The morning brought a simultaneous awareness to both women as to what had occurred almost all night long. The front of Bette's body pressed up against Helena's back. Their legs were tangled together as well as with the sheets, sticky from having been skin to skin for so long. The fingers of Helena's right hand were intertwined with those of Bette's left, Bette having flung her arm deliberately over Helena's body at some point when they were finally drifting to sleep.

Bette was barely awake as she cuddled in closer. Her eyes shot open as she realized what had transpired. She contemplated her options. Should she pretend she was still asleep? Should she slowly try to extricate herself from her entanglement?

"I know you're awake Bette, I just felt you tense up," Helena said quietly. She realized that even though this was something she had been fantasizing about for years didn't mean Bette was going to be all that thrilled with what had happened.

Helena turned to lie on her back and tilted her head over to look Bette in the eye.

"Do you have regrets?" Helena asked cautiously.

Bette glanced across at their hands, still linked together, and then returned Helena's gaze.

She pondered how to put her thoughts into words. This was the last place she expected to be.

"How can I regret something that felt so good," Bette finally said, resignedly.

Helena could not keep a smirk from playing across her features. She lifted their hands up together as she did another quarter turn to face her body towards Bette's.

"It was even better than I'd ever imagined it could be," she said quietly. She couldn't afford the time it took to play any games in this situation. She simply wanted Bette to know she had no regrets. She watched Bette react to this admission and a realization swept over her. "Oh my God, you're blushing!"

"No I'm not," Bette said seriously, attempting by sheer force of will to keep the flush from consuming her.

"Are you embarrassed you didn't know that I wanted you or are you embarrassed that you succumbed to something you didn't even know you wanted?" Helena asked, as a self-satisfied grin became the hallmark of her countenance.

"It's more than a bit disconcerting to have something happen that's so contrary to anything you ever thought defined your personality," Bette admitted.

"But Bette," Helena brought her hand up to her lips and placed a kiss on Bette's fingertips. "Wasn't it just so fucking hot"

"Absolutely," Bette replied. She felt her body responding to the desire in Helena's voice.

Helena moved forward tentatively.

Bette felt no such need to be cautious. She pulled her hand from Helena's grip and ran it down her side.

"I want you too," Bette said. "You don't have to keep your desire to yourself any more."

Their lips made contact, and soon they were completely caught up in how their bodies and minds were requesting more of the same.

"I loved how your screams practically shook the walls down last night," Bette said between kisses.

"In the past, you've only existed as a lover in my mind," Helena replied. "I could hardly believe you were better than what my imagination could conjure."

Bette paused in her actions for a moment.

"So, you've been fantasizing about sleeping with me?" she requested confirmation of what Helena had already admitted to multiple times.

"Bette, I've fantasized about sleeping with you, making love with you, fucking you and any other incarnation of a physical liaison that comes to mind, and it's always been phenomenal," Helena said quietly. "But when you touched me for the first time last night, I knew I was in trouble."

"I think we might both be in a little trouble," Bette concurred.

"But I don't care," Helena said. "As long as this is what I think it is."

"And what do you think it is?" Bette asked, as her fingertips played across Helena's brow.

"Something to cherish, however brief or long it may last."

Bette simply answered her with another kiss.

"Make love to me," Helena asked.

The request was a simple one, laced with hope, and moved Bette deeply. This woman, so full of passion, wanted her and only her. And she was glad to be able to offer of herself, and forget for a moment the betrayal that started it all.

**************

Bette's hair was still damp from the shower as she fastened her second cuff link. It had been a long time since she had dressed in the same clothes on two successive days.

"You can stay and relax for the day Bette," Helena repeated her earlier offer. "Let me take care of you for a change - you're so accustomed to taking care of those around you."

"I can't just run away from my problems," Bette replied. "And I have commitments. I'm meeting with the Board of Directors at the Museum of Contemporary Art this afternoon. It might not be exactly what I want, but I have to make a living."

"Will I see you later?" Helena asked.

"I'd like to see you later," Bette replied. "But I'll call you to let you know. I don't want Tina to think I'm just moving out of our house because of her little revelation."

"You have my cell number Bette," Helena said. "That's the easiest way to get in touch with me."

"I think I've discovered a few ways to get in touch with you over the past day or so," Bette said with a smile.

"That you have," agreed Helena. It was her turn to blush.

"Helena, I hate to ask this, but can we"

"Keep this quiet for now?" Helena suggested.

"I'm sorry, it's just that" Bette started to explain her reasoning for making the request.

"Don't worry Bette," Helena waved off Bette's explanation. "We both have reasons for wanting to keep this to ourselves."

"It's not that I'm ashamed of what happened," Bette said.

"I know that," Helena agreed. "You're justsurprised at it, that's all."

"I think that might be construed as an understatement," Bette said. She decided to carry on to say what was on her mind. "Two months ago I could hardly stand the sight of you. And now, there's just so much going on in my head, I don't know what thought to think first."

Helena walked over and stood face to face with Bette as she took both hands in her own.

"There's no hurry," Helena said. "There's nothing for us to decide and no need for anyone else to know. Let's enjoy it, not anticipate what the future holds."

"Okay," Bette agreed. "I'll try to take that advice to heart."

"Have a good day," Helena said as she released Bette's hands.

Bette felt so odd at what she was contemplating doing next, but knew it was what she wanted to do.

She brought her hands up to hold Helena's face gently, and leaned in to kiss her goodbye. She let her forehead rest against Helena's after their lips parted.

"Thank you," Bette said quietly.

"For what?"

"For being here for me," Bette replied.