Well I hope the brief 'M' section of the last chapter was ok? First attempt at writing 'smut'! On with the evening/dinner scene then…
Disclaimer: STILL don't own them.
Chapter 4Jane stood, freshly showered in front of her wardrobe staring blankly at the contents. Amongst the chaos there was some order; all her work clothes to the left, her comfy house/sports clothes in the middle and her social outfits in a small section on the right.
"Shit. I really do need to go shopping." She muttered, pulling out a dark pair of jeans and slipping them on. "This is why I hate going out." She added, Joe, cocking her head to the side as she watched from the bed.
Finally settling on a crisp white dress shirt and a pair of black boots, she checked herself in the mirror one last time before grabbing her jacket, keys and phone.
Joe trotted after her to the front door, wagging her tail expectantly.
"I'll take you out again when I get back ok?" Jane said, giving her a quick fuss. "What do you think puppy? Will I do?"
The small dog wagged her tail again.
"I'll take that as a yes." She added, before closing the door and heading for her car.
It was a short drive, but Jane took her time, avoiding the major roads to ensure she wasn't early. 'That would look too eager'. She thought to herself, as she drummed her thumbs on the steering wheel. 'God, I'm nervous. I don't do nervous.'
Taking a left onto Maura's road she parked a few houses back so she could remain invisible a little while longer. There was a light on behind the wooden slatted windows that she recalled to be the lounge and one upstairs she assumed to be the landing. 'Or maybe she is upstairs fixing her hair. I wonder what she's wearing?' She mused, unclipping her seatbelt and looking down at her own ensemble. 'Shit! Why did I agree to this? What is 'this' anyway? A dinner with a woman you helped home, the start of a friendship, a date?'
"Come on Rizzoli. You've faced down monsters, you can go have dinner with a beautiful woman." She mumbled to herself as she locked the car and started towards the house. Arriving at the large front door, she steadied her breath and licked her lips to get some moisture to her suddenly dry mouth.
She rang the bell, hearing the chimes inside as she brushed a hand through her hair. As the sound of heels on a wooden floor drew closer, she felt her heart race, but nothing quite prepared her for the view once the door opened.
Maura was stood, backlit in the doorway her honey-blonde hair cascading onto her shoulders. Her make-up was flawless, her eyes big and wide, her lips soft and sensual, a light blush to her cheeks. From there Jane's gaze fell down to her long neck that seemed to never end as she found herself fixated on the dip in her throat, watching the pulse dancing below the skin. And the dress; Black, low cut, small straps, and it fitted her like a glove. All finished off perfectly with a pair of heels Jane guessed to be four inches.
"Hello Jane." Maura said, enjoying the way she was being appraised by the detective.
'You look beautiful.' "You look…beautiful." Jane said, suddenly aware that she was actually speaking the words that had been meant for her head only.
"Thank you. So do you." Maura replied, nerves starting to creep in.
"Ah…these are for you." Jane held out a small but perfectly formed hand tied bouquet. "I know you said not to bring anything, but it didn't seem right." She continued, losing herself in Maura's eyes.
"These are lovely and you're very kind. I can't remember the last time someone bought me flowers."
"I find that hard to believe." The detective said, almost under her breath.
"It's true. I can't lie."
"Really?" Jane smiled.
"Really. I start to hyperventilate, my mouth goes dry, I find myself getting dizzy and I have also been known to vomit." She replied very matter-of-factly.
"You'd make my job much easier." She chuckled, their eyes sparkling.
"Well thank you." Maura added again, this time leaning in and placing a small, soft kiss on Jane's cheek.
The detective, quite unprepared for the contact, somehow remembered to breathe, inhaling the delicate perfume that seemed to radiate from Maura's body. Hers eyes flickered shut when the same lips she had admired, pressed themselves against her skin, her mind racing as well as her pulse.
"Please come in." Maura said, stepping back and watching as Jane's eyes opened, looking somewhat darker than they had previously.
Jane walked into the hallway, the sound of the door closing them inside together, away from the rest of the world.
"Can I take your jacket?"
"Yeah, thanks." Jane replied; feeling like her voice had just dropped an octave.
Maura took the opportunity to help slide the coat off the detective's shoulders, resisting the urge to brush the backs of her hands along the toned arms before her. Instead, she allowed her gaze to drift over her shoulder blades, admiring the flex of muscle beneath the crisp white cotton.
