Chapter Text
BETTE
”I’m sorry, Ma’am, but you were booked on a flight to New York. Your connecting flight to Toronto leaves from Newark, not here."
Unfortunately, this was only the start of the mishaps for this trip. If she had known this case would bring nothing but trouble, she would have rejected it outright and spent the week at home, blissfully unaware. But now, here she was, standing in an airport she had no business being in, her schedule thrown into disarray, and her patience wearing dangerously thin.
Her morning had started perfectly and had gone without a hitch… until she got to the airport, that was. She had packed strategically, dressed impeccably, and arrived with time to spare, just as she always did. Now, instead of settling into her seat and preparing for an evening of strategising, she was stuck in the middle of logistical chaos that she hadn’t planned for.
She was a lawyer, and her firm had sent her to Canada to represent one of its most lucrative clients, Revelate Solutions, a company neck-deep in an embezzlement scandal so blatant that even a child could see through its attempts at innocence. The case was a mess, and she had spent weeks sifting through piles of paperwork, looking for something, anything, that might work in their favour. To be perfectly honest, she didn’t have much hope. The evidence was overwhelming, and their guilt was undeniable.
But defending the indefensible was her speciality.
If Bette Porter was known for anything, it was her ability to weave airtight arguments from even the most damning of evidence. She had built a career on turning cases like these into victories, crafting defences so convincing that even the most sceptical judges hesitated before ruling against her clients. It was a talent that made her both feared and respected in the legal world, a reputation she had earned through relentless determination and an unflinching moral flexibility.
And so, if she stood any chance of winning the case, lying through her teeth and finding loopholes was what she was going to have to do.
Being a defence lawyer came with its own challenges. Her name was often whispered in corporate circles, and some other lawyers were often afraid of her. But it was that reputation that meant she was the person for the job in cases like these. She was good at what she did, and there was no doubt about that. She had become the go-to lawyer for companies caught in ethically murky waters, the one you called when your hands were dirty, but you still wanted to walk away spotless. It was something that happened all the time in the business world, and Revelate Solutions had sought her out for exactly this reason.
”I’m sorry, my connecting flight? " Bette repeated, eyes narrowing as she processed the situation. "I’m supposed to be in Toronto by this evening.”
The man behind the check-in desk shifted uncomfortably, clearly wishing someone else had drawn the short straw of dealing with her. But he squared his shoulders and clicked his fingers across the computer keyboard a few more times before nodding his head. “Yes, ma’am, you have a two-and-a-half-hour layover in Newark before your connecting flight to Toronto. There’s no need to stress, though; that’s plenty of time.”
Bette exhaled sharply through her nose, her jaw tightening as she shot a pointed, sarcastic glance over the divider. Plenty of time, he said. Plenty of time, as if she had all the hours in the world to waste time standing here, arguing with an airline employee over something she should have known days ago.
She resisted the urge, just barely, to rub at the frustration building behind her temples. Instead, her fingers twitched against the counter, a cold, calculated restraint keeping her from acting on the sudden fantasy of grabbing this man by the collar and dragging him halfway across the desk. She wouldn't, of course, but the image was satisfying enough to temporarily soothe the sting of irritation.
”I’m not stressed about missing my flight," Bette corrected, her voice smooth and clipped despite the heat at her cheeks betraying her composure. "I didn’t know there was a layover involved.”
Her company knew better than this. They knew how meticulous she was, how obsessively she structured every detail of her schedule in advance. Surprises did not sit well with her, and a layover she hadn't been informed of? That was unacceptable.
And yet, here she was, standing in an airport she wasn't supposed to be in, watching her meticulously planned trip crumble piece by piece.
Behind her, the line of restless travellers had grown audibly irate. Sharp sighs, impatient muttering, the occasional exaggerated shuffle of feet; each one was another unwelcome addition to her rising frustration. She could practically feel their judgment pressing against her back.
Then, a sharp poke jabbed at her shoulder.
Bette turned slowly, locking eyes with an elderly woman who was staring her down with unwavering determination. Her wrinkled face was set in a firm and unimpressed expression, a silent warning that she was not about to tolerate any nonsense.
Bette arched a brow, lips parting as she prepared to fire back with something sharp, something cutting, but the woman was already shaking her head, the disapproval etched deep into the lines of her face.
Move along, her glare seemed to say. Some of us have places to be, too, honey.
”What’s the hold-up? Can’t you see there’s a line of people behind ya?”
Bette bit her lip, turning back toward the check-in desk. Ordinarily, she would have taken the bait, indulging in a verbal sparring match just for the satisfaction of putting someone in their place. But today, her irritation was a slow-burning ember, something far more useful when stoked into full fury in the courtroom.
She grabbed her tickets forcefully from the man’s hand, barely sparing him a glance as she scoffed and strode away, her carry-on rolling obediently behind her.
Her heels clicked sharply against the grey terrazzo tiles, each step measured and purposeful. The terminal loomed ahead, indifferent to her presence, its fluorescent lights casting an artificial glow over the travellers moving like restless waves through the space.
Connecting flights and layovers; Bette Porter absolutely did not do layovers.
This trip had better be worth it.
TINA
Tina’s decision to take a last-minute trip to New York had been impulsive, but well-earned. After months of relentless work on a high-profile case, she had finally secured the win she had fought so hard for, a victory that demanded celebration, even if only in the form of a few stolen days of rest.
