Jane stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom, and took a few deep, calming breaths to try and steady her nerves. She had not long been home and, having ignored Jo Friday's pleas for dinner, had jumped straight in the shower and was now in her underwear, deciding what to put on. Jeans and a t-shirt would be the most comfortable, but they were hardly the sexiest.

At that thought, she gave a small, slightly hysterical giggle that made Jo Friday look up in bemusement. It was Maura, for heaven's sake. Since when had she worried about looking sexy for Maura?

She didn't try and answer that.

It had been a longer day than she had expected, or wanted, but a reasonable one none the less. The lab results on Toby Redfell had come back clear - nothing unexpected in the blood and tissue samples, and the fingerprints all matched up. The extra set on the laptop had turned out to belong to his mother, who had visited him the day before he died, and telling her that her son had committed suicide was one of the hardest things that Jane had ever had to do.

But then, that part of the job was never easy.

In between that, and finishing off the mountain of paperwork that seemed to have accumulated on her desk, she had hardly seen Maura all day. Just a quick visit first thing that morning to confirm the lab's findings, and to check that Maura would be signing Redfell off as a suicide. It was maybe just as well - she had been nervous enough about the evening ahead as it was, and still hadn't been quite sure that she had done the right thing in agreeing to it. But that hadn't stopped her from thinking, imagining, dreaming... And when she had finally managed to push the doctor out of her mind and concentrate on the task in hand, she had ended up losing track of time. It had been just past six when she had finally left the precinct.

And now she couldn't decide what to wear.

In the end, it was Jo Friday who made the decision for her. Tired of waiting for her food, the little dog started nosing into the plastic bag that Jane had left on the floor of the bedroom, and Jane turned around at the sound of rustling.

'Hey! No, Jo, leave that alone...' She paused, and Jo Friday's tail started wagging. 'What, you think I should wear that?'

She pulled the dress out of the bag before Jo Friday could decide that, at this point, anything was edible, and held it up against herself. She had promised Maura that she would wear it. And at least if she wore it tonight, it would just be her and Maura. No one else would be around to tease her about getting her legs out.

Jo Friday barked.

'Ok, ok. I'll take that as a yes'.

Another bark, more insistent this time, as Jane stepped into the dress and, with some careful wriggling, managed to pull the zip all the way up.

'There...Jo, what the hell is wrong with you?'

It was only when the dog turned and scampered though to the kitchen that Jane realised she hadn't been fed. Grumbling under her breath, she followed her through, and was just tipping some dried food into the plastic dog bowl when there was a knock on her door.

Maura.

Bang on time...was it really eight already?

And Jane hadn't even thought about what they were going to eat for dinner themselves. Her living room was a tip. She had no shoes on. Her hair was still a damp, slightly frizzy mess. And the butterflies that had been jumping around in her stomach felt like they had suddenly taken flight all at once.

'Hi'.

'Hi'.

Maura, as usual, looked impeccable. Stunning, in fact. So much so that Jane actually hesitated before standing aside to let her in. Surely she must have got this wrong.

'Is everything okay?' Maura looked concerned and slightly uncertain, and Jane realised that she had not missed the halting step. 'I can go if you're too tired or...'

'No, of course not'. Jane shook her head. Nervous as she was, she really, really didn't want Maura to leave, and she ushered her friend in before closing and locking the door behind her. Maura had changed out of the dress that she had worn to work, and was now wearing cream pants and a sleeveless dusky pink top under a light jacket, along with the highest peep-toe heels that Jane had ever seen.

'They cannot be comfortable'.

Great start, Rizzoli.

'What?' For a second, Maura looked confused, and then her expression cleared as she realised Jane was gazing at the shoes. 'Oh, no, they're fine. More than fine, actually. I have some gel inserts that fit under the medial-longitudinal arch of the foot, and support the lateral cuneiform so it's much more comfortable than just wearing them by themselves'.

'Right'. Jane blinked. 'I'll assume there was English in there somewhere'.

'I brought this'. Maura held up a bottle of very expensive looking red wine as she walked - without any hint of discomfort - into the small kitchen and living area, and Jane squinted at the label. Pinot noir. Of course.

'And this'.

Jane almost laughed she realised that, in her other hand, Maura was holding a six pack of beer.

'Thanks. Stick those in the fridge, would you? I just need to, uh...' She pointed to her hair, and Maura smiled as she put the drinks down on the kitchen counter and bent down to pet Jo Friday, taking care not to get dog hairs on her blouse.

'It looks lovely as it is'. She looked up at Jane, and gestured to the dress, her eyes lingering over the low neckline, the wrap waist. 'So does that. You look beautiful'.

