Thank you all for following the story, for you favoriting it, and even for your reviews. I am beyond glad that you like You Are My Light In Darkness. I also hope that you will like this chapter, it's a little short, though.

Anyway, you are welcome to tell me your thoughts.

Enjoy,

T73.

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The next morning, I enter the kitchen and frown because I don't find my mother standing in it. Is it possible that … Nah, I'm sure that it won't take another five minutes until the backdoor is thrown open and she storms into the house. Everything else would be … eerie?!

I have decided to give Maura some more time to sleep after her nightmare last night, it doesn't mean that I must stay in bed as well, does it? To be honest, after the things she told me about Taylor O'Keefe and Bethany Girardi, I didn't find any sleep anymore, but I stayed with my girlfriend in bed until my back started to hurt, and I didn't want to move because I was afraid that it'll wake Maura. She deserves as much rest as she can, I know how draining the job can be after a long time of absence. I am just glad that we haven't been called to a crime scene in the night. I know that Maura had the night off, but I was supposed to be on call, somehow, I've been feeling that my girlfriend would need me in the night and asked Frankie to take up the slack for me. I owe him a big one, and Nina. I owe a lot of people some favors these days. I groan at the thought and waddle towards the coffee maker, starting it while I run my left hand through my hair with a heavy sigh. I know that there are always fallouts after such an experience Maura had went through and I was sure that it'd take some time before she'd feel better. But it seems to me like she's doing worse until the trail is over, and she gets some closure at the end, just like the other relatives of O'Keefe's victims. At least she's telling me what her dreams are about and don't withdraw herself instead like she did months ago. Okay, to be honest I could dispense with the details altogether, but I won't tell Maura that. It only would make her to go back to her former state, and I'm not sure that this our relationship would survive.

I watch the coffee maker working and frown at it like its going to tell me a distracting story, so I won't think about the things Maura told me no more.

I try to banish the imagines of Bethany Girardi's dead body and the imagines how she suffered until she died in the pit. I mean, I can take a lot of things. I can face a murder victim that is burned to unrecognizability, or mummified, or even pretty decompose. I even can face floaters. I can take every kind of murder victim, but when I have seen Bethany Girardi, I felt sick, and now knowing that Maura has been with her in her last moments of life … it doesn't make it any better. On the contrary, it makes it worse. Knowing that my girlfriend was fearing for her life like Bethany did, knowing that she expected to end up like the poor woman she shared a pit with. And yet I'm impressed. Other people would have tried to get out of the pit and run away in any direction, no matter in which, at least they'd get away from the pit. But Maura stayed at Bethany's side, ankle broken and scared to death, and in the same time she tried to be professional and calm, to help the woman, to ease some of Bethany's pain.

When we have found Bethany's naked body, she was covered in a blanket and I knew immediately that only one person would be so selfless to give another person in need the blanket and I knew immediately that Maura was trying her best to stay alive, or at least did her best to do so. In that moment we didn't know if she was still alive and where O'Keefe hid her, or her remains. There had been three of this kind of pits, some old, some new. I remember that neither of us could believe what we've been seeing. We always thought that Hoyt was a monster, it turned out that Taylor O'Keefe was worse. I can't believe that I'm saying it, but there are people out there who outrank your worst imagination. O'Keefe is one of these persons. He didn't care about the age of his victims; the worst case would have been if we'd found the remains of a child. Luckily, we didn't, otherwise, I am not sure he'd be still breathing. I'd make sure of it. Even in prison are existing unwritten rules, there is no mercy for pedophiles and child murderer. And maybe then it would have slipped out of my mouth that he killed children just for fun at any other of my visit at the super-max, and O'Keefe would be no more, I am beyond sure of that. But I also know that it wouldn't make me any better than him.

I get a mug from the hanging cupboard and am about to pour myself coffee when I hear a gentle knock on the front door, and I'm immediately highly alerted. I walk to the door and look through the small window that's next to the front door and I sigh in relief, unlocking and opening said door only to look into Nina's friendly face. I don't say a word but step aside to grant her access to the house, locking the door again.

"I didn't wake you, did I," she asks quietly.

I hesitate briefly and shake my head. "No. No, you didn't. It was a long night."

"Maura had a nightmare again?"

"More a very vivid memory." I walk back behind the counter and get another coffee cup. "Coffee?"

„Only if it isn't too much to ask."

I snort and pour Nina a coffee. "That's the least I can do." I pause and furrow my brows. "What brings you here, Nina?"

She sits down on a high chair and takes the steaming mug between her hands. ", I wanted to stop by at Angela's but then I realized what time it is and thought that it would be appropriate at this time of day, and then I saw light in your kitchen and hoped -"

I smirk and sip my own coffee. "That Maura's up already."

She smiles wryly and shrugs.

I must chuckle and frown a little. "Sorry to disappoint you. "I see her disapproving look and raise a hand. "And what made you want to see Ma and Maura at this time?"

