Walking back into the restaurant, Tina and Bette joined the girls at the table that they had left fifteen minutes before.

Everything ok? asked Alice.

Tina turned to Bette, waiting for her to answer the question.

Yep, everythings fine she said with a smile as Tina reached over to take her hand.

Good. You had us kinda worried said Alice.

Sorry to worry you, Al said Tina. We just needed to have a little conversation.

Well, look whos back said Kit as she walked up to their table. Everyone playin nice now?

Laughing at Kits question, Bette said, I wasnt aware that we werent playing nice before.

You know what I mean she answered.

If Tina could just keep her exes away Alice said under her breath.

All eyes suddenly landed on Alice and turning a bright shade of red, she said, Did I just say that out loud?

Uh, yeah Al, you did said Shane.

Ok said Tina as she stood up. On that note, I think that we need to be headin on.

Bette looked up at her and said, We do?

Yes, we do said Tina, eyebrow raised in confirmation.

Ok. I guess we do said Bette, picking up on the tone in Tinas voice.

T, I didnt mean for that to come out that way. I was just kidding pleaded Alice.

Its ok Al, we really do need to get going.

Youre sure youre not pissed? she whined as she stood to hug them good bye.

Yes, Im sure she chuckled, returning Alices hug.

After Bette and Tina left, Shane turned to Alice and said, What is wrong with you?

What? she said, knowing what was coming.

Is there any type of filterering process that occurs between what you call your brain and mouth? Cause if there is, I would highly recommend you putting it to use occasionally.

I know, I know. Sometimes things just slip out she weakly said, the effort to defend herself not really successful.

I thought it was kinda funny laughed Dana. God. Did you see the look on Bettes face when you said that?

Real ***** funny, Dane. Real ***** funny said Alice shaking her head.

Wellit was she said.




So, where to now? asked Bette as they put on their seatbelts.

The apartment answered Tina. I need to organize some things before that woman gets there.

What time is she coming?

2:30, so we need to get moving.

Yesm said Bette as she pulled out of the parking place.

As they headed towards the apartment, Bette noticed that Tina was being unusually quiet.

Everything ok? asked Bette as she placed a hand on Tinas thigh.

I guess she said as she continued to look out the window.

You guess? prodded Bette.

I dont know she said, finally turning to look at Bette as she placed her hand on top of hers. That just brought up some memories that I dont really wish to revisit any time soon she said as she shrugged her shoulders.

You mean your visitor?

Yes she answered looking once again out the window.

Uh huh said Bette, not really sure what to say.

T?

Huh?

Baby, I think that all of this is going to be a little hard until we get things kinda back in order. Know what I mean?

Yeah, I guess I do she said with a small smile on her face, reaching over to rub Bettes neck.

But being together sure takes away a lot of the sting though she added.

Yeah, it does smiled Bette.

After pulling into the parking lot of Tinas apartment, Bette turned the car off and said, You ready to do this?

Do I have a choice?

Not really smiled Bette.

Than I guess I am.

Just think about all of this as steps towards getting our life back together, T said Bette as she leaned in to gently kiss her.

I know, baby. I just dont care for all of the memories that come along with the steps. I kinda wish that we could just go back to the apartment in New York and hide out there for the rest of our lives.

Bette just looked at her, knowing that they both had their own demons to face, but doing it together did truly help.

And miss out on all of Alices colorful commentary? laughed Bette.

I guess not, huh? smiled Tina.

Nope T, no more hiding.

I love you Bette Porter she smiled as she leaned in to kiss her.

And I love you Tina Kennard she said returning the kiss.

Getting out of the car, they made their way to the apartment that had been Tinas home during their separation.

As they walked in, they both noticed the musty and stale smell that came from a lack of fresh air.

Leave the door open for a bit, babe Tina instructed.

Doing as asked, Bette walked in, leaving the door open behind her and looked around at what had been Tinas home. She had only been here a couple of times for different attempts at reconciliation and had finally given up after consistent rejection.

So? asked Bette. What needs to happen?

Well said Tina as she turned on various lights. Maybe we should start in the bedroom. I need to figure out clothes that I will need to have shipped to New York.

