Happy Saturday…and remember…their story is far from being over…
All Apologies
As the plane pulled away from the gate, Maura clutched her boarding pass tightly in her hand and tried to relax. It would be a long flight from LA to Boston and with the help of several vodka tonics, she hoped her nerves would settle. When the pilot came over the intercom to announce that the flight would take roughly five hours and forty minutes, she let out a tired sigh. It was only eight in the morning in LA, perhaps too early to start drinking, but she didn't care about the disapproving glance she received from the flight attendant when she ordered her first drink. She wasn't planning on drinking the whole flight, but she needed the calming effect now more than ever. Her emotions were raw, and she felt like she might not be able to come back from the edge she felt she was standing on. Anger towards Liam warred with the guilt she felt about leaving Jane and she wasn't sure how to reconcile both feelings.
'Liam…' she thought to herself. He hadn't held back, giving her hell when she answered the phone that morning. It was justified, she knew it and it was what hurt the most at the moment. It had seemed like a good idea to take some time away and see things from a new perspective, but Liam's harsh words made her realize she had been selfish.
The touch on her hand startled her away from her darkening thoughts. Looking over at Amy, she tried to smile but only succeeded in looking like she had just eaten something sour. However, she did smile when her vodka tonic was set down in front of her.
"You've been awful pensive since that phone call earlier." Amy accepted her orange juice with a smile and got a nod of approval from the flight attendant in return. "Look, I don't know everything that's going on, but the important thing is you're going home now."
Taking a sip of her drink, Maura savored the bitter taste of the tonic and lime. "Let's just say someone called me out with a much-deserved ass chewing." The vodka caused her lips to tingle in a nice way and she sighed heavily.
"Wow…did you just swear?" Amy looked surprised in an overly dramatic way.
This time, Maura's smile was genuine and full. "I did." She laughed.
"You never used to do that." Amy laughed as well.
"There are a lot of things I didn't do before Jane came back into my life." Maura mused quietly.
"Wanna talk about what put that sad look on your face when you should be ecstatic about seeing the love of your life after three weeks?" When Maura blinked a few times with a blank look on her face, Amy shook her head. "Let me guess. You can't talk about it." She tried not to sound irritated.
"I'm sorry." Maura tried to explain. "It has to do with Jane's accident."
"Accident my ass." Amy huffed. "She was shot in the line of duty. That's not an accident."
"Okay, fair enough." Maura conceded. "It's just that I can't talk about the specifics. All you need to know is that I deserved everything that came my way this morning. I know that now."
"You're not a bad person for wanting some alone time to figure things out." Amy touched Maura's arm again to offer her comfort.
"I know, but I think I should have done things differently. I didn't even give Jane a chance. I didn't tell her about my plans even though she figured them out. I should have talked to her first." Maura took another sip of her drink. She could feel the plane rounding a corner as they approached the runway for takeoff. There were still two planes ahead of them,
"Okay, but what's done is done. Just make sure you make it up to her…like…a lot." Amy settled back in her seat as the first plane took off in the early morning sun. She didn't care for flying especially over the ocean and as the plane moved up one more spot, she knew it would only be a few minutes before they were soaring over the Pacific Ocean. She hated leaving out of LAX and this was one of the biggest reasons. Why on earth did they have to take off going west just to end up going east.
"I plan on it." Maura couldn't stop herself from smirking. She could feel Amy stiffen in the seat next to her when the next plane took off and theirs rolled into position. Reaching over the armrest, she took Amy's hand in her own as the engines revved and they started to move forward. "Just breathe…in and out…" she said, squeezing Amy's hand gently and also wrapping her fingers around the plastic cup that held what was left of her drink.
A hushed silence fell over everyone on the plane as they took off over the blue water covered in whitecaps, climbing higher and higher. She had allowed Amy the window seat, so she would miss looking down on Catalina Island, something she enjoyed but didn't feel she deserved. When the landing gear lifted and locked into place with a bang, Amy squeezed her hand hard. Rolling her head to the side, she tried to smile reassuringly and as they banked to the left, she caught a glimpse of the ocean below, dark blue and somewhat angry. It was something she understood well, the dark anger that left her feeling exhausted, but things had changed and so had she.
