Bette smiled back at Tina, there was a moment of silence, and then Tina spoke up,
Tina: Bette it would be so easy for me to come home with you. Since, um, since that night, I have longed for is your arms around me. I dream about it, I crave it, and I want it more then you will ever know, having said that, I do not think it would be the right thing to do at this moment.
Bette looked heartbroken; she looked down at the sand,
Bette: I understand. I will take you to Alices.
Tina looked at Bette, and grabbed her hand I love you baby, I just want to go slow, and make this work.

Together they gathered up the items, and walked to the car. Bette opened the door of her Saab for Tina to get in. She then got into the car, and looked over at Tina. There was a little bit of peace in her, more then there had been. Bette turned started the car, and they began to drive back to Alices. Tina was in her own world when she realized that Bette was listening to country music. Bette, listening to country? she thought to herself.

The songs words caught Tinas attention immediately

Tell me what I have to do tonight
Cause Id do anything to make it right
Im sorry for the way I lost my head
Lets be us again

Here I stand with everything to lose
And all I know is I dont want to ever see the end
Baby, please, I am reaching out for you
Wont you open up your heart and let me come back in
Lets be us again

Look at me I am way past pride
Isnt there someway we can try
To be us again
And even if it takes a while
Ill wait right here until I see that smile
That says we are us again

Here I stand with everything to lose
And all I know is I dont want to ever see the end
Baby, please, I am reaching out for you
Wont you open up your heart and let me come back in
Lets be us again

Baby baby what would I do
Cant imagine life without you

Here I stand with everything to lose
And all I know is I dont want to ever see the end
Baby, please, I am reaching out for you
Wont you open up your heart and let me come back in
Lets be us again

After the song ended, Bette looked over at Tina; she saw tears streaming down her face. She pulled the car into a parking lot.
Bette: Baby, I am sorry I did not do that to upset you, I heard the words and thought to myself that is how I feel so I thought I would play them for you.
Tina: Oh Bette, I am not upset, I am, umm, shocked to say the least that you would first HEAR a country song and second, you would go and buy the cd just to play it for me. It makes me happy.
Bette: I mean everything that song said T. I love you. I want to be us again. I need you. I love you.
Tina leaned over and kissed Bette, Bette responded. Soon their kiss became more passionate then either of them had anticipated. Bette found herself pulling away. Tina looked a little shocked, and shot a look to Bette.
Bette smiled at her, Oh I want you, baby, so get that look off your pretty little face, but I also heard you loud and clear at the beach and I respect your choice. I am going to go slow with you, and hope we have the rest of our lives together to enjoy one another. However, I may be patient, but my willpower my end up winning out and I just might ravish you one night soon Bette said as she continued to smile. They drove and talked about little unimportant things, and held hands. The drive to Alices ended way too soon, but Bette stopped the car, helped Tina out of the car. She walked her up to Alices door, and hugged her close, and gave her a good night kiss. I love you T. Tina returned her kiss, I love you too baby Tina took her key and opened the door, looked at Bette one more time, then closed and locked the door. She leaned up against the door, and thought of Bette. I love her she danced her way to the bedroom to change clothes and thought about calling Bette.

Bette sat in her car and watched Tinas silhouette dancing and it brought a smile to her face. She loves me she thought about calling Tina. I will call her when I get home she thought to herself. She began driving back to the house. She decided to stop by the bar on her way home, just to see if the gang was still around. She walked into the bar, and looked around. No one she recognized was there. She walked up to the bar and ordered a screwdriver. She sat at the bar, thinking of Tina, and how much they accomplished in such a short time. She was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she did not notice that Candace was standing beside her.
Candace: you always drink alone?
Bette: (jumping at the words) Candace, what are you doing here?
Candace: thought I would have a drink before going home, your friends were here earlier, they made sure I noticed them. Especially that Alice, you would think she was the girl you cheated on with the way she was acting.
Bette: Tina and Alice are very close, and Al and I also dated before Tina and I did. She is protective. Look, umm, Candace, I would not have come in had I known you were here.
Candace: Bette, I am not looking for trouble, and I was shocked to see you here, alone, I overheard you and Tina were together tonight, I assumed you used your charm to get her back to your bed. I was a little down when they said that, so I decided to drink a little more. I half hoped you and Tina would go your separate ways. I hoped you and I could try something more then just ***** in your office or some bed and breakfast.
Bette: Candace, I am flattered that you would want to try something more with me, but I am not available, I am going to fix this up with Tina. I have to. She is my life.
The two women continued to talk, sitting close so they could hear one another. Alice had noticed Bettes car in the parking lot and expected to see Tina with her. She raced toward the table and stopped dead in her track when she saw Bette whispering something in Candaces ear, and they both laughed.
Bette:( leaning close to Candaces ear) I am glad I ran into you, I hope that you get everything you want in life, you should start with that bartender, she is hot
They both laughed at that. Bette leaned back in her chair, and saw Alice as she stormed out of the bar.
Bette: *****!!! Candace I have to go.
With that she ran to the parking lot, she saw Alice getting into her car, she reached for the handle, Dammit AL, stop and listen to me for Christs sake. Alice looked pissed off, she rolled down her window and shouted I am NOT going to let you play Tina for a fool, Porter. I was strong, and we were not in love, I could handle your
games, Tina cant. How can you do this to her?
Bette: God no Alice, it is not what you thinkplease just let me explain, come to my house, lets talk.
Bette pleaded with her eyes.
Alice: you have 15 minutes Porter, and then I am going straight to Tina. You got that?
Bette: yes Al I got it, now just follow me okay?

Bette pulled into the driveway and waited for Alice to get there. The two women walked into the house, Alice still fuming.
Bette: Ok Al, what DID you see?
Alice: I saw you and Candace talking very close, and then laughing. Were you two laughing at Tina? How could you Bette?
Bette: Al, Tina and I had a very nice evening, she almost came home with me, but we both decided that is was too soon, I dropped her off at your place and watched her dance around, I was happy to see her happy. I decided to stop at the bar and see if you guys were still there, to share my excitement with you. I was thinking of Tina and how much I love her; I did not even notice Candace coming up to me. She sat down and asked me some questions, she asked me if there was a chance for her and me. I told her no, when you saw us laughing, I had to get close to her because the music was playing loudly. I told her I hoped that she could be happy and get all she wanted out of life and to start with bartender at the end. That is why we laughed Al. It was like closure.
Alice: really? You were not flirting with her?
Bette: yes Al, now tell me what did you mean when you said you could handle my games? Do you and I have something unsettled? This is the time Alice.
Alice looked at Bette and then sat on the couch and sighed. Dont do it Al, she thought to herself. TBC