(edited 5 Dec 2004)



*Chapter Six*


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The credits began to roll as Alice and Tina sat numbly on the couch. Dana had left a couple of hours ago to go check her house was still standing and that Tonya was gone. Dana had chosen to escape the tense situation earlier that morning ratther that let herself be a willing victim of Tonyas spite as she moved out.

Alice sighed, trying to shake herself back to reality. Well, theres nothing like cheesy daytime TV to make you realise your life could definitely be worse.

Speak for yourself, Tina replied. I dont know about you but Ive always longed to find out my boyfriend of three years, who just left me for another man, is really my half brother from when my father had a fling with his cousin. She sat up, removing her feet from Alices lap and setting them on the floor before continuing with a sad smile, At least I could have got on TV with that one. But, no, my story is so common its a clich.

Not knowing how to reply Alice just sat and waited for Tina to say what she needed to. Tina just dropped her head into her hands and massaged her forehead with her fingers. I just dont know what Im going to do, Al.

Alice reached out to stroke Tinas back reassuringly. You know you can stay here as long as you need. So why not just do that for now and see what happens. Taking a deep breath, she tentatively asked, Are you planning to contact Bette at all?

Tina groaned pushing herself up, watching the muted ads on the TV as she answered, I dont want to, but I know I have to. Im going to need to pick up some stuff from the house and I really should make it clear that Im moving out indefinitely, just so she knows where things are at.

Indefinitely? Alice questioned the use of the term softly.

Well I dont really want to put a time frame on it, but I cant see how she stopped, trying to find strength to say it. Its going to take a lot for me to forgive her for this, and even then I dont see how I can ever trust her again. The last part was no more than a whisper, but she kept the tears from breaking.

If you want me to come with you, Im there, ok? Alice offered with a squeeze of Tinas hand. Dana too, and Ill ask Shane as well if she ever answers her phone.

Though tempted to bring reinforcements, Tina replied, No, I think I should go alone, maybe tomorrow, but could you be here when I get back?

Sure.

Tina nodded her thanks. Ill try not to cramp your style too much, you know, with the bright and shiny new relationship and all. She shook her head in amazement. God, I still cant believe it, you and Danawow! I so didnt see that coming.

That makes two of us, Alice sighed. Well three if you count Dana, you shouldve seen the look on her face when I kissed her, she chuckled dreamily remembering. Im pretty sure she didnt see it coming. We really need to talk about this whole thing, Dane and I, I mean, its all happened so fast, maybe we need to step back and make sure we both want the same things here. Even given how happy she felt about the whole thing she couldnt help the small niggling doubts in the back of her mind. T, youd tell me if this was a really stupid thing to do, right? I mean Danas like my best friend, and this could seriously ***** that up. Right?

Yeah, it could, Tina agreed. But it could also make it a whole lot better. You already know you can love her, could you fall in love with her? She asked straight up.

Alice nodded without hesitation, but didnt offer verbal confirmation.

Ok, what made you go to her place last night? These feelings didnt just come out of the blue, right, they had to have been stirring for a while, so why last night? Tina looked pointedly at Alice unwilling to let her not answer.

Taking a deep breath, Alice answered, In a way they kind of did come from nowhere. I mean, I guess I sort of unconsciously knew, but shes my best friend so most of those feelings could be explained away as friendly love and protectiveness, you know, and the rest I just didnt acknowledge. At Tinas raised eyebrow she scoffed, I know, ok, and I made fun of Danas powers of denial. Getting back to her train of thought she continued, But seeing her with Tonya really grated me, I could see that slimy little manipulative ***** twisting Dane around her little finger, moulding and changing her, and Dana deluding herself into thinking it was love. *****, she even had them dressing alike! And I still say she murdered Mr P! She was probably slipping arsenic in his food for weeks, all Flowers in the Attic. She broke off and took a steadying breath, trying to calm herself, she didnt look at Tina as she continued, But it wasnt love, and I could see that regardless of how she seemed on the surface, Dana wasnt happy. She deserves to be happy, goddamn it, and I knew I could make her happy; and even more than that, I realised I wanted to make her happy, I wanted to love her like she deserves. Wiping the few stray tears that the heartfelt speech had set free, she glanced up at Tina with a quirky smile. And thats when I ended up on Danas doorstep at 4am, lacking the exact words to explain my epiphany.

