Bette stood there anxiously waiting for Tina to respond to her question.

I dont Tina started to say.

Bette saw the indecision in Tinas face but she was determined that this is what they needed to do.

Before you answer, please just at least consider it Bette said. We need to be alone. We need to able to talk freely with no interruptions, no distractions. T we cant talk here. Please give me one whole week for us to try and work things out.

I agree that we need to be able to talk freely with no interruptions but I dont know about going away with you for a week Tina said. I just dont know.

T we need to do this for us Bette said adamantly. I know I have no right to ask you to do this, but please say yes.

What if we talk and I decide I cant be in a relationship with you anymore. What if I want to walk away? Tina asked. Am I supposed to just stay somewhere with you for a week even though I might feel that way?

No Bette said as she flinched at Tinas words. I would never expect you to stay somewhere you didnt want to be. You could leave if you wanted to. Maybe I am being unrealistic. Maybe I am being selfish because I know that if we talk about things here and you get upset you can walk away and go to Alices again or go with Julie, but if we were away together you might be more apt to stay and try again.

God Bette I dont understand how we got here Tina said as she rubbed the side of her head because of the pain there. I just dont know what I want to do. Tina sat there for a moment lost in her own thoughts before continuing. If I considered going away with you where would we go?

Anywhere you want Bette said. It doesnt matter, somewhere secluded or somewhere in a busy city where no one would know us.

What about my mom being here? Tina asked. Are we just supposed to ask her to leave or just pack up our things and say Bye Mom we are leaving for a week? She came here to help me and to take care of me. I dont want to hurt her feelings by asking her to leave. I feel bad enough because I havent even told her I have my memory back let alone to ask her to leave.

I think she would understand Bette said.

How could she understand? Tina asked. She knows nothing about what is going on with us.

Actually she does Bette said. She knows about what happened and why you left LA.

Let me get this straight. My mother knows about you cheating on me and yet she let me come here and is staying here. Tina said. This is crazy. You must have turned on the charm to get her to do that.

No I didnt Bette said.

I guess no one is immune to Bette Porters charms. Tina said sarcastically.

She just saw with her own two eyes how much I love you Bette said softly, hurting at Tinas words. She knew that you needed to be here to try and remember your past. She was doing what she thought was best for you.

What is best for me Tina mused. What the ***** is best for me? I have to tell you Bette, at this moment, a small part of me hates you for what you have done to me, to us. My instinct is to run. Run far away from you and not look back. That being said, I cant do that right now because as much as I hate to admit it I still love you. It would be so much easier if I didnt. Bette you have to know though sometimes love is not enough.

Bette closed her eyes and absorbed Tinas words. Tina still loved her despite everything she had done.

I know that T Bette said. But it is a chance and I will take it. Please come away with me?

I need some time to decide. Tina said.

Okay Bette said. How long do you need?

I will give you an answer when you get home from work Tina said.

Okay Bette said.

Bette left the room and went and got ready for work. She stopped back into their bedroom to say goodbye to Tina. Tina was lying on the bed deep in thought when Bette walked in.

Tina? Bette said.

Oh sorry Tina said. I didnt hear you come in.

I wanted to tell you I was leaving Bette said. Tina I didnt want to leave without telling you that no matter what your decision is I wont push you to change your mind.

Bette Porter not pushing to get what she wants Tina said. Interesting concept

Maybe I am trying to be a better person Bette said. Ill be home around 6:00 p.m. Bye

Bette left while Tina got up and got dressed. She went in search of Julie but she knew that she would still be sleeping. She found a piece of paper and left Julie a note saying that she needed some air and that she had gone for a walk. Tina left the house and headed towards The Planet in hopes that she would find Alice there. When Tina walked in she saw Alice sitting at their regular table eating breakfast. Alice looked up when she saw Tina approach the table.

Tina? Alice said. What are you doing here?

Tina stood there as those words echoed in her ears. Hadnt that been what Alice said to her the night her whole word fell apart? She shook her head as if to shake off that memory and sat down.

I came to have breakfast with my friend and to ask for some advice Tina said.

Tina? Alice said in amazement.

Yes Alice Tina said.

Thats great Alice said as she jumped up and hugged Tina. When did you get your memory back?

The night that you guys came over for dinner Tina said. I started having what I thought was dreams and it was images of my life.

Oh Alice said remembering that Tina would have remembered about Bette and the affair. So how have you been dealing with things?

I have been trying to figure out how my life got so screwed up Tina said honestly. I havent been feeling too well and trying to make sense out of my fucked up life isnt helping.

Im sorry Tina Alice said. I know it has to be tough on you. So have you and Bette talked at all about what happened between her and uh.

Please dont even say her name Tina said interrupting Alice. We have talked very little about what happened. She wants me to go away with her for a week so that we can be alone to talk things over and see if there is any hope for us to stay together.

Are you considering it? Alice asked.

Yes Tina said. I told Betty that my instinct was to run. To run far away and never look back.

Tina you dont really want to do that Alice said. Look I still dont know any of the specifics of what happened or why but lets be honest. You love Bette and Bette loves you. You have seven years together. Are you really prepared to just walk away from that?

Maybe Tina said sadly. I dont know if I can live with what she has done.

I think you should go Alice said. You owe it to your self and even though Bette screwed things up you owe it to her too.

I dont know if owe Bette anything Tina said angrily.

Okay maybe owe isnt the right word Alice said. I think if you dont give Bette and yourself a chance you will always wonder if you did the right thing. Take the time away from everyone and everything to find out what you want.

You really think I should go? Tina asked.

Yes Alice said. Tina I hated what Bette did to you and I have been angry at her but throughout the time since the accident I have seen her turn her self inside out to do what is right for you. I told her to let you go to Denver because it was the right thing to do for you and she did it. She didnt want to let you go because she loves you but I told her that you might need to go your own way to be happy. And for Bette to actually go and see a therapist without you dragging her there says a lot.

Bette is seeing a therapist? Tina asked.

She didnt tell you that Alice asked.

No but we really havent talked things through Tina said.

My advice if you still want it is to follow your heart Alice said. I think it will lead you to the right place.

Thanks Alice Tina said as she got up and hugged Alice and started to walk away.

Hey no problem Alice called out. Hey Tina, can I tell Dana and Shane that you are back with us?

Yes Tina replied.

Tina walked back home thinking about the things that Alice had said to her and trying to make up her mind if she could really go away with Bette for a whole week. She knew she was afraid to hear what Bette had to say but she also knew she was afraid of herself. She was afraid of letting her love for Bette cloud her judgment. She knew that when Bette turned on her ***** charm that she knew how to make her forget just about anything.

She did nothing the rest of the day but waiver back and forth about whether she was going to go with Bette or not but by the time Bette arrived home she had made her decision. Tina was waiting for Bette in the living room when she got home.

Hi Bette said. How are you feeling?

Okay Tina said. How was your day at work?

Not to bad except I couldnt stay focused on work Bette said. I kept thinking about you.

Bette Tina said.

Sorry. Just being honest Bette said. So have you made a decision?

Yes Tina said.

Is that a yes you have decided or a yes you will go away with me? Bette asked.

Both Tina said. I have to give us this chance. I make no promises, but I have to try.

TBC