Sooo, I'm back. Here is the latest installment. It...has a lil bit of everything in it. I couldn't help myself lol. I do hope you enjoy. Don't be shy. Happy reading! You can blame my beta reader MSonya for the cliffhanger. She insisted that there was more to this story, and I ended up agreeing.
The day had been busy thus far. Maura was swamped with test results, prelims and other forms of paperwork. While parts of her remained sharp and alert, the lack of sleep made Maura weary around the edges. It was when she began to crinkle toward the middle that she stopped to take the proverbial break in her office.
Even though it was needed, the break allowed her time to ponder. Today, Maura barely had time to engage in daily routine. In fact, she acknowledged grudgingly that she was trying to avoid part of it all together by purposefully limiting her interaction with Jane. Despite Angela Rizzoli's encouragement, Maura's lingering fear kept her cowed, hesitant. In admittance of her feelings, she had taken one step forward, but in the process jumped two back to a place more comfortable.
Still, while Maura pulled back, Jane marched forward, sending a barrage of texts that varied from the mundane to the ridiculous but they never failed to make her smile. Unable to help herself she replied to a few of them. It all allowed a tiny sliver of hope to embed itself deep within. It was faint amongst everything else but it was there. Her cell phone beeped for what had to be the thirtieth time in the past few hours. Intrigued by the next offering, Maura hit the home button illuminating the message.
Are you busy? Can I call?
It was from Cailin. Maura was more than surprised. A sense of dread seeped in. There was something wrong there had to be. She took a breath, getting ahold of herself. This was ludicrous. There was no evidence to suggest what she was thinking. Maybe she just wanted to talk. Maura cringed, but Cailin was so…so unpredictable. It wasn't something she really found endearing, except in Jane. This gave her pause. It was even more ludicrous that she couldn't keep the detective out of her thoughts.
I'm just gonna call. Tired of waiting.
Unpredictable. Utterly.
Maura's cell phone rang. She waited a few seconds before answering the call. "Is there something wrong?"
Cailin chuckled. "We don't exactly do girl talk do we?"
"Hence my question."
"Relax, Maura. I'm not in trouble. I'm actually excited. I aced all my finals."
"That's wonderful news." Maura's tone was flat and she could not figure out why. There was more to this phone call. She was sure of it.
"Don't sound so enthused."
"Shouldn't you call your mother with the news?"
"I will. I wanted to talk to you first." There was a noticeable pause. "I overheard your conversation with Angela this morning."
The dread, while a little dramatic, suddenly became warranted. It blended nicely with irritation. "You were eavesdropping."
"I ain't dropping no eaves."
Confusion was not a good thing to add. It only increased Maura's aggravation. "Double negative. Not to mention the sentence itself was ridiculous."
"Pop culture references are really lost on you sometimes. What a waste." Cailin's tone held laughter. "Tolkien, Maura? Lord of the Rings?"
"I don't enjoy fantasy even if it's hidden in social commentary."
"Pity because I think you're Jane's… Sam. You two should watch the movies. The homoerotic overtones were—"
"Cailin!" Maura actually stomped her foot. It didn't matter that she was sitting.
"Maura."
"Is there a point to this conversation because I can assure you I've found nothing redeeming in it." Maura knew she was being overly harsh, but well, she just couldn't help it. Emotions were emotions.
"Mrs. Rizzoli was right. You should tell her."
Maura opened her mouth but no sound emitted from it.
"I'm going to consider this a Hallmark moment. I made Maura Isles speechless."
"You're insufferable." Maura finally found her words and they were somewhat scathing.
"So is Jane, but you love her." Cailin voice continued to be filled with mirth.
"Why are you interested in my personal life?"
"Don't know yet. It's like I'm on this weird reality show, and I have a hand in controlling the outcome."
"Pardon me?!" Maura was outraged.
"Pop culture reference, right. You don't get those."
"I understood that one." Maura muttered.
"Yay, Maura."
"No one likes to be belittled, Cailin."
