"Can we stay at my place tonight?" Jane was clearly tired as they walked to the car. "I mean, if you're wanting to keep an eye on me… Otherwise, I'm staying at home, and you can go back to your place because I've had about as much of Ma as I can stand."

"Of course," Maura agreed as she got in. Leaving one car home every other day had been a stroke of genius disguised as a gas-saving measure. In reality, it was because she knew Jane would feel obligated to remain sober if she were driving Maura or destined to be riding home with her. She also knew by now that Jane felt less lonely and in need of a drink when they were together.

Despite not being the one driving, Jane opened the driver's door as if on autopilot, waited for Maura to get in, closed it, and then climbed into the passenger's side. "That's pretty much all we talked about today, Ma I mean. And, if you ever wondered, I DO NOT think I'm a guy trapped in a girl's body."

Maura replied easily, "I never wondered. You have none of the behavioral markers that characterize those who live with gender dysphoria."

"Okay, well... yeah," with a roll of her eyes, Jane scooted down in her seat. "I'm just going to sit here and think about some stuff, while you get us home. Then I promise to help cook dinner, okay?"

Another month passed by and Jane continued with her sessions. Things were starting to settle into a routine. The three weekly sessions fell to two, and Maura was there to drop her off and take her home. Once the sessions ended, they would decide what to do for dinner and where they would be spending the night.

Jo had taken up residence with Angela for the time being. Whatever Maura had told her about Jane's current mental state had made the older woman back off. She seemed content to redirect her helicopter ways to taking care of the little dog, who had never been so pampered.

Tommy was doing well, too. He found a job working in the industrial district and an apartment, which everyone was proud of. Maura had given him a flat screen television as a house warming present. Jane had given him a gaming console. Frankie had given him some games. Angela had given him a warning to not stay up all night playing games and be late for work the next morning.

Jane had moments of weakness, but she never completely fell. She was doing well. She hadn't so much as been in a bar since the last incident at the Dirty Robber where Maura had come to her aid. She was feeling better. Her relationship with her mother was improving. Things were looking up until she found out about Harold Bell.

"Yo, Jane, why do you look like someone shot your dog?" Frankie grabbed the empty chair next to his big sister in the precinct café.

"I do not," she shot back, pushing her lunch around on her plate. "I'm just tired, that's all. Besides, what are you doing down here anyway? I thought you were working with Korsak today?"

"I am, later. I came down to grab a cup of coffee, and I saw you sitting here like a lump, so I thought I'd come see what was up. Frost says you've been mopey all day." He took a sip of his coffee.

"Mopey? Really?" She rolled her eyes. "I am not mopey. I told you. I'm just tired."

"Yeah? Whatever. So, are you and Maura staying at your place or hers tonight?" He smirked at the way the question sounded and then winced when a foot came flying at his shin.

"Neither. She's got a date tonight." With a heavy sigh, Jane picked up her Coke and sipped at it.

"Yeah? Good for her. Anyone we know?" Frankie gave a genuine smile at the thought that Maura might be seeing someone. He was starting to consider her another big sister.

"No, not really. Some big shot doctor from New York. She's been talking about him a little bit off and on. I don't think she's out to date him, though. I think she's just looking for a good fu..."

"Shut up, she's coming," Frankie's eyes grew large as he nodded toward the door.

All smiles, Maura approached the table where Jane and Frankie were seated, not quite skipping, but certainly with a spring in her step. "Good, you're here," she greeted her best friend and pretend roommate, sparing a few more smiles for Frankie and anyone else who happened to catch her eye.

"Hey, you seem happy," Jane said, smile plastered on her face.

"Yeah, excited about your date tonight?" Frankie winked at his sister only to feel another shin kick under the table.

The pathologist slid into the other empty seat. "Yes, I am! I haven't seen Harold since my time with Medicins Sans Frontiers, and I'm very much looking forward to tonight. It's been quite some time…" she trailed off, looking altogether too dreamy-eyed.

"Okay, I'm trying to eat here," Jane pointed at her food, dropped her fork, which clattered onto her plate, and made a disgusted faced. "Never mind. That did it. I'm done."

"So, what's he like that he's got you all worked up? I haven't seen you this excited since you started dating Jane's surgeon. What was his name?" Frankie asked, frowning in thought.

"Byron. Slucky." Jane made the name two separate sentences.

"Just this one time," Maura said to Frankie a little archly, though still maintaining her good mood enough to offer a wink, "I won't chastise you for drawing the most obvious conclusion. Jane, really, you should finish eating. Are you not feeling well? It's probably because of all the fat and salt in your diet, or the cola drinks you've been having lately. All that carbonation may be making you a little gassy."

"No and no." Jane stood up from the table. "I'm going to go. You just go on and talk about what's-his-face... Harold ...without me. I don't want to hear about your dates. I can't... I've got places to be." She grabbed her blazer from the back of the chair, and walked out of the café toward the elevators.

"Wow, she's crankier than usual." Frankie stated as he reached over to grab the remains of his sister's meal. "Wonder what's got her all pissy?"

"I don't know," replied Maura, forcing her breathing to remain steady, slow, and deep. It wasn't a lie. She suspected, but she did not know.

Frankie shrugged. "Whatever. Janie's always got something bothering her." He glanced at his watch. "I wonder where she's going, though? I mean, it's not even 2 yet, and doesn't that the elevator to the garage? Korsak said there weren't any cases right now, just some cold case stuff."

Immediately, Maura stood. "Frankie, we brought Jane's car today. I need you to give me a ride to the Robber right now."

"You... what? The Robber? Maura, did you hear me? It's not even 2 in the afternoon. Don't you think it's a little early for cocktails? Besides, I told Korsak I'd be in records with him in 10 minutes, and that was 15 ago. I'm already late." He tilted his head, considering her for a second. "Here," he fished around in his pocket. "Some things I don't want to know. I drove the Mustang today." He handed her his keys.

The caramel-haired woman snatched the keys from his hand and set out, barely remembering to call out, "I owe you, Frankie!" over her shoulder.