Noemi woke with her back pressed to Aarna's back. She rolled to wrap her arms around the curling form of her favourite person. She pressed her face in to Aarna's warm shoulder blades and breathed in Aarna.

'Mmmph,' Aarna moaned as she made room for Noemi to wrap around her. It was the same mmmph she made every morning. It made Noemi's heart ache with the familiarity of it.

'Good morning Mahál.' Noemi whispered in to Aarna's skin. She let her fingers trace patterns over Aarna's naked torso.

'Too early,' Aarna grunted without bothering to move Noemi's hands away.

Noemi smiled in to Aarna's back, pressing a soft kiss to her spine. It elicited her favourite kind of shivers from her lover. 'I was thinking…'

'Noie,' Aarna whined. Noemi froze, her fingers stopping in place, not certain what Aarna needed.

'Too much?' Noemi asked softly, wishing she could see her face.

Aarna obliged her by rolling over and scooting down so they could be face to face. She pressed a tender kiss to Noemi's lips. 'Its too early to multi-task, okay?' She smiled brilliantly and Noemi couldn't stop her own smile from shining back. She loved mornings with Aarna. Especially lazy ones.

'Okay,' Noemi whispered, 'so tell me what you want.'

Aarna reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Noemi's ear. 'I want you,' Aarna whispered gently back, 'all of you.' She pressed a kiss to Noemi's forehead, 'so tell me what you were thinking.' Noemi isn't sure if that was the choice she wanted Aarna to make. She felt her lips pout without her permission and felt an embarrassing heat raise in her cheeks. Aarna laughed as she watched Noemi's face, 'and then we can continue where those lovely fingers of yours left off okay?'

Noemi blushed harder but nodded. She tugged softly at Aarna's hip, pulling her as close as they could get. Noemi wasn't sure if she was trying to usher away the cold or simply protect them from the world. Maybe it didn't matter. 'What if we requested the same service location?' Aarna's eyes flickered to their desks where they each had half finished paperwork for their post-academy posting.

'The same posting. So we'd be together?' Aarna asked, eyebrows raising.

Noemi nodded, her eyes averting from Aarna's. She found herself staring at the soft crook of Aarna's neck. Her fingers swept automatically across Aarna's clavicle, tenderly, mindlessly. Aarna shivered but did not stop her. 'You said you didn't want to break up after the academy. So what if we didn't? What if we got to be together? Like this. Every morning.' Noemi nestled her way forward to press a kiss to Aarna's throat. She felt Aarna gulp.

'Is that what you want?' Aarna asks, her voice gravelly with desire.

'I want to never stop doing this,' Noemi whispered as her lips pressed against the junction between Aarna's neck and clavicle, pulling a moan from Aarna's mouth.

Aarna's hands grabbed at Noemi's head, tugging her from her hiding place to look her in the eyes. 'East or West Coast?'

'Is that a yes?' Noemi asked, feeling vulnerable and wide open.

For a moment, Noemi sees a spark of mischief in Aarna's eyes. Noemi is certain she is about to be teased but then Aarna's eyes soften, 'I'd go anywhere with you Noemi Baccay. So East or West?'

'I'd like to stay in a big city,' Noemi says biting her lower lip, 'I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb because we're brown. And I'd like to stay somewhat close to my Lola.'

'So you want to request a posting in DC?' Noemi isn't certain but she thinks she sees a flash of disappointment on Aarna's face.

'No, actually,' Noemi says pressing a kiss to the corner of Aarna's mouth. 'East coast, yes, but not here. I want to go somewhere where we don't have to hide. I want to give this a real shot.'

Aarna's grin said it all. 'So maybe just a few hours away?'

'If that's alright with you?' Noemi nodded.

'Sure, everything is happening on the East Coast anyways. There's New York and Boston and a hundred other cities we could request. We could even do Chicago or Atlanta.'

'So since I chose the coast, maybe you should choose the city,' Noemi said softly.

Aarna shook her head, 'not me. We. If we're going to be a real couple then we should make this decision together.'

