A/N: thank you all so much for the comments so far! I had wanted to upload this as a complete story but I'll be completely honest and say that a large amount of motivation and inspiration comes from knowing that people actually do want to read more. Which for all of you means more chapters than originally planned ;)

Maura perched on a swivel chair at the end of Jane's desk. They both craned their necks to look closely at an image on the screen in front of them. The bullpen was humming with activity and nobody noticed Officer Sullivan entering the room.

She cleared her throat,

"Excuse me, Detective Rizzoli." she said.

Jane and Maura jumped at her sudden appearance. Maura moved to stand but Jane put her hand out to cover Maura's, silently inviting her to stay seated.

"Yeah, what's up Officer?"

"I was sent up with these." Eva offered out a handful of evidence bags containing micro SD cards. "From the scene techs. They said they had to come straight to you. Please could you sign them over for me?"

"Sure." Jane stood and moved toward an empty table to sign the evidence into her possession. When she bent down, Eva took a step closer and said in a hushed tone,

"You never called me again. Do you want to see each other again some time?"

"Really?" Jane asked and gave her a sideward glance. Her eyes darted over to Maura for a split second when she noticed the blonde walking in their direction. Eva shrugged.

"It was good. I'd do it again some time." She said in a cocky tone.

Maura placed herself between the two women and smiled.

"Officer Sullivan. It's nice to see you. How are you coping with your first homicide case?" She asked. Her tone sounded genuine but she reached out and patted Jane's arm. The small yet protective gesture didn't go unregistered and Eva stiffened.

"It's a challenge, Doctor Isles, but I'm up to it." She said

Jane scoffed, put down her pen and handed the paperwork back to Eva. As she did, she gently rested her free hand on the small of Maura's back. Something she had done multiple times before and yet this time it felt protective and somewhat possessive. Maura felt her body temperature rise and her confidence grow.

"Thank you, Officer Sullivan. I'll get these to Nina to look at now." Jane said in a raised tone.

Eva left without another word, and used the stairs to avoid turning around in the elevator and waiting for the doors to close.

"What did she ask you?" Maura asked Jane when they were seated back at her desk. Jane didn't look at her as she answered.

"If I would like to see her again some time." She replied. She tapped her pen on the desk and Maura recognised the sign of irritation in Jane.

"And would you?"

"No, Maur!" Jane retorted, a little louder than she had intended. She dropped her voice. "No. She scratched an itch, that's all. I don't want to see her again." She reached over and squeezed Maura's hand once again. Maura turned her own hand over and took Jane's.

"Can I talk to you in my office?" She asked and tugged on Jane's hand. Jane stood and followed her to the elevator.

Jane held the door to the Medical Examiner's office for Maura the same way she always did, only this time Maura truly noticed it. She reached back and squeezed her hand in thanks before locking the door and closing the blinds. Jane looked at her quizzically.

"There is no privacy up in homicide and this is an important conversation." Explained Maura. "Jane, you're my best and most valued friend and I feel I've been lying by omission,"

"Mau-" Jane began, but Maura cut her off.

"Please, can I say what I need to before I lose my nerve?" Her tone was kind and sincere. Jane nodded and gestured for her to go on, "A few days ago, after your, erm, evening with Officer Sullivan. I was in the Café and I heard her talking with one of the other officers."

"You were eavesdropping?" Jane said with a feigned yet playful shocked tone. "Doctor Isles!"

"I may have been eavesdropping…" Maura continued as she sat on the couch beside the detective. "But it's important. Things have changed between us, and in my opinion it is for the good. I am enjoying exploring the new facet of our relationship." She paused and smoothed her skirt. A coy smile crept over her face.

"Come onnnnnn Maura, spit it out." Jane pleaded and shifted to the edge of her seat.

"I overheard Officer Sullivan say that you…" her voice trailed off and she looked Jane in the eyes "You called my name when you were in bed with her."

Jane turned white. Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest and her mouth went dry. She never would have imagined that was how Maura had realised there was more than friendship between them. She knew that her expression had given her away and that she had to be frank with the incredible woman beside her or else she would lose her for good.

"I did." She whispered.

Maura hesitated before leaning forward and taking Jane's hands in her own. She stared into the deep dark eyes facing her before leaning in carefully and meeting Jane's lips with her own.

Fireworks went off behind her eyes. Every sense in her body was heightened by the soft touch of Jane Rizzoli's lips. This was the one thing she had dreamed of for so long. She felt Jane's hands let go of her own and reach up to softly cup her face. She sighed into their embrace before breaking it and resting her forehead against Jane's. Her heart was beating so hard that she felt sure Jane would be able to hear it.

She sat back slightly and reached to tuck an unruly curl behind Jane's ear. Taking in the face before her she saw a new glimmer in Jane's eye. A little shine that told her she had most definitely made the correct decision with the most positive outcome this time.

"Can I do that again?" Jane asked quietly. Maura nodded in response.

Shifting closer and placing her hands on Maura's hips, Jane captured her lips in a more fevered kiss. Her breathing quickened and she nibbled Maura's lower lip. Maura opened her mouth in response and a small, sweet moan escaped her throat. She felt Jane smile into their kiss before she broke it again, her breathing becoming ragged.

"We're at work, Jane." Maura whispered, reaching up and running her thumbs over Jane's high cheek bones.

"Yup." Came Jane's reply. There was a pause and the detective sat back to look at Maura. "And I want to do this properly. You're not an itch Maur. I want to take you out, like a lady. Let me do this properly?"