The early Autumn sun cast a warmth over Harriet Morgan's crisp, white hospital bed sheets. With her eyes still half closed, she tuned into the now-familiar sounds of the equipment surrounding her. She no longer relied on oxygen, or on brain wave scanners to monitor her consciousness. Still, her heart monitor and IV drip remained close by, wires trailing under the covers to connect the machines to her skin.

She had learned to find comfort in the calmness of the mid-morning. The time between breakfast and lunch involved very little interaction with hospital staff, and most visitors didn't arrive until the afternoon. It was the perfect time to nap, to recuperate and to gather her thoughts.

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind. From losing a dear friend to waking up in a hospital bed after being poisoned, the journey to finding justice for Rachel had not been easy. Maura's arrival, and subsequently Jane's appearance, had further complicated things. Harriet adored Maura, she had for a very long time, and considered her to be one of her most trustworthy friends. Their history was complicated; there had always been feelings of attraction between them, but there had never been feelings involved.

The term 'friends with benefits' didn't quite fit their dynamic. Their trysts weren't borne out of want or need, but more out of frustration. There was an implicit understanding between them that they could, if they were both single, turn to the other to distract them from the bigger picture. Harriet wondered if it was a consequence of their student years, where exam nerves were placated with gin and late-night study sessions were- against Maura's protests- abandoned for house parties and trashy television. Simply, now the alcohol had been replaced with sex.

Jane complicated matters. From the moment Maura uttered her name, Harriet knew that there was something special between them. Seeing them together confirmed everything; Maura would die for Jane, and Jane would kill for Maura. The difference in her friend when Jane was around was noticeable. Maura, usually so professional, so put together, so classy, could be persuaded to drink beer, to actively watch sports. She cursed in frustration, laughed out loud and shouted this woman's name down the street in the night. Maura was free, light, when Jane was around. There was no way Harriet was going to stand in the way of what was clearly a very special relationship.

In her mind, Harriet's thoughts wandered as she thought about the relationship between Jane and Maura. It made sense. She just hoped, since she was cooped up in a hospital out of the way, that the two of them had taken the time to confess their feelings to one another.

The click of the latch on her door pulled Harriet away from her thoughts. A small, smiling nurse walked into the room and glanced at the monitor still attached to Harriet's chest, waves depicting her steady pulse.

"Everything okay?" The nurse asked as she quickly checked the equipment and marked the chart in the corner of the room. Harriet nodded.

"Fine."

"Are you up to a visitor?"

Harriet nodded, sitting up slowly in her bed and brushing her hair out of her face. The nurse opened the door wider and gestured for the visitor to walk into the room.

"Maura." Harriet smiled at her friend, who was dressed in a stunning blush-coloured dress and matching heels. "You look lovely."

"Thank you" Maura sat down, her legs crossed daintily at her side. "I… I picked it up on the way here. We… we had a busy day yesterday and my office wear was rather crumpled."

"Well, regardless of your excuses, it looks great. Did… did you need to speak to me about something?"

Maura pulled a folder out of her bag. "I wanted to see you anyway. I like to check you're getting the best care." Harriet smiled as Maura looked down bashfully.

"I am. Thank you."

"I've just spoken to your doctor- I have the tox report. I know what poisoned you."

Harriet turned her body as much as she could, taking in every word the blonde doctor said.

"Letarade. I hadn't come across it in a victim before. It's not commonly found in the US or the UK, but there are a number of cases in eastern Europe. It links in with what we already know about Kaplowitz- where he came from and who he's working for."

Harriet took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I… I just want this to be over. Too many innocent people have been hurt." Feeling herself becoming emotional, she squeezed her eyes. "It's not fair."

"I know." Maura's soft voice was reassuring. Reaching out, she took Harriet's hand in her own. "We're doing everything we can to find him, okay? This isn't going to go on forever."

Harriet nodded and slowly opened her eyes to meet Maura's.

"Now, let's think positively. I've spoken to your doctor and he's agreed that we can go for a little walk with your drip. There's a shop next to the family lounge at the end of this corridor. Do you feel up to a visit?"

"I… I can try."

Rising to her feet, Maura walked over to Harriet's bed and carefully peeled the heart monitor pads from her skin. The machine beeped continuously as the doctor fumbled around on the floor for the power socket. Flicking the switch, she looked up at Harriet and smiled. "It still surprises me every time that the English were innovative enough to put switches on their outlets. It makes so much sense."

Harriet, dressed in a pair of comfortable pyjamas Maura had brought her from home on her last visit, swung her legs over the side of the bed and held onto the wall for support. Slowly, feeling a tight discomfort in her stomach and legs, she rose to her feet.

"Look at you!" Maura said with a smile, reaching out a hand to help Harriet steady herself. "Now take it slow, I'll walk backwards so you can concentrate on where you're going."

"Maura." Harriet's eyes focused intently on the doorway.

"That's it. A few more steps and we'll be out the door."

"Maura." Her eyes widened, her forehead straining.

"Take your time. I'm here. Are you in pain?"

Taking a step back, Maura felt her back press into something solid. A strong arm reached around her small frame and threw her to the floor.

Looking up through rapidly fading vision, her head pounding and spinning, she was faced with the sight of a suited man she had met only once before.

Trying her best to sit up, she watched as the man's leather-shoed feet strode across the room towards the still-standing Harriet.

"MAURA!"

Everything went dark.