A collective sigh of relief followed as the plane leveled off and they reached land again. She could feel Amy relax slightly and she let go of her hand but not before giving it a gentle pat. The pressurization in the cabin made her ears pop and she closed her eyes to allow herself to adjust. It was at this moment that the memory of her conversation with Liam decided to come roaring back ringing in her ears.
"I can't believe you left." The disappointment was thinly disguised by the anger in Liam's voice. "It's not like you to run away."
"I'm not running away." Maura found it difficult not to sound petulant because she knew she wasn't being honest with herself. "Okay, maybe…" She gave in to the deafening silence that was his counter argument.
"You left her when she needed you the most." He let out a sad sigh.
"I know, but it was for the best. I wasn't in any frame of mind to offer anything except uncertainty." It was a weak defense but Maura needed something other than the truth, but his continued silence pulled it out of her. "You know I would have asked her to quit her job. I would have begged her not to go back. It would have put a wedge between us. And I know she would have said yes…but…" she cleared her throat nervously. "She would always resent me for asking her to quit. I just couldn't live with the guilt of asking her to give up something she loved so much and…well…I was angry that she lied to me."
"You're one to talk, young lady." He chastised her. "You've had me following her around for the last month or so…without telling her. Things may have turned out differently if she had known I had her back."
"She wouldn't have accepted your help." There was uncertainty in Maura's tone.
"I guess we'll never know, will we?"
The question angered Maura and she tried to steady her breathing. "I won't take the blame for this, Liam. Jane made her own decision and she chose not to tell me. That decision had a ripple effect on everyone, so don't you try to lay this on me. I won't allow it."
"You're right and I'm sorry to even insinuate that it was your fault. But I still don't think it's right that you've kept her in the dark about everything that happened. I've spent some time with Vince Korsak and he is a good guy. He cares very much for Jane. With his help, we were able to come up with a believable story…but Jane still doesn't know what really happened." Liam let out a frustrated sigh. "And Ryan's been on top of it from the start. She's going to make one hell of a D.A. one of these days."
"What would you have me do?"
"I want to meet Jane. I want to tell her what happened and yes…she needs to know that I was following her, by your request. It's only fair, Maura." He tried to reason.
"When?" She rubbed her eyes as the sting of emotional fatigue gripped her.
"What time does your plan arrive?" He wasn't giving her any leeway.
"I should be back in Boston around four o'clock and home before six"
"Then I'll be there at seven." He stated in a tone that brokered no argument.
"You're not going to cut me any slack on this, are you?"
"No, I'm not." He said. "I'm not trying to punish you, you know. I'm just trying to level the playing field. You don't get to hold all the cards this time."
"Fair enough." Maura knew it was the truth and she was thankful for his honesty. "I guess I'll see you later tonight." She said as she let out a heavy, tired breath. 'There goes my quiet evening of making it up to Jane…' she thought to herself as she hung up.
Maura startled herself awake with a gasp and looked over to find Amy watching her with a concerned look on her face. "I can't believe I fell asleep." She rubbed at her forehead. "I don't usually sleep on planes."
"Well, lucky for you…you woke up in time for breakfast." Amy couldn't hide her excitement as she pointed at the tray across the aisle. "I can't believe we get breakfast."
"One of the many perks of flying first class." Maura smiled at her traveling companion and her excitement.
"I've never flown first class before." Amy stage whispered as the flight attendant placed a tray in front of her with a knowing smile.
Amy's excitement was infectious but then Maura suddenly realized she'd never been on an airplane with Jane before. 'Well…' she thought to herself. 'We'll just have to remedy that.'
"Would you like another vodka tonic, ma'am?" The flight attendant asked as she placed Maura's tray in front of her.
Leaning back, Maura thought for a minute before answering. "How about mimosa's?" She gave Amy a sideways glance and got a squeal of delight as an answer.
"Sure thing." The flight attendant couldn't stop herself from smiling at Amy's exuberance.
"Thank you for letting me come back with you." Amy was beaming as she began to eat.
"I'm glad to have the company." Maura said and much to her surprise, she meant it. Having the young woman travel with her had been a good idea and a distraction all the same. "I am sorry that you can't stay with us…" her voice trailed off.
"No worries. The hotel I'm staying at isn't far from the clinic, so I can check on it. And…" Amy gave a sly smile. "Steve is coming this weekend. We are going to start looking for apartments and stuff." Her face was glowing with the prospect of what the future held for them.
