Morning came and Bette felt like she had been sleeping for years. Her body felt unusually heavy and she had a pounding headache. She rolled over reaching for Tina like she had done hundreds of times in the past, but felt a wave of sadness wash over her when she realized she was not there. Bette sat up in bed and tried to figure out what she should do. After about fifteen minutes of just sitting and thinking she still had no answers so she decided to take a shower.

After her shower Bette walked back into her room and got dressed like she always did. She half expected Tina to come bouncing in the room to say good morning. Bette felt like she was going insane and decided that she should do her best to try and keep her mind off of what happened. She dressed in her best outfit because she always believed that even if one didnt feel all that great on the inside didnt mean they couldnt look like a million bucks on the outside. After doing her hair and makeup Bette walked to the kitchen to make some coffee. She smiled when she found the note Kit had left for her:

Hey baby sister I had to run because Im supposed to meet Ivan for breakfast. I made you something to eat, hope you like it. Kit.

Bette laughed out loud knowing that Kits idea of breakfast was coffee and toast, and sure enough Bette found a plate of half burnt toast with a lukewarm cup of coffee next to the note. Its the thought that counts, thought Bette as she passed on the breakfast and decided to head straight to work.

As she was pulling into her spot at the CAC, Bette looked in her rear view mirror. Part of her was glad that she didnt see Candaces truck, and the other part of her wished she didnt want to see it. At that moment her cell phone went off and after checking the caller ID she sighed before answering.

Hi Alice.

Hey Bette. So you want to tell me what the ***** is going on?

Bette bit her lip as she decided how much of it she wanted to tell Alice. She knew that Tina was staying with Alice so she was pretty sure that Alice knew some of the story, but she didnt feel like she wanted Alice to know too much about what happened.

What are you talking about Alice? Look I dont have time for this today okay?

Fine. But Bette, I just want you to know one thing.

What?

She misses you.

Bette stopped walking and didnt know how to reply. She felt the lump in her throat rising as she so badly wanted to ask Alice all about Tina and how she was doing, but something stopped her. She was not going to get Tina back by going through Alice so she decided to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

I miss her too. Look Al, I gotta run. Ill call you later okay?

Okay. Bye.

Bye.

Bette hung up and she sat down on a nearby bench trying to regain her composure. She misses you. Alices words rang in her mind as she thought about Tina and how much she loved her and missed her. Bette took a deep, shaky breath as she stood up and adjusted her suit. Dammit, I have to do something. The only question is what. She walked into the CAC with her usual heir of style and grace and even James was surprised that she looked so normal. Bette walked straight to her office and shut the door behind her. Sitting down at her desk she let the breath she was holding out and felt herself becoming nauseated again as she thought about Tina and what she could do to win her back.

James came in and dropped off her mail giving her a smile and asking if everything was okay.

Im fine James but thanks for asking. Look Im going to be on a conference call all morning so just take messages and dont let anyone come back here okay?

Okay boss lady.

He turned and left the office and Bette sighed. Acting like everything was fine and under control was killing her. She sorted through the mail and stopped when she got to the last envelope, her heart pounding in her chest. It was an itemized statement for the work done on Provocations and Bette felt a surge of pain and confusion as she looked at the return address. Candaces business address was on the envelope and Bette felt torn as she decided if she should mail the payment or drop it off. Mail it of course Porter, you dont have a reason to see her anymore, thought Bette. But something inside told her that she would never have closure unless she really talked to Candace and figured out why she strayed in the first place. With a look of determination she gathered her things and with the invoice in hand she headed out of the CAC. James was not at his desk and Bette hoped it would be at least noon before he figured out she was not in her office.

***
Alice sighed as she hung up the phone and sat behind her desk. Bette was being so difficult right now and Alice knew Bettes stubbornness had gotten the better of her. Alice reached for the phone again and this time she dialed her apartment. The machine picked it up but Alice knew Tina was there, just listening in case it was Bette.

Tina pick up the phone. Tina I know youre there. Tina Kennard pick up the phone now!

Tina looked at the answering machine with a small smile on her face. For the past couple of days when Alice was at work she had been calling her almost every hour to make sure she was okay.

What Al, jeez youre like my mother.

No, Im way cooler. Listen, have you eaten yet?

No, I was just going to take a shower though.

Okay, you go do that and Ill bring home lunch.

No Alice its”

Im not hearing you Tina. Go take a shower and Ill be home in half an hour. You need to eat something okay? Good. Im going nowbye.

Tina hung up and had to laugh. Alice was usually kind of a pain, but sometimes she got it right. Alice had been the only person Tina thought would understand about her and Bette and she felt good knowing that given their history, Alice was so supportive of Tina. I am so lucky to have such good friends, thought Tina as she walked to the bathroom. I just wish Bette could be the same way. Tina felt a flood of emotions coming back and she tried as hard as possible to push them out of her thoughts as she stepped into the shower.

Alice arrived home forty-five minutes later with her hands full of goodies she knew Tina would like. Sandwiches from the Italian restaurant down the street and gelato ice cream from the market next door to the restaurant. She set everything down and after a few minutes noticed that the apartment seemed a little too quiet. She walked around looking for Tina and when she didnt find her she began feeling scared. She knew Tina was still kind of raw right now and she didnt know what Tina was capable of doing.

Alice walked back to the kitchen and thats when she saw the note from Tina.

Hey Al, I know you brought lunch but I had to get out for a second. I have to try and talk to Bette again, and sitting here waiting for her to call is driving me crazy. I shouldnt be out long. Thanks again. T

Alice let out an excited squeal thinking that finally Bette and Tina would be able to have a civilized conversation and sort their problems out. Alice had seen how angry Tina was after the last time she talked to Bette and Alice knew that underneath it all, Tina was just hurting. She just hoped that Bette would be able to see what she might lose and for once in her life do the right thing.