Hey Alice, its Jenny, I was wondering if I could talk to Tina.

Uh, sure. How did you know she was here?

Bette.

Yeah right, of course. Ill get her. Alice holds the phone to her chest, Its Jenny, she wants to talk to you. Bette told her you were here.

Hi Jenny.

Tina, I know this is gonna sound a little weird but Tim is upset, he wants me out, do you wanna look for a place together. I dont have a lot of money and I thought we could share. You know, expenses. This probably isnt going to work, you probably have plenty of money, Im sorry this is a bad idea, I shouldnt have bothered you. Ill

Jenny, I havent had time to give it a lot of thought. I, um, well, we can certainly talk about it.

Okay, did you want me to come over to Alices, I dont think youd want to come here, would you rather meet at The Planet, no thats not good idea

Jenny, hang on a second. Al, she needs a place to stay. She wants to share something with me, but, I … I Hey its okay, um tell her to come on over, well figure something out.

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Jenny packed her things, not that she had much but she had accumulated more since moving into the studio. Id better load everything in the car, I can sleep in it for a couple days if I have to, thank goodness I get paid today.

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Hey, Jenny. I got an idea. Come on, were going to The Planet.

The Planet, I dunno Alice, Im not sure I should

Its okay, I called, Marina knows were coming. Its cool.

What about Tina?

Uh, shes, busy. Yeah, she has some things she needs to, do, but we can take care of this, come on lets go.

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Oh my God, I cant go back there, not today, not so soon. Alice, whats your idea? Why The Planet?

You see, I remembered, not sure what made me think of it, but anyway, when Marina first came here, before The Planet was The Planet, she didnt live with Francesca, at least not right away. She lived in an apartment above where The Planet is now.

Oh, no, I cant do that.

No, its okay, its cool. Anyway, I remember Francesca putting a lot of cash out to get this place up to standard, if you know what I mean, so Marina could stay there, you know comfortable. So, I was thinking, even though Marina has been using it as storage, that it probably still has everything setup. With a little clean up work, we could have it ready for you in no time. Marina didnt seem to have a problem with the idea, so dont worry about that.

All Jenny could do was shake her head, No. No. I dont think thats a good idea. No.

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As they were walking up to The Planet, Alice, Jenny, up here. Marina was standing on the ledge at the top of the outside stairs waving with a big smile. I thought youd like to use the private entrance. Its gonna need some elbow work, but I think we can get it ready pretty quick for you. Marina hugged Alice and smiled at Jenny as she motioned them inside.

There were boxes everywhere, but not really a lot of boxes considering she was using it for storage. You could see it was mostly dusty but otherwise nice, very nice.

The boxes are just old things of mine, things I brought with me but didnt really need after I moved. Anyway, we can go through them, there may be things you can use or we can get rid of them. Marinas eyes were beaming, you could tell she loved the idea of Jenny living here but knew to keep her distance; Jenny wasnt convinced yet.

Alice, Dana is downstairs. She was asking if you had been in yet, I told her you were on your way here. Shes waiting for you. I asked her if she wanted come up here, but she chose to wait downstairs.

Oh, okay. Why dont you guys talk about the arrangements and Ill go see what Dana wants. Who knows I might even survive this. Alice was speaking more to herself than to Jenny and Marina. Alice opened the door at the end of the hall and proceeded slowly down the stairs.

I see, an inside entrance to The Planet. Jenny was nodding her head as she spoke. Marina, I dont think this is a good idea. I dont

Of course, it is. Its a perfect idea. It costs nothing to get it ready. Rents cheap. I dont know why I didnt think of it myself.

Maybe because you knew it really isnt a good idea. You and I being so close, everyday, I dont think Francesca would like this very much.

It doesnt matter what Francesca likes or dislikes. She isnt here, you are.

Marina, we agreed to give this time.

We will. As the proprietor of The Planet, I have to have keys, but I promise you I wont use them unless its an emergency. I would leave you to your privacy. I promise.

Jenny still wasnt convinced but knew she had no alternatives, unless you consider sleeping in a car an alternative. She watched as Marina busied herself with cleaning, I guess I could try it.

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Hours had passed, most of the cleaning was done, all they had left was to go through the boxes. Neither of them had noticed that Alice had never returned. There was little conversation between the two of them other than discussing what needed cleaning and possible decorating ideas.

Why dont you start opening boxes, see if theres anything you can use. I know there is a cookware set in here, dishes, things like that. Whatever you can use, you can have. Ill go get us something to eat, we seem to have forgotten that necessity.

