"For?"

"Coming out with me tonight. You didn't have to."

"And leave you to those art types?" Bette grinned. "Never."

"I was going to ask Alice," Tina reminded.

"Even worse," Bette remarked. "Um... you want something to drink? I'm sure I have water."

"Okay." Tina nodded.

As Bette went to prepare two glasses of water, she was oblivious to Tina watching her every move. That suit, like most of Bette's form-fitting suits, set off her form in ways that made people want her. Tina, history and all, was not immune to the effects of it. She let her gaze drift down to...

"You're looking at my ass, aren't you?"

Tina's gaze shot up, in time for Bette to turn to face her. "What? No."

"T, come on. I know that look. I'm hot, and you want me."

"I resent that."

"So you weren't looking at my ass?"

Tina turned a shade of red that told Bette what she wanted to know.

"It's hot in here, don't you think?" Bette asked, taking her coat off, teasing Tina some more. If she couldn't have Tina, she was at least going to have some fun with her.

Oh God. Tina bit her lower lip as the vest of a thousand strings presented itself again. Oh she needed to get out of here. "You know what, it's late. I probably should go..."

"Already?"

"I have an early start tomorrow..."

"It's Saturday. And you already said your flight's not 'til Monday morning." Bette was well aware of what Tina was doing, and if the blonde thought she was going to get off light after that "going down" comment earlier, she had another thought coming.

Tina tried to avoid looking at Bette, especially at that stupid vest. "I know, but you must be tired, and..."

"I haven't seen you in over a month." Bette said softly, for one moment dropping the teasing.

"Not since..." Tina stopped herself. Not since the last time she'd been in LA, the last night of which she'd spent in bed with Bette Porter.

"I've missed you, T." Bette said, handing her the glass of water.

"I've missed you too." Tina shared.

Long silence.

"Come here," the two said together, setting aside their glasses of water, and welcoming the other into their arms, their lips and mouths meeting without hesitation.

Tina broke away first. "Just so we're clear--"

"Not reconciliation." Bette filled in. "And certainly not together."

"And--" Tina began again.

"Still friends." Bette finished.

"Well, now that's cleared up," Tina grinned, as Bette slowly led her to the bedroom.

_{* The vest in question is the one Bette is wearing in s2 ep 3, after her car accident, during the meeting at The CAC.}