One more chapter update for today. This chapter is mostly just for kicks, as most of this is just development and a little fun. It has a little nudity, but I don't feel that there is enough reference to anything explicit enough to warrant a higher rating.
Also, I don't really know much about basketball. The little bit that talks about basketball is probably not really all that likely to happen, but the conversation they have is a little humorous so I kept it. It's fiction so why not?
Enjoy.
Jane was sitting on the couch rubbing Bass's shell with a socked foot watching a basketball game that she wasn't really interested in since the Celtics weren't playing tonight, because Maura kicked her out of the kitchen during clean up after splashing her with the spray nozzle on the sink. As punishment for laughing, Frankie was volunteered to help with the dishes in her stead, which Jane found pretty funny.
"So, you and the turtle again," Tommy joked as he sat next to her.
"Tortoise," Ian said from the chair before Jane could, causing her to fight off the scowl that she wanted to let free. Still, she did promise to be civil with him before she and Maura left the bedroom earlier. After all, the guy got booted to the guest room and still didn't know why, while Jane knew she was being treated to special treatment later- namely a soak in the large tub with Maura and a massage, which was her price (or reward) for being civil. Maura had been hesitant about bathing together, but Jane promised no funny business and she agreed.
"First inappropriate touch, though, and I'm kicking you out of the bedroom," Maura warned.
Jane pouted but nodded her agreement.
"All right, then, I'll agree to the bath too. But only if you're civil, Jane, I mean it!"
"I promise, babe, really."
It helped that Tommy was more than disrespectful of the guy for her, she decided as her younger brother frowned at him. "Yeah, I know. I was messing with Janie. She and that thing get along really well now, it's kind of weird."
"You didn't get along with Bass before, Jane?" Ian asked, his tone undefinable.
"Nah, but we're cool now. We eat strawberries together when Maura's not looking, and watch sports together," Jane told him, grinning down at Bass before reaching down and scratching under his chin, his eyes blinking as though happy with the treatment.
"You only think I'm not looking," Maura piped in with an amused smile, walking around the couch to sit with Jane and handing her a beer before putting her now free hand on her thigh. Frankie sat down in the other chair after handing Tommy a beer, and Angela announced she was going to go home for some evening reading, telling Frankie and Tommy to be sure to leave soon before they outstayed their welcome. Once the door closed, Maura smiled at the two boys. "You don't have to rush out of here. I'm sure you would like to see the end of the game."
"Thanks, Maura," Tommy said. "It's not the Celtics, but these guys play the Celtics next week. It'd be nice to see what kind of team they're gonna be up against."
"Which team is it that they play?" Maura asked.
"The Cavaliers," Jane answered. "They're ahead by six for now, but we're only halfway through so it could go either way. I'm actually pretty surprised they're not doing better than this, given the hype they've been getting with other game wins."
"Yeah, this game is closer than they were predicting it'd be," Frankie added.
"So the Raptors are the red and black ones right?"
"Drinking beer and watching sports," Ian commented, a little put off. "When did this start up?"
Maura smiled at him. "A couple of years ago, because Jane watches quite a few teams, and I have learned that it is a very essential ritual to have at least one beer for sporting events." Jane laughed and stretched an arm across the back of the couch behind Maura. She caught Frankie's eye and raised an eyebrow, but he grinned and tipped his bottle before turning back to the game. Maura leaned in against Jane as she looked back at the TV to see that the cheerleaders for the home team were dancing.
"Wow, would you look at that," Tommy commented. "That redhead there in the middle sure is something."
"I don't know," Frankie said, getting in on it. "The black chick in the back looks pretty good."
Jane snorted. "You guys are both blind. The blond with the up-do off to the right that they just tossed up in the air is totally hotter than both your choices by far." Her brothers laughed, and Jane's eyes widened as she realized what she'd said, looking down at Maura to find her looking quite amused. Feeling Jane's eyes on her, she looked up and smiled, winking before looking back at the game.
"I personally find the male cheerleader in the middle to have extraordinary musculature that I'm sure suits his profession very well," Maura commented. "Though, I'm sure that none of you will agree with me. He is definitely not Jane's type, for one, and the three of you," she said, motioning to the boys, "would definitely not find him quite as delectable I'm sure."
The three siblings cracked up at that, and even Ian joined in a little, seemingly amused by their antics.
It was a little after ten when Frankie and Tommy left, and Jane was getting some water while Maura and Ian cleaned up the beer bottles that had accumulated on the coffee table. Jane watched them, leaning against the counter as she drank her water.
"Will you be leaving soon as well, Jane?" Ian asked.
"Oh, no, Jane will be staying here tonight," Maura answered, catching him off guard. Jane hid her smirk by lifting the glass for another drink.
