Jane had tried, that was what she told herself. She started coming home from work in time for dinner, bringing Maura flowers and chocolates and trying to make conversation. Maura on the other hand, had her new life; she was secure in her job and her friendships and had grown used to life without Jane in it. After all, loneliness was what she knew best.
She’d go out, regardless of whether or not Jane was home, didn’t invite her or tell her when she’d be back and Jane couldn’t help but think there was more going on than casual friendships. She’d come home at lunchtime one day after an accident at work, the workmen who had been replacing some drywall had left their materials laying around and when the fire alarm went off, the drywall had been knocked onto Jane and Frost. After being checked out by paramedics, Jane was given the all clear and even though her head, neck and throat hurt, she was fine. Maura spotted the bruising quickly and Jane had tried to explain but Maura assumed the bruising was the result of some affair she was having. Even now, Jane couldn’t believe that Maura would think she would do that. Hell, she couldn’t believe that Maura would just jump to a random conclusion. It was the final shove Jane had needed to prove how much they’d both changed.

Shaking herself from an impending depression, Jane got to her feet and paused. Where were Maura’s bags? She looked around the room, pulling open the closet door only to find it empty. Slumping to the ground, Jane held her head in her hands and cried softly.

-/-

The cool ocean breeze washed over Maura. No matter how hard she’d tried, she couldn’t fight the pang of guilt. It wasn’t just her actions that day that ate away at her, it was everything. The past year had been hellish and it all came to a head the week before she’d booked this trip.

Jane had been coming home early, bringing her flowers, chocolates, expensive wine. She’d clearly been making an effort to try and rebuild the shambles that had become their relationship and Maura had thrown it all back at her. One evening, Jane had come home with what Maura was certain was a hickey. She left, went to see her friends and tell them about her new heartbreak.