Here's the next one peeps! you hit it right on the dot Tdubz;)
Jane was sitting on the sofa, sipping on a now lukewarm beer and flipping through endless boring channels on the television. After going through the entire listings twice, she gave up, turned the television off and threw the remote on the sofa in frustration. How could there be so many freaking channels and there be nothing to watch?! She wasn't even in a mood to watch ESPN or any other sports channel. She turned to her right to see Maura completely engrossed in a textbook, unaware of what was going on in her surroundings… or at least that's what Jane's impression was.
"There's nothing on TV for you to watch bébé?" Maura asked her without looking up from her reading material.
Jane groaned at the obvious statement. "No, there's not. I'm bored out of my fucking mind."
It'd been two months since Maura had started medical school. Surely enough, her schedule had been extremely demanding, with projects and research essays due constantly. To her credit, she seemed to be able to handle it quite well, but apparently not well enough for Jane's liking. Maura had worked out her schedule so that she had all of Friday night and Saturday to spend with Jane while she was on leave from the academy. Because of the huge course load, she would have to get back to her studies at some point on Sunday, usually after the two had breakfast together. This was the eighth Sunday Jane spent on the couch flipping through channels and watching Maura study and she'd about had enough.
"Do you really have all that work to go through today?" She asked the blonde, annoyance clear in her tone.
"I told you I have an exam tomorrow Jane. I need to study," was Maura's measured reply.
"Yeah, I know you need to study, you're ALWAYS studying!"
Maura stopped was she was doing. She marked her spot before closing the book and setting it aside, giving Jane her complete attention. She looked at Jane right in the eyes, and the brunette could tell Maura was not happy. "Are we really going to go over this again? Haven't we gone through this enough before?" Maura didn't sound angry, she sounded disappointed and tired, as if she needed to remind the brunette of their agreement yet again.
Jane scoffed, anger flaring up instantly. "Yeah Maura, I guess we're going to have to go over this again. I don't know why it is so difficult for you to put away the fucking books while I'm here! We only get two days a week, and I don't even get them complete with you!"
Maura took a breath, trying to control her anger which was beginning to build within. "The only reason we get two days a week together is because of YOUR commitment to the academy Jane."
"You're going to start with that again?! It's my job, it's what I have to do!"
"No, it's not what you HAVE to do, it's what you're CHOOSING to do; there is a major difference there."
"Well YOUR commitment is what keeps us apart during the weekends!" Jane countered back.
"That's unfair, and you know it!" Maura yelled back, tears threatening to spill. "I told you that I would have a busy school schedule, we've talked about it before. You bring it up every single weekend you're home! It's not like I completely ignore you Jane. I try to make the most time I can available to you. I clear my schedule completely on Friday and Saturday so that I can spend time with you. I try to spend some time with you on Sunday and I do, if I can. Why isn't that enough?! Why am I the one responsible for us not spending enough time together when we BOTH have commitments?!"
Maura turned away from Jane and walked a few steps away, trying to control her emotions. Tears were inevitable; she could feel them on her cheeks. She didn't understand what was so difficult for Jane to understand. She was sacrificing enough studying time as it was by ignoring it for a day and a half already… couldn't Jane see that?! But Jane didn't have a single thing to worry about during the weekend, and she demanded all of Maura's undivided attention.
"I can't do this anymore…" the blonde said quietly, tears still spilling.
"What?" Jane asked, shocked.
"I can't do this anymore Jane. I can't give any more of myself than I already have. I can't split myself in two to give you what you want. I'm trying the best I can and it isn't good enough for you anymore. I can't do it!"
"Maura, this is not what I'm saying…" Jane was quick to reply, nervousness wracking her body.
"But it is. Listen to yourself. You're perfectly fine during the week when we text in the mornings before you have to get up and at night when your studying allows you to. The problem starts the moment I don't do as you please when you're here… when you no longer have my undivided attention. I'm not a robot Jane. I can't do it. I refuse to put up with it anymore."
"Maura what are you saying?" Jane asked with a trembling voice, tears now running down her cheeks.
"I'm saying I need a break… we need a break," Maura said steadily as she looked at Jane in the eyes. Hazel orbs burned darker as she continued to cry. This wasn't supposed to happen, not to them. "I think we need to reevaluate everything… priorities… I think you need to really think if this is what you want… if you're willing to continue with this relationship. I've given it my all Jane, I can't give anymore. What you've seen these last few weeks? That's what I can offer you for the near future; nothing else. I told you my love for you would never waver, and it hasn't. I love you so much more with each passing day; but I'm not going to be your punching bag. I'm not going to be your toy. I know you still have a few months at the academy. You're welcome to continue staying here of course, but we will not sleep together anymore… not until you really think this through. Think about what you want out of life; out of this relationship… now and in the future. If this doesn't work for you anymore, if you don't see a future for us any longer, then I'm not going to tie you down. You're free to walk away; you always have been." She took the steps that separated her and Jane until they were face to face, lips less than an inch apart. She reached up and kissed Jane softly, trying to convey her feelings in that last kiss. She tasted salt as both their tears mixed together. She hugged Jane to her and breathed her in before letting go. She turned and walked towards the stairs and up towards the bedroom, leaving a stunned and sobbing Jane in her wake.
Man this was difficult to write! So this is where their relationship is really put to the test... I know it's probably a little much drama peeps but believe me that it's better it happens now than later. We'll see how strong this couple really is and they'll come out stronger for it. Though some rocky chapters are coming, they will not stay split up... rizzles is endgame!=)