“Do you think…” Helena didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as Alice had cut her off.

“No. we should let them be,” Alice said in a subdue tone.

Kit’s raised eyebrow prompted the woman to explain further. “What did you just say?”

“Let’s just leave them be. It’s obvious Bette’s trying to be the bigger person here and us harping on them won’t help,” Alice’s clear logic told Kit the woman was not as drunk as she let on.

Helena reached over and gave the blonde a reassuring hug. If she didn’t know how important Bette was to Alice, and by extension the rest of the group, she knew now. Never had she seen Alice this doggedly loyal to an issue, let alone a person.

Briefly, she pondered on her relationship with Bette. It was a rocky road, and still there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Bette was at least trying with Tina, true, but with her, there was nothing.

The Brit knew West Hollywood was a haven for gossip, but she experienced first-hand just how brutal the place can be. When word got around about her involvement in the meltdown of Bette and Tina, Helena was public enemy No. 1.

She reached for her drink then, not wanting to walk down that road any more. Karma’s always a bitch, she mused.

“What’s with that look?” Kit peeled her eyes away from the front door long enough to catch the fleeting look on Helena’s face.

“Just wondering where Shane is, that’s all,” Helena lied.

The older Porter threw her a disbelieving look, but neither woman said a word. She took a swig of her drink, eyes widening slightly when she spotted Bette walking toward them.

“Hey, want another round?” Shane casually sat down next to Alice, oblivious to the tension that simmered.

“Bette,” the woman looked at Bette, expecting her to be forthcoming with details of what had transpired with Tina.

“Alice,” Bette forced a weak smile. “I’m heading home, everyone. You girls have fun.”

“Come on, Bette, it’s still early,” the blonde whined. “Have another drink with us.”

“I know, but Angie’s spending the weekend with me and I want to rest up as much as I can,” Bette explained as she moved to hug everyone, leaving Helena last.

“Enjoy your weekend with Angelica,” Helena whispered just as Bette pulled away from their embrace. “I’ll take Alice home.”

Accepting the words as it is, Bette nodded and waved the women goodbye. She held her head up high, silently telling herself to hang on until she reached home.