Thank you all so much to my reviewers! I'm so glad that there are people actually reading and enjoying this story! It definitely pushes me to get in finished! I only really have one more chapter planned out so here we go! Everybody ready to find out just what the H E double hockey sticks happened on Friday night?

Standard Disclaimer: Still not mine to have and to hold….or to make hold each other…..

Maura Isles allowed herself a moment of self-pity and let her head drop down to her desk with an audible groan. Her forehead hit the stack of paperwork in front of her with a thunk and she took a deep breath. This had been a long long loong week for her. By now, she was ready to call it quits and just let them all do whatever it was that they were all planning to do. Not since perhaps high school had she felt so socially inadequate. Aside from the murder and bodies and paperwork that were normal stressors, she'd had Angela, Detective Frost, Detective Korsak, and Frankie 'helping' her all week.

Following Monday morning's failed attempt at setting Angela straight, she'd escaped to the basement, Jane in tow. It was only due to thankfully positive results and a folder full of now suspects that had saved her. God, she'd even resorted to that little shoulder shake she knew made it hard for Jane to concentrate. She'd been desperate. She only pulled that one in extreme cases.

It had worked, and following the little ping of pride that had come from seeing Jane flounder for a moment, the Detective had fled the scene, leaving Maura to her work. Instead of concentrating on the bodies in the other room however, a fairly large portion of her brainpower had been focused on how to fix this with Angela, and now set Jane's partners straight as well. Angela was nothing if not efficient. Had this all been real, Maura would have been greatly in the Rizzoli matriarchs debt. As it was, she just had that much more work to do.

For a while on Monday afternoon, she had started to believe that she might end up in the clear. She hadn't heard anything from anyone that wasn't work or case related. Following a quick text from Jane saying she was beat and heading home for the night, Maura had allowed herself to breathe deeply. Perhaps she'd gotten through to Angela after all? Maybe Detective Korsak or Frost had talked her out of the whole thing?

She'd walked in Tuesday with a spring in her step and a smile on her face. It lasted right up until around ten am when Jane had wandered down, her partner in tow. Right away she'd noticed an odd look on Jane's face. What raised her internal alarm however was when Jane had turned her back for a moment, to pick up a folder, Frost had met her eyes, and winked. She didn't even have enough time to work herself up into a panic before he spoke.

"Jane always gives so much to the job. You think it's admirable right Dr. Isles?"

She'd felt her eyes grow wide and it was only Jane's confusion that saved her. The Detective had turned, slowly, to face her partner with outstretched hands, raised eyebrows, and a look that clearly said 'WTF?'. He'd held his ground, and Jane had turned back to Maura, a silly grin on her face. She shrugged, playing along with the whole 'I have no idea what's going on either' routine and had answered honestly.

"Absolutely I do." It hadn't stopped there. For lunch, she'd met Jane in the lobby, intent on leaving for a quick bite when Angela had stopped them.

"You think Janie's amazing, don't you Maura?" She'd mewled in the back of her throat, smiled, and answered again.

"Yes Angela. I do." Jane had shaken her head, but smiled, and off they had gone. The rest of Tuesday had gone the same way. If she walked up to the bull-pen with any sort of information, either Frost or Korsak would ask her a Jane related question. Each time her heart rate would skyrocket, she'd force a nonchalant smile for Jane's sake, play off the honest answer, and run. If Jane went down to the morgue, one of them would always be with her, and the same scene would play. And if either of them walked past the Café, always Angela was there.

As a genius, Maura knew exactly what they had been up too. Monday nights break had given her time to process her last encounter with Jane's Mother. It seemed her plan was to make sure Jane was aware that Maura cared for her. But Jane Rizzoli was not Jane Rizzoli if she enjoyed being complimented, and Maura Isles was not Jane Rizzoli's LLBFF for nothing. So, though she had to be honest during each of these ambushes, she played them off and damn near prayed that Jane wouldn't think anything of it. She was a much better actor than she'd ever given herself credit for. Jane seemed bemused at the whole ordeal, but for the most part just sent Maura that same 'you are my world' smile every time. Or at least that's what Maura had dubbed that particular look.

Wednesday saw much of the same, but the ME almost didn't care. If this was really the worst that Angela and the team were going to achieve, she'd rather just let them run themselves out then risk another confrontation with Angela. So what if Jane knew she thought she was beautiful? She'd admitted to the fact before, no harm, no foul. Sadly, the peace hadn't lasted. Last night, Angela had gone all out.

