Thanks to all that review! And speculate! I love it! It lets me know you are paying attention! I've got most of this mapped out already and several chapters already written but I love your ideas. Keep it up! And "Nothing Compares to You" is what I was listening to when I edited this chapter. The Sinead O'Conner version. Nothing else compares to it.
Chapter 25
I only own this story.
The couple stood in front of the window, holding each other, Jane's tears eventually drying as she enjoyed the closeness of her mate, comforted by her earlier words. She closed her eyes and turned her face into Maura's hair, reveling in its smell, pulling in deep breaths through her nose, exhaling through her mouth. She reached up and pulled the spun silk out of its ponytail, letting it fall across Maura's shoulders, filling her hands with it, still leaning over her beloved.
Maura pulled Jane closer, sighing as she heard the vampire filling her lungs with her own scent, Jane's mouth right next to her ear. With every exhale, Jane blew into it, slowly, purposefully, her hands moving deeper into Maura's hair, hearing her lover's heart beginning to beat faster.
She lightly scratched her short, well trimmed fingernails up Maura's neck, gathering more hair into her palms. As she reached the nape of her neck, just into her scalp, she closed her hands around the honey blond's hair and gently pulled it, raising Maura's chin up, so that they were face to face, Jane looking down into Maura's eyes.
Maura's arms encircled Jane's waist, her mouth slightly open as she looked into Jane's hypnotizing dark coffee colored eyes.
Jane smiled, her eyes moving around Maura's refined face, memorizing every angle and nuance, finally falling into those beautiful hazel green eyes. She leaned in to kiss her doctor.
Korsak cleared his throat behind them as their lips touched and they broke, Maura slightly embarrassed as if she were a teenager getting caught necking in the back seat, which she had never been caught doing, by the way. But she'd read about it.
"I'm sorry to break the mood." He apologized, holding up his hands.
Jane pecked Maura on the cheek playfully, moving her arms around Maura's waist. "It's okay, Vince. What's up?"
"I just wanted to tell you, Janie, that we need a few things from my house. We've got enough live rounds here but we are a little short on charges and gas. The water gun and can is in that closet, " he gestured towards the hall, "And I want to go to your place and get those UV bulbs before the super replaces them and throws them in the trash. Do you need anything while I'm there?" He asked, taking out his little pad from the inside of his jacket pocket, clicking his pen open.
Jane looked at Maura, holding her hand as she recovered. "Is it okay if I stay here with you until we sort this Colin thing out?"
"Of course, Jane." Maura nodded emphatically. "As long as you want. I like having you here."
Maura herself was amazed at how quickly she had accepted Jane's, and even Korsak's, presence in her home. She was usually such a private person.
Jane smiled and squeezed her hand. She turned back to Korsak.
"Can you pick me up a couple of days worth of clothes? Do I still have that set in the trunk that we packed last time?" She asked, "For today?"
"Yep." He answered, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "They are laying out on top of the trunk. Along with your extra toiletry bag."
Jane smiled, "Then don't worry about coming back here, Vincent. Sleep in your own bed tonight."
"But what about Colin? I thought we were going asshole hunting today." He smiled back, genuinely disappointed.
Jane looked at Maura, smiling wider, her dimples lighting up her face. "It looks like I already have a partner. Sorry, buddy. I know how much you enjoy hunting the assholes."
Korsak laughed and Maura joined him. "Next time, then. I'll see you both tomorrow at the office. Have fun hunting down that little twerp. You know what to do if you get into trouble." He gestured with his hand the "call me" sign.
"Thanks, Vince." Jane said, as he made his way to the door, car keys in hand. Jane clapped him on the shoulder, holding the door open for him. Maura joined her in the doorway as they watched Korsak make his way to the cruiser parked just outside the closed garage door. They waved to him as he got in, started the car and put it in reverse, making his way down the driveway, waving briefly as he sped off.
R&I R&I R&I
Jane closed the door as Maura moved into the kitchen.
"How did you get to work this morning?" Maura asked, wondering if they'd taken her beat up Mercedes, not caring, just curious. "And how did you get your blood so quickly?" Her segue was nonexistent.
She realized that speaking of Jane's blood made her slightly uncomfortable, only because of what had occurred earlier. Jane felt it.
She locked the door and followed Maura. "I called a couple of uni's and they picked Korsak up. They took him to headquarters, he grabbed a cruiser and then he picked me up. I had a couple of things to take care of here while you slept." She smiled, following Maura into the kitchen, lightheartedly.
