Author's Note: I got caught up in the actual show and what happened with Susie kinda crushed me a little. Anyone else? Then the season finale and a fried computer... well, let's just say it's been a long time coming and let you get back to reading.

Disclaimer- Don't own the show. No profit had. Blah, blah, blah- the usual technical jargon.

Chapter Twenty-Eight-

Dr. Maura Isles woke gently. Not abruptly, to a dream or a nightmare; nor jarring awake to the usual phone call, or even her alarm stealing into the air and shattering her slumber. It wasn't a breaking at all. For the first time in she didn't know how long, she seemed to float out of dreamless sleep, and it was nothing more or less than a sense of utter contentment to which she awoke.

That by itself was unusual enough for her to peer around in confusion through squinted eyes still hung heavy with the weight of sleep. Pressing one hand against her head and threading it through her hair, she tried to understand- to remember, because such an out of place feeling couldn't just happen by itself. She was too rested, too calm. Even the urge to drink away the cotton in her mouth was gone, maybe because she, just as strangely, wasn't even slightly hungover. She sat up on her elbows a little and it was only then that she realized her hand was attached to something, her fingers intertwined with someone else's.

Jane.

Maura felt a swallow catch in her throat when she panned her head further and was met by a vision of wild, raven-colored hair splayed on the pillow beside hers. She pulled her head back instinctively.

The other woman's features were still soft and relaxed in repose, her face buried in the downy cushion beneath her. She was laying half on her chest, legs curled up a little towards the middle of the bed. Her left arm curled around and lay with her hand close to her face, but the one almost beneath her was also the one clasped tightly between them to Maura's own. The comforter that had been draped over Jane's shoulders when they'd fallen asleep was now just covering her feet, even though there was something of a chill to the air.

Probably her fault, Maura guessed, as the rest of the comforter was bunched up on her side. She didn't move to correct it. Instead, she lay her head slowly back on the pillow and let herself stare.

Surprisingly, Jane was even more beautiful asleep than she was awake. Her high, hard cheekbones that lent such distinction to her features were smoothed by her lax defenses. The scowl of concern that Maura had begun to suspect was permanent, was instead non-existent upon her dark brows. The lashes kissing her cheeks were stark and long, and the tangle of her thick hair fell in soft curls against her face and draped softly over her bare collarbones.

No matter how hard she tried to stop looking, Maura couldn't help but find something different to wonder at for each second her eyes were fixated on the officer's beauty. Tentatively, though she had no idea where she got the courage, she finally reached out and ran her free hand down the arm joined to hers. The skin was soft, pliant to her touch, and the muscles beneath firm. It felt strong and capable, that arm. Safe. Emboldened, she lifted her hand higher and with a single fingertip, traced across her companions cheek, edging the dark locks of hair aside from the woman's face.

Taking in a small, sharp breath, Jane snuggled deeper into her cushy spot in Maura's bed and tightened her hold.

Right, they were in her bed. Maura dropped her hand over her ribs and felt the deep, yet hesitant breath that filled the depths of her lungs. She had asked Jane to stay, to sleep in her bed. In all the years that she'd been sexually active, she had never actually done any sleeping beside someone else before. The men that Hoyt sent to her took what they needed and she tended to slip out while they were deep in their dreams. The few times she had found someone to have her own fun with during her college years, it was always in their beds and she was gone before they woke up. Perhaps not surprisingly, she hadn't had great experience opening up to, or trusting others, and sleeping beside someone took a level of trust she had begun to wonder if she was even capable of now. Her hesitant forays into possible relationships seemed so long ago that she barely remembered what it was like, before the phone calls, before all of this had started. She barely remembered having a life in the blissful interim between her sixteenth and twentieth birthdays, for the night with Hoyt had haunted her and her nightmares. It was very good at pushing any thoughts of arousal from her body.

Until now.

Whether she wanted it or not, whether it was wise or foolish, the way she felt about Jane wasn't going away. Logically, she knew she shouldn't- she was smarter than trusting her life and yes, perhaps her heart, to the police. Except she wasn't. Her attraction to the female officer wasn't really normal for a cop and her CI. It was most definitely not platonic. Actually, as the stray reflection arrived and refused to leave, the nerves of her arm attached to the woman of her thoughts tingled. Her skin prickled and goosebumps spread over her flesh, while her hand grew warm.

It was almost frightening.

Gently, Maura started to withdraw her extremity from the other woman's grip, pulling away the fingers of the slim, slack hand with utmost care, trying not to wake Jane. Once they were detached, she sat up again slowly and slipped out of her satin sheets, trying not to move the bed along with her for the sleeping beauty's sake. She did pause to pull the blankets back over Jane though. The floor beneath her feet was cold after all. Which she supposed was perfect for energizing her to hurry to the bathroom, pulling the door silently closed behind her. She stopped on the warm mat before the sink and looked into the mirror.

