AN: Thank you all for the warm feedback, favorites, and alerts. This chapter is a little lazy but needed. Happy Reading :)

Disclaimer: I don't own R&I and the song.

Chapter 8

" Please don't be in love with someone else

Please don't have somebody waiting on you"

~ Enchanted by Taylor Swift

As soon as Jane reached the bullpen, she immediately went back to Korsak's desk. Korsak is currently focused on his monitor as he laughed. Jane frowned.

"You're watching videos of dogs again?" Jane asked.

Korsak looked up at her from the monitor. "What? This is my past time."

"Well, I hate to break you this. But you have to stop because I might have something," Jane put the folder down on Korsak's table.

Korsak pulled the paper from his desk and started reading the contents. Then he perked up and looked at Jane. "Maura found this on Lily's shoe sole? This is great, Jane."

"I know. I'm just glad Maura is too keen on her autopsy," Jane smiled. Pride shining in her eyes without her notice.

"Male, Caucasian, probably from someone in his late thirties?"

"Yup. That's what the report said. I was thinking we could invite Peter James here for questioning and get a DNA sample from him," Jane said.

"You think the blood's from him?"

"Of course not. But look at this. Amanda the receptionist told us that the family went to the factory in a not so happy mood. Then they went inside and Mr. Sullivan and Mr. James had a talk. What happened after the talk? We don't know. If we prove that the DNA sample from him and this blood Maura found is a match, we may be able to find some more clues. Maybe he could tell us what they talked about," Jane explained.

"So you're saying that Mr. Sullivan and Mr. James had a fight?"

"There's a probability, Korsak. That blood could either be Mr. Sullivan's or Mr. James'."

"Okay. That makes sense. I'll make a call and have him here," Korsak offered.

"Sure. And I may have one more thing, Korsak. I met someone."

Korsak raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Are you going to tell me about your love life?"

Jane's eyes widened in surprise. "What?! No. I meant, I met an old woman in Boston Common. She's living in the streets. And she knows Michael Hanson, the boy who called 911."

"Really? That's huge, Jane," Korsak said happily.

"I know."

"Though when I thought you're gonna bat for the other team, you'll pick Dr. Isles," Korsak chuckled.

"What the fuck, Korsak?" Jane was horrified though she knew that Korsak was just joking.

"Sorry. Sorry." Korsak is still chuckling. "I'm just being an ass."

"Yeah. You are," Jane replied as she smiled slightly.

"I'll make the call."

Maura was wearing her silk robe as she went downstairs to make herself a cup of tea. It calms her whenever she's in her sanctuary and this is exactly what she needs right now. Be alone. Calm her thoughts and go over it to analyze. Yes, everything is confusing, stressing and crazy. But she has to do it or she'll be the one to go crazy.

As she finished boiling the water, she heard the doorbell rang. She frowned, knowing that no one knows she's home. And it couldn't be Jane. Because if it is Jane, she will use her key to get in.

Reaching her door, she slowly unlocked it and she was met by a bouquet of roses with Jack hidden behind it. What surprised her was instead of feeling giddy inside, she found herself frowning even more.

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

Jack removed the bouquet from his face and smiled widely at Maura. "Well, I went to your office and Susie said that you called the rest of your day off. So I assumed you went home and I'm glad I'm right."

"Well... that still does not answer my question," Maura said.

Jack sighed and stepped forward to Maura. "I came here to apologize."

Maura stared at him for a while, contemplating whether she wanted to let him in or not since she really wanted to be alone right now with her thoughts. She could send him away, right? Yes, she could. But it was rude. So she chose the former.

Maura stepped aside to let Jack in. "Come inside."

Once they were inside, Jack let out another sigh as he faced Maura. There was tension. There was awkwardness. And he doesn't have any clue where it's coming from. Everything seems different. Maura is different.

"I bought these for you," Jack said and handed Maura the bouquet of flowers.

Maura stared at the flowers. She internally cringed at her head because one, it was her fault why they had a misunderstanding. Her mind was floating with thoughts that's why she wasn't able to focus on him. And second, she never really likes roses. She preferred tulips. Why does Jack didn't know about this? They've been dating for six months already, right?

"Thank you," Maura said and went behind the counter and placed the flowers in the vase. Later, she will deal with arranging it properly.

She felt Jack stared at her. Neither of them knows what to say. And she's sure she doesn't want to say anything to him. She's also sure she wanted him to leave so she can be alone with her own thoughts.

