“I was pretty wrapped up in myself.”

“Tina it wasn’t your fault. You deserved to be wrapped up in yourself. I’m just pointing out that Bette is very good at hiding. She prides herself on being strong and independent. She needed to let us in at a critical moment instead she let everything eat at her until the very thing she prided herself on blew up in her face. Forgive her. We all just need to forgive her.”

“You’ve been thinking about this a lot. I have forgiven her, Alice.”

“Then trust her.”

“That’s a tough one but I’m going to try.”

“Yeah, me too TK, me too.”

Both Kit and Alice gave Tina a lot to think about. A lot did happen before the night of Provocations which lead up to this very day. She just wished Bette had opened up. Her father left his legacy and now it was tearing his youngest child apart. Did he know what he did to her? It was a life long lesson of womanizing and pride. Bette had said she was sorry, which was something Melvin Porter never did. If Bette would talk they would make it. If Bette opened up when she felt overwhelmed then they stood a chance. Maybe saying ‘I’m sorry’ was the first step toward healing their damaged relationship. Now they just had to wait for Bette.

The whole Faye Buckley thing was a disaster as well. Bette had a melt down on national television. How could Tina forget that? It was supposed to be a debate about freedom of speech and the CAC but Faye Buckley had attacked the loss of their unborn child. Bette was devastated. There was also the incident with the protestors. She didn’t go into detail about it but it was something that affected her deeper then anyone knew. Maybe deeper then she herself knew. Thinking all this through was bringing Tina to a point where she could connect to Bette once again. It was now riding on what Bette would be willing to do. She had to wake up so they could begin again.

All these thoughts were wearing Tina down. Bette was out of surgery and in ICU. Tina though maybe she could go take a quick shower and grab a bite to eat. The only other thing stopping her other then the fear of not being there if Bette woke was the idea of running into Helena Peabody. Tina just couldn’t deal with her right now. She was starting to finally gain control of everything. Helena was probably sitting out side Tina’s apartment right this minute with hired help outside the house Tina and Bette once and hopefully will once again.

“Alice, can you take me to your place so I can take a shower and change?”

“Sure, anything for you TK.”

“Great let’s go tell the rest of the gang and get them to do the same. Sitting here not taking care of ourselves isn’t going to do Bette any good.”

Alice agreed and they walked back to the rest of the gang to tell them their intensions. Everyone agreed it was a good idea. They would meet back here in a couple of hours or if there were any changes in Bette’s condition. Tina and Alice sought out Dr. Martin before leaving to let her know where they would be. She also agreed it was something everyone should do and assured Tina she would indeed call if there were any changes.

As they came into Alice‘s apartment Tina said, “I can’t believe it has been over 24 hours.”

“I know what you mean. I’m exhausted. Let’s get inside.”

They went into the building. Tina quickly went through her things she had left in Alice‘s place and went into the bathroom. Alice sat down on the couch put her head back and announced to an empty room, “what a long ***** day.”

Tina finished her shower and told Alice it was her turn. Alice promptly stood up to gather what she needed for what was sure to be another very long day. After Alice was finished with her shower she walked back into the living, “So, TK what now? Do you want me to make some breakfast?” She immediately fell silent when she saw Tina fast asleep on the couch. Alice retrieved an extra blanket from the bedroom, covered Tina, and kissed her on the forehead saying, “Everything is going to be okay, Tina. It has to be.”