Summary:

The path to love is never easy, especially with your best friend. Following the events of "Remember Me" (2.10) Jane and Maura do something that changes their friendship forever. Our ladies soon realize just how much one night can change everything. This is an angsty, sightly dark POV story.

Hey guys so this is my first attempt at writing fanfiction. Please, please be kind and let me know what you think. Good or bad, it doesn't matter. I know the episode "Remember Me" has been written about many times in fanfic-land. I chose it as the starting point and the moment their relationship changed. In later chapters I intend to reference episodes from the end of season two through to stay current with season three.

Chapter One

Jane's POV

What a week. Hoyt is gone but this hardly feels real, it all feels like a dream. I am exhausted as all hell and right now I can barely distinguish reality. Yet here we are in my apartment, alive and well. The pony party had wrapped up not long ago and it was just the two of us left at my apartment. Maura insisted on clearing up the dishes. I think she just wants to keep herself distracted or maybe she just wants some time to process. Either way I get it.

I sit on my couch drinking whisky. I need the hard stuff tonight, beer ain't gonna cut it. I'm trying to shut my mind off but I can't. My scattered brain keeps returning to the same place; Maura. She shouldn't have been there and because of me she became a target. It was my fault, I never should have let her come with me to see Hoyt. I know she doesn't blame me, I know she never would. But right now I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive myself.

I wonder if I would've had the strength to fight off that bastard if Maura hadn't been there. All I know for sure is that the minute he laid a hand upon her I saw red. Everything just stopped and all I knew was I had to save her. My instincts took over and a rush surged through me. I know what adrenaline feels like, but this came from somewhere different. It came from a place of love even deeper than a love I have for myself. When I react like that, out of a place I don't understand, it scares me. There are times, like tonight, that I wonder about my devotion to Maura. I would do anything for her and I would kill anyone for her if I had to. Hell, there is nothing I wouldn't do for that woman.

I hear shuffling as Maura walks back in to the living room with a wine in her hand. She sits down on the couch almost touching me. I'm glad though, I need her close right now. I hear a sigh so I look over to see she is staring at her wine as while fingers circle the rim of the glass. For a moment I simply take in the sight of her. Thank god she's okay. I don't think Maura has knows just how much I admire everything about her. She is caring, sincere, generous, kind, warm and funny in her own way. Not to mention fiercely loyal, loving and beautiful. Wait. What does beautiful have to do with anything?

God, I need some sleep. I feel a blush light up my face as my eyes stay glued to the definition of perfection sitting right in front of me. As if on cue, Maura looks up, turning her head to look at me staring at her. She looks deeply in to my eyes and I can see she is trying to read me. After clearing my throat and averting my gaze, I take a very large swig of my drink. Holy shit, I hope she didn't see that. Get it together, Rizzoli.

Maura's POV

I look over at Jane, observing her body language as try to understand the emotion behind her eyes. Her cheeks looked flushed which could be from a number of things, quite possibly the hard liquor she is ingesting. She looks down at her whisky and I can tell she is deep in thought. Hoyt was gone and Jane had saved my life. One thing I do know is that she will blame herself for what happened tonight. What Jane doesn't realize is that she is the definition of a hero. She is my hero. But right now she just looks so fragile and so vulnerable all I want to do is hold her.

"Maur?" Jane softly asks me.

"Yes, Jane?"

"He's gone"

"Yes, Jane, he's gone," I respond in a soft but firm voice in the hope of reassuring her.

I look over to see a single tear trickle down her cheek. At first I want to jump over and wipe away her sadness. I don't move though, sensing that it's space that she needs. I also sense it is a tear of many emotions, sadness not being one of them. For that tear was shed from a place inside Jane not seeking pity or sympathy. I can only imagine what Jane is feeling right now. The finality of Hoyt's death will take time to fully accept.

