Dana ”Which means you’ve gotta bring your best every time or else it’s over.  It’s really exciting and the players don’t have to miss any time leaving here to play in Europe for the Winter.  Mark, you watch women’s basketball?”

Mark ”I watch a lot of things when I have time.  I’m more of an L.A. Sparks guy, even though they’re W.N.B.A.”

Dana ”They were having a great season last I checked.”

Mark ”Yeah, just a matter of getting it done in the postseason.  I’m a Christi Thomas fan.”

Dana ”What?  No Lisa Leslie?”

Mark ”Everybody likes Lisa.  That just goes without saying.”

Dana ”Al once dated a Lisa.”

Alice shakes her head, laughing, leading to Dana laughing.  Lara smiles, happy to see Dana laugh.

San Jose.

The plane touches down.  Everyone arrives at the H.P. Pavilion for the San Jose Lightning and Houston Mustangs W.B.L. Championship Game.  One of the signs outside the arena strikes Mark funny.

Mark ”Wow, they still haven’t taken it down yet.”

Shane ”Taken what down?”

Mark ”It says, ’General Motors Place.’  That’s in Vancouver.  There had been talk that some radical Canadian group might pull this stunt and I gotta say…well played.”
Shane ”Wait, are you talkin’ about those guys that had the Neighbourhood Watch signs?  The Freedom Maple Leaf, or F.M.L. or somethin’ like that.”

Mark ”Yeah, the ones with the, ’u,’ in, ’neighbourhood.’  Still can’t figure out if they’re serious or just nuts, eh.”

Shane ”Eh?  Ah, I see what you did there.”

Prior to the game, Mark uses the men’s bathroom.  At the same time, Dana is in the women’s bathroom.  It is a moment alone for Dana, wanting Lara and Alice to trust that she can be okay on her own for this.  Dana and Mark exit the bathroom at the same time.

Dana ”Hey.”

Mark ”So.  Come here often?”

Dana cracks a genuine smile, then a smirk at Mark’s intended absurdity.

Dana ”Just can’t resist, can you?”

Mark shrugs.

Mark ”It’s part of my charm, really.  It’s nice to talk with someone who knows who Christi Thomas is.”

A fan walks up to Dana asking if she indeed is Dana Fairbanks.  Dana shakes her head and Mark notices and looks at the fan.

Mark ”Hey, me and my brother Burr are having a moment here.”

Dana looks at Mark, confused.  The fan walks away, also very confused.  Dana and Mark walk together.

Dana ”Your brother Burr?”

Mark ”I was a big Burr Connor fan.  Even had the action figure.  Try not to hold it against me.”

Dana grins.

Mark ”Not too big on the recognition, I take it?”

Dana ”No, not like this.”

Mark ”Hey, you’re the one rocking the awesome hat.”

Dana shakes her head, grinning.  Mark and Dana enter the arena, walking down the steps toward their seats.  They hear the public address announcer.  Dana freezes as she realizes the announcer is talking about her being a special guest, introducing her as the, ”2006 Mercedes-Benz Challenge Ladies Tennis Champion.”  Dana feels a little shocked and on the verge of embarrassment.  One of the players from the Lightning, named Maitland presents her with a San Jose Lightning doll, based on their Moose mascot.  Mark stands with her, applauding like everyone else.  Dana looks to Mark.

Dana ”Get me outta here.”

Mark ”You wanna leave?”

Dana ”Yeah.”

Mark ”Okay, but before we hightail it out of here and have the city of San Jose thinking I kidnapped you, I just want you to look over there.”

Mark points towards Lara, Alice, and the rest of Dana’s friends.  Dana turns around, looking at them.

Mark ”This is for them.  This is for us.  We love you.  And you’re just gonna have to deal with that.”

Dana looks to Lara and Alice, cheering for her.  She sees Carmen, someone who had cussed her out in recent times.  She sees Carmen cheering her on.  She sees Shane, Helena, and Dylan cheering.  She sees the crowd cheering her.  She sees Mark smiling.  She has received ovations while playing tennis.  She realizes this could be the last time she gets to receive one of these.  She looks to Mark.

Dana ”You’re such a dork.”

They both laugh and Dana accepts the adulation.  She accepts the cheers.  It is overwhelming and she is appreciative.