A/N: I'd like to thank everyone that has left reviews, good or bad, for taking the time to review my story. Also, thanks to those of you that haven't reviewed, but who have followed the story. I really didn't expect to get such a positive response. Actually, I didn't expect to get a response at all, with this being my first proper attempt at writing a full length story. I hope you all continue to bare with me; I am working towards a Rizzles endgame, but how I will get there and how long it will take I don't know. For now I'm just going with the flow and enjoying the process…..Oh and yes, in case anyone was wondering, this chapter's title is a bit of a nod towards my other TV obsession, Doctor Who.

The Doctor Dances

"Hi Maura, are you busy? Do you have time to grab a coffee?" Jane asked as she walked into Maura's office with her customary swag.

"Hi Jane" Maura replied, smiling at her best friend. "I can't right now, I have this report to finish for Detective McCallum." She saw the look of disappointment that glanced over Jane's face for the briefest of moments. It was the tiniest of expressions that most people would have missed. But Maura wasn't most people; Maura knew Jane's responses intimately and unwilling to cause her friend any upset, no matter how small, Maura continued with a bright smile:

"But, I will be finished in time to go for lunch, if you'd like to do that instead."

"Yeah, great, call me when you're ready to go." Jane replied, relieved that her friend still wanted to spend time with her. Jane didn't know what she'd do if her friendship with Maura disintegrated. She didn't know what was going on with Maura; it wasn't like her to be so distant.

They had just sat to eat their lunch when Jane's cell phone rang; its tone telling her it was dispatch, that duty called. Seconds later Maura's phone also chimed.

"Rizzoli" Jane stated as she answered in almost perfect synchronicity with Maura's "Isles"

A body had been found in a dumpster behind Copley Place Mall by an employee taking out the trash.

"Shall we go in my car?" Maura asked knowing they would both be at the scene some time and that should she or Jane finish before the other, a squad car would bring them back to the station.

"No, we'll take the cruiser" Jane stated.

"You always get to drive" Maura argued petulantly, slipping back into the light-hearted bickering they had always enjoyed.

"Yeah, coz I drive better and the cruiser is faster. You don't have flashers!" Jane told Maura logically "Now are you coming with me or not?" And grabbing their sandwiches, the pair left the café.

When they got to the mall, they found Frost, who was standing close to the tape that cordoned off the crime scene. Although he had gotten better with dealing with corpses during his time in homicide, he still preferred to work on the periphery, where his sharp observational skills were just as important to the police's investigation. Smiling at the women who he considered to be both his colleagues and his friends he succinctly brought them up to speed:

"The decedent is female and appears to be in her 40's. No identification of any kind was found on the body and she has no obvious distinguishing features. She was found around an hour ago by one of the janitors. She's in the ambulance being treated for shock and we'll be able to interview her as soon as she's given the all clear by the paramedics. The body remains in-situ waiting for you Doctor Isles" Maura thanked him and left to work on the body, flashing her ID to the uniformed cop guarding the scene.

Completing her initial examination, Maura arranged for the body to be removed and taken to the Morgue for a more thorough examination, before reporting her findings to Jane, who was impatiently pacing around behind her.

"The decedent is a white female, approximately forty years of age…" Maura began.

"No shit Maura, we already knew that" Jane said irritably, waiting for answers was not her strong suit. Maura glared at her for her choice of words but continued regardless.

"Rigor is evident in the face and neck, but has not yet spread into the arms, suggesting that the TOD was approximately 10am. Cause of death appears to be blunt force trauma to the base of the skull, we'll know more after the autopsy." Said Maura concisely.

"So it's suspicious, yes" Jane speculated, much to Maura's chagrin. Guessing was so irresponsible and she wished that Jane would stop doing it so often. The only reliable information was that collected through systematic study and that could not be done on the field. She needed to be in the morgue, with her specialist equipment to be able to come to any firm conclusions.

"I couldn't say conclusively that that is the case" Maura argued.

