The kiss was slow at first, exactly like the first kiss they had ever shared, and then it turned more and more intense, more powerful. Both women were engrossed in what they were doing, pouring all their emotions (pain, love, insecurity, distress…) into one little kiss. Tina finally got a hold of herself and quickly struggled to wriggle herself out of Bette’s arms.

“Uh… Bette… we can’t it’s too soon.” Tina whispered, trying hard to catch her breath. She was looking at Bette, and she knew that her eyes were completely betraying her.

Bette looked at Tina thoughtfully, quietly beating herself up on the inside, feeling a familiar emptiness fill her again, knowing that Tina was no longer in her arms was too painful. She should’ve known things were getting a bit too easy for her. Tina was vulnerable and she knew she was taking advantage of that, but she had to hold her, she had to kiss her.

“T it’s okay, I understand… I…” Bette stammered, looking defeated. “I’m sorry…”

Tina stood up, ‘Damn it why did I let her do that?’ she thought, knowing full well what the answer would be. ‘I love her, but because I love her I end up becoming her doormat! she couldn’t help but think of the last time Bette tricked her into giving into her desires and how ugly things got between them afterwards. ‘I can’t let that happen again.’ Tina reminded herself.

Bette stared at Tina, not knowing what quite to expect. She couldn’t believe Tina let her kiss her, not after what she did. The kiss they shared was so pure and so loving, that she found herself yearning for it.

“Tina, can we talk?”

Tina looked at Bette, and pondered on her request for a moment.

“Yeah of course we can Bette.” she said weakly.

Tina walked toward a nearby window and looked out into the neighborhood, looking for a way to establish some space between her and Bette. “*****… I- I can’t.” she realized, “Shane’s waiting outside for me.” Tina sighed as she turned around to face Bette, “I gotta go…” she said hurriedly in a dazed state of mind. Tina looked at Bette one more time and hastily made her way out, leaving Bette there, alone.
__________________________________________

Alice was floored, the words: ‘I can’t marry Tonya.’ were still resonating in her mind. A simple “Huh?” was all she could manage at first. Wait I’m confused, didn’t you just tell me you were happy with her?” Alice asked trying her best not to sound too happy.

“No it’s not that Al, it’s just that I mean if Bette and Tina couldn’t pull it off I…” Dana let her words dangle, not being able to find the right words to express what she wanted to say.

“Don’t be silly Dana, Bette and Tina will work things out, people inlove always do. ” Alice said reassuringly.

Dana was quiet, trying her best not to meet Alice’s eyes. Alice re-processed the last few words she had just said to Dana, trying to uncover the reason behind Dana’s silence.

“Oh my god that’s it isn’t it?” Alice said, “You’re not inlove with her…”
___________________________________________

Shane’s hands were rapping on the steering wheel, tapping on it with a little beat so she wouldn’t get bored waiting for Tina.

‘What’s taking her so long?’ Shane thought, growing more impatient by the minute.

She had never seen Tina this way, not even after she and Bette had lost the baby. ‘I should’ve been there for her more… I shouldve noticed something was wrong, instead of being caught up in my own *****…” she concluded, feeling a rush of guilt fill her conscience.

Shane was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard a light knock on one of the car windows. Tina was standing outside waiting for her to unlock the car.

“Hey, I’m sorry I took so long.” Tina apologized as she buckled her seatbelt.

“No, no, it’s cool…” Shane said as she started the car and made her way to Alice’s. Shane noticed Tina’s distant expression.

“Tina are you alright?”

‘Everybody’s been asking me that question.’ Tina thought. She wanted to tell Shane no, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to do so, instead she just opted for, “I will when I get to Al’s apartment.”

The ride to Al’s was relatively short. Shane opened the car door for Tina and took her in for a hug, “I’m sorry T… I should’ve been there more.”

“You are Shane, you’re here aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess…”

“Bye Shane.”

“Bye Tina…”
_________________________________________

Tina walked into Alice’s apartment feeling totally drained, she went over to the kitchen, got herself some milk and potato chips and plopped herself onto the couch. Tina channel surfed for the rest of the day, until it was well into the afternoon. She was watching a really interesting documentary on the water buffalo when all of a sudden she heard knocking on the door.

‘Who could that be?’

“Hold on!” Tina yelled, standing up, making her way towards the entrance of Al’s apartment.

Tina opened the door and saw Bette standing there in front of her…