“I said I wasn’t dressed…”  Alice looked up to see a stunned Shane looking down at her.  Having only gotten her pants on, she still lacked a top.  “Oh…it’s you.”

For a brief moment Shane felt her heart stop.  She had obviously pissed off her recent roommate, and it hurt to have the shorter woman upset with her.  “Yeah it’s me.”

“You’re late.  Where have you been?”  Bette had put Alice in a right mood, and she couldn’t help but to snap a little at the young woman.  Shane had been more standoffish than ever, and Alice felt as if she was slipping through her fingers.  How she longed to take the lanky brunette in her arms and tell her how much she meant to her. 

Shane avoided eye contact and turned her flush face away from the naked goddess before her.  Clenching her hands, she resisted the urge to throw her best friend on the ground and show her how much she loved her.  I can’t go there.  It will ruin everything…even if she did want me I don’t deserve her.  “…urm…yeah sorry about that…I was just looking for a place to stay.

At this Alice thrust her shirt over her head and gaped at the teenager before her.  “What?  You’re not going to stay with us?”  Her voice snapped a bit more than she liked.

“Well you need the guest room and I’m really just in the way…so I was looking for places seeking roommates.”  Shane nervously swung her foot back and forth, suddenly feeling stupid for telling Al about her plans instead of just doing it and letting the chips fall as they may.  What are you seeking attention or something?  Why do you do this can’t you do anything right?  Now everyone is gonna make a big deal about it and try to make you feel wanted out of pity…stupid McCutcheon.

Stepping toward Shane, Alice forced her to look up at her.  Studying the sad emerald eyes before her she sighed.  How do I get across through to her that she is family and all of us want her around?  If only she would open up and tell us her story.  “Shane…”  She continued to search the younger woman’s eyes.  “I want you…no that’s not right.”  Shaking her head she grasped the rough hands of her roommate.  “Shane look at me.”