[This takes place not long after the last two entries, while Stephens is still healing from his injury sustained during the MCU explosion.]

"Jeff." Mary Jane Stephens looked surprised as she answered the door. "What--what're you doing here?" She was focused on his face, which was tired and a bit worried-looking, and didn't immediately see the bandage on his neck.

"I was in the neighborhood," he lied, his voice almost a question. "It's just -- it's been crazy here lately and I wanted to make sure you were okay..."

She pulled open the screen door. "Of course I'm okay. I don't traipse around chasing crimin--" Mary Jane stopped short at the sight of the big bandage covering her ex-husband's neck. "--oh, my God, what happened?"

"Cut myself shaving," he said flatly. "Are you going to let me come in?"

"Shaving?" Her voice grew angry at the flippant remark. "You know, I heard on the radio that there was an explosion at Major Crimes. They said the cops were all accounted for but that one had to go to the hospital for stab wounds--" She covered her mouth with a hand. "That was you."

"So it was," he said. "Can I come in already? It's not getting any warmer out here."

She let him in only because of the wound on his neck and her curiosity.

"You--what happened?" she asked as she led the way into the house.

Stephens took note of it as they walked in. It looked the same as it always had, even from back when he'd last lived there, over ten years ago.
"Son-of-a-bitch grabbed a piece of broken mirror," he said, like it was nothing. "It happened, I'm fine."
"He cut your throat." Mary Jane faced him, standing closer than she meant, arms crossed. "You could've--"
"But I didn't." He looked back at her.

"You're never going to stop, are you?" she asked, tears unexpectedly coming to her eyes.
"What?" He was taken a bit off guard himself.
"Running around like you're invincible, chasing the scum of the City for long hours and minimal pay." She shook her head. "You're going to die out there, gunned down or stabbed by some hoodlum and we'll hear about it on the evening news."

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and put a cautious hand on her arm. "Mary Jane..."
"Is it worth it?" She looked him in the eyes.

Stephens swallowed, but didn't answer. For once there was no accusation or anger in his ex-wife's tone - just - a mix of defeat and curiosity. He broke her gaze and looked down.

"Jay's coming home for Christmas break tomorrow," she finally said, changing the subject quickly.

"He told me," Stephens gave a small nod. "Said he'd see me on my day off, and then on Christmas Eve...He wasn't sure what you two were doing on Christmas Day on account of your mom..."

Mary Jane nodded. "We're just going to do a quiet dinner here, not too many people. She's--not up--to having it at her place."

It was his turn to nod. After a moment, he scratched the back of his neck and started for the door. "Anyway...like I said...I just wanted to see that you were okay."

"I'm just fine," she said, mimicking his words and tone.
"All right, then," he said, hand on the doorknob.

"Jeff?" Her voice was quick.
He turned slightly. "Yeah?"
"You could come by if you wanted--on Christmas. If you don't have anything planned."

"Oh, uh, sure. I'll see," he said, and then hurriedly left.