A/N: Thank you to Ann whose brilliant mind this story idea sprung from. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and to all the people following and sharing this story.


Maura arrived at 9 pm exactly. The restaurant was dark inside and the door was locked.

Maura turned around and started to go back to her car when Jane called out her name. Maura turned around to see Jane standing in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, please come in." Jane said to her and Maura slipped passed her and went inside.

"I wanted to get some samples ready for you." Jane told her as she led Maura into the dining room to a small table that was set. "Please sit down and I'll bring out the food." Jane told Maura as she pulled out a chair for her.

Maura sat down and Jane scooted her in then left to go into the kitchen.

When Jane returned she was no longer wearing her chef jacket. Instead she had on a black t-shirt and her black slacks. She was carrying two plates of food and set them down on the table.

"It's a few samplings of some of the dishes that will be served." Jane told Maura as she sat down opposite her. Jane opened the bottle of red wine that was on the table and poured some into a glass for Maura.

"Thank you." Maura said taking the glass. She sniffed it, swirled it around a bit then took a sip. "Mmm." Maura said putting the glass down.

"You like that?" Jane asked her as she poured herself a glass.

"It's delicious." Maura said to her.

"It's a family wine from Italy." Jane told her then took a sip. "My cousins run the vineyard and winery."

"Well they are doing an excellent job." Maura told her as she took another sip.

"Try some of this." Jane said as she forked what looked like miniature ravioli and held it up for Maura.

Maura leaned forward and opened her mouth, she wrapped her lips around the fork and Jane pulled it out slowly.

Maura leaned back and chewed, "Oh my god, this is wonderful." She said covering her mouth with a hand.

Jane smiled, "I knew you'd like it."

"What's in it?" Maura asked using her fork to get another bite.

"A little of this and a little of that." Jane said smiling as she took a sip of wine.

"Ah I see." Maura said, "A magician never reveals his tricks."

They sat and ate the sample dishes and finished off the bottle of wine.

"This is going to be a hard decision." Maura said to Jane as she put her fork down.

"Wait, there's dessert." Jane said as she stood up and picked up their plates. She retreated into the kitchen then came back out with a plate that was covered. She set it on the table then sat down in her chair.

"Close your eyes." Jane said to Maura and Maura just looked at her. "Trust me and close your eyes."

Maura closed her eyes. She listened as Jane removed the metal cover on the plate. She heard the fork scrap the plate a little. "Open your mouth." Jane said to her quietly.

Maura opened her mouth and jumped a little when she felt Jane cup her chin, "Close." Jane said and removed her hand. Maura closed her mouth around the fork and Jane pulled it out.

With her eyes still closed Maura tasted the richest, silkiest chocolate she'd ever tasted in her life. She noted a hint of raspberry as well. She let out a little moan as she finished chewing and swallowed.

Maura opened her eyes and was surprised at the close proximity of Jane. Jane looked into Maura's eyes and leaned in and for a brief second, Maura couldn't breathe and pulled back a little.

"Are you okay?" Jane asked when she saw Maura's breath hitch.

Maura smiled then looked down, embarrassed, "Yes."

Jane scooted back, "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." Jane said and Maura looked up at her.

"No, that's okay." Maura said then stood up, "I better go. It's getting late."

Jane stood up in front of Maura, "I understand." Jane said and stepped aside.

Maura walked passed her and Jane followed her to the front door. Jane lightly grabbed her by the arm at her elbow. Maura turned around and Jane dropped her hand, "Don't forget the menu." Jane told her then handed her a piece of paper.

Maura took the paper from her, "Thank you." She said then pushed the door open and left. Jane watched as Maura got into her car then drove away.

Maura only got a block before she pulled over and shut the car off. She sat with her hands on the steering wheel. "What the hell is going on?" She said quietly to herself. She sat for only a moment till she stopped shaking then started the car and went home.

Jane locked up her restaurant then cleared the table. She smiled to herself. Maura Isles totally wanted to kiss her.

"Mother, have you approved the menu for your private party?" Maura asked Constance as they worked in her office.

"Yes." Constance said and handed her the revised menu.

Maura looked it over, "I'll call the chef and let her know."

"The chef is a woman?" Constance asked surprised.

"Yes, I thought you knew that." Maura said and Constance just shook her head.

Maura left Constance's office and went to her desk and called A Taste of Italy to make the arrangements. One of the sous-chefs, a man by the name of Gavin took down all the details.

After the phone call Maura busied herself with the rest of her work.

The day of the party Maura was at her mother's home in Boston making sure everyone knew what their jobs were. A knock at the front door interrupted Maura's momentum. One of the maids answered it and Maura saw Jane with 8 people standing behind her.

"The servant entrance is to the side of the house." The maid told Jane and Jane stepped back and instructed her people to follow her.

Jane put her crew to work as soon as they got into the large kitchen. Maura did her best to steer clear of the kitchen for most of the day.

