Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters as they all belong to Tess Gerritsen and TNT.
First of all I need to thank everyone for their kind reviews and the helpful critique. I hope that I worked in your suggestions satisfactory and that you will enjoy the second chapter. You know when there's truth, dare can't be that far away.
Comments and critique whether it'd be positive or negative is always helpful and appreciated. Let me know what you think!
Stop and stare
Chapter 2: Truth? Pt. 2
Jane's eyes widened in shock as she felt the doctor's hand on her arm.
'Fuck!' Jane whispered towards the guys glaring at them hoping they'd understand to deny everything and anything that could possibly lead to the conclusion that had surely already formed in their minds. She didn't dare turn around scared to face Maura, because it meant she'd have to find out how much of their conversation she had actually heard.
'Jane, language' was all that was to be heard from behind her shoulder and with that the guys, who up until now had just been sitting around the table watching the scene unfold in front of them, bolted before neither Jane nor Maura could even question where they were heading to.
Frost, Korsak and Frankie exchanged glances while Jane was staring at her hands in utter shock when Maura came over and laid her hand on Jane's arm. They all knew that they should get the hell out of there before either of the women realized that the guys' plan was working out perfectly; so as if on cue they got up and swiftly walked over towards the pool tables.
Once they had reached the pool tables they all tried to act unsuspicious and motion for the waitress to come over. They ordered a couple more beers and Frankie slipped the waitress a couple of bills when she was done taking their order.
'Thanks a lot for helping us out. Nice touch with the phone number, too.' he said and winked at her. She just smiled, thanked him and walked away.
'I really cannot believe that this actually worked. Who would've thought our good detective could be so oblivious at times.' Frost chuckled.
'Yeah, I've known Janie for longer than I can remember and-' Korsak started.
'Yeah no surprise there, old man' Frost chirped in.
'Will you shut it, probe? As I was saying, I've known Janie for longer than I can remember and she's always been sharp and on the edge about everything, but I guess when it comes to the most important things in life, her senses aren't those of a detective.'
Frankie chuckled and agreed with Korsak 'Jane's always been a bit blind when it came to matters of the heart. Not real Rizzoli like there Jane. Usually we're the real charmers.' Frankie added with a self-satisfied grin on his face.
'Arrogant much?' Frost countered. 'But really, I wouldn't have thought that this would work as well as it did. When that waitress left her number I was certain she would realize what we're up to, but man, she really was blind. Didn't even realize that I texted Maura to come over earlier. I told her to save us from drunken Jane.'
They all started to engage in friendly banter, happy about their plan working out the way they had planned. At least the first couple of steps had. Now it was up to Jane to see where to take this, but just in case they had already made arrangements for the next couple of steps to take effect immediately.
Jane was as tense as a wooden board, her back stiff, toes curling into the soles of her shows and fingers tightening around the napkin she was still holding in her hands.
Maura gently brushed along her arm as she situated herself opposite Jane in the booth, wearing a warm smile on her lips.
Oh those lips…Jane thought as she started to feel her muscles relax a bit at the gentle touch. Did I just really think that?
'Jane, are you okay?' Maura asked concerned. 'You're all tense and, Jane? Breathe! Jane sweetie, what's wrong?' she was starting to get a bit nervous, because Jane didn't seem to show any kind of reaction.
When the detective finally let out a breath and started to relax, Maura's heart rate, which had spiked up immediately as soon as her hand had made contact with Jane's arm and skyrocketed when she saw the shocked expression on her face, seemed to slow with Jane's.
Sweetie? Did she just call me sweetie? Jane thought enjoying the ring that had to it.
'Maura…' Jane finally let out a breath. 'hey…when did you get here?' she asked trying to cover up her real question. Oh my fucking God, how much did she hear? Did she get what I was saying? Shit…
'Oh, I actually received Barry's text when I was on my way to my car to go home from the charity event I just got back from. I approximately entered the room 90 seconds ago, but why are you asking?'
Text? What text? Oh lord, I'm gonna kill them. Jane calculated in her head. 90 seconds. She can't have heard too much.
'No reason really' Jane lied. 'I just wanted to make sure you hadn't been standing there for some time.'
'Why? Did I miss something?' Maura asked innocently cocking her head towards the right. She always did that when she was curious about something and just now Jane realized how much she enjoyed seeing Maura like that. It made her all the more fascinating.
'No you didn't miss anything' Jane cleared her throat trying hard not to blush.
'Good, good.' Maura replied trying to figure out why Jane was behaving so strangely.
'So how was your charity event?' the detective asked steering the conversation away from what could quite possibly end very embarrassing for her.
Her eyes started to wander resting for a moment too long on Maura's chest, which was held up by a perfectly fitted, dark purple-blue dress. She almost chocked on the beer she was sipping on causing a small smile to appear on Maura's face.
Shit, she saw me looking. Shit, what now? Oh man…going to k.i.l.l. them!
'I see you dressed up nicely for the occasion.' Jane saved face with a compliment, or at least she hoped that's what she was doing.
