A/N: Okay, so this is another OC heavy chapter as I continue to develop things further, so consider yourself warned. I was going to wait until I had completed chapter nine, so that I knew I had much more Jane/Maura to come, but I am actually trying actively to work on this story, so I might as well put this one out there. Remember this is fiction, so if you are annoyed with a character feel free to say as much, but please remember to be kind or constructive. I also just want to reaffirm that YES this will EVENTUALLY be rizzles, but it's a soapie, so there's lots of twists, turns, drama and angst to come yet (the whole point of this story is for me to have fun writing all sorts of emotional shenanigans). Thank you to all those that read and review and those that support me when the chips are down and the muse is fickle.

Chapter Eight

November 2011
Launceston, Tasmania

An early morning workout at the gym was on Melissa's radar as she prepared to undertake a rigorous program she had devised with her personal trainer to improve her cardiovascular fitness ahead of Softball Australia's two week training camp in mid January. She wasn't taking the opportunity lightly and intended to make the most of the chance and cement her place in the Australian squad.

As she pulled into the car park behind the central city gym she immediately noticed Gabby's 2007 Mitsubishi Triton. The dual cab utility stood out because of the custom paint job – a deep metallic blue, which Melissa herself had paid for a couple of years prior as a birthday present.

She pulled up beside the Triton and parked. After grabbing her gym bag from the backseat she placed her hand on the hood of the utility to check the engine warmth. It was cold. A quick glance at her watch told her it had only just hit six a.m., which made it the earliest she had ever ran into Gabby at the gym. Usually they were more likely to cross paths closer to seven.

She swiped her key card and pushed the back door open as it unlocked. It clicked shut behind her, locking automatically. The rapid thwap-thwap of fists against leather was the only sound that greeted her, which told her that Gabby was in a mood of some sort and taking it out on the speed ball.

Despite not hearing the sounds of people using exercise bikes, rowing machine or weights she still made sure to poke her head around every corner just to make sure they were in fact alone, and it was confirmed. She wasn't all that surprised as the clientele that frequented this particular gymnasium mostly rocked up after eight onwards, despite it being a 24-hour gym that allowed access via key card at all hours.

She didn't really understand why people would pay for a twenty four hour gym membership and then rock up between eight and six, however on this morning she definitely wasn't complaining. After changing into black Adidas shorts and a light grey Adidas tee-shirt she grabbed her water bottle from her bag and shoved it into a locker.

Melissa headed for where Gabby was working the bag and paused for a moment just to appreciate how attractive her ex was. Sweat gleamed on muscular arms as they rapidly rotated and Melissa had to take a deep breath. She loved those arms, but she knew she shouldn't stand there watching without announcing her presence.

"Quit ya perving," Gabby half growled, fully aware that Melissa was there. She had heard the clicking of the back door and gotten a glimpse of Melissa when she slipped into the locker room.

"Then put those guns away," Melissa retorted jokingly, walking over so that she stood in Gabby's eye line a couple of feet behind the speed ball.

Despite the litany of negative emotions she was attempting to work through with a good session on the ball Gabby couldn't help but smile a little. "Can't, I'm armed and dangerous." Her eyes flashed with reciprocal mirth.

Melissa chuckled and shook her head a little at the lame comeback. She watched as Gabby stopped striking the ball and started unwrapping the cotton wraps around her hands. "You done?"

Gabby shook her head, "Nah, just gotta re-wrap, feels a little loose."

"Here, let me." Melissa said, stepping closer once the wraps had been removed.

Gabby sighed but accepted the help offered as it was exponentially easier to have someone else wrap her hands than to do it herself. She held her hands out and looked around the gym in an attempt to avoid eye contact. There was a familiarity in the closeness that felt a little too comfortable. She wondered if maintaining this friendship only made it harder to truly let go. At the same time she knew that the mere thought of not having Melissa in her life hurt like hell.

She sighed again and pulled her hands away when her ex was done wrapping them. She made a fist and the wraps tightened perfectly, which didn't surprise her in the slightest. "Thanks," she said roughly, needing to put a little distance between them. She had enough on her mind without having to deal with the tension that liked to crop up between them when they were alone.

"Hey," Melissa said forcefully, "Don't be like that. You don't have to shut me out."

