Hey there,

I know I'm supposed to continue 1888, and I have everything mostly planned out, and it'll be fun and sexy, but the task is a little daunting. So here's a quickie, maybe 2-3 chapters.

Maura loaded the last plate into the dishwasher and pushed the door shut. She walked back to the counter, and picked up the glass that Jane had just refilled with the 1997 Bordeaux she had uncorked for the occasion. She sat on the stool across the corner from her best friend.

"I can't believe how naive I was, falling for his story about his parent's perfect marriage, blah blah blah... Ugh!"

She took a sip, let the fine vintage infuse her mouth and nose, and put her glass down, her head hanging low.

Jane looked down into the neck of her beer bottle. "Because he was pretty?"

"He did have nice eyes..."

"They were small and squinty, like the ones of a serial killer!" Jane said theatrically.

Maura's jaw dropped in a dramatic gasp. "Stop!"

The detective laughed and put a hand on Maura's arm. "Maura, you couldn't have known."

Maura sighed and covered Jane's hand with her own. "Well, thank you for saving my life. Again."

Jane's eyes went soft. "Anytime. For a nice dinner and a sleepover, I'd do it all over again."

Maura chuckled. "I'd be happy to cook for you and tuck you in everyday for the rest of our lives, if that's all it takes to make you happy."

Her words hung in the air for an uncomfortable few seconds. Maura lowered her eyes when she realized what she had just said. Her stomach clenched in a tight knot.

"I bet you say that to all your best friends." Jane offered, in an attempt to relieve the tension.

Maura didn't catch the joke. "I don't. I mean it." Her face showed her embarrassment, but she couldn't lie.

"I know. Thank you," the brunette said softly.

They smiled at each other.

"Ready for bed?" Maura asked, getting up.

Jane rolled her eyes and laughed. "Jesus! Stop flirting with me!"

Maura chuckled and emptied her glass in the sink. "Why? Is it working?"

Jane paused, taken aback by Maura's joke. She stood up.

"You wish," she said too softly, too late. Maura sensed the shift. She slowly stepped in front of the detective, forcing her back against the counter.

"Jane..." She looked up at her friend, her eyes capturing Jane's gaze.

Jane didn't respond. She felt her heart skip a beat, then accelerate, threatening to jump out of her chest. She blinked in slow motion, trying to control her breathing.

Maura leaned in, nuzzling into Jane's neck.

"Do you know that... I love the smell of your skin..." she murmured, an inch from Jane's ear. A tremor ran down Jane's spine from the brush of Maura's warm breath.

"And the smell of your hair..." Maura turned her head slightly into the dark curls.

The doctor shifted and faced Jane again, tilting her head up slightly so her lips were almost touching Jane's.

"... and your breath..." Maura continued, and she placed a hand on Jane's waist.

"Stop." Jane's mouth hung open after saying the words, and she closed her eyes, trying to focus on pushing the air out of her lungs in shallow breaths.

"Why? Is it working?"

"Maura, stop, please."

The blonde's fingers dug into Jane's waist. She looked down and her voice was barely a whisper.

"I can't."

Maura's helpless admission felt like a punch to the stomach. Jane brought her hand up under Maura's chin and lifted her face up. She saw tears collecting on her lower lids.

Jane leaned forward and kissed Maura's lips so softly that she barely felt it. She kissed them again, a little more firmly. Maura kissed her back this time. She went in and pressed her mouth to Maura's a little longer, pulling back slowly in a soft, wet smack.

They kissed again, and this time Jane parted her lips slightly and lingered, taking her time smoothing over Maura's lips.

She pulled back and rested her forehead against Maura's, their breath mingling back and forth in the tiny space between them.

Maura threaded her fingers though Jane's hair, and pulled her in against her open mouth. Jane responded by pushing her tongue inside, a moan rumbling past her throat at the feeling of Maura's tongue gliding wetly against hers.

They kissed deep and slow, their hands and arms roaming over their bodies in a tight embrace. Hard breathing and wet sucking sounds filled the room, fueling their passion even more. Maura's fingers started unbuttoning Jane's shirt.

Jane broke the kiss and stepped back. She took Maura's hand and held it up, catching her breath.

"No... What are we doing? Wait..."

Maura looked at her in disbelief. "What do you mean, "What are we doing?" Are you kidding me? We've been wanting this for months!"

"...What?"

"Don't act like you don't know, Jane. I'm not that naive."

Jane couldn't argue and held her hands up in defeat. She shook her head.

"Maura, I don't know if I can do this... I need to think about it. I... What if it doesn't work out?" She gently pushed Maura back and walked around her. She grabbed her jacket and made her way backwards to the door. "I'm sorry..."

Recovering quickly from Jane's reaction, the doctor put her hands on her hips.

"Jane Rizzoli, if you walk out on me tonight, don't bother coming back. Ever."

Jane froze and looked up at Maura, trying to guess if she was being serious. Maura's face was flushed, but she couldn't tell if it was from arousal or anger. Jane tilted her head in confusion.

"EVER!" Maura repeated, her voice loud and firm.

Jane gesticulated in frustration and whined through her teeth. "Mauraaah! You're being ridiculous. We're best friends, I can always come back. Come on!"

"No. I'm tired of being best friends and pretend that nothing's going on." Maura's arms dropped by her sides. Her eyes pleaded with Jane.

"I can't do this anymore, Jane. I want to be with you..."

"Me too... but..."

"You're scared, I know. Listen, we don't have to do anything tonight, if you don't want to. Please stay. You can sleep in your room, I'll sleep in mine. I just need to know that you're not going to run."

Jane sighed. She nodded and slowly took her jacket off again. She wiggled a finger at Maura. "I don't like that game, just so you know. You can't just threaten to cut me off."

"Then don't make me." Maura chuckled. "Come on, let's go wash up and I'll come tuck you in."

"Mmmh."

"Will you kiss me goodnight, at least?"

"Mmmaaaybe..."

"Yay!"

They parted and headed towards their respective bedrooms.

Don't be shy with the reviews!