Daylight streamed through the windows as Bette awoke to the sound of the front door closing and Tinas footsteps in the hall. Bette lay still in bed, her heart beating wildly in her chest. The hours past had done nothing to dissipate her anger in fact it had intensified with every hour that Tina had remained away from her.

Bettes mind wandered through all sorts of scenarios, all the things Tina might be doing with that man. Was she out there ***** him? Was her wife out there ***** some slick guy from the office? When Tina had not come home that night Bettes mood changed from angry to enraged. The fire burned brightly and it would not be quelled until her fury had burned itself out.

Tina entered the bedroom and moved straight to the wardrobe. Looking for clothes she paid no attention to her wife.

Come home to shower and change? Bette questioned. The even tone belied her inner turmoil. Her gaze focused on Tinas back, where his hands had been touching her skin, feeling that soft, smooth skin.

Tina ignored the comment and continued with her current task.

Tina Bette persisted.

What? Tina replied angrily as she turned around, a change of clothes in hand. After 36 hours with no sleep she was in no mood to play games with her seemingly deceitful wife.

Where were you? Bette asked, her cool tone serving only to infuriate her wife.

Where the ***** were you? Tina fired back.

I was there Bette replied in a calm voice.

What? Tina countered.

I was there Bette nodded slowly as she sat up and looked directly at her wife And it looked like you were doing fine without me

Tina swallowed hard, her heart thudded heavily as she wondered if Bette really had shown up and exactly what she had seen.

What are you talking about? Tina asked, doing her best to sound annoyed in an effort to mask her fear.

You know exactly what Im ***** talking about, Tina Bettes voice finally raised in anger Dont you dare try and play innocent here

Bettes eyes flashed with rage and her face burned with anger at Tinas attempt to lie her way out of the situation.

I saw you in his arms. I saw him kiss you Bette said slowly, her jaw set hard.

Oh God Tina said softly as her eyes closed and her stomach flipped. She felt dizzy, ill, as though Bette had lashed out and struck her.

Then I saw you kiss him Bettes voice wavered as her emotions gained the upper hand over her cool exterior.

Tina stood still, afraid to move, knowing she had been caught red handed. As if her own guilt wasnt enough, Bette had witnessed it.

I couldnt stay Bette continued Ive been lying here all night waiting for you to come home but you didnt.

Bette, I

Jesus Tina, did it have to be Greg? Bettes angry voice rang out against the silence of the morning Of all the ***** people, did you have to go and do this with that *****! How long has it been going on? Were you ***** him out in the wilds of New Zealand? Is that the reason the project was delayed, they couldnt get the two of you out of bed?!

No, God! Tina cried, her eyes wide with disbelief It wasnt like

How the ***** was it then? Bette demanded.

We kissed Tina implored Thats all, I stopped it.

Bette sighed as she took in Tinas expression. She knew her wife well enough to know it was the truth, or at least she hoped she did.

Why did you do it? Bette asked Why would you kiss him?

A million stupid reasons. Wrong reasons. Last night I was upset, I was mad at you. I was really, really angry. Greg had some stuff going on too and we somehow ended up drowning our sorrows in Bollinger. I know it was wrong, I know it was weak, thats why I stopped it.

Bette stood up and walked to the window.

Do you want him? She asked, as she looked out over the garden.

No Tinas small reply provided little comfort.

Are we ending?

I dont know Tina replied Are we?

What the ***** does that mean? Bette asked incredulously as she turned to face Tina.

I know that youve been seeing someone It took all of Tinas strength to get the name out Clara

Clara? Bettes tone grew demanding Who told you?

Alice said she saw you getting into the elevator at the Peninsula with a woman she didnt know Tina fired back It was her wasnt it? You were with her when I called you Monday night, werent you?

What? Bette yelled I cant believe Im hearing this!

Bette stormed out of the bedroom and down the hall. Tina followed not far behind.

When will Alice learn to stay the ***** out of our lives? Bette yelled.

She was looking out for me Tina raised her voice to match her wife She was concerned after what happened with the carpenter

So thats it then?! Bette threw her arms up in the air in defeat Every time I go out with a woman thats not you everyone automatically assumes Im ***** around behind your back?

Were you? Tina questioned, fearing the answer given that Bette had not instantly dismissed the idea.

Is that why you kissed Greg? Bette asked Because you thought I was cheating on you?

Answer me, Bette Tinas tone left no room for argument.

When did Alice tell you this?

Why wont you answer me? Tina pleaded. Bette stared at her exhausted, angry wife. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized that Tina actually believed that she might be cheating again.

Are you cheating on me? Tina asked once more.

Tina watched as Bettes head dropped and her shoulders fell. The fire was gone, she was broken, defeated.

Bette slowly raised her head, her dark eyes coming to rest on Tinas, both women on the verge of tears.

No, Tina She said quietly I promised you that I would never, ever do that again. Clara is someone that I went to Yale with. We lost touch years ago but she looked me up while you were in New Zealand. We caught up over dinner and a few drinks.

Then what were you doing with your arm around her in the elevator? Tina questioned, torn between wanting to believe her wife and her inability to ward off the not so distant past.

She suffers from these awful migraines and one started over dinner. She could hardly walk so I helped her back to her room and stayed with her until the drugs took effect. Shes an old friend, I couldnt just dump her at the hotel lobby with the state she was in. Bette watched as Tina walked over to the vase of flowers and picked up the card She sent those as a thank-you for looking after her. T, shes happily married with two kids

Tina carefully placed the card back on the bench-top and bowed her head ***** She whispered before biting her lip as the enormity of her misjudgment finally sunk in.

Bette blinked back her tears. She realized once more just how tenuous the bond of their relationship was. Standing there she wished once again that she had never met Candace, that she had never touched Candace.

I love you Bette said Only you

Tinas guilt and shame left her unable to reply.

Where were you last night? Bette implored.

Oh, Bette Tina whispered as more tears stained her cheeks.

Jesus, Tina Bettes voice broke as she prayed Tina hadnt been as weak and foolish as herself Tell me you didnt

Tina reached blindly behind her for a dining table chair and sat down fearing that her legs were going to fail her. She looked up and watched Bette whisk fresh tears from her cheeks.

TBC