Where have the months gone...time has been going too fast...you have all been so patient.
I have had very little time to write and barely any inspiration. That combination is bad. But occasionally posting something and getting wonderful feedback is somehow an inspiration in itself. So fingers crossed :) At least it's something...

Didn't actually expect this chapter to go the way it did...but somehow it works in the 'rollercoaster' and tension building aspect. I'm trying to pad things out a bit further otherwise, like me, it's all facts and arcs and rushing to the end and forgetting that the destination is not the goal.

Hope you enjoy. And hope the next chapter isn't months away.
Love Jam xxx

CHAPTER 5

Almonds.

Why could she smell almonds.

"Maura?" The gravelly voice questions, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Huh?" Maura replies with a deep frown, instantly distracted again from the question by the smell of sweet almonds still surrounding her.

Jane spins to look at her, the angry look she had carried since arriving at the crime scene this morning suddenly replaced by surprise and confusion. Then, a frustrated expression wipes everything else away. It was not the normal semi-frustration-Jane-look that Maura might expect. Because Jane has been already been cold towards her.

"Cause of death?" Jane asks again with a deep growl, a glare and lips that hardly move in-front of clenched teeth. It reminds Maura of an angry bear she had seen at the zoo and she swallows audibly.

Jane crosses her arms as the frown deepens.

Maura squeezes her eyes shut and hangs her head. She hates it when Jane is mad at her. She hates conflict. But worse even yet is using bad english. 'Huh.' The rebuke she would give someone else for such a nonsensical reply like the one that just fell from her own lips.

She had been distracted, is distracted, however momentarily, by that smell of almonds. She knew it wasn't from the murdered victim below her on the floor. And it wasn't the same bitter almond smell that cyanide mimicked thankfully. The victim had not died of poisoning based on the pool of blood she was carefully avoiding in her expensive heels and the obvious wound to the head.

This, extremely distracting, smell was of a sweet almond kind. Mixed every so gently with white thyme and vanilla. Or more precisely, the almond, thyme and vanilla matched exactly her very own shower body wash. Only it wasn't coming from herself but across the room from her. And mixed with another smell that seemed to penetrate into her nostrils, another smell she could place if pressed.

The smell she associated with strength, warmth, and safety. A hint of lavender and something like the ocean breeze.

The smell of Jane.

Well...the smell of her body wash AND Jane.

Maura tries to catch her thoughts and find a grip reality.

"Um..." She misses again. It's much more than distracting.

Jane turns her frustrated stare to Korsak who spreads his arms wide and gives a semi-amused shrug.

Huh and Um. Seriously. Get a grip Maura. She scolds herself silentlyand presses her lips tightly together enough to cause momentary pain, it helps her get hold of herself.

"Sorry" She breathes softly knowing it is of little benefit to Jane's state of mind.

Jane moves her hands to her hips and pulls her eyebrows together.

The look says 'Don't you dare make me ask you a third time.'

She can tell Jane is angry with her. But not because of having to ask Maura twice.

She can tell because, a Jane that was in good spirits would say something sarcastic, or make a joke, or even ask if she was alright.

But Jane was all focused on the case and whatever had her pissed of already and there was no light humor anywhere in the room.

The cause of death is obvious to them all, but as per usual, they all wait to hear it from the Medical Examiner before they begin any sort of urgent speculation...and that means Maura needs to say something other than 'huh' or 'um'.

She opens her mouth to say blunt force trauma, but instead a surprising word comes out, "Almonds."

How she managed to say what she was thinking instead of what she meant to, she will never quite know but she can feel her skin turning a shade of red.

Jane moves her arms to cross them, and after a long frown, finally, a large and abnoxious smirk begins to grow creating giant indents on her cheeks, her eyes darting back to Korsak as if the joke she is 'about to make' is solely for his amusement.

Maura prepares herself, because an unhappy, frustrated, angry or annoyed Jane usually means a very hurtful joke.

And as Jane opens her mouth, Maura wishes she knew why Jane was mad at her in the first place...because as she recalls, the previous night being anything but angry or negative.

Perhaps she could quickly tell a lie...yell, 'get back Jane...it's cyanide poisoning', and watch Jane panic and fuss over her like she did that time it really had happened. But no amount of will-power could make her nose bleed on command, and to lie could trigger hives and fainting instead, plus her reputation after the hazmat team arrived and there was no cyanide present at all would be shattered. The great Maura Isles making a huge error would be worse that what Jane was about to say...she hoped.

