Authors Note:~ Last chapter for a week as I'm away, so I hope you enjoy it, even though it's shorter than I'd have liked! I will return refreshed and ready to write.
Chapter 25It seemed that Katie hadn't tired of watching movies by the time Jane arrived, a little after nine in the morning. She'd already begged Maura to take her to see the latest Pixar movie playing at the Cleveland Circle cinema.
After a leisurely breakfast, the detective offered to drive and they headed out to catch the cartoon. It was fairly busy as it was a weekend, but that didn't stop Jane stopping by the pick 'n' mix and helping the young girl select some treats.
"Can I have one of those fizzy worm things?" She asked, clutching the little white scoop in her hand.
"Yeah. They look good. What should we pick for your sister do you think?"
"She likes chocolate and fudge and nuts. We could get those?"
"Great idea. How about we get these fudge clusters then and a bag of chocolate covered peanuts and raisins?"
"Ok!"
The brunette grinned, grabbing the selection and heading over to the cashier to pay.
"I'll get these Jane." Maura said, returning from the restroom.
"Oh, no. Today is on me. I insist."
The M.E's heart fluttered as she stood in line with her detective and little sister, feeling like they were a proper family; her mind wondering if anyone there thought in fact that they were.
"That's sweet of you. Thank you." She whispered, her hand brushing against Jane's forearm.
"You're both welcome." She smiled, her breath catching at the innocent touch.
"Thank you Jane." Katie said, pulling out a piece of candy, inspecting it before popping it into her mouth.
"Drinks next." The brunette said, looking over at the kiosk. "Would you like an orange juice?" She asked the girl, who nodded, preoccupied with the big screen advertising all the latest movies. "And what would you like Maura?" She asked softly, catching a faint hint of the same perfume that still clung to her pillow.
"I'll just share with you if that's alright?" She replied, holding Jane's gaze for longer than was necessary.
"No problem." She husked, before ordering a large diet coke. "I get thirsty." She chuckled as the young man handed over a huge container of soda, a small straw sticking out of the top.
All set the three women made their way into the theatre and found their seats. Katie had insisted on sitting beside Jane. Maura felt a little disappointed at not being able to be close to the brunette but was delighted when her sister chose the chair by the aisle. Getting comfortable she turned to the detective who was already looking her way.
"I got you these. Katie told me you loved them." She whispered, carefully placing the confectionary on the M.E's lap with a smile.
"That's so thoughtful. I'll have to make them last."
"I can always get you some more." Jane said, scooping out a handful of M&M's and tipping them into her mouth.
"We don't all have hollow legs like you clearly." She chuckled, causing the detective to flush in the half-light.
"Like you have anything to worry about." She replied, her eyes unable to refrain from blatantly roaming over the honey-blonde.
"It's not all about the outward appearance. All food types should be eaten in moderation if one wants to remain fit and healthy." She countered.
"This is moderate for me. I think I many have been robbed with the Coke though. Seems a tad on the small side." She laughed. "Maybe I should go flash my badge at him."
"You'll do no such thing." Maura giggled, her gaze outwardly flirtatious as the seemingly relaxed brunette stretched out in her chair.
"It's starting." Katie said looking up over the movie-coloring book Jane had bought her.
"You got everything you need?" Jane asked her quietly, the lights dimming.
"Yeah." The girl whispered with a grin.
Maura spent the first half an hour of the film looking across at the detective, watching her interact so easily with her sister. It was like they had known each other for years. It wasn't particularly quiet in the auditorium with laughter and children's eager questioning voices dipping in and out of earshot. Katie was no different as she pointed
things out to Jane then laughed along. 'I wish I had had someone like Jane when I was young.' She mused, feeling a little tug of envy creep in before she quickly dismissed it.
She was finally brought out of her internal ramblings when she felt a trouser-clad knee press against her own, sending an unintentional shiver through her body. Whether Jane had realised their contact she was unsure. She found her eyes looking longingly at the hand resting so close to her leg, those long fingers flexing across the denim fabric of her jeans.
Biting her lip, her own hand shaking, she brought it down to cover the detective's, feeling the instant jolt as their skin met.
Jane turned her head, finding Maura's eyes somewhere in the darkness as she fought against the urge to tear her hand away. Instead she let the warm palm sooth her, slowly tugging at her fingers to entwine with her own before settling them both on the M.E's lap. Only Katie pulling at the brunette's sleeve took her focus away from the honey-blonde, but she left their hands locked together for the rest of the film.
…..
After the movie had ended, Maura had released Jane reluctantly; suddenly bereft with the loss of contact as they all made their way out into the afternoon air. It was raining quite heavily and the brunette had laughed as she'd scooped Katie up in her arms and ran with her instead of huddling under the M.E's sensible umbrella. By the time they got to the diner Jane had chosen, both of them were soaked.
When Maura caught up to her it was as if the world had slowed. Jane's long, wet dark brown curls were shook back from her glistening olive skin, water droplets trickling down her neck, her face alive with a smile. When those brown eyes found her own Maura felt weak in the knees, her umbrella slowly dropping as she simply gazed in wonderment realising she had finally fallen the rest of way. This was it.
"Hey, Maura? Maura? Are you alright?" Jane asked suddenly, her arm catching hold of the doctor around her waist before her legs gave out.
"I...I…Jane I…" She stuttered. Totally lost and completely exposed she felt as though those three unspoken words were hanging off her for the entire world to see. And whilst she knew it was scientifically impossible for a heart to literally beat out of a chest, hers felt as if it could break that logic.
"Maura? Is she ok Jane?" Katie asked startled, her hand clutching onto her sister's arm.
"She'll be ok kiddo. Don't worry. Can you hold the door open for us?"
The detective assisted the honey-blonde into the diner and eased her onto a red cushioned chair that was free in the entranceway.
"Hey?" She said softly, moving some blonde curls out of the M.E's face before bringing her chin up so she could look at her properly. "What happened? Did you slip?"
Maura opened her mouth, unsure as to how she should answer. Knowing she couldn't lie she felt herself blush as she muttered, "I just fell."
"Are you hurt?" Jane husked, squatting down, her hands brushing down the front of the M.E's legs as if looking for signs of injury, her eyes showing nothing but worry.
"No. It didn't hurt but I am certainly a little shaken."
"Do you want me take you home?" She asked gently, her hands resting on the honey-blonde's knees, her thumbs making light circles.
"I'll be just fine. Don't worry about me." She replied wanting to reassure the brunette and her sister.
"Ok, but I'm keeping an eye on you." Jane winked with a chuckle.
"Just the one?" She smiled.
"Yeah, otherwise how would you expect me to eat by oversized cheeseburger?" She grinned, helping Maura stand.
"Yes, I wouldn't want to keep you away from your unhealthy food choice."
"Come on. You're trying one too."
At various stages of the meal the M.E. just sat still in shock at how her brain and her heart had finally caught up to what her body had so obviously been trying to tell her. Out of nowhere this incredibly attractive dark haired detective had taken all she knew for certain and had turned it on its head, but chaos had never looked this appealing. She smiled to herself as she watched the brunette, reminded of a quote she had read somewhere; 'You don't step into love, you fall into it, head over heels.'
Maura had done just that for one Detective Jane Rizzoli.