Dreams/Daydreams are written in Italics

A/N Sorry for the delay. I have no excuses other than severe writers block. Here's the final chapter. Thank you to all those who stuck with this and for the reviews, I love hearing what you think. Bella, a big special thank you to you, for being amazing as always and listening to my ramblings x

It was late evening when we arrived at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. I followed Jane in, waiting by her side, as her eyes scanned over the grandeur of our surroundings. I gave her a nervous glance, as we received our reservation details and found our booking was for the honeymoon suite. Her face was hard to read, as the concierge looked between us, a clear look of displeasure on her face. Jane seemed to be taking it all in her stride, she didn't explain our relationship to her, she just held the woman's gaze unapologetically and smiled politely at the bell boy, who did his job and took our cases, while leading the way to our suite. Even the sight of the plush suite, with king sized bed, donning extra pillows didn't phase her, or the table with the fresh flowers, with a box of heart shaped chocolates, and the champagne on ice, barely even registered an eyebrow raise.

I watched her tip him before he left, the easy smile she gave him, as she slipped bills in to his hand, shaking it as she thanked him for his help. I placed my case on the chair, studying her movements closely, all the while waiting for her to speak and let me know what she was actually thinking. I watched as she headed to look at the en-suite and busied myself by hanging up my clothes, as she wandered back out and headed towards the table, her fingers sliding gently over the mahogany, then deftly removing the cellophane from the box, so she could delight on the sweet treats.

When she said nothing, I broke the silence that had fallen between us. "Jane are you going to be okay with this?," I signalled around with my hands, letting my eyes finally come to rest on the large bed in the centre of the room. "I can always ask to get a separate room if you're not."

"It's fine Maur', we've shared before. I thought it would be like this, we won the tickets as a couple, so I guessed the prize would be for a couple." Her eyes twinkled brightly as she continued. "It's really no big deal, any ways have you seen this room and the bathroom?, it's marble and it's huge, you'll love it and look at the size of that TV," her eyes left mine as she crossed the room over to it. "We have free chocolates too." She emphasised the point by grinning and popping another one into her mouth, as she moved my way with them in her outstretched hand

"And champagne," I pointed out, my mouth curling into a smile, as I got caught up in her new enthusiasm and took a chocolate from the box. I watched her walk away from me and thought for a moment, maybe now would be a good time to say something, she seemed in good spirits. "Jane, what if there is?," I stopped hanging my dresses and looked over to where she was standing.

"Yeah, what's that Maur'?." She said absent mindedly. Her back to me, not turning around, as she began to place her folded clothes in the drawers.

I paused, wondering how I was going to phrase it, I don't think there is an easy way to tell a friend you've fallen for them. I decided to try the straight forward approach and go with the facts that I had collected. "There's been something that has been happening to me a lot, when I'm around you. I've been analysing it and," I watched as she tensed, her hands hovering mid air with a folded t-shirt in them.

I frowned at the action, but carried on. "Well, lately you've noticed that I've been a little distracted and the reason for this is..." I paused when she turned to look at me, her whole demeanour changing, but it was the look in her eyes that stopped me completely. The expression 'deer caught in headlights,' made me rethink what I was going to say next. Now wasn't the best time to bring this up. She wasn't ready to hear this just yet, I could read it clearly in the tension on her face and body. I smiled awkwardly, deciding to turn away from those eyes, continuing to hang up my clothes as I thought desperately how to get out of this.

"It's nothing really, forget I said anything." In my peripheral vision I saw her relax, I had a feeling that Jane may have known, or have an idea of what I was going to say, she is a detective after all.

"Perhaps we should go out and get dinner, are you hungry?." It was a redundant question and meant as a distraction, because Jane was always hungry. I had tried to keep my voice as neutral as I could. Jane had looked as if she knew what I was going to say and by the look on her face, it was clearly not welcome, or at least not yet. There have been moments when I've felt her guard drop, she had touched me during the massage, I had felt her lips against my neck as we danced and I was sure she had mumbled my name when she appeared to have climaxed whilst dreaming. I sighed inwardly, masking my feelings, as years of training myself to hide disappointment, at the borderline neglect I had felt whilst growing up, came into play. This wouldn't work if Jane wasn't willing to admit at least a small attraction to me.

