At the Center
Tina resumed her work on the proposal and worked non-stop for four hours before Oscar emerged from his office to see her surrounded by papers. He still felt bad for asking her to stay late and even more so because he couldnt stay any longer. Hed done all he could while Tina was at lunch and was now ready to turn over his portion to her.

Hey Tina, Oscar said softly, hoping not to startle her. She jumped anyway.

Oh, hey Oscar, Tina said after a heavy breath. Its coming along, she volunteered.

Oscar smiled and handed Tina his package and the disk. Heres everything I could gather. I think Ive crunched the numbers enough and presented everything the way Reynolds and I discussed. All I need is for you to combine it with what youve got and I think well be ready, Oscar explained.

Great, Tina smiled and rubbed her weary eyes. Ill give your stuff the once over and then will incorporate it with mine. Im sure well make the deadline, Tina professed. Heading out?

Yes, my wife has reheated dinner twice already. Im sorry I have to put the rest of this all on you though, Oscar said sympathetically.

Tina shrugged, dont sweat it. Im happy to help, the cause was well worth it, Tina smiled. Ill be done in a little while.

Okay. Ill see you in the morning, Oscar said as he walked to the door leaving Tina alone in the building.

Tina looked the time and it was now almost 9 oclock. She thought about Alice, then what Eric said, and a hint of sadness filled her. It was unlike Alice to have not checked in and she began to seriously think that Alice was really upset with her. Tina decided she needed to call and clear the air.

Hey Al, Tina tried to sound cheerful. No, Im fine. Im at the Center. Yes, Ill be here a little longer. Oh! You are? Tina hid her disappointment. Uhm, before you do, I need to talk to you, can you spare a minute? She crossed her fingers. Well, do you think you can come over here, Id rather say this face to face, Tina waited for a response. Okay. Thanks. Thanks Alice. Call me when youre outside and Ill let you in, Tinas nerves calmed down.

Tina could hear the strain in Alices voice and felt even worse than she had before. Tina knew it would be out of character for to do something that rash, but she still couldnt figure out why Alice was taking it that hard. Tina looked up at the clock again and decided she needed to get the proposal finished before Alice came, so she went back to work.

Bette and James
After delightfully inhaling LA smog, kicking dust on other drivers, speeding through traffic (ssh! Dont let the people at E.S.C.A.P.E know), and sending heads spinning with people wondering who they were, Bette and James finally returned the Ferrari to the dealership. Bette reluctantly returned the keys promising the manager that theyd return another day. It had gotten quite late and each had worked up an appetite again.

What about Torrance? They said in unison, and then started laughing.

You first, James conceded.

What about her? You know shes called and left messages, Bette politely reminded him.

James made a face. Yeah, I know, but Im not sure I really want to see her now though, James surprisingly admitted. Bettes eyes widened in question. I mean, shes really cute and all, but shes not Katey and Id rather see her again, James made the face as if to say he was confused.

Bette chuckled. Dont know what to tell ya buddy, Bette playfully smacked James arm. Yes, she was cute, but she seemed a little spoiled and high maintenance, Bette revealed.

I guess it takes one to know one huh? James teased.

Whats that supposed to mean? Bette screwed up her face. Are you implying Im like Torrance? Bette challenged.

James shrugged his shoulders. Seems like the shoe fits to me or you wouldnt be getting all testy, James laughed and ducked Bettes swing.

Yeah, whatever, Bette dismissed. Well, if youre so into Katey, why were you flirting with Torrance?

You did see her right? James gave Bette the duh look. The girl is hot and she was definitely into me. Im a man. I couldnt help myself, James admitted. But she seems a little too young for me and definitely spoiled. Thats a bit much for me, James waved his finger as if saying no, no.

Bette thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to get her hooky buddy out of seeing Torrance without offending her or her father of whom she wanted to keep a good rapport.

James, I cant believe you even allowed it to go this far, Bette scolded. I know, you didnt mean it or think about it at the time right, Bette continued, reading James expression. He nodded. Okay, heres what Ive got, Bette whispered in his ear as if telling a secret.

Okay, I can do that, James smiled.

You owe me big, Bette nudged James, as they headed over to DL95s for a late dinner.

Back at the Center
Tina managed to incorporate Oscars portion of the proposal into what shed done and reviewed it one last time before emailing the file to him at home. She knew hed be up late in spite of his wifes protests. After calling to confirm it had arrived, Tina waited for Alice. Tina got up to get the remaining coffee from the pot and sipped on the thick, bitter liquid as her thoughts drifted to Eric and the time theyd shared. A smile creased her weary face and she felt good that there was someone in the world she could still be herself with no holds barred or strings attached. Then as luck would have it, her cell rang, interrupting her thoughts.

