As Angelica got better,Tina returned to her routine. And that meant going back to her apartment. She was packing the few itmes Shane had threw together in a duffle bag when she spied Bette standing in the doorway. She had stayed in the house that first week of Angie’s release, partly because of Bette wanting for them to be together for the sake of their daughter’s health. And to also be closer to Bette. She never intended to stay permenantly.They weren’t ready for that.

“You said u trust me,” Bette uncharacteristically whined.
“I do trust you.”

Tina stopped packing and looked up at Bette. She dropped the last tshirt in the bag and walked over to her. Laying her hand on Bette’s chest, on her heart, Tina looked into her eyes.

“I trust you with all that I am. It’s me that I don’t trust.”
“Huh?”
“I know that you would never push me into anything I don’t want to do. My problem is with everything finally falling into place-my career, having Angie happy and healthy and you back in my life- I don’t want to rush a good thing. Being with you this week felt like the old us,” sighing Tina paused thinking of how to explain her feelings.
“We exist so well together that I don’t want us to fall into old habits. Which is what I feel will happen.”

Bette opened her mouth to say something but Tina stopped her.

“And you can say that won’t happen. But let’s be honest… it will. You have an influence over me-”
“An influence?” Bette asked
“Yes, an influence,” she smiled, “Sometimes bad but the majority of the time, good. And the bad clouds my brain with the spoils of your love and suddenly I can’t think for myself,” Tina smiled.
“Your flattery will not let you off the hook, T. I’m hurt that you’re going back to that apartment,” Bette stated looking down at Tina’s hand.
“Babe, ‘that’ apartment has never felt like home to me. But at the moment it is the place where I reside and I have to go back there if I want us to work. I can’t explain it… not now anyway. My mind is just racing with the thought of being away from you tonight. I won’t even tell how fast my heart is going.”

Tina slid her other hand under Bette’s chin, raising her head.

“It doesn’t matter where my body rest, my heart is always with you. You are my home.”

Tears fell down Bette’s cheeks.

“I really must stop crying whenever I’m with you. I know its ruining my rep for being a stone cold bitch,” Bette joked wiping her cheek.
“If I don’t know you’re not a ‘stone cold bitch’ then who does,” Tina laughed. “Beside Kit.”
“And Shane,” Bette added.
“And Shane,” Tina repeated.

*****

Bette picked up the phone on the first ring expected it to be Tina.

“So how are you surviving without TK?” Alice voice came through the receiver.
“Hi Alice.”

*****

“Are you going through Bette withdrawals yet?” Shane asked Tina over the phone.
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?” she asked while pulling up to a red light.
“Know when I need to talk to someone and that someone is not Alice.”
“Oh. Well the all seeing Yoda knows everything,” Shane laughed, “but seriously how are you holding up?”

Shane heard Tina sigh then quickly ramble on.

“I thought I could do it Shane. But I can’t. That woman is in my blood. Everytime I go to eat something, I mean even a little bit of a cookie and I can’t. I have no appetite. I’ve tried laying down but all I do it toss and turn. I’ve never noticed it before but this bed is so goddamn uncomfortable. I still smell her, Shane. Do you get what I’m saying. I smell her. I have taken about two showers since I’ve gotten back. Two and she is still on me.”

Shane could only smile. She thought Tina was to damn cute.

“Why two showers?”
“Angelica made a mess of finger painting. That was shower number 1. And then of dinner and that was shower number 2.”
“T, if you miss Bette this much why don’t you just go back home?”
“I can’t,” she sighed.
“Why?”

Shane was pulling into her driveway. She could see Bette’s lights still on.

“Because I made this big speech about having to come back here so that we wouldn’t fall into old habits.”
“But old habits are what you want.”
“Some not all.”
“Why not go home and make new ones,” Shane suggested.
“You make it sound so easy,” Tina sighed for the third time.
“Because it is T.”
“How do you-”
“Know so much? I don’t know. Wish I did. Maybe it would help me with my own relationships.”

Standing in her kitchen, Shane watched Bette pace back and forth on the phone.

‘Probably Alice,’ she thought to herself.

“You will find the right woman to love and who will love you. Don’t give up,” Tina said bringing Shane’s attention back to the conversation.
“Thanks, T.”

A comfortable silence filled the air.

And then…

“Go home, T. Its where you belong, by her side. And besides, she’s doing about as good as you are right now.”
“What?”
“She’s walking up and down the house missing you about as much as you miss her. Go to your love.”
“Goodnight Yoda.”
“Goodnight T. Give Angie a kiss for me.”
“Always.”

Tina hung up and quickly threw on some jeans.

****

Knock. Knock.

“Who’s at your door at this time of night? It better not be a hooker, Porter!”
“Shut up, Alice.”

Bette opened the door. It was Tina with Angelica asleep snuggled in her arms.

“I gotta go Alice.”
“Who is it? Who’s at your door.”
“A girl scout selling cookies,” Bette answered lowering the phone away from her ear.
“A girl scout? At this hour? Porter! PORTER!” Alice screamed just as Bette shut off the phone.
“What’s wrong? Angie okay?”
“I can’t sleep. Was wondering if you would be interested in a sleepover?”

Bette smiled as Tina stood on the doorstep looking lost.

Stepping aside, Bette said, “You can sleep over everynight if you want.”
“I want,” Tina replied walking over the threshold pausing to kiss Bette. “I’ll just lay Angie down.”
“I’ll lock up,” Bette countered.

Bette watched after Tina as she walked down the hall to Angie’s room. She closed the door and flipped the locks. Her family was home.