Chapter 25

The next few days passed in a relatively quiet manner. Thankfully, Jane had agreed to go back to therapy again. But the brunette had made it very clear to Dr. Liberty that the topic of Sam was off limits for now, and the doctor had agreed not to bring up the matter for a while.

However this compromise resulted in very little progress being made in Jane's recovery.

Avoidance was not uncommon amongst people dealing with this kind of trauma. The problem was that anything could trigger a reaction. It could be a person, a place, a sound, a smell, sometimes even just hearing a certain name could bring on a flashback. For some people it resulted in complete avoidance of anything that could possibly be a reminder of their ordeal, and for Jane it was her avoidance of Sam.

Maura had been doing her own research on the subject and she had spoken to Jane's therapist a few times. But doctor-patient confidentially barred Dr. Liberty from going into any details about Jane's sessions.

The doctor did tell Maura that forcing the issue was a very risky thing. Yes, it could end up having a positive effect, it could be exactly what Jane needed to move forward and get passed this. But it could also have a tremendous backlash for everyone involved, especially for Jane. She recommended for Maura to try and talk to Jane about it, and depending on the response, gently push her in the right direction.

But when Maura had tried to broach the topic of visiting Sam with Jane again, the brunette had all but shut her down instantly. When Maura told her about David's visit to her in the morgue she had just about flipped. Maura had not brought up the topic since.

But David was persistent, he had called Maura several times already and kept trying to convince her to just bring Jane over to their house. Once she was there, everything would be alright; or so he said.

Sam's dad was really pushing the issue. He really believed everything would be fine, but he wasn't a psychiatrist, and his concern was only for his son. Maura understood where he was coming from, but it put her in an impossible position. Jane would not go with her willingly, she would refuse, that much Maura knew. And there was no way Maura would trick Jane into going either. It would destroy any and all trust they had rebuild between them. But not doing anything hardly seemed like an option either, as Jane was completely stuck at the moment. She wasn't getting worse, but she wasn't getting better either. Maura was at a complete loss of what to do.

The blonde was in the kitchen making herself a cup of coffee when Angela poked her head around the back door.

"Good morning, Maura."

"Angela, come in, you want some coffee?"

"Don't mind if I do," the italian woman said, taking a seat at the kitchen island. "Jane still sleeping?", she asked looking around for her daughter.

"No, actually Frankie took her for breakfast this morning."

"Oh," Angela reached for the cup of coffee Maura handed her, "how's Frankie been treating you?"

"Better, actually." Maura smiled, "I think Jane did a little more talking with him and he's been treating me almost the same as before."

They both quietly enjoyed their cup of coffee. Angela was observing Maura's posture, noticing that the woman looked a little out of sorts.

"How are you doing, honey?" she tentatively asked.

"I'm fine," Maura was quick to brush the concern away.

"Maura, you are like my daughter too, if there's something I'm good at, it is knowing when something is bothering my kids. Now spill."

The doctor put down her cup and put both her hands on the counter in front of her, almost nervously rubbing the surface with her fingers.

"It's…," she started, "it's just something Sam's father asked me to do. And I don't know if I can."

Angela knew about David's request since he had asked her first. The older woman had directed him to Maura, knowing if anyone could get Jane to do anything it would be her.

Maura explained a little more about the risks of doing what David was asking.

"I don't know Maura, it sounds like this would help both of them tremendously. I think Jane's too stubborn for her own good sometimes."

Maura rubbed her neck with her hand, trying to relieve the stress on her muscles. "I just don't think pushing her is the best thing in this case."

"She didn't want to talk to you about any of this before, and you pushed her and it got better right? Maybe this is just one of those times where you need to make the decision for her. I'm sure she'll be grateful when she feels better afterwards. Why don't you take her somewhere and stop by David and Melanie's on the way home. If she completely freaks out you can always just drive her back home. No harm done."

"I don't think so Angela. I won't trick her, I can't do that to her."

"Well, something needs to happen."

"Hmm," Maura said in thought, before she looked at the clock, "don't you have to go to work today?"

"I do, but not for another thirty minutes. How about yourself? Are you still on leave?"

"I am, but I do have to go back to the precinct for a little bit this afternoon. I have a meeting with some of my staff at 2 p.m. Even when I'm on leave, there are still things I need to take care of."

"Yes, the joys of being in charge," Angela chuckled.

Maura smiled and waved it off.

The women chatted away for another few minutes about various topics when Angela finally got up, "well, I better get ready, maybe I'll see you at work?"

"Yes, I'll stop by sometime this afternoon."

And with that the women said their goodbyes.

Jane was in good spirits today, she'd had a pleasant breakfast with her brother that morning. A comfortable lunch with Maura, including some cuddling on the couch, before the blonde had to leave for a few hours. And even being alone in the house didn't feel as bad today as it did the first time Maura had left. All in all, she felt pretty good for a change.

