Title: Truth Love Dare
Category: TV Shows » Rizzoli & Isles
Author: Alwaysbringback-up
Language: English, Rating: Rated: M
Genre: Drama/Angst/Friendship

Truth Love Dare

Pairing: Jane/Maura

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the R&I universe. All characters belong to Janet Tamaro. I promise that my writing is done purely for recreational purposes only. No ill harm is intended.

A/N: This little plot bunny would not get out of my head, so I put it to paper and here you go. It's going to be an interesting ride, I promise you. Please read and see what you think of it.

Also, I've rated this story M. The first chapter is pretty short and tame, but other chapters will be rated M. I promise I'll give you a trigger warning at the beginning of those chapters.

-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I-R&I

Jane, who was running late, took the stairs two at a time, glanced at her watch, and let out a silent curse. Of all the days to be late, she had to pick this one. With a flick of Jane's wrist she threw open the door, and waltzed into the bullpen trying to steady her breathing. She tried to look at ease as she took the last few steps through the open door. At least she wasn't the last one to arrive for the meeting. And mercifully, her boss, Lieutenant Sean Cavanaugh wasn't there yet.

"Hey, partner," Frost greeted as she plopped down into a chair next to Frost. Their usual setup had been seemingly appropriated for the meeting, and was turned into a sort of conference room.

"Hey," Jane greeted, slightly out of breath.

"You run here?" Korsak asked her with a teasing smile. "You seem a little out of shape there, Janie."

"Shut up," Jane teased back. Her smile told him that she was kidding.

"Good morning, everyone," she heard Sean Cavanaugh, her boss greet as he strode into the room, at precisely 7:30a.m. on the dot. Jane noted as everyone suddenly sat up a little straighter in his or her seat. Cavanaugh was the sort of boss that commanded your respect. A cacophony of less than heartfelt "Good mornings," sounded through the room. After all, it was Wednesday, the most dreaded day of the week. And everyone was seemingly exhausted.

"All right," he said finally, as he flipped over the white murder board in the center of the room, so that the photos and information of several of their latest murder victims was visible. "Let's get down to it," he said as he pointed to the board. "Tracy Parker, Shay Grayson, Leslie Woods," he listed off for emphasis, "All were killed after attending Ladies' night at the Middlesex Lounge. Two were students at MIT, and all were of the lesbian persuasion. As you can tell from the pictures, our killer has a very distinct type. He likes brunettes." All were silent as they compared the photos. It was easy to see that all were tall, brunette, had angular faces, with bright beaming smiles. God, they were all so beautiful…so young. "I just got off the phone with the police commissioner. He wants us to get this guy, and he wants us to do it fast." Cavanaugh cleared his throat, and Jane shifted in her chair as Cavanaugh's eyes fell on her. Deep down, she knew what he was going to say before he even said it. "One of the main reasons I called this meeting is to inform all of you that I am putting together an undercover operation." A beat. "We're going to stake out this guy's favorite haunt tonight. It doesn't take much of an imagination to see that Detective Rizzoli fits this man's type to a T." Jane swallowed. "Which is why I'd like you to go undercover," Sean spoke to her. Jane could suddenly feel everyone's eyes on her, "That is…if you're willing, Detective Rizzoli," Sean amended. How on earth could she possibly say no?

Jane nodded. "Of course," Jane replied, "Let's get this bastard."

"Good," Sean nodded, pleased with Jane's answer, "And now all we have left to do is find another officer willing to go undercover with you. It's not going to be easy to find someone else to go undercover on such short notice, but we'll figure it out somehow."

"I'll do it," Jane's breath caught in her throat as her neck whipped around to find Maura, standing in the open doorway.

"W-What?" Jane's voice cracked as she stared at her best friend, who stood looking immaculately put together, dressed in a pencil skirt and a button up lavender blouse.

