Peggy (heading for the downstairs bathroom): Tom if you would bring those bags up to each of their rooms that would be appreciated. Thank you. (Turning and heading into the kitchen) Brenda if you would please dinner with the works. Those two drop weight like I drop exes. Carbs, vegetables, lean protein, you know.

Brenda (reassuringly): Of course. Don’t you worry.

Peggy (smiling): Thank you much appreciated. (Walking out of the kitchen and heading to the bathroom to get medical supplies.

Upstairs
Bette relaxed under the warm water. She felt bad about attacking Helena. But she didn’t want pity she wanted to be left alone to lick her wounds in private. Where the hell did she come on off trying to help her. And what the Hades was she thinking. Sighing she turned the water off to find find Helena standing there with an armful of towels.

Helena (turning to give Bette her privacy; she didn’t want to turn her eyes away from the caramel goddess; Bette was truly gorgeous; even with the evidence of their fight recently): I brought these up because I didn’t think there were any towels in here yet.

Bette (biting a retort quickly; reaching for one and wrapping it around herself): Thanks. I thought it was a little drafty. I’ll see you for dinner.

Helena (nodding): You’re welcome.

The Planet
Kit (holding Angie): It’s no problem. Ok. Just take a few days and get yourself together. (Watching as she slept in the porta-crib.)

Tina (nodding): Thanks just a couple of days so I can think and find some answers.

Kit (smiling): And if you need to talk I’m here. You’re my family Tina despite everything that’s happened.

Tina (hugging her): Thanks Kit. I’ll see you in a couple of days.

Helena’s Beach House
Peggy (dabbing ointment on Helena’s cheek watching her daughter tense up; looking at Bette who looked just as miserable; serves them both right): Hold still. I swear both of you in your 40′s acting like you’re in your 20′s. You might have a shiner and keep an eye on that cut and a few of those scratches.

Helena (feeling tired): Yes mummy (watching as Peggy taped the gauze to the back of Bette’s hand.)

Peggy (shaking her head): I swear (mumbling.)

Bette (shifting): Thank you.

Peggy (pointedly): I’m going to stay tonight. I want you both to eat a good dinner then get some rest. You have been running ragged. And you two are going to stay here to rest and relax. And behave yourselves.

As they left the bathroom Bette took her time to look at a few pieces of art and sip her coffee. It warded off the chill and emptiness of the soaking and drinking of earlier
Bette (pointing): This is beautiful but there’s no name…

Peggy (proudly): That’s one Helena did at her college and the one I took out of storage. I don’t remember the title.

Helena (looking at Bette): It’s titled find me. The sunset in the background represents life and the water represents endless possibilities.

Bette (nodding): It’s gorgeous.

Peggy (smiling): Come on you two can discuss art later. Dinner (holding both of her arms out and escorting them to the dinner table.) Now you have a week of privacy and rest. I’ll bring Angie by when it’s time Bette. You both look terrible. And the fighting amongst you two has to stop. (Pausing as she took a bite of the roasted chicken) get your bloody heads together. And stop acting like two bitches. Work together and decide what you want.

Bette (pushing food around on her plate): Fine with me but I don’t want sympathy or pity.

Helena (putting her fork down): Can’t you accept the fact that someone cares about you and wants to help without fucking you or paying or what the fuck ever it is you think.

Bette (shaking her head): No I can’t because it always comes with a bloody fucknigprice.

Helena (defensively): I don’t want anything from you Bette. I want you to be happy and that’s fucking all.

Peggy (tapping her glass with her fork): Time out. Both of you stop. Bette I honestly believe trouble over there is just trying to help. Accept it. If Helena was up to something I would know. I think she genuinely cares for you.

Bette (softly): Then why does it hurt…

Helena (not understanding): What…

Peggy (gently): Because you’re lost right now. That’s why. (Leaning back) now enough of the serious talk finish your dinner’s and relax. I’ve got phone calls to make, I’ll be in my room if you need me. If not I’ll see you for breakfast. (As she stood) and I better not hear one argument from either of you tonight.

Bette (finishing her dinner): I’m going outside to sit on the deck, thank you. (Taking her plate to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of wine she went outside on the back deck and sat beneath the stars and clear sky. It was getting cooler but it felt good on her heated skin.

