Van walked into the kitchen and placed his dishes next to the sink. Shane seperated from Alice without an argument or protest from the strawberry blonde. Alice went to the freezer and looked for another carton of ice cream. She prepared two bowls as Van dried Dash’s dishes while Shane remained on the counter with her arms crossed. Alice gave a bowl to Van and the other to Shane before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. She then dragged a protesting Dash out of the kitchen to give the two privacy.

<b>Van:</b> So…

<b>Shane:</b> What? What have I done now oh mighty Donovan?

<b>Van:</b> Nothing…I …just…uhm…so you…and uhm…Alice?…eh…

Shane watched as Van squirmed while picking through his giant bowl of pistachio ice cream.

<b>Van:</b> You know…help me out here.

<b>Shane:</b> Why should I?

<b>Van:</b> Is she…your like…I don’t know what you people call it now

<b>Shane:</b> Well you should!

<b>Van:</b> Don’t go there!

Shane started eating her ice cream while she internally triumphed at her ability to push his buttons. Shane was so busy she didn’t notice Van starring at her.

<b>Van:</b> You’re happy.

It was more of a statement than a question, but Shane nodded anyway.

<b>Van:</b> You’ve had your ***** handed to you twice in like two weeks and still your smiling like…

<b>Shane:</b> Like what?

<b>Van:</b> Like you’re…satisfied…I’ve never seen you satisfied before.

Shane’s eyes went wide and she choked on her ice cream.

Van’s face and ears burned red and he lowered his eyes.

<b>Shane:</b> Uhm…okay …I guess I get what you mean.

<b>Van:</b> So she makes you happy?

Shane nodded and finished her ice cream.

<b>Shane:</b> You should try it.

<b>Van:</b> What?

<b>Shane:</b> Being…I don’t know…satisfied…happy..whatever.

<b>Van:</b> Shane you and I both know priests can’t have…

<b>Shane:</b> Its not about *****…or women Van….it never was…its about being honest with yourself.

<b>Van:</b> Wait I…

<b>Shane:</b> Just listen…for once just listen to me…you need to be able to look in the mirror and know who and WHAT you are. Not a priest, or a doctor, or a teacher, or a man…who YOU are Van…you need to be able to do that…***** what other people see man.

<b>Van:</b> And you can do that?

<b>Shane:</b> I always have been…but now…when I look in the mirror…I kinda like imagining she’s standing next to me.