Its been six days since Weylend Porter was called in missing. The police scoured Los Angeles and surrounding areas, and nothing had turned up. Eric had been missing since the incident that landed Bette in the hospital, so the police didnt know exactly where he went, and he apparently hadnt came back. Although still a suspect, the officers were treating this case as if it was a kidnapping by a person unrelated to the family. This made it even harder for Bette to stomach. She was given some sort of deranged comfort in thinking that maybe Eric did have their little boy, because she knew that he wouldnt hurt Wey. With what the police had told her now; it could be anyone. Some sort of sick pervert who had her baby out there. After that first night when they went home after the detective told them there was nothing they could do to help; Bette went on the hunt. She called Alice, Dana, Kit, Shane, and Tim; all to help her and to make sure they were looking for him. Ever since she made those calls to her nearest and dearest she was never left alone. Shed called off work and let her new assistant finalize all of the new gallerys odds and ends, and since someone had to work so they could eat, Tina went to work every morning; although it killed her to have to leave Bette. Tina made sure someone was with her at all times. Kit came over under the guise that she wanted to fatten her baby girl up; Alice, Dana, and Shane all came over to jut hang out, and Tim always managed to find his way over to share a beer or two on the nights when Tee worked long shifts. Bette was thankful for everyone trying to be there for her, but sometimes she just felt the need to be alone. She took drives around the neighborhood, almost having a heart attack at the times when she would see a little boy with tanned mocha skin and black curly hair. She would go back to the playground, just in case, but after almost a week she doubted he would find his way back there. Bette was starting to get the idea that her son wouldnt be found unless the person that took him, wanted him to be found. Tina on the other hand, appeared to be Bettes rock. Shed get up in the morning and make breakfast for the two of them and shed be there when Bette broke into tears over the eggs, and the fact that Wey liked cheesy eggs too. Tina would be there in the shower with Bette, when all of the sudden Bette would spot their sons little blue bathrobe on the door and collapse into tears. On numerous occasions Tina came home from work to find her wife huddled on the boys bed with her back against the wall, hugging her knees and crying silently into the darkness of the room; staring at nothing. The usually optimistic blonde now found herself dying inside along with her wife. She kept up the support for Bette, but countless times she had found herself sobbing in morning traffic. What else could be expected when you had lost your son and your family was breaking down? The only thing that made both Bette and Tina get out of bed in the morning was the hope that their little boy was still out there and okay. ____________________________ Today was no different than all of the others before that. Bette woke up crying, Tina comforted her, they ate, Bette cried, Tina held her; then Bette went back to bed as Tina left for work. Pulling up to the stop sign Tina maneuvered her head around to see if there were any on coming cars, finding it clear to go she accelerated the car forward. Taking in the scenery and the people walking she smiled. Her smile grew even wider when she saw two dads swinging their son by his hands between them. Looking back to the road she was hit in the face with a memory so hard it gave her whiplash as she looked back at the family. She knew that jacketshe bought that jacket; and as she pushed the car forward more in front of the group she was weighed down under the emotions. It was him! She found Wey. Anger, sadness, elation, worry, and fear passed through her simultaneously. Who were these people? Why was Wey with them and acting like he was having fun? Was he hurt? Were they hurting him to get him to act this way? Acting purely on impulse she swerved the car getting ready to hop out and take after them, when out of nowhere a van side-swiped her and sent her spinning out and crashed into the parked cars. Groaning she pulled her head from the steering wheel and realizing that she wasnt seriously injured, she yanked the door open and dashed out taking of down the sidewalk in her skirt suit and heels after her son. Looking around frantically as she got to the crowded corner she assumed she lost sight of them, standing and looking around she finally saw the three duck into a grey Volvo and driving away. Thinking quickly Tina squinted to catch sight of the cars license plate as