The Bad News

She was relieved to not have to talk, just listening to Tatiana was so much better than facing what she had to eventually say. Belle held the redheads hand gently, circling a thumb lovingly over the back of the other girl's hand while she rambled. Another day she might have interjected with a smile or a kiss. Tell her she was "doing it again" with a lighthearted smile. It was never an issue really… she loved watching the acrobat loss herself in the moment. It was so endearing to see that passion and so cute when pointing it out left her blushing and flustered.

"We drank responsibly." Kaylee called back from her seat with a small addition to Tatiana's story. The blond had been silent the whole time and would likely remain that way, backlit by the glow of her phone as she no doubt scoured the web or posted on any number of her social media accounts.

"Don't be." Belle sighed softly, bringing her girlfriends hand up to her face to give it a light kiss. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment as she was overcome with a feeling of just how much this woman meant to her. She had become a driving force in her whole life, so much so she had just wagered her whole career on protecting it. Was it really healthy the way Belle felt or was she too engrossed? She squeezed the other woman's hand to seek comfort from the creeping doubt and negativity that inevitable came when her mind was darkened with self doubt.

She wished she could have been there, shared whatever meal there was to be had. Supported her girlfriend as she made all those tough contract choices, and made this day they had planned into something they would always remember. When she actually caught Tatiana's gaze she could see the same thing in her eyes. That connection they had laid such simple surface thoughts bare so easily.

Belle leaned over, placing the gentlest of kisses on the other girls lips. The sting of fresh wounds doing nothing to deter her. She lingered close, forehead to forehead and told herself she wasn't going to cry. She had decided when she had been sitting inside her holding cell that she had enough tears for tonight. She wouldn't give in to despair and treat this as some long goodbye… she was going to win that match, she had to. This was just the beginning, not the end. "Next time I won't be late." She promised quietly, as if it were the most important thing she could say in the moment.

Tatiana found some fresh life when Belle finally looked her way, giving her a chance to see those radiant eyes of hers. She’d always swore they could glow in the dark, and she was sure they were doing that now. Twin pools of blue, looking back at with so much care and love in her. Despite the way this night had gone and all the uncertainties, she felt warm now, secure next to her. Whatever the problem was, her girlfriend had the strength to see them through.

She was all too willing to rub her forehead against Belle’s, taking a deep breath to savor her scent and cherishing the kiss between them. Her lips even moved a bit after the touch, taking in all of her taste. She didn’t say much, but she didn’t have to. The few words she said were enough to put her at ease. When Belle promised her something, she would move heaven and earth to make it happen, and there was this finality in her words that cemented them. It wasn’t just her vow to not be late, but the way she said it. So sure. So steadfast. ”I’m just happy that you’re okay.” She returned the kiss with a light peck of her own and nuzzled back. “That’s all that matters.”

This moment was warm and safe and she loved it. With Belle so close, she was absorbed in her girlfriend, almost a part of her. It was a comfort she couldn’t get from anyone else, not even-

”Ah, Valerie.” Tatiana rubbed her nose with a little groan, suddenly remembering her sister in all of this. She’d told her she would be out for the day, catching some movies and shopping, but that excuse would only get her so far. It was getting late, and she’d want to call a check in with her. She almost ask Kaylee if she could borrow her phone to call her, before it occurred to her how monumentally bad of an idea that would be. She was staying with Belle for the night at minimum, that went without saying. ”I’ll make something up for her in the morning. Let’s just…” She had a deep sigh and brought her head down to rest on Belle’s shoulder. ”Let’s just get back.”

There was the briefest of moments when the two of them were this close that she could pretend things were fine. Looking threats could wait while she licked her sounds alongside the woman she loved. A tender kiss, soft words, and the promise they could stay together tonight made great strides to brighten her evening.

Then Valerie's name poisoned it all. Her body tensed, the sudden change in how she held her girlfriend was immediate and obvious.

