the question before the house is 'Why did Bette cheat on Tina, the love of her life?'"
"She's a horn-dog," Alice said simply, also drunk enough to be fearless.
"Alice!" exclaimed Bette.
"What? You told me yourself that you just couldn't help it. It was all about the sex."
"Alice!" yelled Shane. Alice subsided slightly under the outraged disapproval of her dearest friends.
"What was Candace like?" asked Helena, genuinely curious and wanting to stir things up at the same time.
"Now she was butch," Alice said with emphasis and winked broadly at Helena and then at Shane. At this point the blonde seemed to get confused and winked at a total stranger who was walking past. He winked back.
"Look! He's cute" she called out happily.
"Candace was not butch," Bette contradicted firmly if slightly too late. Her voice had become very precise - a sure sign that Bette Porter was feeling her martini. "She was cute too."
Her three companions all noted the slightly wistful voice with varying degrees of surprise. Alice made a face.
"Personally, I couldn't see the cuteness but she was butch, a really butchy butch in her overalls and sawdust."
Bette smiled slowly remembering. "She could be butch when it was called for but she cleaned up real good too. She was confident, capable and knew what she wanted."
"Yeah right. We all know what she wanted," Alice said scornfully though her eyes were threatening to bug out. Bette had never discussed Candace.
"She gave me every chance to walk away Alice. I was totally to blame and I won't pretend that somehow I was seduced by an evil temptress. It was all my fault. How often do you think someone can say that in a lifetime before it loses any meaning?"
Helena cocked a quizzical eyebrow at Shane who shrugged. Bette was getting maudlin.
"Was she good in bed?" Alice blurted out and then immediately withdrew the question. "Sorry, stupid question. You fucked her for six weeks. She must have been good."
"Did you love her?" Shane asked while gazing into her drink seemingly dreading the answer.
"No!" Bette half chortled as though disbelieving that anyone could ask her that question.
"So it was all about the sex then," Helena suggested quietly watching Bette's face. A shadow of confusion marred the beautiful face but Bette didn't contradict her.
Any opportunity to press the issue was lost when Jenny rolled up, Max in tow. They had been arguing. It was obvious from their tight unsmiling faces, lack of greetings and their careful choices of seating on opposite sides of the small table necessitating everyone shuffling their chairs to accommodate the new arrivals.
"Oh great," groaned Alice undiplomatically. "What is wrong with you two?"
"I'm sorry everyone," said Jenny coldly. "This person insisted on coming with me and not taking himself out of my life forever. I have nothing to say to him but you can tell him that I do not want those drunken animals he calls friends in our home again."
"Shut the fuck up," Max exploded.
Shane took her usual role of peacemaker and restrained Max with a hand on the shoulder. "Cool it guys. Max, help me get some more drinks."
Bette was now sitting close beside Helena. She was watching the bickering facsimile of a straight couple with a sad puzzled look on her face. She leaned over and murmured quietly in the Briton's ear "Why would Tina want that?"
"Don't ask me darling" Helena replied, shrugging her elegant shoulders. "All that role-playing would kill me. Now if you'll excuse me I think it's time I introduced myself to that unfortunate blonde that you abandoned."
She stood up and straightened her clothes.
Bette looked up at the Briton. "I see your recently professed attraction for me was time-limited" she drawled cynically.
Helena glanced down and smiled lovingly. "Not at all but firstly I promised to keep out of your way for a few days and secondly I have been sitting in close proximity to you for a couple of hours which was very enjoyable but ultimately frustrating. I am only human Bette. I'll call you in a few days to see how it goes with Angelica."
Bette smiled and this time it was the full genuine Bette Porter smile - a very sweet, slightly drunken, dazzling smile. Helena swallowed and placed her hand against the wall. Bette was explaining something.
"I may even get her Saturday for two hours if we can work it out. I'm going to take her to the beach."
"That's great. As I said I'll call. Bye."
Helena had to squeeze between the adjacent wall and Bette's chair to get out. She was stopped by Bette's arm barring the way.
"Do you have your children this weekend?"
Helena nodded, suddenly hopeful about where this might be going.
"Would you like to come to the beach with us? We could make it a family day, perhaps ask Shane and Alice. They could help with the child minding, swimming, sand-castles and so forth."
"I'd like that very much."
"Good. See you then."
Helena said her goodbyes to the rest of the table, assured Alice that Bette would see her safely home and then made her way towards the table where the hot blonde was still sitting. She caught the woman's eye. Smiling, Helena allowed her eyes to stray over the woman, checking her out. She was on the final approach when she suddenly felt all wrong, knowing that Bette was watching her. She smiled regretfully at the blonde who looked confused and then annoyed as Helena passed her by heading for the exit.
06/04/2006 ,
21:09:51 PM From:
smiley Comments:
I really really loved this! Still not on the belena ship but damn this was good! I like your anaylsis on Tibette! You must continue even if it's B&H!
06/04/2006 ,
21:18:35 PM From:
SydneyWade Comments:
This was really a great chapter!! I like your theory on the Tibette relationship. It rings very true if you ask me. You've portrayed their characters so true to the show. I can't wait for the next chapter.
06/04/2006 ,
22:13:23 PM From:
poohhoney67 Comments:
great story! love the new gang already. can't wait to see where you take this.
06/04/2006 ,
22:31:29 PM From:
Emae29 Comments:
Damn that was good! Oh please continue with this story! I like it!
06/04/2006 ,
22:55:20 PM From:
bettyvhall Comments:
Helena is very honest with Bette, I;m a Tina and Bette fan. will always be but Everybody needs someone,might as well Be Bette and Helena. thanks
06/04/2006 ,
23:36:43 PM From:
Seahurst Comments:
That was absolutely fabulous!!!! Please, please continue! Thanks!
06/05/2006 ,
11:01:36 AM From:
meltam8 Comments:
i don't comment much but this story is great, i'm not keen on bette and helena as a couple, i prefer them as friends, but if that's the way the story's heading, go for it
06/05/2006 ,
15:23:40 PM From:
curioust Comments:
WOW! You fill-in lot of questions from the show and also leave the door open for any potential relationship. My romantic heart wants a B&T reconciliation, but will probably tune in to what ever you have next. Thanks.
06/06/2006 ,
11:47:15 AM From:
annieb69 Comments:
great job, you had my full attention, from beginning to end.....can't wait for more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
06/06/2006 ,
14:20:38 PM From:
coop Comments:
That was great, but I so need more.
06/09/2006 ,
01:19:36 AM From:
techgal Comments:
Excellent! Excellent! Mah-vel-ous, dahling! So on point! You explain the inexplicable! Really, really, sincerely I loved this. I mean it! Where have you been???? Thank you!
08/07/2006 ,
00:55:45 AM From:
azmama Comments:
Congrats on your award. I never read this before. You did an outstanding job writing this. I hope you have written other stories. The dialogue was pitch perfect. I loved this.
09/18/2006 ,
23:57:52 PM From:
Speed_Racer Comments:
I really enjoyed this first chapter. Every one was pitch perfect. Great start.
02/24/2007 ,
06:48:39 AM From:
Squirl Comments:
I've has to start from the begining since you've picked up your story again. Great story so far
