This fic is the most canon-type I've ever tried. Yes, as the title suggests, it is using the Lee Brice country song, 'I Don't Dance' as it's fuel. Please enjoy.
Jane laid on the couch staring at the ceiling. So much had changed in what felt like minutes. One second she was arguing with her mother about onesies for her daughter and the next, the baby was no more.
'Janie, you have to have some way for the world to know she's a girl! All babies look alike for a long time.' Angela protested, holding up the pink outfit.
Sensing unneeded tension, Maura jumped in and smiled. 'It's a lovely choice, Angela. Did you know, in the Middle Ages red, or hues of red including pink, indicated a child was a boy? At least in England. Red denoted blood and-"
'See, ma? I don't want her confused with being English royalty, that's all,' Jane smiled to her overly intelligent friend.
At first Maura was set to be incensed as she tended to be with Jane's teasing but then quickly relaxed. She realized this was another time in which her friend was using humor to diffuse a situation. 'Given the likelihood of your granddaughter to have an olive tone to her skin like yourself and Jane, it's wise to go with a more fitting color like yellow,' she added.
Angela nodded at the Medical Examiner's assertion and set the pink onesie down. 'Alright. I won't argue. I'm still going to knit her a cute pink cap!'
'You'd have to take up knitting first, Ma,' Jane said with a chuckle in her voice before Maura gently nudged her in the side.
'That would be lovely, Angela. Something Jane would treasure forever,' she shot a slight glaring glance to her friend.
Jane looked surprised but then smiled her usual 'Get out of jail free' smile. 'Absolutely. And you've got plenty of time especially now that you're not working at the precinct. It'll be great. Uh, also you could help Maura with the shower?'
Maura gave a nod and dimpled smile. 'It would be wonderful working with you, Angela. I've put together galas and fundraisers or the occasional dinner party. I could research how to have an amazing baby shower, but your hands-on knowledge is far more valuable.'
Angela beamed with pride. 'Well, you live long enough girls, you'll have gone to a slew of parties. This is wonderful!'
Thinking back, Jane couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her mother that excited. No, that was a lie. When she'd told her the truth finally about the pregnancy Angela already knew about, her mother absolutely glowed. If people didn't know any better, they could easily say Angela was the pregnant one with how radiant she was.
That image made losing her daughter that much more devastating. On a lot of levels Jane tried to keep herself from getting attached. It wasn't the baby's fault she was growing inside her. She knew that. But she was a detective. She wasn't ready for diapers and tantrums and three a.m. feedings. Even if her best friend was going to be right beside her helping to raise the child as her own.
That was another thing. Jane could remember having moments where she'd picture Maura mothering the child. Being awkward at times, unsure when the baby wouldn't stop crying just because. She wasn't hungry or wet or ill. She'd just cry and Maura would be on the verge of tears herself not knowing what was wrong or how to resolve it. Or as she got older, talking to the girl like a little adult. Never baby talk or talking down to her but being careful how she phrased things. Those moments, those thoughts, warmed Jane in way she knew deep down wasn't just friendly.
She'd never thought of Casey being a parent to their daughter. Never worried how he'd be because she knew he wouldn't be there. But thinking of Maura with the girl? It was a future that scared her as much as excited her.
Now that future was suddenly gone but the longing for that life remained. She watched the blades on the ceiling fan spin, Jo Friday laying on her stomach as she took another sip of her Blue Moon.
"I don't know what to do, girl. I know how I feel isn't just what I feel for friends. I just…" she sighed.
Jo yipped and waggled her tail excitedly. She nudged her nose against Jane's hand.
"It's not that easy, girl," she chuckled. "I can't just wiggle my butt and nudge Maura's hand. People don't work like that."
The dog looked at her with big eyes, sitting up.
Figuring Jo wouldn't give up, Jane reached for her phone. "She'll be busy with work or a date or something. You know that, right?"
The dog sat stone-still but let out one bark as if to say, 'just call her already!'
"Okay, okay!" Jane protested as she scrolled through her contacts and dialed Maura.
"Jane! Hello." Her voice was chipper yet professional as always. "How are you doing? Do you need anything?"
"I uh...Jo was wondering if you could come over after work?"
There was a pause for a moment. "Animals don't 'talk,' Jane. As much as pet owners like to believe an animal can be a sort of child, it's just a manifest-"
"Maura," Jane interjected. "Don't get all google-mouth on me right now, okay? Just can you come over or no? It's fine if you can't."
Again another pause. "Of course I can come over. I am just finishing my report for Korsak. I'll see you in," she looked at her watch. "Let's say an hour? I'll go by Ricco's for some dinner. I'm sure you haven't eaten much today."
"Great. Okay. We'll see you then." Jane didn't even try to contain the smile she was wearing on the other end.
"If I am slightly delayed, I apologize. I cannot always account for traffic and driving patterns. But I will be there as close to one hour from now as possible." Maura added.
"Of course, Dr. Google-mouth. We'll see you then."
Before Maura could reply, Jane had hung up the phone, grinning from ear to ear like a love-struck idiot but she didn't care. She was. She knew she was and for once, she was owning that she was. She hopped up from the couch leaving a very incensed Jo Friday looking at her. "I'm sorry, girl. I have to tidy up some and then I'll take you for a walk, okay?"
At the mention of a walk, Jo happily yipped and wagged her tail before going off to her bed and curling up.
Looking back at the past 5 years Jane had known Maura, it seemed incredible she hadn't realized sooner. The signs were there. Giant, red and flashing. She'd squirm away from affection from all but Maura. In fact, she'd willingly give hugs whenever her friend needed. She was fiercely protective, much like a spouse. It all seemed logical now in hindsight. All the men Jane had dated were nice enough in their ways but there was always something missing.
As she shifted some pillows on the couch a lightening bolt seemed to hit. Since meeting her personally, not just professionally, Jane had measured her male suitors off Maura. 'Dean was nice enough but could lie. Maura can't lie.' 'Casey was adequate in bed but too focused on himself. Maura seems like a very giving lover...' "How much time have I wasted?" She mused to herself as she shook her head. The knock at the door finally snapped Jane out of her thoughts and she realized she hadn't walked Jo Friday yet either.
