As they made their way to the restaurant, Tina asked Bette about her morning. She wanted to tell her about her conversation with Chris but thought that she would wait until they were sitting down.

Morning has been fine replied Bette to Tinas question. Pretty uneventful, which is what we want, right? she said while smiling at Tina.

Thats probably the best kind to have agreed Tina. By the way, where are we going?

We are going to this Chinese restaurant that has amazing dim sum. I am pretty sure that you will love it.

Perfect said Tina, pleased that Bette had chosen a restaurant that served one of Tinas favorite types of food.

They got to the restaurant and were seated immediately. After drink orders were placed, they simply looked at each other, enjoying the others presence.

So, tell me about your morning said Bette.

Well, I had quite an eventful morning started Tina. Bette raised an eyebrow in question, but let her continue.

As you already know, I got the amazing deliveries from my favorite girl she said while reaching over to take Bettes hand, and I had a really good conversation with Chris Moore.

Did you? asked Bette, wanting to hear all about it.

Yep said Tina. She repeated her entire conversation to Bette, including Chris regards to her, and after concluding, watched Bette for her reaction.

T! That is great! I am so happy for you and obviously Chris is very eager to get you back. That has got to feel good, huh?

Yeah, it does she said through a huge grin. It feels really good. I wasnt sure what his response would be, but needless to say, am very happy that we will be able to work something out.

Definitely! said Bette.

A cart came by, interrupting their conversation and they pointed out to the server what they wanted.

They began to eat their selections, while continuing to discuss Tinas opportunity.

So said Bette. I guess that this means that you will be able to finalize your travel plans to LA, right?

I guess it does said Tina, not really sure how she felt about that. She knew that she had to go back, but the thought of being away from Bette for any length of time was not something that she was processing that well.

Whats up T? Bette asked her, seeing the distant expression on her face.

Tina put her fork down and said, I know that my having reservations about leaving you and going back to LA is something that we talked about, but it does not make doing so any easier.

Bette looked at her and said, T, things will be fine. It is only what, 2-3, maybe 4 days? Well be fine and remember, I did tell you that if you needed me, I would go with you.

I know that baby, but having you leave everything that you have going on here is not a solution, and we both know that.

Bette didnt say anything, wanting Tina to figure out on her own what she needed to do.

Baby? Tina asked Bette.

Yes?

Do you want anything from the house? I mean I could stop by and pick up anything that you may have left behind.

Bette was a little confused by the question, but just said, No T, I think that I got everything that I needed when I left.

Tina wanted to tell her about her discovery of the picture but was not really sure if she should or not. This is ridiculous she thought to herself. Here I am always talking about open communication, and I am hiding this from her? That makes a lot of sense.

I uh Tina began. Bette, I found the picture of us from our commitment ceremony in your closet.

Bette did not say anything, surprised at the fact that Tina had seen it.

Baby, Im sorry. I was not snooping around. I was just looking through your closet to see what new things were there, and I kinda saw it, hiding in the back.

Tina, I dont care that you were looking through the closet, the apartment is as much your home as mine. Nothing is off limits. Bette looked away, suddenly fascinated with looking out the window. I was not hiding it, but didnt feel it was appropriate to put it on display either she sadly said, still looking out the window.

Tina just watched Bette and could see her body tense up from this conversation. She knew that she needed to get Bette to talk to her, preferably without all of the defenses coming to attention.

She reached over to Bette and placing her hand on her cheek, turned Bettes face so that it was facing her.

Baby she began. I dont know if you know this or not, but when I moved out of our house, I didnt take anything that was associated with us, our life, our relationship. I was in so much pain, I just wanted to forget. It wasnt until I saw that picture this morning that I realized how much I absolutely missed those memories, regardless if they came in the form of a picture, a book or just a fleeting thought through my mind. All of the time that we were separated, I never allowed myself to simply remember, and when I did this morning, the wave of emotion that passed through me was deafening she admitted, with tears beginning to form.

