Disclaimer: All recognizable The Bold Type characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners including, but not limited to Freeform. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fan fiction story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No financial gain is associated with the publishing of this story. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's note: This is a missing scene for "Final Push" (03x09) somewhere near the end of the episode. Spoilers ahead. Janequeline if you squint.

About Last Night

"Jacqueline?" Jane hurriedly wiped the tears from her cheeks and prayed the lighting was insufficient for mascara streaks to be obvious.

She hadn't seen her boss coming down the hallway of the restaurant and bar where they were holding the election night watch party. In fact, she hadn't seen her boss at all up until now.

"Jane," the older woman furrowed her brow and took in the entire picture before continuing. "Is everything okay?"

The writer sighed and didn't disguise a quick motion beneath each eye to dab up any mascara.

"It's nothing," she shrugged off the concern.

"Jane. I know you. You've been telling yourself that it is Kat's night and you shouldn't draw any attention to yourself. I know you are fully capable of handling whatever it is, even with your friends otherwise disposed, but I hope you know I am always here to listen."

Jacqueline grasped the outer part of Jane's hand. It was that simple gesture that brought back the tears Jane had been fighting off since Ryan told her about his previous night in a bar on the book tour. She hadn't even had a chance to tell Kat and Sutton. Kat was with Tia in the wake of her loss and Sutton had left to return to her assignments for the fashion show. Jane should have left, too. Instead here she was crying in a dark hallway with Jacqueline Carlyle holding her hand.

"Why do men cheat?" Jane mumbled.

"Oh, Jane," Jacqueline began to understand what had happened. "I wish there were an easy answer to that question. It's different in every circumstance. However, without knowing the details, I am willing to wager that it had nothing at all to do with you."

"Obviously I wasn't enough," Jane's voice cracked.

"Hey, don't do that."

Before Jacqueline continued speaking, she pulled the small woman to her and held her in a tight embrace.

"You are beautiful. You are brilliant. You are genuine. You are amazing. There is nothing inadequate about you."

Still holding Jane tight to her body, Jacqueline felt her own voice nearing the breaking point. When she was named editor-in-chief of Scarlet, they never told her that the job would come with bailing employees out of jail, holding their hands through health scares, going to bat for them when they were exploited, offering a pep talk when they were slut shamed in the workplace or hugging them while they cried over their significant others cheating on them.

"I'm sorry, this is totally inappropriate," the writer pulled back and again wiped at her cheeks.

"It's okay to need to cry, Jane," Jacqueline wiped a stray hair from the brunette's forehead. "Even to me."

"Thank you, Jacqueline," she exhaled, finally getting a hold of herself.

"What do you say we get a drink at the bar?" the older woman smiled. "Or two?"

"It might take more than two and you'll have to put me in an Uber."

Offering her arm for Jane to lace her own through, Jacqueline cringed and then chuckled.

"I do have a car service," the blonde said as they came to the end of the hallway and entered the subdued but brighter atmosphere of the bar.

Jane was going to be okay. She didn't need Ryan.

-finish-