Alice wasted no time getting to the hospital. She arrived with haste and entered the ER panting, looking for Bette and Tina. She saw them in the waiting area and rushed to greet them. Well, Tina anyway! Alice rubbed Tinas shoulders and whispered comforting words in her ear. Feeling the tension and not wanting to cause a scene, Bette stood up and went to tell the nurse at the desk that they were ready to leave. The nurse waved her hand for another nurse to assist with their departure. She wheeled Tina to the car, helped her in, and walked away. Ensuring Tina was in comfortably, Alice pulled off. Bette kept turning around to check on Tina and to avoid Alices cold stares. She knew Alice had a right to be upset, but it was making the ride very difficult for her to bear in addition to worrying about Tina.

Can you take me to my car? Ill drive us home from there. Bette asked politely.

I thought you wanted me to take you back to your place?

I did, but Ill probably need my car later or tomorrow and I dont want to inconvenience you to come and get me and all that.

Yeah sure. Okay. Alice snapped. Where is it?

On the boulevard near the strip mall.

K.

Tina groaned and adjusted herself in the seat. Alice and Bette looked back and Alice almost hit another car from taking her eyes off the road.

Are you okay Tee? Do you need anything? Bette asked softly.

Uh, uh. Im okay. Just a little uncomfortable.

Alice rolled her eyes at Bette again. She really didnt like her very much right now and was having a hard time keeping her mouth closed. She wanted to go off on her for what shed done to Tina even without knowing all the details, but she knew enough to know that Bette was dead wrong and needed to be told about it. With all the strength it could take, Alice held her tongue and arrived on the boulevard in silence. She got out of the car to help Bette move Tina and put her into Bettes car.

I can follow you back to your place and help you get her situated if youd like?

Bette closed the door and turned to face Alice, who looked very concerned and although she wanted to say no, she couldnt bring herself to do it.

Uhm? Yeah! I guess that would be good. Thanks.

Sure.

Alice followed Bette back to the house and together they ushered Tina inside and put her on the couch. Bette excused herself so she could go and make the bed. Alice fluffed the pillows under Tinas head and covered her with the chair blanket, before going into the kitchen to turn the kettle on. She noticed the papers that Bette had been writing on sitting on the table. She tried her best not to read them, but curiosity got the best of her and she peaked. She read as best she could the pros list, which was on top and got half way through it before she heard Bette walking toward the kitchen. Alice was fast enough to move and turn her back without being seen as Bette gathered the papers and walked back out of the kitchen. It was apparent that neither wanted to talk to each other about the incident for fear of starting a yelling match with Tina present.

The kettle boiled and she poured three cups of tea then carried them out on a tray. Tina had dozed off again and seemed to be in a deep sleep. Alice sat down and sipped her tea fighting her temptation to go in the bedroom to confront Bette. She rested her elbows on her knees sipping her tea while she stared toward the door lost in thought, when she noticed a piece of torn fabric near the door. At first she dismissed it as nothing, but after staring harder at it, she got up to get a closer look. It was a piece of a paint-stained tee shirt. Candace! She felt instantly sick and stood up and went back to the couch. Tina was still sleeping and Bette hadnt emerged from the bedroom. She tried to finish her tea to keep her stomach settled, but she couldnt. She walked to the bedroom to find Bette placing pajamas out for Tina.

Bette?

Bette jumped. Yeah. Whats up? She replied cautiously. Is Tina okay?

Yeah! Shes sleeping. Alice informed trying to maintain her composure. I, I need to go. I dont want to, but I need to get new keys made and call Dana and Shane.

Bette stopped what she was doing and turned around completely to face Alice.

Are you? Bette stopped herself not wanting to reaffirm her guilt.

No, Im not going to tell them anything. Im sure I can think of something if it comes up, but Im not the one who needs to get their stories together Bette. Alice firmly stated and walked out the room.

Bette didnt know the true meaning behind Alices statement and averted her eyes as if trying to make sense of it. Alice didnt wait for a response and headed out of the room. She kissed Tinas cheek and rubbed her face.

Feel better sweetie.

Bette came out of the room and cringed as Alice closed the door. She adjusted the blanket on Tina before taking the tray back to the kitchen. She reheated her cup and leaned on the counter as she sipped it. Guilt and fear ran through her stealing any traces of comfort she had for Tina being there with her. She stared out the window replaying the events of the day, Alices reaction to her, and the possibility of everyone finding out what had happened. She felt bad for Alice having to hold such an intimate secret from everyone. Alice was a bit of a blabbermouth at times, but something told her that this time would be different. Alice had always been partial to Tina and would do anything to protect her, something that Bette hadnt done recently. She was trying not to dwell on her indiscretion and instead think of ways to rectify things with Tina. Candace left things hanging between them and it was apparent that she was still having a hard time resisting lusts calling. Alice too presented a challenge to how things might get played out and that seemed to scare Bette the most. It was partly because Alice had known her intimately and had gotten hurt when the relationship ended, but there was something in Alices tone and demeanor that made quite a profound statement. She was so lost in thought that she didnt hear Tina get up and enter the kitchen.

