They like to think that they are partners. Fighting crime together. Battling the evils of the world. But Maura never has to walk into the lion's den. Maura never jumps off bridges. Maura never gets shot. Maura never becomes the object of a deranged psychopath's fantasy, although there was that one time he did almost kill her. And then that whole thing with Paddy, but that is a whole different matter.

It is when Jane walks into the line of fire to save a little girl that Maura holds her breath. These are the moments where she cannot breathe. It is not voluntary. It just is. And then there is that phone call that terrifies her more than anything, and she waits for it always. There is a certain indescribable feeling that overwhelms her between seeing her and talking to her, between knowing where she is and how she is. They are best friends. Just that. Friends of the best variety. Nothing more. Nothing less. And yet when Jane throws herself off of the bridge Maura can feel her heart physically trying to expel itself from her chest as a shrill sound rises from her throat. It is a feeling she has always expected with much apprehension and when it does engulf her she finds that she cannot breathe and her mind tells her it is panic attack, perhaps she should jump after Jane. But she doesn't, because then who would save Jane.

When they do find the detective Maura lurks, no Maura never lurks… sulks a few feet away finding that this feeling inside her chest is something so foreign that it changes her usually sunny exterior. The hand pressing down on her finally relents as she takes in every curve of the woman draped in an oversized blanket and the breath she takes is finally one filled with life and not the nauseating panic and terror that has seeped into her every crevice since the seconds, minutes, hours this woman has been away from her vigilance. She walks up and the broadening of Jane's smile is evident, but it falls away in bewilderment when Maura simply nods and smiles from half a foot away as if they were mere acquaintances and not frequent bedfellows.

A while passes between the time where Maura leaves Jane with her hovering brother and partner to go tend to the feelings that had been stowed away out of sight and when Jane comes to find her expecting an explanation for the earlier meeting she is only met with a slap that sears the imprint of Maura's palm across her right cheek. It is something she will stare at in the mirror later that day when she is home safe, but for now she stands there her incomprehension drawn all over her face.

Moments pass and the only sound echoing in the distance between them is the resounding slap. Maura's indignation holds her from forming any actual words and for Jane it is simple confusion. When it is evident no one will break the ice Jane takes a step.

"Maura are you alright?"

Maura pauses a moment and then what leaves her lips is the torrent of fury she has been waiting to unleash from the moment that scream was ripped from her throat. "I should be the one asking you that, shouldn't I? Are you alright, Jane? You look like you will be fine. No lasting damage. I'm glad. Who is going to jump off bridges if you aren't around? Who will save Boston with the singular might of their backs?"

"Maura…"

"Did you stop to think for one second? Just one, Jane, a mere second that there was someone standing behind you, someone would be devastated beyond repair by your actions. I know you had to save a man. I know that. I knew what I was signing up for with you. I know all of that. The facts are straightforward and yet I can't help but think, did you? Did you wonder for a split second what I would do?"

"I knew you would save me."

"That is not what I'm talking about."

"What are you talking about, Maur?"

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I'm drawing a blank, Maur. I was doing my job. Like you said, you knew who I am. I couldn't let an innocent man die if there was something I could do about it."

"You can be so imperceptive sometimes"

Maura picks up her bag from the desk and walks out the door leaving Jane standing stunned in the middle of her office.

My updating habits are awful, so I apologize in advance for any waits. But it'll be worth it, I promise. I hope you enjoyed and stick around.