Headcanon: While watching a documentary on honey bees, Maura's pick of course, Jane reveals her secret admiration of the little critters. She explains her wonder in how they can build something so beautiful, through working together without the major chaos one would normally find. She even mentions how, if she had to choose a "bug" to become, it would be the honey bee. Maura, ever impressed with Jane's "beautiful mind," subconsciously begins to wear yellow clothing throughout the days then on after. Bees are supposedly attracted to yellow flowers, or so they say. Jane notices, but refuses to mention it. After all, it is just too damn adorable. One day, after finding an excuse to visit Maura, she quickly strides up to her desk, arms behind her back. After getting Maura's attention, giving a few huffs here and there, she looks directly in her eyes. Releasing her nervous breath, she presents to her a bee plushie. With a small smile, she softly recites the lyrics: If you'll be my soft and sweet, I'll be your strong and steady. You be my glass of wine, I'll be your shot of whiskey. You'll be my sunny day, I'll be your shady tree. You'll be my honeysuckle, and I'll be your honey bee."
Origin: livelymorbid
A/N: This headcanon is so old now, but I still remember the first time I saw it, and how I was totally sold on the "honey bee plushie". Trawling through my huge list of collected headcanons, the plushie caught me again. :) Total fluff-fest of a story, and I hope you enjoy it! Thank to livelymorbid again for the adorableness of this headcanon!
"Okay, okay, what are we watching?" Jane threw herself onto the couch, beer in hand. She moved to put her feet up on the table, but stopped when Maura shot her look. Rolling her eyes, she waited until Maura's back was turned before sneakily sticking them back up.
"Oh, there's this new documentary on honey bees that I want to watch. There's been some excellent reviews on it, and it was praised for its factual accuracy." Maura ignored the cheeky grin Jane gave her when she propped her feet on the table again, simply settling down next to her with the remote.
Jane stretched. "Well, it's your pick tonight," she yawned, subconsciously snuggling into Maura's side.
Maura smiled, biting her lip as she debated whether or not she should tell Jane that sitting so low on the sofa was bad for her back. But before she could come up with a decision, she was distracted by the opening sequence of the honey bee documentary.
"The honey bee is a critical part of the delicate system keeping the world running. Without the honey bees, nature as we know it would cease to exist…"
Jane watched the TV screen as the camera zoomed in on a little black and yellow critter collecting pollen from a yellow flower.
"Research has shown that honey bees have excellent colour vision, enabling them to find and distinguish between flowers and plants. Studies indicate that blue, purple, violet, white, and in particular, yellow flowers are all preferred…"
Maura was completely absorbed in the documentary, listening intently as the narrator began to describe the intricate patterns of behaviour the bees engaged in. It was only Jane's voice providing a contrast to the reader's calm and steady voice that brought Maura out of her extreme concentration.
"Honey bees always amaze me."
"Hmmm?" Maura turned to look at the woman beside her, slightly confused at the random comment.
"Honey bees." Jane didn't look away from the screen, watching one of the worker bees begin one of its dance patterns with interest. "Look at 'em." She waved at the screen. "There's hundreds, thousands of them, all holed up in this little hive. And they all just have their own specific purpose. Like their own little job they have to do, all of them working in this perfect little system. Building a home, and collecting pollen, making honey and helping with fertilisation of plants and stuff. It just all clicks so perfectly, y'know?"
By this stage, Maura's attention had well and truly shifted away from the television, and onto Jane. A small smile crossed her lips as she watched Jane watching the documentary with bright eyes. "It does."
"It's… incredible." Jane nodded, backing her own statement up. "I mean, look at us. We can't get by a single day without having some kind of disagreement, and how many people do we meet every day? Then you look at these little guys, and there's just so many of them, and they just work in perfect harmony, AND help the world." Jane paused, looking thoughtful. Then, almost as if she was just thinking aloud, she spoke. "Y'know if I had to choose to be a bug, I'd want to be a honey bee." She finally glanced at Maura, feeling slightly self-conscious. "I mean, honey bees are just really cool. It's gotta be nice to work in a place where it isn't chaos every day."
"Mhmm," Maura said absently, her mind awhirl. A honey bee. Hard-working, determined and helping the world. Just like Jane. If Maura had to pick an insect for Jane, the honey bee was a perfect fit. Maura was enraptured now, completely captivated, by Jane. Maura had always known Jane was extremely clever. But even now, after all these years, Jane could still surprise her with that "beautiful mind" of hers. That day when Jane had checkmated her brother in a single move, she had said as much herself, though only teasingly. Maura wondered if Jane truly appreciated just how clever she really was. How wonderful. Maura certainly did.
"Maura?" Jane's voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
"Yes?"
"Are you gonna watch the rest of this documentary, or are you just gonna keep staring at me?"
"Oh! Yes, I– sorry," Maura felt herself blushing as she quickly turned back to the screen. Embarrassed at having been caught. But when a hand reached out to gently squeeze hers, she smiled.
