-It's hard to pretend you love someone when you don't. But it's harder to pretend you don't love someone when you really do.-

-o-o-o-

As soon as Maura once again turns and saw Jane coming her way she exclaimed-

"Jane!"

Happily pulling the lanky Detective to her and once Jane was close enough, she further diminish the gap by wrapping her arms around the taller woman.

"Thank you for tonight, Jane," she whispered in her best friend's ears as she tightens her hold of her.

Eyes voluntarily closes, Jane returns the hug; not as tight but enough. She couldn't think of anything to say, her senses clouded by the honey-blonde's closeness so she just nodded.

And when the Doctor added, "This is one of the most enjoyable gathering I have ever been to and it is all thanks to you." Jane had opened her eyes and was about to reply but her eyes was met by the curious eyes of Professor Jack Armstrong whom currently in the middle of Maura's Lab technicians and Nina Holiday. So instead she settled on-

"It's time to go Maura."

Silently, she berated herself. She knew she almost slipped. She almost blurted out that she would do anything for her best friend; but when her eyes met Jack's, she knew it wouldn't be the appropriate response. Not that Maura would've actually realized what it meant, but… she guesses, in its own way, it was a blessing in disguise that her eyes met the professor.

Because these days, she came to a conclusion that some things are really just better left unsaid.

"Oh. Already?" Maura's tone was one that reminded Jane of a kid who had learned that play time is over.

Jane secretly found it adorable on Maura.

"Yes, -to-be," her answer surprised her and stings her at the same time. She doesn't know why she does it to herself as if what she had been feeling was not enough. Unable to do anything else or otherwise, she reluctantly steps back and out of the Doctor's arms.

"You need your beauty sleep or whatever it is that bride needs before their big day," she reasoned.

Jane was not given time to decide if her move to step back from Maura's had been a good idea or not as she –just like any other million times before- had found herself locking eyes with Maura's currently shade of blue. It may have been due to the color of her dress reflecting her eyes, but regardless, the detective found herself lost all the same. And even without looking, she could sense the smile from the Doctor's lips. The happiness her best friend must be feeling is shining through her eyes, radiating from her smile that just when she thought Maura could not be any more beautiful, that moment had proven her wrong.

The ME's smile was that infectious that Jane didn't even notice hers forming. And when an unruly strand or her raven locks found its way to her face, Maura's hand didn't hesitate, she didn't even stop to think before reaching and tucking the strand of hair behind the Detective's ear.

With Maura's movement, Jane half expected for Maura or even herself to break their eye contact, but neither one did. The smile that was on the honey-blonde's lips was still there, only this time, it was more of a thoughtful smile. It was a quiet smile, simple, and Jane preferred that smile amongst others. It was so simple, almost just a ghost from the lips but more visible through the eyes that she is currently letting herself drown in. And at this point, she won't even bother swimming in. She lets herself be pulled and continue to drown in the twinkling eyes of Maura Isles.

At the moment, she doesn't care to think how long had their eyes been locked on each other. The noise in the rubber long faded and everything else insignificant. Jane's only aware of Maura's eyes in hers and the soft hand that found its way cradling her cheek, padded thumb ghostly rubbing her skin. It was taking all of Jane's self-control not to nestle in the soft hand and close her eyes.

She knows this won't last. She knows that she will never allow herself to hold Maura's gaze this long again. So, she kept her eyes open for Maura to search and revel if she so wishes to.

"You haven't been sleeping properly again," Maura's stated in almost a whisper that if Jane hadn't been standing close to the Doctor, she sure she wouldn't hear. And it was then and how whatever trance they found themselves in broke. If Maura broke it purposely or if Maura even had been with Jane during their shared moment, Jane would never know. It could be just her own, deluding herself or it could be that she wasn't alone in it too. Maura could really have been there with her. But again, she would never know and not knowing is something she couldn't decide if it'd be for the better.

Now, however, with the noise breaking in the Detective's consciousness, she found that Maura and she had actually been standing too close they share each other's personal face. And the warm sensation against her cheek reminded her that the Doctor still has her hand caressing her skin. With great reluctance and regret, she secretly took a deep breath and swatted the ME's hand away in her typical Jane Rizzoli way. One she had done countless of times with the Doctor that she sure Maura is used to it by now.

"I thought you I told you not to diagnose people anymore," she commented and stepping back a little bit more, ending whatever transpired earlier whether it was just for her or both of them completely over.

