Well hi there. Yes it has been a long time. Here is (I think) the final chapter of this bad boy. I hope you all enjoy.
The rapping at the door was insistent.
"Jane... Jane, can I come in? Jane..."
Jane watched as the usually well put together woman barged through the door of her spare bedroom, decorum forgotten under such important circumstances, or so it would appear.
"Sorry to barge in on you Jane, but I... I am myself again - and by the looks of you, so are you. Thank goodness. What happened?"
"Uh, Maur, can we talk about this is a minute? I am damned near naked, can you, um, you know, turn around while I put some clothes on that actually fit me? I feel like the Incredible Hulk in these."
"Oh, yes, certainly Jane, of course, sorry, not that I get your reference, but of course. There are clothes of yours in the drawer. We can talk about it in a minute, when you are more adequately attired."
"Thanks Maur."
Jane smiled, the look of happiness and relief on her friend's face tangible. Jane couldn't help but watch the disappearance of Maura's shapely rear, grateful that once again she could view it without regard, however subtle she ought to be; or did she? Things had definitely changed between them, hadn't they? Jane took her time to dress, noticing as she did so that her stomach muscles and biceps seemed to be more taut than before; lines with greater definition. When she walked into the living room she saw Maura seated on the sofa, her legs curled underneath her, a large glass of red wine in her hand and a bottle of beer placed on a coaster for Jane.
"Thanks." Jane nodded towards the bottle of Lagunitas IPA.
"No problem. I figured we could both use a drink."
"God yeah. So that's it? It's over? We are both back to normal?"
"I don't like to guess, but just as I am stumped as to a logical reason why this should have happened in the first place, I cannot see why we should switch again. We appear to be fully back in our bodies fully and so yes, it is reasonable to say it is over. Although, speaking of which, I have a bone to pick with you."
Jane picked up her beer, pulling on the bottle, taking a long steady draw, nervous for what was about to come next. She wiped the foam on her lips with the back of her hand, readying herself.
"Uh-huh. What is it?"
"This!"
Jane watched as Maura stood, slammed her glass on the table with a ferocity that took her aback.
"What Maur? What is it?"
Jane watched as tears welled up in the eyes of the medical examiner as she clutched, or desperately tried to, at her perfect waist.
"Look at me! I have put on at least five pounds Jane. What on earth have you been eating?"
Jane chuckled. "Oh, god, is that it? Jeez Maur, I thought something was really wrong."
"It is! Do you know how much effort it takes to look after myself? I eat the right foods, exercise and make good decisions concerning my body, and now I feel all bloated and I have spots. What have you been eating? Oh god, you had the doughnuts, didn't you? The triple chocolate caramel doughnuts! I dread to think what else passed my lips with you in charge."
Jane bowed her head, sheepishly. "Maybe. And perhaps the odd burger, washed down with a glass or two of beer."
"Jane! How could you? Did you at least eat any kale or any form of vegetation?"
"Yes."
"Really? You ate kale, willingly, without me telling you to?"
"Oh, no, I thought you said cake, and pickles count as vegetation, right?"
Maura's smile vanished, tears again threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Oh Maur, please don't cry. Look, you can lose that in no time, and if you want to exercise more, say run an extra five miles a day, or do some weird and wonderful type of yoga with the heating on full pelt, I will do it with you. I will help you. You are beautiful and you don't look any different to me, if anything your boobs look slightly bigger and that can never be a bad thing, trust me. They are even more perfect, they draw the eye even more. Hell you could stop traffic with those bad boys, I should know. They got me out of a speeding ticket."
Maura raised her head, tipping it to one side, looking momentarily like an inquisitive puppy.
"Do you mean it?"
"About the speeding ticket? Maybe. And of course, I will even do fencing with you if you want me to, even if it is a made up sport."
Maura's laugh dissipated any tension that may have been felt up until then.
"It isn't a made up sport, it is classed as a martial art and practised in the Olympics, as you well know. And thank you, but I wasn't referring to that. I meant, did you really mean that my breasts are perfect?"
Mouth dry, need more beer.
Jane shot off the coach like she had been jolted with a thousand volts of electricity. Which from the look Maura had given her, wasn't too far off.
"I... I need another drink. Can I get you anything?"
"No Jane, I am fine thank you."
More than fine... Man up Rizzoli. The shower established that was where your brain is... Time to grow a pair!
Jane popped the cap of another beer, took a long steady draw and walked back into the living room, sitting next to her friend, taking her hand in hers. Things had definitely changed between them and the practised steps they had been skilfully dancing for so long needed a new routine. The situation had become so fraught with sexual tension that even wishing the other a good morning felt like a declaration of passion.
"Yes. I did mean it. You are perfect. Beautiful, clever, loyal, generous, kind, sensual, goofy, geeky, adorable, sexy and so wonderful, that I sometimes want to pinch myself just to check that you are real. We are a formidable team, so please don't get upset if you have put on a few pounds. And I am really sorry if you have because of me, especially when I seem to be, I don't know, leaner than before, but we can achieve anything."
Jane watched as Maura turned further towards her. "What exercise did you do?"
"Everything! I found I loved how your musculature reacted to all forms of exercise. Boxing, weights, yoga, running. I found I couldn't stop. Your stamina is quite something. You are lean, strong, efficient, controlled, and so gloriously butch."
Jane threw her head back and laughed.
"I knew it was you who put that on my profile - you said it was Frost and Korsak, but now I know it was you."
"It wasn't! And anyway, why do you take that as an insult? You are so strong and yet so feminine at the same time. It's a glorious combination. I find it thrilling. The thought of that combination does things to me, has done things to me, more times than I can... I've said too much"
Jane flushed with a heat that only Maura could evoke.
"No you haven't. Had it really, you know, done stuff?"
"Yes Jane. Now if I am honest."
Jane was through with pretending; the last few days had confirmed, if ever she had any doubt, that what she wanted was one Maura Dorothea Isles. Spurred on by the confidence that on some level Maura found her attractive, with one smooth movement she pulled Maura towards her laid her on the sofa, covering her body with hers, claiming her mouth with a possessive wantonness that made them both dizzy.
Heat surged, fingers clutched, tongues duelled in a welcomed parry and riposte, years of pent up sexuality pouring over them like lava.
"I... Oh, god. Jane... Jane, just one thing. I must know... What were you doing at the exact moment we switched back."
Jane grinned. "I was um... You know... Tell you what, how about I show you?"
A loud bark and a thud drew their attention momentarily away from each other as there appeared to be some commotion between Bass and Jo Friday.
"Ruff, you have it so easy, doing nothing all day. Me I have to go on big long walks and have baths when mom says I get dirty."
"Yes, well, at least you don't have the turning circle of a container ship."
"I wish I had your life."
"I wish I had your life."
"Jo, leave Bass alone, stop barking girl. Get down! What's gotten into her? She's not normally like this, I have never seen her with so much energy, or chase her tail round and round."
"And I have never seen Bass look so sad. Oh no, Jane, you don't think..."
The women looked at each other and there pets.
"Oh no, not again."
Fin