As usual, alice was taking an eternity to come. Bette was waiting impatiently for her ex to show up at her house. She had called alice after dropping tina off, and told her to meet at her place. It was time to get things out in the open.

Alice stood at the door. Contemplating if she should knock and go in, or just burst in, or should she just leave, like right now? She didnt want to face bette. It was going to be a long night, and she knew it. As if on cue, bette opened the front door.

Al? I heard your footsteps. Coming in? or do you need to be dragged in? I dont want things to get ugly, so soon. Bette joked, surprised that alice didnt break into a smile, instead, alice just stood there, frowning.

Bette, Im being serious here. And yes, I do agree that we need to talk. No funny business, ok? Alice Pieszecki is finally maturing, and you know it Porter! With her final words, she stomped into the house, and plonked onto the sofa.

————————————–*********——————————————————–

tina kept thinking to herself over and over again, had she done anything to offend alice? Had she? She was so confused, she couldnt understand what could have gone wrong. Does alice still have affection for bette? So many thoughts were running through her mind, she was getting a headache just thinking about them.

It had been a little over a month, and she knew. She knew she loved bette with all her heart. Bette had taken love to new heights. Not just physically, but on an emotional level as well. She had never felt so wanted, so loved, socomfortable being herself.

Her life had never been on an emotional roller-coaster ride, until she had met bette. And it was a ride to heaven. After practically pouncing on bette at the gallery, tina felt things should end with eric. She had a date with him that very night, and not wanting to cause a scene, she had wanted to wait till after dinner to break the news to him gently. But, alas, life is never syrupy sweet.

Tina, love, Ive been trying to muster up my courage the entire night, and well, I have something to ask of you. Looking into her eyes, he showed such sincerity, such belief in her, tina had to look away.

Continueing with his charm, he got up, and went down on bended knee, as a violinist came over, serenading their table, and a waiter came by with a bottle of their finest wine.

Tina, my darling tina, the love of my life, would you be willing to accept my hand in marriage? he looked at he longingly, holding a ring with a diamond as huge as Egypt up to her.

Boy was she in a tight situation now. Tina felt her heart fall through the floor. How was she going to break it to him, gently? Was she going to reject him then and there, in front of the entire restaurant? Or was she going to pretend to be happy, accept, and tell him the horrid truth afterwards? She was in a fix. And there didnt seem to be an easy way out.

Honeyeric, I dont know what to say

just say YES! he nodded eagerly.

I have to think this over. Can we please, can we please get to the car now? We need to talk.

A puzzled look came over him, as he shut the ring case, shooed away the violinist and waiter, and paid the bill.

—————————————-*************————————————————

They were both sitting down on the long couch. The same pristinely white couch where they had made-out, sexed-up, you-name-they-had-it on dozens of times before. There was a space the size of Europe between them, and the tension in the air could kill death itself.

Alice didnt know where or how to start. She looked at her toes, she flicked imaginary things with her fingers, and chewed her lower lip. Bette could read those signs well, she knew alice was pissed, and nervous as well. Things were not looking good.

You have to get a hold on yourself. Really. Tell me whats going on in that head of yours, tell me alice. And I want the truth, no excuses, no beating around the bush. Just out with it already!! the suspense as to why alice was acting weird was killing her. Though she did suspect why alice wasnt taking to tina well. She just wanted to hear it in her own words, in her own voice.

Looking at bette harshly, alice finally found her ability to speak.

You wanna know the ***** truth Porter? I thought I could handle our break-up, I did manage to. But when I saw you with her, the two of you together, that could have been me! If only we had got it right the first time! And yes, Im ***** jealous! I just want someone to love me for who I am, and you were the first, now youve moved on, and apparently I havent!! WHY? WHYYYYYYYYYY????????

alice had lost it. She totally lost it. For the first time in her life(not counting funerals and really weepy movies) she let someone see her cry for all she was worth. She tried so hard to holdback the tears, but she just couldnt. Bette. What was so special about her? I love being her friend, I love seeing her happy, but, I dont love how I feel about her and tina.

