a/n thanks for waiting guys. I've been away and had some many one shots going on in my head this went on the back burner. I've had some rather interesting opinions on the story and particularly the character Sam. If you want to review the piece please remember that saying 'this story is stupid' and 'Sam is stupid' etc are not critiques. That's your opinion and honestly, I love this story, I love where it's going and if you're willing to stick around for the ride you will love Sam too. I always write Rizzles and I hope that this works out but I have wanted to challenge myself with something a little different. The characters aren't mine yadda yadda yadda.

'What the hell' Jane murmured as she tried to gage her surroundings. Lifting her head she realised she was still on Maura's sofa, and the medical examiner was currently curled up in her lap. Jane stilled her movements so she didn't wake Maura and lay her head back down.

I don't remember seeing the end of the movie, Jane thought. She moved her hand and realised it was cradling Maura's head. Again she stopped moving. So Maura Isles, you like ladies? How has that tidbit escaped my knowledge? I would think I guess I never stood a chance but looking at you now makes me think…oh shit Jane stop it. This isn't a movie, it's real life. Straight women in their late thirties don't just realise they're gay. Just because she's the most amazing person you have ever met doesn't mean you are suddenly switching teams. But when she said it I was jealous, I was confused. I didn't want her out with Sam…

'I did not see this coming' Jane spoke out loud quietly and Maura opened her eyes.

'What are you thinking about Jane?' She sounded like she was still asleep.

'I didn't know you were awake, shall we go to bed?' Jane deflected, and started to get up.
'I guess we should but I'm devastated to be moving as I'm so comfortable'

'We can stay here Maur, I'm not uncomfortable. I just thought you might be' Jane reached for the blanket that had slipped down and pulled it round her lower half and Maura.

Maura stretched out and pulled the blanket up over their torsos and closed her eyes. Within seconds she was out like a light. Jane sat in the dark and prayed for sleep. Eventually about 7am her eyes closed.

When she awoke Maura was gone, and the clock read 11.45am. Stretching she sat up and looked around. Maura was sitting at the island holding a mug in one hand and a book in the other.

'Hey sleepy, finally decided wake up?'

'Huh, yeah sorry. I couldn't really sleep earlier' Jane's voice seemed 4 octaves lower and she tried clearing her throat.

Maura laughed 'Imagine you talked like that all the time, you'd have every suspect confessing in record time' She smiled at Jane, looking happy.

'I'm going to get a shower, see you in a few'

'Take your time, Sam's going to come over for lunch about 1.30 so plenty of time'
Jane stalked off as if she didn't hear what Maura had said. But she had, and she was trying to process how this was making her feel. She definitely wasn't happy. Well if she knew that Sam and Maura were just going to be friends like she had last night that would be okay. But she had no idea, and that bothered her. She racked her brain and tried to think of someone to talk to about this. Definitely not her mother, or her brothers. Okay, family was out. Frost. Yes it would have to be Frost. Rolling her eyes she realised she would have to go back downstairs to get her phone.

Wandering down, she looked around for Maura who apparently had disappeared. Shrugging she headed to the coffee table to lift her phone. Deciding it was now or never, she opened up a new text message

Hey partner, you free for lunch?

Maura's probably gonna be making some amazing tofu scramble

As she typed she called
'Maura! I'm asking Frost to come for lunch, okay?'

'No problem, Jane. Tell him 1.30ish.' Maura called.

Following Maura's voice, Jane found herself out the back. Maura was sitting on her bench with a fresh coffee and her nose still in her book.

'How come you're outside Maura? It's not warm'

This was true and Maura was sitting in her coat and ugg boots.

'I fancied some fresh air, I really enjoy our crisp spring mornings'

'Yeah, it's nice out here. I'll be back'

Maura smiled and her eyes returned to her book, the smile notfading. Jane returned the smile, and turned to head inside. As she stepped inside she heard Maura's phone buzz and her face fell.