Why dont you have them ship everything? We have plenty of closet space for that explained Bette.

Well, I guess we could she said. I hadnt really thought about doing that.

See T? There is a reason why you have me around smiled Bette as she walked up to her, placing her arms around Tinas waist.

Is that the only reason? she giggled as she leaned in for a kiss.

Im not really sure. Why dont you tell me? she asked suggestively as she ran her tongue across Tinas bottom lip.

With a deep sigh, Tina started to pull back a bit from Bette. Baby, as much as I would love to fool around with you right now, we have a lot of work to do.

Bette dropped her hand down to Tinas breast and squeezed her nipple.

Really? she asked as she heard Tina take in a quick breath of air in response to her action.

As Tina said nothing, Bette began to massage her breast in earnest, watching Tinas eyelids drop in arousal.

Ahem they both heard from the doorway.

Quickly turning towards the sound, they saw a woman standing there, clipboard in hand, attempting to make her presence known in the most delicate way possible.

Turning bright red in embarrassment, Tina quickly brushed Bettes hand away and walked towards the woman.

Ms. Kennard?

Yes, thats me she said, trying to steady her breathing as well as stop the flush that she knew was rising in her cheeks.

Jean Kelley she said, sticking her hand out in order to shake Tinas.

Hi, nice to meet you and please call me Tina.

Looking over her shoulder, she motioned for Bette to come over.

And this she said, noticing the playful smile on Bettes face, is my ill-behaved wife, Bette Porter.

Nice to meet you said Bette, shaking the womans hand as all three chuckled at Tinas introduction.

You too she smiled. Am I early? she asked.

Well, I thought we were meeting at 2:30 said Tina, but since youre here, lets get going.

They spent the next hour and a half marking everything that was going to New York and what was to be taken over to their house.

Not really needed for this exercise, Bette found herself just walking around, studying everything that Tina had accumulated during their time apart.

Lifting a paper weight, she couldnt help but wonder what Tina had been thinking and feeling as she had made all of these different acquisitions.

Strange she thought to herself. Its like we didnt know each other at all during that time.

Babe? she heard. Quickly returning the paper weight back to its proper place, she walked out to the living room where Tina was saying good bye to Jean.

All done? she asked as she walked up to them.

Yep Tina answered as she wrapped her arm around Bettes waist.

Well, thanks for all of the help, Jean said Bette. I know that you were more assistance than I was she chuckled.

I hope so, that is what Im paid to do after all she smiled.

Ill walk you out said Tina. Be right back, babe she said to Bette as she leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

Ok she said.

Walking back into the kitchen, Bette went over to the phone to call their home voicemail to see if they had any messages.

Looking down, she saw a slip of paper with a couple of womens names and phone numbers. Lifting it up, she scanned the names to see if any were familiar but didnt recognize a single one.

Just then, she felt Tinas hand come around her, take the paper from her, ball it up and throw it in the garbage.

A page from your little black book? asked Bette with a slight smile.

Not funny, Bette said Tina with no trace of humor in her voice.

Its ok, Tina. I know that you were dating while we were apart.

And what about you, Bette? Did you see anyone while we were apart? she asked, leaning against the sink, arms crossed in front of her, deadly serious.

Bette watched Tina and saw a very jealous streak rising in her. She knew that she had nothing to hide, but was uncomfortable nonetheless.

No. I didnt see anyone, not even a date she quietly admitted, eyes on the ground.

Not once? asked Tina, studying Bette closely.

Not once she said, looking up and meeting her eyes with her own.

Both women just looked at each other, neither speaking, just watching the other.

Pushing herself off of the sink, Tina walked up to Bette and wrapped her arms around her neck.

Im sorry, baby. Sometimes its still a bit raw she whispered into her neck.

Pulling Tina into her, Bette said nothing, just allowed her body to speak for her.

They stood there for a while, holding onto each other until Tina said, Babe?

Hmmm?

Wanna go home?

Face still nuzzled into Tinas neck, she just said, Uh huh.

Ok, lets go she smiled as she pulled away from Bette.

Driving home, both women were lost in her own thoughts. Bette was thinking about the names on the paper, wondering where they had come from, when Tina had met them, and Tina was thinking how in closing up that apartment, a chapter of her life had been closed as well.