"And the blood?" Maura asked, berating herself for asking, knowing it was Jane's business, but unable to contain her curiosity.
"I told you that my contact was close, baby." Jane answered, squinting at Maura. "Do you want to ask me something?"
Maura stood in the kitchen looking at Jane across the island. Jane could sense her unease.
"Where does all this blood come from, Jane?" She asked quietly, not just out of curiosity but out of concern, wondering how it was possible that one person could find so much blood, so quickly and so often. "I mean, you need a lot of blood. I don't know exactly how much on a daily basis, but it seem excessive. How is it untraceable? Or not illegal?"
Jane sat down at the island in the same seat that Maura had sat in the night before and leaned forward on her elbows, her eyes never leaving Maura, watching her as she tried to work her problem out.
"Maura," she said quietly, " I am not doing anything illegal, I assure you. I'm a cop. Granted, I'm a vampire cop, but still a cop." She laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
Maura wasn't having it.
Jane nodded, once. "Okay," she sighed. "I'll give you the abbreviated version of the blood bag express then." She lightly grabbed the edge of the countertop and began.
"I was given a few basic contacts when I took over this region. You have to understand that was a long time ago. A long, long time ago. I've developed relationships with all interested parties in the time I've been in control of this area. And technology has progressed also. So obtaining the blood is easier now. I can't even explain to you how hard it was before blood banks became all the rage." Jane said, sarcastically, rolling her eyes. The memory of days long gone were not pleasant.
"Those contacts will divert blood to me." Jane explained, needing Maura to not only understand this network, but accept it. This was one issue that was not up for debate.
"I have pick up points all across my territory and my contacts can divert the blood to them at any time, depending on where I am and my needs. And like today, they can deliver, like Dominoes." Jane explained smiling, watching to see if Maura understood and sensing if the explanation was rejected.
"How much do you need, Jane?" Maura asked, still on point, genuinely interested, knowing that this was a necessary fact of her new life. She needed to know how much blood Jane required for her survival. "Daily, I mean?"
"Two pints, give or take." Jane answered. "It's not exact. I mean, you know when you're full, right?" She asked Maura.
Maura nodded. "I do."
With that Maura turned and opened the fridge and looked at the blood bags, counting them. There were five full bags, which held roughly a pint each, and, of course, the one that she had drank from earlier. Three days worth for Jane.
Jane watched her, silently, waiting for Maura to explain what she was thinking, but suddenly feeling her hunger.
Maura took a deep breath before asking, "Can you share?" Maura said, matter of factly, her back to Jane. "I'm feel like I'm starving and the food you brought for me only makes me nauseous at the thought of it." She paused, "I'm sorry."
She said this facing the inside of the fridge, looking at the bags of blood, ashamed at her admission. She had no idea why she needed the blood, but now that she was looking at it again, she didn't care. She was hungry and this was the only thing she craved.
Suddenly, Jane was standing behind her, her hands on her shoulders, guiding her away from the fridge. Maura almost fought her until she felt Jane's true intentions. Jane led her back to the seat she had just vacated, feeling Maura's tenacity and pleased by it.
"Sit." Jane gently commanded.
She felt the hunger inside Maura, that deep insatiable craving that only a vampire can feel, so she wanted to be the first to feed her. She had absolutely no idea why Maura was feeling that hunger, but she identified with it and she wanted to satisfy it, nonetheless.
Maura was her future and her intended. This new unexpected aspect of their partnership was just something that they had to learn about each other together.
Jane projected confidence and stability, even though she was confused and scared, two emotions that she hadn't experienced in over three hundred years.
She couldn't understand why the Council hadn't contacted her at all, about any of this. She felt abandoned and alone.
But then she looked at Maura, her kindred. Maura, beautiful Maura, who sat waiting for her instruction. And food.
Suddenly her priorities were crystal clear.
Feed her.
R&I R&I R&I
Jane retrieved the bag that Maura had already started on this morning and put the whole thing in the microwave. She set the timer for one and a half minutes.
She turned to Maura. "Now the temperature is strictly up to you and your tastes which you will develop over time. I prefer mine to be as close to human body temperature as I can get it. It flows well and seems to taste better to me. But once again, that's strictly up to you. You okay so far, baby?"
Maura nodded, recalling Vince telling her this about Jane when they were trying to get her to eat only three days ago. 'God, has it only been three days?!'
