sif – thanks I’ll keep them coming as long as I can

m_rave – Ha…I’m glad you’re sucked in

bvhall- Hey its ok…my mind running wild is where this story came from..if you only knew…obsessed i tell you

InShane – glad to hear your hooked..i really like your stuff to so get your ***** up out of bed and start posting!

Janet M – Hehe I like Dash too…and her story is very much like SHane’s oh just you wait til you get to chaper 376.5..j/k or am I? ***** the laundry..do like I do, buy mre close! No really I can go 3 months without doing laundry…and artform i mastered in college….so I drive you nuts aye?

CFone – your a peach…I mean a ***** peach! yeah Dash is a lot like Shane :)Yeah ai have to write a few chapters for Shane’s past and I’ve been dropping clues so they will come together later…its just hard to write. oh and you’ve got your fix…which is why i named the chapter ‘the fix’



~Officially Missing You By Tamia…the original version this time…~

Chapter 16

Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation Gibran- Kahlil

The two left and Bette went to get a towel out of the corner for Shane. Shane moved over to the wall that had a full length mirror which stretched the length of the room. She sat with her back to the glass and buried her head in her knees. Bette grabbed the stuff she had brought with her and sat beside Shane.

She nudged Shane and handed her the towel. Shane looked up and Bette cringed at what she saw. She turned her head so she wouldnt alarm Shane. Bette took the towel back from Shane and started wiping the blood from her face. The bleeding had slowed but hadnt stopped and Shanes nose was beginning to balloon. Bette could see the blood throbbing under the surface. She gently wiped the blood and held the towel to Shanes nose. Shane grimaced and Bette jumped.

Bette: We need to get you to a hospital it could be broken…Ive already forgotten what it looked like before…

Shane: It is…

Bette: Since when are you a doctor…

Shane: Since Ive spent half my life in the ER…and since this is the fourth time Ive broken it.

Bette looked at her in horror.

Bette: Uhm, then maybe its time to find a new hobby…maybe one youre good at.

They both let out an uneasy chuckle. A trace of a smile graced Shanes face but it quickly faded.

Shane: I scared you pretty bad huh?

Bette leaned into Shane and put her head on her shoulders. She didnt know what to say so she just nodded a little.

Shane: Im sorry I…

Bette: Im not the one you need to apologize to ….you could have killed her Shane…

Shane looked down at Bette and fought back the tears she could feel brewing.

Bette: If Father Joe werent here I dont think I would have been able to…

Shane: Shhh…dont say that…please dont go there….you would have….I know you would have.

Bette: No Shane you didnt see the look in your eyes…Ive never seen that look…and I froze…I froze…I couldnt even turn the lights on…I mean Shane…

Shane threw an arm around Bette and rubbed her shoulder.

Shane: Im sorry you had to see that… I lost control….It hasnt happened in a really long time….I just…Things are changing too fast…Im not good with change.

Bette: Since when? You always take things in stride…youre so carefree and never make plans…

Shane: Maybe on the outside, but I need my routine, I need things to stay the same inside you know?

Bette nodded.

Bette: So whats changed?

Shane looked down at the soaked towel she was holding to her nose.

Bette: Lean your head back.

Shane shook her head No.

Shane: It drips down the back of my throat….I hate the taste of blood, it makes me sick.

Bette: Well youre making me sick.

Shane: Sorry…

Bette: What are you apologizing for? Youre the one sitting there in need of a good plastic surgeon.

Shane shot her a look.

Shane: Ill be fine….takes more the a foot to the face to take away these good looks.

Bette laughed and sat up straight brushing the hair from her face.

Bette: Whats going on Shane?

Shane let out a heavy sigh.

Bette: Is this because of Cheri or Alice?

Shanes jaw dropped.

Shane: You know?

Bette: I know a lot of things Shane…the thing is I need to know what you know.

Shane noticed a white paper bag next to Bette and she smiled.

Shane: Whats in the bag?

Bette pushed the bag away from them as Shane snatched for it.

Bette: You know damn well I got you something to eat. I swear if I didnt force the food down your throat youd never eat. Start talking and you get the food…then Im taking you to the hospital.

Shane whimpered.

Shane: Im gonna need my strength to talk…you know with all the blood loss.

