"Oh Jane this is just perfect for you. It's not really a worst case scenario, but, well... Alright. Scenario:
How to stop drinking coffee?
A. Refrain from physical activity until evening
B. Get a lot of sleep and eat a high-protein breakfast
C. Keep shades drawn and lights dim one hour after waking."
"Why would anyone want to stop drinking coffee?" Jane genuinely wonders as her eyebrow raises to depict this attitude.
"Because it's not healthy?"
"Well why have a healthy life but not keep your eyes open in the morning?"
"Jane, that's not the point. It's a game, just answer it."
"Ugh, Okay. "A frown. A stroke through her hair. "The second one, with the breakfast."
Maura's smile balances between fake disappointment and concealed delight.
"Well," she pauses, "what do I drink first?"
"Oh, well, if you're asking me about drinks, doctor, I'm gonna have to say beer." It's a banter, really. The detective over-exaggerates her grimaces, her eyes never leaving the other pair in the room. She is playing. Literally. It doesn't escape Maura. She goes along.
"As you order, detective."
The following seconds feel like a century.
Like Jane in her dreams, the bottle it moves closer to Maura's lips, inch by inch.
Like Jane in her dreams, it stops just before the touch.
"Oh, you never said how much."
"Down it." Jane orders, aware how the lust has made her voice huskier. Game's on.
Maura raises her eyebrows but complies. The cold glass binds with the soft lips. And Jane is jealous. Jealous of the bottle.
"How to get a job as a neuro-surgeon with no experience?" Jane starts shortly after moving her playing piece forward. She chuckles at how stupid the questions are, and at how much she is enjoying them anyways.
"A. Claim to be awaiting publication in the red journal or white journal and be at least 34 years old.
B. Wear a suit and a stethoscope and refer to the MRI as the mandible radial imager.
C. Wear a lab coat with your name on it and ask whether the hospital is using lasers or drills to penetrate the cranium."
"Well who would dare take such responsibility if they're unqualified? I mean-"
"Maura, that's not the point. It's a game, just answer it." She says the same phrases that were addressed to her earlier, mimicking Maura's tone with blinking eyes and a sarcastic smile.
"Well, they all seem unreasonable. I can't exactly-"
"Oh, you know what that means?"
Jane's head is lowered and her eyes are shining. She tries to remain serious but her face is giving her away. The blonde is clueless and awaiting.
"What?"
The water drops falling from the leaky faucet are loud in the silence that appears as the friends stare at each other.
"You, Maura Isles, have to... guess!"
"Or what?"
"Or points for me!"
Maura opens her mouth as if to say something, but all that escapes it is a sigh.
"It's not B." she nods.
"Oh, are we playing process of elimination again?"
"Jane." she reprimands gently.
"Maura," Jane urges, now caringly. She eyes the hand Maura has resting on her own thigh and reaches for it, shifting her tone entirely. "Just guess, it's no big deal. It's a game."
Maura lifts her other hand to her face as she always does when thinking. Her fingers leave invisible trails on the surfaces Jane wants the right to touch. And Jane is jealous. Jealous of Maura's fingers.
"Okay. Fine. My guess would be... A."
Her hand is being encouragingly squeezed by Jane, who's unafraid to display her pride.
"See, was that so hard, Maura?"
"Did I get it?" she almost jumps from the couch and her eyes shoot wide open.
"You did. What do I have to do?"
Maura licks her lips before speaking and Jane realized she's very close to simply snapping and pinning her down on that very couch.
"You made me uncomfortable." Maura states blankly.
Jane's mind doesn't process. The memory of Maura's tongue playing on her lips occupies its entire attention. Jane rises to put some distance in between. She doesn't want to make a wrong move. What if it's not the right moment?
"No, Jane, not like that." Maura rushes to explain.
A misinterpretation of gestures. Jane has to rewind what's been said to put the pieces together.
"What?"
"I mean you made me uncomfortable by guessing. I have to reciprocate. You're gonna have to put a dress on and wear it for the rest of the game."
"WHAT?"
"Just, change into something that's not in your comfort zone."
"Maura," she starts complaining.
"My stakes, remember?" That kind of sternness cannot be objected to. Jane shakes her head in disapproval.
"Would you like me to pick something for you?" Maura persists, her face lit up.
"Well, one of us should get some fun out of it!" The brunette shrugs. "Come on, bedroom's that way." she points as she retreats to her room.
"I know, Jane. I know."
A/N: I'll try to post the next chapter tonight as well