okay that sounds goodyes just have it delivered by threeokayyesthanks.

Bette hung up the phone and looked down at her desk hopelessly wishing that she could make all the paperwork magically disappear. It was two thirty and she was supposed to meet Tina in one hour to go talk to their real estate agent, but Bette wasnt sure how plausible that sounded. It was one week after Bette got back from her trip to New York and her and Tina had decided to go ahead with the living together scenario and had found a real estate agent they both liked and who was willing to help them find something rather quickly. She contemplated calling Tina to tell her they might need to re-schedule, but then she remembered what she told Tina about her being a priority and she didnt want Tina to think she was having to take a back seat to her work again, so Bette decided she would do as much as she could in the next half hour and leave no matter what. Bette picked up the inventory list for the order that was supposed to come in and she hurriedly scanned it hoping there was some way to speed this process up. Bette looked at her watch once more before doing a quick calculation in her head and trying to see if she could squeeze everything in before going to see Tina. After much consideration Bette sighed loudly and sat down dejectedly. I guess this will have to wait, she thought as she reached for her phone.

As Bette was struggling to get through the remainder of her afternoon, Tina was doing her own last minute race to beat the clock and get out of the office in time to meet Bette. Just as she was putting some finishing remarks on a script, her boss knocked on her door and motioned for her to follow him into her office. Tina looked at the clock on her desk and frowned when she saw it was already three oclock, but she knew she would be in deep ***** if she just blew her boss off. Tina quickly jumped up and grabbed her stuff before heading into her bosses office. He motioned for her to sit down and she quickly sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk hoping whatever he had to say wouldnt take more than five minutes tops.

Whats up Doug?

Well Tina, it seems the project that you pushed so hard to get finally got funding and will start production next week.

Tinas mind went completely blank. Shitwhat project is he talking about? Tina looked at him with an apprehensive smile on her face. She had no idea what he was talking about but she didnt have time for guessing games.

Thats great Doug.

You dont remember do you?

Tina just shook her head no. She was getting more and more irritated that he was dragging this out and she wanted to tell him to just say it already so she could leave, but being the level headed person she was, Tina just waited.

The independent film that you fought tooth and nail forremember? It was about a year ago and you went on and on about it non stop? The movie about the guy with the memory problem who gets a second chance to re-live all his mistakes?

Ohyeahokay. Thats great. But what does that have to do with me?

Well since this has been your baby from the beginning, Im giving it to you.

What do you mean giving it to me?

How would you like to be one of the producers for the film? You would oversee it from start to finishgives you a chance to get your feet wet in other areas of the industry Tina. This is it. This is your chance.

Doug was grinning at Tina, but she just sat there completely stunned. This was something she had forgotten about, one of her many projects that came and went that she never gave a second thought to. But now that Doug was giving her the opportunity to really get herself known in the industry, well, she just couldnt turn it down. Tina smiled as Doug handed her a large portfolio of information related to the film and started giving her all the logistics that went along with it. Tina was only half listening as she was still trying to grasp the fact that she was finally getting her shot. Bette will be so happy for meOH SHITBette! Tina jumped up and interrupted him mid sentence.

Im sorry Dougbut I really have to be somewhere right now.

Tinawe need to go over thisyou have a meeting with the director and the exec producer on Friday.

I knowits just thatIm latesorry.

Tina took the portfolio from him and practically ran out to her car. She glanced at her watch and frowned again when she saw it was three fifteen, but luckily the agents office was not too far from her and she knew she wouldnt be more than ten minutes late. Tina raced to get there and when she finally did she ran into the building to find Bette and Mark, the real estate guy, already starting to discuss what their options were. Tina sat down breathlessly and gave Bette an apologetic smile as Mark introduced himself and continued where he and Bette left off.

So what area were you looking for?

Umwe really havent discussed it. T?

Hm? SorryumI dont know. What are our options?

Wellit depends.

Depends on what?