I began to question whether she knew or not, as I moved to place my underwear in the drawers. It made sense now, maybe that was why I had felt distance from her last weekend, the suspicion I'd had, did she read my diary entry?. Is she trying to come to terms with her true feelings?. I couldn't believe Jane would snoop into something like my personal diary, it would be a betrayal of trust, although she could have seen it by mistake, she wouldn't have known it was a diary until she had read it. The note she left me last weekend was written on a page from it. I felt the blush warm my cheeks, as I remembered the last entry, if she knew how I felt, why didn't she say something before we left?, she said she'd assumed we'd be sharing a bed. Does that mean she's open to something happening between us?. I shook the thoughts away, I wish I was better adapted to understand the complexity that was Jane. I need to forget it and focus on our friendship, she is after all my best friend, I'm sure I can just bury what feelings I have and carry on as normal for now, or at least until I feel she's ready to hear what I have to say. My musings came to an end when she spoke.

"Pizza, sounds good Maur, I'm starving." She turned to look at me. Her eyes training on mine for a moment. There was something in her eyes I hadn't seen before, maybe it was gratitude for not finishing what I wanted to say. I gave her a reassuring smile, picking up my toiletries bag as I headed to the en-suite to freshen up.

Xxx

The pizza was surprisingly good. For the way the outside of the restaurant looked, well it wasn't really a restaurant, it was just a place that sold pizza. We sat on high stools, a mirrored wall in front of us as people bustled in and out with their orders. Jane shook her head as I cut pieces of my vegetarian slice with my knife and fork, gently dabbing the edges of my mouth with my napkin after each bite. I laughed at her as she folded hers in half and took a large mouthful, the tomato leaving a smudge of sauce on her cheek

"This is good Maur, you wanna try?," I shook my head no, as the bitten meat feast with extra cheese was thrust my way. Her shoulders shrugging as she took another bite, her mouth still full from her last.

"Jane, really." I leant forward to wipe a piece of cheese from her cheek, that had joined the previous smudge and realised that nothing had changed between us, Jane was still Jane, her eyes still showed gratitude at my gesture and slight irritation as I questioned her technique of pizza eating.

Xxx

It was early, but still dark when I felt her snuggle up behind me, her long arm trailing over my side. She had fallen asleep as soon as we got back from our walk last night. Time square was just as I remembered it, the busy bustle of its streets being over run with tourists and touts trying to get them to buy comedy or theatre tickets. I smiled as I remembered Jane moving in close to me, pressing our cheeks together and wrapping her arm around me as she took a selfie with the billboard lights on in the back ground, so she could mail Angela. I felt her breath tickle my neck and shuddered, bringing me out from my thoughts. There was no way I was going to be able to get back to sleep with her this close to me, especially with the dreams I've been having lately. I laid there listening to the steady sound of her breathing. I felt at peace being in her arms this way, but knew I couldn't stay like this. I didn't know how she would react if she woke to find herself draped around my body. I needed to put a little distance between us, maybe an early morning jog would help. I began to think, I had packed my running clothes. I grinned as I remembered Jane asking if I was moving, when her eyes cast over the amount of suitcases I'd packed for the weekend, but they were essentials, I had insisted and now I was pleased I had packed my running clothes as I needed to clear my head and running always did that.

The streets still showed signs of life, as a few stragglers from the night before, drunkenly made their way home, while street cleaners busily picked up litter in their orange fluorescent jackets. A job that seemed never ending, as store owners cleared and re-set tables waiting for their day ahead. My feet pounded the pavements, one foot in front of the other, the chosen running songs played through my iPod, being drowned out with thoughts of Jane and how I feel when I'm around her. She is such a complex character. Like last night, I had put my feelings aside and had a great evening with her. It was only an eight minute walk to Times Square from our hotel, it had been chilly and Jane immediately stopped to buy a hat and scarf for me, from a street vendor. Her hands easing it over my head as she pulled me in close, so close that I lost my balance momentarily and had to place my hand at her chest to steady myself. I slowly raised my eyes to hers, her long dark lashes blinking as she held the scarf around the back of my neck, pulling my body closer to hers. It was as if everyone had faded away, no sounds, just me and her caught in a split moment, our eyes giving way to feelings of desire the longer they held. I was sure she would have kissed me if someone hadn't bumped her shoulder, knocking us both out of the way as they hurried passed. Jane had turned to reprimand them, breaking the contact we had made and the moment was lost. I know I told myself I was going to put this behind me and focus on our friendship, but having her body wrap around mine this morning was just too much. The vibration at my hip stopped me and I bent forward to catch my breath, unhooking my phone as I did so.

