Guys. ~Hides face in hands~ I'm sorry, I feel like I've been seriously neglecting this fic! I've been so busy – I'm actually supposed to be writing two essays right now, but let's not talk about that, since I'm trying to ignore them haha. I haven't forgotten about this story, I've been thinking about it non-stop (it is literally showing up in my dreams). So here we go! :)

P.s. You guys are the sweetest. Seriously. I've been getting to know a few of you, and I have to say, the Rizzoli and Isles fandom is one of the nicest I've come across.

Maura woke slowly, senses filled with the sweet fragrance of lavender. Something was tickling her nose – she wrinkled it futilely a few times before opening her eyes. An unruly head of dark ringlets was tucked into her neck, a few tendrils fluttering against her face with each breath. Jane. At the thought, hundreds of tiny snapshots flew through Maura's mind – Jane showing up at her house, wide-eyed and wearing only an oversize t-shirt. Jane's admission of love. The two of them passionately kissing… Maura closed her eyes again, feeling a dopey smile rearrange her features. Did that really happen, or was it just a dream?

It was one of those moments in life that Maura didn't think she could ever forget. Hearing the words from Jane's lips – I think I'm in love with you – was a thousand times more wonderful than she could have ever imagined. The moment felt vividly imprinted on her mind. Exactly what Jane's face looked like, what her voice sounded like, what she was wearing, even the scent of chamomile tea – everything in the memory was unnaturally clear. To see Jane Rizzoli so vulnerable, to see her usually-hard face soften completely – it had made Maura feel privileged, like she had witnessed something truly special. She never wanted anyone else to see those expressions on Jane's face.

They had sat on the sofa, talking and holding hands for hours, before they realised it was 4 a.m. Strangely, neither of the women seemed to feel pressured to take things any further. They had simply, wordlessly, climbed into Maura's bed, pressed themselves close together, and fallen asleep in each other's arms. It was the sweetest experience Maura had ever had, the first time she had slept with a significant other without having sex.

Maura tilted her head down slightly, trying not to disturb Jane, who seemed to be using her breasts as a pillow. Jane's hand was resting on Maura's stomach, and her legs were curled around Maura's, as though she was spooning her, although Maura was on her back. Maura smiled, enjoying the feeling of Jane's warmth wrapped around her like a security blanket. It was nice, feeling this kind of intimacy without doing anything sexual – not exactly that Maura didn't want that kind of intimacy too. On the contrary… She felt her cheeks flush slightly at the thought, and suddenly Jane's head against her chest felt different… Less innocent.

She forced herself to push these thoughts away. I'm sure, in due time, that kind of intimacy will develop, she told herself, gently bringing a hand up to stroke Jane's hair. Jane stirred, her hand sliding over Maura's abdomen, the light touch making Maura's skin tingle. Jane made a contented humming sound, unhooking her leg from around Maura's, apparently waking up. "Good morning," Maura murmured, stroking Jane's hair back again. "Quite late morning," she added, glancing at the clock, which displayed '10:46'. Jane yawned, stretching like a cat, before turning and looking up at Maura. To Maura's amusement, her face did a sort of dance – surprise, recollection, and then her face split into a glowing smile. Maura grinned back, feeling slightly giddy with happiness.

"Jeez," Jane growled, voice thick with sleep. "I think this is the latest into the day I've ever slept in my life." She heaved herself up into a sitting position, stretching her lean arms above her head. "Well, we did go to sleep at around 4 a.m.," Maura reasoned, stretching her neck from side to side before resting her hand on Jane's knee. Jane turned to smile at her again, looking slightly bashful, an expression Maura still wasn't used to seeing on her. The night had held a sort of security, allowing them to speak easily, but in the light of day, everything seemed different – realer. Pressing a very light kiss to her mouth, Maura pulled Jane into a hug, burrowing her head into her neck. "I still can't believe this is real," Jane muttered into Maura's ear. "Me neither," Maura whispered back through her grin.

Maura tipped the scrambled eggs onto plates as Jane buttered toast, the two of them working together to produce brunch. Both women were acting like love-struck teenagers (although Jane would probably deny the crap out of that statement), sneaking glances at each other and finding any excuse to touch hands, elbows, lips. As Jane plunked the toast on both plates, Maura watched her, brushing the side of her face with her fingertips, drawing her in for a lingering kiss. Jane's hand, still covered in toast crumbs, caressed her cheek. She was so caught up in the new development in their relationship that she completely forgot something very important. Something that chose that moment to make an appearance.