"Soooo...Dr Isles...the victim was killed by nuts? That is going to look great on his death certificate." Jane's eyes sparkle as she animatedly waves her arms around. "Must have been a tiny karate warrior to have made a dent that size in the guys head."

Maura wishes she had fainted now, she was being mocked and it did hurt even though it was nice to see Jane no longer angry with her.

Korsak snickers and shakes his head slowly, "Or perhaps a 'giant' sized nut. Better alert the media that someones giant nuts are on the loose."

Jane snorts as she laughs leaning against the wall to hold herself up, "Someone...someone call the nut-busters."

When Korsak finally stops chuckling he starts whistling the ghostbusters theme and Jane throws in 'who you gonna call...nutbusters!' in the appropriate places and she waves her fingers to the tune.

Neither notice Maura watching them as if she is recording this moment of embarrassment as unforgettable camaraderie.

Finally done, Jane takes in a large breath ready to propel into the next joke about nuts that popped into her head.

Maura clears her throat loudly and growls angrily, "Seriously?"

Jane freezes with her mouth open and looks at Maura in surprise.

"Well, It's your call, you're the doc. I am just wondering tho...what sort of weapon did the almond have? A husk?" Korsak says with a smile. He isn't bothered by Maura's anger. Perhaps he doesn't know that Maura doesn't get angry like that.

"The cause of death was blunt force trauma." Maura replies with a stern, don't mess with me, unapologetic tone keeping her focus on Jane and ignoring Korsak, "The weapon appears to be a thin cylindrical object approximately ten millimeters in diameter."

When Maura finishes and looks away, Jane and Korsak glance at each other.

"Fire poker." Jane finally suggests pointing at the fireplace behind Maura that has a black fire set missing the fire poker.

"I cannot confirm that." Maura huffs in her usual way busying herself with the body itself.

Korsak heads to the fireplace and Jane takes a step closer to Maura.

"And the almonds?"Jane asks softly without humor this time, the anger completely absent, perhaps even replaced with worry, and the smell of almonds to Maura now stronger than before.

Maura takes a shaky breath. That soft voice, almost as soft as last night in the alleyway. And then again in her bed with Jane curled up next to her. And that smell so close now she can practically taste it.

What had changed between last night and this morning.

Why had she been greeted by a cold and gravelly 'Dr. Isles' from her best friend when she stepped onto the crime scene.

It had caught her off guard. She was surprised, confused and sad. Because last night had been so...so...wonderful.

After Jane's confession in the alleyway, there was that instant relief that she didn't have to keep anymore secrets. She hated secrets...especially secrets with Jane.

In that moment she had felt lighter than air. And her neck no longer felt warm even though Jane was breathing against it. And then Jane had promised to stay with her. She had never felt so safe even if there was imminent danger lurking potentially right around the corner.

The drive together back to Maura's had been a silent one. Maura holding a thousand questions inside, and Jane's expression showing that she was deep in thought herself.

When they arrived back, at first she thought Jane was going to sleep in the spare room or on the couch, but she put on silk pajamas anyway, just in case.

As she lay there in her own bed, she heard Jane sneak into her room and felt her climb under the bedcovers. Maura hadn't said a word. Fear that if she opened her mouth that all her thoughts and fears for Jane's safety would tumble out along with her own internal conflicts. So she lay there just listening to Jane's breathing while carefully trying to control her own.

She also knew that her busy brain was one reason she would never get to sleep.

Knowing Jane was safe tonight was a relief. Knowing Jane knew was also a relief. But she began to think, perhaps too hard. She wondered why Internal Affairs had told her to keep it to herself if Jane already knew, or what if Jane had found out on her own. Perhaps something bad had already happened she didn't know about. Perhaps Jane had figured it out because she had been acting differently. And why didn't Jane ask her how she knew in the first place.

But Jane had said it was too dangerous to speak about. Was her phone was bugged, house tapped, car under surveillance. Perhaps Jane did have as many questions as she did but thought it too dangerous to ask.

"Are you ok Maur?" That soft croaky voice drifted across the silence stalling her noisy mind in it's tracks.

