Haven't gotten many reviews for the last chapter I posted but that doesn't mean I'll withhold a new chapter. Not how I roll.

Enjoy!


"Maura," Jane groaned as she felt Maura shaking her shoulder the next morning. "I was enjoying some of that REM sleep you're always demanding I get and that is really hard to do when you're shaking me."

"I'm sorry," Maura said as she placed soft kiss against the corner of Jane's lips. "But I just realized that you have been here since Wednesday night and that Jo Friday has probably wrecked your apartment," Maura said as she sat upright and tugged on Jane's hand. "We should go check on the poor girl."

"She hasn't destroyed my apartment," Jane muttered as she tugged back on Maura's hand, trying to get her to resume her position snuggling next to her.

"How do you know, Jane?" Maura said. "She is a small dog who has been cooped up in a small apartment for over 24 hours. Even if she hasn't destroyed your apartment, surely she has relieved her bladder on more than one surface in your place."

"I know because Jo is with her Uncle Korsak," Jane sighed as she continued to tug on Maura's hand. "When I went to the station yesterday I asked Korsak to swing by my place and bring her to his place so she wouldn't be alone. I didn't wanna bring her here cause she's a hurricane of a puppy and I didn't wanna have you trip over her."

"I have yet to trip over Bass," Maura stated.

"That's because Bass doesn't jump at your feet, run in circles around you, or flop down in front of you while you're walking. I'm not even sure Bass moves," Jane replied. "Now please lay back down and snuggle?"

Maura laughed at the whiney tone Jane used and laid back down next to the sleepy detective who immediately wrapped her arms around Maura and pulled her as close as possible.

"I wonder what would happen if I were to let it slip how much Detective Jane Rizzoli loves to cuddle," Maura laughed as Jane nuzzled her face into Maura's neck.

"You wouldn't dare," Jane nearly growled.

"How do you know?" Maura countered, enjoying the banter she and Jane could enjoy.

Jane pulled her face away from Maura's neck and lifted her head a bit to look down at Maura, a smug smile on the blonde's face.

"I know you can't see me right now, but I am giving you a major stink eye right now," Jane said, trying to sound intimidating but failing when she saw Maura raise an eyebrow. "You're really cute, ya know that?" Jane laughed as she laid her head back down on the pillow and nuzzled Maura's neck again.

"I don't remember the last time someone called me 'cute,'" Maura thought aloud as she laughed at the tickling sensation Jane's eyelashes caused on her neck.

"Impossible," Jane murmured.

"I have been called beautiful, sexy, hot, luscious, and many other adjectives like them. But cute is not the word many people use to describe me. Especially when I am lying in bed with them in nothing but silk pants and a bra," Maura stated with a laugh.

"I mean, you are totally all of those other words," Jane smiled as she began to trace patterns on Maura's bare stomach, tracing along the bottom of Maura's bra and back down to and around her belly button. "But you're lots of other things, too."

"I suppose of being 'the hot Doctor Isles,' I will now be known as 'the blind Doctor Isles," Maura said softly. "Never thought that would happen."

"Hey, hey, hey," Jane said as she trailed a finger up from Maura's navel and between her bra-clad breasts before cupping Maura's face softly with her hand. "You know that I totally believe you're gonna get your sight back," Jane said softly as she used her free hand to gently pull the gauze patches from Maura's eyes. "But if my intestines are wrong—which they usually aren't—then I will smack anyone who ever calls you 'the blind Doctor Isles.' You are so much more than that, Maura."

"Am I, though?" Maura asked, hating herself for sounding so self-conscious and whiney but unable to stop her doubts from tumbling from her mouth.

"Alright," Jane said as she turned to angle her body more towards Maura. She knew Maura couldn't see her but when Maura turned her head to look in Jane's direction and their faces were just inches apart, Jane smiled. "Here is what we are gonna do. Every time you say something bad about yourself or say something that might suggest you are not the wonderful, inspiring, compassion, fierce woman I know you are, I'm gonna charge you."

