Alice mocked gasped and said, "why thank you! We hear that all the time!"

Dana shot her a look then looked at Lara apologetically. "Look Lara we ended up on the wrong foot, I just wanted to apologize for how I treated you."

"Oh," Lara waved her hand, "it’s all water under the bridge. In fact I would like if we could become friends."

Dana smiled, "I would like that."

Alice scowled.

"Come to the counter, I’ll give you my number and we can just…catch up," Lara said standing up.

"Catch up," Alice mimicked in a high pitched voice only Dana could hear.

"Behave," Dana warned standing up.

"Yeah behave," Alice muttered crossing her arms over her chest and pouting.

Kit came to the table at that moment, "Alice I’m so sorry, I swear I completely forgot that Dana and Lara were together."

"Oh come on Kit you don’t remember when we stayed with Tina after that thing with Marcus’ girlfriend and they started having sex with all of us in the room!" Alice cried.

Kit’s eyes widened in realization, "oh shit! How could I forget that? If you want I can fire her."

"No," Alice said, "she’s a five-star chef, she’s good for your business."

"I’m so sorry Alice," Kit said, "but don’t fret baby girl, I know Dana loves you and only you."

"She may love me, but I may not be the only she loves," Alice said sadly, "Dana loved Lara with all her heart Kit."

Kit sighed and opened her mouth to speak but someone called her.

"Oh, I gotta go, we’ll talk later okay," Kit said. "Is it okay if the new bouncer sits here for a bit? I need her to sign a few things."

Alice glanced at the counter and saw Dana and Lara engrossed in conversation. She sighed and said, "sure, I’ll be alone here for a while anyways."

Kit smiled apologetically and walked to bouncer who was by the door. The woman walked to the table and sat across from Alice.

"So you’re gonna be keepin’ us safe?" Alice said.

"Piece of cake," the woman said with a shrug, "If I can fight for this country I can bounce for a club."

"You’re a veteran?" Alice said a bit surprised.

She nodded, "Army National Guard. I was a captain for three years before I was discharged for unacceptable conduct. In other words being gay."

"Wait they discharged you for being a lesbian?" Alice cried bewildered.

"Yes, but I’ve been accepted into a gay-friendly police academy," she said, "this is my temporary job."

"Hah! Those bigots!" Alice cried passionately, "not only do they send a bunch of young kids out to fight a war that isn’t theirs, they throw people out for something they are born with leaving them out cold in the streets! The very same people who risk their lives to fight for their pathetic, bullshit excuses!"

The woman cocked an eyebrow and looked at Alice in silence. After a moment of silence she reached over and shook Alice’s hand, "you and I are gonna get along."

"Yeah I really think we are," Alice said grinning. "I’m Alice."

The woman smiled and said, "I’m Tasha."

TBC