Okay first off I am so sorry for the long wait. I wanted to get this up yesterday before I went to a Jimmy Buffett concert but that didn't happen. I've been horrible about updating. But I have most of the next chapter ready to be typed so hopefully it'll only be a week before I update. You can always follow me on my Tumblr (same username as here) so you can get updates on where I'm at.

In any case things are starting to come to a head not just in the investigation but with Maura and Jane, as well as Alex. Please note there are some mature situations between two women in this chapter. So read at your own risk. Thank you for staying with me, let me know what you think! And, as always, enjoy.

Chapter 8

The first thing Maura noticed when she woke in the morning was that she couldn't move. She wasn't sore or stiff. Another body in her bed was keeping her from rolling onto her back. She searched her memory of the past night trying to remember who was with her. And why they were in the same bed. Had they fallen asleep in the guest room? They must have because the room was bare of any of Maura's personal items. It would also explain her stiff neck. She really needed to replace the pillows in the guest room if she were to ever end up sleeping in there again.

Which brought back the question; who had their arm wrapped around her? Last night… it finally clicked through her morning haze. Jane was next to her. She had requested Maura stay with her the night before. The detective must have had a nightmare of some sort since she normally wasn't much of a cuddler. Maura remembered when Jane had shown up at her door one night unable to sleep because of her reoccurring nightmares of Charles Hoyt. They had fallen asleep in the guest bedroom that night and at one point Maura had been woken up by Jane. The detective had the doctor pulled close to her. It had been one of the worst nightmares Jane had had.

"Jane?"

Beside her Jane mumbled something unintelligible before burying her face further into Maura's back.

Maura really wanted to get up so she would have enough time to shower before they left for work. Knowing Jane however, she knew even if she tried to pry the detective's arm from around her waist it would be to no avail.

So Maura instead tried again. "Jane as much as I know you love cuddling I would love to get up and take a shower."

There was an instant reaction from Jane. The detective pulled away from Maura, taking all the heat with her, before she sat up in the bed. "Sorry..." she mumbled. Maura watched Jane as she slowly tried to put some distance between herself and the medical examiner.

Again Maura picked up that there was something wrong. It hadn't just been at the lab. Since Jane's run in with Alex something had been off about the detective. She had started to distance herself not just physically but also emotionally from Maura. It was really starting to worry Maura. But as much as she wanted to ask she knew that she would never get a straight answer. She had no choice but to wait for Jane to come to her.

"I'll go make some coffee while you shower." The brunette said rising to her feet. "Again sorry about that… Must had been a bad dream or something." It was a lie, a bad one at that, and Jane knew it. She wouldn't have made it such a big deal if she hadn't been having so much trouble lately. Maura had her undivided attention even if the doctor hadn't noticed it. It's wrong… she's your best friend for God's sake.

"Jane?" The detective glanced over her shoulder at Maura, giving her a questioning look. The blonde had a serious look on her face that told Jane she knew something was up. "You know you can talk to me about anything right?"

Jane let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. She offered Maura a smile of appreciation. "I know. But I'm alright. We should worry more about the case then some meaningless dream."

"No nightmare is meaningless."

"It is when it doesn't matter anymore."

"You shouldn't keep things bottled up," Maura said, "it isn't good for your health."

"You're the first person I'll go to if I need to talk don't worry." Jane grinned at her friend as she started towards the kitchen. "Now go. You woke me up do you could shower."

XXXXX

The coffee tasted like shit. Almost to the point that Jane considered pouring the rest of it down the drain. After all there was no chance that Maura would drink instant coffee unless she suffered a serious head injury. At least the horrible tasting brew kept her mind off of the dream she had had about a certain medical examiner.

They were starting to become more frequent. She would wake up in the middle of the night breathing heavily in a cold sweat, feeling almost pain and in need of a release. She had handled it as well as she could but it hadn't been enough to fully take away the ache. This morning only made the ache worse. She could do nothing to dull it until she went home at the end of the day.

It would have been so easy to just tell the blonde how she felt. Hell even just acting on her desires seemed simple in thought. But in practice? Jane shook her head. She wanted Maura. She would have done anything for the woman. So why couldn't she just bite the bullet and act for herself for once?

