“Dangerous how?”

“Well, some feller could be drivin’ down the road and see you two… Well… You know, and get all hot ‘n’ bothered.” The officer took a moment to spit out some of the tobacco, “He takes his eye off the road, and the next thing you know, he’s in a ditch.”

“Oh. Well, thank you, officer.”

“No problem, you hear that, too?” The policeman yelled to Tina, who was only a foot or two away from Bette and had heard the whole conversation easily without him yelling.

“Yep.”

“Good. You ladies drive safe now.”

“Of course, officer.”

“Bye.”

The officer disappeared into his car and sped off, leaving Bette behind sighing in the seat.

“Fuck…”

“You okay, babe?” Tina giggled, trying hard not to laugh and make Bette angry.

“No, I’m not okay. We could’ve gone to jail, Tina!”

“We wouldn’t have gone to jail…”

“Well, we could’ve scarred out child for life!”

“Now that’s a possibility.”

Bette sighed and sank deeper into her seat.

“Relax, baby, I was kidding. She’s not going to remember any of this, Bette. And she didn’t have a good view of us, anyway. She’s behind the seat we were sitting in.”

“Fine, let’s just go before we’re any later, all right?”

“Fine with me.”

“Dana!” Alice yelled, causing Dana to turn in alarm, expecting to be berated for running after Lara.

“What?”

“Clothes.”

“What?”

“You’re naked.”

“Huh… Oh. Oh!”

Dana quickly ran and pulled on her clothes, nearly falling over a few times in the process. She turned and ran out the door, yelling Lara’s name. Alice got up, calmly dressing and walking out the door. She needed to have a conversation with a certain ex of hers. But she’d need protection. Dana was out, she’d be too angry. Bette and Tina were both gone, Angus was too nice, Kit was too depressed… Shane! Shane was perfect! She got in her car and started it, simultaneously pulling out her cell phone to place a call to Shane. When she didn’t answer, she swore softly to herself.

“Shit. Now what? The only person left’s Jenny…” A slow smile spread across her face. “Or Carmen….” She flipped open her phone and called her friend, increasing her speed and turning towards Carmen’s apartment.

“Hello?”

“Carmen, fuck, thank God you answered.”

“Wha…? Alice?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s going on?”

Alice’s tone had gotten Carmen worried, and she was now sitting straight up in bed.

“It’s a long story. The short version, Gabby beat Lara, and I’m going to figure out why and make sure Gabby never lays a hand on anyone else again. But, I need protection.”

“You want me to be your protection.”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“Who else? Shane wasn’t answering her fucking phone, and I know you’re a fighter.”

“Shit…” Carmen looked at the clock. It was late…

“Please?”

Carmen sighed heavily, looking out the window and seeing a blue mini cooper pull up outside her building.

“Fine. Do you want me to call one of my brothers or something…”

“No. Come alone. I’m outside.”

“I see that.”

“Hurry the fuck up, then!”                    

Carmen was outside within a few minutes, and Alice looked her up and down, nodding.

“You look nice.”

“Thanks, it’s just some old rags I threw on.”

“Well, you really look good.”

“Oh. Thanks, Al.”

“No problem.” There was silence for a few seconds. “Get in the car, Carmen.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

Alice spent the entire car ride briefing Carmen on her history with Gabby.

“Wow… that’s fucked up.”

“You’re tellin’ me.”

“You really initiated a kiss by saying ‘I like your boots?’”

“Yes. We’re here.”

The car pulled to a stop and Carmen opened her door, pausing when she saw Alice staring at it blankly.

“Do you really want to do this?” Carmen whispered, not wanting to scare her friend out of her trance.

“Huh? Yeah, I’m sure. Let’s go.”

They got up to the front door, Carmen lagging behind slightly. The two friends glanced at each other in anticipation before Alice raised up her hand and placed three solid knocks on the door. It opened after a few minutes, and the dark haired woman smiled from the darkness of the house.

“Hello, Alice.”