Jane's first awareness when she woke was the scent of Maura's perfume. Eyes still closed, she breathed deeply and turned her head toward the source, the warm body to her right. When she exhaled, it was with an audible sigh of contentment. Hair tickled her nose and mouth, but instead of pulling away, she lifted her chin closer to kiss Maura's head. Next, Jane realized her right hand had fallen asleep. Her arm was pinned, and she flexed her fingers then made a fist several times to get rid of the pins and needles and to recover sensation. The feel of the cushions beneath her gradually made their way into Jane's consciousness, telling her they were on the couch instead of in bed.

It was dark, so when Jane opened her eyes, they didn't need to adjust. They confirmed that Maura was wedged snugly between Jane and the back of the couch, the cushions having been removed and stacked neatly on the coffee table. A throw blanket covered them both and though Maura was in a pajama set of satin pants and shirt, Jane was still in her work clothes.

Gradually the events and emotions of the evening came back and their situation made sense. Jane remembered confusion and distress and some grogginess as she had talked to Maura earlier. And she remembered comfort and peace as Maura hugged her. She felt her stomach drop as she remembered the softness of Maura's breasts against her cheek. Jane had asked Maura not to leave, and Maura had promised to stay. That was why they were both on the couch. Jane had fallen asleep again, to the sound of Maura's voice as she prepared their dinner. And instead of waking Jane, or going to bed by herself, Maura stayed.

Jane probably should have felt ridiculous for the way she'd acted, so desperate and clingy. She didn't explain why she was so distraught, and Maura didn't ask. When Maura had suggested she go rest in the bedroom before dinner, she'd hesitated, irrationally fearing that Maura would disappear the moment she was out of sight. Somehow Maura had understood her hesitation and instead of dismissing Jane's fears, she revised her proposal; Jane could stay on the couch while Maura fixed dinner. Then while she cooked, she talked. Jane didn't remember any of what she said; it must have been random facts or science or highlights of her work day. The topics didn't matter. They both knew that Maura's voice was there to fill the void. To let Jane know she wasn't alone.

The needy way she'd acted was ridiculous, Jane admitted to herself in the darkness of early morning. Jane should know that Maura wasn't going to leave her. Maura was the most loyal friend she'd ever known. But Jane had let her hormones get the best of her. Maura probably knew that Jane's emotions had taken over. Maura could have told Jane just how ridiculous she was being, or worse, shied away from Jane's clinginess, but she didn't. She accepted Jane's fears and indulged Jane. She accommodated her. She loved her.

And Jane loved Maura. She felt it most strongly in moments like these, when they were pressed up against each other, completely relaxed and content. Maura's head was on Jane's shoulder and her arm lay across Jane's pelvis, cradling Echo. One knee was bent and that leg rested between Jane's legs. One of Maura's bare feet pressed against the top of one of Jane's. Jane could feel Maura's chest rise and fall with her shallow, even breaths. Even this didn't seem quite close enough. She imagined herself merging with Maura, the two of them becoming one, emotionally and physically.

Maura-sexual. That was how Jane had described herself, and the more she thought about it, the more accurate it felt. She couldn't imagine wanting this with anyone else, ever. It wasn't just that Maura was exquisite inside and out, it was that Jane loved anything she did, anything she was, simply because she loved Maura.

Jane would have been happy to spend the rest of the night on the couch, cuddling with Maura, but she had to pee. And her hand was falling asleep again. And her back ached and her legs were stiff. There just wasn't enough room for the two of them—no, the three of them, Jane amended her thought—on the couch. They had to get up and go to bed. Jane wrapped her arm around Maura's head and kissed it. "Maura," she whispered. "We have to get up."

Maura just snuggled deeper into Jane's shoulder.

"C'mon, Maur, I gotta pee."

Maura groaned and tried to roll over, but was stopped by the back of the couch. "Issit a body? Call Pike. I'm busy wif my Jane."

Jane smiled. My Jane. She kissed Maura's head once more, then tried to pull her arm out from underneath Maura's head. Maura groaned and made a disgruntled face as her head fell back against the cushion. Jane pushed herself up to standing, then reached for Maura's hands to help her up as well. "C'mon, my Maura. We have to sleep in a bed. There isn't enough room for all of us here."

She pulled Maura up to sitting, but Maura's eyes were still closed. "Need a bigger couch." Her body flopped as Jane pulled her up to standing and supported her with an arm around her waist. "Wif more pillows."

"I think that's what the bed is for, Maura." Maura's head rested on her shoulder. Jane sighed and mumbled, more to herself than to Maura, "I wish I could carry you to bed."

"'Nother time. Too tired now."

They somehow managed to shuffle to the bedroom without bumping into any walls or furniture. Jane tucked Maura into bed, then took care of her bathroom needs and removed her work clothes, opting for just a tank top and underwear. Then she joined Maura in bed, facing her. Still mostly asleep, Maura snuggled up to Jane and Echo, tucking her forehead under Jane's chin. Jane knew she wouldn't be able to sleep any longer (having fallen asleep early the night before), but was content to just hold Maura.

