Chapter Seven
Jane's wicked case of the butterflies is trying to get the best of her. Her palms are sweating, her breathing shallow and her poor tummy is tied up in knots. The last time she remembers feeling this way was when she had to get up and make a speech at a class assembly in Sixth grade. She is hoping that the end result is not the same. She would hate to cover Maura's shoes in vomit like she did to Tony Deluca.
As she walks up the sidewalk to the house she frantically makes one last attempt to wipe all of the sweat from her palms. Deep cleansing breaths. In through her nose. Out through her mouth. Repeat. She learned that one from the Department head shrinker she had to see after Hoyt.
Nervous fingers extend and press in the doorbell as Jane shifts her weight from foot to foot.
Maura is so quick to open the door that Jane is certain she must've been standing on the other side waiting for her. Her smile is electric and her eyes are sparkling. Her blonde hair looking expertly tousled and insanely sexy. "Hi!"
"Hi!" Jane's butterflies vanish the moment she sees the Maura. She gets caught up staring at the gorgeous hazel eyed woman, shaking her head to bring her back into reality, "These are for you." She extends her arm offering out the bouquet.
"Jane…these are beautiful!" Maura's voice is so gentle, almost shocked sounding. She cannot take her eyes off of the small bouquet that contains the most gorgeous purple orchid she has ever seen. "It's perfect, thank you." Her eyes look up into Jane's before she leans in to place a gentle thank you kiss on her lips.
"I thought the purple was a good color for you."
Maura smiles to herself, little does Jane know that it happens to her favorite color. And another little known fact, one that she is not going to share with her, no one has ever brought her flowers before. That alone has her heart beating in a whole new way. "It is! And this was very thoughtful. Please come in." Maura moves out of the way and let's Jane enter her home. She can't help but notice the smell of lavender emanating off the brunette. "Let me get these in some water and then we can get going." She moves toward the kitchen and Jane follows.
"So, what is on the schedule this evening?" Jane leans against the counter watching Maura float around the kitchen.
"I was thinking we could go to the North End. Have you eaten at Giacomo's?" Maura looks over her shoulder while the vase fills with water.
"No I haven't. Going out to Italian restaurants is kind of frowned upon in my family. Well specifically by my Ma. She takes it as a personal insult if we go out for Italian." Jane chuckles picturing all the times her Mother has gotten on her for eating Italian food out.
"Oh." Maura tries to hide her disappointment, "We can go somewhere else. I would hate to offend your Mother, especially since I have not met her. It would be a terrible first impression."
Jane reaches across the counter placing a gentle hand over Maura's. "I would love nothing more than to go to the North End to have Italian food with you. What my Ma doesn't know won't hurt her." Jane flashes her best dimpled smile. "We could go to Burger King for dinner and I would be happy. I am in it for the pleasure of your company, the food selection is secondary."
Maura squeezes Jane's hand and smiles, "I hope you won't be disappointed Jane, but you should know that I don't eat fast food. You shouldn't either, it is really unhealthy."
Jane laughs, "Out of everything I said, that's what you comment on?"
Maura tilts her head, "Yes, I thought it was worth addressing."
Jane walks around the counter closing the gap between them. Her hands finding Maura's, "You look incredible by the way. Very sexy." Her right dimple appears.
"Thank you, Jane." Her voice dipping an octave as Jane's lips move closer to hers. "You look amazing this evening."
Their lips brush together, just a whisper of a kiss. Maura teases Jane's lips dragging her full bottom lip against them. Jane's hands move up to the nape of Maura's neck pulling her closer, taking that full bottom lip between her teeth and sucking on it gently as the tip of her tongue flicks over it. Maura's fingers press deeply into Jane's lower back. They end the kiss before they begin something they cannot finish.
"Dinner." Jane exhales lost in the darkening hazel eyes before her.
"Yes, dinner." Maura clears her throat and grabs her clutch and blazer.
.xxx.
"So…" Maura starts as they sip their wine. Jane braces herself, here it comes. "Tell me about yourself Jane." Maura smiles big, "We seemed to have skipped the whole getting to know each other part."
Jane dips her head down and looks into her glass of wine. "We did, didn't we?" She looks up with a smile. "I propose that we get to know one another, the real us, if you will, without disclosing what we do for a living just yet." It's worth a shot.
Maura looks at her confused, "Really? What is your theory behind that?"
Jane has given this idea a lot of thought and hopes she can make a good case. "I think we all have preconceived notions about people based on the jobs they have. And because of that I think we can unfairly prejudge people. For example if I told you I was a tollbooth clerk on the Mass Pike, you might think differently of me. Or if I worked selling programs and beer at Fenway."
"Jane, I'm not a judgmental person. And if you are ashamed of what you do for a living…"
Jane cuts her off, "I am very proud of how I make my living. But I want you to get to know the real me first."
Maura is a little conflicted about this, but she does have a point. She certainly has come across people who judge her based on her job. "Ok, so we will save talking about our jobs for another time." Maura leans forward and whispers, Its ok with me if you are in the CIA and can't talk about it."
Jane laughs, "Oh darn you guessed!"
"Well let's hear it then Agent Jane, life story. Go!" Maura almost doesn't recognize herself, she never talks like this. She is never this at ease with anyone. The only other living thing she is relaxed around is Bass.
"Yes Ma'am! Hi, my name is Jane, I was born and raised in Boston. I enjoy playing sports and watching any game with a team from Boston playing. I have two brothers, I am the oldest. My parents are recently divorced after 30+ years of marriage. My Pop had a total post-mid life crisis and split. Left my Ma with nothing, no house, no money. A real class act. So he is off in Florida and I want nothing to do with him until he apologizes to our entire family."
