Jenny had fallen back asleep after their lovemaking, but Marina was charged and went to her new studio to paint. As she continued to paint the background images, her mind drifted back to that night less than two short weeks ago.

********************************

She was sketching her, once again, when the call came in, Yes. Yes, of course. Where? Okay. Slowly she lays the phone down, panic gradually taking her breath, head back she gasps in air.

She climbs the stairs to their bedroom. She doesnt know how long she stood there, looking at her, peaceful in her sleep, Jenny. Jenny, I need you to wake up. Jenny, please wake up.

Jenny groans as she snuggles up to Marina, when are you coming to bed?

Marina holds her hand while the other rests on her shoulder, I need to leave for awhile and I wanted you to know.

She hears the concern in her voice, her eyes open and she sees, whats happened?

Marinas eyes, glassy from the wetness in them, its Shane, one of her friends just called, said she was out of it. Im going to go get her, if shell come with me. I may be gone for a while and I dont want you to worry.

Jenny rose up to kiss her, gently squeezing her hand, Call me if you need me to do something.

********************************

When she pulls up, she sees Shanes friend sitting on the street bench near her, with Shane on the ground slumped against the building. She touches her shoulder, Thank you for calling me, Ill take care of her now. You go home and get some sleep.

Marina picks her up and carries her to the car, taking her to the apartment above The Planet. Having left the furniture behind, Marina was able to lay her on the couch when they arrived. She went downstairs and made some strong coffee and fixed up some sandwiches, then headed back upstairs to her friend.

Shane was sitting up, rubbing her face, when she walked in. So youre how I got here? her eyes squinting as if her eyelids were too heavy to lift.

Well, at least I know youre going to survive. I made some coffee and sandwiches I want you to have some of each.

Shane shakes her head, Im not hungry, but Ill take the coffee. *****, my head is killing me.

I wasnt asking you, Im telling you, eat. Marina picks up one of the sandwiches and insists she take it.

Shane began to nibble at it, slowly she got about half of it down, Marina, I cant eat anymore, thatll have to do. But I will take some more coffee.

Marina just sat and watched her, watched her slowly come to life, clouds clearing one by one. What drugs are you taking these days? Better yet, why are you taking them? Her voice was stern, unforgiving, demanding to be answered.

A little coke, now and then she glances at Marina and sees her eyebrow raise, sometimes laced with a little junk.

Marina stands up, turning away from her, one hand on her hip the other wiping the hair back from her face, Why? She turns, her face is angry and upset, Damn it Shane, why? You said you would come to me, you promised, why didnt you?

Well ya know, we havent been on the best of terms here lately. Shanes leaned over with her head between her hands, refusing to look up at Marina.

You mean youve been keeping secrets. That has nothing to do with how I feel about you. That has only to do with you.

As it turns out, I was right wasnt I? Lee wanted you, just like Shanes mouth draws tight as she returns her head to its cradle.

Marinas voice is low, soft, and knowing, just like Leslie, right? Thats what you think isnt it? She walks towards the table, picking up some papers she had left there when they first arrived.

Staring at them for a moment, she then turns and hands them to Shane, here. You need to see these. I shouldve given them to you long ago, but I thought youd healed. I thought youd come to terms, and that theyd only upset you all over again. Now I know I was wrong, take them.

Shane slowly reaches out for them as she begins to realize what they are. Hesitating to look at them, her eyes fixed on Marina, Marina motions for her to look.

Slowly she goes through them, one by one, some of them have words on the back, read them. Marina waits patiently for her to finish, watching her face for telling signs, hoping she will see what they tell her.

Occasionally Shane wipes at her eyes, trying to keep them clear so she can continue. Finished, she rests her hand on her leg tightly clasping the papers and begins to cry. Pain rising from deep within, pain caused from the re-living, from the new understanding.

Marina goes to her side and holds her as Shane wraps her arms tight around her and her pain slowly begins to subside. Shanes face, covered with the dark running mascara, looks into her friends sad eyes, Whyd you let me blame you? Why didnt you tell me the truth?

Marina tenderly recalls the tracings of those last days, You were so upset, you didnt want to see me, refused to see me. By the time you were ready, youd already gotten past her death. I just didnt see any reason to bring it all back up.

