The more her headache increased, the harder Jane gripped the table as she sat in the interrogation room listening to their suspect speak. Each time she tried to think, her temples throbbed in defiance until she was about ready to snap. Why? Why was this happening to her?

"Jane?"

"Hmm?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"You okay?" Korsak asked warily.

"Peachy," Jane nearly growled.

"I've got a couple aspirin—"

"No!" she burst out, immediately backing off. "I, uhh, I mean, I'm fine, Korsak, really."

He eyed her warily, his gaze sweeping up and down her tensed body until he shrugged, dropping it and turning back to the suspect.

"Can you tell us where you were yesterday evening?" he asked calmly.

"I was at home—"

"I am sick of your lying!" Jane shouted, slamming her palm down on the table. "One more false word out of your mouth and I swear to God you'll wish—"

"Jane!" Korsak cut in.

She stood up violently, sending her chair clattering to the floor. She ignored it, chewing on her lip as she paced, her glare boring into the man.

"Alright! I wasn't at home. But I didn't kill my wife! I was down at a pawn shop selling some of her jewelry."

"For how long?" Jane shot.

"I got there at eight, left at nine thirty."

"That's quite a long time."

"He made me sit there and wait for his stone appraiser came 'round. And I wanted them sold then so I agreed, okay?"

Jane gave him a look.

"You have a receipt?"

"Yes."

She sighed.

"Fine. Go."

He jumped from his seat and ran out the door, and Jane was quick to do the same.

"Jane!" Korsak called as he followed. "Jane?! What in the hell has gotten into you?"

She didn't stop walking as she checked her watch.

"Look, I'd love to talk, but I have to go. I'm…I'm expecting someone, so can we maybe…talk about this later?"

He didn't really have time to answer as Jane disappeared down the stairwell to the garage. She rushed toward her car, only to hear a different voice calling her name.

"Jane? Are you avoiding me?"

Shit.

"No, Maur, I swear. I've just…I've been busy," she muttered as she picked up her pace, but loud heels echoed closer.

"We don't spend nearly as much time together! And you won't even look at me in the office."

Jane opened her car door, got in, and slammed it shut. She locked the door just as Maura appeared at her window. She felt her heart speeding up as she took in the vision that was Maura Isles. The dress that hugged her curves, the adorable dimples, the dazzling smile with such innocent eyes peering at her through the glass. Her stomach was tightening at the thought of what she wanted to do with Maura, but the more she looked at her, the more she felt herself slipping away.

Damnit, can't you leave me alone for two minutes with Maura?

She looked apologetically at Maura before starting the car.

"I'll talk to you later," she dismissed as she pulled away, almost hitting Maura in the process.

Maura stood, shell-shocked, staring after the car. She didn't know what the hell was going on. She and Jane had been growing so close together, and then one day, something changed. Jane was more crabby than usual, especially to her. Then she stopped visiting her, and then she stopped looking at her all together. The M.E. had half a nerve to be angry, the other to be hurt. She thought they had been getting closer…Jane had been flirting with her more, staying closer, her hands lingering on her just a little longer.

She sighed. Not anymore. Maura had resorted to observing her from afar. It seemed as though she was irritable to everyone, and always seemed in a constant state of pain. Be it headaches or sore muscles, or something else Maura couldn't see. She was struggling with something, and she seemed adamant to tell no one. Not even Maura. Maybe space was all she needed.

Jane gripped the steering wheel harder as she drove, squinting into the headlights that passed her by. She was angry, furious even. Why did it happen to her? She didn't even do anything. She felt her conscience draining as she pulled into her parking spot. She ran through her front door and to the back of her apartment. She went into a room that used to be her closet, slammed the door and typed in the keypad. The last sound she heard was the lock engaging as her world went blank. Her legs gave out and she slipped to the floor, unconscious.