“Where does Bette live?”

“Bette lives far enough away from my building.  She has an apartment right near Pacific Drive and 8^th Ave.”

Tina smiled, “That’s interesting, I live on Pacific and 6^th.”

Helena rolled her eyes, “Wow, small world. You seeing your old friend after many years and end up living two blocks away.  Fascinating.”

“It really is a small world, I didn’t think I’d ever see her again…”

Helena “Shh”’ed Tina by putting a delicate finger over her lips.  “If you hadn’t seen her again, we may have never met.  And thank God we did.”

Helena stepped closer to Tina, wrapping her hand around the back of Tina’s neck and pulling her in for a kiss.

Tina jumped back at the touch of Helena’s hand. “What are you doing, Helena? That is not what I was saying.  You have a girlfriend and I am here to accept money.  That’s like… cheating and prostitution in one combo!”

Helena laughed and stroked Tina’s arm, “It’s ok, the money isn’t going to YOU.  It’s going to an organization.”

“Jesus Christ, Helena!” Tina gasped and pulled her arm away and stepped back from the vixen.  “That is not the point.  I am friends with your girlfriend and I am not interested in you in that way.”

“Oh, God, you aren’t going to tell Bette about this, are you? The last thing I need is another fight with her.”

Part of Tina was pleased to hear that Helena and Bette’s relationship was so frigid and distant, but mostly she was creeped out by Helena’s intense attempts to make out with her.

Tina sighed and rubbed her forehead, “Look, I think it’s best if I just go now and save us both a little embarrassment.  I am not going to talk to Bette about this, but you probably should.”  Tina grabbed her purse and coat and headed for the door.  She added before she left, “If you’re authentically interested in donating to the Headquarters, you should talk to Shane, she’ll help you.”

(Present Day)

Helena left work and decided to stop by Bette’s apartment to work things out.  It was clear to Helena that their relationship of convenience was no longer working as well as she hoped, and she wanted to find out if Bette felt the same. She felt bad about coming on so strongly to Tina, but to Helena, Tina was sending out major signals and it had been a long time since Helena felt desired. Helena used her spare key to get into Bette’s apartment, and found Bette at the kitchen table reading over grant proposal drafts for the CAC.