As they entered the bedroom, Bette dropped her hold on Tinas hand, and made her way to the bathroom. When she was done, she came back into the bedroom and saw Tina, not having changed for bed yet, laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Bette walked over to the bed, sat on the edge and placed her hand on Tinas thigh.

Hey, you ok? asked Bette.

Tina turned her head to Bette and said Yeah, just digesting.

Did another meal happen that I am not aware of? asked a teasing Bette.

I think that you know what I mean Tina said, somewhat seriously.

Bette considered her tone and contemplated where to go with it. They were both tired she knew and was not sure if broaching a huge discussion at this time was wise.

Everything settling ok? she asked in a tone that leaned towards the light.

Yeah, its good baby she said reassuringly. Im just thinking about how far we have come in the almost 48 hours that I have been here.

It is a lot said Bette, slowly rubbing her thigh.

Neither spoke as they continued their independent analysis of their situation. Tina finally rose to a sitting position on the bed, her face right next to Bettes.

You look tired, baby said Tina worriedly while stroking her hair.

A little Id imagine replied Bette.

Bed? asked Tina.

Yes, bed came the reply.

Tina lifted herself off of the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Bette watched her retreating figure and then made her own way to the closet to change. After she was done changing, she got in the bed, reaching for the art history magazine that was on her bedside table.

After turning the lights off, Bette felt Tina get into bed. She was trying to finish an article that she had started last week, and so did not notice Tina looking at her.

Tina, on the other hand, was not in the mood to have Bette reading. She knew that their weekend was coming to a close and was not ready to lose her quite yet. She reached over and snatched the magazine out of Bettes grasp and hurriedly threw it to the ground.

What the? sputtered a surprised Bette.

She looked at Tina as if she had two heads.

What do you think that you are doing Ms. Kennard? demanded Bette.

Without a reply, Tina slid over, closing the gap between them, and hoisted her body onto Bettes. Tinas body was positioned on Bettes in a way that no part of her body was not aligned with her counterpart of Bettes. She held herself up on her elbows while her body continued to settle into Bettes, finding every nook and cranny to fill. She just smiled at a very surprised Bette and allowed her hands, which were resting on either side of Bettes head, to slowly massage her temples.

At Tinas touch, Bette felt her body begin to relax. The surprise that she had felt at Tina ripping the magazine from her hands and then climbing on her, had been quickly replaced by an automatic arousal coming from having Tina laying on her like this. As soon though as she had started rubbing her head, all of the sensations were surpassed by an extreme relaxation permeating her being.

Tina watched Bette like a hawk, reading all of the feelings crossing over her face. When she had started to massage her temples, she knew that she had her. She knew that Bette would not put up a fight as Tina always knew exactly what would be needed to capture the element of Bette that she was after.

The two women laid there, each content in being this close to the other, allowing their bodies to slowly get to know the other again. A re-awakening to a degree.

Baby? said Tina while looking directly at Bettes closed eyes.

Getting no response, Tina leaned down, placing her lips directly next to Bettes ear, and whispered again, Baby?

This time, Bettes eyes flew open, the sensation of having Tinas warm breath going directly into her ear, sending all too familiar sensations charging throughout her body.

Trying to find her voice, she weakly uttered Yes?

Roll over, baby she continued directly in her ear.

Bette felt as if Tina were speaking directly to a different part of her body, the feeling becoming palpable.

Why? she managed to get out.

I want to give you a massage she said, never moving away from Bettes ear.

Bette, thinking quickly, knew that she had to get control of this situation. She knew that even though they had kissed, they were still not ready for more. Her body was responding to Tinas in a way that it had not done in years. It was as if it was awakening from a long slumber, and as good as it felt, knew that she would have to control the sensations.

T started Bette, having finally gotten control of her voice. Thats really sweet of you, but I am fine, really. We should just try and get some sleep.

Tina pulled back looking directly into Bettes eyes, trying to read where this response was coming from. Bette never turned Tina down when it came to getting a massage. She loved it when Tina worked on her body and Tina knew that.

And then she saw it.

