Chapter 14
Jane heard her phone ringing but couldn't remember where she'd left it. Finally she found it in the living room area of the hotel suite. She grabbed the call on the third ring.
"Hey Ma," Jane said as she answered.
"Janie," Angela replied happy to get a chance to talk with her daughter. "How are things in Florida?"
Jane smiled. She couldn't help but smile given how her night, and her morning, had gone. If her mother only knew. "So far it's been amazing," Jane answered in complete honesty. Just honesty without certain details.
It'd been a hard conversation to have with Maura that morning. She hated admitting to any insecurities. Even to Maura. But she knew Maura was only trying to help her and she really wanted the dreams to stop. So if that meant admitting she didn't feel worthy of having the ME sometimes then that was just something she was going to have to do.
It wasn't all the time. Usually she knew, and believed, Maura cared for her. Even when they were just friends most time Jane thought she was an equal to the ME and that their relationship was on level ground.
But sometimes, when she'd get a little too deep into her own head, sometimes she'd start to believe she was nothing but trouble for the woman she loved. That she'd only bring her pain or have danger lurking around every corner. That one day she'd fail to protect her from the evils in the world. That she just wasn't good enough for the doctor.
Conversations like they had that morning helped Jane to get out of her own head. But this morning there was a different element added. Before this trip, Maura would talk to Jane about her insecurities on the occasions Jane let her and use words to convince her of what she meant it. But this morning, they'd made love a second time. It was just as wonderful as the night before and it was probably the best thing Maura could have done to convince Jane that she really did want her.
"What have you guys all done?" Angela asked.
"You knew Frost and Korsak were going to meet us here, didn't you?" Jane asked suddenly. Usually her mother asked what 'you two' or 'you and Maura' when it was just Jane and Maura. When she'd talk about the guys too she'd switch to 'you guys'.
Angela chuckled. "Yeah," she admitted. "Maura told me when she was planning your trip that at some point you guys were going to meet up with Vince and Barry."
"Why did you get to know and I didn't?" Jane asked in an almost whiny tone of voice.
"Because," Angela replied, "I was worried about Vince and Barry. I told Maura it didn't feel right to send the guys out on a vacation without knowing if they were going to be ok. I mean, you had Maura with you but the guys didn't have anyone looking out for them."
"Frost went home to see his mother," Jane pointed out. "She was looking out for him."
"But Vince was renting a motorcycle and just driving. Who was going to check up on him?" Angela asked as if that was something Jane should have thought of. "Maura told me about the planned trip in Florida to put my mind at ease."
"Did she tell you anything else?" Jane asked still curious how they were going to spend the second week of this trip. Not that it mattered. What mattered was that she was with Maura and they were really together. Jane was just getting excited to be able to spend a full week with Maura exploring the recent developments in their relationship with limited interruptions. They still needed to spend the day with the guys and have one last dinner with them before Jane and Maura would head out tomorrow.
"Nope," Angela said with almost a pout. "I liked knowing what was in store for you when you didn't. She wouldn't tell me anything about this next week. So what have you guys done anyway?"
Jane filled her mother in on getting to go the JetBlue Park and watch spring training. She told her Ma to tell Frankie and Tommy that she'd managed to get some Red Sox autographs that she'd bring home for them. And she told her mother that they'd gone out for dinner last night.
"And today?" Angela asked.
"We are meeting them for brunch in about 30 minutes," Jane said. She'd gotten ready first because she was the faster of the two and Maura was currently in the shower or just finishing since Jane no longer heard the water running. "After brunch we are all going to watch an expedition game between the Sox and the Twins. Then I think it's just dinner and drinks tonight."
"That sounds fun," Angela said. She could hear the smile in Jane's voice and for really the first time that trip Jane didn't sound at all tired. The vacation seemed like it was really helping Jane recover and relax. She needed to remember to thank Maura for not only insisting Jane go but taking her to ensure the trip would help her.
"How are Jo and Bass?" Jane asked curious about her dog and knowing Maura would want to know how the turtle was doing.
"They are both fine," Angela said. "I think Bass has gotten used to Jo. Yesterday I swear he started walking around trying to find her when it'd been a while since Jo tried to play with him."