Noemi smiled in to the kiss Aarna gave her. 'So what do you think our chances of getting the same posting are?'

Aarna's face fell, her brow furrowing together. 'I'm not sure. I'd ask Agent Rizzoli but I think I used up most of my credit with her.'

'You did?' Noemi asked, surprised by this revelation, 'how'd you do that?'

Aarna flinched, pulling away to sit up. 'You aren't going to like this.' Noemi followed trying to recapture Aarna in her arms but Aarna shrugged her off with an apologetic look, 'I told her about our investigation.'

'You what?' Noemi asked, hearing the shrill alarm in her voice.

'We weren't going to get anywhere Noie. She needed to know,' Aarna said softly, 'so I told her.'

Noemi launched from bed, scrabbling to find clothes, feeling too vulnerable to be naked at the moment. 'You didn't think I deserved to know you were ruining my career.' She snatched a pair of Aarna's sweats, pulling them on, cursing when the legs were too long.

Aarna turned away, 'I didn't tell her you were involved. I told her it was me and only me.'

For a moment, Noemi's anger turned to horror, her stomach sinking. 'You did what?'

Tears were tracing a path down Aarna's cheeks now and her voice cracked with emotion, 'I told her you weren't involved. No one can prove otherwise.' Noemi felt rooted to her spot. Her stomach churned, her heart ached. 'It was all my idea. I couldn't let you take the fall.'

Noemi's anger flared, 'I thought we were in this together.' Aarna didn't answer. Noemi pulled a hoodie on thrusting her arms through. 'I'm going to tell her it wasn't just you.'

'She knows,' Aarna whispered, 'she didn't believe me for a second. She wants both of our notes on the subject.'

'So my career is on the line?' Noemi shot back.

Aarna shook her head, 'no. Officially, I did it all on my own.'

'How could you do this?' Noemi asked, her anger rolling out in fat tears. 'How could you think I wouldn't want to accept my responsibility in this? How could you put yourself on the line like this? How could you not trust me?' Aarna buried her face in her knees her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. It was the first time Noemi had seen Aarna fall apart so completely. Her anger dissipated at the sight of it. Noemi sank slowly back on to the bed. She reached out tentatively to rub Aarna's back. 'Mahál? Talk to me?' Her voice was softer this time, laced with concern instead of anger.

Noemi rubbed softly, sitting in silence as Aarna pulled herself together. Finally, Aarna whispered, 'I'm sorry. You should get to be mad. You shouldn't be comforting me.'

For a moment, Noemi felt a flash of anger but it faded quickly, 'how about you stop trying to tell me what I should be doing or feeling and you focus on telling me what's going on, okay?' It was harsh but Noemi hoped Aarna could hear the undercurrents there.

Aarna sniffed and nodded, 'there are things we haven't said to each other Noemi. Things that would make all of this so much more… more. So we avoid it and we dance around it but it doesn't change my feelings. How real they are for you. How deep.' Noemi felt her cheeks heat up. Aarna was talking about love. 'I'd do anything to protect you Noie. Even if it meant giving up a career in the FBI.'

Noemi frowned, 'and what about what I want?' Aarna looked at her then, her eyes wide and brimming with more emotions than Noemi would ever be able to decipher. 'I want to be your partner. Your equal. Which means equally responsible. Which means equally in danger. I'm going to be an FBI agent too. You can't protect me from the job any more than I could protect you.'

'You're right,' Aarna all but whimpered, 'I'm sorry.'

Noemi tugged Aarna gently back until she was wrapped in her arms. 'For the record, I feel all those things too. You're right. It is real. And deep. I won't say it now because you deserve so much more than to have it said for the first time after a fight but I feel it.'

'Yeah?' Aarna whispered, burying herself further in to Noemi's arms. She felt more than heard, Noemi's affirmation, 'we'll say it after graduation, okay?'

'Okay,' Noemi whispered in to Aarna's hair. 'Now let's go talk to Agent Rizzoli. We have notes to give her and a posting to figure out.'

