Chapter 4: Boston Fair

JANE POV:

The drive wasn't too far but I decided to take a longer route so I could enjoy Maura more by myself. I wish I wasn't too scared to tell her how I feel. And it hurts me to know that she never got to do these things as a kid. I want her to be able to experience everything a child/teenager should have, even if we are adults.

"Hey we are taking the scenic route today Maura, but there is something I want you to do while I drive."

"What is it Jane?" She says to me.

"We are going to make a list of activities that we will do together that you got to experience. How does that sound?"

"You would really do that with me?"

"Of course."

"Okay I have my journal with me. Okay can you tell all the activities you did as a child first?"

"Okay some of my favorite trips as a child were at the New England Aquarium. Duck Tours, Franklin Park Zoo, Emack and Bolio Ice Cream, SkyWalk Observatory, Playground at Christopher Columbus Park, Ice Skating a Frog Pond, Taking a Ferry to Fort Warren, Red Sox Games, Celtics Game, Chocolate Sampling at Taza Factory, Visiting the Hall at Patriot Place."

"Wow, that's a lot of fun good ideas. Could we do all these activities together Jane? I want to do everything with you."

"Of course we can Maura, I would love to do all of these things with you. It makes me sad sometimes when we do something together and you had never done them before but it's okay because we will tackle everything together just like always."

"I couldn't imagine doing any of this without you."

"Me either Maura."

I follow the line to park at the fair, and as we get close enough to see the fair I look over at Maura. Her eyes filled with wonder and excitement she looks like a child on Christmas.

"Are you excited Maura?"

"Yes, there's so many lights and music and sounds."

I park the car and we get out. I tucked my gun behind my pants in my belt and slipped my badge in my back pocket. You never know what could happen. I lock her truck and we start making our way towards the bracelet line.

"What are the bracelets for?"

"So to get on one of the rides it tells you how many tickets or you can buy a bracelet and ride the rides as many times as you like."

"Wow this is all so exciting Jane."

"I thought you might like it." Once we get our bracelets we head into the fair.

"What do we do first Jane?"

"Anything you want Maura, today is all about you."

She links arms with me and we head into the crowd. I notice how relaxed she is with me.

I point towards the left and tell her, "Okay so over there they have booths with all kinds of yummy food." I point to the right, "Over there are booths with fun activities and knick knacks that you could buy."

"And to the back there are many rides such as the Ferris Wheel, The Zipper, Guitar Ride, The Phantom, and a bunch of other rides."

"Can we go on all of them Jane?"

"We can go on all of them as many times as you want." She's practically jumping up and down with joy. She grabs my hand and pulls me towards the booths, I intertwine our fingers and just let it be. Her warm hand in mine makes me feel all fuzzy inside and I wish I could tell her because I know it won't last forever.

I figured she would let go after we entered booths but she didn't. I won't take mine away because as long as she holds on I can be close to her without feeling guilty. I follow her around booth to booth and we both look at and enjoying buying things.

"Are you hungry Maura?"

"I am Jane but should we go on the ride first."

"We can but I was only asking because I want you to know that today we are more than and Detective Rizzoli okay? You are a girl who is experiencing her first fair and I am your best friend. We will not count calories or worry about if we are eating too much. We will experience everything together."

"Really Jane?" She says as she pulls her hand away.

"Of course Maura." I stand next to her closely and as we are walking away her hand once again entangles with mine. I smile and just let it happen.

"Ooh are we gonna get fried oreos and cotton candy." She gets excited.

"Yes Maura and ice cream and all things sweet and chocolatey."

"This really is going to be the best day ever. "

"I sure hope so Maura."

We walk together for a few more minutes and I noticed that the fair is slowly starting to fill up.

"Hey so I know that it's going to be crazy packed soon so I was thinking before we go on any rides. I can put all of our purchases in the car so we don't have to worry about losing them."

"Yes that seems like the most responsible action to take, while you do that I can grab us some drinks. What would you like?"

"Surprise me Maura." I take the bags out of her hands and make my way to the car. The walk gave me a chance to clear my head. She held me hand because she wanted to, because she was comfortable doing it. I am so conflicted because a part of me wants to tell her that I see forever but I don't know what to do at the same time either.

Maura POV:

She went to the car and I went to go get drinks. She let me hold her hand and I liked it so much. I could tell she was comfortable because when we separated she put herself closely next to me so I could take her hand again. I don't know if she knows that she does it. This morning when I told her I wanted to match with her I really didn't think she would match with me.

I see her coming back and I smile at her. She comes right over standing next to me. I hand her a blue lagoon drink.

"What is this Maura?"

"A blue lagoon fizz. You told me to surprise you so I thought I would surprise you with something I wanted to try and so if I didn't like it you would still drink it."

"Oh yea. Will you try it yet?"

"No I didn't because I wanted it to tell you before I did."

She hands it back to me and I look her in the eyes while I touch the straw first with the tip of my tongue and then I take a sip. I can see her eyes dilate and she licks her lips. I hand it back to her and say, "Hey I talked to Frankie and Frost earlier this week they invited me to go dancing with them tonight. Would you accompany me?" I ask softly.

"Sure but if I am going. I need to stop by and grab an outfit to wear from my apartment."

"That sounds good. I'll text them and find out after but can we go on the rides now?" I smile at her.

"Yes of course we can."

This time while we are walking towards the rides I take her hand in my own. We walk together towards the rides and we get in line for the zipper. "Jane, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course! You can ask me anything."

"I have been having some trouble sleeping lately since what happened with Alice. Actually I have a few questions. Have you been coming in at night when the lights off and sneaking away in the morning?"

"Umm why would you ask that?"

"Because I was closing the curtain the other night I thought I saw your car and sometimes when I am making my coffee in the morning I see the rug ruffled and the pillows smushed."

"Yes I have. I only do it so I can keep you and ma safe."

"Why didn't you just ask to stay?"

"I didn't want to be burdening you so I come and go without you noticing. Or so I thought."

"Will you stay with me? I do feel safer when you are near and I haven't had a good night's sleep like last night for a few months."

"Of course I will stay. But I find it easier to sleep on the couch."

"Well you could stay in my bed. I found when you held me last night I really did sleep well."

She smiles at me as we get in the zipper, As it starts and we are whipped around I grasp onto Jane and she holds me close.

"You don't have to be scared Maura." I laugh at her response.

"I'm not scared it's just a new feeling."

After a few more rides we make our way back to the car. "Ready to dance Detective?"

"I don't normally dance so I'll probably just drink and have a good time listening to the music."

"You don't want to dance with me." I try to make a sad face.

"Oh no that's not what I meant, of course I'll dance with you."

"Okay great. Then let's go."

We drive to her apartment where she runs up and grabs a set of clothes. We drive back to my house and it was about 6pm so we both start getting ready.