"That's great news. I'll have my realtor get in touch with you and show you around." Maura said. Her eyes widened when their mimosas arrived in champagne flutes. She smiled at the memory of having brunch with her mother, Angela, and Jane when Angela used her expensive champagne mixed with a carton of orange juice from concentrate instead of her usual fresh squeezed. A wider smile creased her lips at the first taste and she gave a nod of approval. It was good champagne and freshly squeezed orange juice.
"That would be so helpful." Amy took her drink and giggled a little, but then she turned to Maura, a serious expression on her face. "I just want you to know how much I appreciate this opportunity, Maura. Not many people are willing to take a chance with someone fresh out of residency."
"You come highly recommended." Maura said.
"My sister doesn't count as a reference." Amy shrugged her shoulders. "But, seriously…Steve and I are both very grateful."
"Well, don't thank me yet. There's still a lot of work yet to be done."
"Oh, it's going to be great, I know it is." Amy grinned again as she held up her mimosa. "Let's make a toast. Here's to a new beginning in business, friendship, and…" she hesitated. "And to love!"
"I'll drink to that." Maura clinked her glass to Amy's. As they toasted to new beginnings, Maura's heart filled with something she hadn't felt in a long time…hope.
"Want another beer?" Frankie dropped in the empty seat next to Jane. He eyed her over the rim of his bottle of beer as he took a drink, waiting for her answer.
"Nah, I think I've had just enough so this…" Jane held up her arm before turning her hand over to expose her wrist. "And this don't hurt anymore."
Looking at Jane's wrist, wrapped in plastic wrap, Frankie laughed. "I still can't believe you got that heart in your tattoo filled in today."
"Yeah…well…" Jane ducked her head and shrugged her shoulders.
"It's about time." Frost joined them with two bottles of beer. "Here…I brought you another." He handed one to Jane.
"Alright, you twisted my arm." She took the beer from him and smiled.
"I always wondered why you waited to fill it in." Frost reached over to take Jane's hand, so he could get a better look through layers of plastic. "I like how you had it shadowed with red. Not too much…just a touch."
"What can I say? I guess I am a romantic at heart." Jane took a sip from her bottle and tried to casually pull her hand away.
"Well, here's to drinking in the afternoon…it's five o'clock somewhere." Frankie said, tipping his bottle back to take another drink.
"We're celebrating Jane's retirement." Frost held up his drink before tapping it against Janes.
"I'm not retiring." Jane pushed her hair away from her face. "Just slowing down a bit."
"I get it." Frost said with a sly grin.
"I don't." Frankie set his beer down heavily, causing it to clang against the table. "You love being a homicide detective. Why would you go and quit?" He frowned at her as he waited for an answer.
"Look Frankie, Maura and I are starting a family. I need to be home more, ya know. And I don't need to put myself in danger anymore." Jane tried to explain. Frankie huffed impatiently causing Jane to study him intently. "You have something to say?"
He eyed her skeptically before looking away. "Yes, but I'm afraid you'll get angry at me."
Jane sat back in her chair and crossed her arms defensively. "Go on, little brother, speak your piece.
For a minute he was quiet as he looked around the small bar they had ended up in after the tattoo parlor. It was dark, dank, and full of seedy characters that could start a fight at the slightest infraction. Shaking his head, he finally looked back at Jane with a sad smile. "Maura left you…" he held up a hand when Jane bristled. "Listen…" he waited for her to acknowledge his plea and when she nodded he continued. "She left you when you needed her the most. I don't understand why you would give up everything you love for her."
"Because I love her more." It was a simple answer to a not so simple question. "I suggest you listen to me carefully because I am only going to say this once." Jane gave him a stern look. "What made her leave, is between us. I made some mistakes…some huge mistakes that almost got me killed. I promised her I wouldn't put her through that again after Hoyt." Placing her right elbow on the sticky table, she rested her chin in the palm of her hand and let out a heavy sigh. "I broke that promise."
"Why won't anyone tell us what happened to you out there?" Frankie was beyond frustrated as his anger piqued. "And how was Paddy Doyle involved?"
"Calm down man." Frost tried to defuse the situation. "You know how it is on the force…some things you just can't talk about. It's best for everyone not to know specifics." He couldn't help but feel bad for Frankie, who was in the dark about everything. Even though he knew more than Frankie, there was still a lot he didn't know.
