Reunion Challenge: You are the best I ever had

Unofficial JLBT challenge #1 – Part 5B (Finale)

Helena’s house (cont.)

“Okay, explain it to me again…from the beginning,” Helena asked gently after Tina calmed down and settled on the big chair. Dylan put the twins to bed and came down to the family room as well, ready to comfort their distraught visitor. “What happened?”

“Bette went to her place to get change of clothes and she was suppose to come right back. After two hours I couldn’t wait any longer. Last time Bette was that late when she received news about her father. I was worried and went to her condo. The door was unlocked and I just walked in…I saw them, sitting on Bette’s sofa, hugging and then Bette kissed her and I recognized Alice. They didn’t even see me, so I left. I trust her, I do…I just felt insecure again, like I was going to lose her…I couldn’t bear to see…” Tina’s voice trailed off as she got up and began pacing again, new tears coming down.

Helena gently pulled her towards the couch where she was sitting, “Tina, you have to calm down…I’m sure it’s nothing.” She hugged the devastated blonde and then kissed her on the forehead.

Tina suddenly tensed and then gasped as if she had an epiphany. “Oh my God…I think that’s what was happening. Bette was just comforting her. Now that I think about it…Alice did look a little…”

“Red, puffy eyes, tear-stained cheeks, messy hair?” Helena asked with smile.

“How do you know?”

“All I need to do is to look at you.”

“I’m a mess, am I?” Tina smiled as well.

“Yes, you are, darling.”

“And I’m an idiot.”

“Can’t agree with you more.”

“Did Bette ever give you a reason not to trust her?” Dylan asked, giving Helena a warning look, trying to keep her partner from having too much fun at their friend’s expense.

“No…never. She has this set of rules and she told me once that she could break them all for me…except one.”

Both Helena and Dylan were quiet, waiting for Tina to continue.

“Never to cheat while in a relationship with someone,” Tina sighed and felt her tears coming back, this time feeling guilty for jumping to conclusions.

“Are you in a relationship or in the ‘fuck buddies’ stage?” Helena enquired, already knowing the answer.

“Definitely relationship…we were moving in together tonight,” Tina shook her head at her own stupidity. “Oh, I’m such an idiot.”

“Well, here’s your answer, darling. Go home to your sex goddess and be happy.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Tina gave them both a hug. “Thank you for putting up with me for so long.”

“That’s what friends are for, darling,” Helena smiled at her affectionately. “Don’t forget to ask me to be the best maid at your wedding and we can call it even.”

“Helena, you’re so bad,” Dylan laughed when Tina left. “What can I do to punish you for being such an ass sometimes? Bedroom…now…choose your punishment.”

“I love you too,” Helena was already on her way upstairs.

~~~~~~~~

Tina drove straight home, anxious to see Bette and talk to her. The house was dark when she arrived but Tina was confident that Bette will be back soon.

She turned on the lights in the living room and stopped dead on her tracks. Right there, lying half naked on the couch was Jenny. Her ex-lover smiled innocently and said in a sweet voice, “Surprise.”

“Jenny…what the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?” Tina could feel her anger rising quickly. “And for God’s sakes, put your clothes back on.”

“I still have a key so I let myself in,” Jenny put her shirt back on and sat straight on the sofa, leaning back in a seductive pose and slowly crossing her legs that were clad in a fish-net stockings.

“What are you doing here?” Tina repeated, ignoring Jenny’s attempts to seduce her when she noticed that the message machine’s light was blinking.

“I just want to apologize for my inexcusable behavior. I was wrong to blame you and I hope you can forgive me. I still love you, Tina and I want you back.”

“You…want me back?” Tina’s surprise was so genuine that she forgot all about her anger. She laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation and hit the message button to silence Jenny’s annoying rumblings about her deep feelings.

She played Bette’s message twice, smiling to herself and was startled at Jenny’s furious voice, “Who is this? Your new girlfriend? Are you cheating on me?”

“Jenny, we’re not together anymore. You left me…you moved out and I moved on.”

“I was just giving you some time and space because we were arguing. I never said we broke up.”

“Are you kidding me?” the anger came back and with that came a very strong desire to see Bette and be held by her.

They were staring at each other while the tension was growing, and Tina sighed with relief when she heard a knock on the front door.

“I’m so happy you’re back,” Tina kissed Bette on her lips and nodded at Alice. “You won’t believe who showed up while I was gone.”

They all went back to the room but before Tina had chance to introduce the unwelcome intruder, Alice asked angrily, “What is Jenny fucking Schecter doing here?”

“Hello…Pieszecki,” Jenny smirked but stopped smiling when she saw the murderous look on Alice’s face.

“This is Jenny…my ex,” Tina replied, confused at the unexpected animosity between Alice and Jenny.

“Tina…this is Alice…Alice, this is my girlfriend, Tina,” Bette introduced them automatically and raised her eyebrows as if questioning Tina about Jenny’s appearance.

Tina shook her head and Bette turned to Alice, “Al, how do you know each other?” she was as confused as Tina and was watching their ex-lovers intently, ready to stop the impending fight.

“About 8 months ago Dana and I were in New York,” Alice began slowly, keeping her eyes on Jenny. “Dana was scheduled to appear on David Letterman show. Miss Schecter here pretended to be a reporter for a Curve magazine and requested an ‘exclusive’ interview. She knew Dana and I were involved and still she tried to seduce her and then blamed Dana for making a first move.”

“When was this again?” Tina asked, doing a quick math in her head.

“About 8 months ago…”

“You were in New York, meeting with Simon&Schuster editor…Gertrude something. Did you try to seduce her too?”

Jenny’s face went all red and Tina gasped, “Gertrude…Gertie? The one who was calling you constantly after you got home?”

“Tina…I’m sorry. It was a mistake…an accident actually and clearly, you still have feelings for me or you wouldn’t be so jealous…”

“Shut up, Jenny…just shut up and leave. I’m not jealous…I have to be in love to be jealous and I was never in love with you. Please, leave…now.”

“Yeah, leave and don’t let the door hit you in your bony little ass,” Alice added grudgingly.

Jenny looked at their faces and knew that it would be wise for her to leave. She grabbed the rest of her clothes and went to the front door, mumbling under her nose, “It’s not over…”

“Oh, this is so over,” Bette said calmly, looking after Jenny’s retreating back. “Don’t you ever come here and bother Tina again or you will have to deal with me.”

“And don’t forget to leave the key,” Tina said, following Jenny to the front door.