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Chapter 2

Maura was halfway through her nighttime rituals when she heard loud thumping on her front door. She reached for the glass of water at the edge of the sink and took a swig to rinse her mouth. For a few seconds she stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection before leaning over to spit. Assuming her visitor left, she reached for her makeup remover when the steady rap carried through the house once more.

She felt the sigh leave her body. Resignation. At this hour there was no doubt who stood on the other side of her door. The muscles in her neck tightened and she rolled her shoulders, trying to fight back against the tension coiling her body. A third set of knocks broke her reverie and she tugged the robe off its hook on her way out, securing the knot while she trotted down the stairs.

Though she knew, felt, the presence on her stoop, Maura still peered through the door to confirm. It was almost comical to see the way that Jane rocked from foot to foot as she stared out onto the street. She watched the brunette lift her hand, biting the edge of her thumb as she waited. Though she often scolded Jane about the hygiene issues associated with nail-biting, she secretly found the habit endearing. Even Jane Rizzoli could be vulnerable.

Maura took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever came next. Apologies? Arguments? At the moment, she had no fight left and simply disabled the alarm and unfastened each lock. She pulled open the door and leaned against it, exhausted.

Jane was trying not to fidget as she stood on the porch. She slapped her hands against her thighs, tapping a steady beat as she burned off nervous energy. When the door opened she began talking before turning around. "I can't believe you left without saying…" The rest of the sentence fell away when she saw Maura illuminated in the doorway, embraced in satin. "Uh…"

Maura felt smug as she watched Jane's tough demeanor falter. She felt her skin heat under the intensity of the detective's gaze, but gave no outward indication that she was affected at all. One eyebrow lifted and she waited for Jane to continue but an awkward silence settled between them.

They might've stood that way the rest of the night, but the autumn breeze passed over Maura's skin and she shivered. Pulling the robe tighter, she finally spoke. "Jane." A curse. A prayer. Salvation. She couldn't be certain, but stepped away from the entrance, allowing Jane to pass.

"You left," Jane mumbled as she entered the house.

"I did," Maura confirmed as she relocked the front door and set the alarm. "I'd had enough for the evening." The air felt thicker and she drew in a shaky breath.

Jane frowned. She was taken by the way Maura's robe split just slightly at her chest, giving the barest hint of the nightgown beneath it. The rich eggplant tone contrasted against Maura's pale skin, giving her an ethereal glow. "Do you always answer the door this late at night in…" Her brow tightened, unsure how to finish the question.

She might've felt defensive, but the low register of Jane's voice and the hint of curiosity told her that it wasn't meant to be accusatory. "I don't have many late night visitors, Jane. I was getting ready for bed."

"I," she began again, but found herself unable to complete a thought.

Maura waited for Jane to continue. To rapid fire questions at her or even explain her presence, but nothing happened. A yawn snuck up and gave her an excuse to end their discomfort. "There are fresh sheets in the guest room." They both knew Jane would stay over. "I put your pajamas in the top drawer."

For the first time since her arrival, Jane smiled. "You don't have to do my laundry, Maura." Her teasing tone coaxed a shy grin from the blonde.

"I don't mind," she answered softly. As she passed, she patted Jane's arm. "You'll get the lights when you're ready." It was less of a question, simply confirming that Jane was welcome to stay, but that she would not linger any longer.

"Yeah." Jane stared after her, unmoving. Her eyes drifted to the front door and back to the hallway that would lead upstairs. There was no real debate and Jane gave a resolute nod. She dropped her keys on the table next to the door and removed her boots. Her blazer was tossed onto the back of the couch as she passed by.

On her way up the stairs, she untucked her shirt and began unbuttoning it. She glanced at the guest room door as she passed, but didn't stop walking until she was outside Maura's bedroom. The door was closed and she was surprised to see her hand tremble as she gently turned the knob.

She listened before pushing it open further and stepped in. A bedside lamp cast a warm glow on the room. Maura was humming softly. Without witnessing it, Jane imagined Maura washing her face before applying ridiculously expensive cold creme. It was one thing that Jane never teased her about, having touched Maura's soft cheek.

Before her confidence could wane, the brunette moved quietly through the room and approached the bed. She hesitated a moment, considering what to do. Realizing it would look more peculiar for her to be standing in a state of flux, she walked around to her side of the bed and stretched out. It presented a picture of calm which belied Jane's inner turmoil.

Though it wasn't entirely unexpected, Maura couldn't decide if Jane's intrusion was welcome. Had she not shown up, there might've been disappointment or hurt. Still, having Jane in her home tonight made her feel raw and vulnerable. There was nothing she could do about it and after a good night's sleep she convinced herself she could compartmentalize.

She slipped off the robe and rehung it on the hook. Her fingers dragged over the light switch as she re-entered the room. Maura was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice Jane's presence until she was halfway across the room. "Shit!" she stopped abruptly and brought a hand to her chest.

"Tsk, tsk. Language, Maura." The teasing came naturally and Jane smiled.

Maura took in the site of Jane lying in bed as if it were hers to claim. One arm was folded and tucked behind her head while the other was draped across her stomach. Her undershirt remained mostly tucked in, but the dark oxford was spread open. She watched the steady rise and fall of Jane's chest and idly wondered if it was possible to die of pent up desire.

