_Chapter 10_

Maura parked at the end of the boulevard, lucky to have found a spot.

The town the two found themselves in, not too far over, catered to the vast needs of both locals and visitors alike. Storefronts of unique boutiques, hard to find shops, restaurants, and other goods lined the main street. The quaint thoroughfare encouraged those who drove past to stop and take a gander, while elaborate window displays beckoned pedestrians inside. The street was alive with chattering people, leisurely strolling from one shop to the next. The weather was a perfect 72 degrees, with minimal cloud coverage, which permitted the appropriate summer attire individuals wore, including the two women stepping out of the car.

Maura, donned in a yellow sundress with a pair of navy heels, looked like she was stepping out of a photo shoot; she always did. An errant breeze caused her dress to dance as she approached the detective, whose conflicting emotions were a whirlwind of their own.

Jane wore an uncharacteristically, dare Maura say, fashionable, summer outfit. A navy cotton tank tucked into a pair of white linen shorts and a pair of sandals the blonde didn't know the detective owned looked absolutely stunning on the slender, olive woman.

They both regarded each other behind a pair of sunglasses. While they couldn't see each other's eyes, their body language gave themselves away.

Jane stood rooted in her spot, awestruck, admiring the blonde who approached her. Without hesitation, Maura entered her space and placed a hand to Jane's abdomen as she leaned in for a kiss.

Pulling back, Maura smiled.

"Now why can't you dress like this for work?" Maura asked teasingly.

Jane smirked behind her aviators, "Because these aren't my work clothes."

Maura gave a pouty glare that didn't go unnoticed by the detective. She leaned in again but refrained from kissing.

The sound of an eager child crossing behind them broke Jane from her trance. She clumsily stepped back, her arm quickly wrapping around the blonde for stability.

"We're already late," Jane said, releasing her hold on Maura.

"How late?"

"Uh, well, we we're suppose to meet everyone at ten."

"It's noon."

"Then we need to head to the restaurant," Jane said, motioning over her shoulder.

"Why did we need to be here at ten?"

"Uh," Jane shrugged, "for shopping."

Maura's mouth fell open in aghast.

"What?!" she shrieked, "I could have gone shopping?!"

"Shh," Jane hushed, stepping back into the blonde's space.

Maura lowered her voice to an angry stage whisper, "You said nothing about shopping."

"What?" Jane retorted, "It wasn't like you were against the other activities."

"We slept all morning," the blonde clarified.

"Well, not all morning," Jane said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Maura gave a huff and growled. "If it hadn't been for your mother, we would have missed lunch too."

"Oh my God!" Jane covered her face with her hands as the memory, which had left her sometime between their shower and morning fashion show, flooded back. She gasped and grabbed Maura's wrists.

"Do you think she's told everyone?"

Maura looked at her confused.

"Why? Are you ashamed?" There was hurt evident in Maura's voice.

"No! I'm not ashamed. I'm just not looking forward to the teasing," her voice fell, plagued by the past.

"Jane," Maura said sweetly, "I think you are overreacting. I haven't heard them make one rude remark."

She looked at Maura; the blonde did make a point.

"Now come on," the doctor said, stepping back and extending her hand, "take me to lunch."

Despite her anxiousness, Jane gave her a small smile, grabbed Maura's extended hand and they walked, hand-in-hand, down the street.

As they came through another crosswalk, Maura could feel the vibration of Jane's phone in her purse.

"Are we close? I think they are trying to get a hold of you," Maura said coming to a stop just beyond the next storefront. Reluctantly she released Jane's hand and dug through her purse.

"Maura, it's just right-"

"Janie!" Angela's voice called from a few storefronts down. The two women looked up, contrasting expressions on each of their faces.

Maura waved pleasantly and began walking forward, Jane rolled her eyes and begrudgingly made her way to her mother.

Angela greeted the two, ignoring the tension her morning faux pas had created between her and her daughter.

"I was worried, maybe you weren't going to remember where it was," Angela said. "They've had to expand since last time we were here." She ushered them in the restaurant's entrance. "Helena's brother and sister are here."

Jane stiffened as the three made their way inside. She didn't know what to expect nor was she ready for anything she could foresee. She just prayed Angela hadn't told everyone about her and Maura yet.

