Alice cocked open one eye and saw Helena drifted to the far side of the bed and was now shivering in her sleep. Alice shook her head slightly and smiled fondly as she moved closer to Helena enveloped her with the blankets. Alice rubbed her face and glanced at the alarm clock. It was 2pm, but that was all right because it was only Saturday and they'd stayed up all night and watched the sunrise, so sleeping in was only natural. Alice buried her face into her pillow and lightly touched the back of Helena's head and smiled affectionately. They'd gone to bed around eight in the morning, which meant Helena would likely be waking up fairly soon as well, since the dark-haired woman was accustomed to getting six hours sleep every night.

Helena stirred at the light touch and turned around to face Alice.

"Sorry," Alice apologized. "I didn't mean to wake you."

Helena rubbed at her eyes. "What time is it?"

"A little after two."

Helena stretched and then sat up and stretched again. "I should get going," she said softly.

Alice touched the small of Helena's back. "I don't want you to go," she said quietly.

Helena turned and smiled. "I'm sure you have other plans," she murmured, playfully poking Alice's shoulder. "Perhaps plans with Michael? Or Caroline? Or that woman who keeps calling you for another date. What's her name? Lianne?"

Alice grinned shyly and hid her face with her pillow. She was a little embarrassed she was constantly mentioning someone new to Helena, but that was just the way things were lately. "I'm free this whole weekend," Alice said, pulling the pillow away from her face. Alice lay on her back and gazed up at Helena and reached for Helena's hand. "I don't want you to be alone this weekend," she said quietly. Not when the children were with Winnie. Alice knew if Helena went home right now, she would spend the rest of the day worrying about Helena anyway, so it just made it easier if Helena stayed. "Stay," Alice said quietly. "Hang out with me today." Of course she was worried about Helena being alone for the rest of the day, but she also wanted Helena to stay for herself--the thought of Helena leaving at the moment just made her feel inexplicably sad.

Helena gazed at her and then nodded softly.

Alice smiled and then pulled the woman back down to her, enveloping Helena in a one-armed hug. "What should we do today?"

"I don't know yet," Helena said, pondering the question thoughtfully. She honestly had no idea what they should do. "I'll make us lunch and we can think about it while we're eating."

"Sounds good," Alice said. She clapped her hands. "Yay. I like it when you cook and I'll totally help." She yawned. "I should get cleaned up though. I think I'm stinky."

"Yes," Helena dead-panned. "You are very stinky."

Alice smiled. "You don't exactly smell like a rose either, Fancypants."

"That would be a good thing because I don't wear rose perfume, Stinky Girl," Helena teased.

Alice laughed. "You take the first shower, okay?"

"Okay," Helena said, sitting up again to go to the bathroom.

"Oh shit!" Alice said, yanking Helena down again, causing the dark-haired woman to give Alice an exasperated, questioning look. "Let me check the bathroom to make sure it's clean."

"Alice," Helena protested, sitting up again. "I've been using your bathroom all evening, it's--"

"You were using the half-bathroom. I keep that one clean for guests. My private bathroom with the shower…" Alice trailed off and blushed again. "I'll be right back." Alice pushed Helena onto her back and leaped off the bed.

Helena watched affectionately as Alice scampered toward the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Helena could hear Alice tidying up and chuckled, shaking her head fondly. Finally, Alice emerged, blushing and carrying several hangers of undergarments.

"Are those the things you didn't want me to see?" Helena teased.

Alice grinned. "I don't care if you see these," Alice said, waving the hangers around. "I just didn't want you to have to move around them and it's kind of more embarrassing when people see them hanging up in the bathroom. I don't know why," Alice said. But it was true. She didn't care if people saw her bras or panties, but somehow, it was just more embarrassing when they were hanging in the bathroom. "Anyway, bathroom's almost ready, I'll just get you a fresh towel."

Helena smiled and stood and followed Alice to the door and leaned against the frame, watching as Alice walked to her linen closet and brought back a large peach-colored towel.

"Here," she said, gently slapping Helena on the arm with it.

Helena took it. "I'll be right out," she called, as she walked into the bathroom.

"Take your time," Alice said, grinning. She waved as Helena shut the door behind her. Once she heard the water run, Alice began to put away the bras and panties that were hanging in the bathroom earlier and then walked into the living room to clean up. There wasn't much to clean as she and Helena didn't make much of a mess the night before anyway, and once she was satisfied with the condition of the living room, she went back into her bedroom to find Helena something she could wear since Alice knew Helena would appreciate a clean change of clothes.

Helena emerged from the shower after fifteen minutes, wrapped in a towel with her hair swept away from her face. "Your turn," she said cheerfully.

Alice smiled and passed her the clothes she picked out--a simple white t-shirt and a pair of black track pants. "I thought you might want to change into something clean."

"Are you saying my clothes are unclean?" Helena teased.

Alice laughed. "You know what I mean. Plus, we're going to be cooking and I didn't want you to spill anything on your clothes"

"I know what you mean," Helena said. "Thank-you."

"Okay, see you in a few," Alice said, heading toward the bathroom.

Helena changed into the clothes Alice gave her and touched her face self-consciously. She didn't have any of her cosmetics with her, which made her feel a little…well, naked. But Helena got over it, thinking that however important it was to moisturize daily, skipping one application wouldn't do her much harm anyway. She then walked into the living room to clean up. She noticed that Alice already cleaned up, and grumbled a little at that and then did some extraneous tidying-up because she felt bad Alice didn't let her help. After that was done, Helena scanned the contents of Alice's refrigerator and cabinets, trying to decide what to make for lunch. Helena got out all the possible ingredients she might use and placed them on the counter. She was still pondering what they could make when Alice walked into the kitchen.

"Hey."

Helena looked up to reply but grinned instead. Alice had a Biore strip across her nose, just like the time when she'd come to Alice's apartment to drop off the Bulga bag.

"What?" Alice asked.

Helena touched her own nose.

Alice mirrored the action in confusion and felt the Biore strip and laughed. "Yeah, I figured since we were up all night…" Alice trailed off. She just thought her pores could use a good stripping. Alice didn't know why she even put on the Biore strip when Helena was around, but she supposed that just meant she was comfortable. Like Helena, she too, thought back to the day Helena came by to bring the purse and Alice marveled at how much had changed since then. Alice grinned. "Do you want to try it?" she asked.

"All right," Helena said absently, as she washed potatoes at the sink.

Alice grinned and ran into the bathroom and ran back waving a Biore packet in the air. She approached Helena who was now peeling potatoes and opened the packet. "I'll do it for you."

"All right," Helena said, turning her face toward Alice.

Alice placed the Biore strip over Helena's nose, and stepped back to admire her handiwork. Helena grinned at her and Alice began giggling.

Helena touched her nose and smiled. "Do I look foolish?"

"I think you look adorable," Alice declared, grinning affectionately at her friend. And she thought Helena really did. "So what's for lunch? What can I do?"

Helena shrugged. "Well, you didn't have very much," she said with almost maternal disapproval. She waved the peeler she was holding. "You really must go grocery shopping more often, Alice. What on earth do you eat?"

Alice grinned. "I eat at your house, Helena. Duh."

Helena laughed. "I'm making one of those potato soups you're so fond of."

