Author Note: Thank you, for all being such amazing commenters and favouriting and following. I can't believe how popular this story has been. It's a real honour. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

"There you are," Korsak said, opening the door. "We've got a lead, let's go."

Jane stared at Maura, her mouth open, her heart raced. She tried to picture a scenario where Maura Isles, the most together person she knew, could ever lose custody of a child. She glanced at Korsak, expectation spread across his face.

"I can't," she said.

Maura stood up, her body turned away as she wiped fresh tears from her cheeks. "It's okay. We can pick this up later."

"No." Jane stood, her eyes bore into Korsak's, desperation in her voice. "I need to stay."

"You need to do your job, Rizzoli."

"Please, Vince."

"Do you want me to write you up? If you're having problems, you just need to tell me and we can work something out. But your job, when you're here, the job comes first, it has to or else we'd never get any work done around here."

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Her mind fractured between all the reasons she didn't know for Maura's situation, and the work she loved so much. She looked to Maura again.

"I'll see you later."

"Uh-huh," Maura muttered, emotion shrouding her voice.

Jane's heart broke. She hated being lied to, she hated that Maura had kept such a significant part of her life from her. But she could never hate her. Seeing her so visibly upset, hearing it in her voice, only sought to make it harder to leave.

"I can't, Korsak," she said, leaning over and resting a hand on Maura's shoulder.

She shrugged it away, regaining some semblance of her composure. "Go, Jane."

"I...okay."

x

In the restroom, Maura splashed cold water on her face. She stared at her reflection, at the tear stains on her cheeks and her bloodshot eyes. Further tears merged with the water droplets, creating new lines down her cheeks. She breathed in, then out, whimpering with every breath. Using a paper towel, she pressed it to her eyes, then soaked it in water and tried again, until the redness dissipated a little. Straightening out her dress once more, Maura continued down the corridor towards the lab.

"How are you doing?" Maura asked, approaching the table.

Kent narrowed his eyes and mouthed "Are you okay?" over Luke's shoulder. She nodded.

"Our hairs definitely come from humans," Luke said, glancing back into the microscope.

"That's a relief," Maura said, chuckling.

"They both look like hairs from the head, and the roots are still attached."

"What else?"

"My hair was forcibly removed from my head, while your hair came out on its own."

"That's correct." Maura smiled. "I ran my hand through my hair and a couple were already out, so I gave you those."

"Your hair was probably at the telogen stage, and mine the anagen stage, though I guess it could have been at the catagen stage."

"If you pull another two hairs, we can try to assess a normal range, then we may be able to establish if it's at the catagen stage."

"How would we know?"

"The follicle growth will have stopped and there'll be some shrinkage of the lower follicle. Once the hair reaches catagen stage it's detached from the blood supply."

"What if all three are at the catagen stage?"

"Then we're very lucky, because I think the odds are in our favour."

"Shall I get us some snacks?" Kent asked, stepping aside.

"Yes, please." Maura filled the space and pulled out the slides. "Which one is yours?"

Sticking his tongue out, Luke glanced at them both in turn. "I dunno."

"Let's try again," she said, pushing the slides back under the microscope.

He peered through the eyepieces. "The one on the left."

"Okay, I suppose I'll guess what snacks you'd both like," Kent said, heading to the door.

"Thank you," Maura said, pulling out both slides and putting her hair to one side. "Now let's create two more slides of your hair. You could even get one in telogan stage to compare."

x

In the kitchen, Maura slid garlic and chillies into a waiting pan, then proceeded to chop an onion. The oil spat and crackled, coating the garlic with every stir. She returned the lid and lowered the temperature.

"How are you doing with the peppers and peanuts?"

"There's child labour laws, you know," Luke said, placing his knife on the counter and carrying the small chopping board over to the pan.

Maura lifted the lid and stirred the pepper slices into the garlic. "I'm aware. We're certainly not breaking them."

"Can I do something that's not educational tonight?"

"The majority of activities have some level of educational impact for children," Maura said. "Pass me the pork mince."

