A/N: Hellloooooo? ;) I know it's been forever but if you are still interested… I've been writing in spurts as time would allow. I'm up to about a 10,000 word file but I'm really afraid the hit or miss writing time may make things disjointed and I'm so busy it's hard to edit the way I like. With that said… my insecurities on display… I have missed you guys and thought I would post this to see what you thought and if I should keep going even though it takes me so freakin' long to post. I appreciate any comments you have. Thanks to those of you who have sent PM's to me to check in. You know who you are and I am appreciative and flattered.

Oh. I don't own anything R&I related. Nothing at all.

"Mmmm." Lips smacking, Jane stretched and scrubbed a rough hand over her eyes and winced at the tightness in her shoulders and thighs, tired eyes blinking open to an unfamiliar trajectory. Her head was resting against the foot of the bed based on well-known surroundings and…lids sliding closed, she relived a brief rewind of last night's very aerobic activities with a wide smile as her body warmed considerably. Tightening her grip on the woman in her arms, she dropped a soft kiss to disheveled curls not willing to wake her companion as her head dropped back onto the mattress with a quiet sigh. Judging by the light coming through the blinds she had at least an hour before the alarm sounded. Before the alarm sounded and she needed to call Korsak, to round up a dive team to find the Wilsons… another tragedy born at the hands of Charles Hoyt. A chill settled along with an unexplainable heaviness at the thought of that monster. Her monster. Holding Maura a little closer, she couldn't prevent her mind from turning over the pieces of their current case. Hoyt was back in her life. Fucking AGAIN. There was no way around it and now… now that she and Maura were… the medical examiner was a greater target. Jane was absolutely certain of few things but she knew without a doubt that if anything happened to Maura; she would not survive it. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to push the "what if's" and darkness away and concentrate on the light. Looking down across the creamy expanse of the doctor's back, she was thankful that the sheets had somehow managed to become tangled low across and between their knees leaving lightly freckled skin exposed and inviting. Fingertips barely making contact, lids slid closed again as she started a gentle mapping of her favorite spots, hypnotizing patterns and unbelievable warmth lulling her into calm.

Long lashes fluttered open over drowsy hazel green eyes as Maura tried to thread together the initial seconds of wakening; fit the puzzle pieces together that would be the first coherent thought of the day. The scent of Jane, the scent of them together surrounded her like a warm cozy blanket and she couldn't help the smile that bloomed as memories of the previous evening came into focus. The skating of long fingers along the bare skin of her back alerted her to the fact that Jane was already awake. Of course she was awake. As much as her lean friend grumbled about their early morning runs, it was a rare instance when the doctor woke before her detective. My detective. Grin growing mischievous, she leaned up and found hooded brown eyes before capturing soft lips in a tender kiss. "MMMmmm." Coughing out a laugh, the doctor did her best to maintain a neutral countenance, her gaze never wavering. "Mmmm. Good morning, my… sweet lord." Her lips quivered at the shocked look she received before completely losing it altogether, uncontrollable giggles shattering the quiet of the bedroom and shaking their entwined bodies.

"Wha-?" Dark eyes narrowed as a harsh glare fell into place. Okay. Not all that harsh; somewhat harsh at the most. Well. Maybe a little harsh? Tightening her arms and pinning the laughing woman in place against her side, Jane stared down into sparkling green eyes. Brow raised and using her best interrogation voice that the morning rasp would allow, "Really, Maura? Really?" Fighting the twitch at the corner of her mouth, the detective effectively melted under the sheer delight expressed on the medical examiner's face at having made a joke. Giving in, she pulled Maura up until she was draped completely atop her own body, voice lowering in volume and timbre as their breaths mingled, some of the playfulness falling away with proximity. Brushing a loose curl out of the way, scarred hands fell and tangled low across smooth skin as Jane smiled, voice rumbling from lack of use. "Babe, I told you. That is not a pet name. No matter how many times I said it…" Fluttering a hand in the air for good measure, she blushed slightly, her voice an octave higher. "You know, last night… when you were… with your tongue." Waggling dark brows, she smiled and leaned in for a proper kiss before settling them back on the bed, unsuccessfully suppressing a chuckle. "It's just not right."

