The weeks that followed Maura's departure dragged on for Jane despite her best efforts to remain busy. Her colleagues had quickly learned that if there was an evening school play or visit from in-laws or trip to nearest ski resort that they needed cover for, Jane accepted without question.

She had taken over a second locker at work to keep spare clothes and toiletries in, often staying at the station for 24 hours or more at a time. Cavanaugh knew better than to try and deter her from accepting every shift made available to her. He kept a close eye on her, but let Jane continue to keep herself busy.

"Hey, Rizzoli," he called out across the bullpen. "Got a sec?"

"Yeah, just one sec. I gotta jot this down."

"I don't got a sec. I need you in here now."

Jane stopped scribbling on her notepad and made her way into her superior's office.

"What can I help you with, lieutenant?"

"Go home," the grey haired man said simply.

"Lieu, I just got here. I promised some of the cold case storage guys I would come down and help sort through some of their filing backlog," Jane explained.

"Rizzoli, it's Christmas Eve," he pointed out. "There is absolutely zero filing that can't wait a few days. You've been working yourself like a dog. Take today and tomorrow off, my treat."

"Really, I'm fine," Jane tried to insist.

"You're not. Go to your ma's and get a real meal in ya. Spend time with your dog, wrap some presents, and just get out of here."

"I-"

"I will make this an order," Cavanaugh threatened.

Jane sighed. She knew Cavanaugh was right but she knew as soon as she spent any significant time without fifteen things on her to-do list she would go insane with worry over Maura.

"You got it, sir. I'll see you in a few days, then."

"See you in a few days," the lieutenant replied. "Take care of yourself, Jane."

Nodding, Jane left his office and made her way into the empty bullpen. She grabbed her suit jacket and coat, pulling both of them on before making her way out to her car.

For the first time in weeks, Jane drove the familiar route from the station to Beacon Hill. Her mother was still living in Maura's guest house, though Jane had avoided meeting her mother there.

"Janie! I wasn't expecting you!" Angela exclaimed as she wrapped Jane in a hug. "You have good timing—I just finished wrapping your gifts!"

"Hey, girl," Jane smiled as she reached down to pick up Jo Friday, who had moved in with her mother shortly after Maura left. "Cav basically told me I had to take a few days off."

"He's a smart man," Angela said as she walked with Jane into the kitchen. "Coffee?"

"I'm offended you have to ask," Jane deadpanned.

"It's the polite thing to do. Manners, ya know," Angela teased. "You've been working yourself to death since she left. Didn't I tell you that you can't pour from an empty cup?"

"What difference does it make?" Jane asked as she accepted a steaming mug from her mother. "She's gone. She's not here. What would you do if I was in the middle of a crisis and just up and left without telling you where I was going or for how long?"

"I would be out of my mind with worry."

"See!" Jane countered. "I literally have no idea if she's okay, or even alive! I don't know if she's in Boston or Africa or the North Pole or when she might show up again. I have to stay busy. If I don't, I'll lose my mind."

"You already are losing your mind. That's what love does to people," Angela soothed. "What if she showed up today? You think you would be in any position to help support her when you're not even supporting yourself?"

"No," Jane mumbled.

"I didn't think so," Angela said matter of factly. "Come on. I have a key to the main house. You can use her fancy shower and change into some clean clothes. Then come back and I'll make us a late breakfast."

"Okay," Jane admitted as she accepted the key from her mother.

Angela waved her arms and pushed Jane out of the guest house and down the short pathway to the main house. Jane's hand trembled as she unlocked the door and stepped foot into her best friend's house for the first time since she had left against her better judgement.

Unable to handle being in the doctor's house when she was nowhere to be found, Jane kept her eyes down as she made her way to the master en-suite. As the water heated, Jane opened her designated drawer of Maura's dresser and pulled out a fresh set of jeans and a sweater. She placed them on the edge of the bed—the same location she and Maura shared their first kiss—before stripping down and stepping into the shower.

When the water hit her, Jane couldn't hold her tears back any longer. She slid down to the wall and pulled her knees to her chest, hanging her head low as sobs wracked her body.

"Please be okay," she pleaded out loud. "Please let her be okay."

The water had run cold by the time Jane managed to gather the strength to stand and finish washing her hair. She shivered as she left the shower and began to make herself presentable for the day ahead.

