There is something to be said for returning to the scene of the crime. The place where it all fell apart, the place where your life ceased to be what it once was.

The dinner at Maura's house was just that for Jane; the spot where everything changed, where she'd cowardly run away from Maura and her confession. She'd expected the house to feel foreign and changed in her absence, but the moment she stepped foot in the door she felt the same comfortable, warmth she'd always associated with Maura's home.

And that saddened her most of all.

Because the fact that she could feel so at ease yet be so far away from what they used to share felt like such a tease. To feel such fulfillment, yet still be miles from her true desire, torture.

In the end, Jane didn't regret attending Maura's dinner party; on the contrary, she felt like it gave her clarity. A better glimpse into the life Maura was currently leading. And as painful as it was, Jane could no longer write off Annabeth as a passing ship or a meaningless fling. No. This woman was a real contender, a threat, a firm barrier to the life Jane craved.

It wasn't as if Jane was ready to throw in the towel and move on, but knowing the status of Maura and Annabeth's relationship forced her to reevaluate. She sincerely wanted Maura to be happy, truly wanted Maura to love and be loved; it was just unbearably painful to realize that Maura could find that happiness somewhere else, with someone else. That she might never be the one to give that happiness to Maura.

Jane couldn't even say she hated Annabeth. Yes, the woman was where she wanted to be, but Annabeth was witty, and smart, and lovely. Everything Maura deserved in a partner. Everything Jane wished she could be the one to give Maura.

Yes, Annabeth seemed like the ideal match for Maura, but the one thing that gave Jane pause, the one thing that implored her to stay and fight for Maura, was the Doctor's noticeable discomfort throughout the dinner.

At first Jane believed it was directed at her, but the more she observed Maura the more she wanted to think it was directed at Annabeth. The flinching at every touch, the hives, the stuttering and stumbling over her words. That certainly wasn't the Maura Isles Jane knew, and Maura hadn't acted that way when the two spent time together since her return.

And what about the whole choking episode? It didn't take a detective to notice that Maura happened to choke on her food the moment Annabeth mentioned moving to Boston.

All these little things alone could mean nothing. Could mean Maura was just having an uncomfortable moment, or dinner, or night, but added together Jane thought she was on to something.

In her mind, Jane wanted to believe she still had a chance with Maura, but in reality she had no idea if she was making progress with the Doctor or if she was losing ground. She had no idea if Maura acted the way she did because she was uncomfortable with Annabeth or because she realized once the dinner started that she should never have asked Jane to come over in the first place.

Maybe, just maybe, Maura was realizing she should never have invited Jane back into her life.

And in the quiet of her apartment, with nothing to do but overanalyze and speculate, Jane was beginning to lose hope. Beginning to resign herself to the fact that maybe things would never go her way. Maybe she and Maura missed their chance, or worse, maybe they were never meant to be at all.

Though Jane would shoot herself again before admitting it out loud she was thankful that her presence was required at Sunday dinner this week. It gave her something to do other than sulk in her apartment and it was a welcome distraction from her persistent thoughts about Maura. Well, at least in theory.

She was also relieved that her family seemed to have taken her back with open arms after everything she put them through.

Jane could smell the ravioli cooking on her way up the steps to her mother's new apartment. Technically she wasn't really cleared to be walking up stairs, but screw doctor's orders. She was tired of feeling like an invalid, and if 24 steps could do her in there was no hope left for her.

At the top of the stairs the door was unlocked, and as she pushed it open she was instantly met with the sight of her immediate and extended families. Her mother bustling around the kitchen, her brothers and Korsak with the Red Sox game on lounging on the couch, Lydia and TJ playing quietly on the floor. While Jane wasn't an overly emotional person, the sight made her feel a little misty.

That sentimental moment was short-lived however, as a loud burp from Tommy snapped her out of her reverie.

"Thomas!" Lydia and Angela scolded at the same time, while Frankie high fived him and Korsak just shook his head.

Her mother was the first to see her standing in the doorway, "Oh Jane! Nice of you to join us."

