The last chapter was kind of unintended, but needed. I am trying to find more and more icebreakers to bring the girls together. Enjoy! please Read and review when you get a sec. It means a lot to me. :)

Jane walked into the brick two weeks after the running indcident with a smile on her face, intending to get some work done. She had been fighting almost once a week and she realized just how much she had missed it. Frowning to herself Jane's thoughts drifted to Maura, something that had been happening a lot more lately. Shaking her head and the temporary frown that had threatened her smile she set her mind about her work. Instead she found Erica leaning against her desk a smirk on her face.

"Hey Italian."

"Hey Rica. Sup?"

"Oh just wanted to come see your office incase I ever need you to bail me out." Jane laughed. "No really I just wanted to invite you and little miss doctor out this evening. Was in the neighborhood and thought I would just stop by. Plus I figured you two might need a cup of joe as well."

Jane smiled her friend knew her to well. Erica smiled and gently hugged her, then handed her a cup of coffee.

"You know me to well. Come on lets go ask Maura."

Together the two women headed down to Maura's world and were met by her smiling face.

"Hello ladies what can I do for you?"

Erica smiled.

"Well we were wondering, well I was wondering if you and Jane would like to come out tonight."

Maura glanced at Jane and seeing the glint in the brown eyes nodded.

"Sure."

Jane smiled.

"One rule Rica, we aren't going to Teshana and Dalia's place, or anything like it."

Erica nodded.

"Tend to not hang out at the places I work Jane."

Jane nodded.

"Sounds great."

Erica gave her best smile and kissing Jane on the cheek and hugging Maura made her way out of the office.

"Good see you two a six. Italien meet at your place?"

Jane nodded her head and then shook it at the humor of the situation chuckling at her friend, turning back to Maura she smiled.

"Shooters is strictly pool and drinking, what say we head out a bit early and have dinner at my place?"

Maura nodded in agreement and the two parted ways. Jane impulsively hugged Maura close and then headed towards the elevator. Jane found herself getting closer to Maura over the last few weeks. They had gone running every morning together and Jane found herself readily enjoying her friends company. It brought a strange comfort she wasn't sure what to do with. Taking a deep breath and stepping into the elevator Jane made her way up to the brick hoping they didn't catch a case between now and dinner time.

Luckily for Jane they didn't catch a case and Jane spent her entire day doing paperwork . She heard the customary click clack of Maura's heels and felt a happiness settle in. Finishing the piece of paper in front of her she smiled and glanced up at Maura.

"Ready to go Dr. Isles?"

For just a moment Maura felt the breath leave her lungs as the desk lamp illuminated Jane's features. The shadows and the bits of light seemed to perfectly caress her cheeks, adding a depth to her already beautiful face. Maura bit back a moan, gods this woman was sexy. She allowed herself the indulgence for just a moment longer. Jane had one hand threaded through her hair, pushing it out of her face as she worked. She heard Maura's heels and looked up a smile adorning her features, and maura felt the chance of breathing anyitme soon leave her body. Jane was perfect, her dark hair illuminated by angular features, and the brown eyes that held so much depth, they seemed to tell stories of pain, of life, and of the deep love she was capable of. Maura didn't realize Jane had said anything until the brown eyes changed from a warmth to a deep concern. Jane stood and placed a hand on her arm.

"Maur you ok?"

Maura nodded soflty not trusting herself to speak and after a moment replied.

"Yeah sorry Jane, was just lost in thought for a second."

"Hey no worries we can call Rica and cancel if you are to tired."

"NO, No, not at all. It's fine. I just zoned out for a sec there. In fact I think it will be a lot of fun. I want to go."

Jane nodded and grabbed her jacket before threading her hand through Maura's arm and leading her from the brick. Together the two talked amicably to the parking lot. Maura followed Jane home in her car and together the two entered Jane's apartment together. Jane walked back to the bedroom to change into some jeans. As she pulled them on she smiled when she heard, Rihanna's song "skin" began to play through the speakers. Jane walked out intending to say something to Maura and the words stopped in her throat as she watched Maura kicking off her high heels, watched her body slightly move to the beat, completely comfortable. Jane's breath caught in her throat as for a moment Maura swayed her hips, hands high in the air, she seeme to fall int a trance as she ground her hips down on thin air, the pencil skirt shaping her butt beautifully. Jane gulped and for a moment just watched as Maura moved to beat and felt a moan reach her lips. Thankful for her quick instincts Jane ducked behind the wall as Maura began to turn around in what would be facing her. Jane was tempted to sneak another peak, but not wanting to get caught she gulped head leaning against the wall. Inhaling a deep quiet breath Jane ran a frusterated hand through her hair.

Fuck, is it normal that I was just aroused by my best friends dance display? Shit.

Jane sighed, and as she began to hear the last chorus of the song she gulped again and stopped herself in her own tracks. The worst part was it felt normal. Jane wanted this to be normal. Shaking off her thoughts Jane acted like she resumed her walking from the bedroom and called out just before she rounded the corner.

