Oh *****, thought Tina.

I mean, she went on hurriedly, I should have ended it then. I should have been honest with you, with myself and with Bette. Helena, Ive known for a while that I wanted to be with Bette again, I just wasnt sure I was ready to trust her, so I led you both on.

Helenas expression was not quite so gleeful now. Anger, then bitterness crossed her face at Tinas explanation.

Im so sorry Helena, but I really dont think I can be with you any more, Tina explained, trying to be as gentle as she could. We can still be friends but..

Please, spare me Tina, Helena interrupted tersely. We cant be friends. She glared at her now-former lover. I dont take rejection very well, you know darling. I hope you dont come to regret this. She spat out bitterly, spinning on her heel and striding away swiftly.

Tina tried to analyze her feelings. Was she sorry? Did she regret sending her away? Helena had been good to her that was true.

No, she realized, she didnt feel sorry at all. In fact, Tina felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

And talking of shoulders, a shiver went up her spine as she felt Bette approach her, and place her hands gently on the body part in question.

Please dont let her be ungracious and gloat, Tina thought. Let her be bigger than that.

Are you OK T? Bette asked gently.

Tina sighed in relief. Bette really was trying to be more caring and considerate.

She turned around, in time to see the gentle smile turn into a great big *****-eating grin. So much for sensitive Bette.

Thank God for that, Bette smirked, I thought youd never get rid of the *****.

Well, she supposed she couldnt really blame Bette. She and Helena had quite a few things in common: their drive, their take-charge attitude, the fabulous body, the wavy dark hair, the high class education, their fondness for pregnant blondes, but most especially their mutual loathing for each other.

Bette realized she was being a *****, about the same time Tinas eyes looked away from her sadly. Bad Bette, she told herself.

I’m sorry T, I know that must have been a tough decision for you, but I cant honestly say with a straight face Im not happy you ended it with her. Now you and I can have a real chance to fix things. She stroked Tinas arms, trying to reassure her she had made the right choice.

Bette, this doesnt mean I’m ready to move back in you know. We still have a lot to sort out between us, right? This was what Tina had been afraid of. That Bette would see it as Tina making her choice irrevocably. OK, so they probably would get back together, but Tina wasnt quite ready. Not yet.

She looked at Bettes disappointed face. Yep, that had been her thought.

I get it T, she replied quietly. But theres hope for us, right?

Tina smiled.

Oh yeah babe, theres a miniscule teeny little chance.