"I would never poo poo you, Maura."
"I'm hanging up now."
"Tell her."
"Goodbye, Cailin." Maura ended the call.
She slammed her cell phone on the desk and took several deep breaths. Her insides quivered and she realized that her hands were shaking as well. She stood and smoothed the wrinkles out of her pencil skirt before walking around the desk. It was pacing, yes, but she needed it. Being off kilter did not work well with her psychological make-up.
Her phone chirped again nearly making her jump out of her skin. Something close to a growl came out of her mouth. She reached for the phone intent on…she had no idea what.
I know you're busy but it's boring as shit not being able to talk to you. Dead ppl can keep for a few minutes talk to me.
Warmth flooded Maura, leaving her face feeling flushed, hot. Inside, she melted completely. Before she could stop herself, she typed a reply. Impatience is not a good trait for a detective to have.
A few seconds later the text notification dinged. I can't be perfect all the time. She could almost see Jane's smirk, and just like that, the promise she made to herself was abandoned.
Maura smiled somehow charmed by just a few words. Shouldn't you be working?
Taking a break but I am. Kripke stabbing. It's called old fashion police work. Have to canvas the neighborhood. Someone had to see something.
Good luck. Maura wrote back.
Can you take a call? I really hate the texting thing.
She barely got the chance to reply before her phone started to ring. Maura answered it hungry for the sound of Jane's voice and some semblance of her presence. "I'd like to amend my previous statement to very impatient," she said by way of greeting.
Jane chuckled. "I blame it on being Italian."
"Adding boredom to that equation would probably be dangerous." Maura sat back down. She had to.
"Well with Frost the only one to bring me down we're in trouble, and he's at the other end of the block."
"He hasn't been very entertaining?"
"I didn't say that. He's Frost and you're Maura."
"I am, yes." Maura couldn't keep the amusement out of her voice.
"We've barely talked all day." Jane said.
"I'm aware of that as well."
"I don't like that." Jane added softly.
Maura's already melted insides puddled even more. She swallowed, and murmured, "Neither do I."
"So…you want to tell me what's going on?" Jane asked. Her tone was serious but gentle.
Subterfuge. It was something she was becoming very good at. "What do you mean?"
"Oh come on, Maura. I know you. Something's not right. Is having your sister here really getting to you?"
It was the truth. Jane did know her well, and she knew she could not hide forever. Still, it would have been so easy to run with the explanation given, but Maura knew she couldn't. "No, I—"
The knock on her door could not have come at a more opportune moment. She had no idea what she was going to say. Criminalist Chang poked her head in. "Do you have a minute?"
Maura nodded and waved her inside. "Jane? I'll see you tonight?"
"Maybe." She husked irritably.
Maura's stomach rolled at the thought, but she hung up anyway.
Maura peered at the John Doe's stomach contents with more than a little confusion. It looked to be cheese and ice cream. It was an odd combination.
The outer door beeped as someone entered. She ignored it to continue her analysis, but when the door to the morgue made the same noise, Maura glanced upward.
Entering with a swagger, determination was written all over Jane's face. This was not good in the overall scheme of things. A frisson of fear chased its way down Maura's spine.
Jane held up a bag with the name of Maura's favorite deli written on it, Bracco's and a drink tray. "I'm sure you avoided lunch just like you tried to avoid me."
Truly, she had. Her stomach growled in protest.
"Should I take it as a good thing that I'm not hearing a denial?"
Maura tried to smile. "Lunch was forgotten, yes."
Jane rolled her eyes as she ambled closer. "That's what you got out of that statement?"
"I assumed it was somewhat rhetorical."
A dark brow hiked upward on Jane's forehead. "Weirder and weirder, and yes, that is a word."
"I am aware. However, I expected you to use hinky or some other derivative. That, however, is not a word."
Jane smirked. "Don't try to change the subject. Plug him up and let's eat."
"I have to finish the prelims for-"
"Maura." Jane's tone left no room for argument.
"Yes?"