Jenny took the time alone to really look around the apartment, imagining her living here, in this place where Marina had once lived. The kitchen was small, a hallway kitchen, but fully equipped. You could see that Francesca had spared no expenses in appliances. The bedroom too was small but more than adequate. The windows had been replaced to match those in the living area. They appeared to be larger than the originals, providing added lighting in the apartment. The closet had double doors, it too must have been re-constructed just for Marina.

She found the cookware, dishes, towels, everything you could possibly need. She washed what she could and put them away. It was already starting to feel like a home. She cleaned off the table, so they could eat when Marina returned, then continued opening more boxes. She came across a box of notebooks, curious as to their content she opened one and began to read.

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Ah, you have the table ready, good. I have dinner. Marina was still beaming. She prepared the table with their dinner; two plates of pasta, salads, and wine.

Marina, in all these months, you never told me that you were a writer.

Im not.

Jenny got up and walked over to the box she had been reading from and picked up one of the notebooks bringing it back to the table. This is writing, and its good.

They are from a long time ago, a time lost, I am no longer that person.

I dont believe that, I can see you in these words. Here, read.

Marina began to read, remembering the time when she wrote this, a happy time, a time without worry. After they finished eating, they moved to the floor and continued to go through the notebooks. She began to share with Jenny, the place and times, when she wrote into each of the notebooks. For the first time in weeks, they were once again speaking as friends, close friends, the kind that is rare to find.

After awhile, they laid back on the floor continuing to read but with less and less conversation. Before long, they had both fallen asleep exhausted, calm and comfortable with one another.

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Jenny woke with a pillow and a blanket. She wondered when Marina had left, what time it was now, the sun was up and a soft light was shining into the apartment. She wiped her eyes looking around the room feeling quite comfortable with it. As she began to move about, she started noticing things, sheers on the windows, the bed was made, towels were left by the shower with a note from Marina.

The sun light is warm and soft reflecting through the sheers, especially beautiful in the morning. Tonight there will be no need to sleep on the floor, the bed is quite comfortable. For now, a shower might be nice after all we stirred up yesterday. When you get hungry, come downstairs, Ill fix you something. Love, Marina

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Marina gently places the pillow under Jenny, she cannot help but be tempted, the softness of her hair as it falls across her hands, being so close to those inviting pouting lips she had become so familiar with. After covering Jenny with the blanket, she kisses her lightly on the cheek. She needs Jenny to stay here, to be near her, so she can help her and protect her. Her desire has not lessened but for the moment it has been contained, it has to be or she may lose her forever.

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You mean shes upstairs, now. Wow man, thats *****.

Shane. I must be gentle with her, take time with her.

Yeah right, time. So anyway, I got this idea about everyone chipping in to get the money to buy out Francesca. The girls, your employees, we can all help.

Marina grins at her, she really had no idea how much money shes talking about. Bette may very well be the only one who could pull this off, but she knows she is not a preferred friend of Bettes. Kit said she would talk to Bette, her money from the royalties hasnt come in yet, maybe Bette would loan it to her and Kit could be my partner. I just dont know if Bette will do it. Maybe I could speak with Tina, see what she thinks. If she likes it, then maybe she can convince Bette.

Why dont you talk to Bette?

Marina smiles at Shane, Im not exactly her favorite person, remember.

That was years ago. Not like anything really happened.

I have to get to work, for the moment I still have a business to run.

As they get up to leave the office, Shane puts an arm around Marina gives a quick hug, We will save The Planet. And who knows, maybe your heart will get a little saving while were at it.

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Hey Jenny, thought you could use a little house warming gift. Shane is standing at the door with two coffees.

Jenny stands aside and waves her in, Welcome to my humble abode. After showing Shane the apartment, they sit at the table to drink their coffee. So Jenny, what ideas do you have for Marina? Jenny is puzzled by Shanes question and how insensitive it seems to their situation.

If we can get everyone to chip in

What are talking about?

Saving The Planet.

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Marina, you said I could have anything I wanted from the boxes, right?

Sure, whatever you want.

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Days passed quickly. Marina had hardly seen or spoken to Jenny, mostly in passing as she saw her coming and going. Jenny was on her way out again, Jenny, how are you? I havent seen you much this week, are you liking the apartment?

Jenny walks over to Marina, wraps her arms around her waist and hugs her tight, The apartment is wonderful. Jenny turns to leave looking back over her shoulder, So are you.

She stops and turns, Hey Marina, would you like to have dinner? At my place?

Marina is surprised but pleased at the invitation, I would love to.

How about 7? You can use the inside entrance.