Bette reached in the bag and brought out a large Styrofoam cup and handed it to Shane. Shane gave a big toothy grin like a child.

Shane: Is this what I think it is?

Bette: You know damn well it is…Im not drinking that ***** it looks disgusting.

Shane took a sip and Bette watched in disgust as the green liquid made its way up the straw.

Shane: What…its Pistachio!

Bette shook her head and handed Shane the Sandwich she picked up for her at the deli down the street.

Bette: Ugh…You and those Pistachio shakes is worse then the sardines and pickle sandwiches T ate when she was pregnant.

Shane laughed.

Bette: Okay is all this because your ***** Alice?

Shanes stopped drinking and looked at Bette.

Shane: She told you?

Shane lowered her head

Shane: I didnt want to tell you guys yet, I wanted to figure things out before everyone could take over and tell her how much of a mistake she was making.

Bette: She didnt tell me, I figured it out.

Shane: How! Wait…..if she didnt tell you about it then what were you guys talking about when I left?

Bette: Alas my dear Watson….there were so many clues. You left together, showed up together. You were wearing the one t-shirt Alice lets NO ONE wear….and I could smell her on you. Ha Ha

Shane laughed

Shane: I forgot to shower…Arrrrg…I never forget to shower…wait how did you know it was Alice I could have…

Bette: Trust me Shane…I remember what every woman Ive ever been with smells like.

Shane rolled her eyes…

Shane: Personally Id rather remember their taste but hey what ever gets your jollys…..

Bette nudged Shane as she opened her sandwich.

Bette: Shut it!

Shane: What is this?

Bette: Pastrami Shane…just eat it

Bette could see her scrunch her nose under the soaked towel. Shane tilted her head back and bit into the sandwich. Bette shook her head watching as Shane carefully ate while balancing the cup on her knee. Blood was dried down her neck and all over her shirt. Bette took the cup and held it up for her to take a sip.

Shane: I kinda like it.

Bette smiled to herself. She had been forcing Shane to try new things. The girl tried nothing new, but Bette was going to show her it was okay to make a few changes in her life.

Bette: I wont tell the others I know.

Shane stopped eating and threw her arms around Bette.

Bette: Eww get off of me Jackie Chan! God…. great, now I have blood and pistachio ice
cream on me.

Shane: Its like Christmas.

Shane gave her a weak smile and Bette rolled her eyes at her, while wiping the milk shake off her shirt.

Shane: Thanks B…Im sorry to put you in the middle. It just happened. I swear I didnt plan it…I was just at her place last night and well it just happened.

Bette: Shane ( she sighed) what do you want from this?

Shane: I dont know… I really dont. Ive never been in a position like this before. You know? Its like man…

Bette nodded knowing Shane was on new territory.

Shane: I had to leave last night after…after she…(Shane took a deep breath)
I let her in last night…we had ***** together…I mean I fucked her twice and then she..well I let her…. you know.

Bette: You let her!

Shane nodded

Bette: Wow…I mean…no dont take it like that I just mean…it makes sense…

Shane: How so?

Bette: Well if you were ever going to let someone in I figure youd have to trust them and you trust no one so…

Shane: I trust you

Bette smiled at her and held the cup up for Shane to take a sip.

Bette: You Better! I just…I think…***** what I think Shane what are you thinking?

Shane: Im thinking I might have fucked things up…

Bette: Why?

Shane: Im not good enough for her…and before you start your protests think about it…my life is in ruins..Im trying to balance too many things and if I started something with her…its just she deserves so much Better and I dont want to ***** her over and leave her with a broken heart, and without a friend.

Bette: Shane…youll find a balance…does it feel right

Shane nodded and smiled

Shane: It feels perfect…and I know its too soon for that but I dont know … we click. Its like I really fucked up last night and this morning things were ok…but how many times am I going to ***** up before she just cuts me loose.

Bette: How did you ***** up?

Shane: I left..

Bettes jaw dropped

Bette: Shane McCutcheon I taught you Better than that

Shane: But I came back! I had to do something for the Padre…he called right when Al was done…well you know

Shane blushed and took a bite of her sandwich.

Shane: Anyway I came back and I wrote her a letter apologizing and she read it and we were fine all morning…we even went grocery shopping but then when we got to the Planet. *****…I panicked cause I thought she told you guys and you were all telling her what a mistake she made…what were you guys talking about?