Aarna nodded, pulling away with a wry smile, 'okay but you might have to change. You're wearing my clothes.'

Noemi glanced down and saw that she was indeed wearing Aarna's sweat pants and hoodie. She sighed, of course even in an angry hurry she would grab all things Aarna. 'You can have the pants back, they're too long anyways. But I'm keeping the hoodie, it smells like you.' She burrowed her head down in to the collar and took a deep breath.

Aarna stared at her bashfully, 'you look good in it but aren't you worried someone will notice?'

Noemi thought about it as she changed pants. She expected to find the familiar tint of panic in her thoughts but she didn't. She shrugged, 'if they notice I'll just tell them I got dressed in a hurry but honestly if our fellow recruits haven't put it together by now, I don't think they're going to.'

'Some ace detectives they are,' Aarna said with a grin. Some of the hurt in her eyes had been replaced with a twinkle of mischief, just the way Noemi liked them.

Noemi watched as her lover stood, stretched her long form in a tantalising manner before getting dressed. Noemi gulped as she watched Aarna grab Noemi's sweat shirt and pull in on, winking at Noemi when it settled in to place on her chest. Her mouth was suddenly dry. She liked seeing Aarna in her clothes. 'if they ask I'll just explain that you took my hoodie first,' Aarna said with a teasing grin.

'Right,' Noemi said with a chuckle, 'of course.' Noemi grabbed her keys and held the door open for a laughing Aarna.


Jane had been surprised by the door bell ringing. When the dogs went crazy, Jane had a heartbreaking thought that maybe Maura had flown home early to surprise them all. She knew it was a silly thought but she missed Maura more than anything. Thankfully, Boston and Berry's excitement more than made up for any of Jane's disappointments at seeing Dhar and Bacaay at the door rather than a certain hazel eyed, honey blonde.

'Good morning ladies. What can I do for you?' Jane asked, taking in the two women before her. Dhar was looking away, her hands fidgeting. Baccay looked pale and perhaps a bit ill. Jane stepped aside gesturing the women in to her home, 'are you both okay? You don't look well.' Jane gave them a quick once over as they stepped through the doorway, ensuring they were unharmed.

'We're okay,' Baccay said, 'I just owe you an apology for investigating behind your back. Aarna told me that she told you that it was just her but it was both of us and we'll face the consequences together.' Baccay squeezed Dhar's hand in a reassuring manner.

'I know you were involved and just as I told Dhar, this is on me Baccay. I overshared and then let you both get yourselves in to trouble. I'll do what I can to protect you, both of you, from any consequences.' Jane spoke with authority and reassurance, hoping she could convey how serious it was without letting the girls off the hook too much.

Baccay nodded, the colour returning to her face, 'we brought our notes too.' Baccay held up a notebook. Dhar, after a bit of digging through her messenger bag did the same.

Jane took both, 'thank you. I appreciate that you both are cooperating here.' Baccay and Dhar both looked away, looking properly ashamed. Jane sighed. She couldn't leave them feeling guilty for too long. 'I was just about to go to brunch, that was a lie but Jane could always go for food, 'would you care to join me? My treat.'

Dhar and Baccay exchanged a look that made Jane ache for Maura. She sighed, feeling a bit forlorn as she let the women finish whatever conversation they were having. She fiddled with her phone, debating texting Maura. A smile from Dhar told Jane that her offer had been accepted. 'Sure Agent Rizzoli, brunch sounds great.'

Jane smiled, 'you can call me Jane, you know, if we're doing brunch and all.'

Dhar and Baccay looked at her wide eyed, then at each other and then back at her. At last, Dhar said 'only if you call us by our first names.'

Jane grinned, shrugging, 'sounds good to me, the dogs have already claimed you.' She gestured at the dogs who were sitting on top of the recruits feet. 'I'll drive,' Jane said, leading the girls back out to her car.

