Tinas doctor walked into her room disrupting the tender moment her and Bette were sharing.

He had to clear his throat to get Tina and Bettes attention. Bette broke away from Tina, blushing a little and stood to the side of Tinas bed so the doctor could examine her.

Doctor: Well, hello Ms Kennard. Im glad to see youre back with us. How are you feeling? taking Tinas pulse while he is talking.

Tina: Im actually feeling pretty good. looking at Bette, smiling.

The doctor checked Tinas pupils and heartbeat stating, You were one lucky lady, Ms Kennard. You have been unconscious for nearly 48 hours. A few more minutes without oxygen and who knows what wouldve happened.

Doctor: Now your tests have come back all clear, youll just have the lingering effects of shortness of breath for a while, just until your lungs heal properly from the smoke inhalation. I just need to ask you a few questions Ok?

Tina: Sure, Doc.

Doctor: Do you remember the accident?

Tina: Not all of it, but I do remember I was at an office building fire and I have a pretty good idea why I ended up in here.

Bette was just listening; a little worried at Tinas admission. She knew Tina had a dangerous job but that didnt mean she couldnt worry. office building fire? Bette thought. Her and Tina still hadnt discussed what happen that resulted in Tina being hospitalized and Bette couldnt help being concerned.

Doctor: Do you know what day it is? Do you remember your life?

Tina: (cheekily) Yes Doc, My mother had to tell me what day it was, (rolling her eyes) but I do remember my life, even the stuff I want to forget. Tina tried to make a joke. Bette and the doctor didnt laugh.

Doctor: Ok then, great, I see youre in good spirits, well just need to keep you in overnight for observation but, all going well you can go home tomorrow morning.

Tina: Great Doc, thank you.

Doctor: (seriously) Ms Kennard Tina.. When youre ready, I think you should talk to someone about the accident, just to get it straight in your head. Talking about it will help you remember it too. Make sure you deal with what happened.. The nurse can contact someone if you like, a professional, for you to talk to.

Tina looked over at Bette and smiled, Thanks Doc, but that wont be necessary. When Im ready Ive already got someone to talk to.

The doctor left the room and Tina and Bette just stared at each other for a minute. Bette was smiling too, but had a concerned look on her face and Tina could see she was battling with something in her mind.

Tina: Bette, come over here. Whats going on?

Bette walked over to Tina and sat down on the bed placing her palms in Tinas hands. Bette looked into Tinas eyes and tried to give her a reassuring smile.

Bette: Im a bit worried about you Tee. Is it too soon for you to tell me what happened? I really would like to know?

Tina: What? No of course its not too soon, babe. The Doc said for me to talk about the accident and theres no one, except you, that I trust enough to talk about it withto get through it with. I need to remember anyway babe, and the only way to do that is to talk about it.. Do you want the whole blow by blow version or just the one with me getting myself carted away in an ambulance?

Bette: Well lets go with the whole blow by blow version. Ive got time Bette was thinking Ive got forever.

Tina: Alright babe, first, come here and lay in bed with me. Tina opened her arms inviting Bette into her embrace. Bette smiled and kicking off her shoes, climbed into bed with Tina wrapping her arms around Tinas waist and snuggling her head on Tinas shoulder.
Now thats better. I love having you this close to me, this is how we are meant to be.and besides were going to be here for a while with the whole blow by blow version, so get comfortable babe.


Bette: (now genuinely smiling) Oh, Im comfortable Tee, how could I not be?

Tina: Yeah, so am I. Ok here goes.

I had a run in with my parents, but well talk about them when I get home.
So, I came back from San Francisco on Thursday morning. I was on my way to surprise you when I got called into this emergency. I tried your cell and the gallery. I couldnt get hold of you. I didnt want to leave a message because I thought Id only be a few hours and then, Id come to the gallery and surprise you.
Tina paused for a minute and Bette looked up, to make sure she was Ok. Tina had tears in her eyes, as she looked deep into Bettes eyes, Babe, I had no idea you were worried, if I knew I wouldve left you a message. Im so.. sorry I had you worried about me, about us!

Bette: (now with the tears too) Its ok baby, everything ok now. Tina leaned in and planted a delicate kiss on Bettes lips. Bette just grinned and snuggled back into Tina.

Tina momentarily lost her train of thought; she realized just how amazing Bette really was, how very lucky she was to be part of Bettes life.

Tina continued: Anyway, where was I?..I attended this out of control blaze at an office building. It was absolute chaos babe; no one knew what they were doing. Anyway my team and I had to enter the building to rescue the victims. We were the only fire fighters there with experience in rescuesum25, I think, people were unaccounted for. So we went in and found 22 really quickly on the floors above the blaze. I got two of my guys to take them down to safety. Richard and I searched for the remaining 3. We found two more right on the next floor above the blaze. (Tina smiled at the memory), they were in the broom closet. Lets just say up to no good!! I could hear the other victim, so I told Richard to take them two and Id get the last one. Oh god

Tina just remembered about Melissa. Tinas mum had left before she had a chance to tell Tina the outcome with Melissa.

Bette felt Tina tense up in her arms, and again looked up at Tina.

Bette: (concerned) Babe, are you ok? Do you want to stop? Tee?

Tina looked down at Bette with an almost frightened look. on her face.

Tina: (anxiously) Bette I need you to do something for me, right nowplease?

Bette: Sure baby, anything?

