This chapter was a particularly fun one to write, so I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! As usual, please leave a review with your thoughts. Thanks everyone!


Korsak walks into the homicide unit as Frost and Jane wait at their desks.

"Crime lab's backed up," he tells the detectives.

"Backed up?" says Jane irritably and drops her feet from her desk top.

The detective drops into his chair. "The lab got federal grant money and a government demand to cut their number of backlogged rape kits in half by this time next year. New York, Chicago, and Houston, all got the same deal. It's a national campaign," says Korsak.

"Look at you, Mr. Spokesperson," teases Frost.

"How did we not know about this?" asks a frustrated Jane.

"They got word a few days ago, but thought they had the number of cases under control. Apparently they don't," Korsak says.

"How many?" Jane inquires.

"Wouldn't tell me. You know how forensic scientists are," he jokes. Frost and Jane chuckle.

"Can't they…squeeze us in?" pleads Jane.

Korsak shakes his head. "I already asked. Tried my charm and everything," Korsak states. Frost laughs harder.

"They've already got requests from other departments. If they squeezed us in, they'd have to squeeze everyone else in too," he answers.

"How long do we have to wait?" Jane asks.

"A few days at least," says Korsak. "We got nothing else. Might as well head out."

"Yeah," says Jane. "I still need that nap."

...

"Casey…C-Casey," groans Jane.

She reaches out and touches her friend's hand. Maura awakens when she feels Jane's hand on hers. She looks towards the woman lying next to her.

"I love you," Jane says in an almost inaudible whisper.

"Jane," whispers Maura as she shakes the detective awake.

"Huh?" Jane mutters as she stirs from her sleep.

"I love you too," Maura smirks.

"Wha-?" a startled Jane says as she squeezes her eyes shut for a brief moment. She rapidly blinks to clear her vision and gives the doctor a questionable look.

Maura laughs. "You were talking in your sleep. You said 'I love you'. Casey, I presume?"

Jane lifts herself onto her elbows. "I had that dream again, Maura. This time I was with him. I held his hand and watched him die," she says, sorrowfully.

"This is worse than I thought, Jane," Maura states as she scoots closer to her friend.

"Yeah," Jane says as she lies back on her pillow and places both palms on her eyes.

Maura rests her weight on a stretched out arm and leans towards Jane. "When are you going to talk to him?"

"I don't know," Jane responds. "Can't you just fix me?" she pleads.

Maura chuckles. "What are you afraid of, Jane?"

"Him thinking I'm insane," Jane forcefully states.

"He won't think you're insane. He loves you and, after what you said tonight, I know you love him," Maura reassures. "He shared his secret with you and you've seen him at his most vulnerable. It's your turn."

"Thanks Dr. Phil," Jane teases. She sits up and exclaims, "And why are you sleeping on my bed again, Maura?"

"Theoretically, I was unintentionally conducting dream research," says Maura. She gracefully lies back down. "Besides, you tried to seduce me while we were sleeping," she slyly remarks.

"I did not!" shouts Jane.

"Your hand-holding says otherwise," Maura teases.

"Oh hush, you liked it," Jane amusedly states as she lies down and tucks her folded hands underneath her pillow.

"I'm not that kind of girl, Detective," Maura replies with a smile.

Jane smiles at her friend, and the two quickly fall back asleep.