A joint statement was released two weeks following Tina and Bette coming to their decision, and Bette’s resignation was met with shock from the Democratic Party and the public at large. Evelyn Kelleher conducted a press conference and accepted her resignation, declaring it a great loss for the party but wishing both Tina and Bette well in the future.

Following her resignation Bette had a multitude of offers to consider, and eventually decided to accept the role of Executive Director of New York Legal Aid.

Tina voluntarily stepped aside from her position while an internal investigation was carried out to determine whether she was compromised in her role, and whether she had brought the publication into disrepute. The investigation process was gruelling and thorough, and Tina was transparent in the information she provided. It played heavily in her favour that she had included Bette in her corruption feature article during the course of their relationship, and she was eventually cleared to continue in her role as political editor.

Two years later

The week of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, function in Washington DC.

Tina has recently been promoted and appointed as the outright editor of the New York Times. Bette remains in her position at New York Legal Aid, and has flourished in her role. She is enjoying a level of job satisfaction that she has never before experienced, neither in her time as District Attorney nor in her stint in politics.

Tina is attending the week of events and the correspondents’ dinner later in the week, and Bette has accompanied her for the trip and as her plus one at many of the scheduled events during the week. They are staying at the same hotel they had previously while Bette was still a Senator, and on this particular evening are attending an event hosted at the hotel. They arrived at the event together and have since moved separately throughout the room, mingling with their many shared associates in attendance.

At one point during the evening Tina finds herself in conversation with Evelyn Kelleher, and they stand together and have a friendly exchange. After a while Kelleher looks over at Bette, who is standing in a small group of high profile political players and charming them all as they eagerly engage with her.

Chapter 14

A week later, Bette walks into Tina’s office and Tina looks up at her from her desk as she enters the room.

(Tina) Bette, what the fuck, you can’t be here

Tina gets up and pulls Bette further inside her office, closing the door behind her.

(Tina) Senators don’t just wander around the New York Times office building. How did you even find my office?

(Bette) You’ve got a directory desk in the lobby

(Tina) Jesus. Senators don’t use those either. And particularly not to find the political editor! How do you think this looks?

(Bette) I don’t know, like my girlfriend won’t answer my calls and I want to talk to her

(Tina) Bette, I absolutely cannot have this conversation with you here

(Bette) OK, but somewhere?

She looks at Tina with pleading eyes.

(Bette) We can’t leave things like that. Please at least have a drink with me, there are things to say

Tina looks at her for a moment.

(Tina) God I don’t know what I’m doing encouraging this behaviour, but fine. I can meet you for a drink tonight. Now would you get the fuck out of here?

That evening, a quiet bar. Tina sits at a tucked away table with two glasses of wine in front of her. Bette walks in and makes her way over to her, standing by the table for a moment looking down at her.

Tina looks up at her and sighs, giving her a reproachful look.

(Bette) I’m sorry about today, I know it was out of line

(Tina nods) Yes, it was

They silently look at each other for a moment.

(Tina) But I’m not going to tell you off again

Tina shrugs.

(Tina) You’re upset

She looks up at Bette for a moment.

(Tina) I’m upset too. I don’t think it’s the worst idea to have a calm conversation about all of this

Bette looks back at her.

(Bette) You mean about ending it

(Tina sighs) Yes, I do Bette. Sit down and have a glass of wine with me

Tina pushes the second wine glass by its base closer to Bette, who takes a seat opposite Tina at the small table, picking up the glass and taking a sip.

Chapter 13

Bette is in her office and places a call to Tina, who answers at her desk.

(Tina smiles) Hey, how’s your day going?

(Bette) Not too bad, I’m just in the office this morning catching up on things. How about you?

(Tina) Same really, I have an afternoon of meetings so I’m just signing off on a few things this morning

(Bette) OK well I won’t keep you, I was just wondering what your plans are this weekend? Could I see you Friday night?

(Tina) Well, I’m getting an early night actually, they’re expecting the UK general election result to finally come in overnight, so I’ll be up crazy early Saturday

Bette smiles.

(Bette) You’re the only person I’ve ever met who treats foreign elections like the Superbowl

(Tina smiles) I know, it’s actually less weird now that I’m in the industry, it was way weirder when I was younger

Bette smiles.

(Bette) Well, it’s been a long time but do you think I could join you? Or is that a relationship privilege?

Tina smiles.

(Tina) I’d like that. Though I’m not sure you ever saw it as a privilege

(Bette smiles) Well at least this one will be in English, that Malaysian one was not my favourite

(Tina smiles) I’ll admit it was a bit hard to follow

Bette chuckles.