Maura grinned as Angela yelled at Jane to take her feet off the coffee table. She finished pouring herself a glass of wine and fled past Angela and the wonderful dinner she was preparing to join her friend on the couch. Jane looked up at her, a playfully cocky grin firmly in place.

"That for me?" The blonde only smiled, letting the raspy timbre of the Detective's voice shiver through her as she settled next to Jane. Feeling inexplicably playful herself she only giggled and slowly drank from Jane's beer, taking effort to wrap her lips around the mouth of the bottle just so. Jane had naturally taken her challenge, and after a stare down they'd both burst into laughter, switching drinks. Maura loved these moments, lived for these moments. Was it any wonder she'd fallen for this crazy woman? Angela had joined them, and for a few moments, everything was safe and fun. But of course, Angela was a woman on a mission. A Rizzoli woman on a mission. A Rizzoli woman on a mission that involved her daughter's love-life. Stubborn didn't even come close.

"Oh really now?" Maura saw the look in Angela's eyes and flushed deeply, taking a sip to hide her blush as Jane thankfully played it off. Not so smoothly, Angela moved on to Jane's dating life, and then dropped the first big bomb of the night.

"I'm just saying Janie, true love might be closer than you think." The sentence made perfect sense to Maura, who knew exactly what she was getting at. It didn't even occur to her that Jane could just pass it off as typical meddling Angela. Maura sent a panicked look in Angela's direction, shaking her head as slightly as she could. Trying to prevent the line of conversation the older woman was trying to shove them down. Jane turned to her, an eye-roll in progress and Maura shifted her expression to innocence as fast as she could. It wasn't fast enough, and she knew that Jane caught her. For the first time that week, Maura was thankful for Angela's talking as she continued before Jane had the chance.

"You know, you haven't really dated recently either Maura." Yes. Of course that's what Angela would work into. Well played. She knew her jaw was open and put in the effort to close it as Jane stood up for her. It only got worse from there. She narrowed her eyes as Angela played dumb about her date on Friday. That date she'd walked in on. Sneaky! But she couldn't point that out without letting Jane in on everything, so she just smiled, and measured her words carefully, fighting off a flush.

"Yes. I did Angela. On Friday."

"Seeing him again anytime soon?" Seriously?! The woman really was infuriating. She knew exactly how that date had ended. This was a pure and simple set-up, but like hell would Maura make it easy for her.

"No." She chewed on her tongue, fighting her bodies natural response. She was trying desperately to convince herself that this wasn't a lie. She could absolutely not afford to get hives right now. This was simply omission. She could do this. She could just play Angela out.

"Anyone more permanent in mind Dear?" Crap. That just wasn't fair. She was so ridiculously out of her league.

"I'm sorry?" Was all she managed and Angela actually took pity on her. She probably thinks I'm having a hard time saying this to Jane. Jesus.

"Is there anyone you are interested in right now?" Well now, that's it. There is no logical response that I can give to that question without succumbing to hives. In lieu of glancing at Jane and giving everything away, or just plain passing out, Maura locked her eyes onto the source of her consternation. Pleading with her to drop this. Begging her to just walk away. She could read Angela as well as she could read Jane. She was getting a supportive look in return. A supportive look that also said, 'you ARE going to do this'. Maura could practically hear the obligatory 'young lady' tacked onto the end. Seconds away from snapping, confessing everything to Jane, and just letting Mother and Daughter go at it, Jane's next words sent her thoughts tumbling over themselves.

"Christ Ma. Let her alone. Her love life isn't any of business of ours." The brunette stomped off to the kitchen, muttering something about another beer and Maura stared after her. Granted, this all had to be confusing the Detective, but that had definitely been anger in her voice. Anger and, sadness? Angela thwacked her knee and Maura wrinkled her nose as the older woman nodded in the direction of the kitchen. She shook her head. She had no idea what was irritating Jane. How was she supposed to go about making her feel better? Angela stared her down and with a sigh Maura realized that the eldest Rizzoli was much better at will-power battles than her daughter was.

She'd trotted after Jane, still wracking her brain for any logical reason for her behavior. There was brief scare, because the thought of hurting Jane ever again terrified her. And then trust came up and Maura could swear she heard her own heart break at the resigned look on Jane's face.

