“Hi,” she smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait for an answer, but I’ve been knocking for ages.”

“I’m sorry. What are you still doing here? I thought I had sent you all home. You all deserve some rest, especially you. You’ve been working so hard lately it’s a wonder you’re still walking.”

Kennard smiled shyly and closed the door behind her.

“Take a seat,” Bette invited her. She tried to keep her act up, but it was getting difficult. She knew that Kennard wouldn’t judge her, wouldn’t laugh at her, wouldn’t think she was weak for breaking down and she knew that Kennard wouldn’t tell she had.

The blonde doctor stepped forwards and sat down in the chair in front of Porters desk. She tucked a strand of beautiful blonde hair behind her ear and studied her fingers. She wasn’t used to this personal attention from her boss. The brunette never seemed to even notice she was there, barely acknowledging her. Her colleagues had told her not to bother, that this was how she was. Porter only spoke to her when really necessary. Most of the time, it also felt like she was avoiding her. It always made Tina feel uncomfortable, she was sure that her boss didn’t like her one bit. She didn’t know what she had done wrong – she was pretty good at her job, she was kind and polite, always did what everyone asked her. Sometimes, she wondered why Bette Porter had even hired her.

The truth was that Bette did pay attention to Kennard, very much indeed. She was aware of this young doctor’s presence, she was aware of her brilliance and her kind heart. It would make her sick if it were any other person. Kennard’s integrity was somewhat fascinating to her, mostly because she was well… genuine. So many people pretended, including herself, but this girl just was who she was and who she was was great. She had been avoiding the young doctor because from the moment she had met her, she had felt strangely drawn to her. She wasn’t in love, didn’t even have a crush – Bette Porter didn’t do crushes. She was a loner and that was great. Her favourite passtime was annoying other people and selfish as she was, she never really cared enough to be in a relationship. She would only give if she knew she would get something in return, be it at short notice or at a later time. She was very patient to get what she want and she almost always did. She knew a lot of people that knew her wondered why on earth she had become a doctor. She was not even respectful, rude was her middle name. She could imagine Tina Kennard being very giving in a relationship, doing everything for her partner.