Chapter 1

Christmas was just one and a half weeks away and the air was full of joy and cheer. The homicide unit was planning a Christmas party at the Dirty Robber, and Jane couldn't wait! She couldn't wait to hang out with the guys after work and party into the wee hours of the night… Yeah right, she actually couldn't wait to get gifts, and maybe steal a kiss from Maura under the mistletoe.

Jane looked up at the clock. It was almost quitting time. Fuck yes! It was Friday night and the much anticipated girls' night with Maura had arrived. They really didn't do much on their girl nights, just relaxed and watched movies together. Jane's phone buzzed just as Korsak walked up asking her a question about a cold case, so she had to put the text off until later.

After Korsak was content with Jane's answer she sat down and scrolled through her texts. She had three from Maura asking her to come down to her office. She got up and made her way to Maura's office. Jane knocked lightly on the door before coming in. The first thing she saw was a small bouquet of roses and a box of high class chocolates. The next thing she saw was this huge amazing smile on Maura's face. She'd never seen her smile so big before.

"Wow, nice! Someone sure loves you." Jane said as she moseyed over to the desk.

Maura bent down and smelled them. "These smell so wonderful, Jane."

Jane watched her for a moment. She smiled and waited for Maura to finish having her moment.

"Who sent these flowers?" Jane asked as she walked over to Maura's side of the desk and bent down to inhale the sweet aroma.

"I don't know," Maura smiled and winked at Jane.

Jane arched her brow, "Really?"

"Yes, really. I have no idea who sent these. But I do know whoever did send them know exactly what I like." She opened the box of chocolates and bit into one of the truffles.

Jane watched her eat the truffle, and the way her lips trembled when she wrapped them around the morsel made Jane's heart jump into her throat. And the way her tongue made sure that she savored every bit of the delicacy, holy crap, it made Jane quiver in places she had no idea a woman could ever make her quiver in.

Jane squeezed her eyes shut and shook off that sensation that crept up inside of her. Maura smiled at her.

"Please have some with me?" She said handing her the box.

Jane nodded and reached in and grabbed one. She popped the entire piece in her mouth and chewed. No slow seductive eating from her side. No sir.

"So you don't have a clue?" Jane said picking up the card and reading it. "Ian maybe?"

Maura shook her head negatively. "No, this is definitely not him. He's more creative." Maura smiled as her mind began to escape to another place. "I wonder if it was him."

"Oh, okay." Jane said as she sat down on Maura's couch. "So what did you call me down here for?"

"Oh, that's right," Maura said walking over and sitting next her. "It's about tonight. I need to reschedule, Jane. I'm so sorry."

"What? Why?" Jane didn't try to hide her disappointment.

"I'm sorry; I need to perform a service for the Governor this evening." Maura said softly.

Jane smiled and nodded. "I understand, duty calls." She got up from her seat and walked over to the roses. "These are really pretty." She grabbed another chocolate and headed for the door.

"Jane, wait."

She paused before leaving, turning slowly to face her. "Yes?"

"Are you angry with me?"

She shook her head negatively, "No, not angry… Disappointed because we aren't hanging tonight, that's all."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I understand. The Governor is a hell of a lot more important than I am."

"Jane…" Maura sighed. "Please don't be like this."

"Like what?" I'm fine, Maura." Jane held Maura's gaze for a few seconds. "I'm really happy you got those flowers. You deserve them. I'm headed home. I'll see you tomorrow sometime."

Maura nodded and gave a half smile. She knew she'd disappointed Jane and that was the last thing that she wanted to do.

"I'll call you later," Maura said.

Jane smiled nodded. And then she held her arms open to Maura. "Come here."

Maura took no time at all embracing her. Jane pulled her close to her and kissed the top of her head. "You owe me."

"I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Uh huh, I know you will." She tipped Maura's chin and left the morgue.

Later that evening…

Maura was just finishing up her report for the Governor, when she looked down at her watch.

"God damn it." She groaned. She was so irritated. She could have been lounging on the couch with Jane rather than mulling over this fucking paperwork, which could have waited until Monday! She checked her phone. Jane hadn't called or texted or sent silly selfies all night. She wondered what she could be doing, or if she was simply in the bed sleeping.

The second she placed her phone down on her desk, it chimed with a generic text message. She picked it up and examined it. She didn't recognize the number and it hadn't been saved in her contacts. She opened the message.

Did you like your gift?

Maura frowned and then smiled.

Maura: Who is this?

Your secret admirer

Maura actually blushed a little bit.

