CHAPTER 4

"Sheila, I'm sorry, but I can't do this…" Maura began.

"I'm so sorry, Maura. The moment felt right. I know, Jane told me you were straight, but.." Sheila tried to reply.

"What? You and Jane were discussing my sexual preferences? When?" Maura appeared confused.

"Last night when I saw you at the bar. I told her I thought you looked hot and she pretty much told me to forget about it because you were strictly straight. So, I'm sorry, I should have listened to her, but now that I got to spend more time with you I am more attracted to you. You are not only beautiful and smart, but you like pretty much the same things I do, well with the exception of one, women." Sheila nervously chuckled. Sheila could see the emotions swirling on Maura's face. The ones that settled were anger with a touch of hurt.

"Well, I'm sure you and Jane had a good laugh at my expense. Was this some sort of challenge? To see if you could prove Jane wrong? If so, I'm not happy. I thought I was making a new friend. I resent that you two were discussing me behind my back, especially Jane, she is my best friend! Maura crossed her arms across her chest and stared Sheila down.

"Maura, it wasn't like that, really. Okay, I made a promise to Jane that I wouldn't do this, but I have to in order to fix this. Me coming on to you was no joke. I am gay. Jane knows that because she and I had a sexual relationship, actually I was madly in love with her, but that was years ago. Anyway, I asked her if she thought I had a shot with you and she told me no because you were not interested in women." Maura stood there stunned by what Sheila was telling her. No, she was no longer shocked by Sheila's kiss, it was the news that Sheila and Jane once had a relationship. When she gained her composure somewhat she was barely able to speak.

"Jane never told me she was interested in women. Why would she keep that from me?" Maura sounded hurt again but her pulse was racing. So, Jane was probably rude to her because she knew her ex-girlfriend was attracted to her. Maybe she still had feelings for Sheila. She was extremely excited when she found out she was visiting." Maura thought to herself.

"Knowing Jane it is probably because she didn't know how you would react and she played it safe by not telling you because she didn't want to lose your friendship."

"What! I would never reject her for sharing her life with me. She is the dearest and most caring person I have ever met. Sure she is stubborn, bossy and could wear more color, but I don't ever see my life without her. She means everything to me. I can't believe she wouldn't trust me enough to tell me…" Maura sounded hysterical and started to sob. Sheila moved forward and hugged her until her breathing evened out. Then she pulled away and looked into Maura's eyes.

"You are in love with Jane aren't you, Maura?" Sheila whispered softly. "I didn't see the signs before, but after that speech, I sure see them now." Maura looked back at Sheila and her eyes couldn't deny what Sheila just asked her.

"I have loved her so long, but I couldn't tell her. I didn't want to lose her, and I still don't, so I made myself content with just a friendship. I meant what I said earlier, she means everything to me. I won't ever jeopardize that. Please, Sheila, tell me you won't say anything to Jane about this?"

"Maura, love is nothing to hide. You should talk to her. Jane may surprise you. I can't say that I'm not disappointed, I mean I really do think you are hot after all." Sheila smiled. Maura eased in the moment and tried to laugh back, but her heart was breaking knowing she hurt Jane. She would have to fix it in the morning. If Sheila was the one for Jane, she was going to do everything she could to help her friend be happy.

"Thank you, Sheila. I will talk to Jane in the morning when she has calmed down. I think you should still stay here tonight so you both can get a good night's rest. I'm actually tired and am going to go to bed now. I hope you don't mind." Maura said with a tired look.

"Of course not." Sheila responded as Maura walked past her. Just as she was almost out of reach Sheila grabbed her shoulder, "and Maura, I am really sorry about the kiss." Maura turned, gave a sad smile and patted her hand.

"It's okay, Sheila, really. Goodnight." Maura walked into her room and shut the door behind her. She didn't even change her clothes she just threw herself down on her comforter and cried herself softly to sleep.

Next Morning at Work

Jane was in a foul mood. Maura could already hear her cussing and she wasn't even in the bull pen yet. She steeled herself and walked into the cage. Jane saw her immediately and scowled, but didn't say anything. Maura walked close enough to her so only the two of them would hear their conversation. She swore she could see hurt in Jane's eyes.

"Good morning, Jane. When you get a moment may I please see you in the morgue? I need to talk to you." Maura asked calmly.

"I'm busy, if you need something go ahead and ask now." Jane responded harsher than necessary. Maura was a bit shocked by Jane's response but answered her evenly.

"I would prefer to speak to you in private, if possible. It will only take a few minutes."

"Fine, I will be down in 20 minutes." With that statement Jane turned her back to Maura and walked to the other side of the bull pen. Maura walked out and Jane watched her go with a side glare. "This isn't going to be easy" Jane thought.

As promised, 20 minutes later Jane popped through the morgue doors. "Okay, Maura, I'm here, what did you want to talk to me about. I don't have much time." She said impatiently while looking at her watch. Maura put what she was working on aside and stood up from her desk.

"I want to talk to you about Sheila. Did you know that Sheila was attracted to me?" Maura asked bluntly.

"What?" Jane was dumbfounded. She wasn't expecting that question.

"Answer me, please, Jane." Maura begged.

"Umm, well yeah. She mentioned you were attractive." Jane responded and felt her heart rate speed up. "But, I told her you wouldn't be interested."

"Oh, yeah, why's that?" Maura asked.

"Well, duh, because you date guys!" Jane yelled. Maura cocked her head to the side and Jane knew she was thinking.

"Well, actually, I believe sexuality is fluid. Kinsey proved this with his research. I find attractive qualities in both men and women." Maura stated simply.

"Oh, so wait are you saying that you wouldn't mind Sheila coming on to you? " Jane asked angrily.

"That is what I want to discuss with you. Sheila kissed me last night and…" Maura was interrupted by Jane before she could finish.

"Spare me further details. She spent the night, I know that already.. Fucking great! Good for you both." Jane was furious.

"Will you please let me talk to you!" Maura yelled back. "You don't have to worry, Sheila told me about your past relationship. I know you were involved." Jane had her back to Maura and grew still when she heard what Maura said. She dropped her head forward and gave out a snort. Then she turned with a hurt look and spoke.

"Fucking, Sheila. What did she do, Maura, compare us in bed? Did she say you were a better lay or when you were fucking her did she call out my name? Maura knew Jane was purposely trying to hurt her.

"Jane, please listen." Tears began to stream down Maura's face. Jane's phone started buzzing the alert signal. Jane squeezed her eyes shut tight to keep tears from falling.

"Rizzoli," she barked into the phone.

"Rizzoli, we caught a case. We have to get to the field." Maura could hear Frost say through the speaker of the phone.

"I'll be right there." Jane snapped back , closed the phone and headed for the door.

"Jane, we aren't done here." Maura said with a desperate tone with tears freely flowing down her face. Jane stopped, turned and responded.

"Yes, Maura, we are." She then left the floor.