The honesty and vulnerabilty of Bette’s response stirred a deep seated admiration in Tina for the woman that Bette Porter had become in their time apart– a woman as strong as always but not as brutally cold as she had been in the past. A woman capable of doing what needed to be done but also able to allow herself and others the compassion needed for human weakness and wrong choices.

Bette’s words seemed to have a profound affect on Jodi who sat motionless looking first at Bette and then for the first time she turned to look directly at Tina before searching Bette’s face once more. Reluctantly the sculptor reached into the hand bag she had brought with her, pulled out a cell phone dialed and when the call connected she began to type a message on the screen. Once done Jodi turned the phone to Bette so that she could read what she had written and when Bette nodded a tap of Jodi’s finger sent the message off into cyber space. With a swift motion Jodi clicked the cell phone shut and dropped it back into her hand bag.

Smiling across the table at Tina oblivious to everyone around them Bette spoke, "Jodi just sent her retraction of the statements against me to the Board of Directors" Jodi had gotten to her feet at Bette’s words. Choosing her words with deliberation she spoke directly to Bette as she reached for her bill and bag.

"Are you happy now? You have broken my heart Bette Porter. I know that you understand what you are demanding" looking angrily toward Tina Jodi continued, " I hope she is worth it"

"Tina is worth it Jodi but I left you for me–because it was not working and that will always be worth it. I will be looking for your retirement announcement. Don’t force my hand–I will do what I have to do and if you knew me at all you will know that."

Tossing her head back Jodi ‘s gaze fixed on Bette for mere seconds then she was gone. Tina reached across the table to clasp Bette’s hands in hers as they watched Jodi pay her bill and leave Dante’s. The calm silence between the two women was finally broken as Bette leaned her head in toward Tina’s and spoke her voice chocked with emotion, "It’s finally done baby." Moving forward to meet Bette Tina placed her mouth on Bette’s kissing the tender lips with an intensity that made Bette wish they were already home. As she pulled back from the kiss Tina smiled as she said just above a whisper, "Now I think you were saying something earlier about wanting executive training from me."

The teasing, seductive promise in Tina’s comment re-ignited almost intolerable tongues of desire and need deep within Bette. In 5 minutes their bill was paid and the lovers were headed home. The cloud that had hung over their renewed relationship had finally lifted and both of them intended to celebrate their victory to the utmost in the 2 hours they had alone before Angelica would need to be picked up at the sitter.

Tina’s happy giggle of anticipation and playfulness in response to Bette’s right hand slipping into the bottom of her blouse and up to grasp the softness of her breast as they stumbled through the front door of Tina’s sounded like heaven to Bette’s ears.

"Now Ms Kennard, teach me some of those executive moves you were talking about. I’m all ears"

"Actually from my perspective I would say you are all hands Ms Porter but I’m not complaining."

Tina’s next comment delivered as she placed her hands on Bette’s shoulders and pushed the brunette gently to her knees in front of her sent shivers of anticipation shooting up Bette’s spine.

"The first lesson I intend to teach you is never take No for an answer"