The sound of the phone ringing caused Alice to throw a pillow over her head to block out the noise. The sound finally stopped, only to start again immediately.

What the *****? she said out loud. The time on her clock read 7:15am. ***** me! This had better be good she said, while fumbling for the phone.

212 she said out loud, her tone softening a bit. I wonder which one I get this time.

And which New York apple do I have the pleasure of speaking to at this ungodly hour? Alice sarcastically asked.

Hey, its me and I am sorry about the time, but I couldnt wait any longer she hurriedly added.

Well, well T. I was beginning to wonder when I was going to hear from you.

Im sorry for just now calling, especially since I was somewhat in a state when I last saw you, but I have been a bit busy here

Somewhat in a state? asked Alice. There is no somewhat about that! I was really worried about you T, we all were.

I know and Im sorry to cause yall to be concerned, but I was not exactly myself after reading that note from Bette.

I didnt think that you would be, I mean how could you? Alice responded.

Tina didnt say anything, just remembering how she felt upon learning that Bette was no longer in LA. God, was that only last week? she asked herself.

Uh, hellooo? Anyone there?

Oh yeah, sorry. I was just thinking her voice trailed off.

T, you did call me, right?

Yeah I did she quickly responded, pulling her mind away from the memory. I wanted to catch up with you and see what was going on there and see how everyone is doing.

***** that! yelled Alice into the phone. How are YOU doing? What in the world is going on THERE???

Tina smiled at Alices comment, expecting her to respond that way.

God, where to start

Uh, try after you left The Planet said Alice.

Well, I left there in complete shock, as I said, not really myself

Yeah said Alice, we kinda noticed that.

Oh my God gasped Tina into the phone, Shannon? I cant believe that I yelled at her that way.

Yeah, I think that she was a little freaked out by the whole thing.

Have you seen her since?

Just once. She asked where you were and what was going on.

What did you tell her? asked Tina.

That if I were her, I would simply walk away from it all and forget that the two of you had ever met. I told her that with Bette in the picture again, you would neither have time for anything else nor would you even attempt to make it.

What did she say?

I dont remember, but I think that she got it. I havent seen her since.

I should call her, huh?

Thats your call T, but I dont know that its necessary. I mean, what was she to you? Just a distraction from Bette. You never even slept with her for Gods sake!

No, I know that you are right, but I shouldnt have yelled at her that way. Maybe Ill run into her next week.

Uh, is she going to New York or something? asked Alice.

No chuckled Tina, I am coming to LA?

What for? asked a panicked Alice. I mean, arent things working out there?

Yeah they are Al, I just need to take care of some loose ends that I didnt get to before I left she patiently explained.

Oh, phew, you scared me there for a minute! I cant have you coming back here for any length of time while Miss Thing is still there in New York!

No, no she reassured her, Im not going to be away from her for long. Just long enough to get these things taken care of, and not a minute longer.

Speaking of Miss Thing, how is she doing? asked Alice.

Good, shes really good. She said to tell you hello by the way.

Same back at her quipped Alice.

I cant begin to tell you how good it was to see her. I totally fell apart when I finally found her, but she was there to pick me up.

How are yall getting along?

You know, we are good. I mean, this whole experience has been somewhat of a mind *****. I mean, we were apart for so long and to then just be living under the same roof is pretty wild. Its hard to explain. On the one hand, it feels like we were apart from each other for years, but on the other, like we were never separated. Very odd…

I am sure said Alice. Are you two talking, I mean really talking?

We have taken what I would consider to be baby steps in trying to break things down, but we are no where near where we need to be.

Hmm, not surprising, especially considering the time it took to get the two of you to the breaking point.

Exactly agreed Tina.

I suggested to Bette that we should try to put more structure around these discussions in order to get us moving in the right direction.

Oh, Im sure she just loved that replied Alice, the comment dripping with sarcasm.

Actually, believe it or not, said Tina, laughing at Alices remark, she has been pretty open to talking about us.

Really? asked an incredulous Alice.

Yeah, she has been. She has thrown me for a couple of loops since I have been here, actually she said.

Such as? asked Alice.

Well, when I first got here, I had to almost physically fight her to get her to stay and agree to be with me she softly said.

What? screamed Alice. That makes no sense at all. I mean, she was trying for what? Like 6 months to get you back?

I know, it surprised me too.

So, what the *****? She didnt want you there?

No, I dont think that its as easy as that said Tina, trying to explain what she herself, was not even 100% clear on.

I think that she had made some mental adjustments, decisions actually, that included me not being in her life.

Ok, you lost me.

What I mean is that she tried and tried to get me back and as you know, I kept rejecting her. When she asked me that last time if she should just give up, I said yes, and I believe that she kinda lost hope at that point.