On a few things. Price range, type of neighborhood you want, proximity to various locations, and property value of the surrounding area are probably going to weigh most on your decision. Its a tough market right now, but Im sure we can find something that youll like without having to compromise too many of your requests.

Bette looked over at Tina with an uneasy look in her eye. She knew they should talk all this over first and Bette wasnt about to force this and make a decision for them, so after going over a few more things with Mark they thanked him and left his office to discuss what they wanted. As they walked out to their cars, Bette turned to Tina with a teasing smile on her face.

So all that talk about us being important and you were late because of work huh?

Sorry babe. But I have great news.

What?

Lets talk over dinnerdo you want to come over tonight?

Sure.

Tina had the rest of the afternoon off, but Bette needed to get back to her gallery, so after a quick kiss goodbye, Bette sped off to get back to work while Tina went home to start cooking dinner. Three hours later Tina had a fully cooked dinner waiting on the stove while she spread the portfolio that Doug had given her out and was looking over the details of the movie. Most of it was exactly what she had expected, but she was surprised to see that it got picked up by Miramax, giving them a larger budget than she had expected. She thought an independent production company would have backed this, but she was happy that such a large studio took a chance on this film. Tina looked over page after page of intricate details about casting, directing and the actual production itself, but her smile dropped when she saw the list of locations for the shoot. Seattle, Toronto, New York and Las Vegas were all on the list and the way the itinerary was set up, she would be gone for the better part of six months. SHITshit ***** shithow am I going to tell Bette? Tina looked over it again trying to see if there was any way for her to fly back and forth between locations, but the schedule was so hectic that she wouldnt have more than one or two days tops between locations, and that just wasnt enough time. She would kill herself trying to make it back and forth between these places and home, and Tina knew Bette would definetly hold this against her, especially after she made such a big deal about making their relationship a priority over work. Oh well, this is differentBette has to understand. Tina sighed as she hoped and prayed that however Bette took this news, that she would not lose her temper and pick a fight. Yeah righttwo to one says Bette throws this in my face and walks out the door.

At eight oclock Bette entered Tinas town home with an exasperated look on her face. Tina braced herself for however tonight was going to go, and she took it as a bad sign that Bette was already in one of her moods. Bette set her things down before kissing Tina on the lips and sinking into a chair, completely exhausted. Tina looked at her with a small smile on her face as Bette started rambling on about her ***** day, and Tina just waited until she was finished before bringing up her news. Bette was talking quite animatedly, and Tina knew when she was like this it was better to just let her finish whatever it was she needed to say otherwise she wouldnt have Bettes full attention. Bette finally stopped talking before she noticed that Tina wasnt fully listening and Bette felt bad about whining about her day when she remembered that Tina had said she had news. Bette reached out and pulled Tina into her lap before kissing her on the lips and smiling at her.

Sorry babyI forgot you said you had good newsso what is it?

Lets eat first babe.

No Im not really that hungry Tcome onwhats your big news?

Tina turned and straddled Bettes waist as she smoothed Bettes hair out of her face. She really wanted to tell Bette how excited she was and how much of a great opportunity this was for her, but she knew Bette wouldnt be too happy with her being gone that long. Bette looked at her curiously and she wondered why Tina was trying to butter her up before talking. Bette didnt say anything as Tina looked down at her tentatively before speaking.

Wellremember that script I read when we first started dating? The one I told you aboutthe one I really liked and fought really hard to get into production?

Bette sat there with a completely blank look on her face. She vaguely remembered what Tina was talking about, but she couldnt remember the specifics of it if her life depended on it, and she hoped this wouldnt upset Tina. Bette just nodded and smiled but didnt say anything as Tina continued.

The one about the guy and his second chance at life? The one I said that could make anyone cry?

Oh yeahokayso what about it?

Welltoday Doug told me that Miramax picked it up and production starts next week.

Thats great babybut whats your big news?