"Jane, I do trust you. Fully and completely. More than anyone else in my life." Ah, to just be able to stand like this, holding her hand, so close that she could feel Jane's breath tickle her bangs. She looked into deep brown eyes and did her best to convey the truth of her words. Jane was everything to her. The brunette had to see that. She had to see what she meant to Maura. Had to see that Maura would give Jane everything, no questions asked, at any time.

But then, because the week wasn't done screwing with her yet, surprise couldn't even begin to describe what she felt when Ian's name popped up.

"Ian's back?" She had no idea that he was back. The non-sequitur was seriously messing with the logic center of her brain. Funnily enough, she didn't even really care that he hadn't stopped by. She was much more concerned with clearing this all up with Jane.

It was adorable when Jane whined. And when Jane whined her name, her heart did this little flip thing that she knew was scientifically impossible. Still, she was drawing a complete blank. How had they ended up in the same conversation but on such different topics? Were they even having the same conversation? She knew her own conversational skills were lacking, but this was just ridiculous.

She settled on the plain truth, and when Jane laid out her reasoning and everything became clear with at least the most important Rizzoli, it was all she could do to speak clearly, and not dissolve into a puddle of laughter on the floor. Jane was smiling back at her now, that dazzling sweet Jane smile, and Maura worked to set the record straight. A little sarcasm had slipped out, courtesy of being around Jane too long she was sure, and before she'd even been able to switch gears fully, she'd found herself backed against the refrigerator. A feral Jane Rizzoli less than a foot away. A vicious shudder worked it's way down her spinal column at the raspy warning and she felt goose-bumps prickle up over her suddenly painfully sensitive skin. Oh please, please yes. Please make me sorry. Wait, did I just really think that?

Angela's call incurred a brief bout of irritation, but moments later they'd joined her back in the living room. And without tome to regroup, Ding Ding. Round two. Angela came out swinging, and Jane seemed to be playing back-up.

"That right Maura? You a big fan of romance?" Maura winced at Jane's happy tone and managed a warning look in Angela's direction. Oh Jane, if you only knew what you were assisting her with.

"I suppose I am yes." She put in effort to shy away from the subject, to play down Angela's prodding questions, and there came Jane to the rescue again!

"You will so get hives for that one. Guys hit on you all the time." She shot her friend an angry look and bit down on her tongue. My God, she was playing right into Angela's hands! And then….

"Intimidated? I am not intimidating!" She was incensed! She went out of her way to make others comfortable around her! Jane especially! How could she say that? How could she believe it?

Jane's explanation left a buzzing noise in her head and a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. She understood the brunette's points. Her intelligence had made her smile. Her career had made her feel proud. The money, well, she had to accept that. Somewhere around 'gorgeous' her big brain had ceased functioning. By the time Jane had finished up with 'supermodel', Maura wasn't sure she'd ever be able to stop smiling.

The burn in her stomach, her overactive lacrimal glands and the ache in her chest were viciously fighting for her attention. Jane tried to deflect, and though she knew that's what it was, it stung all the same. Then the match ping-ponged back to Angela again.

Maura had to give credit where credit was due. Recognition of those who went above and beyond, or those who were especially skilled at something was important. Angela eased into the next portion of ambush smoothly. So smoothly in fact that Maura actually completely blew a sentence.

"What would who have to do?" Oh my God. Did I just say that? What did I just say? What was Angela getting at? Where could this possibly lead to? And then, there it was.

"If there was someone interested in you who felt, intimidated, what would it take for you to notice them?"

So subtle and not subtle at the same time that Maura had to force herself not to look in Jane's direction. Tried to force herself in any case. There was no way Jane wasn't picking up on this. She was a highly decorated, highly intelligent Detective. She worked out puzzles and deciphered what people said for a living. This had to be so painfully obvious to her. She was going to put it all together and then everything would fall apart from there and Jane would get all angry and then and then and then weird and nervous and pull away from her and….

Breathe. She needed to breathe. After each question she forced in the air, and after each swift glance to Jane, confirming the brunette was still lost, she forced the air back out again. Jane had the oddest look on her face. Looking back and forth between her and her Mother almost as fast as Maura was looking between her and her Mother. Each question, each statement, became more transparent, and Maura gave up on breathing, opting to hold her lungs shut until they burned as Angela went after Jane.

