Chapter 4

"So, I take it your a plumber." Regina asked once the laughter had subsided.

"No but my Dad is."

"So your a...?"

"Cop. Detective with Boston Homicide. Jane Rizzoli."

"Well I suppose there is no need for me to introduce myself, since you already seem to know who I am. What did you do? Run a police check on me?"

"No, why? You committed any murders I should know about?"

Regina just looked down at the ground, at first finding slight amusement in what the Detective had said. And then finding no humour in it at all. She wasn't about to confess to crimes that had happened in another realm and crime that, in her opinion had been paid for already. She liked this woman and liked that she knew nothing of her fairytale alter ego.

"I take it this is what you were looking for?" Jane asked as she held the lost earring out.

"Yes. thank you." Regina responded, their fingers brushing as she retrieved the jewellery.

"No problem, look I don't mean to be rude but I really do have somewhere to be."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to keep you."

"It's OK, I just need to..."

Regina could sense Jane felt awkward and didn't want to push her but at the same time would have been more then happy to listen to her, for the company if nothing else.

"It's OK you don't have to explain."

"I just had a fall out with my friend. I need to go do damage limitation, after I've had a shower."

"Your friend? Would this be the friend you were dining with last night?"

"Yes it would, why?"

"No reason it's just..."

"It's just what?"

"Well I hope you don't mind my saying but the way you two interact implies more then friendship."

"The same could be said for you and your friend."

"Nicely avoided. Me and Emma are...complicated."

"You seemed complicated. Having a kid together can't make it any easier."

"It's not like that. We're not...well we weren't ever...it's."

"Complicated?"

"Yes. Very. So are you and your friend complicated?"

Jane was a little taken aback, she wasn't used to someone being so blunt. She was used to everyone knowing the obvious but keeping their mouths shut.

"Um I guess you could say that, well...actually, no not really."

"You don't have to talk about this if it makes you uncomfortable."

Regina had noticed Jane shifting her weight from side to side and rubbing her hands and assumed they were signs she was not happy discussing this.

Jane was feeling a little awkward. She did, however, feel that her unease was caused more by her being semi naked in a strangers home then talking about her feelings. She actually wouldn't mind divulging more to this woman, it might feel good to actually talk about this for once.

"It isn't actually that complicated. I'm crazy about her, she's not just my best friend she's my everything."

"That does sound simple, I take it she feels the same."

"I don't know, I didn't think so, but now I'm not so sure."

"From what I witnessed, I'd say she does."

"Well she certainly doesn't right now. I had a major go at her for no reason at all."

"There had to be some reason."

"She went for a run, bumped into Emma, went back to hers for coffee and I got jealous and yelled at her. Dumb right?"

Regina felt her features harden, hating that they were giving her away.

Regina's reaction did not go unnoticed by Jane, she doubted Regina would admit her feelings so freely, even though it was painfully obvious there was something between them.

"There is no shame in a little jealously. Its healthy, it shows you're well aware of your partners attributes and their appeal."

"I suppose but she isn't my partner."

"Not yet."

"Not ever after how I behaved."

"I have a feeling she'll forgive you. She cares a great deal for you, that is obvious."

"As obvious as you and Emma?"

"I told you, there is no me and Emma."

"Ah but you'd like there to be, is that the idea?"

"What? No! I can't stand the woman, she infuriating."

Jane just shrugged and gave a cocky smile that suggested she wasn't buying it.

"OK whatever you say."

"No, not whatever, you don't believe me do you?"

"Not one bit, no."

"I can assure you it's the truth. I have no romantic feelings towards Sheriff Swan."

"Who said anything about romance? I'm not saying the two of should sit in a field making daisy chains and reciting poetry but some good old fashioned knocking boots will definitely defuse things."

"Defuse what?"

"The sexual tension."

"That's not sexual tension. That's hatred"

"Trust me in my line of work I'm around enough hate to know the difference."

