Both women woke early to the alarm, a quiet sun just beginning to rise in the sky. They lie intertwined together on Jane's bed, not yet ready to break their bubble of bliss to face the world.

"I want to ask you something," Maura said quietly, her head resting on Jane's chest.

Jane tried to catch a glimpse of her face. "You can ask me anything," came her sweet reply.

"It's not a question, really. More of a... proposition." Maura shifted her position to face Jane, growing serious.

"Okay, proposition me then," Jane quipped with a half-smile and raised eyebrow, still wondering where this was leading.

Maura intentionally ignored the implication in her joke. "I would like to offer you the opportunity to come work for me directly."

Jane furrowed her brow. "Can I do that? Can you do that?"

Maura shrugged, as if permission was something she gave no notice to. "We can do whatever we'd like. Well, Paul wouldn't like me essentially poaching you, but I'm a pretty good client of his otherwise and I'll find a way to make it up to him. If you say yes, of course. And don't worry about the money. Whatever he's paying you, I can offer you the same or better. Benefits, too. But please don't feel pressured. It's your choice."

Jane was silent for a long moment, considering. "I don't know, Maura. I mean, I can see where it would have its advantages, of course, but... being your employee, on your payroll... and in your bed... Don't you think that makes it a little... I dunno, weird?"

Maura had sensed this might be a concern with Jane and her pride, so she was prepared to push just a little. "Your job would essentially remain the same. It's really not so different from how things are now."

"Yes, except that right now the studio pays the security company, who then pays me. What you're suggesting is you writing me a check every week just to have me around. You get how that sounds, right?"

"No, it's not 'just to have you around'. I expect you to protect me, of course," she told Jane with a smirk. "And I don't actually write the checks, I only sign them. Also, I pay every two weeks."

Jane chewed her lip indecisively. "Is it okay if I think about it?"

"Of course." Maura reassured her with a smile and planted a chaste kiss to her lips. Then her expression changed to one of worry. "But first, can you help me think of a way to sneak back into my house without the guards noticing?"

Jane laughed and sat up. "Just walk in there like you own the place – which I feel it's necessary at this point to remind you that you do! And I guarantee you nobody's going to say anything because they don't want to admit that they didn't know where you were, much less that you were even gone at all. It looks bad on them, not on you."

Maura considered this briefly as they both started to get up and dress for the ride to Beverly Hills. "You're right. That would be the easiest option as well." She smiled in amusement. "Besides, it might be rather humorous to see their faces when they realize I pulled one under them."

"Pulled one over on them," Jane corrected with a chuckle. "What time do you finish up today?"

Maura tried to be nonchalant. "I have that dinner tonight, remember?"

"Dinner?" When the recognition hit her, it made Jane's stomach turn a little. "Oh, the date thing."

"Yeah, the date thing." Maura was hoping the conversation would end itself, because it was the last thing she wanted to talk about in her rare alone time with Jane.

"So, how exactly is that supposed to work?" Jane asked, genuinely curious.

"What do you mean?"

"How are you going to pretend to be in a relationship with this guy when you can't lie without hives or unconsciousness?"

Maura chuckled. "It's not like we intend to hold a press conference with a formal announcement, or anything like that. That's not how it works. Think about it- how often do you hear celebrities publicly discuss new relationships directly with the media?"

Jane did consider it. "Pretty much never," she admitted. "But then again I don't really follow that kind of stuff."

"All we have to do is show up places together – restaurants, clubs, events – and act like a couple. Someone, probably someone in James' office, will tip off the paparazzi, they'll take photographs, and people will make of it what they will. They'll probably even throw in some vaguely cited "sources close to the couple say" quotes. The press does all the work, really."

"The whole thing sounds pretty stupid to me," Jane commented, feeling as childish as she sounded.

Maura sighed. "It is," she agreed earnestly, looking at Jane. "I can still back out, you know."

Now it was Jane's turn to sigh. "Don't back out. I'm supposed to protect you, and I guess protecting your career kind of goes along with that. You do what you have to do, and I won't stand in your way."

