Shane: …Yes.

Carmen: I love you, too.  We’ve got a lot of healing to do…both of us.

Bette: Yes you do, but we’re going to play things safe.  Here’s my suggestion, everyone.

Bette walks over to the unhappy couple and pulls them apart, standing in their way.

Bette: The two of you need some time apart from one another.  Both of you need to figure out what the Hell you want before things get worse.  I think for the next week, the two of you just need to stay away from each other.  Shane…hang out at the Wax, hang out here….don’t go where Carmen is.  Alright?

Shane: ….Alright….

Bette: And since Carmen tends to work there at night, no going there at night.  In fact, I’d prefer if both of you just stay away from The Planet for the next week.  Marina, Helena…can we agree on that?  After all, these two have a history of butting heads there, too.

Helena and Marina look at one another.

Helena: Will it truly help?

Marina: …I can agree to this stipulation if it does.

Bette: Carmen…Shane lives here.  For the next week, you’re going to need another place to stay.  No coming here or suddenly showing up at the Wax or anywhere else Shane tends to hang out.

Shane: I’m not going anywhere except work…

Bette: Fair enough, then.  Carmen, no going here or to the Wax.  And let me reiterate, neither of you at The Planet.  That’s our holy ground and right now, the two of you need to calm down and get away for a while.  A week from now, we’ll all meet at The Planet and gauge progress.  Until then….stay away from one another and The Planet.

Tina: You can both still talk to us, though obviously.  Just…not to each other and guys, please…no playing messenger back and forth, either.  Okay?

Jenny: Where’s Carmen gonna stay?

Alice: With us.

Bette: Wait….didn’t Lara just say that…I’m sorry….  I’m sorry, Alice but I’m afraid I can’t agree to Carmen staying with you and Lara, so long as Lara’s there.

Lara: Excuse me..?

Alice: Lara, it’s okay.

Alice now finds herself face to face with Bette.

Alice: Listen…it’s great that you’re trying to help out and every-

Bette: By your request.

Alice: Yeah…by my request.  I knew you could help calm things down, plus you’re a friend, Bette.  Alright?  I know the situation…I know Carmen made a mistake.  I know she’s sorry about it happening.  And I trust that to never happen again…and I trust Lara.

Bette: Yes, that’s great and everything, but I don’t agree with it.  So Carmen needs to-

Lara: Bette…she’s coming with us.

Bette: She’s not go-

Alice: Bette….she is.  And that’s that.

Tina: How about what Carmen wants, guys?

Carmen: …..Lara and Alice are my best friends….and after all that’s happened, they still wanna be there for me….?  That’s where I go.  But….if me and Shane work this out, we’re going to.  If we don’t….then we don’t.  But…I can’t get into this one week thing.

Shane: No, Carmen….it’s probably for the best.

Bette: Okay…fine.  Go to Alice’s…  And both of you for at least the next week…please don’t interact.

The terms are agreed upon and Alice and Lara assist Carmen in gathering her clothes and other belongings.  Shortly thereafter, they depart.  Everyone departs for their place of rest.  Meanwhile, there’s a slight unrest at Leigh’s apartment as Uta rewards Leigh by spending exclusive time with her in bed.  The two of them make love in Leigh’s bed while Gabby and Dax are left on the couch.  Gabby’s too tired to be annoyed, while Dax just holds Gabby in her arms…staring at the door to Leigh’s room.  The arousal is beginning to dissipate and now only the uneasiness remains strong.

"Did I ask too much?
More than a lot.
You gave me nothing,
Now it’s all I’ve got
We’re one
But we’re not the same
Well we hurt each other
Then we do it again"