***

Tina was thrilled to see Bette – especially as she knew she had been on night shift. She put her purchases down and walked across and took hold of Bette
“You should be at home getting some sleep “
“I want to see where you will be living”
“Thank you “ Tina lent forward and gave Bette a long and lingering kiss. Bette was more than up for some fooling around but this wasn’t the time or the place. She hugged the blonde and stroked her hair
“Down “ she warned softly
“I miss you at night “
“I miss you “
Tina stroked Bette’s face “I cannot wait until I get my apartment”
“Why don’t you show Bette the top floor ?” Matthew smiled watching them. Was it really nearly six years ago when they had started dating and he had watched his little girl bloom into a young woman – a young woman with a stunningly pretty partner
“Can I ?”
“Of course “
Tina grinned “Thanks dad”
They went up four flights of stairs – the stairs between the third and fourth were narrow
“Might be tricky getting furniture up here “ Bette said
“We will manage “ Tina said – they reached a six foot by six foot landing – a slightly battered door was ajar
“What state is it in ?”
“Go and look”
Tina gestured for Bette to go inside. She did – well it was some size – about one and a half times the size of her apartment – there were no rooms – just one huge floor space.
“Well – it’s a blank canvas isn’t it “ Bette said
Tina came in and stood beside her “ I know  – that’s what’s great”
“Blank canvas is one thing but there’s no plumbing “
“The pipe-works is there – dad’s had his builder look at it – it shouldn’t be too hard to put a kitchen in over there and build a basic bathroom in that corner “
Bette tried to imagine the room with a bathroom in a corner and a sink and some kitchen units. She walked around the space –  Tina stood still and watched Bette as she took the room in
“Well there is a radiator – so there is heating “
“What do you think of the view ?”
“Really nice – do you want blinds or curtains up at the window ?”
“Curtains – the windows are double glazed so that means it shouldn’t lose too much heat – what do you think ?”
Bette turned around and looked at Tina
“I like it  – I think you can do so much with it – how long will it take for your dad’s builders to do what they need to do ?”
“Two or three weeks “
“That’s cool “
Tina took Bette by the hands “I am looking forward to this so much  – I want to get away from my mother and this is just perfect. I can be safe and happy – and I can be alone with my favourite crime fighting lesbian “
“We need to get you stuff “
“I know “ Tina sighed “ I start work on Monday and I get paid weekly – if I cut down on what I spend then I can afford stuff”
“You need to start making a list of what you need “
“I know “ Tina kissed Bette “I just want to start living my own life “
“I know that “ Bette “it’s a great feeling when you  close the door and you are alone – no one can barge in without you inviting them in. You will love it”
“I hope you come and visit “ Tina said smiling
“I will – when you invite me “
Tina nodded – it had been something she had been very conscious of doing when they had started dating again – she had never presumed that she had an invite – she always waited until Bette invited her – sometimes it was spoken – sometimes it wasn’t .
“Do you think I should tell my parents now or later ?”
“How much do they know ?”
“Kate knows “
“And she will have told Voldermort ?” Bette asked.
Tina smiled “I really don’t know. If there was something that I didn’t want Voldy to know then I would ask Kate not to tell her but things are not good between them”
Bette nodded “ Do you know that your mom has been for drinks and things with Rosemary ?”
Tina raised an eyebrow “Really – how do you know ?”
“I met dad for a burger before I went to work – he let it slip that he was going stag last night because Kate was out with Rosie “
“What do you think that is about then ?” Tina asked
“Well “ Bette said remembering Matthew’s words “ We could be paranoid and say that they are plotting but if they are I really don’t think they will be in with Emma’s plan to keep us apart “
“Its just as well “ Tina said “I trust Kate – if I found out that she was conspiring with your mom “
Bette shook her head “ No babe – they aren’t part of the Emma plotting.”
“She better not be “
Bette kissed Tina “I have been thinking – long nights trying to stay awake will do that to you. W    e need to concentrate on us – not on her. What can she do to us – really ?”
Bette personally thought that Emma would do anything she could get away with but Matthew had been right – this had to be played smart
Tina looked suspicious “We are talking about the same woman here ? Devious, manipulative old bag – likes to get her own way and doesn’t care who she hurts to get it – including her own wife and child  – that one ?”
Bette smiled and held Tina closer “She can try all she wants – if you and are strong she won’t hurt us “
Tina stepped closer to Bette and they hugged – Bette was deep in thought – maybe Matthew was right – she was going to have to outsmart Emma