N: I don't know what happened here. It just went. I'm almost normal after being sick, which happens every winter and knocks me on my butt. I dream of the year when i can escape a winter without catching the plague. Anyways, read on and enjoy! Things move along a little bit.

Jane

"Are you making sense out of these files over there?" I yawned, rubbing at my eyes. I was on the verge of passing out on the desk. The case files had grown in size since we uploaded what NYPD had and merged it with BPD files. This case was expanding, and I knew by the time I got home, I'd have mountains of paperwork to fill out.

"I got the files to merge digitally, so it'll be easier for us to view back home." He yanked on his tie and sat back. "This is a big one, Jane." He gave me a look.

"It is, but if we can clear at least ten cold cases, I'll take it." I stretched, glancing at the clock. It was almost ten o'clock. "Ugh. We've been at this for almost fourteen hours."

"Should we call it a night? We leave in the afternoon tomorrow and with traffic to the airport, we might only have a few hours to check out all the physical evidence." Frost yawned, covering his mount as he blinked tired eyes. "I need food."

"Agreed." I stood up, stretching out my back, popping a few kinks out. "I think I saw a deli around the corner that's open late. What do you want? I'll grab it if you get started on photographing the psychical evidence."

Frost grinned. "A big old Reuben sandwich and chips if they have it." He stood, collecting his laptop and shuffled off to the labs. "And maybe a box of doughnuts? I need the sugar."

I chuckled, giving him a small allure. "You got it, boss."

I scooped up my jacket and shook it on, yawning as I trudged towards the elevators. I was tired. Exhausted and was so very ready to lie down and pass out. But I also knew my drive would keep Frost and I out of the hotel rooms BPD paid for until we went back to shower and collect our bags. This case was too important to sleep on. But the second I got home, I was taking that leave I requested and sleeping through at least the first two days. I tipped my head down while waiting for the elevator and when the door opened, I took a step in without looking. Stupid of me as I slammed right into a warm body. "Shit, I'm so sorry!" I grabbed the arms of the person.

"It's fine, Jane." Maura's voice was soft and equally as apologetic. "I should've looked up, but I was too occupied making sure your food was still warm." She sheepishly held up two large brown bags. "I forgot to call you when I completed the autopsies. The lab techs informed me you and Detective Frost were still here working. I thought I'd run and get you both dinner." She blushed as she met my eyes, turning away to look at the bags. "I have sandwiches. A turkey club and a Reuben. Iced teas and iced coffees with a few pastries from the lovely place near my home. They're the best in the area and I trust their sanitary food prep."

I chuckled at Maura's rambling, placing a hand on her elbow to pull her attention to me. "It's okay. I forgot too, Maura. I got lost in the case files and was about to step out and grab food." I took one of the bags and opened it. I grinned when I saw the large stack of food neatly organized. "This looks amazing." I took the other bag, deciding if I wanted to steal Frost's food.

"It is very delicious. I'm friends with the owner and his mother and they always ensure I get the family portions." She shifted nervously. "Um, I'll leave you to it. I know you and Barry are very busy." She looked over my shoulder. "Can you please ask him to stop by the labs in the morning? I'd like to thank him." She tucked her hands in the front pockets of her jacket, smiling at me. "Go eat, Jane. You need the energy. I'll see you in the morning, maybe?" She took a step back. Her face carried a small smile, but I saw she was nervous and tentative.

I closed the bags and held up a hand. "Have you eaten?"

She shook her head. "No. I wanted to make sure to take care of you first, Jane." She frowned. "I meant, since I forgot to call, I wanted to make sure I bought you dinner. I can eat when I get home." She looked away from me. "It's fine."

"No, you need to eat too, Maur. You've been here longer than us." I turned to walk back down the hall. "Give me two seconds to drop this off with Frost and tell him to finish up for the night. Then I'll be back and we can split this sandwich." I hustled down the hall, worried if I wasn't quick, Maura would disappear into her nerves and leave.