She was good at what she did. Exceptional, even. The legal world was a battlefield riddled with malpractice, deception, and barefaced lies, and she had made it her mission to fight for the people who needed her most. Holding the guilty accountable was her purpose, the driving force behind every case she took on.
Which was why, when her boss interrupted her vacation with an urgent request, she hadn’t hesitated.
A sudden illness had thrown the company's plans into disarray, and now, Tina was being pulled in to cover for what was shaping up to be one of Canada’s biggest corporate lawsuits to date. The paperwork had landed in her inbox barely twenty-four hours ago, and now, she was on her way to Newark Airport, steeling herself for the whirlwind ahead.
The case was massive, the stakes higher than anything she had handled before. She had barely had time to prepare, but that was nothing new. She thrived under pressure, wielding her expertise like a blade. And though she hadn’t yet laid eyes on the opposing counsel, she couldn’t help but wonder if they had any idea what kind of fight they were about to walk into. Her track record was almost perfect, and she could only hope that whoever she was facing would come prepared.
That morning, she had grabbed breakfast at a small café tucked around the corner from her hotel. As she sipped her coffee, she overheard a group of locals loudly discussing the coming weather forecast. A blizzard was supposedly on its way, threatening to turn the city into a frozen disaster zone. It was February, after all, so snow in New York was almost a given, but as she had glanced out the window, she paid it little thought. The air was crisp, biting at her skin enough to flush her cheeks a soft, dewy pink, but the sky was deceptively clear: an expanse of pale blue untouched by the slightest hint of impending chaos.
So, she finished her meal, packed her bags, and took one final look at herself in the mirror.
Her outfit was sharply professional: a dark grey, double-breasted dress with three-quarter length sleeves and two gold buttons glinting on the front. She had packed it on a whim, imagining it would serve as appropriate attire for an upscale dinner, but now, it would have to do for court. It wasn’t her usual courtroom armour, but she wasn’t about to waste time hunting down something more traditional.
Her blonde hair was swept half-up, half-down, her bangs tucked neatly to one side, just as they usually were. Satisfied, she grabbed her suitcase and carry-on, heading down to the lobby to hail a cab.
She only had a few hours before her flight, and as the case loomed ahead, she had no doubt it would be brutal.
Still, she had never backed down from a fight.
******
The trip to the airport took roughly an hour and a half, giving Tina enough time to review her notes again, scanning every detail for any potential weakness in her strategy.
A quarter of the way in, however, the sky above began a slow transformation. The pale blue was quickly being swallowed by an encroaching grey, and within minutes, delicate white flakes were tumbling down, dusting the cityscape in a soft, wintry haze.
Tina frowned, feeling the familiar pressure of unease creeping into her chest. She hadn’t even been told who would be defending the firm yet, and that uncertainty gnawed at her more than anything else. Based on the information she’d been given, she couldn’t fathom how anyone could possibly mount a credible defence for a company this corrupt.
For the life of her, she couldn't understand how anyone, no matter how morally bankrupt, could willingly stand before a court and argue on their behalf. The sheer absurdity of it only strengthened her confidence in winning, still, the stress was unavoidable and part of the process - a necessary evil.
By the time the cab pulled up to the terminal, the snow had begun layering the ground in thick, undisturbed white, settling over the airport’s surroundings like a blanket. And as she stepped out, the light flurries gave way to heavier flakes; fat, dense clusters that nestled into her blonde waves as she hauled her suitcase from the trunk.
The cold struck instantly, sharp and unforgiving against her skin. She pulled the lapels of her coat tighter, hurrying toward the entrance with brisk, purposeful steps. She had always loved winter in New York; the way the city transformed under snowfall, how everything felt sharper, crisper, more alive. But today, the weather was nothing more than an inconvenience, an obstacle between her and what she needed to accomplish.
Thankfully, her check-in went smoothly, at least, and with two hours to spare, Tina headed straight to the lounge to have a few drinks.
She knew better than to waste time.
The trial was set for early the next morning, and once she landed in Toronto, she’d be heading straight to bed. No distractions, no unwinding, just preparation and strategy.
The lounge was quieter than she remembered it, strangely subdued. She had flown in and out of Newark many times previously, and she soon reasoned that the quietness was likely a side effect of the weather, with people probably getting spooked and deciding to delay their travels.
Still, the board overhead remained reassuring. Flights were running smoothly. No delays.
She took that as her cue to unwind a little.
At the bar, she ordered a small bottle of red wine, taking the glass and bottle from the server before heading toward the secluded booths tucked into the farthest corner. It was the ideal spot; close enough to keep an eye on the boarding calls and the overhead TV, yet hidden enough that she could focus without interruption. At least, that was the plan.
Or so she thought.
A short while later, Tina was interrupted by a shadow looming over her laptop screen.
She hadn't noticed anyone approaching, too absorbed in her work and her thoughts tangled in the layers of the case. But when she glanced up, she was met by a tall man standing hesitantly at the end of her table, his posture hovering between confident and cautious.
”Can I help you?” She asked politely, shifting her laptop slightly to face the wall, shielding her notes from prying eyes.
”I saw you from over there and wondered if you might like some company. Names Henry.”
The gentleman stuck out his hand to shake hers while holding a pint of beer, gripped loosely in the other.
