Tina kept silent, to allow Bette to read her intentions.

“You’re telling me that you’re supportive of me deciding to fly out here in the first place, and would continue to be if I decide to do another mission out to the field, if the situation out here called for it?”

“Yes, baby,” Tina responded warmly, glad that Bette had picked up on her thoughts.

Tina added, “And, that I accept and support your decisions out there.  You’re doing what you feel is needed because that’s who you are.” Tina continued, “And I’m not going to stand in the way of all that.”

Cheryl was signaling that the call would have to end soon.

“T,” Bette’s warm voice conveyed intimacy. “You and I are….let me quote Aeschylus back to you then, about marriage.”  That’s one thing we share, Tina thought: a love for the classics, especially the Greek classics.  Must explain some things about us, including how we think, feel, and are motivated by some things; how we connect, in a way that was unique to us.  I’ve never had a partner who got that about me.  But in Bette, I’ve discovered a person who not only gets it, but is partially defined by the classics; whose world view is so informed by them.

Bette was saying, “Aeschylus wrote that, “…for the marriage bed ordained by fate… is stronger than an oath, and is guarded by Justice.”

“May Justice guard us both then,” Tina responded, and then swallowed to keep control of her voice, before it got shaky again.

“Since our marriage is stronger than the oaths we made to each other, right, baby?  Ordained by fate?,” Bette asked, completing Tina’s thought.

“Yes, it is,” Tina answered, simply.

“I’m taking every precaution, baby, with my heart and everything,” Bette said reassuringly.

“I know…I know.  Just wanted to give you a gentle reminder not to take any chances, please, honey,” Tina said, unable to control the quiver in her voice now.  “Angie and I need to you to make it, baby.”

“I will….Love you beyond life itself, T,” Bette said, softly.

“I love you,” Tina responded, as the call clicked shut.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bette was rolling her eyes as Cheryl recounted to her a scene between Tom and Tina that she said she’d witnessed when she’d walked past Tina’s quarters.  “I don’t know what to say, Bette,” Cheryl said, batting her eyelashes dramatically as she spoke, “they were embracing.. right out there, in public.  Your wife…”