Maura was upstairs helping her mother get ready, "I hope tonight goes well." Constance said as she put in her diamond earrings.

"It's only about 20 people coming for a dinner party, Mother." Maura said to her as she handed Constance's her high heels.

"Yes but these are 20 important people that will help me fund my campaign." Constance said as she slipped on her shoes and stood up. "How do I look?" She asked doing a little pose.

"You look wonderful." Maura said.

Maura went into one of the spare rooms to change. She wore a simple off the shoulder dark blue dress and a small diamond necklace. She put in her earrings, slid on her high heels then stood up and smoothed out her dress. She admired herself in the mirror and smiled.

Maura went downstairs; her mother was busy ordering the maids around. Maura decided to slip into the kitchen, just to make sure everything was going according to plan.

Maura watched Jane as she put the finishing touches on the salads. Jane looked up and smiled when she saw her.

Jane waved her over to look at the food. "I hope it's to your liking." Jane said as Maura looked from the salads, to the soup and the main course.

"It all looks wonderful." Maura said to her and Jane smiled. The doorbell rang and Maura turned around. "I better go." Maura said and turned to leave.

She was almost to the kitchen door when she felt a hand on her bare shoulder stopping her. Jane leaned in, "Your dress is unzipped a little."

Maura felt the back of Jane's knuckles slide down her bare back. It sent shivers up her spine. Jane gently took the zipper and zipped it up. She leaned forward and whispered in Maura's ear, "You look absolutely gorgeous tonight."

Maura didn't say anything, she couldn't. She was trying to remember how to breathe. Jane took her hand off Maura's shoulder and Maura pushed through the kitchen doors and left without turning around.

The dinner party went off smoothly. Everyone talked and enjoyed the food and by the end of the night Constance had 6 new contributors. Maura stood with her mother at the front door while she thanked everyone for coming.

Once the last guest left Constance shut the door and sighed heavily, "I am exhausted." She said to Maura as they walked to the staircase.

"I'm just going to check on the kitchen, make sure everything is getting cleaned up." Maura told her mother who nodded and continued up the stairs.

Maura went into the kitchen to see Jane and two other people cleaning up. Jane was stacking pots onto a pushcart and telling one of the men to take it to the van.

"Tonight was a success thanks to you and your food." Maura said and Jane turned around and looked at her.

"Thank you." Jane said to her. "We'll only be in here for about 20 minutes then we'll get out of your hair."

"That's okay." Maura said as she stood near one of the kitchen islands.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" Jane asked holding up half a bottle.

"No thank you I probably shouldn't. I had quite a bit during dinner." Maura said holding up a hand.

"Can't have you losing control." Jane said to her, "Although I'd really love to see it."

"Yes well." Maura said as she smoothed out her dress.

"You don't always have to be so proper around me." Jane told her. "I mean I am just the help." She said then winked at her.

"I'll go get your check." Maura said and turned around and headed out of the kitchen. Jane smiled as she continued to load things onto another pushcart.

Moments later Maura came in with a white envelope. "Here you go." Maura said to Jane as she held it out to her.

Jane took it from her, "Thanks." She said and put it in her chef jacket. "Stay here for a minute." Jane said then went outside and came back in holding a bottle of wine.

"This is for you." Jane said holding it out to her.

"Oh no I can't accept that." Maura said shaking her head.

"Sure you can." Jane said stepping closer to her, "It's from the Rizzoli winery, the one you liked at the restaurant."

Maura took the bottle, "Well thank you." She said to her.

"Maybe when you drink it you can think of me." Jane said to her and Maura was just about to say something in protest when one of Jane's workers came in and asked if they were going to be leaving any time soon.

"Goodbye Maura." Jane said to her, "I hope this won't be the last we see of each other."

Jane pushed the cart out to her worker then shut the side door behind her when she left.

Maura said goodnight to her mother then went home. She kicked off her heels as soon as she stepped inside and walked barefoot to the kitchen. She put the bottle of wine Jane gave her into the fridge then went upstairs to change for bed.

In the morning Maura woke early, took a shower and got dressed. Constance was scheduled for a debate with her opponent and Maura needed to make sure Constance was prepared.

Maura arrived at Constance's house and helped her with a few revisions to her speech while she got ready.

"You seem distracted this morning." Constance said to Maura as she slipped into her heels.

"I'm sorry I've just got a few things on my mind." Maura said to her.

"Anything you'd like to share?" Constance asked as she grabbed her briefcase from the dresser.

"No." Maura said politely.

"Okay, well let's go." Constance said to her and they went downstairs.

The town car took them to city hall and Maura followed Constance inside. Constance stopped in her tracks and Maura just about bumped into her. "What is it?" Maura asked her.

"Let's go this way." Constance said to Maura and tried to lead her in a different direction.