"About… Valerie." Belle let go of her girlfriend's hand, gliding a palm up along her arms to separate the both of them so they could look at each other. The back of the car was dark but the occasional streetlights outside illuminated the cab every so often in a ghostly glow of light. "She knows. It's why I didn't make it. I don't think it's a good idea for you to go back to your apartment… for awhile."

Her grim expression did more to tell what may have happened tonight than her words did. She hadn't wanted to have this conversation here, not just because it was so soon, but because she wasn't prepared to face the barrage of questions the redhead may have had for her. Belle had decided while she was in holding to try to spare the other woman as much of the details as possible, leaving things as vague as she could. She couldn't handle the lecture for her own poor choices or the fabric worrying from Tatiana over what her phone may have told Valerie. She wasn't ready to get beat up again tonight in another way.

Tatiana stayed quiet as Belle moved away from her, confused at the sudden shift in everything at the mention of her stepsister’s name. She knew that her girlfriend had some mixed feelings about Valerie, and that was probably the nicest, most politically correct way she could phrase it. But this was a weird reaction, even for that, and she was puzzled by it until Belle continued to explain.

What followed was, perhaps, the most dramatic minute of Tatiana’s entire life.

When Belle finished speaking, Tatiana simply say there, staring at her with a furrowed brow, as the pieces began to slide into place. Valerie knew? How? She wasn’t exactly a superspy or anything, but over the past few months she’d became adept at keeping their relationship away from her sister’s gaze. Her timing was spot on, she knew how to work things, she never left any evidence. At most, Valerie could’ve figured out that she was seeing someone, but Belle? That would’ve been a huge leap, unless she had something private and personal, like-

”My phone.” She sat up, rigid, as her eyes darted about. Valerie must’ve snatched her phone. She didn’t want to believe it, but that was the only thing that made sense. It explained why it was missing, how she would’ve known about them, how she could found Belle, how she could’ve-

”She hurt you.” Tatiana leaned forward with a tentative hand, halfway reaching for Belle’s black eye, as if she wanted to touch it and make sure it wasn’t some kind of hallucination. Sure enough, she could see it every time the light flashed in her girlfriend’s eyes, the undeniable proof. Valerie had done this to Belle. The kindest, most generous person she knew, her beacon, her best friend, her girlfriend, her love.

As that realization settled in, Belle would see one of the few expression she’d never seen on Tatiana’s face before: true rage.

”She didn’t, she-” Balled fists, furrowed brow, clenched teeth, tensed muscles. Tatiana looked like she was about to attack something, like she would’ve gone straight for Valerie if the woman had been there, but without a target all she could do was fume. ”She hurt you, she hurt you, that, that-” Tatiana grimaced, doing her best to keep in the words she was thinking, only managing through a supreme effort.

”God, I was so stupid, how could I just leave my phone, and you-” Her lip quivered as tears began to well up, overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. She shook her head and put her hands in girlfriend’s lap. ”I’m sorry. Belle, I am so so sorry.”

"Yeah… your phone." Belle murmured softly to affirm her girlfriend's suspicions. When Tatiana started to reach for her face, she instinctively flinched in preparation for prolong digits that would bring pain even though it never came. It would have been easy to stay silent, allow the redhead to come to her own conclusions to further a native that suited her own side of things. She had no love for Valerie, even before this even transpired, but her conscience wouldn't let he go one without clarification.

"I attacked her first. She wanted to break us up and I just…" She could already see it in Tatiana's eyes. A burning darkness that had never been there before, but she had seen in the mirror all too many times. She moved her hands back to the redhead's, collecting them in her own to just hold her. This woman was as bright and vibrant as the sun's morning rays and seeing her begin to descend into this dark place was breaking her heart. This was suppose to be her day… God damn it.

"Don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. " Belle leaned forward to embrace her girlfriend only to have her seatbelt audibly click and lock her into place, short of her intended target. She swore under her breath, struggling to reset the strap to let her scoot in closer and wrap her arms around Tatiana. "I'll survive… you hit way harder than she does." Belle pressed her lips to her girlfriend's forehead, giving her a tender kiss as she held her close.

