Carmen hesitated, shooting a look at Alice, then Shane who smiled and pulled out the chair next to her. “Yeah that sounds good.” She said, taking the seat and trying to ignore the tingle that shot up her spine at Shane’s proximity.

Recognizing Carmen, Alice threw a shocked look at Shane, “I’m sorry, am I like interrupting a breakfast date or something?” She smiled mischievously when Shane glared.

Carmen responded first, “Not possible, Shane doesn’t date.” Carmen smiled at Alice, then to Shane, “I thought you said she was a reporter?”

Shane laughed, enjoying the shocked look on Alice’s face, “I never said she was a good one.”

Alice’s eyes narrowed ‘something is definitely up with these two.’ But she would have to investigate that little mystery another time, “Well I’m about to be an unemployed one if I don’t get this article into my editor. So I guess I’ll leave you two to your non-date. Enjoy your breakfast there Yoda.” She winked, and hurried out the door.

Shane sighed, already dreading the interrogation she knew was coming the next time she saw Alice.

Carmen smiled, “Yoda?”

Shane rolled her eyes, “Don’t ask.”

“Well, Yoda, breakfast with the same girl twice in one week, your reputation could be ruined here you know.” Carmen teased.

Shane feigned panic and quickly hid behind a menu, “My God, I hadn’t thought of that.”

Alice watched in amazement through the Planet’s front window as Shane continued to laugh and flirt with Carmen. There was definitely something different about this latin beauty. Whenever she was around Shane seemed like her old self, like a happier non-brooding version of her old self. ‘Which would basically mean, completely different than her old self.’ Alice was starting to give herself a headache. Well whatever the hell version of Shane it was, it was one Alice wanted to see more of. She resolved to get to the bottom of this, just as soon as she’d turned in her article, and joined Dana for her after-workout shower.

————————————————————————————————-

Caught up in the freedom of having Dana all to herself, Alice failed to see any version of Shane until the following night at the Planet. Where she and Dana met up with Bette to critique Kit’s new DJ. Alice spotted Shane sitting at the bar, and followed her gaze to the DJ booth.