Bette drove towards home filled with mixed emotions. She was glad that Tina had called to tell her she wanted to see her but at the same time she was filled with fear as to what Tina was going to say to her. She pulled in to the driveway and sat in her car for a moment to gather her thoughts before she got out and walked in to the house. When she got inside the house she found Julie in the kitchen but saw no sign of Tina.

Hi Bette said as she sat her briefcase on the kitchen table.

Hi Julie said as she looked up and saw Bette standing there. You look tired. Have you had a rough day?

You dont know the half of it Bette said. Wheres Tina hiding out?

I think she is in her room Julie said. I have been a little worried about her today.

Why is that? Bette asked even though she thought she knew the answer.

She has had a headache all day Julie said. I dont think she has eaten anything at all today and has stayed in her room.

I better go check on her Bette said her voice filled with worry.

Bette walked hurriedly to their room but when she reached the door she hesitated unsure as to whether she should just walk in or to knock. She opted for the latter.

Tina Bette said as she knocked on the door. Can I come in?

Bette Tina said. This is your house, your room you dont have to knock.

Bette froze at Tinas words your house, your room echoing in her head. Was Tina going to tell her that she was leaving? She took a deep breath and walked in the bedroom towards Tina.

Hi Bette said as she watched Tina sit up in the bed.

Hi Tina said as she sat up and rubbed the left side of her head.

T Bette said. Are you okay? Julie said you had a headache all day.

Im okay Tina said softly. I have had a headache all day but I thought it might be because of the stress.

***** Bette said under her breath. Im sorry. Maybe I should just go and we can talk when you are feeling better.

No Tina said. Its okay. I want to talk now.

Okay Bette said as she sat down on the bed and prepared for possibly the worse moments of her life.

Bette Tina said. I have been thinking all day about what you told me this morning. Not just about the affair but also about the things you needed from me. I have so many questions but I am not sure that I want to hear the answers. I have a major conflict going on within me. On one hand my head says ask the hard questions and try to be prepared for answers that could mean you have to say goodbye to the person you love forever. On the other hand my heart tells me that the kind and loving woman who has been there for me since the accident loves me and maybe that is enough to build a future on. But it isnt enough. As much as I would love it to be, it isnt enough. Bette I have felt the love from you since the accident but maybe it is just the love of a friend. Given what you told me this morning, maybe you love me but you are not in love with me anymore.

Tina that is so far from the truth Bette said her voice filled with emotion. Yes I love you as a person but more importantly I am totally in love with you. I wish I could pull you inside of me so you could feel for yourself what I feel for you. I wish I could show you by making love to you. I am not talking about just having ***** with you. I mean to show you in every way how much I am in love with you.

God Bette Tina said as she began to cry. I love you too.

Bette could not stand to hear Tina crying. She moved closer to her, wanting to pull Tina in to her arms but she wasnt sure that Tina would allow her to touch her let alone hold her. She resisted for only a moment before she reached out and pulled Tina in to her arms. She was surprised when Tina wrapped her arms around her and pulled her tightly to her.

Bette Tina cried in to Bettes shoulder. What am I supposed to do? If you love me as you say you do, how could you do this? Why would you do this? Was I not enough for you in bed? Was I not desirable to you anymore? Why? Bette please will you tell me why.

Bette sat there holding Tina while they both were crying. She pulled slightly back away from Tina and started to turn her head so she could look in to Tinas eyes and when she did she found her mouth was very close to Tinas.

T it was never about you not being desirable to me Bette whispered as she reached up and touched Tinas lips with her hand. I love kissing you and making love to you. I always have and I always will.

Bette leaned in and placed her lips on Tinas and began to kiss her gently. Bette half expected Tina to pull away immediately but she was pleasantly surprised when Tina returned her kiss. Bette upon feeling Tinas response deepened the kiss and soon they were kissing passionately, tongues entwined and Bette was running her hands up and down Tinas back.

T Bette said as she broke off the kiss to breathe. I never want you to doubt how much I want and desire you. I want you to feel how much I love you.

Bette Tina said as she leaned back in for a kiss. I know I shouldnt even let you touch me because of what happened and not knowing why but I just want to forget about the pain of it all. Please make the pain go away at least for a little while.

Tina kissed Bette with passion and desperation. She was pulling at the bottom of Bettes shirt trying to pull it out of the waistband of her pants when Bette put her hand over Tinas and stopped the motion.

T Bette said as she pulled away from Tinas kiss. It would be so easy to give in to this but you would only regret it afterwards.

Bette Tina said. Why dont you let me make my own decisions? Unless you really dont want to be with me

Bette sat there torn about what she should do. If she didnt make love to Tina then Tina would think she really didnt want her and if she did then Tina would surely regret it. Bette couldnt bear the thought of Tina thinking that she didnt want her but she also couldnt bear the thought of Tina regretting that they had made love.

Tina, I have wanted to make love to you since the moment you came home and crawled in to bed with me Bette said. I have fought hard against my feelings and my desires trying to do the right thing by you. Ive been trying to walk a fine line with you to keep from doing anything that could cost me a chance of being with you for the rest of my life but you win because I cant fight it anymore.

Bette leaned in to kiss Tina but Tina put her hand up to Bettes lips to prevent the kiss from happening. Bette looked at her as if to say why.

Tina had sat there listening to Bettes words and she knew that Bette was telling her the truth. She realized that Bette had done everything in her power not to do anything that would take advantage of her or the situation. In that moment she came to the realization that Bette truly did love her and she knew that them making love would be a mistake.

You were right Tina said.

About? Bette asked.

We shouldnt make love because it wont solve anything Tina said. It would make the pain go away for a little while but I would have regretted it afterwards. Forgive me for pushing too hard?

Yes Bette said. You dont even have to ask for forgiveness for that.

They sat there in silence for a minute or so neither one of them knowing how to proceed. Finally Tina broke the silence.

Bette Tina said. I think I am ready to hear the answers to my questions. If we are to have any chance at all to be together I need to know the truth.

TBC