"Maura, it's Jane. I know I'm probably the last person you want to talk to right now, but it's not like you to disappear. When I found out you took leave, I went by your house, but I guess you're not there. I… yeah, you know."

Jane clipped her cell phone back on her belt and looked around the crowded outside of the ballpark. Jude said to meet at the home plate entrance, but she still wasn't there. The detective was starting to think some kind of cruel joke had been played on her when a hand tapped her on the right shoulder. She spun around to find no one there, but she heard a chuckle coming from her left.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to walk my dog, and she gets cranky with me when she thinks I'm going to leave her alone for too long." The redhead gave a self-depreciating smile. "She is worse on guilt trips than my mother."

"Your mother's good at that, too? Mine has a freaking PHD in guilt-tripology." Jane sighed. "I'm glad I'm not the only one."

"Not even close, my friend." Jude put a hand on Jane's elbow to guide her through the crowd. Jane stiffened slightly. "You okay?"

"Yeah… yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot of people, you know? It'll be better when we sit down. Beers are on me."

Maura stared at her cell phone for a long moment. It had gone off as she was boarding the plane, and she had decided to not answer it. She was on vacation, after all. Once the okay had been given for all electrical devices to be turned back on, she had looked to see who called.

Jane had left a voice mail.

Sitting in first class with a glass of wine in one hand and her phone on the other, the doctor debated downing the glass before listening or just deleting it without ever listening to it. She finally settled on listening to it but not downing the wine first.

She sighed to herself as the message concluded, "Perhaps you should check your memos more regularly," she mumbled to herself.

"Pardon?" The person sitting next to her turned to look in her direction. "Did you say something?"

"Oh, I… well, yes, but… You see, I was listening to my voice mail, and… you know what, it doesn't matter. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." Maura mentally kicked herself for her lack of eloquence. She just felt so off balance. She was hoping a trip to her favorite bed and breakfast would help. There was something soothing about sitting on a large front porch, sipping tea, and doing nothing to settle one's mind.

"No problem, I talk to myself all the time. Jason Randal Hurst," he offered his hand, "But, most people call me JR. Please don't ask me if I know any Ewings." He smiled at her.

"Ewings? What's a Ewing?" Maura took his hand and gave it a light shake. "Dr. Maura Isles."

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Isles." He gave her piercing glance. "Now, Dr. Isles, are you pulling my leg, or do you really not know who JR Ewing is?"

She could feel her blush starting to rise. Clearly, this was a pop culture reference of some kind that she should know. "Well, Mr. Hurst…"

"Please, call me JR." He winked at her.

She blushed a bit more. "You are welcome to called me Maura." She gave him a weak smile. "In regards to your question, I haven't a clue who JR Ewing is. Should I?"

"You mean to tell me you're flying down to Dallas, and you don't know anything about the tv show 'Dallas'?" She chuckled and shook his head.

"I'm afraid not." She scrunched her nose up in thought. "Though, the name does sound vaguely familiar, I'm afraid I'm just not very good at pop culture references."

"I'll say." He leaned back in his chair. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. What brings you down to Dallas?"

"I'm going to a bed and breakfast just outside of the city that I've always found relaxing."

"That so? All by yourself?"

She sighed. "Yes, unfortunately."

"Man trouble? I can hear it in your voice. Your boyfriend must be giving you a hard time."

"I'm actually not in a relationship at this moment." She frowned as Jane's voice mail ran through her head again.

"Well, in that case, if you don't have plans for dinner, what do you say we grab a bite to eat when the plane touches down? I happen to live in Dallas, and I know a great little steakhouse in Downtown Dallas that's got the best porterhouses in the world."

"Though I'm certain that's a hyperbole, your invitation sounds pleasant. I'd be happy to meet up with you. I'm not going out to the bed and breakfast until tomorrow. I'm staying in the city tonight."

"Great! So, tell me, Maura, what kind of doctor are you?"

"I cannot believe we lost that! We totally had it. There's no way they should be able to beat us. This is a disgrace." Jane slammed her empty beer cup into the trash as they left the stadium.

"Well, you guys have had better games, that's for sure." Jude laughed at the brunette. "You hungry or have your lost your appetite after watching that?"

"I don't know… yeah, I could eat." Jane shrugged. "You want to meet somewhere?"

"I took a cab. I kind of figured it'd be easier than finding parking."

"I drove. Come on, my car's this way. What are you in the mood for?"

"Pizza?"

Jane checked her watch. It was 11 at night. "Yeah, I know a joint that's open this late."

"My car is parked over there, if you want a ride? Or, did you rent a car?" JR swung his carry on over his shoulder and picked up his bag.

"No, I considered it, but the bed and breakfast will provide transportation. I was just going to take a taxi to my hotel." She began to look around.

"Well, since we're going to dinner anyway, why don't you let me take you to your hotel so you can check in, and we can just go to the restaurant together?"

"Okay," she regarded him for a moment, "That sounds like an agreeable plan. I'm staying at the Hilton Anatole tonight."

"I know exactly where that is, and it's not far from that steakhouse. Come on, they stop serving at 11. We better hurry."

I can hear it now... there's going to be a club titled "I hate Jude and JR" that starts posting on Twitter. I see it coming... LoL

PS... please fee me my crack! FF writers love reviews ^_^ Thanks