Hello! This is my first time publishing a Rizzoli and Isles fic. I have most of the story drafted and will upload chapter by chapter as I finish them. This is a short first chapter to motivate me to continue fleshing out and publishing my story.

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Jane sat down on Maura's couch with a contented sigh, beer bottle in hand. It had been a long stressful week, and they had just closed a child murder case that had been keeping her up for days. She was grateful to finally be able to relax and hang out with Maura on a much-needed work-free weekend. Hell, she even said "Maybe" to Maura's request of going clothes shopping with her the next day—as long as she let her sleep in. She was taking a swig of beer when Maura sat down beside her and said,

"I think I'm going to start dating women."

Jane stopped mid-gulp and had to cough to keep the liquid from going down the wrong pipe.

"What brought that on?" She asked once she could breathe.

It's not that Jane was that taken aback by the idea, more that the statement was quite abrupt and not at all what she expected to be talking about tonight.

"I need a change. I haven't been with anyone in months, and not someone serious in years. I'm not getting any younger."

Like most things that Maura said, she said this matter of factly, and Jane was sure she had put a lot of thought into this.

Jane shrugged and nodded in agreement. They were both getting towards 40 and the clock was kind of ticking for finding a partner and starting a family. At least that's what her mother said. Jane didn't know if she would ever have that, but she whole-heartedly thought Maura deserved to.

"Yeah, go for it, Maur. It's not like you've had much success with men." There was a silent moment when they both thought about how Jane had narrowly saved her from Dennis Rockmond. "And you said you were with a woman back in the day, right? Maybe you'll find someone."

"Yes, I did have a couple short romances when I was in school." Maura was looking down and fidgeting with the fringe on the couch blanket. To Jane it seemed like she was now sad, or anxious about the whole thing.

Jane wanted to reiterate that she supported Maura in this—she wasn't homophobic, and she wanted her best friend to be happy. Maybe a woman could help with that.

There was a quiet moment where neither of them said anything, Jane thinking about what to say to make Maura smile.

"Soo, you want me to be your wingman at Merch this weekend?" Jane looked sideways playfully as she took a swig of her beer. Maura grinned before replying,

"Actually, I already have a date set for tomorrow evening."

"Well damn, that's great Maur! So why didn't you tell me about your idea until now? You didn't think I would disapprove, did you?" Of course Jane would be supportive. Maura could quit her job and become a nudist and she would support her. Hell, Maura could join a whole lesbian commune. In Antarctica. And she would go with her.

"No, that's not it… I don't know, I guess I didn't want to bring up the possibility and then chicken down without actually trying it, and have people think that it was just another crazy idea."

Jane smiled and looked at Maura. Her best friend had gotten so much better at recognizing nuance and figures of speech since she'd started working with her, but occasionally she got confused or messed something up. "So you waited until you really had a date so I would know it was for real, and make sure you didn't chicken out?"

Maura nodded. "Yes, that makes sense."

"Well I still gotta make sure she's good enough for you. So who is she? How did you find her?"

"Her name is Andy, she's a director at the Massachusetts Historical Society. We connected on HER—it's a women seeking women dating app."

"Like Tinder?" Jane found it amusing that her refined, high society colleague would be swiping selfies for hookups.

"It's very similar, yes."

"So what're you guys doin? You goin out for drinks? Or is it straight to the bedroom?" She winked dramatically.

Maura scoffed playfully back. "Jane Rizzoli! What kind of woman do you think I am?"

"A sexy one that girls can't wait to get in the sack?"

Maura threw a throw pillow at her head.

xx

Jane did get a glorious 10 hours of sleep, and woke up naturally in Maura's bed the next morning. They usually slept together when Jane was over; it was something that started back when Jane was staying with Maura when Hoyt had escaped prison, and continued over time when one of them needed comfort, or when Jane was worn out from a fight with a perp and Maura wouldn't let her sleep on anything but the best luxury bed. Now it was a comfortable habit, and the only other place Jane ever slept when she was over was the couch when she fell asleep there, and would wake in the middle of the night under a blanket Maura draped over her.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Jane walked in her PJ's out into the kitchen where Maura was sitting at the table reading on her tablet.

"Don't tell me you're reading more scientific articles. I thought you were learning to chill out on your days off." She shuffled over to the counter to attend to the first task of the day.

"Well good morning to you, too. And no, I'm actually learning more about the artists whose exhibition I'm seeing tonight at SOWA Artists Guild with Andy.

"Ah, so that's why you want to go shopping today, huh? Gotta look good for Andy at this fancy art show?" Jane pushed a few buttons on a complex machine. Maura usually used all of its extra gadgets to make macchiatos and things like that but most of the time Jane just wanted a simple cup of coffee.

"Yes, I was hoping to get a new dress from a boutique in back bay."

"Cuz this chick couldn't possibly be impressed by one of the 50 designer dresses you already have in your closet."

"I've worn most of those before." Jane huffed in amusement. "And I want a new look for a new beginning, you know?" Actually, Jane didn't really know. She had never been very interested in clothes, and usually just bought 3 of the same pants or the same shirt in several different colors once she found one she actually liked. She didn't know hardly anything about dresses, or designers, or different fabrics and how they compared. But clothes were important to Maura.

"Please Jane?" Maura looked at her with a concerned brow, the way she always does when she's worried, or afraid Jane will refuse to do something she really wants to do. But despite how adamant she sometimes seemed, there was rarely really any danger that Jane would actually refuse to do something for Maura.

How could she say no to that face?

xxx

More chapters coming soon!