It had been 2 months since the proposal. Jane had said no. She knew that as much as she loved Casey she wasn't in love with him. And he was not in love with her either. Neither wanted to give up their careers and they knew they couldn't ask that of one another. If Jane was honest with herself another reason was Maura. Maura's face spoke volumes when Jane told her that Casey has said he would stay if Jane married him.

Jane had never been brave enough ask Maura why she had reacted the way she had. She was afraid of the answer. What she wanted to hear was 'I'm in love with you' but what she got was silence. Then Maura said 'You said no, right?' She knew Jane so well. Jane had simply nodded and they had got on with their lives.

The week had been a busy one so far. Frankie was working Narcotics full time now and Cavanaugh decided to bring a new detective into the team. Korsak had been absent recently from their cages and Jane was sure he was getting promoted to Lieutenant. So she was training a new detective.

Her name was Sam Mullins. 5' 5'' brunette, 1st generation Irish and 29. She had moved through the ranks pretty quickly and was working in Vice for 3 years before she joined Homicide. She was fitting in well which was great as they had caught a triple Homicide the afternoon she started.

Now it was Sunday and they had caught the sonovabitch that had killed his family. They were in the Dirty Robber with Maura, Korsak and Frost. Cavanaugh had gave them Monday off, putting Frost's team on the shift.

'Guys it's been great working with you all this week. I've kinda hit the ground running, thanks for trusting me' Sam smiled at the team with her gaze lingering on Maura. 'How do you do what you do? It's pretty amazing, you have this vast knowledge of your craft and so many other subjects. It's so cool'

Maura smiled 'Thank you Detective Mullins. Not many people refer to my profession as a craft. I do love my job, I find it fascinating. And as for the other subjects I guess I have a desire for knowledge. A thirst maybe I would describe it. And I love to share what I've learned'

'Yea, ya do' Jane smirked 'I think we all learn at least one new thing a day since we met Maura.'

'I think you're the only one who understands a lot of what goes on in that big brain of Dr Isles though Jane'

Korsak spoke jovially. 'Jane's like our modern day Sherlock Holmes. She's definitely got a few IQ points on us all. Dr Isles is like her Watson. I've never seen a team like them in all my years of policing'

Maura was beaming and Jane was smirking uncomfortably

'Aw shucks Korsak. That's enough. We're a good team right. All of us'

'Thank you Vince, that's very cool of you to say' Maura looked like an excited child at Christmas.

'I really love those Arthur Conan Doyle characters.' She smiled widely and raised her glass to toast Jane.

Everyone raised their glasses. 'Cheers everyone' a chorus of cheers echoed around the Robbers followed by laughter.

A few hours later Jane stood. 'I'm gonna head off. Maura, you wanna share a cab?'

Maura looked at Sam 'Actually Jane I'm gonna stay for another. I'm enjoying getting to know Detective Mullins'

'Ha. Enjoy that Sam. She just loves the compliments' Jane smirked and started to leave.

'Wait Jane' Frost spoke up. 'I'm going to head now. I'll share a cab with you'

Korsak followed soon after leaving Maura and Sam alone. Sam smiled.

'You know, I could compliment you all night' her tone was reverential. She smiled softly giving Maura's knee a squeeze. Her hand had made it to Maura's knee about an hour before and had rarely left unless she was gesticulating which she did a lot. But every time she dropped her hand it rested on Maura's knee. After Korsak left Maura's hand had ended up on top of it.

'Why thank you Sam. You are a pretty accomplished woman yourself. I'd love to spend some more time with you but it appears the bar is closing'

'We're off tomorrow. Why don't we head out into the city, live a little' Sam winked and Maura's stomach flipped.

'Okay, have you somewhere in mind?' Maura bit her lip realising too late she was clearly flirting with Sam. She'd spent so long pining after Jane she thought this would be harder.

Sam smiled a wide grin. 'The Black Cap'

Maura smiled back thinking why the hell not. She lifted her purse

'Lead the way'

_R&I-

Jane lay awake wondering what had happened. Maura usually is happy to leave with Jane.

The clock read 1.35am

'Fuck it'

Hey. Did you get home okay?

After pressing send Jane instantly regretted in. 'Shiting hell Jane. Come on. It's the middle of the night. Maura's gonna think you're weird'

She spoke out loud to herself as she climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen. She was in the middle of adding milk to her cereal when she heard her phone ring from her bedroom.

