The two women sat across the table from each other moving food around their plates, stealing glances at each other, neither knowing what to talk about. This wasn't them, this wasn't the dynamic they were both used to.

Jane broke the silence "Ok...so this is stupid. We're still us, we're still best friends just having dinner. Just because we have the addition of knowing that both of us want to invest more in this now doesn't mean that we can't have a normal conversation. So come on, what do you have planned for us tomorrow? Or would you like the day to write and i'll spend the day exploring and planning our first official date night? If you want to date me that is...sorry that was presumptuous."

Maura tilted her head to the side a little and smiled "yes Jane, I want to date you. If you had't made that presumption already I would be concerned about your investigative skills as a detective."

Jane laughed, Maura continued "I know I need to spend some time writing but to be honest, I'd rather take the opportunity to spend our first day together in a relationship. The writing is important to me but it's slightly less important now there is a future for us. I was using it as a decoy for myself, a pastime to use as an avoidance of the situation I thought I was going to be left in. But now..." she paused and took Janes hands across the table "...now I know I don't have to find something to distract myself with so that my mind doesn't constantly think about you. So I will keep writing because I enjoy it, but for the next two weeks I'd rather enjoy us and the time away from normality."

Jane smiled and stroked the back of Maura's hand with her thumb, "well, in that case, what would you like to do tomorrow? Museum? Gallery? Sightseeing? Or..." Jane thought for a second, she had an idea "or you can play your Rizzoli mystery card. What's it going to be madame?"

The doctor laughed "what on earth is a Rizzoli mystery card?"

"I can't reveal that information i'm afraid or the mystery part kinda disappears. And to be honest, as i've literally just thought of it, it's a mystery to me as well...but I will come up with something great by tomorrow! So what's it gona be?"

Maura took a sip of wine "Hmmmmm...I'm going to play my mystery card I think...no pressure detective" the honey blonde responded with a wink.

"Right. Well then, I guess I better not disappoint!" Jane leaned across the table and kissed Maura on the lips, "See, we're still us."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After dinner both women were relaxing on the sofa in silence, Maura leaning her head on Jane's shoulder whilst the both stared out of the window at the Paris skyline.

Maura lifted her head, turned to face Jane and began to talk "Thank you for being honest with me today, with everything. I know it's hard for you to use your emotions and I know sometimes I am too emotional, but I just wanted to tell you I appreciate it and I hope you will be comfortable to be emotionally honest with me going forwards."

The Italian smiled "you are welcome, but don't be getting any ideas that I am suddenly this emotive, fluffy, duffy, lovey dovey person now. I'm still me I'm afraid, i'm a tough shell. Buuuuut the compromise I can definitely promise is that I wont put up any emotional walls. I promise to be honest. Deal?"

"Deal" the doctor uttered as she closed the gap between them. The kiss started innocently enough but quickly became heated, both women expressing their need to show their wants and needs. Not breaking apart for air, Jane's hands started to roam along Maura's thigh under the hem of her dress towards her panty line. Realising what she was doing, Jane suddenly pulled away "woah, sorry Maur, I guess I got carried away."

"Honestly Jane, it really doesn't matter. I was really quite enjoying it actually...you should know by now I'm a highly sexual person, I.."

"Woah, ok, Maura let me stop you there. Yes I know you are a sexual person and I want nothing more than to see for myself how sexual you are and make up for lost time. But I also want nothing more to savour every moment and not rush this. This is important to me, and I know it is to you too."

"Jane Rizzoli I thought you weren't, how did you put it? Fluffy, duffy, lovey dovey?" Maura smirked.

"Hey you! I am not, but maybe you make me a little bit like that. Regardless I mean it, this probably isn't a huge step emotionally but physically it is and I want it to be special, not some rushed lusting sofa make out session that leads to something more."

Still smiling Maura leaned in and kissed Janes cheek "I agree" she said as she stood "how about we cool off and go find a little coffee shop or wine bar for some dessert?"

Jane stood and took Maura's hand "I'm thinking coffee shop...I have hours ahead of me tonight to plan a mystery day, so i'm thinking I need as much caffeine as I can get to help my brain power. Alternatively, we can have wine, well you can have more wine and i'll have beer and i'll plan the

day drunk - that could be an interesting result."

Maura wrinkled her nose and shook her head "I'll go with the caffeinated mystery, just to be safe."

And with that, Jane grabbed the keys from the hook and led Maura out of the apartment.