Jane moved around her kitchen, taking things out of cabinets seemingly at random, checking a small index card every couple of moments. She opened the container of pasta from her mother, sliding the strands into a pot of boiling water. Checking the clock on the wall, she nodded to herself, putting another pot on the stove, starting to put together the homemade sauce that was her family's legacy. Watching her own hands moving, she felt herself relax as her thoughts turned to Maura.

It had been nearly a month since the case began, forcing her to take stock of her feelings for the doctor, and as confusing as it all still was, she knew this was right. She smiled to herself as she seasoned and tasted, Maura was the only one she ever willingly let see her weak side, and over and over Maura had proved worthy of her trust.

Stepping back and leaning against the counter, she closed her eyes and remembered curling into Maura's strength, head on her shoulder. Safe. It was the first time since she lived with her own parents that she'd felt that way. Exhaling a breath, she turned the flame down and moved around her apartment, setting the coffee table with placemats and candles, a bottle of wine opened and breathing nearby.

Two hundred dollars. She's so worth it, but Jesus, two hundred dollars. She smiled to herself, moving into her bedroom to change clothes. She'd wanted to make the bedroom look nice, too, but was unsure of what might happen that night. Satisfying herself with the simplicity of cleanliness, she slid into the simple black dress her mother had purchased ages ago. Guess I have a reason to wear it after all.

Moving back into the kitchen on bare feet, she heard a knock at her door. She strode purposefully to the front of the apartment, peering through the peephole and opening the door, an eyebrow raised at her partner.

"Whoa, partner, you look great," he said, smiling. "Got a minute?" Frost leaned on the doorjamb with a forearm, his stance relaxed.

Jane tossed a glance at the cable box's clock and nodded. "C'mon in, you have about ten." She turned, walking back toward the kitchen, hearing Frost's soft footfall as he stepped inside, closing the door. "What's up?"

Frost took up a position against the counter, leaning against it at ease, arms crossed loosely over his chest. "Well, firstly, nice job on Hoyt. All the right information leaked through the prison, just the right people in just the right place at just the right time." His tone was flat, revealing.

Jane looked up sharply. "You know."

He nodded. "You could have told me. I wouldn't have argued, you know. Two demons gone with two Irish cons doing an added ten years apiece for the rap? It's perfect, and I can't say I'd have done any different."

Jane swallowed, taking a breath. "I didn't have a choice. It's not even about Hoyt, except he might have called in the Ripper again, once he'd realized my ruse. I had to keep Maura safe… isn't that why we became cops? To protect people?"

Frost nodded, his hands raised in defense. "Whoa, I just told you, I'm not judging. I did a little hacking… I erased the security footage." He was quiet, then added, "Korsak and I are the only ones who know. Cavenaugh got the call just after you'd left. I told him you never had any intention of fulfilling the deal you gave Hoyt, and that the order to the head guard was for show."

Jane dipped a spoon into the pan, tasting the sauce and fired off a text to her mother. "Okay, what's the secret? This tastes nothing like it should." Turning back to Frost she nodded. "He bought it?"

Frost nodded. "I told him the plan was to let Hoyt into the conjugal trailer, so he'd think it was on the level. We had no idea those thugs would be waiting. Whether he believes it in his heart, I have no idea, but if he doesn't, he's not showing it."

Jane's phone played the Twilight Zone theme, and she snatched it off the counter. "Add a palm's worth of brown sugar and some lemon juice. Who are you cooking for?" Jane ignored the question and added the remaining ingredients, tasting it once more, eyes closing in bliss. "Frost, taste this." She held the spoon up for him, grinning as his own hazel eyes closed. "I know, right?"

He grinned slowly, eyes fluttering open. "Holy shit, that's…" He gestured, unable to find adjectives that could do the sauce justice.

Jane nodded. "My mother gave me the recipe. It's not her real sauce, she'd never give me that, but this is the recipe she gives out, and it's still damn good." She glanced at the clock and wiped her hands, cleaning up the kitchen quickly. "And you need to get out."

Frost nodded, chuckling. "Hot date, huh? He must be something special if you're cooking for him." He pushed himself off the counter and began moving to the door. "I just wanted to let you know I got your back, but no more secrets, okay? We're in this together."

Jane nodded, touched. "I'm sorry I lied to you, but I needed… no, you know what? I'm just sorry I lied to you. From now on, you know what I know. Deal?" She smiled, impulsively hugging him.

Frost nodded, smiling as he returned the embrace. "Alright, I'll let you get back to your date preparations." He opened the door, Maura standing on the other side, hand poised to knock. "Hey, Dr. Isles." The greeting spilled forth easily, a moment behind his realization. "Wait, you're Rizzoli's date?"

Jane groaned from behind, her peripheral vision catching the clock's digital display ticking to the hour. Maura's timing was always precise. She made a decision, stepping forward and nodded at Frost. "Yes, she is."

Maura watched the exchange, trepidation at Frost's possible reaction quelled by Jane's immediate reaction. She felt a warmth spread through her, escaping in a small smile. I never should have doubted her, not for a moment.

Frost looked between the two women then shrugged. "Okay. I guess I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. Well, enjoy your evening." He smiled, stepping through the door past Maura, his hand brushing her shoulder. "That's my partner. Hurt her and you're dead meat," he stage whispered, half joking in Maura's ear.

"Hey, I heard that!" Jane called after Frost, his chuckle echoing through the hallway as he opened the door to the stairs. "Idiot." She stepped aside for Maura to enter, closing the door quietly behind her. "He was kidding, you know."

