Facts, Just the Facts (CH 10)
A Rizzoli & Isles Story
By Enginerd
Chapter 10 - Choices
Jane looked at her watch and sighed. She roamed her apartment, doing a bit of picking up and organizing. She thought that there had to be some study about excessive compulsive behavior that explained why she found herself cleaning up when she was nervous. She made a mental note to ask Maura.
She glanced at her watch again, noting the good Agent Dean was running late. She went to the fridge and opened it, spying the groceries she had bought on the way home. She smirked, knowing Maura would likely frown upon most of her food choices.
When she reached for a beer, which she believed an essential staple in any home, there was a knock at the door. With a heavy exhale, she returned the beer to the fridge and went to answer the door.
After looking through the spyglass, she opened the door and smiled. "Hi."
"Sorry I'm late. You ready?" He asked.
"Sure."
R&I
They sat in a small Italian restaurant, aglow in candlelight. It was a rather romantic setting she considered, glancing around at the various couples. Almost as romantic as her dinner with Maura last night, she considered, wishing she hadn't been so quickly and thoroughly discarded when Agent Dean showed up. Returning her gaze to her dinner companion she smiled weakly at Gabe, who smiled back.
"So, any luck with your computer hacker?" She asked, sipping her wine.
"It's . . . under control," he said with a small smile. Jane looked at him, really disliking his secretive nature. Sure he was FBI, but come on, she thought with irritation.
"So how's your case with the bicyclist going?" he asked.
"It's . . . under control," she repeated with a thin smile.
Gabriel Dean eyed her. "Have I done something to annoy you?"
She glanced down to her plate, knowing she was being a bit childish. "No. I'm sorry I'm not the best company tonight."
"It's ok," he said, poking at his eggplant Parmesan. "Korsak said you got injured the other night," he noted, looking at her closely.
"He's got a big mouth," Jane muttered with a frown.
"He cares for you, Jane," Gabe offered and added softly "I do too."
Jane looked at him, knowing he was sincere. He really was a good, decent man who would likely make a very good husband and father. "I know," she said, then exhaled heavily. "Remember the last dinner we had together?"
He nodded with a slight cringe, recalling the dinner vividly. "You're still not ready for someone to worry about you?" he guessed hesitantly.
Jane chuckled weakly. "Actually, I am," she admitted.
He looked at her with surprise and a flicker of hope.
"I want the dinners," she started with a small smile. "And the movies and the sharing of Sunday papers. I want someone who can endure my family and not hold them against me," she said with a small grin, making Gabe chuckle. "I want someone to do laundry with and talk about the Red Sox, or advancements in forensic science, or … the dietary needs of her tortoise," she said, looking at him apologetically.
His eyes widened. "Her?"
Jane nodded.
"I . . . didn't see that coming," he said hesitantly.
"Neither did I," she said honestly.
He nodded in understanding; sometimes you don't. He looked at her curiously. "I didn't know Dr. Isles had a turtle," he ventured, knowing of no other woman that Jane was really close to.
Jane laughed, relieved. "Tortoise," she corrected with a grin.
Gabe looked at her, reluctantly considering that it did make sense. While they were opposites, Dr. Isles and Detective Rizzoli fit well together.
"His name is Bass. Scared the shit out of me the first time I saw him. He's huge," she said, holding her hands out to show him. "But he sort of grows on you," she offered with a small shrug and a smile.
"I never thought about having a tortoise for a pet. I don't suppose you can teach him to fetch the paper?" Gabe asked dryly.
Jane chuckled. "I can't get Jo Friday to fetch the paper, so I'm not exactly an authority on animal training. But I'm sure that if Maura really wanted Bass to fetch the paper, he would," she said confidently with a smile.
"You know, I think you're right," Gabe said thoughtfully, making Jane grin.
"But it probably wouldn't be worth the effort - the paper would probably be yesterday's by the time she got it," Jane noted, making Gabe chuckle.
As they continued their now easy conversation, he briefly glanced to her hands that she used, as any real Italian would, to talk with. The notable scars on her hands were a visible reminder of the horror she was subjected to by the serial killer, Hoyt. Gabriel had always been amazed by how she managed to stay so upbeat after being subjected to one horrifying experience, let alone two from the same man. Her inner strength and ability to get past emotional and physical distress was one of Jane's most amazing qualities, he considered. As his gaze returned to her dark eyes while she told him another story about Maura, he noted something in them he had never seen before.
Joy.
R&I
Jane stood outside of Maura's door and took a deep breath. It wasn't terribly late, but it was a bit late for an unannounced visit. She bit her lip and knocked, hoping this wasn't a mistake. After a short moment, the porch light came on and Maura opened the front door, surprised to find her friend.
