I do not own these characters. I am just taking them for a spin and let's see where it takes us! Inspired by One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful. Here's the link to the song if you want to hear it:
watch?v=QJO3ROT-A4E
Maura stood in her shower, letting the hot water run over her body; letting it refresh and renew her. It had been a long dream filled night, which left her feeling more tired than usual after a rough case. The woman on her table yesterday reminded her so much of Jane. Long, dark, thick, curly hair; olive skin; skinny, yet toned. She was the unfortunate victim of a serial rapist and murderer. All she could dream about last night was seeing Jane, lying on her table, having to perform her autopsy. Each dream ended the same way. Maura picking up the scalpel, holding it in her hand, watching it tremble, and finally, dropping to the floor. She then quickly dissolved into tears and slumped over Jane's body, crying and mourning the loss of her best friend.
Best friend. That word resounded in her head this morning. Best friend. She had never had a best friend, so she had nothing to compare it to. Was Jane her best friend or was she more? Maura knew that she felt more for Jane than most people feel for their best friends. However, having never had one, she didn't know what was so different about this experience. Best friend. The words just didn't seem to do Jane justice in her eyes. Jane was so much more than just a friend, but Maura didn't have a word to put to it yet. Sighing out loud, Maura shook herself from her reverie, realizing the water had gone cold in the shower. She quickly finished her routine and set about getting ready for the day. She had to find more evidence to help Jane nail the bastard that was raping and killing these poor girls.
After finishing up her breakfast, Maura neatly placed her coffee cup and fruit bowl in her sink and grabbed her keys. Heading out to the street to her car, she stood for a few moments scanning the street for her Prius. Suddenly, it dawned on her that she had a rental car being dropped off this morning as the Prius was being serviced. She glanced at her watch. "8:05. Enterprise should be here by now." Just as she said it, she watched some young 20 something man come screeching down the street in her rental Cadillac. He slammed on the brakes outside her house and Maura walked over to the young man.
"Good morning ma'am. Sorry I'm late. Hop in and I will drive you back to the office to sign the paper work," he said politely as he could. Maura nodded and entered the vehicle. Their drive to the office was uneventful, however Maura did notice a slight smell in the car. When they arrived at the office, she asked the young man to freshen up the interior as she signed all the papers.
When she was done, she found the car waiting just outside with the key in the ignition. She took a deep breath and smiled, satisfied with the young man's choice of new car smell. She did always love that smell. She turned the key to the ignition and the radio blared to life. Just as Maura was about to turn the volume down and flip to NPR for her morning commute routine, she heard a line of the lyrics and decided she needed to listen some more.
Baby you light up my world like nobody else,
Immediately, Maura thought of Jane. An image of Jane smiling that smile that makes Maura completely forget what she is going flashes before her eyes.
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed,
But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell,
You don't know,
Oh oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
Maura couldn't help but smile. Jane really did not see how beautiful she was. Gorgeous even. From the first day Maura met her, she thought she was beautiful. But after getting to know her, she became even more beautiful to her because of the person she was. And oh it was so true that Jane could get Maura overwhelmed. Maura snickered to herself at that thought.
If only you saw what I can see,
You'll understand why I want you so desperately,
"Do I want Jane?" Maura asked herself silently.
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe,
You don't know,
Oh oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
Oh oh,
That's what makes you beautiful
"Jane," Maura whispered, quietly, almost reverently.
So c-come on,
You got it wrong,
To prove I'm right,
I put it in a song,
I don't know why,
You're being shy,
And turn away when I look into your eye eye eyes,
"Jane does look away when I look at her," Maura internally commented. "What does that mean?" she asks no one in particular.
Everyone else in the room can see it,
Everyone else but you
Baby you light up my world like nobody else,
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed,
But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell,
You don't know,
Oh oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
If only you saw what I can see,
You'll understand why I want you so desperately,
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe,
You don't know,
Oh oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
Oh oh,
Best friend. The word bounced around in Maura's head again. Do people normally think of their best friend as beautiful? Do people normally want their best friend the way that Maura was beginning to think she might want Jane? Maura lost herself in thought, as she was often apt to do when her thoughts were on Jane. The blare of police sirens startled her as she realized she had driven herself to the station on auto-pilot. She shook the thoughts of Jane from her mind as she gathered her things and headed into the precinct.
