Author's Note: By way of explanation, though I certainly don't have to explain myself, CharlieTheCAG pointed something out in the comments about Jane and Maura's experiences and here's my thinking: I don't see Jane admitting this to anyone but Maura—something she viewed as a dark part of her and couldn't share with anyone without confirming all of the stereotypes she has battled. As for Maura, I see her more likely to experiment in some ways, but to never have met a woman that she fully connected with. Make sense? Maybe only in my mind… -dkc

Chapter 10

The subtle clicking of heels entering the bullpen of the homicide unit made Jane's ears perk up. It was a sound that everyone associated with the medical examiner. A visiting district attorney might turn up in heels from time to time, but it was the M.E. who was always accompanied by that sound.

"Jane, do you have a minute?" the doctor said as she reached the detective's desk.

Jane had turned and was openly gawking at the dress Maura was wearing. She had never seen a woman wear a dress quite the way Maura did. This showed off all of Maura's perfect curves. However, the smile Jane had on her face as Maura approached was quickly dampened by the look on the honey-haired woman's face. There were carefully covered tracks of tears, but tracks Jane could spot on the woman she was so in tune with.

"Yeah…um…" Jane was looking around to see where they could go to speak in private. "Let's use the break room."

As they walked into the break room, Jane closed the door and locked it behind her so that nobody would interrupt them. She saw through the small opening in the door that Detective Frost had moved his chair over to another station closer to the door, a way of keeping watch so nobody would attempt to get in.

"What's up? Are you okay?" Jane was worried.

"You called her?" Maura's voice was one of relief, not anger.

"Maur…" Jane started. "I had no idea you hadn't told her about the kidney donation."

"I'm not angry, Jane," the detective was surprised when the doctor took her hand.

"You're not?" Jane was stunned.

"I'm not. I actually came to thank you."

"You did?" Jane was baffled by this turn of events.

"I did," Maura gave Jane the soft smile that she used in moments like this to show her gratitude. "I never would have called her."

"Maur, I had no idea what else to do. I've been worried about you. I knew you needed to be able to talk this out with Constance, tell her about Hope and I wanted to try to facilitate that. I had no idea you hadn't told her about the kidney thing. I should have known when we didn't see or hear from her while you were in recovery, but I just assumed she was out of the country or something," at this point Jane was rambling.

"Jane. Stop," Maura smirked, wrapping both her arms around the nervous detective. "I appreciate it. I didn't know how to reach out to her. You know how I am about asking my parents for help and I didn't need anything I could quantify; I had everything I needed at the time."

Jane wrapped her arms around Maura's waist and breathed a sigh of relief into her hair.

"My mother is coming into town and would like to take us to dinner," Maura pulled back to look at Jane.

"Us?" Jane raised an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth curled slightly.

"I didn't tell her about us, if that's what you're asking," Maura responded and Jane let out another sigh of relief.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for the demure Constance Isles to look at me and know I've been making love to her only daughter," Jane smirked.

"Wait 'til you meet my father," Maura grinned as she let go of Jane and turned toward the door.

"Hey!" Jane reached for Maura's hand. "You don't get to scare me like that and then turn and walk away."

As Jane pulled Maura back to her, the detective's lips briefly brushed the doctor's. Jane continued to be amazed at how many ways she could kiss Maura and how varied her emotions behind those kisses could be.

Maura chuckled as their kiss ended and rested her chin on Jane's shoulder. The two women stood there like that for over a minute before being interrupted by Jane's buzzing phone.

"Shit," Jane grumbled as she reached for her phone and saw that it was Frost. "What is it, Frost?"

From where Maura stood, she could hear both sides of the conversation. Both Frost asking Jane if she and Maura were through with the "lover's quarrel" yet and Jane denying they were having such a spat. Maura smiled at the fact that Jane didn't deny to Frost that they were lovers.

"I guess I better get back," Jane said as she ended the call.

"I should as well," Maura made for the door, stopping just as she unlocked it. "Jane… thank you."

"Of course, hon," Jane smiled and followed Maura out of the break room.

The clicking of heels was once again heard throughout the bullpen as the lovely medical examiner made her way out. As Maura passed Frost's desk, she couldn't stop herself from winking at the detective.

To be continued?