Alice
Alice woke up with a splitting headache, hunger pains, and smelling like she hadnt bathed in days. She struggled to get up and called out for Tina. No answer! Alice called out again and still got no answer. She forced herself to the edge of the bed and noticed the note on the night table. What the *****? Alice thought, wondering if she read the note correctly. She read the note again, tossed it back onto the table, closed her eyes, said out loud, she better not crash my car, and went back to sleep.

Bette & Tina
Bette couldnt help but smile and wonder what shed done to deserve Tinas company. She basked in Tinas relaxed company and allowed her mind to wander into la-la land. Tina was reading an article on the ground-breaking ceremony scheduled for the new playground she had a hand in acquiring and felt a sense of accomplishment. She looked up from the paper and noticed Bette staring intently at her, causing her to blush.

Penny for your thoughts, Tina commented.

Huh? Oh, I was just thinking, Bette broke her stare.

Well, that was obvious, Tina mused. What were you thinking about?

Bette felt a little awkward. I was, um, I was thinking about how nice it is to have you here, Bette struggled to reply.

Tina smiled, easing Bettes awkwardness. Yeah, I forgot how quiet it is around here; especially in the morning.

Most of my mornings are quiet these days anyway, so Im used to it, Bette almost painfully replied.

Well, waking up in an apartment building is anything but quiet, but Ive gotten used to it though, Tina finished the last of her orange juice.

I do miss the quiet though, Tina confessed.

Bette remained silent for a moment before bringing up being at the club. She wanted to know how Tina felt about it, but didnt know how to broach the subject. Bette thought about the things Kit and James had told her about just saying what was on her mind instead of always being on the defensive; so Bette decided to take the proverbial bull by the horns.

So, how did you take Dana telling you I was at the club? Bette blurted out.

Uhm? Tina coughed. Well, I was a little surprised by it. I had no idea she was even thinking about it, Tina admitted. Why?

Bette adjusted herself in the chair. I didnt want you to think she was doing something behind your back, Bette replied, seemingly protecting Dana. Also, because the night was for and about you and I didnt want to spoil that and make you feel obligated in anyway.

Bette, I dont hate you, Tina said bluntly and Bette looked at Tina stunned at her statement.

Then how do you feel?

Tina huffed softly not knowing what to really say and she thought about what Nya said to her. As much as Tina may have wanted to deny it, she couldnt. She was still in love with Bette and that wasnt something she could just let go of. Some of the intensity had faded, but to fully deny her feelings would be a lie. A lie Tina wasnt ready to tell.

I do still love you Bette, I cant and wont deny that, Tina boldly stated and Bette tried to stifle a smile. As Ive said to you before, I stopped liking you and being your friend, but theres no need to rehash all that, Tina toyed with the paper.

I want us to work on our friendship Tee, Bette said tenderly. I want to be able to hang out with you or with the girls, but not if its going to make you uncomfortable, Bette cautioned.

Im a big girl Bette and there are things in life Ill have to accept whether I like it or not, so as for spending time with the girls, I think you should. They do miss you in spite of us, Tina volunteered. As for us, I think it would be nice to work on at least being friends again, Tina smiled. I guess thats a part of why Im here. I wanted to test how I felt being around you.

How do you feel?

Truthfully? Tina rhetorically asked. Okay! I was a little edgy once I came in, but now that Im sitting here, I feel okay with coming over, Tina got up and looked out the French doors.

Bette eyed Tina and the intense feeling from the night before washed over her, sending pulsing sensations from her stomach to the loins. Bette fought the desire to get up and wrap her arms around Tinas waist and pull her into a deep kiss, but got up and excused herself to the bathroom instead. Tina cleaned up the table and looked at the clock. It was now after seven and she was beginning to get sleepy; the weight of eating both the bagel and muffin had caught up with her.

Bette came out of the bathroom and sat back down across from Tina.

Bette, Im gonna have to leave soon, Tina said softly.

Already? It seems like you just got here, Bette sullenly replied.

Yeah, Im getting pretty tired now, Tina admitted. I guess its finally caught up with me and I dont want to drive back too sleepy. Its bad enough I took Alices car and you know how sensitive about it, Tina giggled and Bette felt the warmth of Tinas laugh fill her more than the food shed eaten.

You can stay if youd like, Bette coaxed. You can lie on the couch and I wont bother you I promise, Bette quickly added, hoping Tina would bite.

Tina contemplated Bettes offer. She was feeling pretty sleepy and a little nap wouldnt hurt. Tina was going to call Alice, but figured shed still be sleeping. Okay, Ill stay a little longer, but please dont let me sleep more than two hours, Tina pleaded.

Bette could hardly contain her elation and smiled like a kid in a candy store. Two hours it is, she beamed. Ill set the alarm okay? Bette rushed to the bedroom to get her travel clock out of the closet and to get a blanket and pillow.

Tina slid out of her clogs, removed her sweat jacket, and loosened the drawstring on her pants. She waited for Bette to return. Tina looked around the living room and the memories came flooding back to mind. Many of them made her smile, but there were some that quickly erased them. Tina shook her head to dismiss them and refused to allow herself to go back to yesterdays memories. Bette came back and interrupted her thoughts.

Here you go, Bettes joy was written all over her face as she handed Tina the pillow and blanket. Ive already set it and I set the clock in the bedroom too. I dont want t you getting in trouble with the warden, Bette joked, making Tina laugh out loud.

Yeah, I cant have that happen or I wont get any more furloughs, they both laughed and Bette accidentally plopped beside Tina.

An odd wave of emotion brewed between them as they faced each other. It was the first time since the break up that theyd been intimately close to each other and the tension was more than either could handle. Tina couldnt break her stare and Bette was bobbing her head back and forth as if she were mimicking a bobble head. God, I want to kiss her so bad, Bettes mind began to race. Go for it, the mischievous voice taunted. I think she wants you to. No, dont do it, the rational voice caution. Its too soon. Give yourselves some time to mature again, the rational voice sounded off. Bette couldnt decide what to do. All she could do was stare helplessly into Tinas eyes and fight with all her might to suppress the heat between her thighs and the dryness seeking water in her mouth.

Tina sat frozen in the couch caught in the same conflicting feelings. The desire to be held in familiar arms engulfed her as Tina feel her will weakening as she looked into Bettes warm eyes. Confliction was written all over her face and she chastised herself for agreeing to stay. I cant handle this. I want to, but Im afraid. Tinas mind spoke the words she couldnt say. As much as I love you, I hate you for making things this way, her mind continued.

After what could have easily been mistaken for eternity, Bette finally pulled back, stood up, and stepped away from the couch. Ill see you in a couple hours, Bettes voice cracked from the dryness in her mouth.

Yeah, two hours, Tina gasped, hardly able to speak. See you in two, Tina put her index and middle fingers up. She placed the pillow under her head, pulled the warm, chenille blanket over her weary body and fell asleep.

Bette lay in the bed yearning for Tinas warm body to be next to hers as she fought the increased sensation between her thighs. God, what she does to me, Bette mumbled to herself. What she does to me.

Alice
Ah, my ***** head is still killing me, Alice whined as she forced herself out of the bed and staggered to the bathroom. Tina? She called out, but Tina hadnt gotten back yet. I swear if she crashes my car, Ill kill her if the wreckage doesnt, Alice continued talking to no one. Alice took some Tylenol and contemplated whether she was going back to bed or to the kitchen. The bed won and off she went, back to the land of dreams.