Much thanks to stlouis.7936 for helping me with the beta , sorry it took long but here you go , I hope you enjoy it

Jane found herself walking into the old warehouse, the hushed sobs leading her to a door. It took her eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darkness of the bare room except for a dirty mattress in a corner.

Near it lay a man with blood seeping through his shirt, spreading onto the ground below him, an angry expression still etched into his face.

The hushed sobs continued, only stopping when choked apologies made it out. There, in the far corner sat Maura, knees pulled up to her chest, arms circling them tight, feet pushing further into the floor desperately trying to mold her small frame into the wall.

Maura's hand trembled, barely holding the knife in a loose fist. Jane stood frozen as the scene in front of her unfolded. She took a step toward Maura. She must have heard her. Jane watched as Maura's body tensed further, a sharp inhale was audible, the trembling stopped and Maura finally looked up.

Her face was stained with dried blood, against skin white as snow. Her torn shirt did nothing to cover her badly bruised torso. Jane couldn't determine the color of the garment. A brown stain here, a black one there and a lot more that looked like fresh blood.

Maura looked almost barbaric if it weren't for her eyes. Her eyes looked unseeing in Jane direction, empty, dead in a blank face. They stared at each other for what seemed felt like an eternity, Jane's dark eyes waiting for any sign of recognition in the beautiful hazel ones. The door was slammed open once again this time by Doyle followed by his men.

Neither of the women moved or blinked. Doyle knelt in front of Maura but she didn't seem to notice as her eyes were trained on Jane who stood helplessly.

Maura raised both hands, placing the knife on her left wrist never breaking eye contact with Jane. In a surprisingly swift movement, she pulled the knife across her wrist. A strangled cry left Jane's throat, her sight beginning to blur with tears. It seemed as though Maura did not feel the pain as she held her bleeding wrist out to Jane, her stare still empty.

Jane woke up disoriented, heart racing, chest aching and it was only when she touched her face that she realized that she had been crying. Was she crying in her sleep? Or was it after she woke up? Too numb to know, Jane grunted and wiped her eyes dry with the back of her hands. Maura's fine, probably sleeping in her house, buried under her very expensive sheets too. Jane clinched her jaw and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes dragging herself to bed

Another Sunday. Jane stayed in bed for a while just staring at the ceiling, thinking of what Maura had said. What was so bad that Maura thought their friendship wouldn't survive?

This is messed up. Jane sighed and decided to start her day off with a jog. It always helped to clear her mind. This time though, she didn't stop at her usual spot, she kept going, forgetting herself as each stroke of her feet hit the hard ground.

When she finally made her way back home, her muscles aching and stiff. Jo Friday came running to meet her master at the door. Jane bent down and stroked the small dog with a promise to take her out after a quick shower and headed to the bathroom.

It was only when she came back from walking Jo that she noticed the message light blinking on the phone. A dozen missed calls, all from her mother and two texts. One from Maura. Curious, Jane ignored everything from her mother and opened Maura's text. She was greeted with a single sentence. Jane read it over and over again, a frown forming. What did she mean? Jane bit her lower lip as she tapped the phone in her palm.

No. She had had enough. She was not going to intrude on Maura's privacy. If Maura wouldn't make the calls, then she wouldn't either. The phone buzzed and snapped her out of her thoughts.

She sighed when she saw the caller's ID.

"What is it ma?"

"Where are you?"

"At home, why?"

"Well aren't you coming over to Maura`s?"

"Ma! We are not doing this. I already told you that Maura doesn't want anyone over, why do you have to act like this?"

"What are you talking about?! Maura would love it if you all came." Jane rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I`m sure she would. Like she did last week."

"Jane. She already apologized for that. She was caught up in something, she promised she would be here by dinner." Jane snorted.

"She`s not even there is she?" her mother was quite for a few seconds "That's just what I thought."

"She`ll be here." her mother protested

"Hate to burst your bubble, but she won't."

"Just get your butt down here and you can gloat all about it if she didn't."

"You know what? I will and when she doesn't show up you have to give me your word that you won't be having Sunday dinner at Maura`s again got it?"

"Jane" her mother pleaded.

"Give me your word and I`ll be there." Jane pressed and heard her mother sighing into the phone.

"Fine, but when she does, you`ll have to stop acting like a child and show up for Sunday dinner without whining."

"Deal."

Tommy and Frankie were setting the table, Frost was 'helping', which meant he was standing between the two siblings to stop any fighting. Korsak was playing with T.J, and Angela was putting the final touches on dinner while Jane was just about ready to gloat. She stood in front of her mother with her arms crossed, with Angela doing her best to ignore her daughter's cocky attitude.

"Just admit it already, she`s not coming." Angela stayed silent "ma" Jane waited until her mother met her gaze "dinner is ready" Jane said softly when she saw how heartbroken her mother was.

Angela opened her mouth to reply when they heard the sound of a car pulling up to the house. Everyone stopped what they were doing and Jane could feel the anticipation. "I never make a bet I can't win." Her mother smirked while drying her hands into the kitchen towel and went into the living room while Jane remained where she was.

