A.N. Thank you for taking the time to read this story. I received quite a few private messages regarding the original chapter 10 of this story. It seemed that some people felt it was a little too graphic (I admit, it was quite an intimate and detailed chapter) and this put them off reading future updates, even though they claimed to like the story itself. Anyway, I really value all feedback; I do not want offend any readers, but I appreciate that a lot of you want to see Maura and Jane together. Therefore, I have decided to rework the original chapter slightly and publish it as a separate story titled 'My Story: Chapter 10 Insert' (so if you want to read this and haven't done so already, please check it out). Hopefully this solution is the best of both worlds because those of you who want to read the intimate scenes can, and those of you who don't will not enter into it unwillingly!


"I love you Jane."

I looked into Maura's eyes, her kind and beautiful eyes, and I saw fear. Was she scared that I would run again? That I wouldn't feel the same way anymore? Or was she just scared because this is new? I mean, it's wonderful, but it's new and it's scary. I'm scared too; the love I feel for Maura terrifies me and invigorates me, all at the same time.

I love Maura, with all my heart. But never in my wildest dreams did I think she would feel the same way.

"You do?"

Maura's eyes were still veiled with hurt, I could see that, but I could also see hope and joy and a future. She gave a gentle but assured nod, and offered me a small dimpled smile.

God that smile.

"I do."

She spoke softly with such grace and tenderness. She never once broke eye contact, almost as if to reinforce her words and emphasise that she really meant it. Maura Isles really does love me.

I couldn't help the huge grin that spread across my face. For reasons I will never understand, the woman I love loves me back! Upon seeing my reaction, Maura's small smile became impossibly brighter. Like the sun, Maura is the sun.

"I love you too." I gently replied, still basking in her light.

"The truth is Jane, I think I've been falling in love with you since the day I met you."

"Really? Even though I was dressed as a hooker the first time we met?"

"Even then!" She chuckled.

"I saw something in you that day, an unmistakable spark, and I knew that there was so much more to you than your dishevelled appearance and questionable profession. At first, I just wanted to understand you. You were this beautiful anomaly, an equation that I was yet to solve. But the more I got to know you, the more I wanted to know and somewhere along the way, I fell madly and deeply in love with you."

"I am madly and deeply in love with you too." I explained as I leant in to kiss Maura again.

Her lips were impossibly soft, and as I reached up to stroke her cheek, I realised that her skin was impossibly soft too. Men are rough and prickly, but Maura is soft and delicate. Maura is a beautiful flower and I am just a thorn upon her stem. Suddenly, I felt insecure again. How could such an incredible woman see anything in me?

I broke away from the kiss and immediately missed the sensation of Maura's lips upon mine.

"Maur?"

Obviously sensing my anxiety, Maura gently took both of my hands in her own. Her thumbs lovingly tracing the scars on my hands.

"Yes Jane?"

"When did you realise you loved me?"

I hated how vulnerable and needy I sounded, but then I reminded myself that I am allowed to be vulnerable with Maura.

She paused for a moment and then looked up at me.

"You really want to know?"

I nodded eagerly.

"It was actually a really long time ago... It was the first time we dealt with Hoyt together" she began and I listened intently.

"Do you remember when Hoyt said that the reason why I wasn't scared of him was because I was like him?"

I remember it clearly. That evil, slimy, venomous bastard couldn't have been more wrong about Maura.

"I told you about my childhood and explained that it was actually quite similar to Hoyt's. I was genuinely concerned that I was like him. You were the first person I opened up to; you took my hands and held them, the same way I am holding yours now. Do you remember what you said to me? Because I don't think I'll ever forget it. You said 'no matter what happened to you, you are nothing like that monster. Okay? Yeah, you're a little antisocial, maybe a little goofy but that's not the same thing.' Your words saved me, Jane. They mattered, more than you ever knew. They're what got me here. You saved me."

Tears filled Maura's eyes and I could feel a familiar prickly feeling in my own. I squeezed her hands tightly.

