AN – Prompt and co-written by Helvistica

No copy write infringement intended. Characters belong to Tess Gerritson, TNT and Janet Tamaro.

X

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Her lips pulled tight under her teeth. Her eyes closed and head turned away as she, once again, attempted to stifle the chuckle that was fighting to break out. Jane fumbled with her key as she unlocked her condo door and stepped aside to allow her friend unimpeded entry. Her hand came up to her mouth as her shoulders raised and a low snort broke through. Dr Maura Isles pulled her shoulders back, raised her chin and her stern eyes glanced away from the Detective. With stiletto sling-backs in one hand, large leather handbag in the other, she limped into the room and sat her bag on the counter.

Jane followed, but instead of swinging the door shut, she turned to close the door softly to buy some time to compose herself. Her left hand rested on the door knob as her right slowly rose to the deadlock, taking her time to lock it. Once again she fought to hold in the laughter that was trying to erupt from within. Maura, agitated, turned to face Jane. Her hair was so weighed down from its new decorations that it didn't fling or bounce like usual.

Jane, who had managed to contain her laughter, shrugged out of her dark grey blazer. She hung it on the coat rack with a care that she had never before displayed with clothing. Jane turned back to face Maura who stood with her hip thrust to the side as her hand resting on it. Maura's head was turned away from her, but her eyes stayed firmly fixed on Jane's. She froze at the look Maura was giving her. Her hands remained in mid-air as if confronted by a lioness. An attack appeared imminent as Maura's nostrils flared and her eyes grew dark. A storm brewed behind those long eyelashes and Jane, it seemed, had forgotten her umbrella and flashlight. Jane leaned back and opened her mouth to speak.

Maura's head flicked in a small downward tilt that caused the Detective to close her mouth and stop moving altogether. After what seemed like hours, Maura's eyes softened. She took a deep breath and lowered her head as her index finger and thumb rubbed her eyebrows. She released her breath in a slow steady stream. She looked back up at Jane, shrugged her shoulders and threw her arms up. "You may as well get it over with," Maura said. "You've wanted to ever since the crime scene."

Permission granted, a tidal wave of giggles poured out of Jane. She doubled-over, grasped her sides and slapped her thigh as boisterous peals of laughter erupted from her. Maura stood, clutching her heels with her left hand, as her right rubbed the back of it. A blush moved across her cheeks. After a minute, the laughter quietened down to a low chuckle. Jane straightened up, crossed her hands in front of herself and tucked her thumbs behind her belt buckle. She observed Maura's self-conscious stance and shook her head as her lip puckered to the side. How can she look this fucking cute covered in this crap? Feeling the need to lighten the mood, her lips formed a small sympathetic smile. She softened her voice, "I'm sorry Maura. But how many times have I told you not to wear those high-heels to a crime scene?"

Maura turned away from Jane and sat her heels on the stool next to the kitchen bench. She turned back towards Jane and with force, released a deep breath, "And as I told you," she said as she pointed roughly towards Jane. "I did not have enough time to find appropriate foot-wear this morning."

Jane looked at the medical examiner. Sweat began to surface on her palms as she fidgeted with them. "C'mon Maur, its funny." She lowered her voice and talked through the side of her mouth, "Don't you think you're over reacting… just a little?" She said as her hand raised and she brought her finger and thumb close together.

Maura's eyes squinted as she spoke in a slow iced warning tone "Am. I. Jane?" Maura raised an eye-brow "Really?" The incident that had brought them to the condo flashed through Jane's mind. She tried to understand the sudden temper of the woman who had almost always been able to forgive and joke with the Detective.

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Jane's thighs clenched around her wrist and her hips began to grind when in the darkness her phone started to ring. Her hand flailed as it tried to find it in her semi-conscious state. Having found nothing to grab hold of, her body toppled and fell off the couch. She grabbed her phone. "Rizzoli," she growled at the dispatch officer on the other end as she stood up. "Okay, text me the address," She hung up and slipped her phone onto her belt. Her hands pushed her hair behind her ears as she tried to regain her composure from her dream and remember where she was. A familiar scrape and thud reminded her of exactly where she was. But why she was here, and on the couch in her work clothes, didn't present itself to her memory.

