Tina took her time getting to the car in spite of her need to get away. A part of her wished for Bette to race out of the door, declare her undying love, confess her sins, and beg for redemption so they could mend their torn fence and move on.

Wishful thinking dumb *****, Tina berated herself, as she finally reached the car.

She threw her bag on the back seat, slid behind the steering wheel, and turned the key. The car growled as Tina depressed the gas forgetting to put it in drive.

Oh, my God, I cant do this. I cant be alone right now, she said to herself. Alice! Call Alice to meet you Tina, she continued to herself.

Tina called Alice who agreed that she should drive to a safe place to leave her car and she would meet her. She briefly told Tina what happened to her car and that shed be in a rental when they met. Tina pulled out slowly and headed to the meeting spot.

In the house

Bette was still on the bed trying to stop crying. Her eyes, now completely red and swollen, burned and stung. Her chest and stomach ached, and she felt herself getting dizzy. She forced herself up and staggered into the kitchen where she took some crackers out and slowly chewed on them. She sipped on some orange juice and began to feel a little better. Thinking a shower would revive her; she went to the bathroom and ran the water. She stared at herself in the mirror disgusted at the face that stared back, and without thinking she slammed her hand against it with enough force to crack it and cut her hand as it slid down. The sight of the blood pouring out scared her and she began to panic. She ran her hand under the water, but it didnt stop bleeding, so she reached for a towel to compress it. Her heart was racing and she rushed to the phone to call Kit.

Come on Kit. Youre home any other time I call, Bette panicked. *****! Come on. Pick up. No answer. Now, who can I call?

Bette was panicking and pacing trying to think of whom to call. She thought of calling Shane, but didnt want to have to explain anything and she was still embarrassed; thinking that everyone might know by now. Going against anything that remotely made sense, she called Candace. She was the only one who wasnt mad at her right now and she desperately needed help. She dialed the number and waited to hear a voice.
Bette? Candace asked in doubt.

Y, yes, its me, Bette stuttered nervously. How did you know?

I programmed your number in. Wishful thinking I guess, Candace confessed trying not to sound too presumptuous. Whats going on?

Bettes hand was throbbing and she was feeling faint again as she struggled to hold the phone and the towel.

I, I, n, need some help, Bette said, still flustered and panic stricken.

Whats the matter? What happened? Candace asked, now very concerned.

My hand is bleeding. It looks bad. I, I know I shouldnt ask you, but there was no one else to call.

Candace scrambled to her feet, grabbed her keys, and headed toward the door, phone still in hand.

Ill be right there! Candace paused. Wait! Wheres Tina?

Shes not here or I wouldnt have called you, Bette snapped. Can you help or not? she continued now completely pissed off and in pain.

Yes! Sorry, Im on my way, Candace replied and hung up.

She raced out the door heading for Bettes house and was driving so fast that she didnt see Yolanda drive past her. Yolanda spun her car around and began following her down the road. She maintained a safe distance so that she wouldnt be seen, and she called Candaces cell.

Hey!

Hey yourself, Yolanda replied. Im gonna be in your area soon and thought we could grab some coffee, she lied, trying to find out what Candaces big hurry was.

Uhm, Im not gonna be home. I, uhm, I have to tend to some business, Candace said defensively.

Oh! I guess biz is still going well for you then? Yolanda asked slyly.

Yeah! I have to go check on some layouts and stuff. The customer is anxious to see the improvements, Candace rambled. He likes whats been done so far and wants to meet again, she continued her story.

Yolanda knew that Candace was lying because she couldnt lie on the cuff and her reactions were indicative of that, which made following her even more worthwhile. It wasnt something she typically did, but Candace had been a little distant and acting strangely toward her lately.

Well, Im almost there. Ill call you later okay?

Yeah. Sure. Have a good one.

Yolanda pulled over so she could park without being seen, and then she waited to see where Candace was going. A few minutes later, she saw them come out.

What the *****? Yolanda said out loud, flabbergasted by what she saw. Thats Bette Porter! Oh, this just gets better, Yolanda continued, talking to herself.

Candace seated Bette in the car and stroked her face reassuring her that shed be fine. Bette gave Candace a synopsis of what had happened since they last saw each other and they agreed not to go to the hospital, but instead to an ambulatory care center so she could remain discrete. She drove in the same haste that she did to get to Bettes. They arrived at the medical center with Yolanda still in tow.

Candace and Bette went inside while Yolanda waited in her car. She wanted to go in, but knew it would be hard to remain unseen.

They look real chummy. Theres something going on. I can feel it, Yolanda said out loud. So, Ms. Porter, youre not as stoic and clean cut as you try to appear to be. I knew you had an agenda. Always trying to come off so holier-than-thou. Miss impenetrable my *****! She fumed.

An hour later Candace and Bette emerged from the center and took off. Yolanda followed.

Meanwhile

Tina met up with Alice and they headed back to the apartment. They called ahead to let Dana know what was going on so she wouldnt be out of the loop and be forced to face surprises. With the stage set, they were prepared to help Tina through her situation.

They entered the apartment and were promptly greeted with hugs from Dana.

Im gonna go in the bedroom and give you guys some space, Tina said, walking to the bedroom where she unpacked her bag and crammed her clothes into an available drawer. She realized she didnt have her medicine with her and went back to the living room.

