See Ch 1 for disclaimers…

DOUBLE POST TONIGHT – 5 & 6 (end) & prompt reveal in the A/N

Maura opened her door to find Jane twisting as she tried to look over her own shoulder, hands tugging at the back of her dress. Fighting to swipe her hair out of her face as she turned around, Jane seemed to examine her for a long moment before sighing and tugging at the hem again.

"Stupid thing won't stop riding up. How in the heck do you do this almost every day?" Jane tried not stare but there was something about Maura standing there, still dressed for the night with the hall light at her back that screamed 'touch me if you dare.' Jane blinked. How in the heck did Maura manage to do stuff like that? There must be a dating manual out there that she missed getting.

Annoyed with herself, Jane brushed past Maura and tried not to react to whatever perfume she was wearing, but dear lord she smelled good. Leaning over, prying her feet out of the heels from hell, she couldn't help but notice Maura's pants fit her particularly well. Especially from the back.

The second that thought crossed her mind Jane almost fell over taking off her last shoe. She rubbed her eyes briefly. If she was reacting like this, she could only imagine what Bug Boy went through. That guy was totally out of his league with Maura.

Maura turned from the door as Jane give a hedonistic groan as she kicked off her final shoe and headed through the living room. The picture of Jane, with her hair askew, encased in a short black dress, bare feet stalking towards her kitchen screamed edgy and untamed.

This was pure, 100% undiluted Jane Rizzoli.

And it was quite enjoyable.

Maura made her way into the kitchen and tried to get Jane to look at her as she sagged against her kitchen counter. "Are you hungry?" When Jane didn't answer Maura walked over and stopped her hands from fussing with her dress. "Would you stop playing with your dress? You are going to ruin it."

Jane rolled her eyes but let go of the material. "Fabulous channel stitching aside, this thing is a straight jacket. It's irritating me. I can't even sit in it comfortably." Which was true, but with Maura in that outfit it had the additional benefit of giving her something to do with her hands. "Forget the food and the dress for a minute. Why didn't Bug Boy stay after the good night kiss? Was he uncoordinated with those eight legs? Or did he realize you owned a can of Raid?"

Maura turned around and leaned a hip against her counter and folded her arms across her chest. "Duane." She raised an eyebrow for emphasis. "Was a perfect gentleman. We enjoyed a light dinner and after I had agreed to help him design a lecture using pupal casings in investigative work." When Jane continued to stand there, lips drawn tightly together, Maura decided to shift the subject slightly. "His brother was your saxophonist tonight."

Jane nodded, muttering to herself. "Well that explains that."

"Explains what?" Maura was trying to figure out the change in direction the conversation was taking.

Waving her hand in circles, Jane shook her head. "Nothing, that sweater. You know what? Never mind." She focused back on Maura, sweeping her eyes along the way her hair was loosely coiled up and the length of her neck exposed. "A perfect gentleman huh? So what does that mean exactly?"

Maura tilted her head slightly. She had seen this look on Jane many times before. Interrogation mode. Sizing up the facts. Looking for clues. Trying to figure out the entire story. Interesting. "It means that I had a lovely night out and he continues to be a wonderful companion."

Jane shook her head. "Wonderful companion is what Jo Friday is. You want a wonderful companion ditch the turtle and get a dog." She didn't have long to wait before Maura's forehead wrinkled in frustration.

Irritated, Maura took a step towards Jane and noticed the other woman's breathing increase. Fascinating. "I'm not even going to bother correcting you. You know damn well what species Bass is."

Maura's voice had dropped in register. Jane tried not to squirm. She could feel Maura analyzing her. There was a certain tension surrounding them that felt highlighted by Maura's annoyance and Jane dropped her eyes when breathing became difficult.

Now Jane seemed intent on trying to avoid looking at her. Even more intriguing. Maura edged closer, irritation forgotten. "There is something to be said for dating someone who may not fit your preconceived notion of a romantic partner but whose companionship you also enjoy."

Jane pulled her fingers through her tangled hair. Did Maura even realize how that sounded? No way, no how was she going to touch that statement. Exasperated, Jane realized her eye was caught by the way the links of Maura's necklace seemed to circle the freckles smattering the surface of her chest. God damn it. She was doing it again. Losing control of her actions. Wasn't tonight enough of a reminder in losing control?

Tearing her eyes away, Jane stepped aside and stalked over to the refrigerator. "I'm getting something to drink. Do you want anything?"

