Shane helped Carmen to her car, holding the door open with her right hip as Carmen slipped inside. She closed the door and walked to the driver side. Carmen was looking down, trying to control her breathing. The truth was that she did want to kiss Shane, but she didn't want to get into the same rut they were both in years prior.

"Shane?" Carmen asked.

"Yeah?" Shane answered glancing in Carmen's direction.

"Is it okay if I turn on the radio?"

"Sure thing", Shane said, "Do what you want."

"Okay," Carmen whispered flicking on the radio and switching the dial to an alternative rock and pop station.

"Alice wants to know if you want to go to her housewarming party. They're moving into Bette and Tina's old house."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Sure I'll go."

"When is it?"

"About 4 hours."

"Wow, that's soon."

"Well, they couldn't get to you so…"

"I understand. Should we get something?"

"Oh, yeah. Shit."

"How 'bout wine and beer?"

"Yeah. That seems good enough." Shane laughed, as she pulled up into Carmen's driveway. "Call me, and I'll pick you up okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, Shane."

"Do you need help?"

"No, I think I got it."

"M'kay." Shane waved and pulled out as Carmen's mom walked out. to greet her daughter.

"Hola Carmen , Oh Dios mío! ¿Qué pasó? ¿Estás bien? "

"Sí mamá, estoy bien. Acabo de recibir en un pequeño accidente de coche."

"Did anyone get hurt?"

"Yes, but the worst was a broken arm."

"And your car?"

"Totalled. I'll have to borrow your car, or just get my friends to drive me around."

"Did you cause it?"

"...Well...Yes…"

"You can only use my car for emergencies."

"Okay, mom. Thank you."

Carmen, with the help of her mom, hobbled into the house where she was greeted and once more questioned. She told the others, which consisted of her mom, grandma, grandpa, sister, brother-in-law, and her aunt. Carmen flopped onto her bed, wincing as she landed on a bruise, and rested for an hour. She awoke and started getting ready for the party. After she took a long warm shower, Carmen slid on a cute red dress which cut off at the middle of her thigh and sunk low in the front. She slid on a pair of black flats and looked in the mirror. Carmen shook her head and changed her dress to red shorts with a white tank top under a lacy black top. She smiled, then started to apply her makeup.

As Carmen finished applying her makeup, her mom knocked on the door saying "Someone's on the phone for you. She says she'll pick you up in a half hour."

"Thank you, mom."

"Where are you going?"

"To Alice's new house. I'll be out in a minute or two."

"Okay. Do you need help?"

Carmen walked out, smiling and said: "How do I look?"

"Good."

"Thank you." She answered spinning around.

"So who's picking you up?"

"A friend. Don't worry, she's going to be my designated driver."

"Okay. Is she gay?"

"Yes, but we're not together."

After about 20 minutes, there was a knock on the door. Carmen answered slipping her flats on again. Shane stood there with her keys in her right hand. She wore a nice black jacket and slacks, a white shirt, and a thin black tie. Her short hair was in front of her eyes. She smiled and walked to the car.

"I got the beer and wine."

"I thought-"

"Let's get to the party."

"Okay." Carmen sighed, walking to the car.

"Carm?"

"Yeah?"

"Never mind."

"Okay."

Shane started the car and backed out of the driveway. The drive was about 20 minutes, and was almost totally silent until Carmen murmured, "My mom won't be happy about what I'm about to do."

"What?" Shane asked while they were stopped at a red light.

"This," Carmen whispered as she crushed her lips against Shane's.

Shane's heartbeat raced. She pulled Carmen closer. Carmen reached a hand behind her neck. "...Shane…" A couple of horns honked, so Shane broke the kiss and sped up to Alice's house. Carmen looked out the window as they drove by the bright buildings and streets.

Shane chuckled

"What?" Carmen asked raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"Okay, I was just remembering what Tina and Bette told me before they left. They asked 'Where are you headed?"

"Okay."

"See, this is why I said nevermind."

"Okay. Shane? I'm sorry I kissed you."

Shane pulled into her driveway and stopped the car. She smirked looking at her keys and pulled Carmen close pulling her head close as she pressed a soft kiss against Carmen's forehead. "I don't mind."

"Let's go."

"Okay."

Shane got out first and grabbed the bag which held the wine and beer. She passed the wine to Carmen and walked across Alice's house. Shane smiled and knocked on the door. She looked down and back up to Shane's green eyes. Alice opened the door and started to laugh.

"Wow, you two really? Just give me the booze and come inside."

