Monday morning Bette awoke with a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had managed to avoid a major disaster Friday night with Tina seeing Candace in her office. Bette couldnt figure out where these feelings of uncertainty were coming from and they were beginning to get to her. Bette knew that she loved Tina very much and Tina was the one she wanted to be with, but she couldnt shake a nagging feeling about Candace. There was something about that woman that drove Bette crazy and she had been foolish to think she could smother those flames so quickly. Even if it did almost cost her everything.

Bette sat up in bed and rested her hands in her head. What am I going to do? she thought as she sat there thinking about her confusing predicament. She had spent the weekend in bed with Tina and they had a wonderful time, rekindling old fires that had been put out long ago, but both nights as she fell asleep she realized that Candace was the last thing on her mind. Bette could see her face in her dreams, and she felt guilty for even pursuing Candace in her imagination. Tina was the one she was holding in her arms, but Candace was the one she was kissing good night. Bette had thought that spending the weekend with Tina would oppress all of her feelings for Candace, but after spending the last week with Candace in such close proximity, Bette knew it would take more than that to get her out of her system.

Glancing at the clock Bette saw she would be late for work so she jumped out of bed and into the shower. As she stood under the stream of water she could almost feel Candaces hands running over her body and her lips tasting the spots that would drive Bette wild. Bette stepped out of the shower more frustrated than before and she got dressed quickly and left. She arrived at the CAC to see the office bustling with people and when she got to her office James informed her that Franklin had been looking for her all morning, he had some important news. Bette thanked him and sat down behind her desk thinking about what he could want now.

At nine thirty James stuck his head in her office again to tell Bette that Tina was on line two. She motioned okay, and stared at the phone before picking it up. Bette knew that she shouldnt feel guilty, after all nothing happened with Candace this time, but she knew that she was already emotionally cheating on Tina.

Hi baby.

Hey babe, hows your day going so far?

Not too bad. I have a board meeting later today but thats about it. Franklin has more important news for me, which will most likely result in me being trapped here forever.

Tina laughed at Bettes tone of voice. She could tell that Bette was worried about something, but she didnt want to push it. Tina figured Bette was still having issues about work or something like that because she couldnt allow herself the possibility that Bette was stressed about the Candace situation.

Do you think youll be late? I could cook dinner tonight.

Oh baby I dont know. I have no idea what Franklin has lined up for me and if it is anything like the last announcement he had, well then lets just say you wont be seeing me for a while.

James stuck his head in again saying that Franklin was coming down the hall so Bette decided she should cut her conversation with Tina short.

Listen baby, I have to go. Franklin is on the warpath. Ill try to be home as early as possible okay?

Okay babe, dont work to hard. I love you.

You too, bye.

Bette just couldnt bring herself to say I love you, back to Tina and she prayed that Tina didnt notice. Bette pretended to look busy as Franklin entered her office. He wanted to give her a heads up about the new show that the CAC had booked. It was another cutting edge show about propaganda art, and Bette knew she was in for another roller coaster ride. He told her that they wanted to get everything finalized for a huge opening event, and Bette could tell that she wouldnt have much free time over the next month or so. After he left Bette was staring at the phone again when James stuck his head in and told her that Candace was on the phone. Bette felt her pulse quicken as she motioned that she would take the call and for him to shut the door.

Bette Porter.

Hey Bette, its Candace.

Bette could feel herself getting tense at just the sound of Candaces voice. Bette tried to think about Tina to keep her mind off of the growing desire that seemed to be creeping up on her more and more these days.

Hi.

Candace could sense a certain tension in Bettes voice and for a second she thought it might have been a bad idea to call her at work. Better at work than on her cell I guess, Candace told herself as she forged ahead with the reason she was calling.

Bette, I dont know what happened on Friday night, but Im sorry if I made you upset.

I wasnt upset.

Really? Cause you certainly werent in a good mood from what I could tell.

Bette played with her wedding band as she listened to Candace. She wanted nothing more than to have Candace here with her so that she could touch her or kiss her or something, but Bette knew that was not something she could ever do again if she wanted to stay with Tina.

Im fine Candace. The show looked great by the way, you did an amazing job.

