The coffee smell guided Tinas sleepy feet towards the kitchen were Sandra was talking on the phone.

Yeah, greatyou sure this is ok? I meanI understand if you are busynonoI want torightyeah (chuckles)great, I meet you there

Noticing Tina at her back Sandra turned around with a big smile on her face.

Wow you look happy Tina said moving to pour a cup of coffee.

Yepthat was Dana Sandra said, pride all over her face.

Dana? asked Tina refilling Sandras mug.

Yeahwe are going to play after her practice

Smoothwow you are fast Tina said half smiling, how you do it? With you it always seems so easy She finished sitting down.

Is easypeople just like to complicate things Sandra added, sitting at Tinas side.

You know she is seeing someone, right? Tina said, not sure why she was saying so.

I knowand she knows I knowis not like am asking her to marry me

Sandras words meant much more that what she was voicing and Tina was used to read in between Sandras statements.

OokI hope you have fun

Standing up, Tina refilled her mug.

You dont mind me asking her out, right? asked Sandra, suddenly concern.

Me? No of course notI like Danaand I like you too soand I think I dont like Tonya that much sohave fun! Tina said winking at her friend.

Great, I willso what are you going to do today? Sandra asked following Tina towards her bedroom.

Im going to prepare everything for tomorrows shooting and Tina got quiet thinking about Bette.

And? asked Sandra, not loosing track of what Tinas face was saying.

And nothingI might go pick Mario upat what time does Paolo arrives?

No ideayou know how he ishe likes surprises! Sandra theatrically said.

Yeah, I know Tina mumbled from inside the closet where she was trying to find her running shoes.

Hey, come out of the closetI want to show you something Sandra shouted while looking in her bag.

What?…what you want? Tina asked, stepping out of the closet.

Herethis Sandra said handing Tina a package.

Whats this?

Open itI found it in Bucarest and thought about you Sandra said sitting on the bed.

Quietly, excitement drawn all over her face, Tina opened it.

Oh mySanI love it! Tina said, looking at the 6x6cm folding camera.

I know you would

Its an antique! Its an IkontaI love it San!…thank you! Tina said again while moving closer to hug her friend.

You welcome said Sandra hugging Tina back.

Maybe now you will tell me whats going on she added still hugging Tina.

What you mean? asked Tina moving away from her friend.

I know you Tinasomething is going on Sandra said looking Tina in the eyes.

Is that obvious? Tina asked, concerned and a bit relief.

WellI know youand that helpsand thenyou spent half of yesterday on the phone trying to reach somebodyand that was a big clue

You knowyou are a modelyou should be stupid and frivolous Tina sweetly said sitting on the bed at Sandras side.

Im frivolousone of two is not that bad. Sandra whispered caressing Tinas arm with a sweet smile on her face.

II met someone Tina finally said after a few long quiet seconds.

Dahhhh Sandra said opening her arms.

Seeing her friends reaction Tina laughed.

Okbutok Tina mumbled before standing up.

Watching Tina pacing the room Sandra said,

Come on! Cant be that bad.

Stopping, Tina turned to look at Sandra.

Is..is Tina tried only to be interrupted by Sandra a few seconds later.

Is a woman, right?

How?…when?…how you know? Tina said, astonished.

I know youII guess Ive always known Sandra said, her words timid, tentative.

What?…how?…what you mean you knew it? Tina said trying to voice the words her mind was forming.

I dont knowIve thought about it Sandra said shyly smiling.

What?…am I the last one to know this? Tina asked even more confused.

Seeing Sandra quietly avoiding the question, Tina added,

Okwho else knows this?….Marco?

Seeing Sandras nods Tina caressed her forehead.

Oh God!…Paolo? she finally asked.

He doesntor at least he hasnt talked with me about it Sandra answered.

Seeing Tina pacing up and down, Sandra moved closer and stopping Tinas pace, she whispered.

Tina, is okwhats wrong?…I dont see the problem While talking Sandra was caressing Tinas bare arm, trying to calm her.

Looking at her friend a million things came to Tinas mind, clearing the facts, pointing the real issues, she whispered;

II dont know what to sayI she mumbled.

So, whos the lucky lady? Sandra playfully asked.

IyouIBetteher name is Bette Tina whispered, blushing like a teenager.

Okwhen Im meeting her? Sandra added only half joking, intrigued.

I dont knowtomorrow maybe I have no idea how busy she will be today

Okgreat you looked happy Tinayesterday I meanYouIwell you knowam here if you wanna talkI

Tinas cell interrupted Sandras talk. Taking the cell Tina read the caller ID. Confusion and excitement was drawn on her face as she answered.

Hifineyeahyesno, I knowyeah I triedreally?…yeahnoyeah okYes I didyeahnono is okis ok Bette I understandyeas she isshe is hereyeah…okokyeah we will talk laterok

Sandra, surprised by Tinas harsh tone during the conversation messed with her bag, taking out t shirts, trying to look busy.