"I'm . . . not interrupting anything, am I?" Jane asked with a wince as panic suddenly washed over her, just realizing there was a chance she was. Why the hell didn't she call, she thought, dreading the prospect of finding Maura with Mr. Yoga Grabby Hands again . . . or anyone else.
"Just some reading," Maura responded, prompting Jane to exhale with relief. "Why are you here?" Maura asked curiously.
Jane frowned, her resolve quickly fading. "I . . . should have called. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you, Maur. I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" she said with an apologetic smile, stepping back.
"Jane!" Maura growled and reached out to grab her hand. "You are not bothering me. I'm glad you're here. Come in, please."
"You sure?" Jane said as Maura pulled her inside. "I'll understand if you're not up for company."
"You are not company," Maura responded, waving her hand dismissively as she headed to the kitchen, making Jane wonder what she meant. "Would you like some wine?" Maura asked.
"Sure," Jane said, joining Maura in the kitchen as she watched her get two glasses.
"How did your dinner go?" she asked as she poured the wine.
"Good. Thanks," Jane said as she accepted the glass, letting her fingers brush against Maura's and linger a moment.
"Just good?" Maura managed to say with a forced smile, unnerved by how a slight touch from Jane managed to cause such a large physical response – an inappropriate response to her best friend, who had entrusted her with intimate access to her thoughts and feelings.
"Maura? Can I ask you a question?" Jane asked, looking down at her wine, absently tracing her finger over the lip of the glass, before returning her very serious gaze to Maura.
"What's wrong?" she asked, alarmed by both Jane's somber mood and her own preoccupation with Jane's long, elegant fingers caressing the glass.
"Why were you pushing for me to go on a date with Gabe?" Jane asked softly.
Maura looked at her, startled by the question. "P . . . Pushing?"
Jane nodded.
"I . . . Am I not supposed to be supportive and want you happy?" She asked worriedly, wondering what she had done wrong.
"And you think Gabe would make me happy?" Jane asked gently, searching Maura's confused eyes.
"I thought… Yes. You seemed very interested in him before. And you do make a handsome couple," Maura said logically, feeling the intensity of Jane's gaze. She had selfishly wanted to keep their plans of shopping and dinner but she knew that would be wrong. A true best friend was not selfish, she firmly believed.
"Things have changed," Jane offered, putting her untouched wine down on the kitchen counter.
"I . . . didn't know," Maura said with an apologetic wince. "I'm sorry. I only want you to be happy, Jane," she said sincerely.
Jane smiled softly and slowly stepped closer.
Much closer, Maura noted.
"Going grocery shopping and dining with you would have made me happy," Jane said, taking Maura's hands gently in hers.
"I'm . . . sorry," Maura said uneasily. She was very happy to learn Jane would have rather spent the night with her, but that knowledge only served to amplify the troubling arousal that washed over her from Jane's touch.
"Your hands are trembling," Jane whispered, suspecting the reason why. Hoping.
Maura was not about to admit her struggle with her uncooperative body, which craved Jane's touch. "I didn't mean to ruin our evening together," Maura said instead, taking an uneasy breath as her eyes moistened. "I'm not a very good best friend," she said dejectedly.
"I think we had this conversation before," Jane gently scolded. "You're the best, best friend I have ever had, Maura."
"Jane," Maura countered, looking down at their hands. "The evidence is quite clear; I'm not," she said miserably, unable to stop her traitorous physical response to Jane. She tried to pull her hands back, hoping that putting some distance between them would help. "Please let go," she said, weakly tugging to free her hands.
"I don't want to let go, Maura," Jane said emphatically. "Why do you want me to? Make me understand," Jane said, looking at her intently, holding on firmly.
A tear fell, then another. Maura felt dizzy with the overwhelming feelings assaulting her - guilt, love, lust, embarrassment.
"Please." Jane begged in a whisper, her own eyes started to water seeing Maura so upset. But in Jane's heart, she knew this conversation was desperately needed. "I need to know why my best friend is intent on running away when I touch her," Jane said.
"How can I possibly be your best friend, Jane?!" Maura finally erupted in despair. "How can I be if all I can think about when you touch me is how much you arouse me, how much . . . how much I want to touch you!" Maura cried raggedly, too embarrassed to look Jane in the eye as more tears fell.
"Oh. Thank. God!" Jane exhaled with supreme relief before smiling with joy at Maura, who looked up in surprise and uncertainty. "Oh sweetie, if arousal is a sign of being a bad friend, then I'm the worst friend you'll ever have," she explained with a chuckle.
Maura just stared at her.
Realizing Maura was still trying to comprehend and accept her words, Jane gently squeezed her hands before releasing one. She tenderly cupped her cheek, gently wiping away the trail of tears with her thumb. Leaning in for a kiss, she paused just before their lips touched. She waited, wanting Maura to finally close the very small distance between them as she continued to lovingly stroke her cheek with her thumb.
