Make me love you

They were sitting on Maura's bed. Jane was leaning against the headboard, Maura tucked inside her arms, reading some medical journal and humming softly along with the Ramone's CD playing. Maura's expression was serene, but Jane's brow was furrowed, her mouth set in a line, jaw set.

"Maura" Jane said. Maura, still reading, didn't notice the strained tone in Jane's voice.

"Hmm?"

"I need to ask you something" Maura set down her paper, startled by the sudden formality. She shifted around, disengaging herself from Jane so she could turn and face her.

"You can ask me anything Jane, is something wrong?" Worry coloured her voice, and her eyes widened. Jane ran her hands through her hair, obviously distressed. She moved further away from Maura, so they were no longer touching at all.

"You're scaring me Jane"

Jane took a deep breath, and looked at Maura straight in the eye.

"Did I make you love me? Maura's eyebrows shot up, confusion playing across her face.

"What? Jane, I don't understand"

Jane sighed, frustrated. "Did I make you love me?" Maura shook her head, reaching forward for Jane's hand, but she pulled away.

"Listen to me Maur, I'm serious. This is really bothering me"

Maura leaned forward. "I am serious; you haven't made me do anything against my will. I don't understand"

Jane got out of bed and started pacing. "Maur," she said, glancing over at the bed, "don't take this the wrong way" she hedged, wringing her hands.

"Please Jane, just say what you need to without regard for my feelings"

Jane nodded. "Well, Maur, you are so…different. You are so brave and kind and wonderful." She paused. "But, you're new." Seeing the bewildered look on Maura's face she continued quickly. "You have learned to compartmentalize and rationalize and then we met. And we became friends." She paused and turned to smile at Maura. "Best friends. And I've been so lucky to have been able to teach you so much…and bring you out of your box, and you've grown so much, especially when it comes to relationships with people. But I'm just worried. I fell in love with you, and it's been the best experience of my life. But sometimes I think that you just love me because you think it's the next step, it's what usually happens, and it's what you should do." Jane wiped her eyes, and took a shuddering breath. "I just feel like I made you fall in love with me."

Jane sighed, and stopped pacing. Maura, recognizing that she was done, slowly stood up. Silently, she moved across the room, and stood inches away from Jane, face impassive.

"Jane Rizzoli, don't you ever insult my intelligence like that again. I am a grown woman. You have changed me more than any other person has, but it was absolutely my choice to fall in love with you, it was my choice to pursue a relationship with you. And every time I kiss you, touch you, I whisper in your ear, I make the choice"

And with that, she leaned forward, closing the gap between them with a gentle kiss.