Disclaimer: All recognizable Rizzoli & Isles characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners including, but not limited to Tess Gerritsen, Janet Tamaro and TNT. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fan fiction story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No financial gain is associated with the publishing of this story. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: I received such positive reviews to my last piece, I decided rather than continue it, I would leave it as the stand alone piece I had intended. Instead, I'll write a multi-chapter piece. This will be a series of one-shots, all connected. There will be Rizzles, but unlike the sex then I love you or I love you then hopping in bed type stories out there, this piece will allow Jane and Maura some time to figure out what they are and what they want. Rating will likely change as the story progresses. -DKC

Slow and Steady

It had been a long week and one that the two best friends wanted nothing more than to put behind them. Maura stood at the counter dishing their Thai take out onto plates that Jane had objected to. Why Maura wouldn't allow paper plates in the living room was something Jane just couldn't comprehend.

"Maur! You don't have to plate it like we're at a 5-star restaurant," Jane insisted.

"If we were at a 5-star restaurant, you would not be allowed in wearing that," Maura responded, pointing her finger at Jane's oversized sweatpants and tank top.

The smirk on Maura's face was undeniably sexy and Jane could not get past that fact. There were times that the title of best friend mattered very little to Jane in respect to how she looked at Maura. Jane wasn't blind.

"Hey!" Maura chuckled as Jane swatted her pointer finger out of the air, brushing off her joke. This left them standing face-to-face just inches from each other.

"This is better than any 5-star restaurant in town," Jane whispered, her mind swimming in the inappropriate thoughts she was suddenly having about her best friend.

As if time stood still, Jane was looking at Maura, Maura still and wondering what was going on in Jane's head. Then slowly Jane leaned in and pressed her lips to Maura's. She lingered just long enough to appreciate the softness of Maura's full lips. Slowly she separated them and found questioning eyes looking back at her.

"What was that for?" she managed to ask, her voice coming out much higher-pitched than she expected.

Jane shrugged and started picking up their plates.

"Sometimes you are just so damn adorable, I couldn't help it," Jane confessed.

Maura stood perfectly still, stunned by what had just happened as she watched Jane walk toward the couch with their dinner.

They sat down and ate dinner without mentioning the kiss. They sat through their Friday night movie without any awkwardness. Jane massaged Maura's feet and everything felt as it had every other movie night. But in the back of Jane's mind was the fact that she'd kissed her best friend. And in the very front of Maura's mind was just how much she liked that her best friend had kissed her.

"I need to go home," Jane said, stretching her long limbs and gathering her beer bottle and their plates from the coffee table.

"You could always stay," Maura said, turning off the DVD player and television.

"Frankie is working and Jo is home. She'll need dinner and a walk."

"Oh, right. Okay, well, thank you for dinner and the movie," Maura said as she started walking Jane to the door.

"I should be thanking you," Jane said with her trademark Rizzoli grin, grabbing her track jacket. "See you on Sunday for family dinner?"

"Of course. Your mother is coming at 4. If you love me, you'll not leave me with her the entire 2 hours before everyone else arrives," Maura answered.

"I'll be here at 3," came the quick response.

"Great! Text me when you get home?" Maura asked, a smile from Jane's quick answer to her 'if you love me' request.

"Yep," Jane said as she walked away to her car.

Maura watched Jane walk away, wondering what got into her friend tonight and if there was a chance that it might continue. She closed the door, got ready for bed and held her phone in her lap as she sat reading in bed. If she was honest with herself, she didn't comprehend anything she was reading. The brilliant doctor was re-reading sentences and entire paragraphs. Her mind was on Jane. More specifically, her mind was on Jane's lips and their firmness. Why had the detective kissed the doctor tonight? The chime of her phone alerted her to a text.

Am home. Jo pretends she doesn't care.

Maura smiled and quickly typed out a response.

She cares and she loves you, she just can't say it out loud.

Maura hit send with some hesitance. Would Jane read something into the message? Would it be the worst thing in the world if she did?

Uh huh. Night Maur.

Maura didn't know if this was Jane deflecting or Jane simply not reading into her message. Either way, there was no reason to force the issue.

Goodnight, J.

Both women went to bed completely confused, but with smiles on their faces.