As Tina stroked Bette’s hair, Gen backed away, feeling disappointed.

Gen turned around and started walking back to her office, mindlessly dumping the hot cup of coffee into a bin she passed by. Perhaps she was wrong about Bette’s feelings. Perhaps they weren’t as strong as she had thought.

◊◊◊

Tina stood up, looking at Bette, concerned, “Are you going to be alright, B?”

“I think I’ll be ok,” Bette replied, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, “Gawd, I’m sorry, T. I don’t know when I became such a basket-case.”

“If you ever need to talk, please know that I’m here, alright? I need to get going now, I want to start on doing some research about the case, hopefully I’ll find some way around her insanity plea.”

She gave Bette an encouraging smile before walking out of the office, “Hang in there, we’ll get her. Let me know if you find any other sort of evidence ok.”

◊◊◊

Later on that evening, Bette paced around her office, reading through her case files. Photographs and papers were strewn around her floor. She couldn’t think. Bette looked up and saw that it was already 7pm, she wondered if Gen was still around in the office.

She subconsciously picked up her mobile and dialed Gen’s number.

◊◊◊

Gen saw her mobile blink on her desk.

Bette, she thought to herself, I wonder what she wants.

She was still feeling sore from what had happened earlier that day, and the image of Bette and Tina together made her nauseous. Yet, she was curious to know why Bette was calling.

I’m not going to make this easy for her.

◊◊◊

“Doctor Taylor speaking.”

“Hey, Gen?”

“Who’s this on the line?”

“It’s Bette.”

“Yes, Agent Porter, how may I be of assistance?”

Bette pulled back her phone and looked at it for a moment before placing it back onto her ear, stunned and puzzled by Gen’s cold disposition towards her.

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“What is it regarding?”

“Well, I wanted to let you know that Adele is going to plead insanity, and I wanted to discuss that with you.”

“I see, I’m not free at the moment. Perhaps you can call me back at a more convenient time.”

Bette frowned, “Ok, sure, I’m sorry to disturb you then.”

“It’s ok. Bye.”

Bette heard the phone put down with a click. She wasn’t sure if she was upset or angry at Gen’s cold shoulder treatment, but she did wonder why Gen had a sudden change of attitude.

◊◊◊

Damnit, what’s wrong with you, Gen mentally reprimanded herself, she really sounded like she needed to talk and you just gave her this damned attitude of yours! Gawd damnit, Gen.

Gen clutched her phone, trying to resist calling Bette back to apologize.

Why should I apologize, Gen thought, I saw her in the arms of her ex-girlfriend and they sure looked cozy to me.

But she doesn’t know I saw them together, right? So she must be wondering what’s wrong with me. Bette needs me. I know she’s upset about Adele’s new plea. I should go talk to her.

Gen picked up her coat, and switched off her office lights. It’s the least I can do to make her feel better, she decided.

◊◊◊

Gen knocked on Bette’s door, turning the knob slightly before cautiously opening it. The last thing she wanted to see was Bette and Tina in a more compromising position.

“Hey,” Gen said as Bette looked up from her desk.

“Can I help you?” Bette replied, giving Gen a blank and rather unfriendly expression.

“I guess I deserve that.”

Gen walked towards Bette as Bette stood up, “Look, I’m sorry. I know you need to talk and you sounded upset. I want to be here for you, everything else aside.”

Bette looked at Gen with a hardened stare, but softened after she gazed into Gen’s brown eyes which glowed with a deep sincerity, “I appreciate that, Gen, I really do.”

Gen smiled, “Great, it’s late. Shall we go grab a drink? Then we can talk some.”

“Sound good,” Bette replied, “Let me grab my coat.”