(edited 5 Dec 2004)



*Chapter Five*



LLLLLL



Busy at the bench beating eggs Lara didnt notice Shane softly pad into the kitchen until she heard her husky voice behind her. I used one of the new toothbrushes under the sink, hope you dont mind. Shanes voice sounded strangely tentative as she made her way to the coffee pot and filled one of the mugs waiting. She picked up the other one and glanced at Lara in silent question.

Lara just nodded, Um, yeah, thanks. She forced her eyes away from the captivating image of Shane barefoot in her kitchen dressed in her clothes and tried to focus on the eggs. But it was too late, the image was already burned into her memory. Shane had chosen to borrow a fairly loose fitting pair of jeans that had once been dark blue but were now well worn and faded, and with them she wore a simple navy T-shirt. Her hair, still wet from the shower, had been haphazardly and almost successfully shoved back from her face. If she hadnt known better she would have described her as almost cute. Lara turned to accept the coffee being held out, she took a sip and looked down, noting the jeans had been rolled up a turn to fit, which only added to the notion of cute. Remembering breakfast she asked, I figured you could use a protein boost, so are omelettes ok?

I dont mind, anythings ok with me, Shane answered. You really dont have to cook me breakfast, I can just go and get out of your way. You didnt even get any and you want to cook me breakfast, the brunette joked trying to make light of a situation she found more than a little uncomfortable.

Seeing the honest insight behind Shanes comment Lara just replied, Not everybody needs payment for breakfast, Shane. Now what do you want in your omelette?

Right, Shane murmured before moving to the bench to see what Lara had prepared. Ummm, I think Ill have a little of everything, but no onion or mushrooms.

Good choice, Lara smiled. I think Ill pass on the onion too, I have to go to work in an hour, and I dont want to contaminate the food with onion breath. She wiped her hands and moved to the fridge pulling out a clear jug filled with an orangey pink liquid. She poured a glass and handed it to Shane. Here drink this; it will help with the hangover.

Shane sniffed the strange drink. What is it? And I didnt actually drink that much last night, you know.

Lara poured half the egg mixture into the hot pan before turning. Its my secret recipe, mainly a mix of fruits, but its high in vitamin C and B12 as well as some other goodies, so drink up. She checked the stove, making sure the egg was cooked enough to add the filling, talking while she worked. And I figured you werent just drunk, you looked a little too zoned out, but it doesnt matter. So drink it. She flipped the omelette and looked over her shoulder to see Shane still peering into the glass warily. Come on, you put that ***** in your body last night, but you wont drink something thats actually nutritious. I promise it tastes great.

Shane glanced up only to see an encouraging smile, she sighed and took a sip. Mmmm, she responded appreciatively, taking a bigger mouthful. This is really good. So, what, you just made it up yourself? Does it have a name? Shane drained the glass before adding, You know you should try selling it.

Lara just chuckled as she put the cooked omelette onto a plate, and handed it to Shane as she took the glass to refill. I just call it my Go Juice. I came up with it in college to try and compensate for the bad eating habits, and I discovered it was a great hangover cure by accident. She handed the refilled glass and some cutlery to Shane, who was now seated at the counter, and returned to cook her own omelette.

In between forkfuls of egg Shane commented, So, if you have to work, I guess Ill go after this and let you get ready. I mean I have my

But Lara interrupted as she sat down. Shane, just stop it. You dont have to leave, in fact I would feel better if you stayed and got some sleep. If you need to hide, why not do it here, its not like anyone will think to look at my place. And I dont expect anything from you, Im not like that. You just look like you could use a friend, and by that I mean one thats not going to pressure you for explanationsyet. But I would suggest you at least call your real friends and tell them youre alive even if you dont want to see them, because you know they will worry.

Finished eating, Shane leaned back with a sigh and sipped her coffee. Yeah, I probably should. At Lara enquiring eyebrow she hastily relented, And I willright before I go back to bed and get some more sleep.

Shane sipped her coffee in silence as Lara finished eating. Are you sure its alright for me to stay? she asked again, just to make sure.

Lara pushed up and stood. Yes! I wouldnt have offered if it wasnt. Now go get some sleep.

Shane moved to pick up her dishes, when the redhead stopped her. Dont worry Ill do that, just go get some sleep. I work until eight, you can stay as long as you want, but if you leave before then could you make sure to lock up.

