Ok, so before we start you should all know that I do not wish to knock Marilyn Monroe in any way. As a matter of fact, my room is decorated with an Old Hollywood theme, and there are pictures of her in it. This movie was just too perfect not to use. (You'll see why.) With that said, you should look up, "River of No Return" on Youtube and watch Marilyn sing the musical number. It will make sense later, promise.

Chapter 10

"Let's Duet"

The glowing tip of Richard's cigarette distracted Maura from the actual movie. She wanted to recite the findings of the Tobacco Industry Research Committee, to inform Richard that it was entirely plausible that cigarettes were the cause of lung cancer.

I'm not even sure that he likes me. I can't tell him that he shouldn't be smoking.

Maura twisted her wedding ring around her finger slightly. Jane glanced over, feeling Maura fidgeting against her arm. She nudged her playfully.

"Can't sit still?" Jane asked.

"Not exactly."

Maura focused on reciting the findings over and over in her mind to keep her fingers still and her lips sealed. The images flashed across the screen, none really registering until Richard dropped the cigarette out of the window.

The urge to impart her knowledge fell away. Her body relaxed and she began to watch the movie. Joseph felt her posture fall slightly. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her to his chest. Maura did not fight the new position, but immediately noticed the absence of Jane's warmth against her upper arm . A tinge of unexplainable sadness swept through her being.

The couples watched as the plot moved, Marilyn playing a showgirl by the name of Kay. Jane scoffed at a few of the scenes, a few instances where she claimed the lead actress was being, "dramatic" or "ditzy." Richard fervently defended Marilyn, referring to her as "the greatest actress to ever live."

One scene in particular seemed to really strike a chord with Richard. Marilyn came on-screen in a revealing yellow dress. Richard leaned over to Jane, a goofy grin on his face.

"You need to get that dress, honey."

Jane pushed him away from her, a mixture of amusement and disgust.

"In your dreams, maybe." Jane shook her head, leaning over to Maura. "You need that dress, honey."

"I don't believe that dress would come in my size," she said, rubbing her swollen abdomen for effect."

"It would still look better on you," Jane whispered playfully.

Maura simply rolled her eyes, watching as Richard pinched Jane's arm slightly, earning him another smack to the arm.

Maura observed the couples interaction. The easy and natural way they bantered made their long-standing relationship clear to everyone around. They knew so much about the other, no surprises. But Maura noticed that the way Jane conversed with her was slightly different than with Richard. The muscles in her face seemed more tense, almost as if she were holding something back.

By the time intermission rolled around, Maura realized that she had not watched much of the movie at all. I've never been one to actually watch a movie at the drive-in, anyways.

The image of an animated soda cup and popcorn container, fully equipped with arms and a face, danced across the screen. "Intermission," Richard exhaled loudly.

"The popcorn isn't as nice to look at as Marilyn," Joseph laughed. Maura cut her eyes, feigning disapproval.

"Popcorn sure would taste good, though," Jane hinted in Richard's direction.

"Marilyn would probably tas…"

Jane shoved her left arm into his rib cage before he could finish his sentence.

"Just for that, I expect popcorn," Jane pushed him one more time for emphasis. "And a soda."

"Fine, fine. Calm down woman, I'm going to get it," he muttered through his laughter.

"Yeah, you think you're real funny."

He shook his head, his body still shaking. He popped the door open and stepped out of the vehicle.

"I'll go with you. I'd like something to drink." Joseph stepped out of his door, craning his neck back to Maura as he did. "Would you like something, sweetheart?"

"Something chocolate," Maura smirked.

They watched as both men made their way over to grab a place in the growing line leading from the concessions stand.

Jane leaned her head back against the seat. "Can you believe them?"

"What do you mean?"

"Marilyn this, Marilyn that—it's sickening. I guess I don't understand the appeal."

"Perceived fertility is paramount. Males seek mates capable of nursing offspring. Abundant breasts do suggest…"

"Ok, I didn't really need an explanation, but thanks."

Maura laughed, shrugging her shoulders.

"This movie is a little over-the-top though, don't you agree? I mean, the musical number in the saloon, really?"

"I could see the appeal of the scene."

"Because she's half-dressed? Yeah, me too."

"Well, that has something to do with it, but Joseph said that he liked her voice once."

"My voice is deep like hers. I could do that."

Jane pulled her knees into the seat quickly, moving them underneath herself and swinging around to face Maura. She brought her shoulders up slightly, rolling her head back and to the right slowly. It was obvious to Maura that Jane was attempting mimic Marilyn's sensuality as she sang.

