Dana’s

Alice makes another cup of tea and starts to worry. Where’s Dana? She turns on the tv to drown out the voices in her head. The blond stretches out on the couch and falls into a troubled slumber.

Lara’s

Lara- So Dana what brings you to my doorstep at this hour?

Dana- Would you mind if I spent the night? I really don’t want to be alone.

Lara- Did something happen?

Dana- Nothing happened, at least nothing I want to talk about.

Lara- Well, I won’t press you. I would love for you to stay. I’d like to think that we’re still friends. Friends watch out for each other.

Dana- Thanks, Friend.

Lara- Anything for you.

Lara hugs and gives Dana a light kiss on the cheek.

Lara made up the couch for Dana. Lara offered her bed, but that wasn’t going to happen, with or without Lara in it.

Dana still needed a place to stay for a couple days to mull things over. The cabin, of course, thats the perfect place. No one will find me there, especially Alice. Dana would call her Mom first thing in the morning.

Dana tossed and turned, receiving little sleep. I would have thought with jetlag and all, it wouldn’t be such a chore to sleep. Guess I can give Mom a call and find out if the cabin is unoccupied.

Dana called her mom. Sharon filled her in on the details of the cabin, like what needed to be done about the water, electricity, etc.

Dana thinking to herself, I’ll wait a little longer til I go home, just in case Alice is there. I can’t bear to see her right now. I’ll pack up a few things, then its off I go.

Dana’s

Alice woke up feeling a little like a pretzel. She would have slept in her own bed at home, had she known Dana wouldn’t come home. She checked her messages from her cell, just be sure nothing happened to Ms. Fairbanks. Alice was about to take a shower when Dana’s phone rang. She let the machine get it – it was Sharon. “Hey, honey, I forgot to tell you that there is an extra key hanging on a hook in the shed, just in case you forget yours. Really wish you weren’t going there alone- I worry about you. Call me when you get home. Love you. Bye.”

“Well…Well…Well- Dana Fairbanks, you can run but you can’t hide. Now I know you won’t get away this time.”

Alice showered, dressed and grabbed a quick bite before leaving for work.
I have that article to finish, but that shouldn’t take me long. I’ll clear my schedule for the next couple days and pack a few things. Be on the road in a few hours.
“Oh, can’t forget to call Sharon so I know where to find Dana.”

Lara’s

Lara- Hey, you’re up already.

Dana- Yeah, have a busy day ahead of me.

Lara- You’re looking a little tired this morning. You didn’t sleep well, did you? My bed is much more comfortable than that old couch.

Dana- I’m fine. I could use some coffee though. And maybe one of your delicious muffins.

Lara- Have a seat, Dana. I’ll take care of you.

Dana- You really are something, Lara. Kinda wonder why I ever let you go.

Dana and Lara continued to chat over breakfast. An hour later, she was saying goodbye and out the door.

She’s got to be gone by now, at least I’m assuming that she spent the night. Part of her was relieved to not find her there because she wasn’t ready to confront her. The other was disappointed “maybe it meant nothing to her, how could it not, it shook me down to my soul.”

Dana’s

When Dana entered her home, it was empty. But signs of Alice were around. She could see that Alice had slept on the couch, the blanket was still laid out. The smell of coffee lingered in the air.When Dana went to take a shower, she noticed the towel that Alice used. Dana held it up to her face and breathed in her sweet scent.
Damn, even when she’s not here, she leaves imprints of herself everywhere, especially in my mind and on my heart.

She packed up her things and headed out the door. Too bad she didn’t notice the message on the answering machine.


Alice’s plans were not moving along as smoothly as she hoped. At least that article was finished and she was at home. Still had a few personal details to attend to, especially packing a bag for the next couple days.Alice checked her answering machine. There was a message from Gina and one from Shane, checking up on her. No time for phone calls, she was a woman on a mission.

Gina tried to reach Alice at home, but was unsuccessful. Gina was a fellow journalist, which was how she met Alice. Both working for the same magazine. When she went to find Alice at the office, the editor told her that Alice went out of town. “On assignment?” she asked. “No, she’s gone for a couple days, it was a personal matter.” Gina thought to herself, wonder what the personal matter is?


