Tina stood there, clad, in her bra, looking at Alice, temporarily in shock. Bette just stood there too, totally naked from the waist up. Quickly and instinctively, their brains snapped back into gear and Bette and Tina, broke their embrace and not to coordinately, gathered their tops, returning them to their rightful place on their upper bodies.

Bette shot Alice a look that would send chills down anyones spine. Al, what the ***** are you doing here?

Alice: (cheekily) Porter, why dont you return your messagesif you did I wouldnt be here now.. and just think what you would be doing.

Bette and Tina looked at each other and let out a frustrated laugh. The moment was now well and truly gone so Bette, wrapped Tina in a loose embrace and said to her disappointedly May as well see what Alice wants, Tee?

Tina just gave Bette a grin and whispered in her ear, to be continued.

Alice, watched the interaction, and smiled, then turned her attention to Tina, Hey Tina, hows our little hero, page 5. throwing yesterdays paper to Tina, Youve certainly made a quick recovery, by the looks of it? wiggling her eye brows.

Tina blushed, It was smoke inhalation/ lack of oxygen Alice, Im feeling much better now. Checking out the article on page 5. I want to make the most of the time we have before Bette goes back to work. We didnt see each other for 2 days. 2 whole days Alice!!!!

Alice rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Bette.

Bette: (mater of factly) I actually did try and ring you Al, you didnt answer your phone.

Al: (defensively) Yes I did, you hung up.

Bette: That mustve been the second time Al, I tried before that.

Alice: (nonchalantly) OhI was indisposed. .(thinking out loud) I thought I heard the phone.

Bette was getting extremely pissed at Alice. Usually she found Alices quick wit very refreshing and quite funny, but not today, certainly not today. If she didnt get to the point of her visit soon Bette was going to scream!!

Alices whole face lit up in a huge grin, Anyway lets get to the point of why Im here.

Bette: Yes lets get to that, come on Al. Spill!!!

Tina was by this time totally dumbfounded, she had no idea what was going on. She was just sitting by, watching the early morning banter between these two and wondered how they ever actually dated, without. killing one another.

Alice: (innocently) Alright, so by the looks of things, I guess you two have sorted out the Candace situation?

Bette felt her stomach begin to churn, and glared at Alice, No Alice, we were actually waiting until we got home and now that we are. if that is why you are here, if youll excuse us.

Tina: (confused) Bette who the ***** is Candace?.

Bette: (panicking) Tee, let me explain?

Tina was becoming a bit agitated, having a feeling like she was missing out on something. (Like not being in on the joke???) She looked at Bette and sensed the nervousness in her demeanor.

Alice took out her tape recorder. No Bette, let me explain? If you picked up you cell, or returned my messages, you would already have had this good news.

Bette now had a look of complete confusion on her face.

Alice: Now just sit down and listen, both of you!

Alice put the recorder on the coffee table and pressed play. Bette and Tina sat down on the lounge. Bette took Tinas hand and held it tightly.

As soon as Bette heard Candaces voice her whole body tensed up. Tina noticed Bettes reaction and all these treacherous thought raced through her mind. What the ***** is going on here? Is Bette hiding something from me? Who the ***** is this Candace? Is that what was causing her such conflict at the hospital, last night? Is Bette having relations with this woman? What else could it be?

The taped conversation was progressing along. Bette was listening intently, wondering what Candace would say next; Tina was also trying to listen, with all these conflicting thoughts churning through her head.

The conversation reached * Candace: Ok, Hollie, I am desperately trying to form an intimate relationship with Shane McCutcheon, you know the interior designer. She is justwell shes so hot, she takes my breath away. Anyway she isnt giving me any interest at the moment, playing hard to get. I though if I got her jealous, sleeping with one of her friends, someone as hot as she is, she might come around.

Hollie: Ok, and??

Candace: A woman named Bette Porter arrived at the club last night and she was a stunning looking piece. Shes a good friend of Shanes and she was in her own little world. *

Tina heard this and couldnt bear to hear anymore, fearful of what was obviously coming next. She sadly let go of Bettes hand and quietly wandered into the bathroom. She put two and two together and just felt in her gut, and the way Bette was reacting, that something had happened between Candace and Bette.

Tina sat on the floor in the bathroom, with her back against the wall, and she silently cried. She cried assuming that her whole world just came tumbling down, that her heart had just been smashed into a million tiny little pieces, and that Bettes heart may no longer belong to her.

Bettes heart broke, seeing Tina walking away, she didnt care at this point what the tape said or what had happened with Candace, all she knew is she had to talk to Tina, make Tina understand!!!!.. She just HAD to make Tina understand!! Her whole future happiness depended on it. Bette got up to go after Tina.

Alice: No Bette wait and hear out the tape first. Trust me, it will help!

Bette: No Al, Im bringing Tina back out and well hear it together, I want no secrets, just give me a few minutes and we will be back out here, both of us. Bette told Alice in a way, which she was trying to also convince herself.

Tina had worked herself into quite a state in the bathroom. She was determined to compose herself before Bette came looking for her.
Bette quietly knocked on the bathroom door, and slowly opened it. Tee, are you Ok? Can we talk? Bette said softly, walking over and sitting on the floor next to Tina.