She did keep her phone within reach, just in case. And that was a good thing, too, because something Maura had said while half-asleep started a train of thought that required research. She'd said something about needing a bigger couch, and Jane got to thinking it would be nice for all three of them to be able to cuddle somewhere besides the bed, and in front of the TV. She landed on a kind of oversized chair with lots of pillows. It was wide like a loveseat, but long, too, so she could stretch out her legs. It wasn't exactly Maura's style, elegant and chic, but Jane was pretty sure she could sell it to Maura as a nursing chair they could all sit in together. Maura would probably spout some research on the mother/baby relationship being strengthened during nursing and want to be part of that. Plus, Jane guessed that Maura enjoyed cuddling as much as she did. Jane almost bought it right then, but decided Maura would want to choose the color to make sure it went with the rest of her decor. She bookmarked the page.

The other thing that kept nagging at her mind (interspersed with fantasies about the future and how life might change once Echo was born) was her desire to do something nice for Maura. Something that showed how much she appreciated Maura being in her life, and how much she knew Maura was giving up by being with Jane instead of someone rich and cultured. She didn't want Maura to have to give up anything. From what Jane could tell from her limited interactions with new parents, they'd both be giving up a lot once Echo was born. Sleep, for one. Privacy. The ability to have an adult conversation about something other than diapers, nursing, sleeping habits, or the latest cute thing their baby did. And even though Jane knew they would have an enthusiastic and trusted gramma available for babysitting at a moment's notice, they probably wouldn't have much opportunity or drive to go out. So Jane did a little Googling for something cultured they could do on their next evening off. The ballet, she decided, was perfect. They'd both been child ballerinas, and although Jane hadn't seen anything other than The Nutcracker before, she was sure it would be something they would both enjoy. At least, she thought so when she bought the tickets online at 4:30 am.

In the light of day, they both knew the ballet wasn't Jane's thing. And in all honesty, it wasn't Maura's thing, either, not at this point anyway, when she'd rather be at home, where she could sit comfortably in Jane's embrace, and where Jane wasn't self-conscious about fitting in or worried about Maura having a good time. Yet there they were, near the back of the orchestra section at the Boston Opera House, crammed into seats that were clearly made with shorter people in mind. At least Jane had thought ahead and made sure to get an aisle seat, anticipating her need to use the restroom no less than twice during each act. She tried to use the aisle to stretch her legs out when she could, but the seats were so hard that her butt got sore if she sat in that position too long.

Maura had noticed her fidgeting near the end of the first act and at intermission suggested they skip the remainder of the show. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable, Jane. We can come back another time." Maura stood in front of Jane under the bright lights of the marquee. She held both Jane's hands and looked up at her with such unbridled adoration that Jane almost agreed.

Instead, she kissed Maura on the cheek and said, "I'm fine. Let's stay. I want to see how it ends." Then she smiled and led Maura back into the theater.

Half an hour and one more restroom break later, Jane shifted in her seat. Her butt was getting numb again and her back ached even more than usual. Onstage, the title character's true love had been mourning her death since the intermission, and it was getting dull. Slowly, as if she weren't even thinking about it, Maura's hand reached over and pulled Jane's left hand into her lap. Her thumb gently caressed Jane's palm, tickling the scar there. When Jane looked over, Maura's eyes remained on the stage, but a sly smile crept up.

Jane spent the next couple of minutes wondering what Maura was up to, and just when she had let it go and focused back on the dancers, she felt Maura shift their hands so Jane's was sandwiched between both of Maura's. This time Maura's fingers swept across Jane's palm, as if wiping it clean. Jane kept her eyes on the performance, but all her attention was on Maura's motions. Next, Maura's fingers began to trace patterns on Jane's palm: a line, a corner, a circle, another corner, three sides of a square… what was this?

Maura saw Jane's eyes squinting in confusion, and just smiled, wiped her palm, and started over again. Letters, Jane thought. She's writing something. This time, Jane closed her eyes and tried to picture Maura's finger writing on her hand. A vertical line: I. A corner: L. A circle: O. V. E. Jane smiled as she anticipated the rest. Y. O. U. Turning her hand over to write in Maura's palm, she echoed the message. I love you.

Maura squeezed Jane's hand, signaling message received, and began a new one. Y. O. U. A. R. E. P. E. R. F. E. C. T. As Jane recognized the last word, her gaze dropped to her palm, where Maura's finger traced the remaining letters over physical proof to the contrary. Jane was scarred, both physically and emotionally, and Maura knew it. Maura was probably the only one who knew just how deeply those scars ran and here she was anyway, telling Jane she was perfect. Jane felt a lump in her throat and glanced up at Maura, who was watching her intently. She knew what she'd said, and she stood by it, nodding slightly with assertion. Jane accepted it with a nod of her own, then staved off the tears by responding with humor instead. She spelled out S. O. A. R. E. Y. O. U., paused for effect, then continued, R. B. O. O. B. S. Then she looked over at Maura, raising her eyebrow as her eyes dipped down into Maura's plunging neckline. Maura could hardly contain her laughter.