Tina hesitated, then offered her own hand out of courtesy. His grip was firm, a little too enthusiastic, as if he were used to taking up space and expecting others to accommodate him.
”Tina," she replied, flashing a practised, polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m actually in the middle of some business right now. I wouldn’t be much company.”
For most people, that would be enough to walk away.
Henry, evidently, was not like most people.
He slid his half-empty glass onto the table with casual disregard, leaning closer to her.
”You sure?" he pressed, ignoring everything she had just said. "I thought you were looking kinda stressed.“
Tina exhaled through her nose, barely masking the flicker of irritation creeping beneath her expression. She had dealt with men like this before; the persistent kind, the ones who mistook polite rejection for playful resistance.
She could feel the pulse of frustration rising, but she swallowed it down, knowing it would serve her better in court.
”Really, I have so much work to do. I’d rather just be alone.” She leaned back slightly in her seat, fingers curling around the stem of her wine glass as she assessed him with measured patience.
She had neither the time nor the inclination for distractions.
Henry, however, had no intention of catching on. Instead, he placed a hand at the edge of the table, the movement casual yet intrusive, fingers brushing just a little too close to where her notes lay scattered. His presence pressed inward, the space between them shrinking in a way that made her pulse quicken, heat blooming faintly in her cheeks.
”Drinks are on me–“
“She said no, didn’t you hear her the first time?” The voice cut through the tension like a blade, soft yet firm, carrying the kind of weight that demanded attention without needing to raise the volume.
Henry stiffened, his shoulders instinctively shifting back before turning toward the source of the interruption. Behind him, a tall woman with curly brown hair stood poised, her maroon pant suit impeccably fitted, exuding an air of effortless authority. One eyebrow was raised in quiet challenge, a drink balanced in one hand while the other rested securely on her hip.
Tina took in the details: the brunette’s lips curled inward, nostrils flared ever so slightly, her gaze locked onto Henry with a quiet, unwavering steel. This wasn’t a request, and it definitely wasn’t a suggestion.
It was a warning.
When he turned to face her, the brunette wasted no time in swiftly stepping past him, sliding effortlessly into the seat opposite Tina as if she had always belonged there. She set her drink down with casual precision, the glass settling onto the coaster with a soft clink.
”Sorry I took so long at the bar," she said smoothly, her tone light yet calculated. "I couldn’t remember if you wanted another drink or not, so I thought I’d better come back and check first.”
Tina blinked, momentarily thrown, before realisation settled in. She smiled, a small but grateful expression, shaking her head subtly, her eyes saying what her words wouldn’t.
"N…no. The bottle of wine should last me until our flight."
The stranger, still unnamed, turned back toward Henry, who lingered awkwardly at the edge of the table, his confidence visibly wavering under the sudden shift in dynamic.
"As you can see, we’re actually pretty busy, so..." Her lips curved, just slightly, not quite a smirk, but something close. "Goodbye."
And just like that, the moment was over.
With all of the wind knocked out of him, Henry silently picked up his glass, his confidence visibly deflated. He didn’t say a word, just turned and made his way back to the bar, shoulders slightly slumped, his ego bruised but intact enough to save face.
Tina waited until he was out of earshot before letting out a quiet laugh, shaking her head.
”Thank you for that," she said, relief laced through her tone as she glanced across the table. “He just appeared. I didn’t have time to think of an excuse.”
The woman smirked, taking a slow sip from her cocktail. "Sleazy asshole," she remarked, the words rolling off her tongue like an observation rather than an insult.
Tina exhaled, letting herself relax slightly as she pushed her laptop and scattered papers further to one side.
"Tina," she offered, introducing herself properly now that the moment had settled.
"Bette. Happy to help."
Bette took a glance at the documents sprawled across the table - the unmistakable signs of serious work - and knew better than to linger too long. She waited just long enough to watch Henry abandon his efforts entirely, slipping out of the bar altogether, before speaking again.
”I can see you're busy, but if you have some free time later, maybe we could grab a drink before our flights?”
Tina met her gaze, considering for a brief second before nodding, watching as Bette slid effortlessly out of the booth, just as quickly as she had arrived.
"Sure. That would be nice."
******
An hour had passed, and Tina decided it was time to pack up for the time being and take a break. She’d get more research done during the flight, and Toronto was only two hours away, give or take, so she could use the time wisely. But with another hour before boarding, she found herself glancing toward the lounge area, spotting Bette still seated a few rows down.
The brunette caught her gaze and, without hesitation, waved her over with an easy, welcoming smile.
"I was afraid you were going to shoot me down like you did earlier with that guy," Bette teased as Tina approached, pulling her drink closer in a lazy, casual motion.
"Well, you scared him away before I even had the chance to drink with him." Tina slid onto the soft brown leather seat, mirroring Bette’s action by placing her carry-on strategically beside her, ensuring the empty space remained just that; empty. She wasn’t interested in unwelcome company.
Bette cocked her head to the side, eyes narrowing slightly in amusement as she picked up on Tina’s humour. “I can see if he’s still around if you’d like?”
"Oh—" Tina spluttered as she took a hurried sip of wine, nearly choking on the thought alone. "God, no. Absolutely not." She exhaled, offering a grateful smile. "Thanks again, by the way. It was very kind of you to step in like that."
Bette simply nodded, nonchalant but perceptive, her gaze flickering across the lounge before settling back on Tina.
