I do not own any of the R&I characters, this is my own muse about what could happen. I jotted this story down after I watched episode 315. This is my first attempt at a fanfic story.

Chapter 1

Yoga is her escape. Meditation to calm the monkey mind chatter, to quell the stats that are running in her head. Breathe, focus ... ahhh ... tranquility. As she succeeds in her endeavour to calm body and soul, a loud knock comes to the front door. Before she can totally draw herself back to reality, the knock comes again, this time more frenzied, followed by a low strained voice.

"Maura, are you in there? Please, be in there."

Maura reaches the door and opens it to find her best friend Jane, with a worried look on her face. She brushes by Maura and heads for the couch.

"Jane what's wrong ?" the Doctor says as she closes the door and approaches her friend, Jane, who is sitting on the couch with her head in her hands rocking back and forth.

"I just came from the hospital, Casey is in surgery. I – uh - I saw his parents. They are worried, his surgery is to take ten hours. Is that normal?", Maura looked sympathetically into Janes brown eyes. " I did all I could to caution him, but it was his choice, he did it anyway." Its been obvious that Jane's been crying. Maura sits next to her friend and puts a soothing hand on her arm.

"Jane these spinal surgeries are very intricate and complex, they require many hours to complete." Jane leans into Maura's touch.

"I haven't seen them in years, ya' know. It was weird talking to them. They said Danny, Casey's younger brother, is in the Army, too. He is over seas now. They are worried for both their boys". Jane gets up and starts to pace. "I don't know what to do, I gave them my cell number and told them to call, if they need anything." She stops and looks down at Maura, the full weight of the day falling on her shoulders. She bites down hard on her lip in an attempt to stifle the lump in her throat and tears from spilling over. "Maura, I love him and don't know what to do." Jane rasps as emotions surface. Maura grabs Jane's arm and pulls her back down to the couch, she looks at her distraught friend and envelops her in a hug. Jane does not fight and allows herself to come undone, with racking sobs, in the loving embrace of her best friends arms.

Maura cannot allow her mind to wander to her own pending surgery; she must be strong for Jane. She knows that Jane only allows this vulnerable side to be seen by herself and Angela, Jane's mother. Maura tries to sooth Jane by caressing her back and stroking her arm, repeating over and over, "Whatever happens, I'll be here for you, we'll work it through; we will."

Jane finally calms and Maura hands her a tissue box. Jane sniffles, "Thank you. I'm sorry, its late, I just needed to talk to someone." Jane takes Maura hand. "Thank you for always being here for me, I lo- ah, appreciate you for it." Jane gets up, still dabbing her eyes." I should leave, its late. Oh crap I didn't even take off my boots, I'm sorry Mar!"

Maura smiled, "That's fine Jane, no sweating it."

Jane grins and lets out a strained chuckle. "Do you mean, 'don't sweat it?'"
Maura gives a quirky grin. "Whatever."

Jane starts for the door. "I'll see you tomorrow." As she turns toward her friend, Maura gets up from the couch and moves toward the door.

"Yes, I have an early morning tomorrow, too, and -."
Jane interrupts. "And Mar, thanks again for letting me, you know, uh thanks." She opens the door to leave.

"You know I'm here for you whenever you need me." Maura reassures. With that the two friend exchange smiles and Jane leaves. Maura locks the door, making sure Jane is at her car before turning off the outside light for the night.

Maura walks to her desk and opens a folder to peruse the information one last time. She signs the paper in the required spot and sighs. She breathes and tries to quell the anxious thoughts once more. Maybe a glass of water would help. As she pours one, she looks at the clock:12:30 AM. "Nothing to eat or drink after midnight." She sighs out loud and then pours the water down the sink. "Early morning tomorrow, blood work and more papers to fill out." Maura says to herself as she makes her way to her bedroom to prepare for bed.

tc