"And what are you going to charge me?" Maura asked, a soft smile gracing her lips despite her self-doubt.

"A quarter," Jane said as she traced her thumb over Maura's lips.

"And if I don't have any change on me?"

"Hmmm," Jane said, pretending to be deep in thought. "I guess 5 kisses will work as payment," she finally said with a grin. Maura quirked up an eyebrow when Jane said that and Jane couldn't help but laugh. "And since I'm the rule maker of this little arrangement, I think you owe me 5 kisses for asking me if you really are more than just 'the blind Doctor Isles.'"

"Oh, really?" Maura asked.

"Yep," Jane smiled. "So pay up, doc."

Shaking her head, Maura slowly leaned towards Jane, uncertain as to where exactly the detective was in relation to her.

"One," Maura murmured as she placed a soft kiss the side of Jane's jaw. "Two," she said after dragging her nose up Jane's jaw to guide her to just below Jane's earlobe where she pressed her lips. "Three," she whispered before kissing Jane's cheek. "Four," Maura said as she grasped one of Jane's hands and brought it to her lips, placing a kiss to the scar tissue at the center of the palm. "And, five," Maura said as she pecked the tip of Jane's nose.

"Not cool, Maura," Jane laughed at Maura's teasing. "Borderline evil, actually."

"I'm sorry," Maura teased. "Did you want me to kiss you somewhere else?"

"Mauraaaa," Jane said in a childish tone.

Still smiling, Maura placed her hand at the back of Jane's neck and wove her fingers in brunette curls, pulling Jane toward her and kissing her softly. Without breaking the kiss, Jane scooted closer to Maura. To her girlfriend. When Maura felt their bra covered breasts brush against each other, she opened her mouth slightly and traced Jane's bottom lip with her tongue. They had an unspoken agreement to take things slowly but Maura's desire to leave Jane breathless was growing.

Feeling Maura's tongue on her bottom lip, Jane opened her mouth a bit more to deepen the kiss and let Maura know she was more than okay with what Maura clearly wanted to do. Upon feeling Jane's lips part, Maura slipped her tongue into Jane's mouth. They kissed for a few moments longer before Maura pulled away, recognizing the desire growing within her and forcing herself to pull away.

"You are a damn good kisser," Jane complimented as she traced the shoulder straps of Maura's bra lightly.

"Right back at ya."


Later that night Jane found herself sitting on Maura's couch with her mother while Maura showered.

"How is Maura doing?" Angela asked as she watched Jane pick at the label of her beer bottle absentmindedly.

"I think as good as she can be given the circumstances," Jane sighed as she sipped her drink. "I know I wouldn't be as collected as she, that's for sure," Jane added. "I mean, she's struggling with certain aspects of being blind. She feels like she's never gonna get it back and without the title of medical examiner, she'll just become 'the blind Doctor Isles.'"

"And you told her how she'll never be just some blind doctor, right, Janie?" Angela inquired.

"Of course, ma," Jane smiled as she remembered telling Maura she would either have to pay her a quarter or give her 5 kisses if she belittled herself. "Last night she told me that one of the things she is most scared of is forgetting what I look like," Jane said sadly.

"Oh, sweetie," Angela said as she saw the glassy look of Jane's eyes as she tried to hold back tears. "Come here," she added as she opened her arms and beckoned her daughter into her embrace.

"I can't help her, ma," Jane admitted, letting a tear fall from her eye as she finally allowed herself to process what Maura's blindness meant for her. "I can put silly rhinestones on things and stuff but medically, I'm totally helpless. If it were possible I would sign up to have my vision given to her so she could have her sense back."

"I know you would, sweetheart," Angela sighed as she felt her daughter relax her head on her shoulder and watched Jane wipe tears from her face. "Do you remember when you were 8 years old and Frankie broke his arm?"