”I saw him eyeing you up from the bar. Those guys only have one thing in mind, and… picking up women in airports?" She scoffed lightly, dragging a finger absently over the rim of her glass." What does he think this is? A nineties Rom-com?”
Tina took another measured sip from her glass, studying the brunette with quiet curiosity. There was something about the way Bette reacted, something that went beyond mild irritation, beyond the usual distaste for unwelcome advances. The slight furrow in her brow. The absent movement of her finger tracing the edge of her drink.
Whatever it was, it had bothered her. And that alone made Tina curious.
”So you watch a lot of rom-coms then, I take it?” Tina teased as she grasped for an easy joke, suddenly aware of her own ability to think of something more interesting to say.
Bette exhaled softly through her nose, amusement flickering at the corners of her mouth. “Only from the comfort of my own home," she admitted, "but don’t tell my friends, or I’ll never hear the last of it.”
The conversation between them unfolded naturally, light, easy, comfortably unremarkable. For the next forty-five minutes, they drifted between casual topics, sipping their drinks, words flowing without urgency.
And yet, despite the ease of it all, Tina found herself struggling.
There was something about Bette – her presence, maybe – or the way she spoke and the effortless confidence in her demeanour, that had thrown her off-kilter in a way she couldn’t quite explain. She was answering questions, engaging in conversation, but her mind kept snagging on small details: the cadence of Bette’s voice, the way she held her glass, the sharpness of her gaze when she listened. It was distracting, unsettling in a way that made her fumble over words she normally wouldn’t.
She wasn’t usually the shy type.
But now, sitting across from Bette, tripping over sentences that had no reason to be difficult, Tina found herself silently kicking herself for the inexplicable way she seemed to be unravelling. She tried to think of something – anything – interesting to say, but somehow, every ounce of intelligence had dispersed.
She was also certain Bette had been lightly flirting with her throughout their conversation; small gestures, casual touches, lingering glances from across the table. But if there was one thing Tina had mastered, it was ignoring all signs of flirting from another woman.
Or at least pretending to.
She would be lying if she said she hadn’t wanted to reciprocate, to mirror those touches, meet those glances, step into the moment instead of sidestepping it. But something held her back. Maybe nerves. Maybe uncertainty. Maybe just the sheer force of Bette’s undeniable confidence.
Tina wasn’t the type to pick up strangers in bars or airport lounges, for that matter.
And yet, this felt different.
Still, when the board ahead of her flashed her call sign and the words 'Go to gate', she felt the unmistakable tinge of both relief and disappointment.
Their afternoon together had come to an end.
She assumed Bette probably thought she was dull, that her stilted conversation was a sign of insecurity rather than intrigue. And when they parted ways, Tina knew it was unlikely they’d ever cross paths again. But for some reason, the thought of that didn’t sit right.
Not at all.
”Oh, well, I guess this is me.”
Tina exhaled sharply, scrambling to gather her things, hands moving quickly but not steadily. Her cheeks had grown hotter as the minutes ticked by, Bette's unwavering gaze setting a slow burn against her skin.
”Can’t I at least get your number before you run away?”
Bette's voice was smooth, teasing but deliberate, cutting through Tina's flustered movements with a quiet confidence. She could tell the blonde was overwhelmed, could see it in the slight shake of her fingers as she reached for the bag, the faint rise in her colour, the way she seemed just a little too eager to make a quick exit.
Tina paused with a slow blink, suddenly feeling slightly off-balance.
”Oh, yeah. Sure.”
She took Bette's phone from her hand, her own fingers curling around the device more tightly than necessary, tapping in a new contact with a slightly rushed precision.
As she entered the number, she could feel the heat creeping higher, pooling under her collar and making her pulse skip in a way that felt completely irrational.
Bette was forward, unapologetically so, and Tina wasn't sure if that was what unsettled her the most, or if it was the fact that she didn't entirely mind.
“Huh.”
Bette smirked, turning toward the board, scanning the flights while Tina still had hold of her phone. She leaned back slightly, eyes flicking across the departures before settling on one in particular.
“Look at that. Looks like we’re both going to Toronto.”
Tina choked on the breath she had been holding.
Of course they were. As if the universe hadn't done enough to keep her tangled in this endless cycle of flustered stammering and embarrassing moments, now she was going to have to prolong the mental torture even further.
For the briefest second, she debated feigning a sudden, emergency change of plans, an alternate destination, a last-minute reroute, a reason to vanish entirely.
But she knew better. Besides, she wasn't sure she really wanted to vanish.
******
The two of them made their way to the terminal, both stiff with unease as they caught their first glimpse of the weather outside.
For the last two hours, they had been enclosed within the depths of the airport lounge, completely unaware of the storm brewing beyond its walls. Now, standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the departure lounge, the reality hit them like a weight.
It was as if the world beyond the glass had been swallowed whole.
What should have been an open stretch of runway was now buried beneath a relentless sheet of white. Visibility was non-existent, nothing but shifting, swirling snowfall that blurred the outlines of stationary planes and blanketed the tarmac faster than it could be cleared.
Passengers were already crowding near the windows, murmuring anxiously among themselves, some pulling out their phones in what was likely a futile attempt to check updates.
Tina felt a quiet, sinking unease in her chest.
