CHAPTER THREE
A/N You guys are making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Thank you. I'm glad you are enjoying this story as much as I'm enjoying writing it. BTW, someone asked about Ma Rizzoli thinking Jane is pregnant, she knows Jane hasn't been exposed and therefore is not about to be a grandmother. Plus, after Maura saving Frankie's life, she trusts Maura's judgment…in this case too much.
Jane finished her report and emailed it to Cavanaugh. She then filed a few old case files and made a call. Every time she left her desk or lifted the phone she could feel eyes, lots of them, watching her every move. She decided to test her theory.
"I need an afternoon pick-me-up. Anyone want anything from the café?" Jane asked loud enough for everyone pretending to be busy to hear.
Korsak gave Frost a look and lifted his head. He gave Jane a tight smile. "I'm good, but thanks."
"Frankie, Frost, Maura you guys want anything?" She was going to make them acknowledge her. She was also putting them on notice that she was onto their game and that they sucked at it.
"Nah, thanks." The two guys answered in unison.
Maura was the only one in the squad room really not paying attention to Jane. She had agreed to let the guys take first watch. Maura had other fish to fry. She was trying to put a final menu together to present to Doug for a price estimate.
In no mood to be ignored, Jane strode across the room to the normally unoccupied desk and placed both hands on Maura's shoulders. For a long second she stood simply letting the warmth and nearness of Maura's body warm her. She was amazed at how tiny and fragile Maura felt in her hands. Had Maura always felt so small?
"What do you think about goat cheese fritters, you didn't really give me an answer when I suggested having them at our party?" Maura asked still not looking up from the catering website.
"I think only baby goats should eat goat cheese whatevers." Jane replied. She inhaled deeply and felt her insides melt. Rondo nailed it! Maura was all sweet and gooey and rich like a good caramel.
"So you prefer the Mini spinach quiches?" Maura asked finally looking up and into the liquid dark brown pools that were staring at her with a depth of warmth she had only dreamed about seeing.
"Spinach is for Popeye and anything mini is out of the question." Jane returned her voice dropping to a husky private whisper.
"Hey, you two want us to step out and leave you alone?" Frankie called drawing furious looks from the other two detectives.
"Don't you have a car to boot?" Frost snapped.
"Or a cat to get out of a tree, patrolman Rizzoli?" Korsak added.
"Sheesh, what did I say?" Frankie turned three shades of red and stomped out of the squad room.
Oblivious, Maura and Jane continued staring at each other. Jane had linked her fingers with Maura's and was now admiring the slender, yet strong digits. Maura had really beautiful capable hands. "Jane, we need to decide on the menu." Little shivers of electricity shot through her entire system each time Jane stroked a knuckle. It was becoming impossible to think under such a sensual assault.
"You decide two appetizers and I choose two. Same with entrees and dessert. OK?" She could care less about a menu. All she wanted to do was feel Maura's skin under her hands. She made the mistake of looking at Maura's mouth and found herself wanting to drink form those luscious depths. This was getting out of hand, but she didn't want to let go of Maura.
"Deal." Maura agreed. She would have given Jane anything in that moment. Her heart was racing and her body was ready for the finish line.
"Did anyone know it was going to storm?" Frost asked out of the blue as twin streaks of lightning pierced the sky.
Lightning!
Jane looked at her hand linked with Maura's. She recalled the jolt of electricity from the light during the previous storm. The electricity had re-wired her brain somehow. That's why she was smelling scents no one else could detect. Was that why she was so drawn to Maura? Hadn't they already tried and failed at the couple thing? Her logic was nodding "yes", while her heart was screaming "no".
"Something wrong Jane?" Maura asked noting the hard line of Jane's lips and the concern replacing lazy dark warmth.
"I forgot to call the building super. The light in the bathroom is acting up and I need someone to come take a look at it." Jane confessed. She decided not to tell Maura about the shock. Maura would get all concerned and make her go to the doctor for a check up. She was fine, but the light switch did need a good looking over by a professional.
"Tell me one thing before you go back to your desk." Maura bargained.
"What's that?" The way those dancing hazel eyes were watching her right now, she would tell Maura anything.
"Are you going to choose a cheese and meat platter as one of your appetizer selections?"
One dark brown rose in a playful challenge. "Do you want me to?"
