Bette sat there restless, and tonights restlessness was a direct result of the hope she now felt, that maybe”just maybe, she could get her life back. Too restless to sleep, Bette goes to the CAC to look through some paperwork and to browse throughout the museum. She rarely got to enjoy the art these days, and though she had been working late hours she had not been productive.
As she shuffles through some paperwork she notices that James has left her note regarding extra security. Bette had really been concerned about the safety of Isabella Perno. She seemed to get the brunt of harassment from the protestors. James suggested that Bette use the extra security guards instead. Bette didnt think she was in any danger. In her mind The exhibit was already there and at this point the art and the artist should benefit from any additional security. James had written his concerns as his rebuttal to Bettes original response to his suggestion. Bette smiled at James note and continued to sign a few invoices and looked over some new work she was thinking about showing after Provocations ended. Bette was starting to get tired and thought now, maybe now I can get some rest. Bette walked past the security guards to make sure all the alarms were set and said goodnight as she left. As Bette walked through the garage she thought she noticed Candaces truck pulling off. She thought, No way, she wouldnt come around here, would she?

Bette was back home in bed she thought of Tina as she slowly drifted to sleep. She wanted to take her somewhere nice and spend time with her without coming on too strong. As the possibilities of where to go darted in and out of her head Bette finally found some peace at the thought of Tina and drifted to sleep.

Awakened, well rested, with a renewed hope to regain her life Bette dialed Alices number as soon as she opened her eyes. Alice was still apparently asleep as she drowsily answered.

Alice: Hello
Bette: Oh Alice, Im sorry did I wake you?
Alice: You sure did Bette. How are you?
Bette: ImIm hopeful she said with a sigh. Is Tina still there?
Alice: Yes. You two are definitely morning people shes making coffee. Bette I hope things work out for you two. Tina told me you spoke for the first time since ya know, yesterday. People dont often get second chances. Dont blow it Porter.
Bette: Alice I dont intend to.
Alice yells for Tina to pick up.
Tina: Hello
Bette: Good Morning Tina. How are you? Did you sleep well?
Tina: ImIm better and yes I slept better than I have been.
Bette: Tina I dont want to rush into anything but I would like to take you out tonight; Your choice; dinner, coffee, drinks”whatever you like. I just want to spend some time with you.
Tina: Bette Im not sure. Tina hesitated thinking, things cant just go back as if nothing happened and then she thought, well things have to start somewhere. Well Bette lets do a casual dinner. Please nothing extravagant and lets just see what happens. Remember Bette we have to take things slowly.
Bette was thrilled Tina said yes.
Bette: Great Tina, Ill pick you up at 7:30
Tina: OK Bette
Bette: Tina, have a good day. I cant wait to see you.

Tina smiled as she hung up the phone. Alice stumbles into the kitchen reaching for the coffee.
Alice: So you two going out tonight?
Tina: still smiling, yes, yes we are.
Alice: Well Tina its good to see you guys on the road to reconciliation.
Tina: Well Alice Im not sure if we are on that road yet. We are cautiously approaching the on ramp. But Al, that feels good.

Bette jumped to her feet and felt absolutely giddy about seeing Tina tonight. She ran to the closet and pulled out a suit to wear to work and then she pondered which ensemble she would wear for her date with Tina. As she was about to turn on the shower she heard a knock at her door.

She saw Shane standing there looking weary and pained.

Bette: Shane whats wrong, come in. Shane collapsed in Bettes arms and cried.
Shane: I really screwed up with Cherie why did I have to love her of all people?
Bette felt Shanes pain and held her friend close. She picked up Shanes head and looked at her friend and softly said, Sweetie, I had no idea that you loved her. I am so sorry she broke your heart. She has no idea just how special your heart is. Bette sat quietly for a few seconds holding Shane and then she softly said, Not that I have the answers Shane. You and I know that I dont. But love in itself isnt bad. We just have to be careful whom we give our hearts to. You will love again, and hopefully the next woman will know how special your love is.
Shane: Bette its just I knew things were getting twisted, with Clea and Stephen with the business stuff, but I couldnt break from Cherie. Now to know that she never really cared it hurts, it really hurts.
Bette: I wish I knew what to say but I dont. Maybe its best to find out now that she wasnt right for you.
Shane knew Bette was right but it didnt help heal her heartache. Shane pulled away from Bettes embrace and said, Yeah I guess youre right. Its best to find out now than to be with her and trust her for seven years and find out later.
Bette sat there a little shell-shocked. Shane regretted the words before they drifted from her lips. Shane reached for Bette. But Bette was standing now and sobbing.
Look Shane, I know I messed up and I am going to do everything in my power to make things right with TINA. I want to try to make up all the damage Ive caused if it takes the rest of my life. You act as if I betrayed you, and that I did any of this on purpose and I didntI didnt. Shane reached for Bette again and Bette pulled away. Bette believe me, I really didnt mean that. Im sorry. Bette just walked away thinking, I know everyone is disappointed in me but this is between Tina and me. I cant keep apologizing to everyone else. Shane left and wondered what she needed to do to let Bette know she really didnt mean to come down so hard. It really wasnt her place and she didnt know why she was taking their break up so hard. Shane slowly drove off not knowing where to go.