"We all need saving sometimes, Maur. You've saved me more times than I can count. I have a question… How come you never told me?" I was genuinely intrigued.

"Because you were totally into Agent Dean!" Maura answered light-heartedly.

I was about to protest, but she was right. Back then, I was totally into Agent Dean.

"But so were you!" I exclaimed.

"Oh not like you! I admit that I was attracted to him, and maybe, just maybe I would have pursued him… If I wasn't already falling for someone else. And besides, I think you would have shot me if I started seeing him!" She chuckled.

"I wouldn't have shot you! I was moderately fond of you, but more importantly, a stint in jail probably would have severed my chances with Gabriel!" I joked (to which she playfully swatted my arm).

"What about you? When did you realise you loved me?" Maura asked, her eyes twinkling with intrigue.

I smirked as I recalled that fateful day….

After I had finished talking to Rondo, I went to find Frost.

"Apparently Maura has a new hunk!" I exclaimed.

"Good for her?" Frost could barely hide his disinterest.

"But she didn't tell me about him! We're supposed to be friends… I tell her stuff!" I exclaimed.

Frost suddenly changed his tune and decided to be supportive.

"Did you talk to her about it?"

"Ha funny you should say that! First she told me that he was just an old friend, then she fed me some stupid line about how she wasn't not telling me about Ian, and she was just acting weird! I mean, she's a grown-up… She can sleep with whoever she wants, I wouldn't judge her or get all weird about it!"

"So this isn't you judging her and getting all weird about it?"

"Don't be a smartass Frost! I don't have a problem with her hooking up with Ian-"

"Really? Because that tone and that face say you do!" Frost interrupted.

"NO! I have a problem with her keeping it from me! I thought we were closer than that. She's my best friend, or at least I thought she was."

All of a sudden Frost began to laugh… What the hell was he playing at?! This wasn't a joking matter!

"Nothing about this is funny, so why are you laughing?" I enquired bitterly.

"Don't you get it?"

"Get what?"

"It's Maura." He stressed.

"I know who Maura is! She's my best friend!"

"No, I'm your best friend! Get it yet?" He clarified omnisciently.

I thought about what he was saying. He knows how close I am to Maura, he wouldn't really think that he and I had a closer relationship? Suddenly it dawned on me. I couldn't have a closer relationship with anyone because… because…

"You love Maura." He stated, pulling me from my thoughts.

"I love Maura. I love Maura!" I repeated.

It all made sense now. I had never had a friend like her before. I had never felt that way about any of my friends before. This was different. She was different. We are so much more than just best friends! How could I have been so blind! I love her, I'm crazy in love with her! God I'm such an idiot!

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"What?"

"You know, how are you gonna get your girl?"

"I'm not going to DO anything. She likes Ian." I stressed.

"Exactly, she LIKES Ian. I'm pretty sure she LOVES you."

"What are you talking about Frost?!"

"Come on, Jane! I've seen the way you two look at each other!"

"We don't look at each other! I mean, of course we look at each other but we don't LOOK at each other!"

"Yeah you do! I'm telling you, we all see it! Well, all of us apart from the two of you apparently!"

"So what do I do? Should I tell her? Why am I asking that? I can't tell her! She's with Ian!" I rambled.

"Something tells me he won't be sticking around very long. You said he lives in Africa, right?"

"Uh-huh." I nodded.

"So tell her when he leaves. Trust me on this one Jane, you need to tell her."

"Why didn't you tell me? After Ian left, why didn't you tell me?" Maura asked quietly.

"Oh, believe me, I tried to!" I laughed.

"What do you mean?"

I barged into the crime lab. It's now or never… Rip off the band-aid.

"I love you. I think I have always loved you and I always will."

See, that wasn't so hard was it? I looked up to see Maura's reaction, only it wasn't Maura. Instead I had told some random curly haired crime tech that I would always love him and now he was staring at me like a deer in the headlights!

"Well, this is awkward! I'm sorry! I don't love you, I don't even know you! I have never loved you and I never will. Sorry again!" I laughed awkwardly.

