Part 7

The alarm on Jane Rizzoli's phone blared too loudly and too early for the detective this morning. She wasn't sure what time she finally fell asleep but she was sure it wasn't that long ago. She headed for the kitchen already smelling the coffee and bacon, wondering what time Maura pulled herself out of bed.

"Did you sleep well?" Jane started to ask but was shocked when it was her mother answering her since she didn't see Maura on the couch.

"Fine, thank you." Angela responded. "I saw your car and figured you two called it a late night and I would surprise you with some breakfast. You don't look like you slept much."

"Thanks Ma. I needed to hear how terrible I look this morning." Jane was only half joking with her mother and gave her a tired smirk. "Have you seen Maura yet?"

"I'm right here. Hi Angela." Maura said before she even got to the kitchen.

"How did you know she was talking to me?" Angela looked a little impressed.

"Knowing Jane, she wasn't talking to Bass." Maura gave Jane a soft smile and touched her back gently as she walked around her. She felt Jane's breath stutter in reaction but kept walking so she wouldn't see the smile that grew on her own face.

Jane watched her head for the coffee and couldn't believe how that woman could look so gorgeous this early. "I prefer interactions with things that answer me when I talk to them." Always the sarcasm to the rescue for her.

Maura giggled and poured two cups of coffee noticing that Angela already had one in her hands. She could swear she saw Angela cover a smile as she watched them. She continued to prepare the coffees accordingly before she walked over to hand Jane hers. This time she was positive she saw Angela smile as she brought her coffee cup to her lips.

"Thank you. I hope you got some rest." Jane smiled and took a sip of her steaming coffee. "I should probably go get ready. You said my clothes were in your closet?"

"Yes, why don't you head for your shower and I will hang them on the door in the bedroom for you." Maura suggested as she drank her coffee.

"Okay, thanks." Jane grabbed a piece of bacon and smiled at her mom before she started down the hall.

Angela looked at Maura and shook her head slightly leaving her with a confused look on her face. They both looked as though they were going to say something but changed their minds at the last moment.

"I should probably go get those clothes. She will be quick so we can get to the precinct." Maura turned to leave the room but paused. "Thank you for fixing the coffee this morning Angela."

"You are welcome. You both seem busy with this case." Angela said then whispered something under her breath as Maura left. "and slightly distracted with each other." 'When are those two going to figure it out.'

The morning wasn't very eventful. They were still trying to figure out anyway to track down the killer. Jane just kept staring at the board waiting for something to change or pop out at her. She was focused so intently on the board she didn't even notice when the ME walked in and asked if she wanted to grab some lunch.

"Jane." Still nothing so Maura walks in front of her, right into her line of sight. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, sorry. Just trying to figure out what I am missing." Jane smiled but it just can't reach her eyes. She is really bothered. "It feels like retaliation. Let's take a closer look at James Moore. Maybe he has something in his past we are just not aware of. An old girlfriend he mistreated. Maybe it's a secret boyfriend and nobody knew. We should probably interview the family again."

"On it." Frost acknowledged. "Maura, would you take her to go get something to eat before she forgets to." He just smiled at his partner.

"That is the plan if I can get her to stop staring at the board." She grabs Jane wrist and drags her to her chair for her jacket. "I was thinking we could go to that little deli over in the park by the fountain."

"Okay, but you can't criticize what I choose." Jane teased her.

"I don't criticize your…." Maura noticed the smirk on Jane's mouth before she finished her sentence. "Let's go." with a light smack on Jane's arm she turned and headed for the elevators.

Jane rushed to catch up to her friend. Glad the interaction felt a little more normal again.

After they got their food they opted for a park bench rather than a table. Jane automatically took a napkin and wiped the bench for Maura. Her outfits were always so nice. Jane has realized how her own wardrobe had increased in fashion sense with her friendship to Maura. The only person who can get her to take some time to go shopping regularly.

It's not that Jane doesn't like to wear nice clothes. Just not many places to wear them at least not until she started spending time with the Chief ME. She gets to enjoy the heels, skirts, and dresses her job does not allow for, and Maura encourages her to dress nice.

Today was a slacks and jacket kind of day but feminine cut that accentuated her lean figure. These were a prime example of shopping with Dr. Maura Isles. She would not let Jane leave the store without them nor would she let Jane pay for them.

"Did you get any sleep last night Jane? I wanted to ask you this morning but I know how your mother would have annoyed you with questions if I had brought it up." Maura wanted to ask her all the questions running thru her mind but knew enough not to push too hard when she is already stressed with the case.

"A little. I will worry about more sleep when this case is over." Jane knew she was being vague but she didn't want to let anything slip out before she was ready to actually talk about it. "How about you? I expected you to still be on the couch after I went to bed."

"I noticed my masseuse had disappeared." She winked at Jane. "Thought it would be better if I finished out my night in my bed instead of on that couch. I must admit, I definitely slept better with you close." Maura didn't look directly at her but watched out of the corner of her eye for a reaction.

"I know the feeling." Jane whispered so softly. "Well, once the case is over we can get some rest and relaxation. " She quickly added.

They finished their meals and started their walk back to reality. As they entered the bullpen Frost looked up hearing their steps headed his way. "Nothing yet. I was going to see about heading over to the fiancé's and see if we can get any more information about friends from college. He was a part of some fraternity, those guys brag to each other or help each other cover everything up."

"Sounds like a good idea." Korsak chimed in. "I will head to his parents and see what else I can find out."

"I will go down to see if they have any more information about that sticky substance on the victim's clothes." Maura chimed in before she headed out. "I'll text you when I know something." She said it to them all but everyone knew Jane would be the one to receive the text. The ladies exchanged smiles before she left.