Learning that Valerie wanted to break them up, not surprisingly, did nothing to really ease Tatiana’s mind.  If anything, it made her kick herself for not putting her foot down and being open in the first place. It seemed so silly now, all the hiding and secrets and effort she’d put into throwing a veil over the best thing in her entire life. Why did they have to hide? What would Kaylee and Valerie have done to them? In the worst case, they had each other, and that was all the two of them needed.

”That’s none of her…” Tatiana closed her eyes, forcing the tears to stream down her cheeks, andtook a deep breath. She settled a few degrees below the boiling point. ”That is not her call to make. блин…”

She accepted Belle’s arms, all too happy to be in her embrace and take her loving kiss, but there was still a fire about her that wouldn’t simmer down. This was all so much to absorb all at once, so crazy…

She held her girlfriend as tight as she held her, as if Belle would slip away if she wasn’t careful. They could get more into things when they were back at the house and had time to sit and process. For now, Tatiana just wanted to be close with her.

The remainder of the car ride back to the compound had been a quiet affair with Belle doing little more than holding Tatiana in an attempt to quell her anger. This was new uncertain ground for her and anything more personal to help was held at bay by Kaylee so close by. Despite no longer needing to hide their relationship, she still couldn't help but feel strange with having an intimate moment in her presence.

When they had finally arrived back at the compound, Kaylee had extended the offer for Tatiana to stay as long as she needed to while things were sorted out. She had offered to help them get settled only for Belle to let her know they had things handled. The blond hadn't pressed the matter any further, but reminded Tatiana to review and get those papers to her when she was ready. She let the redhead know that when she was signed officially they could go pick out a new business phone for her, free from her sister's prying.

Belle had to rely on Tatiana to get them to her room. The stairs were a tricky affair even with her crutches after how banged up she had been. The quiet empty halls offered a strange comfort. They felt safe and familiar, two things she desperately needed after tonight's disaster. Unlike her day to day, having her girlfriend with her made it all that much better… though she knew not to take these moments for granted given the looking threats that now hung over their relationship.

Arriving at her room, most of the energy that kept her going through the night rapidly drained away. Her crutches were propped at a lazy lean along side the posts and Belle herself climbed up onto her cushioned mattress before faceplanting herself with a groan. She hadn't bothered to remove any layers or even slip off her shoes. Just lay there, arms fanning out to the side, hogging most of the expansive bed.

By some small miracles, Tatiana was able to keep quiet for most of the ride through, save for one of two small outbursts. For the most part, her mind was racing, trying to figure out where they went from here. She wasn’t going back to the apartment anytime soon - or ever, if she could get away with it. At some point, she’d have to call Valerie to get her stuff moved out, as little as it was, and she wasn’t looking forward to that. And that was assuming Valerie didn’t just burn it all or toss it out the window. It seemed crazy for her, but then, stealing her phone her phone and assaulting her girlfriend sounded crazy for her, too.

God. What was she even going to tell their parents? An email? An email. A long, long email.

Once they reached the house, she felt better, if a little taken off by the experience of just being there and not having to keep in mind her favorite hiding places. Kaylee helped, putting her mind at ease, and the idea of a new phone appealed - though, dang it, she had so many of their photos and videos on there, precious ones…

Thoughts for later. She focused on getting Belle to her room, aiding her as much as she could, which probably wasn’t nearly enough to alleviate all the pain she was feeling. But they made it, after a hard trek, and Belle was allowed some of the rest she clearly deserved.

Tatiana closed the door behind them with a soft click, kicked off her sandals at the doorway, and came over to Belle’s beside. She sat on the edge of the bed and started to undo her earrings, setting them on her girlfriend’s dresser for safekeeping.

