Bette awoke to find Tina undressing quietly in the bathroom. She turned onto her side and glimpsed quickly at the clock. It was 1 am and much later then Bette had originally thought. She watched silently as Tina let her linen skirt fall to the floor. She wanted to reach out to her, to pull her into the bed and kiss every inch of her body. Instead she resisted and sunk deeper into the down comforter. Tina switched off the light and tip toed to her side of the bed. Carefully she slipped beneath the covers.

Bette: Morning.

Tina jumped in surprise.

Tina: I’m sorry. Did I wake you?

Bette smiled sweetly. She wanted to say, ” No Tee. I’ve been up all night wrestling with my own demons. I’ve taken a bigger role in another show and have to drop out of yours. Also, I’m being blackmailed by our pseudo-daughter.”

Thinking better of it Bette just kissed Tina’s cheek. Before she knew it Bette found her mouth trailing the length of Tina’s neck and down to her collarbone.

Tina sighed and backed away cautiously.

Bette: Something wrong?

Tina: Um, no. I’m just really tired.

Bette wondered if maybe somehow Tina had found out the truth. Her stomach began tying in knots and it felt as if her air supply had been cut off.

Tina: Daphne helped me with the scenery.

Tina didn’t mean to blurt it out like that, it just happened.

Bette: Oh, well that’s good. Anything else happen?

Tina had no clue what Bette meant by that statement. Had she figured it out?

Tina: Uh, no, just a lot of heavy petting.

Tina caught herself immediately.

Bette: Huh?

Tina: Err, heavy lifting. Sorry. God I am beat.

Tina wanted to change the subject as soon as possible.

Bette heaved a sigh of relief. She knew that if Tina had found out she would have called it to Bette’s attention right then and there. She was safe, for the time being.

Tina: What happened with Ashley?

Bette: What?

Tina: Ashley? You said we needed to talk about her…

Bette thought back to her conversation with the unruly teenager earlier this evening.

Bette: Oh, it was nothing.

Tina: Are you sure? You seemed really upset.

Bette: Yeah I’m sure Tee. Just me over reacting. You know how I get.

Tina gave Bette a quick kiss on the forehead and rolled over.

Tina: Ok. Goodnight babe.

Normally Bette would question Tina’s odd behavior, but tonight she was grateful for the distance.

Tina closed her eyes tight. She couldn’t believe what had happened earlier this evening. How could she have let it get that far? She remembered Daphne standing over her smiling, the same way Bette did when she circled her prey. Then their lips met and Tina felt a familiar spark. The same electricity that had flowed through her body when Bette had first touched her. Tina replayed the evening in her mind.

Tina: We can’t do this.

Daphne: No?

Daphne looked around at the empty theatre. Not a soul in sight.

Daphne: Because it looks like we can.

Tina: But…Bette…

Daphne: Tina you and I both know that Bette has not been showing you the attention you deserve.

Tina: That isn’t true!

It was true. She and Bette hadn’t even touched each other since Sara’s funeral.


Daphne: Tina…

Tina: What?

Daphne kneeled so she was eye level with Tina.

Daphne: Let me show you what I can offer you.

She ran her hands up Tina’s sides noticing the blonde’s eyes fluttering with each touch. Daphne inched closer to Tina’s fragile body. In that moment Tina realized just how strong the resemblance was between Daphne and Bette. They could be mistaken for twins…or even the same person.

Tina leaned down and placed her lips on Daphne’s. She kissed her hard and moaned when she felt Daphne’s arms wrap around her. She allowed the new brunette to help her to the floor where they lay intertwined in each other. Tina had wanted more and Daphne was ready to give it. She began tugging at Daphne’s shirt in an effort to rip it from her body. Tina felt a surge of lust coarse through her veins and all self control was gone.

Daphne: You’ve needed this, haven’t you?

Tina just groaned.

Daphne: You poor thing. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.

Tina nodded an emphatic “yes”!

Daphne rolled on top of Tina placing her leg between Tina’s.

Daphne: Bette has no idea what she is missing…

Bette, the name echoed in Tina’s ear. Bette.

Tina: Shit!

With that she pushed Daphne off of her and leapt to her feet. Daphne sat on the stage confused.

Tina: I can’t Daphne.

Daphne: You could just a second ago…

Tina: You know that I love Bette.

Daphne stood, now eye-to-eye with the blonde.

Daphne: But does she love you?

Tina hesitated for a moment. And in that one second Daphne had her answer.

Daphne: That’s what I thought.

This sudden response caught Tina off guard.

Tina: Of course she loves me!!

Daphne: Not the way I could.

Tina: You have no idea how much she loves me.

Daphne: I would never hurt you Tina.

Tina, filled with anger, jumped off the stage.

Tina: And neither would Bette.

Daphne cracked a knowing smile that sent chills up Tina’s spine.

Daphne: We’ll see about that.

Daphne walked casually down the steps and headed toward the back of the theatre. She took one last look at Tina.

Daphne: You know where I am if you need me.

