By the sun came up the next morning Jane was gone. There was a white sheet of paper on Maura's dresser under a single rose, waiting for her. It was Jane's goodbye.

She had kept her promise to Ryan and told him goodbye before leaving. Jane had bought the motorcycle with saved money since she didn't have the living expense, so no more traveling on foot.

Maura was disappointed when she woke up to an empty bed. Running her hand over the empty mattress beside her, she soon sat up and stretched out her limbs before climbing out from under the covers. She was headed to the bathroom for a shower when she noticed the rose and letter. Thinking it was a note to explain her absence - perhaps Jane had just risen early and dived into work - Maura smiled at the gesture and picked it up to read. Once her eyes had glided over the words, however, the veterinarian's smile quickly faded, a sense of nausea hitting her as she quickly took a seat at the foot of the bed to steady herself.

The trip from her cabin to her father's house was a blur as Maura ran in to find him sitting on the couch in the living room. "Jane's gone. Did you see her leave? Do you have any idea where she's going?" She asked desperately, hoping she could still catch her.

Ryan sighed softly and looked up at her. "Yeah, she took the motorcycle and went west. Other than that, it's all I know. Maura, sweetie, she's doing this for you. Jane promised that she would come back and I believe her."

"You talked with her, knew what she was planning, and didn't feel like it was important to tell me?" Maura asked, clearly exasperated. "And doing this for me? How do you think I feel getting a letter with her intentions, without any real goodbye?"

"She asked me not to say anything and yesterday was your goodbye. I know you're angry right now but please think about it. Jane loves you more than life itself, she told me she was leaving to get the help she needs so she wont be a danger to you. Jane told me she'll be back just give her time, sweetie"

"Angry is putting it mildly. Jane could've gotten the help she needed right here. I could've helped her." Maura turned on her heel and headed for the door.

"What are you going to do!?" Ryan called out as he watched her.

"Find Jane!" The blonde yelled and headed out to her car.

Jane was on her way to Vegas. She had heard about a guy there that could help her more than anyone could and quickly. She figured the faster she healed mentally the faster she could get back to Maura; the place when longed to be the moment he got out of bed.

Maura came home after hours of trying to find Jane and plopped down on the stairs of her front porch. Jake soon trotted over to Maura, licking at her wet cheeks, and sat in front of her, the animal doctor wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight. "She left both of us behind." Maura spoke in a strained voice full of heartache.

Jake whined softly and nuzzled into her then shook his head. He pulled away and bumped his head into the front door of the cabin to open it and trotted to the bedroom, took the note in his mouth and dropped it into her lap. Jake nuzzled it closer to her hands for her to read again.

Once Maura picked it back up to read his head laid on top of her thighs.

Baby,

There is no way to measure how much I love you. So please don't think I'm doing this because I don't. I'm leaving. To get help. I feel that I need to move away to get the help I need so I'm not a danger to you.

Maura, I don't want to risk hurting you again. You almost died because of me.

I wanted to give you a great goodbye without actually saying it. I wanted to give you a day to remember so maybe me leaving wouldn't hurt so much.

I didn't leave to hurt you, I left because you mean the world to me. I'll be back, I promise. Just give me time to fix myself. Please.

I had a talk with Jake and I told him to take care of you.

Please don't hate me...

With all the love I have,

Jane

Maura balled the sheet of paper up and tossed it onto the ground. "She took the coward's way out!" A sob escaped her chest as she covered her face with her hands. "I thought everything was getting better. After last night, I thought she was getting the help she needed. She could've stayed with us, Jake, and gotten it."

Sitting up on his haunches, his paws were placed on her knees and he licked her hands over her face. He didn't want Maura to be angry with Jane. She had told him to keep her safe and protect Maura and she had even promised him she would be back.

Maura moved her hands and rested her forehead against the top of Jake's. "She could've at least told me goodbye in person instead of sneaking off."

Taking a deep breath he let it out and stayed right there for as long as she needed.

Ryan watched from his own porch and shook his head. Walking over to the cabin he sighed. "Maura, I did hear her talking about a therapist in Nevada... I don't know where but maybe that'll give you a start."

