RING RING RING

Bette Porter.
Hey Bette its Lindsay

Bette looked up completely stunned. It had been almost forever since she heard from Lindsay Peterson and just the sound of her voice brought back memories that always made Bette smile. She sat back comfortably in her chair and leaned back with her headset on and her hands behind her head.

Hey Lindslong timehowve you been?
Goodgreat actually. Hows LA treating you?
Well you knowits no Pennsylvania but its still fun
Good to hearlisten I was calling because I had a favor to ask

Bette smiled and leaned forward on her desk. She had no idea what Lindsay wanted but she was sure game to find out. Without a doubt she loved Tina very much and she would always love her unconditionallybut suffice it to say Tina wasnt the only blonde who had been in Bettes life.

Sureanything for youwhats up?
Well my friends are coming to LA and I was wondering if you and your friends could show them around for a little while?
Sure no problem. Im sure my friends would love some fresh meat to pick on
Hold on there Portertheyre all mengay men
Ohwell stillthey should be fun

Lindsay and Bette finished their conversation catching up on old times and revisiting memories past. After they were done Bette hung up smiling and she was actually looking forward to meeting Lindsays friends. From what she understood they were coming to town for a fundraiser to help the AIDS research and from what Lindsay told her about them they sounded like fun. She glanced at her watch and saw that she was late meeting the girls so she quickly gathered her things and headed out the door. Thirty minutes later she was at the Planet and already twenty minutes late meeting the girls. She scans the caf upon entering and immediately spots them sitting outside and quickly heads over. Alice, Shane and Dana greet Bette with smiles and hellos and Tina plants a kiss on her cheek as she sits down.

What Porterthey dont have clocks where you work?
Shut up Alicesorry Im late guysI got held up on a call
No problemeverything going okay baby?

Bette looked at Tina with a slightly guilty smile on her face. As understanding as Tina was about her past, she knew there were some things that Tina was more okay with than others.

Yeah everything is fine. Actually I was talking with an old friend, Lindsayshe has friends coming to town and she wanted to know if we could take them out one night

Tina just gave Bette a look while Alice and Shane immediately perked up. Alice leaned forward excitedly.

Cute Philly chicks huh? What are they like?
Hold on there tigertheyre of the male persuasionand they prefer them as well
Aw damnforget it thenso who are these girly men were supposed to chauffer around?
Brian Kinney
BRIAN KINNEY?

Alice looked like she might jump out of her seat with joy. Dana, Shane, Tina and even Bette looked at her like she was crazy and Alice looked at all their clueless expressions with frustration.

HELLOyou guys dont know who Brian Kinney is? Hes only one of the hottest new guys in advertising. Whats wrong with you people?
Calm down Aliceeven though hes hot remember hes also GAYso I dont think you have a chance
Who caresgay shmaywell just see about that

Everyone laughed and Alice just rubbed her hands together with a devilish smile on her face as the girls finished lunch and Bette headed back to work. A few hours later Bette was pulling into the driveway and she was exhausted. As she entered the house she could smell fettuccini and chicken simmering on the stove and her stomach started to growl. She set her stuff down and she took off her jacket as Tina appeared from the bathroom wiping her hands on a towel as she headed to the kitchen. She greeted Bette with a quick kiss on her lips and told her to sit down as she brought the food to the table. After a few minutes of eating Tina broke the silence and asked about the friends that Lindsay were sending over.

So you talked to Lindsay today? How is she?
Goodher and Mel are expecting their second soon
Oh really? How nice for themso what is she up to these days?

Bette chewed slowly and almost smiled to herself. Sometimes Tina could get jealous and when she did she was so cute about how she gets bitter when she hears about Bettes past. Bette swallowed and looked at her reassuringly.