"Look who's talking." Frankie waved his hand at Frost. "You know more than I do. She's my sister for Christ's sake."
"And she's my partner. There's a lot I know about her that you don't." Frost leveled his gaze at Frankie, an unspoken challenge in his dark brown eyes.
"Okay…okay…enough of this pissing contest. I'm sitting right here." Jane pushed up from the table and looked down at them both. She was barely able to contain her anger, not only at Frankie but at the fact that even she didn't know the whole story. "Frankie, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I've got to move on. It's for the best."
"You haven't disappointed me, Jane." Frankie mumbled as he looked down at his hands.
Sitting down again, Jane reached over to touch Frankie on the arm. "Tell me what's got you so upset."
Frankie was quiet for a minute before he cleared the lump in his throat with a cough. "I just always thought we'd work homicide together. Ever since I passed the detective's test…I thought…" he looked away as tears filled his eyes.
Jane glanced at Frost who gave her an encouraging smile in return. "That would have been nice, but you and me both know it would put Ma in an early grave." She tried to joke but relented when he wiped away his tears with the back of his hand. "Come on Frankie, you know they were never going to put us together. In fact, since I turned in my resignation…there's an opening that needs to be filled."
"And apparently, I need a new partner." Frost tipped his bottle towards Jane as he lifted it to take a drink.
Frankie looked from Jane to Frost, his eyes widening as he understood what they were saying. "Really?" He asked.
"Really." Jane smiled warmly at her brother. "I talked to Cavanaugh and…well…" she shrugged her shoulders.
"I can't believe I gotta put up with another hot tempered, halfcocked Rizzoli." Frost smirked.
"Come on…" Jane reached over and gave Frost a gentle push. "You know you love the excitement."
"I suppose." He half smiled and laughed. "And, on the plus side…I'm not the rookie anymore." His half smile spread out into a full grin.
"Jane, please tell me you're happy about your decision." Frankie's voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
Jane blinked a few times, the question catching her off guard. "You know…if you'd have asked me that six months ago…I might have had a different answer but…" she looked away with a wistful expression. Turning back to Frankie, she had a huge smile on her face. "I am. I really am, Frankie. Maura and I are going to start a family and I can't wait to take that journey with her."
"You mean it, don't you?" Even though he had been skeptical at first, Frankie could see it in the way Jane's eyes lit up with excitement. But there was something else, something he couldn't quite figure out. "What aren't you telling us?" He ventured to ask.
Silence settled over them as Jane chewed on her bottom lip trying to decide if she should tell them about Valley. "Aw hell…" she let out a huff. "You know me too well."
"What? What'd I miss?" Frost sat at attention, looking between brother and sister.
"Spill it." Frankie demanded. "Or I'll go to Ma." He mock threatened.
"Alright, but I really wanted Maura to be here with us when we told you." Jane conceded.
"We're waiting…" Frost set his bottle down and eyed her suspiciously. "And, well…as we can all see…she isn't here…yet." He threw out the last word to take the sting out of his comment.
"Maura and I are adopting a little girl. Her name is Valley and she is three years old." Jane said on a rushed breath.
"What?" Frost and Frankie said at the same time.
"I'm gonna be an uncle!" Frankie pumped his fist like he had just won a championship game.
"You're both gonna be uncles." Jane smiled at Frankie then turned to Frost. Reaching out to take his hand, she waited for him to respond.
This time it was Frost's turn to be surprised and at first, he didn't know how to react. His silence and hesitation caused Jane to frown. She let go of his hand, starting to retreat but then he grabbed it and smiled. "Damn right we are!" His smile lit up his face and he squeezed Jane's hand tightly. He knew enough about what had happened to know that this little girl was Maura's niece. "I'm really happy to hear it, Jane." He gave her a knowing glance before turning his full attention to Frankie. "We are so gonna spoil this kid." His excitement was infectious, and Frankie clapped his hands together.
"Whoa there…I get to take her to her first Red Sox game." Jane pointed at Frankie and then Frost. "If you're good, maybe…I'll let you come with us."
"I can't wait. I'm gonna buy her her first Red Sox jersey." Frankie bragged.
"No way…I'm gonna get her one." Frost countered.