Helena cleared the table and went to her study; she opened up her computer and began reading her emails and other news. She began working on some ideas she had and didn’t notice the clock until eight thirty. She wondered where Bette was and went looking for her. She found her on the deck wrapped in a blanket a bottle of wine, empty and sobs shaking her frame.

Bette (wiping her face): I’m okay.

Helena (gently): No you’re not. (Moving closer knowing Bette’s quick reaction of anger when threatened.) Put the tough card away and talk with me.

Bette (pleading): Leave me alone.

Helena (standing her ground): No. No and no. (Sitting on a chair across from Bette) please I want to help…

Bette (rubbing her face): Go away…

Helena (tears falling down her face): I care about you (reaching out and wrapping her arms around Bette’s shoulders) come here, honey. (Bette struggled and she held on) please I won’t hurt you. I’m so fucking sorry Bette for everything.

Bette (lost, confused felt herself being pulled into strong arms and held and the dam broke): I’m sorry…

Helena (understanding): Let it out. Let go (holding onto her as her own tears fell and she moved to the bench holding Bette in her arms and wondering what had broken, hoping she could help her and wishing that things would be okay.)

Hamilton Inn
Tina (walking with Sam): Thanks I just…

Sam (shaking her head; pressing a finger to her lips): No remember no complications just a night of hedonistic pleasure. No stings or commitments just us, sex and in the morning back to being friends.

Tina nodded and walked with Sam to their hotel room. They both wanted a neutral place to have sex with no strings. Entering the hotel room they turned on the lights and ordered room service. Sam opened her bag and pulled out a few things, leaving a twenty on the table she headed for the shower.

Helena’s House
Helena had brought Bette inside when she started shivering. They headed upstairs and looked down the hallway.

Helena (hesitantly): Sleep with me I don’t want you being alone.

Bette (scared, confused): I’m fine…

Helena (cupping her face in her hand): No you’re not (taking her hand) come on. There’s enough room for four people in my bed. Come on I won’t bite.

Bette (shaking her head): It’s…

Helena (softly): Two people comforting each other. Nothing more. Nothing complex. Okay. Let the fucking past go. We start fresh I need another friend and so do you.

Bette (biting her lip): How does anyone say no to you?

Helena (rubbing her thumb over the back of Bette’s hand): That is how and why I get into so much bloody trouble.

Bette squeezed Helena’s hand and walked to her room. Helena went in to change into her pajamas and get ready for bed. When Helena came out Bette did the same. When she came back out Helena was sitting up in bed reading a book and her had her reading glasses on. She crawled into bed and enjoyed the feeling of soft cool sheets against her sore and heated body. Turning on her side away from Helena she laid there. Thoughts and images filled her mind. Tina, her mother abandoning her, her fathers anger and displeasure, the loss of Dana everything and tears started to fall.

Helena listened knowing Bette was in distress. She could image the pain she was in. Bette was beautiful and fragile but she never let it show. She always portrayed a tough persona and she held that in front of everyone. She was a fighter but lately she had lost the spark and drive to fight. That made her more beautiful in her eyes. At first they hated one another and they had gone a few rounds of fisticuffs but now she saw things in a different light.

Helena (reaching out gently): Bette, please I’m here….

Bette (crying): It gets overwhelming…

Helena (reaching over and wrapping her body around hers): It is (pausing her own tears falling) but sometimes if we’re really lucky there’s someone there besides us.

Bette (her walls fell): Helena (rolling over and they met in the middle of the bed; both hurting and lost and angry.)

They held onto each other both crying and trying to soothe one another. They could not get close enough and it was Helena who pulled Bette on top of her and just held her. Held her tightly against her, pressing her nose to those soft brown curls; feeling Bette’s hand clutching her top. The world spun out of control for both of them and as they fell they both had a feeling this was a path towards home.

Hamilton Inn
Tina stood naked in the middle of the room. Her hands tied behind her back, blindfolded. Tears of frustration covered her face.

Sam (holding a cane made of birch wood and silk): I asked you a simple question bitch. Who are you thinking of?