A quick google brought up directions to a decent looking brunch place. After a second, Jane sent a quick text to Maura too: 'Grabbing brunch with Dhar and Baccay! Wish you were here though. Miss you lots!' After that, she sent a pile of hearts and kissing faces. It was more gushy then she usually liked to be but Jane really missed Maura. She couldn't quite stop herself.

Jane wasn't surprised to hear her phone ding in response on their drive over. She did resist the temptation to check it until they parked though. Maura had texted back: 'Brunch sounds amazing! Get the french toast for me?! I miss you terribly and I love you so much!' Jane smiled only to look up in to two sets of mischievous eyes.

'Ooh,' Aarna said, 'she's got it bad.'

'Uh huh,' Noemi said in response.

'Get outta the car,' Jane said flapping her hands at the recruits, 'get! Before I make you buy me brunch!' Their laughter followed them out of the car but Jane couldn't feel too bad about it. The ladies teasing was too good hearted and Jane, honestly, couldn't help the fact that Maura made her happier than she'd ever been. Besides, Jane suspected she'd have plenty of opportunity to get the pair of them back over brunch.

Jane did order the french toast, telling herself it was what she wanted and not some pathetic attempt to feel closer to Maura. She tried not to let the ladies see her text a picture of it to Maura. A single raised eyebrow from Noemi told her she had been caught but Jane could cope with that. Noemi wasn't quite as big a handful as Aarna could be. Jane smiled when Maura texted her back a picture of her own plate of french toast. Jane's heart twisted. It wasn't anywhere close to enough but it was kind of like sharing the morning with Maura.

'So,' Jane asked as she cut in to her toast, 'how are you both feeling about your upcoming finals?'

'Good,' Aarna said with a smile at Noemi that was sweet and proud, 'we've got this. Noie has a whole study schedule outlined. I wouldn't be surprised if she aces every test.'

Noemi blushed and pushed the food around on her plate, 'as if you won't.'

Aarna grinned, watching Noemi with a smile that looked just like the one Jane wore when she looked at Maura. 'We actually had a question about our postings after graduation.'

'Oh,' Jane said. She wasn't sure she knew the answer. She had insulate herself fairly well from the rest of the policies and procedures at the FBI. 'Shoot?'

'If we requested the same posting,' Noemi started, looking blatantly uncomfortable, 'what would the chances be of both of us getting it?'

Jane looked between the pair of them, 'not great. Most agencies only have one or two slots for rookies. You'd fare better if you went in to different divisions.'

Aarna's hand disappeared under the table and Jane could see Noemi relax slightly. Aarna answered for them, 'that was already the plan. We have different interests.'

Jane nodded, running her hand through her hair as she thought, 'it would help if you declared your relationship. There are exemptions permitted for such circumstances.' Jane knew as soon as she said it that she had hit a sore point. Aarna's hand reappeared, her head turning away in something that looked an awful lot like grief. Noemi's fists balled on the table as she glared at Jane. Jane accepted the glare, merely raising an eyebrow in response. 'I take it that's not an option?'

Aarna shook her head still refusing to look at either of them, 'not at the moment, I'm afraid.' Her voice was certainly guarded.

'It might be in time,' Noemi said softly. She touched Aarna's shoulder hesitantly, willing her to turn.

Jane looked away, sipping her orange juice thoughtfully as she tried to give them a moment of privacy. 'Then you have two options. Look for offices that have openings in the divisions you both want or look for openings in cities close to each other. Like a DC/Baltimore option. If you do as well as I expect you both to on your final exams, you'll be the top recruits coming out of the program this round. You should get your first picks. Of course, there's no guarantees and no accounting for racism or sexism. You might be skipped over because some jackass is in charge.'

The women nodded, as though they knew this all along. 'Thanks Jane,' Aarna spoke softly, sharing a sad glance with Noemi.

'Are you thinking of making this,' Jane gestured between the pair of them, 'a more long term thing? I mean, I know you're both from different cities. I kinda thought you might call it quits after the academy.'

'I'd like to try,' Noemi said, looking in Aarna's eyes, her chin jutting forward defiantly.

