Several hours later, Maura woke up feeling much more rested than she had in days. She looked down at the beautiful, sleeping woman in her arms with a fond smile. Maura was shocked that after more than eight years of friendship, Jane had managed to surprise her today. Never would Maura have thought that Jane would have been the one to initiate a conversation about feelings and sex. That Jane would remain physically and emotionally present for the duration of a tough conversation, only backing down when she sensed their mutual exhaustion. Jane Rizzoli was a deceptively complex woman. The Jane the world saw was loud, messy, brash, and hard. Maura was honored that she was able to see the other side of Jane, the one that was kind and sweet and could be vulnerable. Maura lay in her bed, gently stroking Jane's curls as she thought about the rest of the conversation they had yet to have. Maybe, Jane was ready for a change in their relationship. The Jane that Maura saw today didn't look like she was planning on running away anytime soon. Maura felt Jane begin to stir in her arms as she started to wake up. She saw a sleepy smile and heard Jane's mumble, "good afternoon."

"Jane, do you think it is time to get up and have some dinner? I think your mother will be dropping the food off soon." Maura inquired of her friend.

"Don't wanna," she mumbles burrowing her face into your body. "Too comfortable and warm."

Sleepy Jane is funny, almost toddler like. However, you know that if you both don't get out of bed soon neither of you will be able to sleep tonight. You decide to try once again to rouse her. "Jane, we must get up soon. It's time to open your eyes now."

"Fine," she mumbled as she rolled out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom and closed the door.

Maura shook her head in amusement at Jane's antics, and then began straightening up the room before looking down at her clothing and frowning at the wrinkles. She decided to change into some yoga pants and a soft, rose colored sweater. Maura felt calmer now that she had literally wrapped herself in physical comfort in preparation for another emotionally difficult conversation.

Jane finished in the bathroom just as Angela knocked on the door with their dinner. After thanking her mother, Jane took the tray of food and began setting it out on the table, arranging it for their meal. Dinner passes in a silence that is surprisingly companionable rather than awkward as you both assumed. Maura finishes her meal and sets down her fork. She decides it is her turn to be brave and she begins to speak. "Jane, where do you see your life in five years from now, what about ten? What are you doing, where are you living, who do you spend your time with?"

Jane looked confused by the question for a moment, and then she began to quietly speak, "For the longest time I didn't want to allow myself to imagine too far into the future. Between Hoyt, Marino, Bianchi and all of the other perps I dealt with I was always afraid that future planning would just be pressing my luck a little too much. Like if I dreamed about a happy future some evil would sweep in to let me know that it wouldn't happen. But then I got pregnant, and even though I knew there wasn't a future with Casey, I still had a baby on the way. I started daydreaming about little fingers, and baby snuggles, first steps, first days of school. Then suddenly, I wasn't pregnant anymore. It was like life was reminding me not to get too carried away in daydreams about the future. Since then I have tried really hard to stay in the present, to not get caught up in daydreams about things I can't have."

At the end of her statement Jane looks down at her hands, refusing to make eye contact with Maura. Maura believes that Jane's quiet confession was possibly the saddest thing she has ever heard. "Jane, having hopes and dreams for the future will not cause bad things to happen in your life, you deserve to be able to dream and work for whatever future you want. You, my friend can have any future you want. You want a baby, have one. You want a spouse, get out there and find one. You want to be President, I will manage your campaign."

Jane laughed at Maura's last statement. "Thanks Maura, I think we can put my presidential campaign on hold for now. I know my answer wasn't really what you were looking for but it really is the truth. I have a hard time thinking too far beyond the here and now. For right now, I am happy here with you. I know that can't last forever though. At some point this pandemic will end and you are going to want your home back. I am going to have to find a job and some place to live. Figure out my life."

"Jane," Maura began. "I think maybe I should share with you how I see my life in five or ten years from now. A year ago, the only future I could imagine was a lonely one. Living by myself, no partner or children. Working and existing. Living for visits from you during holidays and long weekends. Hosting Rizzoli Sunday dinners for as long as possible, until everyone began to drift away to their own separate lives. The highlight of my days would be breakfast with your mother and video chats with you. Then the pandemic happened and things changed. Jack entered my life and at least when I looked into the future I had this precious little boy to occupy my time. I could host play dates, join the PTA, make lunches and tuck him in at night. I can never replace Shannon but I am determined to make sure he knows he is loved and has a wonderful life."

"Maura," Jane interrupted. "Why is that how you saw your future? You could be with anyone you want. Why did you think you would be alone?"

"Please Jane, you have seen my track record with dating. I really don't make the best choices. At some point I just have to accept that maybe the problem is with me."

"Oh, Maura!" Jane exclaimed. "That is just not true at all. There is nothing wrong with you. You are just the most honest, giving, and kind person. Sometimes, other people see that as a weakness to exploit, rather than the strength of character it is. When it is safe to start dating again, I can just go with you and check out every date to make sure they are good enough for you."

Maura took a deep breath and began quietly preparing herself for her next statement. She felt her palms begin to sweat and her heart rate accelerate but decided that it was time to face her true desires. "Jane, when the pandemic is over and it is safe to go on dates in public I would love it if you came with me. But not as my bodyguard or my protector, I want you to go as my date."

Maura looked at Jane sitting next to her eyes blinking rapidly and with her mouth agape, looking shocked and perplexed. It took all of Maura's will not to ramble. To sit there quietly while Jane worked through her words on her own time. The array of emotions that played out on Jane's face was astounding. Maura grasped at strands of hope wherever she could find them. At least Jane didn't look disgusted. She hasn't put any more physical distance between. Ugh, why won't Jane say something.

Finally, Jane inhaled deeply before speaking. "Maura. Do you really mean that? You want to date me? Why? You could be with anyone. Why do you want an out of work, broken down detective from Southie?"

Maura felt the need to interrupt Jane before she went any further. "Jane! Don't talk about yourself like that. You are wonderful and everyone who has you in their life is lucky and blessed. As far as the question of do I really want to date you is concerned, don't you feel like we have already been dating for sometime? We eat meals together, go out to dinner, functions, movies, theater. Jane, we even share a bed. The only thing missing is physical intimacy."

Jane took a big gulp of air when Maura mentioned physical intimacy. "Maura, what if we try dating and ruin our friendship? I am not sure I could handle losing you."

"Hmmm Jane," Maura began. "I am hearing a lot of reasons about why you think we shouldn't. However, I haven't heard you say you don't want to attempt a romantic relationship with me. Jane, what do you want?"

Jane sat still wondering how this conversation had gotten so out of her control. Didn't Maura understand, Jane had no idea what she wanted. She knew she wanted Maura in her life, but how? Thinking about the best way to answer that question for herself, Jane suddenly flew into action. She got out of her seat and walked over to Maura and reached out her hand to help the other woman to her feet. Once they were both standing, facing each other, Jane found Maura's eyes as she moved her face closer to the other woman. Pausing to silently ask for permission, Jane waited for Maura's subtle nod. She then closed the rest of the distance and met Maura's lips in a gentle kiss.