Alice was running around her house trying to get herself together. She was late and needed to pick up her new boss in a half an hour. She had finally gotten her head clear enough to start writing up her article and she totally lost track of time. That was the beauty of writing for Alice. She could lose herself in whatever world she was trying to capture. It was easy to just forget about her life and problems. Right about now, all she wanted was to forget about her life. It was too hard to think.

Alice felt the tears welling up in her eyes again. Not again, stop it. Just stop thinking. You are going to go out, have a drink or two, be funny and light hearted. Make sure you impress the new boss, so that you have a job tomorrow. She looked in the mirror, hoping that the redness around her eyes would subside before she got to the office. She didnt want to deal with explaining anything about herself to Julia tonight. It was bad enough that she volunteered to take her out. With one last glance in the mirror, she threw her hands up, As good as its gonna get today. She left the house to go pick up
Julia.

_____


Shane, its ok, really. Ill be cool here alone. Im not up for going out. Dana said as she threw herself down on the couch. Go have fun. I just want to chill and watch some mindless TV.

I dont think so Dane. Youre coming out. I told you earlier, you cant just sit here and stew in your own *****. What good is that? We dont have to stay long, but Bette and Robin are actually coming out, its been a while. Lets just go, have a drink or two and if you still dont feel like being out, we can go home. Sound ok?

Do I have a choice?

Not really, so go get yourself dressed. We need to meet Bette in 45 minutes.

_____

Julia was waiting downstairs when Alice pulled up.

Thanks so much for this, Alice. I appreciate it.

No problem. Its my pleasure. You got me out of the house and I needed it today anyway.

Julia looked over at Alice and smiled, Yeah, well, I know it must not be too comfy for you having your new editor drag you out to a bar. You could have just told me where to go. You didnt need to come out with me. I appreciate it. I hate walking into bars alone.


Hey, really, its no big deal. I get to make a good impression on you, hopefully it will help me with tomorrows meeting she said, giving Julia a big smile, Think itll help?

Julia replied with a small grin, Maybe, lets see how the night goes first.

So, tell me, why leave the Village Voice for LA Magazine? You had a pretty good gig in NY?

Wow, you do your homework, dont you?

Yeah, well, new editor, figured itd be good to see what youve done before and what your style it. I mean it wasnt too hard. Just google your name and the Voice comes up. So why leave there?

I loved it there. I had a good few years. I moved my way up pretty quickly, but it was just time to go. Experience something new. Thats all.

Alices reporter personality was kicking in and she knew that wasnt all there was to the story. I wont push, Julia. I barely know you and well, youre my boss. So Ill make sure not to offend you. At least not before you realize how indispensable I am. But I have to say, you need to come up with a better answer if you want people to actually buy what youre saying.

Julia looked at Alice in shock. Then a smile crept on her face. You are going to be an interesting one to deal with, arent you?

Ive been told I am, yes.

Thank you for not pushing.

They rode the rest of the way to Milk in silence.

Inside Milk, the music was blaring. Bette and Robin were in a booth in the back as Shane and Dana walked in. Robin was talking to Bette, trying to get Bette to relax a bit. They were together for a long time now, but she still couldnt break through the barrier that Bette put up. It was frustrating. But she loved her and was convinced that one day Bette would let her in fully.

Hey Guys! Robin looked up, a little disappointed seeing Shane and Dana, hoping for a little more alone time with Bette.

Hey! How are you guys doing? Bette asked, moving over to make room for them at the table.

Shane let Dana sit down first and she slid in next to her. Great Bette, how about you guys?

Well, you know. Work has been crazy. I am so not ready for this next show and Im just overwhelmed, but Im fine. Sorry, just a bit stressed today. Hey, where are Alice and Lilly?

Dana started to look down, unable to make eye contact with Bette, who realized that Dana hadnt said anything yet. Dana? You ok?

Shane jumped in, knowing Dana wasnt ready to talk about anything. Oh, well Lilly wont be here anytime soon, at least not with me. You know, happens.

Well that didnt last too long Shane, did it?

Yeah well, it wasnt supposed to. She was getting a bit too pushy for my taste anyway.

What about Alice? Is she coming tonight? Robin asked. She liked Alice. She knew that Alice held back a lot with her, but she always made Robin feel comfortable. Shane tried, but she knew that Shane still believed that Bette belonged with Tina and after three years, it was hard to take.

Dana just looked like a deer in headlights. Unable to come up with answer, Uh, she..