Alice laughed. "Yeah? That seems a little labor-intensive. Wouldn't it be easier to go out?"

Helena shrugged.

Alice chuckled warmly. "Yeah, you always have to do things the hard way," she said affectionately. "But I like that about you. What can I do to help?"

"You could help me peel some potatoes," Helena suggested. "I ordered some groceries and they're delivering them. They should be here soon."

Alice grinned. "I thought you liked doing the grocery shopping yourself." Alice knew Helena preferred to do the grocery shopping herself because she was picky about the quality of the food. She sat down at the kitchen table next to Helena and reached for a potato. Alice went grocery shopping with Helena on several occasions and the time Helena spent on picking the perfect produce both amused and exasperated her, and endeared Helena to her even more.

"I do," Helena said, "but I trust them. It should be here soon." She passed Alice the peeler. "Use the peeler. I'll use a knife. I don't want you to cut a finger off by mistake."

Alice chuckled and gazed at her friend as Helena stood and walked to the drawers to search for a suitable knife. Helena came back to the table and began peeling.

"So what else are we having?" Alice asked, with a grin as they peeled potatoes together. "I mean, I'm fine with just the soup, but you're gourmet and you go all out."

Helena chuckled. "I like to feed people," she said simply.

Alice smiled warmly. "I know you do," she said softly. "So, what else are we having?"

"I was thinking of something simple," Helena said, taking the potato Alice peeled and chopping it into small cubes before she put them into a bowl of cold water to soak.

Alice watched Helena as she did all this with an adoring smile. "Yeah? What's simple to you?"

"Chicken breasts in garlic balsamic vinegar with herbs and mushrooms, salad and bread. Fairly simple, don't you think? " Helena asked, as she cubed another potato. "It won't take very long, and I was thinking after we eat and clean up, we could see a movie at the New Beverly Cinema."

Alice chuckled affectionately at her friend's definition of "simple" which was a little different from her own. "That sounds really good," Alice said. "But the New Beverly Cinema? You hate that place. You said it smells funny and all the people who go there are old men who grope you."

"I didn't say I hated it," Helena said, standing up to throw the cubed potatoes into boiling water. "But it does smell funny and many of the people who go there are smelly old men who grope me. But I never said I hated it. I liked going there with you when we went to see The Godfather and Hitler's Secretary." She went to the sink to wash her hands. They went to that theatre so often, Helena and Alice considered it "their" theatre.

Alice laughed. "You didn't like Spaceballs?" she teased, which they'd also seen at the theatre. She'd laughed hysterically throughout the movie because she had memories of watching it stoned with her high school boyfriend, but Helena apparently didn't find it as funny as she did.

Helena shrugged. "Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood?" she offered. "We could rent it and watch it again. You seemed to like it."

Alice shook her head and grinned. "Nah. I wouldn't force you to see it again," she said, throwing the last of the cubed potatoes into the boiling water. She stood up to wash her hands as well. "It's been a while since we've been there. We went there all the time over the summer, remember?" Alice asked, a dreamy smile touching her lips as she thought back to all the movies she'd seen there with Helena. "We should totally go again," Alice agreed. "I'll find out what's playing later."

"Good," Helena said, stirring the potatoes in the pot to redistribute them.

Alice looked thoughtful. "You know, I'd kind of rather go tomorrow, if that's okay. I don't know, I guess it's because we watched like, eight hours worth of movies last night."

Helena grinned. "That would be fine."

"You don't mind?" Alice asked. "Does tomorrow work for you?"

Helena nodded. "That works for me." She couldn't pick up the children until the early evening, so if they caught one of the afternoon shows, it would work out perfectly for her.

"Good," Alice said with a grin, because she did want to go to that particular theatre again. She had a plethora of fond memories there from seeing movies with Helena and it had just been too long since their last visit. But somehow, the thought of sitting in the theatre for a few hours--since every feature at the theatre was a double feature, didn't appeal to her, at least, not today. She'd have to think of something else. "We will totally go tomorrow. We'll figure out something else to do today. I mean, we could always just hang out there."

"That sounds good," Helena said softly.

Alice grinned at her, and the two women stared at one another for a long moment. Alice gently touched Helena's nose with her index finger. "I think we should take our Biore strips off," she said quietly. Her index finger trailed down the slope of Helena's nose. She curled her fingers slightly and traced them over the plane of Helena's cheeks and they lingered there for a moment. She moved her face closer to Helena's, as she stared into Helena's eyes.

"All right," Helena breathed, moving her face a little closer to Alice.

"Helena," Alice whispered softly, feeling suddenly emotional and a little awkward. She didn't understand this emotion or where it was coming from. It was only Helena. This was her closest friend, the woman who knew her best, at least lately. There was nothing in her life Helena wasn't privy to and suddenly, it felt different. Even touching Helena, which was absolutely normal for them because they both tended to be physically demonstrative and tactile, felt different.

"Alice?" Helena questioned, her eyes staring intently into the blonde's.

"Helena--" Alice whispered hoarsely, her hand slowly reaching up to touch Helena's face.

Then there was a knock on the door, and their eyes automatically drifted to the door and the moment was gone.

Helena's eyes flashed with disappointment, before she grinned and stepped away from Alice. "I believe the groceries have arrived," she said.

"Yeah," Alice said quietly, still reeling a little. 'What's happening between us?' she wondered. 'What the hell was all that?' she thought. "Race you to the door?" Alice asked.

"No, thank you," Helena said politely before she elbowed Alice aside and ran for the door.

"Cheater!" Alice sputtered with mock outrage. "You're a dirty cheater! You're just a dirty, rotten cheater!" Alice shrieked happily as she ran after Helena. She ran into Helena at the door and the two women rammed into it, giggling. "You're the biggest cheater on earth!" Alice accused as Helena threw open the door, giggling. "The biggest cheater in the uni--" Alice's trailed off when she saw who was at her door. "Tina?" Alice said, momentarily confused. "Hey! Hi!."

Tina stared at Alice, and then at Helena and then at Alice again, her mouth frozen in a smile. After a moment, she seemed to find her voice. "Alice, hi. Hi, Helena."

"Hello, Tina," Helena said calmly, but feeling extremely uncomfortable, she moved back, pulling Alice with her to allow Tina to come inside.

"Wow, it's been forever," Alice said, hugging Tina. "What's been going on?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Tina said, glancing at Helena and then back at Alice. "Uhm, you guys have…" Tina pointed to her nose.

Helena and Alice reached up and touched their noses and looked at one another to exchange smiles. "Oh, right," Alice said, laughing. She touched Helena's nose and yanked off the strip.

"Ow!" Helena yelped, touching her nose with one hand and slapping Alice's hand with the other. She glared at Alice. "Alice!" she cried, a little shocked and a little amused.

"What?" Alice asked innocently. "It hurts less than getting waxed. And it was time."

Helena pouted and then reached up and yanked the Biore strip off Alice's nose.

"Jesus!" Alice exclaimed, grabbing her nose. "Helena!"

"It hurts less than getting waxed, darling," Helena said, parroting Alice's words and waving the Biore strip in the blonde's face. She took the other strip from Alice's hands. "I'll go dispose of these," she said, walking toward the bathroom to give Alice and Tina a chance to talk privately.

