Towards Maura's POV. Thoughts/dreams are in italics.

Chapter 1

"Dear Lord, Maura! How many clothes did you buy?!" Jane staggered her way into Maura's living room buried under nearly a dozen shopping bags bearing the names of designers the detective wouldn't even attempt to pronounce. "When I said I'd come over early to help you bring in some bags, I didn't think I'd be moving an entire mall into your closet."

"You don't have to take them into my closet, just the living room, Jane," chuckled the honey blonde as she followed behind Jane, shutting the front door. "All the new summer lines are out now and I had to get them before they sold out. Plus I needed some fresh air."

Jane rolled her eyes and she dumped the bags unceremoniously next to the couch, eliciting a sigh of disapproval from the medical examiner. "But Maura, did you really have to buy all of the summer lines? The clothes you have now are fine and it's not like your closet is getting any bigger. I swear it's already the same size as my apartment," Jane groaned as she removed her sneakers before flopping down onto Maura's couch and propping her feet up onto the coffee table.

Ever since Maura's surgery to donate her kidney, the doctor had been spending her recovery time partaking in some retail therapy—at first online, but more recently venturing out to the boutiques with a grumbling detective by her side. On this particular Saturday, Maura had felt much stronger and since it was Jane's first day off in nearly two weeks, felt that she would be able to manage without the detective and allow the brunette to sleep in for once. However, upon pulling into her driveway, Maura had been hit by a sudden wave of exhaustion. It was at that point that she decided to invite her best friend over slightly earlier than planned.

"Jane my closet is hardly that large. But I will admit it has been getting a little too full lately. The other day I found a wrinkle in one of my Valentino dresses caused by the force that my other dresses were exerting upon that particular side, and the friction which caused the fabric to bunch up when…"

"Okay Dr. Smartypants," interrupted Jane. "No need to go into the physics that exist in your closet. Can you just come sit down before you collapse and enjoy our day off? You're making me nervous." Jane patted the cushion next to her as she picked up the remote and switched on the plasma TV. Instantly the crack of a bat echoed off of the living room walls and the air was filled with the roar of a crowd as the brunette settled on a Red Sox game.

Maura busied herself pouring two glasses of water and smiled as she heard Jane making herself at home. As someone who had spent the majority of her life alone, it pleased the ME to know that she had found a friendship where both parties felt comfortable enough in each other's home. "I hardly think that I will collapse, Jane. Although, the removal of a kidney does affect the body's renal function and can cause fatigue, it does not usually lead to bouts of syncope," said Maura as she made her way over to the couch where the detective had sprawled out, her long limbs hanging off the edge and onto the table and her thick, raven-colored locks fanning out onto the arm of the couch. Slipping out of her heels, the honey blonde gently sat between the back of the couch and Jane's left leg, tucking her feet beneath her and handing Jane one of the waters.

Maura took a moment to admire the view of her best friend as she got settled. She even makes lounging on a couch in sweats look sexy. Maura froze as the thought struck her. Did I really think of my best friend as sexy? Is that normal? The doctor shook her head to clear her thoughts before she continued, "I only thought that since you were already coming over for movie night, I would invite you over sooner so you could watch the end of your match before the movie."

"Game, Maura. It's a baseball game, not a match. And I'm sure you simply forgot about the mountain of bags you needed carried in when you called me over early," Jane grinned as she gently nudged the doctor with her elbow.

"I didn't forget Jane, I might have just merely neglected to mention that fact," said Maura as she returned Jane's grin with a smirk of her own.

"Uh-huh. Just give me a little warning next time so I make sure that you can bribe me with beer. And maybe a pizza. And a movie of my choice."

"Well, I believe you still have some beer in the fridge, there are take-out menus on the counter, and it's your turn to pick the movie anyway. Any more requests, Detective?" Jane raised an eyebrow as the honey blonde sipped from her glass with a glint of amusement in her eyes. The pair held their gazes for a moment before breaking out into fits of deep, belly-filled laughter. Eventually, giggles began to replace the sounds as they wiped tears from their eyes.

Jane was the first to be able to speak again despite still gasping for breath. "Jeez Maur, I think you've been hanging around me too much. You're sarcasm is improving."

"I don't… know… what you mean…" replied Maura in between gasps of her own. Getting her breathing under control, the medical examiner placed her now empty glass on the table and pushed Jane's sock-clad feet to the floor. "Since it's your pick tonight anyway, why don't you go ahead and put the movie in the player."

"You know what Maur? I'm too tired from being your pack-mule today. I'll let you pick this time as long as I can just lay here." Jane lay back into the sofa, snuggling her way deeper into the plush cushions and crossing her arms over her chest while closing her eyes.

Maura gaze roamed over the detective's lanky frame, pausing to admire the way the brunette's abs rippled under her tank as she shifted positions. Her eyes drifted upwards to where the swell of Jane's breasts was made more visible by the pressure of her crossed arms. Maura subconsciously licked her lips as she leant over the dozing detective to grab the remote. Can she be any more gorgeous? She doesn't even seem to know how perfect she is. As her fingers brushed over the remote, the doctor caught the scent of Jane's shampoo. The smell of vanilla and lavender invaded her senses and she found herself battling the urge to lean just a little further and bury her nose into the brunette's thick curls. Maura imagined the scent of Jane enveloping her as she peppered kisses along a long, olive colored neck. A throb slowly started to build between her legs and her breathing began to increase as the honey blonde's thoughts drifted beyond the bounds of friendship.

"Uh… Maur?" Jane's rasp broke Maura from her reverie causing her to jump slightly as she removed herself from above the detective. "Are you okay?"

The doctor froze for a moment, hoping that Jane wouldn't notice the blush that was surely forming on her chest and up her neck. "I..uh… the remote!" Maura realized she was gripping the remote and held it up between herself and the brunette as if it would protect her from Jane's inquisitive watch as her brain sought out a suitable explanation for her actions. "I was just reaching for the remote so I could watch this new documentary on the lifestyle and mating habits of North American honey bees." Technically, she wasn't lying. The doctor had intended on watching the documentary, but that was before she had been distracted by her beautiful best friend. Yes. Best friend. Get it together, Maura.

"Oh okay. You seemed a little out of it there." Jane slowly sat up and yawned, stretching her arms above her head. The movement caused the detective's tank top to rise up, revealing a sliver of toned, tan skin that Maura's eyes flickered down to before returning to Jane's.

Maura gently shook her head and opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by the sudden shrill ringing of Jane's cell phone.

"Rizzoli…"

From the look on Jane's face, Maura knew she'd be receiving a similar call any second and took the time to compose herself.

"Isles… yes I'm on my way. Thank you."

Maura hung up and glanced over at the detective who was just ending her call.

"Well, looks like your fascinating documentary on bees is going to have to wait Maur. Duty calls."

The doctor lifted herself off of the couch and slipped on her shoes. "Did Frost send you the address?" she asked as she collected her medical bag and coat.

"Yeah I got it. Frost said it looks like a body dump down in Southie. Well, I'm sure it was Korsak that actually got close enough to say it looked like a body dump." Jane quietly laughed to herself as she grabbed her keys. "C'mon Maur, let's get this show on the road."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Maura placed her phone into her bag as she hurried towards the door, only then noticing Jane was still in her tank top and sweat pants. "Jane. Aren't you going to change?"

"Don't worry Maur, I've got some clothes in the car. I'll change on the way."

"But Jane, I hate it when you undress and drive." Well, maybe not the undressing part.