"Okay, okay…listen…" Frankie held up his hands to stop Frost from arguing. "I'll get the jersey, you get the hat…"
Frost thought this over for a minute then nodded his head. "I can live with that, but it has to be a rainbow hat…ya know…Pride and everything." He grinned broadly.
Jane listened quietly as her brother and Frost made plans for little Valley and she felt a slight pain of uncertainty in her chest. It had been three weeks since she had talked to Maura and even though she had signed some papers regarding their adoption process, Ryan hadn't elaborated on a timeline. She had also talked to Valley almost every day just as Maura had. Doubt tightened its hold on her and even though deep down, she knew things were going to be okay, it didn't feel okay at the moment without Maura.
'Where are you, Maura and when are you coming home?' she thought to herself as she settled back to finish her beer. This would be the last one for the day because she needed to get home and wait. Wait for Maura, wait for Valley…wait for their lives to begin again.
The minute Jane stepped through the door, she knew something was different. The air was different, the smell was different, even the taste was different, but it was so very familiar. 'Maura…' Jane thought as she hung her jacket on the hook next to the door. Something close to excitement but boarder lining fear settled in her stomach. This was it, Maura was home, but they still had unanswered questions looming over them.
For a minute, Jane stood frozen in the foyer, her legs stiff and unmoving. What if she was wrong? What if it was just her mother grabbing some of Jane's clothes for the laundry? But then her eyes fell on Maura's purse sitting on the table by the front door and then suddenly all the feeling returned to her legs. Taking several long strides towards the kitchen, she stopped when she heard the shower start upstairs and a sense of anticipation washed over her like a tidal wave.
Adjusting the sling holding her left arm and shoulder immobile, she took a deep breath to help steady her nerves. She wasn't sure she was ready to face Maura as uncertainty and hurt feelings came to the forefront of her mind. Being alone wasn't the hardest part for her, it was knowing that Maura didn't even want to talk to her during this separation that was the most painful part. But then, as if her body was independent of her over thinking brain, she found herself moving across the room. It was futile to resist the pull that Maura had on her, so she gave in and took the stairs two at a time until she found herself standing in the doorway of their bedroom.
The door to the master bath was open and Maura's suitcase lay on the bed open. Jane could hear the water running and the light hum coming from the shower stall. As she moved towards the open door, she couldn't stop herself from running her fingers over the clothes that Maura had laid out on the bed. A pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt indicated that Maura was home to stay, at least for the evening and Jane let out a relieved sigh.
When she found herself standing in the doorway, she paused, unsure of what to do next so she leaned against the door frame. With her arms crossed, she waited on bated breath for Maura to finish and finally appear before her eyes like she had hoped she would every day they were apart.
Maura knew the minute Jane stepped in the bathroom. The air had shifted with Jane's presence and Maura's heart began to beat a little faster at the anticipation of being together again. She had always had the uncanny ability to sense when Jane was near and being separated for three weeks hadn't changed that.
Taking her time, Maura washed her hair and then rinsed away the soap. She looked down and watched as the white foam and bubbles swirled around the drain before disappearing. Her guilt and uncertainty made her wish she could disappear from the penetrating gaze she knew would greet her when she stepped from the shower. But then goose bumps traveled over her skin at the thought of what that penetrating gaze did to her body, each and every time she found herself trapped by the intensity in Jane's dark brown eyes. The shiver elicited by her thoughts reminded her the water was turning cold.
With a heavy sigh, she rinsed away the rest of the soap before turning the tepid water off. For a minute, she stood motionless, dripping and wet, willing the tears not to fall but then she realized it wouldn't matter either way. She didn't need to be strong anymore and she didn't need to hide them from Jane. It was time to put everything behind them, including their mistakes.
When the water was turned off, Jane watched Maura through the foggy haze that covered the glass shower door. When Maura didn't move, she started to feel like an intruder, like her presence was unwanted. She couldn't help but wonder if she should leave but then her silent musings were interrupted when Maura finally pushed the door open.
There was no hesitation on Maura's part as she stepped from the shower, cloaked in a cloud of steam. When the steam rose and dissipated, she didn't try to cover herself. Instead, she eyed Jane with the challenge to look away.
But Jane didn't look away. Her bold gaze traveled the length of Maura's body from the bottom to the top until her eyes came to rest on hazel-green. "You're home?" It was a question she wasn't sure she wanted the answer to.