"But I'm not diagnosing you Jane. The bags under your eyes is proof enough," Maura reasoned, stepping closer again, close whatever little gap Jane managed to create. "And you've gone skinnier too," the Doctor added.

The Detective consciously took another step back. She may not turn her head towards any direction but she could feel eyes on them. And if she's going to guess whose eyes were on them, her bet would be on either Jack or Frankie or both.

"Ok 'MOM'. Why don't I take you home so 'you' won't have any bags under yours for tomorrow?"

Smiling and shaking her head at Jane's statement, Maura agreed. But asked for a couple of minutes to go to the ladies and say her goodbye to her guests.

Jane nodded.

"I'll wait for you outside," and with that, she headed straight for the door.

She knows Maura could take a while. And even know Boston's temperature is also dropping as winter approaches, Jane still would rather step out. She could do with a bit of a fresh air just as much as away from prying eyes.

Wrapping her suit jacket tightly around her, the Detective let out a long and deep sigh and breath like it was the only time she was able to breathe again. She had hoped that maybe, alone and outside, it would elevate the heaviness she feels. She's feeling very tired.

Another deep breath and looking up the sky, is where Jack found her.

"It's a beautiful night tonight," he commented.

The Boston night sky is clear. The stars are shining like diamonds decorating the night sky. Indeed a beautiful night.

She wasn't surprise to find herself in the company of Maura's fiancé and so didn't bother to turn and look. She chose not to say anything either. She feels she's all talked out with the professor. She just hopes that Maura would hurry up so they can both go and she could escape the curious eyes of Jack Armstrong.

When a minute passed and Jack didn't say another word but also didn't actually leave her alone, Jane turns and this time surprised to find the man looking it her. It wasn't the creepy kind but it unsettles her nonetheless.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

The professor then must've realized what he was doing and apologizes immediately.

"I just… I have one more question to ask, if you don't mind," he said.

Sighing for like the millionth time, Jane nods her head indicating to 'go ahead'. She guesses he couldn't ask her any worse than what he had asked her earlier in the day.

"How do you do it?" Jack asked and Jane frowned.

"How do you manage to step aside? Give way? Stay silent while you watch things that hurts unfold right before you?"

And she realized then how wrong she had been. Jack could and did ask her something worse.

For a second or two, the lanky Detective considered lying but decided against it at the last minute. She didn't actually confirmed anything to Jack earlier but they both knew it to try and deny anything now.

"Why are you asking?"

With the question answered by another question, Maura's fiancé shrugs as he looks and studies the Detective's expression –as he had been doing since inside the Dirty Robber. Maybe Jane knows or maybe she really doesn't have a clue. But either way, he wants to know; even just to give him some sort of security.

He would never admit it to anyone. He didn't even want to admit or acknowledge it himself until just a moment ago when he witnessed his fiancé caressing her best friend's face seemingly wrapped up in their own world that none could penetrate.

Boston's finest Jane Rizzoli is his only competition if there ever has one.

And by asking, or knowing, he assumes that it may give him enough assurance that Jane will not change and decides to fight; that she won't realize that… she will always win.

He knows that he's being selfish. He knows that if Maura is to be his wife that he should at least know that she's with him because she really loves him; not because her best friend didn't put up a fight.

What he had seen a moment ago, it questions a lot of things –including the depth of Maura's feelings for Jane. Jack's not completely oblivious. He had his suspicion. But even then, he contented himself even with the knowledge of possibility that Maura has more than platonic feelings towards the Detective. He had long assumed that the two had been dancing around each other for so long that maybe they were never aware of how they feel. Or that maybe, there really was never anything more than platonic –a fool's hope.

Jane studies the professor that still watches her seemingly doing the same thing with an added expectant look. She weighs her option. On one side, she didn't have to answer his question. It was none of his concern. On another, she wants to tell him, if only just to show him how deep she feels for the woman they both love; to show him how much she's willing to endure just to see the Doctor happy. Just so, Jack would and should treasure Maura's love –her heart.

"I don't know much about love," she said so soft but didn't care if Jack would hear her enough. "All I know is that I'd do anything to see her smile."

"See who smile?" Was the question that made both Jane and Jack stop breathing for a second.

"What?" Maura asked curiously as she look from Jane to Jack and back at Jane again, both with matching expression.

The honey-blonde's face was the picture of innocence, oblivious to what she walked in to and Jane started breathing again.

Jack however, the first to recover, reached for the Doctor's hand and held it as she steps closer.

"Nothing," he said. "I was just telling Jane how good of an idea this," he motioned to his outfit –or lack off- "is. And she said anything to make you smile."