He slid a packet across the counter and sat down, his elbows holding his head up. "I miss games."

"What kind of games? I have chess, Trivial Pursuit, Clue."

"Not kids' games." He sighed. "Call of Duty type games."

"I wouldn't have classified Trivial Pursuit as a game for children." Maura ran a knife through the packet and emptied the contents into the pan. "I have two sets of questions, the regular questions, and a set aimed at a younger audience."

"Why?" He frowned, picking up a piece of onion skin and twirling it around. "You don't have any more kids; do you have a boyfriend who does or something?"

"No," she said. "Jane hates the regular questions, she refused to play with me. We compromised and I purchased a family edition, so we have two sets of questions to choose from."

"When did you last play?"

"Well, we haven't." She stirred the mince, pushing the spoon through the strands until it broke up. "Jane refuses to play."

"That's because it's boring."

Maura frowned. "I thought you liked knowledge."

"Board games are boring, why else would they have bored in the title?"

"It's actually the other board, because the game's played on a board."

Rolling his eyes, Luke turned away. He picked up a medical journal off the counter and flicked through it. Maura ground some salt and pepper onto the meat. He tossed the journal onto the counter again.

"Why don't you have regular things?" he asked.

"How would you define a regular thing?"

"You have weird books, and movies with subtitles." He stood up and walked over to her desk. He picked up a small skull. "Weird shit like this."

"Luke!"

"What?"

"Your language."

He shrugged. "People say worse at school."

"Well, you're not in school right now." She added the onions, soy sauce, fish sauce and sugar. "You're in my home. I'd rather you kept language like that out of conversation."

"But I'm bored," he said, throwing himself down on the couch and turning on the television.

Maura stared at him. He flicked from a cookery show to something with robots, his shoes scuffed up the arm of the couch. She walked over and pushed his feet away.

"You're going to damage the furniture."

"Sorry." He kicked his shoes off, dropping them onto the floor beside the couch, and put his feet up again. "Do you have Netflix?"

"I have CuriosityStream."

"What's that?"

"It's like Netflix, there's over fifteen hundred documentaries."

"What else?"

"That's all. It's a documentary service."

"Can we get Netflix?"

"Not right now," Maura said. "Dinner will be ready soon. You should go wash up. I'll prepare the salad leaves."

"I don't want any salad."

"It's healthy, the whole meal is salad based."

"No. I'll have bread."

"But," Maura said. Luke dropped the remote on the floor, his attention turned back to the television. She drifted off, and returned to the kitchen. Watching him from a distance, Maura felt her epinephrine level increase. She gripped the edge of the counter.

x

"Is everything okay, Angela?" Maura asked, standing in the doorway.

"Fine, fine," she said, glancing behind Maura. Maura turned slightly, then refocused her attention. She regretted taking out the trash, maybe then Angela wouldn't have decided to join her at the door.

"You look a little distracted."

"Jane said you had a kid here." She glanced over her shoulder again. "That she didn't know who he was."

Maura curved her lips. "He's staying with me for a couple of weeks, and Jane knows."

"She does? Why is he staying?"

"If it's okay with you, Angela, I'd rather not discuss it."

"Oh. Okay."

"Not today, anyway."

"Okay." Angela frowned. "Am I still okay to come into the house? His parents won't mind?"

"They won't mind." She forged another smile. "Ordinarily I'd invite you to join us for dinner, but Luke has a lot of school work to catch up on, and Jane will be here soon. Would you like me to bring you out something?"

"No. It's okay. I'm staying at Ron's tonight. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"Everything's fine." She retreated back into the house. "Thank you."

"Between you and me, I think he's going to ask me to move in with him," Angela said, stepping forward.

"Wow." Maura returned to the threshold. "That's fantastic!"

"Yeah!" She grinned, her eyes darted about. "I'm nervous. I've not lived with a man since Frank Senior. What if I get on his nerves?"