Hmm said Alice, allowing her brain to process all of this information. So, you think that by the time that you made it to New York, she had resigned herself to not having you in her life.

Exactly said Tina. I think that when she moved here, she believed that she was ripping the band-aid off, making a clean start of things, finally accepting a life without me, and my arrival to that new world, sent her into a tail spin.

Tina thought back to when they were in the kitchen that day, Bette trying to pull away from her, crying and admitting that she was scared. She also remembered how terrified that she had been at seeing Bette outwardly rejecting her, thinking that she had been too late. Tina shook her head, clearing the image from her mind, not wanting to think about that.

Wow Alice said. Whoda thunk it? I would have not predicted that response

Tell me about it. I sure as ***** didnt said Tina.

Well, how are things now? I mean, I hope you have moved past the initial shock of being together again, right?

Yeah we have admitted Tina. I mean, we are no where close to where we want to be, but certainly moving in that direction.

Well, thats a good start, isnt it? asked Alice.

Yeah, it is just that, a start

So, what else is up, T? You sound like youve got something else on your mind.

Well she began.

Alice just waited for her to continue.

Its the physical thing Tina softly said.

The physical thing? What do you mean? Youre not sleeping together yet? she asked incredulously.

No, were not. Actually, let me revise that. Thats all we are doing, sleeping together she frustratingly said.

You are ***** kidding me!! Bette Porter gets you back and she hasnt gotten you naked and vertical yet? What the *****!!!

No she has not, and she has not even tried she confessed.

Ok, so whats up? I thought that yall would still have been in bed at this point

I know, another false assumption, huh?

Yeah, I guess answered Alice. So, like I said, whats up?

I think that shes afraid.

Afraid of what?

My leaving her again.

Well, I am sure that you have told her that that is not going to happen, right?

Of course I have, but she is still really shell shocked from all of this, and if I admit it, I am too to a certain degree. I just think that I am more ready to get us back, in every way, than she is.

***** me Alice said, trying to figure this Bette out. In all of the years that she had known Bette, she had never seen this side of her.

So, yall gotta get to talkin then, cause I know both of you and neither one of you is going to be able to hold out that much longer!

I know laughed Tina. We just need to sit down and put things back together. I mean, I know that it is going to happen, but do you have any idea how hard it has been to be sharing a bed with her every night and then have to stop myself from jumping on her and then just devouring her?

Well, if memory serves me correct, I can remember a time or two that I wanted it and she didnt

Alice! Please!!

Right, sorry.

So blue balls, how are you going to get your way with her? asked Alice.

You did not just call me blue balls did you?

Actually, I did. Now answer the question.

You can be so foul!

Uh huh, and the answer is?

***** Al, I dont have the answer! Why do you think that I am calling you?

In addition to wanting to tell me how smart and witty I am? I guess for some advice

Bingo! replied Tina.

Well, lets think she said, finally getting serious. I guess that you are right on the scared part because there is no other reason that she would be holding back from you.

Uh huh said Tina.

You know, as much as you arent going to want to hear this, I kinda agree with Bette.

What? screamed Tina.

Hold up T and listen for a sec. You are an intelligent person and you know that Bette loves you, and always will for that matter, right?

Yes she suspiciously responded.

Well, in order for the two of you to be doing more in bed, or on the sofa, or on the floor, or on-

Alice! I get the idea Tina sternly said.

Right, where was I? Ok. In order to move past just sleeping together, you have to get Bette to trust you again, and just as importantly, if not more, you need to trust her again as well.

I know admitted Tina. Its just so ***** hard to not touch her the way that I want to. I mean, my body is in overdrive every time I see her. *****, every time I even think of her I start towell, I think that you get the picture.

Well, its been a while for both of youNeither of you has slept with anyone in what, going on 8 months?

Yes, and when we were really connected, you know how often we had ***** and what it meant to us. I mean, I just have never seen resolve like this from her before. It is really frustrating. I mean, to want her like I do is tough, but to then basically have her at my finger tips and then not get to act on it? Not fair

Yeah, I definitely see the predicament agreed Alice.

Uhhhh moaned Tina in frustration. Cant we just fast forward to days, weeks, whatever it is, from now, when we are back to having ***** with each other?

I think you are gonna have to ask Bette that one, T chuckled Alice.

*****, what time is it? asked Alice, looking at the clock. Ive gotta get running, meeting the girls for coffee and did not see how late it has gotten.

Ok, well tell the girls we said hello, and thanks for listening.

Not a problem, T, you know that. Ill call you later today and we can talk about the trip back here.

Ok. This number that I am calling from is the number to the apartment and you have my cell, so just call either.

Got it said Alice.

Have fun with the girls said Tina.

Will do and Ill be talking to you this afternoon.

Ok, see ya

See ya, blue balls said Alice, laughing as she heard the shriek from Tina as she placed the phone down.