Jane returned her mother's steely glare, "And nice to see you too, Ma."

The detective went around the room greeting all of her family, spending extra time tickling her nephew and blowing raspberries on his stomach. No matter what she thought of Lydia she had to admit that the woman made a pretty cute kid.

The dinner conversation was light, and for a while Jane was allowed to forget about her injury, her worries, her...thoughts about a certain medical examiner. Even though her family could be overwhelming it was nice to be a part of something again, nice to feel like she belonged. Nearly everyday she was away from Boston she craved this connection, this unwavering support that her family gave so freely. Yes, her mother meddled and her brothers annoyed her in the way younger siblings often do, but the guarantee of love and support vastly outweighed the negative.

"So Janie," Korsak wiped his beard with a napkin, "Cavanaugh tells me you're probably getting cleared for light duty this week?"

Jane didn't miss the disapproving tilt of the head from her mother, or the bright smile from Frankie, at Korsak's words.

Jane shrugged, "We'll see." Superstition, and experience from previous injuries, prevented Jane from getting her hopes up until it was in writing.

"Her appointment with Dr. Greer is on Monday, and she will see the department doctor on Wednesday," Angela stated with a note of annoyance in her voice.

Jane gives her mother a questioning look, she didn't remember giving her that much detail, but maybe she did. "Yea. Mallory, Dr. Greer, said she would come see the department doc with me if she clears me on Monday. You know, just to answer any questions BPD might have about my treatment and recovery. She said it sometimes speeds up the process."

"I know," Angela huffed, "I invited her to lunch at the café on Wednesday."

Jane paused, fork in midair, "What?"

Frankie and Tommy exchanged a look as they began shoveling their food into their mouths, taking great care to keep their eyes downcast. No good could come from getting between the two Rizzoli women when they were about to spar.

"I called her last week to make sure you were doing everything you're supposed to be doing for your recovery, and she told me about your appointment on Wednesday, and I thought it would just be a nice way to thank her for taking such good care of you."

Jane dropped her fork and it clattered as it hit her plate, "Ma! I'm not five anymore! You can't just go around harassing my doctor."

Angela scoffed, "I was not harassing her, I was making sure your stubbornness didn't get you into even more trouble."

"Oh my god, Ma. Really?! You are so ridiculous. I'm almost 40 years old and my mommy is calling my doctor."

Tommy and Frankie tried and failed to hide their amusement, Jane shot them a look that shut them up. She massaged her temples as she willed herself to stay calm.

Angela got up from the table with a disapproving shake of her head, "Well excuse me for caring about my only daughter's health and wellbeing."

"Ma! There is a fine line between caring and meddling and you passed that line about 50 miles ago."

Angela ignored the comment; Jane knew her mother didn't think things like personal boundaries applied to her. She could only imagine what Mallory must think of her after her mother's antics.

Dessert was served and the topic moved to family dessert recipes and the story of that one time Jane almost burned down the house while trying to surprise her mother with her Oma's famous oatmeal raisin cookies.

Jane's appointment with Dr. Greer on Monday went well, though the other woman did scold her for not taking it as easy as she was instructed. The detective apologized profusely for her mother's conduct, but Mallory waved her off, stating that she has an overbearing mother herself.

On Wednesday Jane was greeted at the department doctor's office by a dressed down Mallory Greer. In her street clothes Mallory looked like a completely different woman: effortlessly stylish, fresh-faced, and naturally beautiful.

Jane found the more time she spent with Mallory, the more she liked her, the more she could see why Maura reached out to her in Jane's time of need. She was incredibly smart, not unlike the medical examiner, passionate about her job, and thorough with her patients.

The women chatted easily before and during Jane's visit with the department doctor, and with Mallory's help Jane was told that she'd be able to start light duty (i.e. desk duty) beginning Monday. Not ideal, but Jane figured anything that got her out of the house and back in BPD was better than nothing.