"Ah, I see," was Ian's response to that before he turned to kiss Maura, getting the cheek when she moved her head, and then heading for the guest room. Jane stared at Maura to avoid glaring at his back. Maura shifted nervously under her gaze.
"I'm sorry," Maura murmured, thinking the stare was because of her actions.
"No," Jane said, earning a confused look. "It's one of those weird foreign things to kiss on the cheek, so that's not a problem. You deflected his aim for the lips, so it's cool. I was just trying not to glare at his back because I'd hate to ruin my reward only moments before I am able to get it." Maura laughed and started upstairs. Jane put down her glass and followed her.
Before they could even turn on the water, though, both phones were ringing.
Maura took one look at Jane and sighed; it was obvious she hadn't gotten any sleep since they'd talked on the phone this morning. Still, they couldn't ignore the call.
It was a pretty standard murder, and Frost had it all but solved before Jane even got to the crime scene so as soon as the scene was processed, Maura drove Jane back to the house and tried to put her to bed.
"I was promised a bath and massage," Jane said with a tired grin. Maura shot her a glare, not wanting to give in because she knew Jane needed the rest. "All right then if you don't want me to cash in both how about just the bath for tonight?"
"Jane…"
"Maura…"
They stared each other down, Jane with humor and Maura with determination. Just as Jane was about to back down, Maura sighed and turned to the bathroom to start filling the bath, making Jane wonder if she should feel triumphant for out staring Maura or not. After a few minutes, Jane was shoved into the bathroom and told to get into the tub, and Maura would be back in a minute to join her.
Shrugging, Jane stripped and got into the warm water. She leaned back and sighed as she felt her muscles loosen up. When the door opened, she peeked out of one eye to find Maura walking over to the tub in all her naked glory and, Jane was pleased to see when her eyes managed to look that high, a faint blush on her face.
"What's with the extra color on your cheeks?" Jane teased with her voice low. She saw Maura shiver before she slipped into the water and lean back against Jane, the detective's arms immediately wrapping themselves around her. "You're beautiful, Maura."
Maura looked over her shoulder and smiled, though she still held a little color on her cheeks. "So are you, Jane." She watched the brunette's gaze fall to her right side. "I know you're still insecure about it. I won't ask you to show me your body until you're comfortable."
"That's why you had me get in first," Jane said, meeting Maura's eyes as she realized how much Maura thought about her.
"Yes," Maura answered. "I don't want you to think it's because I don't want to see you, though, because I do. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable with me seeing you. When I see all of you for the first time, it will be because you are confident in my love for you and your willingness to trust me not to turn away."
Jane let her chin rest on Maura's shoulder. "Thanks. Just hearing you say that… Just, thank you."
Maura hummed and relaxed against Jane, closing her eyes and soaking in her presence as well as the water's warmth. Her eyes popped open, though, when she felt Jane's fingertips drawing on her abdomen a few minutes later. She shot the brunette a look.
"What? I'm not doing anything inappropriate."
"No, I suppose not…" Maura said, inspecting Jane's face for the intent to cross that line. They would need to get out soon anyway, since the water was losing its warmth.
And then she felt Jane's hands on her chest, giving her breasts an experimental squeeze and making her jump in surprise before shooting Jane a glare and getting out, wrapping a towel around her body and leaving the bathroom without a word or glance.
"Maura… Come on, you know I was just teasing!" Jane called before groaning and getting out as well. She dried off before realizing in her haste she hadn't brought in a change of clothes. She hesitated a moment before wrapping up and walking out of the bathroom. She didn't see Maura, and after a glance realized she had disappeared into the closet to change so Jane dug into her bag and dressed quickly.
"Are you decent, Jane?"
"Yeah, I'm good." Maura emerged from the closet and walked over to her side of the bed to slide in next to Jane. "Hey, you're not, you know, mad about that are you?"
Maura shook her head and smiled, patting the bed to show Jane she wouldn't be kicked out of the bed tonight. "I suppose I should feel flattered that you want to touch me. However, I want you to touch me and… I'd like to keep that locked up a little longer, because I know you aren't ready for that."
Jane sighed, understanding what Maura meant. "Sorry, babe." Though, as she snuggled up next to Maura, she wondered how long they could both hold out. As nice as holding Maura was, now that Jane had seen and felt her, the thoughts now had a little experience to add to them. She felt her cheeks warm, as well as a few other areas.
Who was she kidding, she really just wanted to touch Maura's boobs again, because they were amazing.
She took a deep breath to push those feelings aside and kissed Maura's shoulder.
Maura hummed. "Now, sleep. We have to be up in about six hours to get to work."
I tried to be a little playful there between the two of them, but I don't think I portrayed the situation very well. What do you think?