I do not own any of these lovely characters, but love to borrow them from time to time!
"He'll go back to Afghanistan unless I marry him."
"Unless I marry him."
"Marry him."
"Unless I marry him."
Maura feels slightly dizzy as Jane's face and voice come from a long tunnel, the words echoing over and over.
She's going to marry him. That manipulative little weasel is going to guilt her into marrying him.
"Maura?"
Maura regains her focus to see Jane staring worriedly into her face. She puts on her most neutral face. "What are you going to do, Jane?"
"I don't know, Maura. I really don't know. I mean, I know I care for him, but..."
"Jane, don't rush into anything. Rash decisions are easily regretted."
"But he needs to give them his decision by the end of the week, so I have to give HIM, MY decision before then." Jane massages her hands, an action she does when she feels stress.
"Jane, why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night and let's have a girls night. We can talk."
"Let me see if Casey has any plans for us..." Jane watches as Maura's eyebrow goes up.
"OK, ok. Tomorrow night, your place. I get to pick out the movie."
"Deal." Maura watches as Jane walks to Casey and he wraps his arm around her waist to pull Jane close. Maura feels acid begin to seep into her stomach. Maura knows she should go home to begin to process the emotions flooding her.
Once Maura is home, she wanders around her house, not able to focus. She finally goes into her bedroom and changes into her jogging clothes. She is always able to work through issues when the endorphins from a run enter her body.
Why am I so bothered by Casey asking Jane to marry him? She is my friend, I should be happy for her.
But Casey is so manipulative. Doesn't always tell her the truth, which means he doesn't trust her.
She deserves better than that. Better than HIM.
She deserves someone that understands her.
Respects her.
Would do anything for her.
Maura slows to a walk.
I understand Jane.
I respect her for who she is and what she does.
I would do anything for her.
Maura begins her jog back.
I found Jane attractive when I first met her. I thought she was gay or at least pansexual. I was tempted to explore a sexual relationship with her.
She started to be friendly to me. Showed me friendship. Shared her family with me.
Jane is my friend.
I have feelings for Jane.
Do I risk our friendship by telling Jane of these feelings?
I may lose Jane anyway if she marries Casey. He will try to control her, oh not obviously, but he will.
Maura tries to empty her mind and picks up her pace. She arrives home and checks her phone. No messages. She pours herself a glass of wine and goes upstairs to soak in the tub.
Maura quickly washes her hair and fills the tub with more hot water. She takes a sip of wine and lets the heat sink into her. Maura's mind fantasizes about options and possibilities.
Watching a movie with Jane and then going to bed together, but now Jane hangs her clothes in her half of the closet.
Jane walking through the door and kissing her hello.
Walking hand in hand on the beach.
Cuddled by the fire during the winter.
Why not?
Maura gets out when she feels herself turning into a prune. She wraps herself in a terry cloth robe and goes downstairs to fix herself a snack. She settles on the couch with a medical journal and her phone buzzes. A text from Jane.
J: Thx for inviting me over 2morrow. Really do need to talk.
M: Of course, Jane. You are welcomed here any time! Are you ok?
J: Ya. Stressed.
M: Do you want to come over now?
J: ty, but Casey is out getting Chinese.
M: Enjoy your meal. I will see you tomorrow.
J: cya
Maura closes her phone. She goes over the flow of her bath thoughts. The potential of straining or losing their friendship vs the potential for such joy and happiness. They BOTH deserve the love and happiness that being together will offer. Maura's mind is made up, but how to present it to Jane?
Maura feels butterflies in her stomach as she checks her lasagna. The way to Jane's heart is through her stomach. Maura has fresh bread, salad and Jane's favorite beer. All she needs now is Jane! She hears Jane's car pull into the driveway and goes to the refrigerator to get a beer for Jane.
Jane gives a quick knock on the door before she walks in.
"Maura, how many times have I told you to lock...", Jane loses her train of thought when she sees Maura. Maura is dressed in a short sleeve, pink top that shows off her arms and molds to her breasts. And she's holding a cold beer.
Hmmm, this is promising.
Maura smiles as she hands Jane the beer. "Hello, Jane. Were you saying something?"
"Um, right, remember to lock your door. Something smells really good!" Jane wanders into the kitchen, placing the dvd she was holding on the counter.
"I'm cooking lasagna. What are we watching?"
"Lasagna? Excellent! Oh, I brought over The Mummy. Brendan Fraser's kinda cute."
"Yes, he is." And Rachel Weisz is even cuter!
Jane opens the oven door to get a better smell of the lasagna. A contented look covers her face.
"Is this Ma's recipe?"
"Yes, I love Angela's lasagna so much, I asked her for the recipe."
"What can I do to help?"
The ladies begin to move around the kitchen like synchronized swimmers. Maura makes sure she 'brushes' her breast against Jane every now and then. They settle at the table and begin to eat.
"Maura, this is really good, just as good as Ma's, but I'll deny I said that!"
"Thank you, Jane. How are you?"
Jane sighs. "I don't know. Doesn't that sound silly? I should be happy. A wonderful man has asked me to marry him. Okay, it wasn't the most romantic proposal, in fact, it was kind of more or less like a threat or blackmail." Jane shakes her head and pokes a little at her food.
"Jane, do you really feel that way?"
"If I don't say yes, he's going back to Afghanistan. What if something happens to him over there?"
"Jane, he is only going over for training. Something could happen to him here. Something could happen to YOU any day that you go to work! I always worry about you."
"You do?"
"Of course I do. You have a very dangerous job and I care very much for you."
Jane visible perks up. "Thank you, Maura."
"Jane, do you love him."
"I think so. He does make me happy, but then again, too much of him really wears on me. Am I in love with love? Do I love Casey because he is kind to me and finding a man would get my mother off my back?"
"Jane, can I be honest?" Maura waits for Jane's nod. "You seem to be trying to love him for all the wrong reasons. Saving him, making Angela happy. What about your happiness, his happiness?"
"I know, I know! That's why I don't know what to do."
They settle on the couch in the living room, but leave the movie on the kitchen island.
"What do you want to do, Jane? You know, you don't HAVE to say yes right now if you don't want to. You are NOT responsible for his safety."
"But, what if I don't find another guy?"
Maura takes a deep breadth.
This is it.
This is a perfect opening.
Breathe in slowly, breathe out.
Maura puts her hand on Jane's knee. "Jane, anyone would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend, as a wife. Don't you realize how special you are?"
Puppy dog brown eyes look at Maura. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so Jane." Maura moves in closer and takes Jane's hand.
"Jane, you have so many options."
"Options?"
Maura leans in. "Yes, Jane. Please consider your options." Maura closes the distance and her lips meet Jane's in a kiss.
Jane does not pull away.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I thought we should sneak this story in before the new episodes start up and possibly make us very angry!
My love to Belgium!