Jane and Mallory made their way to the BPD café where Angela gently interrogated Mallory about Jane's limitations before Jane waved her off with their lunch orders.

The conversation again flowed between Jane and Mallory as they waited and subsequently received their lunch orders. Mallory told Jane more about her own overbearing mother, the fact that she also had two younger brothers, and had also lived in Boston her entire life. They realized they both played in the same softball league as children and had some mutual acquaintances in common.

Eventually the topic turned to Maura. They took turns recounting how they met her and a funny story here or there. Jane could tell Mallory respected Maura (professionally and personally) just as much as she did, and that made her like this woman even more.

Mallory laughed as Jane finished telling her about the time she and Maura had gone under cover to break up the high-end prostitution ring, "You seem really enamored with Maura, how long have you two been together?"

Jane almost choked on her water as she stuttered, "Oh...uh, Maura and I aren't together."

"Really? I just thought…as close as the two of you are, and the way you talk about one another...the way she reacted when you were injured… Well, this is embarrassing. I guess that's what they say about assuming."

Jane smirked as she nodded, "We're just friends. Close friends," she finished, taking another bite of her lunch.

Mallory was silent for a few moments before she resolutely looked up at Jane. "Are you seeing anyone right now?"

Jane knew where this was going by the look in Mallory's eyes, "Uh no, no one at the moment."

Mallory smiled and looked down at her food, obviously gathering courage for what was coming next. She licked her lips before looking back at Jane, "I see. Well, since you're not seeing anyone, and you're officially not my patient any more…would you like to get dinner sometime?"

Knowing it was coming didn't lessen Jane's shock when the question actually came out of Mallory's mouth. The coy but amused look on the other woman's face made Jane's stomach flip in a not unpleasant way.

It wasn't that Jane didn't want to say yes. She absolutely did. Mallory was beautiful and smart, and interesting. They were compatible in similar ways she and Maura were compatible, and that made her feel very at home with the striking blonde sitting in front of her.

"I'm flattered, really," Jane saw the other woman's bright smile falter. "It's just that I recently got out of serious relationship and…I'm not sure I'm ready to wade back into the dating pool just yet."

All of this was true. She did end her engagement recently (ish) and she was damn sure she wasn't ready to just start dating again like nothing had happened. Like she wasn't still hopelessly in love with Maura. Like she wasn't still holding out hope that one day they could find a way to be together.

Mallory nodded her head seriously, "I can respect that." She paused and looked off into empty space, seeming to come up with a solution. "What if we don't call it a 'date'? What if we just say it's a chance to get to know one another better?"

Jane couldn't help but smile at the expectant look in Mallory's eyes. Her eyebrows raised, a pleased smirk on her face as she waited for Jane's answer. Her confidence and persistence was wildly attractive to the Detective, and for the first time since she returned to Boston Jane thought maybe she should try. Maybe she should be moving on, maybe Maura wanted that for her, and Mallory was even offering her a no-strings-attached way to try it out.

Mallory seemed to realize that Jane needed one last push to get her to agree, "I like you and I feel like we could have fun together. As friends...or whatever."

And since Jane couldn't think of a good reason why she shouldn't take this woman up on her offer she assented, "I think…I think I'd like that."

The smile Mallory sent her way could light up the Boston skyline; triumphant and exceedingly sexy. "So, are you free this Saturday?"

Out of the corner of her eye Jane saw a flash of blonde and abruptly Maura was standing right next to their table.

Maura's scent alone sent a shiver down Jane's spine as she tried to hide the blush from her body's betrayal behind her long, wavy locks.

"Free for what? Jane are you not healing properly? I know multiple medical professionals have told you to take it easy, but do you listen," the indignation in Maura's voice and the hands on her hips made Jane grin even wider as she turned in her chair to fully face the Doctor.

Mallory wiped her mouth with a napkin as she chuckled, "Actually our detective is healing right on schedule. Jane and I are just making date night plans, that is, if she's free?"

Jane felt panic course through her as Mallory finished her sentence, and internally grimaced as she watched Maura's face go from mild exasperation to utterly shattered in a matter of seconds.

