Episode Ten: Vegas Baby!
Jane was in the bathroom when Maura came back to the room. She knew that Jane hadn't felt good since earlier that morning. The pregnancy had been keeping her somewhat down.
She didn't want to admit it and she still hadn't told her family or Korsak. Maura knew that Jane had told Casey. He hadn't been thrilled that Jane was going to raise their child alone, but he relented when Maura told him that she would care for them both. Jane still wasn't willing to leave the BPD and Casey wasn't going to give up his commission. In the end, Casey told Jane that if she needed anything that she was to ask him for it. If he could get it to her, he would.
She was surprised that Jane had still come with her. She knew that Jane really didn't want to be in Vegas. She really didn't want to talk at the conference, but she was doing because of Maura. It was important that they discussed what Hoyt had done, including his disciples and his loves. Maura and Jane both knew how much they could help other detectives with their work, even if it was hard to talk about. Maura was very clinical about it. Jane was passionate. They complemented each other well.
Maura didn't say anything to her. She just silently went into the bathroom. She gathered Jane's hair and held it for her as she gently started rubbing small circles on her lower back.
"Remind me in the morning that I want to go through this again," Jane mumbled as she was holding the sides of the toilet bowl.
"I won't have to, Jane. You made the decision to keep your child and I support you in that. I know that you are going to be a wonderful mother. This will be all worth it as soon as you hold your child in your arms," Maura told her.
Jane gave her a weak smile. A few seconds later, she was puking in the bowl again. After a few dry heaves, she decided that she had enough and stood up. She worked her way to sink. She spit in it a few times before washing her mouth out with some water. Finally she brushed her teeth so she could get the disgusting taste out of her mouth. When she finished, she turned to find Maura still poised and sitting on the edge of the large tub.
"Feel better now?"
"I'll feel better when I can have coffee and my own bed."
"I thought that you preferred my bed to yours because it let you sleep more comfortably."
"Yeah, well, I just want to be back in Boston. I don't like the heat here. It's too…dry."
"We are in the desert, Jane, so it makes sense the humidity that we are both used to would be absent. Also, the heat is normal. It isn't actually that hot. It is just your body adjusting to the new hormones and the influx of different stimuli that is causing you to warmer than usual."
"Thank you, Doctor Isles," Jane replied sarcastically as she exited the bedroom and made her way back to the bedroom.
As she lay down on the bed on her back and staring at the ceiling, she was silently thanking Maura for upgrading their room to a suite even if it only had one bed. She knew that Maura wasn't going to let her stay in a normal room by herself knowing that she was pregnant. Maura was doing everything within her power to make sure that Jane stayed comfortable.
She had been coming over and keeping tabs on Jane more so than normal since Jane told her the news. She couldn't blame Jane. She was a worrier and that was the main reason that Jane was the only one who knew. She could hide it a little longer from her family and Korsak, but Maura would demand tests and to know what was wrong. It was just easier with her knowing. It was nice to have someone in her corner, someone that supported her and someone that wasn't going to tell her what to do. Maura was her best friend, her confidant, and Jane wondered…
She knew that her hormones were raging. She could feel it. She had thoughts about things that she never had thoughts about…well, while awake. And, the cravings sometimes were killer. God, she wanted a cup of strong coffee so bad that she might… But, Maura had been there each time with a cup of decaf when the cravings became too much. It wasn't the same, but it took the edge off just enough that Jane didn't think that she was going to kill someone for a cup of joe.
"Jane?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you want to leave early?" Maura asked her.
"But, you have that symposium later. No, we can stay. I'll just stay in the room."
"We don't have to. I don't want you to feel like you have to stay for me. I can miss the symposium. It won't be the last one. I am sure that there will be a similar one in New York or with the FBI at Quantico later in the year. I can attend one of those. We could leave if you wish," Maura told her as she watched Jane roll up on the bed onto her elbows to look at her.
Jane just looked at her. Maura knew that look. She'd seen it a lot, especially when they were in autopsy room back at the precinct. Maura knew that she was wondering why Maura was even thinking when she proposed some sort of crazy idea. Jane wasn't going to let her leave and she knew that Maura should already know that, but Maura was too nice. She was trying to be nice.
"Jane, I am not worried about missing it."
"Yes, you are, but it's okay. I'll just stay up here in our lush room or I'll go down the casino and gamble away the free chips they gave us for the room. Go to the symposium. I'll be alright," Jane told her.
Maura gave her a look, but just shook her head. She turned around and went to the dresser and started pulling out something else to wear. Jane just watched, unsure of what she was doing. Then, she went over to the closet where Jane and Maura had some of her clothes hung up. She didn't watch, but she knew that Maura must be looking for something. When she came back, she had two dresses. She laid them out on the bed.
"Then, since we aren't going home, we are going out," Maura told her.
"Going out?" Jane whined and fell back to the bed.
"Come on, Jane. You need to eat. You have to care of yourself, not just for you but for the baby as well. There is a little restaurant around the way that has good food. I am sure that you can find something that will suit your tastes," Maura told her.