Jane couldn't help but smile at the mental picture of Jo and Bass having a play date with each other. "Great. How are the boys?"
As Jane had asked this question she'd walked from the living area of the suite into the bedroom to grab something. As she listened to her mother go on about something Tommy had done with TJ, Jane's attention was immediately taken away from her mother and pulled squarely onto the ME.
Maura had finished her shower and was blow drying her hair. Something routine. Simple really. But the beauty of the doctor seemed to just hit Jane like a ton of bricks. The sight of her just standing in the bathroom, wrapped in nothing but a towel, blow drying her hair was incredible. Jane simply stared as if it was the only thing she could manage to do.
How many times Angela had repeated her name, Jane would never know. "Janie?" Angela's voice finally registered in her daughter's ear. Jane still didn't look away from Maura but at least acknowledged her mother. "I'm sorry," she said distractedly, "what?"
"I said have you ever heard of something so cute or what?" Angela repeated.
Clearly she had told a tale about TJ and while Jane loved her nephew, he was no match for what she was still admiring. "Yeah Ma," Jane mumbled. "That's pretty cute." She had no idea what she'd just agreed was cute and she really didn't care.
"Ma," Jane said knowing there was no way she was going to continue talking with her mother while Maura was in front of her in just a towel. "I've got to go. We're heading to meet up with the guys." She eyes still stayed trained on the ME who had moved from blow drying her hair to applying some sort of lotion on her arms. Jane was mesmerized.
"Oh," Angela said. "Alright. Give my love to Maura and tell her I'll call and talk to her later today."
"I will," Jane said as she at least heard what her mother said that time. And actually it made her smile at how cute it was that Angela and Maura was as close as they were.
"Bye," Jane disconnected the phone not even waiting for Angela's response and threw it down on the bed.
She moved quietly into the bathroom not real sure if she was trying to sneak up on Maura but definitely wanting to approach her. Maura was starting to work on applying some makeup which Jane knew she absolutely didn't need but also knew Maura wouldn't leave the room without.
Maura was the picture of concentration and Jane wondered if she'd ever seen the woman look so beautiful. Jane wasn't sure if Maura saw her walk up from behind. Considering Jane even saw herself approach in the mirror she was pretty sure Maura was aware that Jane was behind her.
If the mirror wasn't a big enough of a clue, Jane's lips being pressed softly against Maura's bare shoulder would have done it. Jane smiled when she felt the shiver that ran through Maura knowing it was her touch that had caused it.
"Jane," Maura said quietly trying to warn the detective.
Jane simply smiled at their reflections in the mirror and placed a series of light kisses on Maura's opposite bare shoulder. "God you are beautiful," she said quietly almost a whisper.
"Jane," Maura tried to warn the detective again but there was absolutely no conviction behind her warning.
Jane ignored it. Even if she thought Maura really meant it she was pretty sure she would have ignored that effort as a warning. She just proceeded to work her lips across Maura's bare skin and settled her tongue and lips onto the spot next to Maura's earlobe what made the ME moan. She loved that she knew this about the woman now. How could she have ever thought she knew everything about the woman if she didn't know where to touch her to make her moan like that?
Maura sighed and leaned back into Jane for a moment unable to resist. Jane slid her arms around Maura's waist and continued to kiss her neck and shoulders. Maura could easily have gotten lost in that feeling. The feeling of Jane's incredibly soft lips anywhere on her body was enough to distract her from practically anything.
She let Jane work over her skin just a bit longer before she regrettably pulled away. "Jane," she struggled to find her conviction. "We have to meet them downstairs."
Jane stepped forward trapping Maura up against the bathroom counter. "This is so much more fun than brunch," Jane said returning to kissing the spot on Maura's neck she knew would have the most impact.
Maura moaned again and reached her hand back to thread her fingers through the hair she could reach on Jane. "They're waiting," she muttered again.
Jane smirked knowing Maura was right but still enjoying spending her time doing this instead. She finally sighed and took a step away from Maura. They looked eyes with each other through the mirror. Both just enjoying the moment they were sharing. Finally Jane broke the moment.
