AN: Thanks for the reviews! Here is the 3rd chapter.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Jane woke up and saw Maura sleeping next to her. She watched Maura sleep and remembered what they did last night. Jane lifted the covers and saw that they were both naked. Oh God, what did we do? Jane asked as she moved out of the bed softly, making sure she wouldn't wake Maura. She got dressed into clean clothes and headed into the kitchen to start up a pot of coffee. She leaned against the counter and rubbed her temple. Jane was thinking about 2 things. One was about Hoyt. Where is he? Is he standing outside my apartment right now? Jane sighed. The other thing rushing around in her mind was what happened with her and Maura last night. Jane was almost positive they did this for comfort. Jane started to bite her nails. What if it wasn't out of comfort? What if she likes me that way? She couldn't. Jane thought. It was really fun though. Jane shook her head. Whoa, Jane, what are you even thinking?

"Hey." Jane heard Maura's voice. She jumped a little and turned to see Maura dressed in a turquoise colored dress and heels to match. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Jane said with a small smile. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

"No. I was already up." Maura replied.

"Oh." Jane said. She wasn't sure if she should bring up what happened or wait for Maura to say something. "Want some coffee?"

Maura nodded. The conversation was starting to get awkward. Jane got out 2 cups and poured the coffee.

"Here you go." Jane said as she handed Maura the cup.

"Thank you." Maura said with a smile. She noticed Jane was acting rather quite so she moved closer and set her hand on Jane's shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?"

"No." Jane said truthfully.

"It's because of Hoyt, isn't it?" Maura asked. Jane closed her eyes when she heard the name.

"Yeah…and other things too." Jane said coyly.

"What other things?" Maura asked her and looked into her eyes.

"I…uh…" Jane said. Her cell started to ring. It was Korsak. "It doesn't matter."

Maura frowned as Jane answered her cell phone. "Rizzoli."

"Hey Jane. Frost and I are heading over to the jail to see how Hoyt got out of there. Wanna come?" Korsak asked.

"Uh…no. I was going to interrogate Marlee's best friend and then Mark Brennan too." Jane told him.

"Alright. We'll get there in time to question Mark. Are you gonna be okay by yourself?" Korsak asked.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. See ya later." Jane said and waited for Korsak to say bye before hanging up. "It was Korsak. They're going to check out the jail…to see if they can find out anything. I'm going to ask Maura's best friend some questions. Do you wanna come along?"

"Uh…I wanted to check the body to make sure I didn't miss anything." Maura said, declining Jane's offer.

"Oh. Alright." Jane said, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Call me if you find anything at all."

"I will." Maura replied. "Bye."

"Bye." Jane said as she walked out of her apartment.

…...

Jane tried to remain clam as she headed up to Christina Clarke's apartment. All she could think about was Hoyt sneaking up on her. Come on. You can do this on your own. You don't need Maura here with you. Jane could tell Maura was either mad at her or comfortable. Maybe both. Jane checked the piece of paper one more time and then knocked on the door. The door opened and Jane saw a woman with light blonde hair and was about an inch shorter than her.

"Hey." Christina said and held out her hand. "Are you Detective Rizzoli?"

Jane nodded while shaking her hand. "Yeah and you're Christina Clarke?" She nodded and motioned for Jane to come in. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Christina sat down on the couch and dabbed under her eyes with a tissue. "I can't believe Marlee is dead." Jane stood in front of her.

"Can you think of anyone who might've wanted to harm her?" Jane asked.

"No. Marlee was nice to everyone. I mean, I'm sure some people could've got angered at what she wrote. She's a journalist." Christina said and stared off into the distance.

"Anything recent?" Jane asked.

Christina thought for a second but shook her head. "No. Nothing."

Jane sighed. "Where you on Friday between the hours of 10 PM and midnight?"

Christina's jaw dropped. "You think I killed her? She was my best friend!"

"I ask everyone this question." Jane said. "I can't true anyone out until I'm sure…so, where were you?"

