Maura was in her kitchen when she heard a thud in her living room. She knew that it wasn't Bass making that noise, because the thud was louder and denser. She immediately wiped the remnants of the tears that had stuck by after her eyes had dried out, and carefully and in hushed steps stepped out to the living room to see what had happened. When she finally did find out, all the pain forgotten, she burst into laughter.

"Jane," Maura paused, taking in the detective and her surroundings, "why are you sprawled on my living room floor like that?"

Jane was literally sprawled out on the floor with seemingly no intention of getting up. "Umm... Well... I just received a down to earth welcome by our friendly turtle out here." She pointed at Bass who had now just withdrawn into his shell.

Maura giggled at the zest and then instantly dropped by Jane's side to pick her up. "Tortoise, Jane. Come on get up."

Jane finally picked herself up with Maura's help and decided to follow Maura's tug of eyes that were asking her to sit on the couch. When they both settled in, and Jane seemed to gain back her sense of balance, Maura spoke, still smirking at the detective. "Care to explain?"

"Ah well, those three words I should be asking Maur." Jane had realized with one look into the hazel eyes that they had been crying. Maura seemed to withdraw for a moment, not willing to talk, so Jane continued. "I had just unlocked the door, which by the way was very good of you to lock at first," Jane smiled in appreciation for an advice well heeded because Maura had a tendency to leave the door unlocked, "and the moment I set my foot in, I heard someone's muffled sobs, so I grew worried and I immediately rushed towards the kitchen, when your friendly pet took it upon himself to greet me by throwing me off balance." The way Jane said that, in tones of fake insinuation towards the tortoise, Maura couldn't help but open up again and smile.

Jane took Maura's idle hand in hers, her concern constantly growing, and softly asked, "So care to tell me Maur, what happened?"

Jane's soft gaze on Maura's eyes was so intense and solemn that Maura found it out of her control to keep any information to herself. All she wanted right now was her best friend to take away the hurt.

"Cailin, she got angry with me, and left." Maura whimpered sadly.

Ever since Hope had made amends with Maura, and Maura gave her half sister her kidney, things had returned back to normal to sibling fights. Maura wasn't used to dealing with teenager siblings and she always took upon herself to blame, no matter who started the fight.

Jane endearingly looked more intently into Maura's eyes, placing her palm softly on Maura's cheek to hold her face in a soothing caress. "And you were crying over that?" Maura simply nodded, dropping her eyes down to the rim of the couch.

"Look at me Maur," Jane quietly beseeched. When Maura finally did look up at the request, Jane continued, "She is a teenager Maur, she only knows how to fight and throw a tantrum. She will cool off and return back to you. You are her sister remember, and even if she never says that, she admires you and looks up to you. I know that. I am a detective remember?" Jane tried to make Maura smile.

"I never know what to do with her Jane. She makes me angry." Maura pined.

"And it is okay Muar, because you have me and Bass to cool you down, don't you? As a matter of fact I am certain, Bass made me fall on purpose." Jane raised her eyebrows as if she had just realized a crucial lead but then her expressions gave way when she winced as she turned. Maura immediately grew concerned.

"Are you hurt Jane?" Maura asked as her eyes travelled back to Jane's limbs checking for any sign of injury.

Jane just shook her head and sincerely whispered, "Only when you cry."

Maura was just about to gleam in awe and admiration, when Jane spoke up, "Too much sappy right? Doesn't suit my personality," Jane winked at Maura and then looked at Bass who was now intently listening to their conversation, "Bass, be warned, I am going to get back on that one." Jane chuckled and Maura who had finally found back her smile just tugged on her hands as she leaned sideways into Jane's arms, letting everything else fade away.

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Author Notes: Wow, no matter how hard I try, I always find my way back to Maura's thoughts. I wonder why? *wink*