Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up, but here it is.

Chapter 15

"Arghhhh! This is driving me crazy. How the hell can people sit behind a desk all day long and not go stark raving mad? Come on Korsak just one little ride along, I promise I won't touch anything. Pleaseeee. Have mercy on me."

Korsak really did feel sorry for her but there was nothing he could do about it. "Rizzoli you'll be off desk duty next week and back on the street kicking ass again. Three more days, that's all and because it's Friday it's technically only one more day behind that desk. Remember how hard of a time you gave me after I had my heart attack? Pay back's a bitch."

"Aw come on I let up on you after the first week, this had been going on for almost three weeks now. Remind me if I ever think about going for Lieutenant, that their job is all desk duty. Just let me sneak out with you."

"Is she at it again?" They both turned toward the door and Jane's face broke out in a smile when she saw Maura standing there. "Three more days Jane. No one is going to take you out on the street before then so quit asking." She smiled and leaned against Jane's desk.

"What makes you think I was asking to go out on the street?" Maura gave Jane a look that said 'duh'. "Ok that's what I was trying to do. What harm is there in just letting me ride along?"

"Because we all know you would not be content to just ride along. The next thing you know you would be chasing some crook down the street and then…"

"Alright I get the point Maura. Did you come down here to take Korsak's side or was there something you needed?" Jane smiled up at her girlfriend.

"I came down to see if you would be interested in joining me for lunch? I thought we could try that new bistro that opened up down the block. Vince would you like to join us?"

"No, you two go and enjoy your lunch, take your time." He smiled at the two women and he pulled out a blank report. "I have a report to write before something else happens that needs my attention."

"Yeah since you're already one body down because of me you and Frost have become quite the crime fighting duo haven't you?"

"Oh he's all yours come Monday when you get back out there on the streets. He's driving me crazy."

"Where is Frost by the way?" Jane asked Korsak but Maura answered for him.

"He is standing outside autopsy right now talking himself into going in. Abe is going to do the autopsy on your latest homicide. He knows Abe won't go easy on him so he's getting his courage up. Why are you guys so hard on him? Not everyone can handle the sight of blood."

"Well Maura have you ever heard of a homicide detective that couldn't handle the sight of blood? He should have stayed in Robbery." She watched Maura's face. "Most people who are squeamish when it comes to blood do not choose an occupation that brings them face to face with said blood on a day to day basis. It just doesn't make sense. I've learned to let him do the people part of the job. He does the interviews of witnesses or anyone else that needs to be interviewed. Because we all know how much of a people person I am."

"Granted he may not have chosen the right branch of the police to work in but you could be a little easier on him. I seem to remember you were a bit squeamish at your first autopsy."

"I was past it by the time the autopsy was over and haven't had a problem since then. It also gave me a reason to spend time with you. Quite an incentive to watch you cut open dead people if you ask me. So where is this little bistro you were going to drag me to for lunch? Let's go." Jane stood up and took Maura's arm and headed out the door. "I've got to get out of here before I go mad."

Maura looked up at Jane as she led her out the door. "It's down the block and around the corner. It's such a nice day we can sit out on the patio and eat." Maura took Jane's arm to lead her down the sidewalk. Jane placed her hand on top of Maura's hand on her arm and allowed Maura to lead her. They were both oblivious to the looks they were receiving from those they passed on the street. Envious looks from both men and women alike. They made such a striking couple, one dark and brooding the other fair and animated. Both walked with the confidence born of women who knew who they were and were comfortable in their own skin and both obviously in love with the each other. They sat at one of the outdoor tables close to each to each other holding hands.

Jane knew that things had changed a lot in Massachusetts concerning gays and lesbians but she still knew some people could be narrow minded. Things at work have been better than she thought they would and she had a feeling if she hadn't been injured at the same time she came out at work that things could have been totally different. Maura seemed to enjoy going against the norm now that she'd gotten a taste of it and she was reveling in bucking the system she had always conformed to. Jane looked over at Maura and smiled. "So my dear Dr. Isles what have you got on your agenda for this evening?"

