I wanted to post this earlier, but we had an epic thunderstorm and the power/internet went out. So here you go. I might not get an update up tomorrow depending on my plans for the 4th, but definitely Saturday. Thanks for reading.


Jane drummed on the steering wheel of her police cruiser, which was currently parked in a 7-11 parking lot. She sipped her now-cold coffee and placed it back in the cup holder, grimacing at the acidic taste. Three straight weeks of overnight shifts filling in for an injured officer had her strung out on caffeine and with a messed up sleep schedule to boot. Tonight had been a slow night and she still had five hours left. They had her working by herself tonight, and so far she only had made a few simple traffic stops.

She looked down at her phone, currently buzzing on the dashboard. Reaching for it, she read the text from Frankie, chuckling softly to herself as she did. He had been sent to help with a floater the Coast Guard had picked up and had texted her a picture of Frost bent over and heaving his dinner into the ocean. Jane closed the message, wondering how she was going to pass the time until 8am. Her finger lingered over the photos app on her phone, before pressing lightly and opening up her picture album. For some reason she ended up on the pictures from Vegas, swiping her finger slowly through the pictures that made her both smile and cringe.

She paused on one picture that she didn't remember seeing before. It was of Maura, naked and tangled up in the white bed sheet. She was lying on her stomach, with the sheet covering her ass, but leaving a large amount of her back and legs on display. Her blonde hair was slightly tousled and she grinned up at the camera with her hazel eyes sparkling seductively. Jane felt her heart skip a beat as she studied the picture. Jane deeply regretted not being able to remember that night, not only the wedding, but the first time they had sex. If it was anything like the time just over a month ago, Jane knew it had to have been fantastic.

It had been a little over a month since she had heard from Maura, and she was no closer to deciding what to do about their marriage. Each day she woke up wondering if today would be the day that she would finally hear from Maura, but so far it hadn't happened. Jane had been able to reach the conclusion that there was undeniable chemistry between the two women, and she knew she wanted to pursue a relationship with Maura, whether that entailed staying married or not.

Jane's phone buzzed again, the noise startling her. Thinking it was another text from Frankie, she took another sip of her coffee. The phone continued to buzz for several seconds before Jane realized someone was calling her. She fumbled with it and flipped it over, her breath catching when she saw that Maura Isles was calling. Jane inhaled sharply and answered the call.

"Hello?" There was silence on the other end for a few beats.

"Jane. It's Maura." Jane closed her eyes at the sound of Maura's smooth voice.

"I know. Uh…h-how are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Jane…I need a favor. And I know it is late and that I am probably the last person on earth you want to help after what I did to you, but I am really in a jam." Maura sounded tense.

Jane paused, wanting to help, but at the same time knowing she was on duty. "I'm on duty Maura, but what do you need?"

"I'm at Logan. I just flew in-my plane was delayed. I went to start my car it won't start. I think the battery is dead. If you can't because you are on duty I understand, I just didn't know who else to call."

Jane figured she could justify helping a friend jump their car with her sergeant if need be. It wasn't a stretch by any means. "I can be there in ten Maura." She could hear Maura exhale in relief on the other end. "Stay in your car with the doors locked until I get there."

"Thank you. I am in section E of the long-term parking lot. I drive a black Mercedes."

"Gotcha. I'm on my way." Jane put her cruiser into drive and pulled out of the parking lot, heading east toward the airport.


Jane pulled up in the nearly deserted parking lot next to the black Mercedes containing a very tired-looking Maura Isles. She put her cruiser into park and kept it running, popping the hood before unbuckling and getting out. She caught a glimpse of blonde hair as she rummaged around in the trunk for her jumper cables. Jumper cables in hand, Jane moved back to the front of her car, finding Maura waiting for her.

Maura gave her a tired smile. "Thanks for coming Jane. I really appreciate it."

"Hey no worries." Jane replied. "Just doing my job…you know, to serve and protect or whatever." She fiddled around under the hood of her cruiser, feeling for the latch to unhook and raise the hood. "Gotcha." She lifted the hood and propped it open, repeating the same process on Maura's car.

Neither woman spoke while they attempted to jumpstart Maura's car several times. After the fifth try, they realized there was a serious problem that jumper cables weren't going to fix. Jane detached the cables from both cars and looked over at Maura as she slammed the hood back down into place.

