“An all butter chocolate croissant.” Maura sighed as she handed the bag over to the dancing detective. “You know it’s all empty calories, you’ll have a sugar crash in about an hour and a half.”

Jane rolled her eyes as she bit into the pastry, delighted moans escaping her lips and blowing a shower of fine crumbs into the air. Maura shook her head but couldn’t hide the smile that crept onto her lips. Jane had dealt with the previous day, she could see in her demeanour that the phone call had been enough to help her compartmentalise whatever had been happening with her and store it away, probably to never see the light of day again. And so, she would too.

“What we doing today?” Jane asked, sending another shower of crumbs spilling onto her t shirt, sending Maura scurrying for a plate.

“Something a little trickier than yesterday.” She slipped the crockery under her friends chin, and nodding for Jane to hold onto it.

‘Trickier?’ Jane thought as she took the plate. ‘Trickier than confusing the ***** outta myself by kissing my best friend?’ 

“Yeah, like what?” she offered finally, settling the plate on the counter and watching Maura with concerned eyes.

Maura grinned at her. “You have choices.” She told her proudly. “I’m going to let you decide.

Jane grinned playfully. ‘I’d like to go running some more with you.’ She thought. ‘No, I’d like to kiss you some more.’

“What are my options then?” Jane asked, her impatience quick to surface.

“Well, you won’t like either one.” It was a simple fact. “But given how well you did yesterday…” she paused, glancing quickly at Jane for any signs of discomfort before continuing when she saw none. “You may either, go grocery shopping with me.”

Jane felt her stomach flip violently. “Or?” she hoped the second option was easier.

“Or.” Maura smiled. “You can stay home….”

“I’ll take that one!” Jane grinned at her.

“And clean your service revolver.”

All of the colour flooded from Jane’s face along with the strength in her knees. She sat heavily at the counter and reached for the pad she kept by the fruit dish.

“I’ll start writing a list then.”