…
'Knock knock' Sam's voice rang through Maura's home.

'Come in, we're in the kitchen. You're early' Maura responded. Jane smiled as Sam walked into the room. She did like this girl, they didn't have many female friends and she decided that it was a new day. She would make an effort.

Luckily Frost walked in directly behind Sam.

'Oh Barry, you're also early. Would you guys like a drink?'

Sam headed straight to Maura and Maura gave her a welcoming hug. It was brief and Sam smiled at Jane and touched her arm.

'Hey Jane, we missed you last night. Girls night needs to happen soon please. It's a shame you ducked out early, we had a blast. Squeezing Jane's arm for the last time, she returned to the other side of the island and sat beside Barry.

Maura looked at Barry expectantly.

'Oh yes, I'll have cola' He reached across the counter to the bread Jane was buttering and had his hand batted away.

'Wait, geez. It'll be ready in five minutes.' Jane's tone was teasing and laughter resounded.

'This all looks incredible Maura,' Sam looked around the kitchen at the array of food. 'What soup is that?'

She looked right at Maura and smiled widely. Maura returned the smile, while reaching to get plates. 'Spicy vegetable and lentil. One of my favourites.'

Both Sam and Jane screwed their noses up 'Eww' before simultaneously cringing at themselves.

'Sorry Maura, I'm sure its lovely' Sam rushed out the apology and was surprised to see Maura looking unsurprised.

'You will both have the soup and you will both like it' Maura looked between the girls pointedly and squinted.

'Okay' Jane held her hands up before she lifted the bowls and headed for the table. Stopping beside Sam she winked 'She's always right. I always do' Rolling her eyes she went on to make the table.

Sam stood feeling awkward as Jane seemed so at home helping out. 'What can I do?'

'Grab the breadboard' Maura pointed at the platter Jane had been slicing a minute ago. Sam reached quickly for it. Then looked at Barry, who was drinking his cola and looking greedily at the food.

'Oh I wash up' He said by way of explanation of his lack of activity. Maura raised her eyebrows and smirked.

'Yes, you are. And not very much of what we're serving on goes in the dishwasher so you're not getting off easy'

Barry mock pouted and went back to his phone which was vibrating away.
'Who's on the phone Barry, I hope you don't have to go to work' Sam looked expectantly between Barry and his phone.

'Oh it's just a friend' He couldn't keep the smile from his face.
'A friend, eh? That's a wonderfully bright smile, was that funny or something?' Sam teased 'I bet it's a friend, who's a girl.'

'Yeah Frosty, I bet it is. Come on, tell your friend who's a girl all about her' Jane joined in the teasing and headed in Frost's direction.

The conversation flowed easily for the next hour or so, with everyone pausing at some point to compliment Maura's menu. Just then Jane's phone rang. It was on the side by the sink and by the time Jane had extradited herself from her seat and jogged over it had stopped.
Glancing at the screen, Jane's face dropped.
'Oh'
'Everything okay Jane' Maura stood as she saw Jane's face fall. She started out of her seat when Jane stopped her.

'I think so, do you mind if I go return this call?' She didn't really wait for an answer as she took off out Mauras back door leaving everyone very confused.

'Well we're not ringing so its not work' Barry said as Maura sat again.

'Yes, we better give her her privacy. I'll check in later' Maura looked at the back door, confusion settling on her features as she tried to figure out who the mystery caller was.

Shrugging Barry stood and began clearing the table. Sam rose to help him but was stopped by Maura's hand on his arm. 'Let him, he likes it.'

Winking at Barry, who pouted some more, Maura took Sam's arm and lead her to the living room. They sat on the sofa and Maura noticed the distance between them. She normally sat closer to Jane, but then that's Jane. Everything was heightened with Jane.

They had been chatting quietly for about five minutes when Jane reemerged. She was smiling softly, with her brow furrowed.