"Here." Christina answered. "I left work and came straight here."

"Can anyone vouch for that?" Jane asked.

"Yes. A few people at work, including Mark Brennan." Christina said, looked up at Jane and looked away quickly.

"Ahh. So, you all work at the Boston Globe?" Jane asked.

"Yeah." Christina said. "Mark and I have worked there for 5 years. Marlee has been there for 3."

"Is there anyone at work that didn't get along with her or vice versa?" Jane said and crossed her arms.

"No! Everyone loved Marlee. She got along with everyone." Marlee said as tears filled in her eyes. "I don't know who would do this."

"When did Marlee leave Friday night?" Jane asked her.

"I left around 8:30 and Marlee was still there…usually, she leaves at 9." Christina explained.

"Tell me about Mark Brennan. Does he get along with her?" Jane asked.

"Yes…well…" Christina started to say and shrugged.

"What is it?" Jane asked.

Well, when I was leaving, I saw them talking and she looked upset. Then, she walked away." Christina said with a frown. "They were dating."

"Really?" Jane asked. "For how long?"

"It's been on and off…why? Don't tell me you think Mark did this too." Christina said and shook her head.

"I have to consider everyone until I can rule them out." Jane told her truthfully.

"Mark is a good guy. He couldn't have done this." Christina replied.

"Do you think it was possible that Mark could've visited Marlee?" Jane asked.

"Yeah, sure. You know what?" Christina said as she stood up and grabbed her cell phone. "She sent me a text that night." Christina went into her messages, picked out the text and handed her phone to Jane.

"Hey. He just called me and won't stop yelling at me. I can't take this anymore." Jane read aloud the text and looked at Christina. "Could she mean anyone else?"

"Christina shook her head. "No. She doesn't even have any family."

"No one? No parents or siblings?" Jane asked.

"No. Her parents died in a car crash and her parents had no siblings. She's an only child. There isn't anyone else." Christina said and Jane felt bad for Marlee. "Please. Promise me you'll find who killed her."

"I promise. Is that all you have to tell me?" Jane asked and Christina nodded. Jane handed her a card with contact information on it. "If you think of anything at all, lemme know immediately, alright?"

"Of course. Bye detective." Christina said with a smile.

"Bye." Jane said with a small wave.

As Jane walked down to her car, she was thinking Mark Brennan could be the killer. She dialed Korsak's number. He didn't pick up so it went straight to voice mail.

"Hey, it's Jane. Christina Clarke gave me some good information. She said she saw Marlee arguing with Mark Brennan at 8:30 and sent her a text later that night that said Mark was arguing with her. I'm heading over the PD right now. I'll see you there."

Jane got back to the PD, went to her desk and leaned back in her chair. She looked up to see Mark Brennan being escorted into interrogation but still didn't see Korsak or Frost. I should go see Maura. Jane thought and headed down to the morgue. When she got down there, Jane saw Maura washing her hands at the morgue sink. She hesitated at the door.

Maura turned around and saw her. Jane could tell she caught her off guard. "Hello Jane. Did questioning the best friend go okay?"

"Yeah, just fine. Look, I want to talk about something." Jane said as her breath quickened.

"About…" Maura said, not looking at Jane.

Jane could see how this was going to start and how it was going to end.

"You know…it doesn't really matter. I can see you're not interested." Jane said while she turned to leave.

"Jane." Maura said. "Don't leave."

Jane turned back around. "If you don't want to know what's bothering me, than just tell me you don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"Jane…that's not it at all." Maura said with a frown as she walked toward her.

"Really? What is it then?" Jane said forcefully.

"I…" Maura started and walked away from Jane. She down in her chair and covered her face.

Jane sighed. "Maura…don't cry." When Jane said that, it made her cry even more. "Please don't cry. I hate it when you cry."

"Well I'm…I'm sorry." Maura tried to say in between sobs.