Hanging the jacket away, she proceeded to usher Jane into the lounge.
"Can I get you something to drink?" She asked, watched the brunette's gaze drift leisurely over her home.
"Do you have any beer?"
"Yes. Do you have a preference?"
"I'm not fussy as long as it's cold." She smiled, aware of her fingers rubbing at her scars.
She found herself following Maura into the large kitchen and watched her open the door to an impressively stocked fridge. The honey-blonde turned, a bottle of Harpoon IPA in her hand.
"Would you like a glass?"
"The bottle's fine thanks." Their fingers brushing briefly as the beer was passed between them.
Maura watched as Jane took a long drink, her eyes dancing over the brunette's face and the long fingers wrapped around the bottle. 'She even makes drinking sexy.' Pulling her gaze away before she was caught, she turned to pour herself a glass of red wine, relishing the warm fruity texture in her mouth, her eyes finding the detective again.
"Something smells good." Jane said.
"It's Tortelloni Di Michele."
"Sounds great." She wondered exactly what dinner consisted of, her Italian only stretching to her Ma's menu.
"It's brisket of beef braised slowly with wine and vegetables in an overstuffed pinched ravioli, with a light sauce of pine nuts, sage, crimini mushrooms, brown butter, veal stock and a touch of cream." Maura announced proudly.
"Wow. You like to cook I guess?"
"Yes, when I have the time. I enjoy trying new dishes but it's always more enjoyable cooking for someone else."
"Well I don't mind being your food taster."
"You may disagree when you try it." She laughed.
"Doubtful. Anyway, it certainly smells better than anything I've created. It drives my Ma crazy that I can't follow her recipes. My brothers do a better job than me."
"You come from a big family Jane?" Maura asked, perching on one of the kitchen stools.
"Just my two brothers and I, however I guess the extended family is quite large. You?"
"Oh no. I'm an only child. Well I was until a few months ago. My parents decided to adopt."
Jane's mind flashed back to Maura's lounge and the lack of family photos or personal trinkets.
"That must have been difficult." The detective stated.
"Not at all. We're not a particularly close family. I spent most of my childhood away at various schools. They're looking to behave differently this time around." She smiled. "Would you like to eat in here or in the dining room?" Maura asked, moving the conversation away from her dysfunctional parents.
"Here is fine by me. Can I do anything to help?"
The honey-blonde flashed the detective a beautiful smile. "You could get some cutlery out of the drawer to your left."
Jane pondered on Maura's words. As much as her family had driven her crazy over the years she would be loathe to exist without them. Being sent away to live must have been tough, she mused, her eyes catching a quick glimpse of Maura as she removed their dinner from the oven. Her upbringing clearly hadn't hindered her success if this house was anything to go by, yet somehow this beautiful woman reeked of loneliness.
Before the detective could continue with her silent ponderings, she saw something moving on the granite floor.
"Holy shit! What is that?" She said, her hand instinctively going for her service weapon that tonight, however, was in her jacket pocket.
"Oh, that's just Bass, my tortoise." Maura replied smiling. "He's probably hungry." She continued, before rooting in the fridge and bringing out a couple of fresh strawberries. "Here you go baby." She cooed sweetly, dropping them in a small ceramic dish next to her unusual pet.
"You have a turtle? Really?" Jane said, clearly surprised.
"No, he's a tortoise. It's a common misconception that they are simply one and the same, whereas in fact there are many differences between the two species. For example, tortoises are land live almost exclusively on land and turtles in water. Bass is an herbivore and his shell is domed. If he were a turtle his covering would be flatter and he would also have a diet with insects as well as vegetation. Turtles are also migratory animals that can swim vast oceans, but the tortoise prefers to stay close to home making them an ideal house guest." Maura said, smiling.
"Right." Jane answered, her mind processing this new information as well as being fascinated by this undoubtedly intelligent woman stood before her.
"Not what you were expecting?" The honey-blonde asked, with a slight tilt to her head.
"Most people tend to have a cat or a dog, maybe some fish."
"I suppose I'm not most people, detective." Maura added, her eyes darkening a little.
"I guess not." Jane smiled, maintaining eye contact, her stomach fluttering.
