Alice hung up the phone from talking to Bette and quickly grabbed a few clothes and toiletries and threw them into a paper sack. She didnt have time to find a suitcase and she didnt know how long they were going to need to be in Las Vegas with Tina. When Alice arrived at Bette and Tinas house, she found Bette outside pacing in the drive way.

Its about damn time you got here Bette said angrily.

Alice started to respond to Bettes snippy remark but she knew how upset Bette was so she chose to ignore it.

Bette I got here as quickly as I could Alice said. Are you ready?

Yes. Let me pull my car out and you can park your car in the driveway Bette said.

Bette I know you think that you have to be in charge here and usually you insist on driving, but there is no way in ***** I am going to let you drive. Alice said. You are too upset to be behind the wheel.

But Bette started to say but Alice interrupted her.

Just get in the damn car Bette so we can get on the road. Can you please not argue for once? Alice said.

Bette got in the car and Alice headed out to get on the freeway. As they drove along Alice was asking for details about Tinas accident and her condition.

So can you tell me what happened and how bad she is hurt? Alice asked.

Alice, I only know what Tinas mother called and told me. I called the hospital myself but they wouldnt tell me anything except that she had been admitted Bette replied. They gave me the whole next of kin speech. She is my wife in everyway that counts but I have no legal rights because we are not legally married. How messed up is that?

Totally Alice replied.

Alice she has to be okay. Bette said softly. Shes my life, my everything.

Bette I dont want to be mean or sound cruel, but if you feel that way, why in the ***** were you cheating on her with Candace? Alice asked.

I wish I had an answer for your question Bette replied. Somewhere in the dealing with the pregnancy, all the problems at work, the controversy of the exhibit and losing the baby I lost my self. I havent figured it out yet.

Alice and Bette drove along in silence for the better part of an hour. Each of them lost in their own thoughts. Alice was worrying about getting them to Las Vegas as quickly as she could. She was worried about Tina and what condition she would be in. Surely if it was bad they would have told her mother. Alice had one other worry that she hadnt mentioned to Bette and that was how Tina was going to react to Bette being there. Alice knew that she could not have stopped Bette from going to Tina and she understood why Bette had to go. If she was in Bettes shoes she would have been exactly where Bette was.
She just hoped that she would not wind up feeling like a wind up toy trying to be a go between for her two friends. Bettes thoughts were only of Tina. She wondered how badly she was hurt and how it had happened. Her dream from earlier in the day filtered into her mind. Those images of Tina floating away were driving her crazy.

Alice Bette said. Would you mind driving a little faster? I really just need to get to Tina. If you get a speeding ticket I will pay the fine.

Alice sped up and drove as fast as she felt they safely could. She figured at the rate they were going they could in there in a couple of hours.

The doctors and nurses at the hospital had examined Tina and they were in the process of running tests to determine the extent of her injuries. They knew she had a broken left arm and more than likely some trauma to the head because she was floating in and out of consciousness. The doctor had ordered a CAT scan on her head and x-rays of her spine and pelvis just to be sure that they found all of her injuries. The doctor that was overseeing Tinas care was looking over the results of Tinas tests when he heard a commotion out in the hall. Alice and Bette had arrived at the hospital and had waited at the front counter in the emergency room to find out where Tina was.

Excuse me miss. Bette said to a nurse that was walking by. We need to find someone that was brought in from a car accident.

See that woman right over there the nurse said pointing at a woman at the end of the hall. She can help you find them if they were brought here.

Bette and Alice both stood there impatiently waiting on the woman to make her way back down the hall to her desk. Alice cautiously watched Bette because she feared that Bette was going to lose it and go and drag the woman back to her desk so she could find out about Tina. After several minutes passed the woman finally made her way back to her desk.

I am sorry that I had to make you wait. May I help you? the admitting clerk asked.

I am looking for Tina Kennard. I was told that she was brought in by ambulance Bette said.

The nurse checked her records. We do have a Ms. Tina Kennard that has been admitted.

Can you tell me where she is? What room she is in? Bette asked.

Ms. Kennard is still here in the Emergency Room the admitting clerk said. Are you some how related to Ms. Kennard?

I am her partner. Can you please tell me where I can find her? Bette pleaded.

I am sorry but only family will be allowed in to see her at this time the admitting clerk said.

Bette was loosing her cool. Dont you understand I am her family? Bette asked.

The admitting clerk really wasnt sure what to do. She didnt want a scene but rules were rules.

Maam I am sorry, but per the doctors orders, only her immediate family will be allowed in to see her. the admitting clerk said.

Damn it! I just want Bette stated angrily.

Alice walked up and was trying to calm Bette down when a doctor approached the front desk.

Teresa is there a problem here? the doctor asked.

These two women are here to see Ms. Kennard but the orders say immediate family only the admitting clerk replied.

And they are? the doctor asked.

One of them claims to be Ms. Kennards partner the admitting clerk said.

Oh I see the doctor said. I think we can make an exception in this case.

The doctor walked up to Bette and Alice and introduced herself.

Hi. I am Doctor Vanessa McNeil the doctor said. I understand that you are here to see Ms. Kennard.

Yes. Can you please tell me where she is and how badly she is hurt? Bette said.

Why dont we head to her room and Ill explain about her injuries and how she is doing. Dr. McNeil said.

She took them to one of the Emergency Rooms but stopped right before they entered the room.

When Ms. Kennard was brought in she was unconscious. She has been put through a thorough exam and several tests to determine the extent of her injuries. She has a broken left arm and the CAT scan indicated that she has suffered some trauma to her head. The break in her arm was a clean break and it has already been set and her arm placed in a cast. The trauma to her head is the type of injury that we are just going to have to wait and see how her body handles it. Right now she has minimal swelling on her brain and we hope to keep it that way, but we will have to wait to see if we can be successful in that. I wish I could guarantee you that everything was going to be fine, but only time will tell us that. Dr. McNeil said.

Bette and Alice both were standing there with tears running down their face.

Can we see her? Alice asked.

Yes. I want to warn you though that she is hooked up to a respirator. We have sedated her and the respirator has been put on her to help regulate her breathing. She is able to breathe on her own but we are trying to keep her as calm as we can to give her brain time to heal Dr. McNeil said.

Alice and Bette walked hand in hand into Tinas room. When they reached her bedside Bette lost it completely. She just couldnt control the tears. Alice wrapped her arms around Bette and tried to calm her.

Bette you need to calm down. Alice said.

God Alice this is my fault. If it werent for me she would have been at home not on some street in Las Vegas getting in to an accident Bette sobbed.

Bette, you need to be strong for Tina. I read an article once that said that often when people are injured and in an unconscious state that they can actually hear what is going on around them Alice said.

Alice was so torn about her feelings at that moment because she wasnt sure whether even an unconscious Tina would want Bette anywhere near her. She worried that maybe Bettes voice could do more harm than good. Alice knew deep down that Tina loved Bette and that Bette loved Tina so she decided that she had to believe in that love too and pray that it was the right thing to do.

Bette was calmer now and she walked over to where she could take Tinas right hand in hers.

Tina. Baby I love you Bette said as she gently reached down to kiss Tinas hand. I am here for you and I am going to stay here until I see that beautiful, ***** smile of yours.

Bette reached out her hand to gently touch Tinas face and as she did so, the image of Tina floating away once again played in her mind. The image upset Bette so much that she began to cry again and she squeezed Tinas hand hard as if to not let her go.

Tina please dont go, please dont leave. I am begging you please dont go Bette cried.