1st chapter

It's just a normal morning. Maura sleeping in her blue nightdress, Jane comes to the bedroom, cup of coffee in her hands. Without any word she sits down at the Maura's bed. Maura wakes up, smiles and she goes for the kiss, just a soft morning kiss. Jane smiles and puts the coffee to the bedside table… and she lets Maura to drag her to the bed.

"I love you, Jane."

These words, these exact words pronounced loud by her, wake Maura up. The picture of kissing Jane still in mind, Maura checks her phone, 6:58, sigh. OK, let's face it.

With a little confused face she goes to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Ang – Jane? You're here?" It sounded more surprised that she wanted. Jane can not see there's something wrong with…

"Hi, Maur, I could not sleep well, so I came for the breakfast. I hope you don't mind, do you?"

Maura was not prepared to see Jane now. And her confusion was obviously visible.

"Are you OK, Maur?" Jane gets closer, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, oh, I mean… I'm just…"

"Trying to lie, Dr. Isles?" Jane looks amused, but still concerned about Maura.

Her friend doesn't look amused at all: "Jane, I am just tired, I don't need to tell you everything, don't use my inability to lie against me. I have weird dreams last days, I am confused what is happening with me, what my subconscious is trying to tell me, and I haven't had my coffee yet -" She knows she just lost control over her emotions, but she is just too tired, too confused, she wants Jane to stop asking.

And Jane understood quickly the situation was more delicate that she was thinking: "Maura, I `m sorry, I didn't know. Just make your coffee. OK?" She wanted to hug her, but Maura did not let her. She prepared her coffee in silence and she was almost happy that they were both called to the crime scene.

Woman's body buried in the forest, probably dug out by wild animals…


The body turned to be old victim of never solved kidnapping. She died to insufficient nutrition, 1 year after the attack… and she spent another 5 years in her poor forest grave. The only bright side was the absence of any sign of abuse.

Maura sympathized with the victim, she always did. Also she was glad that in this busy day Jane has no time to analyze her morning behavior. And she has no time to watch Jane being so – so lovely. No, she needs to concentrate all her attention to this dead body.

Nevertheless Maura was not able to ignore all her feelings. OK, she could be – just temporally – in love with a woman. It's OK, she will just keep going, as if nothing happens. She can touch Jane, she can go out with her… it's OK. Just a normal dinner in The Dirty Robber as many times ago. Keep cool, Maura!

"Jane, I am sorry for this morning. I've kind of freaked out, I should not tell all these –" Maura really felt sorry and Jane likes Maura being cute and adorable. She caressed Maura's hand and smiled: "Don't worry about it, honey, you were right you don't need to tell me everything… but you know… if you have bad dreams, maybe you should speak about it with somebody."

"Thank you, Jane, but it's nothing really, uh, important… forget about it."

"And what if I sleep with you? I mean, when-when I had bad dreams about Hoyt, it helped me to have you by my side." Jane looked so excited with that idea of spending a night together that Maura did not have the heart to refuse. And what? Jane slept in her bed many times before, it's better to act as usual – just, you know, to avoid any suspicion. And if it means that she could see Jane in pyjamas? Just control your thoughts, Maura, OK?

They spent a nice evening together, dinner in The Dirty Robber and wine at Maura's. Jane looks worried about her friend, but she knows Maura will tell her once she'll be ready. They spoke about the case, but not only. Maura can make an interesting lecture about everything that crosses her mind and Jane was just listening… a normal evening between friends.

When Maura was lying down on the bed, Jane was still in the shower. When she arrived to the bedroom, she was slightly surprised that Maura is lying on the incorrect side of the bed, but never mind, they have never officially defined their sides. And Maura looks beautiful even from the left side…

But she changed her mind after few minutes: "Maur? Shouldn't I be sleeping next to the door? Just – you know – security reasons – as I am here to protect you and make you feel safe…"

Maura smiles and without any word she just leaned over Jane and rolled to the second side. Still with her cute smile she added: "My dreams are not about anybody attacking me, or us, it's more about losing my identity. But don't speak about that now, ok? Let's sleep." And in order to show she means it she turns off the light.

Jane didn't want to push on her, so she just caressed her friend's hand and with silent "Come here, babe." she made her space on her shoulder. Maura did not even felt guilty when she fell asleep in this tender hug. The last thing she noticed this evening was a soft kiss at her hairs.