Alice, Bette and Julie spent the next few hours taking turns sitting at Tinas bedside in the ICU. Julie was currently in the ICU with Tina while Bette and Alice were sitting in the ICU waiting room.

Bette you really need to get something to eat. Alice said.

Im not hungry right now. I will get something later Bette said.

Okay but if you dont get something later I will get it for you. Alice said.

How long has Julie been in there? Bette asked as she got up and walked to the ICU doors.

Twenty minutes. Alice replied. She will be out before long and you can go back in.

I just get antsy sitting out here. I want to be in there with Tina. Bette said.

I know you do but you are doing what is best for Tina and for you. Alice said. You cant spend all your time in there with her or you will be exhausted.

In my head I know that, but my heart is telling me I need to be in there with her. Bette said.

You need to sit down and rest. I have a feeling this is going to be long night. Alice said.

Bette sat down and laid her head back against the wall.

I wonder how long they are going to keep her sedated. Bette said.

I guess we should have asked the doctor when she was explaining things to us. Alice said.

I think that doctor just talked to us because she didnt want there to be a scene. Bette said. You know I could have prevented all of this next of kin legal mumbo jumbo if Tina and I had gotten each others Power of Attorney. We kept saying we were going to get the papers drawn up, but we just never got around to it.

We never expect to be in a situation like this. Alice said.

Julie came out through the ICU doors and walked over and sat down in a chair next to Bette. Bette and Alice could see that Julie had been crying and that she was already worn out.

Alice, why dont you take Julie down to the cafeteria and get her something to eat and drink while I go see Tina? Bette said.

Sure I can do that. Alice said.

Im fine. Julie said. I dont think I could swallow anything but thanks anyway. I am going to take a walk though and find the ladies room. Ill be back in a few minutes.

Julie went for her walk while Bette went in to visit Tina and Alice stayed in the ICU waiting room. She was flipping through a magazine when Dana and Shane found her.

Im glad you guys are here. Alice said as she got up to hug each of them.

Hows Tina? Shane asked.

Her condition hasnt changed. They still have her sedated. Alice said. I was hoping the doctor would be coming by soon so we could find out more.

You want to tell us why Tina was in Las Vegas. Dana asked.

Well I dont know for sure why she was in Las Vegas but I knew she was leaving town. Alice said.

Why was she leaving town? Shane asked. Did she and Bette have a fight?

It was a little more than a fight. Tina found out that Bette was cheating on her with Candace the night of the Provocations opening.

*****! Dana and Shane said at the same time.

I came home and found Tina in my apartment that night. Alice said. She was devastated to say the least.

Bette was really cheating on Tina with that carpenter? Shane asked.

Yes. Alice replied. Tina said that she just couldnt stay in LA for fear of running into Bette so she left town.

Where is Bette now? Shane asked angrily.

She is in there with Tina. Alice replied.

Let me make sure I got this right. Bette is ***** Candace, Tina finds out and leaves town only to get into an accident and now Bette is in there with Tina holding her hand? Shane said. God I cant believe this.

Shane got up and paced the floor. She was trying to comprehend what Alice had just told her about Bette cheating on Tina. She looked up to them and their relationship. They were in love with each other and had been for seven years. How could Bette throw that away? If it werent for Bette, Tina would be in her home safe and sound. Shanes anger began to grow.

When Bette walked through the ICU doors she saw Dana sitting with Alice so she stopped. She tried to prepare herself to face Dana and Shane. She was sure that Alice had told them about the affair with Candace. She was not prepared however for the angry verbal attack she received from Shane when Shane saw her come out the door.

How could you do it Bette? How could you be ***** that carpenter when you had Tina in your life?” Shane yelled. If you didnt want to be with her, you should have told her and walked away before you fucked someone else. If it werent for you Tina would be at home safe and sound.

You think I dont know that already Shane. Bette cried. I fucked up okay. I totally fucked up, but you have to believe me when I say that I love Tina. She means everything to me.

