After hearing Tinas question the doctor asked the nurse to clear the room so that he could examine Tina further. Bette, Alice, Dana, Shane and Julie all walked out of the room in stunned silence. They were all too freaked out to even talk about what they heard Tina ask.

Ms. Kennard Id like to ask you a few questions if that is okay the doctor said. Do you know what your first name is?

Tina sat there and tried to recall what her name was before she answered.

I remember someone calling me baby but I am not sure if that is my name Tina said.

Your name is Tina Kennard the doctor said. Do you know what day it is?

No. Tina replied.

Okay. I think that is enough questions for now the doctor said. Can you tell me if you are in any pain?

My arm hurts and I have a headache. Tina said.

We can get you something for the pain the doctor said. We are going to run a few more tests on you just to make sure everything is okay. If the tests all come back negative we will probably want to keep you one more day and then send you home.

Doctor, I dont even know where home is. Tina replied.

Ms. Kennard this memory loss just could be temporary the doctor said. Lets wait and see what the test results are.

When the doctor left the room he explained the situation to Julie and Bette.

As of right now she has no memory of the accident, where she is or even her name. She said the only thing she could remember was someone calling her baby the doctor said. I am going to order a battery of tests to see if we missed something.

Can you tell us whether this memory loss is temporary? Bette asked.

Sometimes when there is head trauma there is some permanent memory loss but in many cases it is only temporary. She may never remember the accident it self which may be a blessing.

Is it okay for us to go in and see her or will we upset her? Bette asked.

I dont think it would be a good idea for all of you to go in and see her the doctor said. She will more than likely try to push herself in to trying to remember who you are so I think we should limit the visitors to two. The two people she is closest to might be best. Talking with them might trigger some memories.

After much discussion it was decided that it would be Bette and Julie in the room with Tina. There was no doubt that Julie needed to be in there, but there were some doubts about Bette, given what had happened with Candace. Alice, Dana and Shane decided that there was no need for them to stay at the hospital tonight since they could not see Tina. They left, after Bette promised she would call if there was any change with Tina, to check out a few casinos. Bette and Julie decided to go in to see Tina together. When they walked in to her room Tina was sleeping. They had given her something for pain so they sat down and waited for her to wake up. When Tina awoke she looked around the room once again trying to remember where she was. She saw two of the women that had been in her room earlier sitting by her bed. When Bette saw that she was awake she got up and walked over to Tinas bed. Bette wasnt sure what to say or how to act so she decided to just act as if it was just a normal day talking to Tina.

Hi baby Bette said. How are you feeling? We have been worried about you.

Tina just looked at Bette and didnt say anything.

Its okay Tina. There is no need to be afraid. Bette said.

I think I know you Tina said.

Thats good baby. Bette said. Do you remember my name and who I am?

No but I remember your voice. You were calling me baby and telling me you loved me. Tina said.

Thats good. You remembered the most important part Bette said smiling. That I love you.

Julie had been sitting in the chair listening to Bette talk to Tina and it was breaking her heart because her daughter had no clue as to who she was. She struggled to keep her tears in because she knew that she could not upset Tina. She got up, walked over and stood next to Bette so that she could talk to Tina too.

Hi sweetheart, how are you? Julie asked.

Tina looked from Bette, to the woman that now stood by her side, and then looked back at Bette as if to say help me I dont know who this woman is.

Tina, this is your mother Julie Bette said. She came all the way from Denver to see how you were doing.

Im sorry. I dont remember who you are Tina said.

Thats okay sweetheart. Julie said. You had quite a bump on your head so it is probably natural for you to be a little disoriented.

Baby can I get you anything? Bette asked. Maybe something to drink because I would imagine your throat is probably sore from that tube they had down your throat.

A drink would be good. Tina said.

Bette poured a drink of water from the carafe that the nurses had placed in her room. She held Tinas head up while she drank from the cup. Bette was so grateful to have Tina awake and to be able to be near her made her want to cry.

How long have I been in this place? Tina asked.

This is the second day you have been here. Bette replied.

Two of the medical staff came in to Tinas room to take her downstairs for the new tests that the doctor had ordered. Bette could tell by the look on Tinas face that she was a little frightened. Bette reached out and gently touched Tinas face in hopes of easing her fear.

Baby, they are just going to take you down for some tests and when they are finished they will bring you back up here. Julie and I will be waiting right here for you when you get back. Bette said. Just remember that I love you.