Jane felt some of the nervousness from being under such close scrutiny by Maura melt away. She couldn't help feeling self-conscious when Maura looked at her like that. Like every single move she made would affect how Maura saw her, what she thought about her. Which was pretty stupid, because they were best friends. Best friends. The detective could feel the familiar jumble of nerves in the pit of her stomach, which she ignored.
Jane frowned, sifting through the various photographs and notes from the case file. "Hey Frost, does this guy look familiar to you?" She held up a photograph, pointing at a man in the background.
"Hey, yeah… he does look familiar…" Her partner frowned, trying to place the face.
"Here, let me see that," Korsak reached for the photo, and Jane passed it over.
All three of them were rubbing their foreheads in frustration when the sound of heels down the hallway broke the silence. A moment later, Maura had appeared, bearing the latest autopsy report.
"Good evening, detectives," Maura smiled at the two men, before turning to Jane with a beaming smile. She couldn't help it. Just seeing the brunette made her happier.
"Hey Maura." Jane grinned back just as widely. She hadn't seen the blonde all day, hadn't even had to time to visit her down in the morgue. Seeing her now had the same effect as a shot of caffeine. Jane ran her eye over Maura's outfit for the day: a yellow jacket over a white shirt, and a matching yellow skirt. Bright and vibrant. Like the woman wearing them. "This the report?"
"The lab is just waiting on a few tests now, but the autopsy was enough to confirm that it was the blow to the back of his head that killed him. The chest wounds were most likely inflicted afterwards."
Jane sighed. This was going to be a tough case.
The detective let out a groan, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "It's been three days, and still no lead!"
"I know," Frost leaned back, tossing the filed he'd been reading onto the desk and rubbing his eyes. "I really thought we had it with that letter."
Jane leaned forward again. "We're missing something. It's here, it's right in front of us." She rubbed her forehead.
When Jane looked up at the clock again, it was almost one. She was supposed to meet Maura for lunch. Glancing at the files in front of her once more, she shook her head. "I need a break. I'm going down to check on Maura. Maybe grab something to eat."
Korsak nodded. "Think we could all go get some fresh air. I might go down to that new sandwich place down the street. What about you, Frost?"
"Yeah, I might grab a bite to eat. And sandwiches sound really good at the moment."
"Jane, did you and Dr Isles want to come too?"
The brunette thought for a moment, before shaking her head. "No, it's okay. I'll see what she feels like. We might join you later."
Both men nodded at her, before leaving.
Jane hurried down to the morgue, eager to see Maura's face again. And when she walked into the office, she couldn't help smiling when she caught sight of the woman at her desk, in a yellow silk shirt and black skirt ensemble. A yellow heels and a black necklace finished off the set. Maura looked absolutely gorgeous, her bright smile matching the rest of her sunny persona.
"Hey," Jane grinned, a little goofily she realised, but she didn't care. "Thought I'd drop by and ask if you wanted to grab some lunch."
"Oh, Jane, I'd love that. Just a moment, let me sign this off." A few minutes later, the file she'd been pouring over was put on her neat pile of 'completed work' and she cheerfully hooked her arm around Jane's, leading them out to lunch.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." Jane took particular pleasure in locking the cuffs around the man responsible for the murder of William Connington.
It had been a real stroke of luck when Maura had identified the wine in Connington's apartment where his body was discovered as a rare French wine that was only stocked in two of the most upscale liquor stores in Boston. Frost had worked his magic with both footage and credit tracking. The killer had done everything right – except for using his card to purchase the wine.
As he was put away in the back of an unmarked, Jane mused over the power plays that led to two old friends become rivals and ultimately, causing one to off the other.
A gentle hand on her shoulder made her start, and Jane turned to look down at Maura in surprise. "Maur! What are you doing here?"
"I heard you made the arrest!" The medical examiner was looking up at her with the same expression of admiration and pride that she always wore whenever they made a successful case. It made Jane's insides do strange things.
"Yeah, that bastard's gonna get what's coming to him," Jane said with some smugness. She looked back at the police car, before turning to Maura fully. That yellow jacket again, but this time paired with tailored white pants. "I think tonight calls for celebration."
Maura nodded happily, one hand landing on Jane's arm and absentmindedly rubbing it. Frost came up to them both, grinning in satisfaction.
"That's another case closed, partner."
Jane grinned, bumping Frost's fist with her own. Her smile broadened when her partner offered the first to Maura too. The look of joy Maura had as she bumped Frost's fist made Jane want to wrap her arms around Maura and just cuddle her forever.
"Drinks at the Robber, six o'clock?"
Both women nodded, and then Jane turned to Maura. "I have to get back to the precinct, make the statements and stuff."
"I know, Jane." Maura looked at her with affection. "I think I might go home and change into something more suitable for tonight."
The brunette rolled her eyes. "Maur, we're going to the Robber, not a high end restaurant place." She shook her head, adding good-humouredly, "Not that that ever stops you."
Maura's only response was to give Jane a light, playful slap on the arm, before saying goodbye and disappearing into the Prius. Jane watched her go, a smile on her lips. A light punch to the shoulder brought her back to reality.
"You there, Jane?"
