Tina (looking over the layouts and schedules on her desk): Not that I can think of (sitting down.)

Helena (smirking): I think you did (setting the folders down.) This perhaps (leaning forward for a kiss; laughing as Tina moved out of the way.) Oooh playing hard to get…

Tina (shaking her head): Come here (holding her arms open) if I give you a kiss will you promise to behave (remembering her earlier antics with craft services.)

Helena (pouting): I was being good he shouldn’t have been such an ass, trying to get a glimpse down your shirt. He’s lucky Bette wasn’t there, a cup of coffee in his lap would have been the least of his problems.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Kai (signing the discharge papers): She’s on disability for the next six weeks then (hearing a groan from her partner) don’t go there. (Handing the paper work back to the nurse) I’ll take it from here.

Tasha (walking in): Hey! They sent me here to see what’s up (hugging Kai to her) you ok.
Kai (nodding): Yeah. They just released her (looking at Lisa) twenty seven stitches all together and a concussion.

Tasha (kneeling down): Hey! You need or want anything.

Lisa (hoarsely): I want to know who dropped the dam ball and screwed up a basic standard procedure for calling in.

Kai (looking at them both): What is she talking about and eighty-six that. Remember six weeks of rest and relaxation.

Tasha (wincing): Seems that there was a comm error and someone called in the wrong info. She (nodding towards Lisa) took on three by herself as they tried to flee. That’s why she got cut up. The other officers were to busy trying to prevent a war from happening….

Lisa (wincing): That’s not all true…

Kai (ready to strangle her): So help me when you get home I’m going to lock you in a rubber room. What the hell were you thinking?

Tasha (biting her lip): Kai if it’s any consolation she went after one and the other two came out of nowhere. She didn’t know and she’s like…

Kai (pointing her finger): Tasha don’t. This bonehead and I mean bonehead thinks she’s some sort of superhero…

Lisa (looking at her wife): Warrior Princess…

Tasha (smiling): Hey that was a dam good show. Too bad they messed up the ending. (Releasing the brake on the wheelchair) let me help you out to the car then I’ve got some trails to chase and to call Alice.

Lisa (cursing): You’re toast rookie…

Kai (threatening): You should talk bonehead. Wait, just you wait…

Tasha (whistling): I am so glad I am not in your shoes…

Kai (wiggling her fingers): I can change that for you rookie.

Tasha (pleading): Um no. That’s okay. Um uh (following Kai) you know um…

Kai (hitting a number on her cell): What was that rookie (unlocking her car?)

Tasha (opening the door): Nothing. In fact um, you hurry up and get better. Our band of misfits and troublemakers will be in touch…
Kai (grabbing her arm): Thank you…

Tasha (nodding): You’re welcome. Call me and let me know when we can stop over, I don’t think we’ve ever discussed the phone tree have we?

Kai (puzzled): Phone tree huh? Okay what is it.

Tasha (smiling): Well it’s like if something happens to lets say Bette, Tina calls one person and that person calls the next and so on. Phone tree, sometimes it’s a three way or a conference call so I’d give it another hour or two before you have company….

Kai (grateful): I could use all the help I can get. This one here can be a handful (looking in on her wife who was dozing in the passenger seat. The last time she got hurt she defeated Tomb Raider and Assassin’s Creed all in one weekend (leaning up and hugging her.)

Tasha (understanding): You know if there’s something we can do to help…

Kai (nodding): I know. I’ll call you later and you can do the phone tree and maybe we can keep her out of trouble.

Tasha nodded then watched as Kai got in and drove out of the parking lot. Too many dam questions and no fucking answers and she would find answers.

Bette’s Studio Sunset Boulevard
Bette (looking through her contracts and signing off on them): James make sure you copy these if the city needs them. Also has customs called back….

James (looking up): No. I’ve got to go down there after lunch and see if I can talk to whoever’s in charge.

Bette (nodding): Good. Also did we get that fiber optic cable in…

James (pointing): In the back. What are you up to?

Bette (grinning): You’ll see.

