…/…

Jack invited Bette to her grandmothers mansion and to everybodys surprise she accepted. She was not going to be able to make it on Friday as she had to work late but she said shed drive there on Saturday, early in the morning.

They were al very excited with the trip. Alice took charge and made all the plans. They were all going in one mini van. That was not a surprise as all of them, Tina filled Jack in, knew how much Alice loved road trips.

On Friday at noon Dana picked Alice up at the magazine. They head to Bettes to pick Shane up and the three of them went to pick up Tina and Jack at the Centre.

Dana was driving with Alice at her side. Jack and Shane were behind them and Tina was dozing off at the back seat.

She went out with Bette the night before and was tired.
They had dinner together and everything was fine till she found a letter in Bettes car.
It was one of those things that happens just because fate wanted to.
They were leaving the restaurant, were already in Bettes car when Bette realized shed forgotten her cell at the table in the restaurant. When she jumped off the car she threw her suit jacket in and from the pocket a sheet of paper fall off. Tina saw it and was going to put it in Bettes purse when she read, by accident, the beginning of it.
It was Bettes letter from the morning at the hotel. Tina read it in such a speed that she had the opportunity to read it again before Bette came back. She slowly folded the paper back and put it in Bettes purse, but the moment she saw Bette walking towards the car she knew she needed time to marinate what she just read.
She didnt want to talk to Bette there, that night. Thinking about Candances name was burning her inside but what Bette said afterwards was melting her too. Tina needed to think about it, to face al the emotions rushing through her body and she was sure she was not going to be able to do it with Bette at her side so to Bettes surprise, she told her she was tired and needed to pack for the weekend.
She needed to be alone with her thoughts. For the first time in a long time, something inside was telling her, pushing her in one direction. She was ready to face her wishes. She just needed a plan.


Tina was thinking about Bette and the surprised she found that morning at Danas front door before heading to the Centre. Tina found a basket beautifully wrapped. It had Tinas name on it and when she unwrapped it she felt her heart jump. It was such a surprise, so cute, so sweet. Inside the basket were all kinds of candy; gummi bears, candy canes, jelly beans, licorices, lollipops, chewing and bubble gums there was plenty of everything, all beautifully wrapped.
Tina smiled looking at the basket. It melted her heart to think that Bette remembered. It was so sweet of her, so unexpected so un-Bette. Tina took the card and read it while picking some gummi bears.
I know how much you like to eat them on the rode. Enjoy it. Will see you tomorrow. Love, B

She was thinking about it all, remembering that sweet moment, dreaming about it when she felt an impact. She opened her eyes to see Shane and Jack laughing and a very pale Dana, shaking, looking at Alice.
The car was not moving, slightly twisted. They were in a lost road and to no one surprise, maybe just Jacks, Dana droved them directly to a huge hole on the road. No one was hurt and seeing how worried Dana looked no one really care about the incident.
They called for help. Next small town mechanics drove them to the town hotel, were theyd all spend the night. They all looked at it as an adventure, thinking of it as something that usually happen during spring break which made all of them laugh at the thought.

They checked in only to find out that there were only 3 rooms available. Dana and Alice took one, Shane and Tina another one and Jack the last one. Tina didnt want to share one with Jack. Sharing it with Shane was the less bad of the two choices.
They all went to have dinner at an old restaurant. The town was pretty small so they walked there.
During dinner they all teased Dana over the accident and when they were done with that Alice found the courage to ask Jack about her grandmother.

Over some drinks at the local pub, Jack answered Alice and Danas questions about her grandmother. Shane was quiet, it wasnt like the great mysterious June Hasselbald was not interesting her it was that she was finding her granddaughter much more interesting.
Tina wasnt paying much attention either. She already knew almost everything about the reclusive actress, she even talked with her once (something she didnt tell Alice or Dana, didnt want them to die from jealousy). Tina was looking at her friends listening to Jack. She was looking at Shane and the look, the little gleam she saw in her eyes made Tina smile. She recognized that gleam and its meaning.

She then looked at Jack who, graciously, was playing with a straw, flipping it between her long slim fingers while answering all the questions from he adoring fans. She was looking at Dana and Alice but, Tina noticed, was very aware of Shanes stare. She looked at Tina and smile. A smile that brought another one to Tinas face. She loved the notion that she could tell what Jack was thinking, sharing that with her made Tina feel somehow secure and proud. She was proud to have her as a friend. She knew it was rare to bond with someone over such short period of time. She knew that it was all thanks to Jack. Their instant attraction brought them closer and Jacks generosity after Tinas rejection made their bond stronger.