The door knob turned and everybody in the living room stood waiting. Jane watched as the door opened and Maura walked into the house. She looked amazing and for a second Jane could swear that it felt like old times, but she couldn't help but notice the long sleeves.

Jane was the only one that knew why she wore them. For everyone else, Maura looked like she always did. Amazing and stylish. Angela being Angela, walked straight to Maura giving her a hug. Jane could see the polite smile on Maura's face as she greeted Angela.

Frankie was the first one to break from his trance and walked up with to her with open arms. Seeing that, Jane panicked and opened her mouth to warn Frankie, remembering what had happened when Tommy tried it a while back but the words died on her lips as Maura allowed the bone crushing hug and actually giggled when Frankie lifted her off the ground. Frankie must have make a joke about Maura's weight because Maura gave a soft shove and everyone in the room joined in laughter. Tommy's turn was next and he was just as enthusiastic as his brother with Frost and Korsak delivering softer greetings. Jane could only watch as Korsak placed a hand on Maura's shoulder and whispered something in her ear. Maura listened nodding, blinking back tears. Angela was watching with her hands clutched in front of her chest in joy. Lidia shook Maura's hand before introducing the little boy in her arms.

Jane was still standing in the kitchen in shock when Maura walked into the kitchen and retrieved a water bottle from the fridge. A smirk grew on Maura's face as she reached for a slice of carrot inside the salad bowl on the counter. She was now in Jane's space.

"You should close your mouth Jane. It's really not a good look for you." Maura whispered in a playful tone. Jane's mouth snapped closed immediately in embarrassment. "This looks amazing Angela." Maura said turning her attention to older woman approaching them.

"You're lucky you got here when you did. This one kept saying she wants to eat. You'd think she never had a decent meal in her life." Jane felt her cheeks burning.

"I do apologize if I kept you all waiting."

"Don't worry about it. It's your night."

"Thank you Angela. I just need to freshen up a little. I'd ask you to wait, but I'm afraid you'd die of starvation if you waited any longer." Angela laughed while Jane made a face at Maura.

"Hilarious." she mumbled sarcastically but the blonde didn't seem to hear her as left them and headed upstairs.

Jane ended up seated across from Maura, and kept her eyes on her plate as her idiot brother Tommy, who was sitting next to Maura kept asking stupid questions about her time with the mob.

"Did you like, have to learn how to shoot a gun?" Tommy asked with excitement of a teenager. Jane grunted and focused her attention on spearing some green beans.

"I did learn how to shoot a gun." Maura replied with a polite smile.

"Awesome. Damn. Now I wish I had a mobster dad. Might have come in useful while I was in jail." Frankie chuckled and shook his head in amusement

"Did you have to whack someone to be in?" Jane`s eyes grew furious at her brother and kicked him under the table at the same time Frankie gave him a smack on the back of the head. Angela looked up and Frankie quickly pretended to stretch his arm. Maura had looked up alarmed when she heard the question but at the sound of Tommy's ouch she breathed a sigh of relief. Maura cleared her throat breaking the awkward silence, her face immediately losing the deer caught in the headlights look and smiled politely.

"No. I didn't need to 'whack' anyone while I was with Doyle. I`m Paddy Doyle`s daughter, that was more than enough." Maura replied with ease.

"Wow, you both do realize that half of the people here are in law enforcement" Frankie said glaring at his little brother to drop the subject but Tommy just looked clueless.

"So, ma said you had things to take care of today?" Jane said stabbing her food.

"Yes, I had some errands to run. It's the reason I was late again. I'm so sorry that I made you all wait." Maura addressed everyone at the table sincerely.

"Oh? What kind of 'errands'?" Jane looked up with a challenging look.

"The kind that can't be delayed." The annoyance in Maura`s tone wasn't missed on anyone but it spurred Jane on.

"Aww. I'm sorry did we keep you from something important?' Maura looked a bit taken back with Jane's attitude as they stared each other down.

"so Maura , what are your plans? Think you`ll be back at the medical examiner's office?" Korsak asked trying to break the tension that had developed.

"I'm not sure. I mean I'm still trying to get back on my feet. Work is not something I am considering at the moment, but hopefully when this mess is cleared up." Maura turned to face Korsak but Jane kept her gaze and her leg started to bounce. "Oh, as of tomorrow, I'll officially be alive." Korsak raised his glass in salute.

"Well then. A toast. To new beginnings." Maura smiled and raised her water glass, joining everyone else.

"Well you seem like you already have everything under control if you asked me." Jane mumbled

"Then it's a good thing I didn't." Maura replied with as much politeness as she could manage, even delivering a fake smile.

Sensing the tension between the two, Angela tried to step in as well.

"How about desert? Anyone?"

"Allow me Angela. You`ve cooked all of this lovely food, it's the least I can do." Maura offered, trying to escape when she felt suffocated.

"No it's your night, I can't let-" Angela began to protest.

"Yes ma, let us get the desert." Jane cut in and both woman stood up from the table, Maura looking frustrated and Jane looking infuriated.

