Tina blinked. And blinked again.

Nah, she didnt just say what I thought she said, did she?

What? she croaked, her eyes wide.

Shes dead Tina. Shed been drinking and she got in a car and

Bette shuddered, and Tina automatically reached out for her and pulled her into a hug. She placed her chin on Bettes shoulder and tried to process what shed just been told.

She could feel Bette trembling, and she was trembling too. She couldnt be dead. Its impossible. She was doing so well, going to the meetings, talking to her son

She couldnt be dead.

*****

Tina was shaking, but Bette hardly noticed. She was just thinking about Kit, in that hospital bed She needed to tell Tina all of it. Everything that had transpired this last day. Maybe then she could stop the images playing over and over in her head.

She crashed into a wall. Oh Godit was the worst thing Ive ever seen. Daddy phoned me, told me she was in hospital. Therethere was so much blood. I saw them, the doctors, they tried really hard. And they stabilised her, they did. For a while. She went up to intensive care, and I sat with her for a few hours. But sheshe had hit her headtoo hard, and she

Bette trailed off, her heart thumping as she remembered the blind panic shed been in when her sisters body had begun to convulse. She began to sweat again, and she clenched her fists over and over, staring blankly at the wall opposite.

*****

Tina sensed the change in Bette, felt the tension in her muscles moments before Bette tore out of Tinas embrace, scrambling to the other end of the couch. She pushed her knuckles into her eyes, shaking her head madly as if trying to dislodge the memory. Tina reached out her hand to calm her, but Bette knocked it away and stood up, the pain in her eyes replaced by anger.

Why did she had to leave me? Why? She was all I had left! she shouted, glaring at Tina. She left me! Id lost my baby, my wife, and now Ive lost my sister. How could she do this to me?!

Suddenly, Bettes anger seemed to melt away, and she almost crumbled onto the floor. Tina lunged and just managed to catch her before she fell onto the coffee table, and she just held her as she wept.

How could she do this to me? she repeated in a whisper.

*****

She felt Tina guiding her towards their bedroom. No

She stopped dead in her tracks, right before Tina reached out to turn the door handle.

No, she told her. Not in there. I cant go in there. She pointed to the spare room. But I can go in there.

Tina nodded, but Bette knew she didnt understand. She began to take off her shirt, but found that her fingers were too weak to undo the buttons. She fumbled with them, getting frustrated, but Tina closed her hand round Bettes and pulled them away. She slowly undressed Bette and helped her get into some sweats, then pulled back the covers so she could get into bed.

Thanks, she said weakly, climbing in and sinking into the soft pillows. Tina sat on the side of the bed, reaching out to wipe a few tears from under Bettes eyes.

Will you be ok? she asked, letting her hand drift down the side of her face.

Maybe. I dont know, Bette replied honestly. Butcan you stay with me till I fall asleep?

*****

She took a moment to reply, but when she did the look of relief on Bettes face told her she had made the right one.

Of course, she whispered, kicking off her shoes and laying next to Bette, who immediately snuggled into her arms. Tina played lightly with her hair, listening carefully to Bettes slowing breathing.

Bette was almost asleep, when she heard her murmur those three words.

I love you.