Despite Shanes whispering Tina heard it all. She heard Bettes response shed often wondered but never asked she smiled and was so glad Shane wanted to bend Bettes ear on that particular subject. Just hearing Bette recount their early days more specifically what was going on with her during those days was an instant turn on for Tina.

Tina: Shane your breakfast is on the table. Bette yours will be lying in our bed in about fifteen seconds.
***
Bette: (looking at Shane) Well enjoy your breakfast. I know Im going to enjoy mine. Lock the door when you leave.

Shane: (laughing) Thanks for breakfast guys.

Bette ran down the hall pretty fast. She was pretty winded when she got to their room. She turned and shut the door. There lying before her was Tina -beautiful and pleased to see she could still have this effect on Bette.

Tina: (laughing) That was pretty fast babe.
Bette: Well fifteen seconds isnt very long.
Bette immediately noticed the desire in Tinas eyes. She didnt know what transpired to bring Tina to this state but at this moment it didnt matter. All that mattered was that Bette knew she could fix this and that Tina wanted her and that was enough.

Tina grabbed Bette and brought her into a hungry kiss and quickly removed Bettes t-shirt and yoga pants. Bette deepened the kiss as she felt her own arousal over take her. Tina stood from the bed long enough to remove her robe and then she resumed the kiss. Bette laid Tina down and ran her soft lips from Tinas mouth down her neck towards her breast her hands already fondling harden nipples. Bette brought her mouth down towards Tinas nipples to kiss and nibble them but Tina was saturated in urgency she needed Bette inside of her, her desire was at an all time high and Bette knew it. Without delay Bette entered Tina with three fingers and quickly kissed her way down Tinas body took her hardened ***** into her mouth and within seconds Tinas body shook. Oh babeBette..Be!! Bette continued to thrust her fingers inside Tina bringing her over the edge again and again until Tina pled for her to stop. Tina tried desperately to catch her breath and as she did she pulled Bette back up and held her in a tight embrace.
Tina: Thank you Bette that was incredible. Ill repay you in the shower.
Bette: T that wont be necessary but what did I do to deserve such a yummy breakfast?
Tina: Lets just say Shane needs to learn how to whisper”I never asked you about what you did with all the women who were after you when we first got together and I know how patient you were waiting for me to be ready. It was a major turn on to know how much I meant to you.
Bette: T you mean how much you mean to me. Like I said Ive always known you are the one. God I wish I could stay in bed all day and make love with you. You want to play hooky with me?
Tina: Are you serious? I dont think I can. Oscar and I are trying to start this new program. I wish I could. But we have tonight right?
Bette: We do have tonight. Playing hooky is wishful thinking for me too I think I need to call James and head to the Planet this morning too.
Tina: (wrapping her arms tightly around Bettes waist) Are you going to spend time checking on Simone?
Bette: Tina I think I should. Shane said she freaked out on her pretty badly.
Tina: Bette you dont owe her anything shell be okay. I just get a bad vibe from her and I dont like the fact that you seem to feel responsible some how for her.
Bette: Tina is this the conversation were going to have after we just made love. Were supposed to be cuddling and you bring up Simone at a time like this, why? You trust me you know I have no interest in her other than her artwork and yeah Im sympathetic towards her current situation about her break up but I know Im not responsible for her. But T if I can be friendly to her”offer her some kindness I think Id be cruel if instead I ignored her pain. (Laughing) Besides youre the one who says shes the most beautiful woman in the world and stuff. Maybe I should be jealous. Do you like her?
Tina: (getting angry) No Bette and besides she doesnt stare a holes into me. Bette you can pretend you dont see it. That girl likes you and you can say youre being nice but she wants something more from you and you know it. Ive asked you to be careful.
Bette: (cutting Tina off) Tina I have been careful. Tina I dont want her and I wish you would see that she isnt a factor at all. I dont see her at all. I know I have something more substantial, more beautiful right here. Shes no threat to you dont you know that. Cant you feel that every time I hold you or kiss you? Dont you know theres no one else I want?
Tina rolled over and straddled Bette and with tears in her eyes kissed her wife, lover, and friend. She made love to her”hoping to answer her not in words but in deeds.

They did make it to the Planet to be greeted by the usual suspects. Alice was nervously sitting in the corner and Shane was sitting beside her seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Dana wasnt there but after her run in with Alice maybe she had decided to steer clear of her for a while.

