After the challenging phone call, Jane had given Maura a quick kiss before going outside to take a breather. As her breath dissipates into the cold air, she stares out into the sky. It was too late at night for cars to be out, so the streets were filled with serenity. The city lights made it difficult to see the stars but Jane still squinted at the sky, hoping to see some. She did some mental math to calculate what time it would be in Virginia. It would be mid-afternoon and within business hours, so she decides to call Director Patel's line. However, a woman's voice comes through.

"This is Interim Director Dayes."

Jane blinks, wondering whether she had called the wrong number. "Hi, this is Jane Rizzoli and I am looking to speak to Director Patel, is he in?"

"Ms. Rizzoli, I apologize as Director Patel has been placed on administrative leave until further notice. What is this regarding?"

Walking over to a nearby bench, Jane sits down. "Administrative leave? Did something happen?"

"I'm afraid that I'm not at liberty to say," the woman says, "Ah, yes. Rizzoli. I see your name listed on the roster for the incoming hiring cohort. You are set to begin teaching on the first of December, is that correct?"

Jane bites her lips, knowing that she was pushing her luck with the FBI after having requested so many delays to her start date. "Actually, I was wondering if it was possible for me to start later, perhaps after the new year. There has been a lot of personal stuff happening for me lately and I would really appreciate the time." Crossing her fingers, Jane continues. "I know that I have asked for a lot of favors lately from the bureau."

The woman sighs. "Actually, many of the previous director's decisions are being called into question in light of the new information that we have found. Unfortunately, that includes his decision to hire you. Although it was done by a hiring team, he was the deciding factor, and it places unfair weight considering that he is currently under investigation."

"What does that mean?" Jane asks, trying to keep herself from panicking. "Do I not have a job anymore?"

"Well, actually, this may work out. Technically, we can decide to put you through the hiring process again since I am in charge this time. However, from all the requests that you have made, it seems as if staying close to your current home may be of benefit to you. Coincidentally, I have an opening for a position in our Boston branch. However, it is a field position, which means that you would have to go through the intensive training that all of our special agents go through. You wouldn't be on the front lines directly, but all of our agents must complete the program before being placed in any of the offices. The decision is yours, whether you would like to try to get hired again as an instructor at Quantico or if you would like to apply for the position in Boston, contingent on your completion of the training program."

Jane's jaw is slack, having not at all expected this. Things were finally working out and maybe this was the hail mary that she needed. "Don't I need a bachelor's degree for that?"

The woman chuckles. "Typically, yes. However, I can see on your record that you have demonstrated extraordinary heroism during your time with the Boston Police Department. The governor seems to view you very favorably and he has some friends in very high places. I wouldn't be surprised if he was agreeable to granting you an honorary degree to thank you for your service."

"Wow," Jane says. "I don't know what to say. This just single-handedly solved all of my problems. Thank you so much, Director Dayes."

"Don't thank me yet. You still have your work cut out for you, but I can say that since you had impressed the hiring committee the first time around, I would be surprised if the same thing didn't happen with this other position. I take it that you would like to put your name into consideration for the one in Boston, then?"

Jane stands, almost jumping up in relief. "Yes, yes, please. I'll figure out things with my degree." She tells herself to calm down, as it wasn't a done deal yet. "When would I have to leave for training?"

The woman talked matter-of-factly. "Training is 20 weeks long at our facilities in Quantico, the same ones that you visited when you were guided by Agent Davies. You would have to start in January in order to be considered for the position, which opens up officially in March. Until then, your time is yours to do as you please. Make necessary arrangements, as when January comes around, you will be expected to focus completely on your training. You will also not be permitted to leave the premises."

Jane already begins heading back inside, eager to break the news to Maura. "Got it. Thank you again, Director Dayes. You are a lifesaver."

She was elated at the possibility of being able to stay in Boston and close to her family, including Maura, but she wanted to refrain from getting her hopes up lest it all come crashing down. So, she decided to resist the urge to tell Maura before anything was secured. If she got Maura's hopes up just to leave her again, Jane knew that she would lose the other woman forever. For now, she would focus on making sure her credentials supported her candidacy for this job and if she were able to get it, then there would be plenty of time to make things up with Maura. The fall air felt lighter now, as her time in Paris began feeling more like a true vacation as opposed to an extended goodbye with Maura.

When she walks back inside, Maura is in the kitchen.

"Grilled cheese?" Jane questions. She had never seen Maura eat a late-night snack before, much less one with such little nutritional value.