Tinas day went by quickly. The evening hours approached she felt the butterflies in her stomach as she thought of Bette. She was excited and nervous not knowing what to expect, not wanting to expect too much. God, she couldnt handle another disappointment.


Bette was leaving the CAC, while James insisted that Bette consider getting a security detail to escort her to and from the museum and to any working meetings she would attend during the Provocations run. James, you worry too much. Im fine its the work and the artists that are my primary concerns now. James replied, Bette you are my primary concern. Bette smiled, and lightly patted James on his arm and said, thats sweet, unnecessary, but sweet. She walked and turned back towards James and said, sweet though.

Bette decided she would call Shane on her cell phone again. This was the second call. She didnt want to fight with Shane. She knew they were both hurting and vulnerable right now. It was easy for them to say things they didnt necessarily mean. She wouldnt lose her friend over something that should be overlooked. Shane didnt answer. Bette didnt have time to ponder why or why not. She had a date with Tina. The idea of seeing Tina and going on a date made Bette feel like doing summersaults. Bette got to her house in record time and got ready for the evening. She decided to pick up Tinas favorite flowers, white roses, en route to Alices. Bette then had second and third thoughts about the flowers but convinced herself Tina would appreciate the gesture.

Bette knocks on the door. Alice answers and gives Bette a big hug. You clean up nicely she whispers to Bette. Alice yells, Tina your womans here and she is looking as beautiful as ever. Tina walks in and looks at Alice as if to say Please dont say anything stupid. Alice notices the look and leaves the room sheepishly saying, You two have fun.

Bette looks at Tina and wants desperately to hold her but refrains. She does hand Tina her flowers. Tina sees the flowers and says, Bette you shouldnt have, really. Tina notices how beautiful Bette looks and really wants to hold her in her arms all night but she too refrains.

Bette: Oh T I hope you dont mind the flowers. I struggled with giving them to you or not. I just thought it couldnt hurt.
Tina: Bette no the gesture is nice, thank you. Tina places the flowers in a vase.

The ladies leave. As they are walking out from the building Tinas hand accidentally brushed against Bettes. Bette at first thought Tina was reaching for her hand, but hesitated just in case the contact, that brief contact that sent a chill through her body was an accident. Bette turned towards Tina to check if the touch was intentional. Tinas eyes were closed and she let out a sigh. Tina knew her body craved Bettes touch so she faced Bette and grabbed her hand placing it in her own. So now there was no confusion, this hand touching”holding was deliberate and a relief to both of them. Bette tightened her grip and smiled as they continued to the car.

When they arrived at the restaurant Bette comfortably eased into conversation, asking, attentively asking Tina about her day and the projects she and Oscar were working on. She asked Tina which aspects of the job she found most rewarding. Tina was surprised, pleasantly surprised at Bettes genuine interest. Bette then asked Tina if she missed working at the studio. Sometimes, I liked the creativity but the politics and the BS always seemed to out weigh the talent. I prefer what I am doing now. Its so much more rewarding and in so many ways more important. Tina had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Bette. She had almost forgotten they had a friendship, a connection, not just the physical attraction. Tina then asked Bette about Provocations and how it was going, if she had any new career opportunities as a result of the apparent success of the exhibit. Bette told her what was going on and how a few galleries, established artists, and museums were interested in meeting with her. She didnt get into any details. She really wanted to focus her attention on what was going on in Tinas life. Tina had always supported her career and she wanted Tina to know she would do the same for her.

At some point Tina stopped talking and looked into Bettes eyes and whispered, This has been nice. I wish we would have done this sooner. Bette quietly agreed. Tina reached for Bettes hand, I miss you baby so much. I am so glad we are at least trying. Baby I really miss you. Tina repeated.
Bette thought, she called me BABY, she called me BABY God Ive missed that! Bettes smile widened, T, Ive missed you too. They got up and headed for the door Tina quickly grabbed Bettes hand and then pulled her close to put her arm around her waist.