"You really need to get ready," she said with a smile. "I can't believe you're going to make the guys wait for you." She retreated quickly to avoid Maura's protest that it wasn't her who'd been the distraction.
"So not funny," Maura shouted out from the bathroom.
All she heard from the living room was Jane's laugh.
R&I
Their brunch was a relaxed and enjoyable time. The four all had such good chemistry with each other that there was never a lull in the conversation. To an outside observer, there was nothing significant about the meal that the four were sharing. To Frost and Korsak, their meal and conversation were just like all the other times the four had shared a meal together. But there was a slight, subtle difference during that meal that only two people were aware of.
Maura decided she needed to settle the score with Jane from her antics earlier that morning. Not that she ever minded any time the detective wanted to run her lips anywhere on her body. But she wanted to get back at Jane for trying to suggest that it was her that was going to keep the guys waiting. That had all been Jane's fault.
So Maura found little ways to torment the detective. She knew it was probably wrong to play with Jane the way she was especially since they were sitting with her partners and she knew Jane didn't want to let anyone know they were together yet. But she couldn't help it. If for no other reason than it was very entertaining to watch Jane try to remain stoic as she slid her foot up Jane's calf.
That sensation had startled the detective just as it had the night before when Maura had first tried it. It was how she knew she could get to Jane. She tried to time her foot action for when Jane was talking. Simply because she loved the look that would flash across Jane's face just long enough for it to register with Maura and Jane would manage to continue with her thought. Maura actually found it rather impressive.
She only seemed to really get to the detective once during the meal. But she'd stooped to a pretty unfair tactic. After all, letting her hand drift across Jane's leg and slowly stroking the inside of Jane's thigh probably wasn't playing fair. Even she would have had an issue finishing a sentence had Jane done that to her.
Jane tried to play it off not wanting to call attention to what Maura was doing but she seemed to forget what she was saying in the middle of saying it a couple of times. She had to resort to faking as if she was about to sneeze to keep the guys from asking questions. Maura had to fight hard not to laugh each time she'd flustered Jane that bad.
Since they all drove together in Frost's rental car, Jane couldn't even address Maura's behavior at brunch until they were once again at JetBlue Park and the guys had offered to get beers while the girls found their seats. The minute the guys were out of earshot, Jane started in on Maura.
"Really Maura?" she started as they walked to their seats.
"The seats are this way," Maura said with a grin.
"I'm not talking about our tickets and you know it," Jane said looking only mildly agitated.
"Whatever could you be referring to?" Maura asked with false innocence.
"Whatever indeed," Jane responded sarcastically. "I'm talking about the almost hand job you tried to give me at brunch. In front of Vince and Barry."
Maura burst out laughing. "That was not a hand job Jane," she pointed out. "My hand never got anywhere close to any of you erogenous zones. I was at least 6 inches away from being able to do any meaningful clitoral stimulation."
Jane stopped and looked around hoping no one just overheard what the ME had said. "Maura," she whined. "This is a family park. You can't stay stuff that like out loud."
Maura snickered at a now blushing detective. "You said hand job," she pointed out. "At least I was trying to use the clinical terminology for…" but Jane cut her off before she could finish what Jane knew she didn't want coming out of the ME's mouth.
"Hey," she warned. "You can't say that either."
They found their seats and sat down. Jane looked over at Maura in a half pout.
"Oh come on," Maura said smiling. "I was just finishing what you started this morning."
Jane tried not to smile. "No," she countered. "We will finish what I started this morning later tonight." She was certain of that. "You were just mercilessly teasing me. In front of the guys."
Maura thought about for a moment. Perhaps she did take things a little too far. She tried to assess if Jane was actually mad at her but she didn't think so. Mostly because she knew what she'd done at brunch had in fact been a turn on for the detective.
"Perhaps I was trying to get you flustered," Maura admitted.
"You don't have to do that by playing footsie under the table," Jane said. "Just being near you can fluster me."
Maura smiled at that. Given the night before and earlier that morning, there was absolutely no doubt about the sexual compatibility between the two of them. "I must admit being in close proximity to you has definitely had an effect on me," she admitted.
