Tina watched Bette for a moment, hoping that Bette would understand.  That she would see the subtle shifts in her features that heralded a reluctant agreement.  Instead she only saw a growing uncertainty, a fear that came from somewhere so deep that Tina didn’t have access.

Turning to face Bette, Tina pulled her into her arms and held her tight.  There were no words that could be said, Tina has no certainties to offer her as she herself didn’t know what would happen next.

“Hey,” a voice called.  Bette lifted her head from Tina’s shoulder and tried to muster up a smile.  “Helena, I didn’t know you were hear.”

Helena grinned back, knowing that Bette was too out of it to even recognise the people that littered her hospital room for a time.  “Of course I’m here, after all I am your personal driver for the night.”  

“Helena,”  Tina warned turning in Bette’s arms.  The last thing that any of them needed was Bette getting worked up again.

“Tee-na” Helena sang, startled by the laughter that Bette huffed out.

“Now we are all introduced…” Bette stated, gesturing to the door with a half-hearted flourish, “can we go now?”

Helena grinned, enjoying the semi-playful moment.  “Bette, Tina,”  She called, remembering that she had done some behind the scenes meddling, and she had to tell them about it.  It’s at moments like these that she wished she had taken Angie and Kit was still here.

“Yes,”  Tina drawled and she assisted Bette down the hall towards to exit.

“I…”  I made a decision for you all, I hope you don’t mind, Helena thought to herself reproachfully.  “Angie is with Kit at my house,” she spat out.

Tina and Bette looked at each other before their laughter filled the air.

“You’re channelling Al Helena.”  Tina commented, which elicited another surprised burst of laughter from Bette.

Bette was starting to feel lighter, the adage that laughter was the best medicine did have some substance, she mused enjoying the moment.  In coming days the laughter would die for their friends as they came to term with the surprise death of someone close to them.

Someone, who despite all of the maliciousness and callousness, they loved.

“Thank you Helena,” Tina said warmly, more the grateful that someone had some forethought.

Helena gave her a wane smile.  She knew that going back to the house wasn’t something that anyone would really want to, she remembered feeling that way when her father died at home when she was a teen.

Like Jenny’s death, her fathers was a surprise – not that knowing makes death any easier – but she always felt it had to be a long time coming.  People don’t just drop dead of heart attacks without any warning.

It’s not right.

Helena closed her eyes and breathed deeply in and out until a soft hand rest on her shoulder.  “Are you okay Helena?”  Tina asked quietly.

Popping her eyes open Helena mustered up a smile for Tina, and Bette who was starting to visibly flag despite the brave face she was putting on.

“Let’s reunite you with Angelica.”  Helena suggested, walking ahead.

Tina cast a quick glance at Bette who was leaning against her more heavily.  The paler had returned to her face, and her eyes had began to droop.  Bette, like the rest of them, was exhausted and the best medicine laid in Helena’s home.

Bed, food and their daughter.