Episode 10: Cue The Rain

Maura sat outside the office. It was their usual time for counselling, but today's session had the seeing Dr. Cranford separate. Maura had already had hers. She was waiting for Jane. It had been a long six months of counselling, but they were working through their differences. She was glad that Jane had chosen the doctor. She knew that it gave Jane some control over the situation. And, she knew how important control was for Jane.

The door to the office opened. Dr. Cranford and Jane stood there for a moment before Jane shook her hand and turned towards Maura. Maura stood up and met her near the main office door. Jane reached for Maura's hand and held it. She walked them slowly to the parking garage and Maura's car.

"Do you want to drive?" Maura asked her as she held up the keys.

"Can I take you out?" Jane countered.

Maura smiled. It wasn't often that Jane wanted to go out. And, was especially rare after a private session with Dr. Cranford. Maura smiled bigger and nodded as she dropped the keys in Jane's hand.

It had been a long six months. Their friendship had started over and Maura was doing everything that she could to earn Jane's trust again. Frankie was being good a detective and wasn't too big to ask Jane for help every now and again. The family was working to be together again. Jane was cementing them. She'd become the eldest and she was doing her damnedest to include Mike in things. The memorial service was held and Mike even came. They had all cried, but Jane felt like she finally had some closure with her father. She was still upset with him, but she wasn't angry. She was doing her best to not be angry in general. Anger only made her crankier and a cranky Jane wasn't pleasant, even for herself.

But, tonight none of that mattered. She was taking Maura out. If anything her session with Dr. Cranford taught her was that giving up her control to Maura had been a good growing experience for her. She knew that was one way that Jane could prove to Maura that she trusted her again. She had to find a way to give up some of her control

Before Maura had just taken it the night that she fed her while blindfolded. She moved further by massaging Jane and making her feel things that she didn't know she was capable of feeling. Maura had become the only person that got to see the vulnerable Jane. She got to see passed all the layers and trappings of the badge. Jane was a completely different person with Maura and she'd known that before. Jane was different, but she was the same. She could see it in Jane's eyes. She could see the love that Jane still had for her.

They hadn't done more than hold hands, but the touches and the gestures were starting to linger. The looks were deeper and more smoldering. And, Maura could swear that Jane was starting to dress smarter. She wasn't sure if it was the new job with the FBI or not. But, they had both grown in the six months since Jane said she was coming home. Maura had even given her the guest house to stay in, with a rent payment at Jane's insistence, and bills. It was a hard fought fight, but they both agreed that it would help them see things through if they couldn't totally avoid one another. Dr. Cranford even agreed.

Jane pulled up outside No. 9 Park. Maura's face showed in shock. It wasn't every day that Jane would willing get something this expensive, but it also wasn't every day that Jane took Maura out, either. Jane quickly got out, ran around the car, and helped Maura out with an extended hand. Maura took the offered hand and slowly stepped out. She wasn't worried about how she looked, because anyone that knew Maura knew that she was runway ready most of the time, but Jane... She looked over the pants suit that Jane was wearing and then realized that it wasn't her normal off the rack design. No, this was a tailored and perfectly Yves Saint Laurent suit. Jane hadn't been wearing the jacket, but had put it on as they walked into the restaurant. Maura would have been drooling if it was socially acceptable.

"Jane, you look wonderful in that suit," Maura told her as they sat.

"Thank you. I finally splurged a little. I decided that I really did need a nice outfit to go out in."

"Well, it suits you. And, it was expertly tailored to so off your fine curves. I think that you will have to fend off some attention while we're at dinner."

"I doubt that," Jane said as she handed Maura her menu. "You select something. I don't know what to get. Anything that you think I'll like will be fine, and it doesn't have to be a steak."

"That's good because there isn't any beef on the menu, Jane. However, there is something that I think you will like. Well, at least I think you will because you've never complained when I've made it at the house."

"I am sure it is fine," Jane assured her.

Maura ordered their food and as they waited, they talked. Jane couldn't help but feel like it had been before she'd gone to DC. Things were complicated but they seemed to be simpler then. She smiled at Maura, but turned her head when she heard a noise from outside.

"It's raining," Jane said.

"It is."

"Do you remember playing clue with me in my apartment during that storm while I was recovering?"

"Which time?" Maura asked with sassy, cocked eyebrow.

"Funny. When I shot myself. It wasn't the greatest idea that I had."

"Neither was jumping off the bridge into Charles River, but that didn't stop you...either time."

"No, it didn't. But, I was doing my job. I was saving lives."

"At the expense of your own," Maura added.

"I'm still here."

"Despite everything, yes, you are," Maura replied.

"I've always like listening to the rain with you. It seems calming. There are pretenses and no expectations."

"Do you still feel that way?" Maura inquired.

"I'm starting to again."

Maura smiled. Their conversation was cut by their food arriving. They ate in almost silence. Occasionally, Jane would ask Maura about the food and Maura would delight her with knowing not only what the dish was, but how it was prepared. Food was one of Maura's domains. Jane knew Italian, but Maura knew food and wine. She smiled as she thought about all the times that Maura cooked for her and she gave Maura grief about it. Jane smiled back at her.