Al, I need to go back to the house. I left my meds and I think I should have them just in case.

Okay, want us to come with you? Moral support in case Porters there?

Okay.
They all headed back to the house and saw Bettes car outside. Thinking she was there, Tina told the girls to circle the block while she went in, not wanting to cause an even greater conflict. Alice and Dana reluctantly agreed and took off. Tina went in and called for Bette, no reply. She went to the bedroom to get her meds and as she was about to come out, she heard Bettes voice and another she didnt recognize. She tiptoed backward remaining in the bedroom.

Are you gonna be okay by yourself? Candace asked.

Yes, I think so, Bette replied, wincing from the throbbing and stitches.

I can stay for a little while if youd like?

Bette stared at Candace. She looked so ***** in her cut off shorts and fitted, v-neck tee shirt. She turned away not wanting to entertain the wanton thoughts dancing in her head. Candace read Bettes face and knelt before her rubbing her thigh.

Are you sure you want me to leave? She asked softly. I can get you some food and stuff. Youre hand is gonna hurt for a little while ya know, she added.

Tina was fuming. She now recognized the voice, but retained some restraint and continued to listen even though she wanted to bust up the little comfort party.

Bette was having a hard time averting Candaces stare and her proximity was igniting the ember inside. She knew it was a bad idea, but she just couldnt fight what she was feeling even though she knew she was walking in quicksand. She leaned closer to her allowing their foreheads to touch. Instant excitement raced through her into her loins. Candace didnt flinch. Shed been thinking about Bette and wanting her, even though she knew Bette was in turmoil.

I know this is wrong, but I cant deny what Im feeling. It hasnt changed. Not even after you practically through me out the last time we

Ssh! Bette cut her off. Dont say anything. Your being here is bad. So wrong, she gasped, fighting for the air Candace seemed to be taking from her. But, but, I, we. Its not

Candace sucked Bettes lips into her mouth. The silence pierced Tinas ears deafening her and she clutched her stomach as it did somersaults within her. Even as she tried to move, her feet were cemented to the floor. The delicate moans infiltrated the silence as Bette and Candace lost themselves in their kiss.

Damn, woman! Ive missed this, Candace cooed. Something this good shouldnt be so wrong.

I know, but it is and I shouldnt, Bette tried helplessly to fight her desire. I hate you and am attracted to you at the same time. ***** you for making me feel like this, she moaned, as Candace slid her hand under her shirt.

Every ugly and painful emotion erupted in Tina and she couldnt fight it any longer. She ingested a pill without water, knowing that a migraine was about to declare war within her cranium. Anger and pain took away her self-control as she forced herself forward and stormed into the living room.

I should slap the taste out of your ***** mouth for even trying to tell me you loved me. Love me? Do you? How the ***** can you say you love me when you not only fucked another woman, you have her in our house? Tinas venomous words rang out as she rushed toward Bette and Candace.

Candace jumped to her feet trying to ward off Tina who came at her swinging. As she tried to duck, Tina managed to land a left hook on Candaces jaw causing her to stagger back. Bette jumped up to partly defend Candace and to calm Tina down. Nothing was working.

I, I, I dont know. I wasnt thinking. I needed someone to help me, Bette stated, still trying to pull Tina back forgetting about her hand. I should have called you, but out of respect for your privacy, I she stuttered getting cut off.

Respect? Tina furiously interjected. You dont even know what the ***** word means. Respect would have made you say, I needed a break from you Tina. I need time to think. Respect would have been you saying, Im with someone Candace. I love her. Shes my wife. She was almost the mother of our child. Thats respect you ***** *****, Tina fired off.

Tina stopped fighting with Bette and turned around and began firing off at Candace.

And you, you home wrecking *****, Tina spit. Its bad enough you ***** my wife, but you come back and try to do it in my house. Who the ***** do you think you are, you horrible *****? Tina screamed kicking Candace in the shin.

Tina, its not what you thi Candace tried to defend.

Oh, its not? How the ***** can you sit there and tell me that catching you with your tongue down her throat and hand in her shirt isnt what it seems? Not to mention that I heard your entire conversation, Tina fumed, shifting her eyes from Candace to Bette who was holding her throbbing and now bleeding hand. Tina didnt care and ripped into Bette again.

And you Bette Porter are nothing to me. You hear me? Nothing! Youre not worth me having anxiety attacks and migraines over. For the first time in a long time, I am completely lucid and can see things for what they really are, she said calmly before reaching down for her meds that fell.

Bette reached for her hand and Tina slapped her face so hard that she left fingerprints. Candace jumped to defend Bette, but instead caught another blow to her face.

You both ***** deserve each other, Tina maintained her calmed voice. The liars and whores that you are. ***** you! And ***** you, she pointed to Candace and Bette respectively.

Tina caught a glimpse of the ring still on Bettes hand and made a nasty face.
You might as well take it off, it means nothing now, Tina stated flatly.

But Tina please, Bette begged.

***** you and your ***** ***** too, Tina snapped.

Before Bette could say another word, Alice and Dana burst through the door.

We waited for a while and got concerned, Alice blurted before realizing that Candace was there.

What the ***** is going on here? Alice and Dana said in harmony, eyes wide open.