A/N: Translations for the Italian being spoken are at the end of the chapter.


In the morning Jane woke up with Maura half laying on her, a leg thrown across hers. Jane looked down and noticed the thin strap of the black teddy Maura was wearing had slipped off her shoulder.

Jane moved only slightly and the grip Maura had on her waist tightened. Jane smiled and kissed the top of Maura's head.

"Pamela said you don't work today." Maura mumbled on Jane's chest. "She said to go out and have fun but I just want to stay in bed and have fun."

"I want to show you Rome." Jane told her.

"Is that what you're calling it now?" Maura asked and Jane could feel Maura smiling against her.

"Come on get out of bed." Jane said as she shifted and got out of bed. Maura grabbed Jane's pillow and hugged it and closed her eyes.

Moments later Maura heard Jane making noise in the bathroom. She opened her eyes when the shower turned on. She smiled, got out of bed and went into the bathroom. She took off her teddy and got in the shower with Jane.

"Nice of you to join me." Jane said to her as she slipped her arms around Maura's waist and kissed her on the lips.

Maura hands started to drift down Jane's back to her ass.

"No." Jane said stepping back from her. "You save your energy. We have a lot to do today." She said then turned around and started to wash her hair.

Maura stood there for a good minute just staring at Jane's back.

"Jane." Maura said to her almost stomping her foot as she pouted.

"Sorry can't hear you, washing my hair." Jane said as she put her head under the spray of the shower.

"You turn around right now and have sex with me." Maura demanded and Jane started to laugh. She turned around and cupped Maura's pouting face and kissed her on the lips.

She pulled back a little, "You're grumpy when you're horny." She said then kissed Maura on the lips again. She smiled, "But I'm not having sex with you right now." She turned around and finished washing her hair.

Maura slapped Jane on the ass, "I'll remember that." She warned then grabbed the soap and lathered up.

They got out of the shower, dried off then went to get dressed.

"Wear a pair of jeans and some tennis shoes." Jane told her as she grabbed her cellphone.

"Why?" Maura asked going into the closet.

"We're going for a ride." Jane told her as she called Angela.

"Janie!" Angela yelled into the phone.

Jane jerked her head from the phone, "She scared the crap out of me." Jane said to Maura then put the phone back to her ear.

"I'm deaf in my left ear now Ma, thank you very much." She said as she grabbed some clothes.

"How did it go last night Jane? You didn't call me. Did Maura wish you luck for me?" Angela asked excited to hear all about it.

"Yes Maura wished me luck. Thank you for that." Jane said as she put on her underwear. "Last night was great. Everyone enjoyed the food or at least they seemed to."

"Oh Jane of course they enjoyed it." Angela said proudly.

"Sorry I didn't call you afterwards I was really tired." Jane told her, "I just came home and went right to sleep."

"That's okay Jane." Angela told her.

"How's the restaurant?" Jane asked as she grabbed a pair of jeans and shimmed into them.

"Ah so you're really calling to see if I've burned the place down right?" Angela asked.

Jane laughed, "No Ma, I trust you. I was just asking."

"The restaurant is great. I've added a few things to the menu." Angela told her.

"Ma…" She said it as a warning.

"It's just a few things to be served on special nights. Your restaurant will be just the way it was when you get home. I promise you." Angela told her.

Jane smiled, "Okay."

Jane looked at Maura who was completely dressed and ready to go while she was walking around on the phone in nothing but a pair of jeans.

"Uh, Ma I got to go for now. I'm taking Maura out to see some of Rome." Jane told her.

"Okay you girls have fun. I'll talk to you later." Angela said then hung up.

"Ma says hi." Jane said as she tossed her cellphone on the bed and grabbed a bra.

"You know you're half undressed already." Maura said going over to Jane.

"Always the optimist, seeing me as being half undressed." Jane smiled as she put her bra on.

"We could just stay in." Maura said kissing Jane's bare shoulder.

"Is Rome synonymous with sex to you or something?" Jane joked with her as she grabbed a dark blue t-shirt from one of the drawers of the dresser.

