<b>Alice:</b> I think we’ve got most of the basics. 

Shane took the pad from Bette and reread some of the ideas they came up with. 

<b>Shane:</b> Yeah We’ve got a bunch of stuff to work through but at least we’ve got a plan.  I’ll be right back I’m gonna get a shot.

Shane hurried to the front counter and waited for a shot.  She finally gave up and started making her own shot behind the counter, and nearly burned herself on the espresso maker when she fumbled with her left hand.  Kelly came over and quickly switched off the milk steamer.  Shane turned to say thanks and Kelly avoided her eye contact.  She got a good look at him and saw that Dash had done a real job on his face.  He had two black eyes, a split lip and a large gash above his right eye. 

Shane reached out to touch his cheek and recoiled when Kelly flinched away from her.  Shane could see the turmoil of guilt and ego behind Kelly’s eyes and decided to leave well enough alone.  She couldn’t save them all she knew she had to do it one at a time, and she currently had her hands full with Dash.

Shane returned to the table with her deep purple mug filled with four shots of espresso.

<b>Shane:</b> Uhmwhere’d Van go?

<b>Dana:</b> Brotha man is braving the bathrooms alone.

<b>Shane:</b> Don’t call him that he’s not my brotherwait you let him use the bathroom?

Bette bit down on her lip and raised her eyebrow when she realized what they’d done while she was lost in paper work.  Dana and the others exchanged looks about Shane’s last comment, while Alice just checked out her *****.  Shane ran off to the bathroom as quickly as her battered body would allow.   As she rounded the corner she collided into a wall and flew back only to find herself suspended with her nose two inches from the ground like cruise in Mission Impossible.

<b>Van:</b> I got you.

Van helped Shane up before the fabric of her shirt would give out and straightened her out.  As she fixed her clothes she noticed Van pulling up his pants and buttoning them.  He looked around nervously and Shane was almost afraid to ask.

<b>Shane:</b> Van?

<b>Van:</b> I uhmthere was.

<b>Shane:</b> What happened in there?

<b>Van:</b> UI uhm had to peeand I don’t know first I didn’t know which to go in and then I’m in there and the person next to me I

<b>Shane:</b> What?

<b>Van:</b> He well was at the urinal

<b>Shane:</b> Yeah..

<b>Van:</b> And had a full beard

<b>Shane:</b> Yeah

<b>Van:</b> And *****.

Shane bit down on her lip to stop laughing she grabbed Van’s hand and took him back out to the caf.

<b>Shane:</b> Welcome to West Hollywood.

Van stopped and pulled Shane back towards him.

<b>Van:</b> About last night

<b>Shane:</b> Before you say anything I’m sorry and I understand you don’t have to go into some tirade about not trusting me or about putting your personal life out there with people you barely know, but don’t worry, Dash and Alice won’t say anythingthey will make fun of you and drive you crazy, but they won’t

<b>Van:</b> I don’t care.

<b>Shane:</b> Huh?

<b>Van:</b> I wanted to say the offer’s still on the table if you want.

<b>Shane:</b> And what brought this on?

<b>Van:</b> You uhmchick

<b>Shane:</b> Her name is Alice.

<b>Van:</b> No the rich one.

Van pointed over Shane’s shoulder and she turned to see her former truck parked on the street.

<b>Shane:</b> ***** man I really thought I got through to her that it was over.

<b>Van:</b> You didbut she donated it to the church.  So uhm You can have my old truck back.

<b>Shane:</b> My baby!

Shane smiled as they started walking back towards the group.

<b>Van:</b> Uhm MY baby.let’s not forget you stole it from me in the first place.

Shane turned to Van and he held up both hands in defense.

<b>Van:</b> Hey I’m just telling it like it isyou showed up last time after a month long binge and the next day my truck was gone..I’m not yelling at you , but it did happen.

<b>Shane:</b> Trueso I guess we’ll call it even?

Van looked out at the huge black truck outside and tried to suppress the giddy feeling he had inside.

<b>Van:</b> sure.

Shane leaned in so only Van could here.

<b>Shane:</b> You’re such a *****.