She looked different. Stress had made deeper furrows along her forehead and beside her eyes, yet the circles beneath were less pronounced. It seemed that the lighter feeling inside of her was being mirrored on her skin. Could it really just be Jane's special effect? Was it possible for one person to change her so completely that she no longer needed her crutch, or her little tricks for hiding the pain behind a wall of concealer? Could one woman really stop this shattering she had been trying to stave off for almost two years?

Could it really be that easy?

Mulling this over thoughtfully, and thinking hard about Jane, Maura took a shower and started to get ready. It wasn't till her hair and make up were done that she stole out of the bathroom in a towel to get to her closet. She made it several steps before glancing over.

The bed was empty.

Sliding to a halt, Maura stared at the rumpled covers for a protracted moment before spinning toward the door. It was open a crack, so she stopped breathing and listened intently.

Sounds came from down the hall, though quietly.

Satisfied that Jane hadn't left while she was showering, she got dressed. Dark blue trousers, a soft blue and white blouse, with strapped heels on her feet, and she suddenly felt whole. Like she was an person again, rather than sex and anxiety coiled around a frame of brittle ice. Lighter, calmer, less troubled. The world felt clearer and more manageable than it ever had. She didn't know why. She tried not to question it. A part of her still wondered what power Jane possessed that allowed her to take so much of the burden from her life, yet another part knew- not being alone anymore was making all the difference in the world. It was similar to the moment she had had with Susie, the point where she felt the loneliness pushed back. Only Jane managed to erase it completely.

Heels tapping gently, she exited the bedroom and walked down the hall, to be met by a delicious aroma like nothing she'd ever smelled in her home before. Coming into the kitchen was like stepping into a cafe from the cold street. The air was warm and heavy with the unfamiliar scent.

And there was Jane, standing at the stove in the pajama bottoms she'd slept in and her undershirt, hair tousled adorably.

Maura drew her gaze up and down appreciatively, taking in the other woman's slender shape still draped in the heaviness of previous sleep.

The officer heard her coming in and turned with a bright smile, stilling at the sight of her. Her dark eyes widened and the very left tip of her mouth was drawing upward as though her smile was still trying to hold on through her awe. "Who-a."

Maura chuckled and came the rest of the way into the kitchen. "Evening?" It was part question, part greeting.

"Evening." Jane swallowed nervously and smiled back at her fully again. "Sleep well?"

"Quite." Maura sidled closer, peering over the brunette's shoulder curiously. "What are you up to?"

Jane made something like a squawk and barred her sight. "Hey, no peeking!" Then she turned shy, murmuring almost into her chest. "You made us something to eat earlier. Seems only fair that it would be my turn."

She held up her hands disarmingly, the bracelet on her wrist tinkling softly. "Where on earth did you find anything to cook?" Maura let her question be rippled by her amusement as she dropped her arms, moved back to the table and sat in one of the chairs.

"Well," Jane turned back to her work, "-you've got the number for that whole foods place on the counter, so I called them up and put in a special order to restock your fridge. Luckily, they do express orders for repeat customers."

Maura blinked. "I didn't know that. What did you get?"

"Lots of fruit and veggies, just about every kind that they had since you're literally out of everything but eggs, pickles, and flour. Some more eggs, milk, and a restock of some of the essentials in your pantry." She turned about with another sheepish look. "I hope you don't mind. I... I didn't mean to overstep, I just kinda figured you could afford it, and we'd need to eat so-"

"I don't mind at all." Maura smiled, cutting her off a bit. She leaned forward on the table, setting her elbows down and resting her clasped fingers under her chin. "In fact, thank you."

Jane blushed slightly and once again resumed her work at the stove.

Taking in the kitchen that seemed just as transformed as she felt with the addition of the officer, Maura spotted some bananas in a bowl on the table. She grinned softly and snagged one, breaking off the top to peel and taking a bite. Honestly though, she barely tasted it. It was simply amazing. She'd lived in this apartment for almost three years and it had never felt like a refuge before. It had never felt like home. Maybe it was just her; maybe she had changed. Maybe Jane really had changed something inside of her.

At the stove, Jane hissed and pulled back her hand quickly, shaking it.

Maura was on her feet in a split second, hurrying over to Jane's side and taking her hand. "Did you burn yourself?"

"N-no, I mean yes, but not much. Just a little singed." Jane said haltingly, feebly trying to tug her hand back.

Maura looked up at her, catching her dark brown eyes and holding them. She knew what it meant to get lost in someone's gaze, but she'd never felt more like she'd found herself in them. When she finally spoke again, it was in a whisper. "I'll get you an ice cube. It will at least help with the sting."

"'kay." Jane murmured.

Pulling herself away, Maura paused for a second before opening the freezer. "Jane... can I ask you something?"

"Shoot." Jane said, gratefully taking the ice cube in hand, while still flipping whatever it was she had on the heat.

Sitting back down, Maura picked her banana back up and picked at it to keep her hands and eyes busy. "Why are you doing all this for me?"

