A/N Hi, I am sorry for the delay. Thank you for your patience and your kind remarks. It really does mean the world to me. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter.
Maura receives her message loud and clear. She smiles and begins to feel giddy at the thought of being with Jane Rizzoli. To have her as her best friend, and now perhaps to have her as her heart and soul. Now that is quite an accomplishment.
I want you too, Jane
Jane sees this message appear on her phone and she cannot believe her eyes. Her heart pounding what feels like almost out of her chest, she types her reply.
Good!
Maura smiles back at the phone. She wishes she could see Jane right now.
Do you want to come over, so we can talk?
Thinking about what she should say, Jane stares at the screen and wonders what to type next. She is deciding between Hell Yes, Hell No and Do I have to? Her fears are getting the best of her.
Maura, I'd love to. Can we talk tomorrow night instead please?
Maura is concerned about this last text. Are you okay? She would love to be able to look at her Detective to see if she could read what kind of reaction she was having to this new development.
Once again, Jane is contemplating on what to say to her friend.
I'm fine Maura, I just need to be alone tonight. Is that okay?
Of course, Jane, of course. I will be here if you want to talk. We have come a long way today. I probably need tonight to myself as well. Take care, I will be thinking of you.
Jane feels relieved and sends a smiley face to Maura. Thinking about it, the revelation wasn't so bad. After a few moments, Jane urgently runs to the bathroom and vomits.
Across town, Maura opens the refrigerator and pours herself a glass of chardonnay. Sitting on the couch, she reflects on this life-changing day. She is over the moon that Jane has finally come to terms with her feelings for her, and is not afraid to proclaim that. She finishes her wine and after washing it, places the glass back in the cabinet. It has been a long emotional day and she just wants to curl up to her pillow and dream of what is to come.
Waking up alone, Jane's first thought is of Maura. She has feelings of anxiety and also disbelief that this is really true. Maura likes her and wants a relationship with her. She rolls over and screams into her pillow, just to get something, anything out of her to express her emotions. Afterwards, she feels better and hopes that her neighbors did not hear. Reaching for her phone, she sees that Maura has not texted her since their conversation yesterday. Jane wishes her a good morning.
Good morning, I hope we don't have any murders today. Well, that was smooth, Jane thinks to herself as she rolls her eyes.
After showering, the usually not caring Jane spends an extra few moments in her closet, looking for clothes this time. She decides on a pink v-neck shirt with her dark gray suit. As she clips her gun and phone to her person, she takes one last look in the mirror and leaves her apartment.
Maura had been up for hours at this point, having a nice relaxing session in her yoga room prior to having a cup of coffee before getting ready for work. She took a nice long shower, making sure that she was freshly shaved for whatever the day may have in store for her and Jane. The thought of Jane sends tingles to her core.
Arriving at the station, Jane sits down at her computer and logs in. Opening her inbox, she scans the newly arrived emails and sees one from Maura. It wishes her a good morning and she hopes to see her for lunch. Jane reads this and smiles. It is a nice feeling to know someone is thinking of you, and she could get used to this.
Both women try to pass the slow-moving morning by catching up on paperwork. Finally, at eleven thirty, Maura sends a text to Jane.
Do you want to come with me?
Gulping, Jane smirks and says replies back, Are you trying to make me blush, Doctor?
Laughing at this new-found Jane, Maura texts Always! I will be right there.
The elevator opened and the sound of high heels coming forward make Jane turn around. She would recognize those footsteps anywhere. As their eyes meet for the first time after their confessions to each other, the rest of the room suddenly did not exist. It was just Jane and Maura. Two women in love, who are willing to risk everything by being together. Because if not, there is no self-existence.
Jane stands up and walks up to the Medical Examiner. "Hey, let's go." She guides Maura out the door and to her car. She opens the passenger side and Maura gets in. As she watches her legs swing around and slide into the car, Jane grins to herself. She cannot get over that this incredibly beautiful woman is her friend and she's interested in her for more than friendship. How is she worthy?
As Jane gets into the car and fastens her seat belt, she looks over at her passenger. The women gaze into each other's eyes for a brief moment, and then Jane starts the car. "Is it too soon to say that I want to kiss you?" Maura dives right in.