"I want to protect you too, Jane. And if this is going to hurt you, I will absolutely say no."

Jane gave her best attempt at a smile. "I'm tougher than that."

After some quality one-on-one time, Maura had Jane stop for coffee and drop her off just around the corner from her house. They kissed goodbye in the car and she walked the two blocks with her head held high, punching in the security codes she knew by heart. The guards nearly fell out of their seats when she waltzed by, coffee in hand, with a small wave and a cocky grin. She went straight to her room and closed the door, immediately dialing James' cell.

"I think we should cancel the dinner date tonight," she told him. Even though Jane had said she was fine with it, Maura felt it wiser to back out.

"And by cancel, you mean postpone?"

"No, I'd really like to cancel. I no longer feel comfortable with the situation."

"This is pretty last-minute, Maura. You're gonna need to give me more than that."

"Excuse me," she started, getting defensive, "but the only document I have signed, and therefore the only agreement I am bound to, is to not disclose the identity of the individual, which I am not yet even aware of, nor the nature of the meeting-"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry! Maura, slow down! You're acting a little strange- even for you. Let's just talk for a minute, okay? Can we do that?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Okay."

"We've been discussing this for months, right?"

"Yes, but circumstances have changed for me."

"Maybe they have, and I'm not going to ask for details, but as far as your career is concerned, that hasn't changed. You still have an image to protect. This agreement is a vital step in protecting that image. You do understand that?"

"Well, maybe I don't care very much about that image anymore."

"Then you're in the wrong profession, Maura." His words were not mean or condescending, they were simply reasoning, almost hypnotic. "Come on, you've been around long enough to know how things work. If you want to remain in this industry, doing what you love, what you're good at, then this is just a small price you have to pay. You do love what you do, don't you?"

"Yes." Maura sat down on the edge of the bed. "I always have."

"And this industry, this career- you know it like the back of your hand, and it's never let you down, has it?"

"No."

"And it won't let you down. Not as long as you hold up your end. You've spent a lot of years learning that, haven't you? The people in your life, they come and go, but this has been the one and only constant, has it not?"

"Yes." Her voice was smaller now.

"And there's no doubt you're good at it. Do you know how many people, young women especially, are so inspired by you and what you do, that you make a real difference in their lives? People you don't even know draw joy and inspiration from your work. You give them hope. Isn't that what you want?"

She looked down at her lap. "Of course. That's what I've always wanted."

"And you don't want to take that hope away from them, do you?"

"No, of course not."

"Then don't cancel tonight. Please. Pay this small price, so you can continue to do what you do so well."

Maura sighed. "Fine," she finally agreed, remembering what Jane had said earlier. "I'll do what I have to do."

When she got back to her apartment after dropping off Maura, Jane cleaned her apartment some more, until every nook and cranny was spotless, but it didn't clear the anxiety from her mind, so she decided to go for a run. When that didn't help, she hit the gym for a good workout, followed by a nice long shower. She still hadn't heard from Thomas on whether or not she could return to work this week, nor had Frost called her with the results of that interview. Maura was likely busy with work and unable to get a quiet moment alone. Jane needed to do something to still her mind. Deciding to go straight to the source, she dialed Paul's office, and Cindy the receptionist put her right through.

"Hey Rizzoli, what's this I hear about not wanting to take your vacation? You know you're still getting paid, right?"

"I don't care about the money, I just want to work. I'm going crazy here."

"Why don't you get yourself a hobby? I hear that Frisbee golf is a thing now-"

"I don't want to play Frisbee or golf or any combination of the two, I just want to work."

"You need time off, to rest and recharge. I can't have you working exhausted. It isn't safe. I want you to take the rest of the week off, and late next week you'll start your new assignment."

The last thing she needed was this man telling her what she needed and- "Wait, what? New assignment?"

"Yeah, I told you you were only on with Isles for the tour. That will be wrapping up by the time you're off your rest period, so I'm placing you elsewhere. Not sure yet where, but-"

"Maura offered me a job," she blurted out.