Jane knew the answer. If Maura had interest in her she would have made it clear by now. The doctor wasn't shy about sex or her experiences. Making it clear to Jane that if the doctor had any inkling for lesbian acts she would have said so.

Still Jane could have just asked. Of course she never would. Unlike Maura Jane was very closed mouthed about sex. She was no stickler and she sure as hell wasn't a good Catholic. She simply didn't like talking about sex.

"I hope that isn't that instant coffee that keeps finding its way into my pantry."

Maura stood opposite of Jane having finished with her hour-long morning routine. Jane was surprised- and somewhat thankful- that Maura had decided to wear slacks instead of a skirt. she had, however, donned a blouse that accentuated the doctor's muscular arms and left little to the imagination in regard to her breasts.

"I, uh." Jane stumbled as she stared at her friend.

"Jane?"

"What?"

"Is that instant?"

"Right. Yeah. Sorry. We can stop at the coffee shop before we head to the precinct."

Maura cocked her head at Jane but didn't question her. "Alright," she said. "We should probably get going then."

Jane nodded, grabbing her blazer and starting towards the door, not bothering to poor the coffee out or even finish hers. She just wanted to get to work so she could have something to distract her from Maura.

XXXXX

Another glass bottle clanked to the growing can of discarded drinks. Alex shook her head trying to get rid of the haze that had settled over her. All of her beer was gone. She had just polished off the last bottle. Blue sat, not too far away, watching his owner as she slowly drowned herself in alcohol. He didn't whimper or make a noise. He just watched knowing something was wrong. His master was hurting and he couldn't do a thing.

You're a murderer.

We believe that hooded person is you.

She's dead because of you.

Alex screamed. She lost it. She slammed her fist into the wall. That pain the action caused radiated throughout her body but she didn't stop. She hit the wall again and again until her knuckles were bloody. Tears flowed freely for the first time since Gracie turned up murdered.

She sobbed loudly as she slid to the floor, holding her injured hand close to her chest. It hurt. Everything hurt. She'd lost the only friends she had managed to keep over the years. She needed another drink. She needed the pain to go away. All Alex wanted was to be numb.

Blue came over to her. His head low and tail unmoving. He sat down as closely as he could to Alex, resting his head on her knee. It was a small comfort but it was all he could do. Alex put her arm around him holding him close. Once again he was all she had. Her dog and the bottle.

XXXXX

The blonde beneath her moaned as her mouth moved down the column of her best friend's throat. Her teeth grazed the soft skin leaving her mark before massaging the sting away with her tongue. The noises that escaped from the blondes lips only drove the detective on.

Jane slowly moved down to give attention to Maura's breasts. Teeth raked against hardened nipples as hands roamed farther down the doctors toned stomach.

"Jane please." It came out as nothing more than a breathless whisper.

Jane shuddered moving back to capture Maura's lips. She needed Maura as much as Maura needed her. Slowly, almost torturously, Jane slid two fingers down until they met moist heat.

"Jane hey Nina has something for us," Korsak said.

Jane looked up at her partner, blinking away her haze. Had she really just been thinking…? At work? This needed to stop before it got out of hand. Or any further out of hand.

"Nina has something?" Jane repeated.

"I managed to pull another still of the killer from the surveillance tapes, you still can't see their face but if you ask around you may be able to get an idea."

Jane hadn't noticed Nina standing near the murder board. The tech analyst handed Jane the printouts. The first was the same one they had used when talking to Alexis. The second image was of a person of similar height to the one in the original but the grainy image showed the person in a different colored hoodie. Jane examined the images a minute longer before looking up at Nina.

"I can't tell if this is the same guy or not," she said. "The hoodie in this one is orange, this one is gray. I mean I guess he could have ditched the other one…"

"Or it's a reversible hoodie," Nina suggested.

"Could be," Jane nodded, "but is there anything else that lead you to believe this was the same guy?"

"Actually, I sent the original image to a friend hoping he would be able to enhance it more than I could with the equipment I have available."

"And?"