Maura walked down the stairs, barefoot but clad in an immaculate grey belted v-neck suit dress that seemed designed only for her. Her hair bounced with each step she took. She turned on the kitchen light and Jane's hand reached up to cover her eyes "Ugh, Maur. Jeez" she said as her eyes adjusted to the light.

Maura, who was used to Jane's less than enthusiastic morning moods, ignored her tone. Her body, however, couldn't ignore the effect Jane's voice had on her. The extra deep husk that occurred when Jane had just woken sent a shiver down Maura's spine and forced a smile that she tried to hide. "Good morning, Jane" Maura said as she headed over to the coffee machine. "I know it takes you a while to get up, but I would have thought you would have at least drank a few cups of coffee by now."

"Excuse me?" Jane said as she wobbled over to the kitchen counter and plonked down on a stool, prepared to drink any coffee presented to her. "I only JUST got woken up from dispatch" Jane's eye wandered over Maura. Her eyes squinted and her hand pointed up and down her friends frame. "How are you ready already? It's not possible"

"Our phones rang 15 minutes ago Jane."

"What?" Jane grabbed her phone and checked her call history. "Holy crap Maura. 3 missed calls. Shit"

"Jane" Maura chastised out of habit.

Jane grabbed Maura's hand and dragged her to the door. "Why didn't you wake me? Ugh. C'mon Maura. Shit. We gotta go"

"Wait, Jane. I need to grab shoes"

"Okay, but hurry up Maura." Jane said as she opened the door, ran to the car and started honking the horn. Maura rushed by Jane's antics grabbed the first pair of shoes she found, put them on and went out to join the detective in her car.

Jane tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she weaved in and out of early morning traffic. "Jane, you should drive slower" Maura said as Jane had to brake suddenly at a set of traffic lights.

"Why didn't you wake me and send me home or at least put me to bed last night Maura?" Jane said as she chewed her finger, waiting for the light to turn green. Maura, who had become annoyed with Jane's reckless driving, tried to find a way to dodge the reason. She had left Jane asleep on the couch because the detective looked so beautiful that she hadn't the heart to wake her. She tried to wake her, but not to the point that would actually wake her sleeping friend. Truth was, she wanted to wake up with Jane there. The mornings were better when she was there.

"I did try to wake you Jane" Maura said as she recalled the way she had whispered Jane's name as she placed a blanket over her. Jane didn't wake. But an attempt had technically occurred she thought.

"Finally, about frickin time," Jane said as the light changed and they arrived at the crime scene, "Fuck!"

"Jane…" Maura chastised as she glared at the detective whose bad language had begun to annoy her.

"Dammit. It's only three blocks from my house Maura." Jane said as she jerked the car into a vacant car space. Usually Jane would have waited and helped Maura out of the vehicle. But not today. The tired, grumpy and uncaffeinated Detective huffed and stomped towards Detective Korsak, Maura forgotten.

"What've we got?" Jane said as she met Korsak at the entrance to the alleyway.

"Another homeless woman" he grunted, pointing in the direction of the body. They stepped gingerly through the crime scene that was filled with cardboard shelters, rubbish, bodily fluids and alcohol. Some rubbish had covered a small sewer grate on the ground of the alleyway. Maura, in a rush to keep up with the Detective, had not seen where she was stepping. Just as Jane had turned around to see where she was, Maura stood on the same hidden grate. The heel of her expensive Jimmy Choo stiletto became wedged in the grate. Momentum and gravity caused the Doctor to tumble to the ground and into some open rubbish bags filled with rotting food, used cooking oil and general waste.