Just as they were walking in the front door, Bettes cell phone began to ring. Looking to see who was calling, she handed the phone to Tina, as she unlocked the door to let them in.

Hey said Tina into the phone.

Bette walked back to their bedroom and debated what she wanted to do. She couldnt get that list of womens names off of her mind and knew that if she didnt do something to clear her mind, it was going to drive her crazy.

Quickly changing, she walked back into the living room. Hearing Tina on the phone outside, she jotted down a note letting Tina know that she was exercising and would be back in an hour or so.

Hanging up with Alice, Tina walked back into the kitchen.

Babe? she called out, looking for Bette.

Getting no response, she walked over to the table and saw Bettes note.

What the fu- she said as she read the note.

Damnit, Bette she said in frustration at her leaving without speaking to her first.

Walking to the front door, she opened it to see if she could see her anywhere.

Well, you didnt get very far she said as she saw Bette sitting on the front step.

Getting no response, Tina sat down next to her and saw tears running down her face.

Hey she said, alarmed at Bettes current state. Whats going on? she asked as she wrapped her arms around her.

Bette said nothing, just let the tears continue to flow.

Baby? whispered Tina, peering into Bettes down turned face as she reached over to wipe some of the tears away.

Talk to me, Bette. Tell me whats going on.

Bette was silent, seeming to collect her thoughts.

Where did you meet them? she finally asked, each word paining Bette as she let it leave her mouth.

Where did I meet who, baby? asked Tina, still trying to look into Bettes eyes to see where this was coming from.

The women she whispered. The women on that list she clarified.

Oh, baby she lovingly said, now understanding what was upsetting Bette.

Baby, look at me she told Bette.

But Bettes sobs grew in strength, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Baby, dont do this said Tina, trying to calm her distraught wife.

Bette, baby, look at me she said again.

This time, Bette raised her head and looked directly at Tina. The look of pain in Bettes eyes told Tina all that she needed to know at that moment. She should have known that Bette was going to have some kind of reaction to being at her apartment, seeing that list of womens phone numbers that she had never used.

Bette, I never used that list. It was just- she paused, trying to figure out exactly how she wished to communicate this.

It was just something that I put together one day, out of boredom mainly, not out of a need to organize my social contacts.

Where did you meet them? Bette asked again.

Tina looked at her, wondering why where she had met these women was so important to Bette at this moment.

Different places, baby. The Planet, Milk, the grocery store

The grocery store? asked Bette incredulously.

Yes, the grocery store said Tina, reaching up again to wipe Bettes tears.

Baby, come on now, that is totally behind us. You even said so earlier, remember? All of this being part of the painful steps in getting our life back together?

Bette just sat there, trying to figure out where all of this was coming from. This wave of emotion that had washed over her had literally knocked her to her feet, forcing her to sit down.

I know she whispered. But that doesnt make it any easier.

So what would? asked Tina as she rubbed her hand up and down Bettes back.

For none of it to have ever happened she said as she looked off in the distance.

Well baby, we cant change whats in the past, but you and I both know that we certainly control what happens in the future she smiled as she leaned in and kissed Bette on the cheek.

I know she acknowledged, suddenly very tired. Its just hard.

Whats hard, baby?

Not knowing who we were during our separation.

What do you mean? she asked.

You and me. We didnt know each other. We didnt know who we were with, where we were going, how we were living our lives she tried to explain.

No, I guess that a lot of thats true.

And thats what hurts said Bette, fresh tears rolling down her face.

Baby, come here said Tina as she wrapped Bette back in her arms, pulling her head down onto her chest.

The two women sat there, Tina gently rocking them, softly speaking words of comfort into Bettes ear.

Finally feeling Bettes breathing even out and knowing the tears had stopped, she stood up, reaching her hand down for Bette to join her.

With Bette in her arms, Tina smiled up at her and said, I meant what I said earlier.

Whats that? asked Bette.

That I love you, more than you will probably ever know she said as she leaned in to kiss her.

I love you too, T she said, returning her kiss.

Reaching down for Bettes hand, Tina led them back into the house, softly closing the door behind them.