Chapter 1.

"Thank you darling, for the lovely dinner…and company, of course".

When Maura's mother met Jane's eyes, her irritating fake smile faded into something terribly similar to a disgusted grin.

Maura didn't seem to notice the harsh glance exchange between the two of them, as she was too busy hiding her disappointment.

Her mother was leaving.

She was staying at the Ritz.

She hadn't even eaten the dessert, for Christ's sake!

"Why am I so surprised?" Maura asked herself "It's not like I expected her to change from one day to another. Cold, classy, smart, snob. That's what she is. And I'm just like her…".

"I'll see you mother", Maura managed to say without sobbing, "have a nice evening. Bonsoir".

And with those formal greetings, dinner was over.

Jane, who had been watching the whole scene still sitting at the table, didn't need to be closer to understand what Maura was feeling: she had become good at reading her face expressions. Well, truth be told, she'd been watching her a lot lately…and not only her face…oh God.

"Well girls.." her mother's high-pitched voice interrupted Jane's filthy thoughts "I gotta get going. I'm knackered, and ma' boy is waiting for me".

She kissed Jane goodbye, hugged Maura, and vanished in the blink of an eye.

"I think it's so cute, this film-thing that Frankie and your mother have sometimes. I've always envied these kind of…family traditions".

"Yeah, ask Frankie…he's SO excited". Jane tried to make a joke, but she could see her friend was very serious about this.

She seemed like…really disappointed in herself. She didn't like that at all.

How could someone so perfect and kind be treated like that was beyond her comprehension.

In the meanwhile, Maura had begun cleaning the kitchen. She had to do something, she needed a distraction: from her mother behaviour and…from the stunning brunette that was standing with a tired face in her kitchen. "Okay. You need to stop this Maura, you can't use those adjectives to describe your best friend. Who's a girl. A work partner. Not to mention a sexy-as-hell cop…

Oh god, am I going crazy?".

"Mau! Mau! Please have some rest".

Dr Isles had been too wrapped up in her own thoughts to notice Jane moving towards her.

"Sorry, I dozed off...".

"Yeah, I noticed that".

Then Jane covered Maura's hand with her own, in order to stop her frenetic activity. She was successful, Maura was petrified by the touch.

Jane smiled at her, knowing she had now her full attention. Then she saw how late it was getting..

"Gosh, it's late. I should go".

"Stay".

Jane looked at her, confused.

"I mean…I don't want you to drive alone, when it's so dark outside already. Plus, you've been drinking. You know, statistically, car crashes are...".

"Okay, stop it, I'll stay Jane interrupted Maura's mumbling. Thanks for worrying, by the way".

"I wasn't" replied Maura.

"Oh yes, you were".

"Okay, maybe. It's not my fault I'm interested in mumbers. It's such a burden, sometimes, being smart…".

"And modest, too".

They chuckled, and Jane wished that little peaceful moment never ended. She had managed to distract her from the sad thoughts running through her mind and couldn't help feeling a bit…proud for it. And special, too.

"Okay, detective, let's go upstairs, but tomorrow I want you to help me cleaning this mess".

"I will. Now let's go, doc. You look like you could use some sleep".

"Definitely".

They moved upstairs, in Maura's room, which was quite familiar to Jane. That big, comfy bed was waiting for her to collapse on it, but she had to be the gentleman.

"I can sleep on the floor, it's not a problem, really…".

"Don't be silly, Jane. There's enough space for the two of us in there. Plus, it's not like we have never shared a bed before…you know, the night…".

"The night he was looking for me…".

"I'm sorry, honey, I shouldn't have mentioned that".

"'s okay, Mau. It's over now".

Jane sit down on the bed, not without hesitation. She remembered to take her shoes off, knowing it would have upset Maura if she didn't.

Maura joined her after putting her glamorous silk pyjamas on (in the bathroom and not in front of you, bad luck Jane…).

The two of them remained shush for a while, lost in their own thoughts, silently enjoying each other's company and –secretly, maybe unconsciously- their bodies proximity.

When Jane noticed Maura's worried expression, she broke the silence.

"What's the matter, hun? You know you can tell me". She felt the urge to be close to her, so she moved.

"I know. I know I can trust you, Jane. It's nothing really…

I'm just…I'm afraid".

"Of what?".

"Of being just like my mom is".

"And…how is she?".

"Like you don't know. Ice cold, bitchy, does that ring a bell?

I'm afraid I'll never be able to love someone, to truly care for someone in my life because of her. The only thing she ever taught me is how to be so…polite. I hate this".

"Mau, how can you say something like this?".

Jane was beginning to worry about what her friend was saying…so she moved closer, and courageously stroked her cheek. "God, that is soft indeed…".

"You're not your mother. You're sweet, and affectionate. You care for everyone in the office. Frost, Korsak, they all love you to pieces. How could they not, you are so kind with them, always wearing that big, bright smile of yours. And you treat my mother like she's actually a normal human being, and not a totally crazy, hysterical woman in menopause. You care about a lot of people, you do".

She tried to convince her, gently caressing her shoulder. She had never been good at comforting people. But that was Maura hurting: she had to do something.

"I care about you. You know that, right?".

Jane was taken aback by the sudden sincerity. And flattered, too.

"Yeah. How can I forget?". She blushed slightly.

"Thank you, Jane. You really are helping me a lot. But now…time for sleep! I don't want to annoy you any further".

"You're never annoying me. Well okay, maybe when you refuse to call blood those fucking red-browned things, but, apart from that…".

"Stop it, silly!". Maura hit her lightly on the shoulder, sending shivers through her skin.

"Oi! It hurts!". Jane smiled genuinely. The sparkle in her friend's eyes was back, and, even if she was aching to be closer to her, to touch her like and hold her like she had never done before, that fact was the only thing that mattered. Maura was okay.

After that little exchange, lights were turned off.

"Night Jane. I love you".

"Yeah, me too".

That night Jane couldn't sleep. She was too close, Maura's scent was intoxicating.

And she said she cared about her. That she loved her..

"God, what the hell are you doing to me, Mara Isles?".