"You're taking me out?"
"Yes."
"Like on a date?" Jane teased.
"I could see where it would look like one, so…. Yes, I am. I am taking you out on date. So, get ready. I made reservations earlier," Maura explained.
"This isn't some fru-fru French place is it?" Jane questioned as she began to sit up on the bed.
"No, it isn't. I know how you feel about escargot. If you must know, it is a little Italian place. I figured that I couldn't go wrong with some traditional Italian that would make your mother proud, plus I hear that they have a risotto that is highly recommended," Maura stated.
Jane got off the bed and looked at the dresses. They were the nicest ones that they had brought with them. Jane knew that Maura never went anywhere without something nice to wear. She just couldn't do it and Maura always told her that she had to be ready for anything. Having the right eveningwear was part of Maura being ready while they were on a trip.
She laughed silently to herself, but she picked up the dress. She had to admire Maura's taste. The royal blue dress would look good on her and the deep red dress that Maura had selected for herself was beautifully cut. It would look amazing on her.
"Do I have time for a shower?" Jane asked her.
"Yes."
"Thank you," Jane stated as she headed to the bathroom.
She went into the room and then popped her head out to ask Maura one last question before she got into the shower, "Where we going?"
"Sinatra's," Maura answered as she pulled out her laptop to look over some of the events that were still to come at the conference.
She didn't want to stress Jane out too much. She was worried about her. She wasn't going to show it too openly because she knew that Jane would balk about it. She had to be more covert in her thoughts and actions, but she knew that Jane would eventually figure it out.
She just didn't want Jane to worry about anything. She knew that the Rizzolies had come together to support her brother and her nephew, TJ, with baby gifts. She wanted to be there for Jane and her baby. She wanted to support her. She wanted her to know that she wasn't alone, but she knew that Jane would characteristically deny her at every chance. She was too proud, but Maura hoped that she could use that to her advantage.
Jane came back into the room. She looked beautiful and it took Maura's breath away. The longer she looked at her the more Maura realized that she loved Jane and more than a platonic manner. She wanted to kiss her. She wanted to know what Jane's lips tasted like and she wasn't sure where that feeling came from.
"Hey, Maur, can you zip me up?" Jane asked, not seeing the look in her eyes.
Maura had to shake herself out of her reverie. She merely nodded as she moved across the room to help Jane zip up her dress. She had to stop herself from reaching out and touching her back. She took a deep breath and stepped away as soon as the zipper was all the way up.
"You going to get ready?" Jane inquired as she turned around.
"Yes," Maura said coolly as she picked up her dress and headed into the bathroom.
Once she was in bathroom, she tried to gather herself. She changed quickly and hoped that Jane didn't ask her if anything was wrong when she went back out. She got undressed from her work suit and then pulled the dress on. She zipped it herself, not trusting herself if she allowed Jane to zip her up. She shook herself again and moved to go out the bathroom to join Jane, again.
Meanwhile, Jane looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't know where the flush was coming from, but she knew that as soon as Maura's fingers grazed across her back it started. Just thinking about Maura right then caused her to shiver. She didn't know why she felt the way she did, but she knew that she cared for Maura more than she should.
She knew that it wasn't because she didn't have Casey. She loved Maura. She had since she'd seen her with Korsak when they rescued her from Hoyt. She was her best friend. Of course she loved her. But, Jane couldn't reconcile the fact that their love was changing and growing stronger with each case and each day. She knew that Maura had seemed upset when she started dating Casey, but Maura never said anything. It was just in the way she acted.
Jane couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew that Maura was holding back somewhat. She was super excited about the baby and she was glad that she was giving her the unconditional support that she was, but there seemed to be more. And, as if Maura knew what she thinking, she came back into the room. Jane heard her gasp when they looked at each other.
"Ready?" Maura asked.
"Yes," Jane breathed out.
When they returned to the room that night, they were stuffed. They had kept their conversations to shop talk as they ate. It was safe, even if it did gross out everyone else around them.
Maura silently walked up behind Jane. She unzipped Jane's dress to help her out. As the zipper came down, Maura couldn't help herself. She touched Jane's back and she felt the heat rising in her skin as goosebumps formed on Jane's arms.
The night had been wonderful. The food was lovely. And, their connection had grown. They couldn't deny it. There was just something in the air that night. And, Maura wouldn't deny it anymore. She needed Jane to know that it was really a date, that she wanted to be there for her in every sense of the word, and that she cared for her more than as s friend.
Jane turned around and saw the arousal in Maura's eyes. It was unmistakable. Her breath hitched. She didn't feel like denying herself anymore either. She took a step forward and leaned towards Maura, who leaned back towards her as well.
"Jane…" she breathed.
"Maur…" Jane replied as she wrapped her hands around her waist.
"I…you're beautiful, Jane," Maura fumbled out.
"Kiss me," Jane demanded as her pupils dilated even more as she hovered over Maura's mouth.