"Maura. Please. I just want to go to sleep." Detective Jane Rizzoli was familiar with a good interrogation, she's just usually the one doing the interrogating. The tall woman spun on her heels to stare her best friend down, hoping she could muster up an ounce of intimidation through her alcohol induced buzz and the day weighing heavy on her eyelids. Her mocha eyes wanted nothing more than to close for few hours, but she was a professional and she was not about to lose at her own game to the shorter woman across from her.

"Then just tell me why you said it." Challenging hazel eyes settled on the taller woman. Shifting from heel to heel, chief medical examiner Maura Isles was proof that feisty women can come in small packages. Since they left the Robber that evening she hasn't let up on the detective, her big genius brain was capable of understanding many things. Physics, anatomy, psychology, chemistry, history...but her best friend was always the one thing that stumped her. Left her without references or anecdotes. It was becoming uncomfortably familiar.

Finally breaking away from the fiery gaze, Jane shucked her jacket from her shoulders, stripped herself of her gun and badge and proceeded to get under the plush covers that had been calling to her from Maura's guest bed. Sure her own apartment was nice and her own bed was comfortable, but it was Friday night and she had the weekend off. It had become a ritual of sorts that Jane, her best friend and partners would have a few drinks after work and she'd come back to Maura's for some quality time. Sometimes that meant a movie but more often they would just talk and joke. Nights like those were favorites for Jane. But not tonight. Tonight she should have kept her big mouth shut. The sound of two small thuds and a dip in the mattress next to her let her know the ME wasn't giving up.

"You opened this can of snakes, Jane. Not me."

"Can of WORMS Maura." She closed her eyes tight. Maybe her friend was right, this sure did feel like a can of venomous snakes. Why did she say it?

The night was winding down and Jane was eager to leave. To have Maura to herself. That need had been growing over the past year. She just chalked it up to the multiple times they had almost lost each other. Her thin lips were spread in a smile, laughing at something Frost had said and her dark eyes were scanning the bar. Among a familiar crowd stood a man who appeared out of place, and if something didn't belong Jane didn't like it. What she really didn't like was how his predatory gaze was fixed on the petite woman standing next to her. Judging by the look on Maura's face, she had noticed the stranger well before Jane had.

Thin fingers traced the edge of a wineglass as smoky eyes stared across the bar. Jane couldn't help but roll her eyes at the exchange, trying to ignore the jealousy bubbling deep within. "See something you like, Maur?"

"I'm fairly certain his sights are much more pleasurable." Jane chortled.

"Don't hold back on the modesty much, do you?"

Two perfectly sculpted eyebrows knit together as the honey blonde spun to look at her friend. "I sense the sarcasm but I'm not sure what you're implying."

Uh oh. "Nothing, Maura. Just simply saying that you know you look good."

"It has nothing to do with what I know, Jane. My features are more symmetrical which is instantly interpreted as more attractive to a mate. Add that to how well groomed and well dressed I am, my feminine body that's perfect for mothering...it's a fact." As the self-praise ended the ME brought her wineglass to her lips and finished it off with one large swallow. Jane just focused on keeping her jaw from falling. And now those eyes were burning a hole into her own soul, stranger across the bar long forgotten, looking into her. It dawned on Jane. In those eyes she saw the doctors confidence falter, her best friend was waiting for confirmation.

Panic washed over Jane and in a fraction of a second she played every possible response through her head. She couldn't possibly tell her how she really saw her. Those words would never make it past her lips. She tried to muster up something intelligible before the sadness that started to show in her best friends eyes bubbled over. "Yeah. Sure." Oh crap. "Uh. We should get going I'm really beat. Crazy week." And with that Jane made her way through the crowd saying her goodbyes. Leaving Maura with a look of disbelief.

And now they were here. Jane trying to play it off and Maura trying to get to the bottom of it. Trying to find whatever hidden meaning she hoped she'd find. Jane rolled on her side and kept her eyes closed, if she could just escape into sleep it'd be ok.

Minutes passed. Janes breathing became shallow and even. Maura studied the unruly dark hair and was splayed across the pillows. Never play with a scientist, you'll never win. Judging by The small little twitch Jane had going with her leg she was just about to slip away for the night. Perfect time.

"Jane?" Maura spoke out quietly. Not wanting to bring the detective to full consciousness. She repeated the name one more time and was met with a thick raspy hum. "Do you disagree?"

"With what?"

Bingo. Right where she wants her. "You disagree that I'm attractive." She was careful to make it a statement and not a question. Knowing that even in her sleepy state the detective would defend herself, but what she didn't know was that foggy brain would only speak the truth. And response was instant.

"Not true." The sleepy woman breathed out. "Sexiest I've ever seen." Were the next words to tumble from the brunettes mouth. A self satisfied smile spread across Maura's face as she snuggled deeper into the covers and turned out the light.

The darkness did nothing to soothe the wide-eyed detective next to her.