Bette got a little uncomfortable.

Bette: Okay…Shane first…before I tell you, do you want to do this thing with Alice? Cause if you do Ill help you… really I will… but you need to decide now.

Shane: Well yeah…I mean, I think she could be my Silver Dollar

Bettes heart melted

Bette: Awe really?

Shane nodded and blushed. She turned her head away from Bette and kept eating.

Bette: Okay well you need to tell her how you feel. But theres something else…What we were talking about was this.

Bette pulled out a fresh copy of Us Magazine and held it up for Shane to see.

Shane stopped mid bite and just stared and the headlines. She looked up at Bette with tears in her eyes. Shane buried her head in knees and Bette rubbed her back.

Bette: Shhh. Just be honest with yourself Shane…what are you thinking right now?

Shane: I …I dont know..I fucked up Cleas life…I ripped her happy family apart cause I was so ***** selfish.

Bette: Okay… but what about Cheri…I mean if she wants you back are you gonna go to her? Do you still have feelings for her?

Shane sat back and threw the rag on the floor. She chewed the food in her mouth and turned to Bette.

Shane: Bette…I never loved her, and I never will…I was playing games with myself…I only wanted her when I couldnt have her….theres never been someone I couldnt have….I know that now. I cant have her in my life….I lose control when shes around…you know…*****! Why did she file for divorce? You dont think she actually wants me right? I mean she just filed to you know…do it before he did.

Bette pulled the chrome briefcase from her side and sat it in her lap.

Bette: Alright Shane…heres the deal. You say you dont care about her right…

Shane nodded.

Shane: It still hurts…I mean the way she cut me loose but I know shes not the one…she a quarter…a dollar if she wanted…but shes not the one.

Bette: And you want to pursue things with Alice.

Shane smiled and nodded her head. Bette could see the sincerity in her eyes…through the caked blood on her face. Shane pointed to the briefcase.

Bette: Oh right…this arrived by messenger right after you left the Planet. The guy said he had been all over town looking for you…He even went to the supermarket you guys were at, which is kinda creepy.

Shanes face went pale.

Shane: Hold up, he knew we were at the store?

Bette nodded….

Shane: *****..this morning Father Joe said someone was here yesterday asking questions about me…

Bette: No the messenger said he had been all around town TODAY…which means maybe someone else was sent to find out about you…anyway this is what he left. And with everything going on, and this expensive looking case….

Shane: What is it?

Bette: I didnt open it…swear

Shane: Yeah but they did.

Bette: No they didnt I took it and left before they could.

Shane laughed.

Shane: Oh my God they must have tried to kill you…especially Alice..Oh and that must have sent Dane over the edge.

Bette and Shane laughed. They stopped when a noise came from the briefcase.

Bette: Its been doing that every fifteen minutes since noon. Shane looked at her watch.

Shane: Its after eight.

Bette nodded

Bette: Which means its been driving me crazy since one so open the ***** thing so it can blow up or do what ever its supposed to do.

Shane finished her sandwich and took the case. She opened it and saw a sleek rectangular object that was a about two feet wide and a foot and a half long. It was a clear device that allowed for you to see all the interior electronic devises. A soft, warm blue-white light glowed from it. As Shane lifted it out of the brief, the light cascaded over the two women who looked at each other.

Shane: What do you think it is? Youre the Gadget Guru

Bette took the device from Shane.

Bette: Oh My GOD Shane I think this is a laptop. I think Bill Gates has one. I saw it on MTV when they did that..the fabulous life of thing…they show all the stuff rich people have. Shane this thing is like a hundred thousand dollars.

Shanes jaw dropped.

Shane: Shut the ***** up!

Shane took the laptop from her.

Shane: I dont even know how to use a computer. Who the ***** would send me a computer that cost enough for someone to live off of for life..

Bette gave Shane a look.

Shane: Well enough for me to live off of for the rest of my life. How do you turn it on..I dont know how to use a computer.

Bette snatched the computer back.

Bette: Christ! Rain Man I swear

Shane: ***** you Bette, I know what that means now…and I dont watch Jeopardy so kiss my *****!

Bette laughed as she opened the Laptop. The song ~Officially Missing You~ started playing from the speakers. They both looked at each other. Shane shrugged. They looked at the screen which started to turn on. A message started to type on the screen as if a ghost were typing right before them. Calligraphy scrolled on the screen as Shane turned to Bette.