She turned around and saw Maura sitting on the bed pouting. "Oh no, that's not going to work on me again." She said as she finished getting dressed.

"Come on let's go." She said as she put her cellphone in her pocket.

They walked hand and hand down the road a little ways. "Jane, where are we going?" Maura asked her.

"Just be patient." Jane told her and kissed the back of her hand as they continued to walk.

They finally stopped outside of a scooter rental store. Maura gave Jane a questioning look. "Just stay here I'll be right back." Jane told her then went inside the shop.

A few minutes later Jane came back outside with a short bald Italian man following her muttering something to Jane in Italian. Jane just nodded her head and kept saying "Si, Si." Again and again before the man handed Jane two helmets and a set of keys.

Jane handed Maura the pale yellow helmet. "This one's ours." Jane said as she went over to a powder blue scooter.

Jane put on her helmet and looked over at Maura, "Well don't we look all kinds of sexy?" She said with a laugh.

Jane got on the scooter and looked at Maura, "Get on." Jane told her and Maura gave her a look.

"This is why you had to wear jeans. Just swing your leg over and scoot in real close to me." Jane told her.

"Why can't I have my own scooter?" Maura asked her.

"Do you know how to drive a scooter?" Jane asked.

Without saying a word Maura swung her leg over the scooter and got on behind Jane.

Jane smiled, "Okay hold on." Jane told her.

"To what?" Maura asked.

Jane reached back and grabbed Maura's arms and put them around her waist. "Now, I say again, hold on." Jane told her as she started the scooter.

Maura's grip tightened as Jane took off on the scooter. They rode through the streets and Maura took in the view.

Jane would stop on the side of the road and point out some of the sights to Maura and explain a little of the history before they'd take off again.

Jane found a small restaurant by the water's edge for them to have lunch at.

"Jane what happens to the food you and the staff cook at the restaurant?" Maura asked as they ate.

"They are small test meals so the staff usually takes it home with them at the end of the day." Jane told her, "Nothing goes to waste."

"Oh that's good." Maura said as she looked around at the scenery, "Rome is so beautiful." Maura said as she slowly ate her salad.

"You know what we saw is just a very small part of Rome." Jane told her.

"Oh I know." Maura said to her. "I just want to see it all."

For the next week Jane was busy at the restaurant working with the staff and perfecting dishes. Maura spent her time at the apartment or out with Pamela.

"You know when the time comes; you're not going to want to leave." Pamela said to Maura as they ate a late lunch outside of a small café.

"What do you mean? Boston is my home." Maura told her.

"What's waiting for you there?" Pamela asked her.

Pamela wasn't trying to be hurtful it was a legitimate question but Maura's first thoughts went to Constance. She stayed in Boston because that's where she was born and raised and because her mother was there. Now that she and her mother weren't speaking Maura started to wonder the same thing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Pamela said when she noticed the change in Maura's face.

Maura shook her head as if to shake off the feeling of sadness that washed over her.

"Have you heard from Connie?" Pamela asked her.

Maura looked up at Pamela, "No." She said quietly, "I don't really expect to either."

"I know you don't want to hear this but I really don't think Connie is going to come around anytime soon." Pamela told Maura, "She's just someone who can't handle when things are out of her control."

"I know that. I just wish she could be more like you." Maura said sadly.

"You mean gay and fabulous?" Pamela asked with a sly smile on her face.

"No I mean, loving, accepting and understanding." Maura said to her, "You know, there for me."

"Don't you dare make me cry, Maura." Pamela warned.

Maura just looked up at her, gave her a small smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh sweetie." Pamela said getting up and hugging Maura, "I always thought Connie was a fool and this just proves my point."

Later in the day Jane came home to find Maura sleeping out on the patio in one of the lounge chairs, the leather bound book opened and resting face down on her chest. Jane was tempted to pick up the book and see what Maura had written but she thought better.

