Author's note: just a quick message to let you know that I will update the story every two days.

Prologue

The feminine voice on the microphone faded away and soon enough the brouhaha of the terminal came back all around Jane. Squinting her eyes at the card she was holding, the detective focused on the gold letters – their complex typeface – and the high quality of the paper the invitation had been printed on.

Alumni Dr. Maura Dorthea Isles – and guest

Invitation for the 500th anniversary of Rugby School

From July, 19th to July, 29th

House: Rupert Brooke

The medical examiner hadn't been much talkative about the event even if she had had to RSVP quite a long time ago already and now that Jane attempted a glimpse at her friend's boarding school, too many questions were rushing to the brunette's mind to ever ask any. Besides, the boarding of Maura's flight could start at any moment now.

"O Captain! My Captain!"

The honey blonde's lips curled up in an amused smile as a thin line appeared on her forehead, showing rather clearly her surprise. Chin leaned against the palm of her hand, Maura laughed.

"Our fearful trip is done... Our ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won..."

At a mock of pure confusion slid and embraced the brunette's face, Maura frowned. Perplexed. If there was a poem by Walt Whitman she knew by heart, it had to be that one. And yet her friend was staring at her as if she had lost her mind, made a blatant mistake over the lines.

"This ain't a literature pop quiz, Maur'. I was just referring to The Dead Poets Society. It looks like your boarding school is coming straight from the movie."

As if to strengthen her argument, Jane turned the invitation towards her friend and pointed out directly at the couple of pictures that illustrated the card. One of them was a classic shot of The Close – a well known field where rugby had been invented back in the 19th century - while another one was a montage of several buildings in the most classic Tudor style.

"Oh. Well, I suppose there might be a similarity between both schools although isn't the movie taking place in The United States? Rugby School is in Warwickshire, England."

New message on the microphone, this time to announce the imminent boarding of the scientist's flight. Casting a glance around at busy Logan International Airport, Jane nodded absentmindedly. It was a tad stupid to say the least but deep inside, she felt disappointed by the fact Maura hadn't invited her.

And guest.

The word kept on twirling around Jane's head, bumping into the mystery of the reason why the blonde had decided to travel to England on her own instead. After all, they had both attended the Italian's high school reunion so wouldn't have it been fair to return the... The detective pouted. Was it really a favor in the end? As much as Maura was quite singular, she probably saw such an event as a torture; like any other alumni.

"I should go now."

Almost excusing herself, the scientist stood up and grabbed her leather travel bag. Jane nodded and left a couple of bills on the table – insisting quietly to pay their coffees – before walking by her friend's side towards the boarding area. A few more steps and she would say goodbye to Maura.

For ten days.

It was a ridiculously short amount of time but in spite of her desperate attempt to reason herself, Jane had a hard time accepting it. They had never spent more than a few days apart since they had become friends and truth to be told, the Italian had got accustomed to it. Too much perhaps but still. She would miss Maura and she knew it.

"Here we are!"

Her attempt to sound enthusiastic failed miserably as they stopped by the security zone but Maura did not seem to notice anything or at least she didn't show it and nodded instead. She was smiling, out of politeness. As usual. At times Jane wished the honey blonde stopped hiding behind the conventionalism she had grown with.

There was nothing wrong in letting the whole world understand that things didn't sound exciting, that one wasn't happy.

"There is... Err... I have something for you. Nothing big, it's probably even stupid and maybe I should skip that part but oh... Damn."

Sunglasses on top of her head, Maura widened her eyes in surprise before her friend's sudden nervous behavior. Jane was dancing on her feet – her cheeks as red as bricks – while her voice kept on shaking.

"Ma'am?"

The scientist rose her hand up in the air to stop the employee – offering him a furtive smile – and not losing much time she focused back on the Italian who was now holding a paper neatly folded.

"Don't open it now. Wait to be all these zillion feet up in the sky or maybe don't open it at all. Gosh, I don't even know why I'm giving you that piece of shit anyway."

Fingers brushed others and before she had a chance to ask for an explanation, Maura found herself with the sheet of paper in hand. Jane hugged her tight – quickly enough though – then passed a hand through her unruly hair.

"Safe your journey, Maur'. And... And remember that an ocean separating both continents is nothing. A call and it's like I'm here. Well, almost. Have fun in Jolly Old England!"

Jane disappeared in a whirl, as fast as she had showed up at Maura's door a few hours earlier to drive her to the airport. Taken aback, the medical examiner turned around and nodded at the employee then tended him her ticket. She passed the security doors and walked up to her boarding gate in silence.

Rugby School. Founded in the 16th century and recognized now as one of the most prestigious boarding schools of England.

"Orando Laborando..."

By praying, by working. The Latin motto of the school slid on Maura's lips in a whispered reminiscence of years spent out there – in the British countryside – behind the walls of knowledge and excellence.

A strict education that had left scars on the person she was now.

"Excuse me? What did you just say?"

Jumping back to reality, the blonde blinked at a flight attendant who – all smile – was politely waiting by the door of the plane. Obviously the scientist's murmur hadn't been covered by the buzzing sound of the aircraft.

The realization made Maura blush slightly. She shook her head – showed her ticket to the woman – and stepped inside; heading to her seat. Leaving Boston behind.