Prologue: The gals never did the recon on Lara. Lara is ***** but not interested in Dana, she was just being friendly. Dana asked her out and she said no. Tina is not preggers, her and Bette have decided to live apart but are dating each other. Alice was talked out of the freak show that is Gabby and is now seeing Rae, owner of a bookstore Alice did an article on. Shane isShane. On with the show



Even though its still early, Radar is already lined up. Bypassing the jeering women waiting to get in, Shane blows a kiss at the bouncer, who waves her through.

Hi Shane, she hears in her ear.

Not four steps in, she thinks. Shane turns to smile the 100-watt grin at What was her name againOh yeah.

Hey Julie, wow, look at you, you look good. Shane gives her a peck on the cheek. Sorry, I gotta run, my friends are saving a table, she says, moving into the crowd, the dodge an old dance for her. This happens two more times with Shane giving different responses. Finally making it past the gyrating bodies, she joins Tina, Alice and Dana at the table permanently reserved for them. Tina smirks at her.

Ok, I say two girls, the first one, ten steps.

Shane pumps her eyebrows once and says, Nope, three and three. Your buy T, and the drink of my choice. Scotch please, oh, ye of little faith. Tina laughs and flags down the waitress.

Dana rolls her eyes. God Shane, I dont see why youre so proud of yourself. I cant believe you havent run out of room on your bedpost.

Shane looks at her, deadpan, Well Dana, theres a trick to it. I put my notches on *their* bedposts.

Alice chuckles, Good answer Shane. Geez Dana, bitter much? Its not Shanes fault you asked Lara Perkins out and shes not into you that way.

How do you know, it might be, Dana says, glaring at Shane.

Shane taps a finger on her chin, thinking. Hmmm, Lara Perkins, Lara Perkins. No, sorry Dana, doesnt ring a bell. Oblivious, Shane turns from the fuming Dana, and asks Alice, So wheres your honey?

Inventory night, she should be here in about an hour, Alice grins, so you have the pleasure of my company for about an hour and 10 minutes. After getting the high five from Shane, she asks, Bette coming out, Tina?

The gallerys keeping her late again. She said shed try to make it but it doesnt look good.

Alice shakes her head. Thats too bad. I was hoping for a full girls night out. Oh hey Shane, coming in fast, 10 oclock, one of yours?

Shane turns to look. Ive never seen her before. Very nice.

The woman walks up to their table. Leaning over, she asks Tina to dance. Feeling energetic, Tina gets up and goes with her to the dance floor.

Alice lets out a low whistle. Now thats a woman with balls.

Shane, impressed, agrees with her. Yeah, I dont think I would have the nerve to go up to a table like ours and do that.

Alice scoffs, Right, sure you would.

Dana says snarkily, She picked Tina over you, Shane. She must have better taste than most.

Shane, hiding the twinge of hurt Danas comment causes, slides lower in the chair and looks out over the dance floor.

Alice leans over and whispers in Danas ear, Why do you do that? Youre supposed to be her friend. Stop yanking her chain. Dana moves away from her.

Shrugging it off, Shane notices Dana still glaring at her. Giving her the best remorseful look she can muster, Shane coaxes in a soft voice, Cmon Dane, Im sorry it didnt work out with Lara. Let me get you a drink and we can scout out the next one for ya.

Dana returns her gaze and for a moment Shane thinks she sees something else in her eyes. Then Dana gives her a crooked smile as silent apology and the look is gone. Sure Shane, Ill have one of those. She nods at Shanes drink. Shane brightens and catches the waitresss eye, immediately bringing her over. Noticing that Tinas drink is low, she orders one for her too.

When she goes away to get the order, Alice giggles at Shane. You know, its really handy having you around, Shane. We always get the best service. Raes like that too. Women love her. It totally embarrasses her.

Dana shakes her head. How do you do it Shane? You pick up women at the drop of a hat.

Shane shrugs. I dont know Dane. Just lucky, I guess. Ive never really thought about it. Must be because I just love women. Always have. I enjoy them.

Alice looks at Dana reproachfully. You dont want to know how Shane does it. You want to know why you cant, right? Biting her lip, Dana looks away and shrugs. Shane looks on with interest. Alice continues, Theres a few differences between you, Shane and Rae. One, theyre hunters and youre not.

Hey, Shane bursts out, I resemble that remark! They laugh and even Dana reluctantly joins in. Tina comes back from her dance and drops into her chair, breathing heavily. She grabs her water and downs half the glass, just as the waitress returns with the drinks.

Shane leers at her, Thirsty work out there, huh?

You have no idea! That woman has more hands on deck than a ship full of sailors. I had to spend more energy fending her off than dancing. Continuing after their laughter at her expense, Tina asks, What were you talking about?

Alice says offhandedly, Oh, just why Shane gets women and Dana doesnt. Dana glares at her. What? We were.

Tina thinks about it for a minute. Its because Shanes comfortable in her lesbianism. Its the way she presents herself, the way she looks, its a vibe. Look at the way she sits. Dana, Alice and Tina all turn to stare at Shane.