Dont change the subject Bette. Listen, Im not asking for anything here okay? I just thought that we were trying to be friends and thats it. You got what you wanted and I thought everything was how it was supposed to be. So I dont get where this attitude is coming from.

Bette heard the anger in Candaces voice and she knew it was just a reaction to how Bette had treated her at the Provocations opening. Bette felt bad for being so rude to her on Friday, but she had to do everything she could to not let this get out of hand. Without thinking she started speaking and before she knew it she was in trouble.

Candace, Im sorry for how I acted on Friday okay? It was childish and rude and I know that. Its just seeing you with another woman. I dont knowI cant just be friends with you Candace.

There was a long pause after Bette finished speaking and she couldnt believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. She leaned forward in her chair and put her hands in her head again as she waited for Candaces reaction.

I see.

Bette didnt know if she wanted to continue this conversation and she was glad when James stuck his head in again saying there was a buyer on line two. She decided to end her conversation with Candace before she said anything else she would regret.

Candace, I have to go. I have a call on another line.

Okay, but Bette can I ask you something?

What?

Where does that leave us?

Bette sighed as she thought about Candaces question. She didnt have any answers for her, but she knew that if she let this go any further she would betray Tina again and she couldnt stand to see that happen.

I dont know.

Do you want to see me again?

No.

Bette hung up with tears in her eyes as she thought about the lie she just told. Guilty thoughts racked her brain as she contemplated calling Candace back and telling her it was all a lie, that she was just doing the right thing, but she knew she could never do that. Bette sighed as she picked up the other call and forced all thoughts about Candace to the back of her mind.

A few hours later Bette got off of work and drove home. When she pulled up into the driveway she saw that Jenny was putting some of her stuff in a U-Haul truck. Bette smiled at her as Jenny waived hello, and then went back to packing. Bette got out of her car and was about to go into her house when she decided there was something she needed to talk to Jenny about.

Jenny?

Hey Bette.

Hi, listen I know we dont know each other that well and if its too personal I understand but I wanted to ask you something.

Jenny looked at her curiously and tilted her head to one side. She gave Bette a warm smile as she sat down on the edge of the truck.

Sure.

Why did you do it? Cheat on Tim I mean?

Jenny looked down for a few seconds then back at Bette. Bette could tell she was trying to figure out why she was asking about this, and Bette gave her a small smile. Bette wasnt sure if Jenny knew about her situation, and if she didnt there was no way in ***** she was explaining it to her. Bette was relieved when Jenny suddenly figured out what she was talking about and gave her a knowing look before answering.

I dont know. Tim is such a great guy. Hes kind, and nice, and so – good. But Marina was, oh I dont know, exotic. There was something about her, it was like she was a mystery and a challenge, and Tim was so stable and secure. She could give me something I needed where he couldnt. There was nothing that Tim did that drove me to her, it was justI dont know

Bette looked at Jenny with understanding and she felt good knowing someone else knew how she felt. Even if it was Jenny. Bette gave Jenny one more smile as she walked into the house. She could smell the food that Tina was cooking and her stomach was growling due to lack of content. Bette looked at Tina standing in the kitchen and her heart ached with love, but her body was ridden with guilt. She walked up behind Tina and slowly wrapped her arms around her wife.

Hey baby.

Hey babe. Youre home early.

Just needed to get out of there. Mmm, that smells good.

Its almost done. Why dont you grab some plates and a bottle of wine?

Bette held on to Tina tightly as she rested her head on Tinas shoulder. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes again and she fought them back with everything she had. Tina could feel Bettes body beginning to lightly tremble and she put down the spatula she was cooking with and turned around in Bettes embrace.

Babe, whats wrong?

NothingII just missed you thats all.

Bette gave Tina a reassuring smile and kissed her lightly on the lips. She released her hold on Tina and went to get the plates and the wine, and Tina watched her with questioning eyes. Tina let her mind wander as she turned back to the food she was cooking. Something is bothering her. If she wont tell me about it then I dont know what were going to do. Last time this happened it was because of Candace and if its the same thing again, then dammit Bette Porter, Im not going to be here when you make up your mind.