Try as she could, Jane just couldn't be upset with Maura. "Alright," she said trying to get serious for a minute before the guys returned. "Apparently we need some ground rules."
"Alright," Maura said. "What do you propose?"
"No teasing when we are not alone," Jane fired off as rule number one.
"But half our conversations involve teasing each other in one form or another," Maura pointed out.
"No physical or," and she looked around to see if there were any kids in the area, "sexual teasing," she clarified.
"Just when we aren't alone, correct?" Maura asked. She was actually starting to like teasing Jane now that she'd seen her reaction and she'd hate to have to stop doing that completely.
The look on Maura's face in response to that clarification was adorable. "Yes," Jane said with a smile. "No teasing when we aren't alone."
"Fair enough," Maura agreed. "What else?"
Jane thought for a minute but couldn't really think of anything else. "I think that's it. Just no teasing each other when the guys are around." They were heading out the next day and separating from Korsak and Frost so Jane figured things would be ok after that. She'd really only been worried about the rest of the night.
They reached their agreement right as the guys returned with beer. Everyone settled in for the game.
"What do grapefruits have to do with baseball?" Maura asked as she was flipping through a program.
"This is the Grapefruit league," Jane answered smiling.
"As opposed to another citric fruit?" Maura asked still not sure what grapefruits had to do with baseball.
"There are two leagues in major league baseball," Frost started to explain. "The National League and the American League."
"Right," Maura said. She knew that much.
"What league you are in generally determines with teams you play throughout the season," Korsak continued the explanation.
"Again," Maura said, "I get that. But why are they talking about fruit?"
"During spring training teams generally travel and practice in either Florida or Arizona," Jane pointed out. "Because of that, who the teams play exhibition games against depends on which area they have their training facilities."
"So teams with practice facilities in Florida make up what over the years has been called the Grapefruit league," Frost finished. "And the teams that work out in Arizona play in what has been called the Cactus league."
"Oh," Maura said as she finally got the gist of it. "That's actually quite clever."
R&I
The game had been an excellent way to spend the afternoon. Since it was only an exhibition game, everyone was able to just watch without getting too wrapped up in winning or losing. Mostly, it was just time that the four got to spend together. No victims. No investigations. Just each other's company against the backdrop of a sporting event.
Jane had really needed to see both Korsak and Frost. She'd been worried about them both as she knew their stress levels were on overdrive much like her own. But being with the two of them after everyone had a week away from everything, she felt certain that each was recovering from the demons that haunted them and that when they all returned to Boston to get back to work, they all would be ready to get back to work.
She marveled at how Maura seemed to know exactly what they all needed. It wasn't just Jane although she was definitely in tune with Jane's needs. But she knew Korsak and Frost needed the break as much as Jane had. And she'd arranged for it. It was Maura who went to Cavanaugh pointing out that the three were in need of a break. If it hadn't been for the ME, all three would have just continued to work themselves into a stupor. They all were too stubborn for their own good and never would have asked for time off on their own.
After the game, they all went out for dinner and then drinks. Quite fittingly, they ended up at a sports bar that was across the street from the hotel. The guys seemed to be in charge of buying rounds and Jane knew it was their way of trying to thank Maura for getting them all together. It was during their third round that Frost had a question for Maura.
"Hey Doc?" he asked.
"Yes Barry," she replied.
"Do you play pool?" he wanted to know. There were several pool tables in the bar that weren't being used and he felt like a game.
"The sport commonly known as 'pool' in the United States today actually first evolved from a lawn game similar to crochet during the 15th century which is why the felt on most tables is green as it was meant to simulate grass," Maura started explaining but Frost cut her off.
"I didn't ask if you know the sport," he said with a smile knowing the ME probably knew the entire history of pool, "I asked if you've ever played before."
Maura smiled. "I have," she admitted. "The geometry and physics involved in the sport has always intrigued me."
"Well then," he said standing up and holding out his hand to take hers, "let's get you intrigued by the math once again."
Maura smiled and extended her hand taking his. Jane watched as Frost and Maura made their way over to a table to play.