Maura turns to her best friend and Jane summoned the smile that could be perceived as her agreeing to what the man had said. She didn't trust herself to say a word. Her nerves have calmed down but the beating of her heart still hasn't. Especially with the way Maura is looking at her.

And maybe it's the reason why the beating of her heart continues to beat fast. Even in the dark –only lighted by streets lights and signs of the nearby establishments- her best friend's eyes still radiant. Her dimple showing even with the small smile ghosting her lips. She couldn't find it in herself to voice out a lie when the Doctor is looking like she does and taking her breath away.

"Let's go?" Maura asked, eyes still lock with Jane's; the hand that still in the possession of Jack seemingly forgotten.

"Are you two heading home now?" The professor asked, tugging at the Doctor's hand in his. When Jane went out, he thought she was just needing some air.

A nod from Jane to answer the professor's question and he smiled as he pulls his fiancé close. Smiling at Maura, he leans in and places a soft kiss against the Doctor's lips. At the gesture, the Detective turns away, looking at anything but the couple.

It's one thing to see the couple being a couple when she was oblivious to how she really feels. It's another when she's fully aware of how she feels and knows that others too.

"I'll see you tomorrow," said Maura with a smile, already linking her arm to Jane's.

"Yes you will," Jack confirmed, then turns to the maid of honour, "take care of my bride?" he requested and smiled.

Again, Jane was only able to nod, before hailing for a cab. She needed to get away, not just from Jack but also from Maura. So, her plan is she'd drop Maura off at her house in Beacon Hill and then she'd go back to her apartment and strip herself off the masked that she wears tiringly. Before she once again wear if for the wedding that will take place the next day.

The words 'my bride' triggered something and she doesn't know how long she can manage to hold herself together when everything in her just wants to fall apart.

The cab drive to Beacon Hill can be considered relatively quiet if compared to Jane and Maura's usual. The Doctor initially gushes over how much fun she had and how enjoyable the party had been and thanking Jane over and over again. And although Jane responded at the appropriate time, smile when required, soon the conversation died down.

Even Maura, the socially awkward between the two could sense Jane's lack of interest in any conversation. Jane had been acting strangely lately and had been distant and most of the time nowhere to be found. She had proved that if she wants to scarce herself from people that she has all the means in doing so. Maura wondered what has been happening to her best friend, but that was just it. She just wonder and wonder with not coming to any conclusion. She just knows that their relationship or closeness has changed and it saddened her immensely.

Mainly the reason why she had fun tonight was because it was prepared by Jane and the said woman had been there. She thought that the Detective's distance was only in her imagination and that maybe it was actually her just being busy with all the things that are going on.

But in the silence of the cab ride, she knew. She wasn't wrong. Something did change and she wishes she could rectify it before she leaves.

And so the rest of the ride spent in silence. Jane turned looking out the window and Maura looking at the oblivious Detective.

When the cab reached the Doctor's house at Beacon Hill, Maura opted to pay for the charge only to be stopped by Jane.

"I got it," Jane said. "I'll see you tomorrow," she added.

Frowning, "What do you mean?" The ME asked. She was under the impression that Jane would be staying over like always –she had forgotten for a moment there that it hasn't been the case for the last few weeks. Or has it been months?

"I thought you're staying over," she voiced.

Jane shakes her head, internally berating herself for not preparing for a plausible excuse. How will she answer that simple question, when in reality, her staying over makes the most sense.

"Why?"

"Uhm… well… I just thought… maybe… you want to be alone?" even she rolled her eyes at herself when she heard how her words sounded. She once again had a sudden urge to smack herself in the head.

Maura still looks at her funny.

"I mean… It's your last night as just Maura Dorothea Isle," she reasoned lamely and even she knew that. She just shakes her head at herself.

In contrast to Jane, Maura did shake her head but good-naturedly. "Don't be silly," she said and paid the driver and without allowing Jane another word, she pulled the said woman out of the vehicle. "It's more time efficient –for the both of us- that you stay the night since your dress-gown is here. It would allow you more time to sleep if your already here instead going back to your apartment and come back here again tomorrow."

When the ME opened the door and left it open for Jane, she turns and added, "Plus, I always want to spend time with you."

Donning her comical smile to hide the blush that she sure is spreading, Jane lets her best friend to drag her inside the house.

Once inside the familiar home of Maura Isles and she sure that her friend's head is fully turned from her, she lets her should sag. She thought, maybe someone up there must hate her. Sighing she accepted defeat and the finality of no escaping.