"Well you know I've got this little thing on the side but she told me she would have me home early, did you have something in mind?" Maura smiled over at Jane and patted her arm.

Jane threw her head back and laughed. She really liked this side of Maura that she had never seen before. She was so much more relaxed and some of her high brow upbringing was taking a back seat to the Rizzoli family influence. Jane's family had taken Maura in as one of their own and Maura had blossomed under their attention. "Oh so you got something on the side do ya?"

"I was just waiting until you were 100%. Then I'm all yours." Maura smiled innocently at Jane.

"Honey me at 90% is better than what you could get on the side at 100% and you know it."

Maura leaned toward Jane and dropped her voice to a whisper. "You are sooo right."

Jane felt a shiver go all the way down her spine and it took every effort not to grab Maura and take her right there in front of god and everyone. "Have I told you lately how much I love you and I appreciate you?"

"I do believe you mentioned it this morning during the shower but a girl never gets tired of hearing it, at least not this girl. And I love you too." Maura could only smile at Jane as she sat across from her. "So what did you have in mind for tonight?"

"Maybe we can go out or something. Maybe a fancy dinner. Or we could just order in and watch a movie on TV."

"I like the ordering in and watching a movie because then I can have you all to myself. After this weekend we'll both be going back to the hectic schedule we worked before and we will probably only see each other at crime scenes and when we fall into bed dead tired at night so I want to spend what quiet time we have left together. Is that ok?" Maura asked tentatively.

"That is more than ok. I was hoping you'd say that. I just wanted to give you the option because I know we've been kind of anti-social since I got out of the hospital and I didn't want you to think we had to stay home."

"Jane, we haven't been anti-social we've been getting to know each other and I've been getting to know your family. I've enjoyed every day of the past three weeks and I really don't want it to end but I know things will change once you go back to work."

Jane stood up and paid the bill and stood behind Maura's chair to pull it out for her to stand up. She was thoughtful as they left the bistro and Maura was worried she'd said too much. When they started walking Jane reached over and took Maura's hand and laid it on her arm like she always did. "I've been thinking about what would happen when I go back to work full time and I decided that things are going to change. I have you to think about now and I don't want you to have to worry." Jane turned and smiled down at Maura and still couldn't believe how lucky she was to have this woman in her life. "I promise I'm not going to take the crazy chances I took before, I'll be more careful and I'll make sure Frost has my back if I do anything. How's that?"

Maura stopped and pulled Jane around so they were face to face. "Jane while I appreciate the gesture it's not your style. You don't know how to change gears and I don't expect you to. If you could be more careful that would be nice but I don't want your mind occupied with being more careful while you're busy chasing someone down because then your mind is not on what it should be doing and that's avoiding guns and knives and anything else the bad guys may have to hurt you. I will always worry, just as I have for the past three years, it's all a part of caring for someone. You do what you do best, catch the bad guy, and I'll be here to pick up the pieces when you come back."

"Damn Maura you're going to make me cry right here on the street. You've worried about me for 3 years?"

"I told you I've had a crush on you since I met you. And that crush developed into something much more but I never told you for fear of driving you away. Every time I saw you leave a crime scene, especially after a particularly brutal killing, I was worried sick that one of those times I was called out it would be you lying in the street. The hardest thing about that is that no one knew how I felt and I didn't have anyone I could talk to about it."

Jane stared at the woman standing in front of her as if for the first time. "I never realized you felt that way. How come you never said anything?"

"Remember, it hasn't been that long since I found out you even returned my feelings, I had no idea how you felt and I was afraid of losing you if I said anything. So I worried about you all the time."

"That's sweet Maura." Jane took her hand and resumed walking back to the station. "I promise if I can avoid unnecessary trouble I will. Is that ok?"

"That's more than ok. So shall we find a way to celebrate this weekend as your last being chained to a desk?"

Jane's eyes darkened at what they could do to celebrate and Maura's breath hitched at the look she saw there. "Oh I think between the two of us we can find a way to celebrate."