Tina closed the door to her office and leaned her back against it for a moment before jumping up and down excitedly and pumping her fists in the air. After gaining her composure, she smoothed and straightened out her scrub uniform and headed to the OR to scrub in.

*********************************
The next morning:

”Alice? I swear after we leave from this meeting we are going to the dealership and I’m getting us a car. To stall out in the middle of the interstate when traffic is flying around us at 80mph is a death wish” Bette scolded as they walked to the hospital entrance and found the floor to take the elevator too.

”It started right back up Bette and everyone went around us with no problem” Alice answered fumbling with the booklets in her hand as they entered the elevator. Bette pushed the fourth floor button and turned to Alice.

”Tell Myrtle she is about to become scrap metal!” Bette said coldly as the doors opened and Bette walked out leaving Alice standing there appalled.

”Fuck you Porter” Alice mumbled finally stepping off the elevator and entered the conference room behind Bette

”Sorry we are late Mr. Parker. We had car trouble” Bette said shaking hands and cutting her eyes over at Alice standing beside her. ”This is Alice Pieszecki my assistant”

”Nice to meet you Alice” Mr. Parker said shaking her hand then turning his attention back to Bette and made introductions with his staff.

”Bette? This is Mr. Tom Leland my Vice President. Mr. Paul Wilson my Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Vera Krause my Chief Operational Officer and the woman that entered behind you is our new Chief of Staff Dr. Tina Kennard”

Bette turned around and extended her hand out as the blonde placed her hand into hers. ”Hi Dr. Kennard. I’m Bette Porter. I’m the architect that is designing the new medical center”

”And my new Cancer research facility” Tina added as Bette quickly released her hand and turned to Mr. Parker.

”Yes Bette. I was going to tell you today that Dr. Kennard requested the research facility be added. She will be in charge of approving any designs that you make and we will set a budget for the project.” Mr. Parker explained ushering Bette and his staff to the table leaving Alice standing there next to Tina.

”Hi. I’m Alice Pieszecki. Bette Porter’s assistant and long time friend”

”Hi. Dr. Tina Kennard”

After the two shook hands Alice caught Tina’s gaze and followed it where it landed on Bette. After giving a slight chuckle, Alice turned her head and both began walking toward the table where they heard Bette talking.

”Mr. Parker? You do know that the current land secured for your medical center will not be enough for the research facility”

”The research facility will not be built on the grounds of the medical center. I have secured land in Malibu where the facility will go” Tina interrupted causing Bette to turn to look up at her and smile.

”How much land have you acquired Dr. Kennard?” Bette asked as Tina sat down in the empty chair beside her.

”I have over 20 acres ready to break ground now” Tina replied smiling back as both went silent for a moment staring at each other before being interrupted by a booklet dropped in front of Tina.

As Bette and Tina broke their gaze at one another they looked up at a grinning Alice.

”Shall we begin this long and happy partnership?” Alice said patting both Bette and Tina on the back and continued to distribute the booklets around the table.

tbc