It's been 3 months since I've been in D.C. teaching at the F.B.I. academy. For the most part, it's been great. I'm no longer at the risk of dying on a daily basis but teaching has its dull moments. I hate not seeing my family every day and not seeing Maura. She brought me back a three pound bag of coffee from Paris and shipped it to me. I think I miss seeing her the most. Having our weekly wine nights to catch up on everything and just talk. We all talk on a regular basis and Tommy loves my old house. Agent Davies and I only lasted a month. The relationship wasn't as fulfilling as I thought it would be. Honestly, nothing here was as fulfilling as I thought it would be.

Getting up, I started my morning routine: a two mile jog, shower, get ready for work, go to work, and come home. Things rarely change. I miss doing something different every day. Something was off today. I couldn't focus on teaching at all. I kept thinking about Maura. "Okay look, it's Friday and none of us can really concentrate. I'll let you all have the day off but just make sure to have the paper on my desk by Monday." It took less than five minutes for the room to clear out.

As I drove, I intended to go home but ended up at the airport. Parking in the extended say garage, I went into the terminal. "A round trip to Boston please."

The younger woman at the desk looked through the flights. "We have one leaving in an hour and coming back Sunday night."

"That works fine." Paying for the tickets, I started for security. Since I didn't have anything with me besides my wallet, I got through in record time.

Xxx

"Maura. Maura. Maura!" Kent's Scottish accent finally rang through my dazed state.

Shaking my head, I finally answered. "Yes?"

He studied me skeptically from my office door. "What was that about?"

"What was what about?" I straightened my posture after closing my laptop.

He stood there in silence a few moments. "You miss her, don't you?"

Sighing, I rubbed my temples. "Yes."

"Then why don't you do something about it." My brow knitted at his bluntness. "I'm sorry Maura, but you're not getting as much work done since Jane left."

"Excuse me?"

Raising his hands in surrender, Kent smirked. "I'm just saying. It's not as if you're not doing an excellent job, it's just that you don't enjoy it as much. For the first two months, you looked up at the door waiting for Jane to come in after you found out something. You need to just tell her."

Leaning back in my chair, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I can't."

"And why not?"

"Because she's not in love with me."

Walking over to the couch, Kent sat. "How do you know that? You've not told her yet."

"Isn't it obvious? She's only dated men. Yes, her and Agent Davies are no longer seeing one another, but that's just how Jane is. She hasn't kept an extensive relationship since Casey."

"That could be because she loves you but doesn't know it yet." All I could do was smirk. Before I had the chance to protest, again, Kent continued. "You're also a Psychologist Maura. How can you not see this?" For once, I was speechless.

Xxx

Arriving in Boston, the first place I went was the Dirty Robber. Mom was nowhere in sight so I took a seat at the bar and waited. I was thumbing through my emails when I heard class shatter. Looking up, I saw my mother with her mouth nearly on the floor. "Hey Ma."

"Janie?" She couldn't move. "What are you doing here?"

Smirking, I walked behind the counter to get the broom. "Well don't be so happy to see me." Wrapping her in a strong hug, we just stood there. "I had to come visit."

"I'm…it's great to see you." Mom reciprocated the hug to the point I thought she was going to break me in half. Leaning back, she smiled. "How long are you here for?"

"Until Sunday night. It's a short flight so I leave at nine. How are you?" I started to sweep as she took orders.

"Good. Great since you're here. Have you told Maura you're here?"

"No. This was just a spontaneous trip. After I saw you, I was going to go see her, Frankie, and Nina at the station."

"Good. Because she's missed you a lot. More than she's willing to admit." Mom's mouth shut quickly. Almost like she didn't mean to say the last part.

"What? What's with the look?" Tilting my head, every detective instinct started to kick in. "Ma, what is it?"

"Nothing."

That's her lying voice. "Ma, you know something. What is it?"

"Go see everyone at the station." Narrowing my eyes, I tried one last time to get the information out of her. Sadly, to no avail.

The station was buzzing like always when I walked in. Everyone was glad to see me but I made a B-line to Maura's office. Walking through the big doors again brought back a lot of memories. Kent's eyes grew when he saw me. "Jane, what are you doing here?"

"I came to visit. Why are you acting so weird?" I paused, "Weirder than usual."

The Scottish man scoffed. "It's just we've not seen you in three months and then you suddenly appear."

"Well I'm here." Looking around quickly, there was no sign of my quirky friend. "Where's Maura? There's a body on the table and she's not cutting into it."

"She ran upstairs to give Frankie a file. She should be back in a moment." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "Why are you really here, Jane?"

"As I said, I came to visit."

Familiar heels clicked down the hallway. Pushing open the door with her back, Maura started talking. "Kent, Frankie said that Mr. Robinson…" Turning, the younger woman's voice trailed off. "Jane?"

"Hey." I could barely keep from hugging her right then.

Shock turned into panic, which then turned into skepticism. Looking past me, Maura glared. "What have you done?"

Looking back, I noticed Kent's face pale. "Nothing. I had nothing to do with this. She just showed up."

"What's going on here? First Ma acts weird, then Kent, and now you. Have I missed something?"

