First of all.. WOW! Really I'm so happy that you enjoyed the first chapter so much! I have no words to say how much I appreciate your comments and support, so I'll just say Thank you to all of you amazing Rizzles fans!

I hope you will like this as much as the first one :)

Oh, and in this second chapter we have Maura's POV so let me know what you think!

Also I should warn you... The first part is wine-porn so... Yeah. Be careful!


The intense red liquid was swirling into my glass with a circular motion, I stopped my movement after the recomended 12 seconds bringing the glass to my nose and sniffing its contents.

The aroma was strong, complex and with a hint of balsamic notes.

I closed my eyes at the first sip, savoring it's fruity essence. Cherries and tobacco seemed to be the dominants flavors, in the background I could recognize the slightly acidulous taste of juniper followed by the freshness of mint.

I took another more generous sip and with the taste on my tongue I imagined myself in the same medieval hamlet where this wine took its name from.

In front of me there was a village surrounded by vineyards and hills, moving towards southwest the Tyrrhenian Sea. I could hear the sound of the waves crashing against the beach accompanied by the smell of salt in the cool crisp air.

I felt the sun kiss my skin and the touch of strong but gentle arms circling my waist from behind, I smiled lovingly taking one of the hands in mine, recognizing the texture of the scar resting right in the center, rubbing my thumb delicately across it.

The wind blew again bringing another scent along with it, something that seemed lavander and.. Jane.

My eyes snapped open, bringing me back to Boston, into my house, leaned against the kitchen countertop with a glass of wine that sent me into a daydream so realistic that I almost forgot about the blizzard and the fact that my gorgeous, sexy and amazing friend was taking a shower in my bathroom.

A hot shower... Just the thought sent a shiver along my back and a throb between my legs. Hot water running on that olive colored skin, massaging lean muscles and caressing her face. Her eyes closed, hands running through her dark mane and her lips slightly parted to let out a barely audible...

"Maura?"

God yes, that husky voice...

Wait.

For the second time in the last few minutes my eyes snapped open and I had to blink several times before I could focus on the figure that was standing right across from me.

The first thing that I noticed, when my eyes decided to collaborate, was the satisfied smirk playing on Jane's lips, hands clasped in front of her while she bounced slightly on her heels.

That very amused expression sent me into panic.

God what did I do!? Did I say something? Was she here this entire time while I was having a wine induced orgasm thinking about her!?

I opened my mouth several times trying to say something, but no sound wanted to leave my throat.

Just when I thought that I was going to break out in hives, Jane laughed softly shaking her head.

"Damn. If that wine taste as good as it looks on you, I think I will have a glass."

I released the breath that I didn't know I was holding. Good, then maybe she didn't hear anything or saw anything that could make her think that she was connected with my reaction... whatever my reaction was.

I recovered pretty quickly, pouring a glass for Jane and handing it to her with a sincere smile. The smile she gave me back was relaxed and genuine, different from the one I saw before when we first came home. She looked nervous and more than a bit agitated and when I left her in my bedroom to give her time to shower she seemed pale and her usual vivid eyes were distant.

Jane was a woman of action, it was part of her, she was always in control and seeing her so lost and nervous wasn't like her, but I can't say I didn't enjoy that couple of confused and timid looks that she gave me.

"Do you like it?" Jane swallowed her second sip with an approving nod.

"Actually yes, it's a very good wine."

The smile on my face was so big that my cheeks were starting to hurt.

She examined the label on the bottle after pouring a little more into our glasses. "Brunello di Montalcino"

That sexy voice speaking Italian...

"It's a wine produced in Tuscany in a province just outside of Siena, and it's also a perfect wine for.." In that same instant the timer signaled that the lasagna was ready.

Before I could turn around, Jane was beside me handing me my half full glass and making me sit on the stool with a gentle hand on my waist that made me shiver with pleasure.

Her hand felt so warm and comforting and we were so close that I could smell the lavender shower gel she used before, mixed with her unique scent, a combination that almost sent me back into my fantasies.

"I'll handle it." With her eyes shining and a sweet smile she turned from me to take the lasagna from the oven using one of the kitchen towels.

