Tina picked up the phone, Hello this Tina Kennard

Caller: Ms Kennard, Chief Kennard, this is Captain Blackwood over at the Los Angeles fire station, I know its really short notice but we have a fire out of control and not enough experienced fighters to handle it. We have multiple casualties and we dont want any more. Its all over the news; its at a shopping center so we have potential for more innocent casualties. I know its Friday night, and Im sorry to bother you but Captain Barnes at your station said you were the best, we really need your assistance A.S.A.P!

Although Tina was extremely disappointed, of course she was going to assist, after all thats why she became a fire fighter in the first place.

Eric had arrived and knocked while Tina was on the phone

Tina: Sure Captain Blackwood I will be right in.

Captain Blackwood: Thank you so much Chief Kennard we will see you soon.

Tina: O.K. Bye

Tina answered the door.

Eric: You ready honey, WOW.. You look amazing.

Tina: Sorry babe, theres been a change of plans, I gotta go to work.

Eric looking very disappointed: Noyou arent supposed to be back at work till next week?

Tina: You know the deal with my job Eric, theres been an emergency I gotta go.. right now. Here you go and have a good night. You have been looking forward to this all week. She finished handing Eric the invitation.

Eric: you sure hon, I dont really want to go without you.

Tina: Dont be silly, go, Ill call you tomorrow O.K., she gave Eric a peck on the lips, ran into the bedroom, changed and was out the door.

Eric arrived at the Bette Porter gallery approx 15 minutes later without Tina.

Bette was schmoozing with the artists and benefactors, but her mind was somewhere else.

Every 5 minutes she was watching the door to see if Tina had arrived. Bette wasnt sure exactly how Tina would look without her uniform, but she knew all she needed was to look into her eyes and shed know.

It was 11.30pm and the evening was beginning to wind down. There was still no sign of Tina Kennard. Bette resigned herself to the fact that Tina wasnt coming.

Well I got stood up it seems, Bette said to herself, more than a little disappointed. Oh well it appears Tina isnt interested after all.

Well tomorrow night Ill get back out there and find a woman who is interested, Bette thought knowing full well she would have no trouble in this endeavor.

Tina was having one of the worst nights in her professional career. When she arrived, 6 casualties had already been found and the blaze wasnt even under control yet. She was asked to assist the team sweeping the building to ensure everyone was out. Tina and the team completed the sweep successfully and Tina thanked god that they didnt find any further casualties.

Hours later the blaze was under control and Tina had come to a new realization. She knew what she had to do

It was now 11.30pm, Tina didnt know if the gallery would still be open. She decided to take a chance. Although she was feeling physically and emotionally drained due to the horrendous nature of the blaze she had just attended, for some reason all she wanted to do was to see Bette Porter.

Tina raced home, jumped in the shower, changed back into her ***** black dress and headed out the door.

Tina had never got ready so fast in all her life, she couldnt wait.

It was now nearly midnight. The show at the gallery was finished. All the guests had left, and only a few artists remained.

Bette was saying her goodbyes, giving last minute instructions to the cleaning staff when she was heading out the door. She turned around and literally ran straight into the woman entering the gallery. She grabbed the woman around the waist to stop her from falling. Bette didnt remember seeing this woman earlier in the night.

When she looked at her to apologize Bette stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes met the womans as she tried to speak, but words failed her.

Tina also suddenly became mute. She felt the familiar knots in her stomach return.

Both women just stared into each others eyes for they didnt know how long. Tina was still in Bettes arms and neither of them backed away.

The electricity between them couldve lit up the whole gallery. Its still there, they both thought in unison.