Chapter 15
 
"Thanks for coming guys," Bette said as Tasha helped her sit on the loveseat across from the couch where everyone else was sitting.
 
"You’re our friend, it’s what we do," Dana said smiling.
 
"As a matter of fact," Lara said standing up, "I’m gonna cook your favourite."
 
Bette chuckled, "you don’t have to pamper me."
 
"I’m a chef, I don’t consider cooking pampering," Lara said with a wink.
 
"Isn’t my girlfriend sweet?" Dana said proudly as Lara walked into the kitchen.
 
"Dana you’ve been dating her for like 2 years you don’t have to try to impress us anymore," Helena said.
 
Dana sighed, "so the trail period is over?"
 
"Trial period?" Shane said.
 
Everyone looked at Alice. Alice looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "What Tina’s on one too!"
 
"No she’s not!" Bette scoffed, "I don’t need anyone to approve or disapprove of her."
 
"Good Bette," Tasha said.
 
"But you do like her right?" Bette said nervously.
 
Everyone laughed. "She’s amazing Bette," Shane said.
 
"Even though she gave me a ticket," Alice said.
 
"Next time I’m gonna tell her to show no mercy," Tasha said. "I swear Al you will stop speeding or I’ll cite you myself!"
 
Alice squeaked.
 
Everyone laughed again.
 
"Well I think Tina is beautiful," Helena said without thinking. A pillow hit her face.
 
"Shut it Hel," Bette said.
 
"Ooo someone’s jealous," Alice said.
 
"Ha, well from the sounds of it I’m gonna love your girlfriend," Dana said.
 
"Hopefully not in the same way as Helena," Bette teased.
 
"Hey!"
 
Dana flushed, "n-no, I would n-never…"
 
"I know Dane," Bette said chuckling, "I’m just joking."
 
Dana sighed.
 
"Hey Bette," Lara called from the kitchen, "I forgot to tell you. Kit said sorry she couldn’t make it tonight, Will couldn’t manage ‘Hit’ tonight so she had to stay."
 
"I understand," Bette said, "but she’ll be at the Planet tomorrow right?"
 
"Of course, she’s dying to see you," Lara said.
 
"So am I," Bette sighed. "Hey Shane?"
 
"Yeah?" Shane said.
 
"When does Jenny get back from the conference?" Bette asked.
 
Everyone went silent. They all knew Jenny was the only person who could relate to Bette and it made sense that she wanted to talk to her. "Uh she gets back tomorrow," Shane said, "she’ll be at the Planet."
 
"Good," Bette said.
 
+
 
"Detective Kennard I am Officer Max Sweeny and I will be your temporary partner," the young transgender said standing at attention. He was wearing the dark blue uniform and the hat.
 
Tina smiled and said, "at ease. You don’t have to wear the hat you know."
 
"Thank you ma’am," Max said removing her hat.
 
"Call me Tina, you’re my partner not my assistant," Tina said.
 
Max sighed, "thank you, you’re so much nicer than my last partner."
 
"How come you’re doing temp?" Tina asked.
 
"Well I’m in between partners because my last discriminated against the fact that I’m transgender, he thought I was a man and when he found out I used to be a woman, well…he freaked," Max said.
 
"He got suspended right?"
 
"Yes, but he put in his transfer papers right after," Max said, "didn’t know this precinct was GLBT friendly."
 
"Um well the captain is a lesbian what did he expect?" Tina said.
 
"What can I say he wasn’t too bright."
 
Tina chuckled. "So Max, where are we patrolling tonight?"
 
"We’re setting up a speed trap for a few hours and then we’re just gonna drive around West Hollywood and Sunset Blvd," Max said.
 
"Sounds good."
 
A few hours and several tickets later Max and Tina were driving down Sunset Blvd watching very carefully as drunk men and women stumbled out of bars and clubs. Most of them were in groups, laughing uproariously and staggering off the sidewalk. Cars had to drive slow to make sure no one was hit.
 
"Wow, party street huh?" Max said.
 
"Yes, but surprisingly more of the bad stuff happens here than on West Hollywood with all the gay and lesbian bars."
 
"I know it’s a bit impersonal, but do you go to straight bars?" Tina asked.
 
"No, strictly gay," Max said, "I still have female parts."
 
"Oh I see," Tina said.
 
"That’s a bit more normal," Max said.
 
"Do you feel out of place?" Tina asked.
 
"Sometimes."
 
"You shouldn’t," Tina said with a smile, "you should always feel comfortable."
 
Max smiled, "I’m working on it."
 
The radio crackled at the moment and an urgent voice said, "all nearby units backup needed in West Hollywood, hostage situation."
 
"Got the address, step on it," Max said.
 