"Thanks for trying anyway." Maura pulled out her cellphone and dialed a number for a cab company. "I'll just get a cab home and deal with this in the morning."

Jane reached her hand out and lightly touched Maura's arm. She nodded in the direction of her police cruiser. "Don't bother. I'll drive you home." She was already moving to the trunk of the Mercedes to get out Maura's luggage before Maura could protest. Jane saw Maura duck back into the driver's side and grab her purse and keys, shutting the door and locking up the car when she was finished. Both women slid into the front of the police car and soon they were on their way to Maura's house.

"How was your flight?" Jane asked, trying to make small talk as they drove through the nearly empty city streets.

"Long." Maura replied. "There was a large weather system over the Atlantic and we had to go around it which added a couple hours onto the flight." She turned her head slightly to study Jane's profile as she drove. "How has work been?"

She watched as the corner of Jane's mouth turned up as she smiled, bringing out her dimple. "Let's just say these last few weeks of night shifts have been…interesting. You quickly learn as a cop that all the crazy freaks come out at night. Just last week I almost broke my arm tackling a guy who was strung out on coke."

Maura didn't quite know how to react to that statement, but she nodded vaguely in response. She turned to face forward, and remained silent the rest of the way to her house. Maura didn't get out immediately after Jane pulled up by the curb, but instead unbuckled and turned to face Jane. "Jane…I wanted to apologize for the way I left. There's a lot I need to explain, and obviously now is not the time. But I would like to talk to you. Sometime soon, preferably."

Jane chewed the inside of her cheek as she contemplated what Maura had to say. Remembering the annulment papers that were now shoved, forgotten, into a kitchen drawer, she knew that talking was a good idea. "I'll tell you what. My shift ends at 8am. I know you just got off a transatlantic flight, but if you want, I can come by afterwards and we can talk." Maura didn't immediately respond, so Jane tried to backtrack. "Or I have the next couple of days off so we can definitely wait if that's better."

Maura opened her door, but didn't get out. "Come by after your shift ends. Can I make you breakfast to repay you for picking me up?" She smiled shyly at Jane.

"You got yourself a deal." Jane grinned in reply and moved to get out of the car and help with Maura's luggage. She carried the bags to the top of the stairs while Maura unlocked her door.

"Thanks for your help Jane. I really appreciate it."

"Your welcome. It's…it's really good to see you Maura." Jane ducked her head slightly. "I have to go, but I'll see you later."

"Yes. See you later." Maura watched Jane retreat back to her police car, giving a slight wave as she pulled away. "Stay safe." Maura whispered, as the car disappeared down the street.


It was after 9am when Jane finally bounded up the steps in front of Maura's house. Her last call from dispatch took her to pick up a drunk guy who proceeded to puke down the front of Jane's uniform, causing her to shower and change in the locker room before heading to Maura's. She knocked lightly on the door, hoping that Maura hadn't fallen asleep and forgotten about her.

Maura came to the door a few short seconds later, looking surprisingly fresh and bright-eyed as she opened the door for Jane. Jane caught the delicious scents of coffee brewing and bacon frying as Maura beckoned her inside. Jane had never been inside Maura's house before, and tried not to stare open-mouthed as she scanned the living area. The living room was the size of Jane's entire apartment and it opened up into a large kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Jane could see a powder room off the kitchen with another room at the end of a hall. There were stairs that led to the second floor, and Jane assumed there were at least two more rooms up there.

"Nice place." Jane commented. "Sure makes mine look like a dump."

Maura frowned. "Your apartment is perfectly fine Jane. How do you like your eggs?"

"Over easy. But I'm not picky, however you want to make them is fine by me." She took a seat at the large kitchen island and watched Maura as she started to prepare the eggs. Maura had already set out large plates with toast and crispy bacon. There was a large glass of orange juice next to each one, along with a steaming cup of coffee. Jane's mouth watered in anticipation.

It was only a few more minutes before Jane and Maura were digging into their food. It was quiet for quite some time, as neither woman wanted to be the first to start the conversation. Maura finally mustered up the courage, knowing that she had the most ground to cover. Holding the warm cup of coffee in her hands, she decided to just go for it.

