”You know don’t you?” Alice asked sternly

”Know what Alice?” Bette responded folding her arms

”About Tina and Rachel” Alice said walking up to Bette and putting her hand on her shoulder.

Bette nodded

”Yeah. Tina called and told me last night” Bette responded sadly as Alice stared at her with understanding and compassion.

Bette noticed Alice was looking at her like she was going to fall apart.

”Alice quit staring at me like that. I am not going to crumble right in front of you. Give me a little credit. Alright?” Bette said rather coldly and sighed. ”I’m sorry Al. I just. I just wish things were different you know. I still love her”

Alice took Bette in another embrace and led her to the sofa to sit down. Bette rested her head on Alice’s shoulder as she felt the tears start to flow. Alice stroked Bette’s hair as she listened to Bette’s muffled crying and hated that her friend was hurting and wanted to take the pain away but couldn’t.

”Bette. If you still love Tina why don’t you fight for her before it’s too late?” Alice challenged as Bette quickly pulled out of her hold and looked at her as if she were crazy.

”Alice. I love Tina. I always have and I always will but I can’t interfere with her happiness. I owe her that much. She doesn’t want me. If she did then we would be together now. It is what it is Al.” Bette said grabbing some tissues off the table and wiping her nose.

”Tina only pushed you away because she was afraid of getting hurt again. Show her you are not going to hurt her. Show her that you are willing to fight for her. Show her that she can trust you. You gave up to easily and left all those years ago. Fight for her Bette. If you don’t you will regret it.” Alice said scooting closer to Bette and continued..

”When Dana left me and got back with Lara you know I went totally crazy right. Then she and I mended our friendship. And when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer she pushed Lara away realizing she had made a mistake leaving me and that she still loved me. She hadn’t stopped. I was scared that she would leave me again when things got hard but after I helped her get through her cancer she didn’t give up pursuing me. She made me see that she wasn’t going to leave me. That she was going to stick around and work out our problems. That I was the one she wanted. And here we are 13 years later happy and in love” Alice smiled