“I’m fine.”

“Gen troubles?” Ollie asked, knowing bits and pieces of what happened earlier that week. Bette didn’t really want to talk about it.

“No, I was just thinking. I miss her.”

Bette’s phone gave a beep. She rummaged through her bag to find that she had received a text.

i noe u  got out. hope u r feelin betta. call me if u need nething. – G

Bette smiled. Ollie looked at her amused, “Don’t tell me that was her?” Bette kept silent, secretly happy that Gen had text her. She looked out the window, “She did say she wanted to be friends, I guess she was just concerned.”

Ollie gave a half-laugh, “That girl doesn’t know what she’s missing.”

◊◊◊

Bette made her way to work early the next Monday, feeling stronger from her restful weekend and more confident to get on with her work. She had a habit of burying herself deeper into her job when she was feeling upset. She made a silent decision not to think about Gen if she could help it. Damn, she just thought of Gen by deciding that, she mentally reprimanded herself.

She walked into her office to first see a mug of steaming hot coffee sitting on her table. “Morning,” a familiar voice echoed from behind her. Bette turned around to see Gen standing by her doorway. “Hey, morning,” she managed to say.

“We have a couple of things to go through before we meet the State Attorney who is in charge of the Adele case this afternoon, I just wanted to come in early to go through the case with you again, I brought you come coffee,” Gen said, gesturing to the mug.

“Thanks for that,” Bette said smiling, “I think I need a strong cuppa to start the day.”

Gen sat down on the sofa in Bette’s office, “I guess we should get started.”

“Gen,” Bette said.

“Hmm…”

“Nothing,” Bette replied, wondering why she couldn’t find the words to place how she felt, “Let’s get to work then.”

A couple of hours later, Gen had gone back to her office to gather up a few last minute notes. Helena sauntered into Bette’s office, “Bette,” she said, “Did you get my email about seeing a counsellor?”

“Yes I did, Helena, and I don’t think it’s necessary. I’m fine, really I am.”

“Ok, but if you feel uncomfortable or anything, I expect you to tell me, is that understood?”

“Yes.”

“It’s good to have you back, Bette,” Helena said, smiling her rare smile.

◊◊◊

Gen and Bette had met up at the forensics’ department conference room to wait for the State Attorney.

The silence between them hung like a heavy velvet curtain.

A woman breezed in, wearing a smart dark grey skirt suit with a white blouse, her shoulder length blond hair blew lightly as she entered the room. She smiled at Gen before looking at Bette with her eyes suddenly widening. Gen realized that Bette had stood up.

“Oh my gawd!” Bette exclaimed, walking towards the woman, giving her a hug and a kiss on her cheek, “I have not seen you in ages!”

“I guess work always takes time away from old friends,” the woman replied. Her voice was friendly and it seemed that she and Bette were more than just familiar with each other.

Gen frowned, feeling like she was intruding into a special moment. She felt a sudden streak of jealousy run through her. She stood up and smiled, trying to be friendly, hoping her voice wouldn’t betray her. “And how do you know each other?” she asked, looking at the both of them.

Bette turned to Gen, grinning, “I’m so sorry I didn’t introduce, this is Tina Kennard, the most brilliant State Attorney and…”

The women smiled at each other, as Tina finished Bette’s sentence, “…well, I guess you could say we use to date.”