Tina took a thorough look around the apartment, not sure if it was to validate that she had gotten everything or if it was to try and file every image to memory.

The doorman had called to let her know that her car was downstairs, ready to take her to the airport. She grabbed the bag that she had brought with her here to New York what seemed an eternity ago, and walked to the front door. Looking one last time around the expanse of the apartment, she slowly made her way out the door, locking it behind her.

As she rode down in the elevator, she felt the tears threaten again, but taking a deep breath, forced them back, reminding herself that she was going to see Bette in just a matter of days.

Thursday or Friday she muttered out loud, Thursday or Friday.

The ride to the airport was uneventful, simply spent with her thoughts and the passing images of the city being left behind.

She told the driver the airline that she was flying and when they arrived at Ticketing, she thanked him and made her way inside to retrieve her boarding pass.

The line was short and after a very brief wait, Tina made her way up, handed the agent her drivers license and the paperwork that James had e-mailed her and waited for her seat assignment.

First Class said the agent. You could have been in that line over there she said, motioning to the empty aisle just to the right.

First Class? said Tina. What?thats not what I booked she said, confused at the mix up.

Well, thats what you have here. It looks like you are in First Class on both the out bound and inbound flights the agent smiled at Tina, handing her the boarding pass.

Bette she muttered under her breath, slowly shaking her head back and forth.

Excuse me said the agent, waiting for Tina to take the seating card from her.

Oh nothing Tina quickly added. I just figured out how it is that I am sitting in First Class a huge smile playing across her lips.

I hope that everything is ok? inquired the agent.

Oh yes, everythings ok she smiled in return. Thanks for the help

Of course and have a nice flight she added after instructing Tina of the gate that she would be leaving from.

Tina made her way through the airport and once she arrived at her gate, thought about calling Bette. She decided against it though as she wanted to let her get some work done and knew that she would call her from LA.

The flight was quite comfortable but of course long. Tina passed the time by reading and intermittently napping. Every time that she closed her eyes though, images of Bette would flood her brain. She thought back to all of the conversations that they had shared, the miles that they had come to lead up to the passionate lovemaking that they had experienced all weekend long.

She and Bette had not spent a weekend in bed like that in years and the memory of it alone was making her body shiver in remembrance of what Bette had done to her. She herself had not been able to keep her hands off of Bette. As soon as she had made Bette experience an *****, she had wanted to start all over, wishing to do nothing but bring her to that edge of total bliss over and over again.

She and Bette had almost fought for their fair turn in doling out pleasure. Tina knew that at times she had been especially aggressive towards Bette in demanding that she be submissive to her, which was not something that she readily demanded in bed, but these were not usual circumstances.

Tina knew that she was taking back what was rightfully hers, what had belonged to her, she was making Bette her own again. She had needed to sear into Bettes brain the knowledge that she belonged to Tina, just as she knew that she belonged to Bette. She had needed for Bette to understand that they were one again and that there was going to be no question from anyone as to their status.

Jesus she muttered. You would think that I had just peed on a fire hydrant, marking it as my own.

She knew that her body was going to go into withdrawal from Bettes in this time apart, she always reacted that way after making love to Bette, but the thought of seeing her at the end of the week was enough to make her as giddy as a school girl.

She leaned her head back against the seat rest, closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to go wherever it wanted. She continued to think about where they had been, but most importantly about where they were going. She fantasized about their future life together, knowing that it was not so much fantasy as it was thoughts that needed to be made reality.

Bette, Bette, Bette she said under her breath, turning her head to look out the window.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the stewardess announcing that they were beginning their initial approach into LA and should be on the ground in 20 minutes or so.

She quickly glanced at her watch and could not believe that these six and a half hours had already passed. She knew that they were scheduled to arrive at 3:30 and immediately did the conversion to figure out the time in New York.

Hmmalmost 6 oclock. Wonder what my baby is up to she said to no one in particular.

The plane landed right on time and as soon as they were allowed, Tina turned on her cell phone and dialed Bettes number at the gallery.

Peabody Gallery answered James.

James? Hey, its Tina.

Hey there he said, smiling into the phone.

How are you doing?

Good and you? Flight ok?