"Well, let me feed you. You must be hungry after your day at work." She replied after a few moments.
Jane perched on a stool by Maura at the island, watching as she was first served then passed her plate of food.
"Would you like a glass of wine with your dinner Jane? It really would compliment the dish far better than beer."
"Er, ok. Sure. Just a small one."
Maura reached into a high cupboard to remove another glass allowing Jane another opportunity to let her eyes gaze of the length of her in her black dress. The detective swallowed hard. 'She looks incredible'.
Her wine poured and both meals on plates, the honey-blonde took residence next to the brunette, smiling briefly before taking her first taste of her new creation. Jane followed suit, taking a mouthful of food.
"Oh, god…this is SO good." She sighed, relishing the taste on her tongue.
"Really? It's ok?"
"Er, yeah Maura. This is really gorgeous. Seriously this has got to be the best meal I've had. Please don't tell my Ma though. She might not appreciate being out-cooked."
Maura's eyes flashed with happiness seeing the truth evident on Jane's face.
"Your secret is safe with me."
"Ah, but you said you couldn't lie." Jane teased, continuing to eat.
"I can't. If your mother were to ask me outright if you prefer this meal to her own then I would have to say yes."
"Then you two are never meeting." She grinned.
Silence descended for a few minutes, both women enjoying their food, seemingly comfortable in one another's company. Maura's mind though was very busy.
'I'm so pleased Jane is enjoying the food. I want her to feel at home here, in my house, my kitchen…my bed. God Maura, calm your breathing down. Just concentrate on eating and talking. Just try to be casual; normal.'
But the truth was Maura was finding this whole experience surreal. Priding herself on her ability to control situations, her own emotions and to a large degree other people, Jane had taken her completely by surprise. From opening her eyes in the store and seeing the detective's own staring down at her with nothing but kindness in them, she had started to come undone. Unravelling inch by inch with every touch, every word, or even a thought of the brunette. Opening her home, her fortress and now herself without hesitation or question. Her usual logic abandoned for something else; need. A desire quite alien to the unflappable . True she had always needed order, discipline, a sense of purpose, a routine, a sanctuary, but those were natural feelings; Ones that could be reasoned with science. This need was a slow burning fire twisting itself around her core urging her to only feel.
"So, er, what do you do?"
Jane's voice punctured the air, dragging Maura back to the present and into a conversation she dreaded. Whilst she knew that the detective must be comfortable with morticians, whether she worked in that department or not, she chose the discreet answer. Also knowing that their paths may cross in the future she wanted to retain this time without having her job description identify her.
"I'm a doctor." She replied, taking a sip of wine.
"Do you have you own practice?" Jane asked. 'Ma always wanted me to bring home a doctor.'
"No, I don't." She answered, smiling up at the brunette.
"It must have been difficult working with your agoraphobia." She pressed, feeling a little guilty at her line of questioning, wondering if she sounded as though she was interrogating a suspect.
"Yes it did." Maura answered, actually relieved that Jane didn't fear asking bold questions. "I had to leave my position actually. That's what brought me back home to Boston."
"Where were you before?"
"DC. I still had my home here so I figured I would feel more secure being back."
"And it helped I'm guessing?" Jane continued.
"Yes, after a while and some therapy I'm ashamed to say." She replied, feeling the colour rise in her cheeks.
"Don't be. Seriously Maura, sometimes…sometimes things happen in life that are too big for us to deal with on our own. Sometimes we simply need a helping hand to get over the obstacle, whatever that may be." She smiled softly, resisting the urge to cover the blonde's hand with her own; instead her fingers finding the knot of scar tissue on her palm. "Some people think asking for help is a weakness in others. I see it as a strength." 'Even if I don't believe that's true of me.'
Maura felt her eyes fill with tears as she listened to Jane's words, relishing in the tenderness being shown her.
"Shit, I made you cry." Jane said, reaching into her pocket for a tissue and handing it to her.
"No, it's fine, really, I just have very sensitive lachrymal ducts." "Lacrulmul whats?" She grinned warmly."Lachrymal ducts commonly referred to as tear ducts. Mine are just…"
"Over-worked?" Jane offered.
"Yes. I think they actually are." She laughed. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Understanding. Not judging me."
Jane smiled finding her self getting lost in Maura's eyes. 'Is it possible for someone to steal your breath?' "No thanks necessary." She muttered.