Maura sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "Thank you. That helps a little." She stared down at the ground for a moment before speaking again. "Jane could've told me where she was going, what she was doing. I could've gone with her for while."

"I know but she told me that she didn't want to put you in harms way again. She'll be back and give her time to contact you."

Maura sighed. "She's the most stubborn person I've ever met. She better contact me soon."

He smiled. "She really is but that woman does love you. And knowing that I have a feeling she wont last too long without talking to you." He smiled. "You shoulda been here when she kicked Mason's ass. Yeah the main reason behind it was because he hurt Jake but I could see she was getting him back for all the bull he put you through."

"Jane is the best thing to ever happen to me. I've told her so. I was worried about her that day, but I'm sure Mason got exactly what he deserved." Maura looked up at her father then. "She's protective, loving. But she also puts too much blame on herself."

"She does but if she didn't, I don't think she would care as much as she does."

Arriving in Vegas, Jane wasn't sure where to go. She didn't actually have money for a hotel room. Parking her bike along the street, the soldier slid her hands inside her jacket pockets. Feeling something in there she grabbed and pulled it out. $10.

Across the street was a casino. Not a very popular one but Jane figured she could flip this money and have enough to stay somewhere cheap.

Coming out two grand richer a few hours later, she hopped back on her motorcycle and took off to find a hotel and a place to grab some grub.

She was sitting alone in a booth when a man slid in across from her. "What's a gorgeous creature like you doing all alone?" He asked, flashing a pearly white smile, his blue eyes twinkling.

Jane looked back at him and took a big bite of her burger. "Well last time I checked, I was eating. Alone and that's how I prefer it right now."

"Why? Did your boyfriend dump you? Trying to get over some heartache? I could help." He grinned deviously.

"I don't need your help. I'm a soldier with PTSD, and I'd think it wise if you moved along and let me eat."

"Fine." The man began to scoot out of the booth. "Crazy bitch." He mumbled under his breath as he stood and started walking off.

The waitress appeared then and poured Jane another cup of coffee. "Welcome to Vegas. A glorious city full of sin and assholes."

Jane went to go after him but before she could get outta the booth Aly came up. Sliding back in she nodded. "Yeah, thanks. I think." She chuckled."

Aly smiled. "You're welcome. He was the asshole in this scenario not you, by the way." She chuckled. "So are you just passing through or staying in Vegas for a while?"

"I'm staying for as long as it takes. At least I seem to have good luck with the casinos." She smiled and sipped her coffee.

"I guess luck can be a lady." Aly smiled. "Let me know if you need anything else." She said and then headed over to her next table.

Jane smiled and nodded once. She watched Aly move to the next table then focused on her own food and enjoyed her meal. Or at least tried to.

The same bastard walked up to her table again with a friend. She of course ignored his presence.

"You know, I think you were just fucking around earlier. Didn't want to be bothered by a guy so you claim some story to scare me off." He said gruffly. "I can get that. But I promise you I'm a real charmer once you get to know me. So's my friend." Chad said as he took a seat across from her again, his friend, Jeremy, joining him with a grin.

Jane let out an aggravated sigh and cut her eyes up at them. "I didn't come here to be bothered by two me with beer guts who think they're hot shit. So I ask you once more... leave me be."

"You bul-"
Jeremy cut his friend off before he could even come close to finishing. He could tell by his nasty tone it wouldn't be pretty. "Why don't we all just take a calming breath and start over. My name is Jeremy Glass and I'm sorry for my friend's behavior."

Jane's eyes were glaring daggers at Chad, with a slight disgusted look on her face. Her eyes slowly traveled to Jeremy. "Well thank you for actually being a gentleman, Mr. Glass. More than I can say for him." She motioned her head toward the blonde man with the goatee.

"Yeah, well, fuck you too, bitch." Chad growled and pushed Jeremy out so he could get up.

"How about you learn some respect and stop being such a dick when you don't get your way?" Jeremy called out after him before turning to Jane. "I'm sorry. He thinks he's a lady man and clearly he's not."

"Well thank you for actually having respect and you kinda saved your buddy's ass. I tend to get violent."

"Rough around the edges, huh?" He smiled. "Well, if you wanna kick his ass next time, that's fine by me. Sorry to have bothered you..." Jeremy paused to get her name.

