Bette has been frantically driving around trying to find Tina but to no avail. With each passing minute she grows more and more frantic, Where is she? Where is she? she kept repeating to herself, in a pleading voice, trying to choke back the tears. Finally she remembered that Tina liked to go to Santa Monica pier when she needed to think or clear her head.
Thats it! She must be there. God, please let her be there.

Tina was sitting at a bench on the pier staring out into the ocean. She was lost in thought, her tear strained face looking out at the dark Pacific Ocean as if she were going to find some answers within its cold depths. Tina heard a car drive up, but thought nothing off it. She was still trying to process what she had seen at the CAC. Was she dreaming? Was it just fears that led her to assume the worst? What was it? She was so consumed in trying to process everything that she didnt realize that it was Bettes car that had pulled up.

Bette had pulled into the piers parking lot, a small glimmer of relief coursed through her body when she saw Tinas car parked there. She quickly parked and got out, straining in the dim lighting to see Tina. Although her car was there, Bette still feared the worst. She began walking down, scanning the area for any sign of Tina. Finally she saw it. A woman with shiny blond hair sitting on a bench. Bettes heart felt as if it were going to burst out of her chest. She had found her, she had found her wife. Bette made her way over to the bench,
T?
No answer
T is that you? Are you all right? God I was so worried about you. Im glad I found you. Tears of relief now started to form in Bettes eyes, threatening to spill over.

Tina just turned to face Bette, her face stained with tears and quickly looked away. Bette felt her heart, which only moments ago wanted to leap from her chest, quickly drop to the pit of her stomach.
Baby, talk to me. Whats wrong? Are you okay? Please answer me T?
Bette how could you?
How could I what T? You have to tell me whats wrong, you have to talk to me.youre scaring me.
I saw you Bette. I saw you, tonight in your office with another woman. How could you? After everything we went through. Are you just going to throw it all away again? Am I not enough for you? Damn it Bette! Why?

Bette reached out to hold Tina in her arms, but Tina pushed her away. Bette was at a loss for words. What had she done to make Tina think that? Where was this all coming from? Bette composed herself, trying to hold back the tears as she responded to Tina,
Babe, you got it all wrong, its not what you think.
Really? (sarcastically) Then explain it to me Bette. Please tell me that what I saw wasnt true.

Bette proceeded to tell Tina about Stephanies mother. She explained to Tina that she had been in a car accident and was in the hospital. Stephanie had come to see Bette to ask for emergency family leave. What Tina had saw was Bette trying to comfort Stephanie and tell her that everything was going to be alright. She assured Tina that nothing was going on and that she would never again risk losing her. Tina turned to Bette, her eyes now with both relief and guilt.

God babe, Im sorry. Im so stupid for thinking that it was something else, for doubting you.
Its okay baby. I dont know what made you think that, but I have a feeling that this stress that you are under isnt helping. I mean youre trying to be there for me and my stresses, while having to deal with your own at work. And Im sure that me telling you about my dreams hasnt helped any. I was just so worried about you.
Your right, I guess I let everything get to me. And while Im thankful that you opened up to me about these dreams that youve been having, it stirred a lot of fears that I still had hiding within me. I feel like such a hypocrite. I sat there and told you that you cant let your fears from the past affect your future, how you needed to forgive yourself, and look at how I reacted when I saw you tonight with someone else. Babe Im sorry. (reaching a hand up to Bettes face)
God T, when I saw the flowers and the food on the floor I knew it mustve been you there in the halls. And when I couldnt find you I started to panic, part of me felt as if the dreams were coming true. I called Alshe pretty much bit my head off because you were crying. When she told me that she didnt have a clue where you were I felt as if my heart were being ripped out, there were so many thoughts running through my head. Im just glad that I found you and that youre safe. Promise me that youll never do that again. I mean we rebuilt our relationship around love and communication, and I dont ever want us to stop communicating again. I believe with all my heart that you are the strong one in our relationship, but even the strongest of people have their weak moments. It just so happens that we both fell victim to weak moments at the same time. Sometimes, no matter how much time has passed or how much forgiveness has been granted, the past creeps up on you, even if for only an instant. Life just wouldnt be life if there were no bumps in the road.
Your right baby. I guess its just another one of fates reminders, that not everything can be perfect. Sometimes you have to go through bad times to realize just how much the good times mean. Im just glad that we were able to be there for each other and that we dealt with this together. I keep telling you that you dont always have to be the strong one, and sometimes I forget to listen to my own advice. I wont ever doubt you again babyI love you. Im really sorry if I hurt you and Im sorry for making you worry. Itll never happen again.
Dont say never T, as much as Id like to agree with you and say never, we wont know for sure. Its part of lifeups and downs, peaks and valleysnothing is ever set in stone, and everything can change in an instant. I just want to make certain that we always face what ever life throws at us together.
We will Bette, we will. I love you.
I love you too T, know what say we get home. Its getting chilly out here and I dont think either of us can afford to get sick right now.
Can we stay just a few more minutes Bette? I just want to stand here for a while.
Sure baby (wrapping her arms around Tina)
Mmmmm, that feels good.

Tina turns around to face Bette and look into her beautiful brown eyes, the sound of waves crashing in the background. Tina can tell that she practically scared the ***** out of Bette as the surges of guilt pass through her mind.
Baby can you ever forgive me for being stupid and childish?
I dont know Tare you sorry? (with a lusty, but playful smirk as she bent over to kiss Tina)
Yes definitely. God yes baby, Im sorry

Tina pulls Bette in for a passionate kiss. Their lips press together, joined in a kiss filled with such love, such power, such passion, that they could feel how much they meant to one another. Their love had leaped another hurdle that life had thrown in their path. They each felt that every obstacle that they conquered together, helped to fortify the love that they already shared, because love can move mountains.
They stood there wrapped in each others loving embracefeeling the love they shared coursing through their bodies. Gazing out into the dark ocean, no words were spoken. Their hearts beating together as one

TBC