Bette turned to walk to a chair to sit down when she saw that Julie was standing there with an angry look on her face. Apparently she had heard the yelling between her and Shane.

Is what she said true Bette? Julie asked. Are you the reason that Tina is lying in that hospital bed?

Yes. Bette cried. It was my fault she left LA.

It isnt Bettes fault that Tina is in this hospital. Alice said. It was an accident. Bette may have been the reason that Tina left LA but it was not her fault that some guy ran a red light and broadsided Tina. It was just an accident.

Bette gave Alice a look that said thank you for standing up for me.

Julie you have to believe me when I say that I love Tina. She is my life. Bette said. Yes I messed up, but if Tina is willing when she gets through this I am going to spend the rest of my life making it up to her.

I dont know what to say. Julie said as she turned to walk into the ICU doors. I am going in to see Tina now.

Bette you didnt answer my question. Shane said angrily. How could you do that to Tina?

I wish to God I had an answer for that Shane. Bette said. I wish I could change things but I cant.

Shane, leave it alone for now. Alice said. We need to focus on Tina. We can sort the other things out later.

I need some air. Bette said as she got up and started walking down the hall.

I keep thinking that this is some weird dream I am having and I am going to wake up soon. Alice said.

I wished it was. Shane said. This just sucks!

Dana, are you okay? Alice asked. Youve barely said anything since you got here.

I think I am just in a little shock. I always felt that Bette and Tina had the best relationship of anybody we knew.

I couldnt believe it either when I found out. Alice said. I dont know why Bette did what she did, but I do believe that she is totally in love with Tina. I have spent all day with her dealing with this and being here for Tina and there is no doubt in my mind about her love for Tina.

Julie came out from the ICU and came over to Alice and sat down next to her.

The doctor came by while I was in there with Tina. Julie said. He said that so far the treatment they have been using on her is working. They are going to take her down in the morning for a CAT scan to determine if they can quit giving her the sedatives to keep her unconscious. He said that we should go and get some sleep because with any luck maybe by tomorrow afternoon or evening we might know more.

Alice, Dana and Shane all breathed a sigh of relieve. Maybe just maybe things were looking up. Dana and Shane wanted to at least see Tina before they left the hospital. They went in to the ICU room together to see Tina.

Hey you Shane said as tears filled her eyes at the sight of Tina lying in the bed with the respirator regulating her breathing. You have to get better soon.

Shanes right. Dana said. We need you to get better.

When they returned to the waiting room Alice and Julie were still in the waiting room but Bette still hadnt returned.

Bette didnt come back? Shane asked.

We havent seen her. Alice replied. She was pretty upset when she left out of here. She hasnt wanted to be very far from Tina since we got here. Maybe she just needed to be alone for a few minutes. Well give her a few more minutes and if she doesnt show back up we will go and find her.

Bette came walking up about the time they had decided to go and find her. Alice could tell that Bette had been crying because her eyes were swollen and red.

Are you okay Bette? Alice asked.

Im fine. Bette lied. I am going in to see Tina.

Bette I talked to the doctor. Julie said.

Julie told Bette what the doctor had told her and Bette started to cry.

Bette, why are you crying? Alice asked. It was good news that the treatment is working.

I know. I think it is just the stress of all of it. Bette replied.

We are going to find a hotel for the night since the doctor said we should leave. Alice said. Julie you want to come with us to find a room for the night?

Yes if you dont mind. Julie said.

Alice, Dana, Shane and Julie all started to walk towards the elevator but Bette remained standing there.

Bette, are you coming? Alice asked.

No. I am staying here with Tina. Bette replied.

Bette you really should come with us and rest. Alice said.

I will rest tomorrow when we know more about Tina. Bette said.

Bette turned and walked into the ICU.

Do you guys have any doubts now? Alice asked.

About what Julie asked.

About how much Bette loves Tina. Alice said.

Shane, Dana and Julie all looked at one another and said at the same time. No

TBC