Jane brushed the back of her knuckles softly across Maura's cheek then went back inside and started dinner.

Jane was just pulling out a pan from the oven when Maura came in.

"Why didn't you wake me?" She said going into the kitchen rubbing one eye.

Jane shrugged as she put the pan down on a hot pad, "You looked so peaceful."

"That's because I was dreaming about you." Maura said kissing Jane on the lips.

"Go sit down; let me make you a plate." Jane told her and Maura went to sit down at the table. She watched Jane move around the kitchen grabbing silverware and plates. She grabbed a bottle of wine and put it on the table with a corkscrew.

Maura opened the wine while Jane brought out their food and set it down on the table.

"This looks wonderful." Maura said as Jane poured them each a glass of wine.

After dinner Maura cleaned up and washed the dishes. She went upstairs as Jane was just getting out of the shower.

Maura smiled, "Ah just how I like you, naked and wet." She said peeking in on Jane in the bathroom as she slipped off her skirt.

Jane smiled at her then wrapped a towel around herself. She padded out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.

"I have tomorrow off." Jane said then her train of thought got lost and she forgot what she was saying as she watched Maura rubbing moisturizer on her bare legs.

Maura looked over at her and smiled, "And?"

"Huh?" Jane asked still staring at Maura's legs.

"Jane, focus." Maura told her as she walked over to her. "You were saying you were off tomorrow."

"Yeah um, yeah." Jane said shaking her head. "I was wondering what you wanted to do."

"Can we go see the Pantheon?" Maura asked as she put on her pajamas.

"Sure." Jane said as she put on her pajama bottoms then slipped on a dark gray tank top. "Let's sleep in tomorrow, we'll check out the Pantheon then have a picnic." Jane told her as she got into bed.

"Sounds great." Maura said as she joined Jane in bed. Maura kissed Jane's jaw then snuggled up close to her.

In the morning Jane's cellphone woke them both up "Hello Ma." Jane said groggily into the phone.

"How'd you know it was me?" Angela asked.

"Ma, you're the only one that calls me." Jane said as she looked over at the clock. It was a little passed 11 in the morning. Maura looked up at Jane and Jane kissed her forehead.

"Did I wake you?" Angela asked.

"No, it's fine." Jane said as Maura got out of bed. Jane sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What's going on? Why are you up so early?" Jane asked.

"I'm just at the restaurant waiting on the morning bread delivery and well Pamela called me yesterday…." Angela told her.

"Is something wrong?" Jane interrupted her.

"She was just calling to invite me to the restaurant opening." Angela told her.

"Oh." Jane said as she watched Maura getting naked and walking across the room to the bathroom. "It seems a little early to be inviting people though."

"She wanted to give me plenty of time to prepare." Angela told her.

"Um, okay, so what's the problem?" Jane asked.

"Who do I put in charge of the restaurant while I'm away?" Angela asked.

"Put Marco in charge. He knows a lot about the business stuff, Ma. He'll do great." Jane told her.

"Okay Janie." Angela said to her, "You know your brothers are looking forward to seeing you."

"I look forward to seeing them too Ma." Jane said with an eye roll. "So is that it?" Jane asked her.

"Yes that's it." Angela told her.

"Hey, Ma you okay?" Jane asked before Angela could hang up. "You sound a little, I don't know bummed out or something."

"I miss you." Angela told her.

"Aww." Jane said, "Well I miss you too."

"I miss you too Angela!" Maura called out from the bathroom.

Jane held the phone out and Angela yelled, "I miss you too Maura!"

"I love you Ma, and I'll talk to you later." Jane said.

"Love you too Janie." She said and hung up.

Jane got out of bed and changed into a pair of black jeans and a grey t-shirt. She put her socks and shoes on then went downstairs while Maura showered.

She managed to find a picnic basket and a blanket. She grabbed the rest of her supplies and put them carefully in the basket.

She made them some coffee and a small fruit salad for breakfast. Maura came downstairs wearing a pale green sundress.