A solo ended onstage and they each took their hands back to applaud. When the next movement began, Maura started writing again. I want to hold Echo. It was somewhat awkward, given the position of the armrest between their seats, but Jane managed to pull Maura's hand over to her side and find a place to rest it on her belly. Echo was getting bigger every day. Maura breathed deeply and sighed contentedly. Her fingers moved gently over Jane's dress.

She was so engrossed in Echo that she didn't immediately notice Jane's traced response on her other hand. She picked it up at S. Y. O. U. and shook her head, asking Jane to repeat it. I want to kiss you. Maura's hand stilled and her eyes lowered, then looked seductively at Jane, a Mona Lisa smile gracing her lips. The refined Maura Isles her parents raised would never be seen kissing in public, especially at a cultural event like the ballet. This wasn't a movie theater, and they weren't in the back row. The rebelliousness of it thrilled her.

She pulled her hand from Echo to reply, Do it. Jane understood it was a dare. There were people sitting all around them, probably already annoyed at the disruption of Jane getting up every twenty minutes, not to mention their current little game. Maybe if she waited for the lights to dim…. No, Jane decided. She wanted more time than it took to change scenery. And she wanted more than what she could reach while seated in those stiff chairs. She traced another message on Maura's hand. The syntax was lacking, but the meaning was clear. Not enough. She watched Maura's smile fall and her eyes widen as she understood the message, then wrote something else. Lobby. 5 min. Then she picked up her bag and left.

It felt like the longest five minutes of Maura's life. How could the rest of the audience just sit there, watching the dancers? She wished she had a lab timer to alert her when five minutes had passed, and a pacemaker to regulate her heartbeat. Her hands gripped the armrests and she tried to focus on the ballet. The scene finally ended and when the lights dimmed, Maura snuck out of the theater.

She pushed open the heavy door to the lobby just enough to slip through and before her eyes could fully adjust to the light she felt Jane's hand pull her to the side. Jane's body trapped her against the wall and her free hand held Maura's cheek in place while she bent forward to kiss her.

Jane's kiss was just as Maura had imagined when she first fell for her those years ago: direct, but gentle. Jane knew what she wanted and though she wasn't going to force anything, she took the lead and made it happen. There was nothing tentative about this kiss. Maura loved it. At other times and other places, she loved being able to see the uncertain side of Jane, the Jane who was scared but trying to be strong. She loved being the person Jane came to for comfort and healing. She loved that Jane needed Maura as much as Maura needed her. But the side of Jane on display tonight, the Jane who exuded confidence, bravado… swagger... she aroused Maura on a more visceral level. This Jane was the one who would have Maura crawling on her hands and knees, begging for more of Jane's touch.

When Jane paused to breathe and assess Maura's willingness to participate further, Maura felt that deep-seated need for more. Without a moment's thought to their location or the usher standing on the other side of the lobby, mouth agape, she leaned forward to resume the kiss and simultaneously brought Jane's hand, the one still clasped in hers, to rest on Maura's breast.

It didn't rest for long. Reinvigorated, Jane kissed Maura more assertively while she fondled and caressed. Maura's arms found their way around Jane's neck and locked her in place. She stopped just short of trying to wrap her legs around Jane's waist, for the first time resentful that Echo had already claimed that spot. Later, Maura had to reassure herself, there would be a lifetime of opportunities. Enjoy what you can now.

They finally parted again, only enough to breathe and smile mischievously at each other. Jane's hand slid to a more respectable spot on Maura's hip. She swallowed before she spoke, but her voice still came out gravelly and low, tickling the connection between Maura's cochlea and her nucleus accumbens and eliciting a dopamine release that was immediately apparent throughout her body. "I'm beginning to really love the ballet."

Maura's eyes closed when she smiled, and she shrugged happily. "I've never enjoyed the ballet more."

Maura shifted to the left and Jane's arms found their way to a familiar embrace, one which became gradually more awkward as Echo grew, but which they clung to anyway because of the way it allowed Maura's head to rest on Jane's shoulder and her hand to rest on Echo. Jane murmured into Maura's hair, "I want to make you happy."

"You do."

"No, I mean." Jane shifted her weight and bent her right knee so her thigh pressed between Maura's legs in order to illustrate her point. "I want to do everything. To make you happy."

The usually loquacious doctor was rendered mute.

Seeing the effect she had on Maura, Jane noted, "I'm getting closer."

"That makes two of us."

Now it was Jane's turn to be speechless. She just grinned.