Tina turned on the siren and zoomed to the nearest freeway. It took a bit longer than expected but soon Tina parked the police car beside the other ones surrounding the large building.
 
"Detective," another detective said to Tina, "you have experience with hostage situations correct?"
 
"Yes a bank robbery," Tina said walking to her.
 
"I’m detective Duffy," she continued, "these guys are part of a conservative group attacking GLBT movement. We’ve been after them for months."
 
"They’re the ones doing this?" Tina said.
 
"They’ve been vandalizing centers and attacking gays and lesbians on the streets," Duffy said, "this is a writing convention where there’s world famous and upcoming gay and lesbian writers."
 
"And let me guess they wanna stop their work from being published?" Tina said.
 
"No, it’s already been published they’re here for revenge."
 
"Duffy then what the hell are we doing out here?" Tina cried, "in hostage situations the killers only keep the victims alive if they want something from us!"
 
"So you think they’ll kill those people?" Max asked worriedly.
 
"Shit," Duffy muttered.
 
"We have to raid them and take them down now!" Tina said.
 
"How do we do that without getting innocent people killed?" Duffy said in frustration.
 
"We sneak in and get good shots," Tina said.
 
Duffy spoke into her walkie talkie, "S.W.A.T ready to move in?"
 
"Affirmative."
 
"Move in quietly, get good shots and take them out," Duffy said. "Snipers, any shots?"
 
"There’s a few we can get from here," someone responded, "not all of them."
 
"Synchronize with S.W.A.T to shoot at the same time," Duffy said.
 
"Yes detective."
 
"Detective Kennard," Duffy said, "I’m normally not so quick to trust, can I count on you to assemble a team to get those people out of there safely?"
 
"Yes ma’am," Tina said confidently.
 
"Meet next to my car with detective Kennard and Officer Sweeny," Duffy called into her walkie talkie.
 
It only took moments for a group of ten cops to be gathered by the car. "We’ll sneak in together and once we get to the hall we wait for the shots then pan out," Tina said, "everyone go in different directions, no two cops together. Get as many people as you can out safely and behind the cars."
 
"Yes ma’am," they responded.
 
"Follow behind me," Tina said. They all pulled out their weapons and ran behind Tina into the building with Max directly behind her. The S.W.A.T team were scattered around strategically aiming their weapons into the hall from the vents and windows.
 
The captain put his finger to his lips telling them to stay quiet. Tina crouched in front of the door and the other cops followed. They all stayed completely still and silent holding their weapons firmly waiting for the S.W.A.T team to shoot.
 
The captain brought his walkie talkie to his lips and whispered softly, "S.W.A.T, snipers, fire."
 
The moment the shots rang out Tina and the team ran in. People were already on the floor and they started screaming once the gunfire started. The criminals were mostly down and there were a few that were wounded and returning fire.
 
Tina saw one of them turn towards a young woman lying on the floor. She was a petite raven-haired girl. Tina immediately fired her weapon at him and he staggered back. He staggered back just enough for the S.W.A.T team to get him. He went down instantly.
 
Tina ran to her, she was crying. "It’s alright, you’re safe, come with me."
 
The girl let out a small sob and nodded her head. She had the most beautiful blue-grey eyes and they were full of life. Tina couldn’t have been more glad that she had saved her.
 
"Everyone get up slowly and stay as low as you can, follow me!" Tina called out. The other cops had already successfully formed groups and were heading out.
 
"Tina, watch your back!" Max cried raising her gun and firing. Tina turned and saw another guy falling to the floor dropping his gun as he fell.
 
"Thanks Max!" Tina called out.
 
"Tina Kennard?" The girl she had just saved said.
 
"Yes," Tina said scrunching her brows, "do I know you?"
 
"No, you’re my friend Bette’s new girlfriend," she said.
 
"Writing convention, that’s right," Tina said, "you must be Jenny."
 
"Yes," Jenny said smiling, "thanks for saving me."
 
"Thank yous later, let’s get out of here first," Tina said.
 
+
 
"Thanks for dropping me off at Bette’s before going back to work," Jenny said from the back of the police car.
 
"It’s not a problem stop saying thank you," Tina said.
 
"I can see why Bette fell for you, you’re a hero," Jenny said smiling, "you definitely have my vote."
 
"Thanks," Tina said grinning, "do me a favor, tell me what everyone else thinks."
 
"I’m sure they love you, even Alice even though you gave her a ticket," Jenny said.
 
"Does EVERYONE know about that?" Tina said incredulously.
 
"Even I knew that," Max said.
 
"That’s the thing with Alice, anything happens and the entire West Hollywood area will know about it in about five minutes," Jenny said.
 
"Wow," Tina said.
 
"I’ll wait in the car," Max said as Tina parked in front of Bette’s house.
 