Actually, quite nice said Tina, smiling herself. Not exactly what I had requested though.

What can I say? chuckled James. She is the boss.

That she is she laughed, that she is. Speaking of, is she there?

Of course she is. I know that she has been anxious to hear from you. Hold on one second and Ill get her.

Thanks James and seriously, thanks for all of the help with the reservations.

No problem Tina, one second.

Tina heard James place her on hold and then just as quickly, heard the voice that she had been longing to hear since this morning.

T? asked Bette.

Hey baby she said in a low voice into the phone, a huge smile landing on her face at the simple act of hearing Bettes voice.

How was the flight? asked Bette, turning away from her laptop so that she could focus on Tina and not be distracted.

Great, baby. Made all the better from a little help from a friend

Oh yeah? said Bette in a teasing voice.

Yeah, baby she teased in return. Thanks for that, Bette.

Of course, T. I just wanted you to be comfortable.

Well, I was and so thank you.

Are you waiting for Alice to pick you up?

Actually, Im not even off of the plane yet. We are just pulling up to the gate she said, peering out the window. But since I dont have to deal with baggage claim, I should be outside in no time.

Have you called her yet, to let her know that you have landed?

Nope, you were the first person that I called. I wanted to hear your voice and thank you for my seating arrangements she smiled into the phone.

Well, as happy as I am that I am the first one that you called, I want you to hang up and call Alice. You know how she has absolutely no sense of time or schedule and so for all we know, she thinks you are coming in some time tomorrow

Its ok, babe she softly laughed. I called her from Kennedy and let her know that we were about to take off, and so unless she has forgotten about that call, I should be ok.

T, just humor me and call her, ok? I really dont like the idea of you stranded at LAX and so since you are just pulling into the gate, maybe you can figure out where she is in route she firmly said.

Ok, baby, ok. Ill call her right now. Are you about to leave the gallery, I hope?

Uh, in a few minutes Bette non-committedly said.

Bette

T, I swear, I will leave in the next 30 minutes. I just got into something and wanted to finish it. Really. 30 minutes, tops.

Ok Bette, Im gonna believe you, but Im also going to call you at the apartment on the home phone in 45 minutes and you had better be there to answer it she said in a mockingly threatening voice.

Yes mam Bette smiled in response.

Oh, I think that we are at the gate said Tina.

Ok, T, Ill let you go. I love you she said.

I love you too, baby.

Call me soon? asked Bette.

45 minutes, Bette, 45 minutes repeated in the same stern manner.

Got it, T she laughed.

Tina flipped her phone closed but then remembered her need to call Alice. Opening it back up, she located her in her directory and dialed the number.

After 5 rings, Tina heard what seemed to be a fumbling noise and then a loud *****! in the background.

Hello? she finally heard.

Hey Al, its me. What in the world is going on in that car? she laughed.

Do not even begin to ask me! You obviously know the size of this car and so how its possible that absolutely every single thing that I put in here disappears like the ***** Bermuda Triangle is beyond me. But that is neither here nor there. Where are you?

Hopefully at the same place that you are either near or have arrived she laughed.

John Wayne, right?

Al she said, hoping that she was in fact kidding about going to the wrong airport.

What? Just kiddin. Jeez!! Dont tell me Ms. Porters uptightness has rubbed off on you

Shes not uptight, Al laughed Tina as she exited the airplane, heading in the direction of baggage claim.

Please she scoffed. Bette Porter is so friggin uptight, she

Al! Enough!! Do you mind not trashing Bette before I even get out of the airport? she said, with a smile still present on her face.

What? she innocently replied. Im not trashing her, justreminiscing if you will.

Uh huh. Where are you by the way?

Pulling up to baggage claim as we speak she said, quite proud to be on time.

Really? said Tina, astonished that not only did she get the day right, but that she was here on time.

Yes. Why do you say really like that? she said suspiciously.

Did you not think that I would be here as promised?

Tina laughed and said, Well, I had complete faith that you would be here, but

Porter!!! See, what did I say? Friggin uptight! I mean, what the *****! Wheres the love?

Tina laughed into the phone as she made her way through the airport.

Ok she said. I am almost to baggage claim. Where exactly are you?

