Softballs and Leprechauns
Chapter 2
The next day found Jane sprawled out on her bed with her head shoved under a pillow. Against the dip of her waist nestled the firm, warm buttocks of a sleeping ME. Jane turned her head, pushing the pillow away. Her eyes flickered open, adjusting to the dimness. Strands of honey blonde were draped over the velvety expanse of a half-covered shoulder, reaching out and tickling Jane's forearm. Maura was resting on her side, away from her. The thin, worn t-shirt she had leant her was about two sizes too big, yawning open at the back. Jane's eyes were suddenly fastened on the exposed flesh, watching the even rise and fall of Maura's breathing. Jane slinked back as stealthily as possible.
The remnants of last night's self-awareness shot through the detective with a painful accuracy, leaving behind a panicky and shaky sense of incredulity. In the near full light of day her brain shied away from such a fruitless quest, believing in the notion that there was a highly simple explanation for her reactions of last night and this morning. Often repeated, the banal clarifications of too much drink and a current sexless existence merely served to hamper their momentum and Jane was finding it increasingly harder to hold onto them. The concept of desiring her best friend after all this time rattled her sense of self. Looking more closely, even Jane admitted their friendship was lacking…traditional boundaries at times.
More often than not, sleepovers at each other's abodes, an abundance of innuendo accompanied by fleeting touches, and the sheer frequency that they shared the same space testified to a very special, mutual bond. The fact that both of them had always kept a foot out the door in their romantic liaisons only seemed to solidify the impression of their shared intimacy. Surely such behavior tipped the scales of the average friendship. Jane closed her eyes, willing herself to calm such anxiety-ridden thoughts.
Maura was stirring, softly awakening, not a rare sight for Jane except for the foreign interest pervading her mind. She watched as her best friend unfurled her body, stretching cramped limbs. The t-shirt rode up her arched back, revealing the delicate waistband of green panties poking out from under the sheet. Jane nudged backwards, slightly desperate to put even more space between. Misjudging the size of the mattress, Jane's hips slid off the edge and her body followed. She landed on the floor with a surprised "ooooffff", dragging the comforter off the bed with her.
"Jane? Are you alright?" Maura was leaning over the side of the bed, a concerned look on her face.
The swells of her best friend's breasts straining against the dangerously low t-shirt's collar was a sight that made the detective bite back a groan of irritation and fascination. She looked away and nodded, wishing the floor would just open wide and take her back to the time when Maura's breasts weren't on her radar. When Maura scrambled up, intending to give assistance, the brunette quickly stood, folds of the comforter pressed into her chest by spastic fingers. If she noticed her friend's odd behavior, the ME gave no sign. Her welcoming smile was the same as always, the warmth in her eyes unchanged. The difference, Jane discovered, was her own response, how her heart thudded with increased emphasis, how tiny shocks zinged along her skin.
Maura checked the time, a small gasp exiting her opened lips. "I need to go home and get ready."
"For what?"
Smiling, she adjusted the voluminous t-shirt as she gathered up her things which were neatly draped on a hanger dangling from the bathroom door. "Got a date but don't worry, I'll make your game this afternoon."
"With who?"
"Whom, Jane, with whom." Ignoring the other woman's snort, she continued, "Someone I met at the symposium last month, the one you didn't want to go to with me?"
"Slicing and dicing your cadaver? The do's and don'ts?"
Maura's tinkling laughter from behind the closed bathroom door infused Jane and she found herself inexplicably yearning to hear it again. Snap outta it Rizzoli! What in the hell's the matter with you?
"If you're referring to Professor Corwin Nichols' lecture on whether forensic psychologist are 'hired guns'-"
"-or play a legitimate and critical role in the judicious process?" The surprised look on the blonde's face was priceless when she exited the bathroom, fully clothed sans high heels. "I pay attention." Jane whispered.
"Are you playing at Dedham?"
"Yeah, at two o'clock, the Barnes Memorial Field." Jane fidgeted. "Let me know if you can't make it."
Maura looked at her sideways, a question crinkling on her brow. "Why wouldn't I?"
Feeling juvenile with a hint of embarrassment thrown in, the detective hurried to convey nonchalance. "Well, you do have a date." She wiggled her brows. "Might turn into more. I, of all people, understand the need to break a drought, so don't even think twice-"
A grin hovered over Maura's lips though she fought to keep it from showing. "What makes you think I'm in a drought?"
Jane managed to control her surprise. "I recall someone confessin' that it had been 'several months' since their last booty call."
"I guess it depends upon your definition of 'drought'."
"Well, all the same-"
Maura frowned, taking Jane's hand in hers unexpectedly. "You're my best friend, Jane. You mean more to me than a booty call."
"Oh, geez, let's not go all Steel Magnolias, Maur." When her friend simply stared back at her, Jane sighed. "The Julia Robert's movie we watched last week? 'Weezer, yah know I love you more than my luggage.'"
"'You are evil and you are going to hell'?"
The corners of her mouth rose as she tried unsuccessfully to suppress her amusement. "'You are evil and you must be destroyed.'"
Maura smiled. "You've seen it like thirty times, Jane."
Frankie and Frost were already at the ballpark when Jane pulled up. She had declined to share a ride with them, unwilling to be trapped by circumstances if the need arose. Jo Friday, tail wagging furiously, bounded out of the car. Jane slung her softball backpack over one shoulder then locked the car doors. Even during peak hours, parking spaces were plentiful. The long walk provided an opportunity to stretch her legs after the thirty minute drive. Jo Friday certainly didn't complain; she squatted on the first patch of green she saw, nearly jerking the unbalanced Jane forward.
