“Ivan, we need to talk,” Kit said softly, closing the kitchen door behind her.

Ivan shifted his weight uncomfortably. “About what?”

“You and me. God, Ivan, this hurts to say, but this isn’t going to work. As much as I like you, and as much as you love me, it won’t do. You make me feel like a queen, and I wish I could treat you the same as you treat me. But…” Kit paused.

“You can’t handle being with a drag king,” Ivan supplied gently. “Despite your feelings for me, knowing that underneath the clothes and the getup, I’m a woman, is too much for you.”

Kit took a shuddering breath, a tear escaping from her eye. “I don’t want to hurt you. You’re so wonderful to me…”

Ivan leaned forward, wiping away the tear gently and laying a soft kiss on Kit’s forehead. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it, and it probably won’t be the last. Will you let me be your friend, at least?”

Kit nodded hesitantly. “But no more. I can’t handle it. I’m so sorry.”

Ivan smiled sadly, even knowingly. “I know. But thank you for letting me love you, Kit, and for letting me stay in your life. Even if I can’t have you, being a part of your life will still mean so much more to me.” Wrapping Kit in a hug, he muttered, “I love you.” With that, he turned and walked out the door, his back to Kit so that she could not see the tears.

Kit collapsed into a chair at the table in tears, wondering why this hurt so much.

Shane, Alice, and Dana piled out of the back of the taxi in front of Bette and Tina’s house. Alice stuck her head in the front window, inches from the cabbie’s face. “How much do we owe ya?” she asked, with a wink.

The cab drive stuttered as his face turned a bright shade of red. “Don’t worry, it’s on me. Thanks, and you ladies have a lovely night.”

Alice cast her eyes down to his lap, and then looked back at his face. “No, thank YOU.”