Dirty Girl
By: Ms. S. E. (Gargy) Hammond
Shane/Dana
Note: Author does not own any of the characters. And the story is written before the premiere of The L Word on Showtime (Jan. 18th, 2004)!

Dana Fairbanks, professional tennis player on her way up. Shes got an agent, shes got sponsors, shes got a wonderful support group of friends, and yet shes miserable. A lifestyle clause in her contracts with her sponsors prevents her from coming out of the closet.

Shane McCrutchen, a successful hairdresser with a reputation for having a different woman each night. Yet deep down, below the poser mask that she wears, Shane is lonely. Yearn for the one woman that she cannot have. The one woman that shed sacrifice everything for, the one woman that has her heart-now and always.

The Planet, in West Hollywood, the caf they both frequent with their clique of friends, owned by one friend in particular, Marina. Meeting for the afternoon gab fest, sitting at their usual table.

I wonder if I was to come out and loose the sponsors I have now. If, the ***** commerce community be interested in sponsoring me? Dana wondered aloud as she swept in and flopped into her chair.

I wish you would, then youd be much happier! Tina offered sympathically.

That and wed be much happier, too. We will no longer have to listen to your bitching and moaning. Alice they ever supportive best friend.

I think you should fire your agent, get a ***** as your agent. Maybe, Tina could be your agent? Look into the full legal ramifications of coming out, talk to a few of the ***** commerce community and see what they think about sponsoring you. Weigh everything very carefully. Decide if its worth it or not. Whatever you decide you have our support. Shane offered ever so calmly, yet placantly enough.

Oh come on Shane! Youre the one that takes most of her BS; you cant tell me that you are okay with all this. Dana should just come out and deal with the consequences, just like anyone else would. Trust me Dana, youll be much happier coming out of the closet. Youll no longer be looking over your shoulder, feeling paranoid. And above all else, youll get rid of Mr. Homophobic. And Shanes right, Tina can be your new agent. Shes good with stuff like that and itd free her up enough to concentrate on being a mother. Right, Tina? You could use the independence! If, Bette gives you any trouble send her my way, Ill explain it to her and make her understand. Alice finished smiling, getting all enthused by all the prospects.

Um, lets look at all the sides and weigh the consequences first, like Shane suggested. Before we go jumping into a situation that could get Dana into a whole lot of trouble. Tina said hesitantly enough.

Yeah, youre just scared of Bette! We all know how impossible she can be. Besides youve taken so much from her, its time you take a little back for yourself. It is a partnership, 50/50 relationship. Right? Marina countered, knowing full well exactly how Bette could be.

I am not scared of Bette. Shes actually very romantic, loyal, protective, and can be quite endearing when she wants to be Tina started.

Um, what about that affair she had? Jenny, ironically enough, interjected.

Everyone squirmed in their seats, taking on a very uncomfortable look.

Well, okay! She slept with some other woman. But, it was only once and she felt so guilty that she told me right away. And sure I was upset and angry for a while, but Ive forgiving her. Shes been so attentive ever since. Shes made sacrifice to earn my trust again. Sacrifice that for her would cause like actual physical pain. However she endured all of it, without complaining. That and I got a nice romantic 4-day weekend in San Francisco out of it. Tina finished beaming.

The conversation took a whole different tone from that point. They sat and chatted like that for another hour before Tinas cell phone rang, it was Bette. Tina took the call and she left immediately, Bette was on her way home from work. Eventually, everyone but Shane and Dana left to head off in their own directions. Marina was closing up and taking Jenny out on a date, to celebrate her annulment from Tim and the renewing of their passionate relationship. Alice had an interview that could make or break her career.

You know weve never really done anything together. And I dont think either one of us is ready, or willing, to go home. I dont have any appointments or meetings. How about we go out and grab something to eat? Shane said nonchalantly.

Feeling particularly good and Shane was right she wasnt in the mood for going straight home, wanting to have a good time. To finally cut loose, to try it out. And without hesitation Dana responded Sure. I am in the mood for Italian. How about you?

Italian sounds great. Shall we take my car? Shane said smiling looking at Dana with a glimmer in her eye. And Dana could swear she was tonights conquest. Normally, Shane made her nervous. Being someones conquest for the night and remaining friends with them, didnt make her as anxious tonight as it usually would. Dana was not the type to go around sleeping with any woman that showed her any interest. Relationships are what she really sought. A long-term and hopefully an eternally loving, respectful relationship is what she wanted the most. She envied Tina and Bettes relationship, of course they had their problems, but then again what couple doesnt. However tonight with Shane, she felt like being a dirty girl. Exploring the more wilder aspects of being a *****.

