-Tinas Apartment-

Tina decided to work some extra hours seeing as though Bette would be busy until later in the evening and Ben had gone on a mysterious trip to Vancouver. Tina walked in to her dark and empty apartment and flipped on the light. She threw her bag on the coffee table and kicked off her shoes. It was six thirty; Tina sat around for a good half hour staring at the wall before she decided to jump in the shower.

Forty five minutes later Tina was back where she started, staring at the wall. She huffed as she looked around the room. Tina tapped her foot on the cold hardwood floor in annoyance; she then got up and walked in to the kitchen. Tina grabbed an empty pitcher out of the cupboard and filled it with water. Ive got to get some more friends she thought as she began to water the numerous plants around the apartment. After finishing that task she picked up the phone and dialed Ben. The phone rang once and then went to voicemail. Tina sighed and hung up the phone. What are you doing Ben? she wondered with concern. Tinas concentration was quickly interrupted but the loud annoying door buzzer. Startled, she almost dropped the phone but caught it just before it crashed to the ground. Hesitantly, Tina walked over and answered.

Tina: Hello

Alice: Hey she said enthusiastically

Tina: Hey, did I get the time wrong?

Alice: No, we just thought you might want to hang out before we go out.

Tina: Oh

Tina was pleasantly surprised but Alices gesture.

Alice: So uh, could you buzz us up, this creepy guy on the street keeps staring.

Tina: Yeah she laughed as she pressed the door release.

Tina ran over to her stereo and smacked the on button, attempting to make it look like she was actually doing something. Moments later there was a knock at the door. Tina moved quickly towards the door and greeted her guests with a smile.

Tina: Hey

Alice: Hey, you remember Dana right?

Tina: Yeah! Hi, how are you?

Dana: Im good thanks

Alice: So, I figured we could have a little getting acquainted party before we go out. She held up two six packs.

Tina: Sounds fun

Alice: I have to say its a little weird without Bette attached to your hip she joked. But in a good way her voice was a little more serious.

Tina: Thanks she smiled

Alice: So speaking of Madam Porter she began as she pulled out a beer and sat on the couch. Shes crazy about you

Tina couldnt help but smile at the comment. She didnt need Alice to tell her but it made her feel good knowing other people saw it too. It reaffirmed the fact that their love wasnt just a fantasy.

Dana: Yeah you guys are so cute, I always hear people talking about you two at the planet.

Tina just looked at Dana as a wave of confusion washed over her face.

Dana: It seems that Bette is quiet popular she continued not catching Tinas expression. There are a lot of really jealous women out there.

This time Alice noticed Tinas perplexed face and jumped it.

Alice: Not that you have anything to be worried about

Tina: Right she responded, not really knowing if she believed her own words.

All of a sudden Tina was a little nervous. She knew Bettes reputation, it was obvious how many women wanted her, it was just the first time the evidence had been presented to her. All of these women were probably way more experienced then she was and of course they were all extremely attractive. Tina smiled weakly and grabbed a beer for herself just as multiple fears and doubts flooded her mind. She wanted to talk about it but she feared she just wasnt comfortable enough to reveal herself to her two new friends. Instead she opened her beer and finished half of it before setting it down.

Alice: Whoa, slow down there tiger. I know what happens to you Kennards when you drink too much. It always ends up with me babysitting then waking up in the morning with a splitting headache wondering what the ***** happened the night before

Tina laughed as she continued to drink her beer at record pace. The three newly acquainted friends sat around exchanging light banter and enjoying each others company. It was almost odd how well they all clicked together, after a few beers it seemed like they had been friends forever. They were all completely different in their own respects but in a lot of ways so much alike. Tina enjoyed the company of her new friends. Especially with one of them being a close friend of Bettes. It was the first time Tina had hung out with Alice without Bette around and she hoped it wouldnt be the last.


-Bette Porter Gallery-

Bette yawned as she looked at her watch. It was ten oclock and just like she said, people were starting to file out the door. The night had been a success; Bette looked around and admired her little creation, which was the Bette Porter Gallery. Bette pulled out her cell phone in an attempt to call Alice to let her know the status. After four rings Bette gave up and figured she wouldnt be much longer, there was no need to leave a message. As Bette hung up the phone she noticed someone walking up behind her and turned around and smiled at the young blonde that was now standing behind her.

Bette: Hi she smiled

Girl: Hi, sorry if I interrupted your phone call

Bette: No, its ok. They didnt answer.

Girl: Oh ok. Hi my name is Lindsay she extended her slender arm.

Bette: Nice to meet you Lindsay. Im Bette Porter she was being to wonder what the girl wanted.

