“No,” Dana said quietly, still refusing to look at Alice.

“Is it Lara? You miss Lara? Wish she were here? Cause I could call her, and tell her-”

“NO! It isn’t about that,” Dana interrupted. She finally met Alice’s gaze. “It’s just… you’re right, I have treated you like crap for a while now. No, it’s true. And when all of this cancer shit happened you were always there for me, even after all the pain I’ve caused you. I guess I’ve just really realized how great you are to me, and I don’t think I deserve it.”

“Oh Dane,” Alice whispered, tearing up and regretting her earlier teasing. She reached down and kissed Dana’s forehead lightly, softly taking her hand in the process. “You deserve the best the world can offer, don’t worry about me, I was just kidding around. I love being here for you, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I don’t want to be anywhere else or with anyone else.”

Dana’s face lit up at hearing this. She looked up at Alice, breathing a weak “Really?”

“Of course,” Alice said, tears now falling freely. “Of course.”

“Ditto,” Dana murmured, smiling softly. Alice started to gasp out laughs between her tears upon hearing this. She wiped her eyes with her free hand, now beaming.

“You’re such a dork,” Alice wheezed out, finding it hard to breathe while laughing hysterically and crying.

“I know, and you know you just love me more for it,” she said without thinking. Alice raised her eyebrows and threw a pointed look at Dana, her laughter coming to a slow stop. Dana had quickly realized her mistake and was now blushing deeply, averting her eyes sheepishly. I think I’ll just ignore that little remark.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I think I liked you better when you didn’t have quite as much confidence,” Alice said slowly, after letting Dana squirm uncomfortably under her glare for a few moments. Dana shot her a weak smile; grateful Alice wasn’t going to comment.

“Hmm… why are you still awake?” Dana asked, shamelessly trying to change subjects. It was really late, though.

“Just thinking.”

Pause.

“About?”

“Oh you know, mundane, everyday stuff. Don’t worry. Go to sleep.”

“Al.”

“What?” Alice started, looking at her innocently. Dana rolled her eyes. “I’m serious, I was really just thinking about like, work and stuff. If you’re not going to sleep, have fun, cause I am.”

“Fine. Don’t think I won’t remember this, though.”

“Whatever, Dane. Goodnight.”

“Night, Al.”