Thanks everyone for being patient with my lack of responses.

Jkitta – yeah it would be great if Showtime used some of my *****…then I could move from jersey to LA. The place I said Id never move to seems to be calling my name lately.

Christy – oh you will get more, I dont plan on running out of ideas for at least thirty more chapters.

Bvhall – good luck luv, heres a send off chapter…everything will be great and dont forget…you get the good drugs! Hope youve got that laptop ready aye.

Lyn – Thanks, yeah I def need some rest. Dana will be set straight right away by Lara, dont worry…Dane thinks shes the Domme in this relationship but thats only cause Lara lets her think so….Lara know when and what to hold out youll see.

Shy – yes I will enjoy my sister for all of 24 hours before she has my ***** out in the freezing cold on the track. Its alright though…I can smoke and jog right?

JanetMG – ~takes can of soda you left and kicks over and sits in the rocking chair~ hey these things arent that bad…kinda comfy. And no I didnt like the last chapter and I dont like this one…sorry but they feel and look like filler chapters. Poor you practicing kissing and cuddling and having to save water on joint showers. I get to take my long hot showers till the heater kicks out :)

CFONE- dont hold your breath luv..ALice is just adding to the fire.

Ange – glad you enjoyed it heres another one your way…oh and youre in London…I always forget people are halfway around the world when I do this I look at the time stamps and wonder if they are fellow insomniacs.

Nix – hey how many lil sis do you have? Im stuck in the middle with one sis on each end. Heres your fix, now go write your repertoire aye?

Ps – has anyone heard from ACEOFHEARTS? Or CONFUSSED? They are both MIA



Chapter 41

Ain’t no words to say the way
I feel It’s like a bad dream but it’s real
It seems like only yesterday
We were talkin’ in the most familiar way
Now everybody knows the way I am
They all see right through my show
I aimed so high now I’m so lowI’m all dressed up got nowhere to go
~If God Only Knew~ Beth Hart



Shhhhhh came the reply from both Shane and Lara. They motioned for Dana to come over which she did with much apprehension.

Dana: What the ***** is going on here?

Lara held her finger over her mouth as she and Shane stood up and brushed off the seat of their pants.

Dana: Why are you guys dressed like this? Baby whered you get that suit? And why did you ask me to pick you up here only for me to find you with Shanes head on your….

Lara leaned in and kissed Dana. She probed her mouth with her tongue in a desperate attempt to shut her up before Bette and Tina could hear them from the other side of the fence.

Lara pulled away and Dana blushed when she saw Shane smiling at them and shaking her head.

Dana: Yeah, yeah…too ***** cute.

Lara rolled her eyes and brought Dana over to the fence where she showed her the happy couple dancing on the other side. Dana pulled away with tears in her eyes and put her hand over her mouth.

Lara: Wow…its beautiful over there…how did Bette…

Shane: Well explain inside….and before you ask…no I didnt sleep with Bette, and yes I was borrowing your girl for the night, but only as a friend.

Shane looked at Lara who wrapped an arm around her shoulder and the other around Danas waist.

Lara: Anytime Stud.

The three walked into the house and settled on the bench in Shanes room with a couple of beers. Lara told Dana the events of the past week, while Shane sat finishing her book with the occasional glance over at Dash.

Dana: Wow….I cant believe you guys did that…I cant believe Tina was willing to keep her mouth shut and not blow up at Bette..

Shane nodded and continued to read. Dana turned from facing Lara and looked at Shane as she read the story that she had committed to memory years ago. She finished the finals words and closed the book as she stood off the bench and opened it. She tossed the book in with the piles of loose scraps of paper and sat back down rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Dana: I didnt know you could read Shane…was that Curious George ***** Hollywood? Shane looked and her and shook her head.

Shane: I wouldnt know, I only look at the pictures.

Shane grabbed the empty bottles and left the room. As she threw the bottle in the recycling can she heard the door open.

Ivan: Uhm hello, anyone here.

Shane: In the kitchen, you want a beer man?