That wasn't the first time I saw her looking at me with that expression, her eyes so bright, her skin lightly flushed and her smile timid but at the same time full, showing the lovely dimples on her cheeks.

She looked at me with such... adoration.

No. I forced myself out of it. I couldn't. I couldn't get my hopes up only for them to be shattered. Because that was what was going to happen if I wasn't going to control my feelings for Jane.

The delicious smell emanating from the lasagna on my plate helped to distract me, I looked up to see Jane taking her first bite and moaning at the taste.

"God, this is so good," She washed her mouth with a sip of wine "and you were right Maur, I shouldn't be surprised anymore, but the wine it's perfect with this lasagna."

I swallowed my bite before I gave her an answer "I'm glad that you are enjoying it Jane."

And I really was. These moments were so precious to me, her company always put me in good mood even with her sarcasm and jokes.

But tonight felt.. different. The storm outside, the intimate dinner and the air around us was electric. And not in the physics sense of the word.

"What would you like to do after dinner?" Jane looked up at me taking her last bite of food "Maybe you have some documentary you wanted to watch? Something like 'how to survive during a snowstorm in the woods with just a spoon and a box of matches'?"

I playfully narrowed my eyes at her "No, but there is one that I was hoping to watch about the Spheniscidae Bonaparte." I could hear the excitement in my own voice.

She bliked at me. "You mean that French guy, Napoleone Bonaparte?"

A laugh escaped from my lips "No Jane, I mean the Sphenisciformes Sharpe."

She just blinked at me... again.

Maybe I should just use the common name "Penguins, Jane."

A look of realization crossed her face "Oh, I see." She nodded but she was holding something back, I could tell because I had occasion to see that look before countless times, and as I had predicted she said "Well, I don't think you'll need to switch your tv on to see penguins, Maura. Because I'm pretty sure some of them will be just outside of your front door in a few minutes considering the freezing cold out there." she completed her sentence with a gesture towards the door.

There was just a way out of this. I raised from my seat going to open the freezer.

"What are you doing?" came the confused question.

"I'm just looking for some fish, you know just in case. They are so far away from home, but they would probably like to follow the same diet."

I closed the fridge making my way on the stool once again before sitting and taking the last sip of wine with a triumphant smile.

Jane was still processing the fact that for the third time in the same evening I managed some sarcasm. After a few seconds she chuckled.

"Well, Doctor Isles, I'm impressed.. Such a pity all your patients are dead, they miss some damn good jokes." Then she made an horrified expression that almost had me worried until she continued "Wait... Did you.. kill them with your jokes, didn't you?!"

"Jane!"

She laughed "Ok, ok! That was too much."

I shook my head chuckling softly until I noticed Jane's face contorting in a painful grimace. I was at her side in two seconds.

She was closing her left hand into a fist repeatedly, I gingerly took her hand in mine resting it into my lap with the palm up.

"Does it bother you?" My voice was calm and caring, as if I was afraid to scare her away.

"I.. Er.. It must be because of the weather. It happens sometimes, expecially when it's particularly cold. And I wasn't wearing gloves earlier." I watched her face closely, she was flushed, her breath was coming in short gasps and she had a few drops of sweat on her forehead. This must really hurts. Oh, my poor Jane.

I massaged the area around the scar delicately, feeling the tense muscles starting to relax once again.

After a few minutes Jane's breath became normal and she opened her eyes, looking directly at me with that timid and almost embarassed expression.

"Maura, I.."

She was withdrawing her hand from mine but I didn't let her, I held her hand, caressing the scar with my thumb just like I had imagined before in my fantasy. That same fantasy that seemed so vivid and real.

"Jane.." I whispered without even realizing it.

We were so close, the heat emanating from her was compelling, the dark pools in her eyes so deep and bright and then...

Jane noticed something behind me, I turned to see that she was staring at the candles and flashlight resting on the table.

"What are those for?" I heard the confusion in her raspy voice.

I opened my mouth to respond just when all the lights around us suddenly turned off followed by a brief humming noise. Jane stopped me with an exaggerated sigh before I could offer an answer.

"Please, don't say it."


So... Got a lighter for these two? I think the spark is already there! What do you say?