She knew it wasnt Shanes faultdeep down she really knew how Gabby was, but it was easier to blame someone, but not Shaneshe would never hurt her.  She quickly pulled Shane into her arms, holding her as Shane had just done for Alice just moments before.  Dont blame yourself Shanepleaseits okayI promise.  She felt the wetness on her shirt as the tears from Shane pelted against her chest.

Shane was never so shocked in her life.  Her mind was almost blank, her body reacting against her natural instincts.  She had no control and no desire for it.  She wanted to be held, she wanted to cry for everything that had ever happened and her body did just that.  Every wall that she had ever built up crumbled in Alices simple words and simple embrace.  Her chest heaved and ached at her powerful sobs.  She gripped on to the blonde woman holding on to her for dear life, her knuckles white and her fingers digging into the womans back.  Still Alice never winced or moved away from her, she rocked and soothed her for what seemed like hours.  Her energy depleted she felt the tears slow down; her face was wet and she started pushing further into Alices chest.  She breathed in the other woman, never wanting to be away from the sweet smell, a familiar scent of vanilla.      

Shane  Alice ran her fingers through the womans dark hair with her left hand.  She gently pushed the womans chin up to face her with her right hand.  She looked at the broken woman before herno not brokenmaybe cracked, and she vowed to be the glue to hold her together.  Baby everything is going to be okayI would never let anyone hurt youyou know that?  She watched as the woman nodded and pushed her face back into Alices breast nuzzling it, both still on their knees in the floor.  

Slowly Shane began to feel more aware of her actions.  She had been weak and vulnerable in front of Alice.  She had wept inconsolably for an hour as a child would.  She wanted to run from her emotions, but instead she felt herself pull Alice in closer.  As much as her mind urged for her to hide, her body ached for the comforts her friend brought her.  Her muscles felt strained from the wracking her sobbing had brought and she felt worn out and tired.  Shane felt her body being pulled into the carpet, her face still buried in Alices chest.  The blonde never released her and continued to hold her even after she had fallen into a warm inviting sleep.