Maura's heart raced as she took an uneasy breath, realizing with wonder that Jane was not offended. Jane did not think her closest friend had crossed a line, violating her friendship or trust. Jane actually wanted what she wanted.
Her hand suddenly shot up behind Jane's neck, possessively pulling her in, causing their lips to smash together, not as a friend, but as a lover desperate with need.
Jane moaned at the thrill of a dominant Maura and the heady feel of soft flesh and hardened nipples pressing firmly against her. Jane's hands sought to map out the curved surfaces she had admired from afar as they traveled down Maura's silk-covered back to her perfect hips and backside.
When their lips parted, they were breathing heavily.
"Bedroom?" Maura husked.
Jane bit her lip and looked towards the bedroom uncertainly.
"Are you worried about rushing things?"
Jane nodded with a sheepish wince.
"So sweet," Maura said softly, caressing Jane's face, before leaning in and kissing her again, a bit less desperate but no less passionate or arousing. She broke the kiss and kissed her way to the tender flesh of Jane's neck, where she nipped and nibbled with a contented hum.
"Oooh," Jane moaned, surprised she was still standing. "You are . . . certainly . . . not shy . . . about this," she said, surprised she could still form a sentence.
Maura pulled back and looked at Jane thoughtfully. "We are both healthy, consenting adults," Maura offered. "But I . . . I do understand if you wish to take this slow," she said with difficulty, her body and emotions not quite in agreement with her logical mind. "It is a big change in our relationship," she acknowledged. "And it would have to be. This will not be casual for me, Jane," she said firmly, though Jane saw a flicker of uncertainty and vulnerably in her eyes.
Jane smiled with relief; Maura wanted what she wanted. With a gentle, lingering kiss of promise, she stated "this is definitely not casual for me either, Maura."
Seeing an interesting combination of relief and desire in Maura's eyes, Jane asked curiously: "So . . . you'd really be ok with waiting?"
"The last thing I would want is for you to be uncomfortable, Jane," Maura said honestly, caressing Jane's cheek. "I don't want you preoccupied or worried when we finally copulate," she said, pulling Jane back into a warm hug.
Jane winced at the clinical terminology. But she was certain the wonderful feel of her body in her arms and their emotional connection would overcome Maura's sterile words.
"I don't want you distracted when my fingers . . ." Maura said softly as her fingers traveled down Jane's back and indulged in a possessive caress of her posterior.
Jane's eyes widened.
". . . and lips . . . ," Maura said and brushed her lips gently over Jane's amazingly sensitive neck.
Jane exhaled with a whimper.
". . . and tongue . . . ," she said, now licking Jane's neck in various strokes, demonstrating very promising skill.
Jane moaned.
". . . all thoroughly explore your body, slowly coaxing every one of your erogenous zones," Maura whispered seductively into Jane's ear, her warm breath a gentle caress. ". . . until you beg me for release," she said and took her earlobe into her warm, wet mouth and suckled, her tongue flicking the sensitive tab of flesh.
"Jesus," Jane squeaked, feeling a direct connection . . . South.
"Making you climax, over . . . and over. . . and over," she said slowly, pressing her body into Jane's, over and over, perfectly accentuating her words of promise.
Pulling back, Maura smiled. "Just so we're clear."
R&I
They lay in each other's arms in Maura's bed, naked and spent.
"I'm glad we waited," Jane said with a chuckle, kissing Maura's temple as her fingers lightly stoked her arm.
"Waiting usually is a prudent thing to do," Maura said, her fingers absently caressing Jane's side, careful of her bandaged side that miraculously survived the strenuous physical activity. "It was at least four minutes," she noted dryly.
"I'm surprised it was that long."
"I am very pleased with the results of your impatience," Maura said with a pleased smirk as she caressed Jane's bare hip.
"Tell me those four minutes did not feel like an eternity," Jane challenged with amusement.
Maura paused her caress as she considered the question thoughtfully. "I'll concede that point," she offered graciously.
"As well you should," Jane said haughtily.
The two chuckled.
"I love you, Maura," Jane said softly, caressing her arm. "I really do."
Maura shifted and propped herself on her elbow to look into Jane's eyes. "You have proven that many times, Jane. Even before we became sexually intimate."
"Well, you are easy to love," Jane said simply, tracing her fingers over her brow and down her cheek.
Maura smiled happily and leaned in for kiss, which sparked another and another.
Jane took a needed breath and exhaled "Dear God. Right now, I'm the worstest friend you have ever, ever had."
Maura giggled. Her mirth faded as she looked tenderly at Jane's smiling face that only enhanced her already considerable beauty.
"I love you, Jane," she said softly.
Jane's long fingers tenderly brushed aside errant strands of hair off of Maura's brow. "And you have proven that many, many times to me, Maura," she said sincerely, earning a pleased smile. "Even before the hot monkey loooove."