Snuggling around a lean warm body, smiling lips lingered under a chiseled jaw before the doctor's head dropped back to its spot in the crook of olive skin, nuzzled against a steady pulse. Lying in comfortable silence, their inhalations and exhalations became synchronized like swimmers, lulling and inviting slumber. Several moments passed in silence before alert hazel green opened with a frown. Maura could feel the subtle shift in her love's demeanor and the tension that seemed to have crept in and settled into tight muscles. Tamping down the slight panic at the thought that Jane might have changed her mind and was beginning to regret everything, she lifted her head and found deep brown eyes while doing her best to keep the quiver out of her voice. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Smoothing a hand across a wrinkled brow and into dark unruly hair, she studied the detective's face for any sort of clue.

Her friend's sweet voice dragged Jane away from the poisonous thoughts of Charles Hoyt and back to the present. Blinking rapidly to clear the murky haze, warm chocolate eyes found worried hazel green and didn't miss the way flawlessly straight teeth were chewing nervously on a lower lip or the tiny tremor in the spoken words. "Hey." Immediate guilt washed over the detective as she rolled Maura underneath, reversing their positions and settling on her elbows. The sting of tears wasn't completely unexpected or unwelcomed when she thought about how far they had come and just how much this woman meant to her. Flashing a watery smile, careful fingers traced the contours of the doctor's face before she joined their lips in a passionate kiss, groaning when strong arms and legs wrapped around, pulling them even closer in a vice like grip. Jane sensuously nipped and licked a trail to the salty sweet skin beneath the doctor's ear, breath hot and moist as she spoke. "Maura. Last night was hands down the best night of my life. I have NO regrets and never will so don't you even go there." Pulling back slightly so she could lock their gaze, the detective combed through golden brown tresses until a slightly shaking hand rested in the gentle slope against a pounding pulse, smile reappearing along with glassy tears. "I love you Doctor Maura Isles. That isn't going to change. Ever." Relaxing into their embrace, Jane dropped a warm kiss onto a smooth bare shoulder before nestling comfortably against it, full weight coming to rest atop the welcoming body underneath. Choosing her words carefully as a long index finger traced idly from freckle to freckle, "I'm sorry I zoned out on you. It's just…" Eyes closed as the detective's grip tightened around the medical examiner and she swallowed thickly around the lump forming. In answer, an expert touch massaged and kneaded the tight muscles between tense shoulder blades, encouraging and patient. "Mmmmm…god Maur, that feels sooodamngoodmmmmm" Placing her lips against fragrant, soft skin, reality found its way back unwanted. Words fell out in a fierce whisper searching desperately to get the point across. "Hoyt." Dark curls shook slightly as thoughts stammered forth uncensored. "He scares the shit out of me…he does… but…but Hoyt…him being anywhere NEAR you… I…THAT." Quieter still, "That scares me like I've never been scared before... It's like a whole new level of fear. I just… Maur…the way he looked at you in the infirmary…" Features crinkled in pain, "….the way he wanted to include you in his twisted little game…" Jane swallowed hard, blinking back tears as her brows knitted together in a contortion of disgust, fists reaching for something to break only to tangle in the wrinkled fitted sheet, voice low and dark with the truth. "I can't let you anywhere near him, Maura. If anything ever happened to you because of me…" Gentle fingers across her lips stilled the detective's speech, gaze darting swiftly away.

