“I.. I… I’m sorry.” Jason felt his cheeks flush bright red and he hung his head.

“It’s a perfectly natural reaction.” Maura began, “Men are drawn to women who can…”

“Not now Doctor.” Jane raised an eyebrow and Maura fell silent. “What time did you say you got in?” Jane returned her attention to Jason who was picking at a thread on his jeans.

“I didn’t go out once I got in from school.” Jason told her solemnly. He felt like he was in the principal’s office, except that the principal was a rattle snake who’d found its own Jessica Rabbit to distract him.

“I got up, went to school, failed Chem. and then stayed in my room.” He explained again. He couldn’t meet Jane’s steely stare as the tears formed in his eyes. A small sob shook his shoulders and he fought to control it. Jane cleared her throat and he looked up, but only as far as Maura.

“Would you like a tissue?” she asked seeing the tears in his eyes.

Jason nodded before dropping is gaze to the carpet.

Jane waited. She knew he was on the verge of saying something, he just needed the time. She watched as he took the tissue Maura offered him and blew his nose noisily. Still he couldn’t meet her gaze.

“Jason?” Maura smiled up at the young man. “Are you ok?”

Jason looked between the two women. The warm hazel eyes of the doctor sat in front of him and the cold penetrating stare of the detective.

“I didn’t meant to hurt him.” He blurted out suddenly.

Jane’s eyes softened and she walked slowly around the back of the sofa he was sitting on to stand between him and the door. If he was going to make a run for it, she would be ready.

“He wasn’t even supposed to know I’d gone.” Tears choked his voice and he wiped at his face with his sleeve. Jane glanced at Maura; she could almost hear her internal dialogue; ‘boogerbacteriosis’ or something equally as revolting sounding she’d be thinking.

“What happened?” Maura asked him softly, handing him the remaining tissues from the pack in her purse.