Chapter 10

"You're too late…."

The voice was no louder than a whisper. Had there been any noise or sound in the room Jane wouldn't even had heard it.

She turned around to see if there was anyone behind her but she was sure the voice didn't come from behind her. But then again she just wasn't sure where it was coming from. She wondered if it even mattered.

She wasn't giving up the search. She didn't care what the voice said. She wasn't giving up.

Jane moved to the stairway that was in the corner of the room. What she was looking for wasn't on this first floor so it had to be upstairs. She made her way to the stairs and started to climb.

But as she climbed the stairs she wasn't getting any closer to the top. Step by step she tried to make progress but no progress was to be made.

"Too late…." came the voice once again.

Jane felt her head turn as she was waking up. The room was dark so she knew it was still late and wondered how long she'd been asleep before this dream woke her.

She released a heavy sigh. The dreams really needed to stop. She tried to remember the details of this dream but the images were already vague. Stairs. The voice. But that was about all she could remember.

She knew she was once again trying to find something. Someone maybe but it wasn't too clear this time. Neither was it clear where she was. She'd always been outside of a house for the dreams. Now she was inside but she couldn't really recall if she knew where she was.

She remember trying to climb stairs but getting nowhere. This was something different too. Before she just wasn't able to get into the house. Now she was inside but couldn't get up the stairs. None of it made any sense and she wasn't even sure of all the details. All of it was really beginning to frustrate her.

Maura stirred next to her. The feel of Maura so close to her soothed Jane. They'd shifted and moved apart from each other at some point while they slept. Jane remembered falling asleep with Maura curled into her and her arms squarely wrapped around the ME. But there was space between them now and Jane didn't like that.

She let Maura settle glad the ME was still sleeping. Once she was sure Maura wouldn't wake up if she shifted around in bed, Jane moved herself closer into Maura's side. She just wanted to seek shelter in the comfort that was Maura. When Maura didn't wake Jane laid her head onto Maura's shoulder. She closed her eyes and hoped sleep would find her.

R&I

The morning light gently woke the ME. She shifted a bit and started to stretch. She loved mornings like this. Mornings that had no agendas. No timeframes. She didn't have work she needed to get to or any place she really needed to be. In fact, as she felt the warmth coming from the detective's side of the bed she knew she was exactly where she needed to be in that moment.

She opened her eyes and pulled the detective into focus. Jane was currently curled tightly into her and a smile immediately found Maura's face. Since their vacation had started she'd been able to wake with the detective either directly in her arms or somewhat curled around her. It had become her new favorite way to wake up. As each day passed, she loved that she was waking up with the expectation of Jane being there and then the simple joy it brought her when she would discover that Jane was in fact there.

There was such warmth. Such a sense of security in these stolen moments. For the last two mornings, she been able to add the sense of love she felt as well. She'd loved Jane for a long time but she'd never really dreamt of being allowed to act on those feelings. But suddenly here they were. Together only now with no restrictive label of friendship interfering with their ability to truly enjoy each other.

She still wasn't even completely sure how exactly things had changed so quickly between the two. One minute Jane was telling her she loved her. The next minute she was finally getting her chance to tell Jane the same thing. A chance she thought she'd never realize. But it had happened.

She marveled for a minute that while everything had changed it had all still generally stayed the same. What didn't change was the comfort she'd always felt around Jane. That was still there. Her friendship with the detective was still there. What was changing weren't the parts that had managed to make them 'Jane and Maura'. What was changing were the additions to who they were both to themselves and to each other. They'd still been able to just be with each other and it not feel forced or awkward.

She shifted a little in bed to stretch but tried not to jostle the sleeping detective. She wasn't ready to end her time with Jane. Not yet. The shift did allow for her to get a view of their current sleeping positions. Jane was curled into her side with her head resting on her shoulder. Their legs had been slightly tangled before Maura had made the move to stretch. What made her smile, just like it had the other time she had found this, was Jane's arm was once again draped across her waist but her hand had a tight grip on her pajama top.

