Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rizzoli and Isles.

Ten

When Maura opened the door, she came face to face with Jane, for the second time in twelve short hours.

"Jane, it's so early." Maura straightened her silk robe and self-consciously patted her hair.

The girl shrugged and bounced on her toes, "Let's go for a run since you seem to like it so much." Jane finished with a wide grin and nudged Maura's shoulder.

It stung.

It felt like it slap in the face or a bullet in the heart.

She could feel herself being pulled under a great ocean of emotion and she struggled to the surface.

Her blurry vision slowly cleared as she watched Jane's face fall.

Her foggy brain realized it had been meant as joke but her heart had yet to grasp that concept.

She smiled tightly, "I'd like that, let me get changed and we can go."

Jane studied her friend carefully, "Maura I'm sor…" She trailed off as Maura disappeared upstairs.

As they ran, Jane talked incessantly; she was all exuberant fire that Maura had been drawn to in the first place.

The honey-blonde stayed quiet, concentrating instead on placing her feet carefully in the sand and correctly moving each muscle. She had refused to let herself think about all that had transpired the night before, instead she'd studied until she'd fallen asleep with her book on her chest. She still wasn't ready to face the emotions or her actions and she was glad that Jane's chatter filled her mind.

When they neared the growing crowds of the public beaches Jane cocked her head and motioned for them to take to the dirt road that led to the beach. She was silent now as they ran side by side or, with a passing car, they ran in a single file. Every time, Jane would position herself in front of her friend, a protective arm guiding her.

It wasn't long before Jane veered off again, down a small leaf covered path. They came out at a small park, just a sandbox and a couple of swings that they claimed as their own.

They sat beside each other in deepening silence as they caught their breath. Maura studied Jane as she squirmed on the hard worn black rubber.

"Maura," She started, unable to keep quiet any longer.

"Yes?" Her voice was quiet and raspy from disuse.

"You really don't have to worry about last night ok? I overstepped and I'm sorry. We're just friends," She gave her a reassuring smile. "So do you think I can have my friend back?" Jane pushed her swing sideways to bump into Maura's.

The just friends hurt as much as the teasing words Jane had spoken first thing in the morning. It was what she wanted, at least for now and Jane was nice enough to say that for her benefit. She sighed and turned her face to look into Jane's eyes, "Yeah, you'll always have me."

"Great, because do I have questions for you." She pulled her hair elastic from her ponytail and shook her messy curls down her back as she launched into a slew of questions, "I was looking up at the stars last night from underwater, and Maura, it was almost as if I could reach out and touch them. Why? How? I mean why do things look bigger or closer under water? Is salt water different than fresh water? Why? How does it all work? And while we're at it, why is the sky blue?"

Maura grinned at the vivacious girl beside her, shaking her head in wonder. However did she get so lucky to find a girl like Jane?

The brunette vibrated with curiosity, "Come onnn Maura, you must have some voodoo science answers to all that."

When Maura carefully answered as best she could she reached and took Jane's hand in her own "Jane?"

She watched as the brunette glanced at her lips and down at their clasped hands hung between the swings. She wondered if the girl was going to kiss them. She was admittedly disappointed when she didn't , only nodded for Maura to continue. "Do you think maybe I could still hold your hand? And be just friends?"

Jane winked conspiratorially, "Sure, why not. I've never had a best friend before, I don't know the rules."

Maura's eyes sparkled with delight, "I wouldn't know either."

Jane pushed off to start her swing moving and Maura followed. As they pumped their legs higher and higher they were forced to let go of each other's hands, but they remained connected in the weightless feeling and smiling hearts as they threw their heads back and soared.

Maura wondered what it was about the girl beside her that made her feel like she was forever swinging high, invincible and out of control.

She focused until she couldn't focus any longer.

Looking out at the blazing sun, the sky just beginning to turn a dusty pink, she let herself think of Jane for the first time since the night before.

The flaming sun only had her reveling in the girl's sizzling personality.

The wispy pink sky only had her remembering Jane's pale pink lips so close to her own.

They'd been so close, and she'd run away.

She wanted that moment back so that she could change the outcome.

She wanted that kiss. She wanted more than that one kiss.

She'd kissed guys before and while it had been pleasant enough, it wasn't anything special. Even though this was new for her, it made her feel normal for the first time and that was exceptional. It was different being with Jane, what she felt. Not because she was a girl, it was her everything.

Jane was the most real person she'd ever met. Every quality in her was like a breath of life to Maura.

She was special and she craved more of everything with her. She craved a lifetime of talking about everything under the sun, all the kisses and more, all the sunsets and sunrises…

She let her thoughts trail off; Jane had said just friends earlier. Could she live with that?

She'd never had a friend like Jane, and she couldn't bear the thought of losing her. It was easier, safer, to be just friends.

But was it better to never have those moments she so dreamed of? She'd seen those same dreams mirrored in Jane's eyes.

She would be eternally thankful that Jane had given her the time to think with her words this morning. But now, now she didn't want to waste any more time.

As the sun slipped over the horizon, she made her decision.

She took a long hot shower, washing her hair twice and carefully shaving her legs. Wrapped in a towel, she blow dried her hair and applied the faintest make up and a touch of perfume. Finally, she pulled on a teal blouse and white shorts and took a long look at herself in the mirror.

She was confident, she was ready.

Jane.

Friends always and the possibility of more.

A/N: Sorry this took a little longer to post, I struggled with the second half of this chapter. I hope its alright. Thanks to all the lovely people supporting this fic!