"Right. Simple as that."

And then it was over. Dinner had progressed. Little hints about dating from Angela, and a childish sulking Jane who pushed the food around on her plate, clearly frustrated. For her part, Maura refused to look up. She was positive Jane would be able to tell everything. Half-way through dinner, Jane got a call, and second after she'd practically sprinted out the damn door, Maura had escaped too. She couldn't risk another run-in with Angela. She needed to gather her wits about her and come back at it strong. Her mind was still buzzing.

She hadn't seen Jane all morning, and by Thursday afternoon, she wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed. It's not like she had actually been hoping Angela's half-assed plan for the situation she was in that she wasn't really in would work. That Jane would just stroll downstairs with a rose? If anything, everything had probably finally clicked for the Detective, and now she was avoiding Maura. And that THAT was exactly what the ME was trying to avoid. Jane did not handle emotions and feelings well. She did not handle stereotypes or more importantly her Mother being right. And she most certainly could not handle other people in her business, especially if she had not yet made it her business.

This whatever it was whatever it wasn't between the two of them was a tightrope act. And while Maura wanted desperately to get the end, a shove in the wrong direction would do far more harm than good. Jane would realize what her Mother was getting at, panic, and skitter away, shattering the closeness Maura so craved. It could takes months to get them back to the same state of comfort and tease. Of safety and danger. Of old and of new. It was a wait that Maura wasn't sure she could handle. And if Jane snapped and pulled away completely? Maura would be devastated. No, it was better to fix this, no matter how good Angela's intentions were, and keep at the slow and steady pace she and Jane had been working up to.

She knew Angela had already gone home, and with Jane's epic procrastination abilities, she probably had a few hours of paperwork left to do. Her mind made up, Maura grabbed her purse and headed out for the day. She would talk to Angela. She would get the whole truth and nothing but the truth through to her. This would be fixed before Jane ever came by, if she came by. And them tomorrow, she'd terrify Detectives Frost and Korsak with tales of what Jane would most likely do to them if she ever found out. That should be enough to make them drop it altogether.

Walking through the front door of her home however, all the courage and confidence about her ability to handle this situation that she'd been building up completely shattered in a way that only Angela Rizzoli could make happen.

She wasn't sure what hit her first. The smell? Delicious Italian cooking. The sight? Dim lights and more candles than she knew for sure she owned. Guest house included. Soft romantic background music playing? A small tray with her wine and Jane's beer? Oh god Oh god Oh god

Rushing, she almost tripped over Bass as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Angela?" She winced at the near screeching tone her voice had taken on. Panic would do that to you. The older woman was pulling something that looked and smelled sinfully delicious out of the oven.

"Maura! There you are. I was hoping you would beat Janie home. You like?"

"What…. What is all this?" Angela set the tray down and smiled reassuringly at her, patting her shoulder.

"This darling is the last resort." Maura felt her mouth gape for a moment.

"Last resort?" Angela only huffed and nodded, moving off to stir another dish.

"I know I know, I can't believe it's come to this either. But don't you worry your pretty little head. This'll do it for sure."

"Do it?" Where was her plan now? Where were the rehearsed words and planned sentences and sure confident manner? WHY, again, was she reduced to blankly repeating a conversation that she was participating in, but was clearly not a part of?

"Mmm-hmm. The last stage of the plan." Maura mewled softly and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Angela, what plan?" As if suddenly remembering something, Angela spun on her.

"My goodness that's right! We haven't actually filled you in have we? I'm so sorry, we've been working all week planning, and here you are, just caught along for the ride. I'm so sorry." Maura nodded and sighed. At least Angela seemed to recognize how lost she was.

"It's alright Angela. Just, could you please…?" The matriarch smiled and sat down beside her.

"Well, following our little talk on Friday, I told you I brought Vince and Barry in right?" Maura shifted and nodded.

"I also brought Frankie in. Just so you know."
"Mmm. Of course." The more the merrier. Why not?

"We brainstormed, and we could only come up with four different scenarios."

"Four scenarios?"

"Yes. For Jane's apparent lack of….interest?"

"Aside from an actual lack of interest?" Angela snickered and waved her hand, like Maura had just cracked a wonderful joke.