I found Frost in the small office next to the labs, uploading pics. "Hey Frost." He turned and grinned when I handed him the giant bag of food. "Call it a night as soon as you finish that. I'm heading out with Dr. Isles. We can get the rest done in the morning."

He smirked, shoving his hand in the bag. "That was fast. I was wondering when you'd remember you had a dinner date with the doc."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank Dr. Isles for the food. I completely forgot about dinner with her. She brought the food for us and is about to leave, she's so nervous." I sighed. "I need to fix this before we leave."

"Yeah you do. She really likes you, but Quinn did a number on her." Frost set his bag down. "Make her feel she can let her guard down. I've seen it a couple of times during web conferences when she was on a roll with science. When she's in her comfort zone, the walls come down and she lights up. And when that happens, well, you'll see it." He winked at me and started unwrapping the thick sandwich wrapped in wax paper. "I'll see you at nine? We have to leave at one for the airport."

I stared at Frost, trying to unravel his wisdom while fighting my jealousy. I wanted to ask if he put the moves on Maura. I clenched my jaw. "Nine works." I turned to walk out when Frost spoke to my back.

"I was nothing but a gentleman. I had a wicked crush on Dr. Isles, but it went in the trash the second I saw her look at you from across that convention center. Don't screw it up, Jane." He laughed as I left the room.

I sucked in a breath as I turned the corner and found Maura standing where I left her. She was engrossed in the bulletin board next to the elevator. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she was, flipping postings for softball leagues and ads selling old boats. "Thinking of joining the NYPD softball league?"

Maura spun around. "Oh, you startled me." She waved a hand absently at the board. "I tried a year ago to join, but the science division didn't have a spot for me." She shrugged. "I might try again this spring if I'm still here." She smiled softly.

I felt my heart drop at her words. I suddenly wanted to punch every jerk in the NYPD, go back and throat punch Quinn and any other person who ever made this woman feel less. I sighed internally. I'd have to punch myself since I fell into that group of jerks. I nodded to the elevator. "Shall we? And what did you want to eat? I'll take you there and buy you a sandwich. Or we can split mine." I absently put my hand on the small of her back as we walked into the elevator. I swore I heard her sigh at the same time I did when I felt how warm she was. "I think my hotel has a decent bar and grille. I'm clueless about this city."

Maura smiled as she turned to face me. "If you don't think me too forward, I'd like to take you to my apartment. I have some leftovers from dinner last night and some cheesecake." She kept her eyes on the elevator door as I hit the lobby button. "My apartment is less than a ten minute walk from here. And far more comfortable than the Marriott."

There was only innocence in her voice. No hint of seduction or anything other than she was being polite and accommodating. I yawned, stifling it with my fist. "That'll work. I can have Frost send me a uber later. The kid is good with all that tech crap and he's taking on the expenses for travel."

"Oh, I can have a car pick you up and take you back." She almost grinned as she looked at me. "I believe Edmund is working tonight. He's lovely and very prompt." She dug in her small handbag to pull out her phone. "I can even have him take you and Barry to the airport tomorrow." Maura pounded out a text message and smiled when she got a reply. "All set. He'll take you back to the hotel whenever we're finished."

I squinted at her. "You have a car service? Man, maybe I need to transfer to NYPD if they pay their science division that well." I pushed myself away from the wall as the doors opened.

Maura said nothing as I walked out first. She only smiled as we walked outside. She pointed to the right. "This way, Jane." She waited for me to fall in next to her. Something was off.

I nudged her with my shoulder. "Hey, relax. I'm not the president. Just a homicide detective."

She finally looked at me. My words from our first meeting sinking in. Maura nudged me back. "I know. You're so much more to me, Jane." She met my eyes for a second longer before turning away.

I felt myself blush as Frost's words echoed.

Don't screw this up.

Maura

To say I was nervous was one thing. I was petrified as I led Jane up the stairs to my brownstone. I heard her whistle as I stuck the key in the lock.

"This is your apartment?"