Jane smiled at her as she sat down at the island in the kitchen. Jane poured her a cup of coffee and gave her a bowl of the fruit salad.

"So I thought we'd take the car, go to the Pantheon and then pick up some stuff for our picnic at the farmers market." Jane said then took a sip of coffee.

"That sounds great." Maura said as she forked a piece of cantaloupe and put it in her mouth.

After breakfast Jane and Maura took the car and drove to the Pantheon and Jane parked in the designated parking lot. As soon as Maura got out of the car she was in awe.

She stared at the tall columns in front of the building then looked up at the inscription. "What does it say?" She asked looking at Jane.

"It's Latin." Jane told her.

"You don't know what it says?" Maura asked.

"Didn't you go to fancy boarding schools? They didn't teach you in the ways of Latin?" Jane asked her as they got closer to the building.

"Latin wasn't my strongest subject." Maura told her.

"It just says that some guy named Marcus Agrippa built it." Jane told her as they walked up the steps and went inside.

Maura was captivated by the marble floors and designs. She took Jane's hand and practically dragged her to where a single beam of sunshine shown from the open hole at the top of the massive dome.

They spent 2 hours in the Pantheon taking it all in. Maura snapped a lot of pictures and Jane followed her around. Maura would stand in front of a statue studying it while Jane studied her.

Afterwards they got into their car and drove to one of the farmer's markets.

Maura and Jane went to each of the stalls there looking over the goods being offered. Jane bargained with everyone. She bought cured meats, some cheese, honey soaked figs. She bought olives bathed in oil, a sweet baguette and a bottle of red wine.

They got back in the car and Jane drove them to one of the lush green parks. They got out and Jane grabbed a blanket from the backseat of the car and they went in search of the perfect spot. They sat under a tree while Jane took the food and laid it out for them.

"This is so beautiful." Maura said to her as she looked out over the park.

Jane smiled at her then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "You're beautiful." She said as she opened the wine.

They ate and watched as people walked passed them. "How are things at the restaurant?" Maura asked her.

"Great. The crew is really coming along. They listen and take orders well. They all seem to love what they do which is very important." Jane told her as she finished off her glass of wine, "Especially my head sous-chef Dominic. He definitely has the makings of taking over when we leave."

"Really?" Maura asked surprised. Jane had mentioned Dominic a few times along with a few other crew members before so Maura knew who she was talking about.

"It's not like my crew at home. I mean for one I'm speaking a lot more Italian here." Jane said with a laugh, "But this group works really hard and I'm pretty proud of them."

"That's good to hear. I'm glad you have a good group of people working with you." Maura said to her with a smile.

They sat for a bit in silence then Maura said, "Jane, I have to ask you something."

Jane noticed the seriousness in her tone. "What is it?" Jane asked putting her glass down.

"We are going home right?" Maura asked her. "I mean when the restaurant is up and running."

"Of course." Jane said to her. "Why would you ask that?"

"Pamela thinks we'll stay here and she said I don't really have anything waiting in Boston for me." Maura told her, "My mother was all I had for a long time and now I don't have that."

"You're not alone." Jane said then took Maura's hand, "You have me. You have Ma, sorry about that she kind of comes with the package…" she said smiling at her, "You have Pamela too, Maura."

Maura thought about it and realize she did have a nice circle of people who cared about her. Maura smiled at her, "I suppose you're right."

They sat for a few minutes before Jane asked, "Maura why don't you ever mention your dad?"

"I haven't seen my dad in a while." Maura told her. "I was at boarding school when I was younger so we rarely saw each other. My parents divorced my senior year of high school and then he moved to London."

"Oh." Jane said.

"I saw him when I got older when I'd travel to London. I talk to him occasionally on the phone and sometimes we email. But the last time we actually sat down together was nearly 2 years ago and even then it was a very short visit." Maura told her, "The last time we spoke on the phone was before you and I got together."

Jane frowned and Maura told her, "No need to feel sad about it Jane. It's just the way my family is."

"You deserve better." Jane told her.