Covered in grease, grime, spoiled food, condiments and a small graze upon on her knee, Maura moved to sit up. Jane rushed over and put her hands out for Maura to grab hold of and use to get up. As Maura stood, she saw the stunned and bemused faces of her CSRU crew and the BPD officers. Some were laughing at the Medical Examiner. Others, like Jane, were trying to hide their amusement. Ego dented, and her temper flared from the less than relaxed and happy morning that had been anticipated, she growled softly at Jane "Take me home."

"What?" Jane said, trying not to lean to close to her now not so pleasant smelling friend.

She forced a smile through a clenched jaw "Take. Me. Home. Jane," Maura said. Jane nodded and led a limping Maura back through the crime scene.

She hesitated as they reached the car. "Jane?" Maura said as she waited next to the passenger door.

"Maybe we should just walk to my place Maur," Jane said as she tried to avoid looking at her friend.

Maura let out a frustrated laugh that lacked humour and frivolity and served as a clear warning to anyone nearby. "There is. No. way. I am walking like this to your condo, Jane. No. Way." Maura raised her hand to jab her finger on the roof of the Jane's squad car. "Get in this car Detective. And drive me to get a shower and clean clothes." Jane leaned back, thrown by Maura's temper. Maura gritted her teeth at Jane's lack of movement. "NOW. Rizzoli."

Jane ran to the driver door, fumbling with her keys and the handle. "Shiiiiit" Jane mumbled to herself as she got in and started the car. Maura slipped in beside her. Silent. Seething. Embarrassed. She tried to sit as demurely as she could, given her state of duress and appearance. "We will just go to my place. Okay, Maur?" Silence. "It is much closer," Silence. Jane risked a glance at Maura who was staring ahead. "We could get you cleaned up much faster." Silence. Jane resigned to be quiet and just take Maura to her condo. She resolved that once they got her place, if Maura wanted to leave then Jane would take her.

Although the trip was short, it seemed like a whole day had passed with the cold air that radiated from the Medical Examiner. During the drive, each time Jane glanced at the ME, she had to bite her lip to stop from laughing at Maura's attempt to look beautiful. You would think with all that crap on her, that she wouldn't look so damn good. But she is just adorable. Fuck. Get it together Rizzoli. Jane thought as she parked the car. Maura removed her shoes in the car before she exited the vehicle and mumbled about not having time to find better footwear while she carried them upstairs to Jane's condo.

X

X

"Well Jane?" Maura said.

"Uuuuuuhhhhhh. No?" Jane said as she fidgeted. Maura sighed and walked towards the bathroom, closing it quickly. Jane followed close behind, unsure how to proceed. The last time Maura was this angry at her it tore them apart. I have to fix this, Jane thought, I can't lose her again. Jane leaned against the bathroom door and sank to the ground. She rubbed her hands together and rested her head on the frame. "I'm really sorry Maur." Jane said. She heard a sniffle through the door and her heart ached a little more. "I shouldn't have laughed Maura. But you gotta admit it was kinda funny."

"No it wasn't Jane." Maura said as she blew her nose.

"C'mon Maur, if it was me or if it wasn't with anyone else around…" Jane trailed off as she realised why Maura was so upset. Fuck. She thought. Her minions. That's why. They laughed AT her. Those fucking bastards. "Maur… listen…. "Jane turned and pressed her palm and forehead to the door. "I know your worker bees respect you okay. They were probably just laughing to fit in ya know." Maura sniffled again. "Cause of the cops and shit. Only I get to laugh. Okay. I will say something to 'em. Especially the cops, alright." Jane said.

"Why do you get to laugh?"

"Well, 'cause it's me Maur. We laugh at each other all the time. You're my best friend, Maur. We're family. Only family can make fun of family."

Jane fell forward as Maura opened the door and sniffled. "Thank you Jane," Maura said as she reached out to help up the sprawling Detective. Maura tried to bring her in for a hug, but Jane hesitated and screwed up her face

"Uh, as much as I love you Maur, I uh… I don't want that gunk on me." Jane said as she pointed up and down Maura's body.