"Isles," I answered without checking who was calling. My breathing fast as I held my hand at the stitch I'd been ignoring at my side.

"Hi, no I went for a jog. Oh sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. No I'm in Central Park." I was puzzled as to how far I had jogged already, as my thoughts had been elsewhere as I ran. "Ok, I'm going to make my way back now." I quickly hung up, staring at my phone for a while. Jane had sounded concerned when she called. I turned around, retracing my steps till I was back at the hotel suites door, jumping when it opened before I had a chance to swipe my key card and Jane stood looking at me.

"I've run a bath for you," were the first words from her mouth

I smiled at her thoughtfulness. "Thanks," I saw her expression change, as her eyes subtly looked me up and down. "What?," I questioned when they landed back on mine

Her cheeks coloured slightly. "Nothing, I just wondered how you managed to still look so good, when you're all hot and sweaty."

I gave her a seductive smile, my eyebrow raising, "you think I look good now?, it's nothing to how I look after I've had sex." I winked teasingly, leaving her open mouthed, as I moved passed her to the bathroom. If her eyes were going to look at me that way, I was going to give her something to imagine.

Xxx

Jane sat opposite me, her lips encasing the rim of the glass as she took a sip, then placed it back on the table, she'd had concerns about how upmarket the place was, but to be honest she looked like she belonged there, more than most of the patrons that had been in here. The dress she chosen for the evening was blue, fitted across her chest then slightly flaring out from her waist. The colour was perfect for her skin tone. I scanned over her dark locks, that she had pulled neatly over her right shoulder, admiring her effortless beauty. It took time and effort to achieve my look. Jane, it seemed just showered and pulled on her dress. I don't think she even applied much make-up. I could see the pulse beating under her skin at her neck and had to gather my senses, when an image of my lips dragging up and over it flooded my mind. Jane was beautiful, her symmetrical features, dark sensual eyes that betrayed her emotions and those deep dimples that popped every time she smiled had me mesmerised. Her finger moved a stray strand of hair as she studied the menu and I waited to see if she needed any help translating the French words, but she seemed quiet happy to place her order with the waiter. I smiled at her attempt of pronunciation, ordering mine the minute she had finished.

Her eyes found mine, "I did just order chicken right?, I tried to remember that thing you ordered the last time we went to that posh French place."

"Yes, I must admit I was a little surprised at the accompaniment you chose to go with it." I waited a beat, picking up my glass and taking a sip of the wine to hide my smile. "Mmm this is a good choice Jane," I lifted the bottle, reading the label and ignoring her eyes that was now staring at me.

"Wait, what?, what have I just ordered?, I thought it was some chicken pasta dish." Her hand automatically lifting the menu back up to check.

My eyes twinkled with mirth. "Try, chicken in a snail and mushroom sauce." I tried to contain my laughter as she looked like she was going to vomit. Then laughed out loud as it dawned on her I had made a joke.

My laughter soon stopped, as a man dropping down onto his knee at the next table caught my attention, my hand automatically reaching over to rest upon Jane's, "ah Jane, look, he's going to propose." I heard a mumble from her, but continued to watch as the woman covered her mouth with her hands, nodding yes and starting to cry, when he slipped the gem onto her finger. A waiter appeared at their side, to pour out champagne, looking over at Jane and I as he did, with his eyes focused on our hands he gave us a wink. I quickly looked down at my hand holding over Jane's and apologised, "sorry." I said moving it away, as her eyes looked back at the waiter.

"That's so romantic Jane," I said watching them hold hands and kiss to the rounds of applause that had begun. I clapped along too, looking her way. "You don't think it's romantic?," I asked to her lack of response.

