Maura coughed and groaned as she tried to reach up to feel her lip. Her head hurt and her lip felt crusty and swollen.

“Maura?” Jane looked up at her, her eyes filled with tears.

“Jane. Oh god, Jane.” Maura studied her closely, taking in every tear stain, cut and bruise. “I’m so sorry.”

Jane smiled warmly and shook her head. “Where are we?”

Maura shrugged. “I don’t know Jane.” She started. “I went to the bakery after you left to get some of those cannoli I know you enjoy, even though the sugar content is far beyond a sensible daily intake.” Jane couldn’t help but smile, a single tear rolling down her cheek. In times of stress and fear, Maura’s default state was walking Google and, watching her deliver facts and figures about the nutritional content of her favourite pastry, Jane felt her heart fill. For so many months she’d ignored the growing sexual tension between them, pretending it was all in her head. Even Hoyt could see they were meant to be together, he only ever went after couples and now here she was, sat across from the one person in the world who understood her, who wanted her so honestly and unconditionally but had never made that first move. And now she was going to die without ever having experienced that kind of love.

“Jane?” Maura stopped. “I’m boring you?”

Jane smiled at her and shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, I just… we’ll talk about it when we get out of here.”

Maura nodded. “So, you have a plan?” she asked hopefully. Jane couldn’t wipe the smile from her face, she’d never noticed the adorable dimple Maura had; how had she been so blind?

“Do you have a brain tumour?” Maura asked suddenly.

Jane frowned. “What? No!” she shook her head “No, I mean, no. I don’t think so.”

“Do you have a headache?” Maura continued. “Feel dizzy and nauseated? You’re definitely having problems with your emotions.”

Jane rolled her eyes. “Really Maura?!”

“You could have cerebral contusion, it can cause….”

“Maura!!” Jane said firmly. “I’m fine.”

The doctor cocked her head. “Then why are you smiling?” she was clearly confused by Jane’s reaction. “That’s not the appropriate response to our situation.”