The light switched on and following her best friend, Jane stopped short mid-step. Inside, she could see boxes upon boxes around the usually clean and organized house of the Doctor. She knew she hadn't set foot in the house for a while but it only downed on her right there and then how long 'a while' had been.

Overwhelmed is an understatement for what she suddenly feels.

Maura is really moving away.

It was not a secret. She was the first to know, actually. But seeing the boxes, the labels and consignment forms attached, it just felt like a cold water tipped over her head and now she's fully awake.

"Sorry it's a mess in here," Maura commented as she proceeded inside to get Jane a beer. And when she turned she found Jane rooted to the spot between the door and the lounge room.

For a moment, Maura allowed herself to watch the Detective. She observes how Jane's usually alive set of brown eyes seems dull. She had noticed it before; earlier when she allowed herself a moment to get lost in her best friends intense brown eyes. But earlier there was something else too in those brown orbs aside from dullness. There was still warmth, regardless of the sadness it so obviously trying to cover and hide. But right now, those eyes, currently taking in her surrounding, she notices that it was just dullness there now. It went from surprised to sad to disinterest? Or was is dejection? Misery?

Maura also notices the body and posture that usually execute confidence, now seems tired. Very tired, with shoulders down and the slouch visible for everyone to see. She stated it before that her best friend had lost weight, but it only became very visible to her now how much.

Whatever happened to her Jane Rizzoli?

Deciding it's time to get the Detective's attention, she called out softly-

"Jane…"

Turning and meeting the curious hazel eyes, she gestured at the neatly filed boxes.

"You're all set to… move." It wasn't a question. It was a statement. One that pains the detective for something so… some people would say trivial.

It wasn't for Jane.

Everything in starting to sink in place and she just… she couldn't somehow… breathe.

Maura nodded.

"Well, yes. As you know, tomorrow Jack and I will be staying at the Ritz after the reception and before our flight to Greece for our honeymoon. And then when we get back, we'll be going straight to New Mexico."

The Doctor explained and ever words just pulls on Jane's heart strings tighter and tighter.

"Angela volunteered to oversee everything when the courier picks the boxes for shipment," Maura continued on.

But this time, the words didn't register in Jane's clouded mind; even though she's looking at the Doctor. She knows the plan. She was also there when they discusses it. She may not be paying much attention and more focus on blocking them out, but she was there and she knows. Hearing Maura say it again however, seeing the boxes and knowing that it would all take place in less than 24 hours –Jane feels like the air in the room was not enough. She feels light-headed and couldn't breathe, that all she could do is nod and take a sit in the nearest chair she could find.

Noticing the paleness and the ragged breathing of her best friend, Maura hurriedly came over and kneel in front of the Detective, abandoning the beer in her kitchen counter.

"Jane, are you ok?" she asked although seeing her friend, she knows she chose the question to ask poorly. Of course Jane is not ok, judging by her current state. She tried though. She tries to catch her best friend's eyes.

Is she ok? Jane asks herself.

Physically?

Yes. Even though it might not seem that way at the moment. She may also have lost a bit of weight and she may not have had enough sleep in however long, but in her standard of ok?

She's ok.

Emotionally?

Emotionally, she's hurting. She's hurting bad… badly –she corrected herself even with Maura not able to hear her adverb slip up. She's hurting badly that it's almost physical –if not at all.

How do anyone survive this feeling?

The pain?

It would be a cliché to say it out loud –even just thinking of it- but… broken heart?

She sure hers is in to pieces and still getting crush to grains that soon there won't be any left of it.

She had loved before. She loved Casey. Casey had hurt her. But whatever hurt or pain she felt over Casey, she could actually say that she may have been exaggerating it then. Because what she felt then compared to what she's feeling now is just… it's like comparing a papercut she had as a child to the cut she received from Hoyt and the bullet she fired in her body during the siege.

But the thing is, she would actually chose the cut from Hoyt's scalpel and the bullet thru her body, over what she's feeling now. She doesn't even have a word for it.

All she knows is that it felt like her heart strings is being pulled in every way imaginable, ripping the muscle of her heart, crushing it, breaking it that she knows it's all emotional but it hurts so much that it's physically making her not breathe. It's draining her off any energy she may have left, until maybe she gives up entirely and pass out?

So, Maura asked her if she's ok. Does she answer it with regards to her physical well-being or her emotional state?

Unable to answer her best friend whom is currently kneeling in front of her, trying to catch and search her eyes for an answer that she cannot voice out.

Jane chose to close her eyes.

