Normally she would have gone out for drinks with Korsak and Frost but today she just wasn't up to it. As they were grabbing their jackets Frost called to Jane, "Hey Jane, you coming?" Korsak chuckled, "We'll make up the bill by buying you enough beer to swim in." "Nah, I don't think I'll risk the rest of my suit today. Just going to go crash." Jane grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair and walked past them, "Don't have too much fun." Korsak gave her a half salute and Frost a short nod, "Try staying out of trouble with your couch and tv." "Yeah thanks, I'll keep that in mind as long as a cop drama doesn't come on and I have to shoot the thing." She headed out the door, pulling up her phone as it buzzed she sent the call from her mom to voice-mail. I can't put her off long...if it's important she can leave it in the message. Her mother was on the list of things she wasn't up to at the moment. Just one night to be alone and vegetate some.
When she walked in Jo jumped about a foot high greeting her. "Hey there." A quick hello and petting for Jo, clothes changed, pizza ordered, TV on, beer in hand. Everything required for her mental detox was set. She flipped through and settled on a chick flick. Well, she thought it was a chick flick...then the woman's husband tried to kill her. She grimaced and sipped her beer as the wife started in on her husband with a baseball bat. "Wow...next please." Click...click...click...ding. Jane looked up as the doorbell rang. A generic greeting and a signature later cheeseburger pizza was open on the coffee table. Jo had settled with her head in Jane's lap comfy and eying the pizza. Click...stopped on a channel with a man and woman at some restaurant. Jane took a long swig as they made small talk on screen. He had always noticed her when he went into her shop. She was so happy he had finally asked her out. Jane pointed angrily at the screen with her pizza slice, "Then why didn't you ask him out?" Of coarse I say that to the screen, but when was the last time I asked a guy out?Jane stuffed pizza in her mouth annoyed at herself. She looked down at Jo, "Am I not aggressive? You know, I've tackled guys twice my size onto asphalt but can't ask one out." Jo wagged her tail happily. "Yeah yeah, guess you want food too huh? So needy."
Something was buzzing. Jane woke up and slowly connected the dots until she realized her phone was going off. "Shit." Half awake she flung a hand onto the table feeling for her phone. She could barely make out the chords of the funeral march. Flipping it open she croaked, "Yes Maura?"
"Morning Jane, are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine, just fell asleep on the couch."
"You know sleeping on the sofa can cause neck strain and back pain. You really should sleep with your spine in alignment."
"Yes doc, I'll keep that in mind. What are you calling for?"
"We have plans."
"Yeah, but...what time is it?"
"11:47, I was calling to confirm for this afternoon. I have quite a few varieties, I'll need help carrying them up unless you've injured your back. Have you stretched? Is there stiffness?"
Jane didn't move. "Hmmm...no...no stiffness. Right as rain."
"Good then, I'll be over around 4:00? Should I bring food?"
"You're bringing drinks, I can do food. Did you want to stay over?"
"That would make things simpler."
"Right, see you then."
"Ok, bye."
Jane dropped the phone onto the floor next to the couch, and opened one eye looking at Jo, "You have to pee don't you."
Before Maura called Jane had showered, dressed, walked Jo, and gotten food for dinner. Jane shook the little packet of feta cheese and shrugged as she poured it over the spinach salad. Jo watched her move about getting things together. "What?" Jane shook out the last of the cheese. "I can cook, but that doesn't mean I always have to." She grabbed the ominously playing phone, "On my way down."
"Ok"
She hung up and headed out. When she saw Maura she almost felt exasperated. "You know I didn't expect to go anywhere else tonight." Maura cocked her head confused, "Why would you think we were going somewhere else?"
"Did you look at yourself before you left, or do you manage to dress like that in the dark?"
Maura looked down at herself. "What?"
Jane took a moment. Maura was in a short deep green dress with fluttering material and shoes that no human should wear that looked strapped to her feet.
"This is quite comfortable and the fabrics are very casual. The dress is cotton and chiffon and the shoes are Christian Louboutin wedges."
"Oh, now it makes sense." Jane turned before she rolled her eyes pretending to have an itch. Maura cheerfully handed her a small box. "Those are a gift. I thought they would add some fun and authenticity to our evening."
Jane quirked an eyebrow at her and opened the lid. "Steins?"
"Yes, they're Oktoberfest steins from Munich."
"Maura...I think you're missing the point of beer."
"I've actually sampled a few since that night, the microbrewery sub culture is quite interesting." Jane couldn't help but smile at her. Give her something that she liked and Maura became an expert.
