With Constance gone on her month-long work trip, Jane and Maura were left to enjoy the nice duplex by themselves. Maura had excused the kitchen staff for the day as she hoped that she and Jane would be able to do their Sunday tradition of making breakfast together. As Jane sliced the oranges and pressed them into the juicer, Maura was keeping an eye on the turkey bacon.

Jane sets her knife down, wanting to focus on the conversation that they are about to have.

"Maur?"

Turning her head slightly, Maura looks at Jane. "Yes?"

"I don't want you to think that I was being a snoop or anything," Jane says, "But I was down here one night getting a glass of water when I went through the mail, you know, since I put this place as my temporary address. I noticed that there was a piece of mail addressed to you from the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Virginia."

Maura places the bacon on the plates beside her, turning off the stove before it slips her mind. "Oh. Yes. I had reached out to them regarding a matter."

Jane doesn't want to pry, but she is also curious. Approaching the subject with care, she decides to ask another question. "Was it for a case you're working on?"

Grabbing another iron skillet, Maura heats it up as she waits to crack the eggs into them. "No, it was actually a personal matter."

"Ah," Jane says. She gets the feeling that Maura didn't want to discuss it, so she stops pursuing it. Her desire to glean the truth was a useful skill in her profession, but it often caused her to cross boundaries during personal relationships. She was teaching herself when to stop and this was a good place to practice that.

"Their current chief medical examiner is about to retire. There is a position opening up at the end of the year and I applied for it," Maura says, all without any prodding from Jane.

Jane throws the hand towel over her shoulder as she places her hands on her hips. "Oh?"

"The position is mine if I want it," Maura states.

"Do you-do you want it?" Jane questions, not knowing the reasoning behind Maura's actions.

As their eyes meet, Jane feels like she is drowning in the intensity of Maura's hazel eyes.

"I want you, Jane. And if that means having to move to a different state to pursue you for the rest of my life, that may be something I would consider."

Jane shifts her weight on her arms as she places them on Maura's countertop. "I would never ask you to do that for me."

Maura flips an egg effortlessly. "I know, and I wasn't doing it because I thought you would ask. I know you wouldn't do something like that. I just wanted to keep my options open."

At that moment, Jane wants to tell Maura so badly about the FBI job in Boston, but she decides to bite her tongue for a while longer, at least until it is a sure thing that she is headed off to special agent training. Jane had plenty of applications to fill out and favors to call in before that. Instead, she walks over to Maura, enveloping the other woman in a sincere hug, hoping that her appreciation can be conveyed through an embrace. The two women enjoy their breakfast, stealing glances at one another and smiling as they catch each other doing so. Jane couldn't help but feel as if things were finally working out.

Brandon Wilson threw his whiskey glass against the wall, finding satisfaction in the way the glass shatters against the white paint. He throws his chair at the same spot, splintering the wood as he brings his boot down on it, crushing whatever was previously left intact. News had traveled fast and Brandon had learned that Marie was in custody, which threw a wrench in their plans. He knew that he should have been more insistent with Marie when she told him that it was a better idea for him to remain in the shadows for now. When they had argued about it, she had told him bluntly that his temper was too uncontrollable. Sure, she had a point, but Brandon would have gotten the job done. Now, they were down one man and at risk of failing the mission.

"You're like a bull on steroids. Everyone knows that you have issues with your temper and if that temper flares up in the field, then we are screwed," Marie had said. "The goal is to bring them back alive and there's no way you would let that happen once you started seeing red. Those women would end up dead and we would be next after they found out how we messed up."

Brandon had yelled back at her, the vein in his forehead threatening to burst out against the surface of his skin. He had told her that he was more than capable of controlling his impulses, but still, she had remained uncompromising. Thus, she had left to complete the task of kidnapping Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles alone, saying that Brandon needed to rest up and polish his skills for the next stage of their mission, which was interrogation and torture. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed Marie's expertise and skills, which meant that he needed to figure out a way to get Marie out of police custody and back with him. He pours himself another generous serving of whiskey, enjoying the way it burned his throat as he brainstormed ways that he could accomplish that. The sooner he could pull it off, the less likely it would get back to those above them and the less likely there would be consequences for their mistakes. Their deep cover agent, Director Patel, had been caught, which meant that they were already several steps behind. The bureau had been shocked to discover that a man with such a high position had been dirty, so security had doubled down and agents were being investigated left and right. It was only a matter of time before Brandon was called in and he was sure that they would trace him back to Olivia and Liam Santos inevitably.

