"I've said I'm sorry. I try to promise..." Bette hesitated. She's said all those words repeatedly before. She looked at Tina's ring.

"We're leaving." Alison decided, recognizing the look of enlightenment on Bette's expression.

Bette looked up as Alison and Gabriel made their way to the bathroom door.

"Tina, you're shriveling up in there! We brought mexican, enjoy it while it's still hot. Beer, soda, and ice cream are in the fridge." Alison yelled at her through the bathroom door.

"Wait!" Tina opened the door, clad only in a towel. Steam billowed out from the room. She smiled at Alison and Gabriel. "Thanks for everything."

"It's just food," Alison replied.

"Knowing you're here." Tina kissed Alison's cheek, then Gabriel's. "I love you guys."

Bette couldn't help but notice that in New York, saying 'I love you' seemed to come more naturally to Tina.

"I think I'm gonna cry," Alison mocked.

"Our baby's all grown up," Gabriel joked.

"Now, go away." Tina commanded. "I'm all fresh and clean--"

"And silky smooth, too." Gabriel noted, running his hand on her arm. "What's your secret?"

"Knowing when to go away?" Tina retorted, glaring at him.

"Okay. So we'll see you." Alison nodded. "Breakfast tomorrow?"

"Tell Shannen. And Amy." Tina nodded. "Now you two have to go away."

"What?" Gabe shook his head. "We just got here."

Tina looked at them pointedly. "Go. Away." She reiterated.

Bette had turned and witnessed the whole exchange, and was surprised to see how Tina's last two words got the desired effect. Because Alison and Gabriel actually looked scared as they scrambled for the door.

"Ally! You're blocking the way!"

"Did you really have to remove your coat?" Alison shot back.

Two seconds later the door was shut behind them. Tina rolled her eyes, shook her head, and turned for her bedroom.

"Tee?" Bette called after her.

"Not now, Bette, I'm only wearing a towel."

"Which is sort of the whole point."

Tina paused, and turned. "Excuse me?"

"You've played your mind games long enough. Right now, you're vulnerable. I need to know one thing."

Tina watched warily as Bette approached. "What?"

"Can I stay here?"

Tina hesitated. "Pardon?"

"When I move out here, is it okay if I stay here with you?"

Maybe she'd soaked in that tub way too long. Tina felt like she was hearing things. "Say what?"

Bette smiled. "I want to be here with you."

"But---"

"I thought about it, trust me. Many, many times in the past, and just now. In case you think this is hasty," Bette said quickly. "This has gone on too long, T. And I promise I heard everything you said earlier. And there's no point to you letting me go if I can't let you go. So let's stay here."

"You--"

"I want to be where you are. I know it's a rough road ahead, but I figure if we're together, there's nothing we can't handle."

"Bette, we're diff---"

"No, we're not." Bette shook her head. "Deep down, we're not. I've meant everything I said the past few weeks, T. I love who you are. And if there are changes, I want to know them. Give me the chance to recognize them."

"But LA--"

"I can't risk the idea of you leaving whenever you want to. Let's stay here." Bette smiled weakly. "I already don't want to leave anyway. And deep down you know I'm never going to leave you, or let you go, and this way it's your rules. Your safety net."