"There is a river," Jane dropped her voice, attempting to make her voice smooth and rich. She began to croon, slightly off-key.

Maura couldn't help but giggle as she watched Jane. "Wait," she held up her hand, "it's not complete just yet." Maura snaked her hand to the top button of Jane's dress, unbuttoning it slowly. She slid her hands along Jane's collar bone, allowing the half sleeves of her dress to fall, hanging loosely on her upper arm. Maura pulled back to take in the full image of Jane. She unconsciously bit her bottom lip, Jane feeling the heat in her cheeks once more.

"Much better."

Jane noticed that Maura's voice sounded a bit gravely. She ignored it, continuing where she left off.

"Called the river of no return."

Jane's impression became more and more dramatic with every note. Maura's eyes were watering from laughing so hard.

"Sometimes it's peaceful and sometimes wild and free…

"I can hear my lover call," Jane leaned into Maura for dramatic effect.

"Come to me…" her voice almost in a whisper.

Maura immediately noticed the distance between herself and Jane. She leaned in slowly, closing the space between them even more. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Jane stared into Maura's eyes, the heat returning. Her eyes fell to her lips, slightly parted. She could feel the warmth of Maura's breath against her face.

Maura let her eyes wander to the top of Jane's exposed chest, immediately noticing the white, jagged line that interrupted her olive skin. Her fingers inched to the imperfection, cool fingertips meeting warmth. Jane shivered as Maura ran each fingertip over the scar carefully, as if memorizing it. Jane placed her hand on top of Maura's, their eyes meeting once more.

Maura felt a sharp pain in her side, pulling away from Jane with a sharp intake of breath.

"Are you ok?" Jane asked, her voice laden with concern.

"Yes," Maura tried to catch her breath. "It was just the baby. Seems to be more active during the evening."

Jane felt as if she could finally breathe again. "Oh, I thought something was really wrong. Maybe you'll have a soccer star on your hands."

Maura shook her head, trying to bring her thoughts back to the present. She let her fingers graze the discolored flesh once more. "What happened?"

"You tell me first."

"What are you talking about?"

Jane brushed a portion of hair away from Maura's forehead, revealing a scar along her hairline.

"This. Where did this come from?"

Maura was in complete shock. No one had ever noticed the scar before, not unless she pointed it out to them. It was almost entirely hidden and Maura made every effort to conceal it. "How did you see that?"

"I notice things about you, Maura."

Maura let the silence hang in between them. She exhaled slowly, gathering her senses.

"Remember when I said that I was in a serious relationship in college. This is how that ended."

Jane didn't know how to respond.

"What about yours?" Maura asked, not wanting to get into the story at the moment.

Jane noticed that Richard and Joseph were making their way back to the car, snacks in hand.

"I'll tell you later, ok. I promise."

"Scouts honor?" Maura held up her fingers, a stern look crossing her fingers.

"I'll do you one better." Jane extended her right pinkie to Maura. "Pinky promise I will tell you later."

Maura looked at Jane's finger in confusion. Jane snorted, knowing exactly what was happening. She snatched Maura's left hand from her lap, wrapping their fingers together.

"Pinkie promises are binding. I'm going to tell you, ok?"

Maura nodded and smiled, beaming with excitement. She had never pinkie promised anyone before.

Jane turned around in the seat so Richard could sit back down, both women still holding firmly to one another.

Marilyn Monroe flickered back onto the screen, all four resuming their previous positions.

"Finally," Richard added dreamily.

The movie ended too soon in Maura's opinion. She loved feeling like a part of something other than her marriage and home life. I have a friend.

Joseph and Maura returned to the back of the car and they began the short drive home.

"I think that had to be the worst ending I've ever seen," Richard said, making a left out of the drive-in exit.

"Why do you say that?" Maura asked, always interested in gathering varying opinions.

"Because she didn't end up with me. That Robert Mitchum is one lucky bastard."

"I would say that DiMaggio is a much luckier guy." Joseph piped in.

Jane rolled her eyes. "Ok, boys. Let's calm it down a bit."

Richard chuckled and reached over, placing his hand on her leg. "You know I love you."

Jane could tell that Richard was really enjoying the outing with the Thomas', and she was glad. The more time she got to spend with her new friend the better.

"So Joseph, I don't know what you're schedule is, but the boys and I are going camping this weekend. I was wondering if you would like to join us."

Jane looked at Richard in surprise. He never invited anyone to come with him on his camping trip with the boys. He must really like Joseph.

