As Bette finished the bottle of wine, she tried to figure out what had just happened. Tina had taken the news about the virus very well. She was the typical Tina who had been concerned for everyone involved. No, the problem seemed to come when she mentioned Cindy. Was Cindy an off limits subject? Because they were separated at the time, was she supposed to act like Cindy never happened?

Damn it, she had only asked because of the fear she faced as a result of her unprotected ***** with Candace. She didnt want Tina to have to go through the same ***** she had been going through. She wanted Tina safe. Obviously, Tina thought Bette didnt trust her to use precaution. Why else would she have been so upset by the question?

Maybe Tina was upset because Bette knew about the ***** with Cindy. Maybe she hadnt ever wanted Bette to ever find out. Bette didnt know what to think. The wine had her thoughts all messed up anyway. She should just go to bed. She would try to talk to Tina in the morning and apologize, once she discovered what she was apologizing for.

~

When Tina got home, Alice was thankfully out. She didnt want to talk to her. Tonight had been quite a revelation. She was scared for Bette. And she was scared for Yolondas baby. That totally innocent infant.

Where the ***** were Bettes brains. She knew men were ruled by their little brain, but Bette was one of the most intelligent people she had ever met. It was bad enough that she had gone outside their relationship for *****, but then not to have used protection. HIV was especially rampant in the ***** population. Even Tina knew that more and more women were contracting the virus.

She had been so upset by the news, that she needed to get away and just think about it. The consequences, how their lives would change.

If things had to change, then they had to change. She still couldnt imagine life without Bette. These last couple of months had been bad enough. They could face this problem together. If she got the virus, they could fight it. There were medical advances being made all the time. There might even be a cure discovered soon.

The thing that had really gotten her goat though, was the assumption that she had slept with Cindy. Bette should know her better than that. Even with the great attraction she had felt when she had met Bette, they hadnt slept together on the first date. It had taken a few dates before building that rapport.

What could have made Bette believe that of her? As soon as she and Bette had decided to try and talk things out, she had decided to stop seeing Cindy. Of course Cindy had beaten her to the punch on that. She had only one real date with Cindy and Bette had known she didnt stay out all night with her. Bette had been right there when Cindy had brought her home, even though Tina hadnt known that at the time. Bette had surely seen that she had only given Cindy quick kiss goodnight.

OH *****! Hadnt she said something to Cindy about that kiss in the shower. Bette must have heard her. No wonder she thought they had slept together! Actually it was kind of funny. Bette had gotten a taste of her own medicine and Tina hadnt even been aware she had dished it up.

But then again, it showed how much Bette had changed. She would have been furious in the past. Bette had always been jealous anytime anyone even looked at her. To actually think that she had slept with someone and to have kept her cool, that was a whole new Bette. But wasnt she even a little bit jealous?

Tina was glad she had taken the time to think about what had transpired tonight. Tomorrow morning, she would go talk with Bette again. But right now, she was exhausted. It was time to sleep.

~

The radio alarm woke Bette earlier than she wanted to be up. She had forgotten to turn it off yesterday. She didnt have anywhere to be today, except with Tina. She prayed Tina would talk to her. Man, was her head was spinning, and her mouth tasted like little men had been walking around in there with ***** on their shoes. She needed a shower and coffee! But then that song by Lonestar came on the radio. The song she was sure someone had reached into her soul and ripped right out of her heart and set to music. As she listened to the words, she couldnt stop the tears.

Tell me what I have to do tonight
Cause I’d do anything to make it right
Let’s be us again
I’m sorry for the way I lost my head
I dont why I said the things I said
Lets be us again

Here I stand with everything to lose
All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end
Baby please, I’m reachin out for you
Won’t you open up your heart and let me come back in
Lets be us again
Us again

Look at me Im way past pride
Isn’t there some way that we can try
To be us again
Even if it takes a while
I’ll wait right here until I see that smile
That says we’re us again

Here I stand with everything to lose
All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end
Baby please, I’m reachin out for you
Won’t you open up your heart and let me come back in
Lets be us
Ohhh

Baby baby, what would I do
Can’t imagine life without you

Here I stand with everything to lose
All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end
Baby please I’m reachin out for you
Won’t you open up your heart and let me come back in
Oh here I am I’m reachin out for you
Won’t you open up your heart and let me come back in
Lets be us again
Oh, lets be us again


Bette reached over and turned the radio off. She drug herself out of bed and into the bathroom. She stood under the spray until the water ran cold trying to wash the sadness from her heart. After the shower and a good brushing of her teeth, she felt like she could face the day. She threw on some sweats and a tee shirt and decided to make coffee since she didnt feel like seeing anyone. Then she would call Tina.

When she went to the coffee maker, there was coffee in the pot and it smelled good. It wasnt yesterdays mud. She looked into the living room and no one was there. Then she looked outside and her heart stopped. Tina was sitting there by the pool drinking a cup of coffee and reading a magazine. She had come back! Bette poured a cup of coffee and went outside to join her.

Bette placed her hand on Tinas head and stroked her hair, then sat down in the chair next to her. Im so happy to see you here, Tee. I was so afraid when you left last night that I had ruined us again.

Bette, I told you I had some things I had to think about. You also upset me with your question about Cindy.

Im sorry Baby. I should have known you would be smart enough to protect yourself. Im the only idiot who just acts without thinking.

Bette! Cindy and I didnt use protection.

Bettes stomach kicked in fear and her coffee started its return route. God Baby, No! was all she got out before she ran to empty her stomach.