Nina starts to shift nervously in her seat and I quirk an eyebrow. "You know, they're helping me … with the wedding preparation. Well, Maura did before she got kidnapped. And I think Angela's still doing it to distract herself. As far as I know that's what Claire suggested, so she'd give you and Maura the time you need for yourselves."

Aha, that explains a lot. I am not sure how I can thank Claire and even Nina for everything they're doing for us. "She doesn't bulldoze you about grandchildren?"

Nina's choking and she looks directly over the rim of the mug at me.

I take that as a yes. It would surprise me if my mother wouldn't be all over Nina when it comes to that topic. Suddenly, I'm feeling bad because I am not much of a support when it comes to her and Frankie's wedding which fell back because of that happened. Ad these days I haven't gave much thought about it either. Now, I am feeling very selfish. "I'm sorry for not being the sister-in-law you deserve to have, Nina. You are doing so much for us and all I do is to ask for more."

She's scrutinizing me for a moment and frowns deeply. "Jane, there's no need to apologize, that's what friends are for, not to mention family. And I am sure that there will be times I will ask you for a favor."

"You are more than welcome to do so," I reply and we both chuckle but then I turn serious again and scratch my shoulder. "You know, I never really thanked you for taking me to the cemetery a couple of months ago."

"Jane -"

"No, I mean it." I cut her off and she looks at me. "With that you nudged me and Maura to talk to each other again. If you wouldn't have done that, who knows if I'd be here today, and still in a relationship with Maura. You do all these things even though you're supposed to plan your own wedding. And you bear with my mother. You really need to be canonized."

"Now you camp it up," she laughs, and I smile broadly at her.

"Good morning," we hear Maura say and turn in her direction, watching her entering the kitchen as well. It surprises me that it doesn't bewilder her that Nina's already here.

"Hey," I simply state.

Nina smiles at my girlfriend and raises briefly her mug. "Good morning, coffee's good."

"Coffee's great." I add and Nina snorts.

Maura's eying skeptically and stands on her toes to give me a peck before she's pouring herself a cup of coffee. "I'm afraid Angela's still not up."

"Actually," I say and feel nervous the second both look at me. "Nina's here to, uh, discuss some wedding preparations with you. You know, to, uh, get another opinion then only Ma's. and you two have the weekend off, so … Have fun!" I grab my mug and hurry out of the kitchen before one of the women can protest, biting my lips with furrowed brows while I run up the stairs.

"Jane?" I hear Maura from the kitchen and know that she wasn't buying it for one second, but I don't respond and close the bedroom door behind me like it's my very own sanctuary and no one's going to invade it, not even Maura. I know that it is just an imagination, but I will give it a try. I will try that Maura's feeling normal again and doesn't think about anything that happened during her kidnapping. And to be honest, wedding planning was never one of my favorite things to do. Instead, I decide to take a shower before I go to the gym and let off some steam. I know I need it and I know that Maura also need normalcy. And maybe, just maybe they'll thank me for it.

I roll my eyes at myself and empty my mug. Who am I trying to fool?

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I haven't been long in the gym until my phone started to buzz and I am more than happy that I told dispatch that they shouldn't call neither Nina nor Maura because they have a well-deserved weekend off, and I demanded that they don't call Frankie either. So, it's just Korsak and me, and Kent. Right now, I am grateful to have someone like Kent in the team, otherwise, we wouldn't know what's the problem with our only witness, who is autistic. His sister was supposed to watch him but drove with her car to a friend's place to party and locked him in the trunk of her car, and after enough partying she followed another girl and smashed her head in after flirting with her crush and forgot about her very own brother who told Kent to the point where they went to.

Luckily, her brother is more reliable than the sister is, and it doesn't even take us twenty-four hours until we solve the case.

The sister couldn't believe that her 'degenerate' brother actually brought her down.

I can really much believe it and give the girl the chance to tell me what happened, and that made her to kill a young man who was about to move to California and study law.

Jealousy is a bitch, like life- But that doesn't mean that it grants you permission to kill someone.

The funny thing is, I needed that fast closure as well, I didn't have the time to think about the things that had happened. I just hope that Maura's having a good time, too.

I turn my head the moment I hear a clicking of heels behind me and a deep frown is crawling up on my forehead the second I see the DA Gabriella Bruneau approaching me from behind. She is in the age of forty-two. She has a faint complexion, curly red hair neatly braided, and green eyes. She is tall, of average weight, and is dressed in slacks and a button-up shirt. I like her, but I have to suppress an annoyed groan. Somehow, I know why she came to the bullpen.

Korsak looks over the rim of his glasses at me and opens his mouth in surprise.

I am glad that Frankie isn't at the bullpen right now. He and Bruneau have a … history.

"Jane." Gabriella simply says.

I clench my jaw and turn my chair to her, smiling forced. "Gabriella, hey. What brings you here?"

She's crossing her arms over her chest. "I went down to Dr. Isles' office to go through my procedure in court only to be told that she didn't come to her office for today even though she knew about the appointment."

Crap, that I totally forgot. I think that was what Maura wanted to tell me this morning before I left for work, but I still insisted that she and Nina take a day off and enjoy themselves. And before she'd protest any more, I slipped out of the front door with a final goodbye. Crap!

