Bette and James were huddled in her office, pouring over some recent construction changes that needed to be made.

So, I dont understand, why would this wall be right here when we dont necessarily want to close that room off? asked Bette.

Dunno answered James. Our fabulous contractor just said that it needed to happen this way.

I want to run this by Jim Scherrer. I mean, he is the architect on this project and if he-

Bettes train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the buzzer of the front door being opened. Both she and James automatically lifted their heads to look into the monitor in order to see who was coming in.

Tina smiled James. I swear, I think that I see her now in New York more than I ever did in LA.

You think? smiled Bette.

James walked out of Bettes office to let Tina know where they were. She heard the two of them greeting each other and then saw her peek her head in her office.

T! she happily exclaimed, rising from her chair to walk over and welcome her. Well, isnt this a nice surprise, and two days in a row!

Tina was just standing there, not moving from her spot just past the entrance of the doorway, watching Bette. As Bette reached her, she could immediately see that something was wrong.

Hey she softly said while leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.

James had followed Tina into Bettes office and seeing this odd exchange between the two of them, realized that he was not needed.

Ill just, ah, Ill just be at my desk, out there he said while pointing a thumb in the general vicinity of his work area. Neither woman looked at him or appeared to register anything that he had just said, and so he quickly made his way out of the office, softly closing the door behind him.

Bette stood directly in front of Tina, her hands rubbing up and down Tinas arms, and peered into her eyes to see what was going on. She could tell that Tina had been crying and that she was desperately trying to keep more tears from falling.

Hey she said while wrapping Tina in her arms, pulling her tightly into her body.

Whats going on? Bette whispered directly into her ear.

And with that, she felt Tina wrap her arms tightly around her neck and back, now allowing the tears to fall while clutching onto Bette as if she were going somewhere.

Dont leave me Bette, please dont ever leave me she cried, desperately grabbing at Bette.

BabyTinawhats going on? asked Bette, alarmed at Tinas current state.

She tried to pull back a bit to look into Tinas face, but Tina just pulled her in closer.

No! Dont leave me Bette! Please, I am begging you, dont ever leave me! her tears coming in torrents as she gasped for air.

T whispered Bette, trying her best to soothe Tina, Baby, I am not leaving you. Why would you even say or think that? Huh? she said while softly rubbing her hands up and down Tinas back, trying to get her to calm down.

She pressed her hand on the back of Tinas head, encouraging her to bury her head in Bettes neck.

Baby, cmon, youre fine. Everythings going to be ok whispered Bette.

Tina was still softly crying, but not to the level that she had upon first seeing Bette. She continued to hold onto Bette, never wanting to leave the warmth and safety of her strong arms.

I love you Bette she whispered.

I know you do, baby replied Bette, still rubbing her back and head, attempting to get the tears to stop.

Do you? asked Tina softly, as she pulled her head off of Bettes shoulder in order to look her squarely in the eye.

Bette was more than slightly taken aback by this question, but just responded, Of course I do, T! I have never questioned your love for me. I know that there are times that you may not have liked me a whole lot she said, smiling at Tina, trying to lighten things a bit, but absolutely never questioned your love for me.

Bettes smile did not spread to Tina. She kept searching Bettes eyes, looking for the confirmation that she needed to her words. She saw no wavering from Bette and realized that what she was saying was the truth. She knew that Bette loved her, and that she had never stopped. The relief at this realization that flooded through her body was staggering.

I think that I need to sit down, Bette she weakly said, tears still making a presence in her eyes.

Of course Bette quickly responded, guiding Tina over to the sofa across the room.

She gently sat Tina down and walked around the coffee table to sit next to her. Tina never let Bette out of her sight, her eyes following every move that she made.

As she sat down, Bette turned to Tina, waiting for an explanation as to what was going on.

Tina just sat there, hands folded in her lap, knowing that she needed to say something to Bette, but not knowing how to begin.

She took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check. She finally turned to Bette, and while reaching for her hand, simply said, Im sorry Bette.

Bette held her hand in response and looked at the woman before her. Tina was a wreck, both emotionally and physically. Her eyes clearly exhibited the pain that she was going through. Bette felt that by looking into her eyes and seeing all of the pain there, she was also witnessing the pain that had taken residence in her soul. It broke Bettes heart to see her this way and quite frankly, didnt know what to do about it.

T, whatever for? whispered Bette.

For everything she weakly said in response.

Im sorry T, but I am not understanding

I spoke to Alice this morning she said.

Ok said Bette, not really understanding what that had to do with this conversation, but simultaneously happy to have something to comprehend.

I filled her in on some of the things that we have been trying to work through

Yeah encouraged Bette, peering into her eyes to see where she was going with this.

I realized something, Bette she said, tears beginning to lightly fall again.

Bette moved over to Tina so that she could put her arm around her shoulders.

Talk to me, T. Tell me whats going on.

This is really hard to say out loud, Bette she cried, tears picking up steam as she began to slightly shake.

Bette just watched Tina, helpless to remove this pain that she was working through and so just had to wait for her to get it out.

Tina, you can tell me anything, absolutely anything. Please T, you know that.

Im afraid Bette she sobbed.

Baby, afraid of what? Bette pleaded.

Your not wanting me she quietly whispered.

What? she asked in disbelief. She wrapped both arms around Tina, trying to calm the shaking. How could you ever think that there would be a time that I wouldnt want you, T?

After a couple of minutes had passed, Tina pulled away from Bette and looking across the office said, I wanted to hurt you Bette.

