Another one-shot for the small collection I'm doing. This one takes place just after Bette and Jodi started dating and during Henry and Tina's relationship. Tina is still good friends with everyone although there is some awkwardness with Bette. Disclaimer: I do not own the L Word or any of its characters.
Just Friends, Part Two
(Tina, Alice, Helena, Jenny, and Shane are all sitting at a table at the Planet talking)
Jenny: God, I can't believe we're actually all sitting here together. When was the last time we all hung out?
Shane: We're not all here, Jen, but it is nice.
Tina: Honestly, thank you guys so much for not shutting me out anymore.
Helena: You shouldn't be thanking us, Tina, we should be apologizing. Our behavior was despicable.
Jenny: Yeah, we're really sorry.
Alice: (smirks) So how's heterosexuality?
Tina: Henry is good. (smiles at Alice) How's bisexuality?
Alice: (rolls her eyes) Eh… I'm thinking about joining the lezzy team.
Tina: (pouts) Aw, that makes me the only one who likes men.
Kit: (approaches everyone) Hey, hey, hey what about me?
Shane: (shrugs laughing) You know we consider you a lezbo, Kit.
Alice: Yeah, you are an honorary lesbian.
Jenny: (looks over towards the entrance) Hey, look. It's Max and Bette.
Tina: (attempting to look uninterested) They're friends?
Shane: They've gotten closer. (waves at Bette) Bette, come sit with us! (looks at Tina quickly, slightly nervous) Is that okay with you?
Tina: Yeah, it's fine.
(Bette and Max approach everyone)
Max: Hey everyone.
Bette: Hi.
Everyone: Hey.
Jenny: What have you two been doing? You two look a litte…
Shane: Excited?
Max: It's nothing. Bette and I are just going on a double date.
Helena: (glances at Tina) Double date?
Kit: (smiles) Is it with Jodi?
Alice: Who's Jodi?
Kit: Some big artist my sister has the hots for. (suddenly glances at Tina) I could be over exaggerating though.
Tina: I think its nice.
Bette: (quietly) Thanks.
Alice: So what's Jodi like?
Bette: (smiles) She's great. She's… I can't even explain it. (looks at Max as though attempting to change the subject) And her interpreter is so attracted to Max.
Jenny: Interpreter? She's deaf?
Bette: Yeah, but it makes her so much more passionate towards her art.
Shane: (chuckles quietly) And I'm sure it make the sex pretty passionate too.
Tina: (sharply) Have you two had sex yet?
Bette: (gives a small smile) Guilty.
Alice: Fuck Porter, why didn't you tell me?
Bette: (laughs) Because you have a big mouth.
Shane: It's true, Al, don't even deny it.
Tina: So you two had sex and now you are going on a double date with her?
Kit: (gives Tina a hard stare) It sounds like fun. Double dates are always great.
Helena: So when do we get to meet her?
Bette: Um… I'm actually taking it slow. Max is the only person I trust to meet her.
Max: (grins) Thanks Bette.
Alice: Hold on. I'm offended. Why can't she meet all of us?
Bette: (laughs) Because you all are crazy.
Alice: Hey!
Tina: She's got you there, Al. Honestly when I first met all of you I was terrified.
Alice: Oh come on, we'll be good. (pouts) We won't give her any alocohol like we did with Tina.
Tina: (laughs) God I don't even remember that night.
Bette: (smiles) It was pretty good.
Alice: That's only because you got laid, Porter.
Shane: (whispers) Alice.
Bette: It's okay, Shane. I really need to be going anyway. (stands up and looks at Max) I'll pick you up later, okay?
(Max nods and Bette walks to the door. After a moment hesitation, Tina follows)
Tina: Bette! Bette, wait!
Bette: (pauses) What's wrong, Tina?
Tina: Nothing, I'm just… (takes a deep breath) I'm really happy you're going out with Jodi.
Bette: You are?
Tina: Yeah. I hope you four have fun.
Bette: Thanks, Tee. (pauses) And I hope things are working out for you and Henry.
Tina: Thanks.
(Tina watches Bette leave, a look of sadness on her face)
(Next morning: Tina is having coffee with Alice and Shane. Tina is crying.)
Shane: Did he say why, Tee?
Tina: He just got the feeling that I wanted to go back to women and he wanted to end things with me before I ended things with him.
Shane: (rolled her eyes) Typical guy move.
Alice: What do you know about guys, Shane? You've never even been with a man. (Shane shrugs) So… are you going back to women, Tee?
Tina: I don't know. I don't know what the fuck I wan.
(Bette walks in and goes to the counter, talking to Kit. Tina looks up and stares at her.)
Alice: (follows Tina's stare) Fuck, Tina.
Shane: (turns around) Tee, do you like Bette again?
Tina: (sighs) I don't think I ever stopped liking her.
Alice: Why? I did it. It's not that hard.
Shane: Yes, Al, but you weren't her partner for nearly eight years.
Tina: I don't know. I don't know how these feelings came back, but we just have so much in common and so much history. And we have Angelica. Loving her just comes so naturally.
Alice: Love? Are you in love with Bette again?
Tina: I don't know. I just know that… I don't know. I don't think I can be with another woman after being with her. I mean she set the bar high.
(As Bette makes her way over to them, Tina quickly changes the topic)
Tina: I don't know what to tell you, Shane.
Bette: Hey, what's going on?
Alice: (glances up at Bette and gives her a sly smirk) Welll Shane is starting to have feelings for an ex even though this ex has moved on and when they were together they were so miserable. She thinks it would be best if they got back together because they have so much in common and so much history.
(Tina shoots Alice a quick glare)
Bette: Shane, do you like Carmen again?
Shane: No, no.
Bette: Well, Shane, I love you and all, but getting back together with an ex is usually the worst thing anyone can do. (Bette doesn't see Tina's face fall) I mean even if you have history some of that history was probably making each other miserable and sometimes its just best if you move on. Take Tee and I for example. (gestures at Tina who attempts a smile) We both moved on and in my opinion I think we're actually happier then we've been in awhile.
Alice: (staring at Tina who looks like she is about to lose control) So… things went well with Jodi?
Bette: Things were perfect. I mean, I've never had a connection with someone this quickly and guess who I have to thank for that? (Bette touches Tina's arm gently) Tee, if you never would have told me that you were happy that I was going out with Jodi, I probably would have backed out. I got to admit I was still upset about the whole Henry thing, but now with Jodi, I'm so happy, happier then I have been in awhile. We're both happy. You have Henry…
Shane: Bette…
Bette: We should do like a double date sometime. I had a lot of fun with Max last night…
Shane: (loudly) Bette, Tina and Henry broke up.
Bette: (shocked) Oh my god. I'm so sorry, Tee.
Tina: (shrugs, attempting a smile) It's fine. It probably wasn't meant to be.
Bette: I know there is someone out there for you, Tee. Someone who appreciates how beautiful you are, how funny, how smart. Someone who realizes how lucky they are to have you. (Bette smiles at Tina before glancing at her watch) Fuck. I'm going to be late. (stands up) I'm meeting Jodi for breakfast.
Alice: Have fun. (Bette leaves and Tina breaks down crying) Tina…
Shane: (embraces Tina) Things will get better.
Tina: (crying) When?
Alice and Shane exchange a look. Neither one of them could answer Tina.