I came up with this idea to do a collection of AU Tibette fics where they struggle to be friends. Here is the first one… this way takes place in season four before Bette and Jodi get serious and while Tina is still in a relationship with Henry. Disclaimer: I do not own The L Word or any of its characters.
Just Friends
It was a normal evening in Los Angeles, but for a group of very interesting friends this night could end up being unusual in many ways…
(Alice, Bette, and Shane are hanging out in Alice's apartment)
Alice: (tone shocked) A date?
Shane: (tone mirrors Alice's) But what about Tina?
Bette looks up from her hands and stares at her two closest friends, understanding their surprise and confusion. After dodging the subject for the last couple of days, she had finally admitted to going on a date with one of her subordinates, Jodi Lerner.
Bette: You mean my obsessive jealously towards Henry. Well as fun as that was, I really think its time for me to move on.
Alice: But, I mean, it is you and Tina. If you start seeing someone else, it would be as if you are actually over.
Bette: We are over, Al. We have been over for almost a year now.
Shane: (sighs) I think it is a good thing. (Alice and Bette turn their attention to Shane) You going on a date, I mean. You have spent too much time punishing yourself for Tina going back to men and that was not your fault. I think we would not be supportive friends if we judged you for moving on with your life. (gives Alice a hard stare) Right, Al?
Alice: (sighs) I hate when you are right. (puts on a smile) So who is this Jodi Lerner? What is she like?
Bette: (smiles) She is great. She is so passionate and intense and her work is so, so powerful.
Shane: (smiles) She sounds like she is your type.
Bette: (laughs) I was not aware I had a type. (glances at her watch) Shit. I promised I would stop by and talk to Kit before I went out. I will catch you two later.
Alice: (smiles) We want details, Porter, okay? (walks Bette to the door and when she is outside, rounds onto Shane) "She sounds like she's your type?" I thought we all agreed a long time ago, Bette's only type was Tina.
Shane: And I thought we all agreed that Tina's type was women? Things change, Al. Not always for the better, but the only thing we can do is just start accepting these changes.
Alice: (gives Shane an odd stare) Who are you and what have you done with Shane?
Shane: (laughs) its called maturity, Al. Now if you excuse me, Max has been watching Shay for me for the past hour. I think I should go and spend a little time with him.
Alice: (smiles) Go, go have fun with your little brother. Phyllis is actually dropping by soon and I do not want you to crowd my style.
Shane: (chuckles) Okay, have fun.
(Shane leaves)
(Scene changes to Tina sitting at the bar at the Planet, drinking a beer)
(Kit approaches her)
Kit: Well, well, well, I did not think I would be seeing you around here anymore.
Tina: (turns to face Kit, it is clear that she had been crying) Hey Kit.
Kit: (puts and arm around Tina) Aw, baby girl, what is wrong?
Tina: Have you ever just felt like you made a huge mistake?
Kit: Hun, you are talking to the queen of mistakes. What happened?
Tina: Henry ended things with me.
Kit: Aw, I am so sorry.
Tina: (laughs) No you aren't. I would not blame you or anyone if you thought I got what I deserved.
Kit: Tina, no one thinks that. (Tina snorts in disbelief) Well, maybe they do, but they are still your friends. That is not going to change even if you have gone back to men.
Tina: (shakes her head) You know what? Men are too confusing. I think I prefer women.
Kit: (laughs) Not me. I love me some men. (Tina laughs) So did Henry say why he ended things with you?
Tina: (sighs) We were having lunch and this woman walked by and I told him I thought she was attractive, just as a joke, and he rounded on me, asking if I was thinking about going back to women. I told him I had thought about it, but he just told me he did not want to see me anymore. He did not want to be around me if I was having those feelings. (sighs again) He said the exact same thing Bette said when I told her I was having feelings for men. God and now they both hate me.
Kit: (rubs Tina's back) Bette does not hate you. I think she was hurting, but she does not hate you. She could not hate you.
Tina: (sighs) Sometimes I just wish I never wanted to experiment with men. (runs her hand through her hair) So how is Bette? I haven't seen her in awhile.
