Tina pulled her car into a secluded space not far from Radar and waited. When she saw a figure approach checking her watch she got out of the car quietly, and then slammed the door. The figure jumped and turned round.

“What are you doing here?” Candace sneered.

“You didn’t actually think that message was from Bette, did you?” Tina smiled.

“Don’t try and defend her, Tina. It makes you look pathetic”

“Oh I’m not defending anything she did. I just think it’s pathetic that you actually believed Bette wanted to meet you and give you another chance”

“You just believe what you want to” Candace smirked.

“I know the truth. You just have a warped view”

Candace laughed.

“Why won’t you get the message and leave us both alone?” Tina asked.

“I’ve no interest in you. It’s Bette I want”

“Well she doesn’t want you. She’s told you that enough times” Tina pointed out.

“I will have her. One way or another”

“Fine” Tina turned around, before spinning back to face Candace and slapping her hard across her face.

Candace stood there glaring at her.

“That” Tina stated “is for thinking you can just have Bette”

“Is that the best you can do?” Candace smiled fakely.

“Oh there’s a lot more where that came from”

“I know about you, Tina. You’re kind, you wouldn’t hurt a fly”

“Did Bette tell you that?”

Candace nodded, a smile plastered across her face.

“Well she missed the end of the sentence. I wouldn’t hurt a fly, but a snake like you? I wouldn’t think twice”

“You’re all talk”

Tina bit her lip and punched Candace in the stomach, doubling her over. As Candace coughed, Tina stood over her.

“That is for hitting on Bette”

Even though she was in pain, Candace continued to laugh. Tina lifted Candace’s head and punched her square in the jaw.

“And that” she added “is for kissing her”

Candace looked at her, smiling despite the blood that was trickling from her lip.

“You not had enough yet?” Tina asked.

Tina hit the side of Candace’s face, catching her unawares and knocking her to to the ground.

“And that is for ***** my wife”

“Your wife?” Candace sneered “You’re not even wearing your ring anymore”

Calmly Tina reached behind her neck and unfastened the chain that she was wearing. She slid the ring into her palm and made sure Candace was watching as she put it back on her wedding finger. As Candace tried to get up, Tina clenched her fist and punched her in the face. Her ring connected with Candace’s nose and produced a flow of blood.

“That is for continuing to bother MY WIFE even when she told you to leave her alone”

Tina looked at the woman cowering on the ground beneath her. She couldn’t fathom where all her courage had come from, but she wasn’t going to waste it. She gave Candace one forceful kick in the stomach.

“And that is for attacking my wife today”

She turned to walk away. After a few steps she turned back.

“And just so you know, I wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they hurt my wife”

Letting out a deep breath Tina walked confidently back to her car and drove back to the house.

When she reached the house Tina walked straight to the bedroom and stood for a moment watching Bette sleep. Her arm was stretched across the side of the bed where Tina had been. Tina felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She slid off her trousers and put her jacket on the back of a chair. Climbing into bed, she lifted Bette’s arm and wrapped it around her. Bette murmured and snuggled up to her.

“Everything’s okay baby” Tina whispered, kissing Bette on the forehead.

“Mmm” was all Bette could manage as she drifted back to sleep.