Tina and Bette pulled up to the gate of the studio, ignoring as best they could the photographers snapping both their pictures. Bette reached over, taking Tina’s hand in hers. “Don’t worry T. They will get bored in about a week, maybe even less. Then they will move on to the next big story…a story that usually is only big in their eyes.” Tina smiled and squeezed Bette’s hand, so grateful that she was here, next to her…loving her.

They headed into the building, Tina stopping to introduce Bette to Steve, the security guard, who was not only glad to see Tina here safe, but was happy that she obviously didn’t feel the need to wear a disguise today. In fact he noticed, she looked happier today, than he had ever seen her. ‘Ah…that’s good, she deserves to be happy. I wonder who that woman is that’s with her. Man she looks like Jennifer Beals!’ As they walked down the hallway, Tina looked down and gently placed her hand in Bette’s. She glanced up to see Bette’s reaction to this simple gesture, and what she saw melted her heart. Bette’s eyes were filled with tears and she was literally beaming at her.

They walked back to the area where Tina’s office was, so that she could check her messages, and then they headed over to where the different sets had been created. There was one that looked like the inside of someone’s bungalow style house, and another that looked like the inside of a coffee shop. Tina could see different people noticing them, and she was feeling an incredible amount of pride at the moment, wanting everyone in the building to know exactly who she was with. Wait…all of a sudden she stopped and looked over at Bette. Who was she with?

Bette saw the indecision on Tina’s face and looked back at her, confused by it. “What is it Tina?”

Tina squeezed Bette’s hand and gave her a sheepish look. “I just realized that I’m not sure how I am supposed to introduce you.”

Bette reached out and placed her hand on the side of Tina’s face. “Tina, I am so happy just to be here with you, I don’t care how you introduce me. Just go with what feels right for you. Ok?”

Tina breathed out a sigh of relief, amazed once again at how much Bette has changed. Six months ago, Bette would have been extremely hurt that Tina had hesitated and would have gotten mad and lashed out at her. Now she not only understood Tina’s indecision, she was Ok with it as well. That reaction left Tina knowing exactly how she wanted to introduce Bette. She stepped over and grabbed Bette, hugging her tightly. “I love you,” she whispered. They stood in the hallway for a moment just holding each other, foreheads pressed together, grinning like they had just won the lottery.

After a moment, they heard someone clearing their throat behind them. Tina stepped back and turned around still smiling, “Hey Sandi.” She reached her hand out to take hold of the young woman. “Sandi, I want you to meet my partner, Bette. Bette, this is the Sandi I was telling you about. She has been so great to me all these months.” Bette and Sandi smiled at each other and shook hands. “It’s so nice to meet you Sandi. Tina has told me about everything you do for her. I know how much she appreciates your friendship.” Sandi was mesmerized by Bette…by her looks, by her voice. ‘Holy *****!!! No wonder Tina was upset about those pictures! This woman is too hot for words!!” Tina chuckled to herself. From the look on her face, there was no doubt about what Sandi was thinking. ‘Score another one for Bette Porter!’

“It’s nice to meet you too Bette. Tina is so great to work with. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that she is one of the staffs favorites.” Bette squeezed Tina’s hand, smiling at her. “No Sandi, that doesn’t surprise me at all.” Sandi waved good-bye and scurried back to tell everyone about Tina’s gorgeous girlfriend.

Tina laughed and continued to lead them down the hall, still holding onto Bette’s hand. “Come on, let’s go meet the others. And Bette…please try to keep that Porter charm in check, will you? I don’t want you converting any of the cast!”

Bette looked at Tina with a sly smile on her face. “Why Tina, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tina scoffed and giggled at the same time…which is really hard to do! “Ha!! I just bet you don’t!”

Right as they were walking up to a door that had a red light glowing above it, the color changed to green. Tina smiled. “Hey, perfect timing…come on.” She opened the door and they walked onto the set where the show was currently filming. Tina scanned the room, obviously looking for one particular person. Finding her, she took Bette’s hand again and led them over to where Elaine Brown was standing, talking with a couple of women. Elaine looked up and smiled. “Tina, you’re here…” Elaine looked at Bette, who was smiling, and back at Tina, who was radiating happiness out of every pore of her body. “And it looks like everything is Ok…yes?”

Tina let go of Bette’s hand long enough to reach out to give Elaine a hug, then stepped back and automatically reached down for Bette’s hand again. “Yes, everything is wonderful, thanks Elaine. I came by, because I wanted you two to finally meet. Elaine Brown, this is my partner Bette Porter.”

Elaine extended her hand to Bette, saying…”It’s nice to meet you Bette. I want you to know how sorry I am for how it must have looked the first time you saw me, as well as for those damn pictures. Tina has become a good friend, and I’m sorry she is having to experience all this ***** with the media.” She looked down at her hand, which was still extended, waiting for Bette to respond.

Bette stood there for a moment looking at Elaine, before the most warm and genuine smile came across her face. She stepped forward and reached out, pulling Elaine in for a hug, rather than taking her hand. “I can’t thank you enough Elaine for being such a good friend to Tina.” Bette stepped back and looked into the eyes of a very surprised woman. “I think it was your friendship and support that brought Tina back to me, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that.”

There was a collective sigh heard around the set, because despite Elaine’s earlier request, word had gotten around very quickly about how upset Tina had been by the pictures. They just didn’t know why she had reacted that way, until they saw her walk in holding the hand of this beautiful woman. Now, they totally understood why she had been so distraught the day before.

They stayed for another ten or fifteen minutes, just long enough for Tina to take Bette around and introduce her to the rest of the cast. She was surprised when several of them, including Jennifer said they remembered reading about Bette and the CAC, when all the protesting was going on during the Provocation’s exhibit. A couple of the actresses had even attended the opening. Tina had forgotten that almost all of the cast lived in or around LA most of the year. Never one to miss an opportunity, Bette mentioned to Jennifer that the CAC was putting together an exhibit of different celebrities art work, and wondered if she would be interested in displaying some of her photography. As they spoke, Tina and the rest of the cast stood there watching them, all thinking how those two women looked enough alike to be sisters!

After saying their good-byes, they were walking to the door when Elaine called after them. “Hey Tina, Bette!” The two women turned around, waiting for Elaine to catch up. “Hey, just thought I’d let you know that the cast all agrees…we want Bette to be a quest star on the show…she can play Jennifer’s ***** twin sister! What do you think?” Not being able to keep a straight face, she burst into laughter.

Tina laughing, jumped in front of Bette and held out her hands like she was protecting her. “NO WAY!!! The only way I would agree to that is if Bette had a no nudity, no kissing, no hugging…NO TOUCHING clause in her contract!!!”

Bette was laughing, but was totally flattered at the same time. “Don’t worry T. I don’t know the first thing about acting, not to mention the fact that I am way to bossy to allow myself to be under someone else’s direction.”

Tina turned around and whispered into Bette’s ear, “Really…hummm, we’ll just have to see about that.”

Bette inwardly moaned, feeling a bolt of desire spread throughout every part of her body. “Jesus T.” Elaine, watching their interaction just laughed, waved good-bye and went back to the set.

Tina and Bette walked back to the car, hand in hand, both excited about taking a nice quiet walk on the waterfront in the rain. They were all prepared…they had their umbrella, a thermos of hot chocolate…and their love for each other to keep them warm and dry.

Ahhhhhh….TBC