Bette too stunned to ask the blonde in her arms what was wrong simply held her as she cried.  No words were spoken. They simply held onto each other for dear life it seemed until Tina flinched and quickly pried herself out of Bette’s arms and stood up.

“I’m uh…I’m sorry..I..uh..have to go” she shakingly wiped the tears from her eyes and before Bette could say anything Tina was out the door

Bette stood up and stared at the door where Tina just left and watched it open revealing an equally shocked Alice

“Was that-” is all Alice said knowing good well who it was but needing confirmation that she wasn’t just seeing things

Bette nodded as Alice hurried over to wrapping her in a hug “She dropped this” Alice looked down at the room keycard in her hand “I was bringing it to her.  I didn’t know it was her until I came in here”

“What did she say?” Alice asked and Bette shook her head

“Nothing.  She said my name and broke down crying.  I held her and then she suddenly jumped out of my arms and said she had to go”

Alice sighed..“Let’s go to our room Bette..And we can talk about this”

Bette nodded  “Yeah ok..I need to take this to the front desk first”

Alice and Bette exit the bathroom and were heading to the front desk when they spotted Tina in the arms of a familiar looking man who just leaned down and kissed her near the elevators

“Is that” Alice says watching Bette nod

“Yes..Eric Walker…Tina’s great love”

Alice scoffed “Bette you damn well know you were—-are Tina’s great love.  She told me many times she would never love anyone they way she loves you”

“Loved” Bette corrected

“Huh?”

“Loved….Past tense Alice..She doesn’t love me anymore”

“Jesus Bette..She does love you..She just doesn’t remember she does..But it’s still there..all the love she has for you..It’s just locked away..Just like remembering all of us..Just locked away”

Bette gives a half hearted chuckle “Yeah and she never gave me or us a chance to unlock that..She didn’t want it..And when I let her go I never heard from her again Al.  Three fucking years Al..Not one word..And now she is here..Here at the same time as me in the same fucking place I proposed to her..With the man she said was her first great love..And I’m left with memories of what she and I had while she was spared the pain of remembering…How fucking cruel is the universe Alice!”

With that Bette angrily walked away slapping the keycard on the front desk and walking out the front door to get some fresh air.

Alice sighed watching Tina and Eric enter the elevators and locked eyes with Tina who had a look of surprise in them before the doors closed

“Wait..Did she recognize me?” Alice muttered to herself before quickly shaking it off “Maybe I was just seeing things” she muttered again as she headed out the front door to find Bette

tbc