"I don't know, Maur. Honestly. Sometimes I think yeah, maybe. Other times I'm just not sure. How do you know? Like, how did you know for sure it was something you would like to do?"

"Like to do? What do you mean?"

Jane picked at the label on the side of her beer as she contemplated briefly what she wanted to say. She had never talked about this with anyone but this is Maura. She was different. Taking another swallow of the liquid courage in her hand, she leaned forward to place it on the table in front of her. Rubbing at the scars on her hands, she let out a deep sigh. "What if you think that's what you want but then at...you know...go time, you just can't do it? How do you know you would like being with a woman if you never have before?"

"Well, who would you prefer to see naked? Vincent or Nina?" Maura smiled and batted her eyes

"Oh, good one Dr. Isles! Making jokes at my expense when I'm trying to be all deep" Jane reached over shoving her lightly as they both laughed.

"That was not even cool. Now I'm going to have nightmares of Korsak naked" the detective laughed taking another sip of her beer.

Maura waited a moment before answering. "For me it wasn't really difficult. I am attracted to people in general. I think for me it's more of a chemistry thing. Intercourse is just a natural progression of that attraction" She studied Jane for a moment as she continued to rub at her scars. It was a rare thing for Jane Rizzoli to talk about her feelings, especially involving sex. The M.E. knew she had to proceed cautiously to avoid Jane shutting the conversation down.

"What is it that you find intriguing about women that is causing these thoughts?" The doctor was working hard to control her breathing and her rising level of hope. She had known for quite a while now that she was slowly falling in love with her best friend but had actively locked those feelings away not knowing that there was a chance her feelings may eventually be returned.

Jane glanced up at her briefly before shaking her hands out and dropping them on her knees. Rubbing them on her thighs she looked at Maura thoughtfully. "Uh...a few things. I'm just not sure if it's like a normal thing women do. You know..like comparing themselves to women they see as attractive or if it's something more. Maybe it's just appreciating a woman's effort to take care of themselves, you know? I mean, I'm obviously not repulsed by men. It just feels like there is always something missing. That could be because I haven't found the right man yet though, right?"

"Perhaps. Have you ever thought of experimenting? " she asked, her eyes skimming over dark curls.

The brunette groaned and covered her face with her hands. Pressing her head back against the couch, she mumbled "That's pretty much the problem. Why are we even talking about this? Let's watch a documentary or something".

"Jane" the blonde cocked her head and smiled gently at her friend

"You aren't going to let this go, are you?" the detective groaned as she glanced at Maura noticing her arched brow. " It doesn't really matter, Maur. It's not going to happen. Even if I wanted to, which I'm not sure I do, there is no way to do it without potentially hurting someone or exposing myself to any number of crazy diseases. I can't just pick up someone at a bar. What if I get them all worked up then find out that I don't in fact want to touch them? That's gonna make them feel really good".

"What if you were able to explore in a situation where the other person knew exactly what to do and let you just do whatever you wanted?"

"Like a prostitute? Maura - I'm a cop!"

Jane watched in part fascination and part incredulous disbelief as Maura tilted her head back and laughed out loud. Her eyes took in the deep honey colored curls that lay gently on her shoulders, trickling down to her breasts. Jerking her gaze upwards again, she took in the tendons that stood out on that long beautiful neck and the flush on the doctor's cheeks as she ...mocked her..what? "Great! Now you're laughing at me! Look I'm just going to go, okay? Just forget we talked about this."

"No, Jane! Wait! I didn't mean a prostitute! I would never suggest that to anyone let alone a police detective." Maura grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down, still smiling. "I just meant a safe person in a safe environment where you could explore your feelings at your own pace".

Reaching forward she picked up Jane's bottle and pressed it into her hand again waiting until she sat back and took a sip. "Would it help you if I told you what I find attractive about a woman?" Maura spoke clearly but quietly.

Butterflies erupted inside of the detective. Glancing up and briefly meeting the doctor's eyes before looking away again, she smiled. "Is it our charming wit and dry humor?"