"I can't deal with this right now Missy, just let it be." She implored, knowing that if Melissa pushed they would end up conversing about what was bothering her, because she just couldn't say no. That was a habit she had to break, but it was a habit that definitely fell into the category of easier said than done. She really hoped the subject wouldn't be pushed, because she didn't think the truth of her heart would go down well with Melissa at all.

Melissa stepped back and picked up her water bottle which she had set down on the floor to enable her to help with the hand wraps. She could see so much turmoil in Gabby's eyes and she hated it, especially now that Gabby seemed to be retreating. "You can talk about her you know," she offered softly. "It's not gonna break me."

"It's not something we normally do," Gabby admitted, "It doesn't seem right." She adjusted her stance and lifted her hands ready to start on the speedball again.

"She's different." Melissa said bluntly, "She is more than another notch on your bed post." She swallowed thickly because acknowledging that truth was a kick to the gut. It was easy to see the moment Gabby had instantly defended Maura the first time they had met, that this was different. It was the first time she had so vehemently defended a date and deep down Melissa hated it, but she knew she had nobody to blame but herself.

Gabby's eyes flashed with anger momentarily for having been called out on her previous dating behaviour, but they softened because it was true. She dropped her hands and walked over to a nearby bench, waving with her hand for Melissa to follow her.

Melissa sat down next to Gabby and turned her body so it was a little easier to make eye contact. "What's going on?"

"You really sure you wanna do this?"

"Not really. However, you matter to me and so I'm going to be here for you to talk to. I might even give you genuine advice." Melissa smiled, her last comment an attempt to lighten the mood just a notch. "So tell me Gabs, why are you here so early beating the hell out of the speedball?"

Gabby sighed. "I don't even know where to begin, if I were to be completely honest."

"Okay, so let's start with last night at The Prickly Cactus… what was going on there?" Melissa probed, trying to help her ex find a starting point.

"Maura was distracted because it was Jane's birthday and she hadn't heard from her."

"Jane?" Melissa asked. The name rang a vague bell, but she didn't always pay attention when Maura was speaking in their group settings.

"Best friend."" Gabby answered.

"Ah okay."

"She's a Boston detective," Gabby added to fill in some more of the blanks. "While we were outside she got a call from Jane's partner."

Having been around cops most of her adult life Melissa knew this couldn't be good. "Shit, what happened?"

"The exact details sound like they're straight out of a TNT drama. Suffice to say there was a close call, but understandably, at least as far as I'm concerned, Jane hadn't told Maura about it yet."

"Is that why you guys had to leave?"

"Yeah. Maura doesn't quite process emotions like we do… it's different." Gabby shrugged apologetically, "I just knew I had to get her home before she had a complete meltdown."

"Guess I can forgive ya for runnin' out on dinner then." Melissa said with a friendly nudge of the elbow.

"Gee, thanks." Gabby retorted sarcastically.

"So Jane's okay though, right?"

"I dunno. Maura's worried." She paused to contemplate whether to continue, but realised if she didn't she wouldn't have explained her mood at all and there would only be more questions. "She's going back to Boston."

"Ohhh," Melissa considered the situation and Gabby's mood before continuing. "Is she not coming back or?"

"She's coming back…. It's just, I dunno…" She was lying, she knew exactly what bothered her but she really wanted to spare Melissa the pain.

Unfortunately for them both Melissa could see right through the indecision. "Oh bull. You do know, spill."

Gabby sighed, looked down at her feet and mumbled. "Maura told me she loved me last night."

Melissa frowned, she hadn't heard clearly at all. "Can you repeat that and use your adult voice?"

Gabby looked up, a little exasperated with the whole situation she found herself in. "Maura told me she loved me last night."

The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach hit hard. "What did you say?"

"Nothing. Her phone rang and everything went to hell from there." Her heart clenched a little at the heartache she could see in Melissa's eyes. She knew what her next question would be so she saved her from having to ask. "I'm in love with her too, Missy."

Immediately Melissa stood up and stepped away, she needed a moment to process. She was not prepared for that admission. Her gut churned with an ache she wasn't sure would ever dissipate.

Gabby jumped up, "Missy?"

