Standing in front of Bettes door, Tina willed herself to calm down. The expression that she had seen on Bettes face moments ago at seeing her in Helenas arms, had ripped and slashed at her heart. She had never seen such hurt and anger coming from her before and knew that she had a lot of fast talking to do.

Resting her forehead against the sliding door to her office, she took a deep breath, stilling her erratic heartbeat and listened for any sign of what was happening on the other side of this door.

Hearing nothing, she reached down for the handle and slowly slid the door open.

The first thing that she saw was her empty desk chair. Scanning the room, her eyes immediately fell onto Bettes back, shoulders somewhat slumped with her arms crossing her front as she appeared to be watching the world go by outside her window.

Tina stepped into the office, closing the door behind her. Bette continued to stand there, unmoving even though she was certain that Bette was aware of her presence.

Bette? she softly said.

There was a time that I could look out this window, and actually feel somewhat sorry for the people that I saw pass by because they did not have the life that I had said Bette without turning around.

And now? she continued, a sardonic chuckle present. I would pay money to just become one of them she whispered.

Bette, look- Tina said as she stepped closer to Bette.

No, you look she said, anger beginning to replace the reflective tone of before as she slowly turned around.

After you left me Tina, I lost just about everything. Everything that I knew and loved disappeared overnight, at the blink of an eye. Everything that we had worked towards building for the past 7 years together was simply gone. Had it been a magician performing a trick of that magnitude, I would have certainly been impressed.

But, it was not a magician performing this illusion and it was certainly no illusion. It was reality, cold, hard, water thrown in your face reality she said bitterly, turning to face the window again.

Bette, please she tried again. Please, let me-

The only thing that I had remaining after you left she interrupted, continuing to speak towards the window, back facing Tina, was Kit, eventually our friends and this job.

Tina stood there, rooted to her spot. She desperately wanted to go to Bette and try and explain everything that was happening, everything that had happened and what she wished for their future, but she knew that Bette was in no place to hear any of it at this time. She knew that Bette would have to get whatever it was out of her system before she could begin to process what Tina wished to share with her.

It wasnt much she continued in a soft tone, but I had to make do and deal with the lot in life that I had created for myself.

Bette slowly turned away from the window and said, It is to a certain degree, what saved me from the ***** that I was in she explained, raising her arm, gesturing across her office.

I got through it all Tina she whispered, a tear rolling down her face. I didnt think that I could do it, but I actually made it through it all.

Taking a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, she looked Tina directly in the eyes and continued in a steady voice.

It is for everything that I have just told you, everything that I hope I have explained, that I can not allow you to come into this office, my place of work, the one thing that I have left, and make a mockery of both me and the marriage that we once had.

Bette, please she quickly said, now fully understanding what Bette was trying to communicate. That is not at all what I was doing she tried to explain.

Tina, please Bette said, cutting her off in anger. You send my assistant back her to fetch me for what? To show me that you and Helena are actually having *****? Are indeed having a physical relationship and as if it were not enough for all of our friends to know, you felt it important to ensure that all of the people that work both for me and with me, to know as well? she asked incredulously, tears forming in both anger and pain.

Or was it to ensure that I was aware just how much you regretted yesterday by allowing me to see with my own two eyes, who it is that you really wished had been in your bed with you? she whispered, the anger beginning to dissipate as exhaustion started to settle in.

Do you really believe that? Tina whispered, tears pouring down her own face as she watched the woman that she loved, that she had always loved, begin to fall apart in front of her.

Bette reached for a chair that she was standing next to and lowered herself down into it. Placing her face in her hands, she began to weep.

I dont know what to believe anymore she finally said, trying to control the sobs that had been begging for a release for so long.

Walking up to Bette, Tina got down on her knees and placed her hands on Bettes wrists, gently tugging them away from her face.

Bette, look at me she softly instructed.

Finally lifting her head, Bette turned her eyes to Tinas and whispered, Im sorry, Tina.

Baby, sorry for what? she asked, concern etched throughout her face as she stroked Bettes hands that were now in her own.

Turning her eyes away from Tinas, she said softly, For yesterday.

Bette, no baby. Please dont say that she whispered into Bettes ear as she pulled her in for a tight hug, placing Bettes head on her shoulder.

Baby, I dont ever want to hear you say that you are sorry for what happened between the two of us. It was beautiful. It was amazing, and she chuckled, it was long overdue.

As Bette pulled her head off of Tinas shoulder, Tina looked at the puzzled expression on her beautiful, tear streaked face.

But, I thought started Bette.

Now its my turn to be sorry smiled Tina as she stroked Bettes face.

Bette, I am so sorry for saying to you what I did yesterday as you were leaving. That- she paused for a minute, searching for the right words. That was pride talking baby, not my heart she said, looking directly into Bettes eyes, praying for Bette to understand what she was telling her.