After their meal was over, Jane paid the bill and led Maura safely back to the Prius. She was surprised when Maura gave her the keys again. Jane drove them home. Parking in the garage, they got out just as the storm opened up again. Jane couldn't help but laugh.

"At least we made it home," Jane said.

"But we both have to go out in it to make it inside," Maura added.

Jane walked to the garage door and looked out. It was a nice Fall rain, heavy and clean. She felt like the last year was being washed away. She turned and looked at Maura. She saw something that she hadn't seen in her eyes in long time. Maura looked happy, but it was more than that. She looked happy to be with Jane, like Jane made her the happiest woman in the world, and Jane liked knowing that.

"I guess we'll just have to wait," Jane stated.

"I guess so," Maura replied, catching Jane off guard at how close she was.

While Jane had been looking outside and admiring Maura, she had been lost in thought. So lost in fact, that she hadn't noticed Maura moving around the car to stand next to her. When she replied, Jane almost jumped out of her skin. She saw the mirth in Maura's eyes. The happiness she saw was amazing.

"It could be a while," Jane said as she turned back out to look at the rain through the garage door windows.

"I know, but I'm not running for the door. This is just a hazard of having a detached garage. It is something that I am quite used to, Jane."

Jane laughed. Of course, she was. Maura was almost always prepared for anything.

"Ever spent the night out here?" Jane asked her.

"No, I haven't. But, I don't always wear silk, either. This is a new top and I would rather not ruin it tonight. I am willing to wait, but you don't have to if gets too late, Jane. I am more than capable of entertaining myself," Maura told her.

"I'm fine."

Maura didn't respond. She just leaned up against the side of the car with just her butt and watched Jane. She watched the emotions play out in her dark eyes. There was something that she was holding back, but Maura wasn't going to push. Not this time, it took her years to get Jane to trust her enough to love her. She still had her love, but her trust had been broken. Maura was willing to do anything to get it back. If that meant standing in her garage while it poured right outside, then so be it. It meant that she was still with Jane and Jane was happy to be in her presence.

"Maura?"

"Yes, Jane?"

"Have you ever... I mean did you ever...never mind, it's silly."

Maura studied her. It obviously meant something to Jane and that made her curious. Why would Jane think that a question she was going to ask Maura was silly? Nothing Jane ever did with Maura was something that she would construed as silly. Frankie, Korsak or Frost, maybe, but not with Maura. With Maura, Jane was always serious, contained, bashful even. She was open and caring, but there was a marked difference in her countenance with Maura and Maura had noted it for years.

"Jane, just ask your question. Remember, no more secrets. We promised each other that," Maura told her.

Jane turned to face her. Lightning flashed outside and illuminated her eyes for the briefest of seconds. Maura would have gasped had she never seen the depth of emotion that Jane's eyes betrayed. Jane's eyes were blown and she was definitely aroused. She was containing herself and Maura was amazed at her willpower. Maura would have already had her against the car and kissing her into a stupor had she had the strength and urge to do so. But, Maura was more refined. She would kiss her blind against the door to the house just as they entered it instead. And, after a short while, she would drag Jane upstairs. She would reclaim the body that was once hers and she would make Jane remember how much they loved each other...physically as well.

Jane took a hesitant step forward. She could see Maura easily. She could see the love and trust in her eyes. Jane felt like a panther about to strike, like she was stalking her prey, but she could see that Maura wasn't frightened. If anything, she seemed delighted.

The simple ping ping of the rain on the roof rang out in Jane's ears. She swore she could hear her own heart thudding in her chest, but the din of the rain was drowning out everything else. There were no worries between them. There was no secrets anymore. Two weeks of sessions had sussed all them out, their fears, their wants, their hidden desires. But, none of that mattered anymore as their eyes met.

Jane leaned forward just enough to brush her lips against Maura's. She heard the gentle intake of surprise breath before Maura returned her kiss. And, then like a miracle, everything seemed right with the world again. Life seemed to make sense and didn't feel like such a punishment or chore. Jane felt grounded. The electricity of the kiss was only magnified with each roll of thunder and strike of lightning. Jane moved closer.

She could feel the heat coming off Maura's body. Her fingers itched and her palms were dying to feel Maura in their grasp again. She didn't even try to hold back. She pulled Maura's lithe body away from the car into her own. Her fingers dug into the silk as she tried to brand herself, her body, against Maura's and Maura loved every delicious minute of it. The war for control of the kiss was short and each battle brought a new victor, but eventually Jane acquiesced to Maura's lead.

"What is it about kissing you in the rain that feels so right?" Jane murmured.

"I don't know, Jane," Maura answered.

And, then there was a break in the rain. They took their cues to run to the house before it started again. Jane turned to go to the guest house, but Maura tugged her towards the main house instead. Jane knew it was too soon and she resolved that they wouldn't have sex tonight. No, they wouldn't, but that wouldn't stop her from making out with Maura on her couch like a teenager again.

They got just inside the house. Maura stepped out of her heels and Jane toed off her boots. Maura pushed Jane into the door as she locked the handle and deadbolt.

"Maura?" Jane asked just as the heaven's opened again.

"Cue the rain," she answered as she kissed her...thoroughly.

A/N: We have a winner or winners, I should say. Man, some of you are fast. I'll be getting with the winners to start formulating their winnings. And, I'll announce the winners, next episode...