All the night was terrifying, the search for Jane and Paul took a lot of hours and frightened everybody to death... Luckily it`s over and the BPD can work again as normal. The ME is tired, sleepy, but determined to handle all the work as usual.

In the afternoon, Nina came to her office for the folder of the actual case. Maura likes this new team member, she`s very kind. Some year ago the blonde would not dare to start a not-work-related conversation, but now, she`s a different person, thanks to Det. Rizzoli.

A little nervous, she bites her lips: "And you are from Chicago, right?"

Nina nods: "Born and raced."

"So how you ended up here?"

"It`s a long story." Nina`s face freezes.

"Are you OK? I didn't mean to upset you."

Nina takes a breath: "No, it`s not you. It`s a 14 years old boy who killed my boyfriend to get into the gang."

Oh, Maura did not expected this: "I`m sorry. Is that why you have left Chicago PD?"

"I couldn't protect the person I loved the most."

"I`m really sorry that I brought it up."

"No, I`m glad you asked. It`s kind of strange not having anyone around who knew."

Maura nods in understanding and comes close to hug her a little.

"Beside I think you know the feeling - Det. Rizzoli scared everybody. I`m glad it ended so well."

Maura agrees: "Yes, you are right, it was pretty nightmarish. But still, I would not dare to compare it to the loss of your boyfriend."

"I didn't mean to insult you, just I think you and Det. Rizzoli are very close. I hope I can say loud that the first weeks I thought you were a couple."

This surprise Maura: "Oh, I see. We are best friends. And beside Jane is straight."

Nina looks at the doctor curiously: "JANE is straight?"

Maura - nervously - nods: "Yes, she is."

"Does it means you are not, doctor? I`m sorry if it`s too person question, but-"

"No, Nina, it`s OK. I see I speak with a detective." She adds in amusement. "No, I`m not straight, but I`d like to keep this information private, you are the only one who knows it here - in BPD."

"Do I get it right? You are in love with Det. Rizzoli, but she doesn't even know you are bi-sexual?" She raises an eyebrow.

Maura swallows hard: "Yes, this is correct resume of my situation."

Nina cannot help it and hugs Maura tough.

"Don't be afraid, doctor, It`s safe with me. And, yeah, I`m sorry that I brought it up."

Maura smiles: "No, I`m glad you asked. It`s kind of strange not having anyone around who knew." Somehow it`s a load off her mind...


Nina is a good friend, she stays quiet about the ME`s secret of course, but it doesn't prevent her from testing the water. Don't forget that she used to be a very good detective, she`s sure she could find some evidence that Det. Rizzoli is not so straight as she tries to look like.

She was already able to track all Jane`s school female friends - to find out that two of them are openly gay now. And she managed also to find & hack into Jane`s old profile on chat server. But all these leads were just presumptive.

She tried to ask - discreetly - Korsak, he knows Jane since a long time. But he could just confirm her suspicion - yes, people often think she is a cop-dyke and she is hypersensitive to this topic. But also yes - her friendship with Dr. Isles seems to be very close.

Maybe it`s the right time for a coffee break and little chat with Mrs. Rizzoli, Jane`s mother...

She managed to be very discreet. At least it`s what she thought - before Det. Rizzoli came to her with a serious face: "Will you do me a favor?"

"Sure, detective."

"Please, come with me." Jane takes them to an empty interrogation room and once she close the door she looks directly into Nina`s eyes: "Is there any problem? And please don't tell me you don't know what I am speaking about!"

"What exactly are you speaking about, detective?" Nina tries to sound easy.

"I saw you speak with my ma and I know you watch me closely last weeks."

Nina blushes a little but stays quiet.

"This is your only chance to explain me, otherwise I`ll report you for stalking."

Nina understand it`s more serious that she expected: "OK. Look, I am sorry, I did not want to upset you. I`ll keep myself back, promised."

"Thank you, but this doesn't answer my question: why?"

Nina take a breath, bites her lip: "I have a friend who, uh, likes you. I was trying to see what, uh, her chances are."

Jane is taken aback. "Her chances?"

"I`m sorry, I really didn't mean to upset you."

"You could just ask me directly, you know? Instead of trying to get information from my ma. And I would tell you that I am not ready for dating." Jane forces a little smile: "So are we good now?"

"Yes, detective." But before Nina can add anything else Jane leaves the room.


Jane was thinking about Nina`s comment all the afternoon. Of course she is aware about the dyke jokes on her person, but this is new - never any woman wanted to really date with her... Anyway what she said was right - she is not ready for dating. She realized that some time ago and since then she feels better. Nobody can give her what she wants. And she wants - do I really need to say it loud? - Yeah, she wants Maura.

In the evening Jane - drinking a beer on Maura`s couch, watching some colorful documentary on skin diseases - brings this up: "Maura?"

"Yes?"

"Imagine what happened to me today. I was invited to a date - with a woman!"

This definitely engaged Maura`s attention. "Have you accepted?"

"Maur! No! What the - I thought you know me." But slowly she calms down and adds: "Would YOU accept?"

"It depends - who is this woman?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"It`s Nina`s friend - she was, uh, Nina was acting weird lately and it was quite uncomfortable so I asked what`s going on and she told me she was trying to see if her friend - female friend - had any chance with me. I know it sounds like a high school, but -"

Maura swallows hard: "Nina`s friend?"

"Yeah, weird, right? Maybe I should have ask if I know her friend. I hate blind date. Maybe it`s even Nina, who knows?"

Maura, trying to keep her countenance, asks slowly: "So is there any woman you know that would have her chance with you?"

Jane needs to admit she did not expect this question. But she decides to play it cool and looks in these beautiful green eyes: "Yes. You. But as you are straight this conversation is quite irrelevant."

If Maura managed to handle her feelings till now, she fails now completely, blushes and starts to breathe deeply: "I never said I am straight."

"Oh." It`s all Jane is able to say.

"Uh, so, were you serious? Because if yes, I`d be, uh, you know, uh, interested in a date with you." Maura puts all her eggs in one basket.

Jane cannot believe it. Is this really happening? She watches Maura`s lips, nods slowly and smiles: "What are you doing tomorrow evening, Miss Isles?" She raises her eyebrow and adds: "May I invite you to a dinner?"

Maura leans and kisses Jane softly on her lips. These 3 seconds seems to stop the time – our two women in love stay close, looking at each other, wondering what kind of miracle is just now happening... and the blonde smiles tender: "Take it as yes, Miss Rizzoli."

And this time it`s the brunette who went for a kiss...

-end-