16
The morning light came in through the window giving the room a golden glow as Bette and Tina remained sleeping one each other arms. Tina lay on her back as Bette lay on her stomach with her head on Tinas chest; Tinas arm snaked around Bettes shoulder and Bettes rested naturally on Tinas body.

Tina gradually woke from her slumber, and became aware of the gentle weight resting on her body; she looked down to see her wifes upper body lightly rising and falling. As she watched her wife sleeping peacefully in her arms the inner feelings of anger and heartache left her instantaneously and were replaced with ones of content ness and hope.

0830 rolled around all to soon and it was time for Tina to reluctantly slide out from beneath her sleeping beauty and half-heartedly go back Alice before leaving for work. She stood and took in the beautiful sight in front of her for a moment and saved it to memory, then unwillingly left the house.

A few hours later Bette woke abruptly woke; she rolled over to find that she was alone. Bette rubbed her face with her hands and sat up one the side of the bed. She wirily got up and made her way to the kitchen for coffee. Upon reaching the counter her eyes were attracted to a note sitting on the counter.

Morning Babe,
Sorry I had to go but I have to start work in an hour. Didnt want to wake you because you looked so beautiful.

Ill call you later.
T

Bette looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was almost half nine.
*****, Im late She said out loud to her self.



Tina sat directionless at her desk and proceeded to hack her way through the pile of paper work on the corner of her desk. It was 11:57 and so far she had successfully managed to keep her mind off Bette, then her phone rang.
Hello?
And where were you last night Blondie? Alice demanded.
At home
No you were not, I was at home last night and you were so not there!
Wrong home Al
What like with Bette?
Yes like with Bette Tina said laughing.
And Alice asked implying.
No Tina responded immediately.
Hey, what are you doing for lunch?
More paper work, why? Tina said looking at the pile.
Meet me at the planet around one ok
Yeah ok, is every thing ok?
Yeah, I just want details.
Fine Tina raid rolling her eyes. Ill see you in a bit ok
Bye T

An hour later Tina walked into the planet and found Alice instantly, she was sitting at their usual table on her phone as per usual. Creature of habit Tina thought to her self, as she silently sat down opposite Alice and smiled at her that said get off that phone. Alice understood and imeadiatly said the words sorry I have to go.
So, T, whats the story? Alice asked hanging up her phone.
Hi to you too Al
Oh sorry hey T, so, what happened
Nothing really Tina said sighing.
Oh nothing my ***** Alice spat.
Fine, but its not really that interesting Tina said admitting defeat.
Just tell me already
We just held each other
Oh my god thats so cute
You see I told you
No really T thats cool, Im not stupid I know what thats means to your relationship Alice said with a serious tone.
Thank you
Hey its ok, are we talking like half an hour or what?
Al were talking all night here
Nice, thats so sweet T
Alright so what happened with you then? Tina said turning the tables.
Well we went to dinner and I was going to ask her up but I thought it is to soon to be jumping head first into this Alice answered.
Smart girl, so have you spoken to Dana today?
No, but I will call her later
Good, good, so are there any further derails or is that all I get considering I have told you everything
Nope thats pretty much it coz I have to go but I will talk to you later ok Alice said getting up from the table.
Yeah sure Al

Tina sat alone for a moment when Marina came and joined her.
Hew Marina Tina said kissing Marina on the cheek. How are you?
Tina decided that talking to Marina would do both of them good, it gave Tina a different perspective and she knew that Marina wouldnt have had too many people to talk to recently.

Hey Tina, yeah I am ok, how are you going? Marina asked sounding concerned.
I am ok right now, but how are things going for you? Tina asked knowingly.
Ahhh, you mean with Jenny dont you? Marina asked leaning back in her chair.
Yes, I mean with Jenny
You never cease to amaze me, you are asking me how I am after all you have been through
Yeah well I keeps my mind off things, so tell me, whets been happening?
I was a complete *****, I thought that by making her jealous she would come back to me, but I just pushed her further away Marina said looking down at her feet. Tina was no shrink but she knew body language.
So what did you do? Tina asked figuring it would be good for Mariana to talk about things
You remember the girl Jenny met in Palm Springs that week end? Tina thought back, and remembered something about a woman in a bar
Yeah?
Well I found out who she was and then started seeing her. I know how stupid it was now, but knowing now doesnt help me
Marina if you like Jenny that much why dont you just tell her
Because I dont know, because my ego gets in the way, I dint want to look weak. Anyway and then I showed up with her to the Provocations opening
Hmm, understanding now, so she got really pissed at you and now wont return your messages huh?
After I realized what I had done, that night I called her and left a message on her machine and told her every thing. She still hasnt replied.
Did you tell her that you love her? Tina asked forgetting about tact.
Yes
Marina I dont know what to tell you, I know that you broke her heart when Francesca, but I dont know how deep your relationship goes, but if I can give you one piece of advice?
Yeah, I havent talked to anyone about it so any advice will help
Machines done tell the whole story, if you really love her go and tell her to her face ok, take the bull by the horns, and then give her space to think about what she is going to do
But I did that already, I told her that I love her and she still hasnt returned my calls
Marina, you didnt tell her, you told her answering machine, trust me the difference is considerable
So just tell her?
Yup, Im not promising anything, but at least then she knows exactly how you feel, and you will know what your chances are
How?
Make sure you look directly at her, once she knows watch her eyes, go from there.
Thank you for listening Tina, not to many people are interested at the moment Marina said sincerely. Ever since that night not to many people were up for listening to more problems, Bette and Tinas took priority and Marina respected that.
Hey, look I have to get back to work but, if ever you just need some one to talk to you know my number ok, I dont agree with what you did but people do stupid things to the ones they love Tina said knowing that Marina knew what she meant.
Thanks Tina