How grateful she is Jane is safe. Every near tragedy, every dangerous moment, every reminder her of the fragility of life. All the bodies on her morgue tables were lives that had ended suddenly, often tragically. One moment breathing and then, in a split second, not breathing. Ended. Forever.

"Maura?"

Maura wants to say yes she is fine, hasn't Jane worried about her enough to last a lifetime, doesn't Jane have enough other things going on to really worry about.

She wants to be brave and tough and not worry Jane, to be more like Jane than herself.

"No." She whispers. She can't even lie even when she intends too and the truth is followed by a long and shaky breath, "But we can't talk about it."

And she knows Jane understands the topic that is upsetting her. The only thing they can't talk about.

Moments later a warm arm sneaks across her waist as if it had been done a hundred times before even though in their previous few sleepovers they had barely touched.

And a hand curls around her hip gently tickling the skin it touches.

And Jane's body moves firmly into her side. A chin presses against her shoulder breathing even wisps of air against her bare skin. Legs press against her own. And the arm relaxes across her stomach.

It feels like a promise only she isn't sure for what.

Maura turns her head to look at Jane and Jane holds the eye contact with her as if a long and deep conversation was taking place. Two dark pools of slightly quizzical softness and care studying her just like they have many times before.

"I have so many questions Jane."

"I know." Jane whispers back, a hint of sadness to her gravelly voice.

"I'm scared."

Jane shakes her head slightly, movements restricted mainly by the mattress, "You don't need to be."

But she is scared. How can she not be.

"I'm glad you're here Jane."

Jane lets go of Maura's waist reaching up to brush Maura's cheek with her thumb, as if wiping away a tear. Maybe she was crying, she can't be sure.

The touch seems to linger on her skin long after Jane's hand has returned to her hip/

"Me too." Jane whispers and then she closes her eyes and presses a soft kiss against Maura's shoulder.

Maura closes her eyes and lets herself be lost in the promised security and sweet friendship.

"I promise everything will be ok." Jane whispers sweetly against her skin.

Maura wants to argue that Jane shouldn't make promises she can't keep, but she also remembers that Jane has never broken her promises before. Before she can reply with a thank you, she recognizes the tell-tale signs that Jane had fallen asleep. Wrapped together with their foreheads almost touching...she feels safer than she ever has, perhaps more loved than ever before. Her whole body hums and she can't explain why. But as she drifts off to sleep she now knows that she will sleep very very well after all.

Between then and the crime scene, not a word had been spoken between them.

So why was Jane so upset with her.

"No Almonds." Maura says as she stands to her feet and turns to her friend. "What did I do Jane?"

Jane frowns, "What?"

"You are mad at me. Why are you upset with me Jane?"

"I'm..I'm not." Jane grunts crossing her arms defensively and looking around the room for a subject to change the topic to.

"Don't lie to me. Last night everything was...it was wonderful. I've never felt like that before. And then this...you...is it because I know about the thing...or is it because we slept together like we did?"

Korsaks eyes grow several sizes larger as his mouth drops open.

"What...No." Jane almost yells.

Korsak chokes on air before quickly excusing himself from the room while mumbling "I'll..uh..check upstairs for the fire poker."

"Maura." Jane groans in weak frustration watching him leave, her arms drop down her sides in defeat.

"What Jane?"

"Don't you think before you speak? I have to work with him." Jane says as she crosses her arms and glares at Maura, the cause of her frustration at her friend momentarily renewed if not for a different reason.

Maura straightens herself and puts her hand on her hips defensively, "I don't understand. I don't get you at all Jane."

"Seriously?" Jane shakes her head. "Korsak now thinks we did more than just sleep in the same bed. And I have to work with him all day every day. It's ok for you...you only see him during a case for short periods of time."

"I meant...what happened between us?"

Jane sighs loudly, "You left."

Maura blinks a few times trying to process Jane's meaning, "I left what?"

Jane chews her lip as if she can't figure out how to answer, "Well...when I woke up...you were...just...gone."

And Jane claps her mouth shut perhaps thinking her statement out loud sounds slightly more absurd than it did in her head.

"What do you mean gone?" Maura says looking completely lost in understanding what Jane really means.

