“Bette?” Tina asked.

            “Hmm?” replied Bette.

            “Thank you,” Tina said as she snuggled up next to Bette and placed her head on her chest.

            Bette put her arms around Tina and said, “Anytime.” She dipped her head and, taking in the soft, vanilla scent of Tina’s hair, she tenderly kissed her head. Tina smiled as she closed her eyes and quietly drifted off into a peaceful sleep in Bette’s loving arms.

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Chapter Six

            Tina began to stir around 1 am. She opened her eyes and slightly raised her head to see Bette lying back against the arm of the couch, sound asleep. Bette was lying on her back, her arms still loosely wrapped around Tina. Tina was lying on her right side, her left leg intertwining between Bette’s and her left arm resting on Bette’s smooth stomach. She smiled at the innocence of her sleeping beauty and returned her head to rest on Bette’s softly rising and falling chest. She could hear and feel Bette’s heartbeat against her and, again, a peace overtook her fearful thoughts as she quietly slipped back into slumber.

            Not long after, Bette began to stir. She slowly forced her heavy eyelids open to behold the delicate beauty sleeping in her arms. Their conversation had been heavy that evening and she knew the demons that plagued Tina’s thoughts all too well. At least now she seems to be at peace. She could feel her soft, rhythmic breathing and the slow, steady beat of Tina’s heart. She reached up with her left hand and softly stroked her fine, angelic hair. God, how much I want this woman, she thought. She realized, however, that things would have to progress on Tina’s timetable, if they were to progress at all. I don’t care if it takes ten years, I can’t live without her, Bette resolved. Oh God, I hope it doesn’t take ten years! She inhaled deeply and, in doing so, that warm, subtle scent from Tina’s hair again filled her lungs. Bette again closed her sleepy eyes and, as she drifted back to sleep her thoughts resounded over and over, Whatever it takes, whatever it takes.

*           *           *

            Tina again felt the darkness closing in on her. Again she tried to cry out but heard only the frustrating, frightening silence broken only by the haunting jeers and sneers of her friends and family. Then, suddenly, softness and warmth enveloped her. The darkness broke to reveal a glorious, golden sunrise. Gentle fingers stroked her satin hair, and a faint, familiar scent covered her like a soft blanket. Strong, protecting arms surrounded her and held her close as she felt a loving heart beat steadily against her back. Her erratic breathing returned to normal and her constrained voice finally relaxed as a sigh of contentment escaped her lips. She turned around to gaze upon the face of her liberator and was met with Bette’s captivating, soft, brown eyes. Bette looked down at her with that sexy half-smile of hers that sent an electrifying charge straight to Tina’s core. But then, just as Tina was about to return Bette’s smile, a low rumbling sound forced her out of her subconscious and into reality.