”So how do you see him?” Bette asked

”Great shape, I was telling Tina that I wouldn’t recommend the final operation until spring unless there are obstacles in a few months.”

Bette continued with her determined stride, occasionally extending her hand in greeting as she passed by the open rooms and recognized a patient or parent.

”I hope you two will be operating together by spring.” Amelia giggled but Bette’s serious look stopped her.

The brunette turned around looking at Tina out of the corner of her eye and then started walking again ”I’ll wait for you downstairs?”

”Sure, let me go to another patient and I’ll be down at the MRI.” Amelia patted Bette’s shoulder and veered left ”see you later Tina…”

Embarrassingly the two found themselves walking towards the elevators together, Tina’s hands in her pockets to defend themselves.

”quiet today…” Bette said pressing the elevator call.

”bad night…” Tina answered dryly

”Angelica?”

”no…” Tina said quickly ”she’s fine.”

Bette bit her lips and entered the elevator space followed by Tina placing her hands crossed on her chest.

Bette looked at her Tina’s profile was so beautiful, it was scary, she would have kissed her if only….

”it’s my plan, good luck with the exams…” Tina said the sweet but sad tone and Bette saw her disappear into the corridors without being able to reply, she had wasted too much time in her thoughts and Tina had run away, she had let her run away again.

When Bette left the hospital it was almost dark, in NY the sun sets around 5 at the end of November but even earlier behind the big skyscrapers. The cold hit Bette’s face, she had come by subway because she didn’t like driving her car yet, it made her feel like a normal person again and a part of her still didn’t want that, then Bette had discovered a passion for walking, so she decided to detour to Central Park for a short walk, after taking the subway for the longer route.

Her tests were good, everything as Helena and Amelia had thought, Bette was relieved, everything was leading to her returning to her old job without a hitch, except Bette’s will.