Natalya sits in the darkened wheel house of the Duke, a dark hooded sweater on so no one sees her there. She drinks from a bottle of wine and stares straight ahead of herself.

fresh out of a shower,erica makes her way into the casino. she flips on the power swtich and the room flickers to life. she sits at the bar and opens a bottle of gin.she shrugs as it isnt what she really wants,but it will do the trick. she drums her fingers on the bar before taking out 3 pills.she grinds them up in an ashtray,using the butt of her stiletto as the pestal...or is it mortar? at this point it doesnt matter. she pours the powder onto the bar and snorts it up.wincing,she shakes her head as the bitter powder starts dripping down her throat. she finally cant take the taste and tries to drown it with gin. she stares at the flashing casino lights for several minutes until the drowsiness overpowers her and her head thunks onto the bar.

Erica wakes when she topples off the barstool and falls to the floor. "Ow!"she creeches when she hits the floor. She tries to stand,but cant. So crawls on all fours to the kitchen. "Oh. hi natalya,baby."she says as she turns over on her back.

"i indulged instead of abstained."she giggles. "you have fun last night?" she asks looking up at natalya happily.

"oh,but why?" erica asks as if this is the most astounding thing she has ever heard of.

erica pulls herself up to sit in the chair Next to natalya. "Why didnt you come get me?" She asks sadly. " i wanted to be with you."

Erica kisses natalya's cheek drunkenly. " sam would Be nice to you.i Just know he would. He is totally sweet like that.....why did you want to be alone? Erica asks sadly,remembering natalyas disappointment in her.

Erica pulls away when natalya doesnt return her affection,and isntantly sobers up. " what did you think about?" She asks,scared of the reply she Might get.

"You mean....nichole?" Erica sighs and looks at her hands. " i dont have romantic feelings for her,if thats what you are thinking....i Just want the friendship we had again."

Erica nods. "You.... are right.but it feels different this time....i take it you think otherwise?" Erica looks up at naty.