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She wondered briefly if he would say such, a thing in the hopes ofher jealous, but she just didn’t think so And still… Lena doing such a thing? Even if Stephanie had assured her that she and Grant were no longer a couple, Lena wasn’t the type to be… lascivious

Stephanie hurried up the stairs The hall and bathroohts were on; the bedroom itself was dark The ere closed

She walked over to the bed Placing a hand on Lena’s forehead, she was relieved to feel that it seemed a more normal temperature

"Stephanie?" Lena asked She sounded like a little girl

"Yes, it’s "

"Better… just weak Hey, the sliding glass doors are closed There’s no air in here," Lena said fretfully

"I’ht The teht, Lena"

Stephanie’s eyes were growing ht Lena looked restless Her fingers were curled around aaround her neck

"Maybe you’re right," Lenapills right on the dresser Would you give me one? I had one earlier… sleep seems to help a lot"

"Sure, hang on"

Stephanie went for the vial, thinking it was strange--sleeping pills were helping Lena They had definitely helped her And ood, too The drea doors closed

Could dreaht Lena a pill She had a bottle of water at her bedside, and used it to take the pill Settling back, she smiled at Stephanie "Thanks"

Stephanie looked at the cross Lena earing She hadn’t seen it on her before

"That’s a pretty piece," she said

Lena touched it, troubled "This… yes, thanks I think I bought it here Iit so it on It’s strange, though It’s irritating around et it off?"

"Sure"

Stephanie sat at her side, and Lena twisted around For several led with the clasp "This is ridiculous, but… it’s a strange hook I can’t quite get it"

"Never ," Lena said "Hey… you know, just in the last few hours, I really have started to feel better"

"That’s great!" Stephanie told her

"Hey, how is the new girl?"

"She’s working out fine, so you shouldn’t worry"

"Now I am worried! She’s not so fine that you’d rather have her permanently?" Lena said

"No--you’re still the better comedian But she’s fine"

"Thank God!" Lena breathed "Still, I’"

"Well, better to ht"

"I’ll see you in the , then," Stephanie said

"Thanks Thanks a lot! You’re the busiest one, and the only one to come by and see me!" Lena told her

Stephanie had been halfway out of the roo back "What?"

"You’re the only one who has come!"

"Grant said he was up earlier"

"If he was, I didn’t see hied "Maybe I was asleep"

"Maybe," Stephanie said "Well, good night"

"Good night!"

Stephanie hurried down the stairs Grant aiting His expression was guarded "Hoas she?"

"Doing lad to hear that"

Stephanie studied him as they went out He turned and checked that the door was relocked

"She says she never saw you today," Stephanie told him

He whirled around and looked at her She didn’t think he was acting

And yet… it was Grant

"I told you the truth," he said flatly

"Okay, so… ested

"She was a little so," he e Stephanie opened her door Even as she did so, she are of him behind her And she was startled by the sudden, ale she had to ask hied in heavy petting for the last hour As if she had to grab hold of hiasped out quickly

She didn’t let hie, closed and locked the door, and leaned against it, stunned at herself, and alarmed

"Stephanie! Make sure--"