Jane clutches the back of the chair, trying to control her breathing. She'd never admit it out loud, but the breathing exercises Maura make her do whenever they do yoga together are coming in handy. Jesse and Cailin will be here soon, and Maura's currently getting dressed up, though why she feels compelled to do that when they're not even going out is beyond Jane's comprehension. As if Maura needs to look any more attractive.

The past week has been a tough one. Not just because of her job, which is hard enough, but also because of the things that she'd been repressing. The feelings that had seemingly come out of nowhere regarding a certain M.D. Jane sighs. She's a master of pushing things down deep, keeping them locked up. She has to be, considering her career. The trauma that she had experienced at the hands of Charles Hoyt have made her calloused and impenetrable. At least, that's what she had thought. But Maura breaks through her walls like they're not even there. It's frustrating. She pushes the chair in, making sure the table is set. Maura gave her that one job, and she's not going to screw it up.

She hears the doorbell ring, and steels her resolve. She walks to the door and opens it, seeing Jesse and Cailin there. Jesse's wearing a flannel shirt and a beanie, and Jane can't help but think that Cailin is lucky. They look really happy together.

"Come in," she says, stepping aside. "Maura's still getting ready—"

"No, she's ready," Jane hears a soft voice say, and turns to see Maura in a purple dress that hugs her curves so well. Her legs seem to go on forever, and her calves look so smooth and curved. Jane feels her mouth go dry and gulps. "How are you girls tonight?" Maura asks, but Jane barely hears her. Maura just looks so good.

"We're fine." Cailin says. She sits down in the living room, the same place she had the week before. "How are you two?"

"Good," Jane rasps out. "Can I get you water or anything?"

"No thanks," Jesse says. Jane swears the girl is scrutinizing her, and suddenly feels really paranoid. This was a bad idea. She obviously can't keep herself under control. She's giving everyone more reasons to think Maura and she are a couple.

"So," Maura begins, sitting down in an armchair next to the couch, "How is school?"

"It's getting stressful. Midterms are coming up, and so I've been cramming. I feel like my brain can't retain any more information," Cailin says.

"Studies show that the brain can only hold a finite amount of information. What is most relevant in our daily lives is what our memories tend to keep." Maura says. "I'm not surprised you feel that way. I remember how hard it was for me. Hopefully this evening will be relaxing."

For them, maybe, Jane thinks. She sits down on the couch opposite them. "Hope you guys are hungry for lasagna. I helped make it."

"Nice. I love that. Actually, there's not a lot of food I don't like," Jesse says.

Maura laughs. "You and Jane are very similar."

Jane smirks, silently agreeing. The girl is more tomboyish, and has a quiet strength that's slightly more understated than Jane's.

"And about what I said last week," Jesse began, taking a breath. "Please know that I didn't mean it. It's cool that you guys have such a close friendship. It's inspiring and really sweet. I never meant to offend anyone, and if I did, I'm sorry."

"You didn't offend us," Jane says. "People say that to us all the time."

Jesse nods, and Jane can see something in her eyes twinkle. Jane feels her stomach sink. Great.

"I think dinner should be ready," Jane says, and stalks off to the kitchen.

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"Bye, Cailin. Bye Jesse, this was fun! We should do it again," Maura says, walking them to the door. Jesse gives her a shy one armed hug and backs away, blushing. Cailin laughs and hugs her sister.

"Thanks Maura," she says softly. "I'll call you."

Maura nods and shuts the door quietly, then turns to the detective standing in the middle of the living room. Jane had been acting weird all night, and Maura is getting a little bit tired of trying to solve this mystery. She puts her hands on her hips and gives Jane a glare.

"All right, Jane," she says, walking into the living room. "All week you have been acting different. I've let it go up until this point, but honestly, tonight it was like having dinner with a mute. What is wrong?"

"Nothing, Maura," Jane protests, but falls silent at the look Maura gives her.

"You shouldn't lie to me, Jane. I know you too well for that."

"Maura, it's just been a long week, okay? So what if I wasn't the life of the party? I'm tired."

Maura sits down, feeling really concerned. "Do you think you're sick? Do you have a fever?"

Jane laughs. "No, Maura, it's nothing like that. It's more psychological, I guess."

Maura frowns. "Oh. Well, I'm sorry, Jane. If you could tell me what's bothering you, I could give you some emotional support."

"No, Maura—"

"Why do you always shut me out, Jane?" Maura asks, standing up. "You are making it difficult to be your friend."

Jane stands up too, anger evident on her face. "Maybe that's not what I want anymore!" She exclaims, and Maura steps back as if she'd been slapped.

"You don't want to be my friend?"

Jane shakes her head. "No, I want more." Before Maura could speak, Jane lunges forward. She pulls Maura's body against hers, and the momentum makes Maura dizzy. Well, that and Jane's proximity. She takes a sharp breath and just allows herself to feel Jane's body against hers. She can feel Jane's breasts against her chest, and even though Jane is a head taller, she doesn't have to crane her neck when Jane's lips finally meet hers. She closes her eyes and breathes Jane in. The pleasure center in her brain gets kicked into overdrive as Jane slips her tongue in Maura's mouth. Jane's arms encircle her, and she feels so incredibly safe.

She makes a small noise of disappointment when Jane breaks the contact.

"Why didn't we do that years ago?" The brunette asks, truly puzzled.

Maura, still reeling from the kiss, just shakes her head. "I have no idea."

Jane smiles, and there is total adoration in her gaze. She leans in again, and Maura eagerly steps forward, letting Jane hold her as their lips meet for a second time.

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4 MONTHS LATER

Jane pulls on a black paint suit that Maura says is her favorite out of the six black paint suits that Jane owns. She fixes her hair and checks her phone. She's still got a half-an-hour before her date with Maura. They've been dating for about four months, but every date still feels like their first. Jane still feels little sparks of nervousness running up and down her spine. She puts on a little bit of mascara and sits down on her bed. She should have given herself less time to get ready, because now she has nothing to do.

She is so lucky to have found Maura, and to have realized how perfect Maura is for her. She's just glad it wasn't too late. She grabs her keys and leaves her apartment, figuring that Maura won't mind if she's a little early.

She walks into the fancy restaurant and the waiter leads her to the table. Maura is waiting for her, looking absolutely fuck-me gorgeous in a sleek black dress. Jane smirks and walks quickly over, almost pushing the waiter over in the process.

"Hi," Jane says, as Maura stands up leans forward to kiss her.

Jane kisses back, and wonders again why they hadn't done this years ago.