Jodi (walking in; signing): I’ve got her stuff in my truck you want to help me unload it.

Bette (setting her folder down): Pull around to the back, through the alleyway. I’ll let you in…

Jodi (waving at James): Sure….

Bette (taking a deep breath): She can’t have much so if I’m not back in twenty minutes make up an emergency and get me, got me…

James (nodding): Sure thing.

Bette (going to the back of the building and unlocking the two deadbolts and security bar; lifting open the door she saw what appeared to be Jodi’s vehicle coming through the alley way; waiting until Jodi stopped; she reached down and pulled open the back door): Okay let’s see here…

Jodi (signing): Do you want me to get a cart or something?

Bette (shaking her head): I got it (heading towards the storage area) you can fill out the paperwork on what’s here (handing her a stack of forms.)

Jodi (watching with interest as Bette tagged each of the five pieces and loaded them on the cart): When I first met you getting dirty was not in your vocabulary…

Bette (straightening): When I first met you I was lost and confused and angry. A lot has changed…

Jodi (softly): Apparently….

Bette (finishing with the last piece): Okay, I need to photograph and log and we’ll be set…

Jodi (reaching for her; trying): Bette…

Bette (sighing): Jodi….

Jodi (reaching for her): Can you just hear me out? Please…

Bette (pushing the cart inside): What you did was wrong? What you did was childish? You’re lucky that you were able to walk away.

Jodi (taking a deep breath): I reacted out of anger and hurt and betrayal…

Bette (trying not to yell): And how the fuck do you think I felt. I tried to be honest and tell you gently…

Jodi (rolling her eyes): After your little tryst with your ex. How do you call that honest?

Bette (shutting the door and setting the security bar): Because you didn’t from day one except the fact that no matter what happened, Tina would be in my life.

Jodi (following her): And that’s your excuse for sneaking around…

Bette (pushing the cart near a long wooded table): It’s not an excuse (turning and reaching for the door; only to have her hand grabbed) Jodi…

Jodi (tightening her hold): Can we talk without yelling, without getting angry with one another (reaching up and caressing Bette’s face) we had some good times…

Bette (feeling her blood pound; temples throbbing): Jodi it’s over please (pleading.)

Jodi (reaching for her bag): You say that I don’t (turning around.)

Bette saw what was in her hand and swallowed hard. Sending a silent prayer to whoever was listening and telling Tina and Angie she loved them.

The Planet
Kit (sitting down): Okay what’s on your mind (watching Alice pace back and forth?) You’re nervous and you’re babbling so…

Alice (thinking of how to handle this; how to tell her friend that her sister in law was sleeping around): It’s like this…

Papi (storming in): Alice, Tasha just called me, Lisa got hurt at work and you aren’t answering your phone and what’s wrong?

Kit (motioning): Time out one thing at a time. Lisa got hurt…

Papi (nodding and leaning against the door): Yeah, Kai’s at home, Tasha’s at the station and well I’m going to get a cup of coffee be right back…

Alice (sitting down): Dam this makes what I have to tell you…

Kit (pinching the bridge of her nose): Alice please out with it…

Alice (sighing): Tina and Helena are sleeping together, I saw them the night Dylan and Peggy went to New York and…

Kit (wide eyed): What? Alice are you, I mean they are pretty close…

Alice (nodding): Yeah, oh definitely…

Kit (shaking her head): Alice don’t you say another word. Oh Gods this just…

Papi (running in): Kit pick up the phone James is on the line and it’s urgent. (Realizing something else was wrong) Kit (looking at Alice) what’s up?

Kit (holding her hand up): Let me see what’s going on (picking up the phone) James yeah what. (She felt her blood grow cold and grabbed the desk; vaguely remembering Papi reaching for the phone; yelling in the background; her sister had been shot and Jodi had just sat there calmly) Bette…

Papi (yelling): Son of a bitch where are they taking here. No it’s alright, James just lock up I’ll call everyone else (hanging up the phone; looking at Alice who looked ready to pass out) Alice call Tasha and have her call everyone else.

