Although Jane was hoping to sneak out for her flight, Maura was such a light sleeper that it didn't end up that way. As her phone alarm started to sound, Jane rushed to turn it off. It was 5am. She had a 8am flight and had planned to be at the airport with plenty of time to spare. She sat up in bed and with that movement, Maura started to stir.

"Jane are you really set on me not seeing you off at the airport?" Maura murmured as her eyes tried to focus on her friend. She flicked on the nightstand light so that Jane wouldn't have to ask.

"Ya Maur, I only set up reservations with the cab for one. Do you really want me to make a scene in the airport crying my eyes out as you slip away from my view from the security lines?" the brunette hoarsely responded, her voice still crackly from sleep, half joking.

Maura snorted, "We both know I'd be the one with my heart on the sleeve Jane. At most you'd joke and reassure me that this isn't the end. However, we both know it is an end. One that we had no choice but to march to."

"Maur, this is already hard. You know I can't do ooey-gooey, and honestly I'll probably miss you more than you will miss me. You'll be living in your sophisticated country, with amazing atmosphere, following a dream. I'm just starting a new job, leaving my own dream." Jane whispered the last part, gathering the last parts of what she needed to head to the bathroom. Maura still heard it and shook her head trying to clear it. Jane had made the choice to leave before she chose to follow her writing dream. BPD would not be the same without Jane, and she didn't want to have to be there to be constantly reminded. That was the main reason and catalyst to pursue writing, she loved being a medical examiner, but it would be too sad to be reminded daily how it used to be.

Maura started to sit up to watch Jane get ready. Jane had all her luggage packed and so she was going to take a quick shower and write a small letter to the blonde. Jane's easiest way to deal with her feelings usually involved not being around for the feelings to be displayed. A bit disappointed that she wouldn't be able to write that letter she decided to make it a point to write one once she was in DC.

"I'll be in the shower. Don't you try any funny business." the former detective closed the distance to the doctor and punched her softly on the shoulder. "Go back to sleep. I'll give you a hug and tuck you in before I leave if you promise to not cry."

"I promise." Maura smirked. Jane wasn't going to let her come to the airport and she was as stubborn as a mule. She would have to settle for a meaningful goodbye from her hotel room. She shifted across the bed stretching and groaning as she heard the shower start to run. Within five minutes Jane was already out of the shower and moving around drying her hair and brushing her teeth. Maura was always amazed at how effortlessly Jane looked gorgeous and was proud to be her best friend because of her amazing presence and caring personality. She was a hot head, but the best kind.

Coming out of the bathroom Jane gathered up her gear and rounded toward the hotel door. She left the luggage near the door and turned back to the bed. Her stomach was in knots and with a heavy sigh she took a look at Maura staring up at her. Maura pitying Jane, she decided to play along.

"Well Mother, I'm a big girl and I'm not crying, so can I get that hug now?" The blonde made eye contact staring from the bed to her best friend all dressed and on her way out. She reached out her hands comically like a child to keep the scene light for her already sad best friend.

"Maur, don't remind me about my mom. Gross. please- you know me. " Jane pulled the covers over Maura's torso and sat on the bed to give her the longest and most meaningful hug she could give. "I'll always be there for you and I'll facetime you every day I'm sure. We will always be ok." the taller woman spoke into the shorter woman's ears. With that Jane stood up and with one look back and they both shared one last meaningful look before she left the room. As the door shut Maura, stared at the door unsure how she felt, but she knew she wouldn't be going back to sleep. A strangled cry hit her chest and she let the tears fall. Meanwhile in the cab, Jane did the same.

Jane pushed through the plane looking for her seat. The airport check in and security lines were certainly a bear. Now she was past all that chaos and would have her long flight back to DC. She'd be getting in late at night, once she lands it would be straight to FBI temporary lodging till she finds an apartment. She probably should have figured this all out before she came, but a trip with her best friend seemed like the more appealing way to make use of her time.

Maura had wanted to get her checklist of transition and moving for her and it just seemed so overwhelming. She would handle it like everything else she did. Cameron would likely help once she got there. She wasn't really sure how she felt about Cameron. He wasn't the reason she made this choice. This was just something she had to do. Everyone around her was changing and she felt stagnant, like everyone else was finding a way to grow, and it felt like she was being left behind.

Not only that- she felt a little disconnected from her best friend before they left to Paris. Maura had been married. She never talked about it or even mentioned it. Not only was it disheartening due to it being such a big thing that she didn't know about her - it also further served to make Jane feel even more behind in her life than she already was. At least Maura had at one point gotten married. Jane only had a failed engagement with Casey. Maura was such a harlequin romance novel heroine with her mob father, gunshot wedding, and now she was aiming to be a published author.

Her mind floated back to their walk back from the Eiffel tower one night.

The views were beautiful from up high. It was breathtaking and she was so happy to be able to share it with her best friend. While up there they kept looking around pointing out all the interesting landmarks. People watching and scenic views were Jane's favorite past times. She stared at her friend and every time she did they both had the biggest smiles all the way to their eyes. She couldn't believe she was here and she couldn't imagine enjoying it more than to do this with Maura who was well versed in all things Paris.

They had decided to walk along the Seine river to get to the aquarium they saw from the top before leaving, in case they wanted to come back tomorrow for it the next day. A month in France would afford a lot of opportunities for return. Maura had insisted they walk across what she called the "Pont d'lena". Her mind's French accent was just as bad as her voiced Boston accent.

As they walked, Jane dug further into insecurity of her friends marriage that was a forgotten secret. "So... newly divorced and I haven't even married. You got me beat." Jane quipped.

"Jane you shouldn't be seeing that as a milestone, I merely had a lapse in judgement with the joie de vivre of my youth. I immediately recognized the mistake and tried to annul it. I hardly find it even remotely a proud moment of my life." Maura sighed heavily as Jane marveled at her perfect french accent. "Look around us Jane its beautiful and peaceful tonight, us walking along like these couples, only difference is we aren't a couple. It's almost like we are on a date." She smirked at her Italian friend hoping to get a rise out of her and to change the subject. Instead Jane walked closer and shoved her in the shoulder.

"Aww Maur, i didn't think I was your type." The curly haired woman chuckled as they continued walking paying attention to the surroundings instead of her insecurities.

Cameron had asked her out and he was definitely a welcomed distraction. They had a lot in common and he also offered her something, a quick way out of Boston. A quick way to force herself into growth. Now that the time was here she welcomed the change. Maybe this would be her way forward, maybe it wasn't. All she could do was try.