Saving Jane

Chapter Four: "Another Blanket…"

A/N: Just to let you know, I have only the vaguest of ideas as to where I'm going with this. By the way, this is not a self-insert. Jane isn't even my real name. I sort of use 'Jane' as a name for all unnamed characters in my fics. This time it just sort of stuck. Plus it went with the title. Sorry for any confusion.

~ Jane

Jane-G

Jane sat on the spare guest bed, staring out the window as she thought back on the events of the day. She still couldn't believe that she was showered, fed, and sitting on a warm, clean bed, or that there were a couple of roomfuls of people who cared about how she was feeling, Dom and the guys in the living room with Letty and Mia in the kitchen cleaning up. Jane had offered to help but Dom had ushered her up to her room before Mia could answer. He had insisted that Jane get some rest.

Jane smiled as she thought about how over-protective he'd been, especially around all the others. She was beginning to think that maybe not all muscle-bound hulks were just bad news. Maybe some were good news. Like Dom.

Someone knocked briefly before opening the door. Jane turned to see Letty stepping inside her temporary room. Letty quietly shut the door and leaned against it, folding her arms and staring at Jane in an evaluating stare. There was something about Letty's stance and look that immediately put Jane on the defensive.

"Dom's taken, kid," Letty said evenly.

"Excuse me?" Jane asked, eyes widening in stunned confusion.

"Do you really think he'd pass me up for a walking skeleton like you? Do yourself a favor and take a hike," Letty said darkly, not moving her eyes from Jane's.

"Is that what you think? That I'm 'after your man'? Are you completely delusional?" Jane scoffed, walking across the old hardwood floors to stand directly in front of Letty. The older of the two women stood up straight and unfolded her arms, obviously expecting a fight.

"Well, let me tell you something, Letty," Jane said getting in her face. "I have no interest in having anything to do with any guy, least of all a guy who could break me in two with the snap of his wrist. And in case you think I'm stupid enough to think any guy would look twice at me with the way I look now, let me tell you right now that I'm not. I'm not under any illusion that I look better than I actually do. But even if I was, I'm the least of your worries when it comes to Dom."

Letty, the taller of the two, looked down into Jane's eyes, calculating her supposed opponent's sincerity. Finally, after what seemed ages to the already exhausted Jane, Letty nodded her head in acknowledgment of the truth in Jane's words.

"'Kay, then. Just as long as we understand each other," Letty conceded, not meeting Jane's eye. She seemed to have realized the foolishness of her mission and was too proud to apologize for harassing Jane, but too ashamed to gloat in triumph either.

Without another word, Letty opened the door and left Jane to her empty room.

"Well," Jane thought aloud, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand while the other rested on her bony jean-clad hip. "That was really special."

Dom-T

The guys had been trying to talk to him about the races on Saturday but for the life of him, Dom just couldn't seem to focus. All he could do is wonder if Jane was doing alright. Whether she could even sleep with all the noise the boys were making…

"Guys!" Dom shouted, drawing his rowdy crew's attention. "Keep it down, alright? We've got a guest."

Almost unconsciously, all eyes seemed to drift to the staircase, as though they all expected Jane to be standing on the stairwell, woken from her peaceful slumber because of their inconsideration. Thoroughly ashamed, the previously rambunctious group was reduced to whispered excitement over the upcoming races.

Dom, the only one whose eyes never left the stairs, sat in brooding contemplation for a moment before finally finding himself unable to take the not knowing anymore. He stood and, ignoring the silent, knowing stares of his friends, made his way up the staircase to the door of Jane's room. He stood several feet away from it for some time, wondering if he should even bother her with all that she had already been through. Just as he had finally decided to just see if she needed anything and then leave her alone for the rest of the night, Letty stepped outside Jane's door, looking sheepish and red-faced.

"Letty?"

The young woman froze, her eyes wide like a deer in the headlights.

"What were you doing in Jane's room?" Dom asked, not even noticing the protectiveness edging his words.

Letty looked up at him, but he didn't seem to notice the hurt look that crossed her face at his accusatory tone.

"I, uh… I was just seeing if the kid needed an extra blanket, or somethin'," she said, feigning casualty.

"Did she? Need somethin', I mean?" Dom asked, hating how concerned he sounded.

"Uhm, no. She… said she was just fine."

Dom seemed to accept her answer, as he only nodded his reply. His attention seemed to be focused beyond her at the door she had just closed.

"Well, I guess I'll just go downstairs and see what the boys are up to," Letty said, edging around Dom until she was safely making her way downstairs.

While Letty made her escape, Dom was trying to debate once again whether he should or should not bother Jane. There really was no reason now. Letty had already asked if she had needed anything. The only real reason he had was that he had an aching need to see for himself that she was safe and sound, and as comfortable as he could make her. But that wasn't a reason that he could very well admit to. Hell, he didn't even understand it himself. If he told her that she'd probably be gone before morning. It would scare anyone in their right minds away in the same situation.

Dom sighed and finally gave in to his concern for her. He stepped forward and knocked on her door, more softly than would have been expected of a man of his size and build.

"Come in," Jane said beyond the door.

Taking a breath, Dom opened the door. Jane was seated on her bed, facing the window. Her upper body was twisted tensely so that she could see who was entering her room. To his delight, she seemed happy to see him.

"Hello, Dom," she said, smiling. She turned back to the window, completely satisfied that she wasn't in any danger. Dom wondered how long she'd lived like that – always on the defensive, always looking over her shoulder.

"I just wanted to see how you were. If you needed anything…" Dom said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. He knew that Letty had already asked, but he figured it couldn't hurt. Besides, he had to give her some reason for being there.

Jane looked back at him with a warm smile, obviously pleased by his concern.

"Another blanket would be nice if you don't mind. I'd like to keep the window open tonight. It's a little stuffy in here, what with all the heat."

Blanket? But Letty had already… Letty had lied. She never asked Jane if she needed anything. That's why she seemed so anxious to get out of there…

"Dom?"

"Yes?" Dom said, his attention snapping back to Jane.

"You spaced out for a second," she said, looking concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said. I'll deal with Letty later…

"Good. Now, about that blanket?"