"This is on me." Korsak suddenly states and Gabriella and I look in surprise at him. "I told Dr. Isles to go back home because we don't have an ongoing case and she looked like she could need some more rest."

Gabriella blinked at him and then she's raising her eyebrows. "That's great."

"Come back tomorrow?"

"I've got other things to do than to run after my key witness, Sergeant."

I pretend to get my phone from my belt with furrowed eyes and look at the DA. "I give Dr. Isles a call and ask her to come in, okay. No need to lose your composure."

Gabriella takes a deep breath and shifts from one foot to the other. "How long does she need to be here?"

Korsak scoffs and rolls his eyes.

"I have no idea," I laugh myself and glance long at the other woman. "I'm not calling her yet, am I?"

Gabriella glares at her and then she huffs. "Tell her to meet me tomorrow in my office."

Korsak smiles broadly without her seeing it and I wriggle my brows, putting my phone back where it belongs. "Yes, Ma'am." I have to fight hard not to laugh when she's giving me a scowl before she leaves the bullpen.

"Why again isn't Maura in the morgue?" Korsak now asks and frowns a little.

I clear my throat. "Because I told her to stay at home and spend some time with Nina and the wedding planning."

He rolls his eyes and I chuckle amused. "Thanks for having my back, Vince."

He doesn't look at me but grumbles. "You're welcome."

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I come home and frown because I hear laughter coming from the center of the house, the living room. Apparently, me forcing Maura staying at home wasn't the worse idea. I round the corner and see Nina, Ma and Maura sitting around the coffee table, on sitting accommodations, of course, and having a glass of fancy champagne, or whatever girls use to drink during a wedding planning. I's not like I've never joined a planning and didn't have had the girly giggles, okay, I didn't giggle as much as the others did because I thought that it'd be silly. Well, I am not that kind of girl, I think that's beyond obvious.

I frown as soon as three sets of eyes land on me and I freeze. "What?" They look at me like they've been talking about me instead of Nina's wedding and I clear nervously my throat, nodding to the kitchen. "Maura, can I talk to you for a moment?"

She's still smiling broadly and gets up from the couch, excusing herself, then she follows me in the kitchen.

"Why on earth did you look at me like I'm a guinea pig you're about to cut open?" mumble so the other two women can't hear me.

Her smile grows bigger and she shrugs. "We were sharing … stories."

I cross my arms over my chest, inhale deeply and quirk an eyebrow. "Stories?"

Maura steps closer to me and runs her hands down my arms. "Nothing bad." She frowns when I nod. "Why do you want to talk to me, Jane?"

I drop my arms again and sigh, brows furrowed. "Um, Gabriella Bruneau showed up at the bullpen today. She said that you were supposed to meet her at your office."

She rolls her eyes and walks behind the counter. "That's why I tried to tell you this morning, but apparently you didn't want to hear about it."

My shoulders slump and I turn to her. Yeah, I know, I am the one to blame this time. "I know, and I am sorry that I ran out of the house before you'd end your sentence. Anyway, she wanted me to tell you that she's expecting you tomorrow in her office. She wants to talk to you about her procedure because you are her -"

"Key witness," Maura states dryly and opens the door of the fridge, getting a bottle of beer for me out of it.

I take it from her hands and open it. "Are you okay with it?"

"Me being a witness," Maura asks and I nod approvingly. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?" She pauses and takes a deep breath. "It's not the first time that I am testifying at court, Jane."

"True, but you're normally as an expert at court and not a witness. The only …"

Maura is silent for a moment and licks her lips. "The only witness who is still breathing."

I nod in approval and sigh one more time before I take a swig from my beer. "I don't want her to ask too much of you. I mean -"

"Jane, I'll be fine."

Perhaps you are for real, but will I? I know it sounds selfish and it really is, but I already had a hard time to listen to what Maura was willed to share with me in our very own bed, in our bedroom, in our privacy. It's different at court, there are no secrets in there. And usually the defense lawyer is trying to discredit witnesses, cops and experts of all kinds to clear their client of a charge, at all costs. Thank God, in court are no guns allowed, otherwise - "Jane?" I blink as I hear my name and notice that Maura's standing in front of me now, touching my hand that is holding tightly onto the bottle. "Will you be okay?"

I take a moment before I nod. "Yeah, I'll be okay, too." I take a deep breath, shaking all the stress inwardly off that is caused by the thought that Maura is sitting on the witness stand and testifying in O'Keefe's case. I wrap my arm around her waist and smile down at her. "Come on, let's rejoin Ma and Nina before they share embarrassing stories about us."

Maura chuckles but then she stops walking. I am about to ask what's wrong when she stands on her tiptoes and kisses me lightly. She smirks the second my brows shoot up. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For caring about me even though I gave you a hard time."

I want to tell her that she's more than welcome, I want to tell her that ever since I got to know her I cared for her, I want to tell her that there is nothing in this world that could change that, but those words even sound stupid in my head, so I keep them for myself. "Come on." I simply say and she nods in agreement.