"Nice to see you, too Alice" Shane said walking in after Alice.

"What?"

"Who else is here?"

"Ajax, Tasha, and Jade."

"Jade?"

"Ajax' girlfriend."

"Oh, okay."

"What do you want to drink?"

"Beer."

"Carmen?"

"Same," Carmen answered taking two beers out of the case.

"Thanks, Carm," Shane said quietly.

"Tasha's in the back room."

"Okay, thank you."

Shane walked to the door of the back room and stopped. Carmen ran into her almost spilling her drink onto the ground. "Shane?"

"I can't."

"What," Carmen whispered grabbing Shane's hand.

"This is where…"

"Oh…"

"Sorry, Carm."

"It's okay," Carmen said turning Shane around to face her.

Shane didn't look at Carmen, only turned back around to open the door. She smiled as she saw Ajax and a girl who had long brown hair and grey eyes snuggling as they talked to Tasha who was fiddling with the remote. Tasha looked over at Shane and Carmen as they walked in. She waved and scooted over.

"Hey, guys."

"Hey, army girl," Shane smirked.

"Yo Shane, "Ajax called. "How are you?"

"Good. You?"

"Great. This is my friend Jade."

"Hey, Jade."

"Hi Jade" Carmen greeted squeezing past.

"This is Carmen."

"Hi Carmen, hi Shane." Jade greeted in a soft voice.

"Shane, sit down," Tasha said flipping to Comedy Central.

"Ooh, Colbert Report. I love this."

"This girl can't stop watching it." Ajax joked.

"I love his sense of humour."

"Yeah, anyway. So Carmen, why didn't you answer your phone?"

"I was busy," Carmen said sitting next to Jade.

"With what, or who?" Ajax asked looking at Shane then back to Carmen.

"I got into a little accident. But I'm fine now."

"Shit dude, sorry 'bout that."

"Well, I'm fine now."

"So, is there still room on the couch for me?" Alice called.

"Yeah," Jade confirmed.

"Colbert Report? Why not Futurama?"

"That'll be on in about a half hour."

Carmen finished her beer and turned her head to Shane, then Alice. She grabbed another beer and popped it open. Shane frowned a bit and turned her head to the door that lead to the pool. She remembered that night, tears forming in her eyes. Shane stood up, and left out to the pool, sitting at the water's edge. Carmen saw walked out too.

"You okay?" Carmen asked closing the door behind her.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine."

"I just remembered..." Shane whispered her voice quivering. "I haven't been in this house since then."

Carmen sat next to Shane and put a hand on her back. Shane curled into Carmen and started to cry. Carmen held her close shushing her, and placing a kiss on Shane's head. Shane looked up, but back to the pool, only listening to Carmen's heartbeat. She found her hand and played with the ring on her pinkie.

"Shane, do you ever wonder what might've happened if we got married?"

"I might have cheated on you… or married and adopted a child with you."

"Really?"

"I don't know."

"I doubt you would cheat on me if we were married."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because...I…" Carmen took a deep breath. "Love you enough to trust that you won't leave me, and believe you when you say 'I love you'."

"Carm."

Carmen leant down and kissed her neck. Shane closed her eyes and smiled. She turned around and kissed Carmen. Shane's heartbeat raced, as she deepened the kiss. She climbed on top and started grinding against Carmen's hips. Carmen moaned and laid down.

"Wow, you two can't keep it in your pants?" Alice asked leaning against the wall as Ajax peaked, too.

"Sorry, Alice," Carmen whispered wiping her mouth.

"It's okay. Just take this next door."

"Umm…"

"Bye Alice. Bye Guys." Shane blurted out.

Shane kissed Carmen's cheek and lead her to her house. Once they opened the door, Carmen quickly started stripping her. Shane laughed when she struggled with her belt buckle. Carmen stopped trying. Shane kissed her and undid it herself.

Carmen then unbuttoned her shorts and pulled them off as Shane hooked her fingers in her underwear and yanked them down.

Carmen held onto the edge of the desk as Shane walked in between her legs. Shane kissed and nipped at her neck, sliding a finger against her center. She smirked as Carmen whimpered at the teasing.

Shane continued to drag her fingers through her ever wettening folds, grazing over her clit and back down again.

Carmen lurched her hips forward, almost getting Shane to push a finger into her. Shane chuckled and slipped two fingers in. Carmen squeezed her eyes, and let out a groan.

"Shit, Shane. Oh my god." Carmen gasped as she planted a kiss on Shane's neck.

