Sorry it has been so long between updates. Let me know what you think! Once again, unbeta'd, mistakes are mine. Xx SW
Chapter 7: Bee Charmer
"Jane, where are we going?" Maura asked, her natural curiosity about everything making it impossible to remain silent in the passenger seat.
"Well, now Maura, the surprise is most of the fun. I don't wanna ruin it. We're almost there anyway," Jane looked sideways at Maura, smiling slightly when Maura sighed impatiently.
Less than five minutes later, Jane turned down a dirt road and then pulled the car over. Despite craning her neck in nearly every direction, Maura didn't see anything notable. In fact, the only thing in the immediate vicinity was green grass and trees dotting the landscape. Turning back to Jane to ask what in the world they were doing out in the middle of nowhere, she saw Jane reaching in the back seat to grab a picnic basket that she was previously unaware was there.
"C'mon, Maura. We gotta walk a little that'a'way." Jane offered her elbow to Maura, who looped her arm through the crook of Jane's. The raven-haired woman turned them both, and they set off.
Maura was thinking how nice it was that Jane finally seemed to have warmed up to her presence if she was willing to take her on a picnic. Warmth from their intertwined arms suffused into her body and she didn't think it had anything to do with the temperature outside.
Walking in companionable silence for just a few more yards, Jane finally spoke up.
"This is a good'a spot as any." She unlinked their arms, with both women acutely and silently missing the touch. She placed the basket on the ground and opened it up to remove the contents. A red and white gingham blanket was nestled on top, which Jane unfurled and spread out on the grass. Then, she quickly emptied out the assorted food items she took from the kitchen this morning. Some cheese, crackers, biscuits, and apples which she had cut up herself.
Jane unceremoniously dropped herself down on the blanket and patted the spot beside her. Maura eased herself down, albeit much more gracefully than Jane's descent. Jane filled two plates up with food and offered one of them to Maura.
"Thank you, Jane." Maura took the plate and placed it in her lap before picking up a piece to cheese and taking a small bite.
Jane watched Maura for a long moment before tucking into her food, too.
"You know what would be good with these biscuits?" Jane spoke around a mouthful of cracker.
"What would?" Maura asked, looking up at Jane, who was putting her plate to the side.
"Some fresh honey. I'll be right back, Maura. You just stay right here." She unfolded her long limbs and stood up.
Maura shrugged her shoulders and nodded in reply, thinking Jane probably just forgot the honey in the car. But, then she realized Jane was walking in the opposite direction of the car and appeared to be headed to a tree that was about 90 feet from their picnic spot.
She called out in curiosity. "Jane? Where are you going?" Jane just turned and looked over her shoulder, her Rizzoli dimples on display. She continued walking despite Maura's questions.
Finally, Maura realized what was happening when she caught a glimpse of the beehive hanging on one of the lower branches of the tree. She felt a frisson of panic shoot through her body and sat up on her knees. "Jane!" But it seemed like the raven-haired woman was oblivious to her outcry. She watched with anxiety riddled anticipation as Jane carefully reached into the hive and pulled out a fresh honeycomb.
Keeping her movements slow and deliberate until she got almost halfway back to the picnic blanket, Jane picked up her pace and plopped back down on the blanket. She unceremoniously sat the honeycomb on an extra plate. Looking up at Maura, she realized the other woman was looking at her with a mixture of awe, apprehension, and admonition.
Jane cracked a small smile. "What, Maura? Did I scare you?"
Maura answered with a small voice. "No, you didn't scare me, Jane."
Jane cocked her head to the side, still a little confused by Maura's reaction. "Are you mad at me?"
At the innocent look on Jane's face, Maura couldn't possibly be mad at this enigmatic woman. "No, Jane, I'm not mad at you either. Thank you for getting honey. I'm sure it tastes really fresh."
Jane perked up at her words and reached back out to the honey oozing into a puddle on the plate. She ran a slender finger through the viscous liquid and held her hand up near Maura's lips.
"Wanna try some? We shouldn't waste it after all that trouble." She gestured slightly with her finger, encouraging Maura. She didn't dare stop and ask herself the motivations behind her actions.
Maura, who would have previously scoffed at the notion of eating food off of someone else's body, leaned forward and reached out to steady Jane's hand with her own. Locking eyes with the woman across from her, she pulled Jane's tanned hand to her lips and carefully sucked the honey from the tip of her index finger. Her tongue brushed up against Jane's finger and something inside of her became hot. Jane's eyes were glued to her the entire time, seemingly growing slightly darker.
Maura removed the finger from her mouth with a dainty smack, and Jane finally snapped back to reality. She couldn't help but stare as Maura's tongue peeked out to swipe at a drop of honey on her bottom lip. She licked her own lips in reciprocation and asked in a voice much huskier than it was only moments before, "So what'd'ya think? Was it worth it?"
Maura just smiled back at Jane, nodding her head slightly. "Who would've thought that I knew a bee charmer. That's what you are Jane Rizzoli-a bee charmer."
For her part, Jane felt a blush rise up her neck that had nothing to do with the hot Georgia sun.