"Hey Maur did you decide what you wanted for dinner?"

Maura paused mid dance, and whipped around so quickly that Jane chuckled to herself and wore and amused smirk. Maura turned beat red.

"Not one single word Jane Rizzoli and yes I want your chicken premavera."

Jane nodded and went into the kitchen pulling the ingrediants out of the fridge. As Maura ran back into the bedroom and changed into a nice pair of jeans, a more acceptable going out blouse and her leather jacket. She rejoined Jane as she pulled the last ingrediant out of the fridge. Jane began to cook dinner as Maura began to ramble off about something about essential oils and massage oils. Jane listened easily retorting to her friend and enjoying the conversation as they talked filing several facts in the back of her head. Jane found her thoughts wandering to the ideas that this was normal. She stopped herself several times and then mentally threw up her hands in frusteration, she enjoyed Maura. She wanted this to be normal but what did that mean? Her mind began to go in a thousand different directions losing track of the conversation with Maura. Maura noticed her emotional disconnect and sighed.

"Jane what are you thinking about?"

Jane continued to be lost in her thougths until Maura finally got up out of her chair and came over and leaned against the counter crossing her legs and looking at Jane pointedly. Reaching out seeing her friend was still lost in thought she captured Jane's chin. Jane started a bit at her closeness but immediately calmed. Maura looked deep into the brown eyes and seemed to read the world in them. An intense moment was shared and Maura let her thumb trace along Jane's jawline and noticed with great pleasure that Jane seemed to shiver slightly. Giving it a moment Maura spoke softly to her friend.

"What is it, where were you a that moment? You've been quiet all night."

Jane chuckled.

"Just thinking about the case is all."

"I know you better than that Jane Rizzoli. Talk to me."

Jane shrugged outwardly trying to remain calm. What would Maura think of her thoughts? There was little she didn't talk to Maura about, in fact Maura was the person she confided almost everything in. Would she accept this? Maura was straight right? Maura seeing the war within Jane's eyes sighed and then pulled her friend close in a hug.

"Its ok, but when you are ready I am here."

Jane sighed and hugged her friend back but wondered just how much Maura would be there for her. It had only started recently but it was enough to bother her. Finishing making dinner they ate dinner together and Jane grabbed her leather jacket before they went out to join Erica. They chose to take Maura's prius and Maura flciked Jane the car keys. Jane smiled at her and was secretly glad that it was within walking distance to both the cage and her house. Well it was almost two miles but Jane could convince Maura that it would be fine. When she reached Shooters she smiled when she saw Erica. She was flirting with the red head from the cage and Jane chuckled. Erica saw them and smiled waving them over.

"Ladies, glad you could make it."

Jane looked over at Erica a question on her lips but Erica just smiled and shook her head. The redhead stood up and tok Jane's hand.

"it's nice to finally meet you Jane. I'm Jessica."

Jane nodded and shook her hand, a mutual respect passed between them.

"As it is to meet you. You had a hell of a finish with that elbow the other night."

Jessica chuckled.

"Oh you know. Gotta finish em some how."

She finsihed the sentence with a wink and turned to Erica.

"Baby these ladies need another beer, you need one?"

Erica smiled.

"That'd be great darlin. Thanks."

Maura knit her eyebrows in confusion and stood to follow the amorous redhead. Jane waited until Maura was gone and hissed at Erica.

"Rica.."

"relax Jane. She knows you want to keep on the downlow. Plus I kind of like her. A lot."

The two began their normal banter as Jane rolled her eyes and then turned serious.

"It dangerous Rica, another fighter."

"You and I did it successfully."

"Rica that was a long time ago."

"Yeah it was, but it doesn't change does it?"

"No."

"Thats what I thought."

The other two women returned to the table chatting amicably. Maura watched the three women talk and couldn't help but notice the comradery between them. She also seemed to notice the growing bond between the redhead and Erica. The four women began a pool game, Jane and Jessica on the same team Maura and erica against them.

"Erica what happened to your left cuboid?"

Erica raised an eyebrow and looked at Jane.

"My what?"

Jane chuckled and Jessica rolled her eyes.

"You're left outter foot bone you idiot."

Erica growled.

"Look I wasn't good at science." She glared at Jessica. Maura looked impressed.

"How do you know that?"

Jessica chuckled.

"Chiropractor."

Jane raised an eyebrow, most of the time the fighters never talked about their personal lives. In the cage it didn't matter who they were, what mattered was how they fought or who they were the moment they stepped into the cage. She listened to the other two ramble on and motioned to Erica.

"Wow look who we got stuck with."

Erica chuckled.

"We always did know how to pick them."

