Tina: Bette I am just relieved that you are opening up enough to share things with me. I am really just completely at ease with the idea of trusting you again.

Bette: So you havent really trusted me. I mean I know I have to rebuild your trust but I dont think I understand what

Tina: (blurts out) Bette I saw you.

Bette: You saw me? What are you talking about?

Tina: Today in the park I saw you and Shane and all of those feelings came up again just like when I saw you and Candace at Provocations.

Bette: T I did something awful and so dishonest when I had the affair with Candace but really do you think I would or could do anything like that again”and with Shane of all people? Come on Tina ..

Tina: (interrupting Bette) Babe I didnt think you were having an affair with Shane.

Bette: Good Tina I mean at least you have given me some credit.

Tina: Bette if you could have kept your meeting with her from me I thought an affair may not be too far off. Isnt that what happens, on lie leads to another? Bette I really cant handle the idea of you lying to me or keeping secrets from me. I automatically go back to Candace and that night I saw you talking to her. Bette I dont think you have any idea what that did to me. I thought if you kept your meeting with Shane from me then it would be a sign that we

Bette: A sign that we what? T I almost did keep it from you. Not because I have any designs on Shane or that I would have an affair with her or anyone else. I was just going to handle it on my own. I came really close to not telling you because I dont want you and Shane to go through any unnecessary friction over something that I think we can talk through to salvage the friendship. But you would consider leaving me over this one issue or non-issue. Tina if we are this unstable, this fragile what is it that we have?

Bette quickly gets out of bed. Leaving Tinas conditional embrace. She puts on her clothes and heads for the door. Tina quickly follows, Babe God I see your point, please dont leave we have to talk through this. I love you and I am so in love with you I just cant stand the idea of losing you or being in the dark again. I am sorry I didnt trust you enough I am so sorry I put everything on this one thing with Shane. You are right I over reacted. Please come back to bed, please.

Tina unlike you I dont think this is a deal breaker. I just need to think about whats going on. There is still so much damage and mistrust here. Im not sure whats going on anymore. I will be back but right now just let me think. I do love you Tina and I am so in love with you. I am, but if you cant trust me and if we are this fragile what is that we have and IS IT worth keeping?

Bette leaves and Tina stands looking at the door shocked and afraid that she may have run Bette off for good. Damn—shes so right. But she is wrong to question this relationship. This is SO WORTH KEEPING. How can I fix this?
________________________________________________________________________


Shane sits at a corner table at MILK trying to wrap her head around the events of the day and her surprising confession to Bette. I cant believe I did it, I told Bette I loved her. The thought of if sent chills throughout her body and then the apprehension set in. Damn, I cant believe I did it, I told Bette I loved her. This time she says it with the dreariness her admission will surely bring. Shane notices Alice walk in alone they spot each other as Shane decides shed better keep her revelation to herself.

Alice: Whats up Shane? Where have you been?
Shane: Around. Whats going on with you?
Alice: Work they have been working me to death over at LA magazine. I dont mind though they are starting to assign me more interesting stories so the hours are long but exciting. Enough of that, have you spoken to Bette lately? I planned to hang out with her today but I got caught up on some research stuff. I know she hates not working. God I know she sounds better and she is beginning to look like herself again but she has been through so much. She has a way of appearing as if everythings okay but I need to spend some time with her to really know how shes doing. I should definitely get over there tomorrow and hang out with her. Do you want to come with?
Shane: Oh, well I might be busy! Ill see.

Shane tried to change the subject when she noticed Dana sans Tonya approach the table.

Dana whats up? No Tonya tonight? Shane asked. No Shane she is actually out of town visiting her family for a few days. I am going to join her after my practice sessions Saturday. Alice became lost in her thoughts she hated when Dana mentioned Tonya she pretended that kiss never happened. How could she pretend THAT kiss didnt happen? Sure, it was meant to open Danas eyes to the mistake she is still determined to make, all the while all it did was open Alices eyes to the fact she was really attracted to her friend and quite possibly in love with her. So, no Candace for you tonight? Dana asked.

