True to her word, Maura made time for Jane in the coming weeks. The two spent breakfast and brunches during the weekends together, they had movie nights again (with Jane staying in the guest room this time or heading home after the movie) and occasionally went out to have a drink. It was on one such night that Jane took Maura by surprise.
"So Korsak's birthday is this coming Friday. We're gonna go out for a night of drinks at the Robber and he wanted to make sure I invited you to join us."
"That's so sweet of him. Of course I'd like to come. I miss you all so much. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm heavily tied with the foundation right now, I'd return to BPD quicker. As it is, I've talked to mother and advised her that I'm going to be stepping back in about a month and return to work at BPD and take more of a laidback role with the foundation. After all the time I've spent there, I've come to love it, and I can't picture myself just dropping it altogether."
"What does Kate say about that?"
"Well she knew from the start that this was only temporary. She knows my true passion lies in science. She supports whatever decision I come to."
"You two seem to be more serious now…"
"Well in a sense we are, though we're still at that dating stage. I've gotten to know so much about her, and she about me. It's incredible; I never thought I would meet someone I had so much in common with."
Jane felt a pang in her heart. She was trying, and had really made an effort to talk more about Kate with Maura. Maura on the other hand, sensing the delicate situation, made it a point to not bring her up as often as she'd like, at least not until she knew that Jane was more accepting.
"Listen, if you would like to bring Kate on Friday, I'm sure that'd be ok with Vince."
Maura was taken by surprise. "Would it be ok with you if she came along?"
"Of course Maura. There's going to have to come a point in time when I'm going to have to properly assess this woman and see if she's worthy of dating you."
"Jane, you're not going to have another night like the fundraiser are you?"
"No, no, not at all. You told me I had to get used to the idea of you two and that's what I'm trying to do."
Maura's smile lit up Jane's face. "You've no idea how much this means to me Jane, that you're willing to get to know her."
"It's part of the bff's job to do that Maur. Besides, I can see she makes you happy, and there's nothing I want more in this world than your happiness."
Maura reached over and hugged Jane with all her might. "Thank you Jane."
"Maura, don't be silly. You look great. I'm sure everyone will think so, starting with me."
"It's just been so long since I've seen everyone; it feels like a very long time."
"Why are you so nervous? Is it because I'm going to be there?"
"In a sense, yes. These are co-workers whom I'm close to. They've never seen me with anyone, especially a woman. I'm sure that will take them by surprise."
"Do you really care what they'll think?"
"No, not in the way you think I would."
"Which way is that?"
"I'm not embarrassed to have you as my date, Kate. It's just, it's ridiculous really."
"Come on Maura, I wanna know."
"Well Frankie, Jane's brother, told me once that there was some kind of bet going on as to how long it was going to take for Jane and I to get together. Clearly that isn't the case."
"Would you rather I not go?"
"No, I want you there with me. These are people who I interact with on a daily basis when I'm at BPD. I respect them, and they respect me. They would never say anything out of line. I'd be honored to have you as my date."
Kate wrapped her arms around Maura and kissed her gently. "The honor is all mine; I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone."
"Let's go then!"
Maura entered the Robber with Kate following close behind. The gang was seated at a larger table in the back. Once she spotted them, Maura led the way over.
"Hey guys, Maura's here!" Jane called out.
"Good evening everyone! Happy birthday sergeant Korsak, here's to many more," Maura said with a hug and kiss hello.
"Maura, please, it's Vince. It's so good to see you! You didn't have to get me anything, your presence alone is enough."
"It was my pleasure Vince. I'd like to introduce to you someone. Maura went around the table Sergeant detective Vince Korsak, detectives Barry Frost and Frank Rizzoli, Lieutenant Sean Cavannaugh, and of course, Jane. Everyone this is Kate Maguire, she's a member of the board of the Isles Foundation."
If anyone was surprised by Maura's plus one, they didn't show it. Kate shook hands with everyone hello and then with Maura's help went to get a round for the table.
"Dr. Isles' friend is one fine looking woman. I wonder if she has a boyfriend," Frost wondered aloud.
Frankie, all too familiar with the relationship between the two smirked and replied. "I wouldn't go there Frost."
"Damn, I didn't see a ring on her finger."
"Believe me man, you don't want to go there; she's spoken for."
"Good ones are always taken…"
Jane smirked as well and shared a knowing look with her brother.