Maura tilted her head and gripped her wrist. "He loves you, Angela. I think you two have spent enough time together to know each other's flaws, as well as your good qualities. He obviously loves you, and you love him."

"You're right." She turned around, then twisted back again. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck," she said, returning to the house.

x

Jane stood in the entranceway, her eyes fixed on Maura and Luke sat at the table. For a brief moment, she tried to picture herself on the other side of Luke. She couldn't. She closed her eyes and pushed the door until it closed loudly.

"I think Jane's here," Maura said.

"Can I use your laptop?" Luke asked, putting his knife and fork together on his plate.

"Evening," Jane said, forcing her voice to come out calm and cheerful. "Sorry I'm late, I went to Frankie's, thought Luke might like to borrow his PS4."

"Yes!" he said, jumping up and hugging her tightly. Jane stumbled back slightly, her heart beat fast. She rested a hand briefly over Luke's back and looked to Maura.

"First you need to load the dishwasher," Maura said. "Then you can set it up."

"Okay," he said, slouching forward. He picked up their plates and carried them across the room.

"Thank you," Maura said, her lips pressed tightly together.

"Welcome."

"Would you like a drink?"

"You got a beer?"

"I've always got beer."

"Have you made any progress with the case?"

"Not really." Jane shrugged. "Mayor's refusing to be cooperative, his wife is a mess, their other son won't talk. The only thing we have are the autopsy results, and evidence you've collected."

"Let's hope you get a breakthrough, soon," Maura said. She retrieved a bottle of beer from the fridge and refilled her wine glass. "Luke, we're going upstairs for a while. I need to talk with Jane."

"Would the guest house be better?"

"I don't like to invade your mother's space."

"I don't mind," Jane said, she leaned close. "It's probably better, in case we start shouting at each other again."

"I don't intend to shout."

"Me neither." Jane straightened up. "Hey kid, we'll be in the guest house. Don't burn the place down."

He grinned and shook his head. "Thanks for the PS4. Has it got any good games?"

"COD?"

"Yes!" he shouted, pushing the dishwasher door closed and fist pumping the air.

"Thought you'd like that."

"We won't be too long," Maura said.

Jane followed her out of the house. Once the guest house door was closed behind them, Jane sipped her beer. She considered returning to the main house for something stronger but the devastation on Maura's face kept her glued to the spot.

"What's wrong?"

"Aside from everything," Maura said. "Luke clearly appreciates you bringing the games console over. I'm less certain it's a worthwhile use of his time."

"He's a kid, Maura, he obviously likes video games. All teenage boys are playing Call of Duty."

"He mentioned that earlier." She folded her arms across her chest. "I should probably read up on it."

"You shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Erm," Jane said. "It's rated for adults."

"What?" Maura marched toward the door.

Jane wrapped a hand around her elbow and stopped her. "Don't. He's a kid, Maura."

"Exactly." She glared at her. "He's a child. He should not be playing video games aimed at adults."

"You think he hasn't already?"

"Don't tell me how to raise my son."

Stepping back, Jane's hand dropped to her side. "Wasn't trying to. But I'm not sure one day is raising your son."

Her eyebrows pulled together, her lips pursed. Jane watched the rage pass over Maura's face. She stared back, not willing to back down, if only to feel some semblance of control.

"You're overstepping, Jane."

"How?" she asked. "I didn't even know he existed until this morning."

"I'm the one who needs to entertain him, not you."

"I'm sorry," Jane said, frowning. "I didn't realise it'd be such a problem to bring something over that he'd enjoy."

"I was handling it."

"Yeah? He sure looked happy to be able to play video games again."

"That's because you brought the console over here," Maura said. "Without it he wouldn't have known any better."

"Yes, he would." Jane walked over to the coffee table and placed her beer on it. "He's a teenage boy, medical journals and basic cable doesn't cut it, Maura."

"He hasn't complained."

"No, he wouldn't. He seems too nice to tell you where to go."

Maura's eyes filled with tears, she stumbled backward. Another flash of rage covered her face. "Your influence here is not wanted, or needed. Least not when you're introducing my son to inappropriate material."

