TINA Did she want to go after Bette? Tina thought she knew the answer to Elaines question, but she had so many questions of her own. Why had Bette flown all the way to Vancouver to see her, instead of picking up the phone? Did Bette and Candace break up? What did she mean when she said, our future together? Who was Mary? Oh God, please tell me shes not dating someone else. Tina wasnt sure if her heart could take any more pain. She looked at Elaine and thought about how wonderful she had been the night before. They had so much fun dancing and laughing at the bar, that Tina didnt want it to end. She was about as buzzed as you can get without being drunk, and was totally enjoying the sensation. As the night was ending, she knew she shouldnt drive home. Since Elaine had not been drinking much, she offered to take her. By this time, Tina was feeling an attraction to Elaine, so she eagerly accepted her invitation. When they got to Tinas they both sat in the car for a moment not saying anything. Finally Tina looked at Elaine and in a voice that sounded more confident than she felt, said, Would you like to come in? Elaine smiled. Well, I could use a cup of tea or coffee if you have it. Actually, I have both. Well then, yes, I would very much like to come in. They made their way into Tinas apartment and Tina started making the tea. She smiled to herself. Tea was a big deal up here, and she had learned to love the whole process of making it, as well as drinking it. It was also helping to calm her nerves. She wasnt sure about starting something with a co-worker, but she felt comfortable with Elaine, and there was definitely a physical attraction. Tina closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would feel like to be in this womans arms. She smiled again. Are you going to share with the class what you are thinking about? Tina opened her eyes and felt herself blushing. You. Well, Tina, I have to admit that being around you makes me a little grin happy as well. They both just stood there grinning as Tina finished with the tea. After serving themselves, they walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, making sure there was a respectable amount of space between them. As they drank their tea, they started talking about the show, then moved onto more personal things about their lives, where they were raised, eventually talking about past relationships. Tina talked about her relationships with men, but just kind of skimmed over her relationship with Bette. She just wasnt quite ready to talk about it, especially with someone she was finding desirable. Elaine knew that Tina was being vague about Bette, but didnt pry. She figured Tina would share when she was ready. Besides, Elaine wasnt sure where she wanted to end up with Tina. She just knew that for right now, she was totally attracted to her and wanted to be physically intimate with her. She sighed to herself, thinking about being naked with Tina next to her. ‘Oh yea, a good romp in the hay just might help Miss Tina in her recovery!’ Elaine couldnt help but smile with that thought. OK, so now its your turn to share with the class what you are thinking. Elaine looked into Tinas eyes, and the lust that Tina saw there told her exactly what Elaine was thinking about. You. Elaine smiled and moved closer to Tina. And this… With that, she leaned forward and gently kissed Tina, lingering for a moment before pulling back. Tinas stomach started flip flopping, and she stopped breathing for a moment. Wow, she whispered. That was all Elaine needed. She kissed Tina again, while moving in closer, all in one smooth movement. Elaine reached up and lightly placed her hand on Tinas cheek, while resting her other hand on Tinas thigh. Tinas head started spinning. This kiss felt so good, yet something about it felt…’NO!’ Tina thought, ‘I am not going there.’ She just wanted to be here, in this kiss. When their lips finally separated, Elaine leaned back and looked into Tinas eyes. She could see the desire there, but also saw the hesitation. Not wanting to lose the moment, she reached forward, wrapped both arms around Tina and lowered her to the couch, so that they were lying side by side. She started kissing Tina again, only with more passion. Elaines tongue caressed Tinas lips and flirted with her tongue. When Tina started to respond with her own passion, Elaines free hand started playing with Tinas body, moving up and down, like she was playing a piano. Tina let out a moan and wrapped her free arm around Elaine. They stayed like that for several minutes, tasting each others lips…mouths, Elaine playing Tinas body through her clothes. Elaine moved her mouth to Tinas ear and started kissing, tasting and sucking her earlobe. She whispered, Oh my God Tina. You are so beautiful. I want to feel your skin against mine. I want to make love with you over and over again. I want to feel what it feels like to be inside of you. Just then Elaines nose brushed across Tinas cheek and felt wetness. She looked up and saw that Tina was crying. Whats wrong Tina? Did I do something…say something wrong? Tina started sobbing. Oh Elaine. Im so sorry. I am attracted to you…I am. I have been wanting to do this all night. I want this too Tina. So why are you crying? Because, I cant do this. No matter how much my body wants it…I just cant! Tina covered her face with her hands and started crying harder. Elaine sat up and gently pulled Tina up next to her. She put her arm around her and guided Tinas head to her shoulder. Its OK, Tina. Whatever you are feeling is OK, but can you share with me why you feel you cant be with me? Tina breathed deep to get control of her tears. “I cant do this, because I just realized that no matter how much I wish that I wasnt, the fact is that I am still in love with Bette. ‘*****!’ Elaine had known there was a chance this would happen, but she was so attracted to Tina, she had been willing to go for it anyway. She now had a choice to make. She could politely excuse herself and leave Tina to cry in privacy, or she could let go of her own desires and be a friend to Tina, which she clearly needed. Elaine chose the latter, but decided to play innocent. Bette? Yea. I told you I had recently gotten out of a relationship, but what I didnt say was that it was more than a relationship. It was a marriage. We were together for seven years and she is the love of my life. Tina, if this woman Bette is the love of your life, why arent you together? Elaine knew that was a painful question to ask, but she needed to hear Tinas answer. She also felt Tina needed to hear her answer out loud. Bette and I are not together because she met someone else and chose her over me. Tina began to cry again. Oh God! Saying that out loud to another person just drove the pain in deeper. Im so sorry Elaine. I feel like such a loser. Its been six months and I cant seem to move on. All I know is the woman I love…the woman I crave, loves someone else. Tinas crying continued. All thoughts that Elaine had of wanting to make love with Tina disappeared as she sat holding this woman, witnessing a kind of pain that she had never experienced herself. Elaine wasnt sure if that was a good thing, or a bad thing, because to feel the pain Tina was feeling meant that she had to have experienced the ever illusive thing called true love. Elaine had loved before, but not like this. Nothing even close to this. She wondered if in the end it was worth it. Tinas tears started to slow down. Her body was shutting down. All the emotions of the night, mixed with alcohol were taking their toll. She just wanted to be horizontal. Elaine felt Tina start to doze in her arms. Tina? Why dont we get you into bed. Come on. Elaine led Tina by the hand to her bedroom, and sat her on the bed. Tina was fading fast. Elaine helped Tina remove her clothes, trying not to stare at Tinas drop dead gorgeous body. After she got Tina into a pair of pajama bottoms and a T-shirt, she tucked her into bed. Go to sleep Tina. Things will look better in the morning, I promise. Tina reached out and grabbed Elaines arm. Please Elaine. I know this is selfish of me, but could you stay with me tonight? Elaine looked at Tina with such appreciation in her eyes. She didnt know Bette Porter, but she thought she was an absolute fool for choosing to leave this incredible woman. Elaine took off her pants and shirt and slipped into bed with Tina. She wrapped her arms around her and held her until she could hear the steady breathing, indicating Tina was asleep. Elaine thought that given half a chance with Tina, she might also be able to experience true love. Oh well. She knew she wasnt going to get that chance, but she would take the opportunity to bring Tina a little bit of comfort. They woke the next morning to Bette knocking on Tinas front door. Tina looked at Elaine and repeated the question in her head. Do you want to go after her? There were so many questions rolling around in her head… Yes, I want to go after her with every fiber of my being. I just don’t know if I can. BETTE Bette was scared to death. Seeing that gorgeous woman walk out of Tinas bedroom had rocked her to her core. ‘Damit! Who was she?’ Bette punched Alices phone number into her cell phone. Alice! Hey Bette! Howd it go? Well, Id have a better answer for you if I hadnt taken off running out of Tinas building, leaving her standing in her doorway. Alice, you told me Tina wasnt seeing anyone. Shes not. Well then, who the ***** was the woman who walked out of her bedroom? Oh *****! I dont know. Last time I talked with Tina, she didnt say a word. Alice hesitated for a second. The bedroom, huh? Yea Alice. The bedroom. Well hey, maybe she was visiting. Or…wait…I bet she was the cleaning lady! Right Alice. She was there cleaning Tinas apartment in a pair of boxers and a muscle shirt so tight it will probably have to be cut off her. Was she cute? Bette let out a loud groan. God Alice, dont go there. Hey, I was just asking. She was gorgeous, all right. ***** gorgeous! OK. OK. So, you want me to call Tina and get the scoop? No Alice. I need to do this part on my own. Thanks though. Oh God Al. I totally blew it. I was an absolute idiot! I cannot believe what came out of my mouth! OK spill. What exactly did you say to Tina? Well, she looked at me and was angry, but then there was all this love in her eyes as well. I saw the love and my mind just went blank. My whole speech just disappeared out of my head. I couldnt think of anything to say, so I opened my mouth and… God Bette. What did you say? Alice braced herself for something she knew was going to be bad…big time bad. …told her I needed to talk with her about our future together. “Whats so bad about that Bette? Bette blew a deep breath out. Then I said something like…and our future with Mary. Mary? Mary from your dreams, Mary? Yes! ***** A Bette! What the ***** were you thinking? Thats just it! I wasnt thinking! I told you, my mind went blank! OK. OK. You gotta fix this and fix it fast. Tina is probably going nuts trying to figure out who Mary is. Of course you could have told her had you not taken off like a bat out of *****! Thanks a lot Alice. Thats just what I need to hear. Sorry. Hey, by the way, how did she look? She looked beautiful Al. If it is possible, she looked even more beautiful than she did the first day we met. Oh God Al. I have to be with her. Well, you could always go back to Tinas and try to explain in a reasonable way what the ***** you were talking about. Or, if your mind goes blank again, you could go find Miss Boxers and tell her that Tina is your woman and to kindly STEP OFF *****! Bette laughed in spite of herself. Oh yea. Im sure that would go over well. OK, Miss Smarty Pants, what are you going to do next? I am going to put Plan B in motion. Whats Plan B? Bette smiled. I gotta go Alice. They are boarding my flight. Ill call you when I get in. ***** Bette. Way to leave a girl hanging. Fine, Ill talk to you later. Bye Al.