I just made myself some extra strong coffee and took 3 different kinds of painkillers because I can't sleep anyway and this chapter has been nagging me from my head ever since I wrote the first one. Thanks so much for all your interest, please keep showing it!

Chapter 2

She moved down the bed and touched her forehead to Maura's, looking right into her eyes. And felt something inside her that she couldn't comprehend. Before she could think about it, she gently pressed her lips to Maura's, a soft, careful kiss that deepened into something much more passionate. Maura felt her body writhe with desire and need as her brain finally registered what her heart had been telling her for years. Jane had undergone a similar revelation a few seconds ahead of her and her hands were now grabbing at Maura's nightdress, sliding under the silk to explore underneath it.

Maura's skin was so soft, so smooth, so unlike any person she'd ever touched in this way. It felt wrong, wrong to take so much pleasure in this, wrong that simply brushing her fingertips up Maura's thigh provoked such a deep craving within her… Maura purred with pleasure, her toes curling as she reached out for Jane, everything fully visible, her bedside lamp making everything in the room glow with a slight golden tinge.

Their kiss continued, pulling them closer together, their bodies pressing into each other, brushing against each other, fitting together perfectly as they explored the brand new sensations. Maura was terrified, but in the best way possible. She felt like a virgin, about to cross into womanhood, knowing she stood on the edge of a cliff and that all she had to do was jump. But it was all such a mystery, she knew nothing of this, nothing of this way of making love… She hated to be so under informed; in any other circumstance her whole nature would have resisted it. But in that moment, in that room, her nature took the entirely opposite path. There was nothing in her that didn't want this. Despite her fear, she knew that everything that was about to happen was perfectly right, perfectly fitting. It was all she wanted, all she had ever wanted.

Jane couldn't believe she hadn't seen this before. She prided herself on her ability to read people, yet she had been unable to read this integral part of herself. And it was integral. It was everything. Maura, these feelings, this fire inside her, was everything she needed, it was part of everything she was and everything she wanted to be. It was about honesty, about trust, about love, about nature, about strength… Admitting it to herself was the biggest release she'd ever felt, but acting on the impulses she now allowed herself to feel already brought yet more freedom, more pleasure.

Maura's breasts were soft, yet firm as well, her nipples hardened to little peaks as Jane rubbed her fingers over them. Her stomach was soft, dipping a little between her hips, but still somehow round, comfortable… Her ribs heaved with her chest, the quiet pants from her mouth betraying her fear and her lust. Jane smiled, knowing Maura would never guess that she was afraid, too. Maura's collarbone made a perfect double arch between her shoulders, her neck was strong and slender… Her muscular legs tensed at Jane's touch. She was beautiful and feminine, but she was strong, too. Her blonde hair fanned out on the pillow, a slight sheen of perspiration covered her forehead as her bright eyes widened with anticipation. Jane kissed her again, softly, tasting her lips, tasting her readiness.

Maura reached for Jane's body, waiting above her like a wild animal above its prey, only all at once the animal wasn't an animal but some kind of angel, or maybe just… Maybe just her best friend, feeling exactly the same way she did. Maura grinned. Jane winked at her, finding fun in this situation which was really everything but funny. Maura felt the knot in her stomach loosen a little as her hands explored Jane's lean torso, her tight abs, her breasts…

"You're so beautiful," she murmured, almost wishing she hadn't spoken. Jane felt herself blushing and leaned in for another kiss, almost just to hide her embarrassment.

They were back to lying on their sides, foreheads touching, holding hands… Maura was hardly sure where she was. She'd lost her nightdress, somewhere, and Jane had lost her underwear. Their bare skin hid nothing and yet neither of them were quite ready to be truly naked. Maura took a deep breath; Jane took one as she breathed out, sharing the air with her, sharing everything.

When they kissed again something was different. They both felt it, it hadn't been intentional, it was just time. Their hands moved with determination, with purpose. The exploring was over. Now it was time for the conquest. Maura slipped her hand between Jane's legs. Someone had to move first. They found a position where both their hands fitted neatly, working together. Maura realised there was nothing to be scared of. She knew Jane's body far better than she'd ever known any man's, and furthermore, she knew how a woman's body worked. She knew herself, and Jane felt just like that, just like an extension of herself.