Jane kneeled by her and rubbed her back. "Do you want to talk about something? I can tell you want to."

Maura wiped her eyes. "Actually, I do. I don't know how to say this but-"

At that moment, Frost walked into the morgue. Jane turned to look at him. "Hey Jane. I found you…ooh…am I interrupting something?"

She looked back at Maura. "Uhh…"

"It can wait. It's not that important." Maura said with a small smile.

"Are you sure?" Jane asked and Maura nodded. "Okay. I'll be up in interrogation, alright?"

I have to tell her…before it's too late. Maura thought as she watched Jane walk out with Frost. She held it together for a second but started to cry again.

…..

Jane, Korsak and Frost walked into the room where Mark Brennan sat. Jane could tell he looked freaked or it was just a good poker face.

"Alright, I'm gonna cut down to the chase. I'm not fooling around." Jane said as she sat down in front of him. "Where were you on Friday between the hours of 9 PM and midnight?"

Mark stammered. "I…uh…"

Jane slammed her hands down on the desk. "Answer the damn question."

"I was at work!" Mark said in a scared tone. Jane obviously freaked him out. "Ask Christina or anyone else that was there."

"Christina left at 8:30 and you were still there so she can't help you." Jane said as she stared him down. "When did you leave work?"

"Around 11…why are you guys even accusing me of this?" Mark asked while glancing at the three detectives.

"Because we have solid evidence that could put you at Marlee's house the night she was murdered." Jane told him.

"Christina said that you and Marlee were arguing before she left." Frost added.

"Not to mention Christina said Marlee texted her saying that you called Marlee and were yelling at her. I saw the text to prove it." Jane said forcefully.

"I didn't kill her. I loved Marlee!" Mark pleaded. "I didn't do this."

"So you're saying you didn't do this?" Jane said as she pushed the folder over to him.

When he saw the pictures, he covered his mouth and pushed them back over to her. "No! I didn't. Oh my God."

"Look. I get it. We all get mad." Jane started to say. "We say things we don't mean…we do things we regret. I bet Marlee broke up with you and you couldn't have that so you went over to talk to her and things didn't go the way you planned and here we are."

"No! It wasn't like that." Mark said with his jaw dropped. "Look. Christina was right. We did argue at the office. She was breaking up with me. I called her later that night and hoped I could change her mind and I got a little carried away and started yelling. I wouldn't hurt her, I swear to you."

"We found your hair at the crime scene in Marlee's bed." Korsak said.

"I wasn't there that night." Mark told them.

"Then why was your hair in her bed?" Jane asked and glared at him.

Mark groaned. "We had sex, alright? Who doesn't have sex? I'm sure you do, detective."

"That isn't your business." Jane told him.

"If you didn't kill her…do you know anyone who might've?" Frost asked him.

"No." Mark said as he shook his head. "Marlee was a sweet girl and she didn't mess with no one."

"That's almost what Christina said." Jane said.

"Well, it's true!" Mark explained. "She was one of the nicest people I knew."

Jane stood up. "That's about all I have to say…do you guys have anything to add?" Frost and Korsak both shook their heads and walked out. "You're free to go. I wouldn't think about leaving town if I were you."

"Please. I didn't kill her." Mark said with a frown.

"That's what they all say." Jane said as she walked out.

"What do you think?" Korsak asked as they watched Mark Brennan being escorted out by two officers.

"I don't know what to think. He's definitely our number suspect though." Jane told them. "So…what did you find back at the prison?"

"Well, we questioned a few workers, uniforms and inmates. They claimed they saw nothing." Frost told her.

"How is that possible?" Jane asked and crossed her arms.

"We don't know. One of the guards fell asleep on the job." Korsak said. "Also, there was a camera that had been spray painted…we're guessing he got out that way."

"And no one noticed a thing?" Jane said angrily.

They both shook their head.

"I'm sorry, Jane." Frost said with a frown.

"How did he get out of his cell?" Jane asked.