The authentic Italian restaurant's air conditioning welcomed them with a cool breeze as they made their way back to the larger family section.

Before rounding the corner, Jane pushed her mother into a small server's station as the blonde disappeared out of sight.

"Ouch, Janie stop it!"

"Ma," Jane tried to speak in a hushed tone, "Listen, Ma I gotta know-"

"Janie stop it," Angela looked past her daughter.

"Ma, please."

"Please what?"

Jane's plea of, "Don't say anything," was cut off by a server who stepped into the space. The poor girl jumped, surprised by the women standing there.

"Sorry," Angela apologized and stepped out of the space.

"Whatever it is Jane, it can wait," she said and disappeared around the corner.

Jane flexed her arms in frustration. "Ma wait, Ma. Ma-aura, hi."

The doctor suddenly appeared before the brunette. Maura cocked her head to the side, her lips in a thin line.

"You're really upset about this," the blonde said with hurt feelings; us, is what she meant.

"No, I'm not," Jane argued.

"Then come sit with me." Maura grabbed her arm and pulled her along. With a shrug, Jane moved her elbow free and gave a polite smile to the bunch.

At the end of the table, Helena, Jack and two others stood to greet the detective and doctor.

"Hello, hello!" Helena's sister greeted the brunette, kissing her cheeks. "Look at you! You must be fighting them off with a stick."

Jane could feel the pent-up laughter, which remained silenced, behind her.

"It's great to see you Dotty," Jane said and turned to the tall man at the woman's side, "Rick, wonderful to see you too."

"And this," Helena turned to the blonde, "this is Dr. Maura Isles."

The doctor greeted the two and took her seat.

Jane's leg began bouncing as soon as she scooted to the table.

"The two of you must be terribly overworked, sleeping all this time," Dotty said.

Maura gave her a soft smile.

"Mm, yes," Jane said snidely, "terribly overworked and underpaid."

The feeling of Maura's hand sliding down her thigh and resting on her knee jarred the brunette from her flustered state. She looked to the shorter woman.

"Shh, be nice," Maura mouthed before giving Jane's knee a reassuring squeeze.

"I hope you don't mind," Helena said, nodding to the servers approaching the table, "we already ordered."

The plate presented to the two women matched their personal preferences exactly.

Angela leaned forward, "I didn't know how long you were going to be."

Jane couldn't help but grin.

"That was very thoughtful of you Angela," Maura commented.

"Yeah, thanks Ma," Jane added, her voice now clement.

Glee spread across Angela's face.

The last bit of apprehension to conversation left the brunette and they were able to enjoy each other's company.

Before Jane knew it, lunch was over and the group stood at the door. They admired the artwork on the walls as they waited for those who had made a trip to the restroom.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Angela said, riffling through one of her bags.

"I got you these," she presented Jane with a wrapped package, complete with a bow.

"I helped pick them out," Suzie chimed in.

"Aw, jeez, Ma, thanks," Jane said before passing the box to Maura, who placed it for safe keeping in her purse.

Angela shrugged and added, "It's the least I could do after, ya know, what happened."

"What happened?" Bruno eagerly asked.

The detective froze.

"Uh." She glanced at Maura, who gave an unhelpful shrug.

"Weeeell," Angela dragged trying to find a substitute story.

"Did something happen at your sleepover?" Bruno shouted.

The adults, aside from Angela and Suzie, simultaneously looked from the boy to the two, red-faced women.

Jane's heart stopped. She looked from the small boy to the other adults, various expressions on their faces.

"Bruno," Tony said in a low voice.

Words escaped the brunette.

"Right," she finally said, "I'm just gonna," she jabbed her thumb over her shoulder, "yeah." She turned and left out the door.

All eyes followed the lanky detective until the door closed.

Maura turned, all eyes resting on her.

"Would you excuse us?" she said politely and followed suit.

Angela let out a long exhale.

Tony leaned into Suzie and spoke under his breath, "So...girlfriend?"

Suzie nudged him with her elbow.

Jane ran her hand through her hair as she continued past the storefronts.

"Jane," Maura called after her, "Jane!"

The blonde finally made it to the woman.