"What the hell is going on?" Jane finally hissed when they were out of hearing range.

"We`re getting desert?" Maura answered innocently before turning back to the counter.

'Maura' Jane almost growled. Maura pushed the small plates into Jane`s hands.

"There you go." Maura carried the chocolate cake Angela made and started heading back to the dining room when Jane grab hold of her elbow.

"We need to talk." Jane whispered seriously. She watched Maura`s face for any sign of disapproval but the blonde merely swallowed before nodding.

"Some other time." Maura said with such certainty that didn't leave any chance for doubt in Jane's heart.

The rest of evening when smoothly much to Maura`s shock and happiness. She really doesn't know how she mange to pull it off. When everybody started saying goodbye, she was all but exhausted.

She had somehow convinced Angela not to bother with the dishes, should would take care of them in the morning.

She watched as Tommy carried his sleeping son with Lidia at his side. Frankie was playfully holding Frost in a head lock as Angela scolded him. Jane and Korsak watched them while sharing a laugh. Maura sighed when she returned to the empty house. She was placing the leftovers in their plastic containers when she heard the door open and close.

"I thought you left." Maura said without looking up. Jane froze in her steps. "Your boots gave you away." she answered Jane's unspoken question.

"Wow. That was cool and creepy at the same time." Jane walked over to the sink and started piling the dirty dishes after scraping them into the trash. Maura didn't seem to mind as she hadn't stopped her task and didn't bother to lift her head to look at Jane.

"When I said some other time, I didn't mean today." Jane shrugged.

"Just thought I`d help." the pair continued to work in silence for a while.

"Thank you." Maura finally said.

"Don't mention it." Silence had engulfed them once again when Jane decided to take her chance.

"You uhhh, you look really good Maur." she mentally kicked herself when Maura didn't respond right away.

"It… you surprised me today. I really didn't know what to expect when Frankie hugged you and I`m sorry about Tommy. He can be a real prick sometimes. I know it must have made you feel uncomfortable I – I`ll talk to him. You should have seen ma`s smug face when she won the bet. I mean that woman really knows how to rub it in your fac-" Jane was rumbling and she knew it but she couldn't stop herself , but it was then that Maura interrupted her.

"What bet?" Jane felt the heat traveling to her face and coloring it bright red. What was she supposed to say? Think, think damn it.
"Are you ok?" Shit. Did Maura notice that her face was like a tomato? Jane nodded too quickly.

"You've been acting weird. Which reminds me. Why were you acting weird today?"

"It's just that…" Jane sighed. "Forget it."

"No. Come on. What is it?"

"Well, you were kinda acting like you were at one of your mothers gallery openings." Maura looked offended.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you were talking to them the same way you do to strangers. There was no 'Maura' in there at all, just Dr. Isles." Maura sighed but kept her focus on her task. Jane waited for a response but Maura seemed content listening to Jane "Really? Ok, so you`re just going to ignore me? That's your plan?" Maura`s hands didn't stop. "You know I never truly understood what the guys meant when they called you queen of the dead but I`m finally getting it."

"That was uncalled for." Maura's voice replied devoid of emotion.

"Really? I just called you queen of the dead and all you had to say was that?!" Maura shrugged and Jane grunted. "How can you just turn off all your emotions like that? It's like you become another person."

"I really don't understand why you're trying to provoke a respond out of me." Jane was now standing near Maura, too close to Maura`s liking. "Could you just," Maura placed her palm square on Jane's chest and pushed slightly. Jane's eyes widened in shock.

"Didn't seem to bother you today." Jane countered, refusing to back down.

"Wh- is this what this I about? Are you upset because you didn't get a hug?" Maura couldn't help her smile.

"That's not it." Jane rolled her eyes.

"You`re a terrible liar by the way." Maura mused.

"And you`re a good one apparently." Jane tried changing the subject but Maura just kept on smiling.

"Aww, didn't expect that from the tough Jane Rizzoli." Jane growled and Maura took a step, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around the detective. Jane felt the fight leave her body and she relaxed into the embrace.

'I just don't understand why you keep me at arm's length."

"I know." Maura whispered "It won't always be like this." Maura closed her eyes pulling Jane even closer. She heard Jane's sniffing and couldn't help her smile. When they broke apart, Jane tried to turn her head away from Maura.

"It really doesn't take much to turn you into mush." Jane dried her tears quickly.

"No" she protested weakly and Maura laughed.

"That time of the month huh?"

"Shut up." Jane pushed Maura`s shoulder playfully and laughed through her tears.

"I really meant it Jane." Maura started when they both sobered. "You deserve an explanation and I intend to give you one."

" Maura look , I`m not going to lie and say I like things like they are, but I`m willing to try and respect your space. Just maybe try not to act so weird. Well weirder than you actually are." Maura's mouth hung open in fake shock. "But you need to know that I'll be here if you need me. You don't have to do anything on your own."

"Oh my god! it is that time of the month!" Maura exclaimed

"Maura!"

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