Biting back a chuckle, Maura couldn't help but be amused by the way Jane owned her kitchen, half in her refrigerator without hesitation. When she didn't immediately answer Jane glanced over her shoulder and Maura pulled her eyes off Jane's backside. "Glass of the red I have open in there will be fine."

Jane debated the beer options before deciding she was already in a dress so why bother with the usual? Maura usually had exceptional taste in wine anyhow. "Well from what I can tell, your excellent companion barely made it past the front door. Which doesn't exactly surprise me."

Maura couldn't tell if she should be offended or not, as she watched Jane arch up on the balls of her feet to pull down a couple of wine glasses. "Dare I ask why this doesn't surprise you?"

Jane put the glasses on the counter before she glanced over at Maura. "Oh come on a guy like that one? With the sweater, and the blushing? And a woman like you? Are you seriously asking me that?" She turned her attention back to filling both glasses and missed the v of confusion forming between Maura's eyes.

Maura walked over to Jane and deliberately stood against her side as she picked up one of the glasses. "What do you mean, precisely, by a 'woman like me'?"

Spinning to face Maura mid sip, Jane took a small step back and gestured to her with her wine glass. "Oh come on! You can't be serious."

Frowning Maura narrowed her gaze. "I assure you, I am serious." She took a slow sip. "What do you mean 'a woman like me'?" Jane's hair was standing up a bit on the right side and Maura resisted the urge to smooth it back in place.

Jane waved her hand at Maura. "Of all the stupid questions." By her estimation that was answer enough. For the love of god, it needed to be and she had to stop running her mouth. Maura simply raised her eyebrows.

Well shit. This was not her night.

Jane took a drink while she tried to figure a way out of the conversation. This wasn't going like she intended. Maura continued to wait, silent, refusing to give her an out. Growling, she gave in. "Fine okay, look that guy is sweet I'm sure."

Maura keep the surprise off her face when Jane echoed her own constant thoughts about Duane. He was sweet. It was a very nice attribute.

Jane took another drink. "I'm sure he opens doors and is never late. I'm sure he is thoughtful and whatever else it takes to be a nice guy in a needlepoint sweater that studies bugs for a living." She ignored Maura's warning glare. "But really, you have got to be kidding me. He's pure milk toast."

Maura put her hand on her hip. "How does a breakfast option define a man's suitability as dating material for me? But you are trying to change the subject. I didn't ask your opinion on Duane. I asked you what you meant in reference to me."

"I just explained what I meant!" Jane put down her glass with an exasperated sigh when Maura shook her head negatively. So Maura wanted it straight up? No problem. "Okay it's like this. That guy couldn't find his dick with a mirror and an illustrated guide. And you…" Jane drew an hourglass in the air, her voice growing in volume. "You're fucking sex on a stick. His type doesn't have the balls to handle you." When she stopped talking she realized Maura was staring at her, analyzing every inch of her.

Jane was standing in front of her, slightly breathless from her diatribe and Maura realized the secrets hinted at from the stage were swirling between them. Somewhat undefined but recognizable. She let the silence stretch while she sipped at her wine and Jane started to twitch. "Okay then answer me this. Who, exactly, should I be dating?"

Something altered, changed and Jane wasn't sure exactly what it was but Maura was looking at her in a way that scared her shitless. No way in hell was she answering that question. She'd seen this look before. Like out on that double date with Jorge or that mysterious glimmer in Maura's teasing glance when Dennis had been a possibility. She had even felt sparks of it directed at her. Little flashes in the intimate moments between them, but they gone before she even realized they had happened.

Leaving her a little breathless but whole.

But now that look was focused directly on her. Jane picked back up her glass and took a hesitant sip, trying not to squirm. "Hell if I know. Not him." And that was all she was saying. Maura could torture her and she wasn't saying on more word. Period.

"Why were you at the jazz club tonight?" Maura took another sip. Jane was not getting out of this conversation. Not tonight.

Jane swallowed another sip of wine quickly in relief. She never thought she'd be glad to relive this story. "I lost a bet. Remember that pickup game I went to with the guys last Friday?" When Maura nodded she looked away and continued. "In high school Ma forced me to take voice lessons as a senior credit and one of the expectations was I had to perform on stage at the Senior Spring Extravaganza."

Jane let out a long sigh. "Let's just say it didn't go so well. I pretty much squawked like a chicken and bolted off stage. Thanks to me, the entire school developed an ability to mimic a strangled chicken. McNally was in my class. Subculture is his cousin's place. Loser had to perform. End of story."

Well that certainly explained the poultry noises she had heard. Maura waited for Jane to look back at her. She studied the unruly waves, the pensive expression, looked back into dark eyes. "Why that particular tune?"