My own mind is trying to process. I pause in an attempt to ground myself. It is frustrasting that my ability to compartmentalize is not at its usual level of efficiency. Thoughts and emotions are roaming around my mind, their logic unchallenged due to exhaustion. I notice a strange feeling of excitement as I continue to look at Jane. Even though it is an incredibly inappropriate time, I can't help but take in her beauty. Oh, I think to myself. This excitement isn't a thought or emotion, it is something physical. One of the effects of adrenaline is that it can cause arousal, this is true of-

"Maur, are you okay?" Jane asks, effectively distracting me from my thoughts. I look in to her concerned eyes as I feel the blush creep over my cheeks. Well, at least I can blame it on the wine.

"Yes, I think so. I am, however, exhausted and my mind is starting to play tricks on me"

Jane offers hearty laugh which I am finding sexier than usual tonight, "Don't worry. My mind is out of control right now too."

I'm not surprised Jane is feeling the same as me. After all we've been through; the lack of sleep, the extremely intense work load, all the physical and emotional stress. She shifts over on the couch and puts an arm around my shoulder. I lean in to rest my head between her armpit and shoulder. I feel safe for the first time since the terror with Hoyt.

"This is nice. I like being next to you"

"I like having you next to me, guess that makes us even"

I hear her let out a deep sigh as I nuzzle closer in to her body. I feel her squeeze me tighter as she continues in a soft shaky voice,"I would never have forgiven myself if something happened to you tonight, Maur. I'm so sorry you had to go through that"

Jane's words were spoken with such sincerity they bring tears to my eyes which she gently wipes from my cheeks. She follows this action with a tender kiss to my forehead. I feel her mouth move to my cheek where she places another soft kiss before whispering in my ear, "Thank you"

I feel myself shiver at her touch and close proximity. I am curious as to why on earth is she thanking me so I softly ask, "For what?"

"For being you, for being my best friend, for being here with me now"

I smile to myself and turn my head to look deeply in to her eyes, "what happened with Hoyt was not your fault, Jane. Of course I'm here. I should be the one thanking you for saving my life"

I lean up to offer her a soft, warm, grateful kiss on the cheek. I linger a little more than I should. I savour the taste of her skin before leaning back to see Jane's eyes open as she smiles at me. I notice the reddening of her cheeks again. Perhaps my original hypothesis was incorrect.

I notice Jane lift her free arm to take another drink but I stop her, "Perhaps it's time for bed, Jane?"

She smirks at me, knowing that there's no point arguing, "Fine, I think you should stay here. I'm not gonna let you drive. Call me selfish but I would also like you close tonight"

I smile because I know there is no point arguing with her either, "Okay if you'll have me then I'd like to stay"

Jane offers a beaming smile as she stands and offers her hand to me, "Come on, Doctor Isles, let's get you to bed"

I detect a slightly flirtatious tone in her voice and demeanour but I simply smile and take her hand. With an unexpected force she pulls me up off the couch and guides me to her bedroom.

Jane's POV

I smile at Maura as I pull her by the hand up off of the couch. I notice that she blushed a little at my last comment which was, admittedly, a little flirtier than usual. I don't know what's gotten in to me tonight, I really don't. I'm out of it, I'm tired, I'm drunk and I'm exhausted.

I hold Maura's hand as I guide us through the hallway and in to my room. Her hand feels so soft and warm, it sends tingles through my body and I feel like I never want to let her go. As we hit my bedroom door I look back to her and gesture with my free hand, "Ladies first, of course"

Maura simply smiles at me and I swear to god she bats her eye lashes at me. She wonders past me, my room is dimly lit by a single lamp on the bedside table.

"I'm so tired, I think I'm just gonna sleep in my underwear. If you would like a shirt or something go for it, Maur"

I begin unzipping my pants. Maura doesn't respond immediately. Instead she just stands there observing my actions a lot closer than a best friend probably should.

"Oh. Okay. I'll just grab something from your drawer" she eventually responds. I swear I noticed a stutter in there. Maura walks over to the dresser like she's on a mission, or maybe I just caught her checking me out.