"Really Jane, are you calling my body 'gunk'?" Maura said with a smirk. She was aware of what Jane had meant, but wanted to see the detective squirm just a little more before she forgave her.

Jane, completely caught off guard stammered "No... You're… f.f… hot. Maur…. Your clothes… um… gunk… Take your clothes off first and we can hug it out okay." Jane said as she stepped back, turned away to leave and pushed her hair out of her face. Maura's head tilted at the response from Jane and tried to suppress a coy smile and hide her blush.

"Okay, Jane. I will be naked though…"

Jane spun back around to face the M.E her eyes wide as she looked up and down Maura's body. "Uhhh… top draw." Jane said as she gulped and pointed to her bed side dresser.

"Sorry?" Maura said.

"The top draw. You can use anything in there, the underwear has never been used. And you can wear any of my other clothes in the …uh... the…um..." Jane struggled to find the correct word as she pointed to her closet. Maura understanding and amused by Jane's nervousness, nodded her head.

"Of course. Thank you Jane" she said as she turned around and closed the door.

Jane stood there frozen in place pointing at her closet door until she heard the shower turn on. "Closet" she said finally. She lowered her hand and headed out to the kitchen to make some breakfast and more than anything else, some coffee. I'm gonna need my brains on if I'm gonna pull it together and not fuck up in front of Maura. Jesus why does she have to be so fucking beautiful. All. The. Fucking. Time?! Jane thought. She rummaged through her cupboards and discovered that she didn't have anything she would deem good enough to feed Maura. Let alone food that would make her feel better. She decided to go to her neighborhood cafe and grab Maura appropriate food and coffee. Jane glanced to the small dog who was sitting quietly in her dog basket. "Guard Maura, Jo" she said as she ran out of the condo.

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Jane placed the fresh muffins and coffee on the kitchen bench and yelled, "Breakfast and coffee are ready Maur!" Jane walked to the lounge and bent over the back of the couch to pat Jo Friday. "Good job girl," Jane said praising the little dog for keeping her friend safe.

"Sorry I took so long, I had to wash a few times to feel clean" Maura called out as she opened the bathroom door. Wrapped in a towel, she walked into Jane's room. "I will just find something to wear and be right out."

"Okay Maur" Jane said as she walked back over to the procured items and took a sip of her coffee. She organised the food onto plates and placed Maura's coffee near her muffin, sat down and waited.

Jane sat at the counter. Her chin rested on her palm as fingers tapped a beat on the bench. After a time, Jane looked sideways at Maura's coffee. She had long since finished her own coffee and Maura's had cooled. "God Woman," Jane said into her hand. "It's just MY clothes dammit, not a fashion show." Jane released a pent up breath and blew away some hair that had fallen in front of her face. She had run out of patience. She stood up and walked to her room to see what was taking Maura so long, tapped on the door and walked in. "Hey Maur, every…" Jane said. Her breathe caught and stopped her mid-sentence. Her hands gripped the door frame behind her as she took in Maura's form. The Medical examiner was sitting on the edge of Jane's bed looking at a set of photos with nothing but a white tank top and a pair of red briefs. Jane swallowed. "Uhh… couldn't find any suitable clothes Maura?" Jane said as she tried to regain her composure.

Maura hadn't heard Jane knock or enter, turned her head towards Jane and looked up at her with wide bloodshot eyes. Her hands gripped the timber frame, holding the photo set in it tighter. Her jaw clenched and she swallowed as she stared at the immobile detective. For a few moments neither was sure of how to proceed. Maura's head tilted, her eyes softened and her lips curled upwards at the side in forced smile. She looked back down at the frame in her hand for a moment.