Watching Bette intently, she saw her words begin to sink in as she began to grasp what Tina was sharing with her.

You meanyou dont whispered Bette.

Regret yesterday? smiled Tina. Not for a minute baby. Im actually hoping for a repeat performance she said seductively to Bette as she wiggled her eyebrows.

Bette slowly began to smile as she finally understood what Tina was telling her.

Oh was all Bette could say as she continued to smile, her cheeks beginning to redden at Tinas request for another go at it.

Is that a blush I see? teased Tina as she leaned in for a kiss.

I dont know laughed Bette as she dropped her face back down into her hands, hiding from both Tina and her kiss.

Yes it is laughed Tina as she tugged on Bettes hands to remove them from her face.

A soft knock on the door interrupted their playful banter.

At hearing the tap on the door, Bette sat straight up and cleaning her face, got up from the chair, reaching down to help Tina to her feet.

Yes she said, a slight smile still on her face as she winked at Tina.

The door opened only wide enough for Bette to see some papers being fed through the slight opening.

Im really sorry to interrupt James said sincerely, but you told me to get these to you immediately he explained.

Chuckling at his actions, Bette walked over to the door and slid it all of the way open, causing James to slightly fall into her office.

Grabbing his arm, Bette steadied him and said with a smile, Its fine, James. You are absolutely right. I do need to see these she said as she looked down at the changes to the budget proposal that she had requested.

Oh, ok he sheepishly responded as he began to point out the revisions that he had made.

Tina just stood there, watching the two of them interact. Watching Bette review these documents reminded Tina of just how in her element she was here and the fact that she had disrupted this for Bette by dating Helena, caused her heart to lurch in pain.

Just those last changes and that should be it she heard Bette say, bringing her out of the plan that was formulating in her mind.

Tina?

Hey she said, smiling at Bette as James left the office.

Hey she said.

You need to get back to work, dont you? she said, smiling at Bette in understanding.

As much as I would like to say no, the truth is that I do need to continue to prepare for this 4 oclock meeting she said.

What is it? The meeting asked Tina.

A budget review answered Bette as she walked around to her desk, flipping for some paperwork that she needed to find.

I dont remember you having to prepare for budget reviews like this in the past she commented.

Thats because those reviews did not include Helena Peabody replied Bette as she continued to sift through the stacks on her desk.

Looking up, she said to Tina, Your friend has quite the pension to disagree with and challenge every single word that comes out of my mouth, be it regarding the color of the sky or simply which way is up and which way is down.

Tina just stood there, listening to what Bette had to say.

And since she is a Peabody, absolutely no one wishes to disagree with her, including Leo and Franklin, thereby, leaving me out there all alone, trying to defend my very existence.

Tina found herself becoming very angry at Bettes words, knowing they were the truth.

And, so now you see she explained, my great need for preparation. Like someone on the witness stand, I try and prepare for all of the absolute ***** that I know that she is going to be throwing my way. Throwing my way for sport she added under her breath with irritation as she continued to flip through folders on her desk.

Well, I should leave you then said Tina.

Bette just smiled at her and said, Thanks for coming by.

When can I see you again? asked Tina.

When are you free?

Name them?

What?

The time and place. Ill be there she smiled.

Dinner?

When? Tonight?

Sure chuckled Bette. Oh wait, no. That wont work.

Why?

Its a long story, but Kit is coming by for a lobster dinner.

Would it be terribly out of place for me to invite myself? she smiled. Its been a really long time since I have spent some quality time with your sister.

No, of course it would not be out of place. We would love to have you there said Bette as she walked around her desk making her way over to Tina.

Wrapping her arms around Tinas waist, she said, The Porter women would be honored to have you come hang with us she chuckled as she slowly leaned in for a kiss.

Yeah? giggled Tina as she wrapped her arms around Bettes neck, pulling her in for the kiss that Bette was angling for.

Yeah said Bette as she finally placed her lips on Tinas.

Opening her lips, Tina invited Bettes tongue into her mouth, welcoming the sensation that was kissing Bette Porter.

Pulling back slightly, Bette whispered into Tinas ear, At least this Porter woman would be honored to have you join us.

And at the end of the day baby she whispered back into Bettes ear, you are the only Porter woman or only woman at all of whose honor I care to have.

Both women laughed softly, standing there, holding onto the other.

When do you think that youll be done with this meeting?

Pulling apart from Tina, Bette said, Well, as I said before, it starts at 4 and as for when Ill be done, that all depends on how obnoxious your friend is.

Grabbing her pocketbook, Tina started walking towards the door. Turning once she was there, she looked at Bette who was leaning against the edge of her desk, flipping through the folder that apparently she had been looking for.

Why dont I plan on coming by around 6 and Bette?

Looking up from the papers in her hand, she said Yeah?

Stop referring to her as my friend, ok? she said, no trace of a smile on her face to be found.

