"So, I think unofficially, we'll mostly just be seeking legal counsel from you. But considering you are only looking for a part-time job, I don't really feel comfortable putting you on staff as our lawyer," explained Helena.

"Yeah, that makes sense," answered Olivia. She had taken the BAR and passed, of course, but in the economic downturn, was having a harder time finding a job than she would have liked. She pretty much hated being unemployed, so despite being only a week and a half into her job search, had decided to take Carmen's advice and get a job at The Planet. "What will that entail in terms of the day-to-day?"

"Well, I guess you'll just hang around the café for a given amount of time each day," laughed Helena. "I mean, I don't really foresee making you take coffee orders. But maybe manning the office, the odd filing job here and there, booking shows, working out contracts, keeping track of finances. Things of that nature."

"Alright, yeah, that sounds great. And I mean, also, if you need a waitress, I can do that too. It's been a while since I waited tables," Olivia smiled. "But I wouldn't mind doing that."

"Well, you know, we'll see. But generally we have enough employees to fill all of our shifts twice."

"Seriously? Wow, that's a lot of wait staff."

"Well, The Planet is kind of the first place a lot of lesbians come to when they move into WeHo and are looking for work. Just because we're pretty well known and kind of the only establishment they've heard of. And Kit is too nice to turn any of them away. Especially the aspiring musicians. So yeah, we're a little overbooked."

The two shared a short laugh before Olivia, glancing at her watch, realized she needed to run home to accept a delivery. She and Carmen had ordered new patio furniture for their balcony.

"Thank you so much, Helena. Seriously."

"Oh, its not a problem at all. I love helping a friend. God knows how many times these women have bailed me out… What?" Helena had noticed a change in Olivia's regard.

"What? Oh, nothing. Just… the way you said that… I don't know, sometimes you really remind me of one of my ex-girlfriends. It's actually uncanny. I had the hardest time getting over her…" Olivia drifted off.

Helena didn't really know how to respond. The two stood awkwardly apart. Olivia wanted to think of a save, but her mind was too busy processing memories of Hannah, her ex that had turned down a marriage proposal and left Olivia broken-hearted.

"OK, well, I'll see you round," said Olivia, quickly turning towards the door.

"Yeah, yes, OK. And you'll report for training on Monday and get to work on Tuesday?"

"Absolutely. See you then."

With that, Olivia headed out the door.

Meanwhile, out in the early morning sun, Alice and Shane were enjoying a jog. Well, perhaps not enjoying. Despite being on week 6 of their 10 week training schedule, Alice still struggled to run more than 5 miles and Shane just wasn't feeling it this morning. Too much beer the night before.

"So… seriously, Shane… I'm your friend… you've gotta tell me… how are you doing with this whole Carmen thing?" panted Alice.

"Alice, we really could talk about anything in the world."

"Fuck you, this is what I want to talk about."

"Ugh, well, what do you think? I'm sure you've got a theory."

"I think… you're still in shock. And you don't realize what Carmen meant to you, or what it means that she's back."

"I do know what Carmen meant to me."

"Really?... Are you sure?"

"Al, we almost got married. That's the first and only… yes, I'm sure."

"But you… you didn't really almost get married. You only got that close to the altar because you were sad about Dana," accused Alice.

"Whatever," replied Shane.

"Am I wrong?"

"It was more complicated than that."

"OK, well regardless, you haven't come to terms with the fact Carmen is back for good. Or that she's going to be married to someone else soon."

"How can you possibly know that?"

"Because I know you Shane. You wouldn't have managed a conversation with Carmen, let alone a dinner party at her house if you weren't in denial. You're an avoider, which means that if you were aware, you would be making up excuses, sleeping with a lot of people, and looking for every way possible to never speak to Carmen ever."

"Wow, sounds like you've got me all figured out Al."

"Yeah, I think I do."

"Well fuck you."

"Fuck you Shane. Tell me I'm wrong."

"You're wrong. Is it weird for me that Carmen's back? Yes. But I'm over her. I want her to be happy with someone else, and if she wants, I wanna be friends."

Alice glanced at Shane in disbelief. "Bullshit."

"Seriously?"

"What Shane, is it so ridiculous that I don't believe you? Look at your track record! I mean, what, it was only three months ago that you cheated on Jenny…"

"Don't." Shane didn't talk about Jenny. Alice knew that. She should have been aware that she was crossing the line.

"Shit, I'm sorry Shane. I didn't mean it like that."

"Fuck off Al. Look I'm fine. If I ever have a problem, you'll be the first one I tell." Shane sprinted ahead of Alice, her hangover a reduced concern compared with further interrogation from Alice. Alice slowed to a walk. She was fucking tired, and didn't really like watching Shane run off into the distance. She turned around and started jogging back to her apartment. A shower with Tasha sounded better than a 7 mile run anyway.

The group had plans to meet across town that evening for the ballet. Helena had scored them a balcony over the stage. Though Alice had thought there should have been a group summit on whether or not to invite Carmen and Olivia, Tina had taken the liberty of making the decision for them when she saw Carmen heading into The Planet for a sound check a few days before.

Alice didn't know why she was hesitant to fully include Carmen and Olivia from the get-go. An easy explanation would have been Shane; she was concerned for her friend and wanted to make sure the other women were sensitive to what Shane might be going through. But Shane had said she was fine, and Alice mostly believed her, enough to feel like a night at the ballet would be tolerable. Alice wondered if Olivia was the problem. Was there something slightly off about her? Why hadn't Alice taken to her immediately?

"Maybe it's the way Carmen uses Olivia," Alice speculated. The reason she was so distrustful was the feeling that Carmen wouldn't be back in LA, hanging out with them, or even looking at Shane if she didn't have Olivia panting at her side like a loyal puppy. Alice didn't like that Carmen needed a shield. In the first place, she still wasn't thrilled that Carmen had left so suddenly and without warning those three years ago. And now that Carmen was back, well, it still didn't seem to Alice that she had come all the way back. It felt more like she was trying to prove to all of them that she had ended up all right.

Alice knew she shouldn't make these assumptions. What was closer to the truth was that Carmen had always wanted to rejoin this group of friends, had never wanted to leave in the first place, but had needed Olivia for the little extra strength required, more as a crutch than a shield. It was easier for Carmen to imagine a new life in LA with Olivia in the picture. Without Olivia there had been too many unknowns. Where would she live, who would she date, etc. Olivia, of course, answered all of those questions.

Alice finally arrived home and found Tasha watching TV on the couch. She flopped down next to her.

"How was your run?" Tasha asked.

"How do you think? I'm home 40 minutes early."

"Well, you know, it could have been worse. You could have not gone," offered Tasha.

"Oh, thanks Tash. That makes me feel better."

"Come on Al."

"I know, you're right. It's just, also, me and Shane got in a fight. But whatever, I'm home, and I just really wanna take a shower."

Alice knew Tasha wasn't Shane's biggest fan. She didn't foresee Tasha's input being very helpful on this particular issue. And rightfully so; Tasha personally felt that any discomfort on Shane's part concerning this whole Carmen thing was probably well deserved. She hadn't known Carmen and Shane while they were together, but Tasha could just imagine the train wreck. Obviously Tasha still supported Alice's friendship with Shane; but her and Alice had reached an unspoken agreement. They didn't talk about Shane very much.

Alice stood up and headed down the hallway to the bathroom. "Care to join me?" She extended the invitation.

"Sure babe. I'll be right in. Just make sure you're already naked and wet when I get there."

Alice laughed. "Yes ma'am."

Tasha followed her girlfriend into the bathroom and closed the door behind them.