"Yeah, yeah," Alice said, grumbling good-naturedly and continuing to rub her nose. "Will you give me back my nose while you're at it? Jesus! And I was gentle with you!" she called after her.

"Ha!" Helena said. "That was far from gentle, darling!"

"Al? What's going on?" Tina asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Why is Helena here?"

Alice shrugged. "She's making lunch."

There was another knock at the door and Alice guessed this time, it actually was the groceries. "Helena!" Alice called. "I think the groceries are here. I'll pay for it, okay?" Alice yelled.

"It's already been charged to my account!" Helena called back.

Alice shook her head and opened the door. She grinned at the man carrying a fairly large box. "Hi, there," she said, grinning at him and taking the box out of his hands. She stumbled slightly, not expecting the weight of it, thinking Helena only ordered enough food to make lunch. "Jesus, what did she order?" Alice muttered under her breath.

The guy reached for the box to steady her and the two lowered it to the ground. His eyes grazed over Alice appreciatively. "Hi," He said.

Helena walked back into the room. "Hello," she said, as she walked toward the door. The man stood up to greet her, and the two exchanged brief pleasantries. Helena reached for the receipt to sign for it. "Thank-you for coming so quickly."

He grinned at her. "Sure," he said, his eyes roaming over her,

Helena's scanned the bill, added a tip, signed it and passed it back to him. "Thank-you again," she said, giving him a beaming smile and touching his shoulder.

He grinned at her, "sure," he said, nodding emphatically, staring at her hand touching his shoulder. "My pleasure," he said before he waved and walked away. "Bye."

Helena and Alice picked up the box together. "I think you broke his brain" Alice commented as they closed the door. "He was hot for you."

"He was hot for you," Helena corrected.

"Jesus, Helena. Is this all for lunch?" Alice asked, scanning the contents of the box.

"Some," Helena said. "I thought since they were delivering groceries anyway, I would just stock your fridge, seeing as how you can not be compelled into going grocery shopping on your own."

"You're shaming me," Alice said with mock sadness, bowing her head.

"That's right," Helena agreed, biting back a smile, and cupping Alice's cheek and tilting it so she could look into amused brown eyes. "I'm shaming you."

Tina watched the two of them interact in confusion. Helena began to put away some of the groceries and set others on the table. Tina took that opportunity to grab Alice, who was watching Helena with a mixture of amusement and adoration, by the arm. "Can I talk to you privately?" she asked, whispering it into Alice's ear and pulling her toward the bedroom.

"Helena, we'll be right back," Alice called, allowing herself to be led by Tina.

Helena looked up and smiled and then looked back down, continuing with what she was doing.

Tina forced a smile back and pulled Alice into the bedroom and shut the door behind her. "What's going on? Why is she here?" Tina asked, confused.
"I told you, she's making lunch."

"Alice!

"What?"

"Why is Helena here? I mean…" Tina trailed off, gesturing with her hands.

"Ohh, why is she heeere," Alice said, suddenly comprehending Tina wasn't asking purpose, so much as a more general why. Alice shrugged. "Why wouldn't she be here? We're friends."

"Since when?" Tina asked, wondering if she was actually having this conversation. It felt very strange to be talking to her current girlfriend's ex-girlfriend about her own ex-girlfriend. Though it was odd, she found it a little amusing. Yes, Alice was right, lesbian LA was a little incestuous.

"For months now," Alice said, resenting she would have to explain her friendship to anyone.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Tina asked.

"Why should I?" Alice demanded. "So every new friend I make I have to tell you all about? We haven't even seen each other for months. Hell, I've barely even talked to you!"

"No, of course not!" Tina said, anxiously trying to diffuse the situation. "That's not what I meant! I was just…really surprised to see her here, that's all."

Alice sighed. "Yeah, I guess I can understand that," she grumbled. "But I still don't think I have to explain anything."

"You don't," Tina said softly, "I was just surprised, that's all." Tina tilted her head to the side. "So you guys are…dating now?" she asked. The intimacy of their interactions definitely gave off that impression to her, but Alice was calling Helena a 'friend.'

Alice looked mortified. "No! We're just friends!"

Tina looked skeptical. "Really?"

"Yeah," Alice said, nodding emphatically. "What we have is too good to fuck up by dating. I totally love her as a friend and I'm not going to fuck it up by dating her, T!"

"Okay," Tina said, putting her hands in the air. "Okay."

"Okay," Alice said, nodding. She touched Tina's shoulder. "So, what's up, TK? You look upset."

Tina forced a smile. "No, it's nothing."

"Something with Bette?" Alice asked quietly. She knew something was troubling Tina.
Tina winced. "It's not important. I was thinking of you last night, how we haven't seen each other in a while and…" Tina hugged Alice impetuously. "We've all really missed you," she said sincerely. She felt terrible their contact with Alice had been so minimal. But it was difficult, at least for her, she working a job she didn't particularly like while still finding time to volunteer at the Centre and dealing with a spouse who was deeply unhappy about her career and raising a young child. Alice didn't call her, or return the few calls Tina did make, and somehow their friendship just fell by the wayside, and that just didn't seem right to Tina now that she'd taken stock of the situation. Alice's friendship with Helena only highlighted how removed Alice was now and that wasn't right. But there was just so much going on in their lives.

"I've missed you, too," Alice said. "So…what did you and Bette fight about?" Alice asked, knowing by the look on Tina's face the couple likely had a fight.

Tina made a face. "Al…let's just focus on you," she said softly.

Alice shrugged. "There's nothing much to report. Dana broke my heart, I'm trying to move on. There's no one I'm interested in, so fuck it. Let's just talk about you."

Tina looked at her sympathetically. "Al," she said quietly.

Alice grinned. "It's not as bad as I made it sound," she said, thinking of how the woman in the kitchen made everything feel better, even if it was only temporarily. "I don't want to talk about it though, because, well, I'm okay, T. So let's focus on you, because you don't seem okay."

Tina winced. "She and I had an argument last night," she said lowly.

Alice looked at her sympathetically. "About what?"

Tina looked uneasy. "It started off about you and--"

"Me?" Alice asked blankly. "What did I have to do with anything?"

"Dana mentioned you were dating and I wanted to meet her. And Bette…it doesn't matter…"

"Bette said there was no point in meeting her, didn't she?" Alice said with a grin. She's known Bette for years and she was predictable that way.

Tina flushed.

Alice shrugged. "Hey, it's true. Danielle and I aren't serious."

"Are you sure?" Tina asked softly. "I heard she's nice and--"

"It's not serious. She's not even the only one."

"Oh…Okay, well…somehow, one thing led to another, and she started yelling at me how she needs to get out of the house and how it's driving her crazy being a stay-at-home mother, and she acted like it was my fault she's having a hard time finding a new job. I kept telling her something will pop up, but she was…well, really upset about it. And I don't know, it just got really bad and we just started fighting about everything." Tina sank down onto Alice's bed. "I think we got back together too soon," Tina said honestly, wincing. "We didn't work out anything that was wrong in our relationship. Melvin got sick and then he died, and Angelica was born, and suddenly, we were a family and we never really talked about what was wrong with our relationship, and it's just going back to the way things were before," Tina said glumly. "I wish we…I wish we'd just taken more time to talk about it, and now it feels too late, like she doesn't want to change."