So? she nonchalantly said trying to brake the mood as Tinas mind was thousands miles away in its lost island.

Yeah? Mumbled Tina turning to look at her friend.

Can I borrow your car? Sandra asked.

Sure, Ill take the bikeyou want to have lunch later on? Tina nonchalantly said as if nothing else were going on.

Yeah, sureIll call you after the game ok?

Ok Tina mumbled as she was entering the bathroom thinking about Bettes words and her reaction to them..


***

What the ***** was that? Bette asked to herself for the tenth time staring at her cell. At home, still in her robe she shook her head, deciding to try talking with Tina again. Just then her cell started vibrating.

Yes? she asked without reading the ID.

Where the ***** where you yesterday? asked Alice with a deep hangover voice.

What?…whats this? Am I in a parallel zone or everybody woke up with the wrong foot today?…good morning to you Al Bette said walking towards the bathroom.

Foot? What are you talking about?…dont good morning me BetteI called you a hundred times yesterday Alice shouted.

Letting the water run Bette looked at the tub for a few seconds before sighing. Deciding not to lose her temper she said,

I was busy, had one meeting after anotherit was *****

Okwhateveryou having breakfast with meand dont even dare to say no Alice finished not leaving Bette any other option.

Ok Althe Planet?

Yeah, see you in fifteen minutes Alice said before hanging up.

But Bette started saying but then hearing Alice hanging up she checked the time rolling her eyes.


But then, fifteen minutes later just as Bette was walking towards her car, the cell rang again.

Porter, is me again, forget about breakfast, I have to stop at workwill you have lunch with me instead? Alice asked, her tone softer.

Ok Al will see you at the Planet later

Ok, thanks Bette said Alice.

Nodding, Bette hung up. Staring at her cell for a few seconds she smiled. Sitting in her car she dialled Tinas number only to find no one answering. Frowning, she started the engine not sure where to go.


***

Hours later, as Dana was telling for the third time how she just met Annie Leibovitz thanks to Sandra, Shane saw Tina walking in.

Hey, there is Tina she said.

Alice, Dana and Sandra turned around to meet Tina who was walking in with a gorgeous man.

Hey said Sandra standing up.

Noticing Sandras glowing face, her happiness, Alice paid more attention to Tinas companion.

God! Doesnt she has any ugly friends? asked Dana seeing Paolo for the first time.

You are her friend, right? Alice found herself saying.

Shane, not very subtly, pinched Alices arm while trying to read Danas blank face. Alice, frowning turned to look at Dana just as Sandra, taking Paolos hand, said,

This is Paolothese are Shane, Alice and Danaremember her?

Seeing amusement written on Paolos face, Sandra added,

Exactly, the tennis player Noticing Dana blushing, she added winking at Dana, he never forgets a face

Nice to meet you Paolo said, his voice as attractive as his manners.

So Paolo, you a model too? asked Alice, trying to change the mood as Dana, looking at Sandra, was being spelled with her charms.

Paolo, turning from Dana to look at Alice, said,

Yeah, guilty and you? he asked, smiling at Tina that was approaching the table with the beverages.

Me? Nope, not a modelam a writer Alice said unable to move her eyes from the handsome man.

So, how was the practice? Tina asked patting Danas shoulder.

She killed me again sighed Sandra loving the memory.

It was fun nodded Dana smiling at Sandra.

Nodding, with a smile on her face, Tina sipped her coffee under Paolos stare.

Cara, you look greatdoesnt she look great San? he said caressing Tinas arm.

Unable to stop the raising of her eyebrow, Alice whispered to Shane.

Where the ***** is Bette?

Smiling, blushing a little, Tina said,

So, how long are you going to stay?

I dont knowit depends Paolo said, holding Tinas stare.

Depends on what? asked Alice, unable to stop the words.

Just as Paolo was turning to answer Alice, Sandra whispered to Tina,

Isnt that Kate?

Pointing to the counter, Sandra tried to take a better view of the tall blonde.

Yes she is whispered Tina.

What is she doing here? whispered Sandra.

Standing up, not answering Sandras question, Tina walked towards the mysterious blonde.

Kate? asked Dana watching Tina tapping on the womans shoulder.

Kate HarperTinas cousin

Shane, nodding quietly, stood up. Walking to the ladies room she checked Tinas cousin out in her none treating, subtly way. Tina, talking with Kate hardly noticed Bettes car parking on the street.

Uh, this is going to be interesting Alice whispered noticing Bette stepping out of the car.






authors note: all of “the west wing” fans know Kate Harper…there is something in her that I really like and some times she just looks like shed be Tinas sister…or maybe is just me…oh well