"You're wrong. I can't stand the woman."

"Let me ask you something. Do you believe that two people have to be in love with each other for the sex to be great?"

"No, I believe sex is a primal urge. Some of the best sex I've ever had has been with people I didn't know or like or who's names I couldn't even remember after."

Regina looked at the floor, trying to hide her embarrassment and shame. She may not have been sexually promiscuous, certainly not by today's standards but she had done some very questionable things regarding sexual encounters. Keeping the Huntsman as her sex slave being one of them.

Jane was a little more old school. She wasn't a saint and even she had had a few alcohol induced indiscretions, but generally sex was important to her and she needed to feel something for the person. Perhaps not love, but certainly something that could build to that.

"Regina it's OK I'm not judging you, we've all done things that seemed like a good idea at the time, but in the cold light of day, maybe not so much. But it does prove my point. Emma gets under your skin and yeah I'm sure you don't get on but..."

"But what?"

"But if she came round here to oh I dunno, help fix a sink for example, and by complete accident she ends up topless and soaking wet, would the result have been the same?"

"She wouldn't have been here. I wouldn't have called her."

"You didn't call me, yet here I am."

"I guess officers of the law are never off duty."

"And some woman just can't resist a damsel in distress."

"I'm not a damsel in distress and trust me Emma knows that better then anyone."

"Maybe she does but maybe she want to protect you anyway. Be your knight in shining armour, your saviour."

What the hell was this? Was granny putting a copy of Henry's book in each room, next to the bible?

"Saviour? What is it exactly she's saving me from?"

"Who knows. Maybe it isn't that in depth, maybe she just wants to fu..."

Regina arched her eyebrow, knowing exactly how that sentence was going to end.

"Fuck me?" Regina finished for Jane.

Jane blushed slightly and nodded.

"I very much doubt that thought has ever crossed Emma's mind."

"I very much doubt if any thoughts other than that have crossed her mind. Has it ever crossed yours?"

"Absolutely not!"

Jane smiled knowing full well it was a lie.

"You can honestly say you haven't ever thought of Emma like that? That if it was her standing here dripping wet all you'd be doing is talking?"

"I may offer her the use of my shower, out of courtesy."

"Out of courtesy, of course, nothing to do with the mental image of her soaping herself up in your shower? Then once finished joining you in the living room for a glass of wine, with nothing but a soft white fluffy towel to conceal her modesty?"

Jane needed no further scene setting, her eyes were on Regina and could see her expression change as she zoned out, clearly imagining the scenario.

"Well I think that gives us our answer."

"Hmm? What? Oh no I was just thinking?"

"I could see that, I bet I know what you were thinking about too!"

"Jane do stop being so juvenile. I was thinking that I haven't shown you much courtesy."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, now everything is fixed you're welcome to shower here before facing your friend. Consider it a thank you for helping me."

Jane mulled over the offer. She wasn't usually one for showering in a strangers home, but given her and Maura were sharing a room she figured it made sense.

"If you're sure it's not a problem."

"No problem at all, leave your clothes by the bathroom door and I'll dry them while your showering."

"OK thanks."

Jane made her way upstairs, the five star décor putting her slightly on edge. She thought of Maura, as she often did when she came across a situation she wasn't used too. Maura would love this place. It was everything she was. Classic, sophisticated, elegant. Jane's heart sank a little. She had behaved like a total ass-hole to the person that matter most in her life. A life that held little meaning or purpose without Maura in it.

This had gone on long enough. It all had. The games, the denial, the hiding at Regina's, all of it. Jane had held off telling Maura how she felt because she was scared. Scared of rejection, scared of pushing Maura away, scared of ruining their amazing friendship, scared of everything.