"And I found that our killer has a tattoo on his left hand. I originally believed it to be a shadow but I figured it couldn't hurt to check it out. In any case I found the same tattoo on the man in the second image."

Jane looked at the images again and saw the 'shadow' Nina was talking about. "Do you have the enhanced image of the tattoo?"

"Yeah hang on." Nina moved across the room to BRIC returning a moment later holding the image.

The tattoo itself was hard to make out, it could have been a tribal tattoo or a country flag. Even so the enhancement did clearly show a tattoo one that both of the images had in common. It was enough for Jane to believe it was one in the same person. The image with the orange hoodie offered a clearer image of the suspect. Her was a white male, 5'9" with a short beard and a left hand tattoo. He appeared fit but Jane could see how she had mistaken him for Alex from the other image.

"You able to get a hit through facial recognition?" Jane asked, handing the images to Korsak.

"The most I've gotten was a sixty-four percent match without the hand tattoo," Nina explained.

"Maybe he's a fighter at Baker's Gym?" Jane suggested.

"You could always ask Eldsfield if she recognizes him," Korsak said.

"Ha sure maybe if I wanted a law suit thrown at me," Jane scoffed. "Let's just head back to the gym and see if anyone has a tattoo on their hand a guy this size shouldn't be too hard to find. He's pretty skinny."

"Lightweights can be pretty small," Nina added.

"Alright," Jane sighed rising from her chair. "Korsak you feel like making another trip to Baker's Gym?"

Korsak shrugged but stood, reaching for his blazer, giving Jane the impression he was up for it. Jane thanked Nina for giving them something to go on. She allowed Korsak to lead them to the elevator. Her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't think about anything besides Maura. How could she? Imaging Maura- her best friend- the way she was, was driving the detective to a breaking point. The urge to walk down to the morgue, shut the doors and blinds to Maura's office and taking the doctor right there on the floor was becoming a very possible course of action. That is, if Jane didn't get the urges under control.

"Janie you want to drive?"

Jane shook her head at Korsak realizing it was at least the second time he had asked the question. Driving was probably not the best activity for Jane to be doing at the moment. Especially if she started day-dreaming about pinning Maura's naked form against a wall and fucking her relentlessly.

"Maybe you should drive," she said finally.

"Hey what's bothering you?"

"What makes you think something is bothering me?" Jane asked sliding into the passenger seat.

"How long have we been working together Jane?" Korsak asked. "You think I can't tell when your mind isn't on a case? The last time you went after a suspect the way you did with Alex Eldsfield you had just shot Maura's father."

Jane sighed, there really wasn't any hiding from Korsak, but she really didn't want to explain what was bothering her. If she did she know it would bring up questions. like when the last time she had been with a woman. Jane was reluctant to admit she had been in a relationship through the majority of her Academy training. Korsak may have been her partner but there were somethings Jane just wasn't comfortable telling anyone.

"Yeah I know I haven't been myself," she admitted rubbing her eyes. "I really don't want to talk about it."

"I get it," Korsak nodded. "Just remember you can talk to me. We're partners aren't we?"

Jane chewed on her lip. Korsak had experience with relationships. He may not have had the greatest track record with marriages but he and Kiki were still going strong. And it wasn't like Jane wanted marriage advise. She just wanted someone to tell her to get her shit together and either get over the damned infatuation or grow a pair and tell Maura how she felt.

XXXXX

The first thing the detectives noticed as they entered Baker's Gym was a silence that hadn't been there before. Bill Baker was talking to a boxer. He appeared to be critiquing the man's stance and how he threw his left hook. Something about Bill seemed off, like his mind wasn't completely with the guy he was working with.

Bill had been fairly friendly towards the two when they had last been there to take Alex into questioning but when he saw the detectives this time he scowled towards them. He murmured something to the boxer before walking over to the detectives.

"You here to arrest another one of my boxers, detectives?" he asked angrily.

"We're here because we were hoping you could help us ID our suspect." Jane said doing he best to keep a level head. She understood why he was upset about them going after Alex. Jane would have been angry too, she was angry but that was because she had screwed up.

"Last I heard you were convinced Lex was your killer."