As soon as they got to the car and Bette opened Tinas door she was standing inches away from Tina. Bette could feel passion overtaking her composure. It was the scent of Tinas hair and just being this close to her. Bette looked in Tinas eyes for a signal”a green light. Tina peered back into Bettes gaze and suddenly a gentle kiss; a soft slow kiss was shared. Neither was sure it happened because it was so soft. Bette backed away to look for Tinas reaction. Tina moaned, her eyes still closed. Bette went back in, this time the passion erupted and Bettes mouth overtook Tinas and Tina deepened the kiss their knees weakened. Bette felt she was dreaming. Tinas mind wondered– and there it was. Tina envisioned Bettes mouth, the beautiful mouth that brings her complete joy on Candace. Tina broke the kiss and tears welled up in her eyes. Im not ready. I cant do this. Im not sure if I ever will be able to again without thinking that mouth, those hands have betrayed me. Bette fell to her knees as Tina sat down in the car. Bette still kneeling, Oh T please dont say that, you cant mean that. I know I have work to do to rebuild your trust. Please let me. I promise right now these hands have never and will never love anyone else. Tina I swear Candace was a mistake. T I wont make that mistake again. T you have the most important part of me, the best part of me, my heart. Please dont allow my stupidity and fear to break us apart. Bette wept and put her head in Tinas lap as she knelt before her. Tina cried too, lifted Bettes head and whispered, Please just take me back to Alices, please. Bette slowly got up and wiped her tears away and drove Tina back to Alices. They drove in silence. When Bette got to Alices she got out and opened the door for Tina and said, Tina please just let me try to fight for us. Im not the coward you think I am. Your love has given me the strength I need to fight for us. You do still love me Tina dont you? Tina quickly responded, Of course I do. But you and I both know sometimes love just isnt enough. Tina walked away and Bette just stood there thinking God one big step forward ten huge steps back.. I dont know if she wants me at all. The thought of it was too much to bear.

Bette drove for a while and ended back at the CAC refusing to go to the house. The house, that use to bring her so much comfort is now a tomb where joy used to reside. Work, Ill work. Bette stayed pretty late at the CAC. She finally decided she should head to the house. She spoke to the guards as one offered to walk her to her car she declined his offer and walked out. Bette thought about what Tina said and looked at her hands knowing those hands, her hands had bought Tina pain by touching Candace. Bette hated herself for being so careless with Tinas heart. She felt herself fill with disgust. Bette was so engrossed in this self rage she didnt hear the footsteps behind her. You bring this filth here in the name of art. This isnt art its garbage just like you lady! Bette sees a man holding a pipe his eyes filled with hatred. He comes down hard and hits Bette on the head with the pipe as she falls to the ground her assailant then rips her blouse from her body and begins to taunt her. You like girls? Maybe its because youve never been with a real man? He rips Bettes slacks away from her body and forces himself inside her. Bettes mind fills with images of her family, her friends, and Tina. Tina”that image gives her the strength to fight back. Somehow Bette lifts the pipe from the ground. Her assailant had dropped the pipe to hold her down as he assaults her. Bette musters the strength she needs to beat her assailant mercilessly and she begins to scream and scratch at him. She sees him run away limping and bleeding and she sees a guard run out to help her and nothe last thing she sees before she passes out is Candace, no.


Shane is at Milk sulking about Cherie and her argument with Bette. She gets a call on her cell. She tells herself if its Bette this time she will talk to her. I just didnt know what to say earlier. I know I hurt her and on one hand I didnt mean to, not at all. But on the other hand Bette needs to know what she did was ***** and I am disappointed. Bettes so hard on herself though. Shes the type that doesnt need anyone else being hard on her too. As Shane hopes its Bette she is informed by the very official sounding voice on the other end of the phone that its Good Samaritan Hospital and that she is listed as an emergency contact for a Bette Porter. Its essential that you get to the hospital as soon as possible.

Shane is frozen, she cant move. She snaps out of it and calls Kit and asked her to meet her at the hospital.

Kit and Shane embrace upon seeing each other. Shanes worried and Kits hysterical. A tall young woman appears with a folder in hand. My name is Dr. Carlie Glenns. Ladies please sit down, Kit and Shane grab onto each others hands and sit.
I hate to inform you Ms. Porter was brutally attacked the bruising will go away. She looks a lot worse that she is. Our primary concern was the injury to her head”theres no brain damage but she was knocked around pretty badly. Right now she is suffering from a severe concussion. Lastly ladies she was sexually assaulted. Shane looks away in horror, and Kit gasps for air that she cant seem to inhale. Weve taken the proper precautions to medicate Ms Porter to reduce the chances of contracting HIV or any other diseases. We will keep her here for a few days. I know this is a lot to take in. She can and will come through this. She was able to fight off her attacker and the rape kit will hopefully get much needed DNA to give to the investigators. I know Ms Porter is a fighter but my other concern outside of her physical injuries. Well she seems to think she deserves this”this is some kind of well-deserved punishment. Who is Tina? She kept calling that name and apologizing.

Shane looked at Kit and said God Tina; weve got to tell Tina. As Shane pulled her cell phone from her pocket she saw a familiar face. Candace, what the ***** are you doing here?

TBC