Tina was awakened to the sound of Bette crying out. Bette was terrified, almost childlike. She had apparently been dreaming of her attack.

Bette, shh, It was just a dream, youre okay. It was a bad dream. Its okay.

Tina.T, I cant help but see the guy, his eyes were filled with so much hatred. What did I ever do to him? God, I cant even sleep without seeing him. Bette said.

Tina comforted Bette as she became lost in her own thoughts. She was having such a rough time, which is to be expected under the circumstances. But everything has changed, everything. Bette once so composed and sure of herself is now so fragile and scared. At first it was scary to see her like that; but now I am just glad I’m here to bring her some comfort. I hate to admit it but I am happy that I have a chance to show her she can lean on me for a change. God knows I wish it were under different circumstances. We are leaving the hospital today, going home. Bette and I are going home together, as we should. I had Alice go by the house to pick something up for me that I had left behind, something I will never leave behind again, my ring”my marriage, my commitment to the love of my life. Simply put, that is who this woman is to me, and nothing else matters.

Good morning ladies, Dr. Glenns announces as she walks in. Bette you are healing nicely. Your facial bruises are gone altogether. How does your head feel today?

Dr. Glenns my head feels much better it has for the last couple of days.

I assumed it did but I just wanted to keep you here just to make sure. Today you are free to go home. You may check out any time after nine. Bette before you leave I strongly urge you to continue to make and keep appointments in our rape counsel department. Your physical scars will be long healed but your emotional scars could last a lifetime.

Bette didnt say anything, she sat there numb and she knew she hated how she felt. She would rather be in pain than to feel this cold numbness. She quietly said, I will go to the counseling.

Dr. Glenns motioned for Tina and they left the room. Your wife will need you to be patient and understanding throughout this time of healing. I think she can get through this with patience, support, and a lot of love. Ms. Kennard I am not sure if you know this but before you arrived the other night when we admitted Ms Porter, yours was the only name she uttered and sometimes screamed. I honestly believe she fought back just to see you again. She really could have been killed. Thank God that she wasnt.

Tina cried, she couldnt help it”I heard her saying my name when I walked in her room for the first time not knowing what awaited me. I know Bette loves me and I know she always will, just like I know I will always love her. I used to think saying that you knew someone loved you was an arrogant assumption. But now I know saying you know youre loved isnt arrogance at all. Its security, patience, and genuine devotion, the things that make love good; the things that make love lasts. Now, after this crisis, I know love is enough. This world can be so cruel and do so much damage to any of us, all of us, love is the only thing that makes a difference. Dr. Glenns patted Tinas arm noticing she was lost in her thoughts and walked back in Bettes room. Tina wiped the tears from her eyes and joined her. Bette had already gotten up and put her things in a bag. Im ready to go. Bette said almost smiling. Her expression was a welcomed surprise. Well Ms. Porter before you rush off I have to tell you that we have some information for you from your rape kit. Dr. Glenns said. Bettes stomach sank and her grin quickly dissolved into a grimace. She leaned back on the bed literally bracing herself for whatever horrible news she was about to hear. Oh no dear this is good news she shouted as she noticed Bettes pained face. The attacker apparently used a condom, your test result came back negative for all venereal diseases and you are not pregnant. Even if he hadnt Bette the medication we gave you would have more than likely prevented any more harm”disease unwanted pregnancy. Bette physically you are okay. Bette let out a deep sigh of relief and then she laughed, she laughed, it wasnt her normal sounding laugh, it was a nervous laugh. She quickly regained her composure and smiled at Tina”with her normal, beautiful smile. Dr. Glenns went on to explain the detective would discuss the rest of the findings of the rape kit later. That reminded Tina she had better tell Bette about Candace being the witness. Just as that thought occurred to Tina Alice walked in with open arms.
Are you ladies ready to go home? your chariot awaits. Alice got her pat on the back from Bette, not quite a hug and pressed Tinas ring into her hand as she picked up Bettes bag.

You guys I called Dana and told her what happened. Bette she really wants to come by later and check on you if thats okay.