Maura: How did you get my number? Do I know you?

There was no answer for a long while. Ten minutes actually.

Maura: Hello? How did you get my number?

We have a mutual friend…

Maura: Who is our mutual friend?

For some odd reason, Maura was enjoying this light banter with this unknown person. Having a secret admirer made her feel like a school girl again.

You know I can't say.

Maura: How do I know you are real?

The roses and chocolates should be proof enough. I'm going to send you something every day until Christmas.

Maura: This is creepy

I know it must be, but I promise you, I mean you know harm. I'm in love with you.

Maura frowned at the phone and against better judgement decided to continue the conversation.

Maura: You're in love with me? I don't even know you.

Yes, actually you do…

Maura: I do? Who are you?

There was not another response. Maura stared at her phone for a long while before deciding to pack up her things and go home. It was definitely creepy, but flattering all the same. This had to be Ian playing tricks with her. The thought that it could be Ian made her feel giddy, but she really hoped it wasn't him. Not now…

Maura made it home a little after midnight. Her whole night was shot to hell. She missed Jane so much. Had she kept their date, she would more than likely be cuddled up with Jane right about now, without a worry in the world. Times like these are when she wished that she wasn't needed by everyone. She just wanted relax and have a normal life, whatever that was.

She went into the kitchen, put the roses on the island and grabbed a glass full of wine. She sipped on it, secretly wishing that she was not alone tonight. She sighed heavily and retrieved her phone; scrolling through her texts with her admirer. She wanted to know who this person was so she dialed the number of her admirer.

It rang.

And rang, and then went into voicemail. An electronic greeting greeted her and she waited a few minutes in silence before hanging up the phone. She wanted him to know that she had called... She really didn't think he was going to answer, but she gave it a try anyway.

She swallowed the last bit of her wine and dialed Jane. To her surprise, she heard ringtone ringing from down the hallway.

"What the hell?" she said softly as she walked in the direction of the ring. As she pushed open the door of the guest bedroom, she chuckled lightly. Jane had come over anyway and was now knocked out in the guest bed. Her solid breaths were even and deep. She was definitely sleeping really good.

Maura smiled and slipped off her shoes. Then she quietly crawled onto the bed and lay beside Jane. She adjusted her pillow and relaxed her head onto it. She sighed deeply, relieved that she did not have to be alone tonight. She pulled the covers over her and started to move closer to Jane.

Jane never stirred but Maura could tell that she was now awake. She tried to be stealthy, but Jane was a light sleeper at times; especially when she slept alone. Maura closed the distance between them and put her arm around her, spooning her gently as she rested her head near the nape of Jane's neck. She resisted the urge to caress her neck with her lips.

She and Jane had grown closer over the past few months of girls' night outs. Most times than not, they'd end their nights just like this. Neither one of them wanted to put a label on what they had. They had a friendship that was blossoming into something a lot more. Oftentimes, Maura wanted to pull away because it scared the hell out of her, these unfamiliar feelings, but Jane somehow would always pulled her back to her. Maura felt so drawn to Jane, and she couldn't even explain it.

Today when she had to cancel the date, she felt horrible, because she knew that Jane was looking forward to it… Just like she was. Oh, and this secret admirer stuff completely caught Maura off guard.

Geez, she hoped it wasn't Ian about to pop back into her life. He'd really mess up what she had going on here. But what exactly did she have going on here?

"What are you thinking about?" Jane said sleepily, "I can literally hear your wheels turning."

Maura chuckled softly. "No, you can't. It's virtually impossible for you to hear my thoughts processing."

Jane groaned, "It was a joke, Maur…" Jane leaned back against Maura. "You're so literal."

Oh, how she loved how she felt! She inhaled deeply as the scent of Jane's recently washed hair filled her nostrils. "New shampoo?" she asked.

"Nope, just haven't used it yet."

"Oh," Maura said pressing her face into Jane's hair again, "It smells nice."

"Thanks." Jane moved her head to the side and relaxed into the pillow.

Maura wished that she had the courage to kiss Jane. They'd already eliminated the personal space boundary. One day, she'd feel like it was the perfect time. Since neither one of them labeled it, it was confusing as to what it was that they did have.

Was she just a cuddle buddy, or were these cuddling sessions a fore gleam of the things to come?

"Is something bothering you?" Jane asked.

Jane was always so intuitive. Maura couldn't keep secrets even if she tried. That's why she knew that Jane had to have known how she felt about her. So why wouldn't she ever breach the subject with her?

"Sort of, yes."

