XXXXXXX

Jane made good time back to Boston and in an effort to thwart her mother, she had asked her mother to meet her at her apartment. She figured she could get her in and out and then head over to Maura's. She still didn't know what she was going to say to Maura, but she had to see her. She was lost in thought trying to figure out what she could say to Maura, she didn't hear her mother come in.

"Jane? Jane? Janie?"

Jane spun around and realized her mother was speaking to her. "Ma...hey." She walked into her mother's outstretched arms and hugged her. "Miss me?"

Angela kissed her on the cheek and replied, "Of course I did." She pulled back and looked at Jane. "You see Maura yet?"

"Uh, no. Why?"

Angela shrugged. "No reason. I just thought you might wanna see her before me."

Jane shook her head. "No Ma. I mean, I'm gonna see her after we're done. I have some things we need to go over."

Angela gave her daughter a small smile. "Ok. How about the two of you come over for family dinner tomorrow night?"

"I'll ask Maura."

"Don't ask Jane, tell her. Now, head on over to Maura's and I'll start your laundry."

XXXXXXXXXX

Maura's House

Maura Isles opened the door to find Jane Rizzoli on her doorstep. The detective looked tired, but good. Her hair was in a ponytail, and her leather jacket hugged her in all the right places.

"Jane, come in." She stepped aside and as soon as the raven haired woman was inside, she shut the door and allowed Jane to kiss her. Jane was trying to take it further, when Maura stopped her. "Jane, hold on...wait...stop."

Jane immediately stopped and let go of Maura. "What's wrong?"

"We need to talk. I need to know where we stand. Are we together? Broken-up? Friends with benefits? What?"

Jane nodded and motioned toward the couch. "Let's talk."

"I'm going to make tea." Maura needed a few more minutes to figure out exactly what she wanted to say.

They sat on Maura's couch, sipping tea and looking everywhere but at each other. Jane had finally gotten a good look at Maura and saw that she had bags under her eyes.

"Maura, the last six weeks were largely unproductive. We identified one guy who is likely an apprentice, but he's AWOL. We don't know if he's alive or dead, where he is...nothing."

"Jane...that's not unproductive. That's more than we had when you left for New York." She watched as Jane shrugged. "So now what?"

"I think that's up to you. It's still dangerous and it will be until Hoyt is dead. Maybe even after. I will not put you in danger, but I also can't let you go. I love you too much."

"Like Olivia loves Alex." It was a statement, not a question. "What is their status?"

Jane took Maura's hand. "Yes, like that." She chuckled. "Olivia and Noah have moved into the bottom apartment of Alex's brownstone. Alex is in the process of adopting Noah."

"So they're together-ish?"

"It's a start, I think. I don't know."

Maura nodded. "So, where does that leave us?"

"No clue." She looked at Maura. "Do you have any ideas we might use?"

Maura stood up and held her hand out. "None I want to discuss right now. Come on."

Jane followed Maura up the steps and waited as the blonde turned to face her. Maura put both arms around Janes neck and leaned up to kiss the detective. It was a deep, slow, sensual kiss. As she pulled back she looked Jane in the eyes and whispered, "I want you to make love to me. Slowly, deliberately and show me you love me."

Jane gave a slight nod of her head and leaned back in to kiss her again. She began to unzip Maura's dress, surprised to find the doctor naked beneath the garment. She slowly moved down her body, taking the dress with her, helping Maura step out of it. Looking up, she whispered, "You are so beautiful and I love you so much. If anything were to happen to you..." Jane couldn't finish that thought as she felt tears sting her eyes.

"I'm right here Jane. Stand up." Jane did as asked and allowed Maura to undress her. Maura kissed her again. "Touch me." She took Jane's hand and guided it to her center.

"Bed." Jane, rubbing Maura's clit, walked them backwards until they were on the bed, Jane on top. She spent the better part of the next hour worshiping Maura's lips, her breasts and finally her center. She moved slowly, reverently and wanted to give Maura as much pleasure and love as she could. She held the smaller woman as she finished shuddering. Maura smiled at her.

"You make me feel so safe and loved. Really loved." She positioned herself over Jane and gave the detective the same treatment she had been given. As she held Jane, she let out a heavy sigh. "Jane? I don't want us to end up like Olivia and Alex."

"We won't, Maura."

"So...we're going to tell your family, go public, move in together and all that good stuff?"

"NO! No, no, not yet."

Maura sat up. "Why? Because some serial killer in prison may come after us? Me?"

"Yes. Exactly." Now Jane was sitting up.

"No, Jane. I will not live my life in fear. No. Yes, Hoyt is dangerous, but either one of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow, and die."

"Don't be ridiculous, Maura. It's not the same."

"Not exactly, no. But Jane, how long am I supposed to wait? You? Are you just going to go around living half of a life?"

"No, but...what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to understand that we made love tonight. And that we are still broken up, so we will not be making love again unless we are truly together. Out in the open, unafraid or deterred by the threat of the boogeyman." She kissed Jane on the cheek. "And I need you to stay in my life, as my best friend."

"So...we are...breaking up?"

"Technically, we are already broken up, but yes." She looked away. "Not for lack of love or lust, or wanting." She looked back. "Jane, I mean it, you are the only real friend I have. I trust you to not abandon me. Please?"

Jane held her pinky out. "I pinky swear that I will never abandon you." She motioned with her pinky finger at Maura, who finally hooked her pinky to Jane's.

"Jane, I want you to hold me tonight, ok?" Jane wrapped Maura in her arms and they fell asleep until morning.

As Jane was about to leave the next morning, she suddenly remembered her mother's invitation. "Hey Maura, Ma expects us for family dinner tonight." At Maura's look, she added, "Us being best friends and all." Seeing the hurt that flashed across Maura's eyes, she softened her voice and added, "Maura, hey, come on. You're family now and you can't get rid of us!" She kissed Maura on the forehead. "I love you Maura."