"Huh? Yeah, c'mon let's get back to the precinct. The sooner the statements are over, the sooner we can get drinks."
"And the sooner you get to see Maura, right?"
"Yea– what?"
But the other detective only grinned at her, before hopping into their own ride.
It was with a wide grin that Jane pushed the door to The Dirty Robber open. Her eyes instantly found the good doctor sitting in a booth already. And much to her amusement, the dress Maura was wearing was the bright shade of yellow.
In a few strides, Jane plonked down on the spot next to Maura, Korsak and Frost following not too far behind. Jane couldn't help feeling warm and blushing when Maura sidled up to her while she waved at the bartender, gesturing for their usual drinks: three beers and a glass of wine.
It was a typical celebratory night after a job well done. Buoyed by their success, the alcohol, and the warmth of Maura next to her and their teasing touches, Jane could feel herself getting a little sleepy. Yawning, her head somehow ended up on Maura's shoulder. And with the wonderful smell of honey, vanilla and Maura, she felt herself drifting off.
It was Monday morning. Jane was sitting at her desk, flipping through cold cases and fidgeting with a pen. Frost was sitting across from her, working through cold cases too. Korsak hadn't come in yet.
Jane glanced at her watch, estimating. Maura would have come in at eight o'clock, like she always did. Having no current cases to work, Maura would be sitting at her desk and working through paperwork, like Jane had been doing up here. It was almost ten now, and Jane felt that it was time.
Standing up, she nodded at Frost. "I think I'm gonna go down and visit Maura. Maybe bring her some fresh coffee."
"Mhmm, and whatever it is you've been hiding in the top drawer of your desk?"
"What?" Jane looked at him, to see him grinning back and waving her question away. "Tell the doc I say hi."
Something about Frost's smile and tone made Jane grin back. With a nod, She quickly grabbed her little present and left the room.
About fifteen minutes later, Jane was standing in the elevator, holding a tray containing two coffees from that café down the street in one hand, and her gift in the other. When the ding sounded and the doors drew back, the detective took a deep breath, and exited. As she drew closer to the door to Maura's office, Jane put her right hand behind her back, trying for nonchalance. Then she stepped up to the doorway.
Maura was sitting there, predictably in a yellow ensemble once more. She was frowning at a file in front of her, a look of utter concentration on her face. She didn't seem to notice when Jane slipped inside, and Jane took the opportunity to put the cups of coffee on a side table. Then she put both hands behind her back, and gave a nervous cough.
The sound made Maura look up, and a soft smile crossed her face at the sight of Jane. It was a smile that, Jane realised, Maura had reserved for her.
"Jane. What are you doing here?"
Instead of responding, Jane took another deep breath, before quickly walking up to Maura's desk. She stood there, trying to slow her heart rate down. Letting out a few huffs, she finally looked up, into beautiful, curious hazel eyes. And with a final huff, she took her hands out from behind her back. And in them, was a small honey bee plushie.
"If you'll be my soft and sweet, I'll be your strong and steady. You be my glass of wine, I'll be your shot of whiskey. You'll be my sunny day, I'll be your shady tree. You'll be my honeysuckle, and I'll be your honey bee." Jane sang the lyrics to a song she'd been quite fond of – "Honey Bee" by Blake Shelton.
By the time she'd finished, Maura was laughing and there were tears in her eyes. She got up and walked around the edge of her desk, reaching out to take the adorable little plushie and putting it on the desk beside them.
"Oh, Jane." Maura reached a hand up, touching Jane's cheek. "I will be your honeysuckle, if you really will be my honey bee."
A goofy grin spread across Jane's face. "Really?"
Maura nodded, pulling Jane down. When their lips touched, Maura instantly let out a soft sigh. Jane smiled into it, feeling giddy with joy. When they finally surfaced again, wrapped in each other's arms, Maura tilted her head, that adorable smile in place.
"Were those lyrics you were singing before?"
"Huh? Oh yeah," Jane chuckled, looking a little embarrassed. "It's from this song I like."
"What song is it?"
"Uh, it's called 'Honey Bee', by Blake Shelton." Jane fished around in her pocket for her phone, pulling it out. While she quickly searched through her music library, she watched Maura out of the corner of her eye as she reached for the toy on the desk and snuggled with it. The image was so adorable, and Jane could stop laughing when she pressed play.
The country tune filled the air, and Jane grinned sheepishly as Maura started to giggle.
"This isn't your usual style," Maura looked up at Jane in amusement, kissing her cheek when Jane blushed in response. "I like it."
"Really? You don't think it's really cheesy?"
"It's extremely cheesy. And that just makes me like it even more. You're quite a romantic, aren't you?"
"What? No!"
"Mhmm," Maura grinned, holding the bee up and using it to nuzzle Jane's face. "You're adorable. And I love my little honey bee."
Jane chuckled. "It is kinda cute, huh?"
"Yes it is. But I was talking about you."
"Oh! Oh." They both began to laugh, and somehow ended up in each other's arms again, the little plushie sitting between them. "I love you too, Maur."
"My honey bee."