“You are a doctor.  I mean, they make a load of cash, have you ever seen how much they charge for a check up?”  Dana interjected, making a face as Lara kissed her softly.

            “I’ve been there before; I worked there once or twice.”  Lara admitted and Dana looked at her, stunned.  Lara whispered something to her and Dana paled for a moment and then said nothing more.

            “Tell us Sam, I’d like to hear what you have to say.”  Bette urged and Candace gave her a steely look.

            “Yeah, but my family has money.  My mom was wealthy.”  Sam explained vaguely.  Bette dug into her briefcase and began to read.

            “More like she had billions.  Your father, Gardner Vance owns an advertising agency that you own 55% of.  Your mother died when you were 12, which is when you seemed to have thrown yourself into your studies.  At that time you became the heiress to a multi billion dollar empire, that includes oil, real estate, car dealerships, race tracks, international airlines, and a very lucrative construction business.”  Bette read from the paper’s she’d pulled from her brief case.  The plane was in a shocked silence, all staring open mouthed at Sam, then at Bette.

            “The internet what a lovely device.”  Sighed Sam, trying not to look at anyone, she was embarrassed that she hadn’t been able to tell Tina this alone.  Even Alice hadn’t known how wealthy she was.

            “You’re rich?  Truly rich?”  Tina asked, swallowing that pill of information.

            “Filthy.”  Sam stated ruefully.

            “Can I borrow a few bucks?  I’ve been wanting to upgrade my wardrobe.”  Ivan quipped, and the room erupted in laughter, except for Bette and Sam.  The two women were just staring at each other, neither of them wavering for a moment, a small smile played on Sam‘s lips.  She gave Bette her due, she was good.  She wondered how good.

            “Why did you check up on her Bette?” Tina asked, not sure of her motives.  After all that they’d been through, from the loss of the baby, to Bette’s infidelity, and Shane’s death and resurrections, Bette still felt like she had to be in charge.  The protector and the provider.  Sam was stepping on her toes, and Bette was striking back.  Tina sighed at the horrid thought.