“Hello.” Maura’s reply was soft, calm.

“Would you like an extra towel for your hair?” she asked.

Maura shook her head and accepted the offer bath towel.

“If you’d like to follow me, I’ll show you to the changing room.” The brunette smiled warmly at her, her eyes wandering over the doctor’s full figure.

-/-

Jane had found herself surrounded quickly by couples; every event seemed full of people gazing lovingly into their partners eyes and it was annoying. Had she ever been like that? She was sure she had been but she couldn’t recall it being that irritating. Before everything, she remembered looking wistfully at Maura, wishing that there could be more but accepting their friendship with open arms. She would be anything and everything that Maura had ever wanted.

Tiring quickly of the love sick looks and overwhelming sense of adoration in the air, Jane had returned to the cabin. She had paused outside the spa area, considering joining Maura in the sauna before shaking her head. She knew she’d be bored, sitting around in a hot box. Boredom on Jane equally fidgeting and complaining both of which annoyed Maura and would ruin the newfound peace that had settled precariously around them.

On the cabins balcony, Jane sat, the crisp air and ocean spray freezing her face. The night had been going so well. They’d deliberately avoided all discussion of work or home. She loved the doctor, of that much she was sure and yet, over the past year they had grown so far apart she wondered if there was anything of their relationship worth saving. The person Maura had become was so far from the loving and understanding woman she had fallen for and Jane couldn’t help but think her darkness and temper had somehow infused itself into the other woman.

A seagull had taken up roost on the neighbouring balcony and watched her cautiously. Feeling sorry for the bird, she broke up a roll and tossed bits of it in its general direction. The poor gull leapt up and started squawking at her.

“Fine, you have a go at me!” Jane whispered, her throat tight with tears as she thought of all she was so perilously close to losing.