"Is this how it's going to be?" Jane asked, throwing her hands up at her side. "You push me away further so we don't have to discuss this? The last thing you said to me was that you lost custody of your son. I need answers Maura. I need to know what happened."

"There's nothing worth telling," Maura said, hovering by the door. She averted her gaze. "I lost custody. I moved to Boston. I haven't seen him since."

"That is not the whole story." Perching on the arm of the couch. "I deserve the whole story."

"Maybe you don't."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Luke is part of my life, my past. What happened then is my life to share, and maybe I don't wish to share it with you. Maybe I'd prefer to keep it to myself."

"What the fuck, Maura?" Jane's face contorted, her mouth dropped open.

"Don't curse at me."

"I'm not cursing at you," she shouted. "You're so infuriating right now."

"Well, you're infuriating too."

"Me?" Jane stood up. "What did I do?"

"You're interfering. Did you see the way Luke hugged you? He likes you, Jane. He likes you and he hates me, just how it's always been and how it always will be."

"What?" Jane narrowed her eyes, her eyebrows creased together. "This isn't a popularity contest."

"No." Maura swallowed the last of her wine. "It's my life. If you're not willing to back off maybe you should just leave."

"I don't want to leave."

She closed her eyes, her voice broke with every word. "I need you to go."

"No."

"Jane," Maura said, reaching out to her arm. She attempted to pull her away from the couch. "Please. Leave."

She folded her arms across her chest. "I'm not leaving. I deserve more than you're giving me."

"I need to be alone."

"No."

"Jane."

She tried again, pressing her hand against Jane's shoulder. Jane reached out and tugged her back, pulling her close. She stared into her eyes, frantic, shattered. She tried to fight it, but all she could feel was love. She hated to see Maura look so shattered, yet knowing she was, all she wanted to do was make it better.

"Stop," Jane said, gripping her shoulders.

Maura stared up into her eyes, her own glistened under the light, her voice broken. "Let me go."

"No."

"Jane, please."

She leaned down, brushing her lips against Maura's, tangling her fingers up in her hair as Maura responded to the kiss. Behind the hurt and the pain, Jane stumbled into the depth of feeling she still felt for her girlfriend. She wrapped her arms around her back and pulled her in close, trailing kisses across her cheek, along her collarbone.

"We shouldn't," Maura whispered, but she shuddered under Jane's touch. She dragged her fingernails up along her thigh, not stopping until the edge of her dress lifted and she could drag down Maura's underwear.

"We should," Jane said, panting against her ear, she stumbled forward, pushing Maura back, until they stumbled through the open doorway and into the bedroom.

x

Sliding her fingers up and down Maura's bare arm, Jane pressed fresh kisses against her shoulder. She lifted her leg, moving her skin across Maura's. The bedsheets tangled up between them, holding them close. Her fingertips danced across her arm.

"I feel like a teenager who just had sex on their parents' bed," Jane said.

Maura smirked. "We did just have sex on your mother's bed."

"Ugh. Don't remind me," Jane said, tipping her head back.

Sighing, Maura pulled away. "You make it sound like you're repulsed by me."

"I'm not repulsed by you." She leaned back toward her, resting her forehead against Maura's. "I'm just...I'm still angry, and this is the worst place I could have thought of to have sex."

"Worse than the beach?"

"No."

"I wish you weren't still angry," Maura said.

"Yeah. Me too."

"I didn't mean to keep so much of my past from you."

"I know."

Maura leaned in and kissed her nose. She trailed her fingertips across her cheek. "This is the only thing I don't talk about."

"It's a pretty massive thing."

"I know." She rolled onto her back, away from Jane. "Admitting to you what happened is like admitting to myself that I failed."

Jane reached for her hand, interlinking their fingers between them. "And Doctor Maura Isles doesn't fail."

"I fail," Maura said, rolling onto her side. "I'm human like everyone else. But this, it's bigger. Everyone else manages to parent, and it's the one thing I couldn't do."