"DNA ruled her out," Jane said. "I apologize for the inconvenience it may have caused."

"Inconvenience? You realize she missed her match on Amateur Night and I had to explain she was somewhere with the BPD? That was her big chance to get sponsors."

"Ms. Eldsfield hasn't been with us since we took her in for questioning," Korsak said confusedly.

"Then were the hell is she I haven't heard from her for two days."

"Is that unusual?"

"Yes its unusual Alex always calls if she won't be in. I look after the poor kid she's got problems y'know? And she would never miss a fight it's what keeps her going."

"What kind of problems?" Jane asked.

"Drinking problems. Some things just set her off and she goes off the grid binging on whatever she can get her hands on."

"She does this often?"

"Only when her brother calls. How the hell that little bastard got her number I do not know."

Jane sighed, as much as it wasn't her responsibility to make sure Alexis wasn't off drinking herself to death she did feel responsible is Alex was off the deep end. After all it was her fault that Cody went after Alex.

"If you want we can check on her when we get off work," Jane suggested almost begrudgingly.

Bill nodded but showed little interest towards the offer. It was clear he didn't care much for the detectives. Jane, wanting to get away from their current subject, pulled out the image Nina had given them. She handed it to Bill. "Does this man look familiar? Whoever it is has a tattoo on their left hand. Maybe a gym member?"

"Can't say I recognize him," Bill said with a shrug. "As for the tattoo a lot of my boxers have them. I've got four with ones on their left hands. But I can't really tell what this is so I can't tell you if he's one of mine."

"Could you give us the names of the four boxers with the tattoo on their hand?"

"James Garrett, Marco Rodriguez, Jennifer Nelson and Finn Johnson. None of them are here today though."

Korsak finished writing the last of the names down in his notepad. "We appreciate the help Mr. Baker, we'll want to talk to each one of them," he said. Bill glanced back over towards the boxer he had been working with when the detectives had arrived.

"Do what you have to. If that's all I need to get back to work."

The two detectives watched Bill walk away before they headed out of the gym. The four names Bill had given them were helpful, one could already be ruled out since they knew their killer was a man. Three people was a great start it was more than they had had since the beginning of the investigation. Of course there was the chance none of the three boxers were the killer. They would cross that road if they came to it. Right now they just had to focus on what they had.

XXXXX

"I figure we can just send a uni over to Alex's apartment to check up on her," Jane said walking up the stairs to BPD with Korsak. "We should probably check to see if she filed that restraining order."

"I'll get on that," Korsak said, holding the door open for Jane. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off?"

"Why would I do that? We have suspects we need to bring in."

"Frankie can help." Korsak stopped so he could turn to face Jane. "I want your head in the right place. The last thing we need is you going off on another suspect. Go home, get some rest and we'll fill you in tomorrow."

Jane was about to protest when Korsak held up his hand. He wasn't going to budge on the matter. One way or another he was going to get her to go home. Jane let her shoulders slump in defeat. She didn't want to go home because she knew what would happen. She wanted to stay busy, keep her mind off of Maura. Dealing with Alex seemed a lot more inviting then sitting one her couch trying to watch TV while her mind wandered elsewhere.

"Fine I'll go home early. But if you find anything you call me."

"You'll be the first to know."

XXXXX

Jane tossed her keys on the counter and went to her fridge to grab a cold beer. There was plenty she could do to keep her mind occupied while she waited for Korsak to call. She was running out of shirts to wear and really needed to do laundry. She also needed food but didn't feel like leaving again.

"And I'm out of dishes… looks like I'm ordering in again."

In the empty apartment her voice seemed extremely loud. The silence that followed made everything seem much emptier. To fix this Jane went over to turn on the TV. She was happy to find a Sox game still being played. She unclipped her cell from her hip then set it on the coffee table. It felt strange sitting alone on the couch after spending so many nights over at Maura's.

The two of them had been spending more and more time together in recent months. Jane usually went over to Maura's after work and would stay late just to come back in the morning to pick Maura up for work. On rare occasions Maura would visit Jane at her home which usually lead to the doctor doing the dishes and picking up random things Jane had left sitting out.

