Author's Note: I'm so glad to have all of you on board for this story. You guys are awesome. Sorry it's been so long, I've been kind of busy. Thank you to Breyer for keeping me on track and Gina for editing.
Her knuckles wrap against the door to her mother's home, her home in a way. Her hazel eyes wander over the door, hoping for Constance to be here; she needs someone she can talk to again. Steps sound behind the door before a face peers through the windowpanes beside it, and the door is opened.
"Maura, dear, what brings you here?" She ushers the doctor inside. Maura's arms are wrapped around her frame, stepping inside the house and turning to face her mother. The tears are swelling, but she manages to keep them at bay.
"It's… It's Jane…" Again she bites back the salt water threatening to stain her cheeks.
"Sit down, darling. I'll make us some tea." Maura does as she's told, sitting in one of the chairs in the living area. Her palms press to her jeans, nails slowing digging into them at the thoughts racing through her mind. The minute noises of the kettle on the stove and the cups being placed on the counter are just enough to make her jump out of her skin. It's not as if a silence is broken, there are plenty of other noises, but those seem to scream at her. Almost like the sound of chains clinking, perhaps handcuffs. She rubs her eyes, trying to think of how to talk to her mother; trying to think of the right words to say.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Constance enters the room, handing a teacup to her seemingly 'fearful-for-her-life' daughter. Maura sips at the warm liquid in her cup, fingers finally stable.
"I thought we were getting somewhere… I really did…" The older of the two is confused slightly. The doctor sighs before continuing. "She was so angry when I went back. I understood the anger, but… I never thought she would be that angry. Things haven't gotten better either…" Her mother looks at her, concern on her features.
"I understand anger, too, for not knowing the whole story, as I'm certain she didn't give you any time to explain, but… maybe I'm not following you properly, dear."
"Mother, she's gone too far. She's pushing me so far away, and I'm not sure I can get back." Jane had pushed her buttons too far, causing Doctor Isles to go off on her, and that certainly wouldn't bring them together.
"Maybe you should try harder to tell her the whole story of what happened in Africa." Maura's hands nearly drop the cup that is pressed to her lips. Her eyes, wide in surprise, slowly come to a halt on her mother. "Do you give me no credit, darling? I know you a bit better than to expect the whole truth on something that seems to have such a profound effect on you. I know I wasn't around much for your childhood, but these past few months, we've bonded. I'm here for you, Maura. I'll always be here." The tears finally escape, spilling down her cheeks as she sets the teacup down, moving to give Constance a hug. It's something she desperately needs, more so from someone else than her mother, but it appears that that is a long shot in Hell. They finish their tea in silence, a small smile on the medical examiner's face.
She gives her mother a farewell before walking home. Dusk is just settling over the Boston area, and Maura watches as the sidewalks empty. She feels a sense of loneliness surround her – possibly for the first time – and holds her arms close to her body. She isn't so alone; Constance is on her side, as Angela had appeared to be as well. But she isn't trying for their approval or their support. She's trying for Jane. Maura needs her best friend, the one person in the world that she can disclose everything to, and that one person is the farthest from her.
Unlocking the front door to her home and easing inside, she locks the door behind her. Waltzing into the kitchen, she pours herself a glass of wine, taking a single sip before placing it on the bar. Wine doesn't even taste the same. There is a knock on the door, jarring her from her thoughts. Approaching the door with caution, she sees Detective Frost outside. Opening the door, Maura gives him a confused look.
"Doc, we need to talk."