It was after 9:00 p.m. before Julie and Bette left Tinas room for the evening with a promise that they would return in the morning. Bette was a little reluctant to leave Tina for the night but she knew that she needed to rest just in case Tina got out of the hospital tomorrow. Tina had slept most of the evening due to the pain medication that the doctor had ordered. Bette had called Alice after she had talked to the doctor and they had made arrangements for Alice to pick her and Julie up at 9:15 p.m. to take them to a hotel to get some rest. Alice was waiting for them when they walked out of the hospital and soon they had checked in to the hotel and were headed to their individual rooms for the night. Bette had just lain down on the bed when she heard a knock on her door. She got up and opened the door to find Alice standing there.

Hey. I thought you went up to your room Bette said.

I started to but I decided that I couldnt sleep until I talked to you about this situation with Tina Alice said. I know you are tired and need to rest but this is important.

Okay Bette said as she opened the door wide enough for Alice to come in and then closed it. So talk.

You mentioned when you called me earlier, that if Tina is released from the hospital tomorrow that you are going to take her home with you Alice said. I dont know if I can go along with that plan.

Why? Bette asked. It is Tinas home. It is where she belongs.

Look I dont want to be harsh but lets be honest. It is a home that she chose to leave just a few short days ago Alice said. She chose to leave you and now you are going to move her back to your house and back in to your bed and if you do that then I think that there is a chance that Tina might hate you for doing that to her.

Alice I wont deny that I might be taking advantage of this situation to show her how much I love her and to try and make up for what happened with Candace Bette said. But I am not planning on us sleeping in the same bed no matter how much I might want that. I know that I can be an ***** sometimes but even I am not that big of an *****.

While Im relieved to hear that, I still have to wonder if it is the right thing for Tina Alice said. Look I dont know what problems that you and Tina had that lead up to you cheating on her with Candace but those problems arent just going to disappear magically if you take her home with you. I just dont know if this is fair to Tina to put her in this situation. If you do this, you better be prepared to deal with all of her hurt and anger not only over the affair but also about you making decisions about her life given the circumstances.

I know it is not an ideal situation Bette said. I am doing what I think is right for Tina. I want to get her home to L.A. and in to see a doctor that will advise us as to what is best for her concerning the memory loss.
If you are doing what is right for Tina, then you are going to have to tell the doctor everything that happened so that they can make an educated decision about what is best for her Alice said. Are you prepared to do that?

Yes Bette said reluctantly. She hated the thought of having to tell anyone about her actions of late.

What if the doctor tells you that you should tell her the truth? Alice asked. Will you do it?

Bette didnt know if she could face having to tell Tina the truth but she knew that she had to put Tinas wellbeing first even if it meant that she lost her forever.

Yes Bette answered softly.

Good Alice said. Bette I have to ask a couple more questions before I can agree to the plan.

What? Bette asked.

What about Candace? Alice asked. Do you have feelings for her and are you still planning on sleeping with her?

Bette was a little surprised at Alices questions because the thought of going back to Candace has never crossed her mind. Ever since Tina walked out on her all her thoughts had been about how she had messed up both of their lives and how much she had hurt Tina.

No Bette replied emphatically.

Have you broken things off with her? Alice asked.

No Bette replied. I havent yet, but I will as soon as we get back to L.A.

So you havent broken it off with her yet Alice said. Not the answer I wanted to hear. Bette, for what it is worth I believe that you love Tina but sometimes love just isnt enough. Maybe you should just cut your losses and let Tina go to Denver with Julie.

I cant do that Alice Bette cried. I love her too much to just let her walk out of my life forever.

Even if that is what needs to happen for Tina to be happy? Alice asked.

Bette sat down on the bed and began to cry. The thought of letting Tina go brought her unbearable pain but she knew that if that were the only way that Tina could be happy then she would let her go.
I want Tina to be happy even if that means that she isnt part of my life Bette said sadly.
Do you really believe that her going with Julie is the only way she can be happy?

I honestly dont know Alice said. The one thing I know for sure is that it would rip her heart to pieces again, if she gets her memory back again and you guys work things out to only find out later that the only reason you broke things off with Candace was because she was injured.