Her head shook, "no, why do that in front of a crowded restaurant?, is it so she has less of a choice to say no?." I waited for her to continue her cynicism, as she picked up her glass and took a large sip. Her lack of response made me reply. "I think it's sweet, he's probably planned their whole trip around a proposal." Her eyebrow raised as she tried to see how I'd come to that conclusion. I reeled off my reasons, "their accent, it's not a local one, and look," I nodded my head their way. "Their clothes are still slightly creased, which would mean they've not been hung from their cases straight away, which was probably due to the fact they'd had intercourse when they got here, her skin is still holding a red rash at her jaw and neck line look, no doubt due to the fact he had not shaved, until recently." Her eyes automatically flicked to his now clean shaven face and a remnant piece of tissue still clinging to his skin just under his jaw line. " I imagine they came down here for a romantic dinner after they showered together, the waiter obviously knowing his intentions, as he was on hand with the champagne." I gave her a nod as I finished my deduction. "I think it's romantic."

"Hmm," her face was straight, lacking anything readable to me. "I'm just not into the whole romance, dating thing I guess," she shrugged her shoulders "and what's with the waiter?, did you see him wink at us?."

I nodded and decided to push her a little, "he probably thinks we're on a date." I waited as she made a loud noise, a cross between a laugh and loud exhale. "You have to admit that today's been a very romantic day Jane." I watched the micro expressions on her face start changing into a frown. I continued. "You ran a bath for me this morning,"

"You had been out jogging, I thought you might like to soak your muscles for our long day ahead." She quickly answered

"And the candles you lit for me in there?," I questioned, looking at her, as I tried to get her to see everything she had been doing. "What purpose were they for?." I didn't wait for an answer. "Then there's the ride through Central Park on the horse drawn carriage, you covering me up with the wrap to keep me warm."

"You looked cold and I thought you might enjoy the ride, after you had said you hadn't taken much notice of it while you had been jogging. I thought it would give you a chance to look around properly. It's a big park and we didn't have a lot of time"

"Thank you, it was a lovely gesture," I touched her hand briefly, so her down cast eyes would lift back up to mine. " I loved today Jane, learning about that film on the Empire State Building, instead of just the facts I knew about it."

"When Harry met Sally," she interrupted.

I nodded, "yes and our ride over to see the Statue of Liberty, where yet again, you made sure I was warm enough, by buying me a hot skinny soy latte, so my hands could warm up. Then you taught me to ice-skate, out side the Rockefeller plaza, you never let me fall once." I smiled at her affectionately, as I recalled how she skated backwards, linking my wrists with hers, as she pulled me forwards, her encouraging words and steadying grip making me feel safe.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "You had never ice skated before, everyone should at least try it once."

"You always take care of me Jane, you include me in everything, even bringing me into your family."

She let out another cross laugh and deep exhale at that. "That's nothing to thank me for."

I know how much she loves her family, even though she uses her sarcasm for humour, so I carried on. "Your actions today, have been to make me feel good and I did, I've had an amazing time with you Jane. I always do." I gave her hand another quick squeeze, but I hadn't finished yet. "You even took me shopping, not just to Bloomingdales and Macy's, which we agreed on, you took me to 5th avenue and the boutiques I adore, which I know you hate." I felt myself light up, as I remembered Jane suggesting it, she sat squirming as she realised her actions of the day.

"Now we're here Jane, in a nice restaurant, dressed up, there's wine, soft lighting, quiet back ground music. Yes I think it's been romantic, don't you?." I decided to push her one more time, when she looked like she was going to answer that. "You could say you've been dating me ever since we met." I delivered the last line just as the waiter brought over our food, leaving the words to sink in, if I knew anything about Jane, I knew she had to let things come to her gradually.

I liked the blush my last words had caused her, because that meant she was finally seeing what everyone else was beginning to see when they looked at us. I wasn't going to push any more, I'd made my point for now.

"This looks amazing, how's the snail sauce." My attempt at humour made her laugh again and I revelled in how she praised me for almost catching her out. The conversation had changed again, but I knew Jane would be thinking on what I said. We fell back into the easiness that was us, talking and laughing through the rest of our evening.

Xxx

Her lips travelled slowly over my shoulder, soft, gentle, tender kisses beginning to ease open my eyes. I blinked a few times as her thumb caused a tingling sensation, when it found contact with my skin and started to turn into her, nuzzling my face against her nose and lips as her kisses trailed over my cheek.

