A/N: I went back through and made some adjustments from the original posting of this. There were a couple of continuity errors that I noticed. Thanks for reading!
I drove home more quickly than I should have but my excitement was building. It hadn't even been five days since my nightmare and it felt like so much had changed. I felt giddy about Maura coming to pick me up. Six days ago, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. It was no big deal, my best friend and I spending time together. Now, however, there was something more. There was a charge in the air that I could practically see. I showered quickly and sat on my bed staring into my closet.
At least now I know why I care about what I'm wearing in front of Maura.
I decided on a deep cranberry colored button-down shirt over a black tank and black pants. I put on my favorite thick-heeled black boots to finish off my outfit. I pulled my hair back into a messy ponytail and as an after-thought put in some small silver hoop earrings. I almost never wore earrings but I was feeling so good that I wanted a little extra something. I went to the bathroom to put on some of the cologne Maura bought me.
I heard a knock on the door. I honestly had to steady myself against the sink before I could leave the bathroom. I practically ran to the front door.
Geez, chill out before you have a heart attack.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. Maura was straightening her blouse and when she looked up to see me grinning at her like a fool, her face lit up.
"Jane, you look fantastic. You're wearing earrings!" Maura exclaimed.
Words escaped me. I was standing there holding the door and taking in the sight before me. She was not wearing heels for once. She had on black sandals with delicate straps and black pants. Her top was what really got my attention. It was olive green and silk. It reminded me of the green sweater she was wearing a few nights ago that made her hair and eyes shine brightly.
"Come on in…" I finally managed, stepping aside.
"Thanks. Are you ready to go?" Maura asked.
"Almost." I retrieved the bag with Maura's gift and presented it to her.
"Here, this is for you." I said, holding the bag out to her.
"Something for me? What's the occasion?" She responded.
"I felt bad that you didn't find something for yourself when you went shopping the other day and you ended up buying me something. I wanted to return the gesture." I shrugged.
Maura pulled the bright yellow box out of the bag.
"Oh Jane! Versace?! You shouldn't have! This is wonderful. Thank you." Maura beamed.
"Well, like I said, I thought you should have something for yourself. I hope you like it. My nose was overwhelmed but I'm happy with the choice." I said, fidgeting shyly.
Maura immediately opened the box and sprayed some perfume into the air.
"Mmmmm, that is lovely."
She put some on her wrists and then behind her ears. She encircled me in a quick hug, which took me off guard.
"I love it, Jane. Thank you so much. You have great taste"
I must have great taste because you are one gorgeous woman and you're all I can think about.
"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it." I replied.
"Are you ready, Detective?"
Oh, that sounds just as good as when she says my name.
"I sure am, let's go." I said, as I grabbed a jacket and opened the door for her.
The proximately of Maura next to me in the car did nothing to soothe my nerves. She was humming something I didn't recognize and I was trying my best not to stare at her. Even inch of her body was suddenly fascinating to me. I found myself memorizing the lines and angles of her wrists and hands. She turned to smile at me while we were stopped for a red light. She smelled the wrist that I had just been studying.
"What do you think? Does it smell ok on me?" She offered her wrist to me.
I'd rather smell the spot behind your ear.
My stomach flipped at the thought of being that close to her and I remembered kissing her neck.
I leaned down to inhale the rich scent coming from Maura's outstretched arm. My nose brushed her wrist and I had to stop myself from kissing her there. I noticed goose bumps form on her arm as she pulled her hand back to the steering wheel.
"Ooh, that tickled." She said, shaking off the chill I had given her.
That made me smile.
Serves you right, you have been giving me chills for days now.
"It smells really good." I concluded.
I couldn't tell her that the combination of that perfume on HER skin made my heart race and my very core tremble.
Once at the Dirty Robber, our favorite local tavern, we occupied our usual booth.
"I think I will have beer tonight." Maura announced.
My eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
"Oh really? No wine? You don't like beer remember?"
"I thought I would give it another try. You seem to like it so much, so how bad could it be?" Maura reasoned.
"Ok, if you say so." I wandered off to get two beers from the bar.
In the short time I was gone, a guy had already swooped in on Maura.
Damn vultures!
I walked back to the booth and leaned in front of the schmuck to set Maura's beer down in front of her. He stopped talking and turned to introduce himself. I would have been taller than him without shoes and with my boots on, I towered over him. His hand fell back down to his side when he saw the "fuck-off" look I was giving him. He muttered a "nice meeting you" to Maura and slinked back off to where his friends were waiting. They welcomed him back with laughter.
"You really need to work on your manners, Jane." Maura said with mock disgust.
There was a smile behind her words and I felt like she was secretly grateful for my return.
"Yeah, well…what can I say." I shrugged.
Maura tried a sip of her beer and made a face.
"I knew you wouldn't like it."
She took a larger drink, paused, and slid the bottle across to me.
"I'm sorry, I tried but I just don't get how you can drink that." Maura said, this time with genuine disgust.
"It's ok, you don't have to like it. Let me get you a glass of wine." I laughed, starting to leave the booth.
"No, I can get it. Stay here." Maura said.