Maura had been waiting for this reaction from her friend ever since Charles Hoyt re-entered their lives in such a surprising manner. Jane's protectiveness of the ones she cared for could hardly be rivaled. A close second was the detective's tendency to feel guilt for any and all acts that homicidal manic was able to commit within a hundred mile radius. He had been very clear that Jane was his ultimate masterpiece and everything he did led to her, placing the blame for needless murders and mutilations squarely at her feet like bouquets of dead roses. Hoyt knew exactly how to pierce the tough exterior of the brash detective's armor and go straight to the heart. "Look at me, please." Finding soft brown eyes, the doctor couldn't help the small smile and impromptu breathless declaration. "God… I love you so much. I really do." Shaking her head and rolling her eyes at the girlish outburst, composure was regained quickly as her fingers sifted through thick dark hair. "I'm sorry. I…" The doctor ducked her head demurely, "I just like being able to finally say that out loud." Sure fingers ghosted across tense, thin lips and prominent cheek bones before settling again in the wild mane of curls, fingertips scraping and pressing into the scalp. Taking a deep breath, Maura went all in, locking their gaze again with resolve. "Jane. I told you last night….. I'm in this with you and I will not leave you. Not before and certainly not now. I know you want to protect me but I will not be put on the sidewalk while you are in danger… please don't ask that of me. I know if the situation were reversed, you would feel the same." Stretching up for a chaste kiss that melted into something much less than chaste; the medical examiner stood her ground. Breaking for air, her voice was barely a whisper but the plea held her greatest fear. "Please. Please, Jane. Don't shut me out."

Deep chocolate eyes glistened with unshed tears at the doctor's words and the way her slender body was wrapped so thoroughly and protectively around the detective's own, heels locked against the back of tanned thighs, gaze unwavering. Giving in, Jane nodded slightly before leaning down to capture waiting lips; languidly at first until the emotional charge of the moment took over for the both of them, igniting a firestorm. "God, Maura." Gasped in awe; the woman left her breathless. "Umph..It's… 'sidelines' not… ohgod…'sidewalk'…nevermiiind." Words were quickly becoming need as emotions took the reins and left the thinking part of the detective's brain standing still, mouth agape. A work roughened hand trailed down across smooth skin and gripped her lover's hip as lips finally broke away from the tangle and followed lower, leaving a trail of wet heat in their wake before closing around a straining nipple, teeth grazing and tongue soothing. Moans and words of encouragement filled the still of the bedroom as hands teased and tugged and bodies danced together in a new but achingly familiar rhythm. Blood singing, long fingers brushed purposely through short curls, searching and wanting, desire for completion insatiable.

The jarring, blaring… ungodly screech from the alarm clock on the nightstand startled both women, frenzied movements frozen by the intrusion, twin breaths coming in harsh pants as lust darkened eyes found their mate. "Shit!" An anguished whimper escaped Maura's lips as small hands already tangled in dark hair pulled painfully against the detective's scalp. The sight of Jane at her breast, wild locks tickling across her flushed chest as skilled fingertips gently pressed against her entry left the doctor feeling incredibly aroused and frustrated at the same time; the twisting sensation in her stomach a veritable war between duty and desire. Oh, god… breathe…focus. Fractured items… feelings… thoughts… swirled and banged into each other… begging for order and direction and sweet unbridled release at the same time; warring and contradictory.

Big brain whirring, the medical examiner knew on principle that they needed to stop and get ready for work because if they…continued down the path that they were on, it would certainly run them late. God. I couldn't care less about being late. That one stray thought alone was enough to tilt the medical examiner's known world on its axis as teeth took in a lower lip and bit down hard in an attempt to hone focus, unused to the distracting inner monologue. Facts. What are the facts? Exhaling a shaky breath, a genius intellect swiftly recounted necessary details. The Wilson's deserved the attention and respect of their best efforts and underwater recovery had a narrow window of assembly time. Looking into deep soulful eyes, the answer was clear… only not the one her body was begging to hear. Lids closed slowly over darkened hazel as Maura tried desperately to tamp down the all-consuming arousal coursing through her veins; failing miserably with talented, long fingers still positioned there. "Jane." One hoarse word hummed; laced with strangled pleading and reverence, it begged for a moment. "Come here." Watching as Jane crawled slowly up her body with a questioning look, the doctor grasped at coherent thought, a reason that would make sense. Pulling against heated skin, she kissed her detective again; this time less urgent, full of promise and love, breaking apart with a knowing smile while lovingly smoothing loose strands away.