Hey Al. Im on my way, Tina spoke as she walked to the door. She let Alice in and they walked back to her desk. Alice, Im gonna just come right out and say this. Please dont be mad okay, Tina babbled.

Uhm? Ookay? Alice responded, not knowing what Tina was talking about.

Remember what I told you about Eric, Tina asked and Alice nodded. It wasnt true. I made it up to pay you back for being so inquisitive, Tina spit out fast.

You what? Why? Thats not fair Tina, Alice crossed her arms over her chest.

Al, it was a joke thats all. I figured you wouldnt believe nothing happened and you woke me up so early to ask questions, so I decided to have some fun is all. Youre not mad at you? Tina got close to Alice who was now pouting. I dont want you to be mad. Eric already gave me a ration of ***** for it, Tina admitted behind a frown.

Oh, he did? Alice perked up. But Im curious, whyd he do that?

He said, he didnt want any of my friends to get the wrong impression of him and that I needed to clear the air in case you mentioned it to Bette or something.

Wow! Im impressed. A man who doesnt think with his other head, Alice smirked. Id ask you if he had a brother, but Id actually want him to think with his other head, Alice joked and they both laughed.

So, youre not mad at me?

I was, Alice nodded. I couldnt believe you would sleep with someone you hadnt seen or spoken to in years, and then for it to be a man, Tina gave Alice an astonished look. Well, your ex then. Not just any man, Alice cleaned up. Are you gonna tell Bette you saw him? Alice asked, sounding serious.

Im not sure. Id like to in case it comes out later, but were not together Al and Im not sure what the right thing to tell her is, Tina sighed.

Well, I havent spoken to Bette in a while, but I think shed want to know. Shes funny that way, Alice leaned on the desk. Actually a better question would be what are you going to do about Bette?

Tina began to pace. You know Im not really sure. Im in such a good place right now and Im on the verge of some good things happening for me. Im scared that if I let her back it, itll all get messed up. Does that make sense?

Alice didnt answer. She knew there was no easy way to answer it without taking one side over the other. You know what? Its late and Im sure you could use a shower. You look like ***** kid, Alice teased and helped Tina get her things so they could leave. Well talk over breakfast.

At DL95s
The crowd at the bar cheered when they saw James and Bette come in, remembering them from the night before.

No, no, no, Bette spoke above the noise. Were not taking on another contest. We just want a late dinner before heading home. Groans could be heard all around as they settled at a nearby table and ordered wings, fries, and drinks. As soon as the food was before them, they tore into them as if theyd been starved all day. James had managed to skirt seeing Torrance, but had to promise her that theyd have lunch before she went back to Vancouver. Bette made him call Katey to see if shed like to join them for a nightcap. She wanted to see the now infamous Katey who caused James to not succumb to the wiley ways of a young girl.

Bette and James interacted with the crowd, playing pool, and joking around before settling back at their table.

Man, tomorrow is going to be a *****, Bette fussed, thinking about Franklin.

Yeah, it is, James agreed. But my night be enough to still wake up with a smile, James grinned as he saw Katey come in.

Hey guys, Katey greeted them. You must be Bette? Katey extended her arm. Ive heard a lot about you, Katey smiled.

Bette smiled at Katey and then at James. Lies, all lies, Bette chuckled.

Okay, maybe some of it was, Katey shot back in jest.

Oh, I like her. Shes a feisty one, Bette laughed and waved for the waitress. Three Irish coffees, Bette ordered. With a shot of Baileys on the side.

I think Im gonna get along with you just fine, Katey grinned.

And whys that? James cut in. Youre only supposed to get along with me, he leaned over and nuzzled Kateys neck.

She ordered my favorite without even asking. Or did you tell her?

Nope. Not a word, James zipped his mouth and they all laughed.

Well, I guess we do have something in common then, aside from James, Bette smirked and Katey gave Bette a quizzical look.

No, dont worry. Im still very much into women. Even though Ive made a mess of things, the words fell out of Bettes mouth before she could stop herself.

James stared at Bette and then at Katey wondering where things were going.

Oh, dont worry James. She looked out for me. So in fact, shes a friend of mine even moreso now, Bette downplayed the situation and tried to hide the sadness she suddenly felt seeing James and Katey together. Damn I miss her Bette thought as she sipped the coffee that had now arrived.