Maura did not sleep well. Jane was her best friend and while the rules of friendship had always been some what elusive, Maura felt that she and Jane navigated them well. Maura and Jane had not had many fights but on the few occasions it had happened, Maura had been miserable. Maura's life was better with Jane in it. Maura's life was better when Jane was happy. So Maura was committed to keeping it that way. She had thought that Jane had shared that committment. That their friendship was really more of a family-ship. Maura had been surprised that Jane did not in fact view them in this light. That Jane felt uncomfortable with their committment had caused Maura a deep sense of consternation. Maura had not slept well and only the threat of the dogs barking at her for leaving what they considered their 'den' kept Maura in bed at all.

The first hints of morning light woke Maura. She slipped quietly from her covers and in to the master bathroom to shower. There were few problems that hot water could not fix. Maura let the water rain down over her, loosing her thoughts in the process. Maura was committed. Maura also knew Jane and committment were incompatible at best and polarizing at worst. Maura sighed. She didn't need Jane's committment. She had Jane's loyalty. If they could endure kidnappings, family holidays, serial killers, and a move together Maura was fairly certain they could survive this. What wasn't negotiable was Jane's comfort. Maura would do whatever Jane needed to feel comfortable in their relationship again.

Feeling resolved, Maura finished her shower quickly, her heart already lighter.


Jane woke to the soft sounds of Maura's morning routine. It was a comforting familiarity. Jane could tell the woman had finished her shower, applied a dubious amount of lotion, and was dressing for the day just by the sounds she made.

Jane was confused. Maura had said they were in a relationship. A committed relationship. Jane wasn't sure when that happened. They'd both dated other people. Of course, Jane reasoned, monogamy wasn't necessarily a requirement for a relationship. That thought made Jane frown. She didn't like the idea of being in an open relationship. Sure, Jane wasn't the white picket fence housewife type but she was territorial. Maybe something had changed recently? Although that didn't feel right either. If Jane was honest, Maura was the best relationship she'd ever had by leaps and bounds. Jane could happily spend forever with Maura. Jane felt like forever with Maura had begun years ago.

Jane rolled over to stare at the pups. Boston was half on, half off the dog bed her head on the floor. The tip of her tongue stuck out and the whites of her eyes showed. Berry lay curled beside her, head on her paws. When she noticed Jane looking, she gave her tail a soft wag. Jane smiled back at the sweet dog. Jane had to admit she liked their life together. She loved her dogs. She loved Maura. She even loved Quantico, thanks largely, due to Maura. So what was Jane's problem?

Jane pushed herself up in to a sitting position. The thing that bothered Jane was that she hadn't known. Maura knew. Maura seemed perfectly comfortable with their status. How could Jane have been in a relationship without knowing it? Jane supposed there was nothing more to do than to talk to Maura about it.

Jane knocked on the doorway to the bathroom. Maura smiled at her in the mirror as she applied her make-up. 'Good morning Jane,' Maura spoke softly, 'come in.'

Jane gulped and nodded. Things looked the same but Jane felt different. 'Can we talk about last night?' Maura nodded and put her make up down. Jane held up a hand, 'can you stay like that, in the mirror. It might be easier. I don't know if I can do this face to face.'

Maura gave her a soft look, 'of course Jane. Are you okay?'

Jane took a breath, rubbed at her eyes. 'I think so, I just don't know what's changed.'

'Nothing has to change if you don't want it to,' Maura offered.

Jane shook her head, 'I think some things need to change. We need to talk about stuff and do stuff about...' Jane trailed off.

'About?' Maura prompted.

'Us,' Jane offered, 'about us being in a committed relationship. I don't know what to do.'

'What to do about us?' Maura asked, eye brows furrowed in concern. Trying to read Jane through a mirror in a half-lit doorway was proving difficult.

'Yeah, you know. How to act, what to say.' Jane shrugged her shoulders. She had ideas, loads of them but no clue how to start them.

'You should say whatever you need to,' Maura spoke softly, 'you can always talk to me Jane.'

Jane gave her a smile, 'yeah I can.'

'And you should act however your comfortable. Do what feels natural.'

'Do what feels natural,' Jane repeats softly. Jane takes a few steps towards Maura. She wraps her arms around Maura's waist and snuggles in to the blonde's back. Jane speaks softly, voice muffled by Maura's own body, 'is this okay?'

Maura couldn't help the warm smile that took over, 'absolutely!' She covered Jane's arms with her own and held on.

Jane took deep steadying breaths, surrounding herself with all things Maura. She pulled away just enough to murmur 'I'm really happy we're in a relationship.'

'You are?' Maura asked tenatively.

Jane nodded, 'I think it will take me time to be comfortable with everything, but yeah I am.'

Maura rubbed Jane's arms, 'that's okay. Take your time, I'll be here.'

Jane blinked back some tears and nuzzled back in to Maura's back, 'can I do this again tomorrow?'

Maura smiled. They would definitely be alright. 'You can do this anytime Jane.'