Autopsy results were never quick. This was a fact Jane was very familiar with. The wait always ate away at her limited patience. Early in her career she'd anticipate the results because she was so eager to prove herself as an asset to the department. Then Maura made her way into her life and results meant she got to spend more time with her best friend. Case cracking results, small bits of evidence, no results at all- Jane found herself in the morgue for all those reasons and more. As friendship slowly blossomed into something more the results didn't matter as much as being able to see and touch the Chief Medical Examiner.

Now Jane sat quietly at her desk dreading the results. After her actions at the scene she knew her partners weren't going to help her out by getting the results when they were available. She had still yet to look at either of them for more than a quick glance since they all arrived back at the precinct. Sure she could talk to her partners, explain what happened, but that would require her to put her feelings into words. That's something Jane always struggled with. They'll figure it out soon enough. She thought to herself. I'm sure they're already catching on since I'm still here and not down in the morgue. She let a small airy laugh escape as she thought back to a time when Frost asked why she just couldn't wait until they got home. Her reply to him was simple and accompanied by a cocky smirk. "Have you ever really looked at Maura?" The detective shook her head at the memory. Everyone noticed Maura.

Pinching the bridge of her nose and allowing herself to recognize for the first time that evening just how tired she actually was. She'll give Maura another hour, after that she was going home to get some sleep. Or at least try. As if on cue she heard Frost's phone chime, signaling a new message.

"Results are back." Bright eyes looked between tired dull brown and wise older ones.

"Well I'm still looking through the victims history. What're you up to, Frost?"

"Uh-" the young detective looked over his desk, trying to find an excuse to follow Korsack's lead. "Computer stuff." He tried to ignore the detectives gray head fall at his words. He kept his stare straight ahead on Jane, silently telling her to go get those results.

"Fine." She growled out between clenched teeth.

Once Jane was safely on the elevator Korsak did all he could to keep from slapping his partner across the back of his head. "Good one Frost, I never knew you were so good with improv." He dead-panned. All the other detective did in response was shrug his shoulders and turn his attention back to his computer screen.

Down in the morgue the medical examiner was slowly and carefully closing up her Y-incision. The delicate hairs on the back of her neck stood on end when she heard the ding signaling the arrival of the elevator, followed by the familiar shuffle of determined footsteps.

Once Jane was in the door, less than ten feet away from the woman she would give her life to and for, she struggled to force work to the forefront of her mind. "You have the results?"

"Arsenic." The shorter woman spun to look the detective in the eye. She wasn't about to allow the change in their personal life make her uncomfortable in her morgue. This was her territory. Maura crossed her arms over her chest and stood her ground.

"Are we talking about the same case? The victim who was stabbed a hundred times?"

"Seventeen. That's hardly a hundred, Jane." The ME walked around the tall woman, heading for her office to retrieved the tox-screen report from her computer.

Jane followed Maura out of habit. They had spent many hours together in that office. Many hours on the desk, on the floor, against the walls, on each piece of very uncomfortable furniture. They never lacked in good memories when it came to that office. The blush that crept up both faces made it obvious that both minds were taking a quick trip down memory lane. A small, knowing smile played across Jane's lips when the doctor cleared her throat.

"There was a significant amount of arsenic found in Colette Stevenson's system." She took a seat behind her desk. Keeping a safe distance between her and the object of her desires. She could convince herself to stay professional, but that didn't mean her body would obey. Why does she have to be so sexy? She thought as she watched Jane's slender form settled on the corner of the desk.

"She was poisoned?" Confusion took over the detective's face.

"Correct. Colette Stevenson was not stabbed to death, she was poisoned. This is exactly why I refuse to guess." Maura said more to herself than Jane as she scrolled her computer for the test results. Pointing to the screen she said, "She ingested a large enough dose to kill a woman twice her size. That's no accident."

Jane leaned in close to look over Maura's shoulder at the screen. The numbers that were once clear were now in a haze as she struggled with a wave of dizziness caused by the sweet smell of the blonde hair tickling her nose. Standing up straight to steady herself, the detective tried to put her focus back on the case.

Maura was slightly shaken, her delicate fingers trembling as they lay on the keyboard. Jane being so close was never easy for her to handle, and she was allowed to act on it for two years. Now she had to train herself all over again. She needed to learn to keep her hands to herself. When Jane straightened Maura was relieved and she let go of the breath she had been holding. She immediately missed the warmth she felt from the slender body next to her. Now the doctor was left with nothing but a cool breeze that carried a hint of lavender. A husky voice brought her back to the moment.

"So then why the stabbing?" Jane asked no one in particular, she was just working the case out loud like she always did.

"Only a human being with a severe psychological disturbance would be capable of mutilation such as this."

"Overkill." Jane said matter-of-factly.

Maura just nodded and locked her eyes on the detective, her ex-girlfriend, her once upon a time best friend. Jane's eyes always told the truth, no matter how hard the dark haired woman fought the other, she always screamed the truth through those brown pools. What Maura saw now was a mixture of sadness, want, and confusion. Even though she couldn't see herself, she was sure her hazel eyes were mirroring the ones above her. Before she had a chance to say another word the detective quietly excused herself and was exiting the morgue. Well that went better than I expected.

Jane raced thought the bullpen and explained Maura's finding in one breath before grabbing her jacket and leaving for the evening. It was late and they did as much as they could for the day, at least that's the excuse she said aloud. In reality, Jane Rizzoli felt like she was being suffocated and needed to get the hell out of there.

Upon entering her apartment she went straight for a beer and drank half of it down on the way to the bedroom. Clunky boots hit the ground with a thud as she stretched out on her bed. This wasn't home anymore, it hasn't been for a long time. The pitter patter of Jo Friday was even absent (she didn't have the heart to take the pup from her spacious home and tortoise friend, Bass). Home was wherever Maura was, and all Jane wanted was to go home again.

The frustrated detective was yanked from her thoughts by a light knock at her apartment door. She wasn't expecting a visitor, she rarely got visitors, and no one knew she was staying here. She tried but failed at hiding the surprise she felt when she opened the door to reveal a honey blonde standing on the other side.

"Maur-" she barely spoke before she felt warm, soft lips devouring her own and small feminine hands tangled in her mess of black curls. Jane, even if she wanted to, couldn't hold back. Her scarred hands were everywhere at once as if memorizing every inch she had missed over the past week. Tongues battled for dominance and breathing was long forgotten. Just as Jane lowered herself, preparing to lift the petite woman off her feet and into her arms she was pushed away. The fiery look that was ablaze in hazel eyes moments ago was replaced with a single extinguishing tear. Before she had a chance to say or do anything Maura was on her way. Jane was cemented to the floor when she realized that the kiss meant one thing.

Goodbye.