Jane slept surprisingly well that night and woke the next morning feeling somehow lighter than she had in a long time. When she arrived at Maura's for work, she found her in the home gym, jogging briskly on the treadmill, a fine sheen of sweat coating her skin. Maura smiled when she saw Jane walk in.

"Jane! Good morning!" Her words bled excitement, despite her labored breathing.

"Good morning," Jane smiled back. "You know you can get there faster if you get off that machine."

Maura chuckled, already becoming accustomed to Jane's sarcasm. "Keeping fit is part of the job. It also happens to be one of the parts I enjoy." She pressed a button on the machine that slowed her pace to a walk. "I'm just warming up for my trainer. He's on his way."

"Nice little gym you've got here," Jane commented, looking around.

"Thanks. I spend quite a bit of time working out, especially for filming, or these promo tours. Maintaining a certain body image is imperative in this industry. If I want to work, I have to look like they want me to." She frowned. "It's not my favorite thing about Hollywood."

"Well my job also requires that I stay fit," Jane countered.

Maura raised her eyebrows and gave a small grin. "Touché. Speaking of which, you know you're welcome to use the gym anytime you want."

"Thanks, I might just take you up on that. The gym at my building smells like feet."

And just like that, they picked up right where they'd left off the night before.

The next couple weeks went by incredibly quickly. There were talk shows, radio shows, magazine interviews, photo shoots, dress fittings... There was always somewhere for Maura to be, and of course Jane remained by her side. It was a lot different than working homicide, but Jane found that she was enjoying herself, and each day seemed a little brighter than the last. The fog she'd been living in for so long seemed to be lifting. She'd even started waking up earlier to work out in Maura's gym before her shift, which delighted Maura more than she cared to admit. Jane spending time with her outside of working hours reinforced her belief that they had some kind of friendship building, which was both rare and exciting for Maura. When they were working, she took Jane everywhere and always kept her a bit closer than necessary... inside her dressing rooms at the studios, in hair and makeup, she even had a tendency to drag Jane with her to the restroom. Not because she was being demanding, she just really enjoyed her company. Besides, they were usually so immersed in conversation that flowed right through each activity, it just seemed natural.

It was a couple days before they were scheduled to leave for the overseas part of the tour and they had just returned home from a radio show. David, Maura's stylist, was on his way over with a selection of promo-gig garments, so they were sitting together on the couch, waiting for him to arrive.

"I never would have imagined how much preparation goes into you simply showing up somewhere," Jane commented.

"We have to make final decisions on what I'll wear for each appearance, and make any final adjustments now. There won't be time for that when we're abroad, as our schedule will be rather tight."

Jane's face twisted slightly and she looked down at her feet. "So, are you ready for all this Europe stuff?"

Maura sensed her unease. "It's really not that bad, you'll see. Just a lot of traveling, in a very short period of time. How about you, are you ready?"

"I don't know. I don't exactly travel well." Jane took a deep breath. "I'll be fine though."

"Do you get sick?" Maura's voice was one of concern.

"Just nervous, mostly."

"You'll be fine," Maura reassured her. Then added teasingly, "You can even hold my hand if it makes you feel better."

"Oh?" Jane raised her eyebrows and smirked. "You promise?"

"Anytime." She grinned.

"Are you flirting with me, Maura Isles?" Jane was almost incredulous.

Maura shrugged evasively. "It is a fact, Jane, that studies have shown hand-holding to induce a positive neural response, including that of stress reduction-

"Maura, my darling!" A voice boomed from the doorway, interrupting their playful banter. Both women turned to see a short, flamboyantly dressed man with arms outstretched. His demeanor was pure energy.

"Dave!" Maura rose to greet him, giving and receiving air kisses on each cheek. "Good to see you, as always. Have you brought everything?"

"You know it, girl! We're all set up in the next room. Everything's here, all the alterations have been made and," he lowered his voice conspiratorially, "I picked up a few extra beauties for you to wear at your own discretion." He winked at her, then turned his attention to Jane. "And who is this model-lookin' thing over here?"

Jane glanced quickly behind her, seeing no one, and turned back, putting her hand on her chest for clarification. "Me?"

"Ooh and modest too? Wherever did you find her?" His eyes remained on Jane, raking up and down her lithe frame.

Maura giggled. "Dave, this is Jane Rizzoli. She's doing some security work for me for the duration of the tour."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Jane blushed at all the attention.

"Security work? Mmmm girl, look at you! You are way too pretty for that, honey! You're like a six-foot Barbie doll and I just wanna dress you up!" he gushed.

"Yeah, I don't see that happening, like ever," she answered drily.

Dave would not be deterred. "Never say never, darling!"

Jane rolled her eyes and Maura laughed as they made their way to the makeshift dressing room. The actress took her time trying on the many designer garments, mostly lavish dresses in the most luxurious of fabrics, and modeling them each for Dave's approval. Soon though, she found herself taking account of Jane's subtle reactions to each sexy outfit, and paying less attention to her stylist. Maura smiled to herself. Jane, to her credit, was making a valiant, but unsuccessful attempt to control the rapidly increasing heart rate she couldn't explain. She was sure her features were betraying her as well. Trying to make herself invisible, she was embarrassed when her growling stomach reverberated through the room and turned the attention to her.

Maura's amusement turned to concern. "Are you hungry, Jane?"

"My stomach seems to think I am," she answered. "Come to think of it, I did skip breakfast this morning."

"Why don't you go to the kitchen and get yourself something to eat?"

"Maura, I don't think I'm allowed to eat your food. Company rules and all."

"Oh. Well, I don't mind, but I certainly don't want to get you in any trouble either. Go get yourself some lunch, then."

"Nah, I don't want to leave you. I'll just wait."

"Don't worry, Jane. I'll be fine. Dave and I will be here for a while, and the other guards are in the garage watching the monitors, as usual. Go. Eat."

Jane sighed. "Alright, I'll just go get something and bring it back. You sure you're good?"

"Absolutely. Go."

"Okay. You want me to pick you up anything?"

"No thanks. I'm saving all my extra calories for Europe," she admitted. "It's sweet of you to ask, though."

"Of course. Anytime." They shared a smile and a look- the look that had started appearing between them lately, that lingered- the one that made Maura's stomach flutter and electricity shoot up Jane's spine.

"Okay," Jane breathed finally, not wanting to leave. "Just call my cell if you need anything. I'll be quick."

Maura's eyes followed Jane out the door. Having forgotten Dave was even there, she didn't notice him watching her.

"So," Dave asked, "what was that about?"

"What?" Maura was genuinely confused.

"What? You two, that's what!" he answered cheekily.

Maura gave him a bewildered look, but said nothing.

"Don't play coy with me, honey! There is obviously something going on here!"

"There isn't anything 'going on here'..."

"Mmmmhmmm..." His tone made it clear that he wasn't buying her story.

"Dave!?"

"I always knew you had a little lez in you-"

"DAVE!"

"What? She's hot! You know, for a girl."

"Well she is gorgeous," Maura admitted.

"HA! See! I knew it!"

She slapped his arm playfully. "Do you really see something there?"

"Uh, YEAH! You two are obviously smitten! It's written all over your pretty little faces!"

"And you don't think it's... inappropriate?"

"Oh, it's totally inappropriate, honey!" He chuckled at Maura's frown. "But that just makes it more delicious, don't you think?" He winked at her.

She looked down. "I wouldn't know."

"Don't waste an opportunity like that, girl! You'll regret it. Trust me."

Maura looked back him with something akin to fear, and he became serious for the first time since he'd arrived.

"What's stopping you?" he asked.

She sighed heavily and looked away. "Everything."