"Is it about your secret admirer?" Jane turned over to face Maura. "Did you find out who it was?"

Maura gazed at Jane's perfect face for what seemed like hours and then she slowly shook her head. "No, but I spoke to him."

Jane's eyes widened. "You did?"

"Yes."

"Oh, do tell. What did he say? What did you say?"

Maura really didn't want to talk about it. She just wanted to sleep in Jane's arms. She sighed.

"I just asked who he was, and he said that I knew him, and…" her voice trailed off.

Jane waited for Maura to finish her sentence, but when she didn't she had to prod her a little.

"And what?" A silly smile crossed her face.

Maura met Jane's smile with a frown, "He said that he was in love with me."

Maura watched Jane's smile disappear from her face. "Oh, wow… I betcha it's your handsome delectable Doctor Ian." She did her best Australian accent, but failed miserably.

"Well, if it is him, I don't care. I don't need a secret admirer."

"Of course you don't need one. But it's nice to have one, you know. Someone to give you attention, buy shit for you, and stuff like that. Have fun with it, Maur."

"We haven't done too well with admirers, now have we? Last ones you and I both had tried to murder us."

They shared a laugh. "Oh, yeah, that is right." Jane agreed. "This one might not be so bad."

Maura just nodded. "I'm sleepy. Let's get some sleep."

Jane smiled and pulled her into her arms. "Good idea." Jane sensed that Maura no longer wanted to talk about the secret admirer, so she let it be.

"Goodnight Jane."

"Good night, Maur…"

Maura awakened to her cell phone chiming with messages. She turned over to find that Jane was not in the bed.

"Jane?"

No answer.

Maura squinted at the screen and saw that it was nearly 9 am. "Christ!" Maura said as she bolted out of bed. She went on a search for Jane but Jane was nowhere to be found.

"Jane?" She called out again, but Maura knew that Jane was not home.

Her cell phone chimed a "message waiting" reminder. She opened her messages:

Good morning, was the first one.

Did you sleep well last night?

Maura rubbed her eyes and rustled the tangles out of her hair as she sat down on the couch. She exited out of the messages and sat back against the couch, giving herself some time to wake up.

Five minutes later, another message:

Would you like today's gift?

Maura held her phone, she wanted to ignore him, but the temptation was too great.

Maura: Not if I don't know who you are.

Soon.

Maura: How soon? I don't feel comfortable accepting gifts from someone I do not know. How do I know you're not some psychopathic serial killer selecting me as your next victim?

I could never dream of hurting you.

Maura: Can we meet somewhere in public?

Not yet

Maura: Sorry, I'm not playing this game. I'm too old for games. Goodbye.

Maura placed her phone down on her knee, and sighed heavily. She really needed Jane right now.

"Where the hell is Jane?"

She picked up the phone and dialed her. The phone rang three times before she answered.

"Hey, Maur. What's up?" Jane answered.

"Hi. I just woke up, and I didn't see you here. I was just wondering if you're okay."

"Yeah, sorry. I had to do something for Ma this morning. I tried to wake you but you were down for the count." she laughed.

"Oh…" Maura replied blankly. She held the phone, not certain about what to say. "Are you coming back today?"

"If you want me to."

"Yes, I would like that." She sighed heavily.

"Ut oh, what's that big sigh for?" Jane asked.

Maura lowered her head, "Nothing."

"That's bull."

"I don't know, Jane. I'm just confused."

"About what?"

"As to why I miss you when we're not together. Because I know when I woke up this morning and you weren't here, it felt so wrong to wake up alone. What does that mean?"

Jane was silent on the other line for a moment. "I don't know. We've spent a lot of time together lately."

"Do we cuddle in bed just to be cuddling? Or is it something more between us?"

Maura heard Jane clear her throat softly on the other end, but she didn't answer immediately. She just held the phone, probably uncertain of how to answer.

"Are you sure you want to have this conversation over the phone?" Jane sighed.

"Very sure." Maura checked her emotions. She wanted to know how Jane felt about her. "Do you hold me because you want to or is it just because I'm a warm body lying next to you?"

Jane sighed heavily. "I hold you because it's what we both want and need at the time."

"You didn't answer the question, Jane." Maura's voice was level and warm. "Do we have something more?"

There was a long silence on Jane's end, and if Maura hadn't heard the sounds of the car and road, she would have thought that Jane had hung up.

"Yes, I believe we do."

Relief flushed over Maura's entire body. "I believe we do too."

"Do you really miss me when I'm not there?"