The two women came back a couple of minutes later, drinks for everyone in hand. Once they'd been handed out and everyone was seated, Maura raised her glass.
"I'd like to propose a toast. To Vince, one of the most loyal, honorable men I know."
"To Vince," came everyone's reply before they drank.
The rest of the night passed in easy conversation between everyone. Maura was the center of attention for a while after Vince wondered how the Isles Foundation was doing and what she had been up to with her time away from BPD. Kate was also able to provide some insight into the foundation as well. It wasn't until the topic of sports came around that the table really got loud.
"Oh come on! That was a crap call and you know it!" Frankie shouted.
"Yeah Frost. I know you're from Jersey and all, but seriously? You're taking the refs' side on that call?" Jane piped in.
"It was a lousy call, everyone knows it. It's a stupid rule to begin with. I mean, they're huddling together to try to stop a field goal for crying out loud, of course they're going to push into one another! Folk missed that field goal by a mile. The Patriots would've had excellent field position and I have no doubt in my mind that we would've gotten the 'w' with another drive."
Everyone at the table turned to Kate, faces clearly puzzled. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked.
"Uh no, not at all. It's just Maura isn't one to follow sports. I guess you just took us by surprise is all," replied Jane.
Maura jumped into the conversation. "Just because I don't follow sports doesn't mean that Kate can't or doesn't. Ask her about any sport you want, she'll leave you impressed."
With a free pass, Jane began drilling Kate about Boston teams and statistics. She was clearly impressed when Kate not only answered all her questions, but came back with challenges of her own. She was certainly one that could keep up with the Rizzolis when it came to sports.
The evening soon came to a close, with everyone closing their tabs and beginning to call it a night.
"It truly was a pleasure meeting you all. I hope we see each other again." Kate said to the table. "Have a good night everyone."
Kate and Maura began making their way out of the bar and were at the door when Jane caught up with them.
"Hey you two, wait up."
Both women turned when they heard Jane calling.
"I just wanted to mention that the Pats are playing in a Sunday night football game this weekend. I wanted to see if you'd like to join my family and me for Sunday night dinner. The guys and I usually watch the game afterwards, and it seems like Kate could certainly keep up."
The two women looked at one another and quickly communicated. "We'd love to join you Jane. Thank you for inviting us." Kate replied.
"Alright then, I'll see you two on Sunday. Have a good night and drive safe."
"Thank you Jane, good night. Please text Maura when you get home so we know you made it home alright."
"I will. Good night."
"I'd say that went rather well, wouldn't you?" Kate asked Maura as they drove home.
"It was great! I'm still amused at the fact you left everyone dumbfounded when you started talking about football." Maura said with a laugh.
"They certainly weren't expecting that, were they?"
"No they weren't."
They got to Maura's house quickly since there wasn't much traffic out on the road. Pretty soon, they were on her doorstep once again. Maura's phone buzzed.
"That's Jane; she made it home ok. Are you going to come in? Or are you heading home?"
"I'd love to come in for a while."
They stepped into the house and headed towards the kitchen. Maura took out a bottle of red while Kate took out the corkscrew.
"Here, allow me," said Kate. Maura handed over the bottle. "Listen Maura, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Yes? What is it?"
"We've been dating for a couple of months now, and I can honestly say they've been the happiest months of my life."
"I've been very happy too, Kate."
"I wanted to know if you would do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"
Maura smiled from ear to ear. "Are you sure you want me as your girlfriend?" she asked?
"I've never been so sure of anything else in my life." Kate replied.
"Yes, of course yes!" Maura jumped up and wrapped her arms around Kate. Kate brought their lips together and kissed Maura passionately. They stood there, wrapped around one another, kissing until they had to come up for air. Maura rested her forehead against Kate's. "Spend the night with me." She said, her voice an octave lower.
"Are you sure you're ready for that?" Kate asked. "I don't want to push Maura."
"I'm ready, and I'm so grateful that you've let me take this at my pace. Stay with me," Maura repeated.
Kate looked into hazel eyes burning with desire. She could do nothing but nod. Maura held her hand as she led the way upstairs.
So there's the three chapters for the day. I will not be posting a chapter of Maura and Kate having sex... if I ever do that with this story, I'll save it for her and Jane. There will come a time when I write them in bed together, with them having sex implied. If you guys show me some love, I may just be tempted to keep writing and posting one or two more chapters throughout the night... the night is still young!=)