Bette sat at her desk in the CAC. She tapped her pen in some kind of rhythm and seemed lost in her thoughts. She turned up the radio and sighed at the appropriateness of the song that came on.

Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
It’s not warm when she’s away
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And she’s always gone too long
Anytime she goes away

Running her hands through her hair, she thought of Tina. She could still recall every inch of her, her image was ingrained in Bette’s mind. The thought of not knowing when, or if, she would ever have her back was consuming her, she could think of nothing else.

Wonder this time where she’s gone
Wonder if she’s gonna stay
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And this house just ain’t no home
Anytime she goes away

A knock came on the door which she failed to register, and James peered his head round.

“Bette? BETTE?”

“What?…Sorry, what is it, James?” she asked.

“There’s someone here to see you, but you seem a little preoccupied”

“I don’t really feel like seeing anyone right now” Bette waved him away.

“I know, but I thought you might make an exception” James persisted.

“For who?”

“Tina”

“God, send her through. And in future you never even need ask about her”

“Right” James shook his head and walked away.

A moment later Tina shyly entered the office with her hands behind her back.

“Hey” she said softly.

“Hey you” Bette looked up nervously.

“I thought I’d find you here. Some things never change”

“I have nothing to go home for”

Tina tried to stop herself from smiling. It seemed almost sick, but she was glad that Bette wasn’t coping just fine without her. To know that someone needs you above anything is an incredible feeling.

“I…I just wanted to bring you these” Tina held out a bunch of flowers.

A tear came to Bette’s eye “They’re beautiful, T”

“I was gonna just send them, but I thought I ought to give them to you in person”

“I appreciate it”

The gesture wasn’t lost on Bette. It had always been her that had sent the flowers, in view of the fact that she saw herself as the alpha. Tina had bought her flowers on occasion, but only for something exceptional.

“There’s a note with it” Tina pointed out.

“Oh” Bette took the note from the side of the flowers.

Tina looked away while she read it. She always found it embarrassing to watch someone read something she’d written.

There was just ten words on the card, but those ten words were enough to give Bette the hope that she had been dreaming about.

‘Thank you for waiting, I promise it’ll be worth it’

“T…I…” Bette tried to compose herself “I’ll wait forever”

Tina turned to look at her and smiled slightly.

“I know” she whispered.

“I’m sorry about the other night. I got carried away and I shouldn’t have”

“I understand. You know, sometimes I find it hard to control myself around you, too” Tina confided.

“I’m glad I still have some kind of effect on you”

“You know you always will. Even if I don’t want you to” Tina stepped to Bette and took her hand lightly.

“And do you?”

“Yes” Tina breathed.

A glimmer of hope flickered in Bette’s eyes. Tina slowly leant down and cupped her face. She ran her thumb gently over Bette’s bottom lip.

“I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, what I want to eat, whether I’m in despair or full of hope. But I do know that I still want you to make me feel this way” Tina continued.

Tina leaned in to Bette and their lips met softly. Bette knew that she had to let Tina take control. Much as she wanted to pull her into a passionate kiss, she knew that Tina had to take the lead. Tina took Bette’s bottom lip between her own and sucked on it gently. Holding the back of Bette’s neck, she prised Bette’s lips open and slid her tongue gently into her mouth. Bette willingly gave herself to Tina and moaned softly into the kiss. Tina pulled back slightly and stared into Bette’s eyes.

“Just so you know you’re not waiting for nothing” Tina smiled.

“It was worth the wait. Come here” Bette motioned for Tina to sit on her lap.

Tina settled comfortably on Bette and rested her head on her shoulder. Bette wrapped her arms round Tina and stroked her head, taking in her scent and the feeling of every point of contact between them.

“I’ve missed this” Tina said quietly.

“What?”

Tina lifted her head to look into Bette’s eyes “This, our closeness”

“Sometimes I sit on our sofa crying, and I think if I just had Tina here to hold me, then everything will be okay”

“I do the same” Tina confessed.

“It’s not about anything else, I just want to be held”

Tina smiled and wrapped her arms tightly around Bette.

“Like this?” she asked.

“Mmm” Bette snuggled into Tina.

“You know what I really miss?”

“What?”

“My best friend”

They sat in silence contemplating the weight of Tina’s statement. It was true, they were more than lovers, they were best friends. Without each other, they’d lost the two most important things in anyone’s life.

“Baby, I have to go” Tina got up.

They both froze, similar thoughts running through both their heads. Did I/she just say baby? Oh God, I/she did!

“I’m sorry” Tina said simply.

“It’s okay, it’s easy to slip back sometimes”

“I guess”

“Will I be seeing you soon?” Bette asked eagerly.

“I hope so. Are you free this weekend?”

“For you, anytime”

“Then how about we go to Radar? Like old times” Tina suggested.

“I’d love to” Bette smiled.

“I’ll call you” Tina waved and left the office.