Bette asked how long the tests would take and they told her a couple of hours. After they had taken Tina for the tests Julie broke down crying and Bette went and put her arms around her and held her until her crying subsided.

I dont know how you are being so strong Julie said. It is so hard seeing her this way.

Yes it is, but at least she is awake and talking. Given time, her memory will probably be back too Bette said.

Bette and Julie took advantage of the time while Tina was gone to do downstairs to the cafeteria to grab some dinner.

Bette, do you mind me asking you a few questions about Tina and your life together? Julie asked.

Bette was hesitant because she was afraid that Julie would ask about Candace and she wasnt prepared to talk about that with anyone, let alone Tinas mother. She decided she would try to answer Julies questions up to a point.

I dont mind. Bette said.

Has she been happy? I feel so strange having to ask you about details of my daughters life. Julie said. You know that Tina and I havent been close over the years and I regret that. I think sometimes that we are too much alike and that is why we clash sometimes.

For the most part I think Tina has been happy. She is such a wonderful, loving and caring person. Bette said. She has a generous heart but sometimes she can be stubborn too. I really shouldnt speak for Tina, but I know that she has expressed regret that the two of you arent close. She had even talked about trying to come to see you so that maybe you guys could find a way to get closer.

Thank you for telling me that. Julie said. I love my daughter and I want to be closer to her.

Bette and Julie finished their dinner, went back upstairs and were waiting in Tinas room when she returned from the tests.

Hi baby Bette said. I am glad to see they brought you back to me safe and sound.

Tina didnt know what it was about this woman that made her feel safe and feel loved but she did.

Can I ask you something? Tina said.

Sure you can Bette said.

What is your name and who are you to me? Tina asked.

My name is Bette and I am your life partner. We have been together for seven years Bette said.

Bette was saved from having to answer any more questions from Tina because the doctor walked in the door.

Good evening Ms. Kennard the doctor said. How are you feeling?

Not too bad. The pain medication they gave me helped. Tina said.

I wanted to go over these test results with you he said. You passed all of your tests with flying colors. The memory loss that you are experiencing is due to the trauma you received to your head. At this point, I cant tell you whether the memory loss is temporary or if is permanent. Wed like to keep you here overnight and part of tomorrow just to make sure everything is okay.

When the doctor walked out Bette and Julie followed him so they could ask questions.

Were you saying that if everything is okay that Tina might get to go home tomorrow? Bette asked.

It is a possibility. Her vitals have been good all afternoon and this evening. If she continues the same pattern tomorrow there really isnt anything else that we can do for her in the hospital. We will want her to be seen by a neurologist for a follow-up appointment just to be safe and also an orthopedist to check up on her broken arm the doctor said.

Can she be taken back home? Bette asked. We live in LA.

I think that would be okay the doctor said. You will need to find a neurologist in that area and an orthopedic doctor to see to her needs.

I can do that Bette said. Do you mind me asking about how we should deal with the memory loss? I have been careful about answering her questions or trying to push her into remembering anything.

You need to let her try to remember on her own. If she asks, you should answer her questions honestly the doctor said. The neurologist you find there in LA should be able to advise you on her treatment for the memory loss.

After the doctor left Bette and Julie talked about getting Tina out of the hospital and where she should go.

I really think that I should take Tina home with me Julie said. You have to go back to work and I could take care of her.

I will take an emergency leave of absence from work until I make sure that Tina is able to stay on her own Bette said. Besides I have a built in support system with Alice, Dana and Shane. Besides most of her things are still at the house and maybe they will help her to remember.

Bette, what if she remembers why she left in the first place? Julie asked. I would be worried about her reaction.

I know that is a possibility and maybe I am being selfish, but I want her home with me so that I can take care of her Bette said. Maybe we should just ask Tina what she would be comfortable with since it is her life.

Bette and Julie went back in to Tinas room to talk to her about where she would like to go when she gets out of the hospital.

T. Julie and I have been talking about where you should go when you are released from the hospital Bette said.

Tina liked the way that Bette called her T. She was amazed that even though she didnt remember her she felt like she had known her forever.

You said that we had been life partners for seven years didnt you? Tina asked.

Yes we have. Bette replied.

Then I think I should go home with you Tina said.

Bette breathed a sigh of relief. Tina was going to come home to her. She was still worried about when Tina would remember what had happened the night of the Provocations opening. But she was determined that she was going to make Tina fall in love with her all over again so that when she remembered she would have a fighting chance of keeping her in her life.

TBC