"Come with me." Brown eyes were intense and questioning. Maura found herself captured within them.
"Yes."
Jane turned. She didn't wait to see if Maura was following, but she would. When Jane was involved, she rarely had a choice. It was a compulsion. Maura pulled her gloves and began washing up.
When Maura entered her office, Jane had her sandwich cut in quarters and placed neatly on a paper plate. The familiarity made her heart slam against her chest. There was something sexy about it. She walked around her desk. She stopped abruptly when Jane reached out, grabbing her forearm.
"Eat and then we talk. Okay?"
"Yes." Maura closed her eyes briefly. Did she not have command of the English language any longer?
"Are you going to say yes to everything I say?" Jane's smirked looked almost wicked, but Maura was sure she was imagining things.
Maura froze momentarily then eased into her chair. Her stomach clenched almost painfully. Dear God, she would. She knew she would. "I'm sorry. It's been a long day. I'm a bit tired." That was far from a lie. She was exhausted both physically and emotionally.
They ate in relative silence, which was completely aberrant.
Maura could feel Jane's eyes on her. They never seemed to leave. She actually began to squirm.
Jane slurped at her drink as she continued her scrutiny. She sat the cup on a napkin to keep water rings from forming on Maura's desk no doubt.
It was thoughtful and sexy. Maura groaned internally. Did she have to find everything sexy?
"I heard from Casey this morning."
That most certainly was not sexy. A sharp sliver of pain entered her chest. "How is he?" Maura smiled and put on the face of best friend.
"He's Casey I guess."
"You sound-" Maura let hope through.
"Disappointed? I'm not really. I suppose that whatever was there just kind of fizzled out."
"Does that upset you?"
Jane shrugged. "No, I'm used to it. Hell, you're the most consistent and longest relationship I've been in." She smirked. "What does that tell you?"
So many things. So very many things. "Bros before hoes?" It just tumbled out of her mouth. Maura decided that Detective Frost was obviously a bad influence.
Jane blinked then she roared with laughter. "Oh God. Frost is going to go ape shit when I tell him about this."
Maura watched forever fascinated by this woman. One moment she could be so contained and the next so very free. It was a conundrum, and it kept her intrigued. "It says that I accept you for who you are…all that you are."
Dark eyes softened. "Yeah." Jane frowned. "Please tell me what's going on."
Their gazes met and Maura wanted to tell her so badly that it left an ache.
There was knock at her door. Criminalist Chang poked her head in once more. Maura wanted to kiss the woman for her lack of etiquette.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's important but I suppose that I can come—"
"No. It's okay Suzie." Maura could hear the relief in her voice.
The woman smiled at both of them." There's an issue with some samples. They may have been compromised."
Maura smiled in return. "I'll be there momentarily."
Suzie nodded. Maura stood and walked from behind her desk. Jane reached out, capturing her arm in a strong grip. Dark eyes held confusion and hurt. "Maura?"
Maura's chest heaved. Even this kind of touch was welcome. Their eyes met briefly, but she had to look away. It literally burned. "I'll see you tonight?"
Jane nodded and whispered, "Yeah."
For once, Maura was thankfully alone in her own home. However, she knew it was not going to last. She took a healthy gulp of a very nice Vouvray, hoping to calm nerves that were way past strained. It almost hurt, keeping so much inside. Had it only been just over twenty four hours since this all occurred? It felt like longer…maybe a year or two.
She heard her front door open and vehemently hoped it someone other than Jane. Cailin strolled into the kitchen. She gave Maura a wide smile.
"Am I driving you to drink?"
Maura scoffed but drank the remaining wine in her glass before filling it again. "No."
Cailin smirked. "Uh huh."
"Don't you have friends?" Maura asked peevishly.
"You know I do. This house is just so…interesting."
Maura's breath caught as the door opened again. She could hear familiar voices in the living area, the Rizzolis.
Mother and daughter walked into the kitchen as if it were their own.
"I brought left overs for dessert. I made the best cake." Angela announced. She sat the container on the counter.