Seeing Bette nod, Tina slipped out of her office sliding the door shut behind her.

She rested against the door, trying to calm the absolute fury that was pumping through her veins.

***** spineless ***** she said as she made a bee line for Helenas office.




With her feet propped up on the desk in front of her, Helena leaned back and continued the discussion that she was having with her personal shopper from Neiman Marcus.

I told you that I wanted the Gucci pumps to go with the Feraud suit she wailed into the phone.

Tina could hear Helena halfway down the hall and she was further infuriated to hear that this was how Helena was spending her time before this 4pm meeting while Bette was pouring her heart into preparation for what? To be grilled by this woman whose only concern was ensuring that she had the right shoes to go with the right suit?

What have I been thinking? Tina asked herself as she neared the office.

Seeing Tina standing in the doorway, Helena quickly removed her feet from the desk and said a quick good-bye to her buyer.

Tina, darling she cooed as she walked over to Tina.

The look on Tinas face though stopped her dead in her tracks.

Are you not feeling better, darling? she asked, assuming that Tina was here to apologize for her earlier abhorrent behavior.

Actually, I am she replied without a smile.

Good said Helena, not so sure for whom it was good though.

We need to talk said Tina.

Ok, darling. Let me just grab my bag and we can head to the beach house and-

Here. Now came Tinas steely reply.

Again, Helena was completely taken aback by Tinas attitude towards her.

Ok, so have a seat then she said indicating one of the two chairs that were in front of her desk.

Were done, Helena she said without moving.

Done with what? she asked as she sat behind the desk, looking up at Tina as she remained just inside the door.

We are done she repeated, emphasizing each word. You and me, whatever we were, it is done, over, finished.

And why would that be? she asked, a slight edge entering her voice.

The why is absolutely none of your business but what is is the fact that we will no longer be seeing each other, in any form or fashion.

Really? she asked. Come on now, Tina. Do tell why? Is this all because I would not stay and ***** you last night? Is that what this is about, because if it is, we can make up for that right here and now she said, nodding her head at the desk in front of her.

Knowing that she was not going to jump at the bait, Tina just stood there, softly smiling at Helena as one would do at a naughty child.

Or could it be? she continued. Oh yes, maybe thats what it is she continued.

Keeping her silence, Tina stood there, waiting for her opportunity to complete the real reason that she was here.

Dont tell me that you and Bette are making another go of it, are you darling?

Remaining silent, Tina simply raised an eyebrow and waited patiently.

Oh God, yes, thats it. You are actually going to give that ridiculous woman another chance, are you not? I dont know whats more pathetic, you taking her back or the two of you fooling yourselves into believing that you actually care for one other.

From the look on Tinas face, Helena knew that she had gone too far.

You will never ever speak of Bettes and my relationship again. Do I make myself absolutely ***** crystal clear? she asked as she paused after each word spoken to be sure that it was finding a home, anger oozing from her every pore.

Darling, please, I was just-

Never will you speak of Bette to me, nor of me to Bette. As far as I am concerned, when I am done with you today, there will be no reason for you and me to ever have to speak to one another again.

Tina, please. This is getting a little dramatic, dont you think?

And another thing.

Theres more? she asked.

Stay away from Bette. From here going forward, she is off limits to you.

What the- she sputtered as she rose to her feet. And to whom do you think that you are speaking? she asked incredulously.

Calmly, she responded, To the woman whom I believe would like nothing more than for me to stay away from her ex so that I do not share with her all of the back handed maneuverings that you have been attempting in order to take her children from her.

Helena just stood there, mouth agape.

And to the woman whose mother would probably be very interested to learn what it is that her daughter has actually been doing during her little stay here in Los Angeles. The same mother I might add, who last time I checked, was a pretty big fan of Bettes.

There was absolute dead silence in the room. Both women were sizing the other up, trying to read the body language being emitted from the other.

You would never Helena hissed after finally finding her voice.

Wouldnt I? she asked, eyes never wavering from Helenas.

Continue to ***** with Bette, and you will have the answer to your own question she answered, her voice devoid of all emotion, only a steely determination present.

Falling back into her chair, Helena closed her mouth finding it wise to add nothing else.

Seeing that her point had been both made and clearly understood, Tina turned around to leave.

With her back to Helena, as she walked out the door, Tina turned one last time and said, Off limits, Helena. Bette is not to be touched.

Walking away from Helenas office, Tina passed James desk on her way out.

Pausing as she walked by, she said, Thanks for looking out after her all this time.

He smiled in return and said, Its been my pleasure.

I think that Ill be able to take it from here though she smiled.

That would probably be best he laughed.

Lets hope so she laughed in return and made her way to the front door of the museum.

See ya George she said as she waved to the security guard.

Was she happy to see you? he asked as she reached the door.

Yeah…she was she said with a big goofy smile on her face. Yes, she was.