“Oh, nothing, anyone want something to drink?” asked Shane as she got up, and Lara got up too, shakily.  “Dude, you have had too much to drink.”

            “Nope, need more, you gonna get me some?” asked Lara, taking Shane’s arm and letting Shane lead her back to the kitchen, where Shane picked a bottle and uncorked it. 

            Lara sat down, watching her pour it, “You’ve changed so much, Shane,” blurted out Lara.

            Shane stopped, the bottle hovering over the glass, “Um, thanks…  I think.”

            “It was a compliment,” assured Lara with a bright smile.  “Settling down, taking care of Shay, you’re so good with him; I see how he looks at you.”

            Shane grinned, shrugging, “I’m just doing the best I can, how are you doing?”

            “I’m hanging in there, I-I-I miss Carm, but… She left for a reason I guess.  And I’m guessing that I’m the reason,” sighed Lara.  “I think I might have rushed her into settling down to quick, moving in, all of that stuff.”

            “You just wanted what you wanted, that’s all.  No one blames you for that, not even Carmen, I’m sure,” said Shane softly.  “Hell, I’m settling down, but only because it’s time for me to do that, I don’t know what I’m doing with Shay, I’m just winging it.  I’m doing my best for me and mine.”

            “You’re doing great, who ever said that Shane McCutcheon wouldn’t settle down?” asked Lara taking the bottle and leaving the glass on the counter, walking away, hips swaying, and leaving Shane laughing.

***** 

            Tegan, Abby, Sydney and Shelby had gone back to the beach house, where Shelby’s husband, Mike was meeting them.  Tegan had actually been civil to her mother and Abby had taken one last cannonball into the pool to make her happy.

            Alice had her feet propped up on Tina’s lap, while Jo was wrapped in a sweatshirt of Bette’s.  Rosita had gotten a call from someone mysterious and had left, muttering something about Vegas.

            Lara was sitting next to Shane, making Alice wonder if something was going on between them; Tina and Helena were talking shop, along with Amy who was interested in what Tegan was up against the next morning.  Riley and Spencer were not far from Jo and Bette, Riley sitting on a chair while Spencer was sitting below her, Riley’s feet dangling over her shoulders.  Darci and Emma were on the other side of Jo, flanking her, as if watching her every move, or lack of movement.  Darci and Emma weren’t talking much; it seemed that they were intent on listening.  What they didn’t know was that they were also helping Jo keep her powers in reign.  Natalie and Julie had gone on a beer run, and they had been giggling, and taking bets on whether or not Julie was actually going to show up with beer, or the more cultured Natalie was going to come back with wine.