As Jane talked, she took a mug and a glass from the cabinet, holding both of them up to Maura. "Which do you prefer?"
Maura shook her head, shrugging. "I don't know. Does it matter?"
Jane shook her head also. "No. It doesn't affect the taste at all. Some prefer a mug because it keeps it warmer longer. Also because you can't see the blood. Sometimes that is an issue for some vampires. They don't want others to know what they're drinking. Others prefer glass, just because you can see what they're drinking." She smiled. "Some drink it out of a travel mug or water bottle. Hell, some drink it right out of the bag. It all is up to you. I don't recommend using a straw, though. It coagulates and clogs pretty quickly."
She smiled at Maura, teasingly, recalling today's earlier events. "And some just drink it cold right out of the fridge."
Maura blushed again. She'd been doing a lot of that lately, she thought to herself.
"Or sippy cups with unusual animals on them." Maura added, needing Jane to understand how she was a part of bringing her back to life and not one to be made to feel inferior.
Jane nodded to Maura. "Yes... sippy cups," she said, taking the hint.
"Do you taste a difference in blood types?" Maura asked, curious, changing the subject.
Jane nodded as the timer went off. "I can. But I've been doing this for quite a while now." She held up the mug and glass again, asking Maura to choose. "The more rare the type, the more delicate it tastes."
Maura chose the glass. Something about seeing that rich deep red color intrigued her and whet her appetite.
Jane smiled, secretly pleased. Many vampires also chose the mug because they were ashamed of their eating habits.
Jane always chose the glass.
"What do I taste like?" Maura asked quietly, playfully, smiling.
Jane looked skyward, thinking. "Hmmm...a 1997 Chateaux Margaux." She replied, returning the smile.
Maura gasped, "Wow! That good, huh?" She laughed.
Jane found her eyes, "Absolutely."
Maura blushed again as Jane reached across the island and stroked her cheek, winking at her.
"What do other people taste like?" She was curious. So far, the blood she had tried just tasted like human blood. But then she didn't have nearly the experience with it that her partner did and she'd only tasted this batch.
"Nothing compares to you." Jane answered quickly. "Alas, it all tastes like Mad Dog 20/20 now." She said dramatically, hand over her heart, in mock seriousness.
Maura looked confused. "What is that?"
Jane threw her head back, laughing uncontrollably as she answered. "If you have to ask, you've never had it! Cause that taste is unforgettable!"
Maura joined her laughter even though she wasn't sure exactly what she was laughing at. Jane's laughter was magical and extremely contagious. And as Jane watched the confused laughter of Maura, it made her laugh more. They laughed for a while, the comfortable uncontrolled laughter of old friends, both their eyes streaming.
"I take it that means it's bad?" Maura asked, sniffling, her nose also running now.
Jane nodded, "Horrible!"
As the laughter slowly tapered off, Jane turned, took the bag out of the microwave and kneaded it in her hands, distributing the heat evenly. She did this so Maura could watch her. She opened the valve and filled the glass, the warm liquid flowing easily from the bag, then closed the valve and set the glass in front of Maura, still smiling.
"Bon appetit."
Maura stared down at it, suddenly extremely self conscious of drinking in front of Jane, her hunger momentarily forgotten. She swallowed, her throat so dry that it clicked.
She bit her lip as she felt new tears stinging her eyes, different tears this time. She tried blinking them back.
"Oh, no, baby. It's okay." Jane cooed, feeling Maura's embarrassment, quickly turning and grabbing another glass. She squeezed the bag again, filling the glass, tossing the now empty bag in the sink to be dealt with later, worried more about calming her mate than sanitation.
She held her glass up towards Maura. "Cheers." She said, smiling, reassuring her.
Maura picked up her glass and touched it to Jane's, the slight tinging sound filling the quiet kitchen. Maura had a flashback to their first meeting at the restaurant, when this was all new and Jane was a stranger, but not a stranger. That sound was forever imprinted on her mind. It now would always mean a new beginning, of sorts.
Jane sipped the blood, nodding to Maura to do the same. The doctor stared at the glass, trepidation showing on her face.
Jane swallowed her mouthful and licked her lips, her eyes never leaving Maura. Her heart was breaking for her.
"Drink, honey. It's only awkward the first time." She soothed.
Maura nodded and brought the glass to her lips, sipping the crimson liquid. She smiled at Jane as she swallowed.
"That's my girl." Jane said, sipping her blood again.
