‘Have you seen Alice today?’ Helena had somehow wound up in the ski lift with Bette. Bette of all people. Helena was nervous

‘No…actually I’m worried about her’ Bette replied, glad to be shook away from her thoughts

‘Yeah well, me too’ Helena was relieved that she’d picked a safe subject

‘Henry should be in by now’ Bette voiced what was worrying her

‘Oh really?’

‘Yeah..’

‘Oh just as you two were sort of..working things out’ Helena ventured tentatively

‘It’ll be alright’ Bette tried to sound confident. Confidence she didn’t really feel

Helena forced a smile, and hesitated ‘Actually Bette..’

‘I think..’ started Bette as she rubbed her face ‘I think this might actually be the best thing for us’ She tried to shake off the sinking feeling ‘splitting up..’ her words trailed away as she got a far away look in her eyes.

Helena’s heart wrenches with guilt. She tries once again, reaching to touch Bette’s shoulder ‘Bette..’

Bette buried her head in her hands. Tears threatened to spill. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to cry, in front of you, of all people’ She gave a harsh laugh

Helena quickly withdrew her hand. Her guilt was overwhelming. ‘Oh God, Bette..’

Bette looked up hurriedly, as she heard Helena’s voice tremble ‘No Helena, I didn’t mean..’

‘You’re right’ Helena continued, trying to keep her voice steady ‘It is my fault. I never should have come between you two. I..’

‘Helena, no..’ Bette tried to interject, to clarify what she’d meant

‘I’m sorry..Bette..for everything. I knew I lost you your job, and Tina..’ Helena looked up, her face full of regret.

‘Tina was already gone from me, Helena. It wasn’t you’ Bette said gently.

Helena didn’t say anything. As if by speaking, she might ruin this change of heart.

Looking down, Bette admitted ‘I was angry..then. I wasn’t thinking clearly, but I do see it now’ She gave a slight smile ‘I don’t blame you’

Helena sat there, without a word, biting her lip.

‘Well? Don’t look so nervous, Helena’ Bette grew amused ‘You always seem nervous around me these days..like you’re treading on egg shells’

Helena let out a breath of relief ‘That’s because I am nervous around you Bette. I’ve been trying to redeem myself, in everyone’s eyes really. But more so you, because you were the one for whom I caused most trouble’

‘I agree with you on that!’

Helena stopped, still on unfamiliar ground

Bette let out a laugh ‘Aw come on Helena. I’m kidding. Its alright, really.’ Her expression changing, growing more thoughtful. ‘You’ve changed’

Helena felt a slight blush creeping up, under Bette’s gaze.

Bette continued ‘But its still unnerving to see you..give in so much, when I’m around. I know its not you’

‘Its not?’

‘No’ Assured Bette with a laugh. She tilted her head. ‘You’re like me’

Helena chuckled and admitted ‘Its true. I noticed that too, right away when I first met you. I realised then what exactly made me attractive to..’ Helena stopped suddenly as she realised she almost ruined it all by uttering that name.

‘Tina?’ Bette looked slightly emotional, but smiled nonetheless, for Helena’s sake. ‘You can say her name, Helena. I’m not going to jump down your throat. We’re..friends now’

Silence

‘At least I’d like to think so..’ Bette’s voice trailed off uncertainly.

Helena smiled

‘What?’ Bette got decidedly flustered

‘You’re back-pedalling. Retreating’ said Helena, her smile growing wider ‘Don’t. Its not you’

‘Its not?’ Bette grinned

‘No’ Helena tilted head and shrugged. ‘You’re like me’

Bette laughed. She was going to enjoy having Helena around.

‘I’m glad’ smiled Helena, reading Bette’s expression perfectly.

‘Me too’ Bette sat back contently, and looked around. ‘Are we getting off here?’

‘This is the Black Diamond run. That’s moguls, do you ski moguls?’