Sure, Shane answered. And Lara, I justthanks. She smiled briefly getting a radiant one in return, that not only left the redhead’s eyes sparkling, but seemed to envelop the whole room including Shane. Shane nodded and left the room. Lara turned her attention to cleaning up, and when she passed through her bedroom on the way to the shower not five minutes later the brunette was already asleep. Lara stopped for a moment to watch her sleep, and she couldnt help but think how adorably cute Shane looked curled up in her bed. What? Cute? No-no no-no-nonot cute, never cute; *****, seductive, alluring, dangerous, but never cute. Dont even think of going there Lara, she berated herself internally, you know its a trap. Pulling her gaze away from Shane she moved to the bathroom to shower and get ready for work.



LLLLLL



Not much had been said during breakfast and even less as they cleaned up after. Dana and Alice dealt with the dishes, while Tina put everything away and started brewing another pot of coffee. Tina sat and waited for the coffee; she was deliberately trying to avoid letting Bette creep into her thoughts, but it was near impossible, so instead she watched the other two finish up. Something was definitely going on there, but she couldnt put her finger on it, the occasional comment passed between them but Tina couldnt hear what was being said. Then she saw it; Alice looked up saying something to Dana before quickly returning to re-assembling the cleaned juicer, her hair falling to cover her face. Dana reached out tenderly tucking the hair behind Alices ear and turned her head until their eyes met, not dropping her gaze the brunette replied reassuringly. Their eyes remained locked for a long moment and Tina saw Alice begin to move in before catching herself, instead bringing her hand up to pat Danas arm before turning back to finish her task. The interaction was so natural and yet so intimate, more than just friends intimate. Oh my god!

She couldnt help but think of Bette and how comfortable intimacy was between them. Had been between us, she corrected herself. She thought of how she had trusted her completely, and how Bette had betrayed that trust in the worst way. She knew she still loved her, but even if she could get past this she wasnt sure she could ever trust Bette like that again, and you couldnt have a good relationship without trust, love wasnt worth much more than pain without trust. She felt tears spill over once more and not wanting to disturb her friends happiness she hurried out of the kitchen shutting herself in the bathroom.

The sound of the closing door drew Alice and Danas attention, the blonde sighed, See what I mean, I dont know how to help. Ive never seen her like this; shes always the together one helping me out in these sort of situations. She turned back to the juicer, before shoving it from her in frustration. *****. Stupid piece of

Hey, Dana interrupted softly. Alice, baby, come here. Alice turned to her and allowed herself to be folded into the welcoming embrace, relaxing with a sigh, and snaking her arms around Danas waist. Im not sure what we can do except be there for her and if she wants to talk, shell talk, the brunette simplified Alices complex worry, gently rubbing her hands across the blondes shoulders.

Mmm, I know, but I want to know what happened and how to fix it, she mumbled, before lifting her head from Danas shoulder so she could look her in the eyes. So, baby, huh? she commented with a smirk.

Dana looked at her a sheepishly. Ah, it just kind of popped out. Not sure if shed overstepped she hurriedly added, I didnt even realise I said it, but if you dont like it, Ill make sure I dont do it again. She dropped her eyes and attempted to step back.

Hey Dane, stop. The blonde held her, and explained reassuring, I like it, ok, I like it a lot, and I love that you did it unconsciously. Youre so sweet. She leaned in gently tasting Dana lips.

Dana just grinned bashfully and held her a little tighter. Well you are my baby now.

And youre mine, Alice replied, matching Danas goofy grin. I love you, Dana, she added seriously.

The grin receded as Dana replied soberly, I love you, too, Alice. She traced her hands up Alices arms until they were resting lightly on either side of her neck, and she gently pulled the blonde in kissing her. She lightly tasted her lips before deepening the kiss, deliberately keeping it slow and sensual, trying to convey what she was feeling through her actions, as their tongues met and began to move against each other. Alice let out a long low sigh and responded passionately, taking control on the kiss; she pushed her tongue back against Danas wanting to taste the inside of her mouth. The move elicited a gentle moan from Dana, who in turn upped the tempo, one hand running into Alices hair pulling her deeper into her mouth while the other slid down the blondes back and under the hem of her tank top. Alices hands moved from caressing Danas back to slip down over the tennis players butt, squeezing slightly she pulled Danas pelvis to her own, moulding their bodys to each other.