They rose up together, their hearts racing, eyes open as they watched each other, smiling, biting their lips, pulling closer and closer together again and finally tumbling down as they came almost simultaneously. Maura almost laughed when she took back her hand a minute later, wet and glistening. She didn't really mean to lick her finger until she had already done it. Jane copied her, almost as a child copies another doing something bad in kindergarten. They smiled, triumphant in their misbehaviour, and then they kissed, tasting each other, tasting their pleasure, their power together.

Jane grabbed every part of Maura she could reach. It was both not enough and far more than she could ever have wished for. She was both totally satisfied and already hungry for more. She felt a wave of tiredness wash through her; when they broke apart next she saw it in Maura too. Maura rolled over on her front; Jane began to stroke her back, soothing her, teasing her fingers through her hair.

"Goodnight, Maura," she whispered.

"Goodnight, Jane," Maura whispered back. There was nothing more to say, nothing that needed to be said. They had found something, discovered something, done something, which couldn't be adequately simplified into words. As she drifted off to sleep Maura briefly felt the world coming back to her, other people, outside things, real things like time and work and life and death, but she wasn't awake long enough to think about them very much.

Jane had longer to think before sleep claimed her too, but her thoughts stayed away from guilt or shame. She had done nothing wrong. Strangely, she already had a feeling that Casey would understand. She had a flash of the future, of telling him, of his initial anger followed by relief that he wouldn't have to go through with the wedding, the house, the family… Things he had never wanted anyway. Casey didn't want to grow old with her. Jane didn't think he particularly wanted to grow old at all. He wanted to fight for his country, and probably die for it.

When Maura woke up the next morning it took her a moment to distinguish dreams from reality. She knew where she was, but not where her clothes were. She knew something good had happened but it had been so good that at first she suspected it hadn't been real. She blushed at the thought of having such a dream about someone who trusted her so completely, about someone she was so close to, about someone who was getting married! And then she rolled over in bed.

"Shit!" she screeched. Jane blinked.

"Good morning to you too," she mumbled, still half asleep.

"Uh, yeah, good morning," Maura said slowly, looking around for something to put on. Jane opened her eyes properly.

"Shit," she echoed softly. Maura laughed.

"I… I didn't realise it was real."

Jane's face slowly broke into a grin. "Oh, it was real alright."

Maura blushed.

"You…" Jane suddenly seemed uncertain. "You…?" she couldn't really formulate the question, but Maura realised what she was asking.

"Yes," she said quickly, smiling. "Yes, I… It was the best…"

Words failing her, she leaned in for a kiss, dropping the comforter as her shyness disappeared. Jane let herself be lowered back onto the bed. She loved this way of sharing power, of equality. They were so evenly matched, so able to move together without one needing to be constantly 'on top' of the other.

"Crap, I have to get ready for work," Maura said into the kiss. Jane groaned.

"Do you ever stop thinking about work?" she asked.

Maura laughed. "Come on. We both know you're a total workaholic too."

"Touche. You gonna shower?"

"Yes… Why?"

Jane smiled wickedly. "Can I come?"

Maura grinned. "Only if I can too."

Jane pretended to be astounded. "Maura Isles," she said in her best posh voice, "wash your mouth out with soap!"

"What about with-"

She was interrupted by the pillow which hit her in the face. Laughing, she sauntered away towards the bathroom. Jane leaped out of bed to follow her, cheerfully overtaking her and turning on the shower in the familiar bathroom. Maura narrowed her eyes.

"Go away, I want to pee."

"Maura, you pee in front of me all the time."

"Yes, but…" she gave up, sitting down on the toilet. Jane burped loudly, maybe to make a point, maybe to make her feel more at ease. Either way, Maura rolled her eyes. Jane took out her toothbrush, contemplated it, then put it back.

"I'll only have to do them again in half an hour," she explained. Maura flushed and washed her hands, ignoring Jane's scrutiny until she couldn't help but comment on it.

"Why are you watching me?"

"It's somehow different when you do it without any clothes on," Jane said, grinning. Maura made a face, then stepped into the shower.

"Be nice or I won't let you in," she said. Jane raised one eyebrow. Maura stuck her tongue out, then giggled as Jane captured it in a kiss, gently backing her into the shower and against the cool, tiled wall.

A/N: To be honest I don't even care what you think, I loved writing that so much. But I care what you think really… I think. What did you think? ;)