Sniffing self-consciously Alice reached for the tissues, but upon seeing the box was empty she got up and went into the bedroom to get some more. God, can you believe this is me, getting all blubbery and emotional over a girl? she questioned light-heartedly as she walked back in. Im usually so against ***** drama and here I am living it.

Seeing the need for a change of subject, Tina asked, So, Shanes still not answering? Knowing Alice had tried to call Shanes cell twice only to get her voicemail, and that her roommates said she hadnt been home.

Walking to the phone Alice answered, No, she hasnt. Its not like her to not answer or return her messages, that phones like her left arm, Im going to try again. Alice picked up the handset and pressed the speed dial for Shane; she walked back to the couch and sat next to Tina. She was about to hang up when a groggy, obviously still half asleep voice answered.

Yeah, Shane croaked down the phone as she flopped back against the pillows, having managed to find the phone in her jacket on the floor beside the bed.

Nice to hear youre up bright and early thisafternoon, Alice smirked.

Trying her best to shake off her sleepy confusion Shane replied, Al? What the *****? Did you call just to wake me up?

Chuckling, Alice retorted, No, just calling to see if youre still alive, waking you up is just a bonus.

Damn, I was having a really nice dream too, Shane sighed in disappointment. So whats up, Al? Sitting up Shane was initially surprised by her surroundings, but the memories filtered back in. Turning to look at the alarm clock she saw that it was a little after 3pm, she also noticed a bottle of water and a packet of paracetamol sitting on the bedside table, which she reached for quickly washing two down tablets with generous gulps of water.

I really just wanted to check in with you, see how you were after last night. But by the sound of it you had quite an eventful night, Alice observed casually, given the extra late sleep in and the bar wench voice.

Yeah, kinda. Came the murmured reply.

Ok. She was slightly confused at the vague response but knew if Shane didnt want to share info it could be like trying to get blood from a stone. There was a knock at her door, she watched Tina let Dana in and couldnt help the small flippy buzz she got as their eyes locked together. Forcing her focus back to the phone call she half-joked with a slight edge of concern, Well I know from your flatmates that you didnt get home, so just tell me you found a bed and didnt sleep in your truck parked on the street or something.

No sleeping in the truck or on the street, I promise, I found a very comfy bed, or I should say it kinda found me; it even included breakfast, she smiled with a hint of embarrassment as she remembered waking up and having breakfast earlier. But thanks for the wake up call, I really should get going. Even as she was talking to Alice she climbed out of bed grabbing her borrowed jeans and trying to put them on one-handed.

Youre still there? the blonde questioned, surprised that Shane would allow herself to stay until sun-up let alone 3pm the next day. Wanting the goss, plus knowing that Shane should be told about the inter-friend developments, she hastened to offer, Why dont you just come around here, Dana and Tina are here. When I rang your place earlier it sounded like theyd had a pretty big night, so you could come here to avoid the clean up and hang out with us. Reflexively grasping Danas hand when she sat down beside her, she looked up at the brunette and kept eye contact as she talked to Shane. Plus, we have some things to tell you Quickly flicking a glance across at Tina, she added, Things you should probably hear from us.

She wasnt really sure if she wanted to face her friends and their questions right now, when she was actually feeling a little clearer, maybe even a bit better. But the weird combination of happiness and ominousness in Alice’s voice had Shane saying, Ok, Al, Ill hang out. I should be there in about an hour, as soon as I figure out exactly where I am. She knew she could just get Alice to ask Dana what Laras address was, but that didnt seem very appropriate, and for some reason a part of her didnt want to share where shed spent the night. That confused her more than anything, and she didnt really want to think about it right at that moment.

Hanging up the phone on a very confused and intrigued Alice, she finished getting dressed and walked out into the living area. There was a note on the dining table telling her she could take the rest of the Go Juice and to return the clothes whenever. She went to the fridge and saw that Lara had transferred the rest of the homemade juice into a plastic bottle; she grabbed it she returned to the table, flipped the note over and wrote a quick thankyou. She made sure she had everything, and took a swig of juice as she walked to the door. Shane opened the door, remembering the throw the locks, but she hesitated before locking herself out. She looked back at the note, tapping on the door, trying to come to a decision. Finally she walked quickly across the room, leaving the door open and added a PS to the bottom of the note. Satisfied, the lanky brunette walked purposefully out the door shutting it behind her, she ran down the stairs and out into the afternoon sun, Right, now, my truck?



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PS. Do you guys think it’s worth continuing at all?