Alice looked up as Tina was headed out the door. Hey, where are you off to? Two weeks had passed since the dinner with Bette and Tina still did not want to talk about that night. Tina would talk about anything else, but not Bette. She continued on with life, went out with the gang occasionally, talked about projects at her job, was exercising again and most importantly was back to eating on a fairly normal schedule. But she had completely closed down when it came to Bette.

Im headed out to the gym. Need to work off some energy. Catch you later.

OK. Later. Alice wondered what was going on. Bette had called Alice only twice, and only at her job, since the dinner to ask how Tina was doing. But had not asked Alice if she thought Tina would see her or talk to her, and most disturbingly, did not ask Alice to tell Tina she loved her as she always had in past calls. Alice was seriously worried about their relationship. Things seemed to have really deteriorated. They needed to communicate with each other but neither seemed willing to.

~~

Bette had followed most of the advice she was paying so exorbitantly for. She had not contacted Tina and had not sent messages to her. She had left her alone. What the ***** kind of advice was that anyway and why was she taking it? Because you ***** things up too much when you do it your way! she said to herself. This was the hardest thing she was learning. Not to try to control everything.

But she had to know how Tina was doing, that Tina didnt need anything that Bette could in some way provide; so she had gone against some of that advice and called Alice. She couldnt survive without some connection to Tina!

Bette was determined to make her marriage work. After that horrible weekend, Bette knew she needed help to achieve her goal. So as much as she hated doing it, she had contacted Dan Foxworthy and begged him to make time to see her. She was in intense therapy, seeing him six times in the last two weeks. Even though it was hard to do, she had told him everything that had happened. The loss of the baby, the attack on their lives by Faye Buckley, her betrayal to Tina, and finally, that horrible night two weeks ago. She had left out no detail, had not tried to gloss over her actions, and in return, he had provided her with more insight as to what Tina was feeling and how to handle her own emotions. It was a totally new experience to allow someone else total management of her actions, but Tina was the prize here, and to win her, Bette would do anything. She grabbed her keys and headed to the door. Her next appointment was due to start in twenty-five minutes.

~~

Tina was exhausted. Cindy had run the class for an extra twenty minutes, and Tina had driven herself even harder. She had been so on edge. Bette hadnt called since that night and Tina didn’t know if she would. Well if Bette wasnt going to try to save their relationship, there wasnt much hope for it. So Tina closed off all connection with Bette. She wouldnt talk about her and she sure as ***** wasnt going to contact her. Now the question was, how did she turn off her mind? She thought about Bette constantly, had dreams about her, about being with her and holding her andNo! She would not think about and. She stood under the shower and lifted her face to the hot spray so it could wash away the tears that she silently cried. Damn! She had thought that at least the crying jags had stopped. As she stood under the spray, as hard as she tried to fight it, the and returned to her mind.

Cindy stood at the doorway to the shower room and stared at Tina. Today was the first time she had seen her in months, ever since she had made that move on her and Tina had run away. She didnt think she would ever see her again, was sure she had joined another gym. Then she had heard that the dynamic duo had separated. Now Tina was back here, at this gym. Did Cindy have a chance? Tina was gorgeous; standing there as the water cascaded down her body. Cindys breath quickened as her body filled with desire.

Tina was so absorbed in her shower and thoughts that Cindy was able to approach her without being heard. She couldnt help herself. She came up behind Tina and gently put her arms around her. She filled her hands with Tinas ***** and gently squeezed and rolled the tips.

Tina turned around without opening her eyes and pulled Cindy into her embrace. Baby she said as she hungrily sought and found the lips that she had been missing, her hands sliding up her back, her arms wrapping around her neck, her body pressing her lover back against the shower wall. Her mouth opened as she put everything she had been feeling for weeks into that kiss. But something was different. Something didnt feel right. She opened her eyes. Oh my God! What are you doing!

Something Ive wanted to do for a long time,” Cindy replied. “And I must say, I didnt expect that kind of a response, but I sure was enjoying it.

That response wasnt for you! Oh my God! I cant believe I was so lost in my thoughts that I forgot where I was. Im sorry for yelling at you, but you shouldnt have done that. You didnt have the right to do that.

I know. Cindy replied, But you looked so good standing there and Ive wanted to do that for months. I just couldnt help myself. I would apologize, but Im not really sorry.

Tina turned around and walked out of the shower. As she dried off and got dressed, she thought of her response to that embrace, and whom she thought the response was for. How long was her mind going to continue these games with her?

As Tina was questioning herself, Cindy came in the room to get changed. She said Tina, Im sorry I came on so strong. Ive wanted to get to know you better for a long time now. I know you are separated, and I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?

Tina stared at Cindy. Maybe she should go out with her. She needed to get her mind off Bette. She had never been with another woman and she was curious.

OK, she said before she could talk herself out of it.

Great, Cindy replied. How about dinner and a movie.

How about dinner and we will see about the movie, Tina replied.

Like I said, how about dinner and then maybe a movie. Tonight?

OK, Tina laughed. What time?

Im done here at five. How does six oclock sound? Where do you want me to pick you up?

How about we meet at the Planet and take it from there? Tina suggested.

Fine. See you at the Planet at six.

Tina left and headed back to Als house. What in the ***** did she think she was doing?