AN: I am so so sorry I kept you waiting for so long. That paper I was writing was way harder than I had assumed. And thinking in two different second languages simply was more than I could manage. However the paper is done and I can focus on this now again. This is way more fun!

I hope you like it!

Jane felt relieved that everyone was gone. This outfit did what she had expected it to but that didn't mean she felt comfortable in it. If her mom had mentioned just one more time how beautiful she looked dressed like this, Jane was sure she would have gone upstairs locked herself in the spare bedroom and waited until everyone had gone. At least no one else had said something. Afterwards she had to say it was an awful idea and she had no idea why she did that just to surprise her best friend. The direct air made her feel as if on everyone's mercy, and the very restricted possibilities of movements resembled being bound to her.

Maura had never shown such a great interest in her wineglass as right now - or the flames in the fireplace. But it was the only way to keep herself from gazing. Earlier it had been easier, while having guests she had enough things to do to keep things clean and tidy. But now there were just the two of them left. Jane didn't have to say a word, Maura knew her well enough to understand how uncomfortable Jane must feel.

"Don't you like it?" Maura looked startled at her friend.

"The dress" Jane explained. The medical examiner felt her cheeks flush. She was unsure how to answer. How she was expected to answer. Personally she thought Jane should wear dresses much more often that those 2 times a year she actually did. So of course Maura was thrilled to see her friend not only in any dress but in this peticular one. A few months ago Maura had tried for weeks to let Jane buy her the dress for her best friend.. Marua had been sure it would suit her perfectly. And it did! The décollté was generous without revealing too much. It ended exactly at kneehight. This was propably the most elegant outfit Maura had ever seen on Jane.

"It is a Camilla Thulin, last year's collection. It has a very feminine fitting form and was originally only thought for the Swedish market. However due to-" Jane's frustrated stare made the stop midsentence.

"I really like it on you. You look amazing." Maura tried again to honor just Jane now instead off even the dress itself and the designer. Maura couldn't explain why she felt so nervous. Jane still played with the label of her beer bottle but seemed to calm a little. Both her Erector spinae muscles and Trapezius muscles relaxed.

"Really?" she asked looking for some more assurance.

"Really, Jane." It felt good to hear those words from Maura. Maura said them without pressure, without trying to make it a thing. Just an honest appreciation of current circumstances. Wow, and now Jane not only started to dress like her best friend but even started to sound like her.

They were really an odd couple, NO! Pair of friends, Jane thought. Memories of last night's dream returned to her mind mixing themselves with harassing comments she had heard over the last decade. Her mind was still getting Jane to want to run from herself but no longer in a panicking way. No doubt that dream made her still anxious in some way and she wished she could just erase it from her memory but she started even to feel angry. Angry about how she looked at herself, how society taught her to be.

"- dress tonight?" She had totally missed Mauras question.

"Sorry, what did you say?" She asked. Jane hadn't even noticed how deep in thoughts she had been. Looking now in her favoritdoctors eyes brought her back to present.

"I wondered if you would like to tell me why you chose this – for you – unusual outfit." Maura asked again. Not sure if it would make Jane talk or feeling interrogated. They now sat towards each other, Jane with both her legs on the couch due to the tight dress. Maura still having one foot on the ground and still feeling mesmerized by the sparkle all over her best friend.

Somewhat awkward Jane's eyes jumped back and forth between Maura and the meanwhile empty beer bottle in her hands while she tried to come up with some reasonable explanation. Originally she just saw one day a few months ago that Maura had looked up this and some other dresses on Jane's laptop. Maura had decided to drag her best friend to another benefit event and then complained that said best friend wasn't dressed suitable. She must have used the time Jane took to redress for searching for some new designer pieces. When Jane saw the last opened page the next morning she just felt drawn to this dress. It was black like her suits, a color of comfort to her. But it was also feminine and sparkling. And if she was honest with herself. It was even longer than her court outfit, which she thought was okay for being a blouse and a skirt.

