“What is it, babe?”  Alice squeezed Dana.

Dana shook her head and then turned catching the blonde’s worried eyes with her own, “It’s nothing.  I’m just feelingI don’t know.  Sick.  That’s all.”

Alice whispered in her ear, “I can take care of you.  I don’t mind.”

“I love you.”

Alice tilted her head to the side, examining the athlete’s expression.  She searched for an inkling to what was going on inside Dana’s mind.  Somehow, Dana blurting out those three magic words, caught her offguard when they weren’t reciprocating her own or just came out of thin air.  She was used to always being the initiator when it came to saying that.  “You’re not dying or anything right?”

“What?”

“Ok, just making sure.”

Dana faced the journalist, “Why’d you think that?”

“Huh?”

“Do you think I don’t?

“Youdon’t what?  What are you talking about?”

“Because I doI love you.  And I would never hurt you.”

“I know that, Dana.”  Alice put her hands on Dana’s face.  “I love you, too, D.”  She leaned forward and kissed her sweetly on the lips.  

“I should go practicenow.”  Dana stood up.

“But you’re not feeling well.”

“I’ll be fine in a little bit.”

Alice watched Dana leave the room.  She called out after her, “Alright then I guess I’ll just see you later.”  The phone was gripped tightly in her hands as she debated whether or not to call Dana or one of her friends.  Instead she began typing. 

Alice saved her document on the computer before getting up to answer the door.  Her mouth dropped as she opened the door, “Gabby?”

“Looking good, Alice.  Then again you always do.” Gabby brushed past Alice and in to the other room, not waiting to be invited.

Alice blushed and bowed her head.  “What brings you here?”

“I was in the neighborhood and figured I’d stop by.  You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not really.”

“Good.”  Gabby stretched out on the couch. 

Alice followed Gabby to the living room.  She observed the brunette for a minute before finally sitting down on the chair.  “Hi.”

Gabby smiled coyly, “Alice, what do you feel about coming to a hot little party next week with me?”