The following Monday Bette went to work in a cheerful mood for once. Today was the day she was going to finalise her plans to cut down her hours. She recognised that her working had been a key point of tension between her and Tina, and she’d do anything to change that. The board had been extremely supportive, as lately her work had been slightly unfocused to say the least, and they understood that in cutting down her hours she’d be happier and so produce better work. She found herself humming along to the radio as she flicked through her filing cabinet.

Whatever you want
Whatever you need
Anything you want done baby
I’ll do it naturally
Coz I’m every woman
It’s all in me
It’s all in me

Although it was completely out of character, Bette suddenly felt the urge to dance around her office. The thought of having Tina back in her life had regenerated her energy, and she was the happiest she’d been in a long time.

I’m every woman
It’s all in me
Anything you want done baby
I’ll do it naturally
I’m every woman
I can read your thoughts right now
Every one from A to Z

A knock came on the door, and she turned the music off.

“Come in” she called cheerfully.

She heard the sound of the door being opened and closed, but no-one spoke. After a moment of silence she turned around and gasped.

“What the…who let you in here?” she snarled.

“Don’t pretend you’re not happy to see me” Candace walked towards Bette with a grin on her face.

“If I never see you for as long as I live it’ll still be too soon” Bette replied, turning away.

Bette could feel Candace’s presence just behind her. their proximity was similar to the day of Provocations in Bette’s office, but this time there was no lust on Bette’s part. Candace reached out a hand and placed it on Bette’s shoulder.

“You and me…”

“Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me” Bette shoved Candace’s hand away.

“That’s not what you said last time” Candace sneered.

“Well things are different now. I’m back in my right state of mind and I want nothing more to do with you”

“So you’re feeling guilty about cheating on Tina. Well now you’re cheating yourself, Bette”

“Tell me how exactly?” Bette folded her arms.

“You want me. You’ve always wanted me. You’re just pretending for her sake, and you’re never gonna be happy until you admit the truth to yourself” Candace stepped towards Bette.

“You’re sick. You have no idea what Tina and I have. I’d never throw that away for someone like you”

“I’d say you already did”

“I have a chance to get my life back. You were nothing to me and you never will be”

Candace walked up to Bette and grabbed her shoulders forcefully.

“Stop denying what you feel, Bette. Give in. Do what you want”

Bette took a deep breath and shoved Candace away.

“I told you not to touch me”

“Why? Temptation too strong?”

“No, because you make me feel dirty. Just the thought of you makes me feel sick” Bette answered.

“And you know what makes me feel sick? The thought of someone as incredible as you wasted on her”

“Don’t try and flatter me”

“It’s the truth. I really like you, Bette” Candace’s voice softened.

What the ***** is this? thought Bette. Is she actually displaying some sort of emotion other than lust? She walked as far away from Candace as she could get and looked at her. She tried to read her face, but couldn’t. This proved they had no connection – with Tina she’d been able to read her the instant they met.

“Don’t kid yourself, I’m not worth it” Bette tried a different approach.

“You’re worth everything”

“Give it up, Candace, it’s not gonna happen”

“Can’t you at least hold me? For old times sake?” Candace asked hopefully.

“Don’t even try it. I’m not touching you”

“How can you be like this with me? After everything?”

“Because you were a mistake”

“Don’t say that, please Bette don’t. I…I..” Candace lowered her head.

“What?” Bette asked impatiently.

“I think I love you”

Bette laughed “You don’t even know what love means”

“Bette how can you be so cold to me? Are you going to deny what happened between us?”

“No, I’m not denying it” Bette said quietly.

At that moment Tina softly opened the door and stood opened mouthed as she heard Bette’s last comment.