Jane shot her a quick look. "I told you, you made us a meal, so I-"

"You know I don't just mean the food." Maura cut her off again.

It took a long moment, but Jane finally shrugged her narrow shoulders. "I need a CI. I need insight into Mauvais' head. No one knows that bastard better than you."

Swallowing hollowly, Maura sighed. "Is that the only reason?"

Jane turned to peer at her briefly. "A reason. I don't know about the 'only' reason."

"You make dinner in all your CI's apartments?" Maura teased.

"Oh yeah, you wouldn't believe how much 'Vinny' likes my ma's recipe for lasagna." Jane said just as teasingly back.

Maura rolled her eyes. This woman was harder to pin down than she was. "I supposed you sleep in their beds too then?"

Not answering for what seemed like an eternity, Jane very slowly shook her head.

"Why did you stay with me then?" Maura asked more gently. "You didn't have to."

"I know I didn't have to, but... you asked?" The officer flipped whatever she had in the pan out onto a plate, and then turned off the stove before spinning about to face her. "I don't know, alright? I don't know a lot of stuff about what we're doing. Maybe its because you're a valuable informant, or because I don't want to lose my job. Maybe because I can't get you out of my head, or maybe because you're not like anybody else I've ever met. Maybe I don't like it when you're scared. Maybe I'm just an idiot..." She growled in something like frustration with herself. "I don't know why, but I do know I care about you, dammit!" Jane blinked and pulled back, staring into her eyes. "A lot more than I'm supposed to."

As the rush of words stopped on that whisper, the full import of what Jane had said rushed into Maura's chest, but before she could respond, Jane continued.

"Now, do you want your food before it gets cold, or not?"

Smiling just slightly, Maura nodded.

"Okay, close your eyes."

"Close my- you're joking?" Maura was incredulous.

"Close 'em!" Jane chided.

She scoffed. "Honestly, Jane." In the end though, she still did as the brunette asked.

There was a loud scraping sound and the clang of cutlery hitting glass. "Ta-da!" Jane uttered triumphantly.

Maura opened her eyes and looked down at her plate. There was... a pancake on her plate. In the shape of a rabbit. She felt her eyes crinkle up and a laugh bubble out of her smile uncontrollably.

"What- You think it's stupid, don't you?" The other woman asked dejectedly, slumping into the chair beside her.

Her disappointed look at the food was more than Maura could bear. Getting control of her giggles, she looked up and straight into Jane's eyes so there would be no mistake. "I have never found anything as charming in my entire life, Jane. No one's ever taken the time to make me a meal before, not unless they were paid to." She stifled more giggling, "M-much less such adorable bunny pancakes."

Jane hunched a little in mortification, but she seemed pleased with herself too. "My ma used to make them for us all the time." She took Maura's banana and cut up the rest of it onto the bunnies face.

"Your mother cooks?" Maura took up her fork when the woman was done and cut off a small triangle.

"Yeah, she's kinda your stereotypical Italian mother. Overbearing, loud, nosy, and a master in the kitchen." Jane took syrup and slathered her own pancake in the sticky sweet sap.

"Sounds nice." It came out more wistfully and less amused than Maura had intended, but Jane quickly segued into another topic to which they could finish their meal. Once she'd finished her plate, she looked down at it in surprise. She couldn't remember the last time she'd finished two meals in a row. Shaking away her surprise, she checked the clock. "Well, we need to get going if we're going to stop by the boutique in time. Are you going in that?"

The brunette looked down at the undershirt she was wearing. "Uh... not really the image I was going for. I was thinking I'd contact Vianne now and see if she could get me into another of those dresses."

"As lovely as they are, I'm not sure Vianne would own anything appropriate for the occasion." Maura replied thoughtfully. "I meant what are you wearing to the boutigue? I'm happy to get you a dress for the gala."

"Oh... no!" Jane waved a hand in front of herself. "Maura, you don't have to do that."

"I want to." She answered sincerely. "But I'm afraid you can't show up to Van Clar's like that, or in your jeans, as sexy as they look on you."

There was a pause and then almost drunkenly, Jane's lopsided smile returned full force, her head bobbing adorably. "You think I'm sexy?"

Feeling her heart shaking, Maura smiled. "Definitely." Her grin morphed ecstatically. "Oo, I've got just the thing!" She grabbed the woman's hand and started dragging her to the bedroom.

Jane pulled back from her grip once they'd got inside. "Maura, none of your stuff is gonna fit me. I'm too tall! And my boobs aren't-" She stopped when Maura looked back at her, one eyebrow up. Hers climbed too. "I-I-I mean, I don't have..." She made a gesture toward Maura's chest.

Squinting her eyes and tilting her head, Maura turned fully to face her and crossed her arms in front of her. She ignored the fact that this made her cleavage more prominent.

The officer looked from her breasts to her own and back again, then up at her face. "... melons."

Maura tried not to laugh.

Jane swallowed. "W-What did you have in mind?"