(Tina) Well ok then, come and stay Friday night and I’ll set the alarm for early Saturday

(Bette smiles) Can’t wait

(Tina smiles) Well I better run. Bye baby

(Bette) Bye Tee

Day of the UK general election result announcement, Tina’s apartment, 2am. Bette and Tina are lying in bed when the alarm goes off. Bette moves towards the alarm clock, groaning and trying to turn it off while Tina raises her arms above her head and stretches out next to her.

(Bette) Oh my God, why did I agree to this?

(Tina) I appreciate it baby

Tina smiles over at her.

(Tina) I’m so excited

(Bette sighs) I know, I remember

Tina rolls towards her and kisses her, smiling excitedly.

(Tina) Election day

(Bette) Well, somewhere in the world

They arrive in the lounge and Tina sits on the edge of the couch and turns on the TV as Bette collapses down next to her and leans into a cushion.

Chapter 12

Time goes on and Bette and Tina continue on with their casual understanding, with the lines they have drawn in defining the casual arrangement increasingly blurring with the more time they spend together.

The knowledge that their secret is out weighs heavily on Bette, who feels uneasy about holding back from Tina that Congresswoman Kelleher is aware of their relationship. She knows she should tell her, but she is also sure that it will be the final straw for Tina, who would end their arrangement immediately upon finding out. Bette can’t bear the thought of losing her again, and so keeps the information to herself. She feels she can control the situation, and that Kelleher is not a risk in terms of sharing the information any further. Bette remains torn however, and is feeling increasingly stressed about her deception. She finds though that any time she is actually in Tina’s presence she is just so happy to be with her that any thought of disclosing to Tina is far from her mind.

Bette is exiting a restaurant, holding her handbag under her arm and placing a call on her cell. Tina answers at home.

(Tina smiles) Hey, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you tonight

(Bette speaks brightly) I’ve been stood up

(Tina smiles) Well you certainly sound happy about it

(Bette) It’s something I’ll need to deal with tomorrow, but it does mean I’m free to see you if you’ll have me

(Tina smiles) Absolutely, how far away are you?

(Bette) 10 minutes

Tina’s apartment, 10 minutes later. Tina hears Bette let herself in and makes her way to the door to greet her. She throws her arms around her and they both smile their way through a passionate kiss.

(Tina) I do like seeing you unexpectedly

(Bette) I know, me too.

Bette wraps her arms around Tina’s waist.

(Bette) God you look good

(Tina) Baby this is basically a laundry day outfit

Bette speaks through another kiss.

(Bette) Mmmm, maybe you just look good in anything

Tina smiles at her as they continue their kiss. They eventually lean back and Tina tucks a stray curl of Bette’s behind her ear.

(Tina) Well come through, I assume you didn’t have dinner if your associate was a no show?

Chapter 11

A few weeks go by and Bette is again approaching a stint in Washington DC that will see them separated for another ten days. They meet at Bette’s apartment the night before her early flight, and sit at Bette’s dining room table having finished their meals, and sharing a bottle of wine.

(Tina) Ten days

Bette sighs.

(Bette) Ten days

They look at each other for a moment.

(Bette) You can’t find an excuse for a visit in that time, break it up a bit?

Tina smiles and places her hand over Bette’s.

(Tina) I would usually, but it couldn’t be a worse time. With the state budget being released this week I just can’t justify the time away.

They both sigh and look at each other for a moment, Bette turning over her hand and entwining their fingers.

(Bette) Am I allowed to say how much I’ll miss you?

Tina smiles.

(Tina) Probably not, but I’ll miss you too

They smile at one another.

Bette leaves for Washington DC and Tina remains in New York. Whilst both are run off their feet with their many commitments, they both miss the other’s presence terribly in the time apart. Despite their busy schedules they manage to speak on the phone most days, and as the days go on they begin to drop their guard in what they are voicing to one another.

They talk to each other late one evening.

(Tina) How many days now?

(Bette sighs) Four (pause) and a half

(Tina) Was this this hard last time?

(Bette nods) Yes, I think it was

(Tina) I should have just come to visit. I’m basically useless at work anyway with how much I’m thinking about you, I could justify the trip as an exercise in increasing my productivity

Bette chuckles.

(Bette) Well you’re always welcome

(Tina) I’ll consider it for next time, I’d be missed too much here this week

(Bette) Well it can’t compare to how much you’re being missed here

Tina smiles.

(Tina) And how’s everything going there? I caught some of your address earlier today, I thought you were wonderful

(Bette) Thank you

Bette sighs.

(Bette) I’m not sure I’m winning everyone over though. I think my intersectionality is a bit much for some of the old guard here. I think they could bring themselves to handle black or lesbian, but they’re not so crazy about me being both