"Morning Maur," she heard Jane shout from across the room, as she quickly made her way over where Maura was waiting by the elevator.
"Morning Jane," Maura replied, smiling and looking sweetly at Jane.
Jane dropped her eyes to the ground and then looked back up, returning the smile. She smiled at the ground, Maura thought to herself. This song is going to plague me all day now.
When Maura regained her sense, she realized that Jane had been holding out a cup of coffee for her. "Oh thanks. That was sweet, Jane," Maura replied taking the cup.
"Long night?" Jane asked inquisitively. She had noticed Maura's momentary retreat into her thoughts. What she wouldn't give to find out what was going on behind those beautiful green eyes.
"Well Jane, since we are heading to the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, last night was actually relatively short," Maura replied, bewildered by Jane's comment.
Jane sighed. She's too cute, she thought to herself. "No, I meant, did you not sleep well? You seem tired."
"Oh, well in that case. Yes, it was a long night. This case is really getting to me. Have you made any headway since I left yesterday? I didn't hear from you last night so I assumed you were working late," Maura replied, with a slight tinge of disappointment in her voice.
"Yeah, sorry that I didn't text or call you. We were out scouring for witnesses all night. But it paid off! We got a great tip. Frost is out with Frankie picking up our suspect now. The guy's a dad too. What a scumbag. Who could do that to a woman when you have daughters of your own. Can't wait to get my hands on him in interrogation," Jane replied.
Maura smiled. She enjoyed seeing Jane in her element and busting bad guys was certainly it. "Go get your man, Jane," Maura winced at the awkwardness of this statement. She didn't want Jane to have a man. Wait, what. Did I just admit that to myself?
Jane chuckled. "Well, I intend to get my suspect if that's what you mean." Maura smiled and nodded. "Well I should head back to the bullpen and see if Frost is back. Lunch later?"
"Sure," Maura smiled and nodded, as she reached out and placed her hand on Jane's upper arm.
Jane smiled and placed her hand over Maura's. "Great. I'll meet you downstairs around noon." And with that, Jane turned on her heel and headed back to the pen.
Maura settled into her office, still feeling a little off from the events of the day. She tried to focus on the case file in front of her but was struggling with that. She let her eyes wander to her computer. "That damn song," Maura exclaimed as she sighed and put her hands in head. She turned to her computer and typed in the lyrics she most remembered.
Baby, you light up my world like nobody else.
She stared at the words before she hit enter. They held so much meaning. Best friend. Do best friends light up your world like nobody else? She hit the enter key. The first result was the name of the song, "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction. She typed that into her browser and a link to the song came up. She clicked it.
Closing her eyes, she listened to the words of the song again. Why was this one song resonating so strongly with her? Almost as if it was a movie, snippets of Jane smiling, Jane touching her, Jane laughing, Jane protecting her, Jane loving her. Maura snapped her head up at that thought.
Yes, Jane loved her and she loved Jane. They have both said as much. So why did that thought startle her so? Was she beginning to feel differently about Jane?
"I can't think about these things right now," Maura sighed, looking out her office, at the body of the young woman from yesterday. She quickly composed herself, and began her work.
It was noon before she knew it. When she realized it, she found herself eagerly awaiting Jane's arrival. However, 15 minutes had passed and still no Jane. Taking out her cell phone, she texted her. Where are you? Still on for lunch?
Shit. Sorry Maur. It's taking longer than I thought to break this guy.
Oh was all Maura could muster in response, though she wasn't sure why.
I'll make it up to you. Drinks at the Robber tonight? It's their first karaoke night! And hopefully, we will have a closed case to celebrate.