It was getting late and they headed back to the hotel. Dana and Alice, giggling like teenagers, said their goodnights and went to their room. Jack did the same, heading to hers. Tina and Shane walked to their room joking and teasing each other. Both of them were feeling a bit awkward but the beers they had at the pub made it easier.

To Shane surprised there was a king size bed and not twins so they had to share it. Tina was already in bed, dozing off when Shane came out from the bathroom. She ducked in the bed and turned the lights off. Shed feel Tinas breathing but she could also feel she was still awake. Tina was very much aware of Shanes warm tense body lying close to hers. She was not drunk enough to be able to forget about it so moving closer to Shane she looked at her, in the dark.

“Shane, are you awake?”
“Mmm2
“You ok?”
Shane was moving in the dark, seating on the bed.

“Sure T, you?”
Yeah. I, I I you think wed talk about the kiss?”
Shane took a few seconds before answering Tina.

If you want to
Its just that I feel bad ..I I shouldnt kissed you. Was not fair

Tina heard Shane sighing, tossing in bed, uncomfortable.

“Its ok T, I told you. I am glad you kissed me. It made me face my feelings, and Im glad I did. What I told you is true but the kiss made me realize that as much as I love you I cant be in love with you. I Im not in love with you.”

Tina was quiet, listening to Shane, knowing how hard it was for her friend to say those things. She was glad they were in the dark, it made it all much easier for the two of them.

Its ok T, All I want is for you to be happy
“Im happy Shane.”
“You are?” Shane was surprised by Tinas words, not really believing her.

“Well, I will. I Im not hurt anymore. I finally know what I want and now all I have to do is to go and get it.”

“Thats cool T. I hope you get it.”

Tina moved her hand to grab Shanes . She wanted to feel the touch of her friend, wanted to show her somehow how much she cared for her.

They held hands for a few minutes. After that Shane felt Tinas body relaxing, falling to sleep.
Im going to be outside for a while T

Tina didnt answer, she was already asleep. Shane jumped off the bed and putting her jeans on walked to the door.

It was one of those hotels in which the rooms were small wooden cabins.

Shane walked outside finding the clear night waiting for her. She walked towards a small bench in the back, hoping to sit there and enjoy the beautiful sky. She was getting closer when she noticed a small figure already seated there. Even from where she was she could tell who the figure was.

She walked slowly, enjoying the excitement, the hopes.
Jack turned around at the sound of somebody approaching.
Shane smiled to a surprised, but smiling Jack.

“Hello”. Shane said sitting down at Jacks side.
“Hi, you having midnight blues?”. Jack was barefoot, her long legs in shorts.
“Yeah youd say that”.

Jack looked at Shane for a few seconds before speaking again.

“Oh, that bad?”. Shane needed a few seconds to answer.
“Nahh”. Shane mumbled, smiling, looking at the sky.
You want one?” Jack asked,”offering Shane a cigarette.
“Mm, Im quiting”. Shane said, looking at Jacks hand.
“Yeah, me too”. Jack inhaled deeply, not looking at Shane but still holding the cigarette packet.

Shane, looking at the smoke from Jacks cigarette, smiled taking the one she was being offered.

Jack gave Shane light and the both of them smoked in silence for a few minutes. They were enjoying each others company, enjoying the beautiful warm night and getting lost in their thoughts.

Jack stood up from the wooden bench and started pacing in front of Shane.

So, you love her, eh? Jack asked Shane, not looking at her but looking at Tinas room.

Shane looked at Jack, quiet. She was trying to read her face. She wasnt being noisy, just wanted to know.

Yeah. Shane answered in a whispered, looking at her feet. Jack, looking at Shane, nodded, smiling.

Yeah, it happens. Jacks answer was louder than Shanes but as shy.

Shane looked at Jack, realizing what she wasnt saying. She smiled again, nodding.

The two of them looked at each other in silence but then a sound coming towards them brought them to reality.

Shane looked behind her.
“Wow, save by the bell Shane said, smiling again.
“What you mean?” Jack questioning look made Shane stood up and joined her in the pacing.

“Fate, it plays tricky business with us Shane was talking with her usual nonchalantly look on her face.
What? Jack was totally lost, had no idea what Shane was talking about.

Shane pointed to the car that was parking in front of the cabins.

Thats Bettes car. Was all Shane added.
Oh
Yeah Shane was pacing again at Jacks side, kicking stones with her leather boots.

Jack took Shanes arm, stopping her.
You sleep with me tonight, ok?
Shane looking at Jack, nodded. They walked to their room, quiet.

You dont have to tell me twice Jack Shane could not stop the words from her mouth. She was not answering her, not telling anybody, she was just thinking out loud, in a whisper.