For a minute that felt like an hour, things were just quiet. Peaceful. There was a certain serenity in this. As much as she hated the state Belle was in, at least everything was in the open now. This was where she wanted to be, and all the obstacles were out of their way. She hated the journey, but the destination was a good one, and she couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather travel with.

”You’re safe, now.” She brought one leg up on the bed and reached over to rub her girlfriend’s shoulder. ”We’re safe.”

Belle sank into her bed, enduring at first the throbbing pain in one side of her face from having it mashed into the blankets. When it became too much of an annoyance she turned her head to put her good side down against the bed with a smooshed cheek. She was still wrestling with what to tell Tatiana and how to tell her. The depths in which her sister was willing to go to separate them and her own reckless gamble to save their relationship were key among the things that needed to be discussed. She had told herself that after they were alone she would tell her girlfriend everything, now she was bargaining with herself to tell her in the morning instead… they both had a long night.

The brunette closed her eyes, letting out a low content with when Tatiana gave her shoulder a squeeze. She wanted more of that right now, among other things like being in something more comfortable rather than her disheveled, sweaty, blood stained dress clothes. Rectifying that however took effort and energy, both things which were in short supply at the moment. She made a small go of it though, pressing the tip of her shoes to the other heel, straining to pop one of the shoes off and letting it topple to the floor. Trying to mirror that with the other wasn't quite as easy though. The sleek dress socks had no real traction, leading to her toes slipping off the shoe before ever dislodging it and ultimately giving up on trying.

"I know, I know." The brunette mumbled softly, feeling blindly across the bed. Her palm pat the wrinkled blankets with soft muted sounds until her fingers brushed Tatiana's thigh. She reached out, drape an arm across the other girls lap and gave her leg a small squeeze before letting it just rest there limply. "You look beautiful in the dress by the way… we should go dancing or something once my leg is better. Can't let that collect dust in a closet."

Tatiana sat by and watched as Belle’s arm fished around the bed, searching for something to wrap around. She was all too happy to let her do as she wished, going all the way until it came down over her lap and found its place there.

”Hm.” She had a soft, happy hum as she rubbed the arm on her lap, tracing the powerful muscles with her fingertips. Belle was so strong and fierce in the ring, the toughest woman she’d ever met, and it was hard to imagine Valerie hurting her, hard to imagine anyone doing it once, let alone twice. If she hadn’t been so messed up from that earlier attack...well, Tatiana didn’t want bad things to happen to her sister, but if the choice was between her getting messed up and her girlfriend, she knew who she’d pick.

It wasn’t the kind of thought she liked to have, though, and she was glad she wouldn’t have to anymore. Now, all the barriers were down. They could be together all they liked, protect each other, do what they wanted. Free.

”Yeah, don’t worry, I won’t let your closet eat it.” She had been thinking about slipping it off, but with Belle’s comment, she decided she’d keep it on a little longer. She rarely wore ‘sexy things’ like this. ”And we can so go dancing, I am all about that. I mean, I’m not good at it. At all. I’ve never been to a club or a prom or anything. So I don’t know how to like, booty dance or whatever people do.” She brought her hands up and wobbled a bit on the bit, moving to some music only she could hear, and somehow still managing to be off the beat. “But you can show me how. It’ll be fun.” Tatiana gave Belle’s shoulder a pat, before she moved over and started rubbing the other one.

”But, do you know what I really want to do? Really?” She leaned in and whispered, as if this was some great secret that the walls couldn’t even hear. ”Let’s just go somewhere. Anywhere. Rent a room, or do that AirBnB thing, and just be with each other for a week. Off the grid, no cell phones, no strings. I know that this new thing with Kaylee is going to be kind of crazy and I’m ready for it, I think I am, but before that starts? I want us to have some time to enjoy each other. Be a couple, be together, like we couldn't before. A week of that. Only that.”

It was a dream she’d had for a while now, really, though it seemed like such a plain thing. She’d never been able to realistically ask for it before, though.