"Jane! I can't believe you would equate our lovemaking to…ohhhh. Yessss. Right there."
R&I
Soft classical music from the alarm clock radio grew louder, rousing Jane from a deep sleep. She groaned as she slowly became more aware of her surroundings . . . the cotton sheet against her cheek . . . and the smell of Maura. She smiled groggily as wonderful memories of last night filled her conscious thoughts. Opening one eye, she spied the other side of the big bed. It was empty. Her immediate frown was replaced with a small smile when she detected coffee brewing. As she sat up, the covers slipped down to reveal her naked form.
Getting out of bed, she stretched, feeling sore but very happy. Shuffling sleepily towards the bathroom, she was startled by the living mass in her way. "Ah!" Jane blurted and dashed back to the bedroom, grabbing a pillow and covering herself.
"Jane? Are you all right?" Maura said with worry, quickly returning to the bedroom and stepping around Bass, who was slowly plodding along.
"Your boy turtle is a peeping Bass," Jane accused, pointing at the creature.
"Tortoise," Maura said and chuckled at Jane's displeased face and her silly attempt to cover herself with a pillow.
"Fine! I'm going to shower now," Jane said with a pout.
"And I'll have a talk with him about boundaries," Maura said with amusement.
"You do that," Jane said, glaring at the tortoise before returning her focus to Maura, who was already dressed and looking amazing. "Morning," she said softly with a lop-sided grin and gave her a quick peck on the lips, mindful Maura had brushed already and she hadn't. "I won't be long," she said and left the room, with the pillow, leaving Maura with a good view of her backside. Even with the healing bruises, Jane was an incredibly beautiful woman.
"Now Bass," Maura said in a motherly tone, loud enough for Jane to hear in the bathroom. "You are going to need to understand that Jane is going to be around more often and in various states of undress. You should respect her privacy, as she is very shy. Although I can see how after last night's vocal and multiple orgasms, you would never have guessed our Jane would be shy," Maura said with a big smile.
"I heard that!"
"So did Bass," Maura responded helpfully.
"Aw, Maura, did you have to go and say that?"
Maura smiled and returned to the kitchen.
R&I
Maura sipped her coffee, reviewing the latest issue of Forensics Quarterly. When Jane joined her in the kitchen, she smiled as Jane gently pulled her hair back and kissed her neck.
"You didn't need to rush, you have plenty of time before your shift," Maura noted.
"I need to swing by my apartment. Jo needs her morning walk and there is bound to be at least one detective to notice I am wearing the same clothing," Jane said with a shrug, leaning over to kiss her on the lips. Glancing at the magazine, she cringed. "Nice breakfast reading material," she noted dryly, seeing the pictures of a decomposed hand covered in maggots.
"We really should plan our evenings better. I want to savor our mornings together," Maura said, which earned her a smile and another, longer kiss.
"I need coffee," Jane blurted after pulling back from the kiss. "For some reason, I'm really exhausted this morning," she said with a smirk.
"You need to eat something too," Maura said, getting up as Jane grabbed a mug and poured herself a cup.
"I'll snag a dough…," Jane said, then stopped, seeing the disapproval on Maura's face. ". . . a healthy breakfast choice at home," she slowly amended with a smile and sipped from her mug.
"Jane?" Maura asked with a thoughtful look. "How do you want to handle the development in our relationship at work?"
Jane leaned against the kitchen counter and shrugged. "I hadn't really thought through all of it, Maura," she admitted. "I know I'll get a ration of shit from Crowe, who is a chauvinist ass. But I don't think he'll bother you. If he does, I'll take care of him."
Maura nodded thoughtfully, surprising Jane with her failure to scold her about language.
"Did you have something in mind?" Jane asked curiously, sipping from her mug.
"Not really, no. Do you really think this could cause trouble for you, Jane?" Maura asked worriedly.
"Maura, there are bound to be a few jerks who will make some comments. It's still a boy's club and some still have problems with a female encroaching on their turf. And now it's not just their profession," she said with a wry smile, making Maura frown more.
Jane set her mug down and stepped towards Maura, taking her hands in hers. "I refuse to let them dictate to me how I should live my life," she said, squeezing Maura's hands. "I'll admit it took me a bit of soul searching to get to this point of enlightenment," Jane said with a self-conscious smile. "I was afraid of my family's reaction and, I'll admit, I was worried about how it would affect me professionally," Jane offered softly.
"And now?" Maura asked softly.
"I think my family just wants me to be happy. And you make me so very happy, Maura."
Maura smiled with satisfaction. "The feeling's mutual. But that won't ensure there won't be difficulties for you at work."
"You're right. But I love you. And even if I wanted to, I don't think I could pretend I didn't."
Maura looked at Jane with a pleased smile.
As Jane leaned in for a kiss, Maura warned: "You'd better go now, or you'll be late for work and Jo Friday will be very upset."
TBC