I shot the guy across the room a "don't-even-think-about-it" look as he noticed Maura leaving the table. He spun around in his chair which raised more fits of laughter from his buddies.
Maura had this ethereal quality about her that made her seem to float or glide whenever she moved. She was the most graceful human I had ever laid eyes on. I noticed that everyone near her was consuming the vision that she was. Men, women…it didn't matter what they were thinking, they all were in awe of her and she had absolutely no idea. She went about her task of getting a glass of wine completely oblivious to the effect she had on every single person in the bar. The fact that she was my best friend made me proud and the fact that I was in love with her made me ecstatic and worried.
She arrived back at our table unfazed as usual. I had already finished my beer by this time and was about to start hers. I caught a whiff of her new perfume as she settled back into the booth. I inhaled sharply and closed my eyes. This did not go unnoticed.
"What's wrong?" Maura asked.
Crap. Why does she have to notice everything?
Because that's her and she wouldn't be the excellent Medical Examiner that she is without being observant.
"Oh, nothing, I'm fine. I, umm, just smelled your perfume and thought it was nice." I said, immediately took a swig of beer to shut myself up.
"Oh good, I'm glad it works with my body's chemistry. I hate finding a scent I like only to find out that it doesn't wear well on me."
I looked up to see her sniffing her wrist again.
"Yes, it is settling in quite nicely. Great job, Jane…it's fantastic. I love it." She reached across the table to squeeze my hand.
It was a quick action but it made my heart pound all the same.
"Woah, Jane… you're lookin' hot."
I looked up to find someone that I had no desire to see, especially in a bar, and most definitely not with Maura around.
"Hello Giovanni." I said through clenched teeth.
"Who's the babe?" He asked, as if Maura could not hear him.
"Giovanni, this is Maura. Maura, this is Giovanni. We went to school together. I've known him since we were kids." I grunted.
"Nice to meet ya, Beautiful." Giovanni turned Maura's hand over, kissing the backside.
I want to punch him in the eye. What exceptionally bad timing you have, Giovanni. Shit.
"I'm pleased to meet an old friend of Jane's" Maura said politely.
"I wouldn't go that far." I said, earning me a kick to the shin. Maura widened her eyes at me.
"Yeah, Janie and me used to date."
"Ummm no, we didn't. You asked me out just about every day and I turned you down every time. Stalking me is not the same as dating…I've told you that a million times." I shot back.
"Can I sit?" Giovanni said, starting to slide in next to Maura.
"Actually, we are working on a very important case and we were just discussing the details. I'm sorry, Giovanni, maybe some other time." Maura chimed in.
"You a cop too?"
"No, she's the Medical Examiner." I said quickly.
"Oh man, that's hot. I need some hot chicks like you two working at my garage." Giovanni said, practically drooling.
"Ok, big fella… move along. We have work to do." I said firmly.
He frowned and gave each of us one last look before sulking off.
"Well… that was interesting." Maura mustered.
"Yeah. It always is where Giovanni is concerned. Ma wanted me to date and eventually marry him. Yuck, can you imagine?"
"Well, he has excellent musculature and teeth." Maura offered.
I stared blankly at her.
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?"
"Jane! There's no use in swearing at me. I was just saying, physically he is a great specimen."
"Maura, if I had to spend an entire day with him, I would shoot him…imagine a lifetime. Hell no. I need another beer."
I bounded over to the bar to place my order. I was in a foul mood all of a sudden. Giovanni showing up really put me off. And Maura bugged me by thinking he was good looking.
Hey, she got rid of him though. She could have let him sit down next to her and flirt with her the rest of the evening but she didn't.
That thought cheered me up. Any other time she might have given me a hard time about not dating him. Or she might have even wanted to take him home for herself but none of that happened.
Well, you DID make it pretty obvious that you were not happy with his presence.
I took my newly acquired beer back to the booth.
"Jane, I'm sorry if I upset you." Maura said, simply.
"Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong. Oh, I ordered us food. I got you that chicken sandwich you like with EXTRA green things." I smirked.
"And I suppose you got a burger with extra pickles?" Maura retorted.
"Yeap, MY version of extra green things." I winked at her.
"You're a brat." Maura pouted.
"They will bring out another glass of wine for you with your dinner too." I offered as a truce.
"Thank you, you're so thoughtful. You always take care of me." Maura gazed at me warmly.
I could only produce a small smile back as my emotions waged a full-scale war inside me. I didn't keep eye contact too long for fear that she would be able to watch the whole scene play out. I shifted nervously in my seat.
"Do you want to talk about the case?" Maura asked.
"Not really, to be honest. I just want to enjoy the night and not think or talk about work for once."
We fell into a comfortable silence. Each listening to the sounds created whenever you were in a room full of people. The symphony of chatter and utensils bumping against dishes. I felt Maura looking at me and looked up to met her gaze.
"You really do look great tonight, Jane. That is a marvelous color on you. I've been thinking…"
"Here we go ladies, one burger and one chicken sandwich. And also, your wine." The bartender interrupted Maura.
