The next morning Jane showed up at Maura's house with a paper bag on her arm. She walked in through the unlocked door and set the bag on the counter.

"Morning, Ma."

Angela was busy at the stove, breaking up a heap of scrambled eggs in a skillet with a spatula. Sausage, bacon and pancakes were in the warm oven, ready to be served. Jane pulled out a carton of orange juice and a loaf of bread from her bag.

"Good morning, sweetie. Where's your brother?"

"How would I know? Hey, why don't you tell Maura to lock her door? She won't listen to me."

"I unlocked it this morning for you guys!"

Jane rolled her eyes. She looked around, looking for Maura.

"Is Maura still in bed?" Jane asked, incredulous.

"No, she's up. I think she went back to her room to get ready."

Angela looked up from her skillet. "You gals stayed up late last night, I hear."

Jane's mind flashed back to their goodnight kiss on Maura's porch. She smiled to herself.

"Yeah, I guess her date didn't go so well. I had to go rescue her."

Angela chuckled. "She's lucky to have you."

Jane smirked and looked up the stairs, her heart warming up at the thought of the doctor.

"I think it's the other way around."

Angela looked at her eldest daughter. She realized how meeting Maura had changed Jane, and how she made her happy. She was glad to hear that Jane acknowledged it as well. Having recently gone though her divorce, Angela was worried about spending the rest of her life without companionship, romantic or otherwise. Maura had taken her in, embracing the whole family as her own. She could only hope... what was she hoping? That Jane would end up with someone like Maura? Maybe Maura herself? Jane's mother quickly looked back down into her skillet, embarrassed by her own thoughts.

"Jane? Is that you?" Maura's voice came from upstairs. "Could you come up for a minute please?"

Jane shrugged at her mom and headed up.

Maura was standing in front of her full-length mirror, her back to Jane. Her light blue dress was open along her back, revealing a full expanse of skin, minus where her black bra strap hooked, in the middle of her back. Jane stopped in her tracks, seriously considering running away.

Maura turned her head when she heard Jane's steps.

"Zip me up, please?"

"Maura! You could have warned me!" The brunette walked closer, her eyes locked onto Maura's back, unable to ignore the curves of her hips and butt.

Maura shook her head and frowned. "Why?"

Jane grabbed the bottom of the zipper and started sliding it up, slowly. Slower than she really needed to. Jane stopped to gather the edges of the dress to the middle, her fingers grazing the warm skin under them. Maura pulled her hair around to the front to get it out of the way, exposing the soft skin around her neck. The doctor's scent rose around her, causing Jane to close her eyes when she inhaled it. Jane pulled the zipper all the way up, after which they both stood perfectly still, Maura's hair still wrapped around the front, out of the way.

"You smell good." Jane said softly, leaning over closer to nuzzle the side of Maura's neck. Maura shivered at the warm breath right under her ear.

"...Thank you..." Maura's answer was almost inaudible.

Jane dipped her head lower, until her parted lips touched Maura's skin on the back of her neck. She could hear Maura's breath coming in short, shallow pants. The detective moved slowly towards Maura's ear, her lips still relaxed, inhaling the warm, fragrant skin beneath them. Jane's hands glided over Maura's hips, pressing the fabric down, as if to smooth out the wrinkles, even though there were none. Maura started turning around to face Jane.

"Jane! Maura! Frankie's here! Breakfast is ready!"

Maura now stood in front of Jane, her eyes hooded and pupils dilated. Her lips were red and slightly parted. She looked up at Jane, who swallowed the lump in her throat and took a step back. She took Maura's hand in hers.

"Let's go. Breakfast's ready." She saw a brief glint of regret in Maura's eyes before she led them down the stairs.