A nod to Tess Gerritsen and TNT: Thank you for creating these lovely characters that we love to play with at times.

5 weeks later

Maura hears Jane growl from the guest bathroom. "Are you alright, Jane?"

"I can't do anything with my hair!" There is a distinct whine in Jane's tone. Maura smiles as she finishes her make-up. "Why don't you come here and let me help you?" She hears Jane stomp toward the master bathroom. Jane had chosen not to go with Maura earlier in the day to have her hair done, but agreed to get ready at Maura's because Maura's beauty supplies were almost like a beauty salon compared to what Jane has.

A grumpy/nervous Jane appears in the doorway. Maura points at a stool and Jane obediently sits. "Now, tell me what's wrong."

Jane runs her hand through her hair. "This!" Maura considers Jane's unruly waves utterly beautiful, but wants Jane to feel more comfortable. She takes her comb to arrange Jane's waves in a slightly more manageable fashion and then applies product to make them stay.

"There. Do you like it? Having your hair down with the tuxedo will look extremely sexy."

Jane looks doubtful. "You really think so?"

Maura only arches a brow at Jane. Jane knows that she is getting nervous about performing. She looks at herself in the mirror and decides that Maura is right (as she usually is) and her hair looks good. She goes back to the spare room where her tux is hanging and quickly puts it on. She looks at her reflection in the mirror, 'hmmm. Damn! I look good. Maura was right about the tux.'

"Jane? Could you help zip me up?"

"Be right there." Jane walks back to Maura's room to find Maura standing there presenting her unzipped back, head turned to show the silhouette of Maura's face, tendrils of hair framing her face. Jane's breath catches as she gazes at the picture before her. Jane carefully zips up the dress, allowing her fingers to trail up Maura's back. Jane watches as that motion causes Maura to shiver.

Maura slowly turns.

Jane's brain shuts down.

"Wow. I mean, wow!" Jane shakes her head in hopes that more intelligent words will come to her speech. "Maura, you look exquisite tonight. That dress is perfect on you."

Maura blushes at the compliments Jane gives her. "You are looking quite sexy and delicious yourself, detective."

Jane continues to stare at Maura, thinking of all the 'delicious' they could be doing instead of going to the benefit. "Ahem. Ah, we better be going before I unzip you and mess up that beautiful hair."

Maura laughs gaily and slaps Jane lightly on the shoulder. "Oh, no Jane. We have put too much effort into tonight to back out now. Come, I want to show you off."

Now it is Jane's turn to laugh. "Me? You will shine like a jewel, all eyes will be on you!"

The ladies walk into the lavishness of the Boston Seaport ballroom. Jane had visited yesterday to do a little recon for tonight, but was amazed at the changes in the decorations. She glances at the table numbers and sees the table closest to the stage is the number printed on the cards with their names on it. She nods in satisfaction; so far, so good.

"Can we help you?" A blonde woman, approximately the same height as Jane, approaches Jane and Maura with a smaller auburn haired woman carrying a tablet. Jane looks at the blonde's feet and mentally shakes her head. "Those heels must be at least 3 inches, how do women not break their necks?!"

Maura smiles as she introduces them. "I'm Dr. Maura Isles and this is Detective Jane Rizzoli from the Boston Police Department.

The younger woman is scrolling on her tablet as the taller blonde welcome the ladies. "Ah. Welcome to the Boston Seaport. I am Emily Winters, Event Manager for the Seaport, and this is my assistant, Jennifer. We will be helping you throughout this evening. Dr. Isles, if you would be so kind to follow me? Jennifer will take Detective Rizzoli where she needs to go."

Maura reaches out to touch Jane's arm. "I promise to be at the table when you go on. Break a leg, Jane."

Jane nods, "Thanks, Maura." She turns to follow Jennifer. Jennifer begins explaining the evening to Jane.

"Right this way, Detective. We have set up one of the small event rooms for the Boston Police Department to gather in while they are not in the main event room. There will be food and beverages in here. The guests are expected to start arriving within the next 30 minutes. There are small informational kiosks that the Boston Police Department will be stationed at during the 90 minute arrival/social/hor d'oeuvre time frame." They arrive at the room. Jane spots Frankie, Frost and Korsak sitting at a table and waves to them. Jennifer continues her explanation. "Next will be the dinner/karaoke show followed by a short intermission to allow us to clear all the tables, prepare the dance floor and allow guests one last chance to bid on the silent auctions." Jennifer pauses to scroll on her tablet. "Detective, are you expecting a delivery?"

Jane smiles with relief. One more piece of the evening has fallen into place. "Yes, I am."

"I will have the staff deliver it here if that suits you?"

"It suits me perfectly. Thank you, Jennifer."

Jennifer makes an announcement to the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, in 10 minutes, please go to your assigned kiosks. We will be opening the doors at that time for our guests." Jennifer shows Jane her number before she walks away. Jane heads over to the gang.

Frost's mouth is hanging open.

Frankie raises a Rizzoli eyebrow. "Looking good, Sis."

Korsak grins. "Jane, you a breathtaking sight."

Jane blushes at the attention. "Hey, guys, we all clean up pretty well, right? Look at you all spiffed up as you are."

A voice calls out. "Detective Rizzoli?"

Jane and Frankie yell out, "Here!" Jane looks at Frankie, "It's for me." "How do you know someone didn't send me something?" Frankie asks. Jane hits him. "Because I sent something to myself!" The delivery man was waiting patiently, watching the exchange with amusement. He finally hands Jane a long box.

"What's in there, Janie?"

"You'll see later, Frankie. Frost, are you ready for your job?"

"Don't worry, Jane. I'm ready."

"Wait a minute, how come Frost knows what's going on and I don't? How come he gets to help you?"

Jane looks at her brother. "Can you dance?"

Frankie opens his mouth, but then shakes his head and shuts it. Frost chimes in. "Mom made me take dance lessons." Frankie laughs, "Awww, I can see little Frost dance. What a good little boy." Frankie gets hit again

Korsak interrupts them. "Kids! Let's go to our assigned spots before you get your dress clothes dirty. You can dress them up, but can't take 'em out." He herds the younger detectives toward the doors.

The next 90 minutes pass quickly. Jane finds she is actually enjoying herself. Guests are friendly, thanking the detectives for their service, asking for photos with them. Jane catches glimpses of Maura walking around, doing her best to get more donations. Jane knows the time for her performance is quickly approaching. She feels the butterflies in her stomach. She leans toward Frost.

"By the way, who exactly are you dancing with?"

Frost grins. "Remember my instructor at dance lessons?"

"Yea, she was very attractive, much more so than mine." Jane winks at Frost. They had both signed up for dance lessons, Frost to brush up and Jane to learn.

"Well, when she found out why I was taking lessons, she volunteered to be my partner for the evening."

Jane laughs. "Nice job, Frost. You get a girlfriend out of this."

Frost grins. "At least a date."

Jennifer is making the rounds, reminding the people performing that it is time to get ready to perform. Jane, Frost and Frankie move to follow Jennifer.

"Detective Frank, you are performing 4th. Detective Jane and Detective Frost, you will be performing 7th." Jane nods, mentally preparing herself...

One more chapter to go! I hope you are enjoying this little story!

Hugs to all!