Alice suddenly came back to herself and to the moment and Shane hopelessly tried to change the conversation. Do you want another drink Al? I think I will have another. Alice stood up, as Shane was about to walk away and grabbed her arm. Wait, spill, whats going on”really you and Candace? Shane was defeated and knew it. She sat back; actually fell back down in her chair. Shane I saw you leave with Candace the other night and couldnt believe it you and Candace hand-in-hand. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I wanted to know what was going on but I was too afraid to ask but seriously what gives? Shane sat there realizing her actions of late were really starting to catch up with her. Maybe she would gain a sense of relief if she came totally clean. She was already honest with Bette, she had strongly implied to Tina there was something, Kit knew and now these two”it would be totally out there and dealt with good or bad something just had to give.

Okay its not what you think. Yes, I did leave with Candace and yes I did intend to do the do”but I couldnt, it would have been wrong. Alice sat there looking at Shane as if to say we know that but again, why go there? And so why would you even think to go there with her of all people? Alice finally asked because Shane wasnt freely giving up anything. Im, Im in love with Bette. I have been for a little while now. After seeing her so torn up about her cheating and the break up I saw a different side of her the part she has tried so hard to hide, her human side, her flawed side, her vulnerable side. I realized I have more than friendship for her. After her attack I just wanted to be able to protect her. Protect her from her self-doubt, her fear of the world and she opened up to me. Bette and I have sort of a short hand I really get her and now I just want

Alice stood up and shouted, Stop! She was definitely shocked but more than that Alice couldnt fathom what she was hearing. She more than anyone knew Bettes appeal; she also knew Bettes heart and ever since she met Tina she has been the best of her, at least until the total lapse in judgment that Alice concluded was a direct result of pressure she was getting from all sides. Pressure like that has to go somewhere but what the ***** is Shane thinking? Shane, have you lost your mind? Does Tina know oh my God does Bette? I mean she has a lot to deal with and she doesnt need this from you now or ever. How could you be this selfish this doesnt make any sense; Shane really whats going on? I mean we all love Bette, we do. ***** I use to date her. I know how incredibly special she is and it was hard for me to see her so broken and God the attack. I know a part of her is changed forever it has to be; but Shane me having these strong feelings of love and concern for her it doesnt mean that I am in love with her”it means that I have concern and tenderness and friendship for her nothing more. And none of this explains why you would try to pick up Candyass this is just wrong on so many levels. I dont want to judge you so please help me understand, please

Dana sat shocked and confused. Really what the ***** is going on with everyone? Bette and Tina are a couple. Tonya and I are a couple. Whats up with the outside interference from these so-called friends? Okay Alice heard that and it stung but she couldnt deal with that right now. Dana continued, Being a friend doesnt give anyone the right to say they are in love to ***** with the consequences. A true friend would just be there and support Bette at a time like this. Instead you are waiting, expecting for Bette to give more of herself than she should, more than she can. Why are you expecting so much from her? Right now if you really loved her you would give her what she needs: time, space, respect, and true friendship and nothing more. God Shane you have always been so thoughtful, caring, and sincere I dont want to judge you either its just I hope you are sure because if you tell Bette all ***** is bound to break lose and she really is still in a fragile state too.

Shane sat there taking it all in she could understand what they were saying she knew she had taken a big gamble but she honestly felt that keeping her feelings to herself had gotten her to leave Milk with Candace the other night. If she didnt let go of this secret she knew she was bound to go down a path of true self-destruction, doing stupid things that would alienate her and the people she cared about. She had to believe that honesty was the best policy and that now that she had come clean with everyone at least it would be dealt with and if she got hurt so be it. She couldnt live her life with the WHAT IF of a lifetime; right?

Look guys you are entitled to be angry and disappointed but I have told Bette. We actually spent the afternoon in the park talking things through. I didnt plan it she came by Lather and saw Candace and I together and confronted us. Believe me I kind of blurted out how I felt and ran. She found me and we talked. You all have to believe me I just want her to be happy, truly happy. Dana I dont want to take anything away from her. For the first time in my life I want to give myself to someone, to Bette entirely and the funny thing is it seems so right it feels like its right. Shane sat there and a smile began to form as she thought about Bette and all the possibilities.

Alice sat in disbelief and as she heard her stud friend talking about giving herself completely to Bette she saw that right now Shane believed this was her truth. Alice new there was nothing she could say to Shane but she really wanted her to realize it was possible, *****, probable that she would be completely heartbroken. Shane I really hope you know what you are doing. Look you cant pretend to be cool about this. I really think you are setting yourself up for a world of hurt. I know Bette loves you as a friend and she isnt going to want to hurt you but Shane she lived for Tina she loves her with everything she has and I think thats what you find so appealing about Bette.