Jane was the most dedicated person Maura had ever known when it came to seeking justice for the wronged. Any set back, any delay and the detective took it personally… taking on a measure of guilt that weighed down already heavily burdened shoulders. No. The doctor couldn't be a party to adding to that pain. Eyes finding shining onyx again, words came out charred and deep betraying the need that still thrummed beneath the surface. "We should get up and get ready. Why don't I shower first…," A slight wince of discomfort was followed a long sigh. "… albeit a cold one… while you call Korsak and make the coffee?" Arching her brow, she anticipated her lover's next words with a wry grin and a wrinkled nose. "No, baby. If we shower together, I can assure you that we will be even later and Jane…" Craning her neck for a chaste kiss, "You will eventually feel terrible about the delay no matter how… pleasurable… and blame yourself." Soft fingers trailed lightly up and down along the subtle musculature of the detective's back, paying careful attention to the ridge of scar tissue that ran parallel to the right scapula before finally curling into the dips of a narrow waist. "I can't have that on my…watch?" The medical examiner's questioning smile was blinding. Taking pouting lips in a searing kiss, Maura almost lost her direction, tongues sliding in a delicious and intoxicating volley before parting reluctantly. Voice low and caramel smooth, "I know you, Detective Rizzoli." Thumbs caressed a strong jaw as their gaze held. Taking another deep breath, the doctor's tone brooked no argument. "Trust me on this, okay?" Smiling, cool fingers traced the plains of her beloved's face. "So you will spend tonight with me?" The doctor's smile grew and was infectious, "At my home?"

The subject of such adoration, Jane marveled at how easily she had allowed this woman to dismantle every weapon in her formidable arsenal of self-protection; the figurative yet stealthy "brick by brick" approach had all but decimated the carefully constructed walls around her heart. Even more astounding; the hardened detective wouldn't have it any other way. Dark eyes closed briefly at the feel of manicured nails scraping intricate patterns across the backs of her shoulders, an involuntary shiver racing down her spine. Finding warm hazel green again, she dropped a kiss on her love's nose before affording the same treatment to moist swollen lips. "You've got yourself a deal, Dr. Isles." Rolling off to the side, Jane swung long, tanned legs over the edge of the bed, stretching toned arms over her head to ease morning stiffness. With a saucy grin and a smirk, she looked back to find Maura shamelessly ogling her naked form. "Really? With the pet names? I'm not sure I'm the 'baby' type though…baby."

A thrown pillow was the refined med school graduate's only response; nonverbal but effective. Two could play at this game. Innocent grin firmly in place, Maura sauntered toward the bathroom paying extra care to the sway of her hips. Even without a backward glance, she could feel dark eyes scorching every inch of exposed skin. Stopping in the threshold, a look was chanced confirming her suspicions. Jane sat jaw clenched, eyes the color of a starless midnight and nostrils flared; lean body thrumming with desire as she slowly stood and approached. The foolishly formed and hasty plan backfired in the doctor's face as warmth suffused her suddenly too tight skin and the ache to touch was overwhelming. She barely recognized the rough husk of her own voice as heavy lids flickered. "Jane." Skilled fingers curled into olive skin. "I… um… god."

Mission accomplished. Lips brushed the shell of the medical examiner's ear as scarred hands squeezed a narrow waist. The detective's voice was low and full of gravel, dripping with sensuality and a delicious promise of things to come. "I'm going to let you off the hook for playing dirty… for now… because we have to go to work." Sucking a supple lobe into her mouth and worrying it between her teeth and tongue, Jane smiled at the sounds her ministrations were provoking and the way Maura's body seemed to ebb and flow with her own. Drawing back so that she could lock their gaze, a dark brow rose as thumbs caressed flushed cheeks. "Just so you know…" The Rizzoli smirk slid home. "I plan on you making this up to me tonight." And just like that, all contact was withdrawn as the lanky woman opened the bedroom door with a wink, disappearing down the hall to the kitchen with a muffled, "I gotta take Jo out for a walk but I'll put the coffee on first. And don't use all the hot water like last time."