Ivan: Uh…no….I…

Shane: Im sorry Ivan…I bought you and Kit some non Alcoholic beer if you want….

Ivan: Well, thanks…youre always thinking of everything huh?

Ivan entered the kitchen with two pizzas in his hands.

Shane: I see you are too.

Kit quickly came in behind them.

Kit: Sorry baby, I had to take a quick peak…things look amazing, I cant believe Bette pulled it off.

Shane looked over to see Kit was holding bags of Thai food from the restaurant down the street.

Shane: Couldnt decide huh?…come on everyones in my room…Ivan can you grab some plates.

Lara held Danas face in her hands.

Lara: That was just mean.

Dana: Shane knows Im ***** with her, we always do things like that.

Lara: I know baby but right now she could really use a friend.

Dana: Well I hope youre not expecting me to just put everything aside and let her lean on my shoulder cause…

Lara: Cause thats what a real friend would do Dane….Yes she and Bette put themselves in a bad spot, but the only person who stuck up for her is the girl sleeping in bed right there….a girl shes known for like a month….a girl who just started hanging out with her this week, defended her before her friends did…..Shane could really use someone in her corner.

Dana: Why are you so quick to be the one to do it?

Lara: Because when Tina came in and accused her no one…and I mean not a single person said a word in her defense….we all just sat there and watched the drama unfold….it wasnt just Al who dicked her over, all of us did and as friends we should have stuck up for her.

Shane: Dont sweat it Lara…

Shane and Kit stood in the doorway as Lara explained herself to Dana. They both turned and blushed when they realized Shane and Kit were listening.

Kit: No shes right baby girl….I didnt even think about it….Im sorry I didnt jump up and defend you and my baby sis. I should go apologize to her…well tomorrow. Seems like Ivan and the kid were the only ones to come to your rescue.

Ivan: Hey dont let her hear you call her a kid.

Ivan whispered as he came into the room with silverware and plates. The group sat around eating and drinking until Jenny and Marina came home.

Marina: Is anyone home?

Jenny and Marina walked in holding food cartons. Shane leaned back and moaned.

Shane: Join the party. …whatd you bring?

Jenny: We got dessert….figured wed missed dinner already.

Jenny and Marina joined the group while Jenny told her part of the days events, including her arrival at Alices apartment.

Marina: Should we call Alice and invite her?

Everyone looked at Shane.

Shane: No…sorry but I dont want to see her.

Everyone became uncomfortable and passed on a few weary glances.

Jenny: So….uhm Shane….. this is the first time Ive actually seen your room…its uhm…so…uh…

Lara: Empty.

Marina: Simple

Kit: Lonely

Dana: Crack house sheik.

Ivan: I was gonna say You

They all laughed as Shane crossed her arms with a look of mock insolation.

Dana: Okay I have an early run tomorrow so we need to get going…..sorry baby.

Lara: Its okay,it was a long night and I got up early today.

Dana: I know I rolled over and you had already crept out.

Dana pouted and snuck a few kisses from Lara as she teased her with her tongue.

Ivan: Uhm…okay Ill just start cleaning this stuff up

Shane: Yeah lets take this in the other room before we wake up Dash.

Kit: I dont know sugar she looks dead to the world….she didnt even take off her tuxedo.

Jenny: Shes probably really tired since she and Shane stayed up all night finishing the roses.

Everyone exited the room leaving Dash to sleep the night away.

As Dana and Lara said their goodbyes, Shane dumped out the food in the trash. She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped. She turned to see Dana standing before her looking nervously at the floor. They both just stood for a moment.

Shane: Its okay…you dont have to do it cause Laras making you….Im sure she threatened to withhold ***** tonight if you didnt come in here so Ill tell her you played nice…

Danas jaw dropped and she looked at Shane in shock.

Shane: An early morning run? Sundays you sleep in and do a pool workout in the afternoon.

Dana shook her head and blushed. She punched Shane in the arm and turned to leave. Dana stopped and turned back around. She grabbed Shane by the suspenders and pulled her into a tight hug.

