A/N - thank you again for all your support. Reading your reviews and seeing the numerous alerts gracing my inbox has been quite humbling (even the not so nice reviews..it gives me the determination to continue) I hope enjoy. X 50s PUGirl

Chapter 8

Maura woke slowly to the noise of her coffee machine humming. Glancing at the clock she realised it was early just after half past seven. Was Alex up already? Throwing back the covers she grabbed her white silk dressing gown and wrapped it tightly around her body. She exited her room and padded down the hallway past the guest room. The door was still shut. Now she was confused as to who was in her house making coffee. As she reached the kitchen she noticed a mug of coffee perched on the island. Looking at it curiously she brought it up to her lips and took a sip.

"mmmm.." she said softly.

"there's fruit salad and yoghurt in the fridge...if you're hungry " Jane's voice called out from the living room.

Maura walked around the island and stood in the space between the kitchen and living room.

"Jane?..." Maura was confused.

Jane turned and looked at Maura. "Morning"

Maura walked silently and sat next to Jane who turned and smiled.

"I ..thought we'd hangout this weekend.. I'm not on call...and well it seems like a life time since I have seen you."

"But I saw you yesterday Jane.." Maura said bewilderingly.

Jane smiled "outside of work I mean"

"Oh..." Maura shyly mumble.

"Unless you have plans" Jane quickly retorted.

Maura didn't answer straight away; she wasn't sure how to answer. Even though she hadn't made any firm plans with Alex while she was in Boston she felt at the same time she couldn't neglect her "Ahh.. The thing is Jane; I have someone here…" Maura said running her hands nervously through her hair.

Jane lent back "Oh…" she stood "I'll leave then…"

"No no Jane; it's okay she's an old friend; we used to.." Maura paused she changed direction " From when I lived in London."

Jane looked over towards the kitchen. Alex had entered; the smell of the freshly brewed coffee had woke her.

Maura turned and saw Alex standing by the island. She stood and walked towards Alex.

"Alex, this is Detective Jane Rizzoli..I work with her at Boston Police Department."

Alex smiled "Hello Jane, I'm Alex Thornton.."

Jane nodded; she realised Alex was the woman Jane had seen leaving the restaurant with Maura.

Maura had grabbed a mug and poured Alex a coffee. She placed it on the island in front of Alex who smiled and thanked Maura. Jane moved away from the couch she joined the other two women in the kitchen.

"Maura I'm a big girl; I'm sure I can entertain myself if you want to spend time with Jane.." Alex said as she brought the mug away from her mouth she rested it on the counter.

Jane threw Maura a look waiting for her answer. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"I have an idea; why don't we all spend time together today.. your conference doesn't start till next week. The farmers market is on today. We should go and get some ingredients for dinner tonight.." Maura said looking back and forth to Jane and Alex.

"Great..I'll go and have a shower and get ready" Alex said as she picked up her coffee she silently padded back down the hallway to the guest bedroom.

Maura turned to Jane and gave her a weak smile. Jane sighed deeply as she leant against the island.

A few hours later they were aimless walking around the farmers market. It was a warm Saturday afternoon. Maura and Alex had spent most of the time walking close together. They hadn't stopped chatting and it seemed that Jane was a little bit of a spare wheel. She followed closely behind watching the interactions between the Red Head and the Honey Blonde. To Jane it seemed that those two had a lot of history together. Their closeness was starting to make Jane feel a little uncomfortable. The touching, the private jokes, the looks. This was something Jane thought she was the only one to share with Maura.

They'd left the market and found a small café. Because it was hot the three women decided to sit outside and take advantage of the weather. Jane leant back in her seat as she watched Maura and Alex interacting with each other. A tinge of jealousy was starting to nip at Jane's mood.

Maura had excused herself and went to the toilet inside. Jane watched Maura disappear inside. She glanced over to Alex who was also staring at Maura.

Jane coughed and cleared her throat "So how long have you known Maura?"

Alex turned her attention to Jane; she leant back in her seat and adjusted her sunglasses. " Eleven years now"

Jane's raised her eyebrows "hmmm Maura has never mentioned you.."

"Well to be honest, the last time I saw Maura she was boarding a plane to Boston.." Alex explained "We've kept in some contact. Usually Birthday and Christmas cards; the odd email every now and then…" She leant forward and smiled.

Jane nodded; she glanced over to her left and noticed Maura reappear from the café with a pitcher of water and three glasses. Jane immediately stood and took the pitcher off Maura and walked back to the table; setting down in the middle.

Maura sat back in her seat she turned to Alex and smiled. "So Alex, when is it your speaking at the conference?"

"Not till Thursday…I'm giving a short lecture on practice methods that we use at the hospital I work at.."

Maura turned to Jane "Alex is a Pediatrician.. She works in the United Kingdom's leading Children's Hospital in London"

Jane nodded "well done you.." a hint of sarcasm left Jane's lips.

It hadn't gone unnoticed by Maura.

Night had fallen over Boston and the three women were sitting in Maura's lounge all with a glass of wine in hand. The constant chatter between the women had slowly died and all three were quietly reflecting the day they'd spent together.

Jane broke out of her reverie and glanced at her watch. Realising it was now Eleven O'Clock she thought it was best to go home. She stretched out and placed the near empty wine glass on the coffee table. Maura looked over at Jane.

"Maur..I'm going to go home..." Jane stood.

"You've been drinking Jane. Stay the night. You can sleep.."Maura stopped mid-sentence she realised that Jane would have to either sleep in the guest house with her mother or on the couch "…the couch.." she offered.

Jane looked at the couch and shook her head. "No it's bad enough I have to sit on that uncomfortable thing. I'll get a taxi and pick up my car tomorrow.." Jane made her way to the front door.

Alex and Maura stood they made their way to Jane "It's nice to meet you Jane.. See you tomorrow I guess.."

Jane nodded "And you Alex. Night Maura.." Jane opened the door and within a second she was gone.

Alex turned to Maura "Maura well thank you for a lovely day…and Jane well... She's definitely…what can I say… she's exactly how you described her in your emails…"

Maura smiled slightly as she watched Alex silently walk through the kitchen and down the hallway to the guest bedroom.

"Good Night.. Maura" Alex said over her shoulder as she reached the guest room.

Maura looked around the house, she turned all the lights off and headed to her bedroom, as she reached the guest room she tapped once on the door and pushed the door open a little. Alex was already in her nightclothes, she was sitting on the side of the bed. She looked up at Maura who entered the room.

"Do you have everything you need?…" Maura asked.

"Not sure…" Alex stood and walked to Maura; she took Maura's hands in hers before letting them drop. She leant into Maura and placed a soft feathery kiss on the honey blonde's lips. Maura pulled back. She ran her fingers over her lips as she gazed intently into Alex's eyes.

"I've wanted to do that all day…" Alex said as she placed her hands on Maura's hips, she pulled the honey blonde closer so their lips almost touched.

"Me too…" Maura said as she captured Alex's lips. She pulled back briefly as she lifted the hem of Alex's vest top; she guided it over the red heads hair, she let it drop to the floor.

Alex's gaze dropped to her naked chest. Maura breathed deeply as she ran her fingers over Alex's pert breasts, noticing the nipples were fully erect. She took Alex's hand in her's and led her out the guest room to the master bedroom. When she reached the door, she looked back at Alex; she was looking for any sign that Alex didn't want this.

"I'm not going to run Maura…" Alex said in a soft whisper.

Maura nodded and led the red head into her room. The door closed silently behind them.