Storybrooke - Sheriff's Station

Morning came and Deputy Kyle dragged into the station, rubbing her eyes. She had hardly slept last, every time her eyes closed, she kept thinking about how Regina had been manipulating her life.

Turning on her computer, Fiona opened up a file and started typing her letter of resignation. It was the only viable solution.

Lashing out last night, she figured the mayor would find some way to retaliate. It was worth it anymore.

However, she wanted to give her immediate boss the courtesy of a proper resignation with two weeks time so he could find a replacement. That was the least she owed him.

Graham walked in at exactly nine.

"We need to talk." He nodded and pointed to his office, where they'd have a door to give them a bit more privacy.

Once inside, she handed him the paper she printed out. "I wanted to personally give you my letter of resignation. I can no longer work at the Sheriff's office."

He didn't immediately respond, he instead took a minute to read the letter as Fiona impatiently waited. He dropped the letter on the desk and looked her in the eye. "Even though I have an idea of why you're doing this, I want to be sure I haven't hurt you. Are you quitting over anything that I have done?"

"No, it's been wonderful working for you Sheriff-"

"With me." He corrected her. "We're partners."

"I know." She said quietly. It was starting to hit her how much she enjoyed working with him.

Sighing he asked, "Is there anything I can do to make you reconsider?"

"I doubt it. Unless we can somehow have a new mayor." She muttered.

Even though it wasn't intended as a joke, he had to laugh at the thought. "I can't do that." Fiona smiled.

Leaning back on his chair, Graham watched Fiona carefully. She was acting rash, but telling her that would only make worse.

He learned that lesson the hard way when he had to deal with it was better to diffuse the situation with a lighter touch instead of a lecture. "Would you at least let me use these last two weeks to try and convince you to change you mind?"

Unable to resist his sincere attempt at peacekeeper (and those adorable puppy eyes) Fiona shrugged and yielded. "Of course Sheriff."

Graham gave a grin, happy to have the concession. "Good. I'll do my best to persuade you to stay, but in the meantime I could use your help with Mr. Gold. Do you mind interviewing some of the shopkeepers around the area to see if they have remembered anything more since the break-in?"

"Sure, I'll head over there now."

Storybrooke - Granny's Diner

The small cafe was practically packed with the usual lunch crowd. Graham found the mayor in the last booth.

Regina acknowledged Graham as he sat down. "Sheriff Humbert, so glad we could meet up. I have business I'd like to discuss." She preferred to be professional with him in public places like here. Even in this land, appearances mattered.

Ruby came by to get his order. "What would you like Sheriff?"

He glanced at the menu, but he heart was already set on the special for the day. "I'll have a sweet tea and the pot roast with some mashed sweet potatoes."

Ruby turned to Regina. "And what would you like Madam Mayor?"

"I'll have a Greek salad with grilled chicken and extra feta. To drink, I'd like a water with lemon." She answered.

"Let me get your drinks now and I'll have your lunch as soon as they're ready."

Graham cleared his throat. "It looks like you had a rough night."

Regina shot a glare at him, but didn't offer a retort. Her mind kept her up all night as she tried to figure out what her next steps would be with the deputy.

"You need to talk her and tell her you messed up. She'll understand." While she did not explicitly state it, Graham knew her well enough to sense that she felt remorse about her interference with the deputy. Over the past year he noticed that she had developed a soft spot for the young woman. He actually liked seeing a more gentle side to her.

"Let me worry about the deputy. You should be more concerned with the real problem."

"Which is?"

Ruby interrupted with their drink orders. "Here is a side of chips to tide you over."

Graham thanked her and resumed his questioning. "You were saying?"

"How she got that information - my private phone conversation was recorded." After she tore apart her office, she found nothing. Calling her contacts at the phone company yielding nothing as well. "And was delivered to her. That's a crime."

"It is and I won't stop until I have a water tight case against him."

"Him? Do you mean Jefferson?"

"It appears like Jefferson stopped by her place." He pounded the pavement this morning, discreetly asking neighbors if they saw anyone stop by the deputy's apartment building. A helpful older woman gave a tip about a handsome, well-dressed, but odd man that was in the area after dinner. She added that she thought he was simply looking for his girlfriend. "But I can't tie him to the recorded calls."

"Why is she even listening to him?!"

Graham shrugged. "She's young and still trusts most people."

"She needs to get her head on straight and see Jefferson for what he really is - a manipulator."

"I'm sure she'll things clearly if she has a few days to think about it."

It was not the first time the two had a falling out, but usually it was the other way around with Fiona apologizing for speaking or doing something without thinking.

The young woman still had some growing up to do, but he had no doubt that Fiona would get over this situation with some time to cool off.

Knowing that Regina was missing her role in the situation he added, "Try to explain your reasons and she'll come around. She just feels hurt."

"I distinctly remember that she was angry." She didn't have time to come up with a believable cover story as the younger brunette left in a huff. Regina tried reaching the deputy on her home line, but she didn't pick up.

"This morning she was less angry and more disappointed." Taking a chance, he added. "I don't blame her. You did cross a line."

When Regina looked like she was going to protest, he placed his up in the air in a mock surrender. "Listen, I just want the two of you to get back on speaking terms. Believe me, it's less stressful for me this way."

Just in time, Ruby came back with their lunches and the two started digging in their meals before speaking again.

Graham decided to mention a different topic. "By the way, what did you think about my proposal for the department to have cell phones? I read that they are quite handy and they are more reliable than beepers. You can tabs on us anytime-" He then realized that bring that benefit up now wasn't the smartest move.

Regina's look told him to immediately drop the subject and he went back to his lunch.

The sheriff was finishing up his roast when Regina spoke, "Jefferson is playing some kind of game with her."

"Why though?" He couldn't see a reason for the man to go after the deputy. Jefferson must have known that it would get the mayor's attention.

"I don't know. But he is obviously trying to get Fiona against me."

"But Fiona knows you better than that. She'd never betray you."

"No she wouldn't. But that doesn't mean he can mess with her head. He has a way using what you really want for his own gain."

"I didn't realize that you and Jefferson had some history."

"It was long ago and painfully memorable."

"If that's the case, why don't share your experience with Fiona? I think that will quickly convince her to cut him out."

Regina rejected the idea. "No, I can't."

"Why not?"

"Just drop it."

Seeing her anger flare up, he quickly offered. "I can go to his house now and get him to keep away from the deputy for the time being."

Scowling at the hatter's cowardice, she instructed, "No, you get back to Gold's case. I'll take care of Jefferson."