Jane threw the wrapping onto the floor next to her, pausing only to roll her eyes as Maura swooped down and collected it. In her hands she held a deep crimson box, the words; ‘For Jane’ etched into the top. She ran her fingers over the engraving and was surprised to see them tremble. Whatever this box contained, it was clear that Maura had put a lot of thought into it and she prayed that she would like it.

The silence was deafening as Jane lifted the lid.

“I hope you like it.” Maura began before Jane had really taken in what she was looking at. “It’s hand-made from the finest cowhide and lined with resin bonded suede. All hand stitched with the finest quality threads.” The words fell from her lips, anything so that she couldn’t hear the disappointment in Jane’s voice.

Jane reached in and pulled the gun holster from the box. She turned it over in her hands and smiled. She never realised that something so simple, so necessary for her life, could be so beautiful.

“It’s hand moulded around your own service weapon.” Maura continued her word vomit, “so that you get a precise lock for your own weapon.”

Silence once again filled the air and Jane eventually looked up with tears stinging the corners of her eyes. She got to her feet and crossed to stand before her friend. “It’s beautiful.” She whispered, drawing Maura into a fierce bear hug and knocking the wind out of her. “I love it.”

As they pulled apart, Maura couldn’t suppress the grin that danced in her eyes as well as across her lips. “You like it, really because I can change it for something you’d really want but I did notice your old one was getting rather shabby.”

“Maura!” Jane couldn’t help but bite. When it mattered, when she was face to face with her father, Maura could be so courageous, so self-confident but standing her, in Jane’s apartment she seemed to doubt herself more than ever before. She wished her friend would trust in her own instincts.

“It’s perfect.” Jane’s eyes fixed Maura in place, the warmth and love she felt for her friend pouring from every pore. “Thank you.”