Chapter Text
Saturday evening, Los Angeles, Tina is driving and answers her cell.
(Alice) Tee, where the fuck are you?
Tina raises her eyebrows.
(Tina) Hi to you too Al
(Alice) Sorry, hi, now where the fuck are you?
Tina smiles and shakes her head.
(Tina) I just dropped Angie at her friend's house, so I'm on my way over now. I'll be there in 20 minutes
(Alice sighs) Well OK, as long as you're not any later than that
(Tina frowns) How is that late? Didn't you say from 7?
(Alice) Yes, and best friends arrive early so I don't have to awkwardly entertain the first actual guest that arrives in an empty apartment
Tina pulls up at a set of traffic lights and looks out the window for a moment.
(Tina) Is that why you're always arriving early to my parties and getting in my way while I get ready?
(Alice) Ah yes, that's me being a good friend Tina
(Tina smiles) Right. Are the others there now?
(Alice) Shane and Dana are here. Helena's on her way, and I'm calling Bette now to check on her too
Tina nods.
(Tina) OK, well I'll see you soon
(Alice) In 20 minutes
(Tina smiles) Yes Al, in 20 minutes
Later that evening, a large crowd is gathered in Alice's apartment and people mingle throughout the living areas and on the spacious terrace. Tina, Alice and Helena stand together against the railing outside all sipping on their drinks.
(Helena) I didn't know you knew this many people Alice
(Alice shrugs) Neither did I actually. I think it looks bigger than what it is because of the small space
Bette walks out onto the terrace and makes her way over to a table set up as a makeshift bar. Tina looks over at her and then turns to Alice and Helena.
(Tina) Back in a second, I'm going to speak to Bette
Alice raises her eyebrows.
(Alice) Really? Hasn't she already said hello to you? That's all you usually get at these things, right?
Tina shrugs as she makes her way over to Bette, who is examining the wine bottles lined up on the table.
(Tina) Hi
Bette turns to her with raised eyebrows and then gives her a tight smile.
(Bette) Tina, hi
Bette turns her attention back to the table, selecting a bottle and pouring herself a glass.
(Tina) Do you have a second? There's something I'd like to talk to you about, since we're both here
Bette looks over at her.
(Bette) Ah, of course. It's about Angie?
Tina looks at her for a moment and then nods.
(Tina) Yes, it is
(Bette) OK
Bette looks at her, waiting for her to continue. Tina holds her gaze for a moment before speaking.
(Tina) Has she been speaking to you about her friend Alex?
(Bette) Ah yes, she's mentioned her
(Tina) That her parents are divorced? And how that's handled?
Bette frowns and nods.
(Bette) She's mentioned it, yes
Tina looks downwards for a moment and then raises her eyes and meets Bette's gaze.
(Tina) Well I think she's talking about it so much because she wishes we were more like that
Bette looks to her wine and Tina watches her for a moment.
(Tina) Family dinners, time spent as a family. A relationship between the parents that's beyond just managing the kids
Bette looks up to her.
(Bette) Tina, we've spoken about this. I don't want that, I thought I had made that clear to you
Tina nods and looks away for a moment.
(Tina) You have
She looks back to Bette.
(Tina) Very clear
They hold each other's gaze for a moment, and Tina then shrugs.
(Tina) I guess when I've broached this in the past with you the idea was always only coming from me. Something I maybe wanted, or thought was a good idea for Angie's sake. I wanted to check whether you feel differently now that it's actually Angie who's expressing that
(Bette) I'm sorry, I don't feel differently. It sounds like Alex's family are happy with their dynamic, but I'm happy with ours too. I don't want anything more from this, or more from you
Tina nods and has a sip of her wine.
(Bette) I don't mean to sound cold, but we've covered this, haven't we?
Tina looks away for a moment and then focuses back on Bette.
(Tina) We have. I won't bring it up with you again
(Bette) OK, thank you. Was there anything else you needed?
Tina sighs and shrugs.
(Tina) No, that was all
Bette nods and starts to move away.
(Bette) OK, enjoy the rest of your night
Tina sighs and has a sip of wine as she watches Bette step away and make her way back inside. She walks back over to Alice and Helena.
(Alice) How'd you go?
Tina raises her eyebrows and has another gulp of wine as she settles alongside them, and Alice nods.
(Alice) Sorry
Tina sighs as she looks to Bette through the window to the living area.
(Tina) It's fine. I wanted to try one more time but I'll leave it now. She really couldn't have been clearer about how she wants this to be. So I won't talk to her about it again now
Alice looks over at her.
(Alice) Will you get cross if I point out that's not the first time I've heard you say that?
Tina smiles at her.
(Tina) I mean it this time
(Alice) You didn't all those other times?
Tina shakes her head.
(Tina) Honestly, no, I didn't
Tina shrugs and Alice nods.
