Chapter 60

Tina had enjoyed her day with her mom – she had allowed her to fix her some lunch then they had watched a movie together until she had fallen asleep on the sofa. So it was almost 7pm when she arrived back at her own apartment. She was going to switch the main light on but something made her stop – she stop silently because she could hear something. It took her a few minutes for her eyes to get used to the semi darkness. When she did she could see what she could hear – Bette asleep on her sofa. Tina smiled — it was sweet that Bette had come to see her – and it was a first in another sense. It was the first time that Bette had used the key that Tina had given her to the apartment. They spent most of the free time together in the apartment so it made sense for Tina to give Bette a key. She was glad that Bette had overcome her shyness and had used it.
Instead of switching on lights Tina moved carefully around the apartment and found the cheap lighter that she had last seen on a book case and she lit a few of the candles she left around the room. The room became lighter – just light enough to see Bette better – she was lying on the sofa fully clothed. Tina smiled and after putting her jacket into the bedroom and turning the heat up she returned to the living room and sat down and watched Bette.
Her life was so hectic she didn’t often get the time to just sit in peace and think. There were times when college was less hectic than her life at the moment   – and that was only going to increase when she started the café. She thought about the good things in her life – things she was grateful for – things that she knew made her life richer – well Bette of course – beautiful and sometimes still mysterious Bette Porter – did she know about her friends crush on her. She was always grateful for having four awesome parents – it was just not that often that Kate was #1 on her hit list. Tina was pretty sure that Kate had done the infidelity thing before – her mother had quickly closed her down but it hadn’t been quick enough – Tina was perspective and she also sensed Emma’s confirmation that Kate and infidelity had been uttered in the same sentence in the past. She didn’t know how to deal with that – but as Bette kept telling her – her parents’ marriage wasn’t her battle. And infidelity was something that was definitely between the two parts of the relationship -not their off-spring. Tina sighed – but it still sucked.
Having Shane back in their lives – well that was going to make things interesting again. Tina had been thrilled to see Shane again and although she didn’t give much away Tina was sure that Shane was just as thrilled to see them again. As Tina was deep in thought Bette stirred and opened her eyes – she looked around and saw Tina sitting watching her
“Hello “Bette said
“Hey – how are you?”
“I was trying to remember the last time I felt this bad “
“And?” Tina asked
“I never have – this is the worst hangover ever “
“How did the training go?”
“I threw up which did actually make me feel slightly better – that was until we started some games” she said the word games with some feeling.
“You like games – you are good at games “
“As it was our last week in the gym for a month the instructor decided we would play Pirates. Do you know Pirates?”
“Enlighten me “
“One person has to chase down and tag all the others – this involves people climbing frames and ropes and generally doing everything they can to keep away from the person doing the catching”
“Sounds fun “
“It does – now consider how it sounded with the hangover you have had today “
“Sounds like hell on earth “
Bette smiled “THAT was my morning “
“Did you catch anyone?”
“Before it was my turn I went outside and made myself sick because I knew that I would get serious ribbing if I threw up when half way up a rope climb “
“I am surprised you didn’t break your leg “
“So am I – but I survived “
“Of course you did – I am proud of you “
“Thanks – how are you ? I expected to come here and find you in bed  – well that is what I was hoping “
“Oh  – so not feeling THAT ill “
“Oh I am totally ill – I just thought it would make me feel  better to snuggle up to you – how are you doing ?”
“I have spent the day letting my mother take care of me “
“Emma – interesting “
“She never really got to mother me in that way. Kate was always so efficient and she would order Emma out of the way or send her for supplies. She jumped at the chance to spend the day making me coffee and trying to get me to eat something. We ended up watching a black and white movie and I fell asleep against her. It was nice”
Bette smiled “It’s alright for some – you were being mothered by Emma while I was puking up and climbing rock walls “
“My poor baby – when do you finish?”
“Friday morning is our last class, tomorrow is a day off lucky for me – it’s supposed to be to catch up on all our assignments and re-do the ones we failed  – but “ her smile became smug
“You have handed all your papers in and aced them ?”
