The dinner party
Jane's viewpoint
Dinner went very well, with our guests praising Maura's cooking; I wasn't going to argue, it was one of our favourite meals and had a long history between us.
Maura had served Coq au Vin on the first night that I had been invited over for dinner, years ago; I loved it then and still did.
We sat around the table, gossiping about our colleagues and talking shop until I suggested coffee. While Ana, Natalie and Maura carried the dishes to the dishwasher, I got out the coffee plunger and her favourite Blue Mountain blend and boiled the water while their conversation filled the kitchen.
I was surprised at how easily the evening had, gone, with Maura and Natalie getting on like old friends, while I could feel something like a kindred spirit in Anastasia.
As I busied myself with the coffee I found myself wondering why we were so open with them when we hadn't known them for very long, barely three weeks. I'm usually a lot more reserved around strangers and Maura's normally the same.
Was it because they were like us, a couple? Not that I thought of myself as a lesbian, Maura and I just connected, it wasn't a case of our genders, just that we were meant for each other. Once we got past the 'what will people think stage' it was more about exploring our way from then on. I wasn't interested in sleeping with other women, so I didn't really think that label fitted, there was no 'lesbian solidarity' thing happening here either.
I didn't think it was the fact that we all worked in the same environment either. I'd worked with other female police officers at one stage or another and hadn't really thought about them that way either.
Maybe it was the fact that they didn't seem to care what we were, they just accepted us for who we were. I considered the thought as I slowly pushed the plunger down.
I looked up to ask how Natalie and Anastasia took their coffees, to see a very piercing set of grey eyes watching me from the other side of the bench.
"Weird isn't it?" I blinked.
"What?" She nodded to where the girls were back curled up on the sofa chatting.
"They're behaving like besties, which is pretty normal for Natalie, but I don't think Maura's normally that open" I looked at her quizzically.
"No, not usually. Do you read minds for a living Agent Romanov?" She snickered.
"Well I am part of the evil government conspiracy, big brother and all" Seeing I was serious, she sobered.
"They're hitting it off wonderfully, which I am ecstatic about. I can understand Maura being drawn to Nat, most people are. She's not just nice to look at, but she's fun and happy and playful and can worm her way past most people's defences" She looked over to where they were sitting and then looked back.
"When we moved here I knew that we would know no one and have to start from scratch. I can deal with that, have done before, but Nat's a people person, always has been. I was afraid that she would have a difficult time adjusting. Seeing Maura and Nat like this, well it's great, she's been looking forward to tonight ever since Maura's invite" I nodded.
"I feel the same way, Maura's been looking forward to it as well, and I'm happy that she's happy, but that doesn't explain…"
"…you and I?" Ana interrupted; I raised an eyebrow and then nodded slowly.
"You do read minds. Yeah; I'm normally the reserved one, the stand back and take my time one. This is really out of character for me"
"Me too, Nat's normally the one telling me to open up, accept people, let people in" She shrugged. "Damned if I know"
"I not sure either, maybe it's the whole upheaval thing. A new job, new city, new people, this is my first time living out of Boston, now I'm on the far side of the country and out of my comfort zone" She nodded slowly.
"I hear that, I got here using my phone's GPS. I'm used to knowing the way around a city like the back of my hand; here I'm still learning the best way to get to work" I looked at her with a rueful expression.
"You too huh? I knew every street in Boston, right down to the house numbers in some cases. Here I keep getting mixed up; the other day I had to find Mulholland Drive and ended up five suburbs in the wrong direction" She laughed.
"Nice to know it's not just me" I realised that the coffee was still sitting in the plunger, waiting.
"How do you and Natalie take your coffee?"
"Strong and black for me, medium white with one sugar for Nat" She paused to watch me pour.
"I don't know. I feel comfortable with you both. Maura's lovely, you're tolerable when you get past the whole 'I'm a bad ass' thing" She smiled to take any sting out of the words. "And Nat really likes you both. She's usually a good judge of character, if a bit impulsive"
I poured her cup of coffee and pushed it across the bench.
"As long as you don't expect to start sleepovers and braiding each other's hair; I didn't do that when I was a kid and don't intend to start now" I smirked at her, and she matched my expression.
"I didn't either; my dad was a soldier so I grew up on army bases, a real army brat" I grinned.
"You right about the brat part, I don't know how Natalie puts up with you" She smiled.
"I'm handy to have around the house, I'm even house broken"
"What's that about being house broken" We turned to see Natalie and Maura walking over, reminding me to finish pouring the coffees.
"Hey Baby, Ana was just explaining why Natalie keeps her around. Apparently she's handy to have around the house" Maura rolled her eyes at me, before turning to Natalie.