Tina bit her lip as she contemplated how exactly to tell Bette about this. She knew however she worded it, Bette would only hear one thing: she would be gone for six months. Oh wellhere goes nothing, thought Tina as she leaned down and kissed Bette who smiled into the kiss but pulled away and gave Tina an exasperated look.

Come on Tjust tell me already.

He asked me to be a part of the production team.

Thats great babycongratulations.

Bette leaned in for another kiss, but Tina pulled back before Bette made contact. She knew Bette had no idea what went in to producing a movie and dragging this out was only going to make it worse.

Hold on babetheres more. If I take this then Im signing a contract with Miramax to oversee the production in its entirety from start to finish

Okay I get itso youre going to be working overtime for a while huh?

Umyeah seethats just itI will be working a lot Bettebut thats not the big problem.

Then what is?

Ill have to be on location with them the whole time.

Bettes smile faded a little as she began to understand what Tina was saying. Tina saw the change in Bettes demeanor and stood up quickly as she backed away a little from Bette. Bette folded her arms over her chest and Tina felt the fight she had been dreading about to begin.

So where are these locations T?

Seattle, Canada, New York and Las Vegas.

Bette looked at her in disbelief. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it quickly as Tina watched her try and control her temper. Bettes jaw clenched as she asked her next question through gritted teeth.

And how long will you be gone?

Tina looked down and played with her hands a little. She knew she shouldnt feel so guilty about telling Bette this, but they were working so hard on their relationship right now and Tina really wanted to be with Bettebut this had nothing to do with all that. This was for her. This was what Tina had been waiting for her whole life. Her shother chanceher dream. Tina sighed before speaking softly and she closed her eyes knowing that Bette was not going to be thrilled about her response.

Six months.

Silence. Dead silence. Tina didnt want to look up because she knew Bette would practically be seething anger right now, but Tina had to. Bettes lack of yelling was worrying her and Tina really needed to know what she thought about this. Slowly and cautiously Tina raised her eyes to meet Bettes. Big mistake.

SIX MONTHS? Six monthsyoull be gone for six months? I cant believe you TinaGod damnand you bitched at me for being gone two weeks? Give me a ***** break. What about all that ***** you said about us needing to spend more time together and make this relationship work? And what about the house? Do you want to put that off for another six months? Did you even consider what I would have to say about this? Did you even care that youd be gone that long?

Bette calm down

DONT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN TINA! What the ***** am I supposed to do for the next six months? ***** sit around and wait while youre off doing God knows what?

Tina was appalled at Bettes response to her news. She knew Bette would be upset, but this was taking it to a whole new level.

What the ***** is that supposed to mean? I told you what I was going to be doingIm not happy about having to be gone either you know.

Well that didnt exactly stop you from taking it did it?

Bettethis is my dreamthis is my chanceits what Ive been waiting for.

And what about me?

What about you Bette? This has nothing to do with you.

Bette looked like she had been slapped across the face as she stood up and looked at Tina with fire in her eyes. Greatjust great, thought Tina as Bette hastily walked towards the door. Why does she always leave in the middle of a fight? Not this time Porter. Tina followed Bette into the living room and blocked her from leaving.

Where are you going?

Im going home. You do whatever you want.

Bette

No Tinayou said this had nothing to do with methen finegoI dont know what else to say. You said youre leaving and Im letting you leaveso now let me leave.

Tina sighed as she moved out of Bettes way. Finebe like that Bettedamn you, Tina walked back to the kitchen not waiting to see if Bette walked out or not. Tears stung her eyes as Tina began slamming dishes around as she put the food into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of wine. She opened it and poured herself a big glass and took a big gulp before sitting down to catch her breath. Guess that means she wont miss me, thought Tina as she angrily finished off her glass before pouring herself a new one. After her second glass Tina finally turned around and was filled with sadness when she saw that Bette had left without saying a word. Tina trudged up to bed with the bottle of wine and after finishing it she passed out fully dressed and still angry, something Tina hasnt done in a year and three months.