Tina arrived outside the L.A. times building with 5 minutes to spare. She sat on the bench seat out front waiting for Alice.

She was watching people pass her by on the street, and she noticed for some reason. all of them seemed to have young children. Mums walked by with their prams, dads with their little boys on their shoulders. It seemed no matter how hard she tried Bettes family situation was determined to haunt her.

Tina was becoming more and more sombre. Her demeanour changed to one of depression. I got to get out of here Tina thought to herself.

She immediately got up and started walking back to her car, just as Alice was walking out the doors of the L.A. Times building, again with her cell in her ear.

Alice saw Tina walking away and pulling her cell away from her ear, yelling out, Hey TinaWait!

Tina heard the familiar voice and turned around, tears welling in her eyes. She saw Alice hastily approaching her, speaking abruptly on her cell Thats itfinal decisionI dont care RachIm going to lunch. Only emergencies transfer to my cell otherwise Ill call them back tomorrow. Yep ok thanks Rach!

Alice closed her cell and gave Tina a warm hug.

Tina hugged Alice back, (appreciatively) Hi Al, you have no idea how much I needed that!

Alice: I figured, by that look on your face(trying to remove the tension from the situation) Ok, so lunch. What do you feel like? Theres this great little Italian place around the corner?Its quiet so we can talk!

Tina: (trying her best at sounding enthusiastic) Yeah, Im not really hungry. but that sounds great Al

Alice grabbed Tinas hand, Come on girlyou got to eat!!

They walked around the corner to the little Italian place, were seated and ordered.

Alice decided that for once she would shut up and not pry into Tinas thoughts. She was going to wait for Tina to initiate the conversation.

Tina: (hesitantly, worried at why Alice was being so quiet) So AlTell me what you have been up to these last 5 years!

Alice: You really want to know about my less than exciting life?

Tina smiled and nodded.

Alice: Well Tina a lot has been happening since you were gone. I am an investigative reporter for the L.A. times, have been for the last 15 months. Hows that hey. No more puff pieces for me. I do the hard-nosed, good stories now

Tina: (proudly) Thats cool Al, what about your extra curricular activities? raising her eyebrows in jest.

Alice: (her eyes lit up) Im seeing this young handsome, surfie type guy who works in the mailroom. (Alice winks at Tina) Hes only 21 Tinabut he is smokin. Its just a bit of funmake that A LOT of funWe both know thatI havent got time to pursue a serious relationship!

Alice paused for a minute, temporarily lost in thought, then continued, After you left me and Dana had a thing for a while The ***** was hot, hot, and hot Danas body is in really good shape Tina. (Alice got a cheeky grin on her face thinking back to a time so long ago) .. But after a few months we mutually decided we were better off as friends. That seems to happen to me a lot you know! First Bette then Dana

Alice just realised she bought up Bette and looked over seeing Tinas expression change

Alice quickly changed the subject, Anyway TinaDanas in town at the moment playing in a lead up tournament to the U.S.Open. You know she made the semis last year.Was beaten by Sharapova

Tina: (perplexed) Who?

Alice: (looking at Tina incredulously) Maria Sharapovanumber 1 tennis player in the worldOnly woman player to ever..

Tina: (thinking, cutting Alice off) Oh ok. I think I heard of her she won some tournament before my accident! last I heard one of the Williams sisters was number 1?

Alice: (playfully) Sorry Tina, I forgot youve been snoozing for 5 years

Tina and Alice looked at each other for a moment in uncomfortable silence.

Alice decided that Tina needed to tell her what was going on, All right Tina Ive told you about meI want you to honestly tell me about youhow are you feeling about this whole thing? And you know what I mean. Giving Tina a stern look.

Tears formed in Tinas eyes, I have no clue as to what to do AliceI still havent even dealt through the affair and I have some unresolved issues with that (thinking back to her dream). I dont even know if Bette wants to hash up all those old memories, but theyre still new ones to me. (lowering her head sadly) you know Alice, even when things were at their absolute worstI never gave up hope that our love would get us throughbut now. it all seems. hopelessI dont want to break up Bettes familyand I dont know how Im going to live without her eitherGod Alice since I came back here I find myself sometimes wishing I had never woken up! tears trickled down Tinas face.

Alice: (feeling sorry at seeing her friend in so much pain, compassionately) Tina dont say things like that. This was a second chance you were givena lot of people arent so fortunateeverything is so new and raw. You need time to talk all this through.and you and Bette need to work out your real feelings In the end Tina, things will work out the way they are supposed to! Alice held onto Tinas hand offering comfort.

Tina: (looked at Alice half smiling) Yeah I guess youre right. Im just so lost right now Al

Lunch arrived and both women sat, in now a comfortable silence, eating and mulling over the conversation that had just transpired. On occasion making idle chatter about the weather and such, until their plates were empty.

Tina: I guess I was hungry after all! smiling at Alice. Alice motioned the waiter for the bill.

