AN. I don't think this will be a long story. Probably just a few chapters. It sometimes takes me some time to write these chapters, and I do apologize for that. I hope you enjoy. I do love your favorites, and especially reviews. Even the bad ones. You learn from them. Thank you for reading. I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, cause if I did we wouldn't need fanfiction.

xx

Maura was dreading having this conversation with Jane. She felt she had to because she knows how sensitive Jane is to scandal. Things were going so great. Maura finally had a publisher interested in her writing, and she thought for sure they were going to publish her book.

Maura had written an excellent crime thriller. She would readily admit that the years of working cases with Jane had inspired her. Her imagination taking over and coming up with new scenarios and ideas that eventually led to a full and unique manuscript. The editor loved the story, with one area of exception – the heroine had no lover. That would never sell.

One suggestion that made Maura immediately flush was that the medical examiner and detective should have an affair. Perhaps even fall in love. Maura felt instantly ill. She clearly had based the characters on Jane and herself. Jane knew this, along with everybody else that Maura told about the book. She tried to protest, but the publisher was so firm on the idea that she found herself willing to do a rewrite that would include this lesbian affair.

Now, Maura was about to tell Jane about the rewrite, and she had no idea how she would handle it. Oh, Maura knew it would be ugly, she just didn't know how ugly it might get.

XXXX

Jane walked into the Robber with even more confidence than usual. She had solved a big case and things were going good. She plopped down across from Maura and began to launch into her regular complaint about people taking their desired booth, when she suddenly realized something was wrong.

"What's going on, Maura. I can tell something is bothering you," Jane questioned. Nothing could get Jane's attention like an upset Maura.

Maura launched right in to rambling, "Jane, please try not to get angry. And I promise I will not do it if you are going to be upset. Honestly, I won't mind. If you say no, I'll understand. I can't believe I agreed to it in the first place, but I was so excited about getting a novel published that I.."

"Maura!" Jane shouted, bringing Maura out of her filibuster. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Jane, I visited my publisher, well, soon-to-be-publisher..", Maura started, but Jane cut her off.

"Wait, soon-to-be-publisher?! Maura that is fantastic. I knew they would love your book. Why do you look like you were at a funeral? You should be really happy.."

"Jane." Maura tried to interrupt her.

"This is great news."

"Jane." Maura tried more forcefully.

"You can now add fiction writer to your Vitae." Jane said with a laugh.

"JANE!" Maura shouted. Causing Jane to finally pay attention.

"They want me to write in a love story, or at least some kind of romantic situation with the medical examiner."

Jane laughed. "So what, Maura? That's not a big deal. Look, I am sure you could write something hotter than Fifty Shades, not that I ever read it. Certainly the queen of owning her sexuality isn't afraid of writing about it. Really, Maura. I think I am becoming more like you and you like me. Haha!"

"Jane, they want the affair to be with your character," Maura said, bracing for impact.

"WHAT?!" Jane boomed. Jumping to her feet. "Why in the hell would they want that? What kind of publisher did you go to? Are you saying you already agreed to this? Maura, I have told everyone about this book. Oh my God!"

Maura narrowed her eyes at Jane. Although she sort of expected this reaction, Jane's seemingly grossed out response at the idea of their characters having an affair actually hurt. Probably because it felt very personal to Maura, as a person who had harbored feelings for her best friend for years.

"Jane, the publisher thinks the characters have real chemistry. And we do have chemistry, right? Even if it's not, not sexual chemistry?" Maura reached. "Plus, these characters are roughly based on us, they don't have to be an exact depiction of us. I would just tell people that." Maura reasoned.

"And you think Crowe is going to accept that explanation?" Jane asked rhetorically.

Maura sighed, "Hmm, well, I suggest not encouraging him to read the book."

For Jane, all of the taunts and innuendos that she and other women cops field about being lesbos came rushing back. She was even aware that there was some gossip about her and Maura, but she didn't let that bother her because she knew that nobody had any real evidence of either of them being gay. This book, however, would throw gasoline on the fire. While she tried not care about what others thought, sometimes she still did. Plus, the idea of Maura writing a romance with the two of them in mind stirred up a lot of anxiety and she knew exactly why.

"You're really going to write this, aren't you? And I can't stop you," Jane asked, hoping Maura would back out.

"I won't if you are truly objecting to it, but I really want this book published, and to tell you the truth… I don't mind the suggestion. It will stretch my skills as a writer," Maura reasoned.

"Fine. But nothing too… you know. Just plop something in there and be done with it."

"Jane, it can't be that way. I can't write a good crime thriller but then throw in a second-rate romance in the middle of it. It has to be believable and interesting to people."

"Fine, Maura. I just don't really want to talk about this anymore, okay." Jane said, sounding a little defeated. Of course she didn't push it. This is Maura's dream and there was no way that Jane was going to ruin it. She knew she was just going to have to suck it up. And screw Crowe anyway. He could only dream of having Maura write about a romance with him.

On the other side of the table, Maura was contemplating on how to ask Jane for a very big favor. After hearing Jane just declare that she didn't want to talk about this subject any more, it was going to be a hard thing to ask.

"Jane, I want you to help me with inspiration for the book," Maura said directly.

Jane nearly spit out her beer.

"You what?!" Maura, have you totally lost it? I know that the creative types are supposed to be a little nuts, but you haven't even finished your first book yet," Jane barked.

"Nevermind, Jane. You're right. It was a silly idea. I really do appreciate you supporting me on this, even if you totally appalled at the idea." Maura said. This time being the one to look defeated.

Jane wasn't sure if Maura knew this or not, but there really was no way for Jane to deny Maura when she looked that way. And Jane knew that she didn't find the idea appalling either. In fact, quite the opposite, and that is what worried her. She would walk a million miles to make her happy. So it was no surprise when she found herself asking,

"What do you want me to do?"