Tina: There was a young pregnant lady, she was caught in the fire with me. God. she was unconscious too..I need to know what happened to her Bette, if her and her little girl are ok? Her name was Melissa, Bette can you go find out for me, now, I really need to know if shes ok? The tears were streaming down Tinas cheeks at the thought of what may have happened.

Bette swiftly got out of the bed, looking deep into Tinas eyes, Dont worry baby, Ill go find out and be right back. Bette gave Tina a quick kiss and immediately commenced her mission to enquire about the health and safety of Melissa and her little girl.


———————————————-

Alice had grabbed the newspaper off Shane to read the article.

Wow! You go Tina. Shes a real hero. It says here she is in a satisfactory condition in hospital recovering. She saved a young woman and her baby Wow!!! That fire-fighting gig of her isnt just about the uniform is it? She really knows what shes doing Alice was clearly impressed with Tinas efforts.
This happened Thursday, what the ***** was Bette doing out with us last night? Alice looked at Shane. Shane just shrugged her shoulders.

So many questions. Well Bette Porter has got a lot of explaining to do!!!

Shane: So do you Also do you?

Shane looked at her watch and realizing the time, Ok, gotta go, remember dont you do anything about the carpenter until you tell me. After you talk to Bette, I wanna know whats going on, promise me Al?

Alice was deep in thought, her mind drifted back to Candace, the tape and the endless possibilities.

Shane: (firmly) Alice!!!

Alice: What? Yeah, ok Shane, I promise. See ya.

Shane wasnt convinced but had to head out, See ya Al.


———————————————-

About hour had passed and Tina was wondering where Bette had gotten. Her mind was mulling over all the good and bad news that Bette could possibly return with. Her emotions were in high gear and she couldnt seem to stop the tears from falling.

She was extremely anxious, bordering on impatient when Bette finally came walking in through the door with a serious look on her face.

Tina couldnt read Bettes look and immediately thought the worst, What took you so long babe? Its bad news, isnt it? I knew it? Bette, please tell me?

Bette just smiled and walked back out the door. She returned right away pushing a wheelchair, with Melissa and her little baby girl in it. Melissa was nursing a broke leg as well as the after effects of giving birth, less that 48 hours ago.

Tinas face lit up at the sight of the baby girl.

Bette pushed Melissa and her baby over to Tinas bedside. Melissa just smiled, offering Tina a nurse of the baby. Tina readily accepted, taking the little baby into her arms. She took one look at the little girl and her heart filled with. Pride!

Bette just looked on in awe, she had never seen this side of Tina before and seeing Tina holding the tiny little girl in her arms, Bette couldnt help but think she was looking at her future, right there.

Melissa: (sincerely) I want to thank you so much Tina… You saved our lives. Mine and my daughter. Christinas life. Tina looked up from the little girl, at Melissa. Well, if it wasnt for you, this little one wouldnt be here. I hope you dont mind She was born a couple of hours after the fire. Mustve got too hot in there for her.

Melissa: Besides, itll be a great story to tell little Chrissie, when shes older. How she got her name.

Tina: (humbly) I am absolutely honored, Im so glad you are both Ok. I was only doing my job.

Melissa: No, Tina you went above the call of duty, you nearly got yourself killed saving mesaving us, I will never be able to thank you enough.

Tina: Seeing little Chrissie, thats more than thanks enough. Take really good care of her.

Always Melissa said giving Tina a big hug. She took little Chrissie back in her arms and asked Tina to call a nurse, she needed to get back to feed the little one. The nurse came in and went to take Melissa back to the Maternity ward.
Thanks again Tina, so much.. Melissa said, sincerely smiling, before she was wheeled out the door.

At this point Bette still didnt know exactly what happened to Tina, but the events were starting to come together. Bette looked over at Tina with this huge grin on her face, she was so proud of Tina.

Tina: Come here Bette, let me finish the story. Although theres not much more to tell

Bette returned to Tinas hospital bed and into her embrace, eagerly awaiting the rest of Tinas story. She could just lay there for all eternity listening to Tinas sweet voice. She had a pretty good idea now what Tina had went through but she wanted Tina to tell her. She wanted to stay right there, feeling safe and loved in Tinas arms forever!!! Bette snuggled in waiting for Tina to continue.

Tina: Ok so I helped out Melissa as you could tell, and in the process I managed to pass out due to lack of oxygen, like the Doctor said.

Bette: (confused) Dont you wear an oxygen mask baby?

Tina: Melissa needed it more and besides she was stuck.

Bette looked up at Tina with glazed eyes and just above a whisper said, I am so proud of you Tee, you never cease to amaze me. I love you so much

Tina: (smiling) Awe babe.I love you too.

Tina looked at Bette and in a serious tone: Do you understand now about my job. See that little girl Bette, thats why this job is so important to me.

Bette: (hugged Tina tightly) I understand baby, I do.

Tina: Anyway, lets wrap this story up. The next thing I remember is waking up in here, this morning, a few hours ago. I was unconscious for two days Bette. My mum was in the room, when I woke up, but the only person I wanted to see was you! I asked Lucy to call you as soon as I knew my parents hadnt, and the rest they say is history

Bette wondered why Tinas mum wasnt with her now. She wasnt going to ask Tina though, like Tina said, they will discuss it when they get home.

Tina: (playfully) So Bette, tell me what youve been up to these last few days without me?

Bette was torn, she was thinking to herself, Oh *****, should I tell her or not?.