Thick silence filled the air as Dana sat on the porch hugging her knees and crying softly. She couldnt make any sense out of what just happened and after everything that had gone down in the past couple of days she wasnt even going to try. She felt a single tear escape her overflowing eyes and travel slowly down her cheek only to be caught by her finger as she quickly wiped it away. Taking a deep breath she stood up and headed back to the house to rejoin the others. As she reached the doorway she turned back to the empty yard and whispered softly.

Im sorry Shane.

She opened the door and wordlessly took a seat next to Alice who was sitting on the couch staring off into space. Dana flopped down and took a deep breath as she tried to gather her thoughts about the previous events that had just unfolded.

Dana are you alright?

Hmm? I-Imfine

Tinas voice had ripped Dana out of her thoughts and brought her back to reality as she glanced over at Alice to see how she was holding up. Alice had a faraway look in her eyes and Dana was pretty sure that sleep or coherent thoughts were the furthest thing from Alices mind right now. Dana gently put her hand on Alices shoulder causing her to jump about a mile and she looked over at Dana with a sheepish smile on her face.

Sorryyou just startled me

Al is every”

Im finereally

Okayokay.

Alice stood up and went into the kitchen to get herself a glass of water. She opened a cupboard to grab a cup and when she turned around she saw Shane standing right beside her leaning against the counter and smiling at her kindly. Alice froze for a second then felt a surreal sense of calm take over her body. She knew that Shane was gone and this was probably just a figment of her imagination, but nonetheless, she waned to believe it was real. She took a step back to get a good look at Shane who appeared just as she remembered her. The good old Shane, the one before Sherry Jaffe and all the craziness that went along with that, the Shane who went home with a different girl every night and had a reputation that always proceeded her no matter where she went. This was the old Shane, the good friend Alice had come to love and hate equally and the Shane who was always there for her no matter what the circumstances. This was her friend. This was her Shane.

Hi

Hey Alwhat are you doing?

What do you mean?

Shane gave Alice a smug grin and tilted her head to the side as if trying to decide if Alice was understanding her or not. Shane chuckled a little before leaning back and sitting herself up on the counter.

Why are you doing this Al? Whats in it for you? You want the happily ever after? Shes not your fairy tale Al and you know it.

Shane I

Its okay. I guess that was one thing you and me had in common Al. Trusting our heart was never our strong suit. In fact it usually got us into trouble huh?

Shane had a lopsided grin on her face and Alice just shook her head in disbelief. It was as if she had never died, as if she wasnt gone, and it made Alice furious. Part of her wanted to start arguing with Shane but she knew better than that. Instead she smirked a little and leaned back against the counter.

Its complicated Shane.

Are you happy?

Yeah

Is she?

I think so

Then go with it Al. You try so hard to look for what isnt there instead of seeing what is right in front of you.

So where is this enlightenment coming from Shane?

Just giving you perspective Al

Alice stared at Shane with a look of disbelief on her face. Shane gave her a cool stare in return knowing that this look would drive Alice crazy. Alice smiled at Shane who smiled right back.

Dont give up Alone day youll see

HEY AL CAN YOU GRAB ME SOME WATER ALSO?

Alice snapped her head around at Danas voice and when she turned back Shane was gone. She looked around a couple of times out of chock but she quickly regained her composure and grabbed two bottles of water as she headed back to the living room. As she handed Dana her water she looked down at her thoughtfully and gave her a small smile. Dana looked at her with a strange look on her face but Alice dismissed it without another thought.

Bette smiled down at Tina who gave her a warm smile in return. Bette felt her heart swell a little at that, something she hadnt seen in what felt like forever. Bette rubbed Tinas back gently and gave her shoulder a squeeze before standing up to go change. She felt like she had been in her clothes all day and after all this she knew it was going to be a long night so she wanted to be comfortable. She went back to the bedroom and shut the door behind her to change and as she walked towards the closet she caught a glimpse of something in the mirror. She had a sudden flash back to the last night Tina stayed in this house and she felt a chill run through her. She turned towards the figure and looked at her in disbelief.

Bette

ShShane?

The one and only.

Howhow are you?

Goodgood.

Are youI meanam Ium.

Yeah its kind of weird for me too.

Its strangenot being able to see you every day

I knowit will take a little getting used to

Bette smiled at Shane and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. Shane sat in the chair across from her and Bette stared at her with a small smile lingering on her face. Shane leaned forward and looked at Bette coldly.

You screwed up Bette

I know I didI just

You screwed up but that doesnt matter anymore. You have to be there for her Betteyou have to work together

Shane I.I dont know what to do

Shane smiled warmly at Bette and nodded her head a little.

Have you told her that?

Nobut I

No holding back Betteits all or nothing this timecause if you dont”

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Babycan I come in?

Bette stared at the door as if she expected a monster to be on the other side and quickly looked back at Shane for advice but Shane was gone. Bette stared at the chair where Shane had been and turned to stare at the door not knowing what to do. She quickly jumped up and opened the door pulling Tina inside.

Hey whats wrong Bette?

Nothingits nothingI just

Bette stared at Tina with a sad look on her face. She heard what Shane had said and she knew she was telling the truth. This time around she had to put it all on the line or she would lose everything. This time she couldnt hide behind her job or her suits or her family. This time there was no holding back. Bette took Tinas hand and led her to the bed. She sat down and motioned for Tina to sit down next to her. Tina stared at Bette with a hesitant look on her face but after seeing the pleading in Bettes eyes Tina obliged.

******

Outside Alice and Dana were sitting in silence both absorbed in their thoughts of Shane and their individual encounters with her from beyond the grave. Just then Kit appeared at the door and after seeing everyones faces she felt her stomach hit the floor.

What happened?

Sit down Kitjust please sit down

Kit slowly sat down and after taking a deep breath Alice looked at Dana for support who nodded and smiled at her to go ahead. Alice slowly turned back to an anxious Kit who finally couldnt take it anymore.

Will someone please tell me what the ***** is going on?

******
Tinawe need to talk

Bettecant this wait? I know that we have a lot to talk about but right now I just want to think about Shane and figure out what we are going to do

I know TI knowbut pleasecan we just talk?

Tina looked at Bette and sighed softly. She had a feeling that Shanes death probably shook Bette up a little and she was feeling uncertain about a lot of things. She knew that she needed to comfort Bette and make sure she was okay but right now she just didnt know if it was for the best. Her head and her heart were pulling her in completely opposite directions and her thoughts were racing through her head a mile a minute. Tina looked over at Bette again who was silently begging her to just give her five minutes and once Tina saw the look in Bettes eyes she knew all hope was lost. Against her better judgment she sighed once again and took Bettes hand in hers.

Okay Bettewhats going on?

Bette looked deep into Tinas eyes hoping to find whatever strength she could and Bette took a deep breath before beginning. Outside Alice and Dana were explaining everything that happened to Kit who was sitting there open mouthed at everything she was hearing. The rest of West Hollywood was none the wiser to the delicate balance that had been thrown out off course tonight and of course no one would ever care either. From where she sat Shane looked down on her friends with a smile on her face. Although her life had been cut short and her future ripped from her hands because of an accident she felt no remorse or regret. She had set the wheels in motion and now it was up to her friends to pick up the pieces of their broken lives.