"You could say that." She smiled slightly. "I'm Jane."

"Well, Jane, it's nice to meet you." He smiled, still standing close to her table. "And again, sorry about Chad."

"It's fine. Have a good night." Jane turned back to her mostly eaten burger and finished up a few more fries and downed her beer. Sitting back she waited for Aly, wishing she still had that prepaid phone. Not used to carrying a cell around she had left it one Maura's dresser as she left.

"Here you go." Aly laid the bill down in front of Jane. "Pay whenever you're ready, sweetie."

Jane looked up at her and smiled. "Thank you." She picked up the pill and handed it to her with a fifty on top to pay for her $12 meal. "Keep the change."

Aly's eyes grew wide as she looked down at the $50 bill. "I-I can't accept this. Really. I wouldn't feel right about keeping that much. I mean, I'd be really grateful, but..."

Jane stood up and closed the girl's hand around the money. "You deserve it. You did save a life tonight." She chuckled before moving to walk away.

Aly smiled widely and slipped the money into her apron to take back to the register. "Thank you!" She called out to the curly-haired brunette as she walked away.

Jane smiled over her shoulder and walked out of the bar. She got onto her bike and drove to the hotel. Once there she laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Every once and a while she would look over at the phone in the room, wanting to call Maura.

Maura laid on her side, one arm under her pillow, staring at Jane's side of the bed. It felt so... empty without her. Not just her bed, but the way she felt. Jane said she'd come back, but Maura had no idea how long she'd have to wait for the soldier. Jake jumped in bed then, taking up Jane's spot, and the doctor reached out to pet his back.

Turning his head, he put his nose to her's for a moment before licking it as if saying everything was okay.

Maura's cell phone started vibrating on the bedside table. An unknown name showed in the display of her screen.

Jake sat up immediately and started whining as he wagged his tail excitedly, like he knew it was the soldier.

"Okay, okay. Calm down." Maura said with the smallest hint of a smile as she sat up and reached over Jake to grab her phone. Staring at the screen for a moment, Maura pressed the answer button and lifted it to her ear. "Hello."

"Hey."

Maura was relieved to hear that raspy voice, but she wasn't about to go easy on her. "I'm mad at you."

"I know you are and I'm sorry. I know I should have told you in person but... I just. I don't know Maur, I just didn't want to hurt you anymore."

"What you pulled yesterday and then this morning... it hurt me a lot more. I thought you were going to let me in, let me help. You had me believing things were progressing for us." Maura sighed. "And then you just left."

"I know halfway here I regretted it." She sighed. "Things were progressing for us. Let me get the help I need away from the people I love and care about because if I'm to black out again I want it to be on someone I don't really know." She was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "I can't handle seeing another mark on you from the violence caused by me. Not another bruise or scratch. Because if I happened to hurt you again.. I would've left for good."

"I want you to get the help you need, but I also want you with me. Maybe that's selfish, but I know you could've gotten help here in Texas, whether it be in Dallas or Houston." Maura felt some tears threatening to fall again. "I could've gone with you, Jane. I know you're worried about hurting me, but I could've helped you. I know your triggers."

"You know some triggers..." Jane took a breath. "I'll come for you when I'm better. Not being with you now is hard enough."

"I don't like it, but I can understand where you're coming from. Just promise me you'll keep in touch. And please tell me that you're someplace safe and comfortable."

"I promise you I'm safe and pretty comfortable for tonight and maybe tomorrow. Lets just say I came into some luck that should last me a couple of days."

"Okay." Maura took a deep breath. "I love you, Jane. I hope you find the help you need and come back soon."

"I love you too, Maur, and when I come back.. I'm going to make my absence worth every minute of it. I promise. And I'll keep in touch. Every night."

"You better. On both accounts." Maura sniffled, her nose runny from those tears still leaking from her eyes. Those damn, irritating tears she couldn't control. "I'm still mad at you for leaving me the way you did. But I'll be right here waiting on you when you get back."

"You can be mad, but I know you'll still love me and that's what's getting me through here. I'll be home before you know it."

"I hope so. Now get some rest. I'll talk to you tomorrow, right?" She asked, hopeful.

"You can count on it. G'night, baby."