It was a solid minute before Maura could move; the feel of Jane's lips left a tingle in their wake and her thoughts seemed hazy and sluggish, her knees weak as a careful hand shot out to brace against the door jam. Blinking in slow motion, the doctor turned and headed into the bathroom, adjusting the knobs on the wall to a much cooler temperature than she would normally choose. A languid smile took its place as she stepped into the familiar shower, preferred products already on hand. Using the natural loofa hanging from one of the shower caddy's rungs, she lathered her favorite gel and began scrubbing away, thoughts of Jane and… the uncharacteristic giddiness she felt as a result leaving the medical examiner a little off balance. "It is true. I'm…" Words echoed against the ceramic tile as an accomplished brain searched a small file of common terms and pop culture references. Brows furrowed, designer shampoo was worked into a furious lather as the desired phrase remained out of reach. "Spanked? Worked up? Winged? Wrung out? No, that's not…what is it Jane always says when Barry is in a relationship?" Rinse and repeat. "Whipped!" Lids flew open in a moment of triumph only to feel the sting of the soapy bubbles, slamming shut again as a mild curse hissed through clenched teeth. Thoroughly cleansed and conditioner applied, a small smile took up residence on the doctor's face again, high end hair product offense easily forgotten. "That is it. I'm whipped." She whispered to no one in particular. Her grin grew wider as she finished her morning routine and shut the water off, reaching through the curtain for a plush body wrap that had replaced worn out, threadbare and mismatched towels not long after Maura had started sleeping over.

Dried off and cocooned in soft cotton, nimble hands reached for her phone to check the time. That one habitual act brought reality crashing down around in a cascade of images. Hoyt's victims or possible victims… the case. That was what brought her to Jane's apartment the night before… After all they had shared, the morning had come and it was time to face the demons of the day. They were hopefully going to find the Wilsons and confirm the madman's rambling confession. Jane. Eyes closed, the doctor breathed a mantra to herself, willing it to be true, fingers toying with the moist, faintly bruised skin of her lips. "I won't lose you to him. We will not lose this to him. I will not lose you."

After taking Jo out to do her business, Jane stood in ratty basketball shorts and an equally threadbare long sleeved concert tee staring blindly out of her front window, steaming mug of coffee in hand. The peace of holding Maura in her arms had dissipated into a numbing fear now that the specter of Charles Hoyt loomed large. Taking a long sip, her unfocused eyes noticed the paper boy making his rounds as her body groaned at the early hour. A smirk appeared as she recalled her conversation with a very sleepy and grouchy Korsak. Fuck. She couldn't help the slippery slide her mind took into the case, details tumbling and rolling, hoping that something would fall into place. "Graham Randall." She whispered out loud. Eyes closed, her head fell forward as she drifted further into the abyss. "The Wilsons are in that lake. Hoyt put them there." Right hand kneading tight muscles, the stream of conscious flowed. "He told me this for a reason." Dark brows knitted together. "Why? Why now? And why bring Maura into this unless he wants her as part of the game?" The realization hit hard and with relentless clarity. He knows. An immediate cold sweat broke out across the detective's skin and nausea roiled as solid footing seemed to buck beneath sock clad feet. Fuck! He KNOWS! Breathing was becoming difficult as the detective leaned forward and braced against the sill, words spitting out between stolen breaths and clenched teeth. "Heh…he…he fucking knows about us."

"Hey, sweetie?" Maura entered the den wearing a wide grin and borrowed thin grey robe; toweling drying curling hair as the aroma of strong coffee beckoned. "How was your walk wiii…" Words died on parted lips as she took in the sight of the lanky detective doubled over, a look of sheer terror etched into arresting features. "What? Jane…god! What happened?" Crossing the room in quick strides, the towel was long forgotten as she grasped at worn cotton before crushing them both in a fierce hug; arms circling and protective. Burying her nose in the familiar warmth of olive skin, the doctor took a moment to regroup and offer comfort. Finally pulling away, she found wild, dark eyes that were impossible to read. Locking their gaze, determined hands cupped a sculpted jaw. "Jane?" She could see the uncertainty flash; the need to guard so overwhelming and consistent. Placing a lingering kiss to tense lips, the medical examiner's voice was hushed with the intimacy of the moment but no less demanding; never losing the attention of coal colored eyes. "Tell me."

