Jane POV

I try to come to my senses after the momentary shock caused by hearing his voice after all this time.

"I'm sorry… I just didn't expect to hear from you. How are you?"

I'm glad to hear him, I really am. And the fact that he was the one who called me makes me happy… despite the way it ended between us, he is still someone who has been important in my life.

"You know… I'm in town and I wanted to hear from you. And maybe ask you if you want to meet up for a beer if you're not too busy. I was wondering if I could talk to you," he asks me.

"Of course I would, Casey!" I reply to him in a rush, without the idea even passing through my brain for at least a second before the answer comes out of my mouth. It's only natural that I'd want to see him… I mean, I think. I don't see anything wrong with that, do you? We've been together, but it feels like a lifetime ago.

"Are you all right?" I ask him. He said he wanted to talk to me, and I'm bound to worry that something's going wrong.

"Don't worry, Jane. How about 6:00 at the Dirty Robber?" he proposes, and I'd say he couldn't have made a better choice.

"All right, I'm game!"

I'm going to send you a text to tell you I'll come back home after dinner. After each letter I type I stop me, unsure of what I'm doing, or rather of how much it's going to be a huge mess. I can't tell you I'm meeting with Casey, so I'd rather not mention why I'm late. I know you two don't have good blood, so I'm afraid you might not take it very well.

- Can I leave you something to eat? Is everything all right? - you answer me, caring as always. And I feel guilty, as I should be.

- Yeah, it's OK. I think I'll stop and get a takeaway on the way home. A kiss - I reply, glad you didn't ask me anything.

I put on my jacket and give myself a quick glance in the mirror, which only serves to make me notice how messed up my hair is… as usual. I try to fix them with my hands as best I can, take the keys and turn to take one last look at what has been my home for 7 years. It's the end of a chapter, a wonderful chapter...but the one about to begin I'm sure will be just as interesting to live.

I get to the Dirty Robber and when he's already seated at the table inside, so I go to join him. As soon as he saw me he greeted me, getting up to embrace me: I did not expect such a warm greeting sincerely. He was never one for affectionate gestures, although he was sweet... he showed it with his caring for me. He's definitely in perfect shape, although on his shoulders and arms the leather jacket seems to be almost tight because of his musculature... he looks like Hulk!

We order two beers, and sitting at the table with us there also seems to be a good deal of awkwardness. So I decide to break the ice by asking him how life in the military is going. He tells me he just returned from another mission in Afghanistan and is close to getting a rank advancement, and I'm proud of him, he deserves it. I congratulate him and without realizing it, as I tell him how happy I am for him, my hand caress his arm. We both freeze at that gesture, almost an unconditional reflex that seems to embarrass us both but, as soon as I realize it, I take my hand off immediately.

Maura POV

I have to say, I feel very good today. These days you're spoiling me like never before. I really feel treated like a princess. You went out in the afternoon to pick up your last things from the apartment and leave the keys to the house owner. From tonight, we are officially living under the same roof, and I couldn't be more stunned since the beginning of this new phase of our history. I wanted to come with you, but this moment should be only yours.

You have so many memories inside those walls… the transfer from the DEA to the homicide unit, when your mother moved to you when she divorced, Sundays having lunch watching baseball games with your brother… and then there are memories in that apartment that we share. We fought, we screamed… we were scared together when Hoyt threatened you… we made love… we said 'I love you' so many times… all this, and much more, together.

I wander around the kitchen, with very little desire to cook: the long bath I gave myself as a treat has relaxed me so much that I don't want to start cooking.

- Hey, honey, I'll be back after dinner. Okay? -

It must be hard to definitely leave your apartment, the scene of so many important moments, so I reply to you, asking if it's all okay. You say everything is fine and don't need anything for dinner. Mhh… what better time to try the takeaway from the new vegan restaurant that opened near the station, since I'll be alone?

I take the car keys and leave the house. Even sweatpants will be more than fine… I don't want to have to get ready and then get home and let everything cool down to put on my home clothes again. For once, comfort beats perfection in all circumstances. I look for a parking place near the restaurant, but it seems to be full, so I take a side street and I manage to find a free place to leave the car: a walk won't hurt me. The evening air is crisp, pleasant… fortunately here in Boston we don't have high rates of pollution, and I want to promise myself, once the enforced rest is over, to take more frequent walks outside.

I enter the restaurant, where a very nice girl welcomes me, gives me the menu and informs me that the take-out will not take long. The place is nice, well furnished, and the service is decidedly well organized, so that a few minutes after ordering they give me my dinner. We hope the quality of the food will match the quality of their service, so that I might be able to convince you to come here with me for lunch.

I come out of the restaurant and the nice air of the evening makes me lose myself in my thoughts.

I realize I forgot to turn on the small road that would have brought me back to the car, so I decide to take the next one… I don't want to give up my good intention to walk more, right?

I'm a little surprised to see your car park a little further on. We're a long way from your apartment, but it's definitely yours, I recognized the license plate… occupational hazard perhaps? We're actually near the Dirty Robber, you might have stopped by for a beer, but I decide to leave you alone and head back. Or I would have, if only I hadn't heard that voice, his voice, and a moment later… your voice. My mind is telling me to leave, surely you have an explanation for being with him, but my heart wants answers now. I can't hear what you're saying to each other, chatting amiably and I wonder if you didn't just meet by chance… but the scene I find myself in front of, as soon as I move to look at you, leaves little to the imagination.

He's... he's... he's kissing you. His is a passionate kiss and you… you stay there, letting your lips be his. God, I can't watch you for not even another second. I can't... I can't believe this. I see everything blurry and realize it's because I'm crying. I hurry away… I just need to get home, wait for you and see what you'll tell me. My head tells me to stay, but my heart says no! And even then, I decide to listen to my heart.