"You’re right, we are past this," Tina said with a small smile.

"Exactly, now as brand new people let’s go have dinner at our spot and you can tell me everything."

January 11, 2001

The club was pumping when Tina arrived. Everyone seemed to be drunk already and the place had just opened. There were guys scouting her out before she even reached the bar.

She could only feel relief when Eric arrived looking a bit flustered. Though the uneasiness didn’t go away because Eric’s tie was all messed up which he was always meticulous about and his hair was all tussled.

"Eric are you okay? What’s going on!" Tina cried as Eric ran to her breathing heavily.

"Tina we gotta get out of here now!"

"What? Why?"

"Some guys are after me," Eric said. "My firm was putting away this entertainment manager who was embezzling from his clients and the dude sent out his thugs to force us to tell him who ratted him out."

"Are you serious?"

"Let’s go Tina, now!"

Just as Eric and Tina turned to leave two large men stepped in front of them with their arms crossed over their chests.

"Where do you think you’re going?" One of them said.

"Ahh! No! Don’t hurt me," Eric said crouching behind Tina.

"Eric!" Tina cried.

The men glanced at each other than grabbed both Tina and Eric and dragged them away.

January 11, 2013

Bette looked at Tina worriedly and said, "so what happened?"

"Those guys were brutal Bette," Tina said. "They had no sense of morality at all. They not only beat Eric nearly to a pulp, they also knocked me around pretty bad too."

"Oh my God," Bette breathed.

"Why don’t we have a drink, take a break from the intensity," Tina suggested.

"Pineapple Malibu like always?" 

"Your memory is uncanny."

Bette shook her head. "No it’s not. I just remember everything and anything that has to do with you."

"You’re too sweet," Tina said.

Bette took Tina’s hand and said, "it’s not that T and you know it. I love you."

Tina sighed deeply. "You scare me when you say those things Bette."

"Why? Why does it scare you?"

"Because it took us nearly a year to put all that crap behind us and actually become friends for Angie’s sake," Tina said. "Exploring our love once more is a risk I’m not sure I’m willing to take. I can’t bear another break up with you and I’m not sure we can salvage anything if that should happen, even for Angie."