“Pretty much “Bette grinned “So you fancy spending the day with your girl?”
“I would love that “Tina got up and went across joined Bette on the sofa. She put her hands on Bette’s face and gave her a long kiss
“It just seems like such a long time since I kissed you – too long “
They kissed again – Bette moved her hand so it was cupping Tina’s breast. Tina ended the kiss and smiled
“That was better than all the coffee and orange squash “
“It certainly bets the coffee we get at college. I got a text from Mel this lunchtime saying what a great time she thinks she had. We should do it again – minus the not ending until 4am”
“How much sleep did you get?”
“We got home just before 5 – I think I was unconscious for a couple of hours – it’s not proper sleep which is why you nodded off this afternoon and I did when I came in here”
“Early night?”
“What time is it?”
“About 7; 30”
“Maybe in an hour – let’s just snuggle up here and chat. But first I need the toilet – have you got anything to drink?”
“You want beer?”
“Hell no – coke or squash “
“Both – help yourself “
“Thanks – what do you want?”
“Something with lots of ice “
Bette eased up off the sofa and stood for a few seconds “ Well the good news is the world has stopped spinning – that’s progress “
“You climbed walls with dizziness “
“As you say – it’s a miracle I didn’t break something – I fell over a lot – wait till you see the bruises “
Bette headed to  the kitchen, Tina also got up and turned the heating up and went into her bedroom to close the curtains and grab a spare duvet for them to snuggle up on. In a few minutes they were back on the sofa covered by a duvet. Bette sighed
“This is nice  – this is the best I have felt all day “
“You will feel better after a good night’s sleep and a lie in “
“We don’t get many of those “
“We will have to enjoy my break because in the New Year it’s going to get crazy “
“I know – I am excited and afraid at the same time “
“Can you imagine how you would have felt if we had got in after last night and you couldn’t go to bed  – you just had to get a shower and get straight into preparing sandwiches  –  tuna “
“Oh God – don’t –  this café will have to affect our social life “
“I know – what with that and me working shifts for a while “
“Will you work shifts all the time ?”
“It will only be an issue for us if I have to work all nights – as it is me coming home is going to depend on work and cases “
Tina smiled “I like that – I like that you will be putting bad guys away”
“Well me putting them away does depend on your parents not getting them off again “
Tina chuckled “Always on the side of the bad guys my folks “
“How’s Emma?”
“Great – and she did like having me go there and be all feeble and in need of being cared for “
“She needs a kitten or two “Bette said dryly
“She is going to get a couple but she does want to redecorate and get some new stuff”
“A new bed?” Bette asked
Tina nodded “Yes – well she can hardly move on in the same bed she used to get sweaty with Kate can she “
“Do you think she is ready to move on?”
“No – but it’s good that she is being proactive – that is good. That’s healthy”
“She seems to have accepted that it’s over with Kate – doesn’t that surprise you?”
Tina sighed- she didn’t think it was the first time Kate had cheated but she had not proof and she was too tired for that conversation. Especially when there was another conversation she did want to have with more urgency than rehashing her parent’s sex lives.
“I want to talk to you about something “Tina said looking at Bette. Bette picked her squash up and took a long drink.
“Yes?”
“I think you know what- or rather who that is “
Tina wanted to see if Bette would “admit” to knowing about Hayley’s crush. Bette put her glass down and exhaled
“My admirer “Bette said
Tina nodded – well points to Bette for that
“Why didn’t you warn me?”
Bette held her hands out in a surrender gesture
“I should have – I am sorry. I didn’t tell you – because I hoped that she had got out of it.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“A while – it dies down when she is dating but she’s been single for a while”
“And how long have you known?”
“She’s not subtle as you found out. I was banking on her not being so crazy as to let it show to you – you for God’s sake  – she knows the whole story – she knows that if you gave me the chance I would go back with you. I was shocked and pretty cheesed off that she was so blatant “
“And you haven’t said anything?”
“I don’t know how to and “she sighed
“And after Ashley you don’t want to because you are afraid of what might happen?”
