Bette’s face shifted into a sad frown as she spoke, "I think she might T. It just depends how desperate she feels. Jodi has never let scruples get in the way of something she wants or wants to protect passionately. It is part of what makes her art so powerful."

Tina swallowed slowly and looked at some remote part of the dashboard of Bette’s car as she processed Bette’s words. Bette is a big girl Tina and if you want this to last you have to commit to trusting her. Tina’s inner voice reminded her. Sometimes easier said than done came Tina’s sarcastic internal response. As Tina wrestled with her internal struggle she became acutely aware of Bette looking at her intensely. Pulling herself back into the concrete present moment she turned her face back toward Bette and tried to smile the most reassuring smile she could create.

Trying to sound lighthearted Tina spoke, "What Babe? If you keep that up I will have a hole burned through me in no time!"

Fear had leapt like an invisible monster into Bette’s soul as she sat looking at Tina. It was obvious that the idea of Jodi trying to be physically intimate with her had shaken Tina deeply. Guilt lurched through the brunette’s being as she could feel the nearly palpable distrust wash over her lover. For several seconds Bette almost gave in to the all too familiar pattern that guilt had created in her spirit, that had carved a deep scar in her relationship with T, a pattern that had for too long kept them apart across a chasm of pain. Stop!! You are not doing this again Porter Bette’s inner voice snapped at her.

"Tina, honey I almost don’t have to ask what is going on. I fairly sure I can guess but I don’t want to go down this road of guess what I am thinking again with you. I won’t do it. The first time it almost destroyed us and I don’t think I could stand it if I let it happen again. Tina I want to be with you and only you. Yes, Jodi might try to seduce me–other women may try to manipulate me but you have to decide if you want to trust me, can trust me despite what I’ve done in the past. You also have to realize you don’t hold the market on jealousy my love. If you haven’t looked in the mirror lately you should. You just might see the sexy, powerful, film producer that others do. Others that would love to spend some ‘quality time’ with you. Don’t forget I am not made of stone myself–I’ve seen how Sam looks at you."