"You clearly don't," Tina said simply. "I didn't have the strength to leave, Bette. I was just too weak to stay."
Bette looked up.
"Strong is fighting. To see you everyday, face my mistakes and to deal with everything that could have made us stronger." Tina sighed. "I couldn't do that. I didn't have it in me to do that, and that's why I left."
"I thought you couldn't stand the sight of me."
"But not for the reasons you think." Tina sat back down. "My instinct has always been to run to you. If I'd stayed, I would've come running back to you, and forget that there's a reason why we fell apart in the first place."
Bette glanced at her. "So why now? Why are we doing this?"
"Because when we talk about each other, when we think about our lives, the last time we saw each other can't be the night of Provocations, or that fight."
Tina paused, briefly, the emotions crashing into each other again, whenever she thought of that night. Everything falling apart, and all she wanted was for Bette to hold her, to remind her that they were more than what had just happened.
And it had not been enough.
"Tee," Bette said gently, seeing Tina wince, herself more than aware of what was going through Tina's mind.
Tina turned back to her. "So we'll have this night. We'll talk, we'll have some fun. All the while knowing it'll end, and it'll be on our terms."
Bette was silent.
"Bette?"
"Do you want it to end?"
Tina smiled at her. "Of course not."
Bette sighed with both relief and sadness. "But it'll have to. Separate lives, and everything."
"Yes."
Bette glanced at her. "I hate that everything is on your terms."
Tina smiled weakly. "You can't always be in control."
06/29/2007 ,
13:18:50 PM From:
StormyOne Comments:
My heart is hurting. I hope things work out for them, and Tina's daughter is named after Bette..
06/29/2007 ,
13:19:14 PM From:
fortlw Comments:
Love it.
06/29/2007 ,
13:19:34 PM From:
funnyone Comments:
Sort of like a delicate dance on shards of glass.
06/29/2007 ,
13:21:54 PM From:
ZLFan Comments:
Well, I am glad that my story can bring some clarity to you as you venture on with this great story. I love that Tina WANTS to make their parting different, although I am uncertain that this meeting will end in an actual parting... I am absolutely loving it. There are tons of questions filling my head namely, how old is her daughter? and does Tina have a "helena" or someone like that in her life? This is very interesting! Please continue, and soon if you don't mind!
06/29/2007 ,
13:30:39 PM From:
Jobadge Comments:
I second Funnyone's comment - brilliant and heartbreaking aren't meant to go together in the same sentence, but you have it finely tuned!
06/29/2007 ,
13:39:37 PM From:
westalea Comments:
This makes me SO SAD :( Soooooooo sad :(
06/29/2007 ,
13:46:22 PM From:
mc Comments:
I am finding Tina a bit more than controlling - it seems almost mean to come back and open it up again to say another goodbye and that's what I would say if I was Bette.
06/29/2007 ,
13:46:53 PM From:
Audi Comments:
I love this.. but it is so incredibly sad to read. Because no matter if things go well between them.. there is still this looming cloud over their heads. I hope that Bette goes after her.. when their night ends. James can run the Porter Gallery.. while the Porter attempts to be happy.
06/29/2007 ,
13:58:51 PM From:
Chicki Comments:
Tiff, this is a masterpiece of emotions, vulernability, ownership, and probability. You have weaved the storyline in such a delicate way, and you once again, have my complete attention. PPS.
06/29/2007 ,
14:13:19 PM From:
Lgirl87 Comments:
This was such a hertbreaking one... So T has a daughter... she doesn't happen to be a mini-Bette, does she? Please post soon!!
06/29/2007 ,
14:23:58 PM From:
AngelDana Comments:
Don't let it end :'(
06/29/2007 ,
14:35:07 PM From:
Lamentamini Comments:
This better have a happy TiBette ending. I already filled my quota for the year with the one story that seemed hopeful and in the end, well, it didn't go the "right" way (not naming names =P). Anyone, just this one night won't be enough and they both know it.
06/29/2007 ,
14:55:10 PM From:
Gumby Comments:
Well hello there back Tiff! LOL! I love this, it has so many emotions and so strange to think of them as giving themselves the ending they deserved, but I don't think it'll end there will it? It couldn't, not between Bette and Tina and isn't that the point? Thanks for the post!
06/29/2007 ,
15:07:39 PM From:
McFracky Comments:
I'm SO into this story already - please do continue - your writing is delicious.
06/29/2007 ,
15:22:07 PM From:
wizard1 Comments:
Welcome back. Missed your writing. Let me say that I once won a coat from a "Buffy" auction. Close your eyes would have beeb a good title. Thanks for taking the time.
06/29/2007 ,
15:29:13 PM From:
M99 Comments:
I have hope for Tina and Bette. Thanks
06/29/2007 ,
16:01:16 PM From:
jp22 Comments:
One night isn't anywhere near enough. Thanks for the post, and yes, keep them coming.
06/29/2007 ,
16:07:22 PM From:
lwordid Comments:
Please, please continue. If begging helps, this note should count. So happy to see you're writing again. Thank you. More please. Please?