I know said Bette quietly.

You now what, baby? asked Tina.

I know that you didnt take anything she simply said.

Tina looked at her and saw the pain in Bettes eyes, knowing that if the roles had been reversed, she would have been terribly hurt to know that Bette wanted no remembrance of their time spent together, regardless of the cause of the split up.

They sat there in silence, neither really knowing what to say. Another cart came by, but the server saw that this clearly was not a time to interrupt, and so turned in another direction.

Bette?

Bette said nothing, just turned to her.

Baby, we have got to start talking Tina said in earnest.

What are we doing right now? asked Bette.

We are dancing around each other, neither of us wanting discuss what is really needed.

Bette turned her head back towards the window, thinking of what Tina said.

I thought that we were just going to try and let these conversations flow naturally said Bette.

Its not as if I want those conversations to stop Bette, I just think that in order to get through all of this, we will need to put a little more structure around them. And I know that you dont want to do therapy she quickly added with a smile.

Bette did not address the therapy comment, but asked What do you have in mind when you say structure?

Well, if you are ok with this, I was thinking that we could set time aside each day, time that we could determine, and with just the two of us, and no interruptions, sit in the living room or wherever, and just talk she explained. I mean, I have not completely thought it through 100%, but I think that our talking about our problems has got to be a focus for each of us, and knowing that these conversations will not be easy, just need to force ourselves to make it happen because baby, we have got to move forward, and dancing around each other is not going to get us moving in that direction.

Bette knew that Tina was right and that having these discussions in the safety of their home versus a doctors office, would be preferable for her.

You know T said Bette. If you thought that it would be better for us to see someone, I would not say no.

Actually I do know that Tina smiled, again reaching over to hold her hand. I knew that if I asked you to do that, that you would say yes. But it seems to me that we tried that once before, and I dont really remember the results as over powering she jokingly said.

No, she continued, I think that we need to do something that is comfortable for both of us, and if being in the apartment with just us to hear the other is better, than I say, lets do that.

Ok was Bettes only reply.

Are you really ok with this idea? Tina asked tentatively.

You know how I am T when it comes to stuff like this, but I told you that I had changed, and I meant it. I know that we need to do this in order to move forward, I just she said, not finishing her sentence.

After waiting for a moment, she said, You just what, baby? softly nudging her. She saw the fear return to Bettes face and her struggle to voice her thought. Tina watched Bette closing down in front of her and didnt know where this was coming from. It was then that she noticed the tears gently rolling down her face.

Hey? Tina said, moving her chair over to wrap her arm around her sagging shoulders. Baby, what is it? Bette, talk to me. Youre scaring me.

She gently held Bette as the tears continued to fall from her eyes. Tina looked around to see if there was a quiet place that she could take her, but saw that there was nothing but a bustling busy restaurant surrounding them.

Bette, we need to leave here Tina spoke into her ear.

No, its ok Bette said, trying to pull herself together.

Tina watched her closely, seeing the struggle of trying to control her emotions, and just waited to see what she would do next. She kept her arm protectively around her shoulder and waited for her to speak.

I Bette began. She took a deep breath and tried to continue.

Tina moved her face even closer to Bettes, trying to hear what was being so softly spoken.

What if we talk and you decide that you no longer want me? she whispered. That based on all of my ***** behavior of the past, you finally come to your senses and realize what a fruitless exercise all of this is?

Tina watched the tears begin anew, and could not believe that these words were even coming from Bettes lips. How could she not get it? she thought. Does she not realize that she is my world, my everything?

Tina rubbed the side of Bettes head and said, Bette, that is fear talking baby, not reality. I know that this is scary stuff that we are talking about here, but baby, you have got to know what you mean to me. That has not changed, nor will it ever. I know that you are scared and you know what? So am I. But, we can not let that fear dictate our actions and run our life. Baby, we need to talk about the past in order to learn from it, not in order to have it mold who we become. You and I both know that we did things that were self-destructive and we need to recognize what those things were in order to give us the chance to live our life as a couple again.