"And how I thought that if I broke my own arm, his would magically heal?" Jane reminisced.

"I came home from work to find your father asleep and you beating your arm against the arm of the couch, trying to break your arm to take away Frankie's pain," Angela said as both Rizzoli women laughed at the image of an 8 year old Jane trying to break her arm. "You've always been the type of person who would do anything for those you love, even if it meant you getting the short end of the stick. It's something that makes me so proud."

"What am I gonna do, ma?"

"You're gonna take that woman on the best date of her life tomorrow," Angela smiled, giving Jane's shoulder a squeeze. "And then you're gonna tell everyone at Sunday dinner how you two are finally together. And then you will continue to woo her because you know how I want a doctor in the family and in between wooing her you will work to make her life as accessible as possible until she gets her sight back."

Jane laughed at her mother's mention of wanting a doctor in the family and she sat back up, wiping her eyes one last time before kissing her mother on the cheek.

"Thanks, ma," Jane smiled. "I told Maura it would be the best date of her life but I honestly have no idea what we're gonna do. Museums are kind of out of the question since she can't see the art and a lot of museums don't let you touch the exhibits. Plays don't seem like a good idea but there is some fancy opera guy performing tomorrow night."

"What about the Boston Symphony Spring Concert Series?" Angela asked. "I got a flyer in the mail a few weeks ago and I think they've got an outdoor concert tomorrow. Let me go grab the flyer," Angela smiled as she scurried off to the guest house, returning a minute later with a brochure. "Well, tomorrow's concert is a Disney theme so-"

"Really?" Jane asked, smiling as she grabbed the brochure from her mother's hands. "I promised Maura I would introduce here to all the Disney movies that Frankie, Tommy, and I watched as kids. So far we watched The Lion King yesterday and earlier today we had a double feature of The Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. Snow White and Cinderella are up next," Jane explained.

"Well, then I suggest you call the symphony right now and see if there are still seats available," Angela replied as she saw her daughter's excitement. "And maybe see if that Italian place near the amphitheater can take a reservation while you're at it."

"You're the best , ma!" Jane smiled as she grabbed her cellphone and stood up. "I'm gonna go into the guest house in case Maura comes down. I want tomorrow to be a surprise."


After spending a lazy day watching Disney movies with Maura trying to get clues from Jane about their date every spare moment, Jane was pulling on her boots next to the front door.

"What time will you be coming back?" Maura asked as she slowly poured herself a glass of water.

"Dinner reservation is for 5 o'clock so I'll be here around 4:30," Jane smiled as she walked to her girlfriend.

"What should I wear?" Maura asked. "Should I go formal or more casual?"

"Uh," Jane said, not entirely sure what her response should be. "I'd go…What's the phrase? Snazzy casual?"

"Snappy casual," Maura corrected.

"Yes, that," Jane nodded. "Snappy casual should be perfect."

"I will be ready at 4:30, then," Maura smiled as she felt Jane kiss her cheek before her felt Jane's presence leave.

"Get excited!" Jane said as she opened Maura's front door. "It's gonna be fun!" she added just before shutting the door and heading to her car. She planned to run a few errands before heading back to her own apartment to shower and get dressed.

After Jane left, Maura's excitement for her date continued throughout her shower as she hummed along to the music coming from her radio. She smiled as she stepped from the shower and pulled her robe on but the moment she stepped into her bedroom and walked to the closet, a wave of emotions hit and she had to steady herself by placing a hand on the doorframe to her closet.

Once steadying herself, she stepped into the closet and reached a hand to her right to feel the soft fabric of the dresses she loved before extending her left hand to brush the blazers that had grown on her. She occasionally let her fingers linger on a particular article of clothing, trying to decipher which item it was based on feel alone. When she found herself unable to identify as many articles as she would have liked, tears formed in her eyes.