"T, have you talked to her about this?" Alice asked softly.

Tina made a face. "I've tried…she's just…really upset about what happened at the CAC still. I don't think she'd be as upset if she had a new job, but…" Tina shrugged. "And with Angelica…I mean, even with the nanny, I think Bette's having a hard time."

Alice nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry, T."

Tina sighed again. "I should go," Tina said, clearly frustrated with everything. "But it was really good to see you," Tina said sincerely, embracing Alice.

Alice held onto her "It'll be okay," she said.

Tina smiled. "Thanks," she whispered.

"Stay for lunch," Alice said, purely out of reflex.

Tina shook her head. "No…I think…it would be awkward."

Alice nodded, realizing belatedly it was true. "Mmm, we'll just see," she said noncommittally.

The two walked out of the room and into the dining room. Helena smiled at them. "The salad and chicken are ready, the soup just needs to simmer a little more--turn off the stove in about ten minutes, and there's bread on the table." Alice and Tina glanced at the dining room table and saw that two places were set. Helena walked past them to go into the bedroom. "I'm just going to get my things and I'll leave you two alone," Helena said with a smile.

Alice grabbed Helena's arm. "Wait, where are you going?

Helena shrugged. "I thought you may want some time alone to talk amongst yourselves…"

"I thought we were going to hang out," Alice said softly.

"No, Helena. Please, don't leave on my account," Tina said, "I'll go. I just wanted to drop in."
"No, no, I know you two have a great deal to catch up on. And I…have some work I ought to get caught up in," Helena said. Helena walked away, continuing to walk toward the bedroom.

Alice walked after her. "Helena, wait," she called, following Helena into the bedroom. Alice shut the door. "What's going on? Why are you leaving? I mean, it'll be a little awkward, yeah, but--"

"It's all right," Helena said quietly. "I can leave. You don't have to--"

"But I don't want you to leave," Alice interrupted. "What are you…"Alice faltered. "Why would you think I'd want you to go? We were going to hang out."

Helena looked uncomfortable. She knew there would be times like this, where Alice would have to choose between her and the blonde's other friends. She didn't want to make Alice choose, so she was taking herself out of the equation. "I thought it might be easier," Helena said quietly.

Alice looked at her intently. "Is it hard being around her?" she asked. "I can ask her to go--"

"I just don't want to make you choose," Helena interrupted. Granted it would be a little awkward, but she didn't mind that. However, she knew Alice's other friends-- Bette and Tina, in particular, didn't care for her, and she knew they would not want to spend time with Alice if she was around and she didn't want to make Alice choose. And there was a part of her which feared if it came to a choice, she would not be the one chosen. She was never the one chosen. She would bow out gracefully now. "We can meet tomorrow for the movie. Unless you make other plans, of course."

"Why would you think I'd do that to you?" Alice questioned softly, clearly hurt by the unspoken insinuation. "I wouldn't do that to you. Is that what you think of me? I thought we were friends!"

"We are friends, which is why I don't want to make you choose."

"Would you be okay if Tina ate lunch with us?" Alice asked, a little impatiently, not wanting to go around in circles.

"I would be fine with that."

"Hold on."

Alice walked into the kitchen where Tina had turned off the stove and was removing the pot of soup to another burner to remove it from additional heat. "T?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you be okay eating lunch with Helena and I?"

"I'd love to," Tina said softly, "if Helena doesn't mind. She's such a good cook."

"Helena is a great cook," Alice corrected. She walked back into the bedroom and shut the door. "Tina doesn't mind eating lunch with us," she said. " So…I'm not really seeing a problem if you really don't mind her being here."

"I don't mind," Helena said softly. "I just…didn't want to put you in a position where--"

"I know," Alice said quietly. "Where I would have to choose. I just don't understand why you'd think I wouldn't choose you."

Helena looked away. "Tina's waiting," she said, moving past Alice to re-enter the kitchen. She didn't want to talk about this anymore.

Alice stared after her for a moment, and sighed heavily. She trailed after her friend. They were going to have to talk about this later. It didn't feel right just to let this go.

-----

Tina observed Helena and Alice as the two women argued playfully. Helena took a mushroom off Alice's plate, and Alice accused her of being a food thief. Helena pointed out that Alice had a habit of drinking from her coffee, tea and water cups, usually without asking, and that pretty much made things even out. Alice argued that food and beverages were not the same, and the two women then engaged in a light-hearted debate.

Watching Helena with Alice, Tina remembered exactly why she'd been so attracted to the British woman. She was charming and had a strange way of being both sincere and naughty when she was swearing. But she also knew she was seeing a side to Helena Peabody she never got to see when they were dating, and she wondered if it was because they never quite got close enough for Helena to show her that side of her, or if it was Alice that was bringing out changes. In either case, Tina was reminded of Helena Peabody's appeal.

"I do not have music ADD!" Alice exclaimed.

Helena and Tina exchanged looks of disbelief.

"Oh my God!" Tina chortled.

"Darling, one can never hear a song in its entirety when you are in the car," Helena teased.

Tina and Helena smiled knowingly at one another.

"Once, we were in the Mini," Tina said, addressing Helena "and she'd made this CD, right? She made it. And she would listen to the first 30 seconds of each song and then hit 'next'."

Helena nodded. "She does that to me as well."

"I do not!" Alice protested.

Both Tina and Helena looked at her with identical expressions that clearly meant "yeah, right."

"Okay, maybe sometimes" Alice acknowledged, "but not all the time."

"You did it to me yesterday!" Helena said. "After the Beverly Centre."

"I don't like that Frank Sinatra song!"

"You made me turn on the radio specifically to hear the Furious Frank at Five on Indie!" Helena said with a laugh. "And then you changed the station!"

Tina nodded. "You totally do that," she said. "Remember that time when you were driving me and Bette to the airport that time we went to Japan? You wouldn't listen to a song for more than 45 seconds. I thought Bette was going to kill you."

"I did it that time specifically to annoy Bette!" Alice protested.

"And of course other times, she repeats the same song incessantly," Helena said, taking a sip of the wine they brought out. Helena winced. "Last week she made me listen to the Thompson Twins no less than twenty times on our way back from San Luis Obispo."
"Thompson Twins?" Tina asked.

"Yes," Helena said. "They sang that song in the '80s. 'Hold Me Now'?"

"I don't think I know it," Tina said.

"You totally know it," Alice said. She exchanged a look with Helena. "Hold me now," Alice sang, looking at Helena expectantly.

Helena rolled her eyes but capitulated to Alice's unspoken request. "In your loving arms," she sang in high-pitched tones.

Tina burst into laughter. "I know it now," she said with a grin. She shook her head. "Yeah, she does that to me, too," she said softly, grinning at Helena.

Helena smiled back and Alice grumbled good-naturedly.

"You two are ganging up against me," Alice declared. "It's not fair."

Tina and Helena looked at her affectionately.

"It's not 'ganging up,' if it's true, darling," Helena said.

Alice waved her finger playfully in Helena's face. "Hey, Fancypants, you're just as bad as I am."