As the taste coated Maura's tongue, her hunger returned. She began gulping it down, trying her best to not make noises of satisfaction. She drank two-thirds of the glass before stopping to breathe, that fugue state taking over again.
Jane smiled and nodded, continuing to sip her own.
Maura looked up at Jane, the world coming back into focus again. She nodded, smiling.
Jane reached over and touched the bottom of Maura's glass, pushing it back to her lips, urging her to finish as she herself began gulping down her own. She knew Maura's modesty was preventing her from completely draining the glass.
Maura obliged her, tipping it until the last remnants slid into her mouth. She set the glass down on the counter, noticing again how the light passing through the blood left a red circle of color on the granite.
"Better?" Jane asked, lowering her now empty glass, as well.
Maura looked up and into Jane's eyes, noticing how they had changed once again to that light ice blue hue. She nodded, even though, deep down, she was still hungry.
"Maura?" Jane chided, "Do you want more, baby?"
Maura shook her head. "No, Jane. That's yours. I'm fine."
Jane became very serious. "Maura, whatever you need or want, if I have it, you have it. I need to make this very clear to you. Understand?"
"I can give you money, Jane." Maura said, never wanting to take something without compensating for it.
Jane put her glass down and walked around the island and took Maura by the shoulders, leaning down looking into her eyes. "Never offer me money for anything, Maura. If I offer you something, it's because I want to. Or I know you need it. Please understand this, okay, my sweet? We will never barter for anything."
Maura nodded, falling under the spell of Jane's gaze and her smell. "My God, she's intoxicating me!"
Jane smiled, looking into those eyes. "She's so beautiful, it hurts to look at her!"
Neither spoke their thoughts, but each could feel them.
They met each other's mouths simultaneously, Jane finding her doctor's hair and Maura grasping either side of her vampire's rib cage, pulling the fabric of her shirt into her palms. They kissed passionately, tongues intertwining, bodies pressed together. Jane moved in between Maura's thighs as she sat on the barstool, their centers lined up perfectly. Maura opened her legs, the thin material of her pajama shorts allowing her to feel the movement of her lover against her.
Maura's breathing increased as she felt Jane repositioning herself, feeling her grasping her hair again, pulling it slightly, controlling her head. Jane moved Maura into the same position that they were standing in before Korsak interrupted them, Maura's head back, her mouth slightly open, looking up at her.
Maura smiled up at Jane.
Jane looked down at Maura, "I love you." She whispered into Maura's mouth, before she kissed her, softly, slowly, her mouth teasing Maura's, moving in and then pulling back, her tongue finding her lover's, tormenting her, forcing her to lean forward and find Jane's mouth.
"Stop teasing me, Jane." Maura whispered, breathlessly, in between groans.
Jane moved her hips forward as far as she could, turning slightly into Maura's mons veneris, moving her hands to her butt, pulling her into her own pubic area. Maura moaned into Jane's mouth, feeling her clit being pushed into Jane's pelvic bone, her slacks giving off just the right amount of friction. She unconsciously began to grind her hips into it. Jane found her doctor's rhythm and matched it, letting Maura dictate the pace.
Jane cupped Maura's breast, feeling the taut nipple through the soft fabric as she kneaded it slowly, rolling the bud in between her thumb and forefinger, eliciting another moan from her lover.
Jane kissed Maura, eyes open, her own eyes changing, waiting for the moment when Maura was ready, watching her beautiful features as her lover concentrated on her impending orgasm.
They kissed as Maura felt herself about to fall over the edge into the chasm. She wrapped her legs around Jane's butt, pulling her closer still.
"Ow!" Maura suddenly exclaimed as her thigh got caught on Jane's ever present phone, which she had in its holder at her waist.
"I'm sorry, honey." Jane apologized, unclamping the whole thing and laying it on the countertop. She quickly recovered, concentrating on getting Maura back to that happy place.
It didn't take Maura long, kissing Jane passionately again, grinding her hips into Jane, moving her legs back around her waist.
She suddenly broke the kiss, burying her face into Jane's neck, pushing her hips into her as far as they would go as Jane pulled her close, lifting her slightly off the barstool, moving faster, pushing her hip bone into her clit. Jane moved impossibly fast, as Maura crashed into ecstasy, grunting quietly as the waves pulsed in her groin, slowing her pace as she clung to Jane.
Jane held her, kissing her face and neck softly, allowing her to catch her breath, lowering her back onto the barstool gently. Maura let her forehead drop onto Jane's shoulder, her arms around her neck, waiting for the throbbing to subside. It did slowly as her breathing returned to normal. She untangled her legs from Jane's waist.
