"Jane. I love you."
Silence. Jane's eyes, that were previously locked on Maura's, were now staring into space, right through her. The tears had stop. Maura didn't know how long they stayed like this, face to face, but not really seeing each other. The rational part of her brain tried to tell her, but she didn't care.
One more second. More like an hour, Maura thought. Another one. A lifetime. And another one. An eternity.
Suddenly, Jane's eyes focused on Maura's face. "You… love… me?" The incredulous look on her face broke the doctor's heart. Then it happened. A millisecond. Nobody would have noticed. But Maura did. She saw the bitter understanding. And then the pain, written all over her face. Anyone could have seen that pain.
"It's a friendship love, isn't it? A "I like Tommy a lot but I love you"? A "LLBFF" kind of love? The kind of love where I'll have to be your best man at your wedding and act like it's not ripping my broken heart right out of my chest?" There was no anger in her words. She was just… tired. Emotionally drained.
"No, Jane, you don't understand. I love you." Maura tried to catch Jane's eyes, but they were firmly fixed on her scarred hands on the counter. "I am in love with you."
"Maura, please, don't." Jane didn't look up. She heard heels clicking, she felt hands on her hips turning her around. Then soft fingers on her chin, pulling it up.
And then she felt it. Maura's lips on hers. Just a gentle kiss. She smelled her perfume, and felt the softness of her hair between her fingers. She didn't even remember how her hands got there, but they were at home. Her entire being was at home.
The kiss ended gently, and Jane buried her face in Maura's shoulder. Something that felt so right for her had to be shared by Maura. There was no other way.
A small smile appeared on Jane's face, and Maura felt the breath of a whisper on her neck. "You love me." "I love you." "You are in love with me." Maura let out a little chuckle. "I am in love with you."
Jane felt happy. She felt loved. She felt safe. She extracted herself from Maura's neck, and rested her forehead against her lover's. Their eyes met and she felt like the most precious thing in the world.
"Maura. I love you."