"I already feel more cultured."
Upstairs they sat down to Jane's salad and burgers. The salad was a compromise to not hear about calorie content on fries. Jane smiled and nodded while Maura explained the first brew. Something German... Jane idly clicked her stein lid as Maura held up the bottle gesturing She really does have nice hands...something soothing about the rhythm of her voice. "So we drink now?" Jane held her stein up to be filled. "Yes." Maura drank slowly savoring the flavor and commenting on the sweet undertones of the light ale. Jane took a couple long drinks and declared it good enough to drink.
They tried an Oktoberfest Beer.
Man, she really did her research. Holy crap she put a lot of thought into this. They talked about Maura's experiences at an actual Oktoberfest, Jane laughed and told about going to fall fest when she was a kid.
Then an Optimator that was dark and rich.
Shit, she really imported these. This stein must be over $100. At least they cost less then those shoes I bet. How does she always have her legs look so smooth. "And I was sitting here last night watching some movie and the woman was saying to the man that she was so happy he finally asked her out, and I was thinking the whole time why didn't you ask him out? Then I realized I always wait for the guy to make the move, and if they don't I don't do anything. What if I've missed the perfect guy because he was shy?" Maura took a drink, "I doubt that. But I do see where your dominant energy could be intimidating." "Am I really? I mean, I flirt, that should be a hint, right?" Maura set her stein on the counter, "You flirt aggressively." "What does that mean?" "Well..in my experience you challenge them more then flirt. Some men could be intimidated." Maura could see Jane's annoyed retort and headed it off, "But, I don't think you would like a man that was that easily intimidated." Jane, for lack of a better word, pouted into her beer. Maura reached across laying her hand on Jane's, "Don't worry, probability states there is someone out there that is ideal for you." Jane looked up at her then down at her hand. Is her hand always this soft? "If you were a guy, would you hit on me?" Maura took a moment and eyed Jane up and down. Jane couldn't stop from squirming, it felt like Maura was undressing her with her eyes. "Yes." "Just yes? No why?" "You have symmetrical facial structure which is a big part of attractiveness, you appear healthy, and have attractive secondary sex characteristics." "Secondary sex characteristics?" Maura smiled and patted her hand, "Jane, it means you have nice breasts and hips." Jane chocked on her beer at hearing her thoughts about Maura from earlier repeated. "Uh...thanks?"
Followed by a Premium Lager sweet and full. "So Maura, would you ask out a guy that you thought was hot?" "Well, yes." "Just like that. Hi, nice to meet you. Dinner somewhere at 7?" "Not that abrupt, I would speak to them. If it went well, it could be worth continuing." Maura took another drink and finished hers, "I'm going to put the rest in your fridge and get ready for bed." Jane nodded and started drinking to finish hers, she turned watching Maura bend over sliding the drinks into her fridge. Nice breasts and hips...heh, might as well add hot ass then. Jane snorted. Maura glanced back at her, "Did you say something?" "Oh...no...uh..choked a little." Maura closed the door leaning next to Jane on the counter, "It's actually inaccurate that German beer is served warm. They simply serve it cold as apposed to ice cold." "I can see where that would confuse people." Maura touched her shoulder giving a soft squeeze as she disappeared into Jane's bedroom for her overnight bag. Jane scowled at her drink. Does it mean something then that I like her secondary sex stuff? I wonder if Maura...no...no way.
They laid side by side in Jane's bed. Maura in a night...outfit was the best word Jane could find. Something silky that clung to her body. Since Jane had started poking her stray thoughts about Maura...her hands...her breasts...her legs...her hips...she was noticing more things she liked. "Ok...I know I keep bringing this up, but it bothered me. You seemed pretty sure, have you ever asked someone out?" Maura rolled onto her side facing Jane, "I've asked a few people out." "Did it go well?" Maura shrugged, "Decently so, but since I'm single not that successful overall." "...have you ever asked a woman out?" Jane felt her heart rushing as she asked, afraid Maura would read something into her asking...or not read anything into it. "A couple of times." Jane leaned up in bed. "A couple of times? Really? Wait, so are you into women?" Maura shrugged again, "Sexuality, especially for women, tends to be a very fluid thing. If you find yourself compatible with someone I don't feel gender is a primary concern in modern times." Jane lay back down stunned. I shouldn't be surprised though...it seems to make sense. "Why do you ask Jane?" A million panicked thoughts ran through her head. "Oh, just curious." That seemed to satisfy her. Maura soon drifted off to sleep while Jane turned and tossed finally managing to sleep.