"Come on Jenny," Tina said. They walked to the door and Tina unlocked it. Everyone was gathered on the couch in the darkness watching a scary movie and when they walked in they all screamed and jumped.
 
Tina chuckled and Jenny laughed obnoxiously loud, "chicken shits!"
 
"Shut up you weren’t watching it!" Alice said.
 
Bette paused the movie as Tina flicked on the lights.
 
"Tina, what’s going on?" Bette asked worriedly.
 
"Why is Jenny with you?" Alice asked.
 
"There was a hostage situation at Jenny’s convention," Tina said, "a group of extremist with lots of guns."
 
"Oh my God!"
 
"What!"
 
"She saved my life," Jenny said with a smile.
 
"Really?" Helena said with a dazed expression.
 
Bette punched her arm hard making her cry out. "Are you guys okay?"
 
"Yes, gotta get back to work, I just wanted to drop her off," Tina said.
 
"Thanks," Jenny said.
 
"How sweet of you," Dana said standing up, "I’m Dana Fairbanks and this is my girlfriend Lara."
 
"Nice to meet you," Tina shaking both of their hands.
 
"Kennard is everyone okay? Who led it?" Tasha said worriedly.
 
"Relax Tasha, Duffy handled it well and the S.W.A.T team left no room for casualties," Tina said.
 
"Good," Tasha said with a sigh.
 
"You got a lot of paperwork to do though," Tina said. "Well I gotta get back to work."
 
"Be careful baby," Bette said trying to stand.
 
"No, stay," Tina said walking to her and giving her a kiss on the lips. "See you later."
 
"Oh my God Jenny, I totally could write an article on this!" Alice said pulling out a yellow notepad from her bag.
 
"Do you always carry that?" Shane said.
 
"Of course!" Alice said making room for Jenny next to her, "tell me everything."
 
+
 
After hearing the terrifying story everyone settled in their sleeping bags and it was agreed that Jenny would sleep on the couch in Bette’s room because she was the one who went through the traumatic experience, plus Bette needed company or she couldn’t sleep.
 
"You comfortable," Jenny said into the darkness of Bette’s room. She could barely make out the brunette’s silhouette on the other side of her on the bed.
 
"Yeah, you?" Bette said.
 
"Yes, thanks for giving me the comfy couch, the living room couch is hard as a rock," Jenny said.
 
"Well you’ve had a rough night," Bette said, "plus Helena took the other couch, she deserves to have a backache for checking out my girlfriend."
 
"Don’t blame her, but still there’s boundaries ya know," Jenny said.
 
Bette chuckled.
 
A brief moment of silence went by before Bette spoke again, "how did you do it?"
 
"How did I do what?" Jenny responded already knowing what she was asking.
 
"How did you stop seeing them everytime you closed your eyes?" Bette said. "Bryon haunts my dreams. Sometimes I’m scared to close my eyes."
 
"I know what you mean," Jenny said. "I have surpassed it true but it wasn’t easy for me to find that thing that made it happen."
 
"I remember," Bette said, "you had been on drugs first then when your parents found out you were in therapy. Afterwards you ran away and Shane took you in. Was it Shane?"
 
"No," Jenny said, "no one else can do it for you. And I know you think that Tina will help you get over what happened, but she can’t do anything. Only you can."
 
"How?" Bette asked.
 
"Come to terms with it," Jenny said. "I did it by writing a novel about it. I told the entire world what happened to me, but most importantly I told myself. And when I did I was finally able to deal with it and move on."
 
"And how did you deal with it once you did that?"
 
"Easy, I cried."
 
"Cried?"
 
"Yes," Jenny said, "I actually cried for myself rather than crying for someone else. I grieved. Then I put the blame where it belongs."
 
"On those fucking bastards."
 
"Just like you have to do on Bryon," Jenny said. "When you have all the pain and guilt off, you can finally be happy Bette. I promise you that you will be able to sleep at ease without ever having to see him again."
 
Bette sighed deeply.
 
"Take it step by step Bette, it takes time," Jenny said.
 
The room grew silent again.
 
After a moment Bette said, "Bryon raped me."
 
Jenny glanced at her.
 
"He kidnapped me and then he tortured, raped, and mutilated me for an entire month," Bette said he voice cracking with pain.
 
Jenny sat up on the bed and gave her a sad smile.
 
Suddenly Bette’s body was shaking and hard sobs were ripping from her throat. Jenny immediately went to her side and caressed her hair.
 
She rubbed it softly with one hand while the other held onto Bette’s as she sobbed almost hysterically.
 
"You know Bette, this is gonna be easier on you than it was on me," Jenny said.
 
"How do you know that?" Bette breathed in between sobs.
 
"Because you have something I didn’t have when I was going through it," Jenny said, "love."