Candace had arrived early at Fongs and was sitting at a table in the back while she waited for Tina. Over the last few days, she realized that she missed Tinas eyes watching her while she worked. She was trying to figure out the attraction that she felt for Tina. She also realized that she wasnt sad about not seeing Bette. In fact, she had not thought of her until just this moment. Apparently, that had been a pan-flash fire that she had managed to extinguish with little damage. Well, little damage to her. She felt quite guilty about the major damage she had done to Tina.

Candace had discovered that she really liked this woman. She was beautiful and intelligent, unlike the common fallacy related to blondes. She was courageous, especially in facing her after the part she had played in her breakup. She was one of the strongest individuals Candace had ever met, while at the same time, had an aura that spoke of underlying fragility. Candace felt the need to protect Tina, but the only thing Tina needed protection from, was the pain that she herself had caused.

Candace looked up and saw Tina arrive. She was dressed to kill, in a pair of black jeans that she had to have painted on. Candace closed her gaping jaw and waved at Tina to let her know where they were sitting.

They made small talk about the trip and the renovations until their order was taken. Tina then excused herself to go to the bathroom.

Candace couldnt take her eyes off Tina as she left. How had she gotten those pants on? They must have elastic in them for her to even be able to sit down. Damn, she looked good enough to eat, and suddenly Candace was worried about the conversation that was about to take place.

Tina smiled to herself as she returned to the table. She had felt Candaces eyes on her since she arrived, and they werent the only ones she felt. It was helping to rebuild the confidence that had been shattered by Bettes betrayal. She had been feeling unattractive, but was definitely feeling better about herself now.

When Tina sat back down, Candace asked, Should I have dressed up? You look beautiful.

Tina smiled and replied, Thank you, but I am heading to Milk after dinner, and I wont have time to go home and change. So in answer to your question, you should dress however you are most comfortable.

Ok, and the answer to my other question?

Want to jump right into that, huh? Tina asked with a smirk.

Might as well get it over with so we can eat dinner when it arrives.

Ok. Im going to be perfectly honest with you Candace, and in return, I would like some honest answers to some questions that I have concerning your relationship with Bette. Will you agree to that?

Candace took a breath and considered Tinas question. She reached for her glass to take a drink of water and asked, Have you spoken to Bette about this yet?

Tina looked her right in the eye and answered, No, I have only seen Bette once since the night of the Provocations opening, that day when I walked in on the two of you in her office, and as you know, we didnt speak then.

Candace choked on her water, spilling half of the glass down the front of her.

Tina was intently watching her and asked, Do you always have such a problem drinking?

Candace replied, No, only when someone surprises the ***** out of me. You have managed to do that on a number of occasions.

Tina ventured, Didnt think I would broach that subject?

Candace answered, Didnt know you even knew that subject. I heard the door close, but Bette wouldnt tell me who it had been. I figured it was someone at the museum.

Surprised, huh?

Yeah, you could say that!

Imagine how I felt. Tina said as she watched Candace blanch.

How can you even stand to look at me, let alone talk to me? Candace asked.

Ive asked myself that question at least a hundred times, and the only answer I can come up with is the same answer that I have to your other question. Tina replied.

Which is?

First, Tina said, I need the answer to my question. Will you talk honestly with me about you and Bette?

Yes, Candace replied, I owe you that.

Yes you do, and the answer to your question is curiosity.

That much I had figured out. Candace continued, The new question is curiosity about what?

Tina replied, I was curious about what attracted Bette to you to start with, what allowed her to walk away from our seven year relationship to have an affair with you. Bette had always been one hundred percent against infidelity, and I would never have expected it from her. Although she had constant mood changes and was not discussing her feelings with me, I would have expected Bette to break up with me and leave our relationship before I ever would have expected her to sleep with someone while still committed to me. It just wasnt the Bette that I knew, so I watched you to see if I could learn what changed her mind so drastically. That is all there was to it.

And what did you discover? Candace asked.

Im not really sure. You are confident, intelligent and a hard worker. Those are all qualities that Bette admires. I would have said graceful, but I am noticing more qualities of clumsiness, especially involving fluids. However, you are also a take charge type of person, just like Bette. You are in control of all situations, and I just cant see her being attracted to someone that she couldnt control. Even after watching you, I still dont understand why Bette threw our relationship away to be with you, although I think I understand why she didnt stay with you.

Now, Tina stated, I want to know about you and Bette. How did it start, how long did it last, how did it end, and why did it end?

Candace asked, Are you sure you want to hear this Tina? Because I dont think you are going to like the answers, and I am surprised by how little you knew Bette after seven years.