While Maura's eyes were staring down unfocused, Jane's gaze was completely on Maura. Without the shield provided by a robe, Jane was able to see how the satin nightgown hugged every curve. Workouts, changing rooms, injuries, and other life events made each woman aware of the other's body. However, in the half light, staring at Maura's frozen form, Jane was keenly aware of how much more intimate this was.

Her mind told her to move. To act natural. Instead, Maura remained motionless, caught between what she felt she should do and what she wanted to do.

The longer their standoff went, the more nervous Jane became. She felt Maura's discomfort mingle with her own and could stand it no more. "I uh…" she fumbled. "I wanted to tell you goodnight." She winced at how stupid it sounded. "So I'll just…go…now," though she made no immediate effort to leave.

The threat of Jane's departure broke through a fog of indecision. Having Jane in her bed was less frightening than her absence. "No!" She flushed. "I mean…you don't have to…" Maura drew in her bottom lip and turned away, intent on re-closing the bedroom door. The slight distance gave her a boost of confidence. She glanced over her shoulder, "Are you planning to sleep in your clothes?"

"Maybe," she smirked. When their eyes met she felt something pass. Her stomach fluttered and she drew in a shaky breath.

Maura was distracted, studying Jane's response. She wasn't paying attention to her own movements and her toe connected sharply with the edge of the door. "Ow!" Stumbling backwards, she reached blindly for something to catch her fall.

Jane shot up from the bed, launching herself at Maura. She managed to arrive in time to steady the smaller woman before her collapse. A contented sigh slipped past her lips when Maura leaned against her, trying to balance on her sore foot. Without permission, Jane bent down and slipped an arm beneath Maura's knees before lifting her up.

Maura gasped as she was swept off her feet. "I…I stubbed my toe," she volunteered, though it was obvious.

Jane managed to smile, though she was still worried. "I saw." Under Maura's awestruck gaze, she felt invincible. Squeezing her tighter, she smiled when Maura's arm snaked around her neck. Her movements were gentle as she carried the smaller woman over to the bed and set her down. Before pulling away Jane kissed her forehead.

Maura managed to scoot back against the pillows and shifted her legs inward so Jane could sit next to her. Already, the heat from Jane's body was dissipating and left her feeling chilled. When she looked up, her expression softened. "Th..thank you," she managed, surprised by her own shyness.

She could feel the walls between them crumbling. Relieved, Jane studied Maura's face. "You okay?"

The incident was a mild embarrassment, but Maura relaxed against the pillows and smiled back at Jane. "I'll be fine."

"Let me see." Without waiting for permission, Jane pulled Maura's foot into her lap and brushed her fingers across the skin. The touch was gentler than her gruff exterior would indicate. Jane pretended to look serious as she assessed the damage. There was a small pink welt on her big toe and Jane caressed it with her thumb. "Wiggle."

Maura giggled at the touch and eyed Jane with suspicion. "Excuse me?"

"Your toes," Jane said as if it was absurd she had to clarify. "Wiggle them." She watched as Maura moved her toes back and forth several times. "Well," she said, turning back to face her. "I don't think anything's broken, but you'd do well to avoid those fancy shoes for a few days."

"Is that right, doctor?" She couldn't keep the suggestive tone from her voice and felt her pulse quicken.

"Yep." Jane tipped her head to the side. Acting on impulse, she leaned down and pressed her lips to the top of Maura's toes. She missed the surprised gulp and kissed the injured toe once more before straightening. "I should get you some ice."

Maura coughed to clear her voice but it still came out as a squeak. "No."

Given Maura's over-attentiveness to any and all injuries, her objection was surprising. "No?"

"I…it's fine. I think it startled me more than anything." She reached out and patted the space next to her. "C'mere."

Jane hesitated, looking once more at Maura's foot. The blonde nudged her leg, encouraging her to move. Jane chuckled and stood up. On the other side of the bed, she flopped down and rolled onto her side. She slipped her arm beneath the pillow and settled against it, facing Maura.

The blonde's movements were more demure as she shifted to face Jane. Her nightgown wasn't overtly revealing, but she was careful to maintain her modesty. Mimicking Jane's position with the pillow, she looked up and smiled when she saw the other woman watching her.

A strand of hair fell forward and before Maura could pull it back, Jane reached forward. She tucked it behind an ear and slid the silky strands between her fingers. When Maura's eyelids fluttered closed, she was encouraged to continue. Fingertips danced across a bare shoulder, tracing swirls and circles until goosebumps appeared.

Each beat of her heart seemed to erupt like thunder and it took all of her concentration to maintain steady breathing. She opened her eyes and found Jane's alight with affection. Lips curved into a content smile and she reached out, brushing her fingers over the edge of Jane's shirt. Her palm rested against the brunette's chest and felt the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

With her left hand, Jane grazed her knuckles along Maura's side, smiling at the sudden intake of breath. The silence between them was comfortable, but questions still lingered at the edge of her mind. Though she suspected the answers, she couldn't rest without knowing for sure. When she spoke, her voice was soft. "What made you take off tonight?"