Not bothered in the least, Shane grins. She sits sprawled in her chair, completely confident, occasionally gazing lazily into the crowd. A dark-haired woman locks eyes with her and saunters over.

Hi.

Shane gives her a slow smile and her voice deepens. Hey, what can I do for you? The woman leans over and whispers in Shanes ear. One eyebrow on Shanes face creeps upward. Mmm, sure, Ill be there in about 15 minutes. Pulling back a bit, the woman gives Shane a tonsil-scraping kiss and sashays away.

Alice pokes Shane in the arm, drawing her gaze away. We were just talking about it, not fishing for a demonstration.

Shane quirks a grin, Sorry, man. Look Dane, I realize you have a problem with me looking like a *****, but hon, seriously, you dont even really look like a *****. Dana looks down at the table, hurt. Shane, seeing this, hurries on with her explanation, Hey, not that its a bad thing, you look great, it just makes you a bit harder to read.

Alice continues the thread, Women dont like to put themselves out there without proof. You barely talk the talk, and you so dont walk the walk.

Dana laments, But this is how I dress. What am I supposed to do differently?

They look at her critically, taking in her upper west side yuppie look. Tina tilts her head to one side. No huge changes, just subtle ones. First, clothes make the lez. Well work on the vibe later. Your hairs up tonight, looks ok. Make ups understated, good. She looks down at Danas feet. The loafers have to go. We need to get you some boots or something. Dana looks horrified. Dont look at me like that, I dont mean boots like Shanes.

Shane lifts a foot in the air, waving it around. Whats wrong with my boots?

Please, Shane. If Dana had those on, she couldnt lift her feet. Alice quips. Anyway, the jeans. Now I like tapered jeans as much as the next woman, *not*, but maybe you should go for straight leg, even flares.

Leather, Shane purrs, Youve got an ***** that would look so sweet in leather. Danas breath stops and she blushes. Tina and Alice look at Shane, eyebrows propped. She shrugs and looks guilty. What? Danas my friend. It doesnt mean Im blind.

Tina looks between Shane and Dana as if puzzling something out. She shakes her head and returns to looking at Danas attire. Maybe less color when youre going out. More skin. Tank, or muscle T, white, black.

Shane nods. What do you have on under that shirt?

Dana looks down at herself then back up at Shane. Tank top, why?

Shane abruptly leans over and pulls the hem of Danas overshirt out of her waistband. She then starts to undo the buttons. About halfway down, she notices Danas heavier breathing. Raising her head, she locks onto Danas widening pupils less than half a foot away. Recognizing the look for what it is, Shane feels her body start to respond. Tearing her hands away as if the shirt is on fire, she stammers, Good, youre good. Oh hey, Ive gottaahIll be right back. Getting up, Shane grabs her phone off the table, and is swallowed up by the crowd in seconds.

Dana will not tear her eyes away from the table. Tina and Alice look at each other, shocked at having witnessed the exchange. They look back at Danas bowed head.

Alice says slowly, Dana, what just happened here?

Nothing, Dana mumbles and takes a big gulp of her drink.

About to launch into a full scale interrogation, Alice sees Tina shaking her head out of the corner of her eye. Sitting back, she leaves it to Tina, knowing Dana will respond better to Tinas gentle approach.

Dana, Tina starts quietly, Dana, cmon look at me.

Dana looks up slowly at her. Seeing the dawning understanding in Tinas eyes, tears start to well up. Sucking in a shaky breath, she looks down again. *****.

Alices eyes widen. Dana rarely swears.

Hey, Tina puts her hand on Danas knee. Its not a big deal. Were your friends. If you cant talk to us, who can you talk to, huh? She jokes tentatively, then sobers. How long, Dana?

Dana blows out an explosive breath, oddly relieved to finally talk about her stupid crush on Shane. God, I dont know. How long have I known you guys? She looks up sheepishly.

Alices jaw drops. ***** Dana, no wonder youre always bitching at Shane about all her conquests!

Thanks for reminding me, Alice. I had almost forgotten since it hasnt been in my face for the last five ***** seconds. Dana says ruefully, amused in spite of herself, knowing that two things will never die: cockroaches and Alices tactlessness.

Alice has the sense to look ashamed. Im sorry Dana.

Tina shoots a look at Alice that says, dont open your mouth until I say so, and asks Dana, What do you want to do?

Dana looks at her perplexed. What can I do? I mean, cmon. Shane would rather sleep with any woman in this bar other than me. I came to terms with this a long time ago. It just caught me by surprise tonight. Its under control. Besides, you heard her. Were friends and shes got rules about that.

Tina thinks about Shanes reaction. She gets a speculative look in her eye. She says slowly, Sometimes, rules change.

Alices head whips around to look at her. Seeing the mischievous gleam she asks, Where are you going with this, T?

Well, if Mohammed wont come to the mountain Tina smiles wickedly.

Alice matches her smile, You mean?

Tina nods decisively. First, I believe a shopping trip is in order. Tomorrow, one oclock, we start Operation Casanova.

With trepidation, Dana remembers another saying, You can lead a horse to water