With that Daphne opened the doors and exited onto the street.

Without any though Tina rushed after her. She pushed open the door and found Daphne just a few feet away.

Tina: Daphne!

The young woman turned letting the moon highlight her exotic features. Tina walked quickly to meet her. Grabbing Daphne’s arm and pulling her in Tina kissed her. It was a long kiss filled with anger and frustration but more than that, filled with need. When she had enough she pushed Daphne away, gasping for air.

Confusion flooded Daphne’s eyes.

Tina: This never happened.

Tina turned abruptly and made her way back into the theatre letting the door slam behind her. For the next hour Tina sat in the back row, head in hands. Her heart and mind plagued with guilt as she imagined Bette sitting home, alone.




Tina now lay very still in bed; afraid that one move or breathe would give her infidelity away. She knew she loved Bette, without a doubt. She felt it every time she said her name. But if that were enough she wouldn’t be thinking about Daphne. Thinking about how soft and supple her skin was. The way her lips tasted faintly of raspberry and vanilla. Tina gasped when she realized exactly what her thoughts meant. This was not happening! Tina stepped out of bed slowly as to not wake Bette. She left the bedroom and closed the door silently behind her. She saw the light on in Ashley’s room and figured she should at least say hello. Tina peered in to find Ashley on the phone; smiling sweetly she mouthed ” hello”. Ashley waved back quickly wanting to get back to her call. Tina nodded and continued her journey toward the kitchen, grateful Ashley was making friends. Tina found herself standing by the coffee pot starring in confusion. Goddamn Bette and her fancy toys. Tina knew how to make coffee, but this Starbucks contraption was just too much. Tina gave up and went for the refrigerator. Reaching inside she grabbed at a bottle of wine she had opened just the other night. Pouring herself a glass she tried desperately to figure out how this had all happened. How had she allowed herself to be so weak? Grabbing the wine goblet Tina walked slowly toward the living room. She admired the work that Bette had put into this place. Every detail, perfect. She stood stone still starring at the pictures meticulously placed on the mantle of the fireplace. Pictures of she and Bette from when they first met. Next to that was one of Alice and Alex dressed as cowboy and girl. She laughed knowingly when she remembered back to that day. Alex screaming he ought to be the cowgirl because he looked better in a skirt. When Alice finally gave in Alex happily handed her chaps and a gun. Alice’s face was priceless. Tina laughed to herself. There had been some really great times together, for all them. Tina wanted so much to go back to when everything was much simpler. The last picture really took Tina by surprise. It was Tina’s very favorite picture of Bette. Always the picture of beauty, but in this light at this angle, all she saw was Daphne.

Tina rushed to the phone on the island in the kitchen and quickly dialed the number she hadn’t realized was committed to memory.

Tina: Shit.

The phone rang and rang with no answer. Tina could tell by the length of the ring that she may have been on the other line. When the voicemail beeped Tina sighed deeply.

Tina: Daphne, it’s Tina. I need to see you!



Ashley stood as soon as Tina left and closed the door.

Ashley: Trust me, everything is going perfectly. Just keep doing what you’re doing.

Daphne: Is this really a good idea? We’re playing with people’s lives Ashley.

Ashley: They had no problem playing with my sisters or mine. They have this coming to them.

Daphne sighed audibly feeling only remorse.

Ashley: Are you going to chicken out on me?!

Daphne: No! I promised you that I would do this and I will.

Ashley: Both of us stand to prosper a great deal if we can pull this off.

Daphne: Hold on.

She looked down at her phone and immediately recognized the number on the caller ID. It was Tina. It had to be. She wanted to answer, but she couldn’t. Daphne thought for a moment. In the beginning the plan seemed flawless. She would never be recognized as an actress until Bette was out of the picture. They looked too much alike and no one would give the new girl a shot if they could have the ultimate in Broadway names, Bette Porter. Daphne winced at the idea of her competition.

Ashley: Are you listening to me?

Ashley’s voice was harsh and cold. For a young girl her words carried too much venom.

Daphne: I’m listening.

Ashley: What is it with you tonight? Are you having second thoughts? Because if you are Daphne…

Daphne: No. I’m not. I’m fine.

Ashley: Don’t even consider fucking this up. I will ruin you.

It was unbelievable to think that this 17-year-old girl somehow had the power to crush her.

Daphne: I won’t let you down.

Daphne hung up the call before Ashley could say another word. There was too much weighing on her right now and she needed a moment to collect herself. She had to remind herself that this was for her own good. She had no loyalty to Bette or her relationship to Tina. The plan was to get the actress out of the picture and that was exactly what she would do. Everything was in place and the wheels were definitely in motion. So far everything was going according to Ashley’s demonic plan. Quickly she listened to the message that Tina had left on her voicemail.

Tina: Daphne, It’s Tina. I need to see you!

Daphne dropped her head into her hands and sighed.

Daphne: Everything was going just as planned Ashley.

Expect for one thing… she was falling in love with Tina.

TBC…