"I said that I'll do it," Maura repeated. Jane silently wondered what Maura was doing there, but then she spotted the coffee clutched in the blonde's hands. The honey brunette must have ventured up to the bullpen in order to deliver Jane's morning coffee. Jane had texted the honey brunette M.E. to let her know that she was running late, and wouldn't be able to meet her for coffee. The wonderful woman must have decided to bring Jane coffee. And though that was so incredibly sweet of her, Jane couldn't help but feel like beautiful M.E. had the worst timing in the world.

"No," Jane protested, as she stood up and turned to face Maura, "No way. Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Maura challenged, though there was an undercurrent of hurt in her tone.

"Because it's way too dangerous, that's why," Jane said bitingly.

"It's not like I haven't gone undercover before," Maura argued. Jane strode over to the blonde, wrapped her hand around the woman's bicep, and pulled, practically dragged her out the room. She was careful not to be too aggressive, given that she didn't want to hurt her best friend. But at the same time she had to be somewhat forceful, walking the blonde M.E. down the hallway, and away from prying ears and eyes.

"Maura," Jane said after they were out of earshot. "Please, don't do this."

"I want to help," Maura said, refusing to give over to Jane's pleas. "Especially since you're going to be hard pressed to find someone else to do it on such short notice. All three victims were killed on Wednesday night, and today is Wednesday." Jane sighed. "You know I'm right, Jane," Maura asserted, "Besides, you might need someone with knowledge of forensic science if you need to take evidence, and I can do that."

"You do realize what going undercover means, don't you?" Jane tried to dissuade Maura, "You might have to kiss me…touch me." Jane suddenly ran her hand through her hair, her fingers roughly raking their way through unruly strands.

"You wouldn't be the first woman I've kissed, Jane," Maura replied. "And if you think you're going to dissuade me, you're wrong." Then, she asked the one question that she most wanted to. "What about this is so hard to swallow? Is it the fact that you have to pretend to be attracted to another woman, or the fact that you have to pretend that you're attracted to me?"

"Christ," Jane muttered as her cheeks suddenly flushed a deep shade of pink. "I am not having this conversation with you Maura. There's no fucking way I'm ever having this conversation with you." Maura couldn't stop the tears from springing to her eyes at the hurt that Jane's words instilled. Jane must not feel the same way about her as she does. And knowing that hurt.

"If you want to do this, then fine," Jane groused, "But don't expect me to be happy about it." Jane couldn't bring herself to meet Maura's eyes. God, she loved Maura. And she knew that her love for the blonde would only make going undercover with her that much harder. "I'll meet you at your house around six?"

"Sure, Jane," Maura's tremulous voice replied. "Do you want your coffee?" Maura asked as she held it out for her.

"Yeah. Thanks, Maur," Jane said with a forced smile. Jane darted forwards and placed a chaste kiss to the corner of Maura's mouth. Maura tried not to stiffen, but failed. She told herself it was just because she was unprepared for the sudden action. "That was a dry run, and you failed." Jane said after a moment, "I hope you're ready for things to get complicated, Maur."

"I would say that they already are, Jane," Maura replied. "I'll see you tonight, but I really must get back to work." Jane let out a sigh as she watched the older woman walk away.

Slowly, with trembling limbs, Jane walked back into the bullpen.

"Maura's going to do it," Jane announced to everyone. "So you had all better be at the top of your game." Jane just shook her head. "If anything happens to her…I swear…you'll have me to answer to."

"Nothing is going to happen to Maura, Janie," Frankie assured her. "We all have your back." Jane nodded, walked to her chair and plopped back into her chair.

She listened to Cavanaugh continue to drone on about the plan and all of the logistics of the undercover operation, but Jane couldn't seem to bring herself to really listen. All she could think about was Maura. She had to hold back a groan as she thought about having to kiss her best friend, and touch her best friend. How in the hell was she going to hold it together?

Man, she really hated her life sometimes…

A/N: So what do you guys think? Review and let me know if you're interested!

P.S. I'm sorry for the short chapter. Others will be longer.