Bette nodded “I am really sorry babe – I “
Tina smiled and kissed Bette “I know – and I know that you wouldn’t have done it to be mean but you have to say something – I was really annoyed with her .”
“She is not a bad person “
“But she knows everything you went through and she does this unspoken love thing – she should damn well know better – you have to tell her  – or one of the others because if they don’t – I will “
Bette sighed “ I am being a coward about this “
“The last time you told a woman you weren’t interested she went and beat your girlfriend up”
“She isn’t going to do that “
“I hope not “
Bette was silent – Tina wondered if she had thought about that possibility. She looked pale mainly because of the lack of sleep but this had shaken her up as well. After several minutes Bette nodded
“You are right – I have to do something and I have been avoiding facing what is obvious”
“Have the others said anything to her?”
“I talked with Mel couple of weeks ago and I said that if Hayley came back still lusting over me I would have to say something “Bette exhaled “Leave her to me “
“I don’t want you to do anything you feel uncomfortable about but she cannot come onto you like that”
Bette rubbed her face – always a sign to Tina that she felt bad about something
“It was easier to ignore her when I was single. We were all working towards our Finals and the last thing we all needed was a row because I screwed up handling her crush on me”
Tina had wondered if maybe they had been a couple in the past. She pondered how to ask Bette. In the end she was too tired and still hung over
“Eh – can I ask you if “
“No “Bette said quickly
“No I cannot ask?” Tina said with surprise
“No – no – oh bugger. Look – no I haven’t screwed her and thrown her out. She was someone who I shared a house with in my final year. She moved in from her campus room because of some bust up with her ex. So we had a spare room and that was how she ended up in the same house as Mel, Viv and the others. I haven’t led her on”
That had mainly answered Tina’s question
“Look let’s just drop the subject okay. I didn’t like her coming onto you – it reminded me of what the Senior dykes used to do when they were chasing you – and as my mother pointed out I handled that badly “
Bette smiled and kissed Tina on the lips
“I don’t know  – green suits you”
Tina smiled
“Does it now ?”
“I like that you go all jealous and alpha when someone hits on me “Bette smiled
“I will remember that “Tina replied grinning. Maybe she had got it out of perspective – she had been drunk at the time so it was more than amazing that she hadn’t said anything up front. That might have spiralled out of control – her temper not being so reasonable when she was drunk.  Tina squeezed Bette’s hand and kissed her
“She lays a hand on you and she’s toast- – you got that Porter?”
“Yes ma’am “
“She tries to kiss you or show me up by flirting – she is toast – just nod “
Bette nodded grinning all the while
“What is she?”
“Toast if she tries it on with me “
“Good – and when I turn her into toast I have a very smart set of lawyers who will get me off”
“If you make her toast I know someone in the Prosecutors office who will make sure it doesn’t even get that far”
They both laughed – Bette kissed Tina and stroked her face
“Thank you for being so cool – I know it can’t have been easy for you”
“Other than her – I like Mel and Viv “
“Thanks – they like you a lot – Mel suggested maybe we go out as a foursome “
“Just the four of us ?”
“Yes “
“I would like that  – and I want to spend some sober time with Shane”
“Yes  – that was wild – just seeing her again – wow “
“I was telling my mom “
“I always thought your parents liked her “
“They did – you know what charm she has”
“Yes – her charm seems to have increased if the sheer number of phone numbers she picked up last night is anything to go by “
Bette nodded “She was telling me how many women she has had. I felt sorry for her in truth- while its awesome to have your ego flattered like that – its unfulfilling”
“Shane isn’t you Bette  – she likes her life and she doesn’t have anyone in her life that she wants to settle down with. Not everyone wants what you and I have – that’s what makes life interesting”
Bette shrugged “Not my idea of a life”
Tina suddenly felt very tired – too tired for a discussion about Shane’s choices in life or Bette’s response to them. She put her coffee down and stood up
“You need to go and get a shower and meet me in bed “
“Why?”
“Just because – we are tired and I want to hold you and I hope that you want to hold me – and talking – well its over rated at the moment “
Bette smiled – woman had a point
“I will get some fresh towels”