Jane swallowed hard. There it was again - that word that she had never thought would be used to describe her. Beautiful. And now she had heard it twice in the space of two days.

'Right. Well, I'll just...uh...'

Maura laughed as she straightened up.

'Can I do anything?'

Jane gave herself a mental shake as she took the beers from the counter and walked over to the fridge. If she had gone over to Maura's, there would have been a pot of something exotic simmering on the stove. Despite the fact that Maura, like her, had been at work all day, it would have all been prepared and dealt with before Jane got there, so that all there was left to do was to regale Jane with the history and provenance of the dish before they ate it.

But Jane actually had no idea what she had in. She had intended to stop by the deli on her way home but, running late, she had completely forgotten.

Think. Quickly. Food.

'Uh...' She opened the fridge and deposited the bottles as she assessed what was in there. It didn't take long. An onion that was sprouting green bits, a pot of yogurt and a small block of cheese. Plus several more bottles of beer. 'Grate some cheese?'

'Sure. What's it for?'

Jane turned and grimaced sheepishly.

'Cheese toasties? Or if you're not in the mood for those...I don't actually have anything else. But I'm sure Jo wouldn't mind sharing her dinner'.

Maura looked astounded for a moment before they both burst into laughter, and Jane felt most of her hesitancy, her uncertainty, melt away as she remembered what it was that had made her want this to start with.

Only with Maura could she stand in her heap of a kitchen, in a dress that looked like it belonged in a cocktail bar, and talk about cheese toasties versus dog biscuits for dinner on what was meant to be a kind of first date - and know, deep down, that it didn't matter. That Maura was here for her, and for her alone. Nothing else mattered.

The fact that Maura looked amazing was just an added benefit. Although, Jane had to admit, it was a pretty important one.

'I suppose the wine will go nicely...with the toasties, that is, not the dog food'. Maura slipped off her jacket, still smiling, and walked over to the kitchen cupboard. 'Do you have any tomato soup as well?'

Before Jane could answer, she had triumphantly pulled a can from the back of the shelf.

'Perfect'.

Stirring soup and sipping wine, Maura felt the last traces of her awkwardness and nerves fall away. She had told herself over and over again that afternoon that feeling ill at ease was silly - she was just going over to Jane's apartment for something to eat after work, and it had, after all, been her suggestion - but she hadn't been able to help worrying. What if Jane didn't see this the same way she did? What if it was not what she wanted?

It was only now, still giggling over the idea of sharing Jo Friday's dog biscuits and with most of a glass of wine inside her, that she was beginning to feel better. It had just reminded her that this was why she was attracted to Jane in the first place.

No one had ever made her laugh like Jane could. No one had ever made her feel as comfortable and as confident in herself as Jane had. And she suddenly felt absurdly happy knowing that Jane had wanted her here despite her long day, and despite the fact that she hadn't had time to go shopping or dry her hair or tidy up in preparation. Jane had wanted to see her, just as she had wanted to see Jane. Nothing else really mattered.

The red dress was just a bonus.

Although Maura had to admit it was a pretty big one, especially when she knew that Jane had worn it for her. And she wasn't sure how much longer she could stand by and not carry on with what they had started the previous day at the department store.

Leaving the soup simmering on the stove, she stepped over to where Jane was assembling sandwiches on a wooden chopping board, and reached over her to grab a bit of the grated cheese.

'Hey!'

'Sorry'. Maura popped the cheese in her mouth, and leaned back against the counter. 'My soup's nearly ready'.

'Your soup?' Jane turned to her, eyebrows raised. 'Does that mean that all these toasties are mine?'

Maura shook her head, a smile playing around her lips, and was gratified to see Jane's eyes wander across her mouth, and down her neck to her top before quickly, slightly guiltily, turning back to the toasties. She had already realised that, if she wanted this, she would have to be the one to make the first move. And she had already realised that she did want it. Wanted it enough to risk the embarrassment and awkwardness that would probably be the result if Jane said no.

But now she was almost sure that Jane's answer would be yes.

She went some way towards proving that theory just a couple of moments later when, having transferred the sandwiches to the grill, Jane decided to taste a mouthful of the soup.

'Ouch!'

Maura spluttered with laughter.

'It's bubbling, Jane. That means it's hot'.

'Yeah. I got that. The hard way...damn it, I hate burning my tongue...' Jane dropped the spoon back into the pan, and waved her hands in front of her mouth as if fanning it, trying to cool it down.

Maura couldn't help herself. Still smiling, she stepped over to Jane and took hold of her hands, moving them away from her mouth. She felt Jane stiffen slightly at the touch, saw the slight wariness in the brown eyes that were fixed on Maura's face...but she didn't move away.