Maura turns her body from the stove, giving Jane a small smile. "I know that I'm always lecturing you on the importance of not eating before bed due to its effect on your digestion, circadian rhythm, and metabolism, but I thought perhaps I could make an exception this one time. We have both had an incredibly long day." She flips the bread using a metal spatula, trying her best to avoid using her fingers to assist with the maneuver as it was unsanitary. "Of course, I'm using organic, low-fat cheese. And the bread is sourdough, artesian, and hand-made from a local bakery."

Rolling her eyes, Jane laughs. "Oh, of course. Why wouldn't it be?" She glances over Maura's shoulder, impressed with what she saw. "That looks amazing. You know, for a woman who never ate grilled cheeses before she met me, you sure have the technique down."

"I've only have eight years of experience in watching you make them, Jane," Maura says, accepting the compliment with a small curtsy. As she plates the sandwiches, she hands the first one to Jane. "Here, eat while it's hot."

Jane takes the plate over to the breakfast bar, struggling to shift her body weight on the stool since her wrist was still in a brace and a sling. Maura had the foresight to cut her sandwiches into bite-size pieces and Jane loved her for that.

With her mouth half full, she moans as she bites into the crunchy bread. "This is the best grilled cheese that I've ever had." Jane looks up with wide eyes, "Don't tell my Ma."

Maura shakes her head, chuckling at the sight of the tiny slices of grilled cheese between Jane's long fingers. "You're only saying that because I'm letting you partake in a late-night snack."

Jane shrugs. "Maybe, but it's still good." She finishes the rest of the plate quickly, wiping her hands on the cloth napkin that Maura had insisted she use. "Do you know anything about what happened to Marie?"

With her own sandwich in tow, Maura has walked over to the seat next to Jane and is sitting down, about to take a bite. "When we went to the hospital with Frankie, she was transported too. It looked like she was in pretty bad condition Now that she's in custody, they're going to have security posted outside of her room at all times now," Maura says, wanting to offer Jane some comfort.

"I think I broke her nose and maybe a few ribs," Jane says, recalling the cracks that she had heard upon making contact with her fist.

Maura raises an eyebrow. "You know how I feel about guessing. However, I would say that it's safe to say that you did a great deal of damage. Nothing seemingly fatal, but it may be a while before she recovers."

Jane nods, feeling grateful that she had managed to escape with only a few bruises and cuts against a woman who had the upper hand, both physically and in terms of preparation. She could only guess how long Marie had observed them from the shadows, studying their movements to strike at the perfect moment.

"Can you believe that she was linked to Casey?" Jane asks. "God, it's like everything bad in my life is tied to each other in some huge intricate web."

Taking a moment to consider Jane's statement, Maura tilts her head. "I did not see that coming, to be honest. I had assumed she was just someone that Olivia had partnered with."

Jane jabs a finger down into the countertop. "That's another thing! Is she shooting at me because she's delusional and wants Casey or is it because she's somehow connected to this whole Olivia thing," she says, waving her hands wildly in the air.

"Well, she does present with some of the classic signs of erotomania," Maura offers.

When Jane gives her a weird look, Maura takes the hint to elaborate. "Like when Dominick had conjured up an entire life with you as the center of his affection. He even was convinced that you two were married, despite you both not having much of an interaction before."

Jane scoffs, not wanting to remember the traumatic experience of being tied to a bed inside of a room that looked like it was her own bedroom, but wasn't. "That was horrible. The pictures that he photoshopped with our faces on bodies from random magazines and stuff were so weird. It made me feel sick."

"It was a part of his delusions, which is why this woman may be extremely dangerous. If she viewed you as a threat to getting what she wants, which is Casey, she would escalate. And that is exactly what we experienced today. I just worry about how she is going to retaliate now that you have managed to beat her, again."

Holding her hands up in surrender, Jane shakes her head. "She can have him all she wants. Just leave me out of it."

"Don't wish that upon Casey, Jane. This is a deranged and confused woman," Maura says in response. Jane thinks about how Maura was still standing up for Casey, even though he had almost taken Jane away from her for the rest of their lives. This woman truly was something.

"So what's next?" Jane asks.

"Well, it would be reasonable for the police department to question her once she is awake and we would definitely have to make statements as well. I'm sure they will see whether there is something that connects her to Olivia," Maura says.

Laughing, Jane's eyes are twinkling. "No, Maur. I know that. I mean what's next for our trip? Any fancy landmarks from the France Revolution on our itinerary for tomorrow?"

Maura furrows her brow. "You just threw the weight of your body against several tables, chairs, broken plates, and silverware, and you're ready to go explore again?"

Jane moves her head up and down excitedly. "Come on! I only have a few more weeks to hear you talk over the tour guide. Don't you want to put all those books that I've seen you read about French history to good use?"

That is an offer that Jane knows Maura will be unable to refuse and as they get ready for bed, the two women debate about which locations they should visit first.