"That sounds swell. I'll go just as long as I'm not on-call this Saturday."

"Ever been camping before, Doc?"

"I used to camp as a child with my father and brothers. I always enjoyed it. I would love to get a chance to take Evie. She's never been."

Jane looked at Richard, unsure of how he would respond. It was usually a "boys only" camping excursion. She decided to jump in and keep him from saying something potentially offensive. "Maggie never goes on the trip. Usually Richard just takes Frankie and Richie."

Richard looked over at Jane, shrugging his shoulders. "You know, she could come if she wanted. She would love to spend time with Evelyn."

Jane was surprised by his answer. Probably just happy to finally have an actual guy friend.

"Would you mind if Evie came along, Maura?"

Maura shook her head at her husband, loving any event that helped Evie become more social and comfortable with others.

"It's settled then. We will all go this weekend," Joseph exclaimed.

"I think I'm going to be just as excited for the weekend as you all will be," remarked Jane happily as she delighted in the thought of being home alone for two solid days.

Joseph turned to Maura, concern etched into his features. "Will you be ok, Maura? I didn't think about the baby. It is close and…"

"Joseph," Maura interjected softly, "I'll be fine. Jane is next-door if anything happens, but it isn't going to."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry so much about Maura. After knowing how she handled the situation with Frankie, I think she'll be just fine." Richard jested, pulling into the driveway.

Joseph looked over to Maura. She instantly felt uncomfortable, knowing that Joseph didn't like how she handled the Frankie situation. Her eyes fell to her lap to avoid his gaze, anger rising within her.

The car came to a halt and they all began to climb out of the cab.

"I'll be right back with Evelyn, Joseph," said Maura. Joseph nodded in her direction, never breaking conversation with Richard.

Jane and Maura looked at each other in confusion as they walked into the house and were greeted by silence.

"I guess Ma got them to sleep already."

Angela waved to the pair from the couch. "They've been asleep for about an hour. Did you kids have fun?"

Maura nodded. "Thank you for watching Evelyn for us tonight. We had a wonderful time."

"Of course you did. Evie was perfect. She minded her manners even under the influence of Jane's little rugrats." Angela said, patting Maura's arm.

Jane led a beaming Maura down the hallway to Maggie's room, opening the door slowly. Both girls were sleeping soundly. Jane closed the door once more and moved back into the living room.

"I'll go ask Joseph to carry her home." Maura walked out to find her husband discussing his dream car.

"Joseph, honey, could you get Evelyn for me?"

"Is she not listening to you? That doesn't sound like her."

"She's just asleep. I can't carry her."

Jane walked out onto the porch, catching the tail-end of their conversation. "She could just stay with us. We don't mind, and that way you won't have to move her."

"There you go, Maura. Evelyn can just stay here. She would love to stay over with Maggie anyways."

Maura tried to hide her irritation. She wanted Evelyn to be at home, safely tucked into her own bed down the hall. It was irrational, she knew she was safe at Jane's house, but she still wanted her home. Joseph shouldn't have just decided that she could stay without discussing it with me first.

Maura nodded, turning to hug Jane goodnight. "I had a really good time tonight, Marilyn. We must duet again."

Jane leans back, leaving her hands on Maura's upper arms. "Was that a joke?"

"Only if it it's funny," Maura quips innocently.

Jane smiled brightly. "Definitely. And don't worry about Evie, she'll be excited when she wakes up and finds out that she spent the night."

Maura began walking across the yard to her door. She could hear Joseph thanking Jane and Richard for inviting them and for keeping Evelyn. She couldn't help but roll her eyes as the joy she had felt a moment earlier dissipated and anger began to build again.

She walked up the stairs as quickly as she could, realizing that Joseph had the keys. She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. Joseph stepped onto the porch beside her, oblivious to her irritation.

He leaned in, kissing her temple. "I am so glad that we went tonight."

She didn't respond. He placed the key in the door and turned the knob. He stepped aside, allowing her to enter the house first. She went straight for the bedroom, eager to get into her pajamas and avoid any sort of conversation with Joseph.

She kicked her heels into the corner, not caring how they landed. She then unbuttoned her dress, pulling it over her head and tossing it carelessly across the vanity chair. That's going to wrinkle. She bypassed the thought as Joseph entered the room, taking in the sight of her standing in nothing but her brassiere and slip. The realization that they were truly alone together for the first time in years hit him.

