This weekend had been very normal yet very intertwined. They'd spent most of the weekend at Maura's place; slept together, independently finished up paperwork from the week, gotten meals together, cleaned up together etc. They were happy. Comfortable even, and that wasn't too easy for either of them.

The two of them watched television for a while, occasionally having idle conversations usually in ad breaks. Soon they both began to doze off a little.

"Come on," Maura smiled. "Let's go to bed."

Jane grumbled whinily. "Eugh, I have to go to work tomorrow."

Maura smiled small. "I know, as do I. Come on," she tugged at her arm lightly. "You have worked many days in your life and you will work many more. Tomorrow is no exception."

Jane huffed, "Fine…" She dragged the word out as she spoke. She pulled herself forward and up off the lounge and then turned reaching out a hand to help Maura up.

•••

Tonight they slept in Maura's bed (when in Rome).

They both got changed into something more comfortable. Maura wore button-up pyjamas set. They were a dark teal colour with white trim on the cuffs of the sleeves and pant-legs, as well as the lapels. The satin shimmered a little in the light which only served to make Maura looked more regal and elegant than she usually did.

Jane, on the other hand, was wearing a pair of grey, light cotton track pants and navy t-shirt. As she re-entered the room after getting dressed, she was astounded to see Maura looking so presentable.
In her mind, as soon as it was time for bed, it was time for the excuse to look dishevelled and unfashionable when no-one could tell you off. But here was Maura, looking pristine with her perfectly smooth pyjamas and her hair in a slightly messy bun.

"I feel underdressed," Jane joked with a smile.

Maura smiled politely as she sat on the edge of the bed.

As Jane walked over and fell back onto the bed, she pat the empty space next to her. She watched as Maura apprehensively lay down next to her.

Maura lay on her back, staring at the ceiling without a word. Usually she was more careful with her displays of emotion but these ones were a little too strong.

Still, Jane watched and waited. When she concluded that Maura wasn't going to take the first step she rolled onto her side so she was facing her and gently traced patterns on the arm closest to her. "What's going on in that big head?"

Without thinking Maura began, "I do not have a big- Oh," she smiled politely once again. She took a big breath in as if preparing to submerge herself in water before letting out a tired huff.

Jane smiled a little too. It wasn't a real smile though; more of a kind 'I'm sorry'. "Maur'," she said in a gentle yet serious tone. "What's going on?" She stopped her fingers and simply rested her hand on Maura's forearm.

She turned her head toward Jane solemnly. "What happens tomorrow?" That was it. No context nor explanation.

Being her usual smart-ass self, she said, "Why is it any different from today?"

Truthfully though, Maura didn't actually know. That made two of them.

"This weekend has been so wonderful," she said blinking slowly. "I don't want our real lives to ruin that yet."

"Maura, it's just work. We'll still see each other before and after. We'll still have our phones and time off. Nothing has to change."

Maura pursed her lips. "That's not quite what I meant," she said sadly.

"Then tell me what you mean," Jane tugged.

Maura sighed and sat herself up so she was leaning against the bed head. "I am well-aware that we have continued on our with our day-to-day lives since we began to see each other. I just really like what we have going. I know that we don't really know what this is, and I'm okay with that," she said honestly. "But other people will want to label it or put it in a box and… I don't want to be in a box."

Jane began to sit up quietly, allowing Maura to speak.

"Our relationship is unique. I mean, of course, there are many women – and men for that matter – who have participated in same-sex relationships, and there are also those who experiment. This doesn't quite feel like experimenting though. I suppose I am just a little frightened that other people will begin to taint that further," she explained. "Make it even less clear when, really, it has nothing to do with their opinions at all."

"Maura," Jane said in a friendly tone. "Yes, our relationship is unique, to say the least. Do I have any idea what will happen? No! But I want it to happen, regardless of what people think. I want this. I want you."

She smiled kindly. "May I ask a favour?"

Jane raised her eye brows as if to say that it needn't ever be a question. "Of course, anything."

"Could we just not tell people yet?" Maura was clearly scared to ask. She wasn't ashamed of their relationship and she certainly didn't want Jane to think that. She did however value greatly the chance for their relationship to grow and progress at its own pace and, in her experience, once friends or family start to get involved it rarely happens that way.

Jane leaned in and raised a hand to Maura's cheek before pressing her lips against Maura's.

When they broke apart and looked each other in the eyes, Maura still wasn't sure of the answer and Jane could see that.

"Of course."

Maura looked relieved. She kissed Jane again.

Even after the weekend they'd had and the comfort they each felt when with the other, Maura was right. There was a very good chance that their relationship could be messed up by others at this stage.

The next morning, Maura walked as if a weight had been lifted. Jane couldn't help but feel a little bad though for not noticing that Maura was upset earlier.

Mid-breakfast, Jane asked, "How long had you been thinking about that?"

"About what?" She replied politely.

"About what other people were going to do to us," she informed.

"Oh," Maura said placing the butter knife on her plate next to the rye toast. "Not long," she said honestly.

"Oh okay," Jane said unsurely. She believed Maura and didn't think she'd lie but part of her was still confused. "It just seemed like it was something you'd thought out pretty well and I feel bad for not knowing before then that you had something on your mind."

"Jane, please," she said placing a hand atop Jane's. She took a small breath. "Honestly, it was just something that happened," she began. "A little while before we left the lounge room to go to bed it occurred to me that we each had work again today. From there, the notion simply grew rather rapidly."

"You sure?" Jane asked hopefully.

"Certain," she smiled. "Sometimes when I am tired, my brain functions noticeably differently and is more susceptible to thoughts becoming overwhelming. That's all."

"Okay, thanks," she said sincerely. "And, you know you can always talk to me, right?"

"I do, thank you Jane. And, had I felt differently last night's conversation may not have even occurred," she reminded.

Jane smiled.

Hello all,

Thank you for reading. I really hope you enjoy this chapter!

Hope you're happy and well.

P.S: If you're staying aboard the Rizzles Ship, make sure to check out my Tumblr rizzoliandislesformiles in case you hadn't already.

Thank you again.