Maura had texted her about forty minutes ago relaying that she would be there before 'tip-off' which caused the brunette to smile wide. The emotional turmoil that had boiled over from the night before to spill into the morning had lessened to such a degree, Jane could scoff about it under the bright afternoon sun. There was a game to be played and she was looking forward to using the 2011 Salvo composite bat she had bought online from someone looking to upgrade. New, it went for about two hundred dollars but she had gotten it for half that amount. Granted, there were scratches but no dents. The previous owner had even expertly re-taped the handle, an added bonus.
Jane slipped on a pair of sunglasses, adjusted the weight of the pack, and then urged her dog to hurry. Within minutes she located which field her team was playing on and could just make out the familiar forms of her partner and brother warming up outside the fence. Jane quickly set up Jo's water and outside mat under the tree by the dugout. Her eyes scanned the bleachers, looking for golden strands or perhaps a floppy hat. The faint ping in her chest was easily squelched.
Ten minutes later she still couldn't find Maura and the ping morphed into a pang, mocking her earlier indifference. As she warmed up with Frankie, she ensured herself a clear view of the bleachers, her eyes inexorably drawn in that direction. Jesus, I'm actin' like some kid…it's not like she hasn't been late before…it's not a big deal, it's not-
"Jane!"
The sound of Maura's voice instantly washed over Jane, calming and exciting her at the same time. She signaled to her brother that she was done then jogged up to the fence behind home plate, cradling her glove against her chest. Wearing a simple, light sun dress and modest pumps, the ME looked as fresh and as inviting as springtime. Jane stretched her hand over her head and curled two fingers around a link in the fence. The smile on Maura's face dazzled her and for a second or two, Jane could only swallow, incapable of words.
"I brought a...friend."
The words were like bugs nibbling at her brain. She experienced the compelling urge to scratch at her scalp to relieve the unpleasant, prickling sensation Maura's declaration had left. Her best friend had brought a date to her game, a rare event. Jane struggled to quash the heat boiling just under the surface of her skin. She kept her eyes trained on Maura's twinkling green ones, too afraid to look anywhere else.
A response was expected from her and the brunette struggled to push words past her clenched jaw. "That's good, Maur." The ME didn't seem to notice how the words sounded like rusted nails being pulled from a two-by-four.
"She's at the concession stand but should be back soon." Maura glanced over her shoulder then turned back, her grin broadening. "She's the redhead heading this way."
Jane's eyes jerked then widened as her heart was squeezed like an orange. "Uh…wow."
"Jasmine, this is my best friend, Jane Rizzoli."
"J-Jasmine, is it?" Jane stuttered. "Nice to meet you."
The petite ginger-haired woman stood nearly a foot shorter than the brunette. She was wearing an ice blue sleeveless shirt that matched her eyes. Other than that, the rest of the details slipped through Jane's attention.
"I've heard a lot about you, Detective Rizzoli. I should admit I'm a little intimidated."
The statement intended to allay fears, to garner acceptance and all it did to Jane was raise her hackles. I just bet you're intimidated. What kind of name is Jasmine anyway? Fuckin' strippers', that's who!
"It'll pass." She said, winking. "Game's about to start. I better go."
Jane gathered up Jo as she waited for the team that just finished their game to file out of the dugout. She joked and teased several of the players while keeping a studious eye on the medical examiner. Once inside the dugout Jane threaded her thick hair through the back of her ball cap and tucked in the wayward strands.
"Who's that with Maura?" Frost asked, spitting out sunflower shells.
"You really need to learn how to do that. Put some attitude into it, will ya?"
Frost rolled his eyes. "Are you gonna tell me or not?"
"Jasmine." She couldn't help the sour inflection she spun on the stranger's name.
"Do we hate her?" He asked mildly.
"Of course not, I barely know the woman. They met at that forensic thing last month Maura went to. Evidently she's intimidated by me."
"Already? Damn, Jane-"
Scowling, Jane hissed, "I just met her."
"Whatta we talkin' about?" Frankie said, skillfully expelling a stream of spit.
"Maura brought a date and Jane seems a little-"
"Shut up! If she wants a stripping leprechaun it's none of my business."
Impressed, Frankie commented, "Go Maura!"
Frost fist bumped Jane's brother and walked away towards the bats.
Jane concentrated on playing softball. She didn't notice how Maura was engaged in conversation with the leprechaun, not even stopping long enough to watch Jane at bat. Ignorant of the smiles lighting up the medical examiner's face and the delighted laughter falling from her lips, Jane played softball. When she struck out a second time, she nearly threw her new bat against the chain-link fence.
"Go get 'em, Jane!" Maura yelled, unaware that the detective was walking back to the dugout. The oversight grated on Jane's nerves.
The next time Jane stepped up to the plate, she kept one foot out of the batter's box and stared at Maura's profile. Already tight, the grip on her bat increased. Finally, she turned away, a burning sensation in her lower stomach fueling her anger. She squared up her shoulders, exhaled slowly and prepared to knock the hell out of the ball.
She struck out. Again.
Enduring several minutes of postgame teasing, Jane searched for Maura in the crowd. As quickly as possible she collected Jo and her backpack, darting through the people between her and the medical examiner.
"Hey." She breathed, Jo squirming in her arm.
Jasmine immediately backed away when she saw the little dog, a look of absolute fear etched across her face.
Maura affectionately petted Jo as she said, "Not your best performance."
The petulance was overwhelming as the multitude of childish remarks clogged her brain. The brunette forced herself to count to five before commenting. "No. It wasn't." She was pleased with her even delivery but she was far from perfect. Jane had witnessed the redhead's nervousness. "Would you like to hold her?"
