The Planet was bustling as usual on this balmy weekday morning, and as Tina walked in for her usual decaf tea, she was pleased to see that Alice was already there.

Shes ruined me for anyone else! Tina exclaimed as she sat next to Alice.

Alice, who was attempting to write a piece on eyebrow threading, offered a grunt in response.

Tina looked at her friend and waited for her to say more, but when none was forthcoming she made her exclamation again. Still, no response. Tina was not used to this, and frankly, with the emotions and hormones swirling in her body, she had no choice but to begin weeping.

This seemed to bring Alice out her trance, as she quickly asked, Tina, when did you get here? Whats wrong?

Ive been sitting here trying to get your attention, but you were busy I guess.

Alice smiled at her old friend, not that Tina was old or anything, it was just that they had known each other for so long. She saw the red rimmed and watery eyes, the slump of the shoulders, and quivering chin. She snapped out of work mode, and went straight into reporter mode, which would seem like the same thing, but really was not.

Is it Hellacious, erI mean, Helena? Alice quickly amended.

Tina either did not notice Alices term for her new girlfriend, or chose to ignore it, which either way Alice was thankful for. She was quickly becoming irritated with the British woman, who seemed to think that buying her way into Tinas life, into their circle of friends was going to make them forget about Bette. Sorry Limey, aint gonna happen.

Its Bette, Tina responded, Shes ruined me for anyone else! Tina began to weep in earnest now.

Alice smiled internally. Now they were getting somewhere. She quickly glanced at her watch, noting that Dana should be on her way back from training. Alice said a quick prayer to the traffic gods that her girlfriend would not show up just yet. She had the feeling that whatever was bothering Tina had the blonde very skittish, and she did not want to chance anyone coming to their table before Alice could get it out of her.

Okay Tina, take a deep breaththats it. Now tell Alice whats going on so she can help.

Alice didnt know why she was suddenly referring to herself in third person, but she figured she could analyze it later.
Alice, Helena and I have been seeing each other for a month. I know you guys dont like her, but she has been very good to me. After this whole mess with Bette, I needed to feel desirable again. It was so unexpected that this beautiful woman would want anything to do with me, but she does.

Alice fought the urge to gag. If Tina was happy with the Limey, well, who was Alice to argue? But wait, why was Tina saying that Bette ruined her for anyone else?

Tina, if she is so wonderful, then what is the problem?

Tina took a sip of her tea, the warm liquid coating her throat, making her feel braver somehow. She knew she had to tell someone, anyone, about what was bothering her. Alice had always been a good friend to her, even if she wasnt so good at keeping secrets. Maybe, Tina thought, this wasnt something she wanted to continue to keep as a secret.

I cant, Tina began when Alice interrupted.

Of course you can, I want to help.

Tina sighed, raising her eyebrows to let Alice know that wasnt what she meant. Alice shrugged apologetically, and nodded for Tina to continue.

At first, Alice thought she imagined the words that Tina whispered, they couldnt possibly be true. Could they? She quickly glanced around, if only to be sure that no one was about to swoop up on them and end the conversation. Alice didnt think she could handle having to wait for more.

Alice repeated the words slowly, adding a few of her own for effect. Helena. *****. Peabody. Cant. Get. You. Off.?

Tina looked horrified, but then quickly nodded.

It was true. She and Helena had been having ***** for weeks, and even though Helena had excited her, had made her feel things that she thought she might never feel again, she had yet to take her over that edge. Tina had learned the art of faking it from those years spent dating men, but she feared her acting skills werent up to par since being out of use the 7 and a half years spent with Bette. Apparently they were just fine, or else Helena was just too wrapped up in herself to notice. Tina wasnt sure which explanation she preferred.

Its all Bettes fault, Tina and Alice said simultaneously, lost in their own thoughts, and then looked at each other and smiled sadly.

Alice remembered what it was like the first time she was with someone else after her weeks with Bette. She recalled how she had not been able to get Bette out of her mind no matter what the other woman did to try to please her. Bette just had this way of touching you, of connecting with you with her eyes, with her body.Alice shuddered in remembrance. She knew exactly what her pregnant friend was going through.

Tina?

Yea?

Do you still love Bette?

Tina looked down at her cup, swirling the remaining liquid before drinking it. Ill never not love her Alice.

Okay, then are you still in love with her? Alice asked, hoping that Tina would be honest in her answer.

Tina replied without hesitation, I am.

As much as Tina wished it to be different because of the hurt that Bettes cheating had caused, their months apart had led Tina to the realization that there could be no one else for her. She knew that they had issues to work out, but maybe they could do that together. Bette wasnt the only one who had made mistakes. Tina had come to recognize her own part in the demise of the relationship. She knew that Bette needed a wife, and not a doormat. She was set on never being that again.

Then go back to her.

It isnt that easy, Alice.

Why not?

Tina opened and closed her mouth a few times, desperate to come up with a decent answer. Truth was she had no reasons. She knew Bette was trying, she knew that Bette wanted to be with her again, and that she would do whatever Tina asked of her to make that happen. She was five months pregnant with their child. Didnt they owe it to not only each other, but to their unborn daughter to try to make it as a family?

Tina stood and grabbed her Dooney and Bourke purse from the table. Thanks, Al. I owe you one.

Wait, where are you going?

I need to talk to Bette, Tina said, then turned and walked out of the Planet as fast as her expanding body would allow. She would go to Bette, and they would figure out a way to make it right, a way that they both could be happy with.

If you saw the smile on Alices face, you might have described it as smug. But to Alice, it was more of a satisfied smile, one attained after feeling that you had done something for the greater good. That was how she would always talk about that morning at the Planet.

She sighed and opened her laptop back to her place in the article, then grabbed her cell phone and pushed #1 on the speed dial.

Dana, whats taking you so long?