A/N: I apologise for the unexpected delay. We had a near fatal experience with our dog and he's required very intense care. He is doing better now and will hopefully continue his recovery.
Finding a place to play cricket in Philadelphia was surprisingly simple as Philadelphia was the crucible of cricket in the United States, a fact that Maura was happy to share along with a long history of the rivalry between Haverford College and the University of Pennsylvania. They were able to find an open pitch and borrow the necessary equipment. Maura made for a wonderful cricket teacher. She wasn't even all that lecherous. Jane, however, was distracted and made for a poor student. She was disappointed Maura hadn't even tried to touch her butt. Maura said it would be 'ineffective given the wicket.' She had merely demonstrated the proper batting technique and listed off a bunch of physics terms to explain why it worked. Jane wanted to pout which was an entirely new experience. Maura had spent the evening throwing- no that wasn't right - bowling the ball and then chasing it down while Jane did her best to hit the ball without hitting the wicket. The swing was far from natural for Jane's baseball playing self. She kept wanting to raise the bat, to make it parallel to the ground. When she figured out the angle, she wanted to wind up for a big swing, inevitably hitting the wicket.
'Cricket is about micro movements Jane,' Maura said with a chuckle as she helped Jane set up the wicket again. Her cheeks were rosy from the activity, her eyes sparkling, it tugged at Jane's heart. 'It's about making the most of every movement and letting your team do the rest.'
Jane had grumbled some sort of reply, her own cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She was glad she was doing this with Maura instead of Dhar. Maura might tease her but Jane never had to be embarrassed around Maura. At least, not for long. Dhar would have teased her relentlessly, probably lording it over her head for ages. 'This sport is stupid,' Jane muttered as Maura walked back the length of the pitch to bowl to her again. She turned and smiled a smile that was all delight and Jane couldn't help but feel her grumpiness fade away a bit.
They called it quits shortly after Jane began hitting the ball consistently without hitting the wicket. Jane rubbed her arms, tired from the new swing, while Maura returned their equipment. They'd headed back to the hotel to shower before dinner. Jane was having a hard time not thinking about Maura in the shower so she opted to walk the dogs while Maura was getting ready. It didn't exactly distract her but there was no immediate temptation. It was something.
Dinner had been at a quiet restaurant of Maura's choice. Jane didn't say it out loud for fear of being teased but she was grateful it wasn't another cheesesteak. Not that, that would stop her from buying another cheesesteak to share with the girls on their way out of town. When in Philadelphia…. Jane had lingered after dinner, eking out every moment she had with Maura. When she really couldn't stay any later, Maura had helped her reluctantly load up the girls in the car. Maura had petted and kissed both dogs, promising them she would be home soon and asking them not to grow too much while she was gone. They whined and barked when Maura closed the door, leaving them in the car.
Jane held Maura close, burying her face in Maura's hair. Jane thought she heard Maura sniffle but when they pulled away, Maura was smiling. Maura stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to Jane's lips. 'I love you Jane,' She said softly when she pulled away, 'drive safely and please let me know when you get in. I won't sleep well until you do.'
Jane felt her own tears threatening, her voice brimming with emotions, 'love you too Maur and I will.'
Maura looked at her for a moment, her eyes searching. Jane wasn't sure what she was looking for or if she found it. She merely kissed Jane's cheek and whispered, 'a few more weeks, my love,' before walking away. Jane was baffled and grateful. She wasn't sure she had it in her to drive away first.
The dogs whined and barked as she drove away. Boston, in particular, seemed distressed that they had left Maura behind. Jane didn't know how to tell her what was going on, so Jane let them whine. Maura would scold her later, saying they'd learn bad habits but that was future Jane's problem or, perhaps, it was one of those things that wouldn't hurt Maura if she didn't know about it. Jane did stop and pick up another cheesesteak from a food cart that was open late and close to the highway. That helped calm Boston down. Jane, on the other hand, didn't have much of an appetite.
