”you’re sweaty…”

Bette focused her gaze, it was really Tina, her Tina.

”yes…but I’m cold…” Bette replied ”why am I still here? What time is it?”

”almost ten…”

”your shift ended an hour ago…”

Tina smiled ”I had an unexpected event in the operating room…and then I wanted to check on you…”

Bette closed her eyes at those words.

”you need some cold water on the back of your neck, I’ll get a cloth” Tina said going to the bathroom and coming back immediately ”pull yourself up…easy…” she took Bette from under the armpits putting the brunette’s arms on her shoulders, Bette wrapped her up resting her head on the blonde’s shoulder, her face in her neck.

Tina lifted the mass of brown curls and ran the wet cloth over Bette’s neck.

”ahg….” Bette moaned ”it will get better” Tina said.

Once the maneuver was over, Tina put the cloth down, throwing it on the nightstand, and Bette remained still under her neck, her arms around Tina, she was shaking slightly. Tina simply held her, squeezed her, gently stroking her hair, carefully without hurting her.

”You don’t have a fever, tomorrow you’ll feel better” Tina whispered and Bette suddenly shed a few silent tears, without moving too much, as if those tears came out on their own.

”I’ll never come back to life Tina… as soon as I try, something will happen I…”

”shhhhh don’t say it Bette, don’t say it, I’m here…” Tina kissed one temple and then again, cradling the brunette’s body left and right.

Tina detached Bette from her body, slowly placed her on the pillow and Bette cried again with her eyes closed while Tina retrieved her smartphone, typing something.

”Who are you calling?” Bette asked, still crying.

”I’m telling Monica to stay the night…I’m not coming home..”

Bette’s eyes widened as Tina got out of bed and took off her jacket, leaving her in just her long-sleeved white shirt and her gray sweatpants, probably without a bra as always.

”My God, Tina…and Angie?”

”She’s already asleep and Monica is the best.”

Tina slipped into Bette’s bed, put an arm under the brunette’s torso to lift her onto the pillow and Bette pushed herself up, when she was settled she turned Bette on her side and Tina was behind her.

”the lateral position will help you breathe better…” Tina said in a gentle tone

”you can’t sleep here Tina…you’ve been working for twelve hours”.

”it’s useless Bette, you’ll have to resign yourself…” Tina said in the brunette’s ear, one arm passed over Bette’s stomach who was on her side, one arm under her head and the other on Tina’s hand that was on her stomach. She closed her eyes at the sensation of Tina so close, it was all so strong.

”it’s nice to have you here…” Bette managed to say with a hoarse voice and stroked the back of Tina’s hand.

”I’m glad you think so…” Tina said giggling as she combed a few strands of Bette’s hair, realizing that soon Bette was silent and asleep.

Tina buried her face between her shoulder blades and inhaled, Bette’s scent was beautiful. Tina got lost in that feeling, she felt so good, she was so happy even in that situation, God what was happening to her? Was it all true?

Tina caressed the center of Bette’s shoulder blades with the tip of her nose, breathing slowly.

”I think I’m in love with you…” Tina said it softly, in a low, imperceptible voice, or at least she thought it was, but it was liberating, according to her it was a thought between her and her inner self, but maybe it hadn’t been exactly like that.

Who knows what Bette would have thought of those words? What a stupid Tina.

Thinking about her strong feelings, however, Tina collapsed and Bette heard her well, that little noise with her nose was pleasant, Tina’s chest against Bette. The brunette had her eyes closed but her mind was still on, she thought back to Tina’s words from a moment ago. She couldn’t believe it, how could it be true? How could she still be loved by someone?