"Right right. That was step one actually. Vince and Barry took care of that one on Sunday, and into Monday. And we sort of kept it going through Tuesday too." The ME forced a slow blink and swallowed.

"What was step one Angela?"

"Oh! Step one was to make sure she is actually interested in you. I mean, we all agreed that couldn't be the problem, so we ruled that out right away."

"And how did you rule that out?" She leaned in, thrilled to be sharing her secret.

"We've been talking you up Maura. Seeing if Janie would agree. And let me tell you, she's been talking non-stop about how amazing she thinks you are all week." Yeah righ…wait, Really?

"Really?" Angela nodded and moved again, setting out dinner.

"Oh yeah. Can't shut her up about you almost. Like I said, we all knew step one would be the easiest." Maura successfully tamped down on the warmth brewing in her stomach at the idea and pushed forward. Determined to get as much actual information out of Angela as she could.

"Okay. Well, what was step two?" Angela shrugged, still setting out plates.

"We thought maybe she didn't know how you feel about her. I love my baby girl, but she can be blind sometimes."

"How I feel?" She parroted back. And she had been doing so well too.

"Oh honey, it's so obvious. To all of us. When you told me on Friday, I wasn't at all surprised."

"I didn't actually say…"

"I know you didn't. You didn't have too." Angela winked at her and Maura bit the tip of her tongue. She had to pick her battles. That one would come later.

"Right so, how did you go about step two?"

"Same way as step one, just opposite." Maura had never been so in tune with confusion in her entire life.

"I'm sorry?"

"We talked her up, in your name."

"You…." Angela grinned, obviously amused.

"I know, all of this is a lot for you to take in. Playing emotional games isn't quite your strong suit. That's okay. That's what I'm here for." She was supposed to take comfort in that right?

"Ah, right."

"So anyway, she didn't believe us at first. Of course. I'm sorry we had to drag you into like that. But she wouldn't believe it unless she heard it right from the horses mouth." Maura own mouth was gaping. What did a horse have to do with any of this?
"Um, that's quite…."

"I know! Pretty good idea right? It went over well I think. But still nothing happened, so we came up with step three." The honey-blonde squeezed her eyes shut and sighed.

"What was step three?" Angela stopped moving and turned to her then, a serious expression on her face.

"It was hard to admit to. Janie…. Well…., she doesn't have a lot of dating experience. As far as I know, none at all when it comes to women."

"Right…."

"So we thought, maybe she just doesn't know how to go about it. You know, like she's trying to figure out what she should do. That's where yesterday came in." A few random puzzle pieces that were swirling around in Maura's head clicked together.

"That's why you were asking about ideas for dates. And had me explain how someone could get my attention?" Angela nodded and then shook her head, a rueful expression on her face.

"Barry and Frankie and Vince have been watching her all day. Didn't even go see you once. Obviously that wasn't what was holding her back either." Maura scrunched her nose, chewed on the inside of her cheek, held a massive internal debate, and finally just went for it.

"And step four?" Angela opened her arms, motioning in everything.

"This is step four. We thought, maybe, she wouldn't think her family would approve." That snapped Maura to attention. The thought that Angela wouldn't approve hadn't ever occurred to her.

"Oh." Angela smiled again.

"I know I raised her in the church. And the whole business with the annulment and such just confirmed it. But I just want my baby happy. And I'm showing that to her."

"You are?"

"Yep. I set her up on dates with men all the time. It's no wonder she thinks that's all I approve of. That's why I'm doing all this. So she'll know she has my full blessing." Realization struck hard.

"Set up…. Oh my God. This is a date you set up for Jane and I?" Angela, somehow unaware of Maura's panic, hummed happily.

"I know sweetie! I set out candles like I normally do. The same music I normally put on. This is even what I usually cook for her. The moment she walks through that door, Janie will understand." With that, Angela headed into the other room and Maura felt panic coil up within her from some place she didn't even know she had. Almost knocking over the stool she was on in her hurry, she ran after the older woman.

"Angela, please…"

"Maura, I wish you'd just relax and enjoy."

"But Jane will be here any minute…."

"Exactly!"

"She'll know what this is as soon as she sees it!"

"And that is the point! We've tried, all week! If this is what it takes, then so be it."