'Let me see?' Maura's tone was teasing, but Jane hesitated for just a second before sticking her tongue out and Maura shook her head. 'No, I can't see any burns that would require immediate medical attention. Although technically the contact area wasn't large enough to...' She trailed off, and shrugged slightly at Jane's expression.

'Well, it hurts'. Jane pouted. 'And so do my lips'.

Maura moved closer, her heart pounding. She could feel Jane's fingers beginning to shake slightly in her hands but, when she looked into her eyes she saw that the caution, the watchfulness, had mostly gone. There was a glimmer of apprehension, of concern. But mostly what she saw was desire.

'Maybe...I should kiss it better?'

She didn't wait for an answer before gently pressing her lips to the corner of Jane's mouth, then again a little bit further over, and then again, working her way across Jane's lips in a series of light, soft kisses until she felt Jane begin to respond. Pulling back, she saw that Jane's eyes were closed and her breathing was ragged and shallow, and, in the midst of her own desire, she felt a stab of satisfaction. If she could do that just with a few chaste kisses, then...God. What she wouldn't give to see the reactions that she could coax out of Jane's body in bed.

'Jesus, Maura'. Jane's voice was barely more than a whisper.

'Is that better?'

Jane's eyes flew open.

'No!'

Maura raised her eyebrows, trying not to laugh at the indignant look on Jane's face.

'Well, I'm not sure what other treatment to try...'

'This would be a good start'.

Maura felt Jane's hands slip out of her grip and move up to her face, cupping her cheeks, and then, suddenly, Jane's lips were on hers and...oh. Wow.

Somewhere in the back of her mind Maura wondered if, deep down, she had known that Jane's lips would be this soft, that she would taste so good, that her body would fit so perfectly up against Maura's as they pressed together in an embrace that, this time, quickly became anything but restrained. Hands tangled in hair and roamed down backs and breasts. Tongues darted, and flicked, and demanded entry into willing mouths while breathing became little more than frenzied gasps of air snatched in between kisses. Maura didn't think that she had ever felt sensations so intensely, couldn't remember the last time she had kissed with such passion, such hunger, and received the same back. Jane's hands on her back and on the side of her breasts sent a delicious shiver down her spine and, involuntarily, she arched forwards a little, leaning into those long fingers that were working such magic through her blouse. She wanted more. She didn't want it to end.

A sudden, loud spluttering and sizzling from the grill intruded into Maura's brain, forcing its way through the clouds of desire that had dulled her senses to everything except Jane. Grilled cheese. Damn it.

'Jane...'

'Hmmmm?'

Maura gasped as Jane's lips moved from her mouth and found the sensitive spot on her neck, just below her ear, and it was a few seconds before she could speak again.

'The grill...'

'Crap!'

Jane hurriedly pulled away and turned off the grill, waving away the thin plume of smoke that was starting to waft out from the pan. The toasties were black on one side and still uncooked on the other, but the look of outraged dismay on Jane's face was enough to give Maura the giggles. When she started laughing, the exasperated expression that Jane then turned on her just made things worse.

'I'm sorry', she gasped, waving her hands. She wasn't sure what, exactly, was so funny, since it probably meant that she would have to speak nicely to Jo Friday after all. Maybe it was the wine. Or maybe she was just on such a high after that kiss that anything would have made her laugh.

She tried to take a few deep breaths to control herself, and reached for Jane's hand. Part of her just wanted to take Jane through to the bedroom and forget all about everything else, but her stomach was reminding her that, once again, she had skipped lunch. And her head was telling her that two glasses of wine on an empty stomach would probably qualify her as tipsy. Nice as that feeling was, she decided that she wanted to be as sober as possible for the rest of the evening, for when - if - she took Jane to bed.

She wanted to remember every single second.

'So. Take-out, then. I would go for pizza.'

'Ummm, that was good'. Maura moaned in satisfaction as she swallowed the last bite of pizza, and Jane took a deep breath. She would never have thought that the sound would be such a turn on...but then again, she was learning lots of new things tonight.

For example, she had learnt that Maura's curves really did fit perfectly together with her own, just like she had imagined they would, and that, when they had been holding each other in the kitchen, it had felt like the most natural thing in the world. She had learnt that Maura's fingers were capable of making her skin tingle in delight and in anticipation of what might be to come, and she had learnt that the honey-blonde hair was actually as soft as it looked. She had also discovered that, when Maura kissed her, it sent her body completely haywire and left her wanting more. Much more.

And now, it seemed, she had learnt that Maura stole pizza toppings.

'You stole my pepperoni'.

'Did not'.

