Watching her form the kitchen of The Planet, Lara was mesmerised by the graceful movements of Dana even if she broke her heart.
Thinking back she remembered that she had thought that she had pushed to hard wanting Dana to come out. But it had hurt to be brushed aside like nothing of consequence.

Now it seemed as though her heart was out of reach. Across a distance far more than the few feet that separated them now. Watching as Dana and her new found love sharing a meal. A usual occurrence no doubt and one seen before, but hurt nevertheless.

Tempted as she had been to walk away from this job, she knew that she had to face her demons before she could move on, and the all important question still remained.

Did she really want to move on from Dana?

A person who had changed her in so many ways, most intangible but life-altering nonetheless.


Alice and Dana now were a couple; Dana looked happy, very happy.
What more could now be said but goodbye? Or at least goodbye to what they had.
So now all she had to do was gather the courage enough to move on if not away.
But she didnt want to, a selfish part of her wanted Dana to be hers, wanted to be the one to cause her to smile, to be the one she share her hopes and dreams with.

But what could she do?

Her gesture of reconciliation had been rebuffed and Lara did not think that she could handle the rejection once more. Sighing Lara turned back to her work physically and mentally hoping to put aside all until another day or at least until the end of her shift.




Dana had felt eyes on her and knew that if she turned a little she would be able to see Lara at the counter. Her thoughts were jumbled when she remembered the times they spent together and the hurt that she had inflicted upon the gentle soul that had captured her heart.

She wanted so badly to resolve the hurt after firing Conrad but found her courage failing and she didnt want to face the rejection that she would have gotten. Moving on or at least thats what she told herself. She became involved with Tonya and thinking back thought that maybe she had gone temporarily insane but knew that a big reason it happened was because she couldnt have Lara and wanted anyone who would take her.

Now she was involved with Alice and she was happy, but unfair as it was she couldnt help but compare her feelings that she had with Alice to the ones she had with Lara.

Rebuffing Lara when she reached out to her had hurt tremendously but she couldnt and wouldnt cheat or lie about her relationship with Alice. She owed her friend now girlfriend more than that.

Wanting to leave the past where it lay, she moved forward with Alice and felt at least content. But couldnt stop her heart from skipping around Lara. She honestly didnt know where this relationship was going but wanted to give it a fair chance. Even if a part of her heart will always be with Lara.

Shaken from her thoughts by Alices hand on hers she looked into concerned eyes and smiled as best she could with the thoughts that run round her head.
This wordless communication was an indication of how far their relationship had progressed but Dana couldnt help but wonder if it was just because of their friendship. Her feelings at the moment were hard to decipher and she honestly didnt know what to do.

I guess the question really should be: What could she do?

Break the heart of her best-friend and gain the chance at something that could last?
Or stay with her friend and regret actions that werent taken?
Maybe, take a break and ***** up a friendship that kept her afloat through all the bad times?
Lose Alices friendship just for a girl?

God! She didnt know what to do and all this thinking was just giving her a headache.
Giving Alice a tight smile and then quickly stating that she had to go out for a bit, she turned and walked away not knowing where her feet would take her.




Alice was left confused werent they having a nice time, what happened to make Dana so pensive all of a sudden. Alice knew that she felt love for her friend and knew that she could very well be falling in love with her best friend. Her heart was in her throat the whole time that Dana was out with Lara and didnt know whether Dana was going to break up with her. Nevertheless she knew that something was bothering Dana but didnt know what it was.




Lara had seen Dana leave and wondered what had caused her to leave so abruptly and wanted so badly to chase her and ask her what was wrong but she had lost that right when she had left. Now it was Alices, who at the moment was looking at the seat across from her with very puzzled look on her face.




Dana apparently arrived at the beach where a lone figure could be seen near the waters edge, walking closer she realised that it was Bette. She had heard what had happened but couldnt really believe it until she saw Tina in her crying state and went to see Bette later, even 3 weeks after the events she still looked like *****. Seeing the unbeatable couple shattered had caused Dana to think over her actions and there were so many that she regretted, mainly those regarding Lara. But it almost stripped her of her belief in love.