She wanted to lock the door a thousand times over and never let this amazing woman out of her sight. Grunting at the absurdity of such a thought, Jane shook her head. Under any other circumstances, she would offer up a sugar coated version of reality to soften the blow. She couldn't do that now. There was more… so much more between them and she owed Maura the truth. Swallowing hard, she tenderly kissed the fingers twined with her own before finding concerned hazel green. "Heeeh…" Clearing her throat, the detective tried again. "Hoyt knows about us Maura. I'm sure of it. That's why he wanted you there at the prison…" Harried speech crossed paths with urgency in a garbled outpouring. "He…heknowsthatI'minlovewithyou." Searching for some sort of acknowledgment, words tumbled unbridled and a bit desperate. "This changes everything…don't you see?" Swiping a frustrated hand through knotted locks, Jane tried again with the patience of one explaining to a child. "Hoyt… in his crazyass mind… he believes that I belong to him… that in the end it will be the two of us… one way or the other. Just us. No one else gets to have me. You understand what I'm saying?" Silently pleading for comprehension, the brunette stumbled on as anxiety tripled. "I know I told you that I wouldn't push but…I just…" Whispered words broke and cracked as tears pooled. "I can't… I don't want you to be a part of this… with that bastard." Energy expended, shoulders sagged in defeat.

The medical examiners eyes narrowed as she chewed on a plump lip… a habit picked up from her best friend. Tugging against joined hands, Maura settled them on the sofa before attempting to speak, her earlier determination strengthening resolve. Well trained eyes missed nothing. How had she not seen it before? It was so clear now that Jane loved her beyond reason and would do anything to protect her and with a shuddering breath, the petite woman had no doubt that the detective would willingly give her own life… that much had been proven more than once. Focus. Squeezing long fingers, the natural term of endearment slipped easily and unconsciously through pursed lips. "Honey… first of all a dying man in prison could not possibly know about something that has transpired within the last twenty-four hours." Smiling gently, the doctor braced to get the most important part of the message across. "Secondly… I couldn't care less if he did know." Dark eyes blazed with a protest that was silenced before words could form by a firmer than usual voice. Maura's posture stiffened ramrod straight, voice vehement. "I will not allow anyone… and certainly not the likes of Charles Hoyt to take you away from me…to take this away from us… EVER. I will fight with everything I have before I let that happen. I choose to be by your side." After a beat of contemplation, "Actually, it isn't so much a choice… as it is a need. I need to be with you, Jane… And… I am a lot stronger than I look." Taking a breath, the silence seeped warmly into the open spaces before a tiny, somewhat forced grin tugged in an attempt to lighten things. "I'm sure there will be times when you will wish I weren't by your side all of the time… much like I wish you would not leave the cap off of the toothpaste and squeeze it from the top instead of the more reasonable bottom up..."

Chocolate eyes rolled and Jane fought the need to correct Maura's assumption that Hoyt's knowledge of them together extended solely to the sexual aspect of their inevitable consummation. Hell. They had been together long before that happened. Instead, the detective chose to go along with the Herculean effort her very literal love was making at setting the situation into clearly marked boundaries. How could she not? The medical examiner's declaration of unequivocal allegiance left her feeling extremely prideful…and…well, shit. Hot. A fierce Maura Isles was definitely something to behold that was for sure. Standing, Jane pulled Maura up and into her arms as conflicting emotions of fear and need crossed and crisscrossed into a jumble that led to recognition. Nuzzling her chin into soft, damp curls while lean arms circled a narrow waist, she again pushed the heaviness away as a smirk fell into place. Pulling back a bit, a perpetually raspy voice was lighter. "I'll swear to put the cap on if you'll join me in the shower." Dark brows waggled simultaneously with the pinch delivered against taut abs. "Ow! Shit, Maur." Caging her shorter friend in a tight embrace, the detective relented and allowed just a moment to enjoy the feel of their bodies pressed together so perfectly. Inhaling the freshly scrubbed scent, Jane held it for a beat before the long exhale that delivered the truth. "Thank you," she whispered against the smooth skin of the doctor's temple. Reading the confusion in an upturned face, the resulting smile was gentle as calloused thumbs came up to caress sparsely freckled cheeks before a soft kiss was placed on waiting lips. Tucking the medical examiner back into their embrace, "Just for… for getting me… and knowing me as well as you do… better than anyone else." Taking a deep breath, "You know I'm probably going to be all over the board today." Long fingers stroked across thin grey cotton and the subtly toned muscles underneath. "I… I may… get a little bitchy… and I don't mean to, Maur but…"

