Her friends worried somewhat about this new workaholic, driven, loveless and at times cold Helena. All expressed some concern about the future of the heart and soul of their friend, all that is but Shane. Shane completely understood Helena’s new philosophy and ironically her pain. She felt Helena was fine in her new approach to life and love. Alice tried to reach out to soften this hardened Helena but to no avail. Tasha who now worked for Helena as her events coordinator, appreciated the strict business-like approach Helena had towards running her restaurants. It reminded her of the military regimen that she was accustomed to. Tina and Bette had some concern but they were caught-up with their unending struggle of getting their relationship right, for what seemed like for the infinite time. They were too busy with each other and their precocious daughter, to really care much about what was happening with Helena. Yet under all that public coolness still lived the Helena that would remove her Hermes scarf for you if you need it and would expect nothing back in return.

Ironically, Bette and Helena had developed a quirky but close relationship. One that blossomed after Peggy took ill. Peggy always viewed Bette as another daughter and welcomed the knowledge that her two favorite brunettes were no longer fearsome adversaries. Despite the, at times, harsh relationship that went on between Helena and Bette when they first met, they eventually grew close and had become like sisters.  They had a comfortable, flirty, playfully challenging kind of friendship. Tina in particular found this very curious. This was pleasing to Peggy, who remained in deep recluse after her recovery from that scare with the insect bite. She was able to rest and recover once she was assured of Helena’s success and with the knowledge that Helena had friends who looked out for her and honestly cared for her.

Helena was living again on the beach but in a much more modest 3 bedroom home that accommodated the holiday visits of her children. As she took walks alone on the beach, she reflected back with some laughter, at her misguided deeds and her excessive spending. Occasionally she found herself walking by the mansion she once rented as she was trying to seduce Tina away from Bette. She remembered those days with some laughter. But she found nothing to laugh about when she reflected on the heartbreak she felt when she fell for Dylan and the schemes of Dylan and her boyfriend Danny. She asked herself was there ever anything real about Dylan. She quickly shut that door of her heart and her mind and pushed those thoughts safely back into the dark recesses of her memory.

Nope, no one was ever going to hurt her or use her ever again.

TBC ??