Maura shifted on her stool under the detective's deep gaze, arousal creeping in quickly the longer she maintained contact. 'She strips me naked.' "It's actually not uncommon." She said, quickly.
"What isn't?" Jane replied, still entranced.
"Over-productive lachrymal ducts. A Schirmer test is used to find out whether the tear glands are producing the normal amount of tears. Special small, soft paper strips are placed in the corner of the person's eyes for about 5 minutes to see how many tears are produced. Often over-production can lead to blocked ducts. If that occurs a probe needs to be inserted under local anaesthetic to locate the site and structural cause of the blockage." She said proudly.
Jane blinked a couple of times.
"You're like Google or Wikipedia."
"Actually Wikipedia is very often imprecise due to insufficient monitoring and lack of correction."
"Right."
Maura stared at Jane, anxiety creeping in as she realised her ramblings had somehow grinded the conversation to a halt. She reached for her glass and took a large sip of wine.
"Well you're obviously better than Wiki, so I know where to come when I need information." Jane continued, suddenly feeling the need to reassure the beautiful woman at her side.
"I'd be more than happy to assist you detective." Maura said, smiling widely. "Anytime."
Jane felt herself blush, something that she could not remember happening since she was a child. Not like this at any rate. 'What is she doing to me?'
"Would you like anything else to eat?"
"Er…sorry? No…no. I'm fine, thank you. It really was delicious."
"I can give you the recipe if you'd like?" Maura said, clearing the dishes onto the counter.
"Can't cook remember?" Jane said, with a small laugh.
"Of course. Well then, I will have to make it for you again if you'd like that?" She replied, standing close to Jane as the brunette stood before her.
"I would." She answered, her voice husky, her eyes flashing briefly to Maura's lips.
"Good, because I enjoyed cooking dinner for you Jane."
"Yeah?" 'Her mouth is so distracting. I wonder what it would feel like against mine?'
"Yes. Imagining you busy at work whilst I worked here at home for you." She continued, her fingers finding their way up to Jane's forearm, teasing the skin lightly below the rolled up shirt. "Choosing something to wear that I hoped you would appreciate." Maura smiled, licking her lower lip briefly, aware of the eyes watching her. "Did you have a busy day today detective?" She asked, coyly.
"Paperwork." Jane replied, only able to mutter one-word answers.
"And do you like my outfit?"
"Gorgeous."
"The dress or me Jane?" She pushed, inching a foot closer, her fingers making their way up past the brunette's bicep and onto her shoulder.
"Both." She murmured, tearing her gaze away from those sensual lips to meet equally sensual eyes.
"Hmmm." Stepping forward she lowered her gaze, her heart pounding so loudly as the need to feel Jane against her again overwhelmed her every other sense. Moving her hand a little lower on Jane she moved her other around onto the small of her back as she pressed her head against the strong neck and chest of the brunette now in her arms. Inhaling, her nose brushing against olive skin, she felt herself drowning in a smell that she knew she would no longer be able to live without; A scent that was now causing a slow heat to burn in her stomach and spread down between her legs.
Jane sighed as the honey-blonde embraced her, for her own part wrapping her arms around her protectively, one hand enjoying the feel of Maura's hair as it held her head close against her. 'She fits so perfectly in my arms.' She mused, her body coming alive. 'So soft against me, her breath on my neck. She's utterly perfect. Have to keep her safe. Safe from the world so she can live in it again.'
Catching a quick glance of the scar on top of the hand lost in Maura's hair, her mind tumbled in another direction.
'Keep her safe? How am I supposed to do that when I couldn't do it for myself? For those other women? This is why you stay alone Jane.' She chastised. 'It works for you, the isolation, the emptiness. You're too damaged now, for this, especially for her. Think of something to say, break the moment but don't hurt her. For god's sake I can't hurt her.'
"I…I like this music." Jane said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"You do?" Maura said, looking up at her warmly.
"Yes. I can't say I've listened to much classical stuff in my time. Our house was always filled with my brothers' rock music."
"What do you like to listen too?" She asked, stepping back slightly, her hands on both of Jane's arms.
"Female singers mostly. Something with a good lyrics, a piano and a great voice."
"Maybe I could hear some one day?"
