A/N - Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited etc. Much appreciated! Also a big thank you to JUJUChick16! (you know what for). Anyway i hope you all enjoy this chapter.


Chapter 9

Maura woke opening one eye at a time; a shred of light lit the wall over the bed. She glanced around her bedroom. She felt the weight of someone lying next to her. She shuffled in her bed and turned to face a mass of red hair. Maura lent on her elbow and noticed the Alex was still asleep. She turned on her back and looked up at the ceiling. Alex moved in her sleep, the heavy breathing turning silent. Maura glanced at Alex again before slipping out of the bed. She looked down at her naked form. She rubbed her bare arms as she gathered up her Silk dressing gown from where it lay on the floor. She wrapped it loosely around her body and silently made her way out the bedroom.

Rubbing the back of her neck; she padded down the hallway to the kitchen. Picking up the kettle she ran it under the tap and filled it up. She placed it down on side as she as struck a match and turned the gas hob on. Placing the kettle on the hob she turned and noticed Bass perched by the island. She bent down and rubbed his shell; smiling to herself.

As if on cue a newspaper filtered through the letter box in the front door. Maura heard the tap of the flap as it bounced on the brass opening. Maura stood and made her way to the front door. She picked up the paper and glanced at the front page. There was a lead story about the Red Sox her interest in the story minimal. By the time she got back to the kitchen the kettle was starting its high pitched whistle. Maura turned the gas off and placed the newspaper on the island. She gathered up a bone china teacup from one of the cabinets. She dropped a teabag into the cup and poured the boiled water until it reached the brim. Stirring the teabag around she squeezed it against the side of the cup before depositing the used teabag in the small 'food waste' caddy which sat snuggly by the sink. Placing the freshly brewed cup of tea on the island she opened the newspaper and started to flick through the pages briefly glancing at the different news articles.

Maura glanced up when she felt the presence of someone else in the room. She smiled at Alex who was leaning against the fridge. Her red/burgundy hair exhibiting an authentic Mohican. Alex ran her fingers through her hair separating the Mohican. She flatten it and ruffled it so just resembled a messy 'bed head' style. Alex tighten her dressing gown as she stepped forward.

"You still read the Sunday paper with a cup of tea?" Alex's voice was a little hoarse. She coughed to clear her throat.

Maura smiled shyly "Old habits…" Maura closed the paper and turned, her right hand lying flat against the worktop.

Alex took the few more steps towards Maura. They stood within touching distance.

"Maura what happened last night…" Alex said as she ran her fingers over Maura's shoulders and down the length of her arm. Her hands interlocking with Maura's.

Maura didn't answer she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Alex studied Maura's face; she realised that Maura wasn't sure how to answer.

"It's okay…let me try and work it out.." Alex paused as Maura opened her eyes and looked deeply to Alex. Alex continued "I came back for the conference and I suppose to win you all over again…your email that you sent a couple of weeks ago was laced with sorrow, when you spoke about your feelings for Jane. And do you know what...Jane is a fool, I don't think she knows what she wants, she's strung you along for too long now and I think what happened last night was your way of saying enough is enough ….am I right?" Alex shifted her weight on her feet.

Maura bowed her head, a tear rolled down her cheek; as it reached her chin Alex wiped it with her thumb, she lifted Maura's chin.

"Yes.." Maura's voice was low and barely audible.

"Do you know what Maura? " Alex said as she pulled Maura into a loving embrace. Alex's hands snaked around Maura's back. Maura looked into Alex's eyes "it felt good..I shouldn't of done what I did to you all those years ago..I was the fool then…I have never forgotten you Maura Isles…"

Maura sighed deeply "…and I should never have run from who I was"

Alex bowed her head and captured Maura's lips she lightly sucked on Maura's top lip. Maura lifted herself on to her toes she let go of Alex's hips and wrapped her arms around the red heads neck.

The two women continued in this position, exploring each other's lips. The familiarity felt good, it felt right. The moment was interrupted by a sharp knock from the front door. Alex pulled away she let her hands slid down Maura's chest, she pulled Maura's dressing gown to hide the bare chest that was now threatening to expose its self. Maura tighten the silk belt.

Alex stood back "I'm going for a shower…answer the door.."

Maura smiled as she turned and walked slowly to the front door. As she opened it wider she saw Jane standing there with a tray of three takeaway coffees.

Jane noticed that Maura wasn't dressed yet. She took a small step back and shuffled on her toes; she briefly looked away before turning back to Maura.