She had seen something eerily similar on the news years ago: a rare blizzard that had locked down multiple states, rendering travel impossible for days. It had been dubbed an anomaly, a storm unlikely to repeat itself.
And yet, here they were.
Bette, meanwhile, was growing visibly impatient, tugging her phone out as she prepared to call her boss. She knew the odds of making it to Toronto on schedule were wearing thin. And while being stuck in a terminal with Tina for a few more hours wasn’t the worst fate imaginable, the uncertainty was gnawing at her.
She needed to be in that courtroom.
But before she could even dial, the departures board flickered one by one, each flight’s call sign flipping, until every single one read the same dreaded word:
CANCELLED.
A collective sigh swept through the room, a wave of frustration and resignation rolling across the crowd.
Bette stared up at the board, utterly unimpressed. "No, no, no—you have got to be fucking kidding me."
Running a hand through her hair, she started pacing, jaw tight with frustration. She tried calling her boss, but the line rang endlessly, each unanswered tone only adding fuel to her irritation.
"This is just fucking great."
Tina watched her silently, her own thoughts scattered, trying to piece together what their next move could possibly be.
Without thinking, she spoke. "Do you have somewhere to be?"
The moment the words left her lips, she cringed, rolling her eyes at herself. Of course, she had somewhere to be. Everyone had somewhere to be.
”Oh, y’know, just the biggest case of my career.” Bette mumbled with a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her curls. “Which, by the way, is probably going to be cut short after this.”
Tina nodded in understanding. “I get it, I’m here for business too.”
She wasn’t sure why, but something about the coincidence nagged at her. The fact that they were both stranded in the same place, on the same delayed flight, heading to the same city for work – it was odd.
Had fate decided to toy with them today?
Still, they hadn’t discussed careers earlier, and Tina wasn’t about to start prying now. She kept her work to herself where she could. And she absolutely did not discuss legal cases with strangers.
The airport had offered little in the way of useful information, leaving most passengers reliant on the overhead TVs scattered throughout the terminal for updates.
New York was in the grip of a winter storm, one eerily reminiscent of the blizzard that had shut down the city years ago. The situation was deteriorating fast. Snow was falling quicker than runway crews could clear it, taxis had ceased operations, and with no safe way to travel, they were all stranded.
Bette and Tina had little choice but to seek help, making their way to the airport’s service desk in the hopes of figuring out their next move. The thought of being stuck in a terminal for days, sleeping in stiff chairs, surviving off overpriced food, was unbearable. Yet, as expected, most of the staff had few answers. They were just as trapped as the passengers.
Tina felt her hope dwindling. If hundreds of other travellers were in the same predicament, their odds of finding an alternative were slim. So, when they finally reached the front of the line, she let Bette do all the talking.
To their relief, there was space available at the adjoining hotel, but limited. Bette had managed to secure them a room for the night, the only issue? They would have to share.
Tina hesitated. It wasn’t ideal.
She wasn’t used to throwing herself into situations like this, especially not with someone she had only just met. But, taking a room for herself felt selfish when so many others were scrambling for shelter, and Bette had been nothing but kind.
She reasoned with herself, then reluctantly agreed.
NOT how she had expected her day to go.
But really, what was the worst that could happen?
The hotel was nice, very nice, actually.
It was cosy and warm, a stark contrast to the biting chill of the airport. Under different circumstances, Tina might have enjoyed this: the quiet hum of the heater, the view of the blizzard through the window, the promise of an uninterrupted evening indoors.
The room itself was well-furnished, spacious, with the king-size bed taking up most of it. She didn't mind that. Not really. Sleep wasn't going to come easily tonight anyway.
While Bette checked them in, Tina had made the necessary call to her boss. Thankfully, the trial's postponement wouldn't be an issue- after all, the court couldn't proceed without both lawyers present.
And that was when the first thread of suspicion began to tug at her mind.
She also wasn't exactly sure what was happening between her and Bette. The brunette had been shamelessly flirtatious earlier, had asked for her number outright, and had looked at her in ways Tina wasn't quite sure how to process. But this wasn't a typical scenario, not for two people who had only just met, not for two professionals thrown together by chance.
Or was it chance?
The realisation started slowly, just a whisper of thought, a puzzle forming in the back of her mind. Bette was a lawyer. That much she already knew. She was heading to Toronto for a case.
The biggest case of her career.
Tina vaguely remembered her boss saying something eerily similar when offering her the job that she was currently on her way to. The coverage had already made headlines - 'Canada's most high-profile case'.
How many of those could there possibly be at one time?
Then, like the click of a lock sliding into place, the penny dropped.
”Oh, my god.” Tina's voice cut through the quiet of the hotel room, edged with unmistakable anger and something close to anger.
“What?”
Bette barely glanced up, her focus still locked on her phone screen as she tapped out an email, her repeated attempts to contact her boss continuing to go unanswered.
”You’re Bette Porter.”
That got her attention. Seated on the edge of the bed, facing the window, Bette turned her head, brows knitting together in confusion.
”I don’t know where you’re going with this… but yes. Why’d you ask?”
”Defence lawyer Bette Porter? I-only-work-for-crooks, Bette Porter?”
Bette closed her eyes briefly, inhaling a slow, measured breath before setting her phone down with deliberate care.
