Thank you, she whispered to him as she pulled away.

He smiled at her and whispered back, Now were even.

********

Alice, Bette, and Tina were all still in the waiting room when Shane returned to the hospital all smiles. Alice jumped up and ran at her friend.

Damn you Shane! Why didnt you answer my calls? Ive been calling like every

Francescas in jail. Shanes words made Alice stop mid-sentence.

She is? Bette asked from her place in the chairs.

How do you know? Tina asked at the same time.

I went over there. Shane had continued in the direction of where they had all been sitting and took a seat next to Tina.

***** Shane! She could have shot you too! Alice said exasperated but glad she was alright.

But she didnt and now the cops have her. Any more news on Marina? Shane asked, finally allowing herself to relax a little.

Shes out of surgery and they will be moving her to a room shortly. They still havent given us a number though, Bette replied.

So what happened? Alice asked curling her legs under her in the chair. Shane told them the whole story and tried not to embellish too much. Youre still lucky she didnt shoot you, Alice said when she was done.

I know but I just couldnt let her get away with it, Shane said only a little sheepishly.

Well I still think it was stupid but you did the right thing. From the sound of it, she would have been gone by the time the police showed up, Bette was smiling at Shane as she spoke.

So has CiCi called back yet? Shane asked.

No… not yet. I was thinking about going outside to wait for the call. You know, so the ***** Nurse wont yell at me again when the phone rings.

Why dont you guys go do that? Get some air. Ill come get you when they come back out with a room number, Shane said looking at her friends.

Sounds good. Come on babe, we need to stretch our legs anyway, Tina stood and stretched as she spoke and then reached out to Bette. The dark haired woman stood and held tight to Tinas hand. You coming? Tina questioned looking at Alice.