Jane grips the steering wheel tightly and grins. "No, I guess it isn't. But um, I'd rather not have our first kiss in my car, okay?" Laughing, Maura looks out the window and tries to control herself. She wonders where their first kiss will be. Hopefully it will be romantic, slow and meaningful. Or maybe it will hot and passionate. Quickly, Maura stops thinking about the endless possibilities of having Jane's lips on hers. She smiles, she cannot control it. The future and the prospect of being with the woman she loves is almost overwhelming
Clearing her throat, Maura asks where they are going to lunch this afternoon. The Salad Bar it is. Jane is clearly doing this for Maura, as Jane can give two shits about having lettuce for lunch. How is this even fulfilling? But she knows that Maura will find some satasfactopm Her friend reassures her that she will create an Italian dish for dinner at Maura's place after work. Jane has no doubt it will be a delicious meal indeed.
The lunch was non-commensal, as the ladies shoved the various lettuces inside their mouths. Jane and Maura were both nervous to approach the topic head on, and therefore did not. The lunch date was easy and yet tantalizing all in the same breath. Jane wanted so much more, but was seriously afraid of making the next move. Maura, on the other hand, was ready and willing and able to perform whatever sort of physical dance she needed to perform for Jane. Jane was her goal, as she was her heart's desire. Back at the station, the women bid each other a good afternoon with promises of meeting later for dinner. Alone. Just the two of them, and potentially their future.
Jane arrives at Maura's for dinner with flowers in hand. She wants to make a good impression and that impression must show that this is more than friendship and that she is in it for the long haul. Jane reminds herself of that. She continues to repeat in her head to not fuck this up. This is important. This is Maura.
Maura opens the door to an obvious nervous Jane holding out an arrangement of flowers at arms' length. Maura laughs and invites the Detective into her home. The smell of Italian spices cooking is almost overwhelming Jane's senses.
"Oh Maura, it smells so good. What are you making?" Jane says as Maura is maneuvering in the kitchen to find a vase. Jane notices that there are already flowers placed on the dining room table, which is set nicely for a gourmet meal. Seeing Jane stiffen, Maura reassures her that it is just chicken marsala and nothing to get overly fancy about. She knows that Jane is more low-key than high.
Jane assists Maura in the kitchen by tossing the salad and pouring the wine in the dinner glasses. Each of the women is trying to keep busy in hopes of not putting too much emphasis on what tonight may mean to their future. The women are busy in the kitchen getting ready to serve the meal.
As the table and the dishes are now served and plated, Maura holds up her wine glass to Jane. Maura is looking relaxed, while Jane is still nervous. Maura says "To a wonderful meal. May we enjoy the bounties it brings us" and clinks glasses with Jane. Jane wonders what that is supposed to mean, and realizes that she just needs to relax and not think of this as a date with the best friend.
After awkward glances and finishing the meal, the ladies clear the table. "Shall we relax in the living room and watch tv with another bottle?" Maura asks.
How Maura can be so calm about this is beyond her. Jane feels like this is a first date and has been clumsy throughout. No only has a part of the chicken landed on the floor, but then she felt wine dribbling down her chin when Maura made her laugh. So much for the classy detective profile she was trying to elude.
Sitting on the couch with another bottle of wine, the women seem to relax around each other. Maura notices that she herself have felt a pressure towards the evening while trying to make the perfect dish with the perfect wine. After all, Jane was worth this and more. Maura knew that Jane would be hyper sensitive to this situation and would precede cautiously.
Both ladies have a full glass and are seated next to each other while Maura finds a documentary for them to watch. She thought that would be better than a sports show, which may have Jane's full attention. Maura wanted the attention on her, on them.
"So, how did you like dinner?" Maura asks. She is trying to go for small talk in order to relax her friend who seems quite nervous.
"Oh, it was great Maura, thanks." Jane becomes bold and leans in and kiss Maura on the cheek. As Jane leans away from her friend, Maura puts her hand behind her neck and brings her face to face.
At last, lips meet lips in the most perfect soft way, lingering. It is almost indescribable what each of the women are feeling at this point. Their mouths are touching, tasting each other slowly. Jane thinks she has found her Heaven. How could she not, she had Maura in her arms.
Maura was thinking how badly she wanting to take things quicker with Jane. This kiss, so slow and deep, was almost too much for her to not reach out and take things to the next level., but she knew better without doubt that Jane wanted Maura.
Jane was trying to come to grips with what she was feeling being intimate with her best friend. There was still a large part of her that was not willing, or perhaps not ready, to switch circuits to showing that side of herself. At last, Jane absorbed herself into Maura's kiss.
"Maura, please…." Her mind said not to stop but Maua took it as stop.
"Ok, we will wait" Maura says as she pulls apart from Jane. Her body is rebellious and is wanting to get away from Jane. It is an odd abrupt parting for the aftermath of their kiss.
Jane says to her and to Maura, "No, wait…."