Maura smiled at the promptness of Jane's response. Of course she replied. Before she could even think about whether it was a good idea or not, Maura sent a follow up text. See you later. Xoxo
"Christ!" Maura exclaimed, shocked at her own language. "Why did I send that?" she growled. She held her phone gently, staring at the screen, waiting for the wonderful sound a text reply. She stared at the phone for what seemed like hours, when suddenly, less than a minute later, her phone buzzed. Her heart sank and her stomach filled with butterflies. Why am I nervous about a text? Swallowing hard, she opened the text. Right back at ya ;)
Maura gasped and then smiled. Was Jane flirting with her? She was about to reply back when she thought better of it. She tucked her phone back into her coat and went back to work. Somehow, Maura found herself humming the song that had been lingering in the back of her mind all morning. Giving in to the urge, she took out her phone, purchased it on iTunes and played it through the phone's speakers, unable to resist the urge to put it on repeat. She hummed along the rest of the day as she completed her work.
Around 4:30, just as Maura was wrapping up for the day, Jane came bounding into her office. "We got the sonofabitch! Nailed him to the wall," she crooned.
Maura smiled and replied, "I knew you would catch him, Jane. Congratulations on some wonderful police work."
"Thanks, Maur. You ready to go celebrate with me and the boys?"
"Yes, let me just gather my things," Maura replied. As she finished, she looked up to see Jane flip her hair to the side, then get frustrated with it and tie it back into a pony tail. Maura smiled. When she thinks of Jane, it is usually with that pony tail. It fits her so well.
They spent the car ride to the Dirty Robber with Jane detailing their interrogation and Maura listening, silently admiring the Detective; her skills, her intelligence, her cunning, her beauty. Best friend. Best friend. Best friend. It resounded in her head.
Arriving at the Dirty Robber, Jane held the door open for Maura, as always and proceeded to take a seat next to hear in the booth, sitting slightly closer than was necessary. As the waitress came over, Jane, as usual, ordered for both herself and Maura, and then went right back to recounting the events of the previous days with her brothers in blue.
Maura just sat there and watched Jane in her all glory. She was so animated when she was happy. And that made Maura happy. Inexplicably so. Her moods were so tied to Jane's. Why is that? she thought to herself. Why does Jane have such an effect on me? God, she's so beautiful. Stop! Why am I thinking about that? Best friend. Best friend. Maura gulped down her wine and ordered another. The pattern continued for the next few hours. Jane and the boys telling their stories. Maura getting lost in all that was Jane. Maura drinking to make the thoughts go away. Before she knew it, she had drank too much and was beginning to fill intoxicated. But the good kind of intoxicated. The kind of intoxicated where you lose inhibition and everything seems like a good idea and everything is fun.
Noticing Maura's growing pile of wine glasses, Jane leaned over and whispered into Maura's ear. "You ok?"
Maura, nearly choking on her wine with Jane's lips so near her ear, replied in her sing-songy drunk voice, "Of course!"
Frost, not one to miss a beat, chimed in. "Maura, you should go sing!"
Maura smiled widely and in her drunk state declared, "That is an excellent idea, Barry. I think I just might do that!" "Scooch over Jane." Maura added as she gently pushed at Jane.
"You sure you want to do this, Maur?" Jane asked, trying to protect Maura from embarrassing herself.
"You bet!" Maura replied, as she winked at Jane and sauntered up to the stage. She leaned over and whispered to the bartender the song she wanted to sing. He laughed and nodded. Jane sighed and followed Maura, once she saw this was definitely happening. Maura stepped up onto the stage, with a little help from Jane. The music began and Jane just laughed.
"Maura? Do you even know this song?" Jane yelled over the music.
"Yes, Jane." Maura declared. "Now be quiet and let me serenade you."
She points to Jane as begins.
You're insecure,
Don't know what for,
You're turning heads when you walk through the door,
Don't need make-up,
To cover up,
Being the way that you are is enough,Everyone else in the room can see it,
Everyone else but you,Baby you light up my world like nobody else,
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed,
But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell,
You don't know,
Oh oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
If only you saw what I can see,
You'll understand why I want you so desperately,
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe,
You don't know,
Oh oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
Oh oh,
That's what makes you beautiful
Jane stands there stunned. Is she singing this to me? She thinks I'm beautiful? I light up her world? I get her overwhelmed? Now I'm the one overwhelmed! What is happening here? She's drunk. This isn't real. Is it? Jane turns to look at her brother and friends with a questioning look. They, in return, give her a knowing smile.