Clothing had been her solace. When her parents became too busy to notice her, Maura would wear something new in hopes they would tell her that she looked nice or even just look at her. When peers began to tease her in college for her personality, Maura would come to the next class dressed elegantly to give an air of confidence. When the horrors of her job began to bog her down, Maura found solace in the beauty of clothing.

But that was now gone.

"Jane," Maura breathed, needing to hear the calm voice that could always ease her pain as panic rose in her body.

Maura began to walk quickly to her dresser where her phone sat, stumbling once over her feet in her rush to reach her phone. Sliding it unlocked, Maura managed to tap the screen in the appropriate places to call Jane, having done it countless times before.

"Miss me already, Maura?" Jane said when she picked up the phone and Maura could hear the smile in the detective's voice. "Maura?" Jane repeated when Maura didn't reply.

"Jane," Maura said, tears falling from her eyes.

"Are you crying, Maura?" Jane asked. She has just turned the shower on and had taken her shirt off but at the sound of a crying Maura, Jane didn't care about a shower.

"Do we have to go out tonight?" Maura asked, the words leaving her mouth before she had a chance to think about what Jane's reaction might be.

"What?" Jane asked, freezing all activity as Maura asked her question.

"Why can't we just stay inside and watch another movie? Curl up in our pajamas and order take-out and then go to sleep early?"

"Maura," Jane said, suddenly feeling hurt at the fact that Maura did not want to go out with her anymore. "If you didn't wanna go out with me you should have just said that in the first place," Jane stated as she turned to look in the mirror. Was she really that bad that Maura would rather stay inside than go out?

"What?" Maura asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she processed what Jane had just said. "Jane!" she exclaimed when she realized that what she had said had been misconstrued by Jane. "Oh, Jane, no," she said, trying to sooth Jane over the phone. "That isn't what I meant. That isn't what I meant at all, sweetie."

"Then what did you mean?" Jane asked, still feeling pangs of doubt in her gut.

"I don't know what I am going to wear," Maura said softly. "I walked into my closet and I felt as though I had been slapped violently across the face because I may never see any of my clothing again. And that sounds horrible and vain," Maura continued, sitting down on the edge of her bed, "but you know how important clothing is to me. How it is more than about looking nice."

"I do," Jane said softly. "But you know that whatever you wear is going to look stunning."

"What if I put on a black skirt and navy top?" Maura asked. "You would tell me I look nice but everyone knows that black and navy should never be combined."

"Yeah, everyone knows that…" Jane said with a soft laugh.

"I want to look beautiful, Jane," Maura said softly. "For you."

"Tell ya what," Jane began. "My ma always wanted a daughter she could play dress-up with before dates. How about I give her a call and ask her to help you pick out your outfit and do whatever it is normal girls do before a date."

"Do you think she would do that?" Maura asked hopefully.

"I know she will," Jane smiled. "Plus she knows the plan for tonight so she'll make sure you look perfect. And then she'll be there when I arrive to take photos of us like we're high school kids going to prom or something."

"That sounds lovely," Maura said with a smile. "Thank you, Jane," she added.

"No problem. I'll call her right now," Jane said.

"Jane?" Maura said quickly, hoping Jane wasn't planning on hanging up.

"Yeah?"

"I could never be ashamed to be seen with you," Maura stated, touching on one of Jane's biggest fears. "You are a phenomenal woman who I am so honored to call mine. Please don't ever doubt that."

"I'll try," Jane whispered. "See you in a little bit," she added, waiting for Maura to say her own goodbye before hanging up and dialing her mother.


Thoughts? Suggestions? Anything?

I wanted to at least touch on how Jane must be feeling about Maura's vision loss because when my dad lost his vision, no one ever asked me what it was like to have my father suddenly lose his sight. And not talking about my fears and sadness really sucked so I wanted to have at least a short conversation where Jane could let out a bit of her fears.

I am trying to find that balance between angst and fluffier stuff and that is proving to be tough. But I hope you all are still enjoying the story!

Reviews are lovely!