Dana sat there and started to get angry ever since Provocations everyone seemed to have lost their minds; Bette first with the affair, then Alice with the KISS, and now Shane with her declaration of love for Bette. Shane I want to know what you two discussed. I dont see any room for discussion. Bette and Tina are together and finally healing from all their pain. There is no room for you. Bette wouldnt consider being with you for a minute, she couldnt.

Shane said, Dana we talked, Bette just doesnt want to hurt me she made her intentions clear and you are both right she says she loves Tina with everything and she wont lose her again. Alice listening intently asked, What do you mean she says? If she says–she means. Look Shane, dont insist upon pursuing something that will only bring you pain”its not healthy. Shane stood up, she had heard enough and said too much. Guys Im leaving Im not going to do anything to intentionally hurt myself or Bette, believe that. Its just I cant ignore what I feel anymore. I dont expect you guys to understand. I mean how could you? Its like you wake up one day and see your best friend in a whole new light and you realize, you, you actually love her. You guys just dont get it, you couldnt possibly know or understand. Later. With that Shane walked away leaving Alice and Dana with thoughts of their current situation, of course Alice new all too well how it feels to suddenly realize you have feelings for your friend. Shanes words werent lost on Dana either she looked at Alice to see if Shanes words had registered with her if that could have been what happened with Alice. They sat silent listening to the bass of the music filling the void between them.

Shane wasnt ready to go home she decided she would go somewhere that she wouldnt be judged or accused of being a home wrecker”maybe. I mean Kit wants whats best for Bette too and I am sure she knows I feel the same way Shane thought as she pulled into Radar. Kit was djing tonight and Shane needed someone, someone to be kind and if at all
possible, understanding. Kit has always been both. When Kit saw Shane she greeted her with a what have you done smile Hello Shane, what do you have to say for yourself? Kit pulled her in for a much needed hug. I heard youve been spending some time with Candace. Shane, what are you doing?

Shane: Its not what you think. I didnt do anything I couldnt. I knew I was there for all the wrong reasons. Bette and I have spoken. I just dont know what to do now. I mean everyone knows and my closest friends think I am some kind of home wrecker and that was never my intention.

Kit: I am sure you didnt mean to give that impression and I know thats not your intent but what IS your intent.

Shane: I just want to give her my best. I want to give her myself completely. Today when were talking I could see she considered how things could be, if only for a brief moment. That moment gave me hope Kit. I want to live in that moment forever.

Kit: Shane moments arent forever. They cant be, they are meant to be, not even the most special ones. The only thing I can say is give yourself time and patience and Bette too this will sort itself out. Look are you willing to accept Bette as a friend and are you aware of the damage you are inflicting upon your friendship with Tina?

Shane: I am willing to try to be Bettes friend as long as she knows in my heart I want to be so much more. And truthfully I havent really thought much about damaging my friendship with Tina. Of course I dont want to but Kit I guess thats part of the consequence of telling. I have to recognize Tinas feelings and if she hates me I will have to deal. Its just so much better than living a lie.

As Kit and Shane continued to talk neither noticed a very upset Bette walk into Radar. Bette was now a few feet away she had apparently been crying and she looked so hurt and defeated. Shane looked up from the turntables that separated her from Kit and her eyes immediately found Bette. Kit looked at Shane trying to read the expression on her face. She followed her eyes and saw her baby sister standing there in a word– broken. Before Kit could reach Bette Shane was there with open arms. Bette allowed herself to fall into her embrace. Shane held her friend whispering words of comfort to her over the blaring bass. Kit quickly changed the album she was spinning on the turntable and approached the unlikely pair quickly. She then grabbed Bette forcefully and held her in her arms. Shane was offended and taken aback until she heard a familiar voice behind her. The voice belonged to a person she hadnt given too much thought in the past few weeks. Tina had come to find Bette. She couldnt let things reside where they were. She wanted to confront the issues head on and to make Bette realize they were solid despite her feeble test from earlier in the evening. Tina was totally prepared to deal with working on their relationship she wasnt prepared to deal with Shane”not tonight. What Kit didnt know was that Tina had seen Bette fall into Shanes comforting embrace.

Shane its good to see you. You always seem to be there whenever Bette needs a shoulder. You shouldnt keep forgetting she already has someone for that.

Shane still hadnt turn to look at Tina or to respond”really what could she say?


TBC