She wakes up, her face pressed against the side of the futon and a blanket draped loosely over her scantily clad body. She blinks against the sunlight, burrowing more deeply into the blanket, finding that she's clouded by the comforting scent of Ian's cologne. Though after a moment, she pokes her face back out of the blanket, remembering to search for Dell.

But she's gone, leaving no sign of the previous night behind except for the familiar, devastating ache pulsing through Maura's body.

She crawls off the futon, keeping the blanket draped around her shoulders as she digs around for her jeans and top. Across the room, Ian turns noisily in his bed, causing Maura's heart to jump as she comprehends his presence. She feels foolish and vulnerable as she buttons her jeans securely, taking a moment to sit back against the futon and attempt to gather her muddled, rapid thoughts.

She goes to her room, because she can't think of where else she would go. There's a figure waiting by the door, and for a brief, fluttery moment her heart soars, but she is startled when she walks closer to see her mother.

"Mother," Maura speaks softly, smoothing down her hair. "What are you doing here?"

Constance is put together, tightly wound, stoic and unreadable as she always is. "I tried calling you several times last night and again this morning. When you didn't pick up I began to grow worried."

Maura automatically reaches for her back pocket, searching for her Nokia, but she's left grasping air. It must be lodged somewhere in the depths of Ian's futon. "I'm fine," she manages to expel the lie lodged in her throat. She wonders why she is here, wonders why she suddenly cares, just in the moment where Maura is not sure she can continue to hold herself together.

But it's not about Maura at all. Constance's tone wavers so very slightly when she speaks. "It's your father, Maura. There was an accident."

Maura can't speak, and her mother's words pulse frantically in her mind just moments before she speaks them.

"I'm afraid he didn't make it."

XXX

"Ian," she greets him warmly, resting her chin against her knee. She offers him a small wave through the screen.

"I've gotten rare wifi access so I thought, who better else to skype?" He grins easily, and Maura's heart swells warmly. "So how have you been? The new job still going well?"

"I have been well, and yes, I'm still enjoying the new job."

"You aren't giving me much to work with, dear. Tell me everything, every last detail. While Africa is gorgeous as always, I'm nostalgic for the western world," he prods. She realizes how much she misses him.

She pauses for a moment, her mind sweeping to the minute details of her life. "Well...there is a girl," she speaks a bit hesitantly, feeling her cheeks grow warm. The words escape like a tiny sigh. She hadn't realized how long she'd had them trapped in her chest, waiting to spill loose.

Ian chuckles lightly. "Look at that lovely pink glow to your cheeks. Tell me more about her. Are you officially dating?"

Maura hides her face.

"Uh, oh. I shouldn't have asked, should have I?"

Maura peers out from behind a veil of hair. "She's engaged. To a man."

"Maura, Maura, Maura, Maura...whatever are we supposed to do with you?" Ian tuts. He keeps the conversation light, but there's a certain sadness to his voice.

"It's different with Jane...than it was, with her. With Dell." She still chokes slightly over her name. "I know it sounds like I'm merely trying to justify my feelings, but there's something inexplicable about our relationship, that goes beyond her indifference for her fiancé, that goes beyond our easy friendship. When I'm with her, something just feels right, and I'm nearly certain she can feel it as well."

"So you've declared yourself soul mates with an engaged, straight woman?" Ian concludes.

A bit irritated, Maura plows forward. "Engagement is not binding and sexuality is often fluid. And yes, I do feel as though we have a deep, natural affinity for one another. I know that perhaps it's all just wistful thinking, but I can't help but to hold onto the hope that when she realizes it that it will become something more."

"Okay," Ian counters, "I won't argue with you, but I do have a proposition for you."

"Alright," Maura answers a bit warily.

"Go on a date with a woman, and make sure Jane knows about it. Her reaction will tell you everything you need to know."

A/N: So I know this chapter is pathetically short, but it's all I could manage during the past few weeks. Life is calming down just a bit, so you can look forward to the next installment soon. A spoiler alert, it involves Maura going over to the Rizzoli residence for dinner so look forward to some antics and the usual tension and eye sex ;)