“Okay, maybe not so brilliant.” Bette smirks and shakes her head.

“What?”

“You really have no idea why Helena keeps attacking me?”

“No”

“T. Really?”

“Bette, I really have no idea.”

“I love you, my little gay apprentice. But, you’re a bit clueless on this one.” Bette dips Tina gracefully before kissing her passionately. Tina giggles. They let their bodies sway to the soft music, melting into the other. All thoughts of Helena are forgotten.

“Two questions. Who is Jodie and who is this new friend?”

“Jodie was an ex. She was not into monogamy but I was. I led her to believe I was just as active as she was when we were together. Just made things easier. She kept trying to get me to go to swing parties and have threesomes. We only dated a couple of months. She was controlling, manipulative, probably bi-polar and definitely crazy. I ran as fast as I could.” Bette laughs,

“Jesus, Bette. She sounds awful.”

“Believe me, she was a fucking nightmare.” Bette pauses. She looks deeply into Tina’s loving eyes.

“T. I do have quite the checkered past. But those days ended eons ago.”

“I know, Baby.” Tina smiles gently.

“Thanks. Okay, next. I met a girl named Kelly the other day on the beach and we’ve been surfing together the last few days.” Bette continues when she feels Tina stiffen in her arms. “She’s just a friend, T. She’s married to a man. She’s a software geek but she’s really cool. I didn’t tell you because I really just forgot. You get home so late and we don’t do much talking in the bedroom.” Bette winks and finishes with a passionate kiss. Tina blushes and smiles.

“I wasn’t worried.”

“Right.” Bette teases.

“I wasn’t” Tina blushes.

“Okay” Bette softens her tone. “I was always completely committed and completely faithful to my girlfriends. I never strayed. I will never betray you. I love you like no other before.”

“I know. I trust you. And I love you.” They kiss sweetly.

“I do need to have this out with Helena. She can’t go on like this.”

“I’m sorry.” Bette, hold Tina tighter.

“It’s not your fault.”

“No. But you have to suffer for it. Just don’t let her break us up. Tina, please come to me. Whatever she says, please give me the benefit of the doubt.”

“Of course I will. You’re my life.”

“And you’re mine.” They press their lips together for a scorching kiss. Their bodies move as one, slowly, and to the rhythm of their beating hearts. They are completely oblivious to their surroundings as the crowd thickens around them, dancing and bouncing to the latest hot hip-hop song.

“I still have a fucking ace up my sleeve, Bette Porter.” Helena watches the loving couple from the bar, her eyes burning with hate and jealousy.