A/N - as always thank you so much for the reviews...anyway let the fun begin... x 50sPUGirl

Chapter 7

Maura stood in front of her full length mirror; her hands smoothed out the small crease which had appeared on the side of her dress. She flicked her hair with her fingers; her loose honey blonde curls bounced on her shoulders. Turning slightly she glanced over her shoulder and looked back into the mirror. The stunning little black dress enhanced her figure immensely. She gave a little smile as she picked up her Prada clutch and slipped on the matching pumps. She took one last glance into the mirror and smiled confidently before heading out of her bedroom to the kitchen.

She bent down to Bass who was resting beside the fridge; rubbing his shell "Hello Bass my friend."

Bass started to move slowly away from Maura. She stood up slowly and poured herself a glass of red wine. The side door opened and Angela popped her head around the door.

"Maura.."

"In the kitchen.." Maura called out as she walked around the island towards Angela who closed the door softly.

"I just came to borrow the cheese knife" Angela said showing a wedge of cheese to Maura.

Maura looked in the cutlery drawer and handed Angela the knife. Maura watched Angela as she place the cheese on the side.

"Got this from the market last week." Angela said as she cut a slice off…Help yourself.." she gestured to Maura who picked up a slice.

"hmmm..I have the perfect wine to go with this ..." Maura said as turned and got another glass from the cupboard and poured Angela a glass.

"Maura what's going on with my Janie.." Angela spoke as she looked from her glass.

Maura shrugged "You will have to ask her Angela"

"A mother knows when her children are ...well something is going on.."

"All I know is that Jane is preoccupied with something..."

"Someone...you mean Maura.."

"I believe perhaps there is someone.." Maura said sullenly.

"Oh tell me Maura...what are they like.."

"I don't know for certain ...I do know she's on a date tonight.." Maura said. She could of kicked herself at that moment because she knew Angela would now quiz her for the next half hour. Angela raised her eyebrows.

"Why am I the last to know anything" Angela said throwing her arms in the air.

"Well I only found today..." Maura stated.

"my children will be the death of me" Angela said shaking her head in disapproval "I mean as much as love my children look what I have got an ex con, a mamma's boy and well Jane… don't get me started with that one..."

Maura chuckled to herself.

Silence filled the house for a few minutes before Angela broke the silence.

"Maura I can't help but feel sorry for you."

Maura didn't understand what Angela was saying she gave the elder woman a quizzical look.

"It's Friday night your best friend is on a date and you're here with her mother putting the worlds wrongs to rights...you're young and attractive...why is it you're not out living it up" Angela sipped her wine and took another piece of cheese.

Maura shrugged she turned her attention to her wine. She cradling the glass and looking deeply into it. A car horn could be heard from outside.

Maura glanced at her watch "oh shoot, I'm going to be late"

Angela watched Maura as she picked up her designer clutch. "Going out?"

"Yes, I'm going to dinner with an old friend of mine. She's in town for a Conference and will be staying here for a few weeks. It's been a long time since we've seen each other."

Angela frowned slightly "in the guest house?"

"No, no she will be staying in the guest room in the house. Angela I wouldn't kick you out; this is your home as well" Maura said sincerely.

Angela smiled; she felt a little relieved. She didn't fancy packing her bags and staying at Jane's for three weeks. She'd grown accustomed to the stylish guest house. "Go. Have a nice time Maura"

Maura smiled "Thank you Angela"

Within a couple of minutes Maura had left Angela standing alone in the kitchen. Maura had got in the back of the taxi and was off towards town.

20 minutes later the taxi stopped outside the Restaurant L'Espalier. Maura's door was opened by a young Valet; she smiled as he offered her his hand, she took it dutifully and stepped out the back of the car. She shuffled on the pavement as the back door was slammed shut. She glanced over her shoulder and watched the tail lights of the taxi turn the corner and disappear.

Maura heard her name being called, as she turned she saw her friend Alexandra Thornton. She was still as Maura had remembered her. Tall and elegant with red/burgundy dyed hair. Although it was a lot shorter, the last time she'd seen her friend her hair sat just below her shoulders.

"Alexandra… Alex" Maura smiled as she walked a few steps closer to her friend. Giving her a quick peck on the cheek and a friendly hug.

"Maura, it's been too long. How are you?" Alex's thick English accent escaped her mouth. She held Maura's hands.

"Fine… you?" Maura said as she took a step back and let her hands slip out of her friends.

"Good Good. You ready?" Alex replied.

Maura nodded. They slowly walked into the restaurant together.

Standing only for a minute in the foyer the maître-d approached. Maura announced that they had a reservation and within seconds they were shown to their table. Alex walked just a head of Maura. They were seated in a small table towards the rear of the restaurant. A waiter walked over and pulled out both seats and indicated for the ladies to sit. They sat in unison and before they knew it a napkin was placed on both their laps. Maura looked around the restaurant, this really was one of the best in Boston and she was glad she was able to get the booking. Within minutes two glasses of red wine adorned their table and a small appetizer sat purposely in the middle of the table.

"Maura, it's been too long... " Alex paused slightly she looked away "London…" she said in an almost whisper.