Lindsay: You were amazing. I come to every one of your talks. She blurted out with excitement.

Bette all of a sudden seemed to remember the petite blonde; she had spotted her a few weeks ago.

Bette: You always sit in the back she replied

Lindsay: Yeah she blushed as she looked down. Um I just wanted to tell you how great your gallery is

The girl was now openly flirting with the attractive gallery owner and Bette sensed it.

Bette: Well thank you very much. I hate to cut this short but im supposed to meet my friends for drinks in a half hour and they will kill me if im late

Lindsay: Oh of course she replied quickly, trying to hide her disappointment.

Bette: It was nice meeting you. I hope you continue to attend the events. She realized she may have just said something that could be easily taken out of context.

Lindsay: Of course I will her eyes lit up confirming Bettes assumption.

Bette: Ok, well Ill see you later, dont be a stranger she did it again.

Bette was just trying to be polite and figured it was best to walk away now before she said anything else stupid. Bette followed the girl to the door and locked it behind her.


-Milk-

Bette walked through the revolving doors of Milk around eleven fifteen and was greeted but loud music and the scent of alcohol. She made her way up to the bar and ordered a drink before looking for her party.

Tina was on the dance floor making a fool of herself with Alices encouragement of course when she noticed Bette standing at the bar. Her back was turned and Tina may have been almost seeing double at this point but she was positive it was Bette. She stood with such confidence and elegance; no one could mimic that pose in Tinas eyes.

Tina made her way through the sea of sweating bodies as the music pumped through the speakers. Tina walked up behind Bette and slowly slid her arms around the unsuspecting beautys waist. Bette was startled at first but then relaxed when she recognized the touch of her lovers embrace.

Bette: Hey ***** she said turning around.

Tina: Hey she replied as she pulled Bettes lips to her own.

When Tina pulled away she noticed a young blonde standing at the end of the bar with her friends staring at Bette. Just then she remembered what Dana had said earlier. She quickly grabbed Bette again and this time she kissed her more passionately, she wanted to make sure that the girl knew Bette was off limits. Bette finally pulled away needing to breathe.

Bette: Wow, what did I do to deserve that? she asked as she gently brushed a few strands of hair off of Tinas flushed face.

Tina: I just missed you, thats all. Is that ok?

Bette: Thats more than ok T

They were now dangerously close to one another and Alice figured it was time to step in before they got any ideas to sneak away. She walked over and cleared her throat.

Alice: You have plenty of time for that later. You two are like rabbits, I swear

Bette smiled and pulled away from Tina.

Bette: Hello Alice she reached for her friend, pulling her in for a hug.

Alice: So youre actually somewhat on time, thats a first

Bette: Yeah I would have gotten here sooner but I got a little held up. There was this girl at the talk and she was obviously flirting with me. She laughed at the memory.

Tina felt that familiar feeling again, the words burned her ears. She quickly reached for Bettes hand, needing the physical touch.

Alice: Of course. Well lets have some fun she said as she motioned to the bartender.

They found a table and eventually Tina eased up and began to feel the pains of jealousy creeping away. All of Bettes attention was obviously focused on Tina and everyone saw it. Tina was beginning to enjoy the envious eyes around them.

Tina: Dance with me babe she said as she got up and pulled Bette to her feet.

Tina led Bette through the sea of bar goers and found an open spot on the dance floor. Bette smiled as she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around Tinas waist. Tina ran her fingers through her lovers hair as they swayed to the music. They danced for a while, letting their hands roam freely. The feel of Bettes hands running along her body made Tina ache with desire. Bette looked in to Tinas eyes and saw exactly what she was feeling. Almost instantly Bette was just as aroused.

Alice and Dana had coaxed them off the dance floor successfully a couple of times. Finally around one thirty Alice let out an involuntary yawn and decided to call it a night.

Alice: Well im going to get going and let you two go do what youve been wanting to do all night she playfully nudged Bettes arm.

Alice didnt like the lack of time spent with Bette but after really hanging out with Tina and witnessing all she had, she accepted she had been bumped out of the top spot.

They all said their good-byes and Dana and Alice drove off in their cars.

Bette: So… she began as she backed Tina up against the drivers side door of her BMW

Tina: So… she repeated as Bette began to place a trail of kisses down her neck and across her collarbone.

Bette: Wanna come home with me? she smiled as she raised her eyebrows suggestively.

Tina felt her knees go weak as Bette slid her hands under Tinas shirt and up her back.

Tina: I want you so bad she replied, almost whispering.

Tina wanted and needed to make love to Bette. She needed to make sure she could satisfy her lover, she needed to make the doubts and fears go away.