“Let me take you home.” Bette said helping Tina to turn in her seat before closing the door for her.  The drive home was silent; neither woman needed any words to hold onto this newly formed bond that was created this night.

………………………….

Bette carried in Tina’s bag and the few presents that Tasha had stuck into her car, because hers was to full. Bette saw Tina head straight for the kitchen and pour herself a big glass of water that she drank in a few big gulps.  With the glass still pressed to her lips she looked to Bette. She could clearly see her watching her. Even through the darkness in her living room she could feel Bette’s eyes on her. Insecure at the moment she turned back to face the sink, keeping the cool glass in her hands, she held it to the front of her forehead, trying to steady her breathing as Bette told her earlier. The voice replaying itself in her mind, the cool dulcet honey tones playing itself in her mind keeping her steady.

Tina didn’t hear Bette approaching from behind. Bette was unbelievably nervous, this was a new territory for her, and she’d never been so personal with her patients. She lightly tapped Tina’s shoulders and caused her to jump as the glass slipped from her hands. It bounced off of the counter and broke at their feet.

“Jesus.” Tina sighed out a breath as she buried her face into her hands. She could hear Bette apologizing again and again. “It’s fine. It’s ok, I promise…” Bette was about to bend down and try and pick up the big pieces, but Tina grabbed her shoulder halting her progress. “Please don’t, just leave it. It’s ok.” so heavy with pain and tired from giving herself so freely all she wanted was stillness in her home. Leaving Bette in her kitchen, she walked away from her and sat down on her couch.

Bette felt maybe she should follow, but wanted to at least make it safe for Tina to be in her own home, she picked up the big pieces and placed them in the sink, the very least she could do.  Bette began walking to the door feeling like she was marked for something, maybe she was meant to be this for her. More than just a doctor for the body, maybe she should give something else to mend Tina. Instead she turned away from the door and looked to Tina who was sitting still looking at the window, lost in nothing. Bette sat next to her and didn’t prod, she knew she wouldn’t have to. Tina being so open and exposed already she knew that what Tina had wanted to say was so bound and tightly kept within her that releasing it tonight was what she needed to happen. This was how Tina needed it to happen.