"Listen, I really don't have much time and I still have to go back to BCU, but I wanted to apologize. I really am sorry about the other night," Jack said and held both Maura's hands in his own. "I was just hurt because I really really wanted you and I do love you. But I shouldn't have left without talking to you. And I shouldn't force you to do the things you're not comfortable. So I really am sorry."

And there was Jack Armstrong again with his words. Why is he so good at this? Why is he so kind when it was her who should apologize for being an ass and for sending him away because she has confusing thoughts and conflicting feelings? Why does he always have to sweep off of her feet when she should be the one asking for forgiveness?

Jack Armstrong.

Somehow, her boyfriend gives her a headache, too.

Maura dropped their hands and walked towards Jack. Standing in front of him, she smiled. "I believe I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn't have let you leave."

"No. It was alright. Because if you asked me to stay that night, I wouldn't be sure I could keep my hands off of you," He grinned.

"Oh."

"So? Apology accepted?"

Maura nodded. "Only if you would accept mine."

"You're forgiven," And he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Inhaling Maura's scent, he felt at peace.

When they parted, Jack gave her a quick peck on the lips. "So, we good?" Maura just nodded with a smile. "Why did you take the day off by the way? Is there something wrong?" His brows knitted in confusion.

"Well, I don't really have much to do in the office right now and I had a little headache so I decided to go home," Maura replied. It wasn't a lie.

"That's a shame. Now, I want to take the rest of the day off, too. So I can spend it with you," He smiled mischievously.

Maura smiled back at him. "By the way, I asked Jane to have a dinner out with her friend and you of course, would you be willing to come?"

This earned a raised eyebrow from Jack. "She met someone?"

Maura tensed at the question. "No. She said it was her friend when they were young. He came back to Boston for a business trip. So... would you like to join?"

"Sure. When will this be?"

"Oh. Jane's gonna ask him first. I'm just giving you a heads up," Maura said.

"Okay. Just inform me. I will be available anytime for you. Always," He smiled. "I really have to go now."

"Okay. Enjoy teaching," Maura started to walk Jack back to the door.

"I'll see you?" He asked.

"Yes. I'll see you."

And he leaned in for a kiss. He led her into a slow dance of kiss and the way she responded was still the same but a little distracted and he felt it so he pulled away though he wanted to go on further.

"Bye, Maura."

"Bye."

And he left.

She closed the door and leaned on it. She let out a heavy breath as she glanced at the unarranged bouquet of roses in her vase.

She fucking hates red roses.

Jane entered the interrogation room and gently slid herself on a chair across Peter James. The man is in his late thirties and his looks are much older than what he's supposed to look like. He has pale blue eyes, sandy blonde hair with streaks of gray. His job must be that hard that's why he looks so much older than his age.

"So, do you have information for me? Did you find them already?" He asked Jane calmly.

Jane shook her head. "No. But we're doing the best we can. But I have follow up questions for you."

"Okay. I'm willing to cooperate just to find them," Mr. James replied sternly.

"The other day, we went to your factory and I talked to the receptionist named Amanda. She told me she was the one on the desk the day the Sullivan family went there before they leave for Maine. She told me that the family wasn't like their usual selves. Did you notice that?"

Mr. James tensed at the question. Jane noticed his hand twitched. "Well, she's right. I think something's bothering them. I just don't know what."

"Didn't Mr. Sullivan told you about it?"

"No. He didn't."

"Did you two talk before they leave?"

"We did. We talked about business transactions like we normally do. But that's just it."

"Did you two had an argument?"

Mr. James' eyes narrowed. "What? N-no. We were on good terms before they left."

Jane stared at him intently. She's sure he's hiding something and she will find that out. "Are you willing to do the swab cheek?"

"Why? You didn't think I killed Lily, right?" His eyes widened more.

"Did you kill her?"

"What?! No. I wouldn't kill her. She's..." He trailed off.

Jane quirked an eyebrow at the sudden abrupt of his sentence. "She's what?"

Mr. James sighed. "Look, I think you already checked my alibi."

"Yes, we did. And you have a solid alibi. I think you're clean. Somehow, we found something that can be tied to the murder. We want to get samples of your DNA, it might rule you out," Jane half-lied.

"Fine. I've got nothing to hide."

"Sure you don't."

And they went on the process.