"Jane? What's wrong?" Worry laced her voice as she once again ask the Detective. She couldn't see her best friend's facial expression due to her head bowed down neither are her eyes as the Italian closes it, but she could see enough to know that the normally brave mask of Jane Rizzoli now off, the Detective bare and showing –for lack of a better word- distress.

"Jane…" Maura tried again now covering the Detective's hands with her won, still trying to get the dark-haired woman to look at her and tell her what's happening.

But as she try more, Jane bows her head further, lids of her eyes tightly close.

Maura a little taken aback. She has never seen this side of Jane before. She didn't even know this version exist in all the years that she'd known her.

Her best friend had been through a lot and so much –Hoyt, Murano, Bianchi and the rest and she has never seen Jane like this. Not once in any of those circumstances. Not even her heart break with Casey or when she had lost the unborn child.

No.

This Jane Rizzoli before her never existed before.

This Jane Rizzoli in front of her… dejected?

No.

Defeated?

Close. But still not enough to describe the despair clearly written in her partially hidden face and body language.

Miserable?

Acceptable. But still not accurate enough.

Broken?

Yes.

The Jane Rizzoli before her is broken.

Why?

Maura doesn't know and she feels guilty. She had been nothing but busy with the wedding preparation and her move that she never noticed or better word neglected to notice whatever is bothering her best friend; whatever is causing her this much pain.

She used to be so in tuned with Jane that she would know straight away from the past with one look. It doesn't matter if it was a little discomfort, she would know. She would check. But this big and she didn't notice.

How long have they been out of sync with each other? Or was it just her? Has she really been that occupied?

"Jane... come on," the Doctor tried again. "Please tell me what's wrong?" She pleads and this time, the honey-blonde reaches up and cup the Italian's cheek much like she did earlier, while her other hand remains covering her friend's.

At the contact, Jane was defenseless. Too tired to fight herself, she found herself leaning in to the warmth of the Doctor's palm.

-Flashback-

After giving Tasha the Barry Frost Memorial Scholarship Fund, she found herself and Maura alone in one of the booth at the Dirty Robber now owned by Korsack. Maura had just recently broken up with Jack and was on her way to moving on –with the help of the sweat lodge and its revelation.

They were discussing what the sweat lodge revelation told Maura about Jack and then the Doctor asked her if she wanted to know what the revelation she had about the Detective was.

Jane declined and admitted that she had her own.

It was one of the few times that Jane was willing to open up about what she feels –especially after losing Frost and the baby.

"I was focused on work and family and you… and you were right," she admitted. "I was afraid of what will happen if I couldn't keep my feelings in that little box. But… I don't have to be afraid anymore."

Maura waited patiently and if she noticed the tears threatening to fall from Jane's eyes, she didn't comment on it.

"I god a message; everything is gonna be ok."

Looking at Maura, she continued-

"So I know, that no matter what happens, I can handle it."

With adoring look and a smile in her eyes, Maura agreed. "Jane Rizzoli is strong enough to handle it."

Nodding her head, "Yeah." And she smiles back at her honey-blonde best friend.

-Present-

Oh how wrong they both had been -'Jane Rizzoli is strong enough to handle it'; and how foolish of her to agree and actually believe herself and Maura that she could handle it.

Now she knows what will happen when she couldn't contain her feelings in that little box. 'THIS' is what will happen.

'Am I strong enough to handle this?' Jane asked herself. She said it herself then-

'So I know, that no matter what happens, I can handle it'.

But right now, she knows she's falling apart just trying to contain everything inside. The comfort of Maura's hand against her cheek, the feeling of her touch in her skin is becoming her undoing.

Maura's touch is to comfort, but right now it only serves to remind her how she will never be able to hold on to it. That this may be the last. That soon, this will be gone and with it the woman that holds her broken heart –even unknowingly.

And this is how she knows –she can't handle it.

So, painfully and reluctantly, she pulls away from her best friend's comforting touch and with her eyes still firmly shut. She only knows too well what affect her action would do to the woman clutching her hands. The confusion and most probably hurt visible in said woman's hazel eyes.

"Please tell me what's wrong, Jane." Maura always thought that she's above begging. She was wrong.

Right there, right then, the desperation in her voice was there for anyone to hear, even she could hear it herself.

And Jane heard it as Maura sees Jane's struggle.

Maura lost in the sight of her struggling friend tried to reach and cup the Detective's face but as she remembered how Jane pulled away not a moment ago, she settles on placing both of her hands against both of Jane's as she had done earlier.