I swallowed hard, grateful that the food came at that moment. I had no idea what she was going to say but I felt better not knowing.
"This looks great." I eagerly grabbed my burger.
Maura seemed to hesitate as if she was going to continue what she was saying but she must have thought better of it. I ordered another beer and we ate our meals. Maura tried to get me to eat some of her lettuce but I wasn't having it.
I don't know how long we were at the tavern but I was feeling pretty buzzed; maybe it was because I knew Maura was driving. I normally watched how much I drank more closely. According to my tab, I had six beers.
"Are you ok to drive, Maura? I'm sorry, I guess I got carried away."
"I'm perfectly fine. I only had two glasses and we have been here a few hours"
"We have? Wow, it doesn't seem like that long. Although, time always stops when you're around."
Maura held out a hand to help pull me out of the booth. Once I was standing, she looped her arm through mine and we walked outside to the car. She stood on the passenger side while I wiggled myself into the seat. She bent down into the car, leaning over me, and fastened my seatbelt. She was adjusting the shoulder belt when I grabbed her hand.
"See, now YOU'RE taking care of me!" I smiled fondly.
With the alcohol running through me, I really had no control over my hands. She was still leaning over me and I reached up and cupped her face with my right hand. She froze and we stared at each other.
"Yer pretty." I said, giving her cheek a stroke with my thumb before letting my hand fall away.
I was vaguely aware of her getting into the car. The ride home was a little fuzzy. I know she was playing music. I think I was dozing in and out. At one point, I realized she was singing. I didn't remember ever hearing her sing before.
"…When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's gonna be alright…"
"Hmmm…you're singing. That's nice. What is this?" I mumbled.
Maura seemed startled that I was awake.
"Oh, I …well, it's "No One" by Alicia Keys. I love this song."
"It's awesome. You sing really good. Your voice is sexy." I turned and snuggled down into my seat.
I heard the car door slam and then the one nearest me open. I felt hands unbuckling my seatbelt.
Ohhhh, something smells really good.
Where am I?
My eyes flickered open. Maura's hair was right in front of me, inches from my face. I leaned forward to get a better whiff.
"Hey you." Maura said, suddenly.
I blinked.
"Hi." I managed.
"Come on, let's get you to your apartment, Detective Tipsypants." She chuckled close to my ear.
I felt her arms go under mine and behind my back as she helped pull me out of the car.
"I didn't know I had six. I guess I've become a lightweight." I apologized.
"Shhh, you're fine. I just need you to walk."
Maura's right arm was firmly around my waist, holding me upright and tight against her. We walked together that way until we made it up to my apartment.
"Where are your keys, Jane?"
"Hmmm, pocket. Haha, number 12...that's me!" I giggled, tapping the number on my apartment door.
"I assumed they were in your pocket but which one?" Maura fought to reason with me.
"Dunno."
She sighed and I felt her going through my jacket pockets. Finding nothing, she patted my pants, trying to narrow down the choices. She reached into my right pants pocket and retrieved my keys.
"Hahahaha, that tickles! Right pocket, keys always go in the right pocket!" I squirmed.
"Thanks for the help, now that I found them on my own." She was softly laughing at me.
"Mmmm, you're welcome."
"Alright, let's get you into bed." Maura said, walking me into my bedroom.
"Stay with me." I whispered.
"What Jane?"
"Stay with me, Maura… if you can, please."
She sat me down on the edge of my bed and knelt in front of me.
"Ok, I will." She replied as she began taking my boots off.
"Pants on or off?" She asked.
"Hmmm…off!" I replied as I fumbled with the buttons of my shirt.
"Hang on, give me a second and I will help you with that." Maura swatted my hands away from my buttons.
She helped stand me up so she could deal with my pants more easily. I felt my head drop as I was starting to nod off. Maura successfully removed my pants and realized I was falling asleep while standing up.
"Woah there, just give me one more minute…no passing out. I don't want you falling."
Maura put her hands on my hips to steady me but that only made me swoon from her touch. She pushed down on my shoulders instead and sat me back on the bed. I felt her kneel down again and she began unbuttoning my shirt. Once undone, she pulled my arms out of the sleeves and I was free. I flopped backwards on the bed. Maura lifted my legs up and over so I was on the bed the rest of the way.
"Mmmm, comfy. Come lay with me." I murmured.
"I'll be there in a few minutes, I have to take care of Jo and get the apartment locked up. Be right back."
I woke up to the bed shifting slightly.
"Wha…what's going on?" I said groggily.
"Shhh, it's just me…go back to sleep." Maura answered.
"Mmmm, Maura, Maura. Where have you been! I missed you." I scolded with my eyes still closed.
I scooted closer to her and snuggled up behind her. I wrapped my left arm tightly around her midsection and slipped my right arm under her neck. I nuzzled my face behind her ear and inhaled the scent of the perfume I bought for her.
-sigh-
"night, Maura… sweet dreams." I kissed the side of her neck.
I felt her back up into me and her fingers entwine with mine. I smiled against her neck and fell deeply asleep.
A/N: It feels good to have this chapter finished. There were a couple things in this chapter that I have been thinking about for a while now.