Jane ambled toward her. Maura brought the glass to her lips only to have it snatched away. Jane took a sip.
"Mmm, what's this?"
There was something sex-. Maura halted her thoughts. "Vouvray."
"It's good. I like it." Jane took another deep swallow. While her tone was light, her eyes held the same intensity as earlier.
Maura could feel eyes on them. She glanced upward to twin smiles and shining eyes. Tachycardia was becoming a normal occurrence.
"I'm going to take a bath. I deserve it." Cailin announced. Ambling past them, she coughed.
Maura was sure she heard. "Tell her." Jane looked up as well.
Cailin rubbed her chest. "Excuse me. Must be coming down with something."
Maura glared. Heat suffused her face.
Angela cleared her throat. "That sounds good. You two are on your own tonight." She stared pointedly at Maura.
Jane stiffened. "Okay! What the hell?!"
Angela waved away her daughters indignation. "Tired. Long day." She disappeared out the kitchen door that led outside to the guest house.
Jane threw her hands up and turned to Maura. "Is everybody in on this craziness? This is the last time I'm asking, Maura."
Maura stepped away. She couldn't take it anymore. It was all just too overwhelming. Her nerves were frayed. Everything was frayed. "Or what Jane?" She didn't mean for it to come out as umbrage.
The detective's eyes widened. "Wha-what is wrong with you?!" She sputtered. "You've been acting weird for the past two days and you're angry with me?"
"Yes! You're a detective Jane!" Maura knew this wasn't rational but she was well past that.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Detect!" Maura exclaimed.
Jane's face reddened. "I don't know what's going on, but I've had enough. Call me when you get the bug out of your ass." She stomped away.
Maura blinked. This was certainly not the way it was supposed to go. Gathering the wits she had left, she followed.
Jane was near the front door.
"Wait!"
She stopped but didn't turn around.
Maura closed the distance between them. Jane was still and rigid. She seemed to radiate anger. Refusing to let it deter her, Maura reached out and grasped her forearm. Muscles clenched in response. Unable to help herself, she trailed her hand upward over Jane's bicep. "Please?"
Slowly, Jane turned. Her face was hard. Her eyes were harder. Maura didn't like her like this. As if they had a mind of her own, her fingertips brushed against Jane's cheek.
Brown eyes softened. "Maura? Wha—"
"Shhh." Maura pressed a finger against Jane's mouth and stepped closer. Heat engulfed her. Warning bells blared in her ear, but Maura refused to listen.
The detective looked confused, hesitant. Maura didn't let that deter her. They gazed at each other and Jane's eyes cleared. She knew. She knew everything, but before she could utter a word, Maura captured Jane's lips with her own.
Maura whimpered. Jane felt, tasted just like she knew she would: soft, warm and completely unique. She nipped at her bottom lip. Jane gasped, stiffened, but she didn't pull away. She seemed to melt in Maura's embrace. Then, she took control of it.
Jane's tongue flicked against Maura's lips, begging entry. There was no need. She was eager to give. At the first slide of tongues, Jane moaned thickly and pulled Maura flush against her.
It was all Maura had been waiting for and so much more, but just as she was about to celebrate and surrender completely, Jane ended the caress abruptly.
Their chests heaved.
Jane's eyes were frightened and they looked everywhere except at Maura.
Fear was catching. It seeped into Maura as well. "Jane?" She asked tentatively.
"No." Jane shook her head. "What—what are we doing?"
"I-"
"Maura, no!" Jane turned and pulled the door open. Before Maura could say another word, it slammed in her face.
So startled by the turn of events, Maura jumped. Horrified, she peered at the door. Her heart dropped to her stomach. "Damn." She whispered as everything came crashing down on her at once. Rejection always stung but rejection from Jane was devastating. A sound escaped her throat. It was one she had never heard before. She brought a trembling hand to her chest. The second sound she could identify. It was a sob. She hoped Angela was right. She hoped their friendship could survive this.
TBC