do. 
If this, she waved a hand, if this is just an artifact of thewhat
did they call it?

  Vortex.

  Vortex, she repeated.  Yes.  If
thats all it is, then this isnt honest, its not us.