That wouldnt be why I broke things off with Candace Bette said. I am not in love with Candace and I have every intention of ending things with her. I have been so upset and ashamed about what happened that I just havent called her to break things off.

I think that Tina would always wonder if that were true Alice said. As much as it hurts me to say this I think you need to let her go at least for now. You need to figure out how you screwed up your life and Tinas life before you can even think of trying to get her back.

After Alice left Bettes room she totally broke down. She cried for a long time and eventually she cried her self to sleep. Alice, Dana, Shane, Julie and Bette met downstairs in the lobby to decide what the plan of action was going to be. Since Tina was doing better and there was a good possibility that Tina was going to get out of the hospital today, Dana and Shane decided that they were going to head on back to L.A. So Alice, Bette and Julie headed to the hospital to check on Tina and see if she was going to be released. As the three of them approached Tinas room Bette stopped Julie and told her that they needed to talk.

Julie I know we talked yesterday about where Tina was going to go after she got out of the hospital and I said I wanted to take her home with me Bette said. Well Alice doesnt feel as if I should do that. She thinks that you should take her home with you.

How do you feel about that? Julie asked.

I still havent made up my mind but I only want what is best for Tina and if that means her going home with you then that is what will happen Bette said.

What about her being around her things and her friends and more importantly what about what she will be most comfortable with right now? Julie asked.

Alice thinks that her coming home with me will cause her more pain in the long run and I cant do that, I wont do that to her again Bette said. So if you agree we will tell Tina that she will be better off staying with you because I am going to be so busy with work.

I will be glad to take her home with me Julie said.

Okay Bette said Lets find out whether she is getting out of the hospital today.
They talked to the nurses and were told that Tina was being released from the hospital today. They were told that copies of her x-rays and a copy of her medical file would be given to them shortly to take with them to give to Tinas new doctor.

Can you make sure that she gets in to see a doctor for both her arm and the head injury? Bette asked Julie.

I will make sure she gets the best of care Julie said. Bette, are you sure about this?

No but I love her enough to let her go rather than cause her more pain. Bette said.

Alice, can you please do me a favor and see if you can get Julie and Tina booked on a flight this afternoon? Bette said as she pulled a credit card out of her purse. You can put it on my credit card.

Sure. Alice said.

Julie, would you mind if I had a few minutes alone with Tina to say goodbye? Bette asked.

Not at all Julie said.

Bette walked in to Tinas room and found her sleeping peacefully. She sat down and watched her sleeping. It was one of Bettes favorite things to do and she knew that this might be the last time that she might ever get to do it. She sat there several minutes before Tina woke up.

Hey you Bette said. How are you feeling?

Better I think. Not much pain now Tina said.

That is good Bette said. You are doing so well that they have decided that you can leave the hospital.

Am I going home with you? Tina asked.

No theres been a change in plans Bette said. You remember your mother Julie from yesterday? Well we have decided that you would be better off going home with her so that she can take care of you. She is going to get you in to see the doctors that you need to see for your arm and the head injury. She is really going to take good care of you.

But I thought I was going home with you Tina said.

It broke Bettes heart to have to lie to Tina again but she knew she had to.

I know baby but I am going to be so busy with work that you will be better off with Julie for a while Bette said. Ive made arrangements for the two of you to fly home to Julies place in Denver this afternoon.

Okay if that is what you think I should do Tina said.

It is the best thing for you right now Bette said. T I want you to know that no matter where you are that I love you and always want to be with you.

Bette got up and gently kissed Tina on the lips. She didnt know how Tina would react but Bette just had to taste Tinas lips one last time.

I have to get going now so I can get back to work but Julie will be coming in soon Bette said. I love you. Goodbye

Bette walked out of Tinas room and broke down in tears. Alice who had been waiting came over and pulled Bette in to her arms and tried to comfort her. After Bette calmed down enough they left the hospital and were soon headed back to L.A.

Bette I know that must have been extremely hard to do, but you did the right thing Alice said.

It sure doesnt feel that way to me Bette said. It doesnt feel right at all.

TBC