I nodded, pushing the door open. "It is." I held the door open for her as she walked in. Looking over the entire foyer and the front sitting room.

"Shit, this is bigger than my ma's house." She peered into the small office where the walls were bare and I had boxes of my things stacked up. Boxes I never bothered to unpack when I moved in after Quinn and I separated. Out of an emotional need to feel better, I'd purchased the entire brownstone and moved in. It was a large home, and I loved the space and the emptiness. It allowed me the space and room to catch my breath each day.

I brushed past Jane, moving towards the kitchen. "The kitchen is this way. The bathroom is to your left if you'd like to freshen up."

Jane followed me, setting the deli bag down on the granite island. Her detective eyes were scanning the rooms, taking it all in and deducing that my assistant medical examiner pay wasn't responsible for all of this. Finally, she met my eyes. "This might be really bold to ask, but can I take a shower? I took one like maybe a day and a half ago and I feel like a scrub."

I chuckled. "Of course." I walked to the bathroom next to my office and pushed open the door. "Towels are above the sink. Shampoo and soap are in the basket there, and I can grab you some clothes to change into. I have some old sweat pants and a shirt from when I was sick with the flu last winter." I spun around to find Jane smirking. I blushed at the intense look she gave me and tipped my head down. "Please, take your time. I'll just go upstairs and change, then come back down and set up dinner." I excused myself politely and ran upstairs. I had to calm my breathing and heart down. I'd almost forgotten the effect Jane had on me, until now. And as much as it frightened me, I loved it. It was different, invigorating and made me flustered.

I swallowed hard when I heard the water turn on. Images of Jane in the shower flooded my mind and I had to shake my head and focus on the task at hand. I quickly changed clothes, having already showered at the labs after the autopsies, and grabbed the clothes for Jane.

I ran back down, creeping into the bathroom to set the clothes on the counter. Jane was singing softly in the shower and I made the mistake of looking in the mirror. The steam covered most of her, but I saw the outline of her naked body and small glimpses of her skin when the water ran down the glass door.

Jane was magnificent and I wanted nothing more than to throw caution out the window, push back the door and join her. Take what I'd been dreaming about since I kissed her on a Seattle street.

But caution was one of my closest allies. So I left the bathroom as quietly as I came in and went back to the kitchen to prepare the leftovers. Busying myself with simple tasks to calm my racing heart.

Ten minutes later, Jane walked into the kitchen, running her fingers through wet hair. "Thank you. That was incredible and I finally feel human."

I looked up from the plates of pasta and Jane's sandwich. "You're welcome. You look better."

Jane laughed, sitting down at the island. She plucked at the Oxford Medical School shirt and matching sweatpants I'd given her. "Thank you for the clothes. It's nice to be out of that suit." She cocked an eyebrow my way. "Oxford? I'm starting to think you're Harry Potter, Maura. Are you a wizard in disguise? This house, the car service and fancy t-shirt."

I laughed. "You know I had no idea who Harry Potter was until my coworker's daughter gave me the first book for my birthday last year? She's five and wanted me to read the book. Said I looked like I needed a little magic in my life." I slide a plate towards Jane and a bottle of beer. "I'm not a wizard." I walked around the island, unable to resist running a hand across Jane's shoulders before I sat next to her. "I graduated from Oxford and then moved to San Francisco to finish my residency." I cleared my throat, preparing for the reaction Jane would have when I told her the next part. "You're a great detective, Jane. I've watched you picking apart my words and everything about me. I'm not offended, you're the first person in a long time who is actually looking at me, and not seeing the façade." I turned to look at her. "To answer your silent questions. No, NYPD pays me a decent salary, but nothing that could afford this home. I do have a car service, I've attended the finest schools in the world, all because I come from a wealthy family. I'm sure you've heard the rumors in the station." I tipped my head away to focus on the food I was picking at.