"I do not have music ADD," Helena said.

"Ha! Hello!" Alice said. "You are totally as bad as I am."

Helena shook her head stubbornly. "I do not have music ADD," she persisted.

"Okay, maybe not," Alice allowed. "But you channel surf like crazy with the TV."

Helena appeared ready to protest and then changed her mind. "Possibly," she allowed. She could admit to her faults. "That does not change the fact you have music ADD."

Tina laughed at the look of outrage and affection on Alice's face. "Al, she has you there," she said, before she took her ringing phone out of her purse. She felt her stomach clench slightly when she the number on the caller display. She sighed before she answered it. "Hi, Bette."

Alice and Helena exchanged glanced as they tried not to listen to Tina's furtive, half-whispered, half-hissed conversation. Finally, Tina hung up, looking visibly upset and angry.

"Everything okay?" Alice asked cautiously.

Tina looked frustrated. "Yeah, we're just…it's stuff with Angelica, I guess," she said. She didn't want to get into it. They'd hired a nanny when Bette complained that it was too difficult caring for Angelica on her own during the day while she was trying to look for a new job, which Tina fully understood. But Tina was a little irritated Bette was still making comments about its difficulty when they had a nanny. It just didn't make sense to her, and she just wanted a few hours away from everything. Tina smiled at Helena. "I'm sure you remember what it's like."

Helena smiled almost dreamily as she thought back to the early days after Wilson was born and they were able to bring Jun Ying home. Yes, it had been incredibly difficult, but she treasured those memories. She couldn't get enough of the children. "The first year is always the hardest," Helena said sincerely, reaching for Tina's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "But once it's passed, you'll feel much better--all the frustration you feel won't matter. And they start learning to walk and talk around their first year and it's simply…" Helena trailed off, lost in her own happy memories as she thought back to Jun Ying and Wilson's first steps and first words around their first birthdays. It pained her to realize she might not be so involved in their lives for much longer, if Winnie had a say in it. Helena smiled. "It's already getting better, is it not?" she asked Tina, rubbing Tina's shoulder briefly. "She's about six months now, so she must be adjusting to your sleeping patterns. So you must be getting more sleep than you did when she was born."

Tina thought for a moment and nodded. "Yeah, she is," she said softly with a smile. "It has been getting easier. It's just still hard, I guess."

Helena tilted her head to the side. "I don't think you need to worry about that," she said sincerely. "I always knew you were going to make a great mother," she said.

Tina nodded, blushing slightly. "Yeah…thank-you," she said, feeling calmer.
Helena merely smiled at her and then turned her attention back to Alice. "Here," Helena said, passing Alice a slice of bread. "I saved this slice specifically for you and you didn't even take it."

Alice grinned and took the proffered slice. "I love the end pieces," she said with an impish grin. "You've finally gave up trying to keep 'em for yourself," she said, waving her arms triumphantly.

"I've always given them up," Helena said, "except for that time you knocked me over to get the end piece when we were in Santa Barbara. Then I had to fight for it on principle."

"I did not knock you down," Alice protested. "You lost your balance."

"You elbowed me in the side when I was just trying to get up to use the restroom."

"Yes, but who got the end piece?" Alice asked, grinning, though she blushed a little at the memory. She just thought she and Helena were playing around like they often did when they went out. She had no idea Helena was just trying to go to the bathroom.

"I did," Helena said, with a teasingly gloating smile. "Because I stole it off your plate and you were too full to notice, my little pixie."

Alice's mouth opened and then shut. "Oh my God, that's right! You totally stole it! See! You are totally a food thief!"

"You kept drinking from my wine glass even though you could have just poured yourself another glass," Helena pointed out. "You're a beverage thief."

Alice grinned mischievously. "The wine just tasted better out of your glass."

Helena shook her head. "You're a beverage bandit," Helena said. "Remember when you somehow took all the pulp from the orange juice at my house. You're a… pulprit."

Tina and Alice laughed.

"Pulprit! That's so cute!" Alice exclaimed.

Tina looked warmly at Helena. "That's right, you like pulp," she said, thinking back to the breakfasts Helena made for her.

Helena laughed. "That's what you are. You're the culprit who took my pulp, therefore, you're a--"

"Pulprit," Alice and Helena said together, causing Tina to laugh.

"Yes," Helena said. "I don't understand it. You hate pulp. What did you do with it?"

Alice blushed. "I was trying to get it without the pulp," she said defensively. "But it all fell out! I tried to put it back in the carton, but those little holes are so small, I couldn't get it in!" Alice made an odd face and then erupted into laughter. "That sounds so dirty!"

Tina and Helena joined in, and the apartment was filled with the sound of raucous laughter.

"I'm totally picturing you trying to push pulp back in through that little hole," Tina said.

Alice's cheeks turned pink. "Yeah, that's sort of what happened," she said grudgingly, "and it was going in, but it was taking forever and--"

"You got bored," Helena filled in, chuckling.

Alice nodded, acknowledging she did indeed, get bored. "You'd just left for work, and that was the day Lulu had her midterm, so she was cramming and I was taking the kids to school."

"Oh, that's right," Helena said. "So what did you do with the pulp?" Helena asked, deeply curious. Not that it was especially interesting--pulp was not a particularly scintillating topic, but Alice was avoiding the question, which piqued her interest.

Alice looked embarrassed. "Well, you know how you hate throwing food away?" she asked.

"Yes," Helena said with a wry smile. "I do know how I hate throwing food away, being you know, myself," Helena said, mimicking Alice tone and voice exactly.

"You're getting way too good at that," Alice said, a little darkly. She grinned. "Anyway. I know you hate wasting food and Wilson likes pulp so I…put it in his thermos and gave it to him."

Tina and Helena looked at her blankly. "That's it?" they chorused together, smiling at one another for saying the same thing.

Alice looked defensive. "I thought he could eat it…you know…like…yogurt or something…"

"It's pulp, Alice. You gave my son pulp?" Helena asked.

"I thought he could eat it like yogurt but…" Alice blushed again. "I forgot the spoon."

Helena was amused. "So what did he do with the pulp?"

Alice shrugged. "Beats me."

Helena shook her head. "Why did we start talking about this?" she asked, confused.

Alice shrugged. "I forget." She shook her head as well. "Why does this always happen to us?"

Helena looked at her blankly. "I honestly don't know," she said, appearing confused.

Alice and Helena gazed at one another for a long moment as they contemplated why their conversations often digressed and lead to a discussion on something inane or somewhat useless.

"So I'm not, right? A pulprit?" Alice asked, poking at Helena's shoulder. "Take it back. I'm not a pulprit! I kept it in the family! I gave it to Wilson. So take it back!"

Helena looked amused. "You can't take words back." Helena paused. "Pulprit."

Alice growled in mock outrage. She stood up and grabbed Helena by the sides of her face and then planted a hard kiss on Helena's forehead. "You're so frustrating sometimes," she said, as she stood up to clear the table.

"I am, but you're more so," Helena said, with a grin.

Helena and Tina stood up and helped carry the dishes to the sink.

"It was really good, Helena. Thank-you," Tina said sincerely, touching Helena's arm.