"And things were never the same between me and Steve after that!"

"I think you mean Graham. Graham had curly hair."

"Well whatever his name is then! The point is, it was always very weird after that!" I added.

There was one more part of the story that I had to tell Maura.

"I went to your house, to see if you were okay after I told you that Ian was wanted for questioning by Interpol for stealing drugs, and to tell you all of the things I had just told Brian-"

"Graham!"

"Right, whatever. I was going to tell you, but you were so sad and then you said-"

"You know, when people talk about the loves of their lives? That's Ian." She said dejectedly.

"Yeah, that. I couldn't confess my love for you when you were crying about some guy you claimed was the love of your life!"

"I wasn't just sad because of Ian. I was sad because it felt like I could never be with anyone I thought I could love. I thought I loved Ian, but I couldn't be with him because he was a fugitive and never stuck around long enough for me to see if I really could love him. And you. I knew I loved you, but I thought I could never be with you because, well, I'm a woman and you only saw me as a friend."

Maura's eyes were full of fresh tears but she didn't let them fall. Instead she shook her head and offered me a small and watery smile.

I thought back to what Maura said to me.

"It makes me so sad. Wait- how can you- how can you love someone and not be able to be with them."

At the time, I had no idea that Maura was also talking about wanting to be with me, loving me. I thought about how different things would have been if I had told her how I felt anyway.

"I should have told you anyway." I expressed sadly.

"I should have told you anyway too. I guess we just kept missing each other." Maura smiled sadly.

"Did you ever think about telling me?" I asked, unsure of whether I wanted to know the answer.

"Lots of times. I thought about telling you lots of times but I just couldn't find the words. I was too afraid that I'd lose my best friend. So I wrote you a letter, you know, to say all of the things I was too afraid to actually say to you!"

I was confused and surprised. What letter? I never got a letter! Oh god, did she think I got the letter but didn't feel the same way because I never replied? I took both of her hands in mine and held them gently, gazing into her eyes as I spoke.

"Maura, I never got your letter."

"I know."

"What?"

"I never sent it, Jane. I planned to give it to you after Casey left but things kept getting in the way."

My heart broke. We had wasted so much time, gone through so much unnecessary hurt all because the timing wasn't quite right. It didn't seem fair but then I finally realised something, none of it mattered because we still found each other, we still love each other and now we have a future together.

"I still have the letter. I kept it all this time, I just didn't have the confidence to actually do something with it."

"Can I read it?" I asked quietly and Maura got up to retrieve it.

When she returned, her hand shook as she gave it to me.

"I wrote it a long time ago, Jane. Since then, my love for you has grown more than I ever thought possible."

I looked up at her and gave her a soft smile.

"Thank you."

I opened the letter and began to read.

18/03/14

Dear Jane,

I know we see each other almost every day but I wanted to write this letter to you. All the thoughts and feelings that I have been keeping bottled up inside me are all-consuming and finally overflowing. I thought it was best to write a letter in order to allow you to take your time trying to decide on what I am about to say. I do not want to put pressure on you and lose you all together. How am I supposed to live without my best friend?

I know that you are devastated that Casey left. You can continue to tell me that you aren't, pretend that everything is perfect, that you are fine but I know it's not true. Your eyes betray you time and again. Casey is a foolish man who has no idea how lucky he was to have you and it makes me sick.

He was the luckiest man in the world to have you, Jane, but he doesn't deserve you and you deserve far better. You deserve someone who doesn't know what their life would be without you in it, not someone who doesn't know who they are if they aren't a soldier. You deserve someone who loves you with every single beat of their heart, someone who spends every minute of every day thinking about you, wondering what you're doing and if you are okay. You deserve someone who will support you and help you reach your dreams, protect you from your fears and will be standing right next to you in all your battles. You deserve someone who will love and cherish every part of you, respect and honour you, and doesn't want you to give up anything to be with them. You shouldn't have to give up anything, Jane. You should be with someone who makes you happy, really, truly happy. Someone who should have taken the chance to be with you years ago. I should have told you all of this years ago but I was too scared to try.