She paused to see if any of this was registering with Bette. She knew first hand that fear had the ability to make ones sense of reason skewed, but did not want to let Bette fall into that trap. She saw her take a deep breath and pull her shoulders back to an upright position. Tina leaned in and gently placed her lips on Bettes forehead.

See? she said while smiling encouragingly. We just got through a tough conversation and both of us are still here, both still in one piece.

Yeah, I guess that we are, huh? asked Bette.

Tina never removed her eyes from Bettes, still waiting for more fears and anxieties to raise their ugly heads, but nothing more seemed to be coming.

You ok? she quietly asked Bette.

Yeah, I guess that I am. Weve got a lot of work to do, huh?

Yes baby, we actually do, but that is not necessarily a deterrent, just what it is. Neither of us has ever backed down from a challenge, and I dont intend to start now she softly smiled.

Tina moved her chair back over to her side of the table and said, Eat baby. This is lunch, remember?

I do. Great date, huh? she said, weakly smiling at Tina.

Any time spent with you is great, baby.

They finished their lunch and after having paid the check, rose to leave. Bette reached for Tinas hand which she happily grabbed and held onto for the walk back.

It was not long before they were standing in front of the gallery. Neither made a move to either go in or walk away, not ready to lose the comfort of the others presence.

So said Bette. When do we start our sessions? she asked with a smile.

Sessions? said Tina while returning the smile. I wasnt aware that we were referring to these conversations as sessions.

Well, I just figured that we could try and make it as much like therapy as possible, you know, maybe bring in some really bright, hot lights and rubber hoses

Bette shrieked Tina, playfully swatting her arm. Those are interrogations, not therapy!!! laughing at Bette despite her best efforts not to.

Whatever, same difference if you ask me she said under her breath.

I heard that! said Tina.

So… said Bette, while wrapping her arms around Tinas waist, what are you gonna do about it? her face right in front of Tinas.

Well let me see she replied, snaking her arms around Bettes neck, pulling her even closer. Those rubber hoses could be interesting

Ouch! chuckled Bette, slowly leaning her head in towards Tina in order to close the gap between the two of them.

Tina turned her head slightly to kiss Bette, pulling on her neck to get her as close as possible. Neither necessarily meant to, but the kiss heated up almost immediately, their tongues fighting for control of the other. Bettes hands were rubbing up and down Tinas back while Tinas were lost in Bettes hair, both forgetting that they were standing on the street in front of the gallery.

Ahem they both heard, almost immediately pulling away from each other.

Sorry ladies, but I gotta drop this off, and youre kinda blockin the door here.

They both moved to the side, somewhat embarrassed at their lack of control in public, neither wanting to think of what would have happened had they not been interrupted by this delivery man.

Sorry Bette quickly said. Here, let me she added while reaching for the door.

Tina looked at the flustered Bette in front of her and could not help the laughter that soon followed. She always thought that it was so cute when Bette became this way, not her perfectly composed self. It showed the other side of Bette that she so often tried to hide.

T! she hissed, as the delivery man walked through the door.

What baby? she innocently asked.

You are impossible Bette replied.

Impossibly in love Tina teasingly added.

Right said Bette. So, Ill see you tonight? she asked, giving Tina a hug good bye.

You most certainly will she said. And I thought that I would cook for us.

Bette happily looked at her and said, That would be great T!

Any special requests?

Nope, whatever you create will be fine by me!

Ok baby she said while slowly starting to walk away. Ill see you around 6-6:30?

That you will replied Bette, one hand on the door pulling it open.

Tina continued to walk backwards, not wanting to lose sight of Bette.

Alright baby, Ill see you then.

Bette turned to go into the gallery when she heard Tina add, And baby? I love you!

Bette stuck her head back around the door and shouted back, I love you too, T!