When Jane turns back around to continue watching as Maura parades around the stage, but always keeping her eyes on Jane, Korsak, Frankie and Frost start talking about is happening.
"It's about damn time," Frost says, smiling.
"Damn time for what?" asks Frankie.
"For that!" Korsak replies, pointing at Jane and Maura. Frankie still clueless looks for more clarification from Korsak. "Don't even tell me you don't see it, Frankie!"
"See what?"
"How much Jane and Maura are in love with each other," Frost replies.
"Janie and Maura?" Frankie squeaks. "Janie AND Maura," he says, again. He smiles. "How in the hell did I not see that?"
"Who's got June 4th in the Will They or Won't They Pool, Korsak?" Frost asks.
"You guys bet on them?" Frankie asks, shocked and offended, but still while laughing.
"I think it was Maura's assistant. She thinks she's ruined a couple almost moments for them with her inopportune timing as it is!" Korsak replied. "But just cause Maura's singing to her doesn't mean she's won, yet."
"How do I get in on this action?" Frankie asks, pulling out his wallet. "I say ten days from tonight and my sis is going to have a girlfriend, while I still don't." He laughs gently.
Jane, meanwhile, cannot take her eyes off Maura. What does this mean? What is happening?
You don't know you're beautiful,
Oh oh,
That's what makes you beautiful
The song ends and Maura hops off the stage amidst rounds of applause and cat calls to "Kiss her! Kiss her!" Maura's connection to Jane was apparently not lost on the rest of the crowd either.
Jane lifted her hand as to wave off the crowd because it wasn't going to happen, when suddenly and out of no where, she feels lips on hers. Soft, quick and chaste. Just a peck. But a kiss nonetheless. What the?
"Maura!" Jane exclaimed as Maura pulled away. "What the hell was that?" she added, a little angrier than she had wanted it to sound. This was happening way too fast. It wasn't entirely unwelcome, but it was certainly unexpected.
Looking down at Maura, she saw tears start to well in her eyes. Jane quickly felt a pang in her heart. She never wanted to be the cause of Maura's distress ever again. Maura turned from Jane and sprinted to the door. Jane called after her, but she was surprisingly quick, even in her heels. Jane took off in pursuit and grabbed her hand, just as Maura had escaped through the door. Spinning her around, she could see the tears in Maura's eyes. Her heart broke. Standing before her was the woman she revered and loved. She knew she loved her as a friend but recently in the wake of all that had happened when she shot Paddy, she began to think those feelings were changing. Were growing. Looking into Maura's eyes, she saw friendship, hope, love, promise, confusion, pain, hurt. She wanted nothing more than to make Maura feel better. Her mind was swimming. Her heart was pounding.
Maura stood there, watching the turmoil in Jane's eyes, trying to sort through the drunken haze to figure out what had just happened. She had serenaded and kissed Jane in front of a room of strangers. Sure, she could write this off as a drunken escapade and she was sure they could both forget about it. But Maura wasn't sure she wanted that. Best friend. The words bounced around her head again. Best friend. Best…
Her thoughts were interrupted by the pressure of Jane's lips on hers. Jane was kissing her. Maura returned the kiss and wrapped her arms around Jane's neck. This time, the kiss was not a peck. It was not chaste. It was searching and seeking for meaning. For the truth behind their actions these past few months. For the truth behind Maura's actions tonight. The truth for both Maura and Jane. What was their relationship?
When they both needed air, the parted their lips. Eyes still closed, their foreheads rested against each other. Slowly, Maura opened her eyes and waited for Jane to do the same. This time when Maura smiled and looked into Jane's eyes, Jane didn't drop her eyes to the floor. She just returned Maura's smile with a twinkle in her eye.