Alice (looking up; shock): Bette’s been shot…

Papi (holding Kit tighter; she could feel her shaking): Yeah I oh fuck let me call the studio….

Alice (shaking her head): This day is going from bad to worst….

Papi (trying to keep control): Alice, call Tasha (reaching for her phone and hitting speed dial) yeah Maria I need to talk with Tina, it’s urgent, I know, believe you me I know. Get her on the phone and Helena as well…

Kit (mumbling): How the hell, oh Gods what a mess…

Alice (looking up): Tasha’s on her way to the hospital. Jodi’s in custody and I’m calling Carmen…

Papi (waiting): It’ll be alright, Tina hi honey you need to sit down and where’s Helena. Listen to me please Bette’s been shot she’s in Cedars and Tina, hello (listening) Helena you need to take Tina over to Cedars (fighting tears) I know, we’ll meet you there (closing her cell phone.) Kit come on baby…

Kit (crying): My sister has been shot, Tina’s sleeping around with Helena and….

Papi (pulling her into her arms): It’ll be okay baby (looking at Alice) call the Center and tell them we need to pick up Angie.

Alice (nodding; clearly n shock): Sure um yeah (reaching for her phone.)

Shaolin Studios
Tina (leaning forward on her knees): Helena get a car…

Helena (cupping Tina’s face in her hands): Already done, she’s going to be okay.

Tina (standing weakly; holding onto Helena for support): Bette…

Helena (grabbing their purses): She’s going to be okay (guiding her to the door, making sure it was locked.) Denise, Tina has a family emergency, forward all emergency calls to my phone.

Denise (nodding and opening the door for them): I hope everything turns out okay.

Tina (softly): Thank you…



Kai and Lisa’s House
Kai (processing her report and picking up the vibrating phone): Hello (jumping up) what. Has the world gone completely insane? No did you call Lara okay we’re on our way hang tight. (Running upstairs to their bedroom she found Lisa sleeping soundly) baby (turning on the light) honey I need to go to the hospital…

Lisa (mumbling): Sure (pausing) why?

Kai (caressing her face): Bette’s been shot…

Lisa (opening her eyes): Kai I’m doped up and groggy I don’t think I heard you right.

Kai (nodding): You did.

Lisa (weakly): Okay then help me up (seeing Kit about to protest) just put me in a dam wheelchair and I’ll be fine. They need us and our help. It’ll be a three and four ring circus in there (taking a deep breath as pain racked her body.)

Kai (shaking her head): You should stay in bed (helping her sit up realizing the point was mute) and of course you never listen.

Lisa (softly): Honey I do listen but right now we have a problem on our hands and even though I can’t kick some asses and take names I can still intimidate people.

Kai (rolling her eyes): I’ll get a button down it’ll be easier to put on and take off.

Lisa (closing her eyes against nausea): Thank you.

Cedars Sinai Emergency Room
Bette was fading in and out of consciousness, she could hear voices and people around her but that was it. She kept trying to call out for Tina but to no avail. She saw Doctors and nurses and someone was poking her in her arm with a needle and then everything went black.

Los Angeles Police Station
Officer O Malley (frustrated): You shot your ex at point blank range and then you sat there calm as day.

Jodi (shrugging): She’s mine and if I can’t have then no one can…

Office O Malley (looking to the other officer in the room): Get me public defense and a dam psychiatrist. And put her in cell by herself. (Watching as Jodi was escorted out between two other officers) dam (throwing the file on the table.)

Cedar Sinai Emergency Room
The waiting room was filled with women and tension that eerily reminded them of a few weeks ago when they were at the police station. Tina was sitting between Kit and Helena, Tasha was talking to a detective on the phone. Carmen and Shane were sitting opposite Tina and Alice was pacing back and forth. They had not heard anything on Bette only that she was in surgery and her condition was guarded. Angie was with Melissa and would be brought up later on. They all looked up as a doctor came out her face serious.

Doctor (looking at her clipboard): I’m Doctor Coogan and I’ll presume your all here for Elizabeth Porter (seven faces looked at her) well I’ve got good news and bad news.

To Be Continued
kris