Oh Al, did he hurt you?  Tina said lifting Alices shirt. 

OH MY GOD!  Tina said covering her mouth to silence the horror she saw.  Grabbing Alice by her arms turning her around to face Tina.  Alice began to cry. 

Alice, who did this to you?  Who hit you Alice?  Tell me.  Did Helena do this to you?  Tina said her eyes filled with tears and anger.

No, Tina I fell.  You know what a klutz I am.  I just fell.  Alice said crying into Tina chest holding on tightly.

Alice these bruises are not from a fall.  Tina said as she is lifting Alices chin with her hand.  Tina looks closer and sees more bruising.  Moving Alices scarf down, Tina now sees fingerprints on Alices throat.  Oh god Alice.  Please tell me.  Did someone hurt you?  Was it Helena?  Alice please.  I love you, you know that.  You can tell me anything.  Please Al, let me help you.  Tina said begging her friend to open up to her.

T, it’s embarrassing.  Things just got carried away.  Helena loves me.  She would never hurt me on purpose.  We were making love last night and we just sorta go carried away.  Thats all honest.  I’m ok really.  We just got a little rough with some new bondage stuff we were trying out.  Alice said trying to convince Tina. 

Al, thats more than just a bit carried away.  You looked like you have been beaten Alice.  Dont lie to me!  I mean it Alice tell me the truth.  Tina said not believing her friend. 

I am telling you the truth  I swear Tina.  Helena loves me.  She didnt mean for this to happen.  It was just some new toys we were messing with and I I guess I just bruise easier than I thought.  Alice said trying to stop crying as her body slumped to the floor in Tinas arm. 

Sitting on the floor holding her friend in her arms Tina is also crying when she hears a knock on the bathroom door.  They hear Bettes voice asking if Alice is ok.  Alice is whispering to Tina.  Tina no please dont tell Bette.  Please Tina.  I’m begging you.

Shes fine.  Were just talking girl stuff.  Well be out in a minute ok.  Tina said lying to her wife, but doing so to protect not only Alice, but Bette as well.  If Bette saw any of these bruises on her best friends body, shed tear Helena apart. 

Given the situations Bette has been in the past 2 years Tina was afraid Bette might do something far more worse than just kick Helenas *****.  Twice Bette had gone after someone that hurt me.  The death of that young boy came to mind.  Bette thought he had raped me and now hes dead, then Jennifer.  No Tina would keep this secret, for now. 

Helping Alice to her feet.  They both had to fix their makeup from crying.  Alice, please be careful.  If you are in to something like this with Helena, you need to use a safe word.  That way if it starts to hurt she can stop, ok.  Tina said praying to god Alice was telling her the truth but her gut feeling was that Alice was lying. 

Tina please.  You cant let Helena know that you saw this.  She would be very embarrassed and get angry.  Ok?  Please dont say anything to her about this.  Alice said begging her friend. 

Now Tina knew her gut instinct was right, Alice was lying.