"Sit here, it’s beautiful," Tasha said sitting along the shore so that their feet got lightly dabbed with the water.

"This is nice," Alice said.

They sat in silence, hearing the sounds of the ocean and sighing when the sky started turning orange.

Tasha sat back as the sun started rising and leaned back on her elbows. Alice, on instinct, leaned over and kissed her lips.

Tasha pushed her away very gently and smiled at her, "as much as I really wanna kiss you it wouldn’t feel right. You’re vulnerable and hurting you know, and I can’t take advantage of you."

"Wow could you be more perfect?" Alice said.

Tasha smiled and shrugged. "Look I’ve been through a lot with my discharge and my new life," Tasha said, "I would love to go out together and hang out, but I’m afraid a relationship is a no. At least not as long as you’re rebounding off your girl."

"Okay, so like a month?" Alice said.

Tasha chuckled, "how about when you’ve forgiven her and saved your friendship."

"That’s a lot to ask!" Alice cried.

"Is it?"

"Tasha, she left me hanging to cheat on me with her ex in MY house!" Alice cried.

Tasha touched Alice’s hand, "it doesn’t mean we can’t go out and chill."

Alice sighed, "oh Tasha, you’re such a good person."

Tasha shrugged, "nah."

Alice smiled as the sun peeked over the horizon, "you know, I think everything’s gonna be alright."

+

"Bette!" Tina said shaking her girlfriend who was openly sobbing and thrashing in her sleep. "Bette! Wake up you’re having a nightmare!"

Bette’s eyes shot open and she sat up letting out a yelp. She was breathing heavily, sweating, and crying almost hysterically.

"Bette," Tina said, "baby, what happened?"

Bette buried her face in Tina’s chest, hugged her neck and sobbed.

"Shh, baby," Tina said laying down with Bette and caressing her hair. "What happened baby?"

"I love you," Bette sobbed, "I love you, I love you, I love you…"

"Shh," Tina soothed, "I love you too baby. It’s okay baby, just a nightmare baby. Shh, I got you."

Bette’s sobs calmed down and she kissed Tina as passionately as she could. Tina returned the kiss slowly but Bette desperately pulled her on top of her.