Rizzoli walks into the bullpen Monday morning, swagger in place as usual. Today she knows she's going to have to be working thrice as hard. Precise attention has to be allocated towards Maura, her partners, and her job. Being the first day she's actually had to tackle these three things at once, the detective feels slightly beside herself. This is the third part (after meeting Maura and then her family) she has to not ruin. But too much investment has been put into this to lose the nerve now – the reward is motivation enough. Whatever god there is must have heard her unuttered prayer, because they have no case and it gives her just enough time to scope out her surroundings and get comfortable.

Dinner last night technically didn't happen. After her frantic exit, she went downtown to a place she could vent out. Feeling marginally better, the brunette drove back home and went to bed. Thankfully no one had come to see if she was alright, due to her phone being conveniently turned off.

Korsak and Frost paid her no heed. They knew the proud woman had been exhausted since their last case and right after she had taken a couple days in complete isolation. Out of character as it was, they told themselves she would come around eventually - for all they knew; she could be having her period.

The majority of the day was spent by all three detectives wrapping up paperwork (Jane not doing anything) before they soon had to leave for their respective homes. Jane couldn't get out of there soon enough. At six on the dot, she was pulling on her blazer and heading for a meeting she had scheduled with Cavanaugh.

''Tomorrow?'', she offered as means of parting.

''Cool'', ''Bye'', Frost and Korsak chimed, respectively.

Before the two took their leave, Maura sauntered in. She looked exhausted and exceptionally worried.

''Has Jane mentioned anything?'', she asked the two men. That in itself attested to how disturbed the woman was about what was going on. Maura was no doubt one for impeccable mannerism, and here she was, without so much as a hello.

''We'd ask you the same'', said Frost. ''We haven't seen her since Thursday and she just waltzed in here like nothing happened. Now that I think of it, she's barely said much all day, or worked! Oh, and she just went in to speak with the lieutenant''

The three looked at each other with great distress for their beloved friend. Without a word, Maura departed, knowing she would head to Jane's apartment later on.


''Rizzoli. I hope all is well'', Cavanaugh began.

''Sort of Sir''

''Well are you going to get to it. I have to leave soon you know'', the lieutenant was getting impatient over Jane's strange reluctance.

''I know this is short notice Sir. I don't feel so good and I was wondering if I could have some time off''

''I never thought I would live to hear those words not dragged out of your mouth by someone else'', the older man chuckled lightly. Jane waited with bated breath. ''when did you want off and for how long?''

''From tomorrow Sir''

''Rizzoli, that is short notice. What is the nature of your illness if I may ask?'', Cavanaugh stared at her intently.

''I really am not comfortable saying right now if you don't mind. Please Sir, I really need it. I don't want my health coming in the way of my work''

That is what got to Cavanagh. The last thing he wanted was denying an employee leave and then having them struck by a heart attack on his watch, especially not Jane.

''Ok. Tomorrow we'll sort things out for your absence. So say you start your leave from Wednesday. How long do you need off?''

''Three weeks'', she said with hesitation.

''Three weeks! Jesus Rizzoli. Is everything ok?'', the man blurted.

''Not so much, like I said Sir. Please. You know I would never ask for this if it wasn't necessary''

''You should consider yourself lucky I trust you so much Jane. But I will need a doctors letter for the paid leave before you get back on duty'', he eyed her seriously.

''Of course Sir. Thank you so much'', she smiled.

''I hope you get better soon''

''I hope so too'', and she was quickly on her way out.


It was 9pm and the doctor was standing at Jane's door. This was a sure time to ascertain her best friend would safely be in the comfort of her home. No response meant Jane wasn't there yet. And when all known parties confirmed they knew nothing about her whereabouts, Maura grew even more concerned. Begrudgingly she led herself to her own place and called it a night after texting Jane to say ''Jane, talk to me. Because you can't lie, doesn't mean I don't know when you are being dishonest with me''.

On the other side of town, one Jane Rizzoli was pulling out of a downtown crappy looking apartment after having finished her 'business'. By the time she made it home it was almost midnight but she was patting herself on the shoulder nonetheless – things were going well. After reading Maura's message she got a little worried that maybe she had withdrawn too much as to leave room for questioning and suspicion, so she acted impulsively.

Sorry Maur. Can I come over? – J

A minute later, Of course, but is everything alright? – M

Ya, jus…..u knw – J

I'll see you in a short while then – M

Half an hour exactly, and Jane was letting herself into Maura's lavish house. The doctor was curled up on one end of her couch, forgotten journal in hand, fast asleep. Jane took a moment to bathe in the scene before her, before she walked up to the blonde. Kneeling down in front of her, the brunette slowly pulled the book out of her hand and placed it on the coffee table. She quietly shrugged out of her jacket and discarded of her boots before placing herself on the couch. Maura had her head resting on the cushion on the arm rest, facing the back of the couch, which made it easier for Jane to join her. Trying as hard as she could not to awaken the sleeping beauty, she spooned Maura, leaving the doctor sandwiched between the detective and the couch. The brunette allowed herself ample glorious minutes to soak in the comfort of the woman in her arms. She held Maura's hand in her own, over the doctor's stomach, and the doctor shifted slightly, but went back to sleep. It didn't take long for Jane to follow.

The next morning, both women were jerked to live by the loud ringing of Maura's phone. She blindly reached for it in her pocket as Jane just pushed herself further into the comfy body beside her. ''Dr Isles'', Maura sleepily said into the phone as she turned in her confined space to face Jane. She would have screamed for help the moment she arose and discovered another body was holding onto her, but she immediately smelt Jane and knew she was in no danger. Frost was on the other line informing Maura of the recent murder location.

