Knowing that Alice wasn’t looking so good, Gina and Shane pulled her to the nearest chair to sit down.

Shane- “You look like *****, Al. Are you gonna hurl?”

Alice- “I…I th..think I’m alright. Need to get air… can’t catch my breath.

Gina-  ”Good idea, take my arm and I’ll help you through this crowd.

The cold, crisp air was a definite improvement. After a few minutes Alice was getting her bearings back. At least that is how she appeared on the outside. Her emotional state was another matter.

Alice- “Do you mind if we call it a night? I know I’m being a party pooper but I’m just not feeling myself tonight.”

Gina- “Only if you let me drive, You still look a little pale.”

Alice- “I guess under the circumstances, I can’t say no.”

Gina- “Thats right. I’m in control. By the way, don’t feel bad about cutting the date short, its not as if its our last.”

Alice didn’t hear her last words-for her mind was on Dana.
________________________________________________

Dana was still breathing hard. She wasn’t sure if it was from running to get the ***** out of there or perhaps it was the effect that Alice was having on her. Conflicting thoughts ran through her head.

Why did I kiss her back? God, her lips were so soft and sweet! She is going to hate mewhen she finds out it was me! I thought I was going to die when she whispered in my ear. I could feel her lips graze my ear as she spoke. I can still feel the goosebumps. How could I compromise my friendship with her by letting my feelings get in the way. Her arms around me, like a warm blanket and her soft, sensual body pressed against mine! Lets not forget the KISS… That KISS… Oh, God, Im in trouble!!!

All she could do is put her head in her hands and let the tears flow.

At Alice’s

Gina- “Want me to come in and keep you company for awhile?”

Alice- “Thats sweet but I wouldn’t be good company right now. I think I’m just going to take a relaxing bubble bath and then climb in to bed.”

Gina- “I could scrub your back for you.”

Alice- ” Nice try with the teasing, maybe another time.”
Alice laughs.

Gina- “Who’s teasing.”

Gina kisses Alice goodbye and drives away. Alice has plans of her own and they don’t include taking a bath or going to sleep. Too many questions for the journalist. The main one being “why did Dana kiss her back?” She always got her story and she planned on Dana for all the answers. All of the answers to her questions except of course the ones she wasn’t prepared to answer herself. Like-”why the ***** did that kiss mean so much to her?”
 
Alice grabbed her keys and a change of clothes for work tomorrow. If she had to be there all night, so be it. Minutes later she was parked in front of Dana’s. Dana wasn’t home but Alice had a key, so she let herself in and waited.

Dana wasn’t ready to go home. Driving wasn’t exactly a good idea, given her mental state. Dana knew Alice better than anyone. She would be waiting at her house. She had to know by now thatit was her that she kissed. She knew she wasn’t ready for the questions that her friend was going to fire at her. She needed a place to hide and think for the night. That being, she knew right where to go.

Alice made herself a cup of tea and curled up on the couch with Dana’s favorite blanket. She never really noticed before but she could smell the sweet scent of Dana. The Kiss.. damn it Alice, stop thinking about it! Unfortunately, for Alice that talk would be postponed.


The lights are on! Good, she didn’t feel right about waking her up.
Knock, knock

Dana- “Hello, Lara.”

Lara- “Dana? What are you doing here?”

Dana- “Mind if I come in?”

Lara- “Sure, Your always welcome, Dana. Come in.


TBC