"Go fish." Jane laughed as Frankie drew from the card pile. It was about eight-thirty, and there had been no activity at the house. At least, no suspicious activity. Jane and Frankie had played numerous card games, with Jane winning everything except 'War'. Tommy, Jane's youngest brother, was always the best at that one. The two had long since left the topic of Maura.

"Hey, look." Jane turned and saw Mrs. Byrne heading towards her car rather quickly. Jane jumped out of her brother's cruiser and tried to catch the attention of the woman.

She succeeded. "Oh, Detective! I'm just going to my sister's house!"

"At eight thirty at night?"

"She lives in the neighborhood." Mrs. Byrne tried once again to side step the detective. Jane let her past. If she wasn't back by midnight, when Frankie was relieved, she would send him to find her. Right now, Chandler Byrne was first priority. She returned to her brother's car, keeping track of which way Mrs. Byrne turned at the end of the drive, and committing it to memory.

Maura was sitting in her guest house, accompanied by Jane's mother. She found comfort in talking to the Italian woman; she loved the way she pried, even if Jane hated it. She was chewing the gnocchi that Angela had made, especially for Maura. Jane's mother was cleaning the cooking dishes and was silent. Maura was thankful for that. But that moment didn't last long. She now knew how Jane felt when the detective didn't want to talk about anything.

"How was work?" Angela drew the doctor out of her thoughts. She could tell something was bothering Maura, and she was determined to pry it out of her.

Maura sipped her wine. "Fine. I mostly did paperwork as there were no autopsies to attend to."

"What happened between you and Jane, sweetie?"

Maura pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to ward off any impending head ache. "Richard Castle kissed me. Jane found out and got mad, therefore she hasn't spoken to me."

"Richard Castle the author? I swear I could be a detective by just reading his books… Wait, you kissed him?"

"He kissed me. Afterwards, I informed him that I was in a relationship."

Angela turned back to the dishes. "I wonder what has Jane all riled up, then. She left work early today."

Maura's eyebrows perked up. She excused herself to the restroom, not really intending to use the toilet. She dialed Frankie's number.

Jane looked over at her brother when his phone rang, hopeful for a break in the case. She was dying to get home.

He coughed before he answered. "Frankie Rizzoli."

"Frankie? It's Maura."

He looked over at Jane, thankful she didn't seem to be listening. "Hey…"

"Do you know where Jane went before her shift today? Angela's kind of worried."

"I think she went to the Merch. That's what she said at least." Jane's head snapped towards her brother. Who was he talking to? She didn't want that information getting out. On the other end, Maura had dropped the phone.

Frankie spoke again. "Doc? You okay?"

Jane snatched the phone from her brother, enraged from the fact that he had just told Maura where she was all afternoon. "Maura? Maura, sweetie, are you there?" She pictured Maura, crying. What the fuck did you do, Rizzoli? Maura heard Jane's voice and brought the phone back to her ear.

She choked out her words through sobs. "J-Jane."

"I'm so sorry Maura, I… I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't want to hurt you."

"People wouldn't normally put up with your abuse Jane." Maura laughed half-heartedly. Jane smiled when she realized when she realized Maura was doing exactly what she herself does: cover things up with humor.

"I know, sweetie."

"Jane, I shouldn't have driven you away."

"No, Maura. You don't get to apologize. This time it's all me. I fucked up. Not you."

Maura wiped her eyes, while gripping the phone tightly. "So much has happened lately, Jane. Constance's mother died."

"Your grandma? Aw shit, Maur, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you tell me?" Jane's voice cracked.

"I didn't think you cared."

Jane almost laughed. "Of course I care. I'll always care."

"I love you Jane."

"I love you, too. So much." Jane was holding the phone really close. She wished she could go to Maura, but she was working and didn't get off until 6 am.

Maura didn't want to change the subject, but she had to know. "What happened today, Jane?"

"It was nothing." Maura could hear the guilt in her girlfriend's voice. "I didn't have sex or anything."

Jane cringed as she heard Maura's breath catch. "Maura, I'm so sorry. You should break up with me. I don't know what I was thinking."

"You did know."

"Yeah, some scientific explanation will explain that I obviously knew what I was thinking."

"Actually, Jane…"

"The point is Maura; you didn't deserve to be hurt. You are the best thing that's happened to me; leave it to me to screw it up." The other line was silent as Maura analyzed Jane's words.

"I need some time to think." Jane was still clutching the phone after Maura hung up. She hadn't noticed that Frankie had gone to stand outside of the car, and she rolled down the window and d=told him to come inside. It was cold out there. She swore under her breath when her cell rang, though she hoped it was Maura.

"Rizzoli."

Frost was on the other line. "Jane, we got a problem. We just found Mrs. Byrne's severed hand."

Author's Note: I haven'y had much enthusiasm to type, though I shall try to type out what I have written! Review are appreciated!