She was sitting on the couch watching some TV with Jo Friday next to her, the little mutt was lying on her back enjoying some belly rubs. "You know you are spoiled don't you?" Jane said to her little furry friend, who just lifted her ears in response. "Yeah, yeah, it's a dog's life." She continued the scratching while directing her attention back to the program she was watching.

A few minutes after 2 p.m. the doorbell rang. Jo immediately jumped up and ran for the door, "who's that Jo? Did your other mommy buy more shoes again?" Jane grabbed one of her crutches and worked her way over to the door. Her mouth dropped open and cold sweat immediately broke out on her body when she saw who was standing outside.

Maura had just finished up with her meeting and she was ready to go home. She decided to just pop in briefly at the cafe just to say 'hi' to Angela, and see if the woman was planning to join Jane and her for dinner tonight.

"Maura," the italian woman greeted her cheerfully like usual, but Maura immediately noticed her body language was a little off.

"You want something to drink?" Angela continued.

Maura tilted her head observing the older woman.

'Maybe I'm just imagining things', she thought when she didn't notice anything else out of the ordinary.

The other woman was still waiting for an answer, "Maura? Drink?"

"Oh…no, thank you, Angela. I just popped by to say I am heading home and I wanted see if you were going to join us for dinner tonight?"

"Not tonight, I have to work a few extra hours today."

"Okay, well I guess I will see you later then."

"You sure you don't want anything to drink before you go home? Or I can make you something to eat?"

"No, I don't want to leave Jane alone for too long."

Maura noticed Angela now definitely looked nervous.

"Angela? Is everything okay? You look a little …"

"I was hoping they would have more time."

"Who?" Maura felt a feeling of dread creeping up her spine.

"David and Sam."

"Angela, no!" Maura grabbed the table in front of her with both hands, trying to steady herself. "What did you do?"

"Maura, don't worry. You said Jane needed this, it will be okay."

The doctor closed her eyes and shook her head, "Angela, what did you do?" she said with a little more emphasis now.

"I…I gave David your address and told him Jane would be there."

"Oh no, no, no, no."

Maura, I'm sure everything is fine."

"No, it's not. Jane's going to feel ambushed, tricked. I can't believe you did this." Maura had raised her voice now, something very uncommon for the doctor, "you have no idea what you just did."

Maura quickly turned on her feet and rushed out the precinct and to her car, hearing but ignoring Angela's voice calling behind her. On the way home she constantly tried Jane's phone, but it went to voice mail every time.

Jane was beyond pissed. She was literally shaking from anger and frustration.

David had shown up at Maura's house, with Sam waiting in the car. But instead of opening up the door and face them, she had just stood there, frozen, unable to move. David had rang the doorbell twice and then left. He hadn't heard or seen Jane; she was sure of it, because he wouldn't have left otherwise. But it didn't make it less embarrassing or frustrating. Jane knew she froze, like a coward, like the weakling she was now. Why did they show up like that? She had made it clear she wasn't ready to make this step.

Jane knew she had to confront her fears. Dr. Liberty had told her, Maura had told her, her mom had told her, heck, even Frankie had told her. But it wasn't their decision to make, it was her own. She would have talked to Sam when she was ready, she wasn't going to ignore the kid forever, she just needed more time. She needed to build up to it, it was supposed to be her decision. She wanted to make this step herself.

Jane knew there was no way David's arrival the minute Maura left the house had been a coincidence. He wouldn't even know where Maura lived unless someone had given him the address, 'unless Maura had given him the address'. Jane was furious, she felt played, tricked. Maura had told her about David's visit to her in the morgue and she knew how he had been pressuring the doctor ever since. Jane was very much aware of the phone calls Maura had received from David over the past few days and she felt bad about the position it put the blonde in. But what was she supposed to do? She had explained everything to Maura, she had told her how she felt and she thought the blonde understood her reluctance. Jane knew Maura thought she wasn't getting any better, but she was, she was getting better. She just needed more time, she hadn't been ready for this. Why couldn't they have given her a little more time? 'Damn it! How could she do this to me?'

Jane wasn't thinking rational, she was upset with Maura, with the situation, but mostly with herself. She felt embarrassed and frustrated. But above all she was angry at the lack of control in her life. How had she become so weak? It seemed like everyone felt the need to give their opinion about what she needed to do. Everyone was making decisions for her. How did that happen? Nobody would have dared tell her what to do before all of this. It needed to change. She couldn't be this helpless, this pathetic anymore. She had to go.

So Jane grabbed a bag, put her clothes and other things in it and zipped it shut. She sat down on the bed and pulled out her phone, then dialed the number she needed and waited.

Maura had rushed home, breaking all the speed limits on the way. But she didn't care. She quickly parked her car and all but ran through the front door.

"Jane," she called out repeatedly while quickly making her way through her house, checking all the rooms.

But when she came to her bedroom and saw the absence of the brunette's belongings she knew she was already too late. Jane was gone.

A/N: Let me know what you think?

And don't worry too much, okay? The next chapter will be up Monday morning, I promise.

*points at the box below and whispers...'cookies'*