Sorry for the delay, it was my birthday weekend, so now i'm 20
Jane was sitting on her couch trying to find the motivation to order Chinese when she heard a knock on the door. Annoyance flickered in her mind, she had told Ma she didn't want to talk about it yet. She pulled open the door, bracing herself for an onslaught of maternal worry. Instead, she found herself face to face with a giant bouquet of roses. Maura's head peeked out from behind it.
"Hi!" she said, and Jane had to laugh.
"You couldn't help but outdo me?"
Maura batted her eyes playfully as she stepped into the apartment. She immediately went to put the flowers in a vase and Jane's stomach fluttered. Maura wore dark jeans and a large cream sweater that was slung low on her shoulder, revealing a red bra strap. Her hair fell over her shoulders in large waves, and Jane had the sudden urge to run it through her fingers. She wished she had thought to change out of sweat pants today. She tugged nervously at the plain blue v-neck she wore. She stood awkwardly, not knowing what to do with herself. Maura turned, and Jane could see the trepidation on her face. At least she wasn't the only one who felt uneasy. The two stood, looking at one another for a moment.
Maura cleared her throat, "I didn't really have a plan beyond the roses" she admitted sheepishly.
Jane smiled "Well I love the roses. I don't deserve them".
"Jane!" Maura chided, "of course you do".
The awkwardness of all that was unsaid settled between them. Neither one knew what to do next, or how to acknowledge their mutual feelings. Maura was clearly out of her depth of social interaction, and Jane still harbored too much guilt to make the first move. A car horn beeped outside, bringing the pair out of their respective thoughts.
"Well I suppose I should go" Maura said slowly.
"I don't want you to go". Jane's voice became more confident as she spoke. "I want you to stay."
Maura smiled. "I would like that".
"Besides, I can't kick you out after you bought me roses!" Jane teased, and the tension dissipated. Jane poured Maura a glass of the wine she kept for her, and they settled on the couch.
The night went smoothly after that. Jane turned off the game, and Maura didn't attempt to convince Jane to watch a new medical documentary. They talked about work, Tommy, baby TJ and Hope. It was safe, familiar territory and it allowed both women to avoid over-thinking. Soon they were talking about Jane in middle school and Maura's first date as a college freshmen, little intimate details they had not told one another before. The energy between them was kinetic and new, and because neither woman tried to hide it, the energy kept growing. They sat on opposite sides of the couch, Maura with her ankles crossed, Jane with her spine straight. They finished their respective drinks, but neither wanted another. Finally, reluctantly, Maura sighed.
"I really do have to go now Jane".
Jane pouted, "Really? Come on," she said, glancing at the clock "well it's late but who cares"
Maura laughed, "I have an early meeting with the city financial planner, and if I don't get enough sleep my brain won't be operating-"
"Okay, okay I get it, you have to go" Jane teased, interrupting.
Maura stood up, and Jane followed suit.
"I do wish I could stay"
Jane smiled, "I know you do". She followed Maura to the door, opening it for her, and Maura stood in the door frame.
"I had a lovely time tonight Jane".
"Me too"
Maura blushed, and nodding she moved to leave.
"Hey, Maur" Jane said, and the blonde turned back around. And suddenly, without thinking, Jane swept Maura into her arms. One hand wrapped in Maura's hair, the other around her waist, Jane kissed her. It was electric and soft and so utterly different than anything Jane had ever experienced.
Maura stood stock still for a moment, her processing abilities lost in Jane's mouth. And then she kissed her back. She pressed her body into Jane's and her hands skirted up the detective's spine, flitting from her shoulders to her dark curls and finally setting on her narrow hips. She gathered the fabric between her fingers, thoughts flitting briefly to the last time they were like this, in the morgue, when Maura stopped herself from letting Jane kiss her. Now she had no intention to, and the way Jane's lips met hers over and over again, she couldn't if she tried.
Jane released Maura's hair, her arms meeting around Maura's neck, which would have seemed awkward, given their height difference, if either of them were bothering to notice such things. Instead, Maura felt flowers bloom between their lips and sunlight on the places Jane's hands touched.
And Jane, she was thinking nothing at all.
