“Hey baby, how was your day? You had that lunch with Tina Kennard today, right?” Bette asked nonchalantly, not even bothering to look up from her paperwork.

“Yes, the day went well. I think I am going to be doing most of the donating through Tina’s partner, Shane,” Helena answered.  She didn’t know if Bette was listening or genuinely uninterested, but Bette still had not looked up.  After a pause, Helena lingered in the doorway. 

“Bette, can we talk tonight or are you busy with the CAC?”

“I can always talk, baby.  What’s on your mind?”  After finishing her last sentence, Bette looked up to Helena, removed her glasses and showed her she was ready to talk.

“I just… is this working for you?”

“What do you mean ‘this’?”

“THIS. Us, Bette.  Are you happy with where we are now?”  Helena wanted to know if it was a distance from Bette that made her seek out other women, or it was their relationship deteriorating.

“To be honest, Helena, I am really happy with our relationship.”  Bette said cautiously, afraid she may have just set herself up to get hurt.

“Really, because I just feel like there is a major distance between us that only seems to be getting worse.  I’d like to fix it before either of us gets hurt.  I value too much to ruin any kind of relationship we may have in the future.”

“Helena, you know our relationship really works for me.  We aren’t attached at the hip, I can get my work done and not have to worry that I am neglecting you because you have your own work too.  I understand that is not the ideal set up, but that is all I am prepared to give now.  I just..”  Bette trailed off, not knowing if she should finish.

“What?  Say it now, because we need to get this all out in the open.”

Bette gave a disappointed sigh and motioned for Helena to sit across from her at the kitchen table.  Once Helena sat down, Bette placed her hands on top of Helena’s and looked her straight in the eyes.

“You know you’re extremely important to me, and I like you so much.  We have so many similar interests and we work together so well intimately… but, I am just not committed to you enough yet to sacrifice the work I do or certain aspects of my time.  You know it is not your fault.  And it’s not mine either.  I know you feel this way too, Helena.”