She wasn’t unfamiliar with this reaction. Her name was attached to enough controversial cases that it was only a matter of time before someone put the pieces together. It had happened before: someone getting to know her, seeing her as just another person, and then realising who she was.
And more often than not, it didn’t end well. Tina’s expression told her everything she needed to know.
”Defence lawyer, yes. The rest of what you just said is purely your own opinion.” Bette's voice was steady but not defensive. Yet, Tina could see it as clear as day.
She still hadn't realised.
Standing at the foot of the bed, hands planted firmly on her hips, Tina stared at her, waiting, watching for the moment it would click. But Bette was too wrapped up in her own irritation to connect the dots, too caught up in the inconvenience of their predicament to fully grasp what Tina was getting at.
What she had just realised.
Tina had read plenty about Bette throughout her career, had followed her name in court rulings and business deals, seen it splashed across headlines, attached to corporations dripping in controversy.
She knew exactly what kind of cases Bette took on.
Where Tina fought for those in need, Bette fought for the ones who could afford to escape accountability.
"Canada’s biggest ever law case? You’re fighting for Revelate Solutions, right?" She scoffed, shaking her head. "Why else would you be here?"
Bette’s expression shifted. The arch of her brow, the slight narrowing of her eyes, the quiet calculation flickering in her gaze as she took in Tina, her outfit, and the stack of paperwork she had been studying earlier.
And just like that, it all made sense.
Oh.
Bette laughed nervously, but the smirk on her lips only annoyed Tina further. “Ah. Ha ha. You’re the opposition, right?”
Tina bit down on her lower lip, the pressure grounding her, keeping her from snapping outright. Bette was being so nonchalant about it, so dismissive, and it made her blood boil.
"That’s all you have to say?" Her voice was tight, edged with frustration.
”What do you want me to say, Tina?" Bette sighed, shrugging with careless ease. "It’s a court case. I do my job, and you do yours.”
That was it? That was it?
Tina could hardly believe her. The fact that they were about to go head-to-head on the same case, the one that was convoluted, messy, awful, hadn't fazed Bette in the slightest.
Like it was just another day at work.
Tina had always tried to keep her personal feelings separate from her cases. She had made a career out of fighting fair, of keeping grudges at arm’s length, of doing her job without letting her emotions cloud her professionalism.
But this company – this case – was different.
They had defrauded innocent people out of millions. Their corruption ran deeper than anything she had ever seen, and the idea that someone, anyone, could willingly stand in their defence made her skin crawl.
And Bette was that someone.
She had admired her just hours ago. Now, she wasn’t so sure.
”I’m sorry, this isn’t a good idea,” Tina said, beginning to gather her things. “I’m going to leave now, and we’re going to pretend this meeting never happened.”
Tina's voice was clipped and firm with determination, even as her movements betrayed the frantic energy bubbling beneath her composure. She gathered her belongings hastily, the hotel room suddenly feeling too small, too stifling.
She needed to get out.
”And where are you going to go?” Bette asked. She crossed her arms, watching Tina's hurried movements with quiet amusement. “We got one of the last available rooms. They're not going to give you one now.”
”I don’t know… I’ll find somewhere." Tina shook her head, pulling her coat off the chair, clutching it tighter than necessary. "I’ll sleep in the terminal if I have to, but I don’t want to stay here with you.”
Bette let out a dramatic, mocking laugh, shaking her head. Tina, this complicated, stubborn, sharp-witted woman she had only met hours ago, was, without question, one of the most fascinating people she had ever encountered.
She knew next to nothing about her. And yet, inexplicably, she didn't want her to leave.
“You can’t sleep in the terminal." Bette scoffed, and her tone only served to heighten Tina's rage. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds? And, not to mention, uncomfortable.”
As much as she hated it, Tina knew Bette was right.
Still, she kept up the façade, unwilling to let Bette see that she was right. She had already made her way to the door, only to realise, too late, that Bette had followed. Close. Too close.
"I’ll figure something out."
"Stay."
The word was simple, direct.
Tina turned, her pulse quickening against her ribs. "I can’t. We can’t. It’s a conflict of interest. It’ll jeopardise the whole case." Her voice barely carried above a whisper, soft and unsure, trapped somewhere between logic and something else entirely.
Bette didn’t waver. Slowly, intentionally, she placed a hand against the doorframe, boxing Tina into the small space between wood and warmth, between reluctance and possibility.
"So?" The word was barely more than a breath, hot, lingering against Tina’s cheek. “We don’t tell them.”
The words hung between them, heavy, unspoken consequences woven into every syllable.
Tina looked away, anywhere but there, anywhere but the burning gaze that Bette was levelling at her. The brunette’s hand was still pressed against the wall, her body close enough that Tina could feel the warmth radiating off her, could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing over the tension crackling in the air.
She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment the atmosphere had changed, when the teasing had shifted from casual to something weighted, something dangerous. But now, standing here, caught in the pull of Bette’s unwavering attention, Tina understood.
All the hints, the subtle touches, the lingering glances, the effortless flirtation, suddenly made perfect sense.
”Bette–” A warning, thinly veiled and barely recognisable.
Bette didn’t move, still didn’t waver. When Tina finally found the courage to meet her eyes, she was met with something dark and consuming – an intensity that swallowed reason whole.
"Kiss me."
The words slipped through the space between them, hardly more than a whisper, Bette’s breath hot against Tina’s parted lips.