Maura looked to see what Constance was staring at. Two women were standing in line with three other couples at the Marriage License window. The two women were holding hands and one had her head rested on the other's shoulder.

Maura furrowed her brow, "What's the problem?" she asked her mother.

"Don't make me say it Maura." Constance said to her.

"We have to go down this hallway, there's no other way to get to the conference room." Maura told her as she started to walk away. "It's not like you can catch it." Maura said to her mother as they walked passed.

"You know Mother; a majority of homosexuals live in our fair city." Maura said as they continued down the hall.

"I'm well aware of what lives in my city." Constance said to her.

Maura shook her head, "You're unbelievable sometimes."

"It's not like they'd be voting for me anyways. I'm a Republican." Constance said as she pushed the door to the conference room in and went inside.

Maura stood back stage as her mother debated with her opponent. She wandered from backstage to the main hallway and stood there watching people come and go. Maura heard the crowd cheering and knew that the debate was nearing its end. She was just about to go back inside when she saw Jane walking up the hallway.

Jane walked right up to her. "Are you stalking me?" Jane asked.

"What?" Maura asked, "No of course not." Maura looked around, "My mother is at a debate."

Jane started to laugh, "Relax, I was just joking around."

Maura glared at her, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for business." Jane told her as she leaned against the wall. "So how's it going in there?" Jane asked her with a nod to the room.

"I honestly don't know." Maura told her.

"Not much for politics are you?" Jane asked her.

"No not really." Maura told her, "This has always been my mother's dream."

The crowd cheered again and Maura wondered for who this time. "I better get in there." Maura said to Jane.

Jane pushed off the wall, "I'll see you around."

"Bye." Maura said and before she went in Jane stopped her.

"You should come by the restaurant for dinner some time." Jane said to her as she started down the hall. "I'll cook for you personally."

"I'd like that." Maura said then she slipped inside and the door shut behind her.

Jane smiled as she continued down the hall to stand in line.

Maura and Constance were emerging from the conference room and making their way down the hall.

"Maura!" Jane shouted behind them.

Maura and Constance both turned around to see Jane coming quickly up the hall.

"Glad I caught you." Jane said to Maura, "How about tomorrow night for dinner?" She asked.

"I don't know." Maura said then looked at her mother. "I might be busy."

"Well you have to eat." Jane said to her with a smile.

"Maura, can we go please?" Constance asked her.

Maura looked at her mother then Jane, "I'll call you." She said to Jane and she smiled.

Constance and Maura left Jane in the hall as they walked outside. Some of the press stopped Constance to talk to her for a moment.

They then got into the town car Constance turned to Maura and asked, "Who was that woman?"

"That's the chef from A Taste of Italy." Maura told her.

"I'm supposed to know this woman?" Constance asked.

"She's done the catering for your last two parties." Maura told her.

"And she wants you to come to dinner?" Constance asked.

"I suppose so." Maura said to her as the driver drove them back to the office.

"Why?" Constance asked.

"I'm guessing to eat, Mother." Maura said to her.

"Don't get smart with me Maura." Constance said to her.

"Yes Mother." Maura said with a sigh.

The next day while Maura sat going through appointments for her mother at the office she contemplated calling Jane.

She'd pick up her phone, dial the number then hang up. She decided to go then she'd talk herself out of it.

By the afternoon she was mentally tired. 'It's just dinner.' Maura thought to herself as she dialed Jane's number.

"I was hoping you'd call." Jane said without a hello.

"I almost didn't." Maura admitted.

"I'm glad you did." Jane said to her, "Are you coming for dinner tonight?"

"Yes, if that's okay." Maura said to her.

"Of course it's okay." Jane said to her, "How's 8 tonight?"

"Sounds good." Maura said.

"Great, I'll see you then." Jane said then hung up.

Maura finished up the things she needed to do at the office. She gave her mother the itinerary for tomorrow then said good night and went home.

She showered then tried to figure out what to wear for dinner tonight. She picked out a simple black dress and a pair of sensible heels. She examined herself in the mirror making sure everything was in place.

Maura arrived at the restaurant and was confused when she noticed it was dark inside again. She didn't know what to do other than knock on the glass door. Minutes later Maura saw Jane coming from the back of the restaurant. She was wearing a dark blue dress shirt and black slacks.

Jane unlocked the front door and opened it, "Hi." Jane said to her.

"Hi." Maura said as she stepped inside. "I'm sorry, but I thought we were having dinner."

"We are." Jane said as she led Maura to the kitchen.

"Where is everyone?" Maura asked, "I mean shouldn't you have customers?"

Jane smiled at her as she went over to one of the prep tables and picked up a knife. "I sent everyone home and closed early."

Maura was surprised at this, "Why?"

"Because we're having dinner." Jane told her as she started to chop something.

Maura tilted her head to see what Jane was chopping, "Is that mint?" Maura asked as she swallowed hard.