Oh Al thats fine how is she doing”I havent been able to follow her matches

Oh she is doing well. Tonya is of course surgically attached to her but she is still able to kick butt out on the courts”even with all that extra weight

Bette laughed and Al perked up at the sound of her friends laughter. Bette had gotten her appointment cards from her counselor and reached for her purse. She and Tina reached for it at the same time. It was then that Bette noticed Tinas hand”Tinas ring. She looked at Tina and cried she mumbled are you sure? as she actually lost her knees at the sight of her lovers ring. Bette slid to the floor in front of the bed. Tina knelt down with her. Baby I have never been more certain of anything. Tina went to embrace Bette; Bette instinctively flinched and cowered from her lovers arm. Oh Tina I am sorry I didnt mean to, its just II dont know. Bette, its okay it will be okay”we will get there it may take time but we will get there.

Shane walked in just as the ladies were leaving. Hey you guys need me to bring anything by the house or take anything with me? Tina said oh could you grab my purse I thought I got it when I picked Bettes up. Tina was holding the door for Shane and Shane saw it”the ring. Tina is wearing her ring again. Already. I mean can she really be ready to just begin again? Should a crisis be the thing that gets them back together? Arent the issues they had still there? Shane thought to herself, why do I care, why is Bette all I can think of, why?

Kit walks down the corridor with balloons and flowers for her sister. I’m sorry Im late but I wanted to bring you something. Thanks Kit! Bette beamed with a smile. She braced herself, as Kit was about to hug her. Kit opted to just squeeze her hand instead noticing the tension take over her sisters beautiful face. See those bruises are all gone and you are smiling again. One day at a time and hopefully it will all be better. Kit said. Bette replied yeah, yeah.

Shane couldnt help herself she was frozen and starring at Tinas ring. She pulled Tina back into the room. Are you sure?, she quizzed. Am I sure about what? Tina asked. Getting back together with Bette so soon after a crisis”I mean the affair that was a crisis this”this is a tragedy. Bette isnt herself now and she may have a hard time finding out who she is after this. I dont think she can be herself after this. Shane said. Shane what are you talking about? Yes, this has traumatized Bette; but she is still the same person. She is still the woman who loves me and she is still the woman I love. It may take some time for her to trust life again, but she will, and hopefully I will be able to help her do that Tina answered Shanes inquiries. Okay Tina, okay, I just wanted to make sure that you are prepared for the long haul. I cant imagine it will be easy. And I know Bette wont be able to withstand another disappointment. Shane said in a voice of concern. Shane you are right, and I dont plan on disappointing her, okay? Tina said as she left the hospital room to go rejoin Bette in the corridor.

Kit overheard their conversation and pondered is Shane just being overprotective of her good friend or is she falling in love with Bette? Kit couldnt imagine Shane overstepping her boundaries with Bette”Bette and Tina, as the couple were
on some kind of pedestal in Shanes mind. She wouldnt, couldnt dare want them to be apart knowing there is still so much love there, could she?

As the gang approached the nurses station they ran into James and the detective. James was so worried. Look Bette I was too scared to come see you Tina told me youd be leaving today. I..I hate hospitals but God how are you? I am so mad at you but glad you are better too, James said.

By the way, not that you even want to hear about this right now but the guy that did this did have connections to Fay Buckleys group. Of course both the attacker and Fae admit he was estranged from her group. But Bette over half of her financial supporters have left her organization and several have made donations to the museum in some kind of gesture of an apology. I wasnt sure how you would feel about it. Franklin has earmarked all funds to be spent in any way you see fit.

Wow, thats a lot to take in. I really dont know what to say about it. Thanks for telling me. James I will be back to work in a couple of days okay Bette said. Tina quickly added, Well see baby. You should take your time.

Bette take as much time as youd like no one is expecting you back any time soon. Just please take care of yourself. James added. He wanted to hug Bette and saw her back away as he approached and settled for handshake instead. He turned in disappointment knowing Bette had a long road of recovery ahead of her.