Bette? Tina spoke in a raspy voice. No reply. Bette? She said again. Still no answer. She walked gingerly closer to her and said her name again. Bette jumped, dropping the cup to the floor.

Oh *****! Bette screamed. Im sorry. I didnt hear you come in. Let me clean this mess up. Sit. Please sit down. Bette held Tina as she led her to the chair.

What am I doing here? Whats going on?

You had a very bad anxiety attack and you had to go to the hospital. Dont you remember?

Tina paused and gazed around the room.

I remember being sick and dizzy. I remember the phone and falling. Everything else is fuzzy. She said in heavy breath. But what I am doing here? With you? She asked cautiously.

Bette frowned, but tried to smile.

I was the phone call Tee, she said softly. You werent making sense and I was scared for you. I guessed you were at Alices from your reaction on the phone, so I rushed over there.

Tina held her hands over her mouth almost covering her mortified expression. The color rushed from her cheeks, tears filled her eyes, and she moved her hands from her mouth to cover her entire face. Bette hesitated to comfort her. She was afraid shed be rejected and she couldnt take another strike, so she remained still and hoped her words would reach her while she couldnt.

Dont worry Tee. Nothing bad happened to you, thank goodness. The doctor said you just need to eat and rest, and youll be back on your feet.

But Alice? Wheres Alice? Tina began to panic.

Uhm, shes at home. Bette informed. Dont worry, shes okay. She was here, but had to leave. I think shell be back later or will call to check on you.

But why am I here? I should be at Alices. IImI…. She couldnt go on.

Tina began sobbing and it hurt Bette so much that she knelt down in front of her wrapping her arms around Tinas waist and rocked her slowly. She felt the tears fall into her hair as Tinas crying increased and soon she began to cry too. Together they cried until Tina began to ease herself away from Bette who was clinging even tighter to her. She didnt want to let her go. She was afraid Tina might want to leave and she needed her to stay. She needed to comfort her, to make her pain go away, and to show her that she needed her in her life. Tina pushed Bette gently backward until she was sitting on her heels. Bette looked up sorrowfully into Tinas eyes and held her hands tight. With pleading eyes, she begged her not to leave, and bowed her head again. Her own tears hadnt stopped and she couldnt look at Tinas tear stained face without wanting to kiss her until they went away completely. Tina stood, pulling Bette to her feet, and ran her hands across Bettes face.

Thank you. She said in a whisper.

Bette kissed the palm of her hand and breathed in hard. She wanted to cry harder, but found the strength to hold it back. Tina continued to rub her face and allowed Bette to hold her. The embrace was deep and powerful as if the moment were their last. Their bodies froze, then melted into one form and they found themselves engaged in a heated and passionate kiss. Their tongues danced an erotic tango, orally seducing the other into shameless salivation. Tina pulled back and wiped the edge of her mouth and blushed a little as Bette searched to revive the kiss. Tina pecked, bouncing her lip against Bettes eager waiting mouth. Desperate breaths escaped her mouth as she leaned her head closer to Tina, who was now lost in an emotional purgatory of her natural desire for Bette and her resurfaced pain. Her touch and go kisses confused, yet fueled Bettes need for her and soon she was being led to the bedroom. Unable to speak, Tina felt like she was on the outside looking in on herself like a lamb being led to loves deranged slaughter and she couldnt fight it. With Amazon strength, Bette lifted Tina, wrapping her legs around her waist and carried her the remaining way to the bedroom, never once breaking her trance-like stare; her eyes fixed and dilated upon a helpless Tina as she laid her upon the bed. Tina stared up and then closed her eyes as Bette swooped down on her devouring her face and neck with carnivorous kisses and passionate bites. Tina unexpectedly reacted in spite of her dizziness and returned the primal pleasure on Bette. They found themselves entwined in a wrestlers leg lock inducing fevered stimulation to each other. Tina gained the strength and upper hand to get on top and gyrated herself into Bettes moisture rich middle. Cries of passion left her mouth as her dam broke beneath her and Tina continued to press on. Beads of sweat covered Tinas forehead as she felt her own climax nearing. She closed her eyes to intensify the feeling and as the pleasure rose, she grabbed Bettes ***** squeezing them firmly letting her fury go as she collapsed onto Bettes tear and sweat infused body.

Bette held Tina tightly against her and breathed in the scent of her hair. She closed her eyes and sighed.