Alice looked around at the shocked faces and went back to typing on her computer.

Van: Anyway…Bette has told me she already discussed your little joy ride with the two of you.

Dash: Discussed?

Van gave Dash a look that made her instantly shut up and take a sip from her Red-Eye.

Van: Well, Ive come up with the punishment.

Shane: A punishment!…what am I like twelve!

Bette: You act like it!

Van: Im driving you to Lather so you two can do your thing, and then Im bringing Dash to lessons, and you to the doctors.

Shane: Fine…wait….what do I need to go to the doctors for? You already put my arm in this monstrosity.

Shane slammed the cast on the table in a huff. The discarded plates and silverware clanked from the impact. Van had brought Shane into the hospital the day before and removed all the temporary work. He replaced his temporary wiring and restraints that MacGyver himself would have been proud of before anyone could see it, and performed the surgery to place the bolts and pins that would hold Shanes fragile bones in place. He then covered everything up with a cast that was harder to get into then Fort Knox.

Shanes fingers barely peaked out because Van didnt want to risk Shane over working the wrist with her stubbornness, so he made it impossible for her to move anything from the elbow down just to be safe.

Van: No…Im bringing you to Bettes doctor…THE DOCTOR!

Shanes face went pale and she looked down.

Shane: Why are you doing this to me? Its my body, I should be able to…

Van: From what I hear its all of L.A.s body….and because you cancelled the last two appointments she set.

Shane: So what…you called him to pick me up and haul me off cause I dont do things your way?

Shane shot her words at Bette with venom in her voice.

Dash: Uhm….actually I called him…I thought it was the right thing to do…Bette has to go to help with lessons, and theres no way I can drive all the way to Lather in traffic without getting arrested. I barely made it here and it was only like two miles.

Dashs eyes watered as she considered the possibility that she had completely let Shane down after she had trusted her in ways that she trusted no other. Shane turned to look at Dash. She could see the girl was upset because she thought she had disappointed her. Shane held no ill will towards her, but still felt betrayed by Bette and Van. They both knew why she didnt want to go to the gynaecologist….Van more than anyone. After all…he had studied to be an Orthopedic Surgeon because of all the ***** they put her through.

Dash stood from her lap and began to walk away.

Dash: Ill be in the truck….uhm…thanks….Alice.

Dash waved the scarf and left the Planet. Shane closed her eyes as she heart melted for the young girl. She silently cursed herself as she reached for the hidden pocket inside her jeans to pay for their meal. She took out a thick wad of money and peeled off a hundred with her mouth. She placed the stash back in her packet and tucked the bill under her plate as Alice raised an eyebrow at the ridiculous amount of money Shane was carrying around. Shane stood up to leave as Bette sat down to collect her things and pay. Shane bent over close to Bette and made sure everyone at the table could hear her talk.

Shane: I see things still have to be your way….No matter what the cost.

Van grabbed Shane by the arm and dragged her towards the door. Bette buried her face in her hands and cried as Alice watched in disbelief. She had only missed three days, and yet everyones personalities had completely changed.