Maura and Jessica coninued to talk on about science and felt herself getting distracted as Jane bent to make her shot. She watched jane bend down and let her eyes rove over the perfect body. Jane was beautiful. Maura looked at the "gin face" in her hand and swore softly to herself. She always got more emotional as drink entered her system. Jessica noticing the break in her concentration followd her line of sight and chuckled. Her eyes made their way to Erica and het body and holy shit what a body. She sighed herself. Maura shook her head and returned her focus to her current conversation and followed Jessica's gaze and saw it transfixed on Erica. Something began to click in her mind and confusion clouded Maura's features. Wasn't Erica after Jane and why the hell would it matter? Sighing deep within she cheered softly to Jessica who had returned her attention. Jessica smiled a sad smile.

"Seems you have the same problem I do." Maura muttered.

"Being hopelessly in love? Yeah that about sums it up."

Maura chuckled.

"Yeah and never getting to have it."

Jessica raised an eyebrow and then the pieces clicked.

"Maura, Erica and I are married we have been for the year."

Maura almost spit out her drink.

"What, but the relationship she has with Jane?"

Jessica chuckled.

"I better let Erica explain that one."

Maura growled and standing from her seated position daintily handed her pool cue to Jessica and walked over and grabbed Erica by the collar and hauled her out of the bar. Jane raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at Jessica. Jessica chuckled.

"You know Eric and I have been married for the last year right?"

Jane chuckled.

"Wouldn't suprise me Jess, you've been eye fucking each other all night, and few people bring Erica's ease down, part of being a fighter I guess. I'm glad you two moved back."

Jessica nodded.

"Why weren't you at our wedding?"

Jane rubbed the scars on her hands absentmindedly.

"I was after a guy named Hoyt, he was a bastard of a criminal, lowest of the low, I had planned on coming to your wedding, but for some reason he targeted me. I had never met you in or out of the cage, but I knew Erica loved you and that was all that mattered." Jane proceeded to tell Jessica the whole story starting from day one until the end of the story. Told her of the nightmares and of the scars she bore because of it and how Maura had been with her through all of that. At the end of the story Jessica gazed down at her an amused smirk on her features. Jane was in love with Maura she just didn't realize it. Taking the black haired woman in her arms Jessica hugged her softly.

"It sounds like you've been through a lot together Italian, no wonder she's your best friend."

Jane chuckled again.

"God no wonder Erica married you. Damn you pack a mean punch in the cage but you're a great listener."

Jessica chuckled.

"Yeah she's ahandful. Though she and I have been through a lot, Not as much as the two of you had."

Jane laughed.

"Good ol Rica."

Outside Erica choked slightly when Maura finally released her.

"What the hell Maura?"

"What the hell yourself Erica. You have a beautiful wife in there and at dinner you basically molested Jane! Who the hell do you think you are and what the hell were you thinking?" Erica raised an eyebrow at the territorial temper in Maura's eyes and voice. Maura continued to rant and rave and erica moved to lean against the wall and let her. When she saw Maura had finally quenched her temper and turned to her Erica looked at her softly meeting her gaze.

"How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long have you been in love with her?"

Maura's face registered complete and total shock as she met the eyes.

"Well shit." Running a hand through her hair Maura went on another rant about Jane as Erica just stood against the wall and listened. Maura went on for about five minutes as Erica lsitened and then getting to the end of her rant she looked at erica's warm clear green eyes. " She wouldn't have me anyway, shes a.) straight and B.) shes my best friend and c.) I love her to much to lose her. So there just isn't a chance."

Erica smiled softly.

"Well to a.) I can ask, did you ask her? Cause I'm walking proof she isn't entirely straight. Jane is perfecly bi. She doesn't bat for one team or the other, she just loves who she loves. B.) no friend is worth having if you can't talk to them and c.) She loves you to much too, even if she said no, she'd still find a way to be your friend Maur. Give her time and if it's meant to be it will be."

"What happened between you two?"

"We were together for almost a year, we were each others firsts. It was in New York. She'd never dated another woman, it just kinda happened. Niether of us really knew what hit us. Jane was just about to get her detective badge. God, we were so in love. It was like a tornado had met a volcano and we collided. Over time it just wasn't working out. We had some fights, we had some talks, she said I wasn't enough for her and she wasn't enough for me. It was a tough split but a lot was said and alot was done and she moved on. We broke up amicably and remained good friends. At that time we were in the same world and Jane was transitioning out of it and I wanted to stay in it. I loved her to much to hold on, so I let go. Never loved again until I met Jessica, and that was it for me. We got married three months after we met. "

"What worlds?"

"No Maur, those are questions you need to ask her. If I learned anything in the year I loved and lived with Jane Rizzoli it was the fact that with her you have to be patient, over time if she can she self corrects. So hold on and again if its meant to be, it'll be."

Maura growled in frusteration knowing the woman in front of her was overall ridiculously correct. She felt and ifs and buts arise in her throat but the amused look on Erica's face kept her from saying anything. Realizing the manner in which she had just basically grabbed the woman and hauled her out of the bar Maura groaned, now realizing that Jane would require a explanation. Running her hand through her hair and groaning Erica chuckled and hugged her soflty, then pushed her out to arms length with a laugh.

"Your lucky I'm married, otherwise I might give Jane a run for her money. I like my woman fiery."