A bottle of Bordeaux, vanilla candles and Epsom bath salts.

Usually, everything Maura needed in case of a crisis to calm herself down, but today it wasn't working. Even her favourite scientific journal was getting on her nerves. She dropped it by the tub she was in and closed her eyes, quietly sighing. Too exhausted to concentrate and too stressed to sleep.

A knock on the bedroom door made her jump in surprise.

M: "Yes?"

A: "Can I come in?"

M: "Oh! I guess so, but I'm in the tub"

Angela came in and made her way to the suite's bathroom, sitting on the toilet.

A: "So, what's the plan for tonight?"

M: "I didn't know I had to prepare one. Is something happening that I forgot?"

A: "No, just thought we could both use a girls' night out"

M: "Angela, I'm sorry. I'm not in good spirits today"

A: "Then, we stay inside and watch a movie. Haven't you been saying you wanna watch that Kevin Costner movie?"

M: "Yes, I suppose we can do it. We can also order pizza"

A: "Done! I was with Frankie and Jane today"

M: "How is she?"

A: "I've heard what happened this morning"

M: "Jane's way of dealing with the grieving is to express strong negative emotions towards the people closest to her. It's a very common copying mechanist"

A: "That still doesn't make it right. I'm gonna call her and make her apologize "

M: "Please, don't. I'm afraid that would make things worse and have her turn on you"

A: "Maura, you're like a second daughter to me. I don't like to see you this way"

M: "What way? I'm fine, Angela. There's really no need to worry"

A: "I live with you. I can see what's going on"

M: "We should be focusing on Jane right now. She needs it the most"

Maura always had problems with personal space and expressing her feelings. Maybe she was born that way, or maybe she learned it from observing her parents. Monkey see, monkey do. Everyone's guilty of it to a certain extent, no matter how high their IQ might be. But now there she was, sitting next to Angela with her head against her shoulder. If there was something Jane taught her during the past years was, undoubtedly, how to feel more comfortable with the human touch. Before her, the only people she dared to have psychical contact with were exes and one night stands.

A: "That Costner is really a hunk!"

M: "I must agree; he was quite good looking."

A: "What do you mean 'was'?!"

M: "Well-"

Laughing and with Angela offended by the remark, the doctor gets interrupted by the bell.

M: "I'm not expecting anyone. Did you call someone?"

A: "I'll get it"

Angela opened the door to see Frankie, allowing him in.

A: "Frankie! What are you doing here?"

F: "Hey, Ma. I came to see how Maura is."

A: "Well, as good as one can be. You know what?! It is past my bedtime. You kids have fun!"

F: "No, Ma, you don't have to go."

A: "Goodniiiiight!"

Frankie, confused, stared at his mother, leaving and then at Maura.

M: "What was that all about?"

He sat near her while she straightened herself—both smiling.

F: "Hey"

M: "Hey"

F: "I just wanted to make sure you were doing ok."

Maura felt his hand laying on her knee, reaching for her hand. For reasons strange to her, she found it to be comforting.

M: "Thank you."

F: "I...Look. I..."

Abruptly, he removed his hand from her and stared at the floor for a while.

M: "What is it, Frankie?"

F: "Ma, can't know this, ok? It's about Jane"

M: "Go on..."

F: "Casey proposed, again. She's considering it"

M: "No!"

The woman got up in shock and, agitated, started moving around.

F: "Maura..."

Frankie reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, stroking it softly.

M: "They can't!"

With each hand on a different shoulder, he closed the gap between them and embraced her.

M: "I don't like to be hugged."

The words coming out of her mouth clashed with her reaction. Maura got a firm grip of his shirt and began crying. More than what she should and more than what he would, surely, not find odd but she couldn't restrain herself.

M: "She's too good for him."

F: "Casey is a good guy. I hate him too, but that's me speaking as a brother. I don't want him to take her away from us either, but if that's what she wants, that's how it will be."

M: "But she doesn't want to. Her job means everything to her"

F: "Maybe the baby changed her"

M: "You said it yourself last night. You were afraid he would make her do something she wouldn't do otherwise."

F: "I might have been wrong. The baby was a big deal. She might have realised she doesn't want the job to get in the way of having a family."

M: "It's too soon. She didn't have time to process what happened"

It was late, and none of them knew what time it was, but it felt like hours had passed. After a few cries and complaints, they both were, finally, able to calm themselves down. Maura prepared chamomile and lavender tea, and they sat on the table.

M: "Frankie, have you ever questioned yourself to why I told you we couldn't be together?"

F: "You're Jane's best friend. We work together, and you're part of the family."

M: "Yes, but why really?"

F: I'm confused."

M: "I don't know. It's just like...I don't see the point of anything right now. I don't care. For the first time in my life, I don't care."

F: "W-what?...You wanna be with me?"

M: "No. No, Frankie"

Maura shook her head and chuckled, then, gave him a sad smile.

F: "What is it then? You can tell me"

M: "I like someone."

F: "Th-that's great!"

M: "I genuinely like you, Tommy, too. You're both remarkable people, and I'm fortunate to have you in my life, but it's never going to happen, maybe in another life but not in this one. The person I like doesn't like me back, and, no matter how stupid this might sound I could never do that to them, it doesn't feel right. And I don't want to jeopardise my relationship with you either. You two are not some random guy I just met. I could never play with you. I would never forgive myself if I caused any pain."

Frankie reached for her hand, caressing it.

F: "The guy is a fool."

Maura softly chuckled and wiped a few tears that began running.

M: "They aren't."

He got up and moved near her and placed a small kiss on her head while rubbing her back.

F: "He is. It's getting late; I should go. Will you be fine?"

M: "Yes. Thank you, Frankie."

F: "Call me if you need anything, alright?"

M: "I-I know you won't, but can you not tell Jane any of this? She doesn't know it"

F: "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."