Alice smiled back, (concerned) Are you doing ok Tina?

Tina: (sincerely) I will be AliceThank you!

Alice: (looking at her watch, realizing she needs to meet Bette in hour) TinaIm really sorry to cut this short. The time kind of got away from us. I have an appointment in hour that I really need to get to Paying the bill.

Tina: No let me. I invited you Al! I insist placing money on the tray.

Alice: (smiling) Ok but next ones on me! they both walked out of the restaurant.

Tina: Ok. so Ill talk to you later then

Alice: Sure. Giving Tina another hug, Take care of yourself!

Alice was walking off in one direction hurriedly and Tina the other, Tina yelled out, Hey Alice

Alice turned around, Yeah!!

Tina: Thank you!!!!

Alice smiled and was gone.

Alice left Tina and jumped in her car heading over to Bettes place, god. I feel like Dr Ruth! Alice thought to herself. Luckily she was able to take the afternoon off. She knew the importance of the situation to all her friends.

Alice knocked on Bettes door 25 minutes later.

Bette opened the door looking tired and withdrawn.

Alice leaned in and tightly hugged Bette, trying to lighten the mood, Hey Bette whats going onHows Jack. (breaking the hug) Where is my little man? walking inside looking around.

Jack was sitting watching Humphrey on T.V., totally engrossed with the show. He didnt know Alice was there until she picked him up to give him a big hug, (sweetly) There he isHey Jack. hows my favourite little man todaysweetie?

Jacks face lit up in a huge smile, Heello Awnty Alece!

Alice put him back in front of the T.V. and walked into the kitchen finding Bette sitting quietly at the kitchen table.

Alice walked over and sat down next to her good friend. She knew this was going to be tough.

Alice knew first hand how hard it was for Bette to accept her life without Tina; all those years ago and now she had a little boy, and had found love again, only to find out living without Tina wasnt her only option. The choice had been so cruelly taken from both of them.

Alice didnt envy the situation Bette was in at all.

Bette: (her eyes were glued to the table, her voice filled with emotion) Al I need to talk to someoneIm going out of my mind hereI know I love Kristie she makes me happy. she really does but after seeing Tina yesterday. I know in my heart I will always been in love with Tina.I will never feel that way with anyone ever

Bette paused for a moment to compose herself, the tears were flowing freely down her eyes, (sadly, her thoughts jumbled) Im a different person now Al. Tina and mewe might not work together anymore. Just because youre in love with someone doesnt mean you are going to be with them forever!.God Alice, it took me so long to let Kristie even part of the way in and. (Bette looked up at Alice) Well you know I had Jack as a reminder of Tina and our life together..for something for me to hold on to!! In a sense Tina is Jacks other momWe chose Marcus togetherI dont even know what Tina wants, but she kissed me last night, and its still there Alicebut I cant hurt Kristie eitherI love her and I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would never hurt anyone like I did Tina, ever again. (frustrated) ***** Alice. This is all fucked!!!

Bette had always been the type of woman who was in control of her life and her emotions. It was what she prided herself on. At this very moment she didnt feel like herself at all!!

Alice: (sorrowfully) Bette the only way you are going to remedy this situation one way or another is to talk to TinaFind out what feelings you two still have!

Bette: I know Al, but Im scared to do thatWhen Tina left, until Jack was born; that was the worst time of my life. one look at Tina and it all came flooding back. I never want to feel that way again AliceI am happy now with my life and I dont know if I could risk that kind of hurt again?

Alice: Bette, you owe Tina and you a chanceat least to talk. Five years is a long time to lose Bette. Her life as she knew it is gone, and just like you, she didnt have any say in the matter either!

Bette: (dejectedly) I know, I knowits just hard! Thanks Al. Youve given me a new perspective. (looking at the clock) I better start some dinner. Do you want to stay for dinner Alice?

Alice raised her eyebrows, (jovial) Even now, youre not a great cook Bette. I think Ill pass!

Bette pretended to pout, Ok suit yourself.

Alice: (realizing she now needed to get to the hospital) Ok well Im going to goI want you to call me Bette if you need anything..anything at all!!

Bette was at the fridge deciding what to cook for dinner; she looked around the door, Hey AlThank you.

Alice: Not a problem my friend.

Alice walked by and said goodbye to Jack, before walking out the door.

Next and final stop for the day Alice thought as she got in her car and headed over to the hospitalIt had broke her heart to hear two of her closest friends in the world hurting so much, and she had one more to go, but Alice also knew someone who didnt deserve to be, was going to get hurt at the end of all of this, and she had a pretty good idea who!

Alice walked to the reception desk, Could you page Doctor Kristie Phelps please, she is expecting me.

Receptionist: Ok, please wait in the waiting area.

Kristie arrived a few minutes later, approaching Alice giving her a light hug, Thanks for meeting me AliceI really need to ask you a few questions..

Tbc.