Tina: (without any emotion) Yeah Im okwhy wouldnt I be. this is what you needed to tell me right..the thing thats been bothering you. Youre seeing someone else. I understand, I do..When I think about it, I just assumed we were exclusive we never actually discussed it..and when you didnt know where I was for two whole days.I can only imagine what you went through your head. So you found someone else. I get it Bette. Its tearing me apart, but I get it. Tinas hands were shaking by the time she finished; her eyes were full of tears that were threatening to spill. Lingering signs of previous tears were still evident on Tinas cheeks.

Tears trickled freely down Bettes cheeks, she was busting for a chance to explain. Bettes heart was slowly; painfully breaking hearing such words come out of Tinas mouth, seeing the incredible hurt in Tinas eyes. Does she really think I would do that to her? no, its got to be the hurt talking Bette thought to herself

Tina: First, I just need to know one thing Bette?

Bette: (hesitantly) Ok, baby, what is it? Bette went to pull Tina into an embrace. Tina wouldnt let her.

Tina: (pushing Bette away) Please dont call me that right now, Bette Did you sleep with that Candace woman?

Bette put her head down for a moment to compose herself, and then she looked up at Tina, Tee.. Tina please, look into my eyes. I want you to see that I am telling you everything I know.the truth..you know my eyes will tell you what you need to know. Tina. Tina bought her eyes up to meet Bettes. Bette just stared into them for a minute, then began Tina, I honestly dont know if I slept with Candace or not. I had one glass of scotch and the next thing I knew I woke up in Candaces bed. I am definitely not seeing her Tina, or anyone else for that matter, Im a little hurt that you would even think that. You are my the one. No one will ever compare. I love you witheverything that I am. I am completely in love with youand you only!!!!!

The tears started to spill from Tinas eyes.

Tina: (almost at a whisper) How dont you know, Bette? I dont understand?

Bette: The ***** spiked my drink, I think. Do you remember hearing on the tape about the special scotch. Well, I cant remember anything after that. Bette wanted so much to comfort Tina, she tried again to embrace Tina, and this time Tina let her. Tina was beginning to let what Bette was saying sink in, coming to realize Bette’s heart was still hers and hers only.
I think Alices tape has some more information on that night Tee, will you come back out to the lounge room and listen to it with me..together, the whole lot, then you can decide for yourself..if you can forgive me? I still believe we can get through anything Tinaas long as we do it togetherbut do you?

Tina saw the sincerity and truth in Bettes eyes and heard it in her words, thoughtfully Tina responded, Yes I do Bette. Lets go listen to the rest of the tape.

Bette got up and held out her hand to help Tina up. Tina accepted it and they walked back out to Alice..together.

Alice: (playfully, trying to lighten the mood) Alright guys, you ready for the best bits? You left just when it was getting interesting.

Bette: (frustrated) Just play the damn tape Alice!!!! looking at Tina, daring to hope thatAlice was right and this would help.

Bette and Tina sat next to each other on the couch and listened to the remainder of the tape. By the end of the conversation, Tina was nearly in Bettes lap, hugging her so tightly, she was nearly cutting off the circulation in her neck, giving Bette soft kisses all over her face after every sentence. I am so sorry baby, I should never have doubted us *kiss *especially when just yesterday I was telling you the exact same thing *kiss *I was just so scared that you might have wanted someone elseI couldnt stand it *kiss, kiss *..I love you Bette Porter, so much

Bette had the biggest grin on her face, whispering. Thank GodIm baby again!

Bette was extremely relieved that she didnt have ***** with Candace. Even though it wouldnt have been her doing, she wouldve always had a lingering thought in the back of her head, questioning if that was cheating.if she had cheated on Tina. She was thankful she knew the truth and her body still only belonged to Tina.

Bette: (playfully, looking at Tina) So am I forgiven, baby?

Tina: (seriously) There is absolutely nothing to forgive babe.

Both women just stared into each other eyes, realizing they had gotten over another relationship hurdle today, they knew now more than ever, that they could accomplish anything as long as they did it together!!! Bette bought her lips to Tinas and kissed her with such love and such passion that Tina didnt ever want her to stop.

Alice watched the whole scene play out and when she was confident everything was sorted, All right guys, youve still got company you know? So what are we going to do to this scheming *****.she deserves to go down for this.

Bette gazing intently into Tinas eyes, I would love to discuss this with you Al, but can we do it later, please.

Alice: Sure, I got to let Shane know anyway and shes definitely going to want to be in on it.. How about we come back later on tonight, grab some food and formulate a plan.

Bette: (still gazing at Tina) Sounds good to me. Is that ok Tee?

Tina: Sure babe.

Bette was still intensely gazing into Tinas eyes, as Alice grabbed her things and walked out the door.

Tina stood up, being sure to not break Bettes gaze. She held out her hand for Bette to grab, Now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?

Bette: (smiling seductively) I think we were about to take that shower Tee. Are you still up for it?

Tina: Sure I am babe, Remember weve got a lot of catching up to do, and besides, (Tina rested her index finger on her chin) now weve got to fit make- up ***** in there somewhere as well??? I just may need a bit of extra nap time until Im fully recovered, Ive got no doubt that you will be taking my breath away!!.what do you think babe?

Bette responded the best way she knew how.She bought Tinas body into her, as close as physically possible and laid a kiss on Tina, telling her, without the necessity of words, exactly what she thought!!..