She ran to her room thinking it was Dispatch. It was Maura

'Shit!'

Pressing answer Jane spoke hesitantly

'Hello'

'Hi Jane. Are you okay?' Maura sounded wide awake and quite happy.

'Yeah, Maur. Shit I'm sorry about the time. I couldn't sleep and hasn't heard from you. I didn't realise it was so late'

'Oh that's fine Jane. I just got in. Sam and I headed out dancing. I could've happily stayed but Sam surprisingly was the one more exhausted after the week.'

'Dancing? Wow we never go dancing. What brought that on?'

'She asked. I love dancing but it never seemed to be up your road'

'Oh. I really enjoy dancing Maura. I guess I never thought about it before.'

'We should go. We could arrange a girls night out with Sam maybe'

'Okay, sounds fun.' Jane sighed. 'Well I'm wide awake now.'

'What are you doing?'

Jane had wandered back into the kitchen and had set to work eating her cereal.

'Eating cereal'

'Whats wrong?' Maura sounded serious

'Nothing Maura, eating cereal when something's wrong is your thing not mine' her tone was teasing.

'Okay okay. Well we're off tomorrow. Get a cab over here now sure and we can watch a movie or something.'

'Maura. It's 1.45 in the morning' Jane exclaimed.

'I know Jane, I have a clock right beside me. I don't feel like sleeping and since you're awake and we are both off tomorrow lets stay up all night' Maura sounded so excited. Jane could never say no to this Maura.

'Okay give me 30 minutes and you better be awake. Don't crash on me'

'I'm not driving, Jane. I don't know how I could crash' Maura sounded confused.

Another Maura-ism that Jane could never not do anything for. 'Maur! I mean all asleep. Crash like you're body gives up and needs rest'

'Oh. I see. I'm sure that won't happen.'

30 minutes later Jane let herself into Maura's. She had texted ahead and let Maura know.

'Maura' Jane called

'Hi Jane'

True to her word Maura had not crashed and was sitting on her sofa eating some quinoa.

'Mmm Jane you gotta try this. I just threw it together. Its quinoa, beetroot and goats cheese salad. Thoroughly divine.'

'Eurgh no. You know how I feel about keenopods'

Maura laughed shoving her fork at Jane

'You loved this last time I made it!'

Jane relented and took a bite. She had to agree it was really nice.

Soon they were sitting with a plate each searching for something to watch.

'How about Saw?'

'No! Jane! You don't even like it. You're the one who will get scared'

'Whatever. Okay Con Air. It's soo good'

'Oh yes! I love this movie'

'Really. HOW did I not know you had seen Con Air'

'Again you never asked'

'Oh'. Jane got up to put in the DVD

Maura's phone buzzed and Jane groaned.

'Man! Cavanaugh said we BOTH had holiday tomorrow!'

'Relax Jane it's not Lt. Cavanaugh. It's just Sam'

'Sam, huh. Hope you're not replacing me elbiff'

'Like I would even try' Maura smirked. 'No she's really surprised me. I don't broadcast my interest in women as you know but she's been flirting with me all night and our evening dancing was really quite enjoyable'

Maura didn't notice Jane's face for a moment.

'Your interest in women?' Jane coughed on her beer.

'Oh come on Jane. You're my best friend. I have I observed beautiful women in your presence for.'

'I thought that was just your science talking.'

'Ha no. Tonight was really nice actually'

Maura didn't know how she was retained her cool. Had Jane no idea of Maura's sexuality?

'Did anything..ya know' Jane stumbled over her words 'ya know more that just hanging out with a friend happen then'

Jane was shocked. Really shocked. She wished she'd been braver when they first met. Now she was sure she's been royally friend zoned.

'Oh well Jane. Not entirely. We were holding hands in the Robber by the end. And I suppose our dancing wasn't very innocent but the kiss she placed on my cheek when she dropped me off was. I found it very respectful. And sweet'

And I wished it was you Maura thought

'Oh. Well that sounds nice. Cool. So let's get this movie started.' Jane got up and turned the lights off. Returning to her seat a bit further away from Maura than she normally sat and pulled her feet under her. She pressed play and pulled the blanket on the sofa round them both.