'It'll be hard,' Aarna whispered, her eyes sweeping over Noemi's face. Jane had the distinct sensation of not really being part of the conversation any more. 'Especially if we end up in different cities.'

'I still want to try,' Noemi replied softly back, 'I don't want to lose you. Even if it takes trains, planes, and automobiles.'

Jane decided to excuse herself there. They needed a moment and Jane needed… well, Jane needed Maura. She was hitting the call button before she was even out of the restaurant. She listened to the phone ringing, willing Maura to answer.

'Doctor Isles,' Maura's voice said over the phone, washing over Jane like the first wave of water in a shower.

'Maur,' Jane said reverently.

'Jane? What's wrong?' Maura asked, immediately alarmed.

'Nothing,' Jane said quickly, 'I just really, really needed to hear your voice.'

'Oh,' Maura sounded like she was blushing. Jane loved hearing it and hated that she couldn't see it. 'How's brunch?'

'Good,' Jane said softly, 'the recruits are trying to sort out their relationship issues.'

'I'm sorry to hear that.' Maura offered, 'what seems to be the problem?'

'They might not be posted together after the academy,' Jane explained, 'and I think they're trying to figure out if they can make the distance worth it.'

'Is it?' Maura asked, a tremble in her voice.

'Is what Maur?' Jane asked, feeling like they were having two different conversations.

'Is the distance worth it?' Jane could hear it now, the unasked question in Maura's head.

'Yes,' Jane said softly, 'obviously I want to be with you. Always. But you're out there being a badass and I couldn't be prouder. I miss you like hell but I know that you'll be home to me soon. That will always be worth the wait.'

'I agree. I can't wait to be home,' Maura said in a way that made Jane feel like she was being embraced. 'Is there really no way for the two of them to be posted together?'

'Did you have something in particular in mind?' Jane asked.

Jane could hear the smile in Maura's voice, 'well we have connections. We could call in some favours.'

'You mean you have some connections and you could call in some favours,' Jane said teasingly.

'Well, yes,' Maura says bashfully, 'but do you really think they wouldn't listen to an FBI Instructor who brought down Charles Hoyt, his apprentices and Paddy Doyle? You have weight Jane. Pull it.'

'You think? But all my weights in Boston.' Jane said thoughtfully, tugging at her hair.

'So encourage them to go for Boston,' Maura said simply.

Jane glanced inside to see Aarna waving her back, 'yeah. I'll do that. I got to go Maura but…' Jane hesitated. She wanted to say so much more than words could, 'I miss you with every atom and I love you with all my DNA.'

Maura laughed on the other side of the phone, 'that's not possible Jane but I appreciate the attempt. I miss you and your beautiful face. I love you. Have a good brunch. Call me later?'

'Always.' Jane said with a smile, 'bye love.'

Back at the table, Jane smiled as she settled in to her seat. 'Did you two decide what you want?' Both women nodded at her. Jane could see the uncertainty but she also saw something that looked like determination in both of their eyes. They'd be alright and Jane could help.

'How's Doctor Isles?' Aarna asked wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Jane blushed, 'she's fine. She actually recommended Boston for you two.'

'Boston?' Noemi asked. 'Why Boston?'

Jane looked between the pair of them. Noemi looked skeptical and a bit confused. Aarna on the other hand, had a pleading look on her face. Jane nodded once at Aarna. She'd do what she could, even if she couldn't promise anything. With Maura's help, they would find a home for the pair. 'Boston's beautiful. Best city in the world. So why not Boston?' Jane kept her voice light and non-committal.

'I love Boston,' Aarna said with a smile. In a surprising display of affection, she placed a careful hand on top of Noemi's and urged her with a look to trust.

Noemi shrugged, 'their baseball team sucks but I guess I could do Boston.'

'Hey!' Jane said with a yelp. She threw a piece of uneaten toast at Noemi, 'take that back!'

Aarna laughed as her lover yelped, fending off pieces of toast with her hands. Jane couldn't help the cheesy smile on her face, even as she continued her assault. Life was hard but Jane had hope for these two, they had love and that was better than most.