The Planet

Gina enters the planet and walks up to the counter.

“Hey, how about some coffee?”

“What? Where is Alice?”

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean, your not sure!”

“What I mean is, is that I found out she left town for a couple days.”

“And you didn’t know?!”

“If you did what your suppose to, both of us get what we want.”

“I’m not going to let you mess this up for me, Gina. I have already lost her once and I damn well plan on getting her back.”

“Chill out, Lara. I have as much to lose as you do.”

Lara just knew that the two were probably together. From the little bit that Dana told her over breakfast, she was going out of town for a couple days. The redhead had been watching Dana since their breakup. She saw the way Dana had started to look at her best friend. She’s falling in love with her! Alice is too stupid too notice. What a fool you are! You don’t deserve, Dana. She’s mine, you *****!


Lara and Gina had been talking and planning for weeks. Both having something in common- Gina wanting Alice and Lara wanting Dana. Both  headstrong and focused on the prize.


Dana arrrived at the cabin with daylight to spare. Seeing as she was behind on her training, Dana thought it best to hit the road and run a few miles before settling in. The caretaker had already taken care of the few things that needed done.

Alice gassed up the mini and was on her way. Her mind wandering back to her conversation with Sharon. Dana’s Mom was so great, always genuinely concerned. She was glad when Alice said she was going to keep her company. She also figured out something was bothering Dana and pleaded with Alice to get her to talk. Alice reassured Sharon that Dana would spill her guts, so to speak.


Dana was back to the cabin just before it got dark. It was a hard run which left her ready to drop. She climbed in the shower and washed off the swaet and road dust. The water felt so good and left her feeling further relaxed.She toweled off and slipped on her robe. Dana meant to just lay on the bed for a couple minutes, but the physical and mental exhaustion of the past couple days had over took her. She fell into a deep sleep.


The cabin was very isolated- if you didn’t have a map, you would definitely get lost. Alice thought she was lost until it appeared in the distance. Dana’s car was in the driveway. Alice pulled hers in behind it. She grabbed her things and entered. The place was silent but the lights were on. Alice roamed about the rooms in search of her friend. Finally coming upon her in the bedroom, fast asleep.
She looks so peaceful, I hate to wake her. I’ve waited this long I guess another hour won’t hurt.


Alice lightly brushed Dana’s hair away from her face. She’s so beautiful. Looking especially at the lips, the lips that set her soul on fire.

Alice quietly made her way around the kitchen. She planned to cook for Dana, then sit her down for that talk that was a long time coming.

About 45 minutes later

Dana stirs to the aroma of food. With a puzzled look, she follows the smell, into the kitchen.

Lara’s

Lara invited Gina over to resume the ddiscussion that they started earlier at the planet.

Lara- you know if you would have stayed with Alice last night, this would have never happened.

Gina- So I messed up. How was I to know what Alice would do?

Lara- Like I said, you need to be there so you can watch her every move.

Gina- Do you think that they are together now?

Lara- Oh, I’m pretty sure of that.

Gina- So I guess that means trouble for us, if Dana tells Alice how she feels about her.

Lara- Not necessarily

Gina- What do you mean?

Lara- We don’t know how Alice will react if Dana confesses to her. It might change or jeopardize the relationship.

Gina- True

Lara- Besides if I know Dana, She’s her own worst enemy, she’ll ***** up.

Gina- And if she doesn’t.

Lara- I’m pretty sure she will, but if by some miracle she doesn’t, we’ll have a back up plan. I don’t care if they have some time together, but we need to control how much time they get. If the right buttons are pushed, then theres more drama between the two. That kind of drama sent Dana running to me.


Dana, still groggy, was instantly jolted awak, not by the smell of the food but the woman that stood before her.

Dana- Alice!

Alice- Surprised to see me?

Dana- Yeah…Wh-

Alice- Can’t find the words, huh. Well, you’ll have time for that later. Go put some comfy clothes on, dinner will be ready in about 10 minute.