When the intercom buzzer went off, Bette was lying on Tina's couch, wondering what it meant for her and Tina if they did work this out. If they were ever going to be able to get that trust back, what did it imply? She knew Tina wanted to stay in New York. She knew Tina still had that offer to work on both coasts, but the head office was still in New York, she would still be spending more time here than out west. But based on the reason why Bette was even here, she was afraid of the possibility of being with Tina, have one fight, then wake up the next morning to find Tina gone. This was such a headache, simply because she loved Tina too much to let her go, and at the same time knowing that Tina was better off away from LA. Except LA was where Bette was based. And based on Tina's confession earlier, Bette now knew that as much as Tina loved her, Tina was too afraid to go without a safety net.

She held up today's prop of choice, a simple gold band that held as much meaning as the one she wore on a chain around her neck. Before Tina went inside her room, she'd taken Bette's hand, and placed it there. She'd had a single, simple instruction: "Tell me I deserve it."

Bette frowned when the buzzer rang again, and sat up. She went to Tina's bedroom door, and knocked. "Tee?"

"Bathroom." Tina's voice answered, prompting Bette to turn, and recognize the bathroom door.

"Your buzzer's... buzzing."

"Shit, that might be Ally. Tell her to fuck off."

"I am not telling her to fuck off."

"Why not?"

Because she's scary, Bette thought.

"Bette, trust me. Tell her to fuck off."

Bette frowned. "T, I really don't think--"

She was cut off by the door opening, and found Alison and a tall handsome guy striding into the apartment.

"Tina! Honey, we're home!" Alison hollered. She turned to the guy. "Gabe, where's your woman?"

'Gabe' grinned, and turned to go to Tina's bedroom, stopping dead at the sight of Bette. "Whoa."

"What--" Alison turned, and saw Bette. "Hey. Where's Tina?"

Bette mutely pointed to the bathroom door, still wondering about the 'your woman' matter regarding 'Gabe'.

Gabriel noticed. "No, no. I'm gay. When we go out and we're not in the mood to shop around, Tina and I pretend to be an old married couple."

"Which they are." Alison told Bette. "Gabe, meet Bette Porter. Bette Porter, this is Gabriel, the lesser being in this whole myriad of drama."

"Tina's assistant." Gabe offered Bette his hand for a handshake.

"Boring." Alison declared as she placed the paperbag on the kitchen counter and strode towards the bathroom door. "Tina Kennard! What are you doing in there?"

"Planning your funeral, Blondie." Was Tina's reply. "I'm in the tub."

Alison and Gabriel immediately shot Bette a look.

"Boss, if you're in there naked and in warm water, why is Bette out here?" Alison inquired.

"Because she chose to brood about us." Tina said. "Excuse me, I'm trying to relax in here."

"So can Gabe and I torture her?"

"Be my guest." Tina replied. "Just keep her in one piece, okay?"

Alison beamed, which actually frightened Bette. She took Bette's arm, and dragged her out to Tina's couch. Bette stared at Alison, who despite her thin frame, was surprisingly strong.

"So what's going on?" Alison asked, looking up just as Gabriel tossed her a can of soda.

Bette hesitated. Just because they've met earlier didn't mean she was going to tell this woman everything. Especially since Alison was reminding her of Alice.

"B. Honestly. You think there's anything Tina hasn't told us about your relationship?"

"We know she loves it when you let her be the top in your relationship," Gabriel offered.

"We know how you cheated on her weeks after the miscarriage."

"We know you never let her kiss you in front of your father."

"How you used to hold your hand out to her as you leave a place."

"How you promised her forever when her parents practically disowned her," Gabriel added.

"How you--"

"Okay! Geez. Stop it." Bette shook her head. "So you apparently know everything."

"Especially how she loves it when you taste her skin." Alison couldn't help but add. She nodded in approval. "Nice."

"God, she might as well have shown you the tapes," Bette muttered.

Alison and Gabriel stared at each other, then at Bette. "There are tapes?"

Bette kicked herself.

"Tina is such a freak, I knew it." Alison grinned.

"You were going to torture me?" Bette reminded.