Part 6

After dinner and some very nice wine Maura and Jane both relaxed on the couch for a few minutes before Jane started to excuse herself to head home.

"I should probably try to go home and get a little sleep. Do you want to ride in together tomorrow?" Jane always enjoyed the mornings with Maura. A little breakfast and conversation that she didn't always understand but that voice was always nice to hear.

"You don't have to go." Maura spit out the words at almost the same time as Jane asked her second question. With a giggle Maura just continued, "You could stay here and we could have breakfast before we head in." Maura was sure Jane would notice her fidget with her hands.

Jane put her hands in her pockets and rocked onto her heels a little. "I still have those clothes we had dry cleaned last week here?"

"Yes, they are in my closet."

Jane bit her lip. "Your guest bed is still more comfortable than my bed at home." It was a fact but the problem is that lately Jane wasn't sleeping too well with the new dreams that had started. How was she going to sleep tonight with the star of her recent dreams in the next room?

"Great. It's settled then. I will just clean up if you want to head to bed." Maura was trying to contain the happiness that entered into her body.

"I will help you first Maur. No need for you to do it yourself." They reached for the same glass at once and brushed their hands. With a pause they looked at each other and then quickly turned away. Jane continued with the glass and they had everything cleaned up in no time.

Jane went around and checked all the doors and windows out of habit. It didn't matter if it was hers or Maura's she always checked. She had always spent nights here. They had even joked about it being a slumber party sleeping in the same bed once or twice but Jane had just stopped. She didn't really give Maura a reason, just made excuses. She didn't know what to do after waking up on the couch with her arm around her best friend and a warmth in her body that made her feel guilty; the dream still lingering in her mind. She immediately slipped out the door careful not to wake the beautiful blonde. What else was she going to do? Tell her that she just had a very vivid dream of her and her best friend being intimate and enjoying every moment. That would go over well.

Jane squeezed Maura's shoulder, "Night Maur." Started to pass her when Maura grabbed her and pulled her into a hug.

"Goodnight Jane" and a kiss on the cheek she ducked into her bedroom and pushed the door closed only leaving a crack in it.

Jane stood there dumb founded for a moment and then continued to the guest room wishing she still had the warmth of Maura's arms around her. She laid down knowing she wasn't going to get much sleep between the case and her feelings for the stunningly beautiful woman in the next room.

It seemed like forever but Jane finally managed to fall asleep about two am. Restless sleep but asleep none the less.

Maura on the other hand decided to get out of her bed and make herself some tea to help her rest. She was talking herself out of going to the next room and climbing into bed with the brunette, wrapping her arms around her to bring her close, to breath in the woman who awakens every sensory in her body. So distracted by her thoughts she stubbed her toe on Bass's shell as he crept across the floor in front of her. "Ouch, damn." Maura automatically clamped her hand over her mouth, worried she would wake the detective.

She barely had time to stand up before she saw Jane running towards her, "Maura, are you okay?" Her eyes wide and worried she reached for her and pulled her close. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay Jane." Maura spoke into Jane's neck. As Jane started to inspect her she grabbed her face and looked her in the eyes. "I just ran into Bass. I'm fine."

"You stubbed your toe on a moving rock? Let me see." Jane guided Maura to the couch and looked at her foot. "We should probably put some ice on it to be safe."

"Thank you Dr. Rizzoli." Maura gave Jane a smile. Jane immediately felt the tension lessen in her body. "I'm okay. However, I wouldn't object to another hug."

"All I heard was you shout. Wait, I believe I heard some profanity." Jane gave Maura one of those looks she always seems to be receiving. "Language Maura." Both ladies giggled a little.

Once the giggles subsided Jane went to the freezer and grabbed one of the ice packs Maura keeps in her house, more so since they have been friends. When she returned she sat back down and put Maura's feet in her lap to apply the cold.

"What were you doing out of bed? Do you need me to get you something?" As she was asking the questions she absent mindedly started messaging the foot that was unharmed. Maura got lost in that feeling for a moment. Jane just smiled, it feels good to be able to bring that peace to her face. To make her feel what she feels every time Maura rubs her scars on her hands.

"What? No, I was just going to make myself some tea to help me rest. I was having a hard time falling asleep." The words practically came out in a whisper.

"Do you still want the tea?" Jane paused the foot rub waiting for her answer.

"No, but I don't know if I want you to stop that either. It feels good." Maura opened her eyes and jokingly gave her a pout that made Jane smile and resume the message. After a moment Maura was starting to fall asleep.

Jane just watched Maura's chest rise and fall peacefully as she drifted off. Jane found herself starting to fall asleep as well. About the time her eyes started to close she felt Maura shift and it pulled her back. She looked over at the sleeping form and then slowly slid out from under her feet, taking the ice pack back to the freezer. She walked over to Maura, knelt down next to her ear. "Sleep well beautiful." Placed a kiss on her cheek and headed back to the guest bed. The last thing she wanted to do was have one of those dreams while being so close to her.

Maura felt the absence almost immediately and decided to go to the guest room and check on Jane. When she peeked in the door she saw Jane sitting on the bed with her head in her hands mumbling to herself.

"How could I have let this happen? When did my feelings toward my best friend turn into this?" Jane couldn't stop herself from letting the tears fall. She wiped her face and turned to the bed and tried again to sleep.

Maura just slowly crept back to her room. She wasn't sure what she should do but she did know that this was something that would have to wait. She climbed into bed, a little more at peace now that she knew what had made her friend push her away slightly in the last week.