Time was running out.

Maura was visiting an old friend from her boarding school, which meant that Jane had the afternoon to herself. She was grateful, as this meant that she could call the governor and send in her application for FBI academy training without Maura catching wind of what she was doing. With her laptop pulled up, she begins filling out the application, providing information on virtually every aspect of her life. With her mind occupied and a beer in her hands, she doesn't realize how fast time has passed by until Maura sends her a text.

Just wanted to let you know that I am safe. We are having a good time and headed back to Adeline's place for some drinks. Don't wait up."

Ignoring the pang of jealousy that hit her just now, Jane sends back a thumbs up. She didn't want to be overbearing and ask what time Maura planned to be back or whether she would be spending the night. Maura was a grown woman and like it or not, she was free to do whatever she pleased considering that they were not officially together. Adeline had been a crush of Maura's, but that was years ago, and Jane tried to console herself in the fact that Maura had clearly expressed her feelings for Jane, giving her no reason to do anything romantic or sexual with another woman. Still, her thoughts slipped from her grasp the longer the night went on.

Adeline was a gracious host, offering to cook Maura another meal after their dinner had been disappointing. Maura had considered the offer, which was why the two women were on their way back to Adeline's, tipsy from several glasses of expensive wine.

Adeline had worked her way through the ranks of her fashion company, from being a lighting assistant to a photographer to eventually becoming the Creative Director at the largest and most profitable company in France. They had caught each other up on their professional endeavors, even sharing a few stories about their romantic partners as they laughed the night away. Adeline mainly dated women now, which had come as a surprise to Maura, since Adeline had been a boy-crazy adolescent. Although her crush on the woman had faded over the years, Maura recognized that Adeline had remained the confident, intelligent, and extremely attractive woman that she had always been. As they sat together on Adeline's loveseat, Maura watches as a devious look takes over Adeline's face.

"Are you still as uptight as I remember?" Adeline teases.

Maura straightens up, trying to stand up for herself without falling right into Adeline's trap and getting carried away.

"I'll have you know that I have a rebellious streak inside of me. I even got arrested last year for spraying graffiti."

Adeline raises her eyebrows, her grin showing off flawless teeth. "Is that so?"

"Yes. I even spent some time in prison and got accused of murder," Maura says, leaning in.

With her reaction, Maura can tell that Adeline is impressed. "Okay then, let's put that bravery of yours to the test. What do you think about doing a photo shoot for my private collection?"

Maura's heart starts racing, not knowing where this was headed. "Private collection?"

Adeline places her hand above Maura's knee, feeling the edge of where her tight dress clung to Maura's body. "I couldn't help but notice that you have ravishing, toned legs. I would love to have you pose nude for me."

Sensing Maura's shyness, Adeline assures her. "These photos would be for my eyes only. Call it a hobby or an outlet for my fantasies, but I absolutely love photographing beautiful women.

Maura glances at the time, seeing how it was well past midnight. She thinks about how she should head home but given her competitive nature, she found it difficult to back down from the challenge that Adeline had presented. "How nude are we talking?"

"Nude with nothing on that could be a barrier between us and the art we are about to make, Angel."

Standing up, Maura gestures for Adeline to unzip her dress. "Who am I to refuse the opportunity to be a muse? I'll do it for the sake of art."

As Maura strips down to her underwear, Adeline approaches her with a look of hunger. She places herself between Maura's legs and from this close-up, Maura can see how dilated Adeline's eyes are. Adeline spreads Maura's legs even further, capturing the soft skin with a firm hold. She is about to kiss Maura when Maura puts a hand on her chest, stopping her.

"Adeline, I am so sorry," Maura says as she clamors to find her clothing. "I wanted to prove to you that I am not longer the innocent girl that you knew, but in some desperate attempt to earn your approval, I am realizing that I may be taking things too far."

Adeline glances up and down at Maura with amusement. "I have to say, after seeing you pine after me for so many years, I had thought that you would have no resolve to reject my advances."

Maura pulls the dress over her head quickly, ignoring the reckless way she was dressing herself. "I'm in love with someone."

Laughing bitterly, Adeline hands Maura her heels. "Very well, then."

Looking around the room to make sure that she had everything, Maura gives Adeline a short hug. "Take care of yourself and thank you for catching up with me tonight. Goodbye."