"Oh…I, um…" Maura shook her head slightly and forced a small, hollow smile, "I apologize for interrupting, I'm just going to grab some coffee. Good to see you, Mallory," Maura threw her last sentence back as an afterthought as she quickly strode away.

Jane felt more dread rising within her the further Maura moved away, but why? Of course she didn't want to hurt Maura, but the Doctor was in a serious relationship. It wasn't as if Jane was choosing to go on a date with Mallory over Maura, Maura wasn't available. Maybe Maura acted that way because Mallory and Maura are friends? Either way she felt like it was something that needed to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Jane quickly excused herself from the table and followed Maura over to the corner cart that held the coffee carafes. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Even someone unfamiliar with Maura's inability to lie would have caught on to her deflection and discomfort. She refused to make eye contact with Jane as she busied herself with the coffee cart.

"Listen, I know you and Mallory are friends, and you and I are friends, so if it would be too weird for you if we hang out together…" Jane trailed off as Maura looked up at her in disbelief.

"Are you asking my permission to go on a date with Mallory?"

Jane wasn't sure how to respond to the look of incredulity on the Doctor's face, "It's not a date, Maura."

Maura didn't seem to hear Jane; and again seemed to find her coffee fascinating as she absently stirred it with one of the wooden coffee stirrers. Jane was about to comment on the birch wood after taste Maura was subjecting herself to when the Doctor quietly replied, "You and Mallory don't need my approval to date."

Jane was about to protest that they weren't "dating" and that of course she didn't need Maura's consent and that it wouldn't even be a date, but without another word Maura turned and hastily left the café. Jane thought about going after her, but remembered Mallory at the table. She rolled her shoulders as she walked back to rejoin the other woman, trying to understand Maura's reaction.

Everything Maura had done since Jane's return said friendship; she made it very clear by her words and actions that she was with Annabeth. Could she actually be jealous?

Jane sat back down at the table with Mallory, her head still swirling with possibilities, "Sorry, I was trying to her to join us but she has a pretty full day."

"I imagine that is the life of the Chief," Mallory replied with a grin.

Friday found Jane home alone in her apartment. Once again bored out of her mind, but looking forward to her "not date" with Mallory the next day. It would be nice to get out of her apartment and do something fun. It would also be nice to have a friend outside of work. No pressure, no strings, and maybe in time and when she was ready, she could see if there was something more between them.

A text arrived from Maura mid-afternoon stating, not asking, that she would be stopping by around 4:00pm. While it is always hard to decipher a person's mood through text message, years of experience with Maura made Jane pause at the way the text was worded. Detached, stony, like she was speaking to one of her underlings and not her friend. Jane was relieved that Maura was initiating contact after their awkward encounter two days prior, but also nervous as to what this new development meant to their friendship.

Jane knew that if Maura asked her not to see Mallory again she would oblige. She cared more about her friendship with Maura than any potential relationship (friendship or otherwise) with the Mallory, and Maura's reaction at the café spoke volumes about the medical examiner's discomfort with the idea.

Maura arrived with two grocery bags full of "healthy" food and her face set in a determined, clinical expression. She rambled on about Jane's need to improve her diet in order to help her body continue to heal as she unpacked the groceries and stored them in there proper place.

The Detective stood between her living room and kitchen, stunned and a little worried that Maura had yet to actually address her, or look at her for that matter.

Finally when the groceries were all put away Maura moved to stand in front of Jane, but still refused to make eye contact. Jane was busy studying the Doctor's body language, so she only heard the tail end of Maura's sentence insisting she get to inspect Jane's incision.

Maura went to move around to Jane's back, but the Detective stopped her movements by gently grasping her rigid shoulders.

"Maura," she firmly held the Doctor in place as she waited for her to make eye contact.

The long pause did nothing to coax Maura out of her current state, as she continued to stare down between them and absently spin her ring.

Jane's concern increased, "Hey, what's going on?"

