She made her way through the heavy crowds in search for her. The heavy smoke of cigarettes clouding her vision and the smell of sweat lingering with perfume making her dizzy. It wasn’t long until she saw her. She paused for a minute to take in, and savour, the moment. Bette was sitting at a table sipping a cocktail – the usual high fashion tailored suit had been replaced by a deep green lacy top that reminded Tina of lingerie and a pair of washed out jeans. She was striking and Tina caught her breath in her throat.

Tina herself was wearing black jeans that snug to her every curve and a black tailored shirt with perhaps one too many buttons opened, strategically by choice. Her golden hair was flowing freely and her ivory skin glowed. She knew she looked good, and she wasn’t the only one to think so. She had managed to turn a few heads on her way in.

As if Bette had felt her presence, she tilted her head upwards from her drink and locked eyes with Tina. The look that was passed between them was full of past and promise. It was electric and strong. The surge was not unnoticed by a few bystanders. Instantly whispers were spoken between friends, muffled voices were heard, wondering, who they were.

Bette was the first one to break out of the spell. She finished her drink in one swift move and slowly got up to meet Tina who was still standing rooted in the middle of the floor. She walked with determination, adding a bounce to the already sleekness of her walk.

Tina felt her heart quicken its pace; it was beating in the exact tune with Bette’s walk. When Bette finally reached her, it stopped. For a moment, Tina’s heart stopped beating.

“Come dance with me”.

Tina didn’t utter a word, she couldn’t. Something had taken hold of her and wouldn’t let go. All she could do was weakly nod a yes. Bette led her by the hand to the crowded dance floor. Finding a good place Bette stopped and turned towards Tina. The heat that transpired was so palpable you could almost touch it.

Bette pushed the hair out of Tina’s eyes and brushed a stray of wild locks behind her ear. Her hand lingered by the base of Tina’s neck, gently rubbing the spot where she had spent countless hours in passionate lovemaking and glorious mornings, waking up beside Tina. Bette loved that spot. It was her spot; it would always be her spot. She bent down and placed a small kiss, encapsulating all the memories, making sure no one else could ever leave a mark.

Tina closed her eyes at the brief contact. When she opened them again she was met by the sultry eyes of her former lover. Tina’s smile reached her eyes, and soon Bette followed. Tina placed Bette’s hands on her hips and began moving to the beat of the song. Tina put her own arms on Bette’s shoulders and locked her hands behind her neck. They began to move as one. It was as if no time had passed between them; they had never gone separate ways, always had they remained like this. It was uncanny how easy it was to slip back into their own personal rhythm as a couple – they fit like no one else.

They held each other, moving to their own rhythm, for what seemed like hours. The feeling of contentment shadowing every movement. Forever. Was it too much to ask for?

Tina hadn’t spoken until this point, but now she needed to use her voice. She needed to be sure about something. She stepped back from her place, her head on Bette’s shoulder, and looked straight into her dark eyes.

“Bette, can I kiss you?”

She searched her eyes for any hint of apprehension. She found none.

Tina let her lips find Bette’s. The spark flew by the faintest of touches. Involuntarily Bette let out a moan and Tina released a breath. Bette parted her lips as Tina’s tongue made its way over their edge. She drew Tina closer against her body as the kiss became more insistent.

“Tina!”

With a sudden jerk of the head Tina was back in the present. “I’m sorry, what?”

Sitting outside, in the mayhem that was the location sight for Lez Girls, having a production meeting with Kate and Jenny, something she had started to despise more and more as the days grew longer, Tina shook her head, getting back into the monologue the director had been having for the past twenty minutes.  

“Then finally, I was thinking we do like a real close up. Zoom in on the mess that is Jessie’s mind you know. And inside we like find this perfect picture of sanity before the loss of innocence. We freeze that shot and let all the colour drain, like slowly drain from it. Fucking powerful.”

Didn’t you JUST do that in your previous film? Tina had to look away. It was too painful to even listen to. And even more painful was the voice that followed.  

“Oh, I looove that, Kate. It’s so visual. Don’t you think so Tina?“

It’s a movie. It’s supposed to be visual, you idiot. “What? Oh yeah. It’s great.“ Tina cringed inside. She was however, a master of not letting it show. A skill that came well in handy whilst working with the devil’s offspring.

“I’m hungry. Take me to lunch, Kate. Tina, will join us no doubt.”

Tina blinked. “You’re inviting me, Jenny?”

“Someone has to pay.”

 “Fuck you, Jenny.”

“Such lack of respect,” Jenny feigned horror and grinned. “I wonder what the company would say if they knew?” The smirk on her face grew wider. “I am the creator of this story. Without me there would be no film. And you would be out of a job.” She batted her eyelashes as she ended her sentence.

Tina’s blood was boiling. Jenny was right, they did need her. This was a big project; the sheer size would put Shaolin back on the map. But, Tina wouldn’t stand the usual everyday verbal beating she’d come to expect from Jenny today. She was too tired to even try to disregard it.