Sorry, didnt mean to interrupt. The smirk on Tinas face took away from the sincerity of her apology. So is this a new development or an old cover up? she asked casually while pouring herself a cup of coffee. She had managed to collect herself in the bathroom and hoped focusing on Dana and Alice would stave of another bout of tears; with that in mind she turned to them for an answer. What she found were two grown women looking more like children who had just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Alice was the first to recover glancing at Dana before she answered, Its a new development, actuallyum, really new. She looked back at Dana who now looked less shocked and was nodding her head dumbly in agreement.

Yeah, like last night kind of new. Dana smiled remembering a flustered and nervous Alice on her doorstep. They moved apart and Alice went to get coffee.

After pouring herself some she looked up at Dana, asking innocently, Coffee, baby? The brunettes eyes widened and she saw the glint of amusement in the Alices eyes as she waited for her answer.

Dana just nodded, unable to stop the slight blush. Thanks.

Tina watched the interplay between her two friends as she sat and decided that seeing them together wasnt as strange as she might have thought. Even though she had thought Tonya was really wrong for Dana all along she couldnt help but think of the tennis players fianc. Dana arent you engaged, what about your fianc?

Dana accepted the mug Alice handed her before she moved to sit across from Tina, setting it down on the breakfast bar. I broke off the engagement. I, ah, realised I was kidding myself about being in love with Tonya, and it wasnt fair to her or me to settle for anything less. She turned sideways on the stool as Alice approached, and adjusted to let the blonde stand between her legs, wrapping her arms around her, before she elaborated further, I came to this realisation this morning, with a little help from Alice and a very convincing 4am talk.

Tina watched as Alice gave Dana a playful warning glare, but the brunette just smiled back before placing a light kiss at Alices temple. From across the bench Tina was intrigued, commenting, Must have been one pretty convincing conversation. What did you say, Al?

I, ah She looked to Dana, but from the cheeky grin flashed back at her she knew she would get no help there, she blew out a sigh before answering, I kissed her, ok! Then she quickly added, But she kissed me back.

I did, Dana admitted to Tina seriously in support, but the amusement in her eyes gave her away, as did the forced set of her jaw in an attempt to hide a knowing grin.

Must have been some kiss, Al. Tina couldnt help the little tease.

Well, you know, I try, Alice admitted with a smile.

Yeah, it was ok, the brunette added, trying to appear casual, she shrugged. Nothin special or anything.

Hey! Alice protested with a jab to Danas ribs, receiving a happy grin and chuckle for her effort.

Tina couldnt help but smile, Theyre so adorable. Who wouldve thought. She immediately thought of how much Bette would have like this, bringing reality crashing in. She was determined not to break down, so with tears in her eyes and a smile on her lips she spoke, Im really happy for you guys. Ive got to say its a bit unexpected, but it kind of makes sense in a way, you know. Really didnt think Id see you crossing the friendship line though, Al.

I know, that is like a big no-no for me, Alice replied, and then leaned further into Dana. But I found an exception, a very sweet and adorably beautiful exception. And I can not believe this is me talking.

You know, Tina chocked off looking down, tears forming in her eyes. Bette would really love this.

Yeah, right after she finished bitching at me about the rules of friendship and not being able to undo whats done, Alice answered automatically. She looked up at Tina panicked when she realised. Oh, T, Im sorry, I didnt think. *****, Im such an idiot.

No, its alright, I dont want you to have to censor yourself around me, god, Tina replied, swatting the tears away in frustration. You know, Ive been thinking and rethinking this whole thing, and I cant work it out. I mean I know we were having problems, but I still cant explain it. She was trying desperately to hold herself together long enough. But regardless, shes going to need you guys as well. You guys are her friends too and shes going to need to talk to you. She sniffled and grabbed some tissues from her pocketed supply. I guess I just want to make sure you dont shun her in some display of loyalty to the betrayed party. I think enough accusations and judgements will come from both of us without bringing our friends into it.

Ok, T, whatever you want, Alice replied supportively.

Yeah, Tina, I wont shun her, Dana agreed but couldnt help adding vehemently, but Im still going to be pissed as ***** at her.

Alice just smiled adoringly at Danas strong stance over the issue, she leaned in for a chaste kiss, but couldnt help returning for a little more, and Dana couldnt seem to help obliging.

Seeing where this was going Tina bought up another concern. Have either of you heard anything from Shane? She didnt look too emotionally stable when she left the CAC last night.

They pulled apart and shook their heads. No, she had that run in with Cherie Jaffe and then she disappeared, Alice answered worriedly. She wouldnt have done anything stupid, though, would she?



LLLLLL