"Sure." Jane replied, missing the heat of Maura against her, her mind screaming.
Maura's gaze moved quickly, flashing towards the doorway to the lounge as she stepped further out of Jane's reach, her body language changing.
"I had a bad dream." A small voice said, causing the detective to turn on her heel.
A little girl stood at the entrance to the kitchen holding a soft toy penguin under one arm, her cheeks looking tear stained.
"Oh sweetheart. Again?" Maura said, stooping next to the child and holding her tightly.
Jane for her part watched the scene unfold. 'She has a daughter? How did I not know that? Is there a rich husband around here too?'
"It's ok sweetie. It was just a dream. Let's tuck you back up in bed alright?"
The girl nodded then looked behind Maura to Jane, causing the honey-blonde to turn round.
"Honey, this is Jane. She's a detective." She said, beaming. "Jane this is my little sister Katie. She's staying with me for a few days whilst our parents are out of town."
"Hi. So you had a bad dream huh?" She asked. 'Sister, of course.'
"Uh huh. Are you really a detective?" Katie asked, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand.
"Yes I am." Jane replied smiling.
"Is Maura in trouble?" She said, looking up at her sister.
"Er, no. I was invited over for dinner."
"Can I have a drink please?"
"Of course. I'll get you some water." Maura said brushing back past Jane.
"Do you fight monsters?" Katie continued.
"Sometimes." Jane replied. 'And sometimes they fight me.'
"Can you chase them out of the closet for me and from under the bed. I can't sleep with them in there." She asked, her lip trembling.
"Monsters aren't really sweetie." Maura said, plastic cup in hand, her pressing against Jane's as she spoke. "Science has proved that. So there really isn't anything under the beds or in the cupboards ok?"
Katie frowned. Jane glanced at Maura smiled and then crouched on the floor.
"I tell you what? Why don't we both settle you back in bed, but I will check the room for you ok? Being a detective I can make sure that there are no monsters."
Katie held out her hand and Jane took it, folding her fingers around the tiny ones in her own. Glancing behind her, Maura was smiling warmly and following behind as she was led upstairs. Jane passed by a study and a bathroom as well as a luxurious bedroom she assumed to be the owners, before being pulled finally into a smaller room with a little pink bed in it. There was a small night light on and Jane could make out various toys and other children's accoutrements dotted about.
"Right then." Jane said as Katie scooted up and got under her duvet.
Maura stood watching from the doorway, utterly mesmerised by this brunette that kept showing her so many new sides of herself.
"As a detective I have a badge." She continued.
"And a gun?" The girl asked grinning.
"Yes, but these types of bedroom monsters only need to see the badge. They find it much scarier. You know why?"
Katie shook her head.
"Because guns are bad. People other than the police have them, so the badge shows that you really mean business, you see?"
Another nod. Jane smiled, pulling her badge from her back pocket.
"So now I sweep the room." She said, badge in hand as she looked under the bed. She shook her head and then made her way to the closet before pulling the doors open. She flashed her badge in there too, before sliding the doors shut again. She even checked behind the curtains and inside the blanket chest. "Have I got everywhere?" She asked the girl who was watching every move.
"Can you check in my Barbie house too?" She asked, quietly.
"Sure can." Jane replied, removing the roof and peering inside. "You're all safe Katie. No monsters in the room."
"What about the rest of the house?" She added, nervously.
"I will make sure I sweep everywhere before I go ok? If that's alright with you Maura?" She added, turning to meet the stunning woman in the doorway.
"Of course Jane." She replied, her heart melting, although her logic told her that was impossible.
"Well that's settled then. It's a monster free zone." She said, smiling down at Katie who was now grinning. "Ok?"
"Yes. Thank you. Will you come to my house and sweep it too? I have bad dreams there as well."
"I can do better than that." Jane added, feeling the need to stroke the girl's head lightly as she spoke. "I can give you your own badge." She smiled.
"But I'm not a detective?" She said; looking worried again.
"Ah, but if a detective gives you a badge then you are an unofficial one. Do you want to be my little detective?"
Katie sat up suddenly and wrapped her arms around Jane's neck tightly.
"I'll take that as a yes." She croaked, laughing before helping the small girl settle back down. "You'll sleep ok now I bet."
"Like you. No monsters under you bed as you have a badge!" She said, proudly, reassured by Jane's words and actions.
