Sorry for the delay everyone! Work has really kept me beyond busy. Here's the next chapter; I hope you like it! Let me know what you think;)

Maura woke from a deep slumber to find that she was in bed alone. She turned her head and surveyed the room around her to see that Jane was nowhere to be found. That was odd. She felt the sheets next to her; they were cold and indicated Jane had been gone for a while now. She made to get up and go in search of her girlfriend. She had just finished rising to a sitting position when Jane, as if on cue, entered the bedroom slowly and carefully, a breakfast tray in hand.

"Oh! You're up! I wanted to surprise you," Jane said as she took careful steps towards the bed. "Don't get up; let me come to you. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed," she added with a defeated look on her face.

"You definitely surprised me," Maura said with a smile and a kiss. "I certainly wasn't expecting this! There's only one thing… where is your food?" Maura looked around some more to discover that no other food was to be found.

"I ate already, that's why I've been gone for a while. The surprise was solely for you, my queen."

Maura laughed at Jane's words. "Here then," she said as she speared a strawberry with her fork and fed it to Jane. "share mine."

Maura continued eating her full breakfast of pancakes, eggs and toast with fruit while feeding Jane a bit here and there. "So what's on the agenda for today?" the blonde questioned. "You did promise me a fun weekend away, and honestly I don't know what you could possibly have us do that I won't enjoy. Still, I'm curious."

"Thank you," Jane accepted the compliment. "I did some research while we were still in Boston," Jane continued while taking a sip of coffee. "I actually picked this small town with our next activity in mind…" Maura stared at her, listening intently. "We're going horseback riding in a couple of hours."

"Horseback riding?!" Maura called out excitedly. "Jane! I haven't been on a horse in so very long!"

Jane smirked. "I know; that's kinda the point here Maur. I remember you telling me the stories about being in boarding school and being on the equestrian team and I thought that you might enjoy a morning ride through the countryside."

"That sounds positively wonderful!" Maura exclaimed. "You're always so thoughtful with me," she said as she leaned up to kiss Jane. "What about you though? Your experience with horseback riding hasn't nearly been as pleasant as mine," Maura said with a concerned look on her face.

"Well, I may or may not have gone to one of the local stables in Boston and tried my luck last week. Turns out there isn't much to it; as long as we don't go at a full gallop I think we should be alright."

"I think we can manage that," Maura agreed. "Have I told you lately just how much I love you?" She rose to her knees in front of Jane and wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck and brought their lips together in a passionate kiss and embrace. "I could stay here all day and just have it be you and I. That's all I ever wanted out of this trip," Maura murmured, lips grazing Jane's sensitive spot on her throat as she spoke.

Images of a sexy, naked Maura flashed through Jane's mind and for a split second she actually thought about throwing out the idea of a horseback ride. She then remembered that had been the point in coming all this way and knew the blonde would feel differently once she was on a horse.

"I know how badly I want to accept your offer Maur; believe me, I want it very badly. I just know that we're going to have all the time in the world tonight and tomorrow to take full advantage of this room. They do say absence makes the heart grow fonder, so in this case, waiting is going to make it that much more worth it. I brought you here because I knew you would enjoy the planned activity for today; I know your love of horses hasn't wavered just because you don't ride as often as you used to."

Maura leaned up and kissed Jane once more before separating and putting space between them. "You're right," she said. "You're absolutely right. Let me just take a quick shower and then I'm all yours."

An hour later, both Jane and Maura were out and about, driving towards their destination. Jane had done extensive research and knew the farm they were going to had some of the best horses in the northeast part of the country. She hoped they would be to the blonde's liking.

They arrived at the stables after a short drive with both Maura and Jane ready and properly dressed for their adventure. Jane, unbeknownst to Maura, had taken it upon herself to get her girlfriend the proper and necessary equipment. Maura had been absolutely delighted when she'd been presented with riding boots, breeches, and a helmet. If she had any say, Jane had told her, this would not be their only riding adventure.

Maura took her time surveying the horses available. She finally thought to have found a good fit with a chestnut colored mare for her and a bay colored mare for Jane. Both seemed extremely docile, beautiful creatures that seemed fitting for their type of excursion. Once helmets had been safely secured, Maura helped Jane put her foot in the stirrup and catapult herself onto the horse while Maura held the horse steady.

"Are you ok? You got her?" Maura asked cautiously.

"Yeah Maur, I'm good," Jane replied as she took hold of the reins.

"Alright," Maura said before mounting her own horse. Maura's smile illuminated her face and shone for everyone to see. Woman and animal moved as one, in perfect harmony.

"It seems like she likes you," Jane commented of the mare.

Maura looked down at the horse and petted its mane. "I like her too. You're beautiful, girl," she said as she petted the horse once more. "You ready to go?" she asked as she turned her attention to Jane.

Jane nodded her assent and both women took off at a slow walk. When it was clear both women felt completely at ease on their respective horses, they took the speed up to a trot.

They rode away from the stables and into the forest, making sure to keep to the trail that had been laid out. The last thing they needed was to get lost in the middle of nowhere. Jane turned her attention to Maura to see that she was still smiling and happy. It had been a while since she'd seen Maura smile quite like that; she knew the trip had been entirely worth it.

They stopped at a stream and dismounted the horses, leading them slowly to the water so they could drink. Jane unstrapped a blanket from her horse's saddle and sprawled it under a large tree, shade encompassing her and Maura immediately.

"How about a break?" she asked, to which Maura eagerly agreed.

They laid down under the tree and took in the serenity of their surroundings, with Maura's body enveloped in Jane's waiting arms.

"I had no idea I could feel this much at ease," Maura said as she nuzzled against Jane. "I can almost feel the stress melting away."

Jane smiled thought Maura was unable to see her reaction. "That was a good part of why I brought you here," she reasoned.

"You mean there's more?" Maura asked in amazement.

"There is," Jane agreed. "Once we have our horse ride and take them back to the stables, we are going back to our hotel where I will proceed to make sweet love to you."

"Mmmmm I like the sound of that," Maura replied.

"Then I thought that after we do that and after we have a little dinner we could take a walk. I read somewhere that there's supposed to be a really good chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight."

"The Aurora Borealis?" Maura questioned.

"Yep, I think that's the technical name for it."

"Jane! I haven't seen it in years!"

"Well then, I guess it's a good thing you're seeing it tonight."

Maura went back to her place against Jane's chest. "Why are you so good to me?" she asked.

"Because you're the love of my life," Jane replied simply.