A/N: As you may have noticed this story is a prequel, but I prefer to call it a hyper-prequel and you will see why in due time. Oh and just so you know, with each installment we will be counting in French (just thought it was a cool idea.) And one last detail of course this is still in Maura's POV.

-Deux-

"Why would you name your turtle after a fish?" Jane asks laughing between sips from her glass of water, while watching Bass nibble through his dinner of wheat grass and mulberry leaves.

I frown, "Bass is not a turtle Jane, he's an African Spurred Tortoise. And I didn't name him after a species of ichthyoid." I reply while moving around the countertop in my kitchen. "Bass is in fact named after William M. Bass the Body Farm founder." I state proudly, as I open my clutch; looking for my compact and lip gloss.

Usually, I wouldn't be so relaxed around someone I hardly knew in my home but I'm already very comfortable around Jane, and this is only the third time she has been here for a visit.

"Icky-thyroid what? You know what...never mind." Jane says, and I don't miss the sarcasm laced into her deliberately mispronounced wording. I look up from my search through my clutch, only to chuckle at the expression on Jane's face. She just does that to make me laugh. I watch her take another drink of water, before opening my compact and uncapping my lip-gloss. "Remind me again why you're going on a date with Sluckey?"

Because I can't go out on a date with you. I mentally supply since I'm not quite daring enough to voice that thought out loud.

"Well mostly because he asked; he seems like a nice enough man, and a surgeon with hopefully not too much of a God complex." I reply while doing a light touch-up on my lip gloss. "But more importantly, it's only dinner and I haven't decided yet if I want to have intercourse with him."

"Ewww, Maura!" I glance up at Jane's loud declaration; her face is twisted in disgust. "I wouldn't do him with someone else's va-jay-jay."

"What's a va-jay-jay?" I ask, closing my compact to look directly at Jane.

She's so tall, gorgeous, and those eyes of her's just sparkle with mischief. And her squeamishness when I talk about sex is extremely entertaining to me...and cute. I smile at the thought and its subject.

Jane smirks, "Well the clinical term Dr. Isles is vagina." She says somewhat seductively. Though that could just be hopeful thinking on my behalf, while sitting her glass of water down on the kitchen island.

I laugh wholeheartedly, as I gradually move closer to Jane, "I will try to remember that slang term for the female anatomy. But for right now, how do I look?" I ask blatantly flirty, as I place my hands on my hips.

I watch Jane's eyes move over my figure lavishly, which is encased in a simple yet elegant black Chanel dress. Meanwhile, I subtlely study Jane's micro expressions, and unfortunately I only note minimal signs of arousal from her. Damn! maybe I should just be content with having her as a friend. Or perhaps she is just being respectful towards me in her appreciation?

"You look beautiful." Jane replies, giving me a small reserved smile.

I look into her expressive eyes, noticing something small flicker in them and no matter how brief, it reinforces the hope within me for wanting something more with Jane.

I return her smile, "Thank you." I reply looking into her chocolate eyes. Apparently, I just can't seem to stop myself.

A pleasant silence falls between us, but it's interrupted by Jane's cell phone buzzing. She apologizes, as she checks what appears to be a text message and her face scrunches up slightly.

"I'm sorry Maura, but I have to go soon."

I can't stop the sudden disappointment I feel, "That's all right, I have to be leaving soon as well." I smile at Jane, "Byron will be here shortly, and I don't want to be late for our dinner reservation, its rude behavior."

Jane smiles and replaces her cell back into its holster, "I can always rescue you from Yucky-Slucky's clutches if he starts to exhibit rude behavior." She says smirking while flashing her badge and gun while lowering her already raspy voice. "I'm a certified badass you know, and I even have credentials."

Oh God, she's flirting with me again! I wonder if she means to? But then again her unsavory nickname for my date is rather telling.

I laugh at her antics, "I'll keep that in mind Marshall Rizzoli." I retort, shamelessly flirting right back.