"I don't even know what that was, Maura," Jane said, slowing her pace, "and I don't really care to find out for a while either."

Maura grabbed her wrist and turned her around.

"Maura-"

The doctor crashed her lips against the brunette's, silencing her. She purposefully wove her hands into the thick locks and slid her tongue into Jane's mouth. She pulled the woman against her.

Jane stumbled forward, surprised by Maura's assertiveness, and wrapped her arms around the blonde.

Maura didn't let up.

The display wasn't lost on the few who passed.

Maura's tongue danced masterfully, which elicited a moan from Jane, causing the brunette to relinquish her surprise. She began kissing back, gripping Maura's hips and seeking her share of taste.

A boisterous round of applause erupted across the street. A car honked.

Maura released her with a smack and giggled, proud of her ability to capture the brunette's attention.

"Quite the show, Dr. Isles," Jane rasped.

"Should we give them an encore performance?" Maura teased, running her hand down the middle of Jane's chest.

The svelte fingers wove themselves in honey. With gentle persuasion, their lips met again.

Hoots and hollers added to the new round of applause as their kiss continued.

Jane broke away breathlessly.

"Now that I have your attention," Maura said, "we are going to have some couple's time."

Jane gazed at her with dark eyes.

"And since we are here, I'm taking you shopping."

"Aww," Jane's shoulders slumped forward and her hands fell from Maura's hair.

"No, do not 'aww,' me Jane," she mimicked before continuing, "If you're good, I might give you another fashion show."

Jane gave her a challenging stare.

"Of my lingerie."

"Where to first?"

Jane found herself in the third clothing boutique after the stop at the shoe store on the corner. She carried her own bag and two of Maura's, while the blonde carried two of her own. At least this shop had water, with lemon slices, and cookies for the customers.

The redhead, close to their age, greeted them and offered to hold their bags while they browsed the shop. Both thanked the woman and with free hands grabbed water- Jane, a cookie too.

The boutique housed an array of items of various fabrics, styles and patterns. Jane was sure whatever Maura hadn't found in the other shops, she'd find in here.

"My name's Michelle, let me know if you need anything." The redhead gave them a courteous smile and busied herself with something at the register.

"Thank you." Jane took a bite of her cookie.

"Don't make crumbs everywhere," Maura said in a whisper.

The brunette retaliated by shoving the remainder of the cookie in her mouth.

"Cute," Maura said in a flat, repulsed tone, adverse to Jane's childish antics when the detective grew frustrated, tired, uncomfortable, or, in this case, bored. She turned her back to Jane and began looking through the racks.

The brunette settled in behind, surveying the items Maura touched, shaking her head and making faces as the blonde intermittently pulled articles off the rack.

"This would look striking on you," Maura said, pulling a red cotton dress from its hidden place.

"When would I wear it?" Jane questioned in a snarky voice.

"When I have you for dinner," Maura spat, exasperated, placing the dress back. "Would you be less antsy if you sat down?" Maura asked without diverting her gaze from the clothing.

Jane shrugged.

"Michelle," Maura called out.

"Yes Miss?"

"Is there a place for my partner to sit down?"

"Whoa, 'partner', really?" Jane remarked, "Suddenly we're...working?"

"Well what would you prefer: Detective, Sweetie, Girlfriend, Lover, Mistress?" Maura let the syllables slide on her lips. She gave Jane a side-glance.

The two women a few racks over looked up.

Jane blushed, Maura raised her eyebrows, waiting for her to answer.

"I don't know," Jane said troubled.

"Well, why don't you think about it while you're sitting."

"Why don't you follow me, Detective," Michelle said softly. Jane followed her to the fitting room alcove.

Maura gave herself a pat on the back.

While it wasn't the gentlest ease into conversation about their relationship change, Maura figured she'd give a hardy shove and have Jane tread in those waters; the detective did do better when she completely immersed herself in something. It was needed. After all, it was going to be a pressing topic once they returned to the house.

Jane followed the redhead and came to the sitting area, across from the fitting rooms.

"Would you like another water, Detective?"

"Rizzoli."

"I beg your pardon," the redheads voice still soft.

"Detective, Jane Rizzoli." She gave a nod with her head, "Dr. Maura Isles. But were not working so Jane and Maura is fine."