Tina (shifting; her breasts ached to be sucked; a flood of moisture coated her the inside of her thighs and her cunt ached): No one (yelping as another swat landed, they stung but would do no permanent damage to her skin.) Fuck gods…

Sam (arching her eyebrow): That would be too easy. I bet I could push you down and fuck you with that big fat dildo and it wouldn’t be enough. Or I could use my fist and it still wouldn’t be nearly enough, would it?

Tina (pleading): Sam please I just (threw sharp swats landed in quick succession across her breasts) ahhh…

Sam (making a tsking noise): It’s mistress you little slut. Get it through your fucking head. I am everything to you. (Teasing her nipples) answer my first question? Who are you thinking of?

Tina (taking a deep breath; feeling hot and flushed): Bette (groaning) Bette and Helena. Both of them.

Sam (wickedly):Ahh so you want to be fucked and used by both of your exes. Such a slut a perfect slut. (Moving behind Tina) licking her ear) and you are mine. (Nipping her ear) maybe I should have brought a video camera. Mailed a copy to both of them after I made you scream their names.

Helena’s House Bedroom
Helena stirring; her body ached but her and Bette were curled up together, wrapped around one another and still holding tight. Helena took the time to look at Bette, examine her features, the caramel skin, the smooth lips, the laugh lines and a natural beauty about her. Brushing back a stray lock of hair she placed a gentle kiss on Bette’s forehead and eased herself out of bed. It was nine am breakfast and coffee first.

Kitchen Nook
Peggy (typing away): Well yes I think that would be appropriate don’t you. Fine draw it up and send it me. Thank you. (Closing her phone and looking back at her computer) why must I have to write instructions (looking up as Helena strolled in holding her coffee; she had a cut on her face and her cheek was swollen, her lip was split and she was holding herself stiffly) good morning.

Helena (enjoying the warmth of her coffee): Morning mummy.

Peggy (standing): Come here (reaching for her daughter) I bet you’re sore aren’t you. (Hugging her) did you sleep well?

Helena (nodding): Yeah. Just stiff (sitting down) what are you up to, today?

Peggy (laughing): I should be asking you that (arching her eyebrow?) However a few business dealings and such. Did you and Bette talk last night? (Not getting an immediate response) Helena…

Helena (shaking her head): Sorry um yeah Bette and I talked a little.

Peggy (sometimes trying to get information out of her daughter was impossible): And?

Helena (softly): She feels as I do. Her heart’s broken, she’s hurting and she’s lost. I can’t believe it. The infamous Bette Porter lost. But all this has really done a number to her. I’m just glad Tina is no longer with that homophobic bastard. (Angrily) he was trying to get Tina to keep Angie away from Bette because his picture perfect family did not include. (Pausing) and I give Tina credit she put her foot down. (Sighing) and I hope it’s not to late.

Peggy (surprise; her daughter was turning out to be a better human being in more that one regard; perhaps extending her money a little more was in order but): It’s never to late darling. As long as is there is life, there is always hope. (Reassuring) and Bette is hurting right now and I think it’s good you two are helping one another. Remember that okay.

Helena (shaking her head): Morose thoughts with coffee and I agree. Tina needs to decide what she wants and with whom. She can’t go around hurting people and leaving them in pieces. (Tilting her head back) I’ve made mistakes and I’ve learned from them and I am trying to be better. However, what Tina has done is so bloody wrong.

Peggy (squeezing her daughter’s hand): Well that’s why you two have a week here with no interruptions. You two can talk and work things out amongst yourselves. Sleep, eat have a good time. There’s plenty of food and I know neither of you have work obligations for a bit. (Looking up as Bette came in coffee in one hand and a bag of ice in the other. Bette’s left side of her face was swollen, her lip puffy and a matching scratch on her face.) Ah a pair of bookends, beautiful bruised bookends. How thoughtful (teasing.)

Bette (trying not smile): Yeah you’re daughter has a mean jab and some sharp teeth.

Peggy (looking at the two of them): Biting already. Shame on you (laughing at their obvious pain) well that will teach you. Anyway I have to shower and dress and get going. I’ll be back around 8 or so. We’ll have a nice dinner and tomorrow I’m off to North Carolina. (Standing) you both behave (walking towards the door) oh and no biting (laughing as she heard them both groaning.)