Tina and Bette’s House
Bette (wrapping the dinner she had prepared and turned off the light): Little bitch. She’s blackmailing her and I’ll wring her ever loving neck…
Helena (knocking and walking in): Hi.
Bette (wide eyed): Hi. Are you, is your mom, what’s wrong?
Helena (putting her hands up): I was hoping we could talk.
Bette (nodding): Sure.  
Helena (setting a large manila envelope on the table): Tina isn’t home is she.
Bette (shaking her head): No. She just called in fact and….
Helena (pressing her finger to her lips): Shh. Now let’s get comfortable shall we. I think we have a solution to the problem at hand.
Bette (eying Helena warily): Okay what’s your plan and what are you after.
Helena (feigning hurt): Bette, of all people, I would expect at least a little open mindedness when it comes to a wonderful opportunity that just landed in my lap.
Bette (folding her arms across her chest): Like I said what’s your plan.

Tina and Bette’s House Later That Night
Tina pulled into the driveway. She saw it was after midnight. Bone weary and exhausted she stepped out of the car and came face to face with Bette.
Bette (gently): Here, give me your things. There’s a hot bath ready for you Helena’s making something for you to eat. Saying what I made for dinner would be a better lunch.
Tina (shock): Bette (leaning her head on her partner’s shoulders) baby….
Bette (wrapping her arm around her): I’m here (kissing the top of her head) come on.
Helena (walking to the door and helping Bette with Tina’s bags): Darling, you look positively awful. Why don’t you tell Helena all about it? (Setting the bags down) there’s a nice hot bath, Angie is tucked in, and I’ve made some dinner. Bette’s idea for dinner is a better lunch (giggling.)
Bette (laughing): Hey my cooking has improved tremendously.
Helena (shaking her head): Says you….
Bette (kissing Tina on the lips): Yes me.  
Helena (handing Tina a glass of wine): Now, go take your bath, and relax. (Thinking) you know we can both come and help….
Bette (smacking Helena on the ass playfully): Therapeutically of course….
Tina (shaking her head): Of course. (Wondering what in the hell) after my bath I’ll come….
Bette (giggling): After your bath (rubbing her lower lip with her thumb) I’ll come and tuck you in and read you a bed time story.
Helena (giggling): That is after dinner is served and if you need more attention then we’ll see to it that you get it
Tina (laughing): A bed time story huh baby.
Bette (smiling): About the black knight who slays the evil bitch..
Helena (swatting Bette on the ass): Witch darling. Witch… 
Bette (mumbling): Witch, bitch, same difference.
Tina (noticed they were both stoned; the giggling; the goofing around, this wasn’t typical of the two alpha’s she knew): And just what have you two been up to…..
Bette (taking over the cooking): Just plotting love.
Helena (guiding Tina to the bathroom): Why don’t you go take your bath and then come out and have dinner?  
Tina (wondering what these two were up to): Okay. Bette is there a warrant out for either one of you two.
Shane (knocking and walking in): Hey. Sorry I’m late. I got held up.
Carmen (carrying in two bags): Traffic was a night mare on the freeway.
Tina (raising her hands): I give up. (Rubbing her face) I’m going in the bathroom. And when I come out someone better fess up.
They waited until Tina shut the door, then started laughing.
Bette (smirking): Just wait until tomorrow. I wish I could be there but I have this…
Helena (leaning on the counter; cigarette dangling from her lips): Don’t worry. Every moment will be preserved.
Shane (raising her hand): And we’re taking care of Angie tomorrow. (Looking at Helena) can I have one?
Helena (nodding): Sure.
Carmen (pulling out a sheet of paper): Oh this is where we do the promise thing (raising her right hand) we promise to make sure she eats healthy, gets in a nap, use sunscreen no less than 45spf, call you every four hours or Tina every four hours and if necessary to call Kit if we can’t get a hold of either one of you.
Shane (kissing her on the cheek): That was good. (Wrapping her arms around her) did we miss anything?
Bette (pole axed): No, I’m impressed.
Helena (pulling out plates): And that takes a lot. (Opening the oven) Here, we go. Turkey, swiss on whole wheat crackers. Blue cheese, vinaigrette salad and chocolate mousse for dessert.
Shane (grabbing silverware): Awesome.
Tina (coming in the kitchen): Okay. I want answers (pointing to Bette and Helena) over there. Hands where I can see them? Shane you and Carmen stay right where you are… 
Bette (leaning on the counter): Officer I’ve been good. (Smirking) what are you going…
Tina (folding her arms across her chest): One, you two (looking at Bette and Helena) are higher than the Eiffel Tower, and I’d like to know why? Two (pausing) would someone mind telling me what the hell is going on?
Bette (gently): Tina, Helena has an idea that might work. And I agree with her.
Tina (shock): You agree (pausing) with Helena?
Helena (patting Bette on the back almost knocking her over): Sorry (yelping as Bette slapped her on the ass) she’s been extremely cooperative.
Shane (busting out laughing): That’s a first. Bette cooperative, let alone extremely…
Tina (concern): Are you sure, you two don’t have a warrant out or that you haven’t lost your minds.  
Bette and Helena looked at each other and shrugged. They both shook their heads and Tina threw her hands up in defeat.
The group sat down to enjoy a light dinner. Each of them knowing that things were about to change. They had no idea, just how much. 

Tbc
kjm