"I hope Frost goes easy on her," Korsak said with a smile. Both Jane and Vince knew Barry was excellent at the game.
"$20 says Maura kicks his ass," Jane said turning to Vince.
"Jane," he warned, "you've seen Frost play. No one can beat him."
Jane turned and looked at the two again. Maura was trying to decide between two different cue sticks and Frost was racking the balls. She turned back to Vince. "$40 says she kicks his ass."
It was a bet he couldn't resist. "You're on," he said with a smile. Both detectives removed $40 from their pockets and set it on the table.
They turned in their seats so they could watch the two play but still talk.
"So," Jane said, "How are you really doing?" She knew the Roberts case effected them all. He seemed better. Less stressed but she wanted to make sure.
"Better," he admitted. "The drive down here really helped clear my head. It's been too long since I've been on a motorcycle." He was actually thinking of buying one when he returned to Boston.
"Good," Jane said. "Any doubts?" She knew Vince was a lot like her in the sense that he would blame himself for not finding the girl in time or doubt that he did everything he could to save her.
"Not anymore," he admitted. "There just wasn't anything more we could have done."
Jane nodded and knew he meant it. He really was going to be ok. They both took sips of their beer and watched Maura get ready to break. Frost had done the gentlemanly thing to give the lady the honor.
"Mistake," Jane said under her breath.
Korsak had been confident about his backing of Frost until Jane said that. "Have you ever seen Maura play before?" he asked now wondering why she was so confident in the ME.
"No," Jane said. And that was the truth. She'd never seen Maura play but she had a theory.
"I still have Frost," Vince pointed out.
They watched Maura break and Vince was again not so confident when all the balls scattered in a near perfect break. Maura knocked in the solid brown #7 and was set to shot again.
"So," he said as they watched. "Have your nightmares stopped?"
Jane turned to look at him and saw that he didn't take his eyes off Maura and Frost when he'd asked that. She wondered if she'd fooled anyone of them. She watched as Maura lined up and knocked the blue #2 into a side pocket.
"They've changed," Jane answered truthfully. She was no longer dreaming about Samantha.
Korsak watched as Maura moved around the table and proceeded to knock in the yellow #1 ball in a corner pocket. "Shit," he muttered. He had a bad feeling about this game.
"For better or for worse?" he asked still watching Frost and Maura.
"I'm not sure," Jane admitted. She was hoping they'd stop altogether after her conversation with Maura that morning but she wasn't going to get into that with Korsak. So she didn't know if it was better or worse that they changed. "It's all a little cryptic."
They watched Maura study the table and pick her next shot. She took aim at the green #6 and knocked it into a corner pocket. It had been a banked shot and Jane couldn't help but smile.
"Does Maura know?" Korsak asked. He was certain she did. Even before the vacation started he was certain Maura knew Jane was having nightmares just as he was certain if Jane told anyone details, she'd only have told Maura.
"She knows," Jane admitted. "She's helping me understand them." Again, a very true statement. As she said it, Maura knocked in the orange #5 ball in a side pocket. She looked over at Frost and felt sorry for him. He was getting his ass kicked.
"I'm glad you have her," he said as he took a drink from his beer. He frowned as Maura knocked in the red #3 ball. She was down to just the #4 and the 8 ball. "Are you sure you've never seen her play?"
"Not once," Jane said again. "And I am lucky to have her."
Maura studied the table for longer than she'd had before and Vince was hopeful. "She's without a shot," he hoped.
"She's trying to figure out how best to set up her 8 ball shot," Jane pointed out.
Sure enough, Maura took an odd shot at the purple #4 ball opting to bank the cue ball off the table before letting it to hit the purple one. She'd done that so she'd have a clear shot at the 8 ball. Had she tried to hit the #4 head on she'd have been blocked by the balls Frost hadn't even been able to try to hit yet.
Jane noticed he'd given up already. He'd set down his cue stick realizing it wouldn't even be necessary. She smirked.
Maura put Frost out of his misery quickly knocking in the 8 ball without any issue. She even called the pocket.
Jane turned to Korsak and reached for the money on the table.
