CHAPTER 4

The plan was well thought out, every possibility; every outcome thought of and prepared for. Well…except for this.

…..

As the lift doors opened and Maura walked out into the bullpen she was surprised to not see Jane sitting at her desk. She looked towards Frost's desk and saw him sitting there, hunched over and furiously typing, "Frost?" she asked sweetly, trying to not let her nerves affect her voice, "where's Jane?"

"Oh..uh…she walked out like half an hour ago, she looked pretty upset" he said as he sat up and stretched, "she came back…I dunno 5 minutes ago and said something about going home early." Frost looked up at Maura for a moment, "I'm worried Maura, she hasn't been herself in a while."

"So am I." Was Maura's simple reply as she turned round and walked out of the door she had only just come in through. 'Where's Jane?' she thought as she walked out of the precinct, deciding that she was going to go and find her.

Pulling out her phone she texted the detective "Jane, we really should speak, meet me for lunch at the dirty robber?x". Anxiously Maura waited for a reply, 10 seconds had gone by then 20, 'why hasn't she replied yet?' Maura wondered then chastised herself for being so impatient. Just as she thought she was about texting Jane again her phone buzzed, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Sure Maur, meet you there in 5?" the reply was better than Maura had hoped for. With a small smile and a flame of hope flickering in her heart she made her way to her over to the bar.

…..

Jane had just walked out of the toilets when her phone buzzed; she quickly read the text from Maura. 'Well at least she wants to talk.' She replied back, waiting what she thought was an appropriate amount of time so she didn't seem too eager. Nervously rubbing her hands together she made her way out of the precinct and headed towards the bar. Running over things she could say to the medical examiner, what was appropriate? Maura had betrayed her trust, but she had been acting like a prat. They were meant to be best friends; they were bound to have their ups and downs. 'Who am I kidding? I've used this as an excuse to hide from her and my true feelings' Jane sighed at this thought, wouldn't life be simpler if she didn't have feelings for her best friend?

Nearing the bar she saw Maura sitting in their usual space. A smile crept onto her face as she watched her friend, 'she's so cute when she's nervous' Jane thought, she shook her head as she pushed open the door. She shouldn't be thinking of her friend like that…

….

'Where is Jane?' Maura thought as she checked her phone for the fifth time in as many minutes. 'Oh god what do I say to her? I can't lie to her if she asks me what I'm confused about…who I'm confused about.' She started playing with the menu as she tried to distract herself. The door opened and Maura's head shot up, Jane stood there, smiling unsurely at her. 'She looks nervous…and adorable' thought the medical examiner, blushing and looking down at the table, she whispered "Stop it Maura, don't think of her like that".

"Don't think of who like what?" asked Jane as she lowered herself into opposite seat. "I…err…it doesn't matter Jane" spluttered the now flustered blonde. The detective gave her a pointed look but let the subject drop.

They sat in awkward silence for a moment before each of them began speaking "Jane I…" "Maura listen…" they both laughed awkwardly before lapsing into silence again. Maura was the first to speak, "Jane I'm sorry for what I did, it was the most stupid thing I've ever done. I regret it immensely but understand if you can't forgive me"

"Not forgive you? Maura you're my best friend, I can't stay mad at you." A sincere smile was on Jane's face, she meant it she was lost without Maura.

"Do you think we can get past this?" Maura questioned, concern in her voice and her eyes shining. "If we both want to, we can of course we can."

They smile at each other, never breaking eye contact. The quiet comfortable atmosphere that had settled over them was punctured when Jane's stomach rumbled. They both collapsed into laughter, "Hungry?" Maura asked a smirk placed on her face. "Yeah" Jane grabbed the menu and winked before raising the menu and contemplating food. Maura blushed lightly before adding "You always have a burger, why are you looking?"

"Because…. I don't know" with a sigh she placed the menu on the table and smiled cheekily, "What're you having m'lady?"

"Hmm…I'll have a burger." Maura smiled waiting for Jane's reaction

"A burger? A real proper burger?" a tone of disbelief laced Jane's voice

With a nod Maura ordered her food and Jane's, 'tonight's going to be a good' they both thought.