Alice just didnt know what to do. Tina was a disaster. And with the melt down of Tina and Bettes relationship, Alice just didnt know if she had the strength to deal with her current situation. Tina was finally napping, so Alice decided to shower and try to escape the turmoil of the last 24 hours. In the shower all she could think about was Dana. How was it possible that her lips had been so soft. She remembered the kiss from the previous night She couldnt tell her, and she didnt know what to do. Dana was just staring at her. So before she had really thought about it, she had kissed her. In a flash her lips were on her best friends, and she could feel her heartbeat like a tribal drum throughout her entire body. She couldnt breath, she just kissed her, kissed her hard and then backed away. She was frozen. She wanted to run, but she couldnt feel her lips. The only sensation she had was her thumping heart, and her burning lips. What now? I cant look at her. What is she thinking? Why hasnt she said anything? And before she knew it, Dana was coming at her. First their lips met, hard, crashing together. Dana had taken her bottom lip between hers. Then she felt Danas lips part ever so slightly and Alice could feel Danas tongue gently exploring her bottom lip. Alice was in auto pilot, her responses were instinctual. She placed her hand on Danas hip, and Danas hands were suddenly grasping her shoulders. Alice adjusted the kiss, now taking Danas bottom lip between her own and using her tongue to examine the warm smoothness of Danas lips. As their hands found each other the kiss deepened. Alice couldnt believe it. She felt Danas tongue timidly searching for her own, asking to be invited in. Alice tentatively reciprocated, dancing from side to side with Dana. Their mouths began to grow more confident, exploring and expressing feelings that had been there all along, but had never been free until now. Then it hit Alice. This was DANA! Oh God! What was she doing? Things would never be the same! She broke the kiss, caught her breath and ran away, uttering some nonsense and leaving Dana to wonder in the damp night air. Alice came to and realized that the shower was cold. Wow, this was never going to work. She was never going to be able to just bury these feelings. Ugh. Alice got dressed and threw on some clothes from her clean laundry pile. She suddenly remembered Tina! Oh no, how long had she been in the shower. When Alice went to look for Tina she found nothing but a note. Thanks Al, I needed you last night and you were there for me. I dont want to put you in the middle of this, so Im going to take some time and figure out what to do next. Ill call you later and fill you in. Thanks again. – Tina *****, Alice had abandoned Tina without so much as an explanation about why she seemed so distracted. Wait maybe that was a good thing. No one could know about what had happened between them. If anyone knew they would never see Alice the same way again, no one could know how scared she was, and how alone she felt. She was too strong and too proud for that. Not twenty minutes later there was a knock on the door. Here we go thought Alice Hey Al. Hi Dane. Wanna come in? Yeah okay. Um Ill get us something to drink. Wait Al About last night No, Dana, it was my mistake. I know youre happy and I dont want to mess that up for you. Al Alice could see the tears starting to form in Danas eyes Hey, Dane, it was just a kiss right? Al, I mean, I think it was more than a kiss. Alices heart started pounding again, where was Dana going with this? Dane, I dont know what you mean. Alice, I need to know. Youve got to tell me what it meant to you. You have to tell me what I mean to you. I need to know, and I need to hear it from you. Dana. I love you. Ive loved you for a long time now. Youre my best friend, and theres nothing I wouldnt do for you. Suddenly Alice realized that she was crying. Why was she crying? She was stronger than this. What was going on? Dana, I dont want to lose you. I Dana reached down and took Alices hand in hers. Her fingers began gently caressing her friends. This wasnt the first time the two of them had held hands, they did it all the time, but something was different. The simple action of fingers touching fingers was saying much more than it had before. Alice, please please tell me. I wont be mad or angry or upset, just be honest with me. Alice realized that this was the first test. If she had the balls to tell Dana how she felt, she just might get what she wanted. But, she also knew, that if she spilled her feelings all over the floor, shed never be able to pick them back up. So, then and there she made a decision dont let love leave you empty handed, you have to reach, grab, and struggle until its right there, secure in the palm of your hand. That was it. No more staring at the floor, no more hiding behind sarcastic remarks. Alice slowly raised her eyes until they met Danas. She held her stare, firm and unwavering. I love you. Alice reached up her free hand and placed it on Danas face. Dana began to cry, ever so softly realizing what was happening between them. She couldnt take her eyes off of Alice. Everything was going to be different, it was already starting. Dana didnt know what to do. They were still standing in the hallway, oblivious to the world around them. Can I kiss you? Dana whispered in a shaky unsure voice that Alice had never heard before. The thought of kissing Dana again made Alices vision blur. She didnt know what to say. In just those few minutes everything had changed, yet everything was so familiar. The air was electric as Alice stepped toward Dana. Alice paused just inches away, still staring into Danas eyes. They suddenly looked different. Dana was scared and vulnerable, and not just in the usual way, she was scared of Alice. Dana, I dont know. Are you sure you want this? yes It was barely audible, but suddenly her eyes told Alice all she needed to know. She saw that along with that vulnerability was a longing, and need. Dana actually needed to be kissed. Alice took a deep breath and felt her hands begin to tremble. She slowly leaned in and just barely touched her lips to Danas. They felt different today then they had last night. This kiss wasnt hesitant, or surprising. The two women both knew it was coming and it was still electrifying. Alice took another step closer to Dana, but did not deepen the kiss. Alice had Danas lower lip between hers and suddenly the world had stopped. This was it. This was right. How could it have taken her so long to get here? Dana made the next move, she pulled away from Alice and placed her free hand on Alices cheek. She began moving her thumb across Alices face. She got closer and closer to her lips, but never touched them, simply explored the butter skin causing Alices heart to speed up with anticipation. Finally Alice had to turn her head to introduce her lips to Danas thumb. Danas eyes were focused on Alices lips, seeing all the lines and freckles shed never known were there, feeling the firm yet plush skin that formed Alices lips. Then she kissed them again, her thumb still involved, feeling the warmth and wetness as their lips began their slow waltz. Just as the night before Dana slowly parted her lips and used her tongue to further embrace Alices plump lower lip. She gently sucked it into her mouth and ran her tongue back and forth over the length of the warm skin. Then Alice put her hand behind Danas neck and pulled her further into her mouth. Alice ventured into Danas mouth exploding with anticipation. Dana continued stroking Alices face as they finally allowed their feelings for each other to be expressed in a romantic reprieve. The kiss was never really lustful, it was passionate, it was somewhat forbidden, but mostly it was reassuring. Both of them wanted more, but Alice eventually pulled away. She stared into Danas eyes, both of them wearing giddy smiles. I want to do this the right way Dana. I want to ease into it. I dont want us to rush through the honeymoon period just because were already friends. And there are a few other things actually that I need to tell you. They both went over and sat on the couch, still holding hands and staring at each other longingly. Alice explained what had happened with Bette and Tina, Dana was devastated. Listen, I think that for now we should keep these between the two of us. Everyone is going to be very fragile right now, and we dont need to be rocking the boat anymore than the hurricane known as Bette and Tina already are. Dana kind of laughed at the return of Alices humor, and nodded in agreement. Well, what are you going to do now? Alice kindly asked Dana, meaning, How the ***** are you going to tell Tonya? I suppose Id better go have a talk with Tonya. Nice! thought Alice.