"You're welcome," Helena said softly, looking intently into Tina's eyes. She didn't understand the friendliness Tina was directing towards her considering their last conversation, but Helena supposed Tina was being nice for the same reason she was being nice--Alice.

"I have to pee," Alice announced, "I'll be right back."

"Thank-you, darling," Helena called after her. "You know how much I adore it when you announce your bodily functions."

The last thing Helena and Tina heard was Alice laughing as she shut the door.

"I'd forgotten what a good cook you were," Tina murmured, moving closer to Helena.

Helena set several dishes in the sink and turned to face Tina. "Thank-you," she said softly.

"Why didn't you become a chef?" Tina asked quietly, moving closer to Helena, causing Helena to retreat slightly. She'd never asked the first time Helena told her she considered being a chef.

Helena moved until she banged her back into the sink. She looked backward to see if there was any more space before she faced Tina again and saw Tina moved even closer, so only a few inches separated their bodies. Helena swallowed hard, feeling uncomfortable. The positions reminded her of the night late in Tina's pregnancy when Tina screamed for the neighbors to come over to watch them have sex because Tina believed Helena couldn't enjoy sex unless there was risk involved or someone was watching. The statement had wounded her, but more than that, Helena remembered feeling physically and sexually crowded by Tina that night, and that was a feeling that Helena did not enjoy. Tina had been right in one aspect that night--Helena did like to be in control, although it was not control, necessarily. She just didn't like feeling intimidated.
And at the moment, just like that night, Helena was feeling intimidated and physically dominated, which she did not care for. Helena tried to retreat further, but her back was flat against the sink and she realized she was boxed in with Tina standing directly in front of her, just inches away. It reminded her of her feelings of total helplessness that night when she tried to leave peacefully, but instead, Tina grabbed her, pushed her against a wall and pinned her there and there was nothing Helena could have done because Tina was hugely pregnant at the time. She felt powerless and wholly lacking in options back then and she was experiencing that same feeling now. Helena looked desperately at the bathroom door, hoping she would see the blonde emerging from it, but it remained shut. Helena swallowed hard. "My mother didn't approve," Helena said softly, answering the question honestly. She tried to move sideways, but found that she was well and truly boxed in, and Helena hoped Alice would emerge from the bathroom before…well, she didn't know what. All she knew was that Tina was making her uncomfortable, and Tina's behavior was baffling her, though that in and of itself was nothing new.
"Helena," Tina said lowly, "do you ever think about--"

"You guys! I am so full!" Alice yelled as she emerged from the bathroom.

Helena felt relief flood her body and Tina moved away.

"Too full for dessert, darling?" Helena called, her voice reflecting her nearly palpable relief. She still felt a little shaken. "I had them deliver lime sorbet!"

"Okay, maybe not that full," Alice said, walking into the kitchen and putting her arms Helena. "You got me sorbet," she said, sounding pleased. "I would never buy sorbet for myself."

Helena laughed, relieved that whatever that moment between she and Tina was, it was definitely broken. "I thought it would go well with the cheesecake we bought last night."

Alice looked at her, frowning slightly. She touched Helena's cheek, concerned. "Are you okay? You look…like you're going to throw up or something," she said bluntly, because she and Helena were always truthful with one another. "Are you getting sick? See? I told you that you should have worn that jacket this morning. I even got it out specifically for you to wear, and you didn't wear it. That's it, isn't it? You're catching a cold?"

Helena shook her head. "I'm fine," she said. "I'll get out the lime sorbet and cheesecake."

At that moment, Helena phone rang. She ran to answer the phone. She knew from the ringtone it was business. She dug the phone out of her purse and looked at the caller ID and winced a little. "Excuse me," she said, "I have to take this, I'll be right back." She walked into Alice's bedroom.

"You work too hard!" Alice called after her. Alice turned to look at Tina. "T? Did something happen between you guys while I was in the bathroom?" she asked.

Tina shook her head. "No. We talked, that's it." Tina glanced at the shut bedroom door. "What do you think Helena would say if I asked if she wanted to date again?" Tina asked casually.
Alice's eyes widened. "Tina! You can't do that to Helena!" she exclaimed. She had no idea what was going on between Tina and Bette, and that was really their own thing that she was not going to get involved in again. But Helena was different-- Helena was her best friend, and as much as Alice loved Tina, Alice knew Tina didn't treat Helena particularly well, and she didn't want that for Helena. The person Alice wanted Helena with would not only have to be beautiful and smart, but would have to respect Helena as a person and not as a money purse and would have to treat Helena a hell of a lot better than a temporary replacement for someone else.

Tina looked insulted. "What do you mean by that?"

Alice bit her lip. She didn't want to fight. "It's just that she really liked you, T. And I don't want her to be led on…and I mean, hello, the last time I checked, you were with Bette, so you shouldn't even have to ask if Helena would go out with you again."

"She really liked me, huh?" Tina asked, smiling a little. "Did she ever talk about me or us?"

Alice's jaw tightened. "A little," she acknowledged. Helena was evasive about it, which in Alice's mind, did not paint Tina in the best light. "Look, what's going on between you and Bette? I mean, something's obviously wrong."

Tina said nothing for a long moment and then sighed wearily. "We were so angry last night, you know?" Tina asked softly.

"Yeah," Alice said gently.

"I think…I think we just got back together too soon. Maybe I wasn't ready to really forgive her. There was so much going on before Angelica was born. I…I just didn't have a chance to really think about it, you know?"

"I know," Alice said quietly, rubbing Tina's arm comfortingly.

"I brought up the affair," Tina whispered. "And she was… so hurt and so mad, and she said maybe I should just have one, too, and we could be even."

Alice winced. That sounded like something Bette would say without really thinking about it.

"Of course I told her that was stupid. But I was so mad at her for saying it, I told her maybe we should sort of de-intensify our relationship and date other people."

"Fuck, T," Alice whispered.

"And she said that was fine with her."

"Fuck."

"I know," Tina groaned.

"So what was that fight about on the phone?" Alice asked.

"She asked me where I was, and I told her I was over here and I just needed a break for a while, because I was the one who got up last night when Angelica woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep, so I was the one who stayed up all night and fed her breakfast and… I just needed a break. But Bette wanted me to come back so she could take one, and I got angry and she got angry and said I probably wasn't here, I was out with my new girlfriend--who, you know, doesn't exist."

Alice winced again. "T, I'm really sorry."

"I was so mad at her, I almost do want to see other people until we can figure this thing out. Sometimes I think I don't really need a break from everything, I just need a break from Bette. And things are worse now because she hasn't found a new job and it's been a few months."

"T, you really need to talk to Bette about this."

"I know," Tina said quietly, teary-eyed. "But she's so hard to talk to." Tina smiled affectionately. "I mean, she's never been the easiest person to talk to, but we've always been able to talk. And then all that changed. We stopped talking to one another. And then the affair happened, and we had a break for a while to think about things. But we…we never really talked and then we just got back together and nothing's changed and I still feel like I can't talk to her, which was our fucking problem in the first place. I just feel like we're going to end up in the same place again and maybe we could use a little space from each other."