Kit: She's good. (glances at Tina, giving her a small smile) Do you think you are going to be okay? I promised I would meet Angus for dinner. We haven't had a peaceful evening since I can remember when.
Tina: (laughs) I'll be fine. Go have fun, Kit.
Kit: (gives Tina a hug) You take care, baby girl.
(Kit leaves and Tina returns to her drink)
(Bette enters and makes her way over to Tina)
Bette: What are you doing here all alone?
Tina: (jumps at hearing Bette's voice) I honestly don't know. Where is everyone?
(Bette takes a seat next to Tina)
Bette: Alice and Shane are hanging out at Al's place and Helena is probably off doing something fun. (the two of them share a laugh) I just came her, looking for Kit.
Tina: You just missed her. She has a date with Angus.
Bette: What about you?
Tina: What about me?
Bette: (uncomfortable) Where's Henry?
Tina: (sighs) He broke up with me.
Bette: (looks at Tina) Shit. I'm sorry, Tee.
Tina: (shrugs) It just didn't work out, but what really sucks is that I really don't want to be alone right now and because of Henry, I have lost almost all of my friends.
Bette: (puts and arm around Tina) They're still your friends. I'm sure they would come if you called them.
Tina: They have their own lives. They probably don't want to be seen with their geeky, straight friend.
Bette: (laughs) You're not geeky, Tina. Honestly, Henry must be completely blind if he didn't want to be with you anymore.
Tina: (smiles) Really?
Bette: Really. I mean, Tina, you are so beautiful and smart and funny and you have probably the biggest heart.
Tina: (smiles) Thanks. (the two sit there in a comfortable silence until Tina turns to Bette) Do you want to go my apartment? We can spend the evening with Angie. (Bette looks like she is about to decline) Please? I really don't want to be alone tonight.
Bette: (sighs) I… let me just make a quick call. (Bette walks away and dials Tom's number) Hey Tom, it's Bette Porter.
Tom: Hey Dean Porter. I know who you are.
Bette: Is Jodi there?
Tom: Yeah.
Bette: Can you tell her something?
Tom: Sure.
Bette: Can you tell her that I'm really sorry, but something came up? I would love to do this another night.
(There is silence on the phone and then Tom comes back on)
Tom: She understands. She'll see you tomorrow at work, right?
Bette: Yeah. Thank you, Tom.
Tom: No problem, Dean.
(Bette hangs up the phone and makes her way back to Tina)
Bette: (smiles) Ready?
Tina: (returns Bette's smile) Ready.
(The scene changes to Bette and Tina at the Planet the next morning with Angelica)
(Shane walks in)
Bette: Shane!
Tina: (waves Shane over) Hey.
Shane: (walks over, surprised to see Bette and Tina together) Hey.
Bette: What are you doing here so early?
Shane: (smiles) I'm meeting Alice and Helena here. (stares at Bette and Tina, smiling)
Bette: What?
Shane: (laughs) It's just… nice to see you here together. With Angelica.
Tina: (smiles) Yeah.
Shane: So Bette how was your thing last night?
Bette: (glances at Tina and shrugs) I'm going to get a cup of coffee. Anyone want anything?
Shane: (a little confused) I would love an expresso.
(Bette walks away and Tina turns to Shane)
Tina: Can you watch Angie for a moment?
Shane: Sure.
Tina: (gets up and walks over to Bette) What's she talking about, Bette? What thing?
Bette: (shrugs) It's nothing big. I just had this date last night.
Tina: (surprised) A date? Why didn't you go on it?
Bette: (smiles) You needed a friend.
Tina: (shocked) I can't believe you did that. That's so… sweet.
Bette: (laughs) You sound surprised that I can actually be sweet.
Tina: (smiles) I know you can be sweet, I just can't believe you would do that for me. Thank you.
Bette: (shrugs) It was nothing.
(Tina gives Bette and quick hug, allowing her lips to brush against her ex's cheek)
Tina: It meant a lot to me. (smiles) Maybe we can do it again sometime? I know Angie really enjoyed having us there together.
Bette: (smiles) Maybe.
And with that Bette watches Tina make her way back to Shane and Angelica just as Alice and Helena enter, joining the group of friends at the small table. For once, things seemed to be looking up.