I gave her a sleepy smile, when she lent forward to capture my mouth. Slowly nibbling on my lip, then slipping her tongue over it. I moaned softly, easing myself up as I let her lift my top up and over my head, then sinking back down as her fingers traced my jawline and down over my chin to the hollow of my throat, her eyes were filled with awe as she watched her own hand trailing over my collar bones to the hollow part were they never meet, then down between my breasts. I felt my nipple go hard and moaned, arching up to the sensation her thumb brushing over it caused. It was almost painful, the need I felt at having her touch me. Her hands didn't idle, their trail burned their way over each rib then down onto my hips. Her head lifted and kisses lingered on my lips, her nose brushing over mine, as desire filled eyes asked unspoken questions. I blinked slowly, beginning to nod as fingers pulled down my bottoms and panties. She laid beside me and for the first time in my life, I felt exposed, as her eyes began scanning over me, first my feet, then legs, her eyes quickly moving over my apex to my tummy and breasts, then back down again shyly to what she had skimmed over. I spread my legs slightly, offering her the chance to see the unknown and delighted when her eyes opened more in shock at my forwardness.

A trembling hand reached forward to continue in exploration, her touch feeling different from any I had felt before in my dreams. I ran my fingers through her hair, revelling in its softness, as she moved to lay over me. Holding herself up on a partly bent arm, my head moved side ways, letting her lips trail down the side of my neck. Her head began to roll gently, as her tongue and kisses left a wet trail along my skin, then over my nipple. My whole body pushed upwards against her, delighting when her teeth grazed against it. With fingers starting to grip in her hair, I lifted her head, to kiss her again, my arms wrapping around and sliding up and down her back, as slowly but surely we moved against each other. I swallowed her moan as my hands ran over her bottom and squeezed, pulling her centre harder on my thigh.

Her hand slipped between our bodies, fingers deftly finding their way to the source of my heat. I broke our kiss, moaning and inhaling sharply as I felt her first touch, my hips rising towards the digits parting me and slipping through the want pooled there.

"Oh Jane," I mumbled against her shoulder, breathing her in when I felt her hand cupping against me and fingers slide in to fill me. I pushed onto her, my moans buried deep into the crook of her neck, as my hands slid up and down her back, gripping and pulling at her body as I gyrated my hips to her steady rhythm. Her body rocked against me faster and her feet began slipping on the sheets, as she tried to keep the new pace she had set going.

I could feel her wetness beginning coat my thigh as she slid and pushed against it, her shallow breaths and moans pushing me into action. When her hips raised to push against me, I slid my hand between her thighs, letting her own momentum push against my middle finger. The moan it caused her to make sent my body closer to the edge. My legs parted more, bringing her closer as I pushed onto her hand, the new movement bringing her palm in direct contact with my source of pleasure. I felt the tingle beginning inside, slowly at first like a small ocean swell, but building higher, faster until it came crashing against the shore, as I jerked against her, my head thrown back in ecstasy, eyes tightly shut and mouth open as my body pulsed and throbbed against her touch.

"Open your eyes Maura," I heard Jane's voice and the pleading words, my eyes opening wide in shock. I saw her face looking down on me, her body rocking onto my hand and it hit me I wasn't dreaming. Her mouth crashed against mine. Crushing my lips onto hers as I pressed harder against her need. Her head dropped to my shoulder, as I slid my finger down to her opening, letting it slide easily inside then back out and up to catch the swollen nub. I felt her stiffen, her husky cries muffled against my neck as she pushed down one last time and came. Her ragged breaths blowing hot against the dampness of my skin. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight and kissing her face as I brushed away the dampened tendrils that had caught against her forehead.

The moment was overwhelming as I held her tightly. "I thought I was dreaming," I said quietly

"Oh Maura, I'm sorry." I felt her lift up, my eyes finding hers in the moonlight that lit up our room. "You was right Maur, everything you said." My mind went back to earlier that evening to our dinner conversation. "You're not the only one who's been day dreaming, you know." My mind cleared, after the shock those words had caused in me and I held her gaze. I had been right, I could feel her eyes scanning over my features as she tried to work out what I was thinking, but the only thing I was thinking was, what would happen now?. As if reading my mind and before I could voice my question, her hand lifted to my cheek and a gentle kiss was placed on my lips

My eyes closed as her face neared mine again, our mouths slowly moving together as one, before her kisses trailed over my cheek to my ear, her husky voice quietly breathing out against my skin. "We don't have to dream any more."

The end