"I would prefer you to choose the blanketed piggy things." Maura confessed.
"Blanketed piggy things it is. But," She chuckled, "My other choice is a surprise."
"Jane!" Maura protested. "We have to make this a cohesive menu."
"Sorry to interrupt the cooking channel, but two new bodies just rolled in, looks like victims of lightning strike." Frost said stepping next to Jane.
"Just for that, no blanketed piggy things for you." Jane teased moving in the direction of her desk and purposefully tripping on the carpet.
Frost was there in an instant keeping her from falling once again. He and Maura exchanged worried looks. Korsak, however, knew Jane had staged the almost fall. He left his desk and invited Maura, "I'll walk you down, Dr. Isles."
"I'll come too. Never seen a victim of lightning." The last thing Frost wanted to see was another dead body, but he wanted to get Maura's take on Jane's clumsiness.
The second the elevator closed, Korsak announced. "She staged that, must have figured we been watching her."
"You sure, that's the second near fall today." Frost argued.
"I been thinking about the power cord too." Korsak said pulling at his goatee. "I've almost tripped on that cord myself. There's one spot where it doesn't lay flat on the floor."
"He's right." Maura agreed. "Even Cindy and I have almost tripped."
"What about the headaches and those weird smells?" Frost wondered.
"The headache could have been caused by Joe Friday chewing her shoes as Angela said." Maura admitted.
"What about the smells though? No one else smells any of those things." Korsak reminded.
"I haven't a clue. I'll do some medical research. Frost, see what you can dig up on your regular search engines."
"What do you want me to do?" Korsak asked.
"Keep an eye on Jane, just to be safe."
"By the way Doc, they are called pigs in a blanket." Frost informed with a wide smile.
"What exactly is it?" Maura asked positive she didn't want to eat one, no matter what it contained. But for Jane she would eat one.
Alone in the squad room, Jane called her super and asked him to have an electrician come out and check the wiring in the entire apartment. He said one was actually there checking all the apartments due to several complaints about lightning strikes. So far everything was fine, but her place was the next one to be checked. He promised to call if the electrician found anything wrong.
Her call complete, Jane turned her thinking to her co-workers, friend and family. Why were they all watching her? Did they think she would spontaneously combust, or maybe flip out and dance naked around the room.
Thinking about being naked, she recalled the urge to touch and taste Maura. She had feelings for Maura before the storm, what did the burn have to do with her need to…her desire to…she needed a drink. Her thoughts were running away with her and she had no way to slow or stop them. She decided to leave early and go to The Dirty Robber for a beer and some quiet time to think without feeling like a lab rat at the center of an experiment.
She thought about stopping in autopsy and letting them know where she was going, but preferred to remain alone, at least for now. She stepped into the elevator and remembered Maura asking about the menu. Why had she given up on the cheese platter so easily?
Because Maura asked her to and Maura asked her for so little. She would let Maura order her fancy finger food and snooty wine. She would try to eat and drink, but mostly she would just enjoy being with Maura in their home.
Now where had that thought came from? A nagging thought wormed it's way from the back of her brain to the forefront. Was Maura attracted to this caterer? Her voice lowered and her eyes shone brighter when she said his name. She needed to find this Doug character and check him out.
On the top step she literally ran into Tommy and Rondo. Butterscotch, honey, bittersweet chocolate and good espresso filled her nostrils. She felt her stomach roll and feared she was going to throw up on the spot.
"Sis, you OK?" Tommy asked grasping her elbow to steady her.
"Vanilla, my sweet. You are looking peaked today. This weather is getting to you too, aint it?" Rondo asked taking in the pallor of her cheeks and the hand pressed to her stomach.
The damned scents again! Where were they coming from and why could no one else smell them? One she had no trouble dealing with, but multiples knocked her off her center. If she didn't find answers soon this party was going to be a disaster of epic proportions!
"I'm fine, just need to get something in my stomach. You guys wanna join me for a bite at the Robber?" She suddenly wanted to know if she could pick up scents from everyone or just those she was close to.
"Why Vanilla, is this a date?" Rondo asked his face split in a wide grin.
"C'mon before I change my mind." She dodged. The only person she wanted to date was Maura. She piled them into her squad car and headed to the bar.
A/N Can't wait to hear what you thought of this chapter. Thanks guys!