I am not scared anymore, Jane. I want to try. I know what that feeling was when we were talking about your engagement ring and marrying Casey – it was jealousy. My heart broke into a thousand tiny pieces when I saw the woman I love turning away from me to spend the rest of her life with someone else. It almost destroyed me to know that you would leave and I would never be able to tell you how I felt, to hold you how I wanted to hold you, to love you the way you deserved to be loved.

I should have told you all this a long time ago and because I didn't, I have let many wasted years slip by. I want to be with you, Jane. I want to spend every minute of every day for the rest of my life with you. I love you Jane. Always.

No matter what, no matter how you feel about me, please do not waste any more of your time or energy on Casey. He is not worth sacrificing the things you love for and you deserve so much more than the life he had to offer you.

All the love in my heart,

Maura x

I couldn't believe what I was reading. I could feel the love and adoration permeating through the paper, through the ink, through the words. It was clear that the feelings that I have for Maura have always been reciprocated, and she was able to express them far more eloquently than I ever could. Tears were streaming down my face and I decided that they were both happy and sad tears; I was so unbelievably happy that Maura loved me and wanted to be with me, but I was sad that it took so much time and so much heartbreak and suffering to get to where we are today. I felt the pad of Maura's thumb wipe away the tears. Her touch was cool but unbelievably comforting.

"I meant every word of it Jane, I still do. I would like to say that I wish I had sent you the letter, but that wouldn't be entirely true." Maura mentioned nervously.

She didn't need to explain why, I understood. I looked at her and gave her a warm smile, wordlessly trying to tell her that I understood completely.

"If you had sent the letter, you wouldn't have had Rosa. I understand, Maur. For that reason, I'm glad you didn't send it. You and Rosa are the best things that have ever happened to me and I wouldn't change either of you for the world." I explained lovingly.

Maura placed a chaste and tender kiss on my lips. I really loved how Maura's soft lips felt on my own and for a moment, I never wanted her lips to leave mine but I pulled back, breaking the connection.

"Maura Isles, would you like to go on a date with me?" I asked timidly.

"I would be honoured." Maura positively glowed as she spoke.

I grinned from ear to ear, certain that I looked like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland but still I didn't care. I was too busy being happy, like dancing-on-air happy! Maura's eyes drifted towards the clock on her bedside table.

"As much as I want to stay here all day with you, and believe me, I really want to, I have to get Rosa ready for school and go to work." Maura informed, her tone thick with disappointment.

I looked at the clock, it was 7:30am and neither of us had showered or eaten breakfast, and there was still Sleeping Beauty in the next room who had to be at school for 8:30am.

"It's fine Maura, really. I actually have few things to sort out for myself. You just get yourself ready, wake up that beautiful little girl of yours and I'll start making breakfast." I gently instructed, placing a soft kiss on her cheek afterwards.

"What did I ever do without you Jane?" Maura asked, flashing me her signature dimpled smile.

About 20 minutes later, Maura and Rosa joined me in the kitchen. They were each beautiful in their own right, but when they were together, it was something else. They look so similar and Rosa clearly had a great turn of the genetic wheel. I mean, Jack is an attractive man but Maura is just so breathtakingly beautiful… The kid would have been beautiful no matter who she looked like!

"Good morning Sunshine!" I called out to Rosa who giggled at the nickname.

"Good morning Aunt Jane… Are you making bunny pancakes?" She asked excitedly.

"No buddy, I'm not. These are Aunt Jane's special pancakes."

"More special than bunny pancakes?"

Rosa gave me a confused look and then turned her gaze towards Maura who gave her a small smile and a shrug of the shoulders in response. I handed Rosa the plate of pancakes.

"See for yourself!" I stated.

Rosa looked at the plate in front of her; on it was a pancake with chocolate chips placed on the top to make a smiley face and several strawberries cut in half and arranged around the outside to look like flower petals. I swear, her whole face lit up!