Now at this time, time had passed slowly over these last few months and still Bette and Tina were at opposite ends. No longer was there time for the most basic conversations and if there was, only those of the most general nature, as if they were just acquaintances people who we pass with barely a nod of recognition, not wives of 7 years. It hurt Dana to see her friends this way but knew that Tinas new girlfriend and Bettes companion had a lot to do with it.

Walking towards Bette, Dana knew that the conversation they were about to have would be their longest one since the incident. Bette had avoided most of them and the times they did see each other near the incident Alice had been furious.

Bette, over the months had learnt that her friends were still there for her even the angry ones but she no longer seemed to want to lean on them instead focusing on the people that she to just appear.
Dana had felt a little hurt over being replaced until Bette had confided in her that she didnt want her friends to chose, she would still be here for them but wanted them to support Tina even if she wasnt with her.
It was this revelation that had restored Danas belief in love because she knew that her friends were still in love and despite this split they would be together forever and it would only take some time for them to see that.

Reaching Bette she sat down next to the standing figure. Watching as Bette slowly sat as well her thoughts travelled to when she first saw Bette after the incident, she was so thin and gaunt even now she was just gaining back her shape and figure.

After the silence continued for a while Bette asked

So what brings you to the vast expanse of these waters?

Dana was hesitant to answer as she didnt know had Bette would react. She knew about her and Alice but Alice was her best friend and she didnt want her to think that she didnt love Alice.

As if sensing her worries, Bette slowly turned to wards her and whispered
Nothing that you say will change anything; I promise that it what its said here stays here.

Taking a deep cleansing breath Dana began her tale, talking of her feelings and the confusion, how Alice made her happy but she missed Lara so much, how stupid she had been over Tonya and their engagement, how she didnt want to hurt either of them but knew that it was inevitable, her guilt over how she may be stringing Alice along, how she didnt know how to separate her feelings and more.



Bette didnt say anything just sitting there listening intently as her friends feelings poured out. God! How self-absorbed had she been to miss this huge development that one of her best friends was going through and suffering alone.
Hearing sobs begin to appear in Danas voice she held her tightly as the repressed emotions poured forth.



Dana had talked till her breath was gone and then the tears started she couldnt help it as the tears just seemed to pour out, holding on tightly to Bette she just let go and let her emotions run.

As the sobs tapered off after sometime, Bette invited Dana back to her house for dinner and asked if she wanted to call Alice. Nodding since she knew Alice was worried after her hasty exit, she climbed into Bettes car and waited until she got to the house.

Spending the night at Bettes, Dana had felt a little better after letting go of the problems that plagued her.
But it was seeing Lara at The Planet where her, Bette and Shane were having breakfast that seemed to bring it all back. Alice had an early meeting and was unable to make it to breakfast but her and Dana had time to talk later.
Late in the previous evening, Dana had decided that it was time to talk to Alice for a bit and maybe take a break from everyone, maybe see if could sort out some things whilst relaxing before her intense training that would begin soon with the upcoming tournaments.

Seeing Lara again with her shining red hair and flawless beauty, knocked Danas relaxing thoughts out the window and span a new picture containing the both of them in the Jacuzzi of the resort that she had planned to go to.
Shaking the thoughts form her head she focused on the conversation at hand only to be lost again in the captivating movement of the beautiful redhead. Shane snapped her out of her reverie with a question about her vacation.




Dana seemed even more beautiful this morning even with the exhaustion evident on her face. She seemed freer somehow and less troubled a lot better than when she walked off yesterday. Yesterday seemed so long ago as she had spent hours wondering what was wrong with Dana and how she might help.
But she felt the eyes on her as she moved and so wanted to look aver but knew that if she did she wouldnt be able to function afterwards sat work. Her attention was drawn away by the order that had come through.

Lara had just finished work and was headed towards her car when she saw Dana waiting next to it, wondering what was going to happen, her heart beat frantically and thudded with anticipation.