Her voice cracked as she spoke, "Jane." She cleared her throat and tried again and pointed to the woman who was occupying the photos with Jane. "Jane, who is this?" Jane, who hadn't let go of the door frame, glanced at the pictures and registered what Maura was holding. She closed her eyes and released a small breath. "Jane?" Maura said.

Jane looked up at Maura and bit her lip. "Amber," Jane said. She let go of the door and walked over to her closet. "Now how about we find you some clothes."

"No, who IS she Jane?" Maura said as she ran her finger along the happy jawline of uniformed Officer Jane Rizzoli. She was looking at the camera, laughing with her arm wrapped around the waist of a blonde woman. A blonde woman who was kissing her cheek. Maura then looked at another photo in the frame of Jane and the blonde in Red Sox hats and jerseys. Jane was trying to put a foam finger up the blonde's nose. Her other arm was wrapped around the blonde's shoulder, pulling her tight against Jane's body. Both were leaning back mouths open wide and eyes full of mirth. Then the next photo, both were at a park sitting on a blanket. Jane was sitting behind the blonde, with her head resting on her shoulder. Her legs either side of the woman, her arms wrapped around her tight.

Jane turned around, fear and trepidation written on her face. She hesitated before she went over and stood next to where Maura sat on the bed. She reached for the frame and gently took it off Maura who was reluctant to release it from her grasp. "How did you find this Maura?"

Maura fidgeted with her hands, rubbing them together and over each other. "I... I didn't mean to," Maura said. She looked back at the draw she had pulled the photo set from, and recalled the shock and pain she had felt since she found them. She hadn't meant to find anything Jane had been hiding. Jane told her to look in the draws for clean and unused underwear. She hadn't particularly liked the selection she had been presented with, so she had searched further into the draw. Pulling out most of its contents until she landed on a red pair of briefs. They were very unlike Jane. This had caused initial curiosity which had only been heightened when a photo frame had been wrapped underneath them. She put on the underwear, and a tank top she had located in her excavation of the draw, and turned the frame over.

Her heart felt like it had broken. Her legs crumbled and she landed on the bed. The implication of what the photos in the frame presented her with forced her eyes to well from the pain and the tears to dig themselves a path down her delicate cheeks. Maura's breath had become hard and ragged while she examined, in close detail, all the aspects of the photos and the possible outcomes they could mean. She tried hard to reach a different conclusion. But they had all led to one. Jane had been in a romantic relationship with this woman. Why hadn't Jane told her? And more importantly, If Jane was attracted to women, why wasn't she attracted to her?

Maura's breath became erratic. Her legs found the strength they had lost earlier. She had to get out of here. She stood up to leave.

Jane released a sigh as Maura moved towards the door. She started to move but stopped when her eyes were drawn down to Maura's backside and the script on the briefs she was wearing. A single word. 'HONEY'. Jane groaned "Fuck". One hand came up to her chest as the other reached for Maura. Darkness surrounded her vision and continued to shrink until all she saw was that word on Maura's rear. Unable to breathe or hold her weight anymore she sunk to the ground. Maura was pulled on top of Jane. The shriek of surprise that left Maura turned into a gasp of worry as she saw Jane's panicked demeanour.

"Jane? Are you okay?" Maura said as she manoeuvred herself off Jane and checked her vital signs.

"Air" Jane said

"I'm sorry?" Maura said as she turned Jane's face to look at hers.

"Air, I need some air Maura." Maura let go of Jane's face and stood up.

"I see, yes. Okay." Maura said. Her hands moved randomly through her hair.

"And water. Please?"

"Yes. Yes. Of course" Maura said. Jane pushed herself, back first, to the wall and rested her head on it. When Maura returned and passed her a glass of water, she took a sip then patted the ground next to her. An invitation that was promptly accepted. They sat in silence. Jane finished her water and began fiddling with the class. Maura sighed and removed it from Jane's grasp. She twisted and sat the glass away from Jane.

"Amber." Jane said.

"Amber" Maura repeated and looked down at her hands.

