A/N: I apologise for the long delay. I had family in town and then my computer died but I am now visitor free and with a shiny new computer! So regular postings shall be resuming!
Jane landed in New York at 2:35 pm. She stepped out of the airport shortly after 3:30 pm. Jane pulled up a copy of Maura's itinerary, feeling grateful that Maura so detail oriented. Maura was currently in some recording booth probably making small talk. That made Jane chuckle. Maura hated small talk. Jane could meet her there. Could be waiting in the lobby for her when she came out but that sounded incredibly boring. Jane also didn't really want to have to explain who she was and why she was in the lobby of some random book publisher's lobby for hours. Jane debated going to the hotel and trying to charm her way into Maura's room. That too sounded complicated. Jane decided she would just keep her bag with her and she'd surprise Maura just before dinner.
Jane spent most of the afternoon sight seeing all the places she didn't think Maura would want to see. Jane had no doubt the pair would be touring some museum of art, culture, history or other boring topics this weekend and Jane would probably love every minute of it. Maura was making her all cultured. Jane's first stop was for a street hot dog, with extra toppings. Maura would probably have cited a long list of health code violations before refusing to eat there. Jane just happily scarfed the New York delicacy down.
When it came close to dinner time, Jane found her way to Maura's hotel, grabbing a bouquet of violet's for Maura. Jane used the public restroom to change in to her best non-dress outfit before going to the hotel bar. She settled at a table within line of site of the lobby and then texted Maura.
'Hey. How's it going? You almost done for the day? Ready for dinner?'
Then Jane waited, one eye the bar TV playing some sports docu-series and the other on the lobby. It was possible that Maura would walk in before she saw Jane's text. Jane's phone dinged.
'Just finishing up. I'm famished but I wish I were home having dinner with you instead.'
Jane smiled and shot back, 'yeah? What are you in the mood for? I'd take you anywhere you wanted to go.'
The response was entirely Maura. 'I fail to see the relevance of that. I'm not there.'
Jane couldn't help the small laugh that bubbled out, 'okay. Then tell me where you want to go to dinner in New York. I know you have a list of places to try. Where are you going to go tonight?'
Silence stretched between them and Jane switched back to her show. Maura would get back to her when she could. Ten minutes later, Jane's phone dinged. 'I don't know. I might just order room service. It seems easier.'
Jane grinned, seeing her opportunity, 'aw come on Maura! It's your first night in NYC. You have to go out. At least eat in the hotel bar!'
'Very well but I'll have you know I'm doing it under protest.'
Jane grinned. 'Let me know when you get there. I want to see some proof!'
'I am walking in to the lobby now.'
Jane looked up and there she was walking through the door. Jane couldn't help her smile. God she loved this woman so much. Jane knew it was a matter of seconds, not minutes, before Maura noticed her. She held still, waiting for that inevitable moment when their eyes met and Maura's mouth would drop open in surprise.
' Let me know when you get there. I want to see some proof!'
Maura sighed as she rounded the corner to the hotel. She had agreed to go to the hotel bar for Jane but all she really wanted was to go to her room, sink in to a bubble bath and drink some wine. Was she having a self-pity party? Yes. Did she particularly care? No.
'I am walking in to the lobby now.' Maura sent back. She supposed if she went straight to the bar she could eat quickly and disappear to her room with plenty of time left for a bath. Maura slipped her phone in to her purse and then looked up as she entered the bar.
Sitting in front of her wearing the widest grin sat Jane Rizzoli. Her Jane Rizzoli. The world closed in around Maura until Jane was the single piece of data that Maura's eyes could perceive. Her body moved without conscious thought. 'Jane,' Maura whispered. By the time Maura's feet reached her, Jane was already standing and pulling her in to a giant hug.
'Surprise!' Jane whispered in that perfect gravelled tone that Maura loved so deeply. Maura buried her face in Jane's neck and simply held on.
'I can't believe you're here right now,' Maura whispered, 'you're here. Really here. With me. In New York.'
'Yup,' Jane affirmed, 'I really hate it when people cancel dates with me especially for silly reasons like being out of town.'
That broke the tension, making Maura chuckle as she pulled away. 'You're crazy, you know that right?'
'That's the word on the street.' Jane said with a shrug and a smirk. 'So what do you say Dr. Isles? Will you go on a fabulous New York date with me?'
Maura pretended to think about it, 'hmmm I suppose I could be convinced to join you but it will cost you and I'm afraid it will not come cheap.'
Jane groaned, 'yes Maura, I promise to go with you to whatever educational thing you want to see.' Jane rolled her eyes.
Maura laughed, 'well that's a a nice promise but that wasn't what I was going to ask for!'
'Oh,' Jane replied, 'what did you want then?'
'I want a kiss,' Maura replied with her own sly smirk.
Jane blushed, her cheeks turning an impressive shade of red. Never the less, she leaned forward and gave Maura a soft and sweet kiss hello. When she pulled away Maura smiled boldly at her.
'I suppose I will join you for whatever festivities you have planned,' Maura said.
'Great!' Jane said, then her brow furrowed, 'except I sorta don't have anything planned beyond this.'
Maura laughed again, 'I know a place. Certainly better than that street dog you probably ate earlier.'
That made Jane chuckle. 'Well lead on, Dr. Isles,' as Jane got up she began to follow Maura, only to have to turn back for her suitcase, 'say do you think we could stop by your room first? I'm not usually a before the date kind of girl but my suitcase has been dragged all over New York City today.'
Maura took Jane's free hand and lead her to the elevator, 'you can come to my room any time you want Jane Rizzoli.' Maura laughed as Jane went red again. She was going to enjoy this new found ability to make Jane blush and if she took advantage of that blush to plant a few more kisses on Jane in the elevator then who could blame her? A blushing Jane was a very kissable Jane.