The detective-Mark Hopts was there with news too. “Ms Porter I am pleased to tell you that the attacker has confessed and doesnt want to go to trial. He wants to accept the maximum sentence he apparently got an awakening of conscious overnight so he refused to drag this out. He said he didnt want to bring his family any more embarrassment.” Tina said that was great news and interrupted the detective before he mentioned Candaces name. Tina wanted to tell Bette about the witness. Bette sat quietly as Tina spoke to the detective her mind was reeling so much had happened and though she wasnt looking forward to a trial she thought the entire process would be beneficial to her recovery. Now there wont be a trial and she didnt know what to focus her energy on. Kit noticed her sister sitting and dazing off. She and Alice both walked over towards Bette and said are you ready. They walked out of the hospital and towards the parking garage. Bette immediately froze. Alice noticed the panicked look and the fear that overtook Bettes face. “Oh no, no, I parked here. We dont have to go in there, okay?” She patted Bettes back and Bette jumped. She hadnt noticed that Alices arm was behind her. Al I’m sorry. Please just give me a minute. Tina was only a few paces behind Alice, Kit, and Bette and went to talk to Bette.

Bette: T, I cant keep being afraid. Its not who I am and its not who I want to be. I can barely stand to be in my own skin. When will it stop?

Tina: Bette I dont know”but I know that it will. One day this wont be so big. You will keep going to the counseling and we will find a way to get through this, together okay? Bette I have to tell you something and I am a little scared about how you may react.

Bette: Tina, dont be scared whats wrong? Are you having second thoughts about coming home with me? You dont want us to be together or something”Bette begin to prepare herself for the very worse.

Tina: Baby its nothing like that. We are okay. We are good. I told you I am here and Im not leaving. Please dont even think about that okay? I need to tell you who witnessed your attack and who IDed the attacker and who made sure you got to the hospital in time.

Bette: Who was it? I am grateful and all but why would you be so concerned about my reaction to the witness?

Tina: It was Candace?

Bette: What? How, why was she there? Bettes facial expression changed and she remembered thinking she saw Candace that night and once before too.

Tina: Bette she had been checking on you she said shed pass by and see your car and just wanted to make sure you were okay. She had been stalking you pretty much.

Bette: I dont even know what to say. I do think I should talk to her though. I wasnt necessarily kind to her when I left her.

Tinas facial expression changed. Bette you want to talk to her, what are you planning on saying. God I think this could get weird. I mean are you indebted to her for saving you or something. I mean should I be afraid that you may want her back?

Bette looked at Tina and wanted nothing more than to hold her, kiss her, and show her that nothing could be farther from the truth. Bette was unable to get that close to Tina physically, right now and that broke her heart. She did the only thing she could do. Bette grabbed Tinas hand and put it on her heart. “Tina this heart is beating for you”in every way. I may not be able to show you right now but the love I have for you is tangible, its real. It can be seen and felt with each beat of my heart and every breath I take. I am living because I refused to die when the image of your beautiful face ran through my mind I fought back”it was you and our love that saved me. I didnt want to leave this world without you knowing that I love you and always would. Candace may have been there, but T you were with me, you.”

Tina grabbed Bettes hand and kissed it and placed it on her heart. God Bette I feel the same way.

When I said I should talk to Candace I should have said we should talk to her. There is nothing I need to say to her that you cant hear. I want you to know what that was, and what this is, believe me T there is no comparison but its something you will see for yourself, okay?

Bette you dont have to do that, I trust you. I do.

Tina I want to do that. But first I just want to go home.

With that Alice drove Tina and Bette to their home and Shane and Kit followed. Bette breathed a deep sigh of relief as she walked through the door. Alice had made a welcome home banner and bought flowers. She had also stocked up the fridge and provided brunch for the homecoming.

As they walked through the house they noticed a bag on the sofa. Dana said I hope you dont mind I came straight here from the airport.

Dana walked towards Bette to give her a hug but Alice intercepted her advance and Dana realized she should settle for a handshake instead.