He watched as she moved to her vanity, removing a few bobby pins from her hair and shaking it loose. A familiar feeling ignited in his gut as he watched her hair tumble across her shoulders. He moved to stand behind her, running his hands from her shoulders down to interlock their fingers.

His lips began to make a trail down her neck. "We're alone, you know?"

Maura pulled her hands from his grip, pushing his arms back by his sides.

"C'mon Maura, we never get to be alone. You don't even have to be quiet this time."

He spun her around lightly to face him, his right hand tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, lingering upon her check. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, his thumb brushing her bottom lip.

"Joseph, I just want to go to sleep." She slid past him to get to the bathroom.

"Is something wrong, Maura? Did something upset you?"

Maura could feel her self-control wilting—she wouldn't be able to keep her emotions locked away as she had planned. "I didn't want Evelyn to stay over at the Reeds' tonight." Even as the words were leaving her mouth, Maura knew this was not at the heart of why she was upset.

Joseph walked over to the doorframe of the bathroom, leaning his body against it. "Why not? She's safe over there. And if I remember correctly, you're the one who is constantly pushing her into social situations." His voice remained soft, almost playful.

"I just-I wish that you would have talked to me about it before you decided that she could stay."

"I'm really sorry. If I would have suspected that you had a problem with it, I wouldn't have said that it was ok."

I suspect that you have a problem with me "playing doctor," but I suppose that we're not going to talk about that either, are we? Maura turned on the water and began to wash the make-up from her face. The sound of the water hung between them, neither knowing what to say next. She pats her face dry and turned to leave the bathroom. Joseph reached out, capturing her wrist in his hand.

He placed his left hand on her cheek, leaning in for a soft kiss. His right hand brushed her shoulder, pulling her bra strap down in the process.

She pulled back quickly at the sensation. "You cannot be serious! I just told you that I was upset with you."

"Maura, I said I was sorry." She turned on her heel, avoiding his eyes altogether. He followed a step behind her the whole way to the closet.

"I don't know what more you want me to say. I will be sure to discuss things of this nature with you beforehand in the future."

"I'm just upset with you right now, Joseph. I want a little space," she said, disappearing into the closet.

"Well, if we're bringing up problems," Joseph's voice grew louder, "I have one with you, too."

Maura stepped out of the closet with an expectant look upon her face. A part of her knew what was coming and her insides began to contract in anticipation. Say it. I know it's been bothering you for days. "What is it?"

"The way you handled the Reeds' boy the other day. I wasn't going to say anything, but that was out of line."

"I cleaned and bandaged his wound. I fail to see how that was out of line, Joseph."

"You told them not to take him to the hospital."

"I used my judgment to determine the state of his injuries and assess the affected area. His pupils were normal, and he showed no signs of…"

"You're not a doctor, Maura," he said, all anger leaving his voice. He knew what a sensitive topic this was among the two of them.

Maura felt a knot gather in her throat. "I've read numerous medical texts and articles. I know how the body works, I understand what happens when…"

"Maura, he suffered a blow to the head. Head injuries are very serious. He needed to go to the hospital."

"But he didn't, Joseph. He didn't need stitches and he was perfectly coherent."

"Maura," Joseph moved to her, his voice low and soft, "I have a problem with you diagnosing people with no prior medical training."

Maura grabbed her nightgown from the drawer and moved past him. She refused to say another word. She undressed and slipped the nightgown over her head. Joseph, assuming that he had gotten through to Maura, changed into his pajamas and got ready for bed.

When he returned, Maura was already laying on her side. He eased into bed, moving to lay against her back. He looped his arm underneath her breasts to pull her closer to him. If he couldn't be intimate with his wife, he at least wanted to be near her.

Maura pushed her body against his, freeing herself from his grasp and scooting closer to the edge of the bed.

"Maura…"

She heard the sad tone behind his voice, but she didn't dwell on it. She was hurt, so deeply hurt. He waited for her to say something, but she never did. He merely turned over away to face the wall.

She turned her head into her pillow, letting it soak up her silent tears. She had read countless medical texts, everything that Joseph had ever had to read in fact. She knew what she was doing, but would never be able to prove it.

"Maura?"

"Hmm?" she tried to hide the emotion in her voice.

"This probably isn't the best time to bring it up, but I just wanted to remind you that my parents are coming for dinner tomorrow."

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I tried to make it fairly long due to the fact that it took me so long to get it together. I hope you enjoyed it though. :) Let me know what you think.
And I know that I mentioned that I might be adding polls, but I've decided against it at the moment. I just thought that I should let everyone know.