N: Short chapters i know, but I've been very busy over the last few weeks. I'm hoping this weekend I'll have a little more time before I leave for new job training. And this little story is just a exercise to keep me fresh while I work on Blue Ice, sequel to my novel Two Shades of Blue. Available on Amazon! (shameless plug i know, but if you got to amazon and search Sydney Gibson, you'll find a few reads to hold you over while you wait for me to update! Enjoy!

Maura

"How about this place?" Jane's voice startled me out of my thoughts. Her fingers tapped my elbow to pull my attention. I glanced up at the small deli. "Sure."

I frowned at my one word answer, but I was still very swallowed up in my encounter with Quinn and the strange feelings I was left with. Never mind the feelings Jane was leaving me with.

Jane opened the door, her hand falling to the small of my back as she guided me inside. It was the second or third time she did that, and I found it interesting. It was a protective gesture, an intimate one, and sent shivers through my body each time she did it.

I walked to a far table in the back of the restaurant. I wasn't in the mood to sit in a crowd and be stared at. I sat down, fidgeting with my bag and the obnoxious swag bag. Jane sat across from me and I could feel her eyes boring into the side of my head. "I'm fine. You don't need to stare it out of me."

"Yeah, well. You're looking a little pale and it's taking everything I have not to go back in there and punch the jerk in the face." Jane picked up a menu, scanning it as she swatted away a large chunk of curly hair. "Oh they do pastrami sandwiches with egg here, and they have waffle fries."

I smiled, looking over the menu, trying to find a salad before I caved in and ordered a greasy sandwich to eat away these feelings. A waiter arrived and before I could open my mouth, Jane ordered a glass of red wine for me and a beer for her. I glanced at her. She shrugged with a smile. "It's a convention, we're technically not on duty and you look like you could use a drink."

I nodded. "But how did you know I was a wine drinker?"

Jane grinned, her dimples drawing me in. "You look like a wine drinker. But honestly, I saw the wine magazine in your bag when you pulled out the national geographic. Are you planning to take a wine tour of the vineyards of Northern California?"

I smiled, setting the menu down. "You're very observant."

"I am." Jane leaned forward. "Was that jerkoff your fiancé?"

I sucked in a slow breath, trying to hold the smile on my face. "He was." I turned to look out the window. "I had no idea he'd be here. I should've, considering his new wife was my former coworker in the labs." I frowned, thinking about the past for a moment. "I wished I'd known you then, you could've used your gumshoe skills and discovered the affair sooner." I picked up a napkin, tearing it into pieces.

Jane covered my hand with hers. They were warm and the small ridge of her scar wasn't off putting, it was actually comforting. "He's an idiot. She's an idiot. I've only known you for almost a day, Maur, but I could see right away you were someone pretty amazing. Even if you read trashy spy novels." She squeezed my hand, forcing me to look at her.

I became lost in her eyes and wished… no Maura, you don't wish. I smiled. "Thank you." I turned my hand over to let out palms meet. "He hated those novels, thought they were below my intelligence."

Jane cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah, I need to punch this guy. I'm making it my mission for first thing in the morning." She ran her thumb along the inside of my wrist. "You want to tell me the story? Might make you feel better?"

I swallowed hard at the way her thumb felt on the sensitive skin of my wrist. "There isn't much story to tell. I met Quinn at trial two years ago. He asked me out, I agreed and even though we weren't a good match, I felt I should continue dating him. It wasn't as if I had a line of suitors coming down to the basement. He proposed to me right before he was promoted to ADA in New York. I agreed, but as I set about planning a wedding, he set about fulfilling his career. I wasn't the best future trophy wife, opting to work late than attend charity benefits. That's where he met Carla. She was the face of the NYPD labs and was always being sent to mingle with society." I paused, sliding my hand away from Jane's. "One night when I went to his apartment to drop off his tuxedo for fitting, I found a letter from him. He confessed to an affair with Carla and they were on trip celebrating their engagement in Colorado. He asked I leave the ring he gave me on the counter and take the check for my half of the deposits on the wedding hall and catering." I sniffled, turning away from Jane. "They moved to Dallas four months ago, and I heard through the grapevine Carla is pregnant." I swallowed hard, fighting the tears. Not because I was in love with Quinn, I wasn't in the slightest. I was in love with the idea of not being alone and maybe having a family. An idea that had always been out of reach for me.