Shes managing her own gallery now and shes having a blast. She was going to join her friends out here but she has a big show coming up so her and Mel arent making the trip.
Oh too bad
Yeah but she said her friends are coming out because they are taking place in a fundraiser for AIDS research. Some kind of Battle of the Sexes thing. They are taking on a ***** activist group from Long Beach. Supposedly there are teams coming from all over the country to compete in this
Yeah I think Alice was talking about it yesterday. Shes writing an article on it for her magazine but I think shes just excited about getting to see all the different teams and stake out her prey

Bette and Tina laughed as they thought about Alice and how she could be at times. After dinner they read quietly for a little while until it was time to get to bed. She had to get to the airport at eight in the morning to pick the guys up and Alice quickly offered to go with her to pick them up so she was going to be at her house bright and early. At seven thirty the next morning Alice was knocking on the door with two cups of coffee in hand and a big smile on her face. Bette gave her a half awake smile as they hit the road towards LAX. Alice had to drive separately since there were five guys arriving and Bette was sure she was going to suggest Brian ride with her. They got to the airport and parked and walked towards the baggage claim area and it was then that Bette just remembered something.

Hey Althis Brian Kinneydo you know what he looks like?
Yeahhes tall and thin with brown hairoh there he is

Alice pointed to a tall well-dressed guy walking with a shorter blonde haired guy. Following them were two other brunettes, one short and one slightly taller, and a very well dressed dirty blonde haired guy with sunglasses on who looked like he was ready for the nightlife of West Hollywood. Brian and company walked up to Bette and he took off his sunglasses looking her up and down.

You Bette Porter?
Yes hiyou must be Brianthis is AliceIts a good thing you knew what I looked like because Lindsay told me a lot about you but she forgot to mention what you look like

Bette and Alice laughed and the blonde boy joined in but Brian just looked bored. He smirked a little and looked at Bette pointedly.

Well she told me a lot about you too. And her physical description was right on.

Bette gave him a look while Alice just looked puzzled. Bette brushed his comment off and stuck out her hand to Brians blonde companion.

Hi Bette Porternice to meet you.
Hi Im Justinand this is Ted, and Emmett and Michael.
Hi

After the introductions were made they made their way out to the cars and soon they were heading towards the Four Seasons where the guys were staying. After some shuffling Alice had managed to get Brian and Justin in her car while Bette drove Ted, Emmett and Michael. On the ride over Alice tried to make small talk with Brian but she had definitely met her match.

So what do you guys think of LA?
Its nice
Nice and boringwhat do you people do out here anyways?

Alice shot Brian an evil look before turning back to concentrate on driving.

Well theres lots to do out here. Clubs, bars, shows, you name it we got it.
Whats the nightlife like?
Well I dont know what you might like but we usually go to Milkits a little bar in West Hollywood.
What are the people like?
Nice, mostly womenwith the occasional flamer. Why what do you guys do in Pittsburg?
We do what we want. Thats what makes it great. You knowthe freedom to do what you want with who you want when you want

He snickered at Alice and she just rolled her eyes. Her idea of what Brian Kinney was like was way off base and now she couldnt wait to get him out of her car and out of her life.

So Alice how come you girls arent in this fundraiser?
Brian leave her alonejeez
Shut up Justin and let her talk.

He looked expectantly at Alice who just shot him another evil glance as she continued to drive.

Well it wasnt advertised here and I didnt know about it until yesterday
Oh really? I thought a big city like this you dykes would have known all about it
Well better for you that were nototherwise wed cream your sorry ***** assno offense Justin.

Justin just shook his head as he listened to Alice and Brian banter back and forth. He knew what kind of a guy Brian was and he was pretty sure he was loving the fact that he was getting a reaction from Alice. Brian shifted in his seat to look at Alice.

Well then why dont you put your money where your mouth isthe Long Beach team dropped out so now theres an opening. Im sure the lesbians everywhere would be honored to have you representing them in this battle of the sexes.

Alice didnt say anything as she pulled into the driveway at the Four Seasons. She had just about enough of Brian Kinney and she was furious on the inside but calm and collected on the outside. They met up with Bette and the rest of the guys and as Bette and Alice said goodbye and walked back to their cars Alice turned and made a quick decision.

Hey Kinney
What?
Youre onyou guys are going down

He just snickered at her as he led the group into the hotel to check in. They had made plans to meet up for dinner later and Alice was already feeling the competitive side in her rising to the surface. Bette shot her a questioning look as she asked what that was about.

Were entering the competition Betteits on

Alice was already walking away talking on her cell phone as she told the girls the new plans. Bette sighed and followed Alice back to the car knowing it had been a mistake bringing Alice with her this morning. One thing was for sure thoughBrian and the rest of the boys from Pennsylvania better watch outAlice was on the warpath.