Jane's hand was fisted with the fabric of her shirt balled into it. Again, Maura wondered if that meant anything or if it was just something that seemed to happen as they slept. She wondered if maybe it was a result of the dreams Jane had been having. She even wondered if Jane had had any dreams last night. By her current steady breathing the detective didn't appear to be having any issues.

But the dreams still worried Maura. Persistent, reoccurring dreams would suggest that there was something deeply troubling Jane and ever since the subject of the dreams had shifted to her, Maura couldn't help but worry that whatever was troubling Jane revolved around her. She just didn't know what it was. Jane seemed at ease with her and open to the changes in their relationship so she didn't think the dreams were linked to their declaration of love.

Part of her wondered if Jane was simply afraid of losing the ME. Her initial dreams had been a way to process her guilt over not finding Samantha Roberts in time. But according to Jane the dream had shifted to it being her Jane couldn't find. Perhaps couldn't save in time. A voice taunting her about being too late. Doors she couldn't open. Even yesterday Jane had moments when she took Maura's hand almost as if she needed to be sure she wasn't going to lose her.

Maura looked down once again and the hand that was still grasping onto her top. Could that be another sign that Jane was trying to keep from losing her? If that was the case, if the dreams were just about Jane's fear of losing her, she wondered what had really set her off.

Jane had always protected her. Every time she'd found herself in any sort of danger, Jane had been there to save her. Jane had been the first person Maura knew she could absolutely depend on. Granted they'd both needed to put that reliability to the test a few too many times over the years but Jane never failed her. Ever. Maura didn't even believe Jane was capable of failing her.

There had to be something triggering the dreams. Perhaps it was because of the changing nature of their relationship. Maybe Jane wasn't as comfortable or secure with how things were progressing. But Maura hoped that wasn't the case. She didn't feel as if it was. Jane had been an equal participant in the kisses that they'd shared and she'd been the one to say 'I love you' first. To that point, Maura hadn't detected any sense of doubt in Jane.

Not in her actions. Not in her words. Ever since they'd told each other both loved the other Jane had been open and honest with her. Even about her feelings. She'd told her about the dreams. None of that were the actions of someone who was doubting the steps they were starting to take.

Whatever the reason for them Maura just didn't want Jane to continue to be plagued with those dreams. She didn't want Jane doubting herself, her abilities or even her relationship with Maura. They were just at the beginning of what they were going to be but Maura didn't want there to be any doubts about their future.

She thought back to the previous night. Their day had been great. Their evening had been wonderful. But the end of their night had been magical. Jane's playing of the piano had been as unexpected as it had been amazing. Maura had never felt as moved by an experience as she felt with what Jane had done.

Her skills for undeniable and Maura got a sense of exactly what Angela had been telling her over the years. But the fact that she'd even played anything for Maura was what mattered. It could have come out broken and choppy and Maura would have still loved it. Simply because it was something Jane had done specifically for her.

The moment was one Maura would never forget. From the notes being played, to the sight of Jane's fingers traveling up and down the keyboard, to the look on Jane's face as she played the piece, those were images that would be forever burned into Maura's memory.

And the piano playing hadn't been the only incredible part about how their evening ended. Just as she was surprised that Jane had played her the piano piece, she was equally surprised when Jane asked her to dance. Pleasantly surprised but surprised nonetheless.

She never really considered Jane to be the dancing type. But oh could the woman slow dance. If she tried hard enough Maura was sure she could still feel their bodies pressed together moving to the music. The moment had been intimate and tender and it had been absolutely perfect.

They'd danced to music that wasn't playing both having gotten lost in the moment and each other. When they finally broke apart they'd shared an amazing kiss. Maura was convinced she would never tired of those lips being pressed against her own. It truly had been the perfect ending to their day.

