Tina was leaning against the car with her arms folded across her chest but when she saw Bette she stood up straight. Tina smiled slightly when Bette stopped so suddenly, but after a moment Tina felt the tears forming behind her sunglasses. Bette looked so amazing and Tina wanted to run to her and throw her arms around her. But she couldnt so instead she stayed where she was and tried to give Bette and even look.

Hi Tina.

Tina heard Bette talking but she didnt respond. Actually she couldnt respond because the lump in her throat was too big and she couldnt speak.

Bettes heart melted as she took in the sight of Tina and she couldnt help but notice how beautiful she really was. Tina was dressed in a black Dolce & Gabbana suit with a baby blue button down that was the perfect contrast to her pale skin. Her blonde hair shone in the sunlight and Bette noticed it was getting longer. Bette was trying to read her expression but since Tina had her sunglasses on she couldnt see her eyes she had no idea what Tina was thinking.

Bette began to walk towards Tina very slowly as if she was afraid she would scare her off. She set her coffee down on the trunk of her car and turned to face Tina. They were standing about an arms length apart and Bette decided to try speaking again.

(softly) Hi Tina. How are you?

Tina still couldnt respond because the tears that were forming were threatening to spill over and that lump in her throat still hadnt gone anywhere. Bette could sense that something was wrong and she slowly reached up to remove Tinas sunglasses. She let her fingers linger on her face as she slowly pulled them off. A single tear spilled over and Bette gently wiped it away with her thumb. Bettes heart broke when she saw the tears in Tinas eyes and she felt her own eyes swell knowing she was the reason for those tears.

I miss you Bette.

That was all Tina had to say for Bette to reach for her and pull her into a hug. At first Bette thought Tina was going to push her away again like she did the last time they saw each other but instead she felt Tina sink into the hug, tightly holding on to Bette. Bette thought she could never feel so much love for one person, but as she held Tina in her arms she knew she never wanted to let go.

Im so sorry baby. I miss you so much. I love you Tina. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Bette was softly whispering these things in Tinas ear as she held her close and Tina thought her heart would explode. After a few minutes of just holding each other Tina pulled away from Bette and looked her in the eye.

I love you too Bette. I really do. But I am still angry for what you did to me. She took a deep breath trying to regain control of her emotions. She looked at Bette and knew that this was the person she was meant to be with. She saw the changes in Bette and knew that if Bette could change then just maybe she could too.

I know Tina and I dont expect you to forgive me so easily. I just wanted to see you and tell you that I truly regret what I did and I am trying to make amends and turn myself around.

Tina gave Bette a small smile. It felt strange to be here talking to Bette and not even knowing who she was anymore. On the phone it was different because Tina could picture Bette and that vision of her was something she held so dear, but in person it was different. It was real.

I know you are Bette. Im glad that you are.

Ive been seeing a therapist for a little over a month now, and I think were making progress. Kit has been really supportive too, and I think that between the three of us I am finally beginning to see what I really want.

Bette had been leaning against the car looking up at Tina while she was talking. Before she continued she stood up and took one of Tinas hands in hers. Being this open with anyone was a challenge for Bette, but she knew that if she wasnt honest Tina would never be able to fully trust her again. She looked down at their hands intertwined then looked up at Tina with tears in her eyes as she continued.

Tina, I know that what I did was terrible and Im not going to make up some lame excuse to justify it. But I know that we can get through this together. Tina you have no idea how much I miss you. I love you very much and I want to try and work on this relationship if youll let me.

Tina slowly started to smile as she felt tears welling in her eyes again but this time she let them fall because they were tears of joy. She was confident that Bette was being sincere and she trusted her just enough to know that Bette would never do that to her again. There were so many things that Tina wanted to say to Bette right then, about how she missed her and loved her, about how she was furious with her for hurting her, about how empty her life had been these past few weeks, and most importantly about how she had changed too and Bette had to accept the changes in her life.

We have a long way to go Bette, but at least we are headed in the same direction.

Tina smiled at Bette as she pulled her in for another hug and couldnt help but enjoy the feeling of Bettes arms around her again. After a couple of seconds Bette started to pull away but Tina stopped her leaving them face to face, noses almost touching. Tina knew she would regret it later but being in Bettes presence was too much for her. Slowly she leaned in and brushed Bettes lips with her own.

Bette felt a jolt go through her system at Tinas lips against hers and she didnt know what to do. She stayed perfectly still waiting to see if Tina would actually kiss her and when she did Bette fell in love all over again. They shared a kiss that was gentle and sweet, reminiscent of the first kiss they shared, and it made Bette weak in the knees. Tina was gently sucking on her bottom lip and Bette moaned softly into the kiss. Bette reached up and put her hand on the back of Tinas head slowly rubbing her neck as Tina slid her hands around Bettes neck drawing her as close as possible. As suddenly as Tina had initiated the kiss she broke it off.

Im sorry Bette. I couldnt help it.

Bette could see the flush in Tinas cheeks and was pretty certain she was in a similar state, but she knew that if she pushed it she would only be pushing Tina away.

Its okay. Straightening out her jacket and slacks she continued. Look Tina, I know you said you werent ready before but can I ask you to re-consider dinner?

Tina looked at Bette with a frown as she thought about it. She knew eventually they would have to start somewhere and she knew the sooner they did the sooner they would be able to work things out. She loved how things had gone up until now and she didnt want to ruin their progress with moving too quickly, but after seeing how Bette was able to handle herself she decided it would be okay.

Okay Bette. Ill have dinner with you. When did you want to go?

How about tomorrow night?

I cant tomorrow. I have a fundraiser dinner to attend. How about Sunday?

Sunday is great. Can I pick you up or should we meet somewhere?

Tina didnt know if she wanted Bette picking her up because if she wanted to leave then she was stuck. But she also didnt want to meet Bette there because then it would seem like she was being too cautious about the date. She decided on a mutual location.

How about we meet at the Planet then go from there?

Okay. Six thirty okay?

Sure.

With that Tina turned and headed back into the Planet. With one last look over her shoulder she sighed as she headed through the doors. Oh well, at least its a start. Shaking her head she rejoined the rest of the group but she barely heard two words they said. All Tina could think about was Sunday night and her date with Bette. Waiting until Sunday would be excruciating, but Tina knew that once and for all Bette was hers. Again.