A/N I really didn't intend initially for Jane to keep running away, but it kept happening. This chapter is shorter but I hope it makes up for the running.

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. No infringement intended and no profit will be made from their use.

Jane's response to their kiss wasn't entirely unpredictable. It certainly wasn't what Maura had hoped for, what she had dared to imagine. But still, Maura was smart enough to know that the probability that Jane would react negatively was high.

What gave Maura pause was trying to decide if Jane's reaction could really be classified as negative. Jane definitely kissed her back before pushing her away, which Maura categorized as a positive reaction. Maura decided she needed more evidence before making any conclusions.

Sunday evening Maura decided she'd given Jane enough time alone. Jane hadn't tried to contact her and Maura did the same. But Maura wanted to talk again before they both went back to work on Monday so she picked up Chinese food and knocked on Jane's door at 6pm. Jane opened the door and let Maura in. Maura handed her the food, which Jane took into the kitchen. Maura closed the front door but stayed standing in front of it. Jane came back and sat on the back of the couch about ten feet away.

"I'm not going to apologize for kissing you."

Jane crossed her arms. "I'm trying to prevent you from getting hurt."

"You don't get to make that decision for me."

"Someday you'll need me and I won't be there for you, or I'll fail you in some other way."

"That's called life, Jane. The universe tends towards chaos. Things fall apart. Every culture has some way to express that basic concept. You can't just run from good things in life. And you can't pretend that you don't have feelings for me. It may have taken me awhile to realize it but you've been pursuing me for months. I didn't start this. But I'm not going to beg. You should be fighting for me, not against me."

Maura turned and started to open the door to leave, but Jane was suddenly behind her. Jane reached her left arm in front of Maura to close the door and kept her arm there to hold it closed. Maura could feel Jane's breath on her neck when Jane spoke. "No one else has been able to so completely see inside me."

Maura didn't dare move. "That doesn't make you weak."

"See, just like that."

"I don't understand why you think it's a bad thing to let someone in."

Jane's right hand slowly traced along Maura's neck, down her right arm, and settled on her waist. "Maybe I don't anymore."

"Why are you so sure you'll hurt me or fail me?"

"Because that's what I do. Usually I'm not trying to or even aware of it. But I get caught up in work and I miss important events. I forget birthdays and anniversaries. On some cases I'm working non-stop without a break. I get injured. Serial killers try to kill me."

"I don't care about any of that and I'm perfectly aware of the hazards of your job."

Jane leaned down and lightly kissed Maura's neck. "Stay?"

"Yes."