Shes working on a deadline. She totally blew off her assignment and needed to make up for lost time. Right Dane? Shane saved her again.

Uh, yeah, she had a lot of uh, work to do. Bette looked inquisitively at Dana, not quite believing her. But Shane started talking before she had a chance to say anything.

So Bette, tell me about the new show? You dont talk about work like you used to. I miss hearing about it. I mean, Im glad you finally gave yourself some balance with work and stuff, but we still like hearing about your gallery. She meant it. Bette had changed a lot. The loss of Tina and the baby made her change. It was too late to help with Tina, but she at least learned that she had to give herself some time to live. Work and success werent the end all be all anymore. Shane knew that Robin helped Bette a lot with that. She helped Bette put her life back together again. As thankful as Shane was for that and for the way that Robin loved Bette, she couldnt help resenting her. She remembered the hurt look on Tinas face too well. She knew that it was wrong to blame Robin for it, but she did.

As Bette started to answer, she looked up and saw Alice walking towards them, waving. I thought you said Alice wasnt coming here tonight? And who is that with her?

Dana had her back to Alice, so Alice hadnt seen her. Dana, again looking like a deer in headlights, said Alice is here? What? With someone? Her voice betraying a pain that she was trying to mask.

Alice walked towards to the table and her face fell when she saw Dana was there. Julia on the other hand, had the exact opposite reaction. Alice, is that Dana Fairbanks? Oh my God it is. You know her? Can you introduce me? Oh – I feel like a teenager. I have such a crush on her.

Alice just rolled her eyes. Yeah, I know her. I can introduce you. Walking up to the table, with a horribly forced smile, Hey guys. Whats up?

Hey Al! Dana had just told us that you werent coming tonight. Glad you could make it. Whos your friend? Bette asked, moving in to the booth, to make room for Alice and her friend.

Oh, sorry, right. Julia, this is Bette, Robin, Dana and Shane, guys, this is Julia, my new editor. She is new in town and I figured Id bring her around let her check out the scene. She let Julia sit down first and then sat down at the edge of the booth, ready to run if she needed to.

Hi! Its great to meet you all. Wow, I cant believe Im sitting at a bar with Dana Fairbanks. Im a huge fan Dana. I had no idea that Alice knew you.

Dana just looked at Alice, stunned and hurt. Alice just looked down. Robin, not knowing there was a problem chimed in, Knows her? Theyre practically married. Right guys?

Um ,yeah, married. I didnt mention it Julia?

No, wow, I had read that you were in a long term relationship with a woman named Alice, I just didnt put 2 and 2 together. Who would have thought it was the same Alice?

Shane, trying to break the tension at the table jumped in, Well, Julia, its nice to meet you. Alice said you were new in town, where are you from? Alice looked up at Shane and mouthed thank you to her, to which Shane just winked.

Oh, Im from NY. Born and bred. I think the West Coast is going to throw me for a loop. I have a friend there, from LA originally, and she just went on and on about the differences.

Yeah, you are in for a shock, Bette answered, I go there for business every once in a while. It is a different world. I love going to visit NY, but I couldnt live there. Too fast for me.

You get used to it.

Alice had a desperate need to get up. She and Dana keep stealing glances at each other, but turning away as soon as they realized that the other was looking. It was too much. You know, I need a drink and that waitress isnt coming our way. Im going to go to the bar, anyone want anything?

Yeah, I think we all need another, Ill go with you Alice. Bette said as she asked Julia to let her through.

They werent two steps away from the booth when Bette started asking questions. Whats going on Alice? Somethings wrong. You didnt even say hello to Dana. You keep eyeing each other, thinking we cant see anything.

Bette, not now, ok? Everything is fine.

Like it was this morning? Alice I know you too well. Talk to me.

Listen Porter, drop it. Its fine. Im out with my boss, cause she asked. I have a meeting with her in the morning to see if I even still have a job, cause she firing half of the writers. I dont have it in me tonight ok? Just drop it? Im fine, Dana is fine.

OK Al, Ill let it go. You know where I am if you need me. The bartender came up and Bette ordered their drinks. Alice then added six tequila shots to the mix. Bette shot her a look.

What?? I think a shot will do us some good? I know I can use it? Hey, where is Lilly?

Shane dumped her apparently. Some things dont change.

Yeah well hopefully Shane will pull her head out of her ***** and call Carmen. Yoda needs to start taking her own advice. Bette just looked at her and smiled. Alice had a way with words.