(Alice) Well Shane was trying to convince someone to do shots with her earlier, let's go find her
(Tina smiles) OK
A morning later that week, Cedars-Sinai Emergency Department. Bette wakes lying in a bed and blinks as she glances around the brightly lit room. A nurse stands at the foot of the bed checking her chart, and smiles gently at her when they notice her movements.
(Nurse) Hello there
Bette tries to sit up and immediately lies back down and holds her hand to her forehead. The nurse steps towards her and places a reassuring hand on her forearm.
(Nurse) Try to take it easy, there's no need to rush yourself
Bette lowers her hand and looks back at them.
(Nurse) Do you remember why you're here?
Bette frowns as she glances again around the room. She clears her throat before responding weakly.
(Bette) No, I don't
(Nurse) That's nothing to be concerned about, you have a concussion and will most likely feel confused for a short time
Bette frowns as she listens.
(Nurse) You were in a car accident, nothing major and you don't have any physical injuries other than cuts and bruises. But you hit your head and so we're keeping you here for observation today
Bette frowns and nods as she takes this in.
(Bette) OK
She sits up in the bed and looks to the bedside table.
(Bette) Is my phone here? I need to call my wife
(Nurse) Some of your possessions from the car came in with you, I'll track it down
Bette nods as she again brings her hand to her forehead and closes her eyes.
(Bette) Sorry, I feel a little lightheaded
The nurse places their hand on Bette's shoulder and guides her back to the pillow.
(Nurse) It's to be expected. You should try and rest, it's the best thing for you right now. And while you're doing that I can talk to your wife. What's her name?
(Bette) Tina Kennard, you'll find her details in my phone
(Nurse smiles) OK, I'll call her and I'll send her right in when she arrives
(Bette nods) OK, thank you
A short while later, Tina is standing in a hallway of her office building and places a call on her cell. She makes eye contact with someone through a window to the meeting room she has stepped out of and holds up her index finger to them as she waits on her call.
(Alice) Hey Tee, what's going on?
(Tina) Alice, I can only talk for a minute but I got a call about Bette. She's OK, but she's had a minor car accident by the sounds of it. She has a concussion and they need someone to pick her up
(Alice) Oh Jesus, she's OK?
(Tina) Yes, they said she's fine, but she knocked her head so they don't want to discharge her on her own
(Alice) Why did they call you?
(Tina) I guess my name must be listed in their system from years ago
(Alice) Yeah right
(Tina) So, can you go? I'm sure she'd appreciate it
(Alice) Yeah I can do it, I'll leave now
(Tina) Thanks Al
Later, Alice arrives at the hospital and finds her way to Bette's room. She enters the room and Bette frowns at her as she approaches.
(Bette) What are you doing here? Where's Tina?
Alice stops and looks at her.
(Alice) Thanks for coming? No? For dropping everything and rushing to your side in your hour of need?
Bette rolls her eyes.
(Bette) Alice, where is she?
Alice looks at her for another moment.
(Alice) Ah, well she called me and asked me to come. She said you needed someone to pick you up
(Bette frowns) Well what's she doing?
(Alice) She's at work I guess, why?
Bette frowns at her and Alice gives her a confused look.
(Alice) So, anyway, how are you feeling?
(Bette) I'm fine, can I use your phone? I don't have mine
(Alice) Sure, who are you calling?
Bette frowns at her again.
(Bette) Tina
Alice frowns as she hands over her phone.
(Bette) I don't know how to work this, can you dial her?
Tina is sitting at her desk in her office at the studio, looking over several documents being placed in front of her as various colleagues are scattered around the busy room. Her cell rings and she picks it up and looks at the screen. She glances up and speaks vaguely to the room.
(Tina) I'm sorry, I need to take this
Tina stands from her desk and answers her phone as she moves to step out of the room, and her assistant speaks in a hushed tone to her as she passes them.
(Casey) I can reschedule the meeting with the New York office if you need to go
Tina looks to them, still holding the phone to her ear.
(Tina) That won't be necessary, I'll be here today. Let me just see what this is about and I'll be right back
Bette frowns on the other end of the line as she listens. Tina steps out of the room and closes the door behind her, turning her attention to the call.
(Tina) Hi Al, sorry about that, I'm in a meeting. Is everything OK there? Are you at the hospital?
(Bette) Yes, she's at the hospital. Why aren't you at the hospital?
Tina raises her eyebrows.
(Tina) Bette. Hi
Bette frowns.
(Bette) Hi?
(Tina) Um, how are you feeling?
Bette gives Alice a confused look and then focuses back on Tina.
(Bette) Do you know I was in a car accident?
(Tina) Ah, yes. They told me that when they called. I got onto Alice straight away
Bette raises her eyebrows.
(Bette) I know you're trying to make a breakthrough with your career at the moment
(Tina frowns) Trying to make a...