Laughing lightly, Maura reached out and gently shoved Jane's shoulder. "Initially, no." Maura let her gaze roam over her best friend as she contemplated what drew her to Jane. "It's the confidence they show when they enter the room. It's the muscles covered by smooth and soft skin." Maura barely seemed to notice that her hand was smoothing down Jane's bicep as she spoke, causing goosebumps to rise on the detective's skin. "It's the swell of a firm breast or the curve of their waist" Jane swallowed hard as her eyes met darkened hazel ones. She could feel moisture pooling in the seat of her jeans.

"It's the.."

"It's the way they look in a tight dress or the way they move in a pencil skirt that doesn't even reach their knees." Jane interrupted, turning to face the doctor more fully. "The shadow of their cleavage. The way their legs look in those ridiculous high heels." The detective smiles as she watches the grin stretch across Maura's face. They just look at each other for a moment, gathering comfort from their friendship.

"I love my heels, Jane. They are actually quite comfortable, not ridiculous in the least." She said, smiling and picking up her wine glass where it sat next to Jane's favorite beer. The brunette just grunted softly, smiling to herself.

Relaxing back into the cushions, Maura contemplated her friend. Hesitating briefly before replacing her glass, "Jane, let me do it" she said quickly before she could change her mind. Biting her lip she watched with wide eyes waiting to see Jane's reaction.

"Do what?" the detective responded, confused.

Maura chewed on her lip as her mind raced. Reaching for Jane's hand she gave it a tug. "Come upstairs with me, I want to show you something".

Still confused, Jane grabbed her beer and followed Maura to the kitchen where they deposited their drinks in the sink before heading upstairs. "Maur...what are we doing? I thought we were going to watch a movie?"

"This is more important. Just give me 10 minutes then, if you prefer, we can watch a movie instead." Maura said, biting her lip again at the possibilities that lay ahead knowing that it could go very badly but also knowing that if it went well, it would go very well.

Leaving Jane for a moment, Maura turned the light on in her walk-in closet returning shortly with three silk scarves that she deposited on her night stand. "Maura, what are you doing?" Jane questioned, looking at the scarves curiously.

The doctor picked up one of the scarves.

"Maur? What are you doing? What are these for?"

Running the silky material of the scarf through her fingers she looked at Jane, her eyes silently pleading. Chewing on her bottom lip again, she thought about what she wanted to say.

"Maura?" Jane reached for her wrist and pulled her towards her. Seeing her anxiety, the brunette tried desperately to piece the puzzle of the last 20 minutes together. Thinking over their conversation, her eyes widened as understanding dawned. Seeing this, Maura quickly tried to explain. "Please, Jane. I want to do this for you. Just listen to me for a minute, ok? Please?" Maura looked at her with her head tilted slightly and a look of such honest pleading that Jane swallowed her response down. Nodding her head, she indicated for the doctor to continue.

Licking her lips, Maura continued. "You want to know if you are really attracted to women. I'm here, Jane. You can trust me. I want to do this for you. That is...if you think that I'm attractive enough. I want you to be comfortable. These are for you to use, if using them will make you feel more secure in your explorations. You can blindfold me so I can't see you or what you are doing, tie my hands me so I can't touch you until you're ready, silence me so I can't call your name...whatever you need Jane, I'm here. Tonight, I am yours if you want me. Then tomorrow, if you choose, we can act like none of this ever happened. Please, Jane"

The brunette stared at her for a long moment as the blonde searched her face for any clue to what she was thinking. Pushing her back slightly, Jane stood up, watching carefully as Maura's face fell before she quickly schooled her features.

Twisting a scarf tightly in her hands, Maura tried to mask her pain at the rejection and put on a bright smile. "Ok, well we can always just watch a movie then. I think it's your night to pick?

Ignoring Maura as she began to prattle on about a documentary she had recorded, Jane gently unwound the scarf from where it was wrapped around Maura's hand. Moving behind the blonde, she had lifted it over her head and was busy securing it around the doctor's neck before Maura realized what was happening and stopped talking. Jane's pulse rate was through the roof as she moved the scarf until it covered Maura's eyes. Making sure it was tied snugly, she moved to stand in front of the M.E. again.

"Jane?" Maura questioned breathlessly before feeling one lone finger press against her lips. She shivered as Jane leaned in close and whispered huskily in her ear, "shh...no talking or I will have to use another scarf". Maura bit back a moan as moisture rushed to her core.