'Hives, Maura'.

Jane tried to keep a straight face as she saw Maura's hand instinctively go to her neck. They hadn't been able to agree on a pizza, so had opted for half-and-half pepperoni and vegetable. The vegetable half, of course, had been for Maura. But Jane knew that she had seen a couple of slices of pepperoni disappear in amongst the mushrooms and peppers, and she couldn't resist teasing Maura about it.

It kept her from thinking. It stopped her from wondering whether it was wrong that she had enjoyed their kiss so much, and it also prevented her from panicking over what, exactly, they were going to do now that they had finished eating.

'I didn't...they were over my side of the pizza anyway'. Maura sounded triumphant as she closed the takeout box.

'But you didn't give them back'.

'No. But I didn't steal them'.

Jane pretended to huff as she took another mouthful of beer. For a couple of minutes, she ignored Maura's eyes on her. She didn't want to think about the fact that it was now late and that, usually, Maura would stay over rather than get a taxi or drive home.

But she couldn't avoid it for very long.

'What have we just done, Maura?'

She couldn't look at Maura as she quietly asked the question. She knew that the now-familiar dilemma between uncertainty and longing was written all over her face, but this time she didn't care. She had just kissed her best friend. The time for discretion had been and gone.

'Don't think'. Jane felt Maura's hand cover hers as it rested on the table, felt her thumb rub soothingly over the knuckles. 'Just go with what you want to do'.

'That would mean taking you to bed and...' Jane stopped herself before she could finish the sentence but, when she finally screwed up the courage to look at Maura, those hazel eyes had darkened almost to black. She had obviously got the general idea.

'If that's what you want'.

You have no idea.

'What happens tomorrow?'

Maura smiled. 'Jane, the world isn't going to stop turning just because we sleep together'.

'Actually, based on that last kiss, I think it might'.

Maura laughed, and the sound made Jane smile too. It was infectious. But Maura quickly sobered up, and reached out for Jane's other hand.

'Jane, I have to be honest'.

'Of course you do, or you break out in a rash'.

Maura shook her head impatiently. 'Not because of that. You're my best friend, and I really don't want to do anything to jeopardise that. But...well, I've wanted this for a long time'.

Jane nodded slowly. If Maura was being honest, the least she could do was reciprocate.

'Yeah'. She blew out a long breath. 'I think I have too'.

'But if you decide this isn't how you want things to be, or you want to take things slow, or you want me to leave, then that's fine. Whatever you want. I couldn't pretend to be happy about it, obviously, since that would be a blatant lie and then the aforementioned rash would break out...

everywhere...but...' She shrugged, her thumb shaking as it rubbed over Jane's palm, betraying her nerves.

Jane shook her head. Given that choice, she didn't even really need to think about it anymore.

This was definitely what she wanted. And they'd come this far. Too far to backtrack.

Besides, if Maura left now...well. The term 'sexual frustration' wouldn't come anywhere close.

'Then stay?'

Another smile spread across Maura's face, and suddenly Jane could see the relief in her eyes as she leaned over for another kiss.

'I'd like that'.

Half an hour later, Maura took her turn in the bathroom while Jane somehow made it to the bedroom, her whole body humming with anticipation. She was shaky and breathless already, and that was just from a kiss at the kitchen table. Granted, they had quickly moved to the sofa, and it had become a little more than just a kiss...but still. She wasn't used to her body reacting in this way. And her brain was worse than useless.

She stood at the foot of the bed, wondering just how, exactly, this was supposed to work, and what she was supposed to do. She couldn't remember which side of the bed Maura usually slept on. Hell, she couldn't even remember which side she normally slept on. Should she undress while Maura was in the bathroom, or should she wait? And what would she do if...?

Too late.

'Are you okay?'

Maura was beside her, turning her round so that her fingers could stroke Jane's cheek. The touch made Jane's breath catch in her throat, and her heart skipped a beat as she felt the tenderness and the warmth and the desire behind it.

She nodded.

'Just...'. She swallowed. 'How does this work?'

Maura smiled, but Jane knew that she wasn't laughing at her. Instead, it was a slow, sensual, slightly satisfied smile that sent heat rushing in between Jane's legs and made her feel slightly dizzy. That feeling only got worse as she felt Maura's hands slip around her back to the zipper on the dress, and heard the softly whispered words in her ear.

'Like this'.

I know - I'm mean ;). The next chapter may have a rating change - but don't get too excited, it's just me playing on the safe side. It will also be the last one (I think), since I could go on with this forever, but it's got to end somewhere! So keep an eye out for it - and, as always, thank you everyone who's reading / following / reviewing. It really means a lot.