"Maura, I bought coffee for You and Alex…I've just come to pick up my car…"

"Come in.." Maura readjusted her dressing gown as she stood aside to let Jane enter.

Jane strolled in and placed the cardboard tray on the kitchen island. Maura closed the door and followed Jane. They stood opposite each other; Jane looked around.

"Is Alex not here…" Jane asked

"She's in the shower…"

Jane picked up her coffee and took a sip; she made a face as the hot liquid swilled around in her mouth. She picked up the small sugar packet and ripped the corner pouring it in the coffee. She gave it a stir with the wooden stirrer.

"So how long is Alex here for?" Jane asked

"She'll be here for the conference and then she's staying for a couple of weeks, holiday…" Maura explained.

Jane nodded; she slowly rubbed the back of her palms. Maura realised that Jane was nervous. "Maura..i think it's time to talk…"

Maura's eyes widen, she couldn't believe that Jane was going to do this now.

"Maura I have been such a fucking arsehole" Jane picked up the coffee, she glanced at Maura "Sorry Language.. I've been a complete idiot…"

Maura didn't say a thing she wasn't sure actually what to say, she felt it was just better to listen than interrupt Jane.

"Maura, what happened the other night in the bedroom. I have wanted that so much, for a while now and when it became real I freaked out." Jane paused she was studying Maura's reaction. Maura's face hardened a little.

"Why?...Jane talk to me…" Maura's voice was soft.

"Why? Good question.." Jane scoffed, she rubbed her temples. "You know when you have an image in your head of what or how a situation should be and the actual outcome is something you never expected.."

Maura was a little confused; she wasn't sure where Jane or what Jane was trying to say. Jane realised Maura's confusion.

"The realisation of what was happening was extremely overwhelming. Not only because I had a chance to have what I wanted but also the fact that the feelings I have for you surfaced. I realised a lot about myself in those few minutes.."

"What are you trying to say Jane.." Maura said encouraging Jane to continue what she finished.

"I put on this brave face. Showing all the bravado… that I have everything under control. But when it comes down to it, I haven't got a clue who I am." Jane confessed. "I'm afraid that you will see through all of this..." Jane waved her hands around herself.

"So..What you're saying is you can't afford to show me the real you?"

"What I am saying is I wasn't ready to show you who I am…but with the last few days I have let go of the control I have restricted myself…" Jane said fiddling with the cardboard cup.

"Marie…" Maura sighed.

"Yes" Jane's voice was low.

"But Jane why…" Maura's voice was stern.

"Because Maura she isn't you …"

Maura took a step back, shaking her head slowly. Jane stepped forward she took hold of Maura's hands, glanced at them and then pulled Maura closer. Their lips only inches apart, the electricity in the air was overpowering. Jane lowered her head and immediately captured Maura's lips. Jane tugged and sucked on Maura's top lip with all the passion she'd had kept bottled away. Jane let her hands roam through Maura's hair and down her back resting on her backside. Maura opened her eyes and pulled back, she slowly took a few steps away from Jane. Tears streamed down Maura's cheeks. She wiped furiously with the back of her hands and lowered her eyes. "Jane you shouldn't of done that.."

"I'm glad I did though. Where does this leave us…" Jane said trying to reconnect with Maura's eyes.

"Jane it's too late, I'm done with chasing after you.." Maura said between tears.

Jane's eyes widen, this was the part she knew could have backfired when she mulled it over in her head only the night before, when she sat alone in her apartment. "No, Maura. Come on, not like this…"

Maura didn't move, she turned away and in an almost whisper said "Jane you should go.."

Jane didn't need telling twice. She picked up her car keys and strode past Maura, briefly stopping as she stood by her side "please…"

"I said I'm done.." Maura said as she turned to and looked at Jane whose eyes were pleading with Maura. Jane bowed her head and continued to the front door again momentarily stopping. Her gaze fell upon Maura who didn't turn around; instead Maura took a deep breath and walked through the kitchen and down the hallway out of sight.

Jane stood by the door for what seemed like an eternity. She could hear Maura pottering in her room and then silence. Jane looked around Maura's house. The silence was absorbing her. In that instant she had never felt so alone. She gathered her thoughts and turned and looked back up the corridor towards Maura's room. Nothing, there was nothing. No hint of Maura leaving her room. She sighed to herself before slowly opening the door; she paused and took another look back before she closed the door behind her.

Maura slid down her bedroom door. She brought her knees up to her chest. A fresh set of tears escaped and slid down her pink cheeks. She sobbed quietly to herself.