Tina didn’t move.
“No.”
"C’mon." Bette’s voice was teasing, coaxing, and deliberate. "You know you want to."
Tina shook her head, her breath coming in shallow, uneven waves as she fought to keep her composure. She wasn’t sure what was happening, how the evening had unravelled into this, but she couldn’t deny the pull, the temptation humming beneath her skin.
"You don’t?" Bette's voice was slow and measured, teasing in a way that sent a ripple down Tina's spine. "Then..." Her hand lifted, fingers grazing deliberately against the exposed skin of Tina’s collarbone, tracing downward with just enough pressure to leave goosebumps in their wake.
"Why are you breathing so fast?"
Tina didn’t respond. She couldn’t.
Instead, she leaned in, barely conscious of the movement, drawn forward as if guided by something outside of herself. The scent of Bette’s perfume wrapped around her, warm and intoxicating, clouding the edges of logic.
And before she could stop herself, before she could register the weight of her own actions, she surged forward, her lips colliding with Bette’s in something desperate, something unrestrained. Her fingers tangled into the soft curls at the nape of Bette’s neck, pulling her closer, grounding herself in the undeniable reality of the moment.
All of the anger she had felt earlier suddenly vanished.
Bette's hand found Tina's waist, and she pulled her in, pressing their bodies flush against one another before gently pushing her back against the door. The warmth of her touch sent a shiver up Tina's spine, her breath hitching as Bette's fingers trailed lower, exploring with deliberate intent.
Her wandering hand quickly found its way under Tina's thigh-length dress, the pads of her fingertips grazing against her upper thigh before coming to rest at the joint of her hip. A small gasp escaped the back of her throat as her head tipped back and knocked against the door, the cool surface behind her contrasting against the heat pooling beneath her skin.
Bette lowered her head, tracing a path along her jaw and to the side of her neck, nipping the flesh between her teeth, not enough to leave a mark, but enough to heighten Tina's senses. Her lips worked meticulously against the sensitive skin, leaving a trail of hungry, wet kisses from Tina’s jaw, along her chest, and down into the open space between her breasts.
The weight of Bette’s presence, the way she moved with quiet confidence, was overwhelming; an energy that settled thick in the air between them, unspoken but undeniable as Tina tried, and failed, to subdue her noises.
Slowly, Bette sank to her knees, and Tina's breath hitched, her pulse thrumming beneath her skin as Bette moved with deliberate intent. She grabbed at the fabric, bunching the blonde's dress in her fist, holding it up just enough to expose her lower stomach and panties to her wandering eye.
Tina watched through half-lidded eyes as Bette knelt before her, the space between them charged with unspoken energy. The sight of the brunette slotted between her and the door sent a ripple of heat throughout her core, an unfamiliar push-and-pull control and surrender weaving between them.
Bette’s fingers grazed along the fabric at Tina’s waist, her touch deliberate, teasing, yet firm. She pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the curve of Tina’s hip, her presence grounding yet electrifying. Then, she hooked a single finger into the waistband of Tina’s underwear, covering the newly-exposed skin with a kiss, her teeth lightly scraping against the skin. She gripped them on either side, encouraging Tina to shift just enough that she could pull them down, leaving them hooked around the blonde's ankles, resting on the high heels she was still wearing.
”Let me hear you,” she muttered, “There’s no one else here.”
Bette's voice was low, carrying just enough heat to send a shiver throughout Tina's body. She lifted her gaze, looking up at the blonde through long lashes before dipping her tongue between the apex of her thighs, flattening her tongue against the most sensitive part of her.
” Oh my… god—“
Tina sucked in a breath as her knees buckled, threatening to give way as the intensity of the moment settled between them. Bette's hands found their place at Tina's waist, grounding her and holding her firm, keeping her steady as she pressed her into the door.
”You taste so good.” Bette purred, pulling back to look up at her.
It wasn’t a lie; she wasn't affected... far from it.
The taste of Tina in her mouth had ignited something in her stomach, coiling the thread tight, forcing her to clench her thighs together with desperation. She was desperate for any sort of friction, anything that would subdue the ache for now.
Tina's breath came in short, shallow waves, her fingers tightening instinctively at Bette's curls as her tongue circled her clit. She wasn't sure exactly when she had lost control, but the confirmation came shortly after Bette pressed a hand between her legs, dragging her fingers through her arousal before pressing a finger up into her centre.
She writhed against Bette's grasp at the new but welcoming sensation, one hand tangled in brunette curls, and the other pressed against the wall in an attempt to keep herself standing. When Bette was sure Tina was steady enough, she added a second finger, curving them just enough to have the blonde squirming desperately against the door.
“Bette–” Tina whined, her impending orgasm evident in her tone of voice. Their position wasn't exactly secretive, but she couldn't quite muster up enough courage to care about who might hear them on the other side of the door.
”Mhm,” Bette murmured, the vibration humming in her throat. “Words, please.”
”I’m going–“ Tina tightened her grip on Bette's hair, her knees threatening to collapse under the weight.
”I’m… I'm going to cum–”
Tina tipped her head back against the door, hitting it forcefully as her knees buckled, the orgasm that ripped through her stronger than any she had ever experienced before.
With her fingers still pulsing inside, Bette placed her free arm across the blonde's stomach, pinning her to the door. She felt the way Tina pulsed around her hand, desperately giving her as much as she was willing to take.