Jane shrugged. "It was the one I had picked out back in high school. I don't know. Seemed easier."

"Your senior year." Maura considered the verse and the meaning of the tune. "So it was about Casey?" When Jane shrugged Maura felt a tug of disappointment. It perturbing that this song had been directed towards him but Maura didn't want to analyze why. It was easier this way.

The second Maura looked away Jane's hand shot out without her permission. Her fingers were around Maura's wrist before she realized it and she glanced at her own hand in surprise. "I was in high school." Jane could feel her heartbeat pick up, the next words tentative. "It was part of the bet, nothing more." Maura brought her eyes back up and this time was hard to hold her gaze.

Maura shivered. Her whole body was reacting and her equilibrium askew. Jane held the unique power to do this to her, seemingly at will. Desperate to regroup, Maura reached out with her free hand to brush lightly at a spot on Jane's neckline. "You need to take this to the dry cleaner."

Jane squeezed the wrist in her hand lightly but didn't move. "Okay."

Maura continued to stare at her hand against the black backdrop of Jane's dress and debated. Share or not? Stay here or let Jane in even deeper in to those private crevices she was uniquely able to discover?

"That song has a particular meaning for me."

Jane recognized the tone in Maura's voice and stepped a little closer, waiting.

The material was smooth under her fingers. Maura sighed. "I made a mistake my junior year in high school. There was a young man that seemed interested in me." Maura shifted closer to Jane. "I was curious. He was willing." Her hand stilled. "It was a mistake. A poor decision on my part. A very, very, poor decision. One that had public ramifications, not entirely unlike your own experience."

The memories made her shiver and Maura was surprised it still bothered her. It was an interesting feeling, sharing this specific memory. A little surprising that it still felt raw. Wholly illogical. Jane was standing there silent and patient, listening. Maura removed her hand and rested her forehead down against Jane's shoulder.

Permission granted, Jane brought her arms around Maura and held her, thumbs stroking softly.

"I was naive enough that I hadn't yet managed to separate out sex from affection. I was having a difficultly at the time with not knowing my biological origins and the intimacy of the actions surrounding sex were appealing. It was hard afterwards when he was no longer interested. Intellectually I knew the probability of that outcome was high but living through the actuality was a lesson I was ill prepared for." Maura let herself mold to Jane. "It was the Frank Sinatra version but, those lyrics mixed with the refrain about the stray baby lamb without a mother or a father?" She laughed into the warmth of Jane's hold. "I believe I wore out my tape." Maura shook her head at her own theatrics and just breathed. "Inane I know, but such are the foibles of youth right?"

"I don't know. I'm almost 40 and I still can't separate out sex from affection. That must have hurt. And to paraphrase a wise woman I know, he didn't deserve you." Jane sighed when Maura laughed silently into her shoulder and didn't move away. The next words fell from her lips without conscious thought. "I wasn't singing to Casey tonight."

Maura lifted her head as her pulse started hammering at the words.

It took a moment but reality hit. Jane stilled her hands. Her blood ran cold and her stomach twisted. Of all the god damn stupid times to let her mouth get away from her. "Maura, I…"

Jane looked terrified. When their eyes met Maura wanted to look away. There would be no ability to separate sex and affection here. But this was Jane needing her so she stayed, open and exposed.

She swallowed, her chest feeling constricted. "I haven't had it yet." It came out as a whisper.

Jane desperately wanted to move but she couldn't. "What?"

Maura leaned back slightly. "My goodnight kiss. I haven't had it yet."

Jane could feel her heart thundering as hard as it had on stage. A tendril of hair had escaped from Maura's twist and curled over her eye. Jane could barely breathe as she gently stroked the side of Maura's face as she tucked the strand behind her ear.

Maura closed her eyes at the brush of fingers along her skin. Jane was trembling slightly and cold hand cupped her jaw. She opened her eyes seeing, need, want, fear and affection reflecting back at her. Maura leaned up, "Don't be scared."

It was the same place of safety and adoration that had held her up in the club. The same magnetic pull that had drawn the words out, strong and sure, pulled her closer, down, to waiting lips. Jane started slightly at the first soft touch. Electric.

Maura bunched the material of Jane's dress in her hand. The first brush of lips played sharply within her. It was only the barest of touches and when Jane pulled back slightly she could barely catch her breath.

Opening her eyes briefly, Jane could see her own need mirrored. The fear dissolved, leaving a wanting ache in its wake until Maura reached back up and soothed her. Lost in taste, lost in quiet sighs, Jane let the tempo build.

