“I don’t believe so.” Maura paused, playing back any event that could lead her to the conclusion she wanted. “I just don’t know what to do.” She admitted finally.

Lou seemed to pause, meeting the wet hazel eyes of the woman before her and holding her gaze longer than felt comfortable. “Wanna know what I’d do?” Maura nodded. An impartial opinion couldn’t hurt.

“If she’s that good a friend, she’s gonna love you no matter what, right?” Lou tipped yet more sugar into her drink and stirred it slowly. “The only question you need to ask…” she paused, almost as if providing dramatic effect and sending Maura to the edge of her seat.

“What is the question?” Maura’s usual saint like patience abandoned her.

Lou smiled thoughtfully as she took a long drink. “Could you live knowing you might have let the best thing in your life walk away because you were too scared to take a risk?”

“Lou!” a voice snapped both women from the question that fell to the table between them and Lou turned.

“That’s my friend.” She smiled sadly. “I should go.” The younger woman uncurled herself from the chair and tossed her cup into the trashcan.

“Lou?” she stopped, waiting. “Thank you for your advice.”

“You’re real welcome.” Lou beamed at her, “Good luck with your friend. Invite me to the wedding ok?” she laughed warmly as she trotted towards her friend and out of Maura’s life forever.

Draining the rest of her coffee, Maura glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost 10am. Collecting herself, she got to her feet and threw the empty container in the bin. ‘I’m coming Jane Rizzoli’ she thought, ‘I hope you’re ready.’

-/-

“I got you a hideously over sugared confection.” Maura called as she pushed open Jane’s front door and tripped instantly over a large box. “Are we doing an assault course today?”

Jane appeared from the bedroom, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

“Maura?” she seemed surprised to see the doctor, despite having made the arrangements herself. “Ooh, what’d ya get me?” she danced around the doctor; if she was feeling awkward about the previous day’s events, she was hiding well.