A/N: for the sake of this story, Jane is NOT pregnant and Maura's perfect man Jack is NON-EXISTENT. Sort-of established Rizzles..they're kinda feeling it all out. Not all fluffy romance, but there will be some. i prom prom.
Mixed in around s05e06 when Maura goes to the medical convention BUT pretty much inspired by/borrowing some of the storyline from Tess Gerristsen's original book, Ice Cold/The Killing Place because its one of my favourites, but putting my own spin on it. Obviously, DO NOT OWN ANY IDEAS OR CHARACTERS, belong to other people. Can Google if you really wanna know. Enjoy!

PS Im Australian, so any weather or geographical details I got from google. If they wrong, mi scusi .

Boston, Massachusetts

Mondays.

Jane hated Mondays. But she hated this Monday especially. Maura was going out of town to attend a medical convention in Wyoming for most of the week, meaning Jane would be without her best friend and basically-but-not-officially-her-girlfriend. They had only just recently admitted there was more to their relationship than just friendliness and although it was new, they'd spent the past 3 weeks together exploring the extent of their feelings and this was the first time they'd be apart for an extended amount of time since taking that step.

"Enough already" Jane grumbled, "You're only going to be gone for a few days".

"It snowed this week Jane I don't want you to get sick. You need to be looking after yourself. Do I need to be going over the strains of colds and flu going around these days that are just waiting to be caught so they can destroy your immune system?" Maura's eyebrow raised, a smug smile on her face as she placed daily vitamins and ease-a-cold tablets in a container for the detective.

"I'm so excited for your medical convention, is there anything I can do that will help you get out the door?" Jane's voice dripped with sarcasm but there was a playful glint in her eye.

Maura shoved the box towards her. "Take your vitamin C". Picking up the small orange tablet, she poked her tongue out at the doctor before slipping it into her mouth. "All gone." Maura motioned for her to open her mouth so she could be sure Jane had actually swallowed it. It wouldn't be the first time she'd pretended to and then spat it out later. "You know" Jane smiled cheekily; "there are other ways to check". Her brow raised in a suggestive way so as her meaning was not missed. Maura blushed but couldn't hide her smile. Shaking her head slightly she slipped her arms around her detective's waist and pulled herself closer.

"I'll miss you," she admitted, before pressing her lips to the one's in front of her. Maura couldn't believe how wonderful the last 3 weeks had been, her relationship with Jane was something she'd never imagined would actually occur and happy didn't come close to describing how she felt when they finally moved forward.

Jane pulled away and rested her forehead against Maura's. "I'll miss you too" she smiled, placing another kiss on the shorter woman's lips before standing up her full height and leaning against the counter.

"So there will be a temporary, fill-in M.E and Susi will be available at the crime lab. Of course I'm always available by phone" Maura looked at Jane, "day or night."

"Everything's gonna be fine Maur" Jane sighed, they'd been over this. The weather was predicted to get worse within the next few days with more snow forecast and Maura had repeatedly expressed concern over Jane handling the house and both pets during a snow-storm, but Jane knew there was more to it. "I thought you were really looking forward to this?"

"I was but what if something goes wrong with the house? Or we have another big case? Maybe I should just stay" Maura shrugged but the last part came out less like a question and more like a statement.

Jane smiled, "Maur, c'mon. You'd been talking about this for weeks, you're going! I'll be fine, the house will be fine, everything will be fine." She reached out and rubbed her hands up and down the M.E's arms, "You'll have so much fun it'll go so fast you'll be home sooner than you realise and wishing you could go back."

"Only if you went with me"

"Yeah right, what would I do in Wyoming in November? It's colder than Boston, no thank you!" Jane laughed, "Although I hear Jackson Hole is supposed to be beautiful."

"So is Bermuda" Maura deadpanned. Jane's mouth dropped slightly and she pretended to slug the doctor in the shoulder.

Just then their phones rang. "Rizzoli..I'm on my way"

" Isles…I'll be right out" Maura looked at Jane and sighed, " my cab."

Jane nodded, stepping forward and wrapping the doctor up in her arms tightly. Pressing her nose into golden waves she breathed deeply as she felt arms wrap around her, squeezing slightly. "Call me anytime you need, but enjoy yourself" she whispered, feeling Maura nod into her shoulder she pressed a kiss to her temple. "And have fun"

Maura smiled and leaned back, running her hand around the back of Jane's neck to pull her down into a kiss. "I love you" she said, getting a dazzling grin in return.

"I love you too. Call me anytime"

Picking up the doctor's suitcase, Jane walked out to the waiting cab while Maura locked the door. Placing them gently in the boot she turned to say goodbye, noticing tears in the hazel eyes before her. "I'll see you soon 'kay, call me when you land".

Maura nodded, gave a small wave and climbed into the cab. Jane watched it drive off before getting behind the wheel of her own car, taking a breath and one last look at Maura's house before pulling away from the curb. It's going to be a looong week, she thought to herself.

Jane and Korsak found Frankie already at the scene, crouched over the dead woman's body. " Temp M.E is on his way" he said, looking up in time to catch the disgruntled look on his sister's face. "Maura's already gone then I assume" he laughed, earning a glare from Jane. They'd been keeping the new element to their relationship a secret, but Frankie still knew that Jane got cranky when the doctor was away.

"Yep. Whatcha got?" she dismissed his dig, wanting to focus on her work.

"Deceased is Judith Barnett, 40, multiple stab wounds on her back", pointing to the wounds but unable to give any information regarding the weapon. "No forced entry, neighbours saw a white truck leaving but no description of the driver." He handed Jane a piece of paper, "victim's husband, Alan, is a dentist. Been with a patient in surgery, here's the address."

Jane looked to Korsak and held up the paper, signalling they'd be the ones to speak with him. Nodding to Frankie they left the scene, leaving him to deal with Maura's stand-in.

"At least its not Pike" Korsak stated with a knowing smile, " that guy wouldn't know the dangerous end of a gun if it was pointed at his face."

Jane laughed, and nodded her agreement. Yes, at least it wasn't Pike but she still wished for her Maura. She handed the keys to her partner, nodding at him to take the wheel. Leaning her head against the window, Jane closed her eyes and smiled as she thought about their delicious moments together the recent weeks.