Tina’s chest heaved desperately for breath as her body betrayed her, the weakness in her knees a sure sign of the effect Bette had on her body.
This wasn't supposed to be happening. This would ruin the case.
And yet, she couldn't stop herself.
When Bette slowed her movements, and Tina was somewhat able to hold her own weight, she tugged Bette's head upward toward her, bringing her back to her mouth to kiss her with force again. The scent of her own arousal, the scent of Bette's perfume, the taste of herself on the brunette's lips - it was all slightly too much to ignore.
Her stomach still ached, and she wanted more.
Without breaking the kiss, Tina stepped out of her shoes and kicked off her underwear, leading them back toward the bed. Bette wasted no time at all, shrugging off her suit jacket and beginning to unbutton her blouse while Tina worked on her trousers.
When the back of Bette's knees hit the edge of the mattress, she discarded her blouse onto the floor and quickly slid off her trousers, eager not to lose even a single moment.
She scooted back onto the bed, Tina climbing into her lap, hands tangling in the hair at the nape of her neck once again, as their lips met in a deep, urgent kiss. Her hands trailed over Tina's hips, pulling her closer before cupping her ass, fingernails raking along the supple flesh and digging in, leaving sensitive, red impressions in their wake.
Tina rolled her hips, grinding herself against Bette's lap, her slickness spilling out and coating her thigh. Bette moaned open-mouthed in the kiss, letting her eyes flutter shut as Tina's hands gripped her shoulders for leverage.
With one leg outstretched on the mattress, Tina repositioned herself and straddled Bette's thigh completely, allowing the brunette to bend her left leg and rest the sole of her foot on the comforter, giving Tina better access. Then, the blonde dipped a wandering hand below the waist of Bette's panties, her fingers instantly finding a gentle rhythm as they slipped easily against the brunette's clit, covered in the wetness that had pooled against the fabric.
”So wet,” Tina teased, dipping the tip of her finger in just long enough to coax a moan past her lips before pulling back out again.
In this new position, Tina was able to tower over the brunette with ease. Just before she plunged her fingers deep inside, she pulled back from the kiss, forcing Bette to meet her gaze. When their eyes locked, Tina pushed two fingers inside the brunette easily, all the way to the hilt. She pulled out completely, then pressed back in again, adding her thumb as she circled slowly around her clit.
”Fuck.” Bette groaned, her free hand white-knuckling the white sheets of the comforter beneath her.
With her fingers deep inside of the brunette, Tina began to buck her hips slowly back and forth against Bette's thigh. She’d had her own release only minutes earlier, but her core already desperately ached once more, and she knew it wasn't going to take much to push her over the edge.
She pushed her fingers in hard, hard, harder, bumping against the soft flesh that made Bette cry out with every thrust. With her other hand still tightly gripping the hair at the nape of Bette's neck, Tina tugged backwards and tipped Bette's chin to the ceiling, revealing the bare skin of her neck.
Tina latched on with ease, teeth dragging and biting against a sensitive spot just below her ear. Bette grabbed at her ass again, sharp nails digging into the creamy skin beneath it just as they had done minutes before.
Tina could feel her orgasm building steadily again, but she swallowed it down, refusing to take the moment away from Bette. Releasing the skin between her teeth, Tina replaced sharp teeth with the soft caress of her lips, softly moaning against her ear with each thrust of her hand and each roll of her hips.
Bette began to mirror Tina’s actions in response, letting her fingers thread through strands of blonde hair, pulling her away from being buried in the crook of her neck, searching for her gaze. Her core burned, and Tina felt the squeezing around her fingers, a sign that Bette wasn't going to hold on much longer. Her jaw went slack almost instantly, her eyes barely open as a choked moan escaped her lips freely, the orgasm ripping through her entire body like a wildfire.
Tina, who was still holding on-barely-, quickly followed suit with another few rolls of her hips, completely encompassed by the way Bette looked when she came.
They held onto each other tightly, Tina maintaining pressure against Bette's thigh, and her fingers still curled inside her. It was overwhelming in every possible way, the hollow curve of Bette's spine pressing her chest against Tina's, her fingers tangled at the nape of her neck.
Tina dipped her head again, forehead resting on Bette's shoulder as her chest heaved, heart thumping loudly against her rib cage, completely overcome with exhaustion from the day.
With a pitiful whimper from Bette, Tina removed her fingers. She patted Tina gently on the hip, encouraging her to lift up while she moved further onto the bed. With a quiet sigh, she adjusted herself, laying her head down on the pillow. Slick with sweat, Tina took the opportunity to pull her dress up and over her head, tossing it onto the hotel room floor.
Once Bette was comfortable, she reached for Tina's hand, pulling her in close. Tina lay on her side, resting her head against Bette’s chest as though they'd done this a thousand times before.
Outside, the snow drifted heavily past the window, frosting the glass.
Tina lay in silence for a while, her arm draped over Bette’s stomach, both of their breathing still uneven.
“This doesn’t mean we’re friends, you know,” Tina whispered, tiny wisps of blonde hair clinging to her forehead.
Okay, Bette thought to herself. Friends don’t do this, anyway.
“Mhm. I know,” Bette murmured, tracing slow patterns along Tina’s back.
“But we’re going to be stuck here for a while, so it’s only fair we find something to occupy our time.”