Marina stands up holding Shanes hand, come here. You need to wash your face, she leads her into the bathroom, gently taking the papers from her hand. As she waits, sitting at the side of the bed, she continues, Leslie was a very sad girl, her death had only to do with her own inability to cope with her past, not you, not me.

Shane came out of the bathroom, face wiped clean, Marina, you let me think it was because she wanted you and you turned her down. Her drawings and words, they make it clear, she saw you as a friend. She even referred to you as a big sister, not a lover.

Marina looks at her long before finishing what must be finished, You do know Lee Frank is nothing like Leslie, Lee is strong and selfish. No matter why she was asked to leave, shed never feel desperate as Leslie did. You understand that dont you?

Shane nods, Yeah, I know.

********************************

Marina finishes with the background, almost subliminally she blended in the images of Shanes friends, friends always there, perceived or not.

********************************

Jenny pours herself some juice, I asked the doctor today, about, *****.

Marina comes out of the studio, paintbrush in hand, You did? What did she say?

Jenny sits the glass on the counter, walking seductively as possible, towards Marina, She said, pretty much, anything goes. Broad smile spreading across her face, as she wraps her arms around Marinas waist, and she said its not uncommon for a womans libido to rise during the second trimester.

As Jenny rubs her belly against Marina, her smile softens and her eyes go dreamy. Marina backs Jenny up closer to the counter, short little steps, lays the brush down and runs her hands down Jennys back, really?

Pursed lips purr back to her, mmm Marina kisses her, slow hungry wet kisses, and continues to back her up until she is completely cornered with cabinets supporting her on each side.

In her soft sultry deep voice, what about tonight is the womans libido higher She reaches down, grabbing the bottom of Jennys t-shirt gown, and raises it up to her waist.

Jennys mouth drops open with a little crooked grin, Marina slowly bends down, grinning back at her. As Jennys head goes back, she breathlessly responds to Marinas mouth and tongue, ohhh I love Thursdays…

********************************

Jenny, its time, we have to go. Jenny, please, we have to go. She pulls the top over her head as she slowly walks out of the closet towards the bathroom, again, Yes, Marina, I have to go, literally, before we go to the airport. Marina rolls her eyes as she raises her arms in defeat into the air.

As they pull out of the garage into the street, they realize Shanes truck is parked in front. They pull up beside it, Shane. Shane.

She jumps up startled, Oh, yeah. I wanna go with you guys. She jumps out of her truck into the back seat of their car.

No sooner do they get on the highway does Shanes phone ring, Yeah, were on the way. Oh, okay, well meet you there. She hangs up, Als just leaving, shell meet us there.

Jenny turns to the backseat, Als coming?

Shane nods, Yeah man, she said Bette and Tina already left.

Jenny looks at Marina, Marina shrugs, so much for a quiet day together.

********************************

Hey Amura, wanna ride the Carousel? Amura runs to Shane, she grabs her and throws her over her shoulder.

Al runs behind them, Wait up you two, I wanna ride.

Jenny watches Marina and Bette put on their rented blades doubtful to the success of their first run, I think were gonna need an ambulance. Comical in their florescent elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets, looking like something out of a cartoon, Jenny waves her hand at them and heads for the nearest bench.

Here, pink lemonade, we can sip while they try to kill themselves. Tina sits beside the already exhausted little mother-to-be.

I dont remember ever doing this kind of stuff as a kid. Jenny watches one then another in amazement.

You never went to a carnival or amusement park. Tina smiles, well then its a good thing we came here today. Well have to do this more. After we rest a bit, Ill take you over to the aquarium.

********************************

Marina lays the exhausted sleeping Amura on her bed, covering her as she tenderly kisses her cheek. Jenny watches from the door, I think youll be a wonderful mother Marina.

Marina quietly walks over to Jenny, wrapping their arms around each other, Ouch.

Shhhh come in here Jenny motions for her to sit on the bed, how many bangs did you get today?

Marina raises her arms up to see her elbows, both elbows As she slides her pants carefully down her legs, ahhh I think both knees too

Jenny comes strolling out the bathroom with a spray can, You know when I bought this, I thought it was gonna be for Amura. Hold your arm out.

Horrified, Marina winces and draws back from her, will it burn?

Marina. Its to stop the burn, now hold your arm out.