After gratefully accepting antiseptic, band-aids, and an ice pack, as well as allowing Marina to baby her and fret over her injuries, Dana sat staring across the table in The Planet. Lara, she said softly, her voice cracking slightly.

Lara bit her lip. To be honest, Dana, I came here looking for you. I need to talk to you. She looked away momentarily, drawing in a deep breath. Dana, Im dying.

Danas head snapped up at the dramatic announcement.

I have cancer, Lara explained softly, eyes downcast.

Dana started to ask if this was a sick joke; just some ploy to win her back, when she noticed Laras pale, hollow face, tear-filled, dark-circled eyes, and painfully thin appearance. She took further stock of Laras appearance, noticing her lovely red hair, hair Dana used to love to bury her face in, was significantly thinner and shorter. Oh my God, she muttered, not sure what to do or say. And the she did the only thing that she knew to do: she wrapped the sobbing Lara in a warm hug.

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

Alice strolled into The Planet with Bette, complaining steadily about Shane, exasperating Bette to no end. A large straw gardeners hat with a moth-eaten pink bow and huge frayed brim sat on Alices head. Bette noticed Tina looking at it strangely as they walked to her table. She greeted Tina with a kiss, while Alice barely acknowledged them as she continued rambling.

Um, Alice? Tina said, interrupting Alices tirade about Shane spying on her.

Huh? What? Alice asked, distracted.

The hat, was all Tina replied, and Bette had to choke back her laughter.

Oh, its to keep the rain off my head. Its totally ***** my hair up even worse than it already was. Dont look at me like that! Its all I could find! Alice told her indignantly, adjusting the hat, a piece of straw brim cracking off in her hand. Now, anyways, as I was saying, Shane obviously is spying on me. I know she had to hire someone to do it, cause thats my kind of ***** and nobody beats me at my own damn game…