Shane: Thanks…I didnt know it but I really needed this.

Lara: What the ***** is going on here!

Lara came storming in causing Dana to jump back.

Lara: Get your ***** hands off my woman!

Dana and Shanes faces were picture perfect as they watched Lara in horror.

Shane: Uhm..wait..I…

Lara walked over and put her arm around Shanes waist and pulled her in close.

Lara: God, Dana cant you keep your hands off my woman?

Shane broke out laughing when she realized what Lara was doing and Dana covered her face as she went beet red. Lara kissed Shane on the forehead.

Lara: Alright Stud, well probably see you on Monday.

Shane: Yeah..you know…since Dana will be uhm…what was it? Running?…all day tomorrow?

Lara and Shane wiggled their eyebrows and hugged before she and Dana walked out. Shane called out to them before they walked out the door.

Shane: Oh and Lara.

Lara: Yeah Shane?

Shane: Thanks…

Lara: All I did was listen..

Shane: No…. I mean …thanks for everything.

Shane motioned towards Dana who was unlocking the car. Lara smiled and sashayed down the front walk throwing a wink at Shane over her shoulder. Shane shook her head and closed the door to rejoin the group. Shane sat down and joined in on the Bette and Tina stories until they were all stuffed and Kit and Ivan had to go. Shane and Marina cleaned up the food while Jenny turned everything in the house off.

Jenny: Were going to go stay at Marinas…busy morning tomorrow.

Shane: Alright Ill try to stop in but It will be later on.

Marina and Jenny left and Shane went to the back door to let the dog in. She saw that Marks light was off and went to her room with Achilles following behind her. She decided to call it a night and went in her closet to find something to wear to bed. She was thinking that maybe it wasnt so bad wearing boxers and a t-shirt to bed. But the briefs under the boxers was getting to be a nuisance. The things she did for this kid. Shane smiled to herself as she unbuckled her pants and looked down at the little boy briefs with a picture of Robin on them. she was out of clean boxers and opted to keep her pants and wife beater on as she kicked off her shoes and socks. She came from the closet and saw the dog seated on the floor starring at Dash. Shane climbed in bed with Dash for some much needed rest.

Shane: What the *****!

Shane jumped out from under the covers. The heat was immense and took her by surprise. She knelt down on the low mattress with one knee and felt Dashs sweaty forehead. The girl was pale and her body rocked side to side as she took each struggled breath. Shane slowly moved the covers back from Dashs body and grabbed her arm. She had completely sweat through her tuxedo shirt, and the sheets were visibly wet around her.

Shane jumped back and held her hand over her mouth. She ran to go get Marina but remembered they had left. She had no idea what to do. Maybe she was panicking. She tried to wake Dash but couldnt. She shook her violently screaming her name.

Shane: ***** me!

Shane knew what she had to do, but it was tearing her up inside. She had four people who would know what to do. That would involve two phone calls with many different outcomes. She could call Bette and Tina and ruin their perfect night, or call the rectory to get Father Joe, or Van which would ruin everyones night. Shane ran out of the room and to the front door.

Shane opened the front door and went to attack the front steps but tripped over a weighted object on the ground. Shane tumbled and fell to the pavement. She stirred for a moment and She looked up at the porch to see a large package in the dark. She went to stand but found that her right hand was useless and buckled under the weight. She slowly found her bearings and came to her knees. There on the top step was the suitcase Cheri had sent to Alices place. Alice had left all of her things on the front porch without so much as a knock or a phone call. Shane came to her feet and watched as a set of taillights went down the street.

Shane: Are you ***** kidding me?

Shane got up and jogged ( limped really) over to Bette and Tinas front door. She knock and winced when she used her right hand. She started banging with the left and became desperate. She was screaming for anyone to come and help her. This isnt what Shane does…she doesnt get involved. Once the kids are out of her hands shes done. Shes just the drop off. Shane continued to knock as she sunk down onto the porch.

Shane: Tina….please …..help me…