I climb in to bed and see that Maura managed to find one of my Red Sox shirts. I lay on my bed, elevated by my shoulders, observing Maura through the reflection of the mirror on my dresser. She is pulling her dress down over her hips as I take in her beautiful figure. Her toned stomach is accentuated by perfect curves and I notice her full breasts, perhaps more than a best friend should. I swallow, hard, and try to breathe but I can't seem to take my eyes off Maura.

I feel blood rise to my face in a heated blush. That same rush of blood also shoots in a southern direction, causing me to the hell Jane, Maura is your female best friend and you are not meant to be checking her out. After removing her heels she returns to the standing position and peers in to the mirror. Our eyes lock for what feels like a lifetime and the intensity sends shivers down my spine. Shit.

I quickly look away in the hope of regaining some composure, or at least a moment to comprehend what the hell is going on right now. First I look to the ceiling, but it doesn't work. There is some weird ass magnetic pull in the air and my eyes are back on her.

"Jane?" she quietly asks in a soft inquisitive tone.

I don't answer, I can't right now. I need a moment here. Screw this. I lay down in a huff, letting out a frustrated sigh. She places her things neatly on the floor, as always, and starts walking over to the bed. I look, without lifting my head, to see her in a sexy set of red lacy underwear. What the hell Maura, no tee? As if this isn't hard enough right now.

I feel the mattress shift as she climbs on, moving her body up to her side of the bed. She lies on her side facing me but I'm too focused on remembering how to breathe to even look at her. I don't want Maura to see my face right now so I lean over to turn off the light. It's a little darker but I can still feel her eyes on me.

"Jane?" she repeats but this tone is different, it almost sounds suggestive.

I realize there's no getting around this, I have to answer eventually so I clear my throat and answer in a husky tone, "yes, Maura?" is all I could muster. I really don't know what to say right now, it's like I'm paralysed or something.

"Did you feel what I felt before?"

God, I have no idea how to answer that. Think Jane, think.

"Umm yeah I guess. I don't know, Maura, I am feeling a bit weird tonight"

My heart races as I run my last words over and over in my head, analysing what the hell she might take from it. I feel her body shift closer to me and there's warmth radiating off of her skin.

"It's okay, Jane. I understand. In fact, I think i'm feeling quite similar. Did you know that adrenaline can cause an increased libido and arousal?"

Wow, okay. I really, really did not expect that. But this is Maura, so I guess I should. I literally think I've stopped breathing when she shifts even closer. Our upper bodies are fully touching, the shared warmth could become a fire hazard. I feel scared for a moment. Scared that I'll see red again and react out of that place I don't quite understand yet.

"Jane..." she quietly purrs my name, not a question but more of a statement. She lifts her arm and reaches her hand out to stroke my cheek. Her hand feels so wonderful on my cheek. I could swear there are sparks shooting out of every nerve she gently caresses. I attempt to squeeze my thighs together in order to contain the undeniable warmth growing down there too. I feel her one of her fingers shift toward my mouth. The deep breath I force myself to take doesn't seem to offer any oxygen.

"Jane...do you feel this..." she purrs in a tone that is incredibly sexy. Her fingers brush over my bottom lip before moving upward. My eyes close but my mouth goes in to auto-pilot and to welcome her touch. I know she's still looking at me, I can feel her stare piercing my skin. I can't help myself anymore. I kiss her fingers tenderly I hear her sigh. I roll over to face her and I see a look in her eyes that I've never seen before. I hold her fingers to my mouth before slowly sliding them inside. I roll my tongue over the tips and she moans as I suck harder.

Something has built to a peak inside me now and I'm looking over the edge. I don't understand much at this point but I don't care. All I know is for the first time in my life this risk feels worth it and-

"Jane...please..."

I'm distracted as her hand shifts down from my face along my neck to my collar bone. The friction caused by the movement of her touch sends me over the edge. I thrust my body on top of hers in a swift motion that not only startles her but startles me too. I grab her wrists, almost roughly, and pin them above her head. I slide my hips between hers, pushing our lower halves together to achieve the maximim amount of friction.

I hold her there with our faces mere inches apart. Our eyes are locked as we pant short desperate breaths. Her chest is pressed tightly against mine, our tits begin their very own war of friction. My body takes control as I buck my hips in to hers. We share a united moan at the sensation and I repeat the action. She is the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen in my life.