Bette didnt know how to respond. So alice did feel the pinch, more like a punch in the face, about her new relationship. Before she could say anything, alice cut in.

I know Im being selfish and all, but my mind is telling me to say what I said, and my heart is still pining for you. I dont know what to do, I dont know. What am I going to do bette? How am I going to go on living like this. I want to give tina a chance, befriend her, but, at the same time, I want to maul her for being with you. For replacing me. Bette alice buried her face into a pillow.

Bridging the gap, by moving next to alice, bette wrapped her arms around her friend. Alice, weve been through this before, ok? I told you, I promised you, that I would always be there. Please dont cry like this, this is not the alice pieszecki I knew not too long ago. Hugging her tighter, bette kissed her ex-lovers head.

Looking up, her face streaked with tears, alice moved close to bettes lips. Whispering softly, a little hoarseness in her voice due to all the sobbing. you know..betteright now, I have the strongest urge to destroy what you have with tinato kiss you here, right now, make love to you. But I wont. I love you too much for that. I dont want you to be in a fucked up place because of me. No *****. But kiss me bette. I need to feel loved. Only you showed me what love WAS. I need to know if it still IS.

Staring intently into those soft teary eyes, bette felt compelled to kiss her. To show her they were friends, nothing more. Giving alice a soft kiss on the lips, and then on either cheeks, bette felt that was enough.

Im so sorry. Im so sorry for acting like I did. I shouldnt have tried to force you two into a friendship. But would you give her a chance, please? bette was almost pleading, and she had to be the strong one now, she didnt want to cry as well.

Nodding slowly, alice managed a smile. anything you say..friend. now I need to apologize for acting like a jerk towards tina, and you. I guess Im still having sporadic aftershocks. Ok, for the last time ever Bette Porter, I shall kiss you farewell, can I?

Slowly but surely, alice traced bettes lips with her fingers, before planting a kiss on her lips. No tongue, just a quick smooch. Feeling satisfied, she got up, smiled and left.

Bette knew this saga was over. And that alice had finally realized that too.

————————————————–*********——————————————–

Tina went over to the shelf, and removed a photo from the frame. It was a picture of eric and her, dating back about a year ago. She sighed. Everyone had thought them to be the epitome of love. They were perfect. Or so it seemed to everyone. But tina had been suffering from inner turmoil all along. She felt restricted when she was with him. Funny how things turned out now.

When they had got into the car, eric was in a foul mood. what were you thinking? Why do this? In front of all those people? I have a rep. to uphold!!! Why Tina? he grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look him in the eye.

Slapping his hands away, she got furious! Dont you EVER dare lay your hand on me! Im glad Im not going to marry you now, I dont want to spend my life getting death threats from a man who proclaimed to love me! And you want to know why I didnt tell you the reason in the restaurant? It was because I was thinking of your rep.!!! I dont love you eric, not anymore, why? Because I love Bette Porter! You heard me right, yes! I AM A ***** *****! So thats it. Im sorry we have to end on such a sour note. But you asked for it.

Eric sat in disbelief. No, this couldnt be happening. He had his life planned out perfectly. His blood began to boil. Through clenched teeth, he growled at her.

GET THE ***** OUT OF MY CAR. OUT OF MY SIGHT. OUT OF MY LIFE!

slamming the door behind her, she saw eric speed away, and she didnt regret it at all.

——————————————-*********—————————————————

alice arrived home, tired yet happy. After weeks of moping around, and feeling sore about bette gain and her loss, she had finally come to terms with it. She felt oddly rejuvenated.

Oh god! Shane had left the tv on again. That girl, one day, shes gonna cause an electrical fire. Hello? What was going on here, she saw a pair of familiar shoes near the couch. Had shane brought one of those ***** home? Wanting to sneak a peek, alice tiptoed to shanes room door, and peeked in.

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!! WHAT THE ***** ARE YOU TWO UP TO????

Hearing the yell, both dana and shane jumped out of the bed.