They walked back to the table, using a borrowed tray to get the drinks there. Julias eyes opened wide when she saw the shots. Hey, were a tequila group on occasion, wasnt sure about you, but figured wed get you one. Care to join us?

Um, sure, but its been a long time since Jose and I have been friends. Im not so sure how well we get along these days, Julia teased.

Everyone took their shots, except for Dana. Robin looked at her strangely, Come on, if Im doing this, so are you.

I have to train early tomorrow, Im not sure if its a good idea. To be honest, she was having a hard time keeping her resolve with Alice there. She knew that tequila was not going to make it any easier.

Yeah Dana, just have a shot. You could use a little something to help you relax. You train every day. Enjoy the night. Here, take it, hon. Alice said as she handed the shot to Dana. Dana perked up a bit, it was the first thing Alice had said to her.

They all toasted Julia, welcoming her to LA. The tension at the table started to dissipate. Everyone was finally just relaxing, talking, laughing. Shane looked around the table and smiled. It amazed her how seeing her friends happy could make her happy. She didnt think they would ever understand how much they meant to her. They gave her the family she never had and never thought she deserved.

The tequila kept flowing, and the night got better. Alice and Bette got up to dance. They were laughing and giggling as they danced together. Alice looked at Bette thoughtfully for a second then said, You know what Porter? No one should ever question the healing powers of Tequila!!! We already knew it killed all germs, we learned that years ago, but it makes the mind forget too. Gotta love Jose.

Bette just laughed, Youre right. I needed this night. I am glad you blew off writing tonight and came out.

Robin and Dana came up to them and joined them on the dance floor. Robin started moving in synch with Bette, leaving Alice and Dana on the dance floor together. Dana looked uncomfortable as she moved her hands to Alices waist and started to dance. At first Alice resisted her, but the alcohol was winning and she leaned into Dana and started moving to the bass. She moved her hips into Danas and moved her hands to Danas back. Letting them roam the muscled toned back. Dana let her instincts win over her mind and she started moved in closer to Alice. Just to feel her. She pressed her body to Alices, trying to get closer, even when there was no space between them. She moved her hands along Alices back, down to her *****, letting her hands rest there as she kept their bodies moving to the music. Alice moved her head closer to Dana, to take in her scent. Their faces inches apart, but not touching. Just taking each other in. Alice, not breaking eye contact with Dana. Scared that if she does, shell lose this moment. And it felt too good.

Meanwhile, back at the table, Shane and Julia were talking. Shane looked up at the dance floor, saw Alice and Dana and a small smile crept onto her face. She was hoping that maybe this would help Dana come to her senses. Their connection was blatant, no one could doubt it. She couldnt believe Dana could, well maybe this will help her realize. What are you smiling at? Julia asked, eying Shane.

I just like watching love, you know? Look at them. Julia looked over and actually began blushing. It was getting hot on the dance floor. Wow, well, I dont know them, so I dont know about love, but damn there is something there, huh? So how long have they been together?

Oh, about 5 and a half years.

Really, and they still act like that. Wow. I didnt know it was possible. It sort of gives me hope.

I know, me too. So speaking of hope, Julia, did you leave any broken hearts in NY?

Julia looked down at the table, at little uncomfortable. Nah. I was the one with the broken heart.

Oh, Im sorry. I didnt think.

Sok. Dont worry about it. How would you know? You know its silly. I shouldnt really call it a heart break. We were never together. Just friends. Chris was too scared to try anything. She had been hurt before, you know? Well, we were just great friends and it got too hard to just be friends, so when this job offer came in, I jumped at it. And here I am.

Im sorry. That sucks, and it is a heart break, together or not, love is love, right? Well, welcome to LA.

Thanks. Wow, would you look at the two of them?

On the dance floor, Alice and Dana were heating things up. They were grinding on each other, still not breaking their eye contact. That made it even hotter. Alice was losing her will power. She wanted Dana. She could feel the heat building. The need. Dana knew that look in Alices eyes. She suddenly stopped dancing. Just stopped moving. She was having her own internal battle. In those few seconds, fear and desire were taking hold and she didnt know which was stronger. She didnt get much of a chance to decide, when Alice, noticing the fear on Danas face take hold, left the dance floor. Dana stood there, dumbfounded. That poor deer was still standing right in the middle of the road, headlights glaring. If it didnt get out of the way, the mac truck was going to run it down.