<b>Alice:</b> Okay, Shane what happened.

<b>Shane:</b> Nothing..he’s just…he’s just puttin me in my place that’s all.

<b>Alice:</b> What place is that?

Dash sat at the table and propped her head in her hands.

<b>Shane:</b> I don’t know, its complicated….sometimes he gets this holier than thou…attitude about women….and not just that, but me being *****…but ***** him, I’m more a man than he’ll ever be…he does this whenever Father Joe treats me as an equal or choses my side over him…I don’t need a fancy job or title to show I’m smarter or better than anyone and he hates it because he thinks I should.

Alice rubbed her hands on Shane’s knees and moved in close to her.

<b>Alice:</b> I know a fancy title I’d like you to have.

<b>Shane:</b> Oh really?

Shane played along, waiting to hear what Alice had to say. Alice raised Shane’s chin and kissed her gently on the lips.

<b>Shane:</b> Mmm…and what title would that be?

<b>Alice:</b> Uhm…My *****!

Alice kissed Shane on her scabbed chin and along her neck, being carefull to remain soft and gentle incase they were interupted she wanted to remain tactful.

Van cleared his plate and grabbed a few others as Father Joe went over a few papers from his briefcase. He walked over to the kitchen and watched as Alice kissed Shane on the neck. Dash was washing the dishes, and he grew angry that they would display such behavior in front of a kid. He watched as Shane pulled Alice in and wrapped her arms and legs around her and hung her head on Alice’s shoulder.

<b>Shane:</b> How is it that you can say one completely ridiculous thing and get me to forget about years of fucked up ***** with my dysfunctional family?

<b>Alice:</b> Its natural talent.

Shane laughed and held Alice tight. Van softened as he realized it was probably the first time he’d seen Shane smile since she’d come back to the church. Was it possible that Alice made her happy? Van watched the look in Shane’s eyes as she stared at the floor while wrapped around the other woman. She looked calm. Her guard was down when she held Alice and that was something he hadn’t seen in Shane since…