Jane's phone chose then to ring in her own pocket. She reluctantly reached for it, knowing already what it was she was answering to, ''Hello…''. This was now Korsak calling to inform Jane. The two male detectives had fought over who was to call Jane, neither wanting to be on the receiving end of her wrath so early in the morning. Korsak lost to Frost so he was now fulfilling his duty. But then Frost heard Jane in the background. ''ARE YOU SLEEPING WITH JANE?'', he asked Maura in a tone the doctor could never describe if ever asked to. ''Yes I am'', Maura replied honestly. You would think Maura had learnt a thing or two from Jane by now, turns out she hasn't. She seemed not to even have realized there was anything wrong with the way she answered, well according to her there wasn't – technically she was sleeping with Jane. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, Jane didn't hear this as she was having a conversation of her own. They said their goodbyes and Frost shut his phone, not his mouth though – that was still hanging open.

Korsak being wiser than Frost, had heard Maura in the background but chose not to mention it to Jane knowing full well the consequences of that. When he finished with Jane, he went in search of Frost so they could head for the crime scene.

''You look like you have seen a ghost'', Korsak observed from Frost appearance.

''Did you know Jane and Maura were sleeping together?''

'' !'', Korsak exhaled.

''I swear, Maura told me herself'', Frost went on.

''Are you sure? What did she say? Had you asked her?'', Korsak was shell-shocked to say the least.

''I heard Jane when you called her and I asked Maura and she said yes she was sleeping with Jane'', he answered in one breath. ''and you know Maura can't lie''

''Sweet Jesus. I mean…..I heard Maura in the background too, but I would never have had the guts to ask Jane. You know how she is''. They were already driving towards the crime scene.

''I was shocked when I heard Jane, I didn't have time to sensor myself''

''And the Doc knows how to handle things, unlike our own Detective'', Korsak added. They both chuckled, continuing their journey to the crime scene.

Back in Beacon Hill, Maura was clutching her phone to her chest wrapped in Jane's arms, lying on her couch. They stared at each other for a long comfortable, and then not so comfortable moment.

''I didn't want to wake you when I came last night'', Jane began hoarsely.

Maura just looked at her, with very sad eyes (Jane concluded).

''I'm a jerk half the time, but I need you to know something'', she paused. ''…..when I am not with you, I miss you. When I am angry, I still want to talk to you. And when I am acting strange, it's never because of you''. Maura was quiet, clearly interested in hearing what Jane had to say. ''I virtually disappeared since Thursday afternoon with no explanation. And then I stormed off yesterday. I was wrong. I just got mad when Ma said she wanted me to be happy. I felt like we were going to go down the path of 'you need a man''', Jane says trying to imitate her mother's voice. Maura laughs and Jane beams. It's such a glorious sound that she could never get enough of. ''while I was alone….I just did a lot of soul-searching. So I may start to act different''

''Different-ly'', Maura corrected.

''Ya, that'', Jane laughs, happy that all was well. ''you must know that it is never you. It's just me sorting things out ok?''

Maura was looking at her with so much intensity it was over powering. Given their current proximity and the ambiance, one would have to be a corpse not to give in. Jane carefully grabs hold of the base of Maura's neck and brings her lips towards the stunned blonde.

''Would it be so wrong if I kissed you right now?'', Jane breathes against Maura's lips. Like Maura has a choice? She's waited for this for so long she can't even remember when she began to develop feelings for Jane. And then Jane uses that voice that makes her come almost completely undone. She cannot answer, so Jane takes that as permission and softly places a kiss on Maura's lips. The fire that ignites between them is beyond reason and it momentarily becomes clear to them that this is not going to just be a chaste kiss. They skip right over the dry massaging of lips and go straight for the throat provoking tongue kiss. Their bodies are flush against each other during this frenzied kiss. It's like a pot that's been simmering and suddenly its reached boiling point and all the contents are spilling over. Their hands are roaming all over the others body during this lustful kiss and neither has the decency to dial it down a notch. Not to mention the murder they have been called for – well that's still waiting for them. They suddenly pull apart for air, at which point both women's underwear is drenched in sweet juices that need to be licked off.

''We have to go''. This is typical Jane behaviour for avoiding a sensitive subject, and Maura knows better than to press her. She's just glad all she can see in Jane's eyes is arousal, not fear or regret. Maura knows, as illogical as it is, that if they were within the confines of four walls and a roof for eternity, Jane wouldn't wait a heartbeat to be with her. If all factors were removed and it was just two people – Jane and Maura, the detective would have long succumbed to her feelings for the doctor. But as it is, they are not locked up in a cell. There is Jane's religion (albeit not very influential to Jane), Jane's work, and most important Jane's family. And of course the little things in between like her ego, her pride, her friends, and society in general. Unlike Maura, all these things affect Jane in her decision making. So instead of fight such a trying battle, Jane seemed to just save herself the trouble. As long as Maura was happy, safe, not complaining, and not in any pain or danger, Jane was good.

Hurriedly, they got freshened up and headed for work – late. Korsak and Frost didn't even badger them. Between the newly discovered information and the awkward vibe the two women were giving, neither of the men wanted to get into processed the scene with as little awkwardness as was humanly possible given the circumstances. Jane strangely seemed to be loitering about aimlessly. Instead of her partner and the sergeant getting upset and reprimanding her, they found her behaviour rather laughable.

''The doc sure must have messed her up'', Frost whispered to Korsak. ''and in all sorts of ways''. He added with a knowing look.

''Tell me about it. She's acting like its her first day on the job'', Korsak hushed back.

When they got back to the precinct, Maura (naturally), wanted a moment with Jane to discuss the repercussions of their proximity induced endeavour. Jane, naturally, did not at all want to discuss it. So the whole day was spent trying to solve the murder, while the detective and the doctor played cat and mouse. A message from a third party is what later alerted Jane of the mission she had to complete.