Hello readers! Thanks for, well, reading. I'm humbled by the wonderful reception from you all. Sincerely, thank you. It is a wonderful first experience in the world of fan fiction writing. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Conversation flows easily among the friends as they sit at their table. Frankie and Korsak have arrived completing their expected guest list.
"He's ahead of us. I mean this guy had to have been a track star. He was getting away no problem. Then wham!" Frankie makes an exaggerated smashing motion with his hands. Maura jumps ever so slightly from the sound. "From the side, Janie takes him out."
Nina and Korsak laugh heartily. Maura smiles proudly at the mildly embarrassed detective. Maura bumps shoulders with Jane. Jane smirks slyly at Maura as she returns the gentle push.
"As she's cuffing him he turns to look at her. And then he stops strugglin'. Then, get this, he has the nerve to ask for her number!"
The group laughs harder, this time Jane even joins. Maura's laughter is strangely absent.
"You didn't did you?" Maura asks. She tries to make her voice light with humor but it's slightly tempered with real concern.
Jane laughs harder, "Funny Maura." Smiling she looks over at Maura. Upon seeing Maura's face she does a double take. "You're serious?!"
"Well, I mean Jane, you do sometimes have a thing for bad boys," nervousness can be heard in her tone. She smiles hoping her explanation of concern is adequate.
"Really, come on Maura?!" Seeing her harsh tone has deflated the doctor she tries humor. "Have you had too much to drink already Dr. Isles?"
Jane starts to scoot Maura's Hemingway away from her. Maura's jovial manner returns as she reaches for the glass with a laugh.
"It may be stronger than my usual but it's not that strong. Hemingway Champagne, aptly named. Ernest Hemingway greatly valued masculinity. Continually proving one's manhood was an important aspect of Hemingway's Code Hero. Alcohol ingestion has long been a measure of masculinity. Considering this –"
Jane cut Maura off by placing a hand placed over her mouth. Korsak, Frankie, and Nina laugh. The feeling of the soft hand against her mouth shocks Maura. Her eyes widen. Jane's eyes are playful and triumphant. Maura smiles against Jane's hand. Jane can feel it and smiles. The doctor fakes a glare. They are locked in a staring contest – oblivious of the others.
The rest of their group exchange knowing looks. While Jane and Maura had gone to the bar for their third drinks of the night Nina had taken the time to finally inquire about the nature of Jane and Maura's relationship. Laughing, Korsak informed Nina that one of Boston's finest detectives had yet to detect that she was in love with her best friend.
With everyone otherwise occupied no one takes notice of Tommy's arrival. That is until he opens his mouth.
"Why don't you guys just kiss already?"
Both Jane's and Maura's face fall. Jane slowly removes her hand as they turn to stare at Tommy.
Frankie elbows his little brother, Korsak tries to contain his laughter, and Nina's eyes widen.
"Does that count?" Jane asks.
Locking eyes with Jane, Maura nods slowly. Jane breaths deeply and places a hand on Maura's elbow. Quickly she leans in placing a kiss on Maura's cheek. Despite her intentions of a chaste peck – Jane lingers. Her grip on Maura's arm tightens. Maura smiles. Jane withdraws slowly. Finding Maura's eyes she falls into them. The honey colored eyes sparkled.
"What the hell?" Tommy breaks the moment.
Nina being the only one other than Jane and Maura to know the truth of the matter steps up to explain, "Jane and Maura are having a night where they have to say yes to anything anyone suggests."
Comprehension enters the faces of the boys. Jane hits the table, "Shots, we are having shots." Jane gets up from the table and heads to the bar.
Maura blushes lightly but she smiles. Tommy pulls up a chair from a nearby vacant table and joins them.
"So how was your guys' week?" Tommy asks breaking the silence.
It is hard to tell if Tommy was being gracious in being the one to break the silence or if he was oblivious to the fact the silence was awkward. Either way, everyone was thankful.
