(Alice hugging Tina while she cries)

Alice: Tee I promise this will get easier. I dont know when and I certainly dont know how, but it will.

Tina : I know Al, I know but I dont want it to get easier, I want it to go away. I wanna go back and change things. I want Bette to come home to me. ( Tina sobs into Alices neck).

Alice: (thinking to herself) What a fucked up night. First me and Dana then this ***** with Tee and Bette, why does nothing ever go as planned?

Tina: Al, can I stay here for a while. I mean just until I find a place?

Alice: Of course, you stay as long as you like.

Tina collapsed on Alices couch. Head in hands crying. When the doorbell rings, followed by pounding at the door.

Alice: *****, Im coming.

She opens the door and Bette storms in.

Bette: Wheres Tina? Is she here?

Alice couldnt even answer. She was so stunned. Bette was standing before her a mess. Her brown curls out of place, her perfect make-up not so perfect. This strong statue that Alice had known for years was standing in front of her looking completely lost.

Alice: Bette, Im sorry but I dont think you should be here right now.

Alice wanted to hug her best friend knowing this was difficult for her too but she was furious with her at the moment.

Bette: Dont give me that ***** Al, where is she?

Tina: Im right here Bette. But I cant speak to you right now. I cant even look at you. Please, (Tina stumbled over her words), just go.

Bettes face dropped at the sight of Tina. She never meant to hurt her. Ever. She didnt even realize what she was doing until she got caught. But she knew she needed Tina and she would not let her go with out a fight.

Bette: Tee please hear me out. Nothing Im going to say is going to make this go away. (Bette began to cry which Alice had never seen before) Nothing will make it better or will bring you home with me tonight. But I love you. I fucked up. And everytime I see myself in the mirror I am reminded just how much. Tonight when you walked out, I sat on OUR bed in OUR home and for the first time in 7 years, I missed you. I felt cold and scared with out you right next to me. Vulnerability is not something I am used to feeling. And maybe I just got a little too comfortable in knowing when I get home you are always there. That no matter how much ***** I take out onto you, You always understand and let me get away with it. I just stopped appreciating you. I took you and your unwavering love for me for granted. And I am not asking you to for give me for my indiscretions. But I want you to know that I will never forgive myself either.
( Bette stood silent. The tears flowing freely from her beautiful eyes. Blurring her vision of Tina)

Tina: Bette please, I gave you 7 years of my life. I swore to love, honor and obey, and I did just that. I have no intention of ever forgiving you. I do not plan on ever stepping foot in YOUR home ever again, except to collect my stuff. ( Tina took a deep breath and Alice could tell it took all of her energy to convince of herself of the words she was about to say). Its over, and YOU ended it. Think about that.

(Bette fell to the ground as soon as Tina turned to walk away. Tina peered over her shoulder to take one look at Bette. She wanted to run to her. She wanted to pick Bette up and kiss her beautiful lips. To make all of this go away. But she couldnt. This was too much. Tina sighed and walked toward the living room away from Bette. The doorbell rang.

Alice: Great company. Just what we all need.
(Alice opened the door to find Dana standing in front of her.)

(Dana saw a woman on the floor and didnt recognize it as Bette)
Dana: *****, Al, Im sorry for interrupting. I just thought maybe we should talk about..ya know…before. (Dana was blushing now). But never mind Ill go.

(Bette looked up at Dana)

Dana: Oh my god, Bette,I didnt realize it was you. (Dana looked at Alice) Im sorry. Whats going on? Wheres Tina?? Is everyone ok??

Alice: Yeah Dane lets take this outside for a sec. (Alice grabbed Danas arm and led her onto the porch) There is a lot of ***** going on right now Between and Bette and Tee and you and I, I guess, I mean that is if there is a you and I. Well of course there is, were friends right? I mean were friends and your getting married, and ( Alice was obviously mumbling)…

( Dana leaned in and kissed Alice. One because since their kiss earlier thats all she could think about and two, she wanted to shut her up and find out about Bette and Tina)

Alice: God Dane, I want this so much. I guess I didnt realize it until Tonya had you. And I want to fight for you, I want to fight to be WITH you. But tonight, isnt going to be a good night.( Alice proceeded to fill Dana in on the Bette and Tina situation)
Dana: How did all of this happen. I mean Bette and Tina could get through anything, I thought. I mean if they cant how can the rest of us?

Alice: I know Dane. So I hafta help them get through this. And then we can work on us. That is if you still want to pursue this? ( Alice was looking at floor nervous, awaiting Danas response).

Dana: Get back inside and help them Al. Ill be waiting for you when your done. And we can talk.
(Alice feeling rather brazen and exhausted leaned in and gave Dana a goodnight kiss)

Dana: Good luck in there. Promise me youll call if there is anything I can do to help them.

Alice: Of course Dane.

(Alice went back inside, back to the battlefield)

(Bette was starting to stand up when Alice came back in)

Alice: Bette what the ***** happened? How could you do this?

(Bette couldnt look Alice in the eye) I dont know Al. It was like I had this naive perception of perfect. As soon as it faded I went with it. I never wanted Candace. I used her as a stand in for Tina. I guess I just wasnt used to Tina living her own life. I had gotten so used to her just living mine. God, that sounds awful!

Alice: Yeah it does. But I am going to do everything in my power to put you guys back together again. It is going to take time Bette. You pretty much ripped t he girls heart out
and danced on it.

Bette: I know Al, I know.

Alice: You should go. Let her get over the shock and lets see if we can put this back together. Ok? Its been a long night.

Bette: I just need to see her for a second. (Bette walked toward Alices living room. Tina sat in the couch, her back to Bette, unaware that she was behind her. Tina continued to cry).

(Bette kneels behind the couch, her lips almost on Tinas neck)
Bette: Im sorry Tee. I am so ***** sorry. I want you home with me as soon as possible. And I will do anything you need me to do in order to make this happen. (She kissed the top of Tinas head and walked out.)

Tina lets out a smothered scream as her heart breaks just a little more.

Alice takes a deep breath and begins plotting, in her head, a way to attack this situation, almost forgetting completely about Dana.

TBC