"That's right." She replied, feeling a tickle in her throat.
"No bad dreams for us detectives." She grinned.
Jane smiled warmly, stroking her hair one last time before standing. She couldn't bring herself to tell the truth. To explain that there were monsters. Not the kind with scales, or long horns but men; Men who would torture, rape and kill. Monsters who blended into our world like everybody else, disguising themselves as human beings. No. That was a truth no child should know.
"Night Katie." Maura said softly.
"Night."
"Night. I'll give your badge to Maura."
As she got to the doorway, her mind full of monsters, her fingers twitching against her palms, Katie spoke again.
"Could Jane come to the beach house with us at the weekend?"
Maura cast a quick glance at Jane who she noticed was worrying at her hands again. 'Nervous habit?' She mused. 'The scars must still hurt, using her hands all the time.'
"We'll see ok?"
"Ok."
Maura pulled the door closed leaving a small gap of light from the landing, before heading back down the stairs with Jane behind her, finding themselves stood in the lounge together, the brunette seeming lost in her own head.
"Jane?" Maura said softly, brushing her hand lightly over the top of one of Jane's, feeling the scar tissue ridged under her fingertips.
Jane pulled her hand back instinctively, her eyes snapping up to meet Maura's.
"Sorry." The honey-blonde continued, feeling as though she had crossed a line. "Do they hurt you?"
"What?" She replied, somewhat defensively, clutching one hand in the other by her chest.
"The scars Jane. Do they still hurt? I imagine they must using your hands as often as you do. I could recommend something if you like?" She added, taking a step towards the detective, trying to regain the closeness from earlier.
"They…they sometimes do." Jane replied, looking away, a wave of nausea turning her stomach as she remembered the scalpels being driven through them.
Maura paused, swallowing a speech about how the body repairs itself after trauma, opting for a warm smile and a change of topic.
"You were really good with Katie. Thank you." Maura said.
"She's a lovely little girl." Jane said, pleased that she hadn't been pushed any further.
"She's certainly taken with you. She was so shy when she first came to us. I'm pleased she's starting to open up. Hopefully she won't end up socially stunted like me." She said, with sadness in her eyes, that the detective noticed immediately.
"You're not stunted Maura. Not with me." She said, reaching out and taking her soft hand in her own worn ones, using her thumb to trace small patterns on it.
"You're very kind."
"No actually I'm not. I'm usually a right ass. I plough straight into things without consequence or care. My Ma says I'm like a bull in an emotional china shop." She said, a smile creeping across her face.
"Well you're kind to me. Sometimes we're different with other people." She replied, her eyes looking down to their entwined hands. "Would you like another drink? She asked hopefully.
"Ah, no. I better not. I have work tomorrow." Jane said, extracting her hand after one last light touch.
"Ok. Well I'm glad you accepted my invitation Jane."
"So am I. The food really was amazing." She said, making her way to the hallway.
"Maybe you would like to accept another dinner invitation soon." She said, smiling, her pulse racing. "After all you need to drop a detective's badge off for Katie."
"I do." Jane grinned, taking the jacket from Maura's hand and slipping it on, checking her gun was safely in the pocket.
"I mean…" She paused, swallowing hard. "If you are free on Saturday you would be more than welcome to accompany us to The Cape?" She asked, suddenly feeling very exposed.
Jane stared into her warm green eyes and found herself unable to look away again. With her heart threatening to hammer out of her chest she leant forward and placed the softest kiss on Maura's cheek, brushing the tip of her nose against her skin before pulling away. The honey-blonde for her part had forgotten to breathe the moment she felt Jane lean in to her body, her eyes flickering shut as those gorgeous lips pressed against her. She couldn't help the small moan that escaped from her mouth as the brunette pulled away, not caring if she had been heard or not.
Their eyes met one last time as Jane's hand found the door handle and turned it; the cool evening air start to find it's way into the warmth.
"Can I let you know?"
"Hmmm" Maura said, her cheek still reeling from the kiss.
"About Saturday." Jane added, her pulse racing.
"Of course." She smiled.
"I'll drop by with that badge." The brunette said before disappearing down the driveway and into the night.
Maura closed the door, pressing her back against the wood, her fingers touching the place where Jane's lips had touched her. 'Wow.'