Second to last chapter! Feedback is appreciated on this one! To those of you reading Thank you so much and I hope you're enjoying it.
Jane was typing her report, listing as many details and observations as she could. Maura had just emailed her final autopsy reports, and a message that she was on her way up, which helped to brighten the dark mood that had been falling over her. Quinn's interview with Haywood was playing through her mind on a loop.
Mysteries of the brain was not something she contemplated often. Even for Maura it seemed to be a subject she didn't delve into often, and she realized that to her brilliant doctor it may be an even bigger mystery. How do you leave for three days, come back, and not recognize the emotional attachment to your wife? To someone you've made a life commitment to. Love couldn't be that fragile. What if it had been Maura? Would how much she loved her shine through, or would the blonde never see it again?
She had to take a deep breath to stop a moment of panic. Maura was fine. She'd come back from her own trip the same quirky, brilliant woman she'd fallen in love with, and comparing the two situations was uncalled for.
She was briefly aware of Frost entering the bull pen as she was saving the report. "You're not going to believe this." He tossed a packet of papers on her desk that she instantly recognized as a court order.
"What's going on?" She opened the papers, her face darkening as she read.
"Salk and Mikos got an emergency order to have Haywood transferred to that mental institution off the freeway."
Korsak's voice was loud in the room. "That's bullshit!"
"Did I miss something?" Maura walked in stopping by Jane's desk.
She handed the doctor the order. "Haywood is getting a one way trip to crazy town. Check out the admitting physician."
"Dr. Allen Mikos." Maura dropped the papers back to the desk.
"Where the hell is the DA's objection?"
"They're writing it up now, but they don't think it will help."
Jane sighed. "I agree with Korsak. This is bullshit."
"The chances of him being convicted even if he did stand trial are slim. Especially with a pre-documented condition."
She knew that, of course she knew that, but this felt like giving up, like letting him get away with it. "Do you have an exact statistic for that Maura, or is that a guess? I can't believe you're defending him!"
"I'm not defending him. I'm just stating facts and precident from previous cases."
"I don't need facts or precident right now."
Maura took a step back, looking at Jane before nodding. "Fine."
The doctor walked out leaving nothing but silence in her wake.
R&I
Jane had been staring at the walls of the parking garage for at least 45 minutes before Frost leaned against the car. "Done beating yourself up yet?"
She jumped, not realizing her window was down. "No."
"The DA's motion has been filed but the Judge seemed to think it wouldn't change his decision. Haywood is going to be moved in the morning."
"Great." She gripped the steering wheel, glaring through the windshield.
"Go over there and apologize."
She was quiet, taking deep breaths before she could come up with an answer. "I'm just trying to figure out why this is getting to me."
Frost cocked his head looking through the window at her. "Maybe because this one hit fairly close to home? Dude goes away for business and comes back to someone impersonating his wife."
"That's a big stretch Frost."
He shrugged. "Fine, then how about you can't stand it when they slip through your fingers? It's not just you Jane. This is pissing us all off, but I also saw you while she was gone this week. You were a wreck."
"First off, Maura didn't come back thinking I was an imposter. Second, she's not my wife, we've only just decided to live together!"
Frost's face lit up and Jane inwardly groaned, "You and the Doc are shacking up? Go Jane!"
She motioned for him to keep his voice down. "Yes, but keep it to yourself. Ma doesn't know yet, and I'm not looking forward to her finding out."
"Your secret's safe Jane, just get home. Apologize to your girl."
"If you'd stop leaning on my car grinning like an idiot I would."
R&I
The house was quiet when she let herself in. Jo ran to her, whining lowly. "She that mad?"
The little dog looked over at the stairs, gave a short bark that seemed like a reprimand, and trotted for the kitchen. She took a deep breath glancing up the stairs herself before sucking it up and starting to climb.
The bedroom was dark, but bright light was shining from the walk-in closet. She made her way to the door, leaning against it and shoving her hands in her pockets. Maura was unpacking the bags from her trip, carefully examing each garment. Her stiffening shoulders were the only sign that she knew of Jane's presence.
"Hey."
For a moment she didn't think Maura would answer, then she heard the soft, "Hey."
"I'm an asshole."
There was a slight hitch to Maura's breath, but if it was tears or laughter she couldn't tell. The sweater the doctor was folding was placed back on the suitcase. "Yes. Sometimes."
Jane didn't comment on that. She deserved it and whatever else Maura threw at her. "I'm sorry Maura. I never should have talked to you like that."
The doctor turned and studied her, but Jane wasn't about to falter under the intense gaze. "I didn't think, and it was stupid." She paused, unsure if she should share the next, knowing that she had to. "And I was scared. It scared me that this could happen to someone through no fault of their own."
Tears started to brim in Maura's eyes, but she kept silent while Jane kept going. "I kept thinking what if that was you? What if you'd come back and couldn't trust me, couldn't love me because something in your brain had gone haywire?"
Maura crossed the room, wrapping her arms around Jane's neck. "Jane it's ok. I'm still me."
Lips brushed her jaw, and the detective's hands grabbed up bunches of her shirt, holding tightly. "Maura, how do you put up with me?"
The doctor gave her a healthy squeeze, then leaned back enough to see the dark eyes. "Because I love you. That's not going to change."
"I love you too, Maura." She tightened her arms around Maura's waist and lifted, kissing her soundly. Even with her feet swinging the doctor's response was immediate.
"You keep doing that and you're going to hurt your back. Despite your mother's fears I have not lost weight."
"You're light as a feather." Smiling, she slowly set her down settling her hands on the blonde's hips. "I'm so sorry."
A finger landed on her lips. "I know Jane. I forgive you, but remember what we said. We have to be honest with each other. That includes what scares the hell out of us. Even if it's something we didn't realize was a fear."
"This was certainly not something I realized could be a fear."
Maura nodded, shuffling forward and resting her head on Jane's shoulder. "It crossed my mind too you know? I can't imagine what that would be like. I don't want to."
Long arms pulled her closer, and she inhaled Jane's distinct scent accepting it's comfort, before stepping back, and changing the subject. "All we have for dinner are leftovers and TJ's popsicles."
"Sounds perfect."