"Nothing was vandalized so someone had to have a key." Frost told her.

Jane sighed. "Well, can you check the footage and see if anything strange or suspicious comes up?"

They both nodded.

"Are you going home, Jane?" Korsak asked.

"Yeah…lemme know if anything turns up, alright?" Jane asked and they both nodded. She waved to them as she headed down to the morgue. When she got there, Maura wasn't in sight.

"What the hell." Jane said as she looked around. "Where are you, Maura?"

"Right here." Maura said behind her and made Jane jump. "Oh God. Did I scare you?"

"No. Not at all." Jane said sarcastically. Maura was holding 2 coffees in her hand.

"I thought you might need one of these." Maura said and smiled.

"Thanks." Jane said while taking it from her and smiled back. "I was thinking about heading home."

"I want to go home too." Maura said as she went over to get her purse. "Ready?"

Jane nodded. "Yeah."

…..

It was only a few minutes after they got home. Maura was getting up the courage to tell Jane what she has wanted to tell her for a long time now.

Maura opened her mouth to speak but Jane started before her. "Hey, I'm gonna get a shower, okay?"

"Uhh…yeah. Okay." Maura said with a small smile as she watched her best friend walk away.

Maura started to fidget as she sat on the couch. I never fidget. She stood up and walked into Jane's spare bedroom. She was in her bra and underwear when she got an idea. Maura opened up the door to Jane's bathroom. The water was already running. The door made a loud noise when Maura closed it and she stared at the shower curtain. She saw Jane's arm shoot out for her gun and she looked out.

"Maura!" Jane yelled at her and noticed her in just her bra and underwear. She put down her gun. "What are you…what are you doing?"

"I have something to tell you." Maura said and took a deep breath.

"Uh…what?" Jane said. "You're an underwear model or something?" Jane laughed.

Maura didn't laugh. "No…it's nothing like that."

"Then what, Maura?" Jane asked while many possibilities ran through her mind.

Maura sighed. "I don't know what you're going to think after this…I just want you to know that…you'll always be my best friend."

"Maura…what's wrong? You're scaring me." Jane said with a frown.

"I think the only way I can truly say this is to show you." Maura said and walked a little closer.

"Maura…" Jane replied. Maura closed her eyes as she unhooked her bra and took off her underwear. Jane's jaw dropped as she watched Maura push her way into the shower. "Maura."

Maura stood in front of Jane as the warm water fell upon them. "Jane…I love you...I'm in love with you." Maura closed her eyes and waited for Jane to shoot her down.

"You…you are?" Jane asked.

Maura nodded. "For a while now…I finally realized it the other night…when we…"

"I…" Jane started. "I love you too, Maura."

"Really?" Maura asked her. "You don't have to lie to me just so you don't hurt my feelings. I understand if you-"

Jane grabbed Maura by the waist and pulled her against her. "I'm not lying. I really do." Maura smiled and realized that she started to cry. "I'm sorry that I took so long to say it. I was scared."

"I understand. I'm glad I was brave enough to say it." Maura replied.

"Me too." Jane said as she kissed Maura passionately. "Just so you know…the other night…I wasn't doing it out of comfort…I really wanted to do it."

Maura smiled. "I know."

After Jane and Maura had their steamy make out session in the shower, they got out and cuddled on the couch under a blanket.

Jane was starting to fall asleep when her cell phone started to ring.

"Oh man, what now?" Jane asked with a groan as she sat up and answered her phone, not bothering to look at the caller I.D.

"Rizzoli." Jane said.

"It's Korsak…Jane, there's been another murder." Korsak told her.

"Okay…we'll be there." Jane said as she hung up and looked down at her girlfriend. "There was another murder, Maura."

AN: Okay. There will officially be Rizzles in this story now and like I said before, I have big plans for this story. Haha. Please leave me a review and lemme know what ya think. I don't have a lot of reviews so please spread the word or something. Hehe.