#jtvfic

"I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend--fake girlfriend," Jane rushes to add. "My dad is trying to set me up with someone in Miami because he wants me to go back for the holidays, so I lied and told him I'm dating someone."

Tonight she needs a reminder that her bond with Petra has survived horrible mothers, jealousy over Rafael, and the sudden fracture that appeared when they lost Michael and Rafael within months of each other.

It’ll survive Jane being in love with Petra.

It has to.

“Tell me it’s not her.” 

Jane can’t, won't, refuses to because denying Petra has never been her strong suit no matter how many times her mother and grandmother had told her to steer clear she’d never been able to.

“I think we’re done.” Rafael straightens, his lip curled in disgust, he stalks out of the room.

“JR said Petra is fine.” Jane repeats the words for her own sake, “I think we should listen to her and stay out of it.”

“Bullshit. We both know that’s bullshit and I really hope you’re not going to listen to JR over your gut. Jane, it’s Petra, don’t you think we’ve abandoned her enough?” Rafael knows exactly what buttons to push and Jane can’t lie, it’s effective.

“You're right,” Jane presses the elevator button, “I’ll go and check. Text you later.”

In which some common ground is finally found.

“Petra!”

“No, he can keep his secrets. Just remember, the press is going to investigate even more now, and sooner or later something is going to come out. Something neither of you can control."

"I just need more time," Michael begs, “We’re getting closer.”

"I'm not sure you have it." Petra's words ring around them like an omen. “Now get out of my house.”

“You made a mistake.”

“Is that what they call manslaughter nowadays?”

“Petra, be serious.”

“JR didn’t care.” Petra finally says, “I guess she’s not a fan of second chances. Not the way you are.”

“I--” Jane struggles to catch her breath and the ‘iloveyoutoo’ is on the tip of Petra’s tongue but she manages to swallow it down. “I’m kind of drunk.” Her statement is followed by a laugh that Petra echoes hollowly.