Jane's point of view.

Maura sits on her bed after I pick her up from my mothers house, and I am at a lose on how to act, because she's quiet. too quiet. As much as I don't want her to be feeling bad I hope that that's all this is about.

"How are you feeling?

She blinks a few times, and I can't read her expression. its sad, happy, and confusing. I don't know what is going on, but I can feel the panic rising under my skin, at the back of my throat, in the lining of my lungs. She shakes her head until her expression clears, and then she smiles.

"Okay I think." She says as she crosses her arms over her stomach.

"Well, do you want to watch a movie or something?" I ask.

"I think I just want to go to sleep."

I brush her hair back and kiss her forehead. "Of course. Can I get you something? Water? Medicine?"

She swallows and shakes her head.

"I think...I think I just need some sleep."

I nod.

"Of course."

I pull the blankets back and she slides between the sheets.

"Get some rest. I'm going to take a quick shower."

She pulls the blankets up to her neck settling back on the pillow.

"I'm sorry." She says, as I walk away.

I turn back to her.

"For what?"

"I just...I don't know i'm just sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry." Unless she's sorry for something else.

After my shower I climb into bed with Maura, she's still awake but she doesn't say anything to me. I wrap my arms around her, and she leans her head against my chest, and I brush her face so I can see her eyes. I don't know what I hope to see in them, but i know I need this connection as much as I think she does. I don't understand what's going on with her but I hope tomorrow she's back to her normal self.

Camera's flash, as we step out of my car the next day after a quiet ride to work. I ignore them. Word has spread about the trial coming up and the reasons behind it. I walk over to Maura and take her hand trying to get to the door faster. I hope if i appear busy the media hounds will ignore me. It's a futile hope.

"Ms. Rizzoli! Is it true what Charles Hoyt did to you? Is it true that you're considering selling your business because of this? Are you intersex? Did you hear that Charles Hoyt is saying you're lying? How does that make you feel?"

The questions are shot with deadly accuracy, one after another. I swallow my anger. I am getting the lowest of the low gossip rags because of all this. I suck in a deep breath and lift my head.

"We are just trying to get to work. Perhaps you should focus on something else." I've lost track of the number of times i've been accosted by the press over the last few years.

One bold photographer with beady eyes that remind me of a cobra about to strike swaggers forward. His hair, long and course, looks as though he'd stuck his finger in a light socket. I dub him the sleaze.

"Sorry, sweetheart, but this is big news." He holds up his camera up and snaps several shots. "Who's this?" He asks indicating Maura.

He clicks several photos of her, and I have the sudden urge to take his camera and smash it against the pavement. Before I do just that, Harrison is by my side. We make it almost to the door of my building before the sleaze says anything more.

"You should know, Ms Rizzoli, it's best to keep the press happy. You never know what could be in the papers tomorrow."

I start to turn around to confront him, but Harrison grabs my arm.

"Dont." He says, and I nod. I know confronting him will only make things worse.

When we step on the elevator, Maura squeezes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile, and I hope with everything I have that she's back to normal.

When I get to my floor Susan is waiting on me with some papers and a coffee. I take the papers and coffee from her and she follows me into my office.

"Tara and Bobby from you Lexington branch are waiting in the conference room.:

"Alright." I say in acknowledgment, and she leaves.

I look over the papers she gave me from Tara, and pull out a resume and leave my office for the conference room.

I shake their hands, and take a seat at the head of the table.

"We have an issue with our marketing manager. His health's taken a hit and he's taking a break." Tara says, getting right down to business.

"You mean he's not coming back." I say, eyeing the woman with a mixture of curiosity and slight contempt. I hate when people beat around the bush.

"No. He said he needed to take a step back. We had to let him go." Tara says, her eyes downcast. Bobby shakes his head as if the whole thing has been inevitable.

"And you want me to find someone to take his place?" I ask.

"Leigh Bellamy, has offered to step in for the time being. She's doing a good job of keeping things going, so we've put her on trial for a week."

I frown. "Don't you think Ms. Bellamy is going to be upset if i bring in competition? If she already knows her way around…" I falter at the pinch smile that stretches Tara's mouth.

"We just fell she might not be ready to take on such a big responsibility." Says Bobby. "It might be too much for her to handle.

"Exactly." Tara says, cutting in.

I have the distinct impression that she is the one calling all the shots here. Bobby doesn't seem to mind. He smiles at me and lets Tara resume.

"We're giving her the opportunity to prove herself, but we'd like to explore other options."

I tap the resume, which lay on the table between us. Bobby glances at it and nods.

"Ms. Isles originally applied for this position, and I think she should get an opportunity."

Tara and Bobby both nod in sync.

I leave the conference room soon after, and have Susan call Maura up.

I go into my office while Tara and Bobby speak to Maura.

Maura comes into my office not not afterwards.

"You could have given me some kind of warning." She says, as she sits in the chair on the other side of my desk.

"Sorry, it just kind of happened." I say, not looking up from my work.

"I can't do it."

I lift my gaze from the papers in front of me, and put my pen down.

"Why not? This is what you wanted in the beginning."

"It's just...Right now it's not a good idea."

I see the worry etched across her face, and I stand from my seat and walk around the desk to take the seat next to her.

"Maura, what's wrong?"

She turns her face to the side and swallows.

"Look at me, Maura. Don't ever be afraid to look me in the eyes." I wait until she turns her head and meets my gaze. "You don't have to take this position if you don't want to." I say, purposefully keeping my voice light and my face bright. "But I need you to tell me whats going on with you."

The fearful look on her face won't do at all, but I don't know how to make it go away.

"I...I"m pregnant…" She finally says.

Fucking hell. I wanted to know what's wrong and here it is. Of all the things I have been imagining, this is the one thing that never came to mind. No wonder she's been distant. And here she is, staring at me with her chest heaving, lips quivering, waiting for me to reply.

"If you want me to go…"She starts to stand, her voice catching in her throat.

"No. I most definitely do not want you to go." I take her hands and pull her back into her chair where she perches rigidly for only a second before she melts into it.

"I'm sorry." She says.

"Why?"

"For...This."

She drops her eyes.

"Maura, look at me." I urge again. I put my finger to her chin and lift her face. "You have nothing to apologize for.

"Promise?" She whispers.

"Promise." I shift a little, freeing an arm to grab my phone, doing my best to look casual, even though I'm fucking terrified inside.

"Let's go home." I say.