"You ready to cum?"

"Vete a la mierda"

Carmen placed a light kiss on Shane's neck as she trailed her finger down her chest to her pants. She quickly undid the button and zipper, then slipped her hand under to the outside of Shane's underwear and started rubbing her.

Shane was caught by surprise, letting a loud moan escape her lips. Her eyebrows curved up, and she let out a short breath.

Carmen slowed down, leaning into her girlfriend's neck, and moaning. She rubbed Shane's clit between her fingers, picking up the pace again.

Shane pressed her forehead against Carmen's neck. She felt herself heat up as she got closer to tipping over the edge.

Shane let out a frustrated groan as she arched into Carmen.

Carmen sunk down to her knees and pulled down Shane's tight pants and underwear.

She clamped her mouth over her clit, swirling her tongue around and around. She felt every pulse against her tongue.

Shane tilted her head up and braced herself against the table. She placed her hand on the back of Carmen's head and ground against her mouth.

Carmen pressed her fingers into her, curling against her.

Shane let out a shuddering moan as her body stiffened and she came. She pulled Carmen backup, wiping away the wet streaks from her lips and kissed her.

Shane walked to her room and pulled her ex into bed with her. She smiled as Carmen snuggled into her, and Shane placed a soft loving kiss on the side of her head. Carmen looked up at her. They both smiled and gazed lovingly into one another's eyes.

"Shane?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you ever forget about me?"

"No, I never did...Actually, you forgot something from the last time we…" Shane shook her head and jumped up out of the bed.

Her long pale legs glowed in the low light. She opened up the doors and searched to find all but one of Carmen's shirts. There were two muscle shirts and a t-shirt that had a product's name on it. Shane walked back, setting the shirts out on top of the other clothes on the bed. She quickly climbed back onto the bed and kissed Carmen. She pulled her closer until there was no space between their bodies. Carmen smiled and made out with Shane for a good minute or two before her phone rang. She crawled over to her clothes and pulled out her phone.

She answered, "¿Hola mamá?...Sí todavía estoy en la fiesta...No, ella no está allí." Shane came up behind Carmen and started kissing down her spine. "Sí ... No ... mamá me -voy asegúrese de estar en casa mañana." Shane moved a hand to Carmen's breast and played with them until her voice cracked and hitched. "Sí, y- yo estoy escuchando. Sólo algunas distracciones. Alice está tratando de preguntarme cómo trabajar el reproductor de DVD. Alice…" Shane then stroked Carmen's centre, and down the back of her thigh, "Alice it's the ar-row looking button. Lo siento m- mamá me tengo que ir."

Carmen hung up and whipped around to face Shane. She raised an eyebrow and smiled as Shane kissed her again. Shane attacked Carmen with a hug, and pulled her down to the bed, spooning her.

Carmen smiled and curled into her as she fell asleep in the other's arms. Shane placed a light kiss on her forehead and smiled.

As she closed her eyes, thoughts of 'Old Times' flashed through her head, and she dipped her head down as tears started to cloud her eyes. She remembered every person she hurt. 'Lacey, Jaffe, Shay, Mrs. Morales, Carla, Alice, Tasha, Paige, Dawn and Cindy, Molly, Phyllis, Dana, Jenny...Carmen.' At that, renegade tears started to fall onto her pillow.

Carmen nudged Shane's chin up and looked up at her. She saw her clench her jaw as she reluctantly cried, so she brought her hand up to wipe away her tears.

"I love you, Shane."

Shane nodded and rested her forehead against Carmen's.

Shane woke, the first rays of sunshine glinting off her alarm clock. She stirred and looked down at Carmen. Her lips curved up into a smile as she stroked her head. Carmen nuzzled into Shane's chest and let a chuckle rumble in her chest. Carmen woke up but kept her eyes closed. She moved up and kissed her. They held each other for a while before leaving to change and escaped to the kitchen.

"What do we tell the others?" Carmen asked

"I think Alice has already told everyone," Shane said taking out the bagels Ajax brought home.

"No, my family."

"Oh… I don't know."

"You'll have to get their trust."

As Carmen grabbed her food, Shane came up behind her and kissed her neck. "I don't think that's possible, Carm."

"It'll take a while."

"Morning, lovebirds," Ajax greeted entering through the front door.

"Buenos dias, Ajax."

"I got some cereal and bread for breakfast and some other stuff for dinner, Shane."

"Thanks."

Ajax started unpacking the food as Shane and Carmen had to breakfast.