Maura smiled, eyes flicking over Jane's form, drinking her in. "I'm aware." She held out a single rose. "This is for you," she said simply, adding, "You look breathtaking."

Jane accepted the flower with a small smile and ducked her head a bit as her cheeks turned pink. "Thanks." Jane fidgeted a bit, suddenly and inexplicably nervous.

Maura stepped forward, sensing her unease and took her free hand. "Stop overthinking. I'm here, and your entire apartment smells amazing." She smiled, squeezing Jane's hand.

Jane gazed down at their clasped hands and nodded, letting go reluctantly to move further into the kitchen. "There's wine in the living room. I managed to not make the cork crumble when I opened it." She smiled over at Maura, serving them both plates of pasta and garlic bread, and carried them inside. Setting them down on the table, she leaned over slightly, lighting the candles.

Maura watched Jane move, every step graceful in its lack of grace. She moved to the other end of the couch, pouring glasses of wine for them both. "You purchased…" She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "I adore you."

Jane sat down, legs crossed at the ankle beneath her and nodded. "It was good, what?" She watched Maura sit down, accepting the glass from her as she did. "Maura…"

Maura sipped her wine then set the glass aside, turning to face Jane, giving her full attention to her. "Yes, Jane?" She gazed openly at her, memorizing her features, yearning to touch her, trace her fingertips over her lips.

"I want to be with you." She took a breath, rephrasing her words. "I want to take you out, and cook for you. I want to hold your hand in public." She swallowed, clearing her head. "Maura, I love you."

Maura raised a hand to her throat, overcome with emotion. "Jane, hearing those words come from your lips is a dream come true." She reached for Jane's hands, taking them both in her own. "You don't do anything by halves, do you?" She smiled, lifting first one hand, then the other to her lips, kissing the knuckles gently. "You're everything I could have ever wanted in a lover, a partner, a friend. I'd be honored to show it to the world."

Jane leaned forward, kissing Maura gently, allowing emotion to deepen it. She slid her fingers through Maura's hair, pulling her closer, letting everything she felt flow through the kiss, into the woman she knew she wanted to spend all of her free time with.

Pulling back for air, Maura picked up her plate with a twinkle in her eye. "This looks delicious," she said, taking a bite. "Oh, Jane… this is absolutely…" She paused, chewing, her eyes closed as she let the flavor spread over her tongue. Her eyes snapped open. "Did your mother give you her coveted recipe?"

Jane shook her head. "No, if she'd known it was you I was entertaining, she might have, but this is only half of it." She smiled, taking a bite herself. "Maybe one day, so I can cook for you again, she'll give it to me."

"Do you worry about informing her of our new relationship?" Maura sipped her wine, twirling more pasta on her fork. "I understand if you do."

Jane shook her head. "Nah, Ma loves me… and you. Pop might not be too happy, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it… and Frankie knows." She took a large bite of bread, turning her head when she realized Maura wasn't speaking.

"He knows?" Maura smiled, glass poised a hair's breadth from her lips. She recovered, sipping the silken liquid and placing her glass on the table.

Jane nodded, swallowing. "I told him when we found the last vic." She shrugged a bit, trying to brush it off as no big deal. "If he could accept it, then I didn't really care about anyone else."

Maura nodded. "That makes perfect sense, Jane. I assume… he was understanding?" She lifted a napkin to her lips, dabbing at the sauce that lingered there, mixed with wine.

"Yeah, he told me we already act like we're together… which you've said a couple times. It made me feel good." She set her fork down, watching Maura for a moment. "I guess we do. I've kind of been thinking about the way we act with each other… I'm kind of surprise Frost didn't see it coming. I'm sure anyone else would have."

Maura thought Jane's words over then turned, meeting her eyes. "Consider for a moment that Detective Frost has some tact, instead. He's a fine detective, just like you. I'm rather certain he knew." She smiled, leaning back against the couch, wineglass in hand, legs crossed at the knee.

Jane thought her words over then nodded, smirking to herself. Touche, Frost. "Okay, I suppose. So, um… I thought maybe we could watch a movie, you know…" she trailed off, realizing how nervous she sounded. "God, Maura…"

Maura lifted an arm, her eyebrow raised, waiting for Jane to lean over. "A movie sounds delightful. I'm accustomed to a certain level of closeness from you, however, when we watch television."

Jane smiled, her entire body relaxing. "I could have been in pajamas, huh?" Her amusement rang through her words as she leaned closer to Maura, her head sliding onto her lap.

"Excuse me?" Maura paused in her sip, looking down at Jane curiously.

"I mean, you wouldn't care if I was in a dress, or in pj's." Jane's eyes fluttered closed as Maura's fingers slid through her hair.

"Jane, your ass in pajamas is one of my favorite sights in the world."

Hoyt sat down on the motel room bed, eyes glinting with dark humor. "The video was uploaded as planned?" He stretched and began changing clothes. "It's already been viewed, hacked and deleted by the detective." Hoyt's companion sat in a chair, smoking filter less cigarettes. He stubbed out his current one in and already filled ashtray. "He never even bothered to check where it was uploaded from. All my careful work..." "Is meaningless now." Hoyt waved away his companion's words with a hand. "And the Micks who were supposed to have killed me?" He tied his shoes and stood, slipping a shirt on, beginning to button it up. "Dead in a prison fight. Both of them. You're as good as a ghost yourself," the man said, laughing. "Not as much of a ghost as I am, but that's okay." He pulled another cigarette from the crumpled pack on the table and lit a match. He held it up, lighting the tip and inhaled deeply. "So where to?" "Oh, we're staying close, Jacky boy. We're staying very close."