"Screw punching him, I'm calling my brothers. He needs an old fashioned southie beat down." Jane shook her head. "He's a real piece of shit."

I smiled weakly, wiping my nose. "It's fine. They're happy, I'm happy. Life moves on."

"Are you really happy, Maura?" Jane asked so softly, I almost didn't hear her.

I glanced at her. "You have brothers?"

Jane sat back in her chair. "Nice deflection, but I'll ask again. I might even ask what you meant that we should let Quinn think you found me." She winked at me when I blushed. "I remember everything, Maura. And yes, I have brothers. Two, Frankie and Tommy. That reminds me, I have to get them and my ma souvenirs." She looked around the deli, spotting a couple of t-shirts handing on the wall.

"I want him to be jealous, Jane. I want him to think I'm dating you, or we're dating. It's selfish and silly, but I liked the feeling I had when he looked at you in surprise, and shock. It made me feel…" I waved my hand in the air. "Strong, wanted." I huffed, frustrated from the day and that I was spilling my guts out to a stranger. "But that's for another time. Please tell me more about your family."

Jane stared at me for a second as the waiter returned with our drinks. I took a large drink of the red wine, hoping it would chase away the feelings. I looked up to order that greasy sandwich when Jane suddenly spoke.

"You should feel strong, Maura, because you are. I can see it in the way you carry yourself, in the way you share your kindness with complete strangers. Not many in this world are bold enough to smile and say hello, let alone share their shoulder and a novel." She leaned forward. "And excuse me for being really bold and totally out of line, but you're beautiful. Quite possibly the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and when you walked into that room, all eyes fell on you. You're wanted, so much so, I feel the need to protect you. Don't ever sell yourself short, because in the small time I've known you, I'm pretty sure my life will never be the same after meeting you." Jane turned to the waiter. "I'll take the pastrami with egg, extra fries and she'll have the grilled cheese and ham with a small order of fries."

My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach, my heart swelling twice it's size from her words. "You called me beautiful? And how did you know I wanted the grilled cheese?"

Jane sipped her beer. "You've been staring at it for the last five minutes. Your eyes dart to the salad selections, but you keep coming back to the grilled cheese. Yes, I called you beautiful, because you are. It doesn't take a detective to see that."

"No ones ever told me I was beautiful and genuinely meant it." I whispered the words out, desperate to reach for Jane's hand.

"Yeah, well those no ones are big idiots." She leaned forward. "The Rizzoli's are a large, loud family. But they're mine and I love them. They'd swallow you whole if I ever brought you home for Sunday dinner." She shook her head with a laugh and started into a story about how Frankie and Tommy always fight over the last cannoli.

The tension of the day eased from my shoulders as Jane became incredibly animated, imitating her mother. With every laugh, I was forgetting more and more about Quinn. I was thinking more and more about Jane and my upcoming interview in Boston. It was less than a day and a half since meeting her, but I knew I didn't want to be anywhere but near Jane.

XXXX

Jane

I threw the napkin on top of my empty plate, reaching for the glass of water. "I might need a nap. That sandwich was bigger than I thought."

Maura grinned, finishing her last bite of sandwich. "It could've been the extra order of fries you asked for."

I shrugged. "Could've been. But I don't have regrets." I waved the waiter over, handing him my card as Maura scrambled for her purse. "Maura, I told Quinn I was taking you on a lunch date, don't make me a liar." I grinned at the blush creeping up her neck.

"Jane."

"Jane what?" I leaned forward as the waiter left with my card. I took her hand in mine. "Everything I said was true, and to be honest I'd really like to take you to dinner." I ran my thumb over her knuckles. "I kind of enjoy spending time with you and making you blush."

Maura swallowed hard, biting her bottom lip as she smiled. "I never do this. But there's something about you, Jane." She looked up and met my eyes. "But I'd like to take you to dinner tonight. If you'd let me?"

I scrunched my face up, looking at the ceiling. "Hmm. I'd have to check my schedule. I do have an early morning hostage negotiations seminar to attend." I grinned when I saw the shocked look on her face. "Maura, I'm kidding. Of course I'll have dinner with you." I chuckled at the small sigh of relief passing over her lips.