"She's dead in a dumpster Maur; I'd say that is suspicious!" All the years Jane had worked as a homicide detective made her inclined to see any death as suspicious, a large part of that coming from experience. Women were not normally found in a dumpster having died a natural death and she found Maura's insistence on waiting for conclusive proof irritating; her need to bring some balance of justice and safety to her home town being as strong as Maura's need to follow the scientific evidence.

"Not necessarily, it is possible that the death was accidental." Maura suggested earnestly. It was possible that the woman had been dumpster diving and slipped, banging her head on the receptacle, although her clothing did suggest that this was unlikely.

"Oh, cummon Maur…" Said Jane incredulously as her exasperation and irritability got the better of her.

"OK, fine, given the location that the body was found, the death is possibly suspicious, but we will know more…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, after the autopsy" Jane sighed. This was going to be a long day.

Maura hadn't seen Louise in over a week; a week filled with autopsies, homicide investigations, report writing and meetings, the body from the mall still hadn't been identified and the whole team was getting frustrated. They knew how she had died, she had been hit at the base of the skull, fracturing the C1 vertebrae and severing the spinal cord, most likely with a golf club or something similar. Death would have been instantaneous. Without identification or the murder weapon however, the case was pretty much stagnant and if nothing changed it would shortly become a cold case.

Over the course of the week, Louise and she had shared numerous phone calls and text conversations and as frustrating as that was and as much as she wanted to see Louise, she was sure that after their sudden and passionate beginnings, having some time to process their relationship was a good thing. However, this logic was belied by the number of times Maura had found herself checking her cell phone, just in case Louise had sent her a message, despite knowing that she had not or her smiling wistfully at a simple how's your day going text message. Jane had watched with interest the way Maura surreptitiously peeked at her phone, when normally it would lay in her purse, all but forgotten. She could only conclude that this new relationship of Maura's was going well, even if Maura still hadn't confided in her about her new guy and she couldn't help wondering if her mother knew anything. She had a way of finding out about everything whether you liked it or not and she and Maura were close.

Louise's week had been equally busy, her writing consuming her time and she too had needed some time to think. But as Friday came around, the opportunity to meet arrived and was eagerly taken up. I have the whole weekend off after today. Would you like to go out again? Xxx. Maura sent the text message to Louise, hoping she'd say yes as she sat in the Division One café eating her lunch. Angela was there, flitting around, serving customers and cleaning tables. Maura watched her as she worked the lunchtime rush, alone as always and pondered, suddenly realising that Louise was not the only one she'd not spoken to properly all week. Was Angela avoiding her? She had definitely been quiet with her whenever she had served her in the café, which in itself wasn't unusual when the café was busy, but to not see her outside of work, that, that was unusual. Angela was almost always popping into the main house; to watch TV on Maura's plasma screen, to make coffee, or just to say hi and a whole week without that was strange.

A few minute later, Maura's phone pinged in response. I'dlove to. You chose what to do this time. Xxx. Maura didn't have to think about what she wanted to do. She already knew. She wanted to dance. She felt so alive and free when she danced and hadn't been out dancing for such a long time. So long in fact that she didn't even know where they could actually go. Quickly finishing her quinoa salad, Maura waved goodbye to Angela and returned to the morgue and the ever trusty Google determined to find out.

Angela was relieved when Maura had left the café without them having a chance to talk; she still hadn't decided what to say to her and if she were entirely honest, she was embarrassed. Both about knowing that Maura was dating Louise, she was sure that was her name, and about how she had found out, but she knew that she couldn't keep avoiding Maura. For one thing it just wasn't practical with them living and working in such close proximity to one another and for another, she was missing her. Her deep maternal instincts had welcomed Maura into her heart and she thought of her as a second daughter. She had always wanted another daughter to balance out her family after having the two boys, but Mother Nature hadn't agreed until the beautiful, quirky and intelligent doctor had walked into all their lives. And so, as she had done every day that week, Angela promised herself that tomorrow she would talk to Maura, to let her know she knew and that it was ok.

In her quiet office, separated from the bustle of the lab, Maura began to search for somewhere to go with Louise, somewhere that they could dance and not have to be cautious about being openly affectionate. Maura didn't think she would be able to spend an entire evening out with Louise without being able to touch her, at least a little. Pretty soon she had chosen a suitable venue and as it didn't open until 10pm, she had booked a table at a nearby Italian restaurant. She hoped Louise would approve of her plan as she finally text the details to her.

