Thanks for all the reviews/followers! So pleased you're enjoying it as much as I am writing it.

Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Jane and Maura. If I did, trust me – we wouldn't need fan fiction!

Chapter 2

Jane barely registered her run back to her apartment; her mind swimming with images of the beautiful honey-blonde she had just escorted home.

"Hey Joe." She said, reaching down to fuss her little dog. "Sorry I was gone a little longer than I promised. You want your walk now or after I take a shower?"

Joe wagged his tail and sat patiently.

"Now it is then. Good girl. Come on then."

Clipping the lead in place Jane headed back out, not before checking her phone for any messages.

"No deaths today. Yay!" She husked, Joe barking with joy.

Jane's evening was very uneventful. She watched the game, had a few beers, paced about her apartment and kept checking her phone. In fact her phone had suddenly become of great interest since meeting Maura and giving her, her number. 'Christ Rizzoli! What did you expect? For her to call or message when you met barely four hours ago! And that's if she'll contact you at all. Clearly you are not in the same league. You'd have nothing in common anyway. Just chalk it up to one of life's wow moments.'

Yawning she padded into the kitchen and poured the last of the coffee pot into a mug; her mind continuing to whir.

'You're not ready for any type of relationship anyway. I mean, come on? No one wants a life stuck with a homicide detective. Not one who's scarred and has a serial killer obsessing over her. One who wakes every night in a cold sweat, her hands aching, heart pounding. No. Not now. Not after that day. You're better off alone Rizzoli. That way no one else has to hurt too.'

Across the city Maura sat up in bed reading, her glasses perched on the end of her nose. Her evening had been quiet as was the norm. A beautifully prepared meal for one, a large glass of a particularly good red she had been saving, and classical music filtering through her Bang and Olufsen system. Her fingers had not stopped dancing over the detective's business card that she had taken room to room, all night. She had of course programmed the numbers into her phone, resisting the urge to call so soon. She hadn't wanted to look too desperate.

She sighed, putting the book and glasses on her side unit, before reaching next to her for her phone. 'How long should I wait?' Maura mused, slipping under the covers and turning out the light, phone still in hand. 'And what would I say anyway? Thank you, again, for helping me, a thirty eight year old woman who passed out in a shop because she sometimes gets frightened outdoors? Of course, I sound like a desirable option.'

Letting her fingers take her to Jane's details in her contact list, she stared at them for what felt like an eternity, her mind replaying every touch, every glance; every gesture. Relationships of any kind held so much mystery for Maura. She was a good reader of facial expressions and bodily reactions thanks to her extensive knowledge of science, but her social ineptitude to retain deep and meaningful conversations or connections remained beyond her reach. Yet, there was something that had felt so easy about being with Jane. Still a complete stranger, but somehow Maura had allowed her into her home and wanted to keep her there. A home that she treasured, that she maintained as her safe haven, a place that had never received anyone except for her parents, their newly adopted daughter Katie and any help she'd needed around the place. With Jane though, she had not hesitated to open up her world and let her step inside.

"Now I just need to think of a way to get you back." Maura muttered into the darkness.

Jane woke with a start, beads of sweat dripping off her face; her body twisted up in the sheets.

"Fuck!" She groaned, reaching for the night-light.

The clock read 4:14am.

"Might as well get up." She grunted, stretching herself out and heading for the kitchen.

Joe looked up briefly from her bed before resting her head back down.

"Too early for you eh?" Jane said, with a smile. "Me too. Me too."

She put a pot of coffee on and put a bagel in the toaster before noticing her phone on the counter. 'Maura'. Her heart suddenly jumped in her chest at the thought of her. Sliding the 'unlock' she saw a new text box; number unrecognised.

Ignoring the 'pop' alerting her to breakfast, she sat on the stool and opening up the message, her pulse racing.

Hello. It's Maura. I didn't know when it would be appropriate for me to contact you and thank you again for your help. I can't say I've fainted in someone's arms before.

Jane remember the moment, remembered too the feel of the honey-blonde against her warm skin, the softness of her cheek.

Anyway, I realise that I did not pay for the groceries I brought home, and as I don't wish to be arrested will be returning to the store to make payment. Probably around the same time, in case you were thinking of taking a run. M.

Jane read and reread the message, her finger grazing over the words on the screen. 'She wants to see me again.'

Finally releasing the phone she poured a coffee and bit into the cold bagel, her eyes scanning round the darkened lounge. 'What now? I really want to see her again, but…'

"Urgh!" She grunted, her frustration evident, aware of her own fingers worrying at the scars on her palms. Even after showering and taking Joe out, her mind was still on the message and on Maura. Somehow she'd arrived at work and started on her paperwork without registering much else. By 10:30am her phone felt like it was burning a hole in her pocket.

"Korsak, I'm gonna get some air."

"Sure thing." He muttered in response.

Jane pressed her back against the front of the police building. Taking her phone out she read Maura's message again, before sending the reply she had been working on since first reading it in the early hours.

Hi Maura. No thanks necessary. I'm just glad that you are ok. Don't worry about the groceries. I took care of it with Ray, the owner, so please don't worry about anyone coming over to arrest you! J.

"There." She sighed, deeply, tucking the phone away before heading over to the coffee shop.

Grabbing her usual and enjoying the hot burn in the back of her throat, she was barely out of the shop before she heard her ring tone.

"Rizzoli." She husked, taking another sip of coffee.

"Jane?"

"Ah, yeah, this is Jane Rizzoli. Can I help you?" She replied, her mind catching up to the name connected with that voice.

"It's Maura."