Maura sat across from Dr. Jennifer Slate. She'd recently started seeing the good doctor on Jane's recommendation. She thought seeing a psychologist would help Maura deal with all that had happened. She looked at the other woman. Dr. Slate looked to be in her early 50's with graying black hair and bright blue eyes.

"You seem a little unsettled today, Maura. May I ask why?" Maura nodded.

"I...I...um...kissed Jane the other day," she told her. Dr. Slate raised an eyebrow. "I know it was just a response to the stress I was under and her being such a good friend and we swore to never talk about it again."

"Why not," Dr. Slate asked.

"Because it shouldn't have happened. We're friends. Jane has been so good to me and I don't want to use her like that."
"Like what?"

"She means more to me than a physical distraction." Dr. Slate nodded.

"So you are attracted to her?" Maura nodded.

"She is a very beautiful person, inside and out. She's strong but caring, giving, powerful but gentle. She makes me feel safe."

"Did she make you feel this way before?"

"Before what?"

"Before Garrett started beating you." Maura shuttered as the words brought back the memories.

"I don't know. I think so. But I know that if I truly want a relationship with Jane I have to get through this. Through what Garrett did to me."

"Did she also agree to never talk about the kiss?"

"Yes."

"What did the kiss make you feel?" Maura smiled faintly.

"Like I was home." Dr. Slate smiled back at her.

"I'm glad you've found that. I will admit it is a little soon after Garrett but I think if you two take it slow this relationship could become very meaningful to the both of you."

"I don't know how to talk to her about it. Jane can be sensitive about the subject of being a lesbian. She gets called that all the time just because she is a detective. It can make her very angry."

"Do you think she's a lesbian?"

"I don't think anything is that simple but other people aren't so open minded." Dr. Slate nodded.

"I think you both need to sit down and talk about this." Maura nodded. "Have you called your mother yet," Dr. Slate asked. Maura shook her head. "Are you still angry at her?"

"I don't know. She's my mother."

"Are you scared?" Maura took a long moment to answer.

"Yes. I got word from my cousin today that the divorce proceedings have begun for my parents. My father must truly hate me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because...a divorce from my mother would leave him with nothing except a small allowance. All the property and money are owned not by my mother but our family."

"So the threat to cut you off was just that a threat? He had no power over any of the family finances?"

"No. Except their joint account which my grandmother controls any contributions from my mother's accounts. He'd need permission from both of them to even touch mine." Dr. Slate nodded.

"How does Jane feel about your mother trying to reconnect?"

"We haven't really spoken about it. That situation led to the kiss. We're kind of avoiding the whole day." Maura sighed. "But I believe she is angry at both my parents for treating me so badly. Even if I forgive my mother I think she will always hold some resentment toward her. Jane is very protective of the people she loves. I've learned that."

"She sounds like a wonderful friend."

"She is, even when she's trying to avoid things."

"Well thats all the time we have for today. I hope you and Jane work things out. Call me if you need anything." Maura nodded she grabbed her bag as she stood.

"Thank you, Dr. Slate. You've helped me a lot these past few weeks." She smiled.

"Thats what I'm here for. Have a good week, Maura." Maura nodded. She left the doctor's office.

Jane sat at her desk. She was still thinking about it. The kiss. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't help thinking about the kiss. How soft Maura's lips were. How sweet she tasted. How warm she felt. How wonderful she smelled. She could still feel her in her arms, the vibration of the soft moan she had let out. Jane shook herself free of the memories. She had to do something. This was killing her. She could barely sleep without the dreams of how she wished that encounter had gone. She shook herself again. Finally she got up from her desk.

"Where you heading," Korsak asked.

"Coffee," she answered. She walked off before he could ask anything else.

She was pouring her coffee when she felt it. She always knew when Maura entered a room. It felt like the air was suddenly electric. She tried not to turn around. Maura came up beside her. She looked up at her. Maura gave her a smile.

"Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," Jane replied. Maura reached past her to grab a cup. Jane caught the scent of her hair. She wanted to reach out and kiss her again. She smiled when Maura looked at her.

"My lawyer has begun devoice proceedings. So have my parents." Jane turned to her.

"Maura...I'm sorry." Maura shrugged.

"Mother says its not my fault but I still feel...I guess since I'm not his real da..."

"Don't even finish that sentence," Jane said. Maura looked at her.

"I was worried you hated me after the other day."

"What? No. Maura you're my best friend and I could never hate you." A fellow detective walked up and started getting his own coffee. Jane gently took Maura's arm and led her away from the counter. "This isn't the best place to talk about this, okay."

"Of course." Jane looked into Maura's eyes. She could see so much sadness and her heart screamed for her to make it stop.

"Come on. I'll walk you down stairs. I've only got paper work to finish today. We'll eat lunch and talk. I don't want you to think I'm avoiding you or that I hate you." Together they walked down to the morgue. The tables were all shinny and clean as they walked through to Maura's office. Once the door closed Jane did the one thing she'd wanted to do. She pulled Maura into a hug. Maura's arms wrapped around her middle. She felt Maura relax as she released a sigh.

"Jane," she said softly.

"I'm sorry I've been distant. What happened the other day scared me okay. We've both been through a lot and I need this to be more than you needing comfort. It'd be to easy to fall in love with you Maura. I couldn't stand it if I had you just to loose you." She felt Maura's arms tighten around her. The honey blonde began to sob silently. Jane felt the tears start to soak through her shirt. "I'm not a lesbian but I can't deny I'm attracted to you."

"Me either." Maura stepped back. "Though I have always been apposed to such easy labels. People are more than that. Women are perfect examples. Our sexuality is more fluid than a man. I've always thought women were attractive, sometimes more than men." Jane smiled. Her friend was back.

"Come on. Lets eat." They sat down at Maura's desk.

Hope the update will hold you guys over until I can get to the next chapter. Hope no one hates me b/c I didn't put them together just yet. I will. No worries there. Just stick with me. :) Thank you for reading.