“Of course,” Helena insisted.  Catching Alice’s eye, she said jokingly, “No security issues here.”  Smiling, she nibbled at Alice’s neck, causing the blonde to wiggle in her lap and laugh.

“Why don’t we?  We could have it this weekend.  If we all show up, together, with party supplies, when we know Dana’s home, she can’t turn us away, can she?” Tina put in.

“We’ll all go, and we’ll also invite Kit and Mark and” Bette raised her eyebrows, waiting for suggestions.

“And Lara,” Alice suggested generously. 

“Not this weekend,” Jenny said, interrupted her planning as she looked up from her newspaper.

“What’s wrong with this weekend?” Carmen asked curiously.

Jenny turned the paper around, showing the front of the sports page to them.  “This is.  Dana’s got a tournament in Las Vegas this weekend, so she’ll be out of town.”

“Oh,” Tina said simply, her face falling.  “We didn’t know about it.”

“Okay, so we change our plans,” Helena announced, leaning around Alice.  “We get together this weekend and watch her play on television while we do some more planning, and then when she gets back, we’ll give her a day or two to rest before we show up.”

“Works for me,” Shane said, shrugging, as everyone else echoed their approval.

Alice leaned in close, her breath hot on Helena’s ear.  “You’re okay with this?”

Helena smiled, running a hand up and down Alice’s back.  “I wasn’t lying to you earlier.  I am secure in this.  In us.  If it would make you happy to see your ex cheered up, I’m willing to do it.  Besides, I might appreciate the chance to get to know Dana better. After all, she’s been your best friend for years.”

Alice smiled back, burying her face in Helena’s neck.  “Thank you.”  Mentally, she thought sadly, She was my best friend.  Not anymore.  She doesn’t want anything to do with me now.