Jane's face turns pink and so she turns her back on Maura to hide and responds with a non-committed shrug, "I mean...it's your house and whatever. I just...I was confused. I thought...I don't know...I..."Jane snaps her mouth shut not really sure what she is trying to say herself, her sub-conscious suddenly playing tricks on her and she scolds herself for sounding like an upset 5year old, "Never mind."

Maura had slipped out at six that morning hoping to be back before Jane even woke up. It had been Jane's day off and Maura had, after standing in the doorway watching the brunette sleeping peacefully, spread out on the bed, her long limbs causing the king bed to look more like a double. She hadn't stirred when Maura rolled over and climbed out and she determined that the light-sleeper must indeed be very tired. How many nights, knowing what Jane knew, had she had terrible or restless sleeps because of it.

It was a better reason than the truth...that she didn't want to have to face a barrage of questions from Jane about her early morning Saturday appointment. And she didn't want Jane's quizzical mind wondering where she had gone even now, standing there with her back turned.

Officially they had both been 'on call', but Maura had been hopeful that Jane would get a day off and a good rest.

So she left her beautiful friend to sleep, tiptoeing downstairs, turning her home phone on silent, and quietly locking the door behind her.

But unfortunately, an hour after she left they had both been called in. Even when Maura answered the incoming call at the station, she had still hoped that Jane hadn't been called in. That it was just her called to the scene.

But no such luck. She had pulled up to the crime scene and spotted Jane's undercover already parked out front beside Korsaks wagon with a cute stray dog in the backseat.

"I made plans earlier in the week Jane. It was unavoidable."

Jane keeps her back to Maura and her eyes downward.

"I'm sorry Jane. You looked so peaceful that I really didn't want to wake you up."

Jane grunts as if she isn't bothered by it even though her body language disagrees.

Maura frowns, "I don't understand why you're upset with me Jane."

"Because." Jane snaps as she turns, face flushed again with a variety of emotions.

Maura sighs sadly because she can't understand, she never could understand people and there emotions

Jane more frustrated that she can't figure out her own emotions more that anything. Why was she was hurt that Maura had run off and left her to wake up alone. It had never bothered her before and it shouldn't bother her now. Not much bothered her before.

But somehow it did. It was confusing. It didn't make sense. It wasn't like she cares about Maura more now than before. Yet somehow her tough persona had flown out the window and she almost had to fight to hold back tears.

"Forgive me?" Maura whispers pretending she understands what she has done.

Jane crumbles then, that statement. She rubs her fingers across her eyebrows and then shakes her head, 'No...no you're done nothing Maur. I'm sorry, I...It doesn't matter ok. I'm sorry."

Maura smiles. At the least to ease the tension. It's weird to watch Jane break down and apologize. But lately she hasn't been able to figure out any of Jane's ups and downs and in this moment of vulnerability she knows would be a terrible place to start.

Jane smiles weakly back, but her eyes are sad and confused. Secretive perhaps.

Maura ponders for a moment, maybe Jane was scared of the unsub. The stalker. Naturally...this guy was after her and he could potentially be worse than the surgeon. Perhaps that fear did explain everything. Jane had been especially cranky when things got out of control and when her family and friends were in danger she had become reckless and emotional.

"I shouldn't have left you alone Jane. I won't again."

Jane rubs her palms together harshly, the feeling of guilt crushing her again. She is almost sad that Maura can't read her guilt. Force an end to her charade. But she hides her guilt too well and forces her tough brave face to the front, "I'm fine Maura. Really."

Maura reaches out her arm giving Jane's shoulder a gently squeeze, mostly grateful Jane wasn't upset at her anymore.

"Where did you go anyway?" Jane asks softly.

Maura pauses, almost dramatically, holding her breath and looking around the room for any way to change the subject from that.

She can tell Jane notices. Jane always notices. The little arch up on the corner of her mouth tells Maura that for definite.

"Oh...well...um..." A deep calming breath because she just realized something that is the perfect cover, "Jane...this place is a single story, right?"

"Um?...Well...yes it is a single story, Doctor Isles. Is that pertinent to the case?"

"Not directly. But It does make me wonder where Korsak went."

Maura had chewed her lip a few seconds before she let her knuckles rap twice on the glass door.

She could see Nina on the other side, head down and engrossed in something on her screen.

Nina didn't look like early Saturday mornings at the office were unusual for her, but then Nina, like Maura, never went anyway unprepared for what may lie ahead.