She looked up into Jane's eyes, just realizing that they were that now familiar white ice.
"I don't know how you can do that to me." She said, shaking her head slowly. "I've never been that responsive to anyone before in my life. Never."
Jane kissed her neck again as Maura spoke, listening intently, smiling in between kisses, pulling in that wonderful Maura smell, tinged slightly now with her musk as a result of her arousal. Jane loved this Maura smell best.
"I mean, I haven't dry humped since freshman year in college." Maura laughed. "And I certainly didn't have an orgasm then." She added, offhandedly, "Although, I'm pretty sure he did."
Jane laughed with her, still kissing her neck, feeling the pulse just under the skin, the warm blood pumping smoothly now. She had no desire to eat, as she was full from the blood she'd just shared with Maura, but she still loved the way it felt under her lips, nonetheless.
Just then Jane's phone rang, startling Maura out of her reverie. Jane kissed her neck one last time and pulled away, recognizing the ringtone.
"I'm sorry, baby. I need to take this." She said, still standing between Maura's legs, one hand on her thigh. She pulled her phone from its cradle on the countertop. "Yeah, what's up, Sam?"
Maura nodded, leaning in and kissing Jane's neck, moving her raven mane over her shoulder to allow easier access.
Jane smiled at the turnabout, listening as the caller spoke, opening her neck up more to Maura's advances, enjoying the feel of her lips against her skin. "Reeeally?" She said, amused at what he was saying. "Well, that makes my day a hell of a lot easier. Thanks, Sam. Tell the wife hello for me. Yep, will do. Bye."
She turned her attention back to Maura, laying her phone down on the counter. Maura was still kissing her neck slowly. Jane took her face into her hands.
"Guess what." She asked, smiling, her eyes now a deep brown again.
Maura smiled back, Jane's amusement contagious. "What?"
"I know where Colin is." She grinned. "I mean, I had an idea where he might be holing up. But now I know exactly where he is."
Suddenly the thought of what lay ahead of her brought Maura crashing back into reality. Jane felt the shift.
"Don't worry, baby. This makes our job a piece of cake." Jane reassured. "And he's sleeping now and will be until dusk. So we can get in, get our information and be home by sundown."
Jane looked at her watch. "It's 12:45 now."
Maura was confused. "Dusk isn't until around eight o'clock. Where are we going that's going to take us so long to get there?"
Jane cupped Maura's chin. "I've got to sleep, baby. I haven't slept in well over thirty six hours. I need to be sharp. I just need a nap. Maybe four hours or so. That still gives us plenty of time."
Maura's panic began to rise again. She didn't want to be out after dark knowing that she was a marked woman.
Jane pulled her into a hug, whispering into her ear. "Don't worry, Maura. I promise I would never put you in harm's way. But if I don't sleep, I can't perform as well as I need to to keep us both safe."
Maura nodded, trusting Jane. She was still nervous, but she knew that Jane could never knowingly lead her into a dire situation.
Jane looked at Maura seriously, taking her hands. "If you don't want to go, I can go by myself, baby. Or we can wait until tomorrow. But we will have to go after work and that gives us less time than we have now. And I know right where he is. It's less half an hour from here on the docks."
Maura shook her head. "No, we go today. I need to know what's going on with me." She nodded, her mind made up.
Jane nodded with her. "Okay, then. We go today."
She leaned in and kissed Maura's mouth quickly and moved to clean the glasses that sat on the counter.
Maura stopped her. "I'll do that, Jane. I'm not exactly done yet."
Jane put the glasses back down on the counter. "Okay, baby. Take as much as you need, okay? I mean it." She leaned in, finding Maura's eyes again. "I mean it."
Maura nodded and smiled.
Jane kissed her again. "Okay. I'll be up and ready by five."
With that, she turned and walked to the downstairs spare bedroom, retrieved her clothes and toiletry bag then walked to the stairs slowly, then bounded up them two at a time, yelling playfully, "Woo hoo! Gonna kick some Colin ass today with my new girlfriend!"
Maura smiled at her enthusiasm. It was hard not to get caught up in it. It was hard not to get caught up in anything Jane did.
She looked back at the glasses that sat on the counter and made her way to the fridge, intending to eat again until she was full.
Well, Maura seems to be accepting her new life pretty easily now, don't you think? Thank you all for the great reviews and follows!