Michelle nodded.

"And yes, I would like another water."

"Certainly."

Jane looked about the space when the woman left.

The couch welcomed her comfortably. The quiet, tucked-away area was perfect for her to gather her thoughts. She stared blankly at herself in the mirror on the opposite wall.

"Here you are," Michelle's voice interrupted her.

"Thank you."

Maura continued slowly through the racks. A few items rested in her arms. She made her way around a corner and stumbled upon a plethora of lingerie. She eyed the pieces of lace and silk.

Approaching the first table, she allowed her hand to reach out and finger the material, trying to imagine how it would feel against Jane's skin.

"Would you like me to get you a room started?"

Maura jerked her hand away, afraid the woman could see her impure thoughts. She cleared her throat and turned.

"Yes please."

Michelle extended her hand. "I would get the black... for her," she said as she took the hangers. "And for you, the emerald." A gratified grin tugged at the redhead's lips before she turned and headed back to the fitting rooms.

Jane shifted on the couch once again, her bouncing leg now overly irritating.

The blonde spoke from behind the curtain.

"Even though you weren't the best, you were able to keep your tantrums to a minimum. So I thank you."

"Excuse me?" Jane scoffed, offended. She could feel Maura roll her eyes.

The curtain parted with a tiny swish and the doctor stepped into view.

Jane curled her lip, "Don't you already have something like that?"

"Not this length."

Jane scratched behind her ear. Maura returned to her room.

"You didn't see anything you liked?" Maura asked.

Jane's thoughts drifted to the blonde. She gave a hypnotized chuckle.

"Besides that," Maura added.

"The shoes I got, they're nice."

"They are."

"How many more things do you have left, Maura?"

"Just a few more, Jane. I really wish you would get that dress," Maura said.

"Only if you meant what you said," the brunette countered.

"What did I say?" Maura asked as she stepped out in another dress, this one a blue scoop neck.

Jane immediately shook her head, her eyes trailing along the division of flesh and fabric.

"No to the dress or no you won't tell me?" Maura asked.

"No to the dress."

Maura gave a disappointed pout before facing the mirror. Jane was right; the dress was a no.

"I'm gonna get the red one," Maura said over her shoulder.

"Only if you meant what you said."

One impeccably groomed eyebrow rose on Maura's face. "Didn't I just say I was getting it?"

Jane's gaze darkened. Maura smirked and disappeared once again.

"Don't tease me," Jane lowered her voice.

"I'm not," came Maura's reply.

Jane's breath hitched. She needed more water. Leaning forward, she rested her forearms on her thighs and took a deep breath.

"Seriously, where is more water," she silently commanded to the floor.

"Okay, what about this?" The curtain parted and Jane looked up.

The detective's mouth fell open as she stopped breathing. She nearly swallowed her tongue.

The emerald corset hugged the blonde in the most seductive way, cupping the ample bosom, taunting Jane. The ribbing glided perfectly along Maura's body and hips, while the black lace and trim added a texture that beckoned to be touched. The black garter straps attached to a pair of black nylon stockings. It was an intricate yet sensual piece of art.

The blonde was glad she had opted for the black thong today.

Jane finally took a deep inhale as she leaned up. She let out a long exhale as she slumped back against the couch, her hands rubbing down her thighs as they opened.

"You don't like?" Maura teased.

Jane nodded her head, mouth still agape. She squeezed her thighs together.

Maura turned away and evaluated herself in the mirror, running her hands over her hips.

Jane watched, wide-eyed, as the doctor's hands danced along her body as she struck poses in the mirror.

Guided by want, Jane stood and sauntered to the blonde. Maura watched her in the mirror.

"I thought you'd like it," she pouted.

Closer, Jane came until she rested against Maura's backside, her eyes greedily taking in every inch of skin and fabric.

Maura arched her back and pressed into Jane.

The vision of watching them in the mirror, with her hand buried in Maura's panties, flashed across the brunette's mind. Knowing the blonde, that thought was currently foremost on Maura's mind as well.

She grabbed Maura's hips.

The doctor ground against her. Jane squeezed her hips, her head lolling forward.

Maura did it again.

"This...is teasing."

Author's note: Are we following? PM whenever