Tina and Bette’s House
Tina pulled her car in the driveway and parked it next to Bette’s. Slamming her hand on the steel wheel in frustration she cursed as she noticed the time 230 am. Aron, William and Adele were killing her. She had not seen much of Angie or Bette in four days. And at this late hour she knew she would not only not get to spend time with them but would only be getting 4 hours of sleep. Grabbing her briefcase she got out the car and walked into the house. Setting her things on the table by the door, she walked down the hall to Angie’s room and pushed the door open. The sight on the bed made her smile. Angie was sleeping, cuddling one of her favorite bears and the covers were on the floor. Walking over to the bed she covered her daughter back up and then brushed her hair back. Leaning down she kissed her on the cheek and whispered I love you. Standing up she walked to the door and took one last look at her sleeping angel and went to the master bedroom to change.
Bette looked up, knowing Tina was home and it would be a while before she came out to join her. They had a lot to talk about, things that were important if they were to keep going.
Tina (coming out with a bucket and four beers): Hi.
Bette (smiling; she was happy to see her for more than one reason): Hey! How was your day?
Tina (nodding): Negatives were sent to the lab and they start production on the DVD tomorrow. I signed the orders tonight.
Bette (standing): That’s great. So this one’s in the bucket so to speak.
Tina (opening a beer): Yes. Now on to the next project.
Bette (taking a deep breath): Same hours….
Tina (trying to gauge Bette’s mood): What’s wrong?
Bette (taking another pull of her beer): How long am I on probation for?
Tina (shaking her head): What?
Bette (trying not to lose her temper): I’m on Probation for the rest of my life….
Tina (confused): Bette back up…
Bette (shaking her head): I won’t be. We need to talk about things.
Tina (sipping her beer; connecting the dots): Bette’s that’s not…
Bette (chuckling): That’s what it is. I won’t be on Probation for the rest of my life Tina. I made mistakes, I paid for them now let’s move on.
Tina (holding up her hand): Wait. Back up a minute here. Is that what you think?
Bette (nodding her head): Yes. You’re waiting. Waiting for me to screw up. Waiting to hear someone say I told you so. (Biting her lip) I made a promise to you. I intend to keep it. (Pausing) not only for you and I but for that little girl in there. So let’s talk this out. Let’s get everything out in the air. Because tomorrow we’re either starting fresh or I am (choking on that statement.)
Tina (realizing Bette was serious): Okay (holding up her hand) let’s try this. I ask you a question and you answer it then you ask me a question and I answer.
Bette (sighing): Fine.
Tina (moving closer to her): How long did your affair with Nadia last?  
Bette (disbelief): Four nights. (Stopping and sipping beer) now, did you see Helena while you were with asshole and how long?
Tina (thinking back to those few nights of cold comfort with Helena that left her just as empty inside; she knew now what it was): Yes. Helena and I got together because I wasn’t satisfied. (Angry) because no one was like you. Because no one made me feel like you did, like you do. (Tears falling down her face) is that what you wanted to hear? That no one could compare to you?
Bette (snarling): That’ll do..
Tina (laughing): How many one night stands did you have?
Bette (remembering): Four. Mostly to work off tension and the fact I would never see them again. I never once turned to a man (throwing that in her face.)
Tina (sarcastically): Because you were always in control and you made sure whoever it was, was satisfied.
Bette (nodding): Yep.  
Tina (throwing her hands up): I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said today. That you were having lunch with the flirt and how convenient it was…
Bette (taking a calming breath): Is this how it’s going to be, every time?
Tina (rubbing her face): No, it’s just…
Bette (setting her beer down; she turned to Tina and took her hands in her own): I know you’re scared. I know why too. (Softly) just so you know (swallowing hard) I’m terrified (kneeling in front of her.) I know what we had, what we lost and how much time and work it took to get back together. And this (kissing Tina’s hands) I’m going to fight not only for us but for that little girl in there who has never been happier. (Looking into Tina’s eyes; seeing pain; exhaustion; love and commitment) and the day after tomorrow I’m seeing a new therapist. I work with her in the mornings and then meet with Kelly Wentworth and weigh my options.  
Tina (tears falling down her face): I love you (leaning down and kissing Bette; trying to convey all the love she felt for this woman.)  
Bette (looking at her; seeing the exhaustion; the tension and the beauty that was all Tina): Spend a day with Angie and I.
Tina (smiling): I need a day off. Aron, Adele and William have been running me ragged. (Wrapping her arms around Bette’s neck) besides I think Angie and you deserve a home cooked meal that you aren’t cooking or ordering out.
Bette (setting her beer down): That’s what I had in mind (leaning in for a kiss.)
Tina (returning the kiss): I’m sorry things have been so hectic?
Bette (sighing): You don’t have to be. (Pausing) this is what life must have been like for you, when I was at the CAC.
Tina (wrapping her arm around her): To a degree, yes. To another degree, we were already falling apart. We had stopped communicating, stopped spending time together, stopped enjoying life. (Taking a deep breath) I was missing you, even though you were standing right in front of me.
Bette (conviction): I never stopped loving you.
Tina (looking in her eyes): I know. And I think the best part of me never stopped loving you. (Turning her head and letting the tears fall; she felt Bette’s fingers touch her face and cup her chin.) I treated you so badly…
Bette (wiping away with her thumb): And I was wrong (tears falling down her own face) you are the best part
of me. I think (pausing) no I know, it took me losing you, to realize (taking a deep breath…)
Tina (waiting): To…
Bette (conviction): To realize that what we had, what we have is special and one of a kind. (Licking her lips) that that our love is one of kind, hard to describe and harder still for people to understand.
Tina (looking into her past, present
They both leaned in for a kiss, soft sweet lips meeting again. They felt their passions, their love, everything come together. An ember that sparked and burned between. An ember that never truly went out.