"Wow!" She exclaimed.

"Where's my pancake?" Maura piped up.

"Right here!"

As I handed Maura the plate, I placed one hand to my face and leant in to Rosa as if I was about to tell her a secret.

"Someone's impatient this morning!" I whispered to Rosa.

"Hey, I heard that!" Maura feigned offense and Rosa and I laughed.

"Wow Jane, these pancakes are awesome!" Maura stated as she looked at her pancake.

It was nothing short of a masterpiece, just like Maura… Well, not exactly like Maura! This pancake had two raspberries for eyes, half a strawberry for the nose and slices of banana topped with blueberries fashioned into a mouth. It also had lots of blueberries at the top of the plate to make the hair.

"Happy and healthy!" I remarked.

"Rich in antioxidants and full of fibre, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and phytonutrients. The fibre in blueberries helps to lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and reduces the risk of developing heart disease. You did good, Jane." Maura said as she gave me a gentle pat on the back.

I went back to the kitchen counter to collect my own pancake and joined my girls at the dining table. As I sat down, Maura looked at my pancake and let out a hearty chuckle. It had two fried eggs for eyes, a cube of butter for the nose and two slices of bacon positioned to make another smiling mouth.

"Okay, so this one's not exactly healthy but is happy and it'll make me even happier when I eat it!" I joked.

The rest of the morning was full of laughter and a light and carefree atmosphere filled the house. Maura and Rosa left a short while later and I decided that now was a good time to get myself ready to face the day. After all, it was going to be a long one.

I strolled through the cafeteria at the precinct. It felt so strange being back there; I had changed, everything had changed, but the cafeteria still looked exactly the same.

"Janie! What are you doing here?" Ma called out to me.

"I came to beg for my old job back but first, I need coffee!" I explained.

"Really? So you're really staying?" Ma didn't even try to contain her excitement.

"Yeah ma, looks like you're stuck with me!"

She pounced on me and began to smother me in kisses. I hate to say it, but I missed that too.

"I'm so happy for you Jane. You shouldn't have much trouble getting your job back… After all, the Lieutenant has a soft spot for you!" Ma said as she handed me my coffee to go.

Cavanaugh has a soft spot for me? Well, I am good at my job and he did sleep with my mother, so I guess that counts for something! I confidently prowled through the bullpen and knocked on the Lieutenant's door.

"Well, well. Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence!"

"Korsak!"

I immediately enveloped Vince in a hug.

"It's Lieutenant Korsak now." Korsak smiled warmly.

"It's so good to see you. You haven't aged a bit!"

"It's good to see you too, Jane. Thanks for the compliment… Tryin' to butter me up? What can I do for you?" He asked.

"Well, you see… I- I was hoping that maybe I could have my old job back. I mean, it was great being an agent and all but I definitely feel more at home here. Boston is my home, BPD is my home and my family is right here."

I hoped that would be enough. I've never had to beg for a job before, let alone one I willingly gave up in search of something better! I tried to get a read on Korsak but his expression was unreadable. He looked serious. I nervously caught my bottom lip between my teeth and began to fidget. It felt like time was standing still until Korsak smiled again and extended his hand for me to shake.

"It would be a pleasure to have to back, Rizzoli."

I shook his hand vigorously.

"Thank you, Vince! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You will not regret this!" I assured.

"I know. How soon can you start?" He asked happily.

"How about next week?" I asked enthusiastically.

Part of me wanted to go back to work straight away; I really had missed it here, but most of me wanted to spend as much time as I could in my pretty pink bubble with Maura before we had to get back to reality.

"Perfect. I'll see you then."

I hugged Korsak again on my way out and apologised for being a stranger. Vince was a good friend and I was embarrassed that I hadn't kept in touch with him either. I left the precinct with a spring in my step, a smile on my face, and an idea for the perfect date night in my head! It was time to put the wheels in motion.