"You always said I need something more festive. And when I saw it I thought this could work for both of us. I'm not feeling like a clown since it's not too colorful and you can don't have to come up with an outfit for me then you drag me to your fancy upper class events. It was like a Christmas present until you came up with this confessionthing. You know, like making you smile since you finally got me to having something elegant."

"You buy something for yourself as a present for me?" Maura tried to rephrase her friend's last words which had faded to a whisper while Jane spoke.

"No, that was not how I meant it. I hoped you would be happy that you got me a little bit into your world. But that was a stupid-". Jane began to panic and barely took a breath between the words before she was cut short.

"It is okay, I understand what you meant. I'm just messing with you." Maura couldn't help but notice the small sequins sparkle when Jane exhaled in relief. It seemed as if they had exchanged rolls for the moment.

"But don't make me wear this too often! I thought about once every decade." Jane joked to make herself more comfortable when she got up to get some more beer.

They drank in silence for a while and Mauras thoughts wandered back to this days beginning. It might have been the scientist in her searching for all details but she couldn't help wondering about what Janes dream exactly was. She knew though it would be meaningless to ask. Right now Jane would just get up and leave, in worst case even in her own car. More and more questions rose in her, not just regarding last night but even Janes habits.

The strangest things of all was that it didn't even feel weird thinking about her best friend's sexuality. It wasn't normal, no doubt, in fact it was the very first time after all these years they knew each other and grew together as this very close friends. But it didn't feel weird. It was simply an act of getting to know Jane a little bit better. There was no sexual desire behind Mauras thought, but fascination about how another woman experiences and enjoys her own sexuality. Otherwise Maura would have wanted to find commons with her own longings as with so many people before but this was just about Jane. About understanding a sexual behavior and values so different from her own. Or weren't they?

As the fire was turning low Maura decided it was time to bring her silent living room back to live. Putting a hand on Janes nylon covered knee she faced her.

"You're on new year's eve and day, right?"

"Uh-huh" Jane answered mid in the last sip from her bottle.

"Then I have the perfect party to dedicate your dress!" Maura stated enthusiastic.

"No, No way! It was dedicated today, now it may rest in my closet. And I in normal cloths."

"That will work as well." Maura felt a little sad about not seeing Jane in this dress again, but at the same time she was happy her Idea would work out even with a normal-dressed Jane.

The look Jane gave her was skeptical to describe it nicely. A party Maura invited her, suitable in both, glittery dresses and comfortable suits? That couldn't be real. Jane was sure in the end she would have to tell everyone they ran out of peanuts, again.

"First you tell me where we're going!" she demanded.

"No, it's a surprise." Maura answered with an almost sheepish smile.

"But you are totally free to choose what to wear." She added.

"Will I embarrass you?"

"I don't think so, but I can never know with you. If you really want to I'm sure you'll find a chance."

"That's at least something, but I still want to know what kind of party that is" Jane answered half satisfied and half yawning.

"I think we should go upstairs. It was a long and stressful day" Maura tried to change the subject and picked up their empty wineglass and beer bottle. She didn't think it would be wise to tell Jane too much. Even if she thought Jane would enjoy the night as she planned it, she was sure her best friend would absolutely refuse to ever go there if she knew where they were going.

"Can I stay?" Jane asked a little surprised. Truly she couldn't drive anymore this night and cabs were rare on Christmas days eve. She was not the only one tonight who hadn't thought about the way home. But still, Maura didn't like unannounced guests. And they always had talked about Jane using the spare bedroom at least in the beginning of the night, never at the end. Jane never even thought about questioning Mauras guestrules.

"I want you to stay." Maura confirmed on her way up the stairs. She wasn't sure herself why she expressed it that way. There were plenty of better ones. You are always welcome at my home or you definitely can't drive home or just I'm offering it to you. But she had chosen I want you to stay.

AN: Thanks for reading! So what do you think is Mauras party? All kind comments are welcome as usual!