06/29/2007 ,
16:53:44 PM From:
Rau Comments:
I just knew T had a daughter...and is it from Marcus I wonder? Never mind at least she has someone to love her BUT I don't want this night to be it !!! for them...they are in-love!!!! YOU CAN FIX THIS...as always I am in-love with your story....superb...pps
06/29/2007 ,
17:16:55 PM From:
Babysis Comments:
I`ve been waiting for your writting. Please don`t make my tibbete heart suffer. Is so good to have yu back! As always a humble reader
06/29/2007 ,
17:27:49 PM From:
andreaulens Comments:
yes plz continue but don't let them go they're seprate ways...i'm loving it
06/29/2007 ,
18:18:48 PM From:
wildtouch Comments:
hell yea to be continued......i cant wait.....
06/29/2007 ,
18:29:17 PM From:
brighteyez07 Comments:
I can see this slowly weaving into an emotionally enticing master piece.
06/29/2007 ,
19:10:26 PM From:
phyl Comments:
Great story, but if you let Tina leave~! Please don't. By the way, how can I read 'Before Sunrise, etc.' - doesn't seem to be on jks' site..
06/29/2007 ,
19:37:57 PM From:
lucybelly Comments:
okay... now the offensive little punctuation mark is just mocking me...trying to hide, yet flaunting itself at the same time! Your story is just superb, I can't fathom an insecurity. Thanks for the post!
06/29/2007 ,
19:53:37 PM From:
Seahurst Comments:
Why is there a ? after tbc? Don't you know by now that whatever you write should NEVER end with a ?....Just my opinion, but Tina saying she came back to give them this one night so they could have a better ending than before, is just BS. It is about Tina not being able to stay away from the one she is in love with anymore. :) Thanks!
06/29/2007 ,
22:05:37 PM From:
griffen Comments:
I'm hooked already! Welcome back...I've missed you...but please don't break my tibette heart. Please let them find a way to get back together!! PPS
06/29/2007 ,
22:49:54 PM From:
brigbeach6 Comments:
Stop with the tbc(?) already!!!! Of course we want you to continue. You have sucked us in like a Hoover, now you've got to keep running with it. Have I mentioned already that I am THRILLED you are back!!!
06/29/2007 ,
23:20:28 PM From:
pattifloatn Comments:
No Bette can't always be in control but Damnit can't Tina give in a little. And what about this daughter. Tina did say something along the lines that she was not part of it, but exactly what does that mean? Please Don't let Tina say she loves Bette and then walks away.
06/29/2007 ,
23:45:16 PM From:
ecstasythrumusic Comments:
Great story with so many emotions and feelings entwined together.As chicki said please post soon.
06/30/2007 ,
00:01:40 AM From:
techgal Comments:
Why am I feeling trepidatious? I am feeling great fear. No, I never saw either movie, so I don't know what the jig is, but I feel it will be up with the sunrise. Oh Cinderella, where is thy sting? Thanks!
06/30/2007 ,
02:28:27 AM From:
Lonely_Artist Comments:
Tiff this is just a heartbreaking perspective... but Im sure you're gonna make this one another great story. I am looking forward to the next chappy. PPS
06/30/2007 ,
05:09:23 AM From:
gigi1976 Comments:
Funnyone got it in one! Somehow I think this is going to more heartbreaking for Bette than their breakup; it has disaster writtne all over it. Guess we'll have to wait and see...PPS
06/30/2007 ,
08:04:26 AM From:
BetteAndTinaForever Comments:
you know, i'm an awful writer...i can't even write a creative comment...so i'll just say that i had to read this chapter twice even if my heart was breaking because of the beauty of your written words...i saw both movies and i know their endings and i hope we get happy tibette ending here, just like lamentamini said...i really need some tibette happiness
06/30/2007 ,
08:33:19 AM From:
gingerbread986 Comments:
Can't say how happy I am to see another story by tiff_duke! You've been missed.
06/30/2007 ,
09:44:58 AM From:
2005fanforever Comments:
What is an ending anyway except a new beginning? Wonderful as always - thanks!
06/30/2007 ,
10:34:06 AM From:
albeez Comments:
as always your words are delish. masterful, evocative. please keep them coming. this dance is very hard. thanks.
06/30/2007 ,
16:04:04 PM From:
gogk Comments:
good story and i think that you could give us a little hope for them to be together is so good that you posted again
07/01/2007 ,
08:36:18 AM From:
mnj33pp Comments:
i love your writting. I'm on board
07/01/2007 ,
20:11:31 PM From:
Goldrun15 Comments:
So, is there something to the fact that they were together 8 years then apart 8 years? Tina should be good and well autonomous by now....but I wonder, why is Tina at the same hotel right now? Are you keeping a secret from us...or is just coincidence? Either way...please keep it going!
07/01/2007 ,
20:49:09 PM From:
kelika Comments:
Love it. Is this Bette's daughter? Is that why Tina can't stay? PPS.
10/14/2007 ,
22:49:52 PM From:
ut Comments:
This is good and like it!
