Everyone has asked for an update and your wishis my command. Enjoy.

Chapter 2

"I'm at the Dirty Robber, I'll wait outside for you ok?"

"I'll be there in a few minutes."

"You're the best Maura. I'll wait for you." When she hung up she realized she meant what she said to Maura. She was the best and she would wait for her, but not just for tonight. A few minutes later she saw Maura's Lexus pull up to the front door and she reached across the seat and opened the door for Jane. "Hey thanks for picking me up. I really appreciate it."

"Don't worry about it. It was my pleasure. How did your visit with your friend go? Did you have a good time?"

"She's still inside with Korsak and Frost." Jane looked down Maura's body and she could see the bottoms of her pajamas under her coat. She couldn't stop the smile that broke across her face. "Even in pajamas you still look ready for a photo shoot." She shook her head smiling then answered Maura's question. "Yeah I guess it was nice to see her but things have changed, what we had then just wasn't there anymore." Jane laid her head back on the back of her seat and turned her head to face Maura.

"What kind of relationship did you have with her?" Maura asked casually, Jane had never mentioned this friend and Maura was intrigued.

"We graduated from the same class at the academy, and we were rookies together, two of the four women in the class and the only two remaining, the other two quit the force because they couldn't take it. That creates a bond that you can't erase." Jane felt uncomfortable not telling Maura about her relationship with Jill but she wasn't sure she wanted Maura to know that she not only liked men but she liked women too and she really liked her.

"So you were just good friends and she wanted to catch up with you for old times' sake?"

"Yup that about covers it." She finally looked up to see where they were. "Hey where are we going?"

"I thought it would be easier to take you to my house then we could swing by and pick up your car tomorrow. Will that be ok?"

"That would be great." 'Better than great' was the thought that ran through Jane's mind. They pulled into Maura's complex and she parked in her assigned spot. Jane was out of the car and around to Maura's side before she had a chance to get out of the car. She opened her door for her and held her hand out, Maura took it and allowed Jane to help her out of the car.

Maura had always liked that about Jane, she was very solicitous towards her and treated her better than most men did. She wasn't sure if Jane was even aware that she did it but Maura sure was. To tell you the truth she never hurried to get out of her car because she wanted Jane to help her out. Jane kept her hand on Maura's elbow, she wasn't sure if it was to make sure she didn't fall or if it was to make sure Jane didn't fall but either way she wasn't complaining. Maura unlocked the door and Jane went in and sat down on the couch. "Do you want another beer?" Maura asked as she walked around the living room.

"No, I don't think I need any more thank you." She sat back on the couch and watched as Maura moved around her home. She walked with a gracefulness that can't be taught. "Do you ever feel…not confident? I don't think I've ever seen you unsure of a decision you've made."

"Oh Jane there are plenty of times I'm not sure of myself." Maura came over and sat down next to Jane. "What brought this on?" She rested her hand on Jane's shoulder.

Jane looked down at the hand on her shoulder and smiled to herself. "Jill has always known what she wanted in life and she went for it no matter what the price. She never worried about what other people thought about her. She hasn't changed a bit. Her parents didn't want her to be a cop but that's what she wanted and she didn't let them stop her. She's stepped on toes along the way and hurt people but it never bothered her. Me, I knew I wanted to be a cop and I went for it but there were times along that journey that I had doubts about whether I was doing the right thing. My own doubts along with the ones I let Ma sprinkle along the way. I know I'm a good cop…"

"Jane you're a great cop. And there's a difference between stepping on toes to advance yourself and regretting it like you do and stepping on toes and not caring who gets hurt along the way. That's one of the things that make you a good person and a great cop. Your compassion comes through in your work and those you help know it." Maura's hand was stoking Jane's hair and Jane was slowly relaxing under her touch. "Why don't we go to bed before you fall asleep here and wake up in the morning with a sore neck and back." Maura stood up and took Jane's hand and led her into the guest bedroom. She never let go of her hand as they lay down on the bed. Maura resumed stroking her hair and watched as her eyelids started to get heavy.

"Hey Maura you're a good friend. Thanks for being there for me." Jane's eyes were closed so she missed the quick look of hurt that crossed Maura's face when Jane said 'friend'.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else Jane. And you're welcome. Now go to sleep." Maura lay next to her with her head propped up on her hand so she could look down at Jane.

"You going to stay here?" Jane's voice was fading out as she spoke.

"If that's what you want then yes I will stay here." Jane nodded so Maura reached down and pulled the blanket up to cover Jane. She laid there until she knew Jane was asleep then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. She woke the next morning before the alarm and decided to take a quick shower before Jane woke up. She started the coffee and had a cup ready for Jane by the time the alarm went off.

Jane cracked one eye open and looked up at Maura. "That's just not right. No one should look that good this early in the morning. Are you going somewhere? Do I smell coffee?"

Maura laughed as she reached behind her for the cup of coffee on the night stand. "Here's your coffee. You think I look good?"

Maura watched as Jane sat up, and smelled the coffee before taking a sip. "Mmmm you're a life saver. You look gorgeous without even trying."

Maura blushed at her praise. "Thank you. How are you feeling this morning?" Maura was looking for any signs of discomfort from Jane and was surprised to see that she seemed fine.

"Just tired. I'm not as young as I once was and late nights out drinking aren't what they used to be."

"No hangover?" Jane actually blushed a little and leaned her head forward hoping that Maura wouldn't see it and she mumbled something that Maura couldn't hear. Maura reached forward and moved the hair out of the way so she could see Jane's face. "I missed what you said, could you repeat that?"

"I missed you. Ok I said it are you happy? I was sitting there listening to Jill and it seemed all she could talk about was herself and the way things used to be. I kept thinking about how different it was compared to the time we spend together. The silences were awkward, whereas you and I could sit in the same room for hours and not say a word and it would never feel as a weird as last night. I guess we've both changed."

Maura's heart leapt at the confession. "Well then I'm glad you called. Did you want to talk about last night?"

"She seemed to think we could just slide back into the relationship we had. Too many things have changed for both of us, well maybe I'm the one who has changed and I didn't want to go back to the way life was for me back then. I'm content with the way things are now. There are some things I would change if I could but that's for another time."

"There are always things we would change in our lives, I too have a few things that I wish were different but I accept the fact I can't change them."

Jane watched her face and was surprised by the hurt Maura tried but failed to hide. She put her coffee cup down and turned to face Maura and took her hands. "What is it Maura? You know you can talk to me about anything."

"Not this, at least not yet. Give me time to come to terms with it myself then we can talk ok?"

"If that's all I'm going to get from you then I will have to accept that. But I'm here if you need me ok?" Jane leaned forward and gave Maura a hug.

Maura smiled at her. "Let's go make breakfast then we can start the movie marathon." They made their way out to the kitchen and Jane boosted herself up onto the counter to watch Maura. "Oh no you don't, you want to eat you help make it." Maura walked over and took Jane's hand and pulled her off the counter.

Jane reversed their positions and trapped Maura against the counter between her arms. She knew she'd made a mistake when she realized how close she was to kissing Maura. She cleared her throat then pushed herself off the counter and walked over to the refrigerator. She stuck her head inside it and used it to cover the flush on her cheeks and to cool off. "So what are we going to make?" She felt Maura's hand on her back and she backed out then stood up and turned to face Maura.

"Let's make eggs and toast." She reached past Jane, making sure to brush up against her breast, and grabbed the eggs. "Grab the bread and margarine and you can start the toast. Oh can you get the milk for me too?" Maura glanced behind her and had to smile as she saw Jane still standing at the same spot with a look of shock on her face.