17
Alice sat ringing her hands, cracking her knuckles, trying to release tension. It wasnt working. In front of her sat the phone, she knew she would have to call Dana at some point, she couldnt understand what she was afraid, but it was making this whole thing immensely harder. She had a lump the size Uluru in her throat combined with a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. She was beginning to feel nauseous. ***** it, would you just call her already. Alice picked up the phone and dialed Danas number. Dana saw the called id and answered with a smile.
Hello
Hey Dana, hows it going? Alice asked the first thing that came into her head, glad that it made sense.
Not to bad actually, how are you?
Yeah good Dana asked now almost as nervous as Alice
Hey Al look I was going to call you
You were? Thinking thank god she went some where with this conversation cos I was lost.
Yeah, I was wondering what you were doing tomorrow night?
Really?
Yeah, so are you free?
Um, yeah I am, why what did you have in mind? Alice asked smiling at the possibilities of the evening.
I dont know yet but Ill call you tomorrow and tell you if there are any details you need to know Dana said as the wheels in her head started turning.
Sounds good
Al?
Yeah?
I had a great time last night, I just wanted you to know that
I did too. Bye Dana
Bye Al
Alice sat back and breathed out deeply, a smile washed across her face. Porter is never going to let me forget this Alice thought to her self.
Well thats the sound of a woman in love if I have ever heard it Tina said from behind Alice.
Holly ***** T, you scared the ***** out of me Alice said sitting up.
You are so cute when youre in love
Oh shut up
Nope, I remember when Bette and I were going through this you never missed an opportunity to give us *****, now the tables have turned my friend Tina said with an evil grin.
Your never going to let me live this down are you?
Nope. Hey have you spoken to Marina lately? Tina asked sitting down.
Um Ive seen her and done the usual hey how are you? but nothing serious, why?
I was talking to he today about what happened between her and Jenny
She showed up with the chick Jenny was seeing to the opening of Provocations, I thought you knew that Alice stated matter of factly.
I heard something about it but not all the details
Am I missing some kind of gossip here?
Geeze Al is that all you ever think about?
Helloo, reporter, I get paid to know this kind of *****, now spill
Well generally its just that she went with Robin to make Jenny jealous with out realizing what her reaction would be and then by the time she came to her scenes she had fucked it big style
What do you mean big style?
Like in a big way Al, anyway so then she left a message on her answering machine telling her that she was in love with her and Jenny hasnt returned her message
When did all of this leaving messages thing happen?
The night of Provocations
Wow it would seem that that was a big night for all of us. So what did you say to Marina?
I told her to go and tell Jenny to her face
***** now I feel really bad about not saying anything to her. You know we have to do something dont you Al said with that unmistakable glint in her eye.
Al, no, you can not stick your head into this one ok, its got nothing to do with you Tina said trying to make a point.
Not the point here, look I know that Jenny still has feelings for Marina
How do you know that Al? Tina asked in a serious tone.
Dont you still have feelings for your first?
Al Bette was my first Tina said with a Duh expression.
And you still have feelings for her yes?
Im ***** married to her Al, of course I still have feelings for her. Tina said almost yelling at Alice.
See my point
NO. Are you telling me that its like a ***** rule that you always have feelings for your first? Tina said bewildered.
Yes Alice said with a smile.
How the ***** does that work Al, your telling me that youre still in love with that band chick? Tina said knowing Alice had backed her self into a corner.
No, not in love with them just that you still are willing to listen to them, that you will always have time for them Alice said trying to dig her way out.
Thats all good and well Al, but do you know why they arent together anymore?
Well lets think, Francesca just came back. Alice said thinking.
Yeah and Jenny didnt even know she existed until like the day before Tina made a good point.
Ouch Alice stated.
Yeah Al, ouch big style
So what do you think we should do?
Nothing let them deal with their ***** first, and then if they are still lost, then step in
Hmmm Alice knew that Tina had made some very good point, that Jenny and Marina were not really any of her business, but not to do anything as simply not in her character.

Tina got up from the couch and went to get her phone. It had dawned on her that she did say that she would call Bette. She went out side so that Alice would get the hint that she didnt want to be interrupted. She opened her phone and dialed the number. But Bette didnt answer. Tina tried the home phone but still no answer, she decided to just let it slide and leave a message.
Hey Bette, its me, I tried your cell and didnt get any answer so I tried the house. Give me a call when you get a minute ok…