Both now ready, it is a matter of checking on Dana.

Alice ”Yer sure this is…um…”

Dana ”Al, Lara…I wanna make sure you guys are getting along and not just for me.  Okay?  I’ll be fine, I’ll be right here.”

Lara ”Dana…if you need anything, no matter what it is…”

Dana ”Don’t worry, I’ll call you.  I will!”

Dana smiles.

Dana ”Just gonna figure out which one of these flicks I wanna watch first.”

Lara walks to the bedroom, formerly the guest bedroom downstairs.  Lara brings back with her a blanket for Dana.

Lara ”Here.  Just in case you need it later, okay?”

Dana ”Thanks, Lara.  Serious, I want you both to hang out…unwind a little.  All I can do tonight is be cranky and a pain.  And I wanna know that…well…you can both be there for each other and not just me.  It’ll be good for both of you to not have to put with me for a while.”

Alice ”You sure you’re gonna be okay?”

Dana ”Al, I’m fine.  I want you and Lara to go out, have dinner, tell jokes…do whatever.  And I will be here when you get back.  I wanna make sure you two are friends.”

Lara ”We’re friends, Dana.  Everything’s fine.”

Dana ”Cool.  Then I’ll see you guys back here later tonight.”

Dana grins.

Dana ”You can tell me all about it.”

Lara walks over to Dana, leans down and kisses her on the lips.

Lara ”I love you.”

Dana ”I love you, Lara.”

Alice’s expression is meek as she waits for Lara.

Alice ”Okay, so uh…we’re gonna go.  Somewhere.  Hang out.”

Lara walks up to Alice.

Lara ”Ready?”

Alice nods.  She looks back at Dana, who smiles at her.  Alice and Lara leave, closing the door behind them.

Dana ”Everything’ll be okay.  …Okay.”

Alice and Lara arrive at the restaurant.  The restaurant specializes in Indian food.

Lara ”This is a nice restaurant I haven’t been to in a while.”

Alice ”Well, it’s certainly different from lobsters.  So uh…you weirded out yet?”

Lara ”Should I be?”

Alice ”Well, I mean…with everything that’s happened.”

Lara smiles.

Lara ”This is what Dana wants, Alice.  And I’ll do whatever it takes for her.”

Alice ”You’re really loyal to her.”

Lara ”Yes.”

Alice ”…So am I.  I guess that’s why I’m here, too.  I mean…I think it’s great you and I…hangin’ out…enjoyin’ dinner and…so on.  I uhh…just…wish it were under better circumstances.”