He was silent for a moment. "Better pay?"

"It's not about the pay. I like working for her and she likes having me around."

"You make me wonder if the rumors are true."

An alarm went off in Jane's head. "Rumors?"

"About you and Maura Isles."

She paused, noticing that he seemed more amused than angry. Still, she sure as hell wasn't going to tell him anything. "I haven't heard any rumors."

He laughed. Definitely amused. "I would sit here and torture you like this all day if I didn't have a meeting in five minutes. Are you asking to be let out of your contract?"

"I... I don't know. I guess maybe I am."

He sighed. "You know, I don't normally take kindly to clients stealing my guards, nor to my guards jumping ship. But because it's you, Rizzoli, and because we go way back- and because in this case, I totally get it- I'll let it slide."

Jane smiled. "Wow. Thanks, Paul. I really appreciate you being so cool about this."

"Yeah, well, you tell Maura that she owes me a big fruit basket. No, make it a wine basket. Expensive wine. With cheese. Not joking. I gotta go. Good luck, Jane. I'll see you around."

"Yeah, see you around," she said into the phone, although he'd already disconnected the call. "That was a lot easier than I thought." She sent Maura a carefully worded text, in case anyone should intercept it.

I have put much thought into it, and I would like to accept your employment offer. Please contact me to discuss the details.

After a few minutes with no reply, she decided Maura was likely busy and moved on to her next order of business. She was on a roll, best to keep it going. She dialed her old partner.

"Frost," he answered on the first ring.

"Hey, you interview the suspect yet?"

"Rock solid alibi."

"Damn! Are you sure?"

"Checked it out myself. He did give us another lead though. Korsak and I are headed downtown to check it out, then we'll Skype you with the new info. Will you be around?"

"Absolutely. Let me know."

"You got it!"

She ended the call and sighed, looking around her spotless, empty apartment. "Now what?" she wondered aloud. Maybe I should get a hobby. Instead, she ordered Chinese, turned on the sports channel, and popped open a beer, settling herself on the couch for a little distraction.

Jane was grateful when Frost's video call came through. She turned all of her attention to the case, once again combing the evidence for hidden pieces to their puzzle. And once again, she fell into that familiar groove, the one that she fit into so perfectly, as they worked through the details of their next and most promising theory. The rush of police work was like a drug to her, ironic as that may seem, and there was no doubt she missed the feeling it gave her. She had lost it once, that feeling. After Hoyt, the feeling was gone- it was why she'd left the department in the first place. But it was coming back now, renewed and even sharper than before.

She was just debating sharing this feeling with her old partners when her phone rang, flashing Maura's number. "Hey guys, that's Maura."

"Ooooh!" they mocked her in unison.

"Shut up! Isn't it past your bedtimes anyway, both of you? Call me tomorrow and let me know how this interview goes. I'm still gonna earn that beer."

They said their quick goodbyes as Jane accepted the call, her voice softening as she spoke into the phone. "Hey."

"So you're accepting my job offer?" Maura asked, clearly excited.

"Yeah, well, Paul tried to pull me off your service, and I kind of panicked, but he was pretty okay with it, actually..." Jane realized she was starting to ramble. The whole situation still made her a bit uncomfortable. "He did say you owe him a wine basket though."

"Oh? Did he specify what kind?"

"Expensive."

"I meant whites or reds or-"

"He just said expensive. And something about cheese."

Maura chuckled. "I'll send him something special. Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Yeah, sure. I love getting paid by people I'm sleeping with."

"Jane..."

"I'm fine, Maura. It will take some getting used to, but I'll be fine. Just please tell me I can come back to work tomorrow?"

"You can come back to work tomorrow."

"Yess! Thank you!"

"Of course!" she chuckled. "Look Jane, I only have a minute, I just wanted to hear your voice and say that I'm glad you decided to accept."

"Well, I'm glad you're glad." She decided against bringing up the date. It was too awkward. "I don't want to keep you. Call me when you get home?"

"Yes, I will. I love you," Maura said quietly.

"Love you too!"