CHAPTER 14
"I really don't want to go to this thing, Maura."
"Do you want to leave me stranded and alone?"
Jane narrows her eyes. "Low blow."
Maura shrugs. "Did it work?"
"What am I going to wear?"
"I know just the thing!" Maura's tone is light and bubbly. Excited. And Jane is glad she said yes. She would go to a thousand parties if they made Maura this happy.
"Not the black-"
"Yes. You look beautiful in it, Jane. It really highlights certain aspects of your physique."
"Is that why you like it?" Jane teases and Maura turns away to hide the flush on her cheeks.
"Don't be silly, Jane. Who knows a handsome man might ask you to dance."
"If that's your story." Jane takes the dress from Maura's hand and holds it against herself observing the reflection in the mirror.
"It is a good dress."
"Good. Put it on."
Maura prattles on about a cute waiter she met at the last BPD annual get together that Jane had conveniently fallen sick the day of and Jane drives slower than is necessary to prolong this moment where Maura is smiling so hard the sun would shy away. It is only then that she realizes that this is the first formal event Maura is attending after the kidnapping.
She takes the hand resting on the gear and squeezes Maura's. "If anyone asks anything you don't like, I'll punch them in the face." Maura smiles. "No, I swear I will."
"I know, Jane, but let's try and avoid resorting to violence, okay?"
Jane tilts her head noncommittally.
"Jane"
"We'll see."
Jane turns into the parking space and checks her hair in the mirror.
"You look great, Jane. Stop fussing."
Jane doesn't tell Maura she looks more radiant than the moon. She wouldn't find the right words anyway. Instead they make their way inside and after a few pleasantries head towards the open bar.
"How you doing?"
Maura lets go of the breath she has been holding ever since she walked in the doors. "You've successfully managed to keep any stray questions at bay with that glare you've been throwing at everyone who talks to us."
Jane smirks and takes a sip of her drink.
"So have you seen anyone interesting yet?"
"Maura, I am not here to look for a date. I'm sure you can find one without even trying though. Look at them ogling." Jane looks at Maura and knows exactly why they would be looking.
"Oh look. She seems interesting and I haven't seen her around before." Maura points at the redhead coming towards them. She is dressed in a tux with a black bowtie and Jane wishes she could be out of this dress too. The woman brushes off strands of her pixie cut falling inside the rim of her glasses and smiles wide before stopping by them.
"Hey. Caitlyn Lance, vice. You guys?"
"Dr. Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner." Maura extends her arm.
"Rizzoli, homicide." Jane moves to do the same.
"I'm surprised the police department managed to throw a party like this."
"They just pour out enough booze so you don't remember anything."
Caitlyn chuckled.
"Hey, I'm not complaining about that."
"Me neither."
"How long you two been together?"
It is Maura who jumps to exclaim. "What? We're not together."
The sharp edge in her tone stabs Jane in the heart and her face visibly dims down. Caitlyn just smiles turning to Jane.
"In that case, detective, care to dance?"
Jane looks between herself and Maura astounded as to how anyone could ask her to dance when someone like Maura is sitting right there.
"Me?" Jane raises her eyebrows.
Caitlyn nods and extends her hand waiting for Jane. Jane looks to Maura and she nudges her to go ahead.
"Uh I'm not really into... you know." Jane's cheeks flush red.
Caitlyn chuckles, "Relax, detective, just a dance."
Maura holds her breath as Jane takes Caitlyn's hand. Caitlyn pulls her off the chair and Jane's body collides against her. Maura turns away.
"So you have a first name, Rizzoli?" Maura overhears the sultry lilt that almost makes her scoff in the most unladylike fashion. But Maura Isles does not scoff at women who ask her best friend to dance, so instead she takes the last gulp of her drink and asks for another.
Caitlyn places her hands on Jane's waist swaying left to right on the dance floor.
"So you and Isles?"
"What about Maura and I?"
Caitlyn smiles. "Nothing."
"I've heard a lot about you."
The music shifts its beat and Jane takes the over the lead. "Good things I hope?"
"You're the hero up at homicide."
"Weird, I've never heard of you."
"New. Transferred last month."
"Well looks like I should be visiting vice more often." Jane traces her face with her eyes settling on her lips.
"Maybe you should." Caitlyn leans close enough to her ear that Jane can feel the warm breath tickle her skin. "You look beautiful in that dress, Jane."
Jane flushes red. The music stops and their hands fall away. Jane motions towards where Maura is talking to two cops she doesn't recognize. "I should head back."
Caitlyn nods. "Are you free for a drink tomorrow?"
"I don't know. Like I said, I'm not... you know."
"The word you're looking for is gay, Jane. It's just a drink."
"Okay," Jane looks anywhere, but woman staring at her, "Dirty Robber?"
"Not my first choice, but I'll take it."
Jane heads over to Maura and her presence make the cops leave immediately after a curt hello.
"You looked cozy."
Maura never gets drunk in public. Jane knows this for a fact. But the way Maura's words lilt tell her that maybe she has enjoyed one drink too many.
"It was just a dance."
Maura nods.
"Do you like her?"
"She seems nice."
"Nice? Look at her, Jane." Maura points across the hall.
"Maura maybe we should leave."
"Do you like her?"
"Maura"
"Jane" She draws out the words slowly.
"Let's go."
"Only if you answer the question"
"Why does it matter?"
Maura tilts her head and considers this for a moment. "It doesn't. I'm sorry." She stands up and brushes her dress straight. "I need to use the ladies room."
"I can come -"
"No."
Jane watches Maura walk away and sighs as she orders a drink.
Hey everyone! Just wanted to say hi, and say thanks for still reading. I'd really like to know what you guys think about where this is going and if you want to make any suggestions I'm always open to adding new ideas.