A/N: Hey guys. Apologies for the delay in updating this. I've been ill for the past few weeks, so I haven't really been in the mood for writing.

Been feeling a bit better the past few days, and so I've been writing like crazy. This chapter's a little short, but you'll be pleased to hear, that the next two chapters have already been written.

Thanks for sticking with the story, and I looked forward to reading your comments, questions etc...

Chapter 3

Two weeks. Two weeks and nothing. No progress on the case. No word or move from Boston's newest killer, and most frustratingly of all, no Maura.

Oh, she was physically present, but emotionally Maura had checked out.

Jane had been patient to begin with. She understood Maura's need for time. A moment to catch her breath, breathe and process. She had always needed just that little bit longer to grasp her emotions when it came to her relationships with people.

For the first week, Jane had let her questions and concerns take a backseat. She hadn't pushed. She'd just subtly let her best friend know she was right there if she needed her.

Seven days after her and Maura's lunch date gone wrong, Jane had run out of patience. She missed her friend.

Jane had gone down to the morgue hoping she could talk to her. No such luck. Maura was swamped with paperwork. The following day the ME had an urgent errand to run. The day after that backed up autopsies. A hair appointment. Shoe shopping. The next time Jane had shown up, Maura simply wasn't there.

Jane was beginning to take it a little personally. After all, she was the one with a death threat hanging over her head.

Maura was running out of excuses.

Well, not excuses exactly. More, reasons to avoid talking to Jane. All the little necessary (and unnecessary) tasks she had let build up had been done. Maura, being the perfectionist she was, never really had that much of a pile to begin with.

That's why today she had simply left the morgue when she wasn't needed there.

Maura knew it wasn't fair. She knew that her best friend was more than likely very confused and hurt by her behaviour of late. She needed time however to figure out what was going on inside herself, emotionally, right now.

Jane's presence made it too difficult. Things had changed between them. Their friendship was rapidly moving from platonic towards something decidedly not.

She had thought she was ready. After nearly dieing at Hoyt's hands, her feelings towards Jane had clicked, crashed and collided into place. She'd had trouble fathoming just how blind she had been. She'd gently embraced the change.

She had enjoyed the not so subtle dance between herself and Jane. Skirting the line between friendship and romance.

Looking back on things, it had become painfully apparent the feelings Jane had for her. She'd felt horrible inside for not noticing. She could only assume she had simply subconsciously chosen to ignore the obvious.

Now though… Now Jane was in danger again. Some unknown force in their life was threatening to end Jane's life. Maura could not face that again. Not so soon. Not after Hoyt had only just left their lives.

Not now, when she finally understood just what it is she'd be losing if something happened to her detective. Her Jane.

Maura knew what she had to do. She just hoped in time that Jane would forgive her.

Patience:- The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.

I have always thought that patience is my best quality. As long as I know it will eventually come, I could wait indefinitely for all things.

The thing I enjoy most about my patience, is that it drives those I'm playing with deliciously insane.

They know I'm out there. They wait and cower, tremble with fear in the dark. They jump at unexpected noises and distrust every stranger. They wait… impatiently, for me.

The slow decent into madness is intoxicating.

Jane is something new. A challenge.

She does not appear to be all that bothered. I am unsure how to take that. Whether I should make her suffer more for her insolence.

Indeed a challenge. It's why I chose her. Why I've enjoyed observing her.

Jane carries on in her usual manner. Except in one respect. Dr. Maura Isles.

Her friend did not seem to be handling the game very well at all. Her friend was falling victim to the fear I crave. The fear that would let me control the woman who survived the handiwork of a genius. The Surgeon.