"Come in." Nina calls out without looking up.

Maura pauses with her hand on the door handle, uncertainty a sharp pain in her chest.

Finally she pushes the door open and is met with a bright warm smile.

"Dr. Isles. Maura. How wonderful to see you this morning."

"Detective Holiday." Maura replies giving a nod and a smile that is laced with worry.

"Please, call me Nina. So, here I am, half-six like we arranged, and I am completely at your service."

Maura nods but doesn't reply, "I am wondering if you can do me a...favor."

"A favor?"

"Yes."

A slightly raised eyebrow, "Uhhhh...What is it?"

"Maybe I have it wrong, but my understanding it that's when you do something personal for me which I will then repay one day when you need something from me. So long as it is legal. And is not against the persons morals or religious beliefs. And-"

Nina chuckles softly and places her hand on Maura's arm to stop her speaking, "I do know what a favor is. I've never heard you ask for one."

"I never have." Maura replies playing with the ring on her finger. She had witnessed Jane use 'favors' hundreds of times with varied success, but usually positive. She doesn't recall Jane being asked to do any favors which gave her hope that she wouldn't ever be asked to repay a favor with something she didn't wish to do. Of course she would always help out a friend in any way she could and without worrying about the cost. But, for starters, she didn't know if Nina was a friend. Although it seemed to be a way to get what you needed, she had her doubts. But she needed un-official help and department resources without anyone finding out. And this seemed like it may be a safe way to achieve her purpose.

"Then I'm honored to be your first ever favor. Sit. Talk." Nina motions to the chair beside her, "You look quite nervous."

Maura straightens her skirt down the back of her legs as she sits carefully in the offered chair, "I am."

"Well then, I'm feeling a little nervous too. This must be some huge first favor that's got you so nervous."

Maura nods softly while she studies Nina. Dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin and a glowing white smile. Nina always appeared to her to be far to delicate for field work, and far to kind for police work. But here she is, kind and tender and tough in the field. And dating her very best friends brother, the brother that kissed her that one time, the brother that held her arms for hours when she thought she was holding a bomb.

If it wasn't for her love of Jane she might have dated him because he was sweet and loyal...like Jane. But Nina is a far better match for him. And she gets to keep Jane.

Nina raises an eyebrow at the pause.

Maura so wants to trust this wonderful person and perhaps even friend. Nina who agreed to meet without knowing why on a Saturday and is already willing to do a favor for her.

"It won't break the law will it?" Nina asks her smile unfaltering.

"No. Never again."

"Again?" Nina asks her smile dropping slightly replaced by surprise, "I was kidding. But I want to know more about that statement later."

Maura laughs letting the tension and fear fall away. Frankie has certainly keep her secret for her.

"It had to be a keep confidential."

"Scout's honor." Nina says holding her hand up in a promissory gesture.

"I was wondering what you could find out about a phone number for me."

"If it's a favor then I am guessing it's not to do with a case."

"No." Maura confirms, "You won't get in trouble doing this?"

For a moment Nina looks more serious than Maura has ever seen her, "Are you in any sort of trouble Maura?"

Maura shakes her head slowly, Not her...Jane.

"You're not being harassed or something? Because I know Jane would deal with anyone causing you any problems. Big or small."

Maura's frown grows deep, "Jane must not know about this. Or BPD. That's why I have come to you. But, No, I am not being harassed or threatened or anything like that."

Nina ponders this information carefully for a moment leaving a worried M.E. to awkwardly squirm in her seat.

"It's important Nina. It really is."

"Well..." Nina says softly, "Ok. So what I can find out depends on what sort of trail the owner of the phone left. But I can certainly look for you and I can probably track it and keep you updated if that is what you need."

"And you won't tell Jane?"

"I promise."

Maura's relief is visual and she can finally smile for real, "Thank you so much."

Nina returns the smile, "Great. But since you didn't want to talk about this over the phone, or around Jane...how do you want me to let you know what I do find out?"

Maura thinks for a moment before answering, "We will have to come up with a cipher. I have always loved cryptography."

"When you were a kid? Me too." Nina says beaming with excitement.

"Uh...yeah, a kid." Maura nods hoping Nina can't tell how excited she is to do this as an adult.

"Ok sure. No problem. So what's the number of this phone?"

...to be continued...