"Maybe," Alice said quietly, "you and Bette will have to work that out. But, T, you can't do that to Helena. You can't use her while you and Bette sort things out." Alice stopped herself from adding 'again,' since she didn't think it would be at all helpful to the situation, but she really did believe Tina used Helena. "You can't do that to Helena." Alice paused. "And T, I'm sorry, I really do love you and Bette and I hope everything works out okay because I can't think of any other couple that fit each other better than you and Bette, but I won't let you use Helena," Alice said a little fiercely, because she became protective of the people she cared about.

Tina nodded slightly. "Yeah. I know," she said quietly, looking chagrined. She sighed. "I should really go home. Talk to Bette. Will you tell Helena I said goodbye?"

"Yeah, of course." Alice hugged Tina. "Call me if you need anything, okay, TK?"

"Okay," Tina said softly. "I'm just going to go," Tina said, ducking her head, and walking toward the table to grab her jacket and her purse. "I'll see you later, Al."

"Bye, T," Alice said, as she walked Tina to the door.

Helena paused by the bedroom door--she'd heard the latter half of the conversation, mainly Alice telling Tina she would not let Tina to use her, and Helena was moved by Alice's defense of her. She felt guilty for her earlier behavior, for thinking Alice would ever treat their friendship so
callously or casually--nothing should have ever led to believing Alice would do that. She heard the front door shut and waited a moment before she walked back into the living room. "Hello."

Alice grinned at her. " Hey. Everything okay?"

"Perfect," Helena said. The call had been nothing--just the executive directors needing approval for a project. "I'll get started on the dishes," Helena said briskly, walking toward the kitchen.

Alice grabbed her arm gently. "Helena?"

"Yes?"

"Did something happen with Tina earlier?" Alice asked, a little perplexed. "Did she say something to you?" Alice pressed. "You looked a little freaked out." The look on Helena's face worried her. She couldn't figure out what happened--Tina and Helena weren't even alone for very long--she just went to pee!

Helena swallowed hard, wanting to shake off the unpleasant memories of that night and her most recent interaction with Tina. She'd chalked up that night so many months ago to Tina's hormones, because she remembered what Winnie was like when she was pregnant with Wilson, but the experience had shaken her, and given how badly and inexplicably her relationship with Tina ended, she'd been ill at ease during the entire lunch due to Tina's close proximity. "No," Helena denied quietly, averting her eyes. She didn't want to start anything between Alice and Tina, not when Alice seemed so happy to see Tina. And she could remember a time when she'd been happy to see Tina. She didn't want to take that away from Alice, though it occurred her what a sham her relationship with Tina had actually been that she never got to know the wonderful woman standing in front of her when she was actually dating Tina. Helena did not have a great deal of romantic experience, before Tina, her only adult relationship was with Winnie, but in retrospect, she thought it was very telling what Tina truly thought of their relationship that she never got to know any of Tina's friends while they dated. "It was nothing."

Alice looked at her, brown eyes fixing on Helena's eyes, trying to make eye contact. "I don't believe you," she said softly. "Did she say something? What did she say?"

Helena raked her hands through her hair, agitated. "It was nothing," she said. "Really."

Alice bit her lip. "Helena, if she said something mean to you, I want to know."

Helena shook her head. "No," she said softly. "She said nothing mean to me."

Alice looked dubious. "Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Alice sighed. She thought there was more to it, but she believed Helena when she denied that Tina said something mean to her. And it wasn't really like Tina anyway, though she couldn't imagine why Helena would look so agitated and ill-at-ease when she seemed perfectly fine a scant two minutes before. There was definitely something more there, but Alice wasn't sure what it was. "Well, what happened earlier?" Alice asked. "Why were you going to leave?"

Helena shrugged, feeling caught. "I told you," she said lowly. "I didn't want to make you choose. I know you and Tina have not seen each other for a while, and I thought you might want to talk privately. I didn't want to get in the way or put you in an awkward position."

"Helena," Alice said gravely, "what would make you think I wouldn't choose you?"

Helena smiled, though it was difficult to read the emotion behind it. "I'll get started on the dishes," she repeated, not wanting to discuss the matter any further.

"Helena," Alice protested quietly, keeping her hand on Helena's arm.

"Have you decided what you want to do today?" Helena asked, changing the subject.

Alice peered into Helena's eyes and then relented. Maybe now was not the best time to talk about it, but she felt like Helena was keeping something from her, and that perplexed her a little. They didn't keep secrets from one another, and it upset her to think that Helena would be uneasy about telling her something because everything in their relationship thus far was marked by its easiness and their ready familiarity and comfort around one another. Still Alice knew that sometimes she could push Helena a little, because she did need a little nudging sometimes, and other times, she had to back off. This was one of those times--the matter temporarily dropped, but not forgotten. "No, but don't you dare do those dishes. You cooked. The cook never has to clean up. It's like, a law. Just leave them in the sink and I'll do them later. Is there anything you want to do?" she asked, her hand running down Helena's arm to grab the dark-haired woman's hand.

Helena thought about it, but there was nothing she could think of at the moment. "Not really."

"Do you want to just hang out here, then?" Alice asked, grinning and unconsciously swinging their arms around. She absently shuffled her feet and the two women moved in an odd dance.

"Perfect," Helena said with a slight smile.

After all, they were best friends--not activity partners, and Alice genuinely enjoyed spending time with Helena. They didn't have to do anything. "Yeah," Alice said affectionately ruffling her friend's hair. "Perfect."

-----

They bickered by the concession stand-- just as they always did. It was tradition to argue over what kind of snacks they should get and Alice had to admit it was one of the parts of the movie-going experience she enjoyed most with Helena. Once they decided upon the drink they would share, they moved onto a debate on the snacks themselves.

Alice giggled and playfully shoved Helena. "Don't you want to make me happy?" she asked, using her wounded puppy expression.

Helena looked aggrieved. "Must you look at me that way?"

Alice smiled at her. "Yes."

Helena sighed. "You win," she grumbled, though she smiled.

"Yay," Alice crowed. "We'll take all of it," she said to the cashier, making a sweeping gesture with her hand to all the popcorn and sweet treats they were playfully arguing over. She grinned at Helena. "Helena, you know the only thing that makes watching a double feature with seat springs poking you in the ass better is oodles of junk food."

Helena shook her head, though she was amused. "Yes, I suppose that may well be true," she said.

"May well be true?" Alice asked in disbelief as she paid for all the snacks, as it was her turn this time around. "Have you ever known me to say something that wasn't true?" she asked as she passed the large drink with two straws to Helena and hefted their box of treats.

"What about when you told Jun Ying last week Santa Claus got skinny as he went down chimneys and got fat again when he popped out, and that was how he went in and out of homes though he is hefty?" Helena asked, laughing as she recalled the way her daughter's eyes widened.

"That was different," Alice huffed, as they stopped to get napkins. "She put me on the spot!"

Helena laughed. "So you will tell an untruth when you are put on the spot?" she teased.

Alice pretended to look outraged, "when did I say that? Did I say that? No! I just said your kid put me on the spot about Santa! Thanksgiving isn't even for, like, another two weeks! I was expecting questions about Pilgrims and Indians, not freaking Santa."

"Freaking Santa," Helena repeated with an amused smile.

"Hey, by the way, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?" Alice asked.

Helena shrugged. "I'm not certain."

"Nothing with the kids?"