Outside United. Oh *****! she said while looking into her rearview mirror

Whats wrong asked Tina.

Well, Im sittin here waiting on you and one of those damn rent-a-cops quickly approaching.

Just tell them to hold on, I am walking out the door as we speak.

Alice stepped out of the car, waved kindly to the passing wanna-be-policeman and mouthed, Im leaving, I swear.

She then looked up and saw Tina walking towards her. Both women smiled while closing their phones, walking towards each other.

They hugged each other and then Alice placed her hands on Tinas waist and said, Now, let me get a good look at you putting her at arms length for viewing.

Well, I gotta admit, Porter certainly seems to have had a good affect on you. You are simply beaming.

Yeah? asked Tina, cocking her head and smiling.

Yes, and you know it teased Alice. Blue balls and all! she laughed, letting Tina go, throwing her bag in the back seat as they both got in the car.

Uh, Al? asked Tina as Alice pulled away from the curb.

Yeah? she said, turning her head to look at Tina.

Whats the opposite of blue?

Alice paused, apparently pondering the question before it dawned on her what the real intent of the inquiry was.

Why you little hussy!!! she screamed. You finally got your way with her, huh???

Tina just smiled at Alice, but said nothing.

Sotell me!! What happened and dont leave out a single detail!!!

I dont know what youre talking about smiled Tina coyly.

You had better start talking TK or its gonna be a long walk to West Hollywood!

Tina laughed at the threat and said, Talk or shoe leather express, huh?

Exactly, those are your two choices.

Well, what can I say? We had our date Friday night, and basically never left the bed for the rest of the weekend the memory alone enough to make her smile.

Well, arent yall a couple of cheap dates, jumping in the sack on the first date.

Tina just looked at Al with a raised eyebrow and ignored the dig.

Sohow was it? As if I need to ask. From the expression on your face, I would say pretty memorable, huh?

Memorable would not begin to define it she said in a dream like state.

Better than the real first time?

Hard to compare. I mean, they were such different experiences. The first first time was just that. Neither of us really knew what to expect and once it did happen, we were both beyond words to describe what we were feeling. This time she paused, searching her mind for the right way to describe it.

This time, there was just so much more to it than extending a relationship to the next level. It was about healing, fulfillment, necessity, survival. Just to use a few words that come to mind she said, looking out the window, feeling all of the emotions flowing through her as she tried to explain what this weekend with Bette had meant to her.

Alice said nothing, just allowed Tina to speak what she obviously was feeling.

I, uh, I realized something, Al Tina softly said.

Oh yeah? Whats that?

I love her more than life itself she simply stated.

Alice saw a tear slowly run down Tinas face and knew that she had no words in response.

She reached over and gave Tinas knee a soft squeeze in acknowledgement. Tina turned to her with a smile on her face and said, and it feels good.

Yeah? asked Alice.

Yeah she said, nodding her head for emphasis.

Im really happy for the two of you, T she said sincerely.

Thanks, so am I she agreed.

So, thats it? I mean wham-bam-thank-you- mam, all problems fixed?

I wish laughed Tina, finally lightening up a bit.

So, what is next? asked Alice.

Well, we keep living, working, beingall of the things that we were before, but with a knowledge of what happened to us to enforce what we need to be to the other.

I mean, is everything perfect between the two of us? Of course not. But, she quickly added, are we in a much better place today than where we were a week ago? You had better believe it she confidently stated.

A week ago, we didnt even know if there was a possibility that we could have a future together, but today? We know that there is no possibility of not having a future together, and that is huge.

No question about it T agreed Alice. Wow! Talk about getting a lot accomplished in a week. Were you able to get it all done in 40 hours?” she laughed.

Hardly laughed Tina. Actually, I think that the weekend alone while we were working on things, we got close to 40 hours

Ok! Now youre simply bragging!! declared Alice.

Is bragging and telling the truth the same thing? laughed Tina.

Remember that whole shoe leather express conversation? threatened Alice.

What? Ive got thick souls smiled Tina, returning the challenge.

Probably thicker than when you left a week ago, huh?

Probably chuckled Tina, turning again towards the window, thoughts automatically returning to Bette.