The two women sat in silence. Around them, the world was a dark blue, almost black. The only things giving them light were the million of stars that hung up in the sky, forming small groups and constellations of their own. The world was serene, almost too entirely so. It would have been perfect, had the women not been thinking of all of the things Maura had just said.

Finally Jane broke the silence with a whistle. "That must've been rough." She whispered into the night.

"It was," The medical examiner answered. "Very much so."

"Jane wrapped Maura into her arms and squeezed her tightly. It was an awkward hug because of the way they were sitting, propped up against the windshield, so decided to lay down on the hood, and pulled Maura with her.

"I'm so sorry, Maura."

"That's the thing, Jane. It wasn't your fault. All you knew was that I told you I couldn't be with you. You had no idea that I tried to send you a letter occasionally, or that I tried to call once or twice, only to be cut off by my mother's presence. You didn't know." Maura started to cry.

"Maura, what did I say to you the first time we went on a date?" Jane questioned.

"That I looked gorgeous?"

"Maura, I tell you that every time I see you. You always look gorgeous," Jane said, rolling her eyes. "What I mean is what did I tell you when I stopped to help that woman?"


Besides the slight awkward silence that came with all first dates, the date had been going extremely well. The two women had enjoyed a nice, laid-back dinner at Jane's uncle's pizzeria, and were walking to the movie theatre when they heard someone yelling.

"I said, GET OFF!"

Jane looked at Maura apologetically and then took off around the corner, following the voice. The honey blonde followed, genuinely worried about what was going to happen.

As she rounded the corner, Maura saw a girl with a torn dress huddling against a brick building, and Jane was on the ground in a flurry of limbs with a man who was twice her size. Maura stood there in shock, wondering if she was going to go to the movies with Jane or her corpse.

"Maura!" Jane shouted. "Take care of the girl!"

After sparing one more second to make sure Jane would come out of the fight alive, Maura did as she was instructed and walked up to the woman. Resting a hand on her shoulder, Maura turned the stranger towards the light and was utterly shocked to find she was no more than sixteen years old.

"My god," Maura whispered, "you're just a child."

The girl stared into Maura's eyes, her own shimmering with tears.

"What's your name, sweetheart?" Maura asked, gingerly.

"Sarahbeth."

"Okay, Sarahbeth, I'm going to call 911 now. Alright? Will you be okay until I finish the call?"

The girl didn't say anything. She just nodded before shaking her head and falling into Maura's arms, tears flowing down her cheeks. Keeping a reassuring arm wrapped around the girl, Maura grabbed her phone and dialed 911.

Within minutes, two officers and an ambulance were on the scene. After taking Maura and Jane's statements separately and having the EMTs check out the girl, they tried getting Jane to agree to get glanced over by the EMT. After she promptly refused, the officers thanked the women for their bravery and told them to enjoy the rest of their night.

Once they were away from the flashing lights and sirens, Maura turned to Jane, "That was very brave of you, Jane." And very sexy, Maura added in her mind.

"Thank you," Jane blushed. "And I'm sorry we didn't get to see the movie."

"It's perfectly fine Jane."

When they reached the pizzeria again, Jane opened the car door for Maura and helped her in before walking to her own door and sitting down.

"You know what, Maura?" The brunette asked, turning on the car.

"What, Jane?"

"I like a woman who puts her seatbelt on without me having to ask her."

Maura just smiled and blushed while Jane focused on driving to the honey blonde's condo.

Twenty minutes later, Jane put her car into park and walked Maura to the door.

"So…" Jane said, in a shy manner, "I had a really great night. Besides the whole being beat up by a man part."

Maura laughed and gestured towards the door, "Since our night was cut a little shorter than I planned, I was wondering if you'd like to come inside for a drink?" She asked, starting to blush.

"That'd be fantastic, but I have to drive home tonight."

"Brave and intelligent." Maura commented, smiling.

"Thank you." Jane thought for a second before she went on again, "I'm really sorry about you missing that movie, Maura. I know you were looking forward to seeing it."

"It just means you'll have to take me to it another time. Tomorrow night at eight, perhaps?"

"You want to go out on another date with me?" Jane questioned. "After seeing this?"

"I'm curious what dating a modern day hero would feel like," Maura said.

"Well, you know I'll always protect you," Jane joked, but Maura could see the sincerity in her eyes.

"I'll have nothing to worry about, then," Maura leaned in and pecked Jane's cheek. "Thank you so much for tonight, Jane," She said, disappearing into her condo with a smile so wide it was brighter than a million stars.


"You told me you would always protect me, Jane," She answered.

"I meant it, too," Jane said, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here to protect you from the mega jerk, Jeremy, or you mother. And I'm really sorry I wasn't here to protect you from the pain of losing your father, Maura, but I'm here now, and I really need to know, do you forgive me?"

"I was never upset with you, Jane. Ever." Maura said, leaning into their embrace and closing her hazel eyes. "Who could be upset with their hero?"

Maura rested against Jane's chest and bobbled back and forth between sleep and consciousness. The last thing she remembered before she finally gave into slumber was a picture she wanted to keep in her mind forever; Jane staring down at her, surrounded by the stars in the midnight sky that hung above them, whispering, "I'll always protect you."


A/N: Some people asked for another chapter sooner rather than later... And what is sooner than right now?! Nothing!

Enjoy. Please Review. I love reading everyone's thoughts and trying to weave them into the story line.

Love, R :)