Maura's stare softened. "Nothing is going on."

"Hives. You're going to get hives." Closing the distance between us, I wrapped my long-time friend in a strong embrace. "I missed you."

Instantly, Maura reciprocated. "I missed you too, Jane." We stood there a few moments. Longer than a normal friendly hug but neither of us minded. Letting her arms drop, Maura smiled. "How long are you in town?"

"Until Sunday. Can I stay at your place?" I tried not to sway foot to foot.

"Of course. Let's talk in my office." Nodding, I followed. "Where's your bag? I hope you didn't rent a hotel room."

"I don't have a bag." Falling into the couch, I made myself comfortable as Maura sat on the other end.

"You didn't bring a bag?" Her brow creased. "But you're staying until Sunday?"

"This wasn't a planned trip. And besides, I have that drawer of clothes at your place anyway." I can't tell her how this spontaneous visit came about, can I? There's something different about her. What is it?

"If it wasn't planned, what made you want to fly to Boston? Not that I'm complaining. It's great to see you."

"I…I don't really know. Can we talk about this over lunch or something? I figured I'd order some pizza and have it delivered upstairs and have the delivery guy say it was paid by me."

A soft smile tugged at my friend's lips. "That sounds lovely. But we can't talk over that. How about dinner? I'm sure you're dying for a home cooked meal."

"You have no idea!"

Xxx

It's so good to see Jane but I can't linger much like I did when we hugged. I can't give anything away. And I hope I don't get hives. She always knows when I'm lying. "Order the pizza and by the time it arrives I should be done here."

"Sounds good. Can I just hangout down here? Ironically, I kind of miss it."

Chuckling, I sat at my desk. "Of course you can." Jane made herself comfortable on the couch while she ordered the pizza. I miss this.

It didn't take long to finish my notes and the pizza to get here. We heard the autopsy doors swing open and Frankie call. "Maura! Maura! Do you know anything about…" Shock was clear as he entered my office.

"Hey Frankie." Jane smiled from the couch. "What's up?"

"You're…here." Frankie's head tilted in confusion. "When did you?"

"About two hours ago. I dropped by to see Ma and came here. We're coming for the pizza by the way. So don't eat it all." Jane wrapped her brother in the same strong embrace. "I missed you." Although, the hug didn't last as long as ours had.

"Missed you too. Nina will be glad to see you. Come on. Let's eat."

That night, everyone came over for dinner. We were all still shocked at Jane's surprise visit. The room was filled with chatter about D.C. and what's happened lately in Boston. Every so often, Jane's gaze would linger in my direction with a smile. Don't read into it. She's just really happy to see her best friend. "So, I know you and that agent guy broke up. But you never gave us a reason." Tommy's question was simple enough but Jane recoiled at the thought.

"Uh, we were just too different. He's a nice person, don't get me wrong. But, we just didn't click I guess." She's lying. I made a mental note to press about the topic later.

"We all know that's code for: he's not good in bed."

"Tommy!" Angela's eyes grew while everyone but Jane laughed. She looked mortified.

"I'm just joking. I've not seen my sister in months. I have to pick on her."

"Yeah, sure you do."

xxx

Everyone left and it was just Maura and me on her couch with wine. "Just like old times." I held my glass up to click it against hers. "Thank you for letting me stay."

"I'd be offended if you stayed anywhere else." Sipping her wine, my friend relaxed crossing her ankles on the coffee table next to mine.

What's this odd feeling in my chest? Maura and I have always sat close on the couch but something is different. Glancing over, I couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked tonight. She's so relaxed and adorable in the matching PJs. "We didn't work out because we were too different."

"What?"

"Davies and me. He's a nice guy but it just didn't work out." I swirled the remaining wine in my glass. "We're still friends though."

"Friends are good." Maura's voice was quiet and longing.

Finishing my glass, I set it on the table before turning towards her. "Is something wrong?" She sat there quietly. "And remember you get hives when you lie."

"What makes you think something is wrong?" She held onto her glass as if it was a lifeline.

"You've been acting different. Not quirky and full of random trivia facts." I paused, "Everyone has been. What's going on?"

"Things have changed. You and Vince left, I'm working on my book, Frankie is getting married…"

"It's not that. It's like everyone knows something that I don't." Panic spread through my chest. "Nothing has happened with your brain injury, right? You're not about to die or anything?"

"No." Turning towards me, Maura met my worried gaze. "Nothing like that. I promise."

"Then what is it?"

Xxx

Jane's voice was barely audible. She's so worried. I have to tell her something. "It's nothing bad per say. It's just complicated and things could be ruined."

"What could possibly be so complicated that it has you, Kent, Ma, Frankie, Nina, Vince, and Tommy freaked out? Maura, you can tell me." Jane placed her hand on mine and squeezed gently.

Looking down, I placed my free hand on hers. "I'm in love with someone…," My voice trailed off.

"Maura, that's fantastic. Who is it?" When I didn't answer, Jane pressed again. "Maura, who is it? Please tell me it's not Tommy."

Laughing nervously, I looked into dark brown eyes. "No, it's not Tommy."

Jane's brow creased. "Then who is it?"

"You."