"You'll have to excuse Jane; she's still learning the art of being tactful" Natalie smiled.
"That's ok, I'm sure she has a few redeeming qualities, otherwise you would have kicked her out ages ago" Maura nodded slowly.
"Yes, she does come in handy from time to time. You know, take out the trash, fix the plumbing, all that 'guy stuff', she's good at it" Ok, so that was how it was going to be. I sighed theatrically as I pushed their coffees towards them.
"Well, you were the one jumping up on a chair the last time you saw a mouse" I winked at Ana. "I had to do something; all that screaming might give the neighbours the wrong impression about us" Natalie laughed.
"Yes, we couldn't' have the neighbours thinking Maura was screaming. They might get jealous" Ana sniggered.
"Well you obviously have hidden charms Jane. Very deeply hidden" I shook my head.
"What's this, kick Rizzoli night?" Ana smirked, obviously enjoying the banter.
"Why should tonight be any different? Hell it's usually pick on me night most nights at our place" Maura smiled.
"You must have done something to deserve it Anastasia, I'm sure that Natalie wouldn't pick on you without due cause" Ana responded with mock outrage.
"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side Maura" She smiled back and shook her head.
"No, I'm on Natalie's side" Ana looked to the heavens.
"Typical, the pretty ones ganging up on me. What can I do?" Natalie wandered over to Ana and leaned in for a quick kiss.
"I'm sure I can think of something. I might let you back into my good books if you're properly apologetic" Ana shook her head.
"Sorry Blondie, you can sleep on the couch before I apologise, I've done nothing wrong"
Natalie stepped back, placing her hand on her chest in mock shock.
"What about using all the hot water in the shower this morning? Plus you stole all the covers last night, not to mention you used the last of the milk this morning. I'd say you have a lot to apologise for" I chuckled; I'd heard this song before. I rolled my eyes at Maura, who grinned back at me. Ana was unfazed.
"Suck it up Blondie, I know you're powerless to resist my manly, er… womanly charms"
"Doesn't mean I can't trade up" She looked over to me. "Jane, you got room in your harem for one more?" I felt my jaw drop open.
"Uh, well…" Good one Rizzoli, I heard Maura snigger at the expression I was sure I was wearing. Natalie strolled over to me.
"I could make it worth your while, after all I know you've got a soft spot for hot blondes"
"Um, Natalie…" Damn, I haven't been this tongue tied in years. Ana was grinning at Natalie.
"Fat chance Nat, she's took" Natalie pouted prettily, then leaned into me, wrapping one arm around my waist. I felt myself freeze, what the hell…
"Come on Jane, you can see what a nasty person I'm stuck with" She cooed. "I'd be very, very grateful, I'm sure Maura wouldn't mind sharing…" I heard Maura chuckle, at which my head swivelled to stare at her.
I was acutely conscious of how warm and curvy her body was and how it was pressed up against my right side, her arm was around my waist and I could smell her perfume, feel her breast pressed against my side. I swallowed nervously, wondering what Maura was thinking. In fact looking over at her she was obviously very amused by what was happening.
"Well Jane, the ball's in your court" I stared at Maura, what had she just said? Ana chuckled at my obvious discomfort, as I remembered her warning that Natalie liked to flirt.
"Sorry Natalie, but you haven't got a hope in hell" Natalie turned to look at Anastasia.
"Why? I can be very persuasive" Her arm tightened around my waist as she leaned her head on my shoulder. "I'm sure I could convince Jane to see it my way"
"Blondie, there is no way Jane would be interested in you, no matter what you did, for one simple reason" I looked across at her and somehow managed to speak in something resembling a normal voice.
"And what might that be?"
"Simple, Maura can cook like Giada De Laurentiis and is even prettier. Nat on the other hand, can barely boil water". Natalie rolled her eyes as I took the out offered.
"Sorry Natalie, but she has a point. You know us Italians, we love our food" She stepped back from me and looked appalled.
"Jane Rizzoli, you'd dump me for Coq au Vin?" I shrugged, relaxing now that Natalie wasn't snuggled up into me.
"Well, I have to say Maura makes a compelling case, as well as a compelling meal" I heard Ana's sudden bark of laughter.
"Yes, I'm sure Maura's good enough to eat" I saw Natalie start giggling and I turned to see Maura desperately trying to hold in her laughter and failing. What I'd said suddenly hit me and my face burned, I was sure I was flaming red with embarrassment. Of course Nat couldn't let me escape that easily.
"I've heard of making a meal of something but…really Jane?"
"Maura…" I paused, wondering what the hell to say. If anything, she laughed even harder. Nat's voice, gently teasing, interrupted.
