RING RING RING

This is Tina Kennard, please leave a message after the beep. Thanks. BEEP.

Bette sighed before gripping her phone tighter and gritting her teeth.

Tina its Bette. Call me back when you get this. Bye.

Bette hung up her cell phone and threw it on the couch in her office. She sighed loudly and looked around at the mound of paperwork she had to do and she felt like the walls were caving in on her. She sat down at her desk and took a few deep breaths before leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes. She thought about everything she had to do for the next couple of days and she felt that sick feeling take over her body again. She glanced at the clock.

Six thirtyshit where the ***** is Tina?

She shook her head in frustration and decided maybe what she needed was to take a walk so she got up and went out to the main gallery to have a look around. She was opening a show in two days and she was way behind schedule. She stayed out in the gallery for about an hour looking at the photographs and letting the artists talented eye transport her out of her current ***** situation back to a time when worries werent so great.

******
SIX MONTHS AGO

RING RING

Bette Porter.

Hi babe

Bette grinned as she heard Tinas soft voice on the other end. She leaned back comfortably in her chair.

Hi babyhows your day going?

Ughdont ask. Hows your day going?

Not too bad. Im sorry youre having such a crappy day.

Its okay. It would be much better if I knew you were coming over tonight though.

Bette smiled a sly smile and played with a pen on her desk.

Well I dont know. I mean with you having such a bad day and all I wouldnt want to take away from you being able to rest.

Bette could almost hear the smile creep its way across Tinas lips. She waited for her to respond.

Well Betterest wasnt exactly what I had planned

Bette laughed.

Well then in that case I will see you at seven.

Cant waitbye babeI love you.

I love you too. Bye.

******
That was thenthis is now. It had been over three months since they had their housewarming party and it had been three months of pure madness. Both Bette and Tinas work seemed to skyrocket lately and Bette was really on the end of her rope these days with one show after another. Her life pretty much sucked these days.

Bette went back into her office and dove back into her paperwork hoping to make at least a dent before she dragged her tired ***** home.

At ten thirty Bette finally decided she just couldnt work any longer so she packed her things and headed to her car. On the way she checked her purse and saw that her phone had turned off. Shitno wonder Tina never called me back she thought as she quickly turned it on and saw there were a couple of messages waiting for her.

Hey babe its meI was just calling you back. Its about seven thirty and we just got out of a meeting with Paramount. Give me a call. Love you.

Hey Bette its Mimime and Ivy were just wondering if you and Tina wanted to have dinner tomorrow night? Let me know.

Bette sighed loudly and got into her car. She felt bad about not having a lot of time for her friends lately, but her gallery had really taken off and she had been working so many crazy hours that all she wanted to do after work was go home and crash. She pulled her car onto the freeway and hoped that when she got home Tina wouldnt be too grumpy with her. Twenty minutes later she was parking her car and walking into the house. She opened the door quietly just in case Tina was sleeping, but to Bettes surprise she wasnt.

Hey you

Bette smiled tiredly at Tina who was sitting on the couch reading a magazine. She had a blanket wrapped around her legs and she looked very comfortable. Bette set her things down and wandered into the kitchen to see if Tina had left food for her. She found a plate of leftovers in the fridge and she threw them in the microwave before heading to the bedroom to change. Tina noticed Bettes quiet demeanor but decided not to say anything. After all she knew how stressed out Bette had been these past few days and even though she was tired as ***** and stressed out just as much she decided to let it go as she didnt want to start a fight. Bette came back into the kitchen and got her plate out of the micro. She sat down and began eating quietly as Tina watched her from the living room. After a few minutes of quiet eating Bette finished her food and put the plate in the sink. She didnt even so much as look at Tina as she went into the bathroom to shower so she could go to bed.

Ahhhh.

Bette stood under the hot water letting it relax her body and she felt her mood lighten significantly. She was still very tired but the water felt good on her body and she stayed in the shower for a long time letting it just wash away her stress. After getting out of the shower and putting her robe on she brushed her teeth and headed to bed to find Tina already lying in bed but not asleep. Bette just kind of half smiled at her as she changed into her pajamas and slid in bed next to Tina. Normally Bette would have wrapped her arms around Tina and snuggled into her, but neither Bette nor Tina could remember the last time they fell asleep like that. Bette just turned on her side away from Tina who was still facing the door.