Bette and Tina: Good morning
Tina: Well Im going to grab a coffee and be on my way.
As soon as she said that Simone walked in. Tina decided shed stay for a while instead of rushing off.
Simone: Good morning everyone. Shane, can I talk to you for a second?
Shane: Yeah-sure
Simone and Shane excused themselves to a more secluded table.
Simone: Look I really enjoyed going out last night and I thought I was ready to move forward with the whole dating thing apparently Im still a wreck. Im so sorry I freaked out like that. Im not crazy. I just think youre hot but Im not ready for anything physical that kind of sucks really.
Shane: Hey you dont owe me an apology. I was worried and I did enjoy hanging out with you too. Just take your time and go at your pace. Im sure youll be okay before you know it.
Simone: Are you sure were okay?
Shane: Were fine”and maybe next time a group of us can go out and just hang out no pressure just fun. How does that sound?
Simone: That sounds great”thanks.

As Simone and Shane rejoined the group James and Dana walked in. Dana had this huge cardboard box with her shaped as a house and a card in tow.
Dana: Alice whats this?
Alice: Um Good morning Dana. I was up all night thinking of what you said about how I didnt really want to be with you and thats so NOT true. I was trying to think of a gesture of some kind to let you know how much I care about you. I want to ask you out of course whenever you are free to go but I also wanted to let you know that yes youre my friend but I want you to be more than just my friend. Im interested in whatever youre interested in. OK Im rambling Cats and tennis I went to build a bear and made you a cat and put tennis gear on him I didnt name him you can go back later and do that. I woke up the store manager at an ungodly hour to let me in to do it. I know its cheesy but I just wanted to do something to show you that I do care about you.
Dana: (smiling) OK so Al when are you taking me out?
Alice: (laughing) You let me ramble on and you knew you were going to go out with me? Okay are you free tonight?
Dana: Yes
Alice: Ill make reservations and uh pick you up around 7:30.
Dana: Sounds great. (Kissed Alice on the cheek) See you guys later.
Bette: Al not the route I would have taken but it worked”nice.
Shane and Tina: Build a Bear!?
Alice: Its Dana”I know what my woman likes.
Tina: It was kind of cute.
Simone: (looking really down) Excuse me you guys.
Bette: James when are the other artists coming?
James: Two next week and two the week after, all the information is at the CAC.
Bette: (grabbed Tinas hand and then looked at James and joined Simone) Excuse us

Bette: Simone how are you?
Simone: I had a rough night last night. I guess Im not ready to date yet.
Bette: Well Simone it may take more time, but it wont always be like this.
Simone: Shane said the same thing.
Bette: Shane may be young but she knows a lot. We call her Yoda. She wont steer you wrong.
Simone: (Laughing) Yoda uh? Thats pretty funny.
Bette: Yeah shes more than just a pretty face. Are you up for some work this morning? Im hoping the three of us can begin selecting some pieces to show. James had a few suggestions.
Simone: Yeah”thanks work is good. Come on James I dont know where to begin.

Tina: I hate this.
Alice: What?
Tina: Bette is getting sucked into the damsel in distress thing Simone is playing.
Shane: Tina I dont think shes playing. Shes really going through some heavy stuff.
Tina: But its not Bettes problem and I think Simone really wants Bette.
Shane: No way”shes been really professional when Ive been around them and besides. Even if she does Bette doesnt want her. Tina all Bette sees is you. I know she screwed up once but like I told you—that wasnt her, not really.
Alice: Look at her Tina.
Tina: Who?
Alice: Bette”who else?
Tina: Yeah”Im looking.
Alice: What do you see?
Tina: I see her laughing and joking and looking at me and winking.
Alice: See I see a woman who is totally in love with you. Who happens to be working with a young woman trying to be a mentor, trying to be kind but whos also drawing some firm lines. You know what else I see?
Tina: What?
Alice: James”James has never been around this much. James isnt here because Bette doesnt trust herself hes here to make sure Simone doesnt step outside those boundaries.
Tina: Thats true. But I see something else”Simone and how she looks at Bette and how she looks for an excuse to be near her or around her or to touch her and Bette shes funny but shes not that damn funny and Simone laughs at all her jokes a little too loudly.
Alice: You keep telling Bette to be careful there. Tina maybe you should heed your own advice.
Tina: Whats that suppose to mean Alice?
Alice: Maybe your focus is on the wrong thing. Just be careful there.
Shane: Seriously, dont let Simone cloud your attention because next month it will be someone else. I really think youre missing the point too.
Tina: Whats the point?
Alice: Bettes so happy all she has on her mind is you and making babies. Arent you happy too?
Tina: Oh”that is the point isnt it?
Shane: Well arent you happy too–seems to me you’re creating problems?
Tina: Ive never been happier.
TBC