It had been two weeks. Two long, painful weeks since Alice had returned to her apartment, her head full of her own jumbled thoughts, only to find a broken-down Tina sitting on her couch. Alice had been there for her, of course, but even still, her thoughts of the kiss with Dana haunted her. She had seen Dana a few times, but only in passing really, and, besides, Tonya was always with her.

Tina had stayed with Alice, but they hardly ever saw each other. Tina was throwing herself into her work; distracting herself from her thoughts. If she wasnt at work, she was at the gym, and if she wasnt doing that, she was trying her best to sleep. Several random ladies at the gym had asked her out, but she had turned them all down. There was no way she was ready.

Bettes eyes were constantly red. No one really knew what was going on with Bette. Her fellow employees had stopped asking if she was okay. She hadnt taken any time off from work, but she spent her nights alone. She left the girls to take care of Tina; ignoring their calls and not answering the door when they came by. They had gradually stopped trying. Bette knew Tina needed them more then she did.
She still talked to Candace; she needed Candace. That was the only real connection she had to anyone, but her heart wasnt in it, and her thoughts were always with Tina.
Her work was slacking, but Bette was sure no one had noticed. A week after the Provocations opening, Franklin had approached Bette.

Bette, called a voice from behind her closed door.
Bette wiped her eyes quickly, before calling him in. She didnt have a clue what he wanted with her. Really, she thought, Im not slacking that bad.
Bette, the board is extremely impressed with how well Provocations is going, he began.
She smiled, sort of, nodded, and mumbled something that could have been a thank you.
Franklin, like everyone else, knew something was wrong, but left well enough alone, so he just continued, There are a few other artists and shows that the board is interested in bidding on, and we would like you to look at them. He handed her a list of artists, shows, and locations. Bette looked over it, and before she had time to respond Franklin was talking again. I know its kind of spread out. Youll be gone for about three months, he stammered, and his voice softened, I asked the board to give this to you, because I thought you could use a break; get away.
Bette didnt respond. Shed never heard Franklin sound sogentle.
He turned to leave, and then paused, Just let me know at the start of next week.
A single tear fell again, as the door shut behind him.

Three months of living out of a suitcase. Three months of going from city to city, hotel to hotel. Then again, shed be able to relax and do what she enjoyed most, look at art. Bette had accepted Franklins offer in the end, but none of her friends knew yet, and honestly, she didnt really know how she was going to tell them, or if she even wanted too. It had crossed her mind to just pack up and leave. She had to figure it out soon, because she was scheduled to leave in three days. Candace, however, did know. She had cried and begged Bette to turn it down. Bette knew Candace was falling hard for her, but Bettes feelings for Candace had come to a screeching halt. In the end, Bette had told Candace she thought they should take a break, see other people, whatever. She hadnt talked to Candace since.

Alice walked into her empty apartment. Tina was still at work. Alice knew she wouldnt get off until late, and then shed be off to the gym. Alice wouldnt see Tina until much later in the night. She decided to take a hot bubble bath. It had been another long day at work. Her boss didnt want to hear any of her ideas, and to make everything worse, Alice had spent another day thinking about the night she kissed Dana. She glanced at her chart, and almost gagged when she saw Danas name connected to Tonyas. Yes, she thought, its time for a bath. She walked into her room and started undressing. Her mind was starting to slow down a little. Alice started running the water, and added some bath oils. She was about to step into the luxurious bath, when she heard someone knocking on the door.
Damn, she cursed under her breath. Ill be right there, she called to the stranger behind the door. She found her robe and threw it on.
Im coming, Im coming, she muttered.
She unlocked the door and her heart fell to the floor. Alice could feel her stomach starting to tighten.
Dana! What are you doing here? Alice was trying to smile, but she wasnt sure how well it was working. All she wanted was to grab Dana and kiss her again. She had to make her understand that Tonya wasnt for her; that she couldnt marry her.
Dana looked Alice up and down one time.
I was looking for Tina to see if she wanted to go to the gym tonight. Is this a bad time?
Alice racked her brain for something clever or witty to say, but all she could manage was to tell Dana that Tina was still at work.
As far as I know shes going tonight, though. She usually does, she added. Oh *****, if I dont do something shes going to leave.
Dana wanted a reason to stay for a little while, especially since Alice was alone, but she couldnt think of one. She could smell something sweet drifting out of the house. She must have interrupted a bath or something. Thats why Alice was in a robe. Oh man, how great it would be to take a bath with her. Danas heart started racing faster at the thought. I cant be thinking like thisTonyaTonyaTonya.
Well said Alice, not able to come up with anything, defeated, Id better go turn that water off before the tub overflows.
Dana smiled slightly, extremely let down, Alright, Ill see you later. She turned to go, but stopped and added hopefully, Maybe we can get together for lunch sometime?
Alice grinned, Of course. Call me and well figure something out.

Dana left and Alice went back to her bath, the thoughts swimming around in her head again. She stepped into the tub. There had been so many changes in the last two weeks. She leaned back and let the hot water cover her. The Planet had closed about a week ago. Francesca had sold it, and Marina, having no other source of income had gone to live with her sister until she could get on her feet. Everyone had offered her a place to stay, but she had turned them all down. Shane had changed, but then again she hadnt. It was like she had gone into overdrive. She was extremely upset about Bette cheating on Tina; Alice didnt know why she had taken it so hard. Since then, she had gone back to sleeping with every girl that caught her eye, but it wasnt the same. Alice still couldnt quite figure out what was going on in Shanes mind. Bette had disappeared as well; Alice knew why. Next to Tina, Alice probably knew Bette better then anyone else. Bette was leaving her friends to take care of the wife she had left in pieces. Dana was, of course, still engaged to that gold-digging psycho. Alice slid under the water, and forced herself not to inhale at the thought of Tonya.
A ring muffled by the water made her jump suddenly. Son of acant a woman get a bath and some peace and quiet around here? She got out of the tub hurriedly and dried off as fast as she could. She reached the phone on the third ring.
Hello, she said, unable to keep the hind of agitation out of her voice.
Hello, Alice? came and apologetic voice.
Bette?