So, date night tonight! I'll pick you up at 7 – J x

I'll be waiting – M x

I rang the doorbell. I was excited and nervous; I had butterflies in my stomach.

"Get it together, Rizzoli!" I muttered to myself before Maura opened the door.

The door opened and I was greeted by the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. She was wearing a deep plum dress that highlighted every curve, black suede heels and a leather jacket. I felt my chin hit the floor!

"Hi" I stuttered.

"Hi."

She gave me one of those smiles again, you know, when she smiles with her whole face and it just instantly makes everything so much brighter. We stood there awkwardly for a few moments, both nervous and unsure of what to say next.

"I wasn't sure what to wear, I hope this is okay." Maura mumbled nervously.

"Okay? Maura, you look great. Better than great, you look stunning." I smiled.

"My hair" she began as she twirled a section with her finger. "It's not… too curly?"

"I love your curls. That's the best bit, they frame that beautiful face of yours." I answered sincerely.

Maura blushed and I continued.

"I have fallen completely in love with you, and that was obviously going to happen because you have such a gorgeous face, and perfect hair. But even if you had an ugly face and no hair, I would still adore you. You are stunningly beautiful, inside and out, Maur. It's just me, you don't need to impress me. You already have me." I assured.

"I'm a little nervous." She replied honestly.

"Me too."

I smiled and offered Maura my hand, she gladly accepted. I walked her to my car and opened the passenger door for her. I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that tonight was perfect.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"You know I don't like surprises, Jane."

"Hopefully you'll like this one, but why don't you open the glove compartment." I gently commanded and Maura complied.

"What is it?"

"A clue, read it."

"Jorge left a basket, it was filled with lots of treats. You stole a bag of something, from the place we're going to eat." Maura read aloud.

"Can you guess where we're going?"

Maura's brow furrowed as she tried to remember what was in the basket. I smiled when she had that lightbulb moment when she realised where we were going.

"Really?! You remembered that!" Her eyes lit up.

When we arrived Max Brenner, the best dessert restaurant in Boston, Maura acted like a child in a candy shop… Well, we were kind of in a candy shop and she was really cute, so I'll let her off!

"I love fudge clusters and I love you. I can't believe you remembered!" She gushed.

"I remember a lot of things about you." I smiled, taking her hand in mine.

After our magnificent meal and divine dessert, the waiter handed me the cheque and Maura another clue. Phase one complete, now for phase two.

"This pastime is my favourite, we've had a lot of fun. Pitted friends against each other, remember when you won?" Maura read out the clue and giggled when she saw my stick man labelled 'Frost's mom.'

"You're taking me to watch baseball? Is there a match on at this time?" Maura asked.

"Not to watch, to play. I'm going to teach you." I smiled.

We stood in front of the pitching fast ball machine. I stood behind Maura, held her and taught her how to perfect her swing. Just like I wanted to all those years ago, only it was even better than I imagined it would be.

We spent the whole evening laughing and just simply enjoying each other's company. It was perfect and for a moment at least, it felt like all of the pain we had endured throughout the years had just vanished.

I walked Maura to her front door and kissed her goodnight. I was supposed to be staying with ma, and I didn't mean to sleepover last night… Plus, this was our first date! I didn't want to be presumptuous and assume that I would be staying the night (but I did pack an overnight bag and put it in the trunk, just in case).

"Would you like to come in?" Maura asked sweetly but seductively.

"I would love to."

Rosa was staying with ma tonight, so we had the house to ourselves. Maura poured us both a glass of wine and well, one thing led to another and we began kissing passionately. Maura pulled away and took my hand.

"Come with me." She instructed, still holding onto my hand.

She led me through the hallway and into her bedroom, promptly shutting the door behind us. She planted a kiss on my lips, a kiss unlike any other. It was full of love, lust and desire. I knew in that moment that tonight was going to be the night, our night.


A.N. Remember to check out 'My Story: Chapter 10 Insert' if you would like to read the M-rated scene that follows this chapter. Also, if there is anything you want to see happen in this story, please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate your request.