Without another word, Maura walked out the door. Adeline shakes her head, cursing under her breath that she had been so close to kissing such a stunning woman.

Maura is still wound up when she returns home and almost trips in her heels as she enters through the front door. Bracing herself on a wall, she wakes Jane up, who has fallen asleep on the couch while waiting for her return.

Jane jolts awake and is alarmed before her eyes register that Maura is the source of the noise. Her mouth curves into a welcoming smile, which makes Maura realize how much she has missed spending time with Jane tonight.

"Hey."

"Hi, Jane. I'm sorry if I woke you up. You didn't need to sleep on the couch while waiting for me."

Jane rubs the sleep from her eyes, stifling a yawn. "No worries, I wouldn't be able to sleep in that bed without you anyways." She looks at Maura's disheveled look. "Did you have a good night?"

Maura sits down on the couch beside Jane, feeling her composure crumple as she thinks about the night's events.

"I enjoyed myself and it was enlightening to be able to spend some time with an old friend, but I'm afraid that we interpreted the intention of tonight's meal with different perspectives," Maura says.

Jane tilts her head quizzically. Maura's words were too advanced for her sleep-riddled brain right now.

"What do you mean?"

Removing her heels, Maura adjusts so her body is underneath the blanket on the couch. "I was so excited about reconnecting with a friend from my past that I may have overlooked her true intentions with me. She asked me to do something and suddenly I was back in primary school again, wanting to do things outside of my comfort zone in order to please the popular girls at school."

Jane sits up, looking intently at Maura. "She made you do something that you weren't comfortable with doing? What did she do, Maura?"

"It wasn't against my will, but I thought that I was doing it for the sake of art. Which as you know, is one of my weaknesses," Maura said, deciding to start over from the beginning to give Jane some context. "She asked me to pose for some photographs for hers and perhaps I was too overzealous to be her muse because she made a move on me."

Jane looks sullen as she realizes that her overthinking earlier tonight may have had some basis. "Oh."

"I was foolish to agree in the first place, especially considering that she had requested that I pose for her in the nude."

Pushing her own emotions aside to comfort Maura, Jane puts her arms around the other woman. "You always think the best of people and that is an admirable trait," she says. "You had a massive crush on Adeline, didn't you? That must have been weird, having her finally reciprocate after all these years."

Sometimes Maura forgets that this woman is her best friend first and foremost. She knew that it must have been difficult for Jane to hear about her night and she was grateful to have Jane, a woman who always prioritized other people's feelings before her own. However, Maura also didn't want her to get the wrong idea.

"In a way, yes. Although, it was no longer gratifying to have her return the feelings and it made me realize that it was simply a schoolgirl crush. I excused myself immediately and came straight home.

"Oh, Maura," Jane says, lightly brushing her fingers through the honey blonde's hair. "I'm so sorry that happened."

Maura feels better now in the presence of Jane and finds herself getting over the situation much faster than usual. "I'm a grown woman and some part of me still chases after the approval that I need to earn from others," she says with lament.

Jane offers her hand, which Maura swiftly accepts. "You never need to earn my approval or anyone else's. You are an amazing woman in your own right." She raises an eyebrow. "Nude?"

A laugh escapes Maura's lips, which sounds like music to Jane's ears. "Yes. Both I only made it down to my underwear before I stopped things."

"Mm," Jane says, remembering how good Maura looked in her lingerie the night that she had stripped down in front of Jane to tease her. Out of respect for Maura and her upsetting night, she holds herself back from expressing that attraction at this moment.

"What did you do tonight?" Maura asks, getting up from the couch to put her belongings back into their rightful places.

Jane thinks about the application sitting open on her laptop. "I watched some TV, sat around and had a few beers, thought about the direction that I want my career to take. You know. A typical night."

Maura chuckles, extending an arm to Jane to encourage her to join her in going upstairs. "Sounds fulfilling. Any epiphanies?"

Slipping her hand into Maura's, Jane takes a moment, thinking about how much she wanted to be able to climb into bed with this woman every night. Maura had been willing to change the course of her career and move to an entirely different state, which she knew would be challenging for the woman, considering how long it took for her to be accustomed to the people at BPD. Jane was incredibly touched that Maura had done this without any hesitation, just so the two women would be able to remain close to each other. For once in her life, Jane's career was no longer at the forefront of her mind, nor was her fear of commitment. She wanted to give Maura everything.

"Yeah, a few," she says with a smile as the two women proceed up the stairs with their hands clasped together.