A/N 1: Thank You to everyone who has reviewed, followed and favorited. I am glad you are enjoying the reading as much as I am writing it.

Chapter 10

The sun was just starting to come up as Jane sat waiting in her car less than a block from her friends house. Tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, she looked over at the bouquet sitting on the passenger's seat. Her trip to the flower market had been semi-successful. She found the two types of flowers in the correct colors but had to go to two different sellers to do it. Turns out they don't bundle them up for presentation there, though the second vendor took pity on her and threw in some decorative fern leaves that she swore would look good. Next Jane went to a 24 hour drugstore and bought tissue paper, ribbon, scissors, and a card.

The backseat of the unmarked looked like the floor of a florist's with cuttings, torn paper and other bits from her attempt to properly arrange her gift. Jane felt it wholly inadequate but decided the result was presentable. The card was tossed into the pile, some silly children's birthday card, it was the color of the envelope that was important. She had spent as much time writing and rewriting the note as she had trying to wrangle the flowers together.

She didn't want to apologize, well she did, but not on paper. That was a face to face discussion as were any declarations of love. She thought of simply saying she hadn't known Maura was Margaret Bisel, but that felt flat. The entire purpose was to get the Doctor to realize that Jane wasn't going anywhere and get them to a point where they could talk. Jane knew she needed to regain Maura's trust in a way that wasn't pushy. That was the hard part. Jane was pushy. It's one of the reasons she was so good at her job. Then she hit on it.

Maura,

Maggie Webster was one of the first cases I worked in homicide. I felt the weight of finding justice for that little girl so much that I stayed long after Korsak had gone and the bullpen was empty. I had hit a wall and just felt tired and alone. I don't know why I headed down to the morgue. It's not like I expected anyone to be there, but saw a light on when I got off the elevator. Instead of bursting in (like I usually do) I watched through the glass. You were reverently combing her hair and talking softly to her. I found out later that you were looking for trace evidence, (Which you found and led us right to the bastard), but all I knew at the time, and what I remember most about that moment was the sense of calm and reassurance I felt. The knowledge that I wasn't the only one who cared. You cared just as much. It was right then I knew I wanted to get to know you better. I wanted to be your friend. That conviction has only grown the longer I've known you. You are important to me.

Can we please talk? Come over or call and I will come to you.

Jane

She wasn't certain it was the right thing to say, but her gut told her it was a far better approach than her earlier drafts. Once decided, she slid it in the envelope and sealed it to stop herself from agonizing over it anymore. She doubted Maura would remember, but the envelope's shade of green was the same as the dress the Doctor had worn that day. It now sat tucked into the arrangement of vibrant red anemones and deep purple peonies. Jane had to admit, the small green ferns mixed in well. She had layered the tissue paper, wrapping white closest to the flowers and a green that matched the ferns more than the envelope on the outside. The ribbon was a simple light silver. If nothing else after this experience, she had a whole new appreciation for what florists actually do.

The Detective checked her cell phone, 7:02. Maura should be coming out the door any second for her typical Saturday morning run. Jane was hoping that with everything the Doctor was always saying about the benefits of running to elevate mood, she would stick to her routine. Sure enough, one minute later Maura stepped out the front door and slid in her ear buds. She took off down the street and away from where Jane was parked, the Detective's eyes following her until she was out of sight.

The plan was simple. Jane would place the flowers on the doorstep for her friend to find when she returned home. She had thought about using her key and putting them on the kitchen counter. But one, if her Ma saw them, she might pester Maura about what was going on more than Jane was already sure she has. Two, and more importantly, she didn't feel like she had the right to walk into her friend's home when they were on the outs.

The handle slipped under her sweaty fingers as the Detective tried to open the door. She took a deep breath and wiped her palms on the top of her pants before trying again. Out of the car, she circled to the passenger's side and retrieved the offering. The door slam sounded loud and out of place in the quiet neighborhood. Briskly, Jane headed over to her friend's door. She had the absurd thought that maybe she should have worn a pair of the latex gloves she kept in the glove box. Not that she was worried about prints, more about ruining the delicate paper she was gripping tightly in her once again sweaty palms. No need to feel even more like a stalker than she already did though. Once she reached the door, Jane tried to prop the flowers upright using the welcome mat to stop them from sliding. Unsuccessfully. After they toppled over for the third time, Jane set them down at a gentle diagonal. She pulled the card out a bit so Maura's name was visible then hurried back to her car.

She tripped once, looking back over her shoulder to double check the placement, then shook her head at her own ridiculousness. As Jane turned the key in the ignition, she began to have doubts. Maybe she should stick around and make sure Maura got them? No, she decided that was definitely creepy. Besides, her friend could be running for up to an hour and she had to get back to her place to let in Tommy and Jo. She pulled the car out and headed home.

Once home, Jane saw she had time for a quick shower. She made sure the volume on her cell was turned all the way up before balancing it on a towel on the corner of the sink closest to the shower. More than once, she pulled aside the curtain just to make sure she didn't miss a call or text. When she got out, she put on her favorite sweats and a t-shirt, never letting the phone out of her sight, let alone earshot.

After Tommy dropped off Jo, Jane just sat on the couch petting the small dog.

"She must have got them by now Jo." Jane worried at her lower lip. "What if she didn't get them? What if she went in through the kitchen when she got home? What if somebody stole them?" Then the worst thought of all hit her. What if she did get them and just threw them out? What if she said the wrong thing? "Jo, did I completely fuck this up?" The dog just looked at her.

The Detective felt like her muscles were vibrating with exhaustion. She still hadn't gone to bed from last night and had been running on mostly worry and adrenaline. She knew that the fatigue was making her more emotional but still she fought to stay awake. The idea of sleeping through Maura knocking or calling scared her. What if her friend thought she was blowing her off? It wasn't rational, she knew, but nothing about this was. Finally, just as her eyes were going to close whether she wanted them to or not, her phone sounded.

Jane reached forward before she realized the cell was already in her hand. It was a text from Maura. She closed her eyes and willed her breathing back to normal before clicking on the message.

I have to finish Mr. Dryden's autopsy today. Meet at 4pm at your place?

Jane hurriedly typed out an affirmation. Relieved, she set several alarms starting at two. She wanted time to straighten up and figure out what to say now that Maura would be listening. But all that was for when she woke up. She stretched herself out on the couch and pulled the blanket off the back to cover herself. For now, she just let her body succumb the exhaustion.

A/N 2: I'm evil, I know. But since I am posting every few days, I don't feel that bad.

For those of you still curious, here is the original prompt from Tumblr that inspired this story. You can see now why I didn't post it earlier:

Maura, in addition to being the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is actually a best selling author of "Steamy" wish fulfillment romance novels published under a pen name. She publishes a book about once a year, but the last seven or so have all had lesbian romances featuring a tall brunette with a rough, husky voice and a swagger that would make John Wayne seem girly.