"Oh Jane, I am sorry to hear that. It must be very difficult to see that happen to your Mother. How is she doing?"
"She's doing ok, she got a job working in a café which is perfect for her. She gets to cook and talk to customers all day. Two things my Ma loves doing!"
"That's great. Sounds like a nice new beginning for her."
"It is. And she is great even though she drives me crazy! My Ma is, let's see how do I put this politely? She is a meddler. Her sole purpose in life seems to be getting me married off to a doctor or a lawyer."
Maura almost chokes on her wine. "That's because she loves you." She takes a bite of the Calamari they are sharing. "Does she know that you are interested in pursuing a relationship with a woman?"
"We haven't exactly had that talk yet. Soon, very soon. My guess is it will not come as a shock to her."
"Ok, your turn. Spill it!" Jane pops a piece of Calamari in her mouth.
Maura takes a sip of wine and opens up to someone who isn't being paid for it, for the first time ever, "Hm, where to start? I am an only child. I have adoptive parents that I rarely see. I was shipped off to Swiss boarding school at an early age. I am fluent in four languages. My parents are wealthy and as you may have guessed based on my home some of that money has come to me as well. I do pride myself on making my own money and not taking theirs. I am not some spoiled rich girl, that's important to know. I didn't ask for what they gave me, they gave it to me out of guilt for being absent most of my life. I have been a loner most of my life. My closest friend growing up was my Nanny. I love science, I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to it. I enjoy traveling and expertly made clothing and shoes. I have a bit of a shoe addiction I think." Maura laughs, "I have far more than I will ever need, but I just can't help myself. Oh and I love to dance! It is something I can do on my own that makes me feel really good. It frees me, relaxes me. I call it my mind eraser. When I am having a hard time at work or in life I can go out on the dance floor and forget it all. Lose myself to the music." She loses her train of thought just thinking about dancing, "Probably sounds silly."
"Are you kidding? Not at all. You know what I do when I am stressed out? I play hoops with my brother Frankie. I am a grown woman. I should probably be going to yoga or to therapy and not playing with my brother."
"What is hoops?"
Jane smiles with wonder at how she doesn't know the term. "Hoops is slang for basketball."
"Basketball I am familiar with, though I have never played."
"Really?"
Maura shakes her head. "We learned fencing and did horseback riding at school." She is embarrassed to admit.
"Well I grew up climbing fences and riding bikes." Jane laughs and picks up her wine glass. "I am very glad to make your acquaintance Maura and I look forward to learning more and more about you." She raises her glass in toast.
Maura touches her glass to Jane's "Thank you Jane, the pleasure is all mine."
.xxx.
Three and a half hours later they are finishing up the Tiramisu they are sharing and enjoying a cappuccino to finish off the amazing meal.
"Don't tell my Ma, but this is even better then hers." Jane says licking some cream from her fork.
"Your secret is safe with me." They share a smile, "What did you say your Dad does?"
"He was a plumber, emphasis on the 'was'. I don't know what he is doing now that he moved to Florida." She shakes her head. "If you ever have any plumbing issues give me a call. I used to spend every summer working by his side."
"Oh so you are a plumber." Maura says.
"Good guess, but no, I am not." Jane lets out a throaty chuckle.
"If I should find myself in need of your plumbing expertise would you perhaps be wearing a special outfit?"
"Like?"
"Did you see the movie Bound?" Maura smirks.
"Um yeah."
"Might you show up at my door dressed like Corky?" She bites her bottom lip.
Jane grins, "I could. Would you like me to?"
"Yes, that would be very very hot."
.xxx.
As they walk toward Maura's house the blonde reaches down and takes Jane's hand in hers for the last two blocks of their journey. She looks at Jane who smiles her approval.
"I was wondering, are you free on Friday night?" Jane asks.
"Actually, no. I have to go out of town for work tomorrow morning. I have to be in New York for a week, possibly longer." Maura knew she should've said something sooner but they were having so much fun getting to know each other at dinner.
"Oh, ok." Jane feels a little heartsick and a wave of nausea wash over her like she is being given the polite heave ho. She thought things were going so well, she's holding her hand. Ugh!
"It was sprung on me today, I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner." She stops walking and faces the brunette, "Jane, I like you very much and I am not using this as some excuse to brush you off. I would never do that. As soon as I am back in town I will expect your first free evening to be set aside for a homemade dinner."
"Oh you don't want my cooking." Jane warns as she starts to feel her worry lift.
Maura smiles at the cute look on Jane's face, "I neglected to tell you that I love to cook. So I will make you dinner. You however will have to bring the dessert."
Jane's eyes go wide remembering their first date dessert, "Dessert? Or Dessert?" The latter getting a raise of the eyebrow and a playful bump of her hips against Maura's.
"I suppose that is up to you Jane." Maura's voice dips into that sexy low register she reserves for times like these. Jane's body flushes with desire and she feels the muscles between her thighs clench. To add to the burning desire Maura leans in and kisses her way up the column of Jane's neck.
.xxx.
Jane manages to get them moving again without throwing Maura up against a wall and taking her up against it. They share a passionate kiss goodnight that leaves them both breathless and throbbing.
"I wish I didn't have to catch a train in 6 hours." Maura says resting her head on Jane's shoulder.
Jane strokes her hair, "Me too, but you need to get yourself packed and get some sleep." She kisses the top of her head. "Have a safe trip."
Maura stands up on her toes and kisses Jane's lips, "Thank you, I will. And I will be in touch."
"Good." Jane smiles at the happy blonde. "I will see you soon."
"Yes, absolutely! Goodnight Jane."
With one last kiss Jane wishes Maura a "goodnight."