She can't decide which bothers her more –seeing Jane's obvious pain and struggle or not knowing the cause of it. Her best friend hardly opens up about her feelings. She always deals with it in her own way and in her own time. There were only a handful of times that Jan actually talked about how she felt and one of those was at the Dirty Robber.

It was the time that she had been moving on from her heart ache caused by Jack's departure and she had so much revelation courtesy by her experience at the sweat lodge. Jane had said then-

'No matter what happens… I know I can handle it.'

And Maura agreed. Jane is one of the bravest women she knows. She knew and believed that her dark-haired friend will and can handle anything. It was not something she doubted before.

It is only now, this time that she doubted that thought.

Moving much closer to Detective while still kneeling in front of her, Maura whispered-

"Please let me help you."

Closing the lid of her eyes tightly, Jane bit the inside of her cheek. The desperation, worry and helplessness in Maura's voice is increasingly becoming too much.

It was not her fault.

It wasn't Maura's fault that she's hurting.

It wasn't the Doctor's fault that she loves her more that she should and so whatever turmoil she finds herself in, it shouldn't affect the ME.

But, she doesn't know how to handle this. How will she even try and conceal it in her little box?

Against her better judgement –maybe-, Jane opens her eyes and meet the hazel of her best friend.

"You asked once," she started, her voice hoarse and volume almost just above a whisper. "How you'll survive without your best friend…"

And then it downed on Maura. Suddenly it seemed to make sense now.

"How I'll survive without you, Maur?" Jane asked.

She sounded so vulnerable. She feels as much too.

Shaking her head, refusing to completely fall apart in front of her best friend; with every little energy she have left, Jane stood up abruptly nearly knocking Maura off her knees.

"I have to go," she declared and hurriedly turn toward the direction of the door.

Maura had been surprised by the abrupt movement from the taller woman. She haven't had the chance to fully grasp her best friend's question, when she found herself following, running after Jane to stop her from running away.

"Jane. Wait," she reached and grasps the Detective's wrist, willing her to turn.

And Jane did.

Tears visible and threatening to fall. Just a blink and they both knew it would.

A bit, a tick of second, Jane waited for Maura to say something.

A bit, a tick of second, Maura tried and failed to find anything to say.

Looking at Maura's confused eyes, frown visible in her still rather beautiful face, Jane without thinking takes a step closer to her best friend.

She's not thinking anymore. She's only acting. She had given herself up and just this one, she'd free herself. The consequence, she would later acknowledge.

"I'm sorry for what I'm about to do," she whispered and took another step, invading Maura's personal space.

Maura then, looks up and meet the shade darker of her favorite brown-eyes. She could feel the heat radiating from Jane as Jane breathe in Maura's exhale.

"I just have to know," she whispered again as she leans down, stopping just less than a millimeter from her best friend's lips.

"Just this once."

And with that, Jane closes that little gap that separates her lips from Maura's.

Closing her eyes, Jane relishes at the feeling of Maura's soft lips against hers. Tears that was just in the corner of her eyes, now freely flowing.

And then with all her strength she pulls back.

"I have to go," she breaths, and without waiting for any response, she turns and head for the door.

Her hands was already touching the doorknob when she found herself being spin around.

Soon, she found herself facing the red rimmed eyes of her best friend's eyes.

A bit, and she once again feels the soft lips against hers, only this time, Maura's hands were cupping both of her cheeks.

A tick of second and her arms found its way around the honey-blonde's narrow waist.

This time, the kiss was not just a kiss.

This time, it was fueled, passion heated as if years of suppressed feelings is being poured in that shared kiss and while the softness of both lips were felt, there was still no room for air.

Maura pushes Jane against the door, as her right hand snakes behind and to Jane's nape, holding the Detective's head firmly in its place.

She kisses her like her life depended on it and Jane kisses back because at this point, her life really depended on it.

She knows that once they break apart, it would be the end her -Jane Rizzoli and so, she leans further, wrapping her arms tightly around Maura's. Holding her close as they both deepen the kiss.

Soon.

Much too soon, the need breathe finally made its presence known and both pulled back.

With both eyes still close, forehead against the other, her breath her oxygen and vice versa.

It was quiet.

Until Maura, with her quiet voice and head bowed down, said-

"Yes. I think you should go."

A/N : Firstly I would like to apologize for taking ages to update. Second, apologies for any type and grammatical error alike that you may find. This is not a beta version. I hope you guys are still enjoying the story. Let me know if it would still be worth continuing. Thank you

Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli and Isles.