"How'd you know?" he asked. He believed her when she said she'd never seen Maura play. Now he wanted to know how she knew.
"Are you kidding me?" Jane asked. "Dr. Maura Isles and a game dependent upon geometry and physics. Frost never stood a chance."
Korsak stopped to think about it and realized the genius ME was probably calculating the math on every shot. He should have known.
Maura and Frost returned to the table. "Frost," Jane said unable to resist. "What did you learn from that experience?"
He was quiet for a second and then answered. "Never play pool with a scientist."
They all cracked up and Frost dutifully purchased another round of drinks for the table.
R&I
As Maura prepared to play their game of pool, Frost had a question for her now that she was away from Jane.
"So Doc," he said as he watched her get ready to break. "Is she ok?" he asked.
Maura struck the ball with what she deemed the exact amount of force needed for a solid break.
"She's doing better," Maura answered. She hoped the dreams would end but nothing they'd talked about that morning was a guarantee that tonight Jane would get through the night.
"Better but not over it," Frost stated wanting clarification. He was worried about his partner. He knew how he had struggled so he knew it had been worse for Jane. Jane always felt things more than either him or Korsak. It cut deeper for her every time.
"It's been a process," Maura said. She knew Frost cared deeply for Jane and was worried. Same with Korsak.
"Is there anything she needs?" he asked as he watched Maura knock in the #6 ball. He was getting his ass kicked.
"Just be available to her if she reaches out," Maura replied. She knew he already was but that's all Jane needed from him.
"She still having nightmares?" he asked now sure he was screwed as she had banked the last shot. He set his cue stick down knowing he wouldn't need it.
"You'll have to talk to her about that," Maura said. She wasn't going to confirm or deny Jane's nightmares. That was for Jane to discuss with others.
Frost nodded. He had deep respect for the ME and knew she cared for Jane. But she also respected Jane's privacy. The #3 ball rolled in and the game was virtually over. So much for getting a chance to play.
"She still needs this next week, doesn't she?" he asked.
Maura had been studying the second to last shot. Before taking the shot she looked at Frost. "One more week will certainly do her some good. I would have to say another week off will do all of you some good."
The #4 slid in on the bank shot and Frost saw Maura was set up perfectly for the 8 ball.
"Remind me to never play against you in pool ever again," he said as Maura ended his misery. She chuckled and put down the cue stick.
"You got next round?" she asked knowing he would buy.
"Absolutely," he said with a smile as they walked back to the table.
R&I
They'd all walked over to the hotel not wanting Frost to drive even that shot distance. Korsak suggested breakfast but Frost said he had an early flight out and Jane didn't want to really trap themselves into a timetable in the morning.
So goodbyes and thanks you's were exchanged in the lobby before they hit the elevators. Korsak promised to be careful on his drive back to Boston and Frost said he'd convey everyone's hellos to his mother and Robin. Jane promised to text where their next destination was going to be as the guys loved the fact that Maura wasn't telling Jane anything.
They didn't attack each other until they were in the room. But the minute the door closed Maura had Jane pushed up against it and had claimed her lips for a full, deep kiss. Jane let the kiss invade her mouth responding in kind. When it died off, she walked Maura backwards into the bedroom.
"All day," she said between kisses. "I've wanted this all day."
Between her start on Maura that morning, Maura's teasing of her at brunch and watching Maura kick Frost's ass in pool, Jane was wound up and in desperate need of the ME.
Shoes, shirts, jeans, bras and underwear were removed from both woman in lightning quick speed. Jane pushed the ME down onto the bed. Hovering over her she stared deep into hazel eyes that looked more black than hazel in that moment.
"I do believe you said something about a hand job earlier," Jane leaning down and kissing the ME's neck trying to get to her spot. She wanted to hear that moan. She found it and was rewarded with that amazing sound once again.
"You said something about a hand job," Maura said trying to concentrate. "I made reference to clitoral stimulation."
Jane smiled. "That's not a bad idea." She slowly started to kiss her way down towards Maura's center.
Their last night in Florida would be a pleasurable one for them both. A long and pleasurable night indeed.