Maura Isles: The Doc is Clueless Chapter 2

Jane was sitting at her desk looking over at her notes when Maura and Frost got back from lunch. She heard that familiar laugh of Maura and looked to see, if somehow, Maura would meet her gaze. But Maura didn't even look her way. She only heard the faded clicking of her heels and she felt even worse than she did when Maura told her they needed space.

It was almost the end of the day when she heard her phone vibrate. There was a message from Maura.

"I have the preliminary results for you."

She sent Maura a message.

"I'll be over right now. Thank you."

"Hey, Maura."

"My preliminary findings are that he was stabbed with an instrument about 6 inches to one foot long. He was stabbed multiple times. I was correct in my assumption that he was tied up but he was first hit with a hard object on the back of his neck. It looks to me that he was tortured. He was stabbed in places where he would not bleed so much. A lot of these wounds were over 12 hours before his body was found. He bled to death slowly."

"Do you have any idea besides how long the weapon used what type it was?"

"I don't guess, remember?

"I know. I'm sorry I didn't mean for you to guess, Maura."

"You could go back to the crime scene and see if, maybe, the killer left his weapon somewhere."

"We combed the whole area and we didn't find any weapon."

"That's all I have for now, Detective, I will have more tomorrow and have a better idea of the weapon. It's getting late and I have to go."

"Maura, do you maybe want to…"

"I'm tired Jane and I just don't have the energy to argue with you. I said we needed space."

"Okay."

The next few days seemed like a blur to Jane. She and Maura have not spoken yet except when the conversation was about the case. She spent most of her evenings either at her desk or at the bar drinking by herself. Both Frost and Korsak knew best just to leave her alone.

She saw Frost and Maura come back again from lunch, which they have been doing a lot lately. She wondered what's going on with them. She also spotted them drinking beer after work the other night but chose not to say anything to Frost. She knew that Frost had a crush on Maura. It was obvious to everyone but Maura.

It was killing her to see Maura having a good time without her. It feels like she was losing her best friend the more time she gave Maura. Maura isn't the easiest to read although her emotions and reactions are transparent, one would never know what she's thinking. She was like a puzzle and right now, she wishes she could read the woman's thoughts.

She shook her head and tried to rid of any thoughts of Maura.

They finally closed the case. And the gang wanted to celebrate.

Jane looked around to find Korsak, Frost and Crowe at the darts corner of the bar. She was about to sit at her usually booth when she spotted Maura with them playing darts.

She walked over to them and watched Maura raise both her arms as she hit bull's eye.

Frost spotted her sitting and made his way over to her.

"Hey Jane. When did you get here?"

"Not too long ago. I see Maura is kicking you guys' asses."

"You know her, there seems to be nothing that she isn't good at." Frost noticed the beaming in his eyes. "Boy, Frost is in trouble. He is totally whipped." Jane thought.

"So, Barry what's going on with you and Maura?"

"What do you mean, what's going on between me and Maura?"

"Barry, I am not blind. I know you like Maura, a lot."

"I don't know what you are talking about Jane."

"Barry, I'm not the only one who has noticed that you and Maura have been spending a lot of time together."

"Jane, Maura is a very intriguing person. She knows so much. I don't think there's ever a dull moment with her."

"That she is for sure. But you still haven't answered my question."

"Jane, there's nothing going on between me and Maura."

"You want there to be, am i right?"

"I don't know, Jane."

"Barry, don't lie to me."

"I like her alot, Jane. Alot more than I should. She's you know..."

"Intriguing. i get it."

"Beautiful."

"So are you ever going to tell her?"

"I don't know. Maybe, it's better that she doesn't know how I feel. This way i can still be close to her."

Frost studied his partner's face. He detected a sadness in her eyes. A sadness that has been there for over a week. He never understood the closeness between them because they were like day and night. Oil and water.

"Jane, I hope you know that she's hurting too."

"What do you mean?"

"This thing, what happened between you and her, it's been really tough on her. It's not just you. She told me that it killed her when she told you that you both needed space. Jane, Maura doesn't have a lot of people in her life. She values you. She really values your friendship."

Jane nodded and continued to drink her beer. She was about to signal for another beer when she noticed that the seat earlier occupied by Frost, is now occupied by Maura.

"Hey."

"Hey."

She watched Maura signal the bar tender to bring 2 beers to their table. She smiled and for the first time in more than a week, Maura returned her smile.

It felt so good to see Maura, her best friend, smile at her again.

"Maura…"

"Jane can we just relax and enjoy the night? We can talk tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Good."

"Maura…"

"Hmmm."

"I have really missed you."

"I've missed you too, Jane."

Jane felt the weight leave her shoulders. She knows that she has a lot of explaining to do tomorrow but for now, she's content to have her best friend sitting next to her.