Los Angeles, seven and a half months ago.

Alice’s apartment.

The windows are open as a nice breeze sets in from outside.  In one of the nearby apartments, a lady named Tracy plays ”Whether You Fall” on piano.  In Alice’s apartment, it is a moment for Alice to remember.  There is a sense of hope in her eyes as Dana stands across from her.

Alice ”So uhh…how’s Lara enjoyin’ Hollywood?”

Dana ”It’s…keeping her occupied.  That’s for sure.  I mean, it’s Veronica Bloom.  Shane worked with her, said she was kind of a hardass.”

Alice ”Yeah.  Probably why Shane’s not workin’ with her this time around.  Then again with Carmen there, they’d be up to no good together.”

Dana ”Ha.  Probably.  Those two have really become attached.  And hey, Francesca’s there.  Carmen’s there, so Lara’s got somebody to talk to.”

Alice ”Yeah.”

Dana ”…It’s been great being able to talk with you again.  Ever since seeing you at the hospital for Angelica’s birth.  I think…everybody’s happy we were all…getting along so well.”

Alice ”I’m happy, too.”

Both smile.  Alice had expressed her attraction to, and love for Dana and Lara.  The confession had gotten in the way of their friendship.  They had been best friends, but recently there was possible friction.  Alice was scared to be around Dana or Lara.  For Dana, it turns out the feeling had been mutual until recently, especially with Lara so busy.  They have had their group hug in the hospital when meeting up for Angelica’s birth.  That was a family moment.  Now, there is no one else.  No Lara.  Only Alice and Dana.  Dana does not want to lose her.  Their arms wrapped around one another, tears begin to fall from Alice’s eyes.

Alice ”It’s just…”

Dana ”Alice…”

They look face to face, their arms still wrapped around one another.  A tear falls from Dana as well.

Dana ”…We’ve been through so much together.  Nothing should be able to get in the way of that.”

Alice ”This is more than just nothing.”

Dana ”…I know.”

Neither wants to let go.  Neither wants to back away.  Neither wants to hurt Lara.  Lara can never know.  Their lips connect and suddenly, there is no Lara.  There is no Tracy across the way playing her piano.  There is no anything.  All that exists are Alice and Dana.  All that exists are feelings repressed being acted out in passion.  There is no humor in this.  There is no carefree spirit to this.  This is quite serious as the clothes scatter about the hallway, leaving a path to Alice’s bedroom.  This leads to Alice and Dana, naked and illicit.  Guilty and free.  Perhaps Lara should be there for this.  Perhaps she should not.  She is not.  She can never know.  Nothing can stop this except for one moment of awkwardness.  One moment that has come to define the tension that would exist between them for the next several months.  Their hands, all over each other, Alice stops, feeling something at Dana’s right breast.