Maura nodded as she reached for the towel hanging on the hook near the shower door. She did not break eye contact as she wrapped the towel around herself. The flicker of hunger and desire in Jane's eyes gave her just enough courage not to rush.
The need to touch Maura caused Jane's hands to twitch but she was afraid if she did, she might wake up and discover she was only dreaming. So, she continued to lean against the door frame where she was safe. She was concentrating so hard on not looking as terrified as she felt that she didn't realize Maura had moved until they were standing face to face.
The touch of Maura's palm against her cheek gave Jane all the reassurances she needed to realize she wasn't dreaming. Warmth radiated from the contact of skin against skin causing her to sigh in relief. "Your home." This time it wasn't a question, but a statement.
"I am." Maura leaned closer to Jane so her lips hovered over slightly parted ones. She watched as all the tension left Jane's body at her words.
With the haze of doubt finally lifted, Jane opened her eyes again. "Hey, Beautiful…" she breathed, hoping that Maura would kiss her.
Maura closed her eyes and closed the space between them. "Hey, yourself…" she whispered against Jane's waiting lips.
The kiss was soft, gentle, and unhurried. The unspoken sorrow of being apart that passed between them was quickly replaced by apologies and hope as the kiss deepened. Jane placed the palm of her hand along the side of Maura's neck and curled her fingers in wet honey-blonde hair. It was the grand gesture they had both waited and hoped for as the barrier between fell.
"I've missed you so much." Maura's voice was breathless as she reluctantly pulled away from Jane's lips. Resting her forehead against Jane's, she let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes.
"Then why did you stay away for so long?" The question had burned in Jane's throat, begging to be asked since the moment she realized Maura was home and she couldn't stop herself from asking it.
A heavy sense of guilt washed over Maura and Jane could see it written all over her face. There was some semblance of satisfaction at the pained expression, but it was short lived when tears leaked from the corners of Maura's eyes. Using the pad of her thumb to wipe them away, Jane tried to smile but it was a sad smile filled with pain and regret.
When it was obvious the words wouldn't come to Maura, Jane offered a consolation to the question that remained unanswered. "I missed you too." She said in a horse whisper.
As silence settled over them, it was neither uneasy or too comfortable. Just being together in this moment was enough. Maura let out a contented sigh when Jane wrapped her right arm around her, pulling their bodies closer together in a much-needed hug. She rested her cheek against the soft warm skin of Jane's neck and sighed again. "We have a lot to talk about." Her voice trembled with the gravity of their situation.
"That can wait 'til later. All I want to do right now is hold you in my arms to make sure this isn't a dream." Jane nuzzled against Maura's wet hair.
"If only it were that easy." Maura grudgingly untangled herself from Jane's hold.
"Why can't it be that easy?" Jane let out an impatient huff when Maura slipped from her grip.
"When have things ever been easy between us?" Maura gave a depreciating laugh as she tried to joke. It was the look of disappointment on Jane's face that caused her to backtrack. "I'm sorry…" she hesitated. "But we're having company in about an hour."
"Can't it wait?" Jane tried to pull Maura back against her but found it difficult with only one good arm as Maura took a step back.
"No..." Maura's shoulders dropped in defeat. She knew what they both would rather be doing. "It's important." There was an urgency and plea in her voice that caused Jane to frown.
"What's more important than this? Than us?" Jane's dark eyes flashed with barely contained frustration.
"Well…there's someone you need to meet." She said as if that was explanation enough, but Jane had other ideas.
"Who could possibly be so important that I can't wait until tomorrow to meet them?" Jane pressed Maura.
Taking a deep breath, Maura steadied herself against the bathroom counter. She dropped her gaze, unable to look Jane in the eyes as the words got stuck in her throat. The last thing she wanted to do was shake the already fragile ground they stood on, but it had to be done.
When Maura's silence was the only answer to her difficult question, Jane started to panic. "You're scaring me, Maura." Jane's impatience was replaced with worry. "Who do I need to meet?" She asked even though deep down, she already knew the answer.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Maura finally found the words that struggled to break free. "The man that saved your life." She said, finally looking up to meet Jane's intent gaze.
An unspoken apology passed between them and the grim expression on Jane's face told Maura everything she needed to know. She could only hope their relationship hadn't been damaged beyond repair as she watched Jane turn and leave her alone without saying another word.