Bette could see the sadness and regret in Tina’s eyes, but her heart had a shield.  Bette would no longer allow herself to respond to Tina’s emotional turmoil.  She didn’t know how to end this and she really didn’t want to, she thought.  Bette knew she would never give her heart away to another, but didn’t have the strength to endure anymore of Tina’s hurtful actions.  Bette took a deep breath and with what little strength she had she said slowly, ”You have been a huge part of my life.  The part of you that is part of me will never die, but I can’t do this anymore.  It doesn’t just hurt us, it hurts Angie.” The words cut through Bette as deep as she knew they would cut through Tina her one true love.  But this had to end in Bette’s eyes.  The line needed to be drawn for Angie’s sake.  Bette then turned and walked to her car, using all her of strength not to look back.  As she got behind the wheel the tears began to flow again and she felt like they would never stop.

Tina held her breath as she heard the words tumble from Bette’s mouth, now feeling the same devastating heartbreak she gave to Bette.  She watched as she can honestly say was her only true love drive away and in that moment felt that she had lost Bette forever.  Tina’s knees buckled and she fell to the ground. 

Shane who had watched and heard most of what had transpired, walked down a few steps letting Tina know she was there.  Tina flagged her off as she stood. 

Shane watched with concern as Tina wiped off the dirt from her knees and then headed towards her car.  Shane thought to herself, this was far from over.

**********

Tina paused at the door of her hotel not knowing what to expect on the other side. She knew Carrie saw what had happened and surely guessed what Tina was feeling for Bette.

Tina opened the door and saw Carrie sitting on the couch with her bags packed sitting beside her. Tina slowly closed the door took a deep breath, walked over to Carrie and sat opposite her on the other side of the couch.