What? she asked, sure that she had misunderstood.

Hurt you, Bette. I wanted to hurt you she repeated.

Uhok was all she could manage to get out, allowing her body to lean back against the sofa.

Tina returned her gaze back to Bette and with the tears streaming down her face said, I wanted you to feel pain, Bette. The same pain that I was feeling.

I dont understand replied Bette, thoroughly confused. I mean, what pain?

All of it was Tinas only reply.

Tina, Im sorry, but can you give me a little more here? asked Bette, a slight frustration beginning to creep into her voice.

You were never there, Bette said Tina, hearing the frustration coming from Bettes voice.

What do you mean I was never there? asked Bette. Never there when?

Always. Or at least for the last year of our relationship she clarified, watching the irritation rise in Bettes features.

Tinafuck, I mean, where is this coming from? Youre saying that I was never there for the last year that we were together? I could have sworn that I lived at the same address as you she said, exasperation becoming apparent.

Thats not what I mean, and you know it, Bette she patiently said.

Bette stood up and walked around her office while slowly rubbing her temples. Tina just watched her, waiting for all of this to sink in for Bette. Knowing Bette the way that she did, she knew that she was sifting and processing all of this information in order to formulate her desired response.

Bette looked over at Tina and they just held each others gaze for a moment. Bette then looked away and while taking a deep breath returned to Tina on the sofa. She sat down next to Tina and both waited for the other to speak.

Ok was all Bette said.

Ok? chuckled Tina.

Ok said Bette, returning the small smile.

Bette leaned back against the sofa again and looked straight ahead. Tina turned her body, pulling a leg up onto the sofa and leaned back, her face just inches away from Bettes, closely scrutinizing all of her beautiful features.

So, why did you want to hurt me? softly asked Bette, again, just looking straight ahead.

Tina reached her hand up and lightly ran a finger down the side of her face, cupping her jaw to turn Bettes face towards her own.

Because I wanted you to feel what I was feeling she whispered.

And, because I wanted to punish you.

Punish me? For what? she asked in confusion.

For making it seem so easy to be apart from me.

T, I dont understand what you mean she said, clearly not getting it.

That last year together was filled with so many ups and downs she began, trying to explain.

Bette just sat there and listened, hoping for all of this to make sense at some point.

The elation that I felt at being pregnant with our baby was numbing, but the pain that I experienced at losing it, was everything but that. I felt everything and could only wish for the same numbness of before.

Bette remained rooted to her spot, fearful of moving, not wanting Tina to stop.

You are so strong, Bette she said, looking at the woman that she loved with her life. Sometimes, too strong I think she whispered.

Again, Bette remained utterly still, not moving a muscle.

I wanted you to show me some weakness, baby said Tina, trying to explain to Bette what she meant. I wanted you to need me. I wanted you to show me your pain. I wanted you to feel the same pain that I was feeling and share it with me. To let me comfort you, let me hold you and this time, let me be the one to tell you that everything was going to be ok.

But, you didnt do that she said, tears forming once again. Didnt, couldnt? Who knows? I just know that it never happened

Bette began to see where Tina was going with all of this and that realization was breaking her heart. She still said nothing, just allowed Tina to get out and share with Bette what was needed.

And so, I wanted to hurt you, to punish you. I was going through *****, and I wanted to bring you there right along with me she whispered.

You started spending more and more time away from home, and dont get me wrong, I can now understand why. But Bette, at the time, it felt like I was standing in the middle of a pile of quicksand and you werent there to help pull me out. I felt somewhat abandoned by you and it made me angry. It felt like to me, that it was so easy for you to be apart from me, not needing my physical presence like I needed yours, and that hurt. Baby, I hope you can see how much that hurt she trailed off, tears continuing to fall.

Bette felt tears forming in her own eyes and not for the first time, wondered how they had ever managed to get to this place.

And the really ironic thing that happened was that even though all I wanted was to have you there by my side, the only thing that I could manage to do was push you away she disbelievingly chuckled.

My behavior, along with everything else, encouraged our demise, Bette, and I now know that.

Bette just looked at her, still afraid to speak.

But, as much as I am aware of that Bette, I will never, ever take responsibility for your straying outside of our marriage. I can accept my role in this mess, but I also need for you to take responsibility for the choices that you made.

I, uh said Bette, a little unsure of herself. They had not tackled her infidelity straight on like this before, and she was a bit wary of her footing.

Looking directly into Tinas eyes, she said, I absolutely accept full and total responsibility for my actions, T. Of that, I can assure you.

Tina watched Bette, looking deeply into her eyes to follow her response.

We both fucked up, Bette she said with a slight smile on her face.

Thats putting it mildly she smiled in return.

Tina raised her hand and again ran it down her face, stopping to trace her bottom lip with her thumb, dropping it further to rest on her chest, placing it palm down against her exposed skin from the opening in her shirt.

What do we do now? asked Bette softly.

Tina just stood up, pulling Bette along with her. She turned directly towards Bette, and extended her hand for Bette to shake.

Bette just raised an eyebrow in surprise but played along with her. She took the hand that Tina was offering and shook it while looking her dead in the eyes.

Hi, Im Tina Kennard. Nice to meet you she said with a huge smile.

Hi, Bette Porter, and very nice to meet you as well she grinned.

You new to town? continued Tina.

I guess that I am smiled Bette.

I know that this is very forward of me, especially since we just met, but would you consider having dinner with me?

Exhibiting the biggest smile that she possessed and not letting go of her hand, Bette simply said, I would like nothing more.