There were chords within her that Jane seemed capable of playing at will and Maura's body responded willingly. She craved, she needed and she wanted. It was stepping to the edge of reason and waiting to fall off the cliff. It was senses building beyond her control and intensity ripping down her spine. When Jane slipped her hands under her shirt along the bare skin of her back, Maura broke the kiss roughly.

Pulling Jane down Maura offered in her ear. "I made my bed today."

Neither was leading or following. There was a stop in the living room and one in the front hallway. Lips traveled down necks as hands augmented each break in rhythm, unzipping a dress, shedding pants. They were operating in broken time now, the tempo alternating as clothing dropped to the floor.

With a flick of a wrist the light in the bedroom was diminished. Soft sighs fused when bare skin connected and in the dark final restraints were set free.

It was harmonic rhythm in undefined scale. Half time, double time, wet paths over breasts and down curves. It was whispered verse against straining thighs and refrain transposed against need. Hot timbre built across bridging backs and channeled want. Bodies climbed as hips set a cadence. Reaching up, sliding down.

Building until a pressing touch plunged deeply.

Eyes met.

It was stop-time in the interlude until need broke through and seeking lips begged for the beat. It was the cross-rhythm tightening between them, a riff running up, higher and faster, harder and longer until hands grabbed tightly.

And the chorus broke free.

There was a vacuum of silence except for labored breathing.

Maura slowly loosened her grip along Jane's back. She pressed a kiss to salty skin and felt a tender press of lips to her forehead. She opened her eyes.

Maura's eyes were liquid safety and Jane fell into them. Maura gave her a long, slow smile that wrapped around her and Jane captured her lips in a teasing kiss that ended in soft laughter.

Running her hands through Jane's hair, letting the curl tangle around them, Maura reached up to kiss Jane's chin. "Out of all the scenarios I pictured for this evening this was hardly one of them."

Jane kissed the corner of Maura's mouth, lips moving against the skin. "No? I caught you off guard then?"

Maura shook her head negatively and arched her neck, inviting Jane to explore, shivering as lips traveled slowly along her skin and up to her ear. "You have a tendency to do that."

Maura's perfume teased her senses. Jane couldn't stop her hand from roaming over a bare hip. "Good. It will keep you on your toes." She let her hand drift lower. "Any complaints?'

Tightening her hands in Jane's hair, Maura pulled her up, exploring her lips, welcoming Jane in. Breaking free she pressed closer. "No. Do you?"

Palming soft skin over a toned abdomen, Jane traced a lazy circle. "Only one."

Maura welcomed Jane's weight as she leaned down trying to keep the confusion out of her voice. "What complaint would that be?"

Jane nuzzled the soft skin of Maura's breast before kissing her way up along freckled skin. She braced on an elbow and traced the slope of Maura's check with her finger. "I totally owe Ladder 19 right now and that is just wrong."

Laughing, Maura slid a leg up and rolled them over, leaning down just close enough that their breasts brushed. "Ahhh, I see now." She kissed Jane lightly along her jaw. "We can't have that I suppose."

Jane shivered as Maura's hand ran up her side.

Maura let her lips trace the surface of Jane's ear, whispering as she pulled her closer. "I bet I'll find a way to make it up to you."

Jane groaned when Maura's hand covered her breast. "Okay, I'll totally take that bet." She ran her hand up the inside of Maura's thigh, feeling the muscles twitch.

Their eyes met. Jane stroked closer.

"How about we make that double-or-nothing?"

A/N -You all want to know what? I have very special readers. The reviews and the PMs over the past few days… I honestly never thought anybody would truly notice I was taking a little writing break. Sort of an out of sight/mind philosophy. Between the response here and Boston Strong – I'll try to pay better attention and put a few shorts out even if I'm busy. If people are reading then I'll share.

And hopefully this did its job and left you all with some laughter.

So anyhow, about a week back I put out a Tumblr "prompt me" because life is hectic enough to put aside the longer, more involved story but I wanted to still write. I now have some thoughts for at least two more prompts that I can see and a possible third. I love prompts because it is a chance to share someone else's imagination. The stories always seem to be some of the most loved so who can beat that?

Okay here is the prompt from Argyle_S – Let me know if you think it was answered :)

"Maura's date takes her to a Southie Blues Club. They arrive while the band is on a break, sit down and get their drinks, and are engrossed in conversation. They don't notice the 'band' come back, until the piano starts, and Jane starts singing something so low and sultry Maura just melts"