They kissed and hugged Shane and Carmen goodnight at the front door. Bette went ahead and grabbed Tina’s bag from Shane’s truck while tina got in the car to wait for her. She got in and felt the small happy memories come back to her. Her hand began to touch and meander up the gear shift and up to the center console. She smiled remembering all of the kisses and smiles they shared above these small things. She looked up and through the t-tops, the glass felt warm agaainst her hand and the stars looked like they were within her reach.

They got home and the house was eerily quiet, Bette saw the expectant look on Tina’s face, "Daddy’s still in the hospital and Jesse is still with Ale. So…"

"It’s just us? Not what I expected."

"Sorry."  Bette turned around about to head to her bedroom. For some reason that comment bothered her.

"Bette. Stop." Tina said before Bette hit the corner towards the hallway. "Stop apologizing to me, please." Bette’s entire attitude so shy and tepid. This was certainly not the woman she was expecting to find again. Bette seemed so shut down and almost afraid of Tina.

"Then what do you want me to say Tina?" she exhausted gripping the front of her hair and pulling it back.

"Say something, anything. But stop apologizing to me. It’s me Bette. Don’t treat me like the connection we had never existed. I…"

"Had." she whispered now rubbing her forehead.

"You send me this cryptic and frightening letter and then you treat me like a stranger when I get here.  Will you please just tell me what’s wrong with you, please?"

Bette huffed trying to get the words together, "I can’t…" she couldn’t let her emotions steal her speech, so stopped and tried again. "I can’t be this anymore."

"What does that mean?"

"It feels like everybody’s got a piece of me but me. I feel like I’m everywhere except where I want to be." her voice broke as a tear fought it’s way out. "I have no more private thoughts. My quiet moments are behind me. I feel… tired. I’m so tired Tina , all I want to do is lay down. I don’t have the strength for any of this anymore." Bette’s body was defeated, she didn’t have the strength to complain to anyone. Tina saw it in her face earlier but she didn’t know the extent of it all.

She walked over to her and took her hand as she walked down the hall towrds Bette’s bedroom. She opened the door and noticed that Bette had upgraded to overly luxurious King sized bed. Probably the one pace she saved for herself.

She turned around and pulled Bette’s shirt over her head, and saw how weak her body looked. This was not the same muscular body she grew to crave in her absence. It broke her heart. She took off her own shirt and sat Bette down on the bed so she could remove her shoes. Bette moved back and under the covers waiting for Tina to finish undressing and join her. She got in and faced Bette, "Baby you don’t have to be anything right now. Just let me hold you." She kissed the top of Bette’s head and felt Bette sob into her chest as she pulled Tina closer and tighter to her body.

TBC……..