Tina lay there waiting for Bette to say something in response to her demand, but Bette just sat there rubbing Tinas arm and not looking at her.

Bette Tina said. Please tell me the truth.

Bette was trying to work up the courage to say the words. How was she going to tell Tina about what happened? How was she supposed to look in to her eyes and tell her the truth? For one fleeting second she thought about saying ***** it and making love to Tina but she couldnt do it.

Okay Bette said softly. I will tell you the truth but I need to ask you to do a few things for me first.

Okay Tina said as she sat up next to Bette. What do you want?

Tina Bette said as she turned towards her looking into her eyes and reaching up to stroke Tinas cheek. I love you and I think I have since the moment I saw you in the gallery and that will never stop. You are so beautiful sitting here beside me and I would like nothing more than to make love to you but if I did you would never forgive me.

Why would you think that? Tina asked. Its what I want. I want to

T Bette said interrupting Tina. Please I need your help to do this. This is going to be one of the hardest things Ive ever done in my entire life. I need three things from you, no make that four.

What four things? Tina asked.

First I need for you to get dressed. Bette said. Its not that I dont love seeing you naked but I think you should get dressed. Second I need for you to let me tell you everything. I am asking you to please stay put and listen to everything before making any decisions. The third and fourth things go hand in hand and I am probably asking for the moon but they are what I need. I need for you to still love me and find a way to forgive me. Im not really expecting to get the third and fourth things but they are what I need more than anything else in this world.

God Bette Tina said softly. Maybe I dont need to hear the truth after all.

Yes you do Bette said as tears formed in her eyes. Its time.

Okay Tina said as she got up and put on her clothes from the night before and sat back down next to Bette on the bed.

T Bette said as she took a deep breath. Havent you wondered why you were in an accident in Las Vegas when our home is here?

Not really Tina said. I have been dealing with the memory loss so I guess I didnt really even think about it.

Im not exactly sure why you were there, but I think you were on your way to Julies when the accident happened. Bette said her voice filled with regret. You had packed up some of your things in your car and left town because you couldnt deal with thought of having to see me again.

Why would I do that? Tina asked. I thought I loved you.

You did love me T Bette said with anguish as tears ran down her face. At least you did up until the night before when you realized that I had fucked up both of our lives by cheating on you.

You cheated on me? Tina asked with no emotion.

Yes Bette said softly still crying. Tina you have to believe me that I have regretted it from the moment it happened and everyday since.

So did you tell me, did I find out? Tina asked.

I had a big opening at the gallery that night and you saw me with the woman I was having the affair with and you picked up on what was happening Bette said. I guess you know me so well that you just knew from seeing us together. When I got home from the opening you were waiting for me. You told me that you knew and I tried to hug you but you pushed me away. I told you I was sorry but it just made you mad and you slapped me. I told you I loved you and tried to hold you again but you started slapping at me so I tried to stop you and as we struggled we wound up on the bed. God T I am ashamed to tell the rest.

Finish the story Bette Tina said. You asked me to listen to everything so I am.

You were saying ***** you to me and I was desperate to make sure that you knew that I loved you Bette said her voice tinged with sadness as the images of them on the bed popped in to her head. I told you over and over and I wanted to prove my love for you and wanted to be close to you so I ripped the dress off of your back. I wanted to kiss you and try to make love to you to calm you down but you were so angry. We were both crying and I had hurt you so you hurt me back. I dont know how or why but we wound up having angry ***** with each other. When it was over, I held you there for a minutes and I thought that maybe everything was going to be okay. A few minutes later you got up from the bed and went to take a shower. I was so exhausted, from what had happened and from working long hours at the gallery getting the show ready, that I had dropped off to sleep by the time you got out of the shower. When I woke up you were gone. There on the night stand was your commitment ring that you never took off. I was devastated knowing what I had done to you, to me, to us. I wanted to take it back, to fix it but I couldnt undo what I had done. You have to believe me I would if I could.

Were you or maybe I should say are you in love with this woman that you were having the affair with? Tina asked as she was holding her breath waiting to hear the answer.

No Bette said. I was never in love with her.

I guess my being injured kind of messed things up for you Tina said angrily and tears formed in her eyes. Now I understand why you wanted to me to go home with Julie. So you could be with her and I wouldnt be in the way.

NO! Bette roared. I never wanted you to go with Julie. I wanted you here with me but Alice convinced me that I was being unfair to you by bringing you home with me. She told me that you had left me and that you might come to hate me for bringing you here and making decisions about your life. I told you I love you and I mean it with all my heart.

What about the woman you were seeing? Tina asked.

I broke it off with her as soon as I got back from Las Vegas Bette said.

Was it because of my accident? Tina asked. Was it because of me?

Yes it was because of you Bette cried. Not because of the accident but because I realized what I had done, what I was stupidly trying to throw away. It was because you are the love of my life and I was a fool to have ever taken that love for granted. I am so sorry Tina. You will never know how sorry I am.

God Bette Tina said as she got up and paced the floor in front of Bette. What am I supposed to say or do?

I know what I want you to say and do but this has to be your decision Bette said. Only you can decide as to whether or not you want to still stay here or if you feel the need to leave. I will go along with whatever you decide. My heart will break if you leave but I love you enough to let you go if you feel like you have to leave.

I dont know what to do. Tina said. I need some time alone to deal with everything you just told me before I make any decisions.

Okay Bette said. Would you like for me to leave? I could stay with Kit for a few days. Just tell me Tina what you need for me to do.

I need for you to wake me up and tell me that what you just told me is just part of a nightmare I was having Tina said sadly.

Tina dont you think I wish I could tell you that too? Bette said softly.

Its just too much to process right now Tina said. I need time to sort things through in my head. I dont know if you should leave the house or not. Go to work and give me time to think about things and we will decide tonight about what is going to happen.

Okay Bette said. Can I ask something of you before I get ready and leave?

What? Tina replied.

Will you promise that you wont leave with out telling me? Bette said as tears were running down her face.

I promise Tina said softly as she reached out and wiped some of the tears off of Bettes face. Thats the only promise I can make right now.

Thank you Bette said. I know with everything I told you it might not be enough but I have to make sure you know that I love you and I always will.

Bette gently kissed Tina on the lips and left the room. Tina sat down on the end of the bed and tears started to fall and soon she was sobbing. Bette had gotten dressed and had gone back to her room to tell Tina goodbye when she saw her sitting on the bed crying. Bettes heart broke at seeing Tina crying like that and she wanted to go and comfort her but she knew she couldnt. She had caused those tears and she didnt know if she could ever forgive her self for it. She left the house in tears and headed towards the office but she knew that she would never be able to get any work done so she called James and told him that she would be in later. She drove around a while and finally wound up parked in the CAC parking garage just sitting in her car. She knew that today might be the longest day of her life and at the end of it she may lose the most important thing in her life.

Tina had cried for a while after Bette left the room and she knew that Bette had walked in and seen her crying before she left for work. Tina got up from the bed in the guest room and walked towards their bedroom. She was trying to figure out what she needed to do for her self and what she needed to do for Bette. What she needed to do for them as a couple that is, if there was a chance for them to be a couple again. Bettes words seemed to be sincere and she seemed to truly be remorseful for what had happened but she hadnt told Tina why or how she had let the affair happen. What had driven her to the point that she would turn her back on Tina and turn to another woman? Tina was so confused at this point she just really didnt know what to think.

So Bette Tina said out loud to the empty bedroom. Why did you turn to Candace and what the ***** am I supposed to do now?

TBC