Maura shifted in her seat a bit while trying to ignore the questioning eyes of Jane.
"Well explain!" Jane took Maura's hand that was resting on her own and tried to convey a silent message that everything was okay.
"Well. There was no emotional attachment. It was a onetime deal. She was my friend. She told me she liked me. It was rape really. I didn't want it to happen that fast. I wanted to take it slower. I guess. It didn't hurt, but our friendship ended that night. She told me I just wasn't good enough for her. Just wasn't what she thought I'd be." Maura pulled a tissue out of the box near her and dabbed her eyes slightly, ridding them of the tears.
Jane sat up from her friend's lap and pulled her into a tight hug. Maura accepted the hug and held tightly to her friend.
"Is this why you're so reserved on telling me that you like me?"
Maura's head snapped back quickly, clipping Jane's chin. Both women hissed in pain. Jane gripped her chin and sucked on her lip while Maura held the back of her head in shock and stared at the detective.
"How did you find out," Maura said through gritted teeth, "Who told you?"
Jane touched her swollen lip and felt a slight bump from where she ended up biting herself, "No one told me Maur. Hello, detective here for a reason."
Maura lowered her hand from the back of her skull as the pain subsided and pulled Jane's face closer to look at her lip. "I could get you some ice to help with the pain."
Jane chuckled and took Maura's hand from her face. "Don't change the subject."
"I wasn't changing the subject."
Jane raised her eyebrow at the doctor and stared.
"Okay, so I was attempting to change the subject."
"Hives. You've got hives. Serves you right for lying."
Maura covered her neck and glared at the Italian. A silence fell over the women and they both continued staring at each other for a few seconds. "I don't like you Jane. I could never just like you." Maura turned her head away and stared at the corner of the coffee table and tried not to tear up as she imagined her only true friendship shattering before her.
"Maur, look at me. Please?" The deep voice graveled and husked its way down Maura's spine. The doctor turned and looked at the eyes of the detective. Dark brows turned down in a pleading manner Jane wanted to understand.
"Jane, please. I can't just like you. I would say that it started as a small crush. You're brave and righteous. But it grew. I wanted your affections. But I can't just like you." Maura's eyes pleaded to let the subject drop. Jane wasn't going to have it.
"Maur. Please. Just tell me what you're really feeling. I can't be left here knowing but not truly knowing."
"Jane. I love you. I have. Since you shot yourself. Shot yourself trying to protect you brother and I."
Jane pulled the crying doctor into a fierce hug. Whispering, "It's okay Maura. Because that's the moment I realized my life wasn't worthy of living if you weren't there to be in my life. That's why I went with him."
Maura sobbed into Jane's shoulder.