Jane spoke around a huge mouthful of food. "I heard a couple. But I think it's based out of jealousy." She wiped her mouth. "To be honest, the second you stood next to me on the airplane, I knew you were way out of my league." She reached over, laying a hand on mine. "But then I got to know you. You could have all the money in the world, or live in a box in an alley, Maur. You're still amazing to me. It's your kindness and huge heart that is most valuable to me. You're incredible and beautiful." She swallowed, turning to face me. "I'm stupid."

I furrowed my brow. "You're brilliant, Jane! Everyone says you're one of the best BPD has seen and you've impressed the team here. You're not stupid." I shook my head, getting upset at her words.

Jane laughed, scooting closer to me and pulling my hand into both of hers. She pressed tightly and I felt the scars on her palms on my skin. "I'm stupid. A jerk and I should've reached out to you and not wallowed in my stupidity. I need to learn that the world doesn't revolve around my moody behavior." She looked at our hands. "I've just never had someone be so kind to me and not want more. Not just want me, Jane Rizzoli, cop and dumb ass who runs into the fire." She sighed. "I know better. I know better and to not react so harsh after I was given my second chance at life." She met my eyes. "Maura, I know you asked me for a second chance, but will give me another one? To make this right? I only have a few more hours to fix this and I'd really like it if I went back to Boston with a reason to make weekend trips to the big apple."

The way Jane looked at me, I knew all of her walls had been pulled down just for me. She was letting me in, just like she had in that café in Seattle. I saw now the shift in her eyes. Jane was a hard ass, but her eyes would always tell the truth. And the way she looked at me now, I was getting a side of Jane that was rarely given out. I leaned forward, brushing my lips against hers and whispering. "Yes." I kissed her before she could speak, tangling my hands in her wet hair to pull her closer.

Jane's hands squeezed mine as she kissed me back with force. I had to part from her before I did something less than innocent. My desire for Jane was building every minute she was near me. I licked my lips and leaned back. "Promise me one thing, Jane."

"Anything for you, Maura." Her voice was raspy, laden with passion.

I bit my bottom lip, fighting the urge to kiss her senseless before taking her upstairs. "We don't run from each other." I glanced at her hands, running my thumb over her scars. "Unless it's towards each other. Life is too short, and I've wasted so much of it." I looked up into her eyes. "You make me feel so much it scares me, but I don't want it to end. You make me feel alive."

Jane's eyes glossed over as she pulled me into her arms, laying my head against her chest, kissing the top of my head. "I won't." I heard her swallow hard as her heart pounded in my ear. "I think I survived him just to find you." She mumbled the words, and I barely heard it. It made me curious, but I didn't press it. I didn't want to ruin this moment.

After a few minutes, I leaned out of her arms and turned to the plates of now cold food. I sighed. "I hate to do this to you, but I'm really craving pizza since you mention it earlier." I grinned sheepishly. "May I order some? And we can talk more over pizza and beer?"

Jane's eyes lit up. "You had me sold at pizza and beer." She leaned over, kissing me quickly. "I was kidding earlier. I love New York pizza, but if Frost ever found out, I'd never live it down." She slid off the chair, collecting my plate of barely touched pasta. "My ma makes the best ravioli. Maybe she'll teach you one day." She looked at me and I saw the slight glimmer of hope. Hope that this between was going to be more than just tonight.

"I'd like that." I laughed when Jane stuffed the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth. "Are you sure you want pizza?"

Jane winked at me, leaning across the island to kiss me with a full mouth. "Lesson one of loving Jane Rizzoli. I eat like a teenage football player in his prime. I'm never not hungry." She turned away, washing the plates in the sink. "Please get extra cheese and pepperoni."

I barely heard her request. Stuck on the words she just spoke before. Loving Jane Rizzoli.

Loving Jane Rizzoli.

I didn't want to jump to conclusions or call Jane out on her impeccable investigation skills. But she was dead on as I left the kitchen to retrieve my phone. I was in love with her. I was completely on board with loving Jane Rizzoli. I just hoped Jane felt the same and my next move wouldn't be a terrible mistake.