I find that Byron's company isn't all that desirable. He is rather pretentious and refers to himself in the third person frequently. At least the restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and the food is impeccable, although I had to imbibe more wine than usual to tolerate my date. Still, I've been careful not to have too much because I don't want Bryon to arrive at the conclusion that trying to engage me in sexual intercourse while somewhat intoxicated is a viable option. That will not be happening tonight, or ever for that matter. The whole night I've caught myself imagining what if it were Jane sitting across from me. I don't normally do 'what if's' but I've never wanted anyone more than I want Jane. Not that Byron has even noticed my lack of interest. Obviously, his favorite subject to converse at length about is himself.

"Maura, did you hear me?" His whiney voice pulls my attention back.

I hate that I'm the one being rude...technically.

"Sorry, it's just I've had a long day." I reply smiling politely. "And I'm still settling into my life and career here in Boston."

"Yes I know, and that's what I was asking you about." He says, wiping his mouth on the linen napkin. "Why did you leave your medical practice in France?"

I don't like where this is going, it's quite a personal answer for me. I take a sip of my Moscotto before answering.

"Being a medical doctor wasn't my true calling." I reply simply which is even more truth about my life than he deserves to know. "And it took me a while to realize that truth."

"Your bed-side manner was lacking?" He asks, rather smarmy in my opinion.

The blunt statement leaves the sinfully sweet wine on my tongue suddenly tasting rather bland. I know now, he doesn't really care what I have to say. Byron is just going through the proper motions in hopes of bedding me. However, he is greatly mistaken if he is under the impression that treating me as inferior to him is arousing to me.

I sit my glass of wine down on the table and push my seat back.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment." I say standing up and then grabbing my clutch off the table as well. I head towards the ladies room; pulling my cell phone out of my clutch along the way.

I scroll through my contact list looking for Jane, and I send her a text: Byron is not a suitable companion for a date.

Just as I'm opening the door to the ladies room my cell chimes, I open Jane's message: Duh! Is he being an ass 2 u?

I chuckle as I type out my reply: Language. But yes he has started being slightly inappropriate. I'm not interested in sleeping with him, let alone even kissing him at the end of this date. I finish, pressing the send button as I move into one of the vacant stalls and turn the lock over.

My cell chimes with Jane's quick reply: Ugh, you're actually gonna c this thing with Slucky through till the end? R u crazy?

I feel somewhat insulted, but more amused than anything. I type out my reply: I am not mentally incompetent, and it would be rude to just leave without him doing something truly unspeakable.

A minute passes before Jane's reply chimes in my hands: Well then u better stop hiding in the bathroom & get back out there, wouldn't want 2 b rude now would we Dr. Isles ;)

I laugh loudly, and I honestly don't care who may have heard me. I shake my head at the flirty message, as I reply: How do you know I'm in the ladies room?

Jane's reply is almost instant: Well I'm fairly certain ur not sitting the table txting ! So that only leaves one logical place.

Then I realize sadly, I've been absent from my terrible date for far too long. I quickly type out one last message to Jane: Very clever Marshall Rizzoli, I do in fact need to exit the ladies room. And I will text you after my date.

My cell chimes with Jane's incoming reply message: Just a reminder...if he gets fresh when he drops u off, me & my gun r just a txt away ;)

I laugh loudly again, even though I'm restraining myself from correcting Jane's bad grammar. I unlock the bathroom stalls door, and step out with a smile on my face. She's so very funny, protective and flirty. I place my cell back into my clutch, as I walk over to the sink to wash my hands. Another much younger and attractive woman is there, in a lovely dark charcoal dress; she smiles at me in the mirror.

"If I were you I would be hurrying home to whomever you were laughing with on your phone." The woman says rather candidly, her voice echoing rather sweetly in the confines of the opulent bathroom. "Instead of wasting my time with that man you left sitting out there."

I give her a puzzled stare, "What do you mean exactly?" I hadn't realized someone might actually be eavesdropping on me.

She grimaces briefly but then smiles, "I didn't mean to rubberneck, as my mother would call it. But I couldn't help but notice you all evening, and my date too is a dud. So when I saw you escape to the bathroom, I followed. God, that sounds so creepy saying it out loud." She confesses, while drying her hands on a towel. "But anyways, I know now that I don't have a chance with you, because you already have someone, sort of...right, who is clearly not the man sitting out there waiting for you."

Rubberneck? I'm going to ask Jane about that colloquialism.