Melissa took several deep breathes in an attempt to fight off the tears that wanted to pour down her face. "I'm fine," she choked out. "If you're worried about timing," she continued, intent on being that good friend that she was clearly only ever going to be, "Don't put it off. Just tell her how you feel and if you have to, go to Boston."

Gabby was surprised at the manner with which Melissa was keeping it together. She reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We both knew this day was coming."

Did they? Gabby had to wonder. Their bond, although tainted, seemed to be an impossibly strong one. Even now her own stomach churned with guilt. It dawned on her that a lot of what she was struggling with was the reality of the situation. She was moving on and a huge part of her was still trying to hold on to something that was broken many years ago. "I'm sorry," she repeated, lost for words.

Melissa stepped away from the familiar touch upon her shoulder and turned a little before shaking her head and heading for the locker room. She was no longer in the mood for her workout. In fact her mind had clouded over and she was driven by pure emotion and a need to be far, far away from the source of her pain.

Gabby watched Melissa walk away and ripped off her cotton wraps angrily. She was angry with herself for not finding a better way to break the news to Melissa. Not that there really was one. She knew she should let her go to process in her own time, but the ache that permeated from her gut to her chest told her she needed to follow.

"Damnit," she muttered to herself as she quickly navigated her way past various weight machines and through a row of exercise bikes. "Missy, wait." She called out as she reached the locker room.

Melissa was in the process of pulling her bag from the locker and shoving her water bottle inside. She then tossed the bag over her shoulder and attempted to navigate past Gabby. "I gotta go," she choked out, unable to hold back the tears that had been threatening to fall.

"Damnit Melissa," Gabby growled in frustration, reaching out and grabbing a hold of her ex by the forearm to halt her momentum. "I just want to make sure you're gonna be okay."

Melissa stopped, pulled her arm out of Gabby's grasp and turned to look at her incredulously. There were no words to describe how ridiculous she found their situation to be. Granted it was the first time they had ever had to navigate Gabby falling in love with someone else, but still she didn't think it was something they could just hash out while standing around at the gym.

She hated herself for continuing to want Gabby even though it had been made very clear numerous times before that there just wasn't a future for them and she hated Gabby for doing this to her now. Her life was finally getting back on track and headed in a good direction, but now she felt like the train had been derailed catastrophically. "Don't."

Gabby's eyes softened at the sight of the tears that stained Melissa's face. "I'm so sorry Missy. I didn't… I mean I don't….I just wasn't prepared for this." Her shoulders slumped. "I hate that I've hurt you."

"Yeah well, can't change that now." Melissa's tone hardened, "Just go back to Maura and live your happily ever after Gabby."

"Missy, please…"

"Please what?" Melissa asked viciously, "Please be okay the love of my life has told me she's in love with another woman? Please be okay with the fact this changes everything? Please what Gabby?"

Gabby had to look away; she couldn't stand seeing the burning hatred in Melissa's eyes. She had honestly never thought such a day would come. A powerful wave of guilt threatened to overwhelm her as that part of her soul that just refused to let go bucked hard and put her on an emotional collision course. "Please just stop," she begged uncharacteristically. "I didn't do this to us."

"Here we go again," Melissa retorted bitterly. "You're the one who can't let go of the past!"

The tide of emotion continued to rise inside her and Gabby knew she was going to drown if she didn't do something about it. "You hurt me Missy," she ground out through gritted teeth as she fought an inner battle that would have dire consequences if she lost. "So no, I can't let go."

"Then don't." Melissa sighed and walked away. Nothing was going to be accomplished by their reliving the past. She had to let go, that's all there was to it. She just didn't know where or how to begin.

The intensity of her emotions caused Gabby to stumble back into one of the lockers and slump down to the floor. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest and her gut churned tumultuously. She bit down on her fist to choke back her own tears. Falling in love wasn't supposed to be this difficult, but then again neither was falling out of love.

Later that day
Launceston, Tasmania

Maura had spent the day speaking with the appropriate people at the university to organise an emergency leave. Professor Jayani de Silva had agreed to handle the last two weeks of classes that Maura would have been responsible for teaching. The Sri Lankan national's offer to help had relieved much of the stress Maura had felt professionally. She absolutely hated the thought of cutting out before the end of the school year, but she knew she couldn't wait two weeks for the end of classes. She had to be back in Boston as soon as possible.