(Bette) But I need you. I need you here now
Tina furrows her brow in confusion.
(Tina) Bette, Alice is there
A doctor and nurse enter Bette's room and stand by the end of the bed perusing her chart. Bette looks to them and then focuses back on Tina.
(Bette) Tina, I can't talk, I have to go. Can you please just come?
Bette ends the call and Tina stands with the phone still held to her ear, staring ahead.
Later, Tina walks through the open door to Bette's room and hesitates, seeing Alice and two nurses standing alongside Bette. She knocks uncertainly on the door frame and Bette looks up at her from the bed. Bette's face lights up as soon as she sees her and she immediately sighs in relief, and Tina pauses for a moment as she takes this in. Tina then takes a few hesitant steps into the room and looks to one of the nurses.
(Tina) Hi, I'm Tina
The nurses smiles at her.
(Nurse) Well we are very glad you're here Tina
They nod towards Bette.
(Nurse) Maybe this one will be a bit less grumpy now, she's been anxious for you to arrive
Tina and Alice share a look. The nurse smiles at Bette and touches her on the shoulder as they move towards the door.
The other nurse stays a moment longer, reminding Bette of the location of the call button and asking her to call if she has any concerns or if she begins to feel unwell. As Tina listens to the nurse she can feel Bette's eyes on her, watching her closely. The nurse leaves and Tina turns to Bette, who is still looking at her intently.
(Tina) How are you feeling?
Bette searches Tina's face, trying to make sense of her distant demeanour.
(Bette) Where have you been?
Tina raises her eyebrows and looks at her for a moment, taken aback by Bette's directness and the intensity of her gaze. Alice's cell rings, breaking the moment, and she holds it up as she moves towards the door.
(Alice) Back in a sec
Tina watches Alice leave and then turns back to Bette, whose gaze hasn't shifted from her since she arrived.
(Bette) Tina, where have you been?
(Tina frowns) The hospital called me, and I thought it would be best to send Alice
(Bette frowns) Why?
Tina looks at her uncertainly.
(Tina) Well, why would you want me here? It was clearly a mistake them calling me
Bette furrows her brow and shakes her head.
(Bette) Tina, what are you talking about? I asked them to call you. Obviously. Who else would I call?
Tina looks at her for a moment.
(Tina) OK
Bette repositions herself to sit on the edge of the bed and reaches for Tina's hand. She pulls her closer and places her hands on her hips and Tina raises her eyebrows.
(Bette) Why are you being like this? Are you angry with me about something?
Tina frowns down at her.
(Tina) Um, no
Bette pulls her closer, moving her arms around Tina's waist and resting her cheek against her, and Tina raises her eyebrows as she places her hands tentatively on her back.
(Bette) Can you please just be normal then?
Bette looks up at her.
(Bette) Please Tee?
Tina looks back at her for a moment.
(Tina) Bette I'm a bit worried about you. I think maybe the concussion is worse than they said
Alice walks back into the room and stops suddenly when she sees them, taking in their position and looking at them with widened eyes. Tina takes a step back and clears her throat. She then turns back to Bette.
(Tina) Bette, I need to talk to Alice for a second. We'll be right back
Alice stands still looking at Bette curiously, and Bette's eyes follow Tina as she steps towards the door, reaching for Alice and taking hold of her jacket as she pulls her along with her. Once they are in the hallway they look to one another.
(Alice) What the hell was that?
(Tina) I have no idea, the concussion I guess?
Tina eyes the nurses station and begins to make her way over.
(Tina) I'm going to speak to someone, are you coming?
Alice nods as she follows her.
(Nurse) Can I help you with something?
(Tina) We wanted to talk to you about a patient, Bette Porter
(Nurse) Yes, is there a problem?
(Tina) I'm worried about her, she's acting strangely
(Nurse) What do you mean?
(Alice) She's being nice , really nice. Not to me so much, apparently it would take more than a knock on the head for that to happen
She gestures to Tina.
(Alice) But to her. Which is really fucking weird
Tina hits her in the stomach with the back of her hand.
(Alice) Sorry, really weird
Another nurse arrives and holds up a clipboard to the nurse behind the desk.
(Nurse) Can you have Ms Porter sign another consent form? She put the wrong date
Tina tunes into the exchange and frowns. As the clipboard is handed from one to the other Tina steps towards them and reaches for it, placing her hand on it and focusing on the page. She raises her eyes and stares ahead for a moment and takes a breath. She then focuses on the nurse behind the desk, who is staring at her curiously.
(Tina) She thinks it's 2002
The two nurses make eye contact and frown, and Tina glances between them.
(Tina) It's why she referred to me as her wife when we've been divorced for years. Why she asked you to call me at all. And why she's behaving so strangely towards me
The nurses share another look and one nods at the other. The nurse behind the desk looks back to Tina.
(Nurse) We'll get her doctor back here as soon as we can