"Hey, Maura," Angela bustled into the kitchen, rifling through a bag, and Jane practically threw herself out of Maura's arms. Angela glanced up just in time to see her daughter hastily wiping her mouth, as though Maura's lips had left visible traces, and she paused in surprise. "Oh! Hi, honey." Her brow furrowed, eyes darting between the two women, who were wearing matching guilty expressions as though they had been caught doing something illicit. "I didn't see you here last night, Jane. When did you get here?" She continued rifling through the bag, apparently not realizing what she had just walked in on.

"I, uh, I…" Jane threw a glance at Maura, who shrugged, widening her eyes. Jane wanted Maura, of all people, to help her with a lie? "It was quite late last night – you were probably already asleep," Jane recovered relatively smoothly, picking up her almost-empty mug of coffee and draining the cold dregs with a grimace. Maura almost smiled at Jane's attempt at nonchalance. "Oh, okay honey," Angela answered absent-mindedly, fortunately so focused on her bag that she didn't notice her daughter's odd behaviour. "Maura, have you seen my reading glasses? They're not in my bag, did I leave them in here?"

Maura pointed at the glasses, neatly placed atop a pile of magazines, and Angela grabbed them. "Ah, thanks." She glanced back up at the women, paying proper attention now, eyes darting between them. There was a long pause in which Jane choked down more cold coffee and Maura ran through what she would say to Angela if any awkward questions were asked. Yes, I'm fine… No, I didn't have sex with your daughter… Although she and Jane hadn't done anything but kiss and spoon a little, Maura felt like they had done much more. Not that she would feel guilty if they had – Maura was very open about sex, and everybody knew it. But the thought of telling Angela about the new development in their relationship seemed terrifying. It's too soon, Maura reassured herself. We will tell people when we're ready.

Angela gestured to the side of her face with a small smile. "Maura, you've got some crumbs right there." Maura quickly brushed them away, trying to calm herself down. There's no way she can infer kissing from a few crumbs… Right? "Oh, right, thanks." The hostess in Maura suddenly kicked in. "Sorry, how rude - Angela, did you want some eggs?" Maura gestured politely at the two plates, and she could almost feel Jane's eyes stabbing into the back of her head at the very suggestion. To Maura's great relief, Angela shook her head, perching her glasses atop her head and moving towards the front door. "No, that's okay, I was leaving anyway. Just needed my glasses. You girls have a good day." With a small wave, she was gone.

The second the door closed behind Angela, Jane let out a whoosh of breath, tutting in disgust as she placed the coffee cup in the sink. "Eugh, drinking that was a terrible idea…" She mimed scrubbing her tongue with a dish brush, and Maura chuckled. Shooting a final glance at the door, Jane sobered, her brow creasing. She placed her hands gently on Maura's waist, tugging her closer and wrapping her arms around her. "You understand why I didn't say anything to Ma, right?" Her voice was anxious, hands travelling lightly up and down Maura's shoulder blades. Maura nodded into Jane's neck, breathing in the scent of her. She understood completely.

"It's still so new to us, I don't know how we would explain it to someone else," Maura murmured, squeezing Jane reassuringly. "Let's just… See what happens, just as we are. This is enough." Jane's body relaxed, tension washed away by Maura's admission that she wasn't ready to tell anyone yet either. Jane pulled back to look at Maura, dark eyes crinkled with her smile. "I like the idea of us having something to ourselves, anyways. Just for now, until it feels right for others to know." Maura sighed, giving a half-pained, half-genuine smile. "I guess we'd better hope nobody asks me a direct question about it."

I hope this chapter was okay! I wrote it in about three hours, which is a record for me - I've been feeling very inspired lately, which is a nice change. :) I really wanted to emphasise the gradual development of their new relationship, the sweet, tentative beginning of something new. I'm not entirely sure how canon this is, but don't worry – things should heat up soon. I don't know how long they are going to be able to resist each other. ;)

I'm currently trying to decide who they tell first, so if you have any ideas about that, please feel free to let me know! I think that is where the next chapter will lead me – the first confession. Should be fun to write! :) Thanks, lovelies. See you in the next chapter!