It was early in the evening when Jane reached Maura's house. After the interrogation with Mr. James, she immediately went to the morgue to submit the swab cheek sample from Mr. James only to find Maura's office empty. She looked for Susie and learned that the doctor took the rest of the day off. It wasn't like Maura to take the rest the day off. And it wasn't like Maura not to tell her she'd be taking the rest of the day off. Maybe she's off to somewhere? Or maybe she and Jack had plans? The thought made her stomach dropped. But wait, Maura isn't that responsible dropping her work just to have a date with her boyfriend, right? Yeah maybe. Who knows.

Giving Susie the sample and asking for her to run it if it matched the blood they found, she fetched her phone from her pocket and dialed Maura's number. It went to voicemail. Maybe something's off? Maybe something happened? No. It couldn't be. She doesn't have this leap of the heart when there is danger around the people she cared for. She dialed again, but it went to voicemail again. She surrendered and just sent Maura a text and went with her paperwork.

Now, standing on Maura's doorstep, Jane was hesitant whether to just use her key to get in or call Maura to open the door so she won't be interrupting something if ever there is something to interrupt but then she remembered that all her calls went to voicemail. She sighed. Getting the keys from her pocket, she inserted it into the lock.

"Maura!" Jane called out. So loud so Maura would be alerted. Instead of scrambling and unnecessary noise like she expected, she instead was met by a smell of something cooking. And it smells delicious.

She pulled out her blazer, removed her gun and badge and placed on their usual place with her keys. Following the smell, she expected to see her mother cooking but once again, she's surprised to see that it was Maura. Wearing only in her silk pants and pajamas, the doctor hums while she cooks. Jane stopped dead in her tracks, eyes roaming the back figure of her best friend. She swallowed hard, realizing that she had been staring for too long than she normally does. She felt a tug in her heart when she felt the simplicity of the scene. It's so domestic. Yet, it feels easy and natural. It feels like after a long day at work, Jane would come home to Maura cooking and they will share dinner. Wait! What? Since when did she start thinking about that?

She slowly approached Maura and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Maura?"

"Will you hand me the meatballs, please? This will only take a few minutes."

Jane obliged. She grabbed the bowl of meatballs and handed it to Maura. "Here you go."

"Thanks." Slowly, Maura put the meatballs in the sauce she's cooking. Jane just watched her in both confusion and amazement. "Will you start grating some cheese? I want some on top of my spaghetti."

"Who doesn't?" Jane teased. She washed her hands and started doing what she was asked to do. "So, what's with the cooking? Is there an occasion? Is someone coming?" Then she stopped. "Is Jack coming?"

Maura stopped stirring the pot momentarily then continued on. "No. And there's no occasion. I just feel like cooking."

"Okay. You're acting weird. What happened?" She put down the cheese and the grater when she thought she had enough grated cheese. Maura turned off the stove.

"Will you set up some plates? I'll get the wine."

Groaning when she didn't get a proper answer, Jane said, "No. I'll get the wine. You set up the dinner."

Maura set up the dinner while Jane poured two glasses of wine for both her and Maura. She watched her friend do her thing. She didn't feel any tension from Maura, she looked relaxed but something's off. And Jane is determined to find that out.

As they ate, Jane constantly looked at Maura, waiting for the perfect time to ask her tons of questions. And when Maura looked at her, Jane smiled tentatively. The doctor gave it back but strained.

"What's up with you?" Jane asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

"I don't guess so I don't."

Jane rolled her eyes. "You left your office and took the rest of the day off. Did something happen? Is it Hope? Paddy? Constance? Tell me."

'Maybe it's you, your friend Drew, and Jack. All of you are making my head hurt. And it shouldn't.' Maura thought. "I just had a headache and I've got nothing to do in the office anymore."

Jane just stared at her. "Hives, Maura. You're lying."

"That won't work. I can lie now."

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to go? Because it feels like you don't want me here."

'Yes, I wanted you to go because I want to be alone. I want you to go because I don't why I feel like this. I want you to go because I don't know what I want anymore. I want you to go because you keep on pushing and pulling in our friendship every time. I want you to go because you make me happy and miserable at the same time. I want you to go because you made me question my relationship with Jack. I want you to go because you're confusing me. I want you to go because I don't know myself anymore. But please, stay. I don't want you out of my life.'

All those thoughts were swimming in Maura's mind. But none of them were voiced out. All she did was just shook her head and bowed it down. Jane, concerned, reached her hands and held it against her own. Just like what Jack did earlier. Then Maura's brain started comparing the same scenarios. Jane's hands though scarred were smooth and soft at the edges. Jacks's were rough and hard. She found security in Jack's hand. And in Jane's, she found home. Maura closed her eyes as she tried hard not to let her tears fall.

