“I actually came over to see if you were okay.  I saw you and Alice talking before she left so abruptly.  Anything you wanna talk about?”

Shane couldn’t help but smile lovingly at Carmen for a while.  Anymore it was hard to imaging her life before Carmen had become a part of it.

“She’s so lonely and keeps throwing herself into her work as an escape.  She’s even lost weight since the last time we saw her.”  Shane said with a slight frown.

“And of course you said all this to her on her first night home after the both of you have had at least five shots and twice as many beers.”  Carmen looked at Shane pointedly while Shane winced as she again thought about her choice in timing.

“I know, bad timing.  I just wish she could have what you and I have.  Or what Bette and Tina have.  Maybe then she wouldn’t find it so important to go traipsing all over the globe.”

“Baby, I know.  And I love that about you.  But all we can do is be there for her.  Help fatten her up a little bit.  Make her laugh.  Make sure she never loses that spark that makes her Alice Pieszecki because in the end only she can make herself happy.

*************

New York City

The emergency doors swung open as nurses and doctors took over pushing the stretcher from the two paramedics.  Blood pressure and pulse readings were yelled out as they continued to push the patient towards an open treatment room reserved for emergency cases.

“Patient is a late twenties/early thirties female.  Hit by a car while running.”  One of the paramedics said to the doctor who nodded in acknowledgement before turning to the woman on the stretcher.  After flashing a small light in her eyes he attempted to talk to his patient to find out more information about her.

“Ma’am?  Can you hear me?”  When she offered a slight nod he continued.

“Ma’am, you’re in the emergency room of County General.  You were hit by a car.”  The doctor paused to let the woman absorb the information.  He watched as an array of emotions washed over her face.  “My name is Dr. Morrison.  Can you tell me your name?”  A nurse lifted the gas mask from her face so the woman could speak.

“Dana… Dana Fairbanks.”  The brunette woman choked out.

The doctor’s eyes widened in recognition of the name.  “The tennis player?”  He asked.  When Dana nodded he quickly turned to a nurse at his side.

“Call upstairs and get Dr. Collins on the line.  Tell him we have a professional athlete down here with a serious orthopedic injury.”  When he looked back down he saw that Dana’s eyes had widened and she was attempting to remove the gas mask covering her nose and mouth.

“Miss Fairbanks, try to relax.  We’ve got some of the best doctors on their way.  We’re going to take care of you.  Is there anyone we can call?  Family?”  Dana nodded her head and after giving a nurse her parent’s number she locked eyes with Dr. Morrison.

“Will I play tennis again?”  Dana managed to croak out through dry lips.

“I don’t know.  It’s too early to tell yet.”  Dana was staring intently at the doctor and realized with a start that while his words were hopeful his eyes told her he didn’t believe she would live, much less compete again.  With this realization Dana slipped into unconsciousness as doctors and nurses frantically continued to work on the athlete’s body in a brave attempt to save her life.