She saw the spark of arousal in Bettes eyes, accompanied by the slight flush that had reached her cheeks. Tina smiled down at her, immensely pleased that Bettes body was responding to her in this manner. Did I do this to her intentionally? Tina asked herself. Well, I dont think that I started out to do this to her, but I guess that I did know what I was doing she realized.

Baby, do you remember what I said in the kitchen? asked Tina.

Well, yes said Bette, a little confused at the question.

Tina read the confusion and clarified, The part about our not having to rush off and make love? The part that I would patiently wait for you to be ready? The part where I said that I would wait for as long as necessary?

Yes said a somewhat embarrassed Bette, feeling strangely like a little kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. She had clearly misread Tinas intentions in the back rub and felt like Tina was aware of that.

Soooo dragged out Tina.

Bette felt Tinas body shift a bit, allowing her the room to turn over. Bette wordlessly did as instructed and flipped over.

Tina repositioned herself so that she was now in an upright position, straddling Bettes rear end.

She looked at Bettes beautiful back, still clad in the top that she had put on.

She leaned back down to Bettes ear and whispered, Baby, you can keep your top on if you want to, but I am going to push it up so that I can feel your muscles directly. Ok?

Bette just grunted in reply.

Tina pulled back up and pushed the top as far up as the material would allow. She felt Bette pull up a bit to allow Tina to push it up from the sides, all the way to the top of her shoulders.

Having accomplished that, Tina just allowed her eyes to feast on Bettes beautiful and strong back. She had always loved this part of Bettes anatomy. Giving Bette a massage was always done to help relieve the stress and tension that managed to find a home in between her shoulders, but selfishly, Tina loved just touching her in this way. She felt a sense of control over Bette and her body that was exhilarating and yet, not easy to attain. Not only that, but it usually led to great *****, almost acting like foreplay. Tina would intentionally work Bette into a state of arousal that caused Bette to at any given time, forcefully turn over, throwing both of them back onto the bed with Bette climbing onto Tina to devour her body. Tina was pretty good at reading when Bette was nearing that point, but at times, Bette surprised her, taking her at a time that she had not expected and the rewards were unimaginable.

She looked back at Bettes body beneath her, and mildly wondered what the effects of this massage would be. She did not want to push or rush Bette, but knew that she would never be able to say no to her either.

She finally allowed her hands to rest on Bettes bare skin. She just laid her hands on the expanse of her back, palms down, splaying her fingers in order to let them touch as much of Bette as possible. She felt the heat radiate up through her palms, into her fingers, up through her arms, finally settling somewhere deep in her body.

Bette was calm beneath her, just waiting for Tinas careful ministrations to begin.

She slowly began to drag her fingers lightly up and down the path of her back, allowing her nails to gently graze her skin. She heard Bette softly moan beneath her and saw small goose bumps begin to rise in the wake of her touch.

She then leaned down, her face just above Bettes head, and moved down further to plant small kisses along the back of her head. She heard Bette sigh contentedly which caused a smile to appear on her face.

She pulled back up a bit to focus on her shoulders and upper back. This, she knew, is where all of the madness in Bettes life resided. It was all just beneath the skin, screaming to be let out.

She gave this area all of her attention and saw the effect that it was having on Bettes body. Her upper body was now beginning to completely relax, her shoulders laying in a position that suggested a complete release of all of the stress and anxiety that her muscles had been holding on to.

Tina stopped her hands for a minute, listening to Bettes body. She heard silence. No, that was not true. She heard deep breathing. She heard the breathing of Bette that meant she was in the deepest of slumbers that no one could wake her from.

She slowly smiled, happy that Bette had finally relaxed and let go, and happy that her work had helped get her there.

Am I disappointed? she asked herself. Disappointed? Disappointed at what? she continued. Oh, I think you know she answered herself.

With that, she lightly sighed, gingerly pulled Bettes top back down and slowly lifted herself off of Bettes body. She reached over and quietly turned the light off that was on Bettes bedside table. She snuggled into Bettes body, getting as close as she could. She put one leg over Bettes, draped her arm across her back, almost in ownership, just holding on. She fit her head into the crook of Bettes arm, closed her eyes, and whispered, Good night, baby. I love you.