After her final class of the day she had sat down with Jayani and passed along her lesson plans. The syllabus had been planned in great detail before the semester had started and as such she knew that it wasn't too great an imposition on her fellow teacher, nor her students, who she also felt a great deal of responsibility for. She would advise them of the change in professor during their Friday morning class, which would be her last for the year. She was confident she would be leaving them in capable hands.

She arrived home a little after five thirty p.m. and immediately went upstairs to change. She changed swiftly out of her blouse and skirt and into comfortable yoga pants and a ghastly brown Hawthorn Hawks cotton tee shirt of Gabby's that if she were to be completely honest offended her dress sense. However it was one of Gabby's prized shirts, and as such smelt very much like Gabby and Maura needed that comfort.

She had fallen asleep in Gabby's arms but woken to an empty bed and a note that simply indicated a gym visit before work. It was the first time that Gabby had stayed over and slipped out before she woke. It was strange behaviour from a woman who was usually quite attentive the mornings after. Maura hadn't really known what to make of it given that Gabby had been nothing but incredibly supportive, even after she had announced her need to go home to Boston.

It had obviously pained her, but Gabby had been very conscientious and helped her compile a list of things she needed to attend to before she could leave. Maura hated the timing immensely, but Jane was like family and thankfully her girlfriend understood that. She broached the idea of Gabby coming with her, but at such short notice Gabby advised it was unlikely she could organise leave.

There had clearly been so much hidden behind those emerald eyes, but whatever was being felt was locked up tight. They had retired to bed for a quiet intimacy. Maura had never felt as emotionally protected as she had wrapped up in Gabby's arms and they only had two more nights before she was scheduled to fly out of Launceston airport for Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne.

After changing Maura slipped back downstairs and poured herself a glass of Pinot Gris from the Tasmanian Bay of Fires winery. The wine was bottled earlier in the year, and while she may have liked her aged wine more she had heard good reviews about this screw top wine. She wasn't disappointed as the aroma was pleasing and the taste quite palatable.

She wandered back down the hall and settled in the living room with her wine and a Bernard Cornwell historical fiction. Gabby had introduced her to the English author and she had found his writing quite compelling. Thankfully she had been advised of the correct order to read the books if she wanted to follow chronologically; so rather than starting with the first publication Sharpe's Eagle she had started with Sharpe's Tiger, which was set in India at the end of the 18th century.

While she tried to lose herself in the description of the British wars in India she was painfully aware that Gabby's shift would have ended an hour prior. She had kept her phone nearby just in case Gabby or Jane had decided to call, but the device had remained silent. She shifted her position, in an attempt to get comfortable, but it was to no avail as her discomfort was purely emotional. Reluctantly she put the book down on the coffee table and picked up her phone.

Several swipes later and the phone was at her ear while her free hand tapped at the arm of her chair. No answer. She tried again, and this time she received a response.

"I know I'm running late," Gabby responded without preamble. "Had to stop by home and pick up a few things."

"Oh?" Maura enquired, forgetting her own manners.

"Yeah. Unfortunately I have to spend the next few days in George Town. The majority of the station out there has come down with a nasty bug."

What Gabby failed to mention was that when her Sergeant had come looking for volunteers to cover shifts at the undermanned station she had been the first to put up her hand. She had been unable to concentrate all day and her emotions had been getting the better of her and as much as it sucked, it was easier in her mind to limit her contact with both Maura and Melissa for the foreseeable future. She was actually grateful that Maura was going to Boston and that Melissa was pissed at her because it would give her the time and space she needed to get herself right.

All she had to do was survive one more night with Maura, say her temporary goodbyes and then use her time in the quaint town fifty kilometres away by the mouth of the Tamar River to get her head sorted. She was pretty confident she could hold it together long enough.

She didn't wait for Maura to respond before continuing, "I know the timing sucks, but I'll be there soon and we can do whatever you want tonight."

Maura sighed sadly. She felt quite deflated, but she was no stranger to the unexpected nature of law enforcement. "I'll see you soon?"

"Soon," Gabby confirmed.

"Okay. Drive safely, my love." She wasn't cognisant of her term of endearment, it just slipped out naturally.

"Always."