“I loved the way you took Clinton on; let me give you some better intelligence.  Bette is mine and you will not win this fight.”  

            Barbara smiled.  “I asked her if her partner were as intense as she is, I just got my answer.  If you should decide to let her go, I’d love to know.”

            “Never.” Tina smiled in return.

            “She said to me that the only thing she wanted more than me that night was for her girlfriend to want her as much as I did.  Do you?”

            “More”.

             They understood one another perfectly.

            “So much for another exquisite bottle of scotch.”

            They returned to the living room and Tina saw Bette’s worried expression.  She gave her a smile and watched as Bette relaxed and returned her smile.  Barbara saw it too and returned her attention to the Porter who returned her interest.

                                                            *******

            They sat together after their guests left and Angelica went down for the night. 

            “I guess I should get going.” Tina stirred. 

            “Can you stay?” Bette asked softly.  “I’d like to talk if you’re not too beat.”

            “I’m not too tired.”  Tina was instantly alert by the tone of Bette’s voice.

            “I’m sorry about tonight.  I had no idea that Senator, Barbara was Elizabeth’s friend.”

            “It’s ok.  I know it wasn’t intentional.  It was nice though.  We had a nice talk on the patio.”

            “You did?” Bette asked warily.            

            “Yeah, I told her to back the fuck off that you belong to me.”

            “Tina. You didn’t” Bette looked horrified.

            “I did.” Tina responded smugly.  “She was quite gracious about it.”

            “I didn’t sleep with her.”

            “I know. She is even hotter in person than on TV. I might have understood if you had. Might.” Tina amended quickly.

            “The other day you asked why I slept with Candace.  It’s a question I’ve struggled with for a long time. I’m not sure I can answer the question T but I want to try.” 

Bette stood and moved around the room in the way Bette uniquely dominated whatever space she was in.  “I think that your therapist was right.  I don’t think I ever recovered completely from your initial reaction to Marcus.  In group therapy Yolanda really set me off.  She reminded me of so many people who don’t know me presuming to know and judge me.  Even Kit used to judge me and accuse me of trying to pass as white.  I’ve never done that.  I have only ever tried to be who I am which is me.