Shane just smiled and actually opened the passenger side door to her black Jeep Grand Cherokee. She was an expert at making the women in her company feel extra special and like they are queens. Exhorting a flare for the romantic aspects of doting on her conquest that left them all going home the next morning better for having even known her, much less sleeping with her. She was wild and untamed. A loner in a sense, not wishing to settle down. Thats what she would allow people to see of her on the outside. However, there was one woman in particular, which she saw on a regular basis (almost hauntingly too regularly) that had her heart and soul, and she hadnt even kissed this woman. Itd be a dangerous position to be in, if shed ever got to have this woman-even for one night. All her feelings and desires for what she really wants would come flying out, she doubted the control shed have if shed ever get to take this woman to her bed. She was good at hiding behind a false-sense of confidence, ***** it even helped to be rebuffed by this woman on a regular basis. Sure the dismissal from this woman was painful, but Shane for her part just always would remind herself that itd hurt more for her to know how she felt and then left or worse wanted to remain just friends as always. She supported this woman, one of her closest friends (but, never dared to be alone with). See Shane heart belongs to Dana. So while the others are tired of the constant homophobic rhetoric that spews from the professional tennis players mouth on a regular basis. Shane knew it wasnt how Dana really felt, it was her homophobic agent that forced her into that kind of thinking. And the worst in Dana always came out on days after being berated by Mr. Homophobic Agent Man. It did amaze, however, that Dana could be one of the most flamboyant of the group when she was comfortable and felt safe enough. The way shed peruse the available, attractive women that seemed to endlessly cross their mutual paths. Was anything short of amusing, cute, and downright natural. Of course, Danas awkwardness always was her downfall. The woman was absolutely clumsy when it came to coming onto to women. Or thats what Shane got to see. Shane for her better judgment always assumed, that Dana was much better at approaching other women when she and the rest of the friends werent around. Not that she didnt think that it took a great deal of effort on Danas partner at the time to get past those first extremely awkward moments; Dana was not real adapted being as demur on the dating circuit, as she was on a tennis court.

They went to Ginos, an out of the way Italian restaurant on Sunset Strip. It suited the West Hollywoods less than famous clientele perfectly. It was away from all the flashbulbs of pauperizes, celebrities out to start some kind of trouble, and wannabes trying to get caught with some closeted famous person. It was a clean, nice, quiet, comfortable, and private establishment that served the best spaghetti and Italian wine, old world style.

They sat in a relative secluded booth, facing each other on opposite sides of the table. They shared a pleasant, gentile conversation. They both ate their entire plate of spaghetti and two baskets of garlic bread sticks. They both had more than their fair share of the wine. Dana the lightweight was more buzzed than Shane, but not drunk enough to not remember what was about to happen the next morning. Perhaps, it was more than her inhibitions that would be lowered. Like her guard would crumble down, too. Maybe shed be admitting to something later that would surprise even Shane. Dana was feeling really good and she was ready for a night of passion.

Take me home! was all that Dana could say when she stood up, then immediately loosing her balance falling into Shanes arms.

Getting Dana up and balanced against her and helping her out of Ginos (after leaving a tip and paying the bill) and into her car. Okay, Ill get you home so you can sleep it off. Do you have some Advil at home? Itll help prevent that hang-over thatll wake up with for sure. Shane was so attentive to her hearts desire and not wishing to take advantage of Dana. She wanted their first time (if, she ever got so lucky) to be beyond perfect and special. Shane, after all, was planning on letting Dana know exactly how she felt-in words and in action.

I am not drunk, I am just slightly buzzed. No I dont have Advil. Perhaps, you do? Dana defensively explained.

Okay, youre not drunk. Well, by the time we get back to my place you should be fairly more sober. Shane said simply, not wanting to ruin the mood. Her hopes were re-ignited by the possibilities. Yet her heart still pounded in her chest with an immense of fear. She quickly turned on the radio, one song finished, and Fishers Dirty Girl started and Dana cranked the volume up.

It took about an hour of fighting West Hollywood traffic, not to mention hitting every red light, for them to finally make it back to Shanes. By which time, they both were fairly sober. Dana had never been in Shanes before, curiosity was getting the better of her. Walking into the apartment, Dana was amazed at the dcor of the place. It was nothing like she thought itd look like. *****, it looked more like a cross between her place and Bette/Tinas. Shane made a visit to her bathroom. And Dana explored the CD and DVD collections, making her way over to Shanes computer. Such expensive gadgets, but than again this is West Hollywood and hairdressers make good money. And Shane is a popular hairstylist, so Dana knew the woman could afford all the incredible toys that she had in her home and drove. Making her way over to a bookcase, noticing all kinds of books on all kinds of different subjects. It was the large photo albums that caught her eye. But one was the size of a thick portfolio that artist would use (shed know since shes seen so many come in carrying them into the museum that Bette was the director of, Dana would frequent with lunch and friendly conversation from the one friend that she trusted impeccably. Despite, Bettes temperament and affair. She knew Bette would tell her the truth, rather shed like it or not.) Reaching for it and then quickly pulling her hand back as she hears Shane open the bathroom door.

Youve got a beautiful home! Dana said as she quickly turned around.

Shane for her part didnt even bother responding verbally, she just had this predators instinctive mating look in her eyes, as she slowly approached Dana. For whose part, did not falter and stood her ground. Having crossed the room Shane stood mere inches in front of Dana. But, it was Dana that grabbed Shanes chin in both her hands and dived into the heated, passionate kiss. They feel on the couch, with Shane on top. They made out for a while until they couldnt take it anymore. Then, they began to rip each others clothes off. It was about this time when Shane stopped, laying completely naked atop of her naked lover. Looking down and deep into Danas eyes and soul. Catching her breathe and not allowing herself to go any further without telling this woman the truth.

I love you so much, Dana! I can not remember a time when I did not love you! Shane stated simply, then leaned down to tenderly kiss Dana on the lips. Soon the passion grew again and Shanes lips and hands were all over Danas nude body. While Shane returned to Danas neck and as the sensuous lovemaking began thats when Dana could formulate into words what her heart only began recognize with Shanes profession of love. And with a single tear sliding down her cheek, Dana barely audibly confessed.

Me, too! Shane heard it and they made love all night.

The next morning was bright and shiny day. Dana awoke to the smell of scrambled eggs, fried ham, and toast. Shane rounded the corner of the bedrooms doorway with a tray with the breakfast, Orange Juice, and strawberries on the side. With a beaming smile on her face.

Good morning, lover! Shane said as she sat down the tray.

The End