"Yes." She whispered into Jane's ear. "So very much."

She cleared her throat. "Well... I'm almost done. I'll be back there in a few."

"Okay, see you soon."

"Bye."

Maura couldn't believe she just made Jane talk about their situation. She'd thought about breaching the subject many times before, but was afraid of Jane's reaction. She reacted nothing like she thought she would. She was actually very forthcoming and open. Maura had no clue where she and Jane were headed but she certainly wanted to take that journey.

If only she could keep this admirer at bay, she'd be fine. Maura's brain began to run over possible culprits. Whoever it was had an intimate knowledge of what she liked, down to her favorite truffle middles. But who the fuck was it?

"We have a mutual friend, hmm…" Maura mused as she walked into the kitchen to gaze at the flowers. "Why did this have to happen now of all times?" She asked herself. She was referring to finally she and Jane had opened up the dialogue about what they had going on. Maura had to admit, the delivery of these flowers and appearance of the secret admirer definitely prompted her to press Jane for a discussion on their relationship.

Back in her office yesterday, she noticed something different about Jane when she saw the gifts. Maybe it was uneasiness or maybe it was jealousy. Whatever it was, Maura definitely noticed it and she didn't want to allow this type of anonymous flirting to ruin any progress that she and Jane were making in their unlabeled relationship.

She shook her head slowly. She knew Jane was the type to back away if she felt the need to do so. And the last thing that she wanted Jane to do was back away from her and their budding romance.

After careful consideration she decided she needed to avoid anything that could jeopardize her chance with Jane. She bent down and smelled the roses one last time before tossing them into the trash bin, after which she went off upstairs to shower.

She had just begun to enjoy her shower when she heard the doorbell ring.

"Are you serious?" She lamented as she turned the water off and slipped into her robe. She raced down the stairs to catch the door and ran straight into Jane. "Oh my gosh!" Maura nearly screamed as she bounced into Jane and slipped on her wet feet.

Jane caught her before she could fall to the ground, "Whoa, where's the fire?" She said laughing.

"The doorbell was ringing. Why didn't you just use your key?" Maura said as she pulled away from Jane, not realizing that her robe was open, exposing her water slicked naked body.

Jane's eyes fell upon her beauty as she watched the water droplets race down the contours of her breasts, and her flat abs, and her…Oh my, Maura looked heavenly. Jane stared at Maura's body the way a famished wolf would stare at its next meal. Jane swallowed hard as she forced her eyes upward back to Maura's.

"Um," Jane said as she looked into Maura's glistening hazel eyes. "It wasn't me. I had just got here, when the doorbell rang."

Maura frowned. "Who was it then?"

Jane shrugged her shoulders and pointed towards the kitchen. "Go see for yourself." She said as she sat down on the couch and flipped on the television set.

Maura stared at her for a moment, not sure if she should go to the kitchen. God, she hoped Ian wasn't in the kitchen. The last time he popped up, she ended up fucking him until she couldn't fuck him anymore.

"Who's in the kitchen?" Her voice trembled and she struggled to swallow the lump in her throat.

Jane must have noticed the difference in her tone or something because she looked up at her and frowned. "Maura, just go look in the kitchen."

Maura turned slowly and walked into the kitchen. Before she turned the corner, she turned slowly to look at Jane who was already watching at her. She couldn't decipher the look in Jane's eyes, but as soon as she entered into the kitchen she immediately knew what it meant.

There on the island, was another delivery. This time there were a dozen roses! Six of them were red, and six of them were blazing orange. They were absolutely stunning! Maura couldn't help but to smile at the beautifully arranged bouquet. She looked up just as Jane entered the kitchen. She lessened her smile and cleared her throat.

"Who delivered these?"

"The local flower guy down the street, I guess." Jane said coming to Maura side. "These are beautiful." She said softly.

"Yes they are." Maura couldn't stop smiling.

"Man, he's going all out, isn't he?"

Maura sighed, "I guess, Jane." She noticed the card sticking out of the bunch.

She opened the tiny envelope and pulled out the note:

Did these make you smile?
You think this is a game? Ok then, I'm in it to win it.
Because I want to win your heart.
Is that possible? With love all things are possible.

Maura looked up at Jane who was simply staring at her with her eyebrow crowned. "Well, what did it say?" Maura handed Jane the card and let her read it. "Well, that's just fucking stupid."

"You think so? I think it's romantic." She grinned.

"Really, Maur? Romantic?"