"Winnie may want to take them to her family's home, but she hasn't mentioned anything yet. The holiday means more to her than it does to me, so I'll defer to what she wants."

"Well, what did you used to do for it when you were a kid?"

"Thanksgiving wasn't a popular holiday in London," Helena said dryly.
Alice looked at her blankly for a moment and then remembered the origins of the holiday and laughed. "Okay, I guess not," she said. 'Duh, Alice, she's English,' she thought. "Well, whatever you decide with the kids, why don't you come over to my place and I'll cook for you."

Helena looked uncertain. "But won't you spend it with your family? Or your other friends?"

"My mother's doing a movie in Idaho, and my brother and sister drive me crazy. Tina and Bette might do something, but I'd sort of rather just have it with you and the kids, if they're around. So come over. Even if it's just you, and I'll cook you Thanksgiving dinner," Alice said with a grin. "I promise it won't end up with a trip to the emergency room or a call to poison control."

"That's a lofty promise," breathed the voice in Alice's ear.

Alice froze at the sound of the familiar voice and the warm arms that now encircled her waist. "Hi Gabby," she said, without even needing to turn. She knew that touch and that voice by heart.

Gabby rested her chin on Alice's shoulder. "Hey Alice," she said with a grin.

Helena glowered at the woman, but Gabby did not appear to notice.

Gabby let go of Alice, and the blonde turned to get a better look at her ex-girlfriend. "Gabby," she said, unable to suppress the tiny note of happiness she still felt any time Gabby was near. She didn't know why Gabby still had that effect on her--Gabby treated her shitty the entire time they dated-- every time. She had no idea why she was so in Gabby's thrall, but she was, even now.

"So, I guess the rumors about you and your jock breaking up were true," Gabby commented lightly as she looked from Alice to Helena and then back to Alice.

Alice's face fell at the mention of Dana and Helena's face contorted with rage. Instinctively, Helena moved her hands to lightly rest comfortingly on Alice's back. Alice eased visibly into the touch and she sighed lightly. "They're true," Alice acknowledged. "But it's been a few months now. You must be losing your touch if you're bringing up that old news now."

Gabby chuckled. "Oh, I heard about it over the summer," she said with an easy smile. "I was thinking of giving you a call, but…" Gabby moved her face close to Alice's, so their mouths were only a few inches apart. "You kind of disappeared." She traced a pattern on Alice's arm. "Coming back here to relive fond old memories? We did love this theatre, remember?"

Helena's face fell, realizing this wasn't really their special theatre at all, not really anyway.

"We don't have any fond old memories here," Alice said dryly. "We never went together. You're thinking of someone else."

Gabby laughed lightly. "Are you sure? I could have sworn it was you."

"Yeah, you say that to me a lot," Alice said with a wry smile.

"So, Alice. Don't be rude, introduce me to your new paramour," Gabby said, gesturing to Helena.

Alice looked at Helena and smiled. She wrapped her arm around Helena's waist. "Oh. Helena?" Alice chuckled. "Helena's not my girlfriend, Gabby. She's my friend." She grinned at Helena. "Right?" she asked. "Gabby, Helena. Helena, Gabby," she said, gesturing between the two.

Helena's heart sank slightly, and she saw that Gabby was looking shrewdly at her. Helena forced herself to grin. "Right," she said. "Just friends."

Alice gave Helena a soft smile. "Best friends," she added quietly.

Helena nodded. "Yes," she agreed.

Gabby observed all this with a smile. "So, do you have a girlfriend, Alice?"

Alice shook her head.

"Then why don't we go out sometime?"

Alice looked wary. "Uh…"

"Oh come on," Gabby said with a grin, "you know you want to. I've changed. Really. This time, it'll be different. Don't you think after all we've been through, I deserve another chance?"

"Gabby--"

Gabby touched Alice's arm. "What's one dinner going to do?" she asked with a charming smile.

Helena rarely felt powerless or helpless, but this was one of those moments. Watching Alice with this…this…infuriating woman, and seeing the way Alice looked at this woman with such obvious love, even mixed in with suspicion and wariness, she just felt powerless, and that wasn't a feeling a Peabody was accustomed to feeling. Alice's emotions were written on her face: her confusion, her desire, her suspicion--it was all there, and Helena realized this was just another woman she would have to compete with--some other person who shared a history with Alice that she will never catch up to. Maybe she would never be able to measure up to it either.

Alice looked uncertain and warred with herself before she finally sighed wearily. "Fine, whatever," she said. "Call me later. You still remember my number, don't you?"

Gabby smiled charmingly at her. "Come on, Alice," she said tilting her head back. Gabby placed her hands over her chest. "You know your name and number are written upon my heart."

Alice rolled her eyes, but laughed. "Yeah, well, just in case, get out your phone."

Gabby obliged, and scanned the phone book. "See, there you are. No worries. I'll call you."

"I'm sure you will," Alice said dubiously. Gabby had a tendency not to call. "What are you doing here, by the way?" she asked. She looked around. "Who're you with?"

"I'm alone today," Gabby said, making a mock sad face. "And I'm here because it's cheap and the movies are good. I'm…" Gabby grinned. "Researching for a new screenplay I'm working on. So, technically I'm working."

"The tax write-off," Alice said, nodding wisely.

Gabby laughed. "The beauty of freelance. So, where're you sitting?" Gabby asked, her tone friendly, but her eyes roamed freely over Alice's body. "I'll sit with you." Gabby smiled at Helena, "that is, if you don't mind."

Helena looked back into Gabby's eyes, and realized the woman knew. She knew exactly how Helena felt for Alice, and also knew that Alice was completely oblivious. Helena decided she hated this woman with a fiery intensity. Yes, Gabby certainly knew and now Gabby was toying with her. But there was nothing she could do at the moment. "Of course I don't mind."

"Great," Alice said, "Let's sit then." Alice led the way. Helena and Gabby followed, appraising one another silently.

Helena remained expressionless until she opened the door for Alice to go inside to find seats. Then she smiled broadly, "there you are, darling," she said.

Alice grinned at her. "You're my hero, you know that?" she asked fondly.

Helena held open the door for Gabby as well.

"Thanks," Gabby said, grinning knowingly at her.

"You're welcome," Helena said, forcing a huge smile. She could play games as well as anyone. She was a Peabody, after all. Helena was uncertain of the history between Alice and Gabby, but Helena could not fathom what Alice saw in a woman who couldn't even remember which theatre was 'theirs'. And the woman's smugness! Helena wasn't a violent person--she disliked hunting, contact sports and didn't believe in spankings. But at the moment, she wanted to punch Gabby. In the face. She would definitely have to reconsider her plan to wait in the wings until Alice was ready--Gabby was an unforeseen complication and she would have to adapt accordingly.

Gabby took a seat first, and then Alice and finally, Helena sat down. Almost immediately after they were seated, Gabby put her arm around Alice's shoulder. Alice turned to Gabby and smiled.
Helena turned away from them and kept her eyes rooted firmly on the screen. 'Stupid Gabby,' she thought sullenly, using the insult she'd scolded her children for using just a few days before. Helena turned to look at Gabby again. 'Stupid Gabby,' she thought again, crossing her arms.

Next--->