Helena: What about the baby?

Tina gets a forlorn look in her eyes but she doesn’t respond. Helena faces Tina and takes both her hands.

Helena: You know I have a feeling you and I are going to find out we have quite a lot in common. Have dinner with me tonight.

Tina and Helena stare at each other for a moment. After a beat she tells her that she can’t.

Tina: My friend is having this bachelorette’s party. And … I have to …

Helena nods knowingly as Tina continues. She doesn’t sound too convinced that she even wants to go. Helena is sure she can persuade her otherwise. Just as she was about to suggest it Alma interrupts them.

Alma: Tina… Excuse me. Bette’s in your office. She’s got flowers.

Tina: Wha…

Tina and Helena were in a back room so they didn’t have a view of Tina’s office which was near the front entrance of the building. After what transpired on the phone that morning, Bette was the last person she would have expected to come by. Alma gives Tina a hopeful look and walks away. She didn’t envy Tina’s position at that moment; two beautiful women vying for her attention.

Tina frowned and Helena looks a bit miffed at the interruption but tries to hide it behind a smile. There is a tense moment between them as Tina contemplates the situation. She hadn’t forgotten the accusations that Bette had made about Helena pulling the CAC grant and putting Bette’s job in jeopardy. Although she was the center’s benefactor Helena was apparently Bette’s nemesis. Tina was unwittingly caught in the middle of it.

Tina: That’s my ex.

Helena leans back against the counter knowing exactly who Bette was. One of the main reasons she’d selected Tina’s grant proposal was to cause a rift between them and to further advance her ulterior motives. The baby was an unexpected complication but based on the affect she knew she was having on Tina knowledge of the pregnancy could be used to her advantage. Judging from her oversized attire and her unwillingness to talk about the baby it was apparent Tina wasn’t particularly joyful about her circumstances. With an air of superiority Helena nonchalantly gestured towards Tina’s office with a nod as if Tina needed her permission.