As fearful as Jane was about potential repercussions she couldn't bottle this up any more, the result was what happened earlier and Maura deserved better then that. If Jane stood any chance of winning the heart of the fair maiden she needed to buck her ideas up. Being emotionally open wasn't easy for Jane she felt it made her weak and venerable. She knew Maura felt the opposite. Today's argument had proved that. If she was to have any chance she would have to start talking to her, telling her everything no matter how scary it seemed.

Jane wrestled her damp jeans off, feeling very empowered and self righteous after the little pep talk she gave herself. She held her hand under the running jets and feeling the water at an ideal temperature stripped her last few items of clothing off before getting in. just as she was about to raise her left leg over the side of the bath she remembered she needed a towel. She tried shouting to Regina but her voice must have got lost in the high ceilings. She lowered her leg back to the ground and shut off the water, no sense in using all the hot water if no one was standing under it making use of it.

Jane tried shouting for Regina again, still to no avail. She was momentarily concerned but then she thought back to Regina not being a damsel in distress and she calmed slightly. Calling someone's name seemed futile but Jane was pretty sure if some dangerous and sinister act was being carried out the sound would travel.

Jane contemplated what she should do she was naked in Regina's bathroom and all she wanted was a towel. She looked around seeing if there was a robe she could slip on, but it appeared she was out of luck again. So left with only one option she struggled back into her wet jeans, making faces as the cold denim fought against her. She also put her bra back on but nothing more, Regina had spent the last hour seeing her in this state of undress it seemed silly to be bashful about it now.

Jane was in a hurry now, enough time had been wasted. She needed to shower and get to Maura as soon as possible before all hope for reconciliation was lost. She was in such as rush to get her plans under way she didn't hear the voices at the bottom of stairs. She didn't even realise Emma was stood in the entrance to Regina's home until it was to late.

"Hey Regina where do you keep your tow..."

Jane stopped in her tracks as green eyes looked her over. Narrowing slightly when she took in her semi naked appearance. For a moment Jane thought she saw Emma's lower lip quiver, but she couldn't be sure. Emma cleared her throat and looked towards Regina although she deliberately avoided meeting her eyes.

"This is clearly a bad time."

"No Emma it's OK. Jane and I were just..."

"You don't need to explain. I get it. I'll talk to you another time."

And with that Emma was gone.

"Sorry." Jane said from half way up the stairs.

"It's OK you weren't to know. I wasn't expecting her, I have no idea what she wanted."

"I've got a good idea what she wanted."

"Jane if this is more of your ridiculous theory about Emma being sexually attracted to me then forget it. I have already told you it isn't the case."

"It isn't?"

"No."

"Then why did she bolt? She came round here to say something and once she saw me she couldn't get out of here quick enough."

"Perhaps she was just a little surprised. I don't think she was expecting to see a half naked woman ascending my stairs."

"And any one who was just surprised would have hung around for the explanation."

"Well who knows why that woman does any of the things she does. However, for all her many faults she isn't one for gossiping or talking in general really, so it's safe to say no one else will hear about this."

"Strong silent type eh? Well she was plenty talkative this morning with Maura."

As soon as the words were out her, Jane's eyes widened as panic set in.

"Maura" Jane said sounding slightly out of breathe despite being frozen to the spot.

"She wouldn't, would she?"

"You tell me. She looked really shaken by seeing me here, like this."

"I did try to tell her this wasn't how it looked."

"Yeah you did, doing a nice job of drawing attention to how bad it does look."

"We need to catch up with her."

"Yeah we do. But before we do, I need clothes."
"My room is the one next to the bathroom, help yourself to whatever you need. I'll go bring the car round."

They both moved at break neck speed. They had no idea what, if anything, Emma would say but they both wanted to prevent the shit storm before it happened.

Jane couldn't bear the idea of Maura being any angrier at her then she already was and although she would never admit it, Regina didn't want Emma thinking anything had happened with Jane.

Regina sat in the car, her impatient growling harmonising with the car's engine and when Jane finally emerged Regina floored her vintage Merc in the direction of the B and B to do some real damage limitation.