When she smiled, I almost melted into my seat. I'd gone into this lunch with a theory to test, but threw it to the side when I saw how sad she was from her encounter with her ex. I also suddenly realized a sad Maura had a profound effect on me. I didn't like it and would do anything in my power to make her smile, or make her feel loved. It's probably why I launched that truth bomb when she told me the story about Quinn. The guy was an idiot, a fool, a dumbass and didn't deserve a woman like the one sitting across from me. Maura Isles was an enigma in the social arena, giving me silly looks when I said something she didn't understand, like my family's strange sayings. But she was brilliant, kind and made me feel safer than I'd felt in years. I felt like a could finally relax around her and not be so gruff.

Deep down I knew I had a wicked crush on this woman, but I had to be careful not to fall too deep. We had a handful of days before I went back to Boston and she went back to New York. She'd explained in-between stories about my family, she worked in the forensic labs of NYPD and assisted the Medical Examiner. But she had dreams for more and was interviewing for medical examiner positions all over the country. I saw in the way she spoke, she wanted to find her own footing in this world and show the Quinn's and Carla's she wasn't to be ignored. I made a mental note to check with Cavanaugh when I got home, see if he could pull some strings and get our current ME interested in that long overdue retirement.

I sighed at the thought of seeing Maura every day at work. That thought drifted to a crazy one of waking up next to her every morning. I shook my head and tapped her hand. "Let's get going. We should head back to the convention for a couple more hours. I have to make sure BPD is getting their money's worth out of sending me here." I stood, holding out my hand for Maura to take. "Where are you taking me for dinner?"

She grinned, taking my hand. "I don't know yet. I spontaneously turned the tables on you." She squeezed my hand and held it as I walked us out of the deli. "I'll have to think about it. I've never been good at planning first dates." Her voice trembled as she spoke.

I smirked. "First date, eh? You know it's actually our second date. I took you out first." I chuckled and nudged into her shoulder as we stepped out onto the street. It had stopped raining and everything smelled new. I took a deep breath and grinned. "I need another coffee before we head back in. I need the jolt to stay awake. The egos in this place can get a little much, let alone the over exaggerated war stories." I tugged on Maura's hand and started to walk.

"Was that really our first date, Jane?" Maura spoke next to me.

I shrugged, suddenly nervous I'd overstepped by the uncertain tone in her voice. "Um, maybe? It doesn't have to mean anything. It could just be a lunch between two friends. I like you, Maura, and I'm kind of excited I met you and would love to get to know more about you. But, if it's too much. We can slow it down. Ma always tells me I'm a little wild and rush to things. But having two younger brothers, being wild and fast got me into the shower first, got me an extra pancake and kept me sane." I went to pull my hand from hers as we walked around the corner when I felt hers tighten around mine.

I turned, panicking I'd screwed this up with my weird flirting. I hadn't flirted in decades and it was showing. I looked at Maura, her big hazel eyes staring in mine. I ran my free hand through my hair, tugging on the ends to keep me from freaking out. "Hey, I'm sorry if I assumed things. I just think you're pretty great, Maur, and I umm…"

My words were cut off when her hands slid across my face and I was gently pulled into her. Her lips brushed mine for a split second before she kissed me. I immediately melted into her. Maura's lips were softer than imagined and perfect. I grabbed her elbows, kissing her back. Desperately trying to control the way I felt, and that I wanted to grab her by the hips and kiss her until the world ran out of air.

Maura parted first, smiling as she ran her finger across my lips. "I like it when you ramble. It's endearing and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who ever makes you so flustered, you ramble." She licked her lips, her hazel eyes a bright coppery green. "I asked if it really was our first date, Jane, because I've been wanting to kiss you since the moment you laid your hand on the small of my back. Silently making me yours."

I swallowed hard. Her words sinking into my heart and down to the bottom of my stomach. I couldn't stop staring at her lips. "Yes, it was our first date." I cleared my throat. "Can I… may I kiss you again? I've been wanting to kiss you the moment you said bamboozled."

Maura nodded and leaned forward, letting me meet her half way. I kissed her softly, enjoying the innocence of the moment. I kept it brief and when I pulled away, I couldn't help grin. "I can't wait for our second date." I stepped back, grabbing her hand. "Let's go back to the convention. I can't wait to find Quinn and tell him how incredible of a kisser you are."

Maura burst out laughing, and fell next to me, leaning into my side. "He always said I lacked passion." She laid her head on my shoulder. "Maybe it was just him."

I frowned, throwing my arm around her. "I can promise you it was just him, but let's tell him anyway and then I'll punch him." I kissed the top of her head. Maura laughed once more and I made a silent promise to make her laugh as much as possible.

And make sure I called Cavanaugh in the morning about that possible ME job opening.