"Yes, really, I mean, it's so, I don't know… mysterious." Maura had momentarily been so wooed by her admirer that she failed to realize how awkward this probably made Jane feel. "I'm sorry, Jane. Maybe I shouldn't discuss this with you."

"Why not? Didn't I say earlier that I thought you should take advantage of it? Hell, you can get a whole bunch of free shit easily." Jane went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water and began swigging on it immediately.

Maura sighed and put the card down, "Jane…"

"Yep?"

"Are you angry?"

"No. Why would I be angry? I'm happy you're getting spoiled by your ex."

Maura moved closer to her, closing the distance slowly. She reached out and touched Jane's arms. "Jane, Ian is not sending them."

Jane frowned. "Oh? How do you know for sure?"

"I just know it's not him. These words are not his."

"Hmm," Jane said.

"Please don't be upset or angry or jealous because of this, Jane." Maura wrapped her arms around Jane's waist and pulled her into an embrace. "I'm so sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Jane said as she relaxed into Maura's embrace. "I'm just being a jealous idiot." She chuckled about it. "I mean, it's just an admirer, right?"

"Correct." Maura said as she pulled away from Jane and looked into her eyes. "It's just happened at the wrong time."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because of us. I don't want this to effect what we have."

Jane's expression changed to a sympathetic one, "Oh, Maur…" she sighed heavily. "I would never allow this to stand in the way of our relationship. You're my best friend, and hopefully if we play our cards right, what we have will develop into something more." Jane caressed Maura's soft cheek. "At least that's what I hope."

She reached up and held Jane's hands, "I'm going to find out who this is, I promise. I just don't want to hurt his feelings if he's put so much into showering me with gifts."

Jane nodded, "I understand, that's what makes you who you are. You're so fucking considerate." she leaned in slowly towards Maura.

Maura chuckled lightly and gazed at Jane. She wondered if Jane was getting closer because she wanted to kiss her or what. One thing was for certain. This whole thing with the secret admirer was causing Jane to become a hell of a lot bolder. And Maura liked that.

Jane closed the gap between their lips to mere centimeters. She was so close that Maura could feel Jane's breath on her lips, but for some odd reason she paused.

Maura looked up to see Jane's eyes fixed on her lips, "Don't tease me, please." A slight whimper came from Maura's mouth.

Jane's thumbs traced Maura's lips gently. "Your lips are so soft."

"Thank you," she exhaled. "Jane, please…" Maura shivered with desire.

A moment later, Jane took her lips in a passionate first kiss, sighing into it as Maura's tongue reached out and traced Jane's top lip, daring her to give her more. Seconds later, they found their rhythm as Jane took the dare and allowed Maura to French her. Jane picked her up and placed her on the island, as their kiss intensified.

There was so much passion, emotion, and fire packed behind that first kiss, that it was nearly breathtaking. Jane released her lips and traveled to her neck where she sucked it passionately. She knew she shouldn't have, but she felt impelled to place a firm love bite on Maura's neck. Maura froze as Jane placed her mark on her. Her fingers laced through Jane's hair, pulling it slightly.

"If you don't let go soon…" Maura gritted through her teeth, "I think you might give my musculus sternocleidomastoideus a contusion." It was painful and pleasurable at the same time.

Slowly Jane let go, and the heat of her kiss remained on Maura's neck as Maura reached up and placed her hand over the mark. They both looked at each other, their eyes saying so much more than they were comfortable saying to each other at the moment.

Maura swallowed hard and giggled lightly. "Wow."

"I waited way too long to do that." Jane said softly.

"We both did." Maura began to blush. Her emotions were all over the place.

Jane pointed at her neck. "I hope I didn't leave too bad of a mark."

"It'll be fine." Maura laughed as she hopped down off of the island. "I'm going to go finish my shower, I really need one now."

They shared a laugh and she kissed Jane softly on the cheek. "Thank you, Jane."

"For what?"

"For being you."

Maura left Jane standing there in the kitchen and went upstairs to shower. Jane had literally set her ass on fire with that kiss. And it was the only thing that she could really think about. As she showered however, thoughts about who could be sending her flowers crept into her mind. Whoever it was, was inadvertently assisting her relationship with Jane. If this hadn't happened, she wasn't sure how long either one of them would have waited before they shared their first kiss.

Just like a grain of sand, although irritating, eventually turns into a shimmering pearl, she wondered if this admirer would turn her and Jane's relationship into something spectacular.

Note: This is going to be a warm, romantic lighthearted story. If I write it right, that is. I hope you guys enjoy it as I push out the updates. Please tell me what you think about what I write.