She had thoughts about taking that next step. After the dancing and the kiss there was no way thoughts about sleeping with Jane could be helped. She wanted her. From the look in Jane's eyes she was sure Jane wanted her too. But they stopped. In the end it was the right thing to have done as they both agreed they just weren't quite ready for that move. Not quite.

But based on both their reactions to each other, Maura was aware that they wouldn't be able to hold out too much longer before they started to explore the physical aspect of this new relationship. Neither wanted to rush that step. Both were just a little concerned about diving straight into the sexual component of things without firmly establishing themselves as a couple. They both just seemed to want to do everything just right in those first few days of the budding relationship.

Maura stretched again and shifted to curl herself into Jane. She wasn't tired but she didn't really have much desire to get out of bed. This was to be their last day in New Orleans but they didn't need to be anymore until the afternoon. So she didn't get up choosing instead to simply take pleasure in having Jane in her arms. There really wasn't any better way to start her morning.

R&I

The next time Jane rolled over the room was bright and she knew it was morning. But given how bright the room was she was surprised to feel warmth radiating beside her. Maura was still in bed with her. Realizing this she turned her head to greet the ME and found a wide awake beauty with an amazing smile staring back at her.

"Morning," Jane mumbled as her voice was still a little slow coming to her.

Maura chuckled at Jane's attempt to speak. "Morning," she said.

Jane took a second to really try to open her eyes and fully wake up. Once she did she took in Maura's position. The ME was laying on her side propped up her arm and it was pretty clear she'd been watching Jane sleep.

"How long have you been watching me sleep?" Jane asked. She really was surprised the ME was still in bed. It'd been the first time all vacation Maura was in the room when Jane woke up from anything other than a dream.

"Not long," Maura said. "I got up for a little while but I came back up here." She shifted her eyes away from Jane when she admitted that. She'd been awake for a few hours but she'd missed Jane and wanted to greet the detective when she woke up. So she had climbed back into bed about thirty minutes ago and had spent the time just watching Jane sleep.

"To watch me sleep?" Jane asked pleasantly surprised that the ME had crawled back into bed. She rolled onto her side and was now mirrored Maura's position.

"You're beautiful when you sleep," Maura said with a small smile. "I mean you are beautiful all the time but when you are asleep there's such a calmness about you." Maura seemed to have lost time just watching Jane.

An image from her dream flashed for Jane and she frowned. "I wish that calmness lasted all night," she said.

"Another nightmare?" Maura asked not hiding her concern.

"A dream at least," Jane replied. She wasn't sure the dreams were actual nightmares. The dreams were unsettling to her but she hadn't been scared by them.

"Tell me," Maura said and reached out her hand and started rubbing it up and down Jane's shoulder trying to comfort her.

Jane recapped what she could remember which by that point wasn't too much. She remembered the voice saying she was too late again and that there was something about stairs but she just couldn't remember what it was about the stairs.

"Maybe I really do need to do that sleep journal," Jane said although she was sure she wouldn't have turned on a light to write anything down last night. She'd still have issues remembering the details this morning so she wasn't sure what a journal could do to help. She'd write things down if it was really important to Maura.

"I'm sorry," Maura said. She wished she'd had the ability to make Jane's dreams stop.

"I just wish I understood what was behind it all," Jane said. She understood the dreams when they were about Samantha. Those made sense to her. Ever since Maura had entered into a few of the dreams she just couldn't understand what they meant. She wasn't even sure last night's dream had anything to do with the ME. She didn't remember seeing her in the dream but then again she didn't remember much of what the dream had been about.

Maura shifted her eyes to look at the detective. "Are you afraid you are going to lose me?" Maura was thinking about how she found Jane's grip on her shirt earlier than morning. And it wasn't the first time that had happened. She also thought about how Jane took her hand yesterday anytime there was a large crowd.