I place my clutch beside the sink basin, "Yes, the person I was on my phone with is very special to me, and yes we are not dating." I run my soapy hands under the lukewarm water. "Also I'm not sure what to say about your confession, other than to say I'm somewhat flattered by it." I reply politely as I dry my hands off.

The woman smiles more, "That's very sweet of you to say. Would you like some advice?" I nod my ascent, "The person you were talking to on your cell phone is who you should be dating," I can't keep the shock off my face and she laughs lightly. "Just the look on your face right now, or when you stepped out of that stall was very revealing. I wouldn't wait any longer to make a move if I were you."

If only it were that simple but maybe it could be?

"Thank you for the advice." I reply, picking up my clutch and moving towards the door. "I really must go back out there, regardless of how much I don't want to."

She gives me a passing wave, "Good luck. But as for me I'm going to hide in here until closing."

I laugh at her admission, while pushing open the door to leave. She clearly has a sense of humor.

Even from the distance, I can see Byron engaged in an unwanted conversation with our waitress as I move towards the table.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were coming back, Maura." Byron says while winking at the waitress, who I notice she rolls her eyes at him.

I barely stifle my urge to laugh at his cluelessness, and my own since I agreed to this date. I ask the waitress for one more glass of wine, and the dark chocolate raspberry truffle dessert.

I attempt to unlock the door to my house, all the while feeling Byron's lingering presence behind me.

"We had a good time tonight don't you think." His abrupt and inaccurate observation very nearly makes me drop my keys. "Here let me help you with that." He offers as I feel his hand slide over mine, as his stocky body presses into my back.

I turn around quickly, effectively loosening his grasp on my hand, but I'm now face to face with him.

"Byron tonight was...adequate." I reply gently while offering him a polite smile. "But I have no wish to see you again in the guise of a date."

I step back from him until I am resting against my front door.

An insulted expression flickers over his face, "Very well, I will respect your wishes." He says expectantly, while adjusting his cufflinks. "Although, a little nightcap would be a nice parting gesture."

That's it! I've had enough of him.

I narrow my eyes at him, "I owe you no such thing, Byron." And with that I turn and open my door, stepping inside I close it forcefully in his pompous face. Another excellent reminder on why I don't date surgeons!

After locking my door; Jane is rather adamant I do that. I smile at the recent memory. Biting my lower lip, I retrieve my cell phone from my clutch, only to find an unanswered text from ten minutes ago from Jane: Where u able 2 get rid of his royal assness?

I laugh once more at Jane's clever words before replying: Assness is not a word. But yes, and I won't even bother with chastising you for language, it's getting late.

Jane replies quickly: So I'm only allowed 2 swear after eleven in your presence via txt msg?Haha

I chuckle at the message, as I reply: Maybe ;) And Jane what exactly is rubbernecking? And I'm more than aware that I'm in fact flirting with her yet again.

Less than a minute passes, before Jane answers: LOL! 2 my knowledge rubbernecking is 2 things. An Elvis Presley song & another word for eavesdropping.

I'm already extremely fond of the notion that I can make Jane laugh. I type out my reply: Thank you for clearing that up for me. And sadly, I really must be going to bed now.

Jane replies quickly: Goodnight then, it 2 is way past my bedtime. I have 2 fly out 2 Denver 2maro evening, yuck! Anyways, I'll call u & txt u l8ter :)

I smile at the sweetness and humor of her message, as I make my way upstairs to my bedroom. Sitting down on the bed I remove my heels, and I can't help but think that the highlights of my entire night relates solely to Jane. I decide right then and there not agree to another date that is not with her, in a subtle effort to make my intentions clearer. And I will ask her out sometime soon, before all this flirting kills us both from sexual frustration. The thought makes me laugh out loud in the quiet expanse of my bedroom, even though such a thing cannot be fatal to a person.

Soundtrack:"Gold On The Ceiling" by The Black Keys, "Chump" & "Stuck With Me" by Green Day, "Right Now" by Van Halen

A/N 2: I wanted to explore the flirty friendship a little more, and can you blame me for wanting some laughs? Also, I know you love to hate what's-his-face, but just remember you already know how everything plays out peeps, and any displaced anger towards me is not needed. So the surprises/fun in this journey lie in everything I skipped over with my other two stories, and I breezed over a lot. The time line of this story (for now) is running in tandem with 'LLH'