Maura picked up her glass of wine " my god that seems like a life time ago Alex. What is it? ..nearly 9 years ago"

Alex nodded "9 and half if I'm correct. And you haven't changed at all Maura"

"I'm a lot more reserved now days"

"Maura Isles reserved well I never thought I'd see the day.." Alex laughed.

"Well I had to grow up at some stage.." Maura shrugged.

"Ouch..." Alex brought her hand to her heart and feigned a broken heart "I guess I deserved that Maura. I apologize for leaving you all those years ago. You know it never was my intention. I'm just glad we were able to get past it and remain friends" Alex said sincerely.

"Me too. But I think we broke each other's heart Alex" Maura quipped.

The red head nodded "Indeed...what was his name ...Garrett?"

Maura nodded "Fairfield..."

"Oh yes...that's it..what ever happened...you never really explained why you didn't marry him."

"Because I realised I didn't want that kind of lifestyle. I didn't want to be a trophy wife…I had my career ahead of me…" Maura's voice trailed off.

Alex reached for Maura's hands; she held them tenderly rubbing her thumbs over Maura's soft skin " I understand if you don't want to talk about... But I've never forgotten what we shared Maura"

Maura looked into Alex's emerald green eyes a flood of memories filled her mind.

They'd met whilst Maura had lived in France and Alex lived in London. Both women had only just started their careers as Doctors. They'd fallen for each other at a seminar that had been held at The Royal College of Physicians. The budding romance had developed quickly into a passionate relationship which had lasted just over 2 years until the moment when it came crashing down.

Alex had been travelling through Europe doing internships in different countries and had fallen for a colleague when she was working in Switzerland. She'd returned to London to confess what had happened when she was confronted by Maura; who had her own confession.

Maura had been swept off her feet by a wealthy young man who was part of the social elite in Boston; her home town. Alex was honest and confessed that she had fallen in love and was curious to find out where this new love would take her. They agreed to end the relationship but remain friends. The last time they saw each other was at Heathrow Airport with Alex saying goodbye to Maura who was boarding a flight to Boston; to start her new life with Garrett Fairfield.

"I've never forgotten either...I still have Bass" Maura said with a smile

"The tortoise I gave you.." Alex smiled "is he still partial to strawberries?"

"Only British ones" Maura chuckled.

Alex lent towards the table still holding Maura's hands she brought them to her lips and kissed them tenderly. Maura blushed slightly.

The moment was interrupted by a waiter standing by the table with two menus in hand. Both women pulled back and looked to him; he smiled as he handed them a menu and walked away silently. Both women opened the menu and studied it in great depth.

"This feels.." Alex paused. She looked up at Maura who was glancing over the menu.

"Like old times.." Maura finished the sentence.

Alex chuckled. Indeed it felt like they had picked up where they had left off all those years ago. She looked back at the menu.

Time had swiftly moved; both women hadn't realised that they had been dining for two and half hours. They'd finished their 3 courses and were sorting out the bill. Alex had insisted on paying. Maura had realised that Alex hadn't really changed. In all the time they were together Alex always insisted on paying when they were out. The familiarity of Alex was starting to become intoxicating. Was it possible that nearly a decade later that they could carry on where they'd left off? After paying Alex had excused herself to visit the toilet. Maura silently sipped the rest of her wine while she waited for Alex's return. That's when she noticed through the sea of tables Jane sitting opposite Marie Jamissen. They were leaning in tenderly engaged in conversation. Maura sighed heavily; she then felt a hand on her shoulder. She glanced up at Alex and smiled. Standing immediately her eyes never left Jane. She pulled her chair in and then turned noticing that Alex's hand was outstretched. She took it in hers and let Alex lead the way. She'd hoped that Alex would take the direct route to the exit but Maura's heart started racing a little as she realised that they were getting closer to where Jane was sitting.

As they walked past Jane's table Maura turned her head slightly away from Jane's view she lowered it and picked up the pace so she was now linking elbows with Alex. Alex smiled slightly when she realised Maura's closeness.

Jane looked away from Marie, she'd smelt a familiar perfume drift past her. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed the familiar honey blonde curls. Her heart stopped momentarily as she watched Maura exit the restaurant.

About five minutes later Jane and Marie had exited the restaurant. They stood hand in hand on the pavement; waiting patiently for her car to be retrieved from the valet's car park. Marie was busily checking messages on her phone she hadn't noticed that Jane had slipped her hand out of hers. Jane had walked a few feet away; her eyes searching for Maura. But she was gone.

Jane stood back and opened the door wider. Marie effortlessly got out the car and gave Jane a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you for a lovely evening Jane.."

Jane smile and nodded. She looked over her shoulder at the dockside apartments.

"Would you like to come up.." Marie said straightening her jacket.

"ahhh...part of me would love to but I should go home...I mean you're flight tomorrow is quite early..."

Marie nodded. "Well I will see you when I return...I will call you when I get back" She lent in to Jane and kissed her passionately. Their kiss lingered; both women reluctant to pull away. Jane ran her hands down the side of the blondes face and returned the kiss as equally passionate. A small groan escaped Marie's mouth. "Oh my.." whispered Marie.

Jane pulled back, smiled and winked at the blonde. "I'll see you in a week."