'Thank you very much Jane.' Maura said still wearing that kind of devilish smile that Jane couldn't really interpret. Trying to figure it out she rested her eyes on Maura's lips for a little too long again.
I wonder what it would be like to…just lightly…
'Jane? Is everything alright?' she was yanked out of her thoughts.
Damn it! What the hell am I doing?
'Do I have something stuck in my teeth and a stain on my dress?' Maura asked perplexed, still not losing that smile.
'No, no, everything's perfect, don't worry. You're perfect.' Jane answered feeling like a fish on dry land.
Uh oh. Oh no. Shit. Did I just tell Maura that she's perfect? Well she is, but…
'I mean your dress is perfect. You look perfect in it…I mean…you know…'
God, I've had too much to drink.
Maura cocked her head in interest, her smile growing just a little wider. 'Well thank you, Jane. I believe I understand you like my dress. It's vintage, silk, hand stitched by a woman from Buenos Aires.'
'Well yeah of course I like it' Jane said, a blush creeping up her neck. I like all your dresses, especially with you in them.
'I like all your dresses, Maura.' Not again…I seriously need some more liquor.
Maura just smiled at Jane as the detective waved towards the waitress signaling for another round of shots and some wine for Maura.
Silence had fallen over the two women, both of them lost in their own thoughts until the drinks arrived.
'Thanks, just put them on my tab okay? And can I also get another beer, please?' Jane told the waitress. As she was leaving she winked at Jane and just said 'Sure whatever you may want.'
Jane couldn't help but smile at her suggestions.
Maura looked at Jane quite bemused. 'What was that all about?' she asked innocently, but with a hint of jealousy in her voice that took her by surprise.
The detective glanced at Maura having detected that slightly irritated change to Maura's usually very clear voice. 'Oh it was nothing. I think she kind of misinterpreted and left her number…seems like she wanted to be more than a little friendly.' Jane chuckled holding up the paper napkin with the waitresses' number on it and then threw back her head to drink up her liquor.
'I see' was all Maura managed to say to that. She continued sipping on her wine 'maybe you should just go for it?'
Jane chocked on her beer not believing her ears. 'Did you just suggest I take her up on her offer and take her home with me?'
'Of course I did. I don't see any logical reason why you shouldn't do so. Her features are quite pleasing to the eye and she offered after all. You're not seeing anyone at this moment, so I don't see why you should not enjoy yourself. Being intimate with someone else does release quite a bit of stress too, so maybe it's even a pretty good idea considering the stressful week you have had.' Maura looked at Jane with an innocent smile playing on her lips, yet her expression bared no sarcasm at all.
She cannot be serious about this. Jane just stared at her friend with wide eyes, not able to say anything.
'But…'
'But she is a woman?' Maura questioned.
'I do not see how that makes a difference. You know there have been studies showing that human sexuality, especially female sexuality is fairly fluent. For example there was a study conducted just recently by…'
'I know that, Maura. You're talking Google.' Jane cut her off. 'So you're saying that you think I'm gay? Or bisexual? Or does that mean that you are?' How about both?
Jane's words spilled out of her mouth faster than she was able to comprehend their meaning.
'Jane, you know that I believe in science and if studies show those results, then I accept them to be true. That however does not mean that either of us is homosexual. What it means is that most human beings have the potential to be just that. The studies have shown, that most females are somewhere in between strictly heterosexual and strictly homosexual, which by definition would mean that they are bisexual.'
The medical examiners expression was still one of utter seriousness when she explained her thoughts. She was however thoroughly enjoying watching Jane blush lightly at first, then turning a deep red and finally, pale. It took Maura a moment to realize that the pale complexion of her friend was not due to her comment, but more so to the amount of alcohol Jane had consumed, so she decided to get Jane out of there as soon possible before she puked all over her new dress.
'Jane? You don't look too well.' Maura addressed her friend, who barely managed to divert her gaze to her eyes. Maura knew that the quick succession in which Jane had consumed the liquor shots and her beer had probably made her feel nauseous.
'Come on; let's get you out of here. I'll walk you home.' She instructed as she stood up, grabbing Jane by the elbow and slowly leading her out of the bar.
Jane was dumbfounded. She had not expected her evening to end in a conversation about possible bisexuality with Dr. Maura Isles. What surprised her most were her own feelings about it. Somehow Maura made everything seem so normal. Sure she seemed surprised by Maura's revelation, but then she could've just guessed that Maura wouldn't be opposed to being with a woman. Jane had read the studies too, so she knew exactly what Maura was talking about and it actually made sense to Jane that Maura would think that way.
This new discovered fact caused a warm feeling to spread inside Jane's stomach, calming the little butterflies that had started to roam around.
Maybe, just maybe there's the slightest chance that there could be more than just friendship between us. How in the world am I gonna get her to see it too? See what she and I have is special. I think I'm gonna fall in love with science if this is what I get for listening to it Jane thought as she ran her eyes up and down Maura's beautiful figure as they were walking down the street towards Jane's apartment.
Then Jane's phone started beeping signaling an incoming text from her brother. All it said was 'Dare?'