"I'm sorry I left the way I did. And I didn't plan on being gone for so long." She watched as a forkful of eggs paused halfway to Jane's mouth. "I can explain everything, but I wanted to apologize first." The eggs completed their journey, and Jane chewed for several seconds before looking up to meet Maura's gaze, almost challenging her.

"Then go ahead. Explain." Jane shrugged. She resumed eating.

Maura took a deep breath and launched into the details, first explaining how her mother had pressured her to go through with the annulment, and then talking about her time in Paris, and how it took much longer than she anticipated finding someone to replace her father and to transfer the other properties to her mother. Jane listened intently as she spoke, gaining some insights into Maura's life as she chronicled the last four weeks. When Maura finished, Jane leaned back in her chair, pushing her now-empty plate away.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that." Jane said, finally looking up again into hazel eyes.

"Me too." Maura replied sadly. "It was bad enough to have to deal with such a legal nightmare, but the fact that I had left things here like I did made it that much worse. To just leave the papers for you to sign like a coward…I deeply regret it Jane. Truly."

Jane didn't immediately respond, instead taking a long sip of her coffee. "It's okay Maura. I forgive you. Your father died and you panicked. It's understandable." She shrugged. Jane neglected to mention that said paperwork was still incomplete and lying crumpled in a drawer in her apartment.

"One last thing Jane. I had a lot of time to think when I was in Paris, and I thought about you a lot. I know this…relationship…has been complicated so far, but I want you to know that I am attracted to you and would like very much to see where this goes." Maura's hand slid across the granite countertop to grab Jane's. "If you will let me, of course."

Without hesitation, Jane's other hand came to rest on top of Maura's. Maura looked up shyly to find Jane gazing at her intently, with a small grin on her face.

"I think I'd like that." Jane said, smiling wider for emphasis. Maura blushed and resumed eating her breakfast, a smile playing across her lips as she did.

Jane scooted off her stool and started to clear her dirty dishes, ignoring Maura's protests as she did.

"You made me breakfast Maur. The least I can do is clean up!" Jane said over her shoulder as she filled the sink with warm, soapy water. Maura couldn't help herself and finished her breakfast in a few more bites then slid down to help Jane with the cleanup. "You just can't help yourself, can you?" Jane rolled her eyes. "I got this…seriously."

Maura deposited her dishes into the soapy water, but didn't quite move away, standing a few paces beside Jane at the counter. Jane continued washing for a few more seconds then glanced over her shoulder with a look of mock irritation.

"Stop hovering. You're making me nervous."

Maura laughed. It felt so good to laugh. The past month had been a complete nightmare and she was thankful to be back in Boston and spending time with Jane. She took a slow step towards Jane. "Is that so?" She asked coyly. She took another step so there were only a few inches separating the two women.

Jane was trying hard to keep a straight face. She raised a soap-covered hand and brushed a curl out of her eyes. "I'm serious. Don't come any closer…"

Maura leaned in close to Jane's ear and whispered. "Or else?" She watched appreciatively as Jane shivered under her hot breath. Without warning, Jane spun around, her wet and soapy hands grasping Maura's thin waist. Maura shrieked with laughter as Jane picked her up easily and spun her around, tickling her as she put her down. Both women couldn't contain their laughter and collapsed in a heap on the tile floor. Jane wiped what was left of the suds and water onto Maura's cheeks, laughing louder at Maura's indignant reaction.

Once their laughter died down, Maura turned to look at Jane, finding those deep brown eyes already locked on her. Jane reached up and tucked an errant strand of Maura's blonde hair behind her ear.

"I-I missed you Jane." Maura whispered, her eyes flicking down to Jane's lips and back up to those gorgeous brown eyes. Jane continued to study her, as if trying to memorize every detail of her face. Maura blushed under the intense scrutiny.

"Maur? I'm going to kiss you." Jane stated simply, leaning in slightly. Maura could smell her shampoo and the clean scent of her bodywash. Her breath hitched as Jane leaned a little closer.

"Please do." Maura breathed, grasping the front of Jane's t-shirt and pulling her closer. She felt Jane's warm breath on her face before feeling lips pressed against hers. It didn't take long for the kiss to heat up, and the women spent the rest of the morning getting reacquainted with one another, first in the kitchen and then in the bedroom.