"Angela, I keep trying to tell you it's not like that…"

"But it will be!" A throat clearing caught her attention and she whipped her head to the sound as her breathing almost stopped. God she's sexy when she's confident.

"Janie! There you are! Home late today." The world buzzed out around her again, anxiety having a field day with her brain function, and eventually she felt Angela lead her to the couch. A swift, apologetic look to Jane nearly broke her. Behold, there was alcohol in her hand. She drank from it greedily, pointedly ignoring the look she got from Jane. She heard Jane speak, and even through the haze of panic and fear and impending loss felt happy when Angela's words hit home.

"What? A mother can't do something nice for her daughters?" Jane was talking again and then Angela went forward with step four. Maura could hear the gears in Jane's brain burn into overdrive and could practically see her eyebrows disappear into her hairline.

She was aware of Angela walking away. Of Angela turning off the remaining light, leaving them alone on the couch bathed in candles. And of the back-door shutting. Hello Zero-Hour. She downed the rest of the wine in her cup and fussed with it nervously, waiting for Jane to break the silence. After too many unbearably long minutes, she chanced a look up and was immediately locked into a evil grin. She was sure, somewhere inside her head, something had to be broken for a smile that feral to turn her on so damn much. She tried an innocent smile. No go. And, because why screw with what works, ended up scooting backwards as Jane advanced yet again, pinning her against the armrest. Her hands shook when Jane took her glass away. And she was certain she stopped breathing when Jane's eyes looked downward.

Now though, alone in a darkened candle-lit room, a feral look in her eyes, on what was clearly a date set-up, the swift look down nearly broke her. It took every ounce of willpower she had left not to just close the gap and get it over with. If it was all about to go down anyway, she might as well get to find out what those gorgeous lips tasted like. Jane's words, the first spoken since Angela had left, sent shivers through her. Even thought it meant doom, she couldn't help the small moan at the low, seductive tone.

"Alright Maura, spill." She swallowed and gaped, searching her mind for anything, any way out. Every fact, every not-lie, every random trivia-god status fact she could recall from ever swam through her lobes. Then the astounding happened, and Dr. Maura Isles was able to come up with absolutely NOTHING. She gave up.

"Okay Jane. Okay." The brunette smiled at her and leaned back just a little. The blonde pushed aside the little squeal of disappointment, as she was rather getting used to Jane in her personal space. This probably would be a lot easier to get through if her friend wasn't practically on top of her. Stupid logic. The brunette gloated and poked her shoulder.

"I want everything. From the beginning." Maura sighed and shifted.

"It's really kind of a funny story…"

"Maura…." She let out a breath in a heavy puff and turned to face her friend, all seriousness.

"You have to promise, that no matter what, you won't be angry. None of any of this came from anything bad."

"None of…what?" Maura groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. So stubborn.

"Please. Just promise me that…. that we'll be okay." Concern shot through dark orbs and Jane took her hand.

"You're kinda worrying me here Maur. But okay, I promise. You know we're good." A prodding look and she rolled her eyes. "No matter what." Maura nodded, mollified by Jane's words and leaned back against the couch.

"I suppose a logical place to start would be Friday night."

"Ha! I knew it! I knew this all had something to do with that." Maura made a face.

"This is going to be difficult enough to recount without interruptions Jane."

"Well excuuuuse me." The brunette ran a finger across her lips and made a throwing motion. Maura just let out a slow breath.

"Well Jason was dropping me off at home after our date…."

"Thank you again Jason. This truly has been a wonderful evening." Her date smiled at her as they walked up to her door.

"The pleasure has been all mine Maura. You are an incredible woman. Truly beautiful."

"Oh gag. Really? He laid it on that thick?"

"Jane."

"Sorry."

"Well, you've certainly made me feel that way."

"I would love to get the chance to see more of you."

"Yeah, I bet he would." Maura would have stomped her foot had she been standing.

"Jane!"

"Okay. Okay. I'm quiet."

"I could agree to that." She gave him a shy smile, moving to slip the keys into her door. He shifted closer.

"Sooo," She turned to face him as the door-lock clicked. He was standing quite close, what was she forgetting? Realization struck and she smiled, leaning forward to give him a chaste kiss….

"Okay! Not quiet! I really don't want to hear about that and… and…. And just all of that." Maura resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Jane's petulant behavior. Ignoring the hint of jealousy she swore she could read coming of the brunette, she just patted her hand.