If Jane was honest, she was distressed too. They were a mere two weeks in to this and Jane could say, definitively that she hated being away from Maura. It bothered Jane how much she hated it. There had been a time, before Maura, when all Jane wanted was her independence. She had that in Virginia. No nosy mother, no one checking in or poking around in her business. Now all she wanted was Maura there, making sure she ate healthy things and slept normal hours in bed. Jane wasn't sure she would last a month without seeing Maura. It was a fact that scared Jane. It was also a fact she was bound and determined to keep to herself. Maura was having a hard enough time as it was and Jane never wanted Maura to think she didn't support her.
If Jane was even more honest, she was frustrated. Being on top of Maura, kissing her, seeing the primal desire in her eyes had awoken something in Jane. Jane wanted to have sex with Maura but the thought of it made Jane's stomach churned. She understood the mechanics of it. She understood women partners had a host of ways to pleasure one another but Jane had to admit she felt woefully inadequate when it came to performing. Guys were easy. Almost every one she'd been within a few minutes of her touching them. Jane doubted she was that good in bed and chalked it up to it just being the male penis.
Women though? Jane chewed her cheek in thought, Jane didn't need to be with other women to know they were more complicated. They were puzzles to be unlocked. Every anecdotal bit of evidence Jane had in regards to sleeping with women, most of it from the men at BPD, was that women required a more skilled, deft kind of touch. Jane wasn't clumsy or anything but she was woefully inexperienced in that regard. Jane rarely pleasured herself. She rarely felt a need to and on the few occasions she had, Sister Callahan's voice always made some vaguely scandalised remark on Jane's 'behaviour' sounded in her head. Few things made the hair stand up on the back of Jane's neck faster than Sister Callahan.
Jane sighed. She knew Maura would walk her through it when they got there. She knew Maura would be generous no matter the outcome but Jane still wanted to be good at it. She wanted Maura to have everything she deserved, including great sex. Jane would have to do some research. That made her grin. She sounded like Maura. Jane hated being away from Maura but she figured since it was unavoidable, the best thing for it was to use that time wisely. She'd find out everything she could about sex between women. Maybe, Jane reasoned, she'd even try a few moves on herself. She probably needed to shake the whole Callahan-masturbation cycle thing anyways. Jane signalled as she moved off the 95 on to the 295 in Baltimore. She would figure this out and the next time she was in Baltimore, she'd show Maura exactly how much Jane loved her. That happy thought got Jane the rest of the way home.
Vinnie wasn't watching where he was going as he walked towards the bench he had claimed for his afternoon surveillance sessions. He was fuming Mia had left him. She had taken the car, the boys and their valuables. Vinnie blamed Maura Isles. Mia had been a good obedient wife before she met that Isles woman. She never would have dared to take away his sons. It was one more thing Maura Isles would have to answer for. She couldn't just mess with a man's family and expect nothing to happen.
Vinnie collided hard with a dark haired woman. It was her. Vinnie bit his tongue, hard, keeping himself from saying or doing anything reckless. It wouldn't do to take her here. Too many people. Too high a risk for failure.
'Oh god,' the dark haired woman said, 'I'm so sorry. I didn't see you.'
Vinnie stared at the woman, she had bags under her eyes. Vinnie hoped she wasn't sleeping well. Hoped she was tired and miserable this morning. That thought made him smile, 'not a problem ma'am. Are you alright?'
The woman nodded, 'yeah. Thanks. Sorry about that but I've got to go. I'm late for my next class!'
Vinnie stepped aside. Watching her hurry off. He didn't need to, of course, he already knew her schedule. Right down to the building she would be in. After she had dashed inside of the building, Vinnie wandered off. It was hard sticking to the plan but what he needed was time. Time to make sure he didn't leave a trail. Time to make sure she couldn't, wouldn't ever, be able to escape. Time to make sure he could get away. He'd make Mara Isles regret the day she ever disrupted his life. He'd make sure she had little to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