Maura's cab dropped her off outside the restaurant a few minutes before the allotted time and she entered the sophisticated restaurant, one of her favourites, where she had eaten many times before.
"Good evening Dr. Isles. Let me take you to your table. Your guest is already seated." The maître'd informed Maura, who beamed at his words and felt a sudden fluttering of nerves, Louise was waiting for her!
"Thank you" Maura said and followed the uniformed man to the table where Louise patiently waited with a bottle of Chianti breathing on the table before her. As Maura approached, Louise stood and moved around the table to pull Maura into a tight hug, which was enthusiastically returned as the maître'd retreated.

Maura pulled back slightly and with their hands joined, she took in Louise's appearance with clear appreciation; she wore a purple satin halter neck top, her customary dark fitted jeans and some black heeled pumps; her long dark hair was braided and fell in a thick rope down her naked back. Maura craved to reach out and touch the luxurious material of Louise's shirt and to feel the heat of the woman beneath, but this was neither the time nor the place. That would come later she hoped but for now the doctor needed to be patient.

"It's great to see you again Maura, talking on the phone just isn't the same as seeing you in person" Louise told her sincerely as they sat. She poured Maura a generous glass of the deep red wine she had ordered while she was waiting for Maura to arrive and handed it to her.

"I hope this is ok? I had to guess what you would like." Louise asked tentatively.

"It's perfect, thank you" Maura replied with a broad smile, charmed by Louise's thoughtfulness as she took a sip.

Maura watched as Louise picked up and scanned the menu; taking in every micro-expression of her face and Louise flushed a little under the not unwelcome scrutiny.
"Do you know what you're having already?" Louise asked, noticing that Maura's menu was still on the table where the waiter had left it.
"Oh yes, they make the most amazing gnocchi here; I'm going to have that. Of course, it's nowhere near as good as Angela's." Maura told her without thinking.
"Angela?" Louise asked curiously. And so inadvertently, Maura had created the need to tell Louise about her complicated family situation, her part in the Rizzoli clan and Jane; something that thus far she had managed to avoid.

"Angela is my friend Jane's mother. You met her; she has lived in my guesthouse ever since her divorce a couple of years ago." Maura informed her simply.

"Oh yes, I remember her, she seemed nice" Louise said remembering the friendly older woman she had spoken to briefly as they left Maura's house the morning after they had first met. "I think I'll have the Gnocchi too, if it's as good as you say it is" she continued, her mind returning to the demands of her empty stomach. Maura was pleased that the topic had so easily come to a close realising that there was no real reason why it shouldn't and that her concerns were all the result of her over active mind.

Sometime later, after finishing their meal and strolling arm in arm through the streets of Boston, Maura and Louise approached the dance club's door, bypassing the queue that was already forming; Maura had used her contacts and influence to get them onto the guest list for the night. Her prominent position afforded her some privileges and although she didn't take advantage of them often, they did at times prove to be useful. Inside, the club was dark. Loud dance music reverberated around the room, already filling with gyrating women. Smiling at Louise, Maura stepped in closer to speak into her ear; there would be little opportunity to talk here without leaning in close to be heard. With a nod, they moved towards the bar, where they found a place to sit, drink beer and watch the world go by.

After the beer and the wine she had consumed during dinner, it didn't take long for the music to penetrate Maura's body. Standing Maura took Louise's hand and strode confidently onto the dance floor, her limbs keeping in time with the pounding beat. Feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious, Louise attempted to follow Maura's effortless, fluid movements, certain that she had failed abysmally. She wasn't a dancer; she'd never even had dance lessons as a child and she didn't want to embarrass Maura with her lack of rhythm. But, Maura didn't seem to notice and was evidently having fun, so she didn't mind too much. As she watched Maura she discovered that she too was having fun, Maura's enthusiasm had infected her!

