“How much time do you two need?” Shane asked exasperatedly. “Fuck, Dana, you’re both so stubborn that it could take you years to see what’s staring you in the face.”

“And what’s that?” Dana asked, knowing the answer but feeling a strange desire to hear it said by someone else.

“That you’re both still completely head-over-heels in love each other,” Shane answered firmly. As she spoke, she saw Dana’s eyes shift to a spot over her shoulder and her face flush with sudden recognition.

“Alice!” Dana said, her voice sounding far too loud and high-pitched to her ears. “You surprised us,” she continued, trying to steady her tone as she shared a guilty look with Shane.

“Hey, Al,” Shane said, turning around to face her friend with a grin.

“Hi guys,” Alice replied, trying desperately to look as nonchalant as possible as she came into the room. Having overheard the last part of Shane and Dana’s conversation, she suddenly felt utterly tongue-tied. Luckily, Dana came to her rescue by speaking first.

“Al, what are you doing here? I told you to go home and get some sleep,” Dana said, trying to sound stern, but failing miserably. She couldn’t disguise her happiness that Alice had come back so soon, even though she wished her timing had been a little better. She wasn’t sure how much of the conversation Alice had heard, but given her beet-red face, she guessed that she’d heard what Shane had said as she had walked in the room.

“Come on, Dana, when have I ever listened to you?” Alice retorted, resuming her usual mock-bratty tone in an effort to force Shane’s words out of her mind. “Besides,” she added, eagerly changing the subject, “I have news.”

“What is it, Al?” Shane asked, smiling at her friend’s nervous energy.

“I ran into Dr. Bauer on my way upstairs, and he told me that he’s going to let you go home tomorrow morning!” Alice announced, her voice rising with giddy excitement.

“Are you serious?” Dana asked, her eyes brightening as Alice’s words settled in her mind.

“Of course I’m serious,” Alice confirmed as she leaned down to envelop Dana in a close hug. “You’re going home,” she said, speaking softly in Dana’s ear. Feeling sudden tears threatening to spill down her face, Dana tightened her grip around Alice’s shoulders and shut her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy this moment of shared happiness.