Tina slowly picked up the key, cupped it in her hand and held it out to Bette. She could feel Bette fingers as they grazed her palm and encircled the key. She slowly closed her hand over Bette’s and leaned in and kissed her; a soft lingering kiss.

Bette could see the wonder in Tina’s eyes, the sparkle of unshed tears as she looked at her. Bette swallowed hard; she loved this woman so much. How could she ever have let her go?

She reached out a hand and caressed Tina’s cheek; guided her upwards with the lightest of touches on her shoulders.

She pressed her body into Tina’s and kissed her.

The kiss started slowly then deepened, becoming more urgent.

Bette’s hand wrestled with the door key, while she continued to focus her attention on Tina.

Bette could feel Tina responding to her, their bodies moulding into each other.

A delighted shiver ran down the length of Tina’s spine.

She felt more alive, as if she was waking suddenly after a long hibernation and every sense was super-charged. It felt as if this was their first time and their millionth time all rolled together. At once new and wonderful yet old and familiar – their bodies combining as if they were two parts of a whole.

Tina clung firmly around Bette’s neck, her legs weak, Bette and the door providing her support.

Bette pushed the key roughly into the lock and their bodies fell into the room clinging tightly to each other.

“Hey Whoa” said Alice “You’ll make us single girls jealous”.

“What?” said Tina, a feeling of confusion washing over her as she felt Bette’s body pull away.

“What the ***** are you doing here?” said Bette turning to Alice then she noticed the other girls standing around with drinks.

“What?..No nice to see ya Alice.. thanks for arranging the welcome home party?” Alice replied holding up her drink in a wordless toast.

“Surprise” murmured Dana.

“Yeah…” said Bette her voice and tone clearly indicating it wasn’t a good one.

“Uhh..I guess you guys would like us to leave” said Shane, she turned to Alice “Al, I told you this was a bad idea…”

“Yeah..blame me..” Alice started to say.

“No..it’s OK..don’t go..” Tina said plastering a smile on her face “It’s nice to see you all..” she smoothed down her shirt, tried to pull herself together.

“Yeah..” said Bette “Thanks for the party..sorry you have to rush off..” Bette gestured towards the door.

Tina frowned at Bette gave her a ‘play nice’ glare then turned back to the girls “She’s kidding ..stay..let’s catchup…” she moved towards the kitchen table “What have you brought to drink?”

“Whatever it is” said Bette “make mine a double..”