Jane hadn't expected that question so it took her a minute to respond. "I'm always worried about something happening to you." They'd both already had too many close calls. Plus with Maura's connection to Doyle she was always worried about something happening to the ME.

"I'm not going anywhere," Maura tried to reassure her. She knew she could never give Jane a guarantee that something wouldn't happen to her but she wasn't planning on anything happening.

Jane smiled at Maura's attempt to reassure her. There was such a sweet look in the ME's face that Jane had the urge to kiss her. Lying there in bed with the ME she remembered that she was allowed to do just that. Anytime she wanted to. And with the look that was currently on the ME's face, Jane most definitely wanted to.

So she started to lean in towards Maura to do just that but it suddenly occurred to her that she hadn't brushed her teeth or anything yet that morning and she became suddenly self-conscious about her breath and at the last minute she pulled back and rolled away from Maura who'd also started to lean in for a kiss.

"Jane," Maura whined in an incredibly adorable voice.

"Sorry," Jane said. "Morning breath," she warned. It now didn't seem fair that Maura had been awake for some time and Jane knew she'd managed to brush her teeth.

Maura couldn't help but laugh at that. "I'll chance it," she said and she scooted closer to Jane to capture her lips in a tender kiss.

Jane was unable to resist the ME and she let the kiss develop into a long, leisurely one. Their lips glided across each other's easily. They'd only been together for a matter of days but she was starting to feel as if she'd been kissing the ME for years. It just felt so right.

When the kiss ended they both pulled away with grins on their faces. Maura let her fingers brush a few strands of Jane's hair out of her eyes and looked at her. "Just know I'm here. I'm with you," Maura said. "You've never been too late for me."

They kissed again and Jane realized that this was what it was like waking up next to Maura. Kissing. Something they were definitely going to have to do repeatedly. As she was getting to the point where she wasn't going to want to start out her day without Maura in her arms and the ability to kiss her good morning.

"So," Jane said when they finally ended their latest kiss. "What's on our agenda today?"

Maura smiled. "It's our last day here," she said. "We have something this afternoon and I figured we'd have dinner and maybe hit another club for some music tonight. This morning is pretty open so if there's something you wanted to see in New Orleans that we haven't yet we've got time later this morning."

Jane smiled. She didn't know the city the way Maura did so she wouldn't have known what to ask to see. She trusted Maura to show her all her favorite places. And she certainly wasn't going to question Maura when it came to the food. Everything she had yesterday had been excellent.

"I can't think of anything specific," Jane said.

"Alright," Maura said. "In that case, if you want to get up and get ready we can go into the Quarter for breakfast."

As much as she ate the day before, breakfast sounded good. "I think that can be arranged."

Maura smiled and Jane finally made a move to get out of bed to get cleaned up.

R&I

Breakfast was had at Café Fleur-de-Lis. Again, Maura seemed to know the right place to take Jane for food. Both getting omelets which were fabulous. After breakfast they rode the Riverfront Streetcar line so Maura could show Jane some more of the sights. That line took them to the Moonwalk which they casually strolled before stopping once again at Café' du Munde for coffee and beignets after deciding not to get a big lunch in fear of spoiling their dinner later that evening. Jane actually just thought that was an excuse Maura was using to justify having a second beignet before they would leave the Café.

Jane had been curious as to what their afternoon plans consisted of and was glad to see she wouldn't have to wait too long to find out. After the stop at Café du Munde, Maura directed them towards a marina. Jane seemed to finally piece it together that they were doing something that would involve a boat.

Maura saw the look on Jane's face as they approached her marina so she thought she'd make it official. "I hope you don't mind a boat sightseeing tour."

Jane lit up. She didn't get the chance too often but she loved spending time on the water. "I don't mind at all," she said. As they approached the marina slip Jane got a look at the boat she was soon to be on. "How'd you arrange this?" Jane asked as they walked towards the boat.

"The owner of the boat is a friend of my father's," Maura said. "He was more than happy to chauffer us around this afternoon."