As she walked through the living room, her dirty laundry in hand, she stopped at the couch where she ran a hand over the large fluffy blanket she and Maura often snuggled under together while relaxing after work. Smiling at the memories, Jane draped the blanket around her shoulders before locking the main house and making her way back to her mother in the guest house.

"You look better already," Angela smiled when Jane walked into the small kitchen.

"Thanks," Jane replied. "I didn't want to leave my dirty laundry in there, so I brought it with me. Don't let me forget it here."

"I've got a few loads to do today, so just toss it with the rest and I'll get it washed and folded for you."

"Thanks."

"You feeling any better?"

"A little," Jane shrugged as she sat on a barstool and watched her mother move around the kitchen. "Had a big cry sesh in the shower so that helped."

"I know you're worried, but you do need to take care of yourself," Angela instructed as she placed a fresh cup of coffee in front of her daughter.

"I know."

"Have you called Constance?"

"Huh?"

"I'm not saying you shouldn't respect Maura's wishes for space and time, but have you tried calling Constance? She might know where Maura is or be in regular contact with her. You might be able to calm your nerves if she's able to at least tell you Maura is okay."

"That's…that's actually a really good, Ma."

"Don't sound so surprised," Angela laughed. "Eat your breakfast, then call."

"But-"

"I know your middle name and I am not afraid to use it."

"Yes, Ma."

When her breakfast was finished according to her mother's standards, Jane pulled her coat on and stepped out into the winter air. She tugged the blanket she had taken from the main house tight around her as she dialled.

"Merry Christmas, Jane."

"Merry Christmas to you, too, Constance. I hope wherever you are it isn't too late for a phone call."

"Not at all. We're in Paris for the holidays so you've caught us at the perfect time."

"Oh, thats good. Look, this might be a long shot but a few weeks ago Maura decided to take leave from work. She didn't give me any details and I haven't been able to get through to her. I've been worried out of my mind. Is there any chance she's with you in France? Or have you heard from her in the past few weeks?"

"Yes."

"Yes, she's with you or yes, you've heard from her?" Jane asked, her heart racing as she realized she now had a link to Maura.

"She is with us," Constance replied.

"Oh thank God," Jane breathed. "Is she safe? I mean, is she okay?"

"She is safe," Constance reassured her. "When she arrived and told us the extent of her struggles, Arthur and I made changes to our schedule so one of us is with her at all times. She's playing a game of chess with him right now."

"I've been so worried," Jane admitted.

"That's understandable," Constance said. "Myself and her treatment team have tried to get her to reach out to you but I believe she has picked up some of your stubbornness, detective."

"Sorry about that," Jane chuckled. "Other than stubbornness, how is she doing?"

Unbeknownst to Jane, Maura walked into her mother's room and observed her mother from a chair in the corner.

"She's making progress," Constance said as she locked eyes with Maura. "I am not at liberty to say much else, but she speaks of you often. I hope you love my daughter as much as she so very clearly loves you."

Once she finished speaking, Constance pulled the phone from her ear and turned it onto speakerphone.

"I love your daughter very much, ma'am," Jane said, her voice echoing through the room. "I know she'll reach out when she's ready, but can you tell her I said Merry Christmas? Let her know that her presents will stay wrapped under the tree and the lights will stay on as long as she needs."

Maura opened her mouth but just as quickly shut it.

"I'll be sure to pass along the message, Jane. Give your family our best."

"Will do," Jane confirmed. "Take care."

The two women hung up, and Constance looked at her daughter.

"I'm surprised it took her this long to contact you," Maura said softly.

"Jane loves you, and with her love comes respect. You said you needed time so she gave it to you, no matter how much pain it caused her," Constance replied as she walked to her daughter and brushed a bit of her hair off her face.

"I would have caused her pain if I stayed," Maura replied. "I already was causing her pain."

"The price of love is pain," Constance told her daughter. "But we pay it anyway."

"Please," Maura said as she shut her eyes. "I can't."

"I won't push you," Constance reassured her daughter, holding her hand out for Maura to take as she rose to a standing position. "Not yet, anyway. You've been working extremely hard on your treatment and deserve a few days reprieve."

"Thank you, mother."

"Let's go get your father," Constance said as they began to walk down a long hallway. "I am sure he is moping over the fact he lost yet another chess game and will welcome a trip for a pain au chocolat."