"Hey," Jane whispered softly. So soft, it made Maura's walls crumble. She opened her eyes and was met with warm, concerned brown eyes. "What's the matter?"

"I don't know, Jane. I don't know."

Jane frowned. "What do you mean you don't know? You're a woman of many words..."

"I just don't, Jane. Please let it go for now. I promise I'll tell you once I figure this out."

"Okay," Jane replied. She knew when to back off. If Maura doesn't want to offer any more details, she needs to shut it for the time being. Maura will come around if she's ready to share it.

Jane turned to her food and when she does, she saw a bouquet of flowers in a vase. Red roses. She cringed. Maura doesn't like it. "Who gave you the roses?"

Maura looked at the direction where Jane is looking then continued eating. "Jack. He came here to apologize."

"Oh." Was Jane's only reply.

Maura looked at her. But she couldn't decipher the emotions flowing in her best friend's face. It remained blank and cold.

"But you hate roses," Jane muttered.

"He should've known that by now," Maura agreed. "Wine?"

"Beer," Maura got up to pour herself another glass of wine and get a beer for Jane.

After eating, Jane offered on clearing the table and since Maura didn't want to argue anymore, she left the brunette to do the job. Maura, on the other hand, proceeded to the living room with the bottle of wine she had been drinking and turned on the TV. Not really paying attention to the CDs she's been looking at, she absentmindedly picked a romantic comedy film. Later on, Jane joined her with a beer in her hand. Her brows knitted in confusion when she noticed Maura's choice of movie for tonight. But she refrained herself from commenting on it.

One and a half hour later, Maura already had five glasses of wine. That was quite a record for the ME though. And yes, Jane noticed it but did not comment on it either. She just let her be as she settled on her single beer. Maura reached the bottle of wine when she finished her fifth glass. But Jane beat her to it. She reached for it and moved it from Maura's grasp. Maura just looked at her and shrugged. She did not argue.

Jane moved forward and stared intently at Maura who is currently focused on the TV. Jane was about to say something when Maura spoke first. "Do you think you will settle down?"

Jane was speechless. She turned to the TV and noticed that the scene was displaying the couple walking down the aisle. So that's why Maura asked. "I don't know," Jane sighed. "Maybe if I ever find the right person."

"How would you know if you already found the right one?" Maura's eyes are still focused on the TV while Jane focused hers on Maura.

"Maura? What is going on in that big brain of yours? I can hear it gearing."

Maura sighed. "Jack was here to apologize because of what he did the other night. Then he gave me flowers. Red roses. I don't like red roses."

"Wait. What did he do to you? Did he something bad? Because I swear..."

"No, Jane. Not like that," Maura replied as she turned to Jane. "I just couldn't submit to his needs."

"Oh."

Silence.

"Maura. Tell me what's going on. You're acting weird and I'm worrying," Jane held out her hand.

Maura smiled at her. "I'm confused."

"Confused about what? Wait. Are you starting to question your relationship with Jack because he didn't know you hated roses?" Jane raised an eyebrow.

Maura chuckled softly. "That would be lame, right?"

"Well, you can tell him that it's tulips you really like, right?" Jane asked. Maura looked intently at Jane. Of course, Jane knows what her favorite flowers are.

"Yeah. You're right. By the way about the dinner..." Maura trailed off.

"Yeah, about that. Drew agreed. Are you okay tomorrow night?"

"Sure. I'll tell Jack."

"Okay. Hey no more wine for you tonight," Jane smiled at Maura. An affectionate smile.

"Do you think Drew will be a perfect fit for you?" Maura didn't hesitate to ask the question now.

"Okay, this conversation just took a weird turn. Where that question came from?"

"Ahh, me?" Maura grinned.

Jane chuckled. "That's a good one. So why are you asking me this?"

Shrugging, Maura said, "Well, I think he's a nice guy, he seems to be mature enough and you know him. And to top it all, he knows you."

"Well yeah. And Ma knows him, too," Jane said softly like she was considering the idea.

"Then you can date him."

"Why are you pushing me to him?" Jane did not meet Maura's gaze.

"Do you see yourself settling down?" Maura asked again that same question.

"How will you know that you already found the right one?" Jane asked back.

"I don't know."