Rated M for probable future chapters.

She was rather playing with her food than actually eating. It's not that the meat wasn't properly cooked. Food was the last thing on Vera's mind at the moment. Suddenly, Joan spoke breaking the pregnant silence.

"Vera, you know that I've always wanted to be more than just as mentor to you." The younger woman grabbed a bite of a salad, listening as her boss continued. "I value our relationship." At that, Vera felt like she needed some alcohol courage. Relationship, huh? That's how the Governor has seen this all along? She took a sip of Pinot. "Let me explain why. I enjoy working with you and I feel that that sense of professional satisfaction is reciprocated. I believe we've developed a regard based on mutual respect and understanding that transcends our difference in status. Hm? I'm not one to make friends. But I do feel like we still, we share a common philosophy in what it comes to corrections. I do feel like we acted similar in many ways..."

With every single word, Vera didn't know whether to interrupt the woman or wait what else she could make up. She couldn't believe how easily the lies were coming to Governor's mind. When did the older woman act similar to Vera? What were those similarities she was talking about. The second glass of the alcoholic beverage was making deputy governor feel more confident about herself.

"Okay, stop. Stop." She finally managed to say. But she couldn't say whatever she had on mind. She looked into those brown eyes and melted in them. She didn't have a heart to face this problem. Not when she's seen the other woman struggling with finding the suitable words. Brown eyes opened wide in shock at the interruption. Miss Ferguson swallowed the mouthful, dumbfounded.

"What is it, Vera?" The Governor asked. Her eyebrows were shot into her hairline.

The younger woman thought for a second about her answer. What was it, Vera? She quickly analyzed everything the Governor's done to her. She's used her multiple times. She surely made her drunk that one night to find her weak points. She told her to get herself together that day, when she gained the nickname Vinegar Tits. She was Governor's tool. But Miss Ferguson was so kind to her, only to her. She visited her once Vera couldn't make it to the dinner. Decided to prepare food when Vera was taking care of her mother. She invited her over to dinner and started fancy talking. And what for? Was the Governor trying to cover up her lack of empathy towards the other woman when she had a syringe held down the throat, and did nothing? Was it her way of saying 'You mean nothing to me whenever you're weak but I value your loyalty when you're at your best?' Or was the Governor trying to do something of different nature? Vera has heard some rumors of Miss Ferguson and an inmate but it didn't have to mean they were true. Did the Governor like fairer sex? Was she trying to seduce clueless Miss Bennett?

She definitely had to find out. And she wasn't going to crash her evening with baiting about the other woman's different way of showing affection, unless it was pure hate.

The Governor cleared her throat, bringing Vera away from her thoughts. She needed to give her an answer. Otherwise, she would be compared to Mr Fletcher as a sluggard.

"Governor?" She started. "I'm not sure where you are going with your speech." She drained her glass and looked at the other woman. Miss Ferguson opened her mouth to say something but instead, Vera spoke. "I really appreciate the invitation. The dinner is delicious." She glared at her almost full plate and then back to Governor. "I just..." She looked for the adequate words. "I find it really hard to focus on food while you are looking at me like that." She soundly gulped and internally slapped herself for what she said.

"Does eating dinner with your boss make you feel uncomfortable? It undoubtedly wasn't a problem a few months back. Has anything changed between us since then? Vera, talk to me." The Governor was very persuasive because Vera was going to tell her everything. But she couldn't. She couldn't voice her thoughts. Of course, a lot of things have changed since that night.

"Joan..." She noticed the Governor's face softened at the use of her name. She tried to change the angle of the conversation. She needed to keep her game up. "It's nothing like that. I simply wonder if anything is bothering you. You seem tense. I, you said you are not the one to make friends but if, if you'd like to talk, I'm here." She mentally cursed herself. The woman could plan this dinner as a bait and she was offering her her shoulder. She smiled and hoped it would pass.

Miss Ferguson was ogling her for a while before she started cutting another piece of meat. "Thank you for your concern."

Vera's stomach silently twisted and she decided to come back to her plate. She hoped the other woman didn't hear the growl. She was eating slowly, even slower than the Governor who looked like she was counting how many times she bit one bite. Once they finished, Miss Ferguson offered Vera the couch in living room. She followed the hostess and took a sit at the opposite side of the furniture. The taller woman took the remaining wine with her.

"Relax, Vera, I don't bite." But you're killing me with your eyes, she thought.

Blue eyed woman leaned in the couch and started sipping her drink. While she was at three quarters of her second glass, the Governor was bringing a new bottle to refill her third. There was something on the other woman's mind, but she wasn't going to share it with her deputy. Vera wondered if the alcohol could change it.

"I've noticed some closeness between you and Mister Fletcher." She narrowed her already sharp gaze. "I was wondering if you two are," she continued, but the hesitation was definitely noticed by the smaller woman. "seeing one another, again."

Vera chocked at her wine and put the glass on the coffee table. "Excuse me, Governor, I don't know how it is any of your business." Miss Ferguson's nostrils flared but Vera kept talking. "However, I gave up on him long time ago. We're just being friendly." She took a hold on the glass once more. "I'm surprised why would you ask me about it. Are you jealous, Miss Ferguson?" Before she realized, she wiggled her left eyebrow. Then, she widened her eyes in shock. She drained another glass. "I'm sorry, I'm being too forward. It, it's the wine." To the woman's astonishment, the Governor let out a big throaty laugh.

"It's fine, Vera. You look like you're finally enjoying the evening."

"And you sound like you are avoiding the answer."

This time, the other woman didn't laugh. She looked somewhere between surprised and shocked.

"Why would I be jealous if you claimed there is nothing between you and Mr Fletcher?" Her voice remained cool and only slightly slurry but her hand holding the glass tightened around it.

"You didn't deny it, though." Vera admitted.

The younger woman was in a hold of the situation and Miss Ferguson felt unsteadily about it. She looked at the empty glass in her hands, trying to avoid the deputy's eyes. Vera, being insignificantly groggy, put her free hand on Governor's hand. "It's okay..."

"No, it's not." She stiffened at the touch and freed her hand from Vera's. "I think we should call it a night, don't you?" As she started standing up, Vera stopped her, putting her hand around Miss Ferguson's wrist. "Vera..."

A/N : Would you like me to continue this story? Would anyone be interested in being my Beta? Please, let me know what you think.

Also, I'm really sorry for my Grammar.