With a thwack, the stripped pool ball sunk into the corner pocket.
"One more and you two are toast," Korsak gloated although it was his team mate who made the shot.
Jane hobbles over to the other side of the pool table for her next shot. Her hand rests against her back. "Goodness my back hurts," she sounds as if she is in pain. She straightens up and looks over at her old partner, "Must be from carrying you."
Korsak places his hand over his heart. "That hurts Jane."
Tommy and Frankie laugh at their antics.
Jane smirks and lines up her next shot.
"So what's going on with you and Maura?"
Jane scratches – badly. She stares at Tommy. Of course he would ask that. Not only was it in bad taste, she didn't have an answer.
"I… um… don't really know," Maura plays with the stem of her wine glass.
Nina had just asked Maura nearly the same question Tommy had just posed Jane.
Seeing Maura play with her glass Nina tries to give her an out, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Get a few drinks in me and I shouldn't be allowed to talk."
"No, no you're fine. I just didn't know it was noticeable."
"Maura honey it's very noticeable. I had to ask Vince and Frankie if you two were together."
Maura stares at Nina stricken.
"Vince said you two weren't but basically said you should be."
"Oh. Oh! Um, he feels that way?"
"Yeah it sort of sounds like everyone does."
"Studies have found that homophobia is more common in males. Although, those instances of homophobia are more frequently directed towards homosexual males rather than females. So I suppose it does make some sense."
Nina smile, "I'm sorry, clearly I've made you uncomfortable."
"Nina really your concern is misplaced – I'm not offended. It's just," Maura looks down at her hands and emotion enters her voice, "Jane doesn't share my feelings."
Nina laughs out loud startling Maura. She looks at Nina confused.
"Oh my god you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"What kind of a question is that Tommy?" her own confusion channels itself into hostility.
Unperturbed by Jane's harsh tone Tommy reasons, "You guys seem to be awfully close and all. Ya know, more than usual."
Tommy goes through the motions of lining up his shot as it is his turn. He doesn't see Jane glaring at him. Frankie and Korsak do.
Fearing for Tommy's safety Korsak suggest to Jane, "Why don't you see how Maura and Nina are doing?"
With the night of yes in motion, Korsak and Jane know this acts as a command rather than a simple suggestion.
Jane thrusts her pool cue out to Korsak. Once he takes it Jane stomps off to their table where Maura and Nina still sit.
Jane effectively scares Maura as she sits down in a huff next to her. To be fair Maura had been so desperate to know what Nina thought she should already know anything would have startled her.
"So what are you guys talking about?"
The panic in Maura's eyes is barely contained. Her eye's plead for help from Nina.
"Um Jane, why don't you go get us another round?" Nina smiles sweetly at Jane.
Jane is flabbergasted. She groans with frustration as she leaves the table. There's just no winning.
Once Jane is gone Nina turns back to Maura. "She likes you."
"Of course Jane likes me. We are best friends."
"As more than a friend."
"You're mistaken."
"Have you ever noticed that whenever she walks into a room she looks for you first? Or how she'll make excuses to touch you? She even puts her hand on the small of your back when you guys walk sometimes."
"That's not enough evidence to draw that conclusion. It pure conjecture."
"Maura, she hates when other people touch her. She initiates hugs with you. Emphasis on the initiates."
Maura contemplates that but she isn't entirely convinced. It shows on her face.
"Girl I get it. You don't want to make a big mistake with someone who's important to you. Why don't you use tonight to test the waters?"
"Nina, I'm not really sure Jane would appreciate that…," Maura says unsurely.
"Is that a no?"
After a pause Maura bolsters herself. She's Doctor Maura Isles Chief Medical Examiner of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts, Sure she may miss a few social cues but she has charm in spades. Surely she can charm her best friend. She won't look the fool. "No, it is not 'a no'." Maura stands with impeccable posture. She strides purposefully over to Jane.