"Maura," a voice sounded from one of the boats.

Maura turned toward the voice calling out her name. It took a second but the man calling out finally stepped off a boat and started to approach Jane and Maura.

"Ken," Maura replied back once the man was walking towards her. "How are you?"

The two exchanged a quick hug. "I'm doing just fine. How are you?" he asked.

"I've been good," Maura said. "Thank you again for agreeing to take us around." She turned to Jane. "Ken, this is Jane. Jane, this is a dear friend of my father's, Ken."

Jane and Ken exchanged quick hellos. "So Maura says this is your first time to New Orleans," Ken said.

Jane nodded. "It is. But I can definitely say it won't be my last." She'd had a really good time and she had a feeling she'd be returning to New Orleans with Maura in the future.

"This is a great city," Ken said. "A lot of history. I've been told Maura's handled your land tour. It's going to be my responsibility to show you New Orleans from water."

"I look forward to it," Jane said.

All three made their way towards Ken's boat which was a Sea Ray Sundance. It took Ken a few minutes to get everything situated but they pushed off once he was squared away. Jane and Maura settled in on the main deck as Ken manned the helm. As they cruised the river, Ken called out different landmarks or attractions. Jane was treated to a nautical tour of the area.

Jane was given a rich history of the area by both Ken and Maura. The ME seemed to fill in information that their host did not share and between the two of them the tour was detailed and complete. From the sights to the boats, Jane's understanding of the importance of the Mississippi to the creation of the city. They even drove past one of the paddleboat tour boats while they were exploring the area.

The weather was perfect and it made the boat tour an excellent way to spend their afternoon. When they weren't talking about the river and the history of the city, the three chatted about music. Ken and Jane seemed to find common ground in that arena and they spent some time talking about bands and concerts they'd seen over the years. Jane was fascinated by all the acts Ken had been able to see live and she'd even said she was jealous he had all of the music available to him on basically a daily basis.

Their time on the boat came to an end and Jane thanked their host for such a fine afternoon. They both attempted to invite the man out for a drink as thanks but Ken had other plans he needed to attend to so they said their goodbye after he was able to dock the boat.

Their timing was perfect as they'd ended the tour with just enough to get to dinner. They dined at Tujague's dining on barbeque shrimp and the sesame crested tuna as appetizers which they shared. For entrees, Jane ordered the lamb chops and Maura had the blackened red fish. Like every other night in New Orleans, the food was fabulous. Their conversation was continuous and casual.

After dinner they made their way back to Frenchmen Street. They spent another night listening to live music at Snug Harbor. Ken had recommended the band performing there that evening. The music was fantastic. They'd found a table that once again allowed them to enjoy the performance but was far enough away from the center stage that they could still talk without shouting at each other.

"I can't believe I've never thought to come here before," Jane said as they chatted in between one of the sets.

Maura smiled. "You've never really traveled too far outside of Boston," she pointed out. "Why is that?"

Jane thought about that for a moment and then answered. "Honestly," she started, "I used to think that Boston had everything I'd ever need so the thought of leaving the city to experience what was already just available to me just never appealed to me."

"But there's so much out there in the world to experience," Maura said.

"I'm beginning to see that," Jane said having to again admit she was taken by the city they were in. "I just thought Boston had all the museums, attractions, restaurants and sporting venues that I'd ever be interested in. But already between New York and New Orleans, I realize that maybe I've been missing out on things."

Maura smiled. She'd wanted to expand Jane's horizons just a bit with this vacation and she was happy to hear that she'd succeeded so far. She knew Jane loved Boston and it would always be home for the detective. But there was an entire world out there to explore and as their vacation time continued Maura loved the fact that she was getting a chance to explore it with Jane.

R&I

Their night ended back at the house similar to their first night. They returned home and noticing that the night was clear they once again sat out on the balcony under the stars. Like their nights snuggled together on the couch, they spent their time that night sitting on a love seat with Maura snuggled into Jane's side.