Once she kicked off her shoes she propped them next to her phone on the table. She sunk as far back into the couch as she could. Her mind was already starting to drift towards Maura as the cold glass of her beer came in contact with her lips. Jane closed her eyes letting herself surrender to whatever fantasies or memories chose to surface.

The first surprised her. It was rare that Jane found herself thinking about Emily. It had been years since they had graduated the academy and gone their separate ways. Jane smiled to herself. They had been roommates; at least that was what they told people. Things had been a lot more serious than that. It had all started with one late night and way too much alcohol. After that they had maintained a relationship. That was, until, Jane got cold feet and ended the relationship. One thing they had agreed on was it wasn't the right time to be dealing with the relationship, not when it could affect their careers. Emily had been Jane's first and only girlfriend. Aside from Maura, Jane had never been interested in another woman.

'Right place wrong time…'

If that was what Emily was then what was Maura? Simply a wrong time? Or was Jane just making it 'the wrong time'? There was certainly something more than friendship between them. So why hasn't Maura made the first move? There were dozens of possibilities why she hadn't. The most logical of those reasons being that Maura was just waiting for Jane to make a move. In which case they would be stuck the way they were for a long time. Really what's stopping me from saying something? I won't lose my job. I might get rejected. Which would probably ruin our friendship… Jane finished off her beer and set it aside.

It wasn't long before she started to drift off. She fought it for a while but eventually sleep won over.

"Well detective?" Maura asked straddling the detectives hips as her hand found its way into brunette locks. "See something you like?"

Jane couldn't answer. Her mouth was dry and somehow she had forgotten how to use words. Maura had her in complete awe. She had hardly noticed Maura disappear into the other room until the doctor was leaning over her in nothing but black lace bra and panties. Jane met Maura's eye. They were dark with desire and need. Jane imagined Maura could see the same in her.

She felt hot breath on her ear and realized Maura was still expecting a reply. "I'm waiting Jane." Maura punctuated her words with her teeth grazing Jane's ear lobe. The detective let out a heavy breath as Maura continued her assault. Hot lips grazed over Jane's neck, then jaw. Maura stopped her lips mere centimeters from Jane's. If the detective wanted more she would have to ask for it.

Jane felt her heart begin to beat out of her chest as she searched Maura's eyes. She knew Maura was running the show. But what was it the doctor wanted? An answer? Swallowing hard, Jane nodded, hoping it would be enough to move things along. But after a few beats when Maura didn't move Jane understood she had to vocalize if she wanted anything to happen.

"Yes," she said breathlessly.

"Tell me what you want Jane," Maura whispered huskily. Her free hand began to run up and down Jane's side over the fabric of the t-shirt Jane wore. "I might even give it to you if you ask nicely."

"I want you to kiss me…Please Maur…" Jane was surprised by how needy she was just to have Maura's lips against hers.

There wasn't a moment of hesitation. Their lips connected.

Maura had control of the kiss. Her tongue ran over Jane's lower lip and was immediately granted entrance. Jane was unable to keep herself from sliding her hands under Maura's blouse. She pulled the doctor closer to her, deepening the kiss. Firm breasts pressed against Jane causing a moan to escape her. The kiss went on but soon they found themselves needing to break for air.

"Sit back for me baby."

At first Jane didn't move, unwilling to let Maura go, but eventually she relented. Maura moved away from Jane causing the brunette to whimper at the loss. But Maura positioned herself so she was kneeling between Jane's legs. She reacted up and unbuttoned Jane's slacks. Jane lifted her hips so Maura could remove her slacks and boy shorts without much trouble.

"You're already so wet…"

"Maura…"

"Relax. Let me take care of you."

Jane sprung up so fast from her position on the couch she nearly knocked over her coffee table. Her heart was racing. Maura… Maura going down on her… It was too much. Jane needed to get these dreams to stop. There was only one way she knew how.

Her clock told her it was just after five meaning Maura would be at home by now. Jane could make it over to Maura's in ten minutes. Hopefully in that time she wouldn't lose her nerve.

Grabbing her phone and her keys Jane headed out the door.