Understanding hazel green met contrite deep brown as the doctor's arms tightened their hold; voice patient and full of love. "Jane. When you feel like circumstances are out of your control or that someone you care for is in danger… you can become a bit… your manner can be somewhat… abrupt… and you tend to take out your... frustrations on those closest to you."

Dark eyes rolled at the watered down and too kind description of the detective's less than finer moments; those times when harsh words mixed with a colorful and creative usage of profanity gushed forth without thought or censure. Only those who truly loved her remained standing in the aftermath, forgiveness a ready offering when all was said and done.

Rich chocolate eyes softened as the doctor continued, deft hands slipping underneath the worn scraggly tee the detective wore before splaying across warm skin; fingertips shamelessly counting ribs and raising goose bumps. "I love you." The whisper was almost reverent as a manicured brow rose in point. "And I will love you tonight no matter what the day may bring… or however surly you may become during the course of the day. This, Jane…" Bringing a scarred hand up to rest fully against the hollow above her heart, "This is what matters." Embarrassed, Maura's eyes darted away, a small, shy smile tugging at lush lips as words came out in a coarse whisper. "It seems you somehow have coaxed me into becoming one of those overly romanticized persons that believe intense emotions reside in a muscle the size of a fist; an organ that is responsible for the continuation of life through blood circulation. Intellectually, I know that is preposterous…I can't help but…" Before she could continue, Jane's lips captured the remainder of the sentence in a soft and spirited kiss. "MMMmmm." Begrudgingly breaking free, the medical examiner's gaze greedily studied a familiar face, the affection in her tone as unavoidable as the grin that adorned swollen lips. "You. Go. Shower." Adding a bit of force to the grip around a slender waist, she decided to soften the blow with a knowing smile finding mischievous brown eyes. "If we hurry, you can stop at that coffee shop on the way and get that hideous breakfast burrito you are so fond of… even though it is terribly unhealthmmph."

With a flourish, Jane's kiss again stole needed breath as she leaned the medical examiner back into a full dip, a sly smile ending their heated exchange with a smirk before righting them into a standing position again; Maura faltered to regain balance; small hands clutching against strong shoulders. The gleam in the detective's eyes was unmistakable as long fingers wound in the golden strands at her disposal. Sucking in deep breaths, Jane needed to make sure her intentions were known, given the lighthearted banter that always seemed to accompany their conversations. "Maura." Said with a conviction and devotion that commanded attention, their gaze locked. Countenance softening, the detective smiled at the loose, unruly curls framing her love's face before a hand came up to cup smooth skin. "I love you too."

Thumb making smooth strokes back and forth across the doctor's cheek, dark eyes watched as tears began to pool. No. NO. No crying. Taking quick action, Jane quirked a brow and her voice dripped with mischief as she pulled their bodies flush again, her smile growing rakish. "You know we could save on water if you helped me out in the shower with all of those… hard to reach places." Brows waggling comically, she was rewarded with the heavenly sound of Maura giggling, quickly followed by a shove that sent lanky limbs flailing toward the bedroom suite. Affixing her best kicked puppy look, eyes narrowed in mock pain as a normally raspy voice took on her best sensitivity training falsetto… complete with eyelash fluttering. "That really hurts my feelings, Doctor Isles." Gaze growing more predatory as it raked over delicious curves, the detective licked her lips slowly, sucking the lower inside her mouth before finally releasing. "I'll add that to the list of things you'll be making up to me tonight." At the doctor's gasp, she made her exit, smile firmly in place as she stripped the tee shirt over her head and entered the steamy bathroom.

Okay sweet readers. There it is. Please let me know what you think! As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read.