"I don't want this to come to an end," Jane said quietly as the two had just been enjoying the peace and quiet of the nighttime stillness.

Maura chuckled. "The vacation will come to an end," she pointed out. They only had just over a week left before they were expected to return to Boston.

"Not the vacation," Jane replied. "Although I really am enjoying myself so far. I meant I don't want this," she paused and tried to indicate to Maura she meant how close the two currently were, "to end."

Maura shifted to look up at Jane. "We're not ending," Maura said. "We are simply moving on." She meant moving on from New Orleans to their next destination but as she said it she also realized she meant that they were moving on from just their friendship and quickly starting to become that something more they'd discussed their first night in New Orleans.

"Not us," Jane clarified not wanting to have Maura think she was worried about their changing relationship. "I mean our time together. We're uninterrupted here. No work calls. No family. It's been just us and I have to say I love that."

Maura smiled finally understanding what it was that Jane was trying to say. She'd thought about that a little bit too. They'd been able to explore this newness on their own timeframe without any life demands trying to pull at their attention. It'd been almost a week of just the two of them and she'd enjoyed that as much as she was sure Jane had.

"It's been nice," Maura said. "But we've both known that it can't last. At some point we are going to have to return to our lives in Boston." She was quiet for a moment before asking, "Are you worried about going back home?" They hadn't really talked about their return home given the change in their relationship.

"No," Jane answered. And she wasn't. It wasn't worried or concern she felt. It was more just that she was going to miss not having to share Maura with anyone. She knew that was probably selfish but in that moment she didn't care. "I'm certain we will figure out when and what to tell people and I'm not worry about their reactions. I'm just being selfish," Jane admitted. "I like having you all to myself."

"I like that as well," Maura said and leaned up to give Jane a quick kiss.

To answer that, Jane pulled Maura into a deep, passionate kiss. She threaded her hand through Maura's hair pulling her in even closer as she gently nipped at Maura's bottom lip. Maura's response was to open herself up further to the detective and Jane quickly introduced her tongue into the action.

The feel of Jane's tongue in her mouth made Maura release a soft moan. She was still in awe of the gentleness but yet total command Jane's mouth, and by extension her tongue, exuded. Kissing Jane continued to be an experience unlike any Maura had ever had.

Breaking away momentarily from Maura's lips, Jane slowly worked to extend the perimeters of her previously explored territory. To that point, the two had kept their kisses strictly confined to their lips and tongues. But Jane now sought out new ground. She slowly worked her lips across Maura's jawline going at a deliberate and agonizingly slow pace.

She wasn't trying to tease the ME. She was simply trying to memorize every inch of new skin her lips found. She wanted to remember what Maura reacted to and what she didn't. She wanted to remember how the new discovery felt, tasted and smelled. She knew she never, ever wanted to forget the exact spot she reached when she felt Maura shudder for the first time due only to her touch.

She'd just caused that reaction in Maura. The shudder was followed by yet another soft moan. As far as Jane was concerned that was becoming the sweetest sound she'd ever heard. When she reached Maura's pulse point for the very first time her journey was rewarded with Maura's subtle but appreciated shift allowing her head to tilt slightly backwards and away from Jane. The move managed to expose more of her neck to Jane's wandering lips. Soft, delicate kisses tracing every available inch of skin Maura was willing to offer. It was an amazing way to end their night.

Their time in New Orleans had come to an end. But as Jane held Maura in her arms that night she couldn't help but think that each day they'd spent here seemed to have brought a new discovery for her. Their first day she learned of Maura's true feelings for her. Last night she found out what it felt like to dance with the woman she loved. Tonight she found the first of what she hoped would be many places she could make the ME shudder and moan such a sweet sound.

She didn't know where they were heading tomorrow. But tomorrow was full of possibilities and the promise of new discoveries.