Bette caught up with Dana on her matches and seemed more relaxed to be at home. Bette excused herself when she began to feel a little overwhelmed. She walked out by the pool. Shane noticed and followed her out.

“How are you feeling today, are you glad to be back home?”

“Of course, its just things are so weird. A few days ago Tina was gone and it seemed she would never return.
Now shes back and we are back on track, but I am so off track. I feel like Ive been leveled. I mean everything has changed. Everything that was so important to me doesnt matter with the exception of Tina. The weird thing about that is my love for her is different now too. I mean its more real and more honest. Its just fucked up that I cant even physically share this new love with her. I just feel bare and scared.”

“Leveled uh, well its a good place to rebuild.”

Bette smiled at Shane and pointed””there, you always know what to say.” Bette found herself walking towards Shane. As she was about to embrace her friend she realized she was at ease and yelled for Tina instead.

It wasnt lost on Shane what had just happened she saw Bettes guard come down ever so slightly.

Shane said. “Bette I have to talk to you about something.”

“Sure Shane what is it?”

“I dont know why but youve really been on my mind a lot. I know Ive been acting like a jerk but Bette. Its because I care. I dont know why I care so much. I think, II know I have feelings for”

Tina joined Bette and Bette was able to embrace Tina and hold her as she had wanted to all along. Shane was interrupted and decided it was for the best she really didnt know what she was about to say. So she left still upset, still not knowing why she was consumed with thoughts of Bette.

Kit ran into Shane as she was leaving. Shane, do you have a minute?

Well yeah. Whats going on?

Can you take a ride with me? I need to vent a little. Do you mind?

At this point anything would be a welcomed distraction Kit and Shane left.

Whats wrong Kit? Whats going on in your life?

Shane I got you here under false pretenses and for that I’m sorry. But Shane I really want to know whats going on with you?

What do you mean?

Shane I see it, the way you look at Bette. At first I thought it was concern but I overheard you and Tina this morning. Sweetie you are, and always have been a great friend Shane, but are you falling in love with Bette?

The question had taken Shane aback. Kit I could deny, deny, deny. But lately something is happening and I dont know what it is. I have always loved Bette and Tina. After Bette had the affair I was so pissed at her until I saw her and realized she had hurt herself just as much as she had hurt Tina, maybe even more. If I am honest with myself I have always wanted what they have. But after their split it occurred to me maybe I wanted her. She isnt perfect she can ***** up and that made her seem more real. After Bette was raped something snapped and I started to realize it is a possibility that I am in love with her. I just remember desperately wanting to take away her pain. Ever since you asked me why the hospital contacted me and I said I was Tinas backup. That thought has played over and over in my mind, Tinas backup. I dont know I think I could really be into Bette.

Shane I wasnt expecting you to admit it. Sweetie you have to deal with this. You have to know that those two belong together. Tina doesnt need a backup. Realize that you and Bette are better as just friends”the good friends you have always been. Anything more will break your heart and hers. She needs you and loves you as a friend.

Shane sat in silence as Kit drove her back to her car. She knew Kit was absolutely right. But that didnt stop her from feeling the way she did about Bette.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Alice and Dana were left alone in the house. They hadnt been alone since their kiss.

Dana was thinking of an excuse to leave as Alice just looked at her struggling to find the right words to fill the silence. Suddenly Alice blurted out, “Dana do you love Tonya?”

“Well yeah Al I mean I am going to marry her.”

“Dana people get married for the wrong reasons everyday. I mean loneliness, fear, because they dont know something better is right there.
Look Dana if I thought you really loved her I wouldnt say this but life is too short. I really do love you and you need to know that before you decide to marry someone you barely know. Call me if you want to talk.”

Alice got up said her goodbyes to Bette and Tina and left.

Dana did the same. Alice had given her a lot to think about as she headed home to Tonya.

Bette and Tina walked back into an empty house, their home and looked at each other.

Bette wondered what Shane was trying to tell her, as she held Tina and prayed this time it would work.


TBC