Part 9
*********************************************
Bette and Tina
*********************************************

For a long agonizing time Tina regarded Bette with a neutral expression in her eyes, making Bette squirm uncomfortably. When she finally spoke, the words that came out of her mouth surprised – *****, Ill even say shocked – Bette:

Lets have *****.

What?!?!?!?! Bette spluttered all over the table, thinking that this time she was really on her way over the mental edge – finally cracking under the pressure – certifiable insane stamped on her forehead.

Tina nodded, seemingly warming up to the idea by the second. You know how this story goes, how everyone expect it to go, right?

Bette swallowed hard.

Were going to rave, rant, yell, argue and cry for a certain amount of time. You know how it is: I cry and blame you – youll tell me again and again how sorry you are and youll probably cry some, too.

To be safe Bette pulled another Marina and stayed quiet.

Tina smiled humorously. I will, of course, interrogate you about Candass,

Bette flinched.

Excuse me – about CANDACE – and infidelity in general – you will repeat over and over again that you love me and only me and that Candycrap,

Bette flinched.

Excuse me – CANDACE – was a mistake and had nothing to do with love. Reluctantly I will admit that I still love you, but Im not sure I trust you enough to forgive you. And that I want to start seeing other people or shop around as you would probably call it, to find myself again.

Bette flinched.

Then we hurt each other, cry, argue, rant, rave and yell some more.

Bette just barely stopped herself from flinching once more. Tina was right, that was probably exactly what was going to happen. She just hoped and prayed that she could live with the outcome.

And because ***** is such a five-star subject around here, we finally have it. To satisfy the customers, so to speak, at least until TPTB apply other rules.

TPTB? This was going way to fast, even for Bette.

Never mind that. Tina shook her head and continued: Maybe we wont have ***** immediately. Maybe it will take months for us to get there, but eventually we will. Why not get it over with and start the yelling, raving and so on later? Maybe it will even clear the air a bit, considering how we had ***** the last time.

This time Bette couldnt stop a very violent flinch. Oh God, how she hated thinking about the night Tina left. It hadnt been *****, but Bette refused to even consider what it really was.

So what do you say, Bette?

*********************************************
Marina, Jenny and Shane
*********************************************
So, Shane said hesitantly, feeling an uncharacteristically desperate need to break the heavy silence that threatened to strangle the room. How long have you been here, Marina?

A few days.

Hmm. Man, Im going to feel like a dentist pulling out a full mouth of teeth with my fingers alone, before this ordeal is over. Maybe I should leave you two to talk.

No! Jenny screeched, both hands covered her mouth, making it difficult to decipher her next whispered words: You cant leave me alone with her, Shane, please.

Predictably Marinas eyebrow arched and Shane was sure she detected hurt in the dark eyes. Are you afraid of me, Jenny?

Jennys hands trembled, almost as much as her voice when she said: Im happy now, Im happy with Robin.

I will not do anything to get in the way of your happiness, Jenny.

This time Jenny laughed, it wasnt pretty and maybe it came out a bit on the hysterical side, but it WAS a laugh: Thats ***** rich coming from you! Like Bette, you dont exactly got much credibility on your account at this particularly time.

Marina closed her eyes briefly, before her eyes caught Jennys and kept them. I have learned my lesson, cara mia.

Shane easily recognized pain and hurt in those words, even if Jenny and most other people probably wouldnt, but of course she had the advantage of having heard it before in her friends voice. It was obvious to Shane that Marina was trying very hard to keep a reign on her emotions, but she was slipping and she had to fight even harder than normal to stay in control.

Right now Marina was in a position where she could be hurt very deeply – and both Shane and Marina herself was aware of that. Not a usual place for Marina to be in – not anymore.

Shane just hoped that Jenny wouldnt strike and break the fragile hold – not that Marina would swallow three bottles of pills or anything stupid like that – but underneath the cool and sophisticated facade lived a girl who had been hurt way too much in her life and desperately fought to protect herself.

Francesca had used that knowledge for evil, but Jenny wasnt aware that she had some of the same sort of power over the woman who had seemed in control for most of their twisted relationship and whom she blamed for the mess her life had become.

Suddenly Jenny straightened her small body making herself as big as she could, and let her eyes meet Marinas eyes with strength and fire in them. Why did you do that to me? Why?

Man, how I want to leave this damn room, Shane thought. This can turn out very ugly.

What did I do to you, Jenny? Marina asked softly.

Take your ***** pick, Jenny asked exasperated. How about seducing me? Lying to me? Going after Robin? Telling me you love me – over the ***** answering machine, damn it?

Im sorry, Jenny, but I refuse to justify myself to you. All I can say is that I am sorry if my actions hurt you in any way. You have moved on now, cant we leave it at that?

It was a plea from one who wasnt used to beg, someone who wanted to protect herself from something that already hurt like *****, but Jenny didnt hear it that way. She heard no regrets, no excuses; all she heard was a cold and calculating seducer trying to make things easier for herself.
Oh *****, how I hate you. I wish we never met!

Marina shook like she had just received a physical blow. Something in her eyes scared Shane, she had never seen that expression in her friends eyes before.

Slowly Marina turned around and walked out of the room.

What the *****?! Jenny seemed confused at Marinas hasty departure.

Shane wanted to slap some sense and sensitivity into Jenny and shake Marina until she spoke her mind and came clean about her feelings.

Man, I wanted a simple life of fun! What happened?

Where was Alice and Dana when you needed them? You could rely on those two to be THEM. She was not sure she was able to get the best out of this situation and she was scared to fail the two struggling couples.

Im going to find her, Jenny said and was out of the door before Shane could say: character assassination.

tbc
tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/MarinaFic
bwpbard@hotmail.com