Maura leaned over and kissed Jane on the lips. She pulled back slightly and rested her forehead against Jane's, "I have you." She whispered.

They sat and finished their picnic as the sun started to go down. Maura packed everything up and she and Jane drove back home.

Maura went upstairs and into the bathroom while Jane was downstairs putting things away.

When Jane came back upstairs she didn't see Maura in the bedroom. She peeked in the bathroom and saw Maura sitting in the bubbling hot tub with nothing on but a smile.

"You look like you're enjoying yourself." Jane said leaning against the doorframe.

Maura looked at her, "Oh I am." She said closing her eyes, "The jets are hitting me in just the right spots."

"Are you cheating on me with the hot tub?" Jane asked with a cocked eyebrow up.

Maura opened her eyes, looked at her and smiled.

Jane grinned and started to undress. She left a trail of clothes to the tub. She got in and sunk down going over to Maura. She cupped her face and kissed her on the lips.

Jane pulled back, still cupping Maura's face, "Man that's hot."

Maura smiled, "I know." She said and leaned in to kiss her again.

"No, I mean the water." Jane said to her, "I feel like I'm a lobster in a pot." She said looking around at the bubbling water.

"You'll get used to it." Maura said and pushed Jane so she was sitting back against the tub. She straddled her and kissed her on the lips.

Jane put her hands on Maura's waist. Maura kissed her neck, sucking lightly as her hands moved to Jane's breasts. She cupped them, squeezing them softly. Her thumbs brushed over her nipples and Jane arched into the touch.

Jane's hands moved from Maura's waist up her back and pulled her closer to her. Jane captured Maura's lips again and kissed them, slipping her tongue into her mouth. Maura's right hand snaked down between their bodies under the water and in between Jane's legs.

Jane was sucking on Maura's neck when Maura pushed two fingers inside of her. Jane took in a shuddered breath.

"You know…" Maura whispered in Jane's ear as she moved slowly in and out. "I find it very sexy when you speak in Italian."

Jane's hand moved down between their bodies and between Maura's legs she didn't even wait just pushed two fingers deep inside of her. Maura gasped her movements in Jane stilled for a moment.

Jane smiled, "E penso che sia sexy quando urlare il mio nome." She said quietly and Maura moaned.

Maura's fingers started to move again and Jane worked to get their timing right. Maura's hips moved to Jane's movement.

Jane looked at Maura; her head was back, her body slowly rocking, "Non sai quanto sei bella in questo momento." Jane said to her.

Maura's thumb brushed Jane's clit and her eyes fluttered closed, "Ah cazzo sto così vicino." Jane muttered as she rested her forehead against Maura's chest.

She brushed across Maura's clit with her thumb and felt Maura's body start to shudder.

Maura's fingers curled inside of Jane, her muscles tightened around her fingers and Jane came with a low guttural moan. Maura slipped her fingers out of Jane and pushed her so she was now resting back against the tub.

She placed her hands on Jane's shoulders and as Jane moved inside her Maura's hips moved at a frenzy pace as she grinded on Jane's hand. Maura threw her head back and moaned Jane's name as she came.

Jane smiled at the sound of her name echoing in the bathroom. Maura leaned forward and kissed Jane deeply.

Maura slipped slowly off of Jane's lap. "What were saying to me in Italian?" Maura asked as she carefully got out of the hot tub and grabbed them both towels.

"Dirty things." Jane said to her as she turned off the hot tub and got out taking the towel from Maura and wrapping it around her body.

Maura smiled, "I'm guessing not all of it was dirty." She said as she dropped the wet towel to the floor and walked into the bedroom.

"You're right." Jane said and followed Maura out to the bedroom.

They both got dressed and went downstairs. Jane went into the kitchen and started dinner while Maura grabbed her journal and went out onto the patio. She sat and wrote as she listened to Jane hum an unfamiliar tune while she cooked.


Translation:

"And I think it's sexy when you scream my name."

"You do not know how beautiful you are right now."

"Oh fuck I'm so close."