“I’m so sorry baby,” the blonde sobbed, “I am so sorry.” She tore down a stripe of her shirt in attempt to stop the bleeding. Dark red substance had already covered her hand, and she couldn’t tell if it was her own or from someone else lying in the room.

“T—Tina…” The brunette panted and blinked, the dangling light ceiling light suddenly too bright. In the glowing whiteness that shrouded them, Tina looked like an angel. Maybe she was an angel, here to take her away. She smiled up to the blinding light, and waited for a kiss.

But something cold landed on her cheek. A drip of water, it felt like. Big doe eyes fluttered in confusion—her angel was crying. “Sh-shh, don’t cry.”

The soft cooing only made it worse. Tina rested her forehead against Bette’s cheek, letting the stream of tears run free across her face and then on the mocha colored skin. “I’m sorry. This…it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry, baby. I’m a—I had to…”

“I know.” With a hand tangled in the blonde hair, Bette gently laid a kiss on the corner of Tina’s mouth, “I knew.”

“You…did?” Then why didn’t she say anything? Why would she protect her from the beginning to the end? But Tina had her answer.

“I’m not dumb.” She chuckled, and screwed her brows when the smallest vibration threatened to tear her chest apart.

Bette had worked everything out. Ever since Eric’s venomous accusation, her suspicious had returned. And by the way Tina tactfully acquired information from their conversations, she was sure. She was proud of Tina, truthfully, that she served her duty and fulfilled her obligation.

An earthshaking explosion ripped through the building. It came from the basement. More stumping appeared from the corridor. The chandelier broke down from the cord and met the concrete floor with a clash.

“I love you. I love you, Bette.” Tina whispered against her ear as she splayed herself on top of the brunette, shielding her from the flying pieces of broken glass. Her lips found Bette’s chapped and blood stained ones. The coppery taste spilled over her tongue, but she kissed sweetly, thoroughly.

James Pearson’s statement wrote, “I was forced to retrieve to the lobby when the explosion happened in the basement. The fire had spread to the entrance. Both the swat team and the suspects had ceased fire momentarily for the escape. A second explosion had cut off the corridor from the lobby to the other side of the building. I was trapped there, with two other men. They did not suspect my cover as the busboy, so they led me to a stairway, which connected to a concealed path in the backyard. It was when I found Officer Kennard lying on top of a woman, who was still alive at the time. She had been hesitant to leave the person behind, but I had to consider her wellbeing as my priority.”