"I think that's called a Freudian slip there Jane" Ana couldn't let me just die of acute embarrassment either, as she stuck another knife in.
"Freud would have had a few things to say about that statement I'm sure Jane. It's probably a sign of sexual frustration" I looked at Maura; she was convulsed in silent laughter. Oh great, no help there. Perhaps the best defence was a good offence.
"You sure you're not projecting your own problems there Ana? Hell, if you can't look after Nat, perhaps we should take her under our wing, take proper care of her"
"Good luck there Jane, at least I'd get a decent night's sleep for a change" That did it. Natalie turned to Ana.
"Why Ana, I didn't hear any complaints last night. As I recall you were quite vocal in your approval" She paused, an appraising look on her face. "Mind you, I could be wrong. You were moaning quite a bit towards the end. Quite loudly actually as I remember"
At this point Maura was desperately wiping her eyes, as tears ran down her face and her sides shook. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. I started to laugh, partly at her, partly at the absurdity of the situation. Natalie turned back to me.
"I'm sure you don't complain too much Jane. You're not a moaner are you?" I froze. Oh god, what do I say now? Ana saved me the trouble.
"Nah, I reckon Jane's a screamer, after all Maura's a doctor, they're good with their hands and know all about anatomy" My head swivelled to face her.
"I can't believe we're having this conversation in our kitchen"
"Oh, would somewhere else be more appropriate" Natalie's voice had that 'butter wouldn't melt in her mouth' tone.
"No, it wouldn't be more appropriate, in fact I don't think we should be having this conversation at all" Maura finally managed to get enough air to speak.
"But Jane, you've often told me that I'm good with my hands" She looked oh so very innocent and adorable all at once as she held them up and flexed her fingers. "Very good as I recall" I felt my jaw drop.
"Maura!"
"Yes Jane? Was I wrong, I don't recall you complaining before about my technique. Is there an area I should brush up on" Oh my God, I was horrified, I felt like shrivelling up from embarrassment. Natalie of course had to jump in.
"Really Maura, perhaps you can give me some tips" She walked over to Maura and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I'd really like to make Ana moan and groan"
Maura looked at me, then Ana, a happy smile on her face.
"Well, there's this particular trick you do with your fingers that Jane likes…"
"NO! Maura, not another word or so help me, I'll… I'll" I'll what? Good one Rizzoli. Maura just turned to look at me, her face a complete mask of innocence.
"But Jane, I was just about to discuss specific techniques to ensure that Natalie and Anastasia achieve a mutually satisfactory result" She fluttered her lashes at me.
"You always tell me I'm good with my fingers, especially when I thrust them deeply into your Supraspinatus. I'm sure Natalie would appreciate improving her technique, as would Anastasia" Natalie grinned at me.
"If it makes you groan Jane, I'm sure it will do wonders for Ana here" Oh God, take me now, before I die of embarrassment.
"Besides, you know how me doing it to you relieves stress, you keep telling me you feel like jelly afterwards"
"Maura, we can't have this conversation here, in public" I felt my face burning.
It was at that point that the penny dropped, I realised that Ana was desperately trying to smother a laugh and looking at Maura I could see the ends of her mouth twitching as she tried not to laugh out loud. Finally Natalie spoke, a huge grin breaking out.
"I only wanted to improve my massage technique and Maura apparently trained in both Deep Tissue and Shiatsu techniques"
"Massage… Oh…" Ana's laughter couldn't be contained anymore, as Maura's grin broke through, telling me I had been royally had.
Natalie walked over to me and leaned in to kiss me chastely on the cheek, smiling hugely.
"I'm sorry Jane, it's my fault, but when Maura suggested we tease you, I couldn't resist"
I turned to look at Maura, my jaw dropping open.
"Maura?" She stepped over and snuggled into me, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
"I'm sorry darling, we were just having some fun. I'm sorry if I hurt you" I looked down at her, hearing the contriteness in her voice. I just couldn't be mad at her, even if everyone had just had a good laugh at my expense.
"Nah, its ok baby, no harm done" She looked up at me with those puppy dog eyes and I knew I couldn't be angry with her, even if I wanted to be.
"So how long had you planned that little gag?" Natalie giggled.
"While you were making coffee; Maura told me that you're easily embarrassed when talking about sex in public, so we decided to play a game with you" She paused. "I hope we haven't upset you?" I sighed.
"If that's something you can come up with on the spur of the moment, I don't want to think about what you two might do if you put some planning and preparation into it. But I think it's Ana's turn next" Anastasia's head swivelled to me.
"Me?" I smiled at her tone.
"Yep, share and share alike, I've had my turn, it's your turn next" She looked worried.
"Thanks for nothing Jane"