-/-

With their breakfast consumed and the apartment finally looking more like a place to live than a side street after Mardi Gras, Maura sat and watched Jane as she picked through the new mail.

“See, I’m getting good at this!” Jane grinned as she ripped open the latest piece of junk mail and scanned the document before tossing across the table for Maura to shred.

“And the phone?” Maura asked casually.

Jane looked up and shrugged. “It hasn’t rung in days.” She told her, a small frown wrinkling her brow. “Hey! Why don’t people call me?”

Maura smiled at the resentment in her tone. It was a definite improvement and tackling the days post had been entirely Jane’s suggestion.

“So, what do you want to do today?” Maura continued, her eyes flicking up to gauge the reaction to her question, there was a fleeting wash of panic in Jane’s eyes before she settled and seemed to consider the question.

“I dunno….” Her tone calm and even and surprising Maura. “What do you think?”

“I thought you might teach me some self-defence?” The nonchalance Maura had hoped for fell far short. She knew that this was a request Jane would willingly oblige but she couldn’t help but feel guilty for asking. Part of her knew that the exercise would help with the second part of her regime for the day, which is why she’d initially thought to suggest it. The guilt came from wanting Jane all hot, sweaty and with her hands all over her. She smiled at the thought, the blush that consumed her cheeks, poured quickly down her chest.

“Is that a good idea?” Jane’s words cut into her daydream and she looked up, surprise dancing on her face.

“I mean, can I do that, y’know, I did shoot myself!” Jane laughed softly.

“Oh yes, of course.” Maura had been so focused on getting Jane back in control of her anxiety that she had forgotten the reasons behind it. She paused for a moment as realisation dawned on her. “You did rip your apartment apart last night.” She reminded her. “And you don’t appear to be suffering any side effects today.”