How was your day?

Bette just sighed at Tinas question. Now you want to know how my day was huh? thought Bette as she stared out the window.

Fine.

Everything ready for Saturdays opening?

No.

Tina rolled her eyes. She hated when Bette got grumpy like this before a show and lately it had been happening more and more. She could remember early in their relationship when Bette made a point not to get grumpy with her no matter how stressed out she got. Tina rolled over and stared at the back of Bettes head trying to figure out how to get her out of her grumpy mood. She gently ran her fingers through Bettes still wet hair.

It will be okay babyyoull get everything done

When? And how? ***** Ill be lucky if I sleep between now and then

Bette grumbled to herself, its not like you care anyways, as she shifted her head for Tina to stop. Tina retracted her hand slowly and rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. God damn you Bettewhat is the matter? And why do you always take things out on me? she wondered as she listened to Bette breathe softly. Tina turned and watched Bette sleep for a little while before going out to the couch and falling asleep. It was the first time that she and Bette hadnt shared their bed since they moved in together and its not like Tina didnt want to sleep next to her, it was just that at that moment Tina just wanted to be alone.

Bette woke up to the sound of her alarm the next morning and she rolled over groggily reaching out for Tina. When she didnt feel anything she opened her eyes a little bigger and looked around.

Tina?

What the *****, she thought as she got up and padded into the kitchen. She didnt see Tina sleeping on the couch as she banged around looking for the coffee.

Grmphmphmm.Bette?

Bette nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of Tinas voice. She whipped her head around still with the coffee in hand and stared at her like she was crazy.

What the ***** are you doing out here?

What? What time is it?

Tina was only half awake after being woken up by the sound of Bette making coffee. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Its five thirty. Tina why are you sleeping out here?

Tina yawned and stretched a little before rubbing her eyes again and finally looking at Bette.

Just couldnt sleep last night and didnt want to wake you up. Sorry babe. Why dont you let me make the coffee while you get ready for work?

No I can do it.

Bette just turned her back to Tina and resumed her loud coffee making as Tina shook her head and wandered into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth and freshening up she got changed and headed back out to see Bette sitting at the table drinking coffee. Tina poured herself a cup and sat down next to her.

Why couldnt you sleep last night?

Tina shrugged as she didnt really have an answer for Bette. Bette just looked at her and sighed.

Are you going to be home late tonight?

Why?

Well I was going to cook dinner, but if youre going to be late I might just pick something up on the way home.

It was Bettes turn to shrug as she stood up.

I dont know. Just get something for yourself Ill be fine.

She was about to walk away when Tina reached out and caught her hand.

Heywhats going on?

Just tired T. And under a lot of stressyou know how it is

No I dont knowin fact I dont know when I stopped being your girlfriend and started being your convenience.

Bette looked like she got slapped in the face as the venom from Tinas remark set it. Bette pulled her hand away from Tina and squared her shoulders.

And what does that mean?

It means that I dont know whats been bothering you these past few days but Im tired of taking the punishment for it. You come home tired and grumpy, say like five words to me then go to sleepI just want to know whats bothering you thats all

Why? So you can fix all my problems is that it?

No but I –

Besides, when I do call you it doesnt matter because you dont answer your phone.

Tina looked annoyed as she debated whether or not to carry on this child like fight of its your fault. She took a sip of coffee to calm herself a little before answering.

Bette I was in a meeting. I told you I would be having late meetings all week. Im sorry but I called you back as soon as I could.

Its not even that Tforget itIm late for work

And with that Bette turned on her heel and headed to the bedroom. Tina just rolled her eyes a little at Bettes behavior as she got her things and headed out the door. One thing was certain, whatever was bothering her Bette obviously didnt feel the need to tell Tina what it was and if thats how she wanted things that was fine. But dont expect me to be there for you if you arent there for me Bette Porter, thought Tina as she got into her car and started the engine. No one is perfectincluding you, she thought she drove to work. Whatever was going on was eating at them both and Tina just hoped they could work it out before it was too late.

MUAHAHAHAHA