Jane knocked on the door and waited. She nervously shifted her weight as she moved the bottle of wine from one hand to the other. After a moment, the door opened to a smiling Maura. "Hi! Come in, dinner is almost ready."

Jane stepped inside and handed Maura the bottle. "I thought you might want to try this." She glanced at the floor trying not to sound as unsure as she felt. "I did a little research on it, and this came really highly recommended for people who, you know, like wine."

"Cocannon Vinyard," Maura turned the bottled in her hand to look at the label. "It's an '07 Cabernet Sauvignon." She glanced over at Jane who was trying to look anywhere but at the blonde. "I've heard of this, and I've been trying to find it locally but haven't had any luck. Jane, where did you find it?"

"I had a friend at the bar order it for me." She looked up and gave Maura a small smile. "Is it okay?"

"It's fantastic. I'm very impressed." Maura smiled and leaned up to place a kiss on Jane's cheek. "Thank you. That was very thoughtful."

Jane glanced away again. "Sure," She could feel herself blushing, and she realized this was only the second time that Maura had kissed her in any fashion. That made her blush more. "So... what's for dinner?" Jane followed as Maura guided them toward the dining room. "It smells great."

"I thought I would bake the chicken dish you like." Maura threw a smile over her shoulder to Jane as she walked into the kitchen and pulled down two wine glasses. "I also have dessert." She opened the bottle of wine and poured. "Strawberries and fresh cream?" She walked over to the table and placed the glasses by the plates that were already there.

"Sounds good. Is there anything I can do to help?" Jane was starting to fidget. She ran her fingers over the scars on her hand, and she kept shifting her weight. The fact that she was so nervous being with Maura was making her fidgeting worse. This was Maura. She knew her. This wasn't some stranger. So, why was she so unsure of herself?

Maura placed a hand on top of Jane's and gave her a reassuring smile. "You can help me move the food to the table. It's ready."

"This was really delicious, Maura. Thank you for cooking," Jane looked across the table to find the blonde beaming at her.

"I'm glad you like." She took a sip of wine. "I'm also very impressed with this wine choice. It really is very nice. Do you think we could get another bottle?"

Jane nodded. "Actually, we have a case." She felt shy. It was unsettling for the detective.

"We do?" Maura tilted her head to one side. "Where is it?"

"In my car. I thought it might look strange to show up at your door step with a case of wine, you know?"

"It wouldn't be the first time." They chuckled. "Why don't you go get it while I clean up and pull together the dessert?"

"Sure," Jane stood up in a not-so-suave fashion and gave Maura an apologetic glance as she headed to the door.

"Where do you find fresh cream in Boston?" Jane dipped another strawberry in the bowl and took a bite.

"I have my ways," Maura gave her that smile again and reached over to wipe some cream from Jane's chin.

"I guess you're not going to tell me?" Jane watched Maura's finger as it made its way to Maura's mouth.

"No, I don't think so." Maura licked the cream from her finger. Jane swallowed. "Jane." Jane didn't move. "Jane, you need to breathe or you'll pass out."

Jane shook her head. "What? I'm cool." She took a gulp of wine. "I'm great."

Maura laughed. "Yes, I can see that. Are you finished with the strawberries?" She reached for the bowls to put them away.

"Yeah, I think so." Jane poured more wine and refilled Maura's glass as well. "I'm going to sit on the couch."

"Okay, I won't be long."

Jane sank down into the familiar sofa in Maura's living room. She closed her eyes and tried to think about what was happening tonight. There was no doubt that was their second date. She knew that, and it felt strange. Everything was so familiar, yet everything was so different. She was having problems processing. "Korsak noticed you were wearing my jacket today," she called out as a way of focusing on something else.

"Oh?" Maura called back from the kitchen. "What did you tell him?" She came around the sofa and sat down next to Jane.

"I told him it wasn't mine." Jane felt guilty about saying it now that she was telling Maura what had happened.

"I see." Maura placed her hand on Jane's arm. "Are you certain it was okay for me to wear it? You know I would have taken it off if..."

"I wanted you to wear it." Jane looked over at Maura and placed her hand on top of the blonde's. "I really liked seeing you in it." She scrunched her face up in thought for a moment. "It just freaked me out a little that Korsak noticed." She shook her head. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing, Jane?"

"I should have told him the truth."

"I understand why you didn't. As I've told you before, I am willing to do what we need until you're more comfortable."

Jane gave a weak smile. She sighed heavily and placed her glass down on the coffee table. "I'm not sure how to handle all of this. I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm," she searched for the words. "I'm confused."

"In what way?"

"I don't know... where are our boundaries now, Maura? What's okay and what isn't? Our lives are so mixed up with each other already... I mean," she sighed again. "This won't be a secret for long. It just won't happen. It can't. Too many of our friends are cops. Cops... they catch on to things quickly, you know?"

Maura nodded and pulled her hand away. "Yes, I can understand your concern. What would you like to do?"

Jane turned on the sofa to face Maura. She considered the woman in front of her for a moment. Gingerly, she reached out and lightly touched the hair framing Maura's face. She tilted her head to the side as she ran her fingers through Maura's hair. "I'm not sure." Her hand came to rest on the back of Maura's neck. "No, that's not true. I do know what I want to do right now."

Maura licked her lips. "What would that be, Jane?"

Jane pulled Maura to her. They kissed. They took long moments to taste the wine lingering on the other woman's lips and appreciate the feel of being in each other's arms. Jane pulled away and leaned her forehead against Maura's. "I don't want to screw this up." She blew out a long stream of air. "So, I'm going to do something that I wouldn't normally do when I want to be with someone as badly as I do you right now."

Maura let Jane stand up. "What's that?"

"Go home to my own bed." She tried to give Maura her best reassuring smile. "But, I'm not running." She reached down and pulled the blonde to her feet. She kissed her again, sliding her hands under the shoulders of the jacket Maura was still wearing. As she broke the kiss, she pulled the jacket off of the very surprised doctor. "I'll just take this for safe keeping." She smirked at Maura as she walked to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Maura. Have a good night."

Maura stood in her living dumbfounded by the kiss Jane had just given her. She closed her eyes and centered herself. Jane wasn't running. This was a good sign.

This story gives me warm fuzzies ^_^