She looked around for everyone, finding Barry in the kitchen and Maura with Sam on the sofa. Heading to the kitchen, where Barry was washing dishes she remembered the reason she invited him.
'So can I talk to-' Maura voice cut Jane off.
'Is everything okay?'
'Sure Maura, I'll speak to you later about it' Turning her attention back to Barry 'So-'

'Yes?' Barry kept his hands in the sink, making light work of the dishes. 'Wanna dry these, and tell me about it?'

Nodding Jane grabbed a towel, ' You just don't wanna do all this yourself.'

Jane set about drying the bowls, wondering why they couldn't be put in the dishwasher.

'Jane? You had something you wanted to talk about?' Barry's voice interrupted her thoughts.

'Oh yeah, well there are two things. And now I don't even know where to start. So from the beginning I guess.' Jane rushed the next few sentences out, afraid they wouldn't come otherwise. 'Maura just told me she has an interest in women and at the moment specifically Sam and I dont know how I feel, I think I'm jealous but that doesn't seem right or fair and then Gabriel Dean just called. He's coming to Boston on a case that may last a while. He wants to catch up. And I thought why not, because he is a nice guy. I wasn't ready then and now well I don't know, but I don't really have many options, do I?'

Jane stopped as abruptly as she started. Barry was staring at her, but she had just dropped several bombs on him that she was sure he did not see coming.

'Okay. So thats a lot of information and this is where you choose to tell me it? In Maura's kitchen.' Barry shook his hands and grabbed another towel to dry. 'What do you want me to say. Jesus, Jane. Let's go for a walk or something.'

'I need to talk to Maura first, about Dean. She'll figure out I'm hiding something otherwise.' Jane smiled sadly and Barry put a hand across her shoulders.

Jane ducked out from the embrace 'You can hug me later, just don't be letting Maura see. She'll be over here in an instant'

'Okay, I'll do that' Barry nodded at Jane and turned to finish drying thinking If she's going to let me hug her, this is serious

Jane dropped the towel on the island and headed over to the sofa, taking a seat on a chair to the left of Maura, her usual seat lost to someone more brave.

Maura turned immediately from her conversation. 'Well, are you gonna tell me what that was all about?'
Jane wondered whether she should discuss Dean in front of Sam.

'Yeah Jane, you did seem kind of shocked by what ever it was. Do you need to speak to Maura alone?' Sam moved to stand when Jane spoke quickly.

'Sam, stay. I could use some advice. We don't have many female friends, do we Maur'?' Jane nodded at Maura who nodded her agreement.

'Okay so that was Gabriel Dean.'

Maura didn't speak for a moment, she just looked confused.

'Who's Gabriel Dean?' Sam asked innocently although she was sure at the atmosphere that fell over them he must have been a ex.

'Gabriel is an FBI agent Jane was involved with a few years back.' Maura had recovered and now wanted to know what was happening. 'Things have been strained, what did he want, Jane?'
'He wanted to meet up, but I dunno Maur'. I mean he's not your favourite person and I don't even know how it would work.'

'Jane. That's all in the past. I don't harbour any negative feelings towards him at all.'

Jane nodded slowly 'So I say yes?'

'Yes.' Maura's answer was slightly clipped and Jane caught the edge. Sam did too.

'Is that what you want Jane, just because someone asks you out you do not have to say yes' Sam's eyes were completely focused on Jane, who now looked extremely confused.

Barry appeared behind the sofa. 'You know what you need partner? A long run, come on. I was planning on one anyway.'

Jane looked up. 'You're right. Okay. I will speak to you girls later. Thanks for the words of advice.'

Maura stood the same time as Jane, walking towards the door with her. Putting her arms around her, she spoke softly 'You know I'm here for you. Call me later, please. We can talk some more.'

Jane held her tightly and whispered 'Thank you.'

'Remember to warm up' Maura released Jane reluctantly and gave her a slight punch on the arm.
'Whatever' Jane smirked glad to know Maura was still there for her 'Let's go, Barrold.'