Yellow Ledbetter

Choke

TW: Brief domestic violence

***

Although she found it quite annoying, Jane secretly liked these therapy sessions. There was something there she felt was working.

Yet, there was still something off.

While she didn't know what it was, she had a feeling that Maura knew what it was. Maura knew that Jane was a ticking time bomb. So much so, that she duct taped the overhead ceiling fan switch to avoid any triggers.

Yawning, Jane slid into bed after coming back from the kitchen. She went to snuggle up with Maura when she felt really hot. She looked at the ceiling fan, the string to pull wasn't too far.

Maybe if it was on for a few minutes, she'd be okay.

Or so she thought.

The air from the fan felt wonderful as she was able to slowly drift to sleep.

Maura's eyes snapped open as she felt her airway close. She tried to fight whatever was choking her. She let out some mangled scream, causing Tony to rush in, followed closely by Kate and Brady.

Maura felt the pressure lift from her neck as she rolled off the bed and onto her knees. Coughing, she looked up, "Brady, turn the fan off."

Brady did so as Kate helped her up. She went around the bed and saw Tony holding down Jane.

"Tony!" Maura went to pull him off when Jane stopped thrashing. She looked up at Tony, "Get the fuck off me." Tony stood up and backed away from his mother.

Jane slowly got up, "What happened?" No one answered. She looked over at Maura, who was holding her neck.

"Maura, are you okay?" Jane took a step towards her, causing her to back up. "No. No! Stay back." Maura yelled, horsley, "Kids, go pack a bag. Now!"

The triplets ran off.

"I'm taking them and we're going to a hotel tonight." Maura said as she started to shuffle around and throw some clothes in a bag.

"Aren't you overreacting? I don't know what happened, but I can go sleep on the couch and you just get back into bed." Jane cautiously approached Maura.

"No! Jane," Maura sighs, "I love you, but you attacked me-" "I did what?" "And," Maura raised her voice, "I don't feel safe around you right now."

"Maura..." Jane whispered as Maura pushed past her, "Maura!"

"Kids, to the car now!" Maura yelled as she marched down the stairs. "Maura, wait!" Jane yelled as she followed them outside.

"Get in the car." Maura said, almost pushing Tony into the car.

"Maura, please, tell me what happened?! Just talk to me." Jane said as Maura opened the car door.

"You're right." Maura sighed, "I might be overreacting, but I've seen enough cases where the first time is one time too many. Right now, I'm doing what I think is right. I'll call you when I feel safe again."

With that, she slammed the door, started the car and flew out of the driveway.

"Wait!" Jane tried to run after her wife and kids, but stopped shortly after she felt her heart rate skyrocket. She stood in the middle of the street, trying to get her heart rate under control as the thunder began to roll through the quiet neighborhood.

***

I apologize for the short chapter and late update. I struggled with writing this chapter and wrote it around five or six times before I could get it the way I kinda liked it.

Once again, sorry for the short chapter!