“We thought we lost you, TK.” Alice was now surrounded by several empty shot glasses, and Tina hoped that she hadn’t drank them all herself.

“Hardly.”

“You did seem,” Helena butted in, “to be the belle of the ball.”

“The term I heard was ‘fresh meat.’”

This was a new voice. Tina turned her head quickly and found Bette standing at the table. “Hey B..Bette.” Tina almost fell into the familiar ‘hey babe’ pattern, but checked herself, instead stuttering out Bette’s name.

“So who wins you for the night?” Bette continued, an undercurrent in her tone making Tina uncomfortable.

“What?”

“I’d have given money on the blonde with the hair issues, but maybe the woman with the spiked black hair would be a better transition for you, away from men and back to the lesbians.”

Tina rolled her eyes. That comment deserved it. “So, are Shane and Paige still dancing?”

“They took off.” Alice was now busy arranging the shot glasses in patterns.

“Oh. Sorry I didn’t get to say good-bye.”

“You were busy,” Bette countered.

That was enough. “I was dancing, Bette. And after how stressful things have been at work, I think I deserve the chance to unwind a little.”

“Oh, you unwound. You unwound half the female population of LA.”

With this sudden turn, this evening was not going well. After all the work that she’d done to co-parent with Bette, and to support Bette in her new relationship, being berated by her former partner was not among the ways Tina wished to spend her evening.

Tina got off the stool and gave Alice a hug. “Don’t forget to write Tasha.” She turned to Helena. “Bye.”

“She’s just had too much to drink,” Helena whispered in her ear.

“I know. I’ve had my workout. Now, I’m just going to head home and get some sleep.”

“How’d you get here?” Helena asked.

“Cab. Don’t worry.”

She gave Helena another squeeze before turning to Bette. “I’ll see you Sunday night, Bette, to pick up Angelica.”

Not looking back, Tina walked out of the club.

Outside, she decided to walk a couple blocks before the cab. The evening was a little chilly, but that’s what she wanted. She wanted her head to clear a little before she went home to her empty apartment.

Besides, walking gave her time to think. When did Bette get there? What was with Bette’s attitude?

A hand grabbed her shoulder and Tina screamed. Turning quickly while backing away, she stumbled.

The other person grabbed her under the arm, steadying her and keeping her from falling.

“What?”

It was Bette.

“I…I laid into you pretty hard back there.” A standard Porter non-apology apology.

“You did. And you had no right.” Tina tried to keep the anger from her voice.

“I know. It’s just, strange, seeing you dancing, having fun, with all of those women.”

Bette hadn’t let go of her. One hand held Tina’s, the other hand lightly tracing paths with her fingers over the back of her hand and up the forearm.

“This is how it is, Bette.” How you want it, Tina added in her thoughts.

With a look of sadness, Bette nodded. And then she took a half-step closer. “It doesn’t have to be,” she whispered.

Before she grasped what was happening, Tina realized that Bette’s lips were upon hers, kissing her.

Tina closed her eyes, and let herself kiss back.

(the end)