This chapter is a short one. I had some time and I continued tweaking the original story. There's a new character in this chapter named Catherine. If I could pick someone to play her, I'd pick Julianne Moore. So, for the new character, yay or nay? Thank you for reading.

The ride from the restaurant to the precinct was more than hard for Jane. She thought about what Maura said, "I love you too much" the whole way back to the precinct. Maura on the other hand couldn't be more cheerful, which only made it harder for the brunette. Maura was as per usual doing her google talk about a certain study she read this morning. She wasn't sure if Maura is feeling the awkwardness but she talked for minutes and she's not like that. Maura's suddenly over talkative. Jane would just casually smile and look at her but most of the time, she was looking out the window, trying to clear her mind. It wasn't in Jane's nature to root for there to be murder but that's what she needed right now. She needed the distraction. As soon as Maura parked, Jane thanked her and got out of the car. She practically ran out of the car so she can go back to the table and go back to what she did best. When she got there, she saw Korsak and Frost laughing. Still no murder. Great. She sat down on her desk and decided to revisit her open cases.

Maura was finishing off a report when her phone rang. Her heart beat a little faster when she didn't recognize the number. She answered it nonetheless.

Maura: This is Dr. Isles.

The other line was silent at first but then started talking.

Catherine: Hi. Maura. How are you?

Maura breathing got a little erratic.

Maura: Hi. Can I know who's this please?

Catherine: Oh, you don't remember me. This is Catherine... Woods. We were friends in college?

Maura started to look back. It didn't take her long before she remembered who Catherine Woods was. She was a memorable part of her college years. She could still picture her alabaster complexion, her green eyes and her cute freckled nose.

Maura: Catherine! Oh my gosh, it's been so long. How are you?

Catherine: Great, I'm great. I take it you're not mad at me anymore or did you forget what happened?

Maura sighed. That. Catherine was always blunt. She had her way with words. Maura always wondered why she wanted to become a Doctor when she would make a good lawyer.

Maura: Oh. Uh... That was years ago, Catherine. I was... I was mad but, it such a long time ago.

Maura heard Catherine sigh.

Catherine: Great. I guess we can put it to bed then. Anyway, I knew through some common friends that you're now a Medical Examiner. Can't say I was surprised. You did say that you would like to do something important after school.

Maura: Did I?

Maura couldn't remember if she said that to Catherine.

Catherine: Yeah, you did. Remember when we were at the park, scrambling for a project that I forgot? You said it in passing, maybe that's why you don't recall.

Maura: Oh... yeah, right. So, are you a Doctor now?

Catherine: No. I'm actually a lawyer.

Maura found herself getting comfortable. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs.

Maura: Huh. I told you, you'd be a lawyer. I always lost when I was arguing with you. Granted that that's not the best way to determine it but, I always knew.

Catherine chuckled.

Catherine: I know, I never forgot.

Then a silent moment. Maura didn't know how to respond to that. She pushed Catherine before to do it but the girl was adamant in making her Dad's wishes come true but she didn't knew more after what happened to them. She completely cut her out of her life.

Catherine: Um... Do you want to have lunch or something? I'm in Boston.

Maura suddenly felt uneasy. She wasn't sure if she was up for this. A lot of things happened. She didn't really have time to process it because it happened right after graduation. They went their separate ways after that and just forgot about everything. A lot of things are unsaid. Maura isn't mad at Catherine anymore, yes, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to bring it all up again.

Maura: Umm, Catherine, I... I have uhm...

Catherine: Got it. Uh, just good luck, Maura. I really miss you.

Then the call ended.

Night fell. Jane has been rereading case files for hours now. She combed through everything, evidences, testimonies and reports. She was not finding anything that's worth revisiting. As another detective turned off his desk lamp, Jane peeled herself away from the reports and looked up.

Korsak: Anything, Jane?

Jane: Nothing.

Jane looked at another folder. It was the murder of a 10 year old girl. She was killed in her school's bathroom. She was hanged by the killer after she was beaten and rape. Jane remembers this one so well. Korsak looked at Jane as she walked through the Beth Harper case. It was the one case that she couldn't let go.

Korsak: Jane, no. You've been through that file a thousand times. Don't get sucked in again.

Jane: We don't have new cases, Korsak. We can't do nothing.

Korsak sighed.

Korsak: Okay, Jane. But can you do that tomorrow? It's already 08:00 pm. You should go home.

Jane: Yeah, i'll clean up and i'll be going.

Frost stood up and grabbed his things.

Frost: We'll wait for you.

Jane: No, you guys go ahead.

Korsak and Frost looked at each other. They knew better not to argue with her. They bid goodbye to the brunette. Jane continued to read everything. She went at it for another half hour when her phone buzzed. It was Maura.

Maura: Jane, your car is still here. Do you want me to come up?

Sure. No. Yes. I would like to. Goddamnit. Jane didn't know what to reply to Maura. She looked at her phone for a couple of minutes before she texted 'Sure'. Still, she didn't send it. She heard elevator ding, followed by the sound of heels. She put down her phone and closed the folder of Beth Harper. Maura was the one who had to force her to move on from the case. She didn't need another lesson about how she should just let it go. Maura entered the room.

Jane: You couldn't even let me text back?

Maura: You were taking too long.

Jane: You literally just texted me, woman.

Maura pushed some of the folders in Jane's table. Jane looked at Maura as she sat on the table. Maura's leather skirt made a sound as she sat down. It hiked up a bit, exposing more of Maura's legs. Jane turned red as she looked away.

Maura: Ready to go?

Jane: Yeah.

Jane stood up and flicked her desk lamp close. She picked up her bag and walked to the elevator, not looking back at her friend. As she pushed down, she heard Maura coming to her.

Maura: Are you okay?

Jane looked at her.

Jane: Yeah.

Maura: You seem weird, Jane. Is something going on?

Jane felt a smile coming. She tried hard to suppress it.

Maura: Why are you smiling? And don't say nothing.

Jane's face registered a "what" but didn't have the voice to actually say it. Maura looked at Jane and tried to read her. Jane backed away, surprised.

Maura: You have a guy.

Jane felt like a bomb was dropped on her. Those four words crushed her even more. It wasn't in any way a shut down from Maura. It was actually nothing, just her best friend figuring her out. Still, that word. A guy.

Jane: No. No guy.

The elevator opened and they got in. Jane immediately pressed 'G'. She wanted to just go home and write this day off to history. Maura on the other hand was not backing down. She knew that she just needed to break her friend and she would tell her everything.

Maura: Are you sure, Jane? You don't have to hide it from me. I assume that's why you asked about Dennis and me dating. If you have a new guy, it's fine. You don't have to worry about me. I'm happy for you, Jane.

Jane faced Maura.

Jane: Maura, there's no guy. Okay?

Maura: It's just that, you look like something's bothering you. If you have something to say, just say it. Is it Casey?

The elevator door opened. Jane felt her a slew of feelings hit her all at once. She was so confused. She was angry, sad, afraid, annoyed all at the same time. A lot of things that usually don't mean anything mean so much more now and she just couldn't take being this confused. She walked faster to reach the door. Maura noticed this and caught up. Jane reached the door and they both got out the building.

Maura: Wait, Jane, stop.

It took all of Jane's left energy to stop her tracks and look at Maura. She took a huge breath.

Maura: Hold on.

Jane couldn't deal with it anymore. Maura on the other hand looked down at her purse to find her keys.

Maura: I wanted to talk to you about this morning. I know it's different but that's just me sayin-

Maura heard a car door close and looked up. She saw Jane's car speed off.