“What’s happened?”

Tina explained the events of the previous 18 hours to the visitor’s horror and she insisted coming with them to the hospital.

The three of them arrived to find Shane getting a glass of water from the water cooler, she heard their footsteps and hugged both Bette and Tina before turning to the older woman in their company just saying four heartfelt words.

“Please. Take her home.”

Dana didn’t hear the door open, she was concentrating on keeping her eyes open and talking to Alice.

“Come on Al, please wake up honey, I don’t want to leave you till I’ve seen that you’re ok and I’ll never leave you if I don’t have to but I’m tired babe and I don’t feel that great. I know you’d kick my ass if you saw that I was still here and send me home but…I…just can’t leave you again.” A single tear escaped from Dana’s eye but she became aware of someone behind her as they placed their hands on her shoulders.  She didn’t recognise the hands but she recognised the voice.

“Dana, Tina and Bette and here to look after Alice till you can return but right now I’m taking you home and you are not arguing with your mother.”

Dana stood and was surprised at how shaky she was on her feet although not entirely surprised as she’d been sitting in the same position for hours.

Sharon Fairbanks gave her daughter a firm but loving hug.

“Ok” Was all Dana could reply.

They arrived at Dana’s condo, Dana changed into a pair of Alice’s pjs and climbed into bed.  Her body was grateful for the rest and it overpowered her mind as she almost immediately fell into a deep and well earned sleep.

The next few days were difficult for all of those involved.  Jenny and Carmen had returned and together with Bette, Tina, Kit and Shane they each kept a vigil at Alice’s bedside.  Dana was suffering the physical and emotional effects of both the chemo and Alice’s accident. Sharon stayed with Dana at home and at the hospital, never allowing Dana to overdo it while realising that her visits to Alice were the only thing getting her through this time and when Bette was stuck at work and Tina needed to go home to feed Angelica, it was Sharon who stepped in to look over Alice while Dana was sleeping.