“It’s like the world doesn’t need art!”

Alice smiled at Bette’s exasperation, despite herself. Sometimes her friend could rant and rave so passionately that her flustered words actually became somewhat entertaining. She chose to just sit back, smile and nod.

“That lunatic,” Bette breathed, trying to calm herself. She could see that Alice was more concerned with a small chip in her nail, and finally collapsed onto her friend’s couch, exhausted. It had been another rough day.

“You know what you need?” Alice smiled in the teasing voice she was so keen to use.

“A drink.”

“No no no,” Alice laughed, getting up and trying to help Bette to her feet again, but it wasn’t working. “You … need … a girl …”

“That’s not funny, Al,” Bette sighed, just letting her friend attempt to pull her up as she nearly fell off the side of the couch. “Look at what a mess I am right now.”

“No one’s arguing with that,” Alice chuckled again before leaving the brunette halfway on her couch, and half slipping off of it. With both hands on her hips, she shook her head. “No, I mean you need a girl who will love you for this crazy mess that you’ve become.”

“Gee thanks, Al.”

Alice took a moment to respond. “… And maybe we could get you a drink.” She quickly walked off into the kitchen as Bette pulled herself up to sit, and dropped her head into her hands.

“Thank god.”

%%%%%%

“There is science behind everything we do.”

Tina was teasing one of the nurses, walking back down the hospital corridor as she lifted her shoulders and then relaxed them again.

“Want me to help you with that?” Brenden teased, constantly flirting in the hilarious manner they were both accustomed to. It may have even seemed erotic if he hadn’t been a flaming homosexual.

Tina chuckled as he passed, shaking her head. “Come over tonight – I’ll bring chocolate.”

“Ooh!” he squealed from down the hall, “Rain check! Toby’s coming over!”

Tina finished her brisk walk to the break room, where another friend was trying to get a nap. “You asleep already, Tasha?”

“Mmm.”

“Did you see the snack machine has snickers now?” Dana asked with excitement, shoving her hands back into the pockets of her scrubs. “I think that just made my night … yup. Nothing else better to do.”