it passed her. Once she was sure she had it, she turned around and ran as fast as her feet could take her home. She passed the wreck that was now her car; not even stopping to grab her things, figuring she was close enough to home that she could get there and tell Bette without getting tied up in all the dramatics that went with getting involved in a car accident. Finally she reached the front porch of her home and took the stairs two at a time barging through the door. Bette! she yelled. Not getting an answer she yelled again. Bette! From over by the sliding glass doors she heard her respond, Over here T. Walking towards the kitchen Tina saw her wife sitting on the threshold of the open glass doors, her face red and puffy from crying, pajamas wrinkled, and hair a mess. Baby I found him. Tina said smiling with a little grin. It took Bette several minutes to grasp what Tina was saying. Shaking her head she still wasnt quite sure what Tina was talking about, and finally taking a good look at her wife she noticed the slight gash on her forehead and stood. What are you talking about T? Why arent you at work? What the ***** happened? Tina was so filled with happiness at just knowing that physically her son was still alive; she grabbed Bettes face and kissed her hard on the lips and pulled her into a warm hug. I saw Wey Bette; I dont know who he was with. But he looked okay. I stopped to get out and go after them and some van slammed into me and I wound up crashing into some other cars. By the time I got out I went to run after them again and I saw them get into a car. Bette was speechless. Really? T are you sure? Because if its not really him, I dont think Ill be able to take it. It was him Bette. She grasped Bettes face again lightly between her hands and looked straight into her eyes. It was our baby boy, I know it, and I felt it. Snapping out of her shock of the initial sighting, Tina jumped. Oh god! We need to call the police! Sprinting around the corner she crabbed the phone of the base and dialed the detectives number. Detective? Its Tina Kennard. I just saw our son. Yes Im sure. No they got into a grey Volvo, I memorized the license plate if that helpsyesELK-5985god, thank you detective. Tina hung up the phone and turned back to Bette who stood stock still with her had on her mouth. Bette? ITinait was really him? Tina smiled a bit and shook her head while walking over to Bette and wrapping her in another hug. It was, the detective said he would have the plates tracked and see where the car was registered to, and ***** give us a call later tonight. All Bette could do was nod. She was shocked. Almost at the exact moment when she felt her last thread of hope being cut away from her, Tina came crashing through the door and restored it to her. She kissed Tina lightly on the lips and rested their foreheads together eliciting a little ouch from Tee. Pulling back Bette fingered the wound on her partners head. Lets get this cleaned up T, and then we canwell do whatever until we hear news. ________________________ Later that night Bette and Tina had sprawled out together on the couch, Bette lying between Tinas legs and resting against her chest. Tina had just fallen asleep and Bette was lying there with the eerie bluish glow of the television caressing her flawless features and she stared mindlessly at the box of pictures in motion. The sound and rhythm of her blonde wifes chest rising and falling gracefully beneath her head began to lull her to sleep just as the phone began ringing. Carefully lifting the blanket and moving quietly as to not wake Tina, she got to the phone. Hello. Ms. Porter, this is Detective Sikorski. We ran the plates and found they belonged to a rental car. Now the car was rented by a Tate Mariano. We need to know if you know him or have any connection to him. As soon as Bette heard the name she dropped the phone causing Tina to wake up and come running. Bette just stood their, the name bouncing of the inside of her head, making her hot with anger. Bette what? What is it? Not getting an answer she picked up the phone. This is Tinayes, okay. Well be there first thing in the morning. Hanging up she turned and looked at Bette who was standing there, fists clenched while her jaw mirrored the same action. Babe whos Tate Mariano? snapping her fingers in front of Bettes face she still got no answer. She sat there waiting for Bette to look at her. Finally she slowly moved her eyes to meet Tinas, who could see the tears brimming and threatening to cascade down beautiful caramel cheeks. Who Tina started asking again. His father.Tate Mariano is Weys father. She said sadly as she walked to the couch and rested her head against the back. Tina was still, with her mouth opened poised to reply, and her eyebrows crinkled.