Dana’s only regret in life was leaving Alice and running from her instead of being there for her when Alice’s life began to spin out of control.  Dana was afraid that being there for Alice as a friend would only make things worse.  But she realized in the past few months she was just being a coward and a bad friend.  Alice was the good friend and strong person.  Alice was the one who put her own feelings and pain aside to be there for her friends.  Alice was the friend who when they were not speaking, still watched Dana’s tennis tournament and showed up at The Planet to say “congratulations” and celebrate.  Alice was the one who actually answered the phone when Lara called and rushed to the hospital to be by Dana’s side after surgery, instead of sending the call to voicemail when she knew it was Lara calling.  Alice, her best friend and love of her life, was all Dana could think about as her eyes became heavy and her breathing slowed. 

_____

Alice had just finished talking to Tonya, still trying to comprehend that Tonya was going to have a baby.  She sat back down on the bench and stared at the sunflower.  Initially she bought the flower for Dana because she thought it was cute and would make Dana smile.  But the more she stared at it the more scared she became.  Scared that Dana may realize the full meaning behind the cute toy, that Dana was Alice’s sunshine and she would never be truly happy unless Dana was a part of her life in some form.  The thought of never being anything more than friends with Dana broke Alice’s heart.  But the thought of losing Dana forever to cancer devastated Alice because she knew she could never be happy without Dana in her life. 

Sitting outside thinking about the worst was depressing Alice more than sitting at Dana’s bedside watching her slip in and out of consciousness knowing there was nothing she could do to help the one person she would do anything for.  So Alice stood up, took a deep breath, picked up the flower and headed back to Dana’s room.  Walking off the elevator and heading towards Dana’s room, Alice looked at the flower again and smiled, knowing Dana would loved the simple gift.  As Alice reached Dana’s room she looked in and hesitated, before rushing in the room.

“Oh my god!  Dana, no!”  Alice screamed as she rushed to try to reach Dana.  A nurse grabbed Alice and held her tight as a doctor yelled “clear” and he shocked Dana again.  Alice couldn’t believe what was happening.  She continued to reach out her hand for Dana crying hysterically as her knee began to give out and she started sliding towards the floor.  Alice sat on the floor holding on to the nurse, reaching for Dana, saying over and over “Don’t leave me.  I can’t live without you.  I love you.”

“Clear!” the doctor yelled as he placed the defibulator paddles on Dana and tried to restart her heart for the fourth time.