Back at Maura's house the two women reclined on the comfortable couch, sleepy and invigorated by their night. Maura's head rested on Louise's shoulder as they chatted easily and comfortably, low music playing in the background. The track changed and as Beth Gibbon's sultry voice began, it claimed Maura's attention.
"I'm so tired of playing, playing with this bow and arrow", Maura quietly sang along. "Oh this song always makes me want to dance." She told Louise dreamily. Louise captured Maura's hand in her own and pulled her to standing.

"Then let's dance" She told Maura with a devilish grin. "This kind of dancing, I can do!"

Moving to the space behind the couch, Louise slid one arm around Maura's waist and placed the other onto her shoulder; their bodies pressed tightly together as they danced to the slow, soulful music, hip to hip, breast to breast. Bare footed on the carpet, their height difference remained unnoticed by the intoxicated women as their bodies melted into each other. Maura rested her head against Louise's shoulder, inhaled her scent and closed her eyes. Sliding her hand up Louise's back, she felt the muscles flexing beneath her silky smooth skin and as she reached where a bra ought to have been, she instead found Louise's tightly braided hair. She pulled at the elastic that held it secure, releasing long dark waves that Maura wasted no time in running her fingers through. Shifting a little to the side, Louise pushed her leg between Maura's thighs and leant her back to kiss her exposed throat, feeling rather than hearing the quiet guttural moan it elicited. They continued their dance, their bodies moving as one to the slow rhythm they had created, oblivious to the fact that the music had ceased to play as their arms and hands moving to caress everything in their path.

Defying her delicate appearance, Louise lifted Maura and carried her back to the couch. She gently placed her down, and then straddled her. Running her fingers through Maura's honey blonde hair, she grasped the blonde curls pulling Maura's head up so she could capture Maura's mouth in a passionate open kiss. There they stayed making out on the couch like a pair of teenagers, happily enjoying each other's presence and touch. This time, the visceral need to devour the other entirely had minimised and had been replaced by a tender need to explore each other in minute detail. It was Maura who finally broke the spell as she whispered:

"Louise, take me to bed."

They woke late, the sheets tangled at the foot of the bed, abandoned for the warmth of the others' body. Maura's eyes were still closed and she was totally relaxed in the dreamy space between sleeping and waking, the place where everything felt so soft and enveloping, when she felt Louise stir in her arms. She slowly opened her eyes to find Louise gazing at her.

"Good morning beautiful" Louise said tenderly, nuzzling in to Maura's neck.

"Mmmmmmm...Morning" Maura mumbled, distractedly, into the top of Louise's head, her eyes drifting shut once more. Kissing Maura's cheek, Louise started to pull away and Maura held her more firmly in place, determined to stay on the precipice of sleep; relaxed and warm.

"You have to let me go honey, I have to use the bathroom! Louise told her regretfully and so with a dejected sigh, Maura released her. Curled on her side she watched intently as Louise walked, still naked, into the bathroom. Maura appreciated how comfortable she was in her own skin, it showed a kind of strength that she admired. Fully awake now, Maura sat up and getting out of bed headed for the kitchen.

Maura closed the refrigerator door and turned to find Louise, wearing nothing more than her panties, standing a few inches away from her; a devilish grin lighting up her features that did nothing to hide her intent. This woman had enchanted her and she wanted nothing more than to spend the entire day in her opulent bedroom, or bathroom, or living room, or anyplace so long as they were alone and naked together.

"Have you decided what you want for breakfast?" Maura asked innocently, pretending she didn't see the look of hunger shining in Louise's bottomless blue eyes.

"Ye, You!" She said as she stepped forward, slamming Maura against the fridge door and pushing against her to hold her in place. Maura shivered in delight, she liked Louise's quiet, gentle dominance as she grabbed both of Maura's hands, raising them above her head. Instinctively, Maura raised her leg to wrap around Louise, pulling her in closer, her lilac camisole nightdress riding up to her waist. Keeping Maura's arms pinned over her head, Louise slid a single hand down the length of her body to grab her now exposed ass and squeezed hard.

It was at that precise moment that Angela, steeling herself for 'the talk' with Maura, decided to bite the bullet and opened the door.

"Morni…" She began, storming into the house before coming to an abrupt halt.