After leaving her house she headed towards the clinic. She felt bad for having to leave so early and not spend more time with Jane but she knew she understood.
Upon entering the clinic Maura was greeted by a few friendly faces.
"Good Morning Ms. Isles." One nurse said in passing.
"Good morning Jen do you know if Hope is in her office we have somethings to discuss." Maura asked.
"Yes I believe she is, would you like me to call ahead and let her know you are here?"
"No that wont be necessary." Maura says with a smile before walking towards Hope's office. She knocks and waits for a response.
"Come in." Maura hears from outside the door. She opens it slowly until she sees Hope standing behind her desk.
"Oh hello Maura. Please come in have a seat." Maura smiles politely before sitting.
"So." Hope says sitting in her own chair behind her desk she leans forward on her elbows to get a better look at Maura. "I understand that you will be finishing your classes her soon and I and my staff have very much enjoyed having you here. I know we have discussed you working here after your clinicals but I have just been informed of an opening at my clinic in France." Hope gives Maura a minute to take in what she has said before continuing.
"Now I know this may come as a shock and a bit out there but I've seen your work and the heart you put behind it. I have the option to bring someone along with me and I would like for it to be you. I believe this would be a wonderful opportunity for you."
Maura sits forward in her seat, Her mouth agape. "Hope, I- I don't know what to say this amazing. How long are we talking about?" Maura asked trying to gather all the details to later explain it all to Jane because if she was going to do this she wanted to talk it over with her first.
"I usually run the program for a year and after that I leave the decision up to you as to stay longer or return home." Hope says with a smile.
Maura thought for a moment before responding. "Its an incredible offer but I would like to give it some thought."
"Oh of course I would expect nothing less. Do you have any other questions for me?"
"When do you need my answer by?" Maura asked.
"As soon as possible normally but you take as much time as you need to decide we can worry about everything else later."
Maura sighs in relief at least now she knew she would have plenty of time to talk to Jane and make a decision.
"Well I think I have taken up enough of your time. Why don't you head out and we can catch up later?" Hope says standing up to say goodbye.
"I will inform you of my decision within the coming days." Maura says matter of factly.
"I will be waiting to hear from you but for now enjoy your afternoon.
Maura left the clinic with a heavy weight on her shoulders. If she was to be gone for a year would her and Jane's relationship make it? Would they have to break up? How would Jane take it to knowing that they would be away from each other for so long?. All of these questions ran rampant through her mind she took a deep breath and decided that she would talk to Jane at dinner and then go from there.
Later That Evening.
Jane and Maura were sitting at one of Maura's favorite restaurants. The food was amazing as usual they sat in a comfortable silence until Jane spoke.
"What's on your mind Muar? You've been pretty quiet tonight, is everything okay?" Jane asked reaching across the table for the blondes hand.
Maura takes a huge sip from her wine. This was it she thought. The time had come to inform Jane on the opportunity she was offered earlier today. "There is something I want to talk to you about." Maura says finally finding her words.
"Okay? You know you can tell me anything Maur" Jane remarks back.
"You know how I had to meet with Hope this morning?" Maura asked avoiding looking into those big brown eyes.
"Yeah?" Jane answers. "Did something happen?" She asked with concern.
"Oh no Jane, its just...well Hope offered for me to join her in France at her clinic there for my clinicals." Maura hurriedly spoke the words before she could lose all nerve.
"Uh, um...wow." Jane uttered not sure how to take what she was just told. "Is this her way of trying to get you into bed or just an offer on a great opportunity?" Jane regretted the statement as soon as it left her mouth.
Maura smiled to herself at her girlfriend's jealousy. "Jane, Hope is happily married and straight." Maura says with a chuckle. "But this would be a great opportunity for me." She quickly adds looking down into her wine.
"Okay Muar but theres something else you aren't telling me...what is it babe?" She ask rubbing her thumb back and forth over Maura's hand.
"I would be away for up to a year." Maura answers causing Jane to choke on her beer.
"Um, what? Did I hear you right? You would be away for a year?" Jane ask in rapid response.
"Yes Jane you heard me correctly."
"When would you have to leave?" Jane ask peeling the label from her beer which Maura knew meant Jane was thinking or upset.
"It would be after my classes are done and my clinicals start. I wanted to talk to you about it first before making a decision because this decision doesn't just affect me it affects you as well, it affects us."
Jane takes a deep breath through her nose. "I appreciate that you wanted to talk about this with me Maur. I don't want to hold you back from anything. If going is what you want to do then I won't stand in your way." Jane says swallowing the sudden lump in her throat. "I know it wont be easy on our relationship but I love you more then anything and my love for you is enough to get me through because I know you love me just the same." She says lifting her head to meet watering hazel green eyes.
"I do love you Jane with everything in me. I'm just concerned with our relationship being so new that we will drift apart." Maura remarks letting her tears finally fall.
"Maur, look at me." Jane says softly, squeezing the blonde's hand until their eyes meet. "If I'm going to drift anywhere, it will be where ever YOU are. It won't be easy I know but you are it for me, you complete me in ways I never thought possible. This a huge opportunity for you and I want you to experience it. You and I will make it through it I know we will."
Maura looks deep into those brown eyes she loves so much and sees everything she needed. She knew in that moment that even though it would be difficult to spend so much time away from one another that they would be okay.
"I love you Jane, you are it for me as well and I know now that we will make it, we will be okay." Maura says with a smile.
"I won't lie to you Maur it's going to hurt when you have to leave but as long as you promise that you are coming back to me, to us...that's all I'm going to need to keep moving forward. I love you Maura."
Maura moves from her side of the table to Jane's. She wraps her arms around her and pulls her close. "I promise Jane." She whispers. Jane smiles and kisses her temple "I promise too Maur."
Stay tuned for what happens next with these two! Hope you all are well and again thank you to everyone for their reviews. More to come...