Shane: Hows it doing that?

Bette: It is hooked up to a satellite or something…they said you can go on the internet whenever you want without plugging in and you dont need the wireless hook up either. Whoever sent it is probably sending this to you right now…or they did the normal thing and just programed the computer to do it when you opened it. They watched the cursive writing on the screen.

Shane….. I hope this reaches you in time. I wanted you to be the first to know… Im leaving Steven. I miss you…its more than that. I love you. I know I hurt you the last time I saw you, but I thought I was protecting you from my life. I know that I was afraid. Afraid to be in love for real, not like the false marriage Im in. Im doing this all for you. I hope you can see that, and know that I want to be with you…Ill do anything to be with you….just give me a chance to show you how much you mean to me…

Love – C

The laptop continued to play the music. Shane recognized the song but wasnt sure where it was from. She just stared at the screen holding her breath. She turned to Bette who was staring at her.

Shane: I…I

Shane took a deep breath…

Shane: What the *****?!?!

Bette: The ***** has got it bad… this is some Fatal Attraction type *****….what ever happened to a phone call…or a note.

Shane: The note …. ***** why is she doing this….I cant deal with this right now…not with Alice…

Bette smiled at Shane.

Shane: What?

Bette: I just…I was worried youd run back to Cheri if this was form her…but now I know..youve got a crush groove for Alice! (She said in a playful voice)

Shane pushed Bette and rolled her eyes. She rubbed her lips as she thought about Alice.

Dash: So I almost get killed, and you get a ***** laptop out of the deal?

Bette and Shane looked up to see Dash standing in the doorway with an angry look on her face. Her arms were crossed as she stood in her tie-dyed uniform.. They could both see the bruises around her neck.

Shane stood up and walked over to Dash and stood in front of her searching her eyes. Shane could see her hand prints were embedded in her skin. She held a hand to her mouth. She reached out to touch Dash but the girl stepped away from her.

Shane pleaded with her eyes. She slowly moved towards Dash with her hand out. She touched the girls neck and she could see her eyes were brimming with tears. Shane moved in and pulled her into a hug. Dash kept her arms crossed as a last effort to stay closed off. Shane pulled her head onto her shoulder and stood rubbing her back.

Dash: You look like someone kicked your ***** pretty good.

Shane pulled away and nodded still searching Dashs eyes for something…anything.

Shane: Yeah I got jumped pretty good.

Dash: Your nose needs to be set.

Bette came over to Shanes side and place an arm around her waist while Shane kept an arm around Dash.

Bette: Hey Im Bette, we didnt get a real introduction before.

Bette held out her hand for Dash to shake. Dash left her hanging, but Bette gave her a warm smile anyway.

Dash: What is this your woman or something? She buys you expensive toys and you give her whatever she wants?

Shane and Bette looked at each other and laughed hysterically.

Bette: I have a wife thank you…and I couldnt afford that thing if I sold my soul to the devil.

Shane: But you could afford it if you sold yourself on the boulevard.

Bette flicked Shanes nose.

Shane: ***** B!! Thats fucked up.

Bette and Dash laughed at Shanes as she felt her nose. Shane grabbed a hold of her nose and before Dash could stop her.

Dash: No dont…

::Crunch::

Shane snapped her nose back into position and blood sprayed from her nose onto Bettes blouse.

Bette: Shane! That was disgusting…Im taking both of you to the ***** hospital right now!

Dash grabbed a towel and held it to Shanes nose that was pouring blood again. Shane jumped when Dash put the towel up roughly.

Dash: Sorry….

Shane: Its not your fault…

Dash: I shouldnt have…

Shane put her bloody hand up to Dashs face. They both looked at it and she wiped it off on Dashes shirt.

Shane: It wasnt you…dont go getting that in your head. I lost control cause of something else. Im sorry for everything I just…I never meant to…

Shane became emotional and turned away. Bette put a hand on her shoulder

Bette: Come on lets get you two checked out.

They grabbed their things and headed out to the hospital, where they spent the rest of the night in the emergency room. Bette with pistachio ice cream and blood on her, Dash in her tie-dyed outfit with hand prints on her neck, and Shane…well…she was just Shane.