After another long moment of silence Maura finally responded with a defeated sigh, "I'm trying to make sure you're healing properly."

"Well thank you, but you seem upset. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, what I want is to check your incision," Maura replied with an exasperated tone.

Jane's forehead creased in confusion, "Maura, it's okay, Mallory and the department doc already checked me out. I'm totally cleared for desk duty." Jane didn't miss the way Maura tensed when she said Mallory's name.

Maura backed away enough that Jane was forced to release her grip on the other woman's shoulders, "That may very well be true, but only I can tell if you're lying about your pain level."

The Detective couldn't help but smile. "Oh really," Jane chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Really," Maura droned back and finally met Jane's eyes with her own.

Jane sighed; she was always helpless when it came to those hazel eyes. "Fine," she resigned. "If it'll make you feel better."

She tried to give Maura a playful glare as the Doctor triumphantly moved around her to pull up the back her well-worn BPD shirt.

There was a slight hesitation before Jane finally felt Maura's hands make contact with her skin. She closed her eyes at the sensation as the heat of the Doctor's skin on hers traveled through her body.

Maura finished her gentle poking and prodding, seemingly satisfied by Jane's lack of reaction, but her hands lingered on the Detective's back. They first traced the newest scar to adorn the Detective's skin, and then moved lower on the Jane's torso to let her fingers smooth over the other prominent scar the two of them remembered so well.

Jane stood still, relishing in the Maura's touch, memories cascading forward, bringing her back to those moments that the two of them had shared. She wanted this to last forever, so afraid to move and inadvertently shake Maura back to reality and cause their time together, and this intimate encounter, to come to its inevitable end.

Maura's hands eventually fell away, but she didn't step back, didn't make any move to indicate discomfort at being so close.

Goosebumps rose over Jane's body as Maura's hot breath met the sensitive skin above her collar, the puffs sending shivers down her spine as they stirred the short hairs at the base of her neck. It was all Jane could focus on in that moment, her other senses seemingly dulled by the persistent exhalations and the knowledge of their origin.

Unable to endure the teasing contact any longer, Jane gently spun around to face the Doctor. Maura was so close, inches away, and doing nothing to increase the intimate proximity of their bodies. If anything she was leaning forward into Jane, her eyes wanting, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.

And that is why, despite the warning bells going off in her brain, Jane could not stop herself from leaning in closer; pushing the boundaries just a little bit more. The two remained that way for a long minute, both staring at the other's lips; Jane too afraid to look up into Maura's eyes and break the spell.

They probably stayed like that for only a few seconds, but it felt like hours, eons, before Maura closed the short distance between them and captured Jane's mouth with her own. Jane felt Maura waver at first, perhaps even begin to pull away; but all at once her mouth hungrily implored Jane. It was all Jane could do to stay conscious as their lips smoothly slid against one another for the first time.

Until this moment Jane always thought the description of seeing stars or fireworks when kissing your significant other seemed ridiculous, an exaggerated cliché designed to sell the idea of love to those reluctant in its pursuit. Yes, she always thought a kiss was just a kiss, but not any more, not after this. Fireworks, stars, maybe even a marching band were all around her, clouding her cognitive functions, consuming her with a pleasure she never believed was possible to receive from another person.

Jane was flying; her hands slowly reached up and cupped Maura's cheek, pulling the Doctor closer in her attempt to deepen the kiss. She was overcome with a desperate need to physically show Maura her love.

But just as suddenly as it all began it was over. Maura broke their kiss and moved away so quickly Jane questioned whether it had happened at all. Maybe it had just been a tormenting daydream, her mind teasing her with her ultimate desire.

"I…I have to go," Maura stammered as she hastily her grabbed her purse.

The flustered doctor bustled around Jane's apartment as the Detective stood motionless; her brain incapable of forming a rational thought as her eyes stayed trained on Maura's movements.

Maura paused after opening the door, looking back in Jane's direction, but not meeting her eyes, "I'll see you on Monday."

And with that she was gone.