"Yeah.. I guess." Tina said as she met Bette’s gaze before quickly looking away and averting her eyes. Her mind suddenly flashed the image of their bodies meshed together inside the elevator, causing her to blush. "Shit." She cursed under her breath, feeling her heart beat furiously inside her chest. She didn’t know what caused her sudden increase in heart rate – was it the embarrassment of being caught in the kind of position that they were in or was it because of the memory of the brunette holding her close? It must be due to the former.. it should be due to the former.. she tried to convince herself.

"What’s wrong?" Bette straightened up and frowned when she saw the look on Tina’s face. It was as if the blonde was having an internal struggle.. one that Tina seemed to be at the losing end.

"Umm.. nothing.. I was just thinking how my.. dad.. must be worried sick by now.." Tina lied, seeing from the corner of her eyes that Bette was walking closer to her and bridging the gap between them.  She was so close, she could smell the flowery scent of her perfume. But despite the nearness of the other, she still looked everywhere and at anything except her companion. Well this is awkward, Tina thought, feeling more than a little shy in the presence of the brunette.

"You’re right.." Bette said seriously, attributing the palpable feeling of nervousness and unease emitted by the blonde as an effect of thinking about her father. "Your dad must be looking for you.." She added. The last thing she wanted to do was get Tina into trouble. That would surely put a damper to whatever progress they were making. "Come, I’ll take you home.." She said as she took a surprised Tina by the hand and pulled her. She broke out into a run towards the direction of her parked car a couple of blocks away. There would be enough time later to talk and deal with the events of last night.

———————————

The Planet. 

"Holy shit.. slow down Porter!" Alice shouted as she saw Bette literally stuffing herself with food. She has never, in all their years as friends, ever seen Bette Porter eat with so much abandon.