"THAT was all of that that there was. Okay? I'm just…. Recounting the evening in it's entirety." Jane shrugged and kicked at the carpet.

"Fine. Continue."

She turned back to door and he cleared his throat behind her. She paused in the middle of opening the door as he took a step forward. Her surprise showed on his face and he stopped, clearly confused.

"Um, may I come in?" He asked and Maura understood. Not that she wouldn't normally indulge, he was in great physical shape and it had been a while, but she had plans. She hadn't meant to lead him to believe that a night in was in store.

"I'm sorry to have given you the wrong impression about tonight." She spoke apologetically.

"The wrong impression?" Maura nodded.

"About you and I." He arched an eyebrow in confusion.

"What about you and I?" Her mind already processing, Maura sighed. How could she tell him that she wasn't interested tonight without being too blunt? Being straightforward about it tended to scare men off, so Maura tried to go with coy and give him a reason at the same time.

"Jane and I…. well, we have a thing."

"A thing?"

"A thing?" Maura cocked her head at the incredulous tone.

"What?"

"Why'd you say it like that?" Giving up on sobriety, Maura moved to refill the glass Jane had taken from her, giving her shoulders a shrug.

"Studies find that men are often turned off by the idea of physically imposing women." Jane squinted and deciphered.

"You mean to tell me that you didn't wanna tell him that we were going to practice self-defense because he might not wanna sleep with you anymore?" Maura took a sip and frowned.

"Well when you put it like that, it does sound rather silly doesn't it?" Jane rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Geeze Maura. Any guy who gets put off by the idea that you could kick his ass isn't worth sleeping with you anyway." Given the near disgusted look on the brunette's face, Maura couldn't help giving Jane's knee a playful nudge as she sat back down.

"I don't believe 'sleeping' was what he was interested in doing with me Jane." She was rewarded with a loud groan and Jane ran a hand over her face with a deep sigh that was reserved for Maura being Maura.

"Yes. I got that part Maur." The blond just shrugged. Jane waved a hand in her direction, eyes still closed.

"Keep going please."

"Yes. A thing." God, how else could she put this that wouldn't make her say what she was going to do? He took a step back and regarded her curiously.

"You and Jane have a thing." Maura nodded again.

"That is correct yes."

"Jane… is your Detective friend?" Maura smiled enthusiastically. Bonus points to him for actually listening to her.

"Wait, you talk about me on your dates?" Maura thwacked Jane's leg at the playful tone.

"Firstly, I talk about a lot of things on my dates. Secondly, this is where things get… confusing to me. No interruptions." Jane smirked but crossed her arms, lips sealed obediently.

"Yes. She is." He nodded slowly and stuffed his hands in his pants pockets.

"And you have a thing with her." Maura cocked her head. Just what was so confusing about all this?

"Yes." He sighed and held his arms out, palms up.

"So what was this then? An experiment?" She could not for the life of her see where he'd jumped to in his thought process, but honesty always served her best and what was dating if not experimentation? She answered, no hint of uncertainty in her tone.

"Yes. This was an experiment." His face fell and he huffed.

"Does she know about me?" Maura blinked, taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

"Jane. Does she know that we went out tonight?" Maura's brain searched rapidly, but she still felt thoroughly lost. What did that have to do with anything? Surly he wasn't so arrogant as to think that if Jane knew he was here, she'd give up their plans for the night? Confused, she went with the truth again, hoping this would clear itself up.

"Well of course she knows." The last of his smile faded and he nodded in understanding, a feeling Maura wished she could share.

"I see. Well then, she's a lucky woman. I wish all the best to you both." If it hadn't been so completely unlady-like, Maura would have let her jaw drop. As it was she just watched in silence as he turned and went back to his car, driving away into the night. Still standing in her open door, Maura shook her head. She'd have time to go over what had just transpired later. Jane would be here soon and she still had to change. With a shrug, she turned and walked inside.

"Oh I get it! When you said 'thing' he thought that meant we were…." Jane motioned between them and Maura nodded, drinking deeply again.

"Yes. I…. I understand that part now. And congratulations. It took me quite a bit longer to figure out what had happened." Jane giggled.

"Well, not that that wasn't entertaining, but where does Ma come in?" Maura rolled her shoulders.

"Right about now actually."