"Maura, you are..." I pause uncertain of the right words because there are too many. The look in her eyes could only be interpreted as pure desire. Maura bucks her hips in to mine and arches her chest practically begging me for more contact.

"Please, Jane...just kiss me"

And with that I kiss her with a passion I didn't know that I possessed.

Maura's POV

I had been feeling increasingly aroused from the couch and it became almost unbearable once I caught Jane staring at my body. I was patient, I could tell she felt what I felt but she didn't know how to take what she wanted. As I began to touch her cheek and lips, I felt her skin catch on fire. It doesn't matter how we got here, her lips are on mine and her hips grinding against me.

Jane is kissing me in a way no one else has. It is a kiss with fuelled by an insatiable hunger and need. Her hips are moving against mine and the pace increasing. Jane has my hands pinned above my head and I feel completely at her disposal.

She stops her onslaught to pull her face away from mine. I moan at the loss of contact and miss the sensation of her lips on mine. She hovers over me and looks in to my eyes. I can tell Jane is searching for something, more than likely seeking permission. I hope that no more words are necessary tonight so I simply nod.

I stare in to Jane's eyes as she removes one of her hands from its tight grip on my wrist and lowers it to my cheek. It doesn't stay there long before beginning a painfully slow journey down my body. My back arches as she moves over my neck and collarbone. I hear her moan as she grazes my right breast. I watch her as she laps up the sight of me and I'm thrilled that she likes what she sees.

After a relatively short pause to grope me she continues her descent. I twitch as I feel her fingers graze over my stomach. She observes her own movement down my body and I feel her shiver as she reaches her destination. Jane looks back up to me as our eyes are lock once again. Her fingertips begin to play with the waistband of my lace panties.

I lick my lips and she hungrily follows the movement of my tongue with her eyes. I hear her swallow before returning her eyes to mine. She is still playing with the fabric of the waistband and I can tell she is uncertain whether to progress.

"Jane...I need...I need you to make me forget", I whisper what sounds like a desperate plea.

I want to reassure her that this is what I want. I need her to help me forget him but I can see she is torn. I try to read her in the hope of understanding how she might have interpreted my words. But she looks frozen in place, almost afraid. Her hand is still hovering remarkably close to where I need it, but not close enough.

Remembering that I have a freed hand, I move it between our bodies. I place my hand flat on her stomach before running it up and down her delectable abs. She shivers at the touch but is still frozen in place. This time I start even lower by cupping her through her underwear and sliding my hand up ever so slowly until it reaches her left breast. Jane moans my name as I pinch the hard point through her bra.

I buck my hips upward to remind her of the permission I just granted, through words and action. She came back to me and I can see the arousal in her eyes. She lifts her left leg over my right thigh, locking it between hers, and now I can feel how aroused she is. I firmly rock my thigh in to her to create more friction, she moans and grinds herself back against me.

All of a sudden her hand moves past the barrier of my panties. I let out a small cry of pleasure. I didn't expect her to take me this hard or this fast. I almost leap off the bed at the contact and my free hand moves down to grip her. My nails dig in to her shoulder and Jane gasps as I break the skin.

If it were anyone else I wouldn't care. But this is Jane, "Jane, I'm so-"

"Please...just do it again"

Jane pants as she tries to speak. I still understand her request and plan to oblige. She increases the pace and slams her body in to mine with such force I know I'll be sore tomorrow. I gasp each time our hips connect and my hand moves to the center of her back to pull her even closer.

I use this position to grip on to Jane with my fingers and allow my nails to act of their own accord. She clenches her teeth as they pierce the sensitive skin covering her central vertebrae.

Jane relentlessly intensifies her ministrations. Her ability to create an almost unbearable state of pleasure borders on pain. It isn't long before I feel my body elevating in to blissful oblivion and at this moment all else is forgotten.

I just wanted to say thank you very much for taking the time to read. As I said this is my first fic, so please drop me a line. Criticism is welcomed with open arms.