"They were a birthday gift from her." Maura turned towards Jane and looked all over Jane's face for a hint of what she was referring to. But she found none.

"What was?" Maura said.

"The panties you're wearing."

"Oh" Maura looked down at the briefs. "I didn't think they were something you would buy."

"They were a joke gift." Jane looked up towards the bed where the frame sat.

"I see."

"She was my first love." Jane said. Maura sat silent. Her nostrils flared and her eyes closed in resignation.

"Well technically Jackie Androssia was my first love. But as soon as she broke my yellow crayon it was SO over." Jane said, her husky chuckle echoed through the bedroom. Maura smiled at Jane's attempt to lighten the mood.

"So, what happened?" Maura said. She tried to prepare herself for the answer and to be supportive, even though this was all breaking her heart. But in love with Jane or not, she was her best friend and was determined to be there for her.

Jane looked to the side, and took a deep breath, and released it in a sigh. "She made me choose."

"Choose?"

"Yeah."

Maura chuckled, this is so Jane, she thought. Always a struggle to get her to open up. They looked at each other as they both chuckled. Jane's mouth turned into a playful and thankful smirk. After a few moments, Jane turned away.

"We met when I was a beat cop. And everything was great. I was so in love." Jane said. A fresh sigh escaped her as she fiddled with her hands, rubbing them together. "And then I made detective and transferred to vice. She didn't like the new danger I was in. She couldn't cope, I guess." Jane bought her knees up to her chest and laid her head on them to face Maura. She cleared her throat. "Anyway, she made me choose between my career and her. I told her that it was my career. I told her outside the precinct. Walked inside. Went to get a coffee" Jane's eyes softened. She looked Maura in the eyes, smiled. "And this strange woman, who thought I was diseased, put on gloves and offered to pay for me because Stanula the Hun wouldn't let me pay him later." Maura leaned her head against the wall and broke out in a loud laugh. "I believe she also told me I had a deficiency of some kind" Jane continued while she joined in laughter with Maura.

"It was Vitamin D Deficiency." Maura said. Jane's lifted her head and leaned back against the as a boisterous laugh burst from her.

"Yep. That's the one." She reached over with her right hand grabbed Maura's left. She held it firm and caressed it with her thumb. "So your coffee is like ice." Jane looked at her closet. "You should really finish getting dressed at some point… unless you plan on going back to the crime scene like that." Jane chuckled as she nodded toward Maura's lack of clothing.

"Can we just stay here for a little longer?" Maura said. Her voice was soft and lacked confidence.

"Yeah, of course Maur." Jane moved herself closer to Maura and rested her head on her friend's shoulder. She closed her eyes as her senses savoured the scent of Maura. It always brought her serenity and comfort. "You still smell like you" Jane mumbled.

Maura, whose eyes had also closed at the peace and comfort she drew from Jane, opened and she looked at Jane. Surprised and confused, she raised her eyebrow and titled her head. "I do?"

"Yeah, it's strange. I can smell my body wash on you. But you still smell like you."

"And how do I smell Jane?"

"Like… nice"

"Nice?" Maura said. Her eyes looked up in thought. "That's… not technically a smell Jane." Maura looked back at Jane. She tried to stop the smile that appeared on her face, but failed dismally. Jane stood up, put her hands out to Maura and helped her up.

"It is a smell Maura, 'cause that's how you smell." Jane took Maura's hand and led her to the closet. She opened the doors and rummaged inside.

Emboldened by the knowledge of Amber, Maura's eyes roamed up and down Jane's body. "What type of nice then?" She said, fishing for an answer show if Jane could be attracted to Maura.

Jane, caught off guard, responded honestly. "You know, sexy nice." Jane realised what she said and for a split second, froze. She grabbed the nearest pant suit, button up, socks and boots she had, spun and handed the objects to Maura. "Now, get dressed woman. We have a murder to solve," Jane said as she left a beaming Maura holding it all and she rushed out of the room.