Jane Rizzoli: A Case Study
Part Ten: Experiment Five
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Maura's not a guesser. So, when she comes up with a theory as to her best friend's recent change in behavior, she sets out to test her hypothesis the only way she knows how: careful observation and experimentation. Slow burn, fluff, eventual smut, some angst.
Warnings: The following fic is rated M (NC-17) for language and sexual situations. Readers be warned.
A/N: I know you guys are getting frustrated, but I promise we're getting close. It will all be worth it in the end ;)
Jane came strolling into the morgue less than two hours after Maura started the autopsy. Maura wondered if she had come alone on purpose. It seemed likely with the way Jane was looking at her. The brunette's eyes swept up Maura's whole body, stopping briefly at her chest. As soon as she caught Maura's eyes, a flush came over her cheeks. She blushed and peered around for witnesses.
Susie was in the other room with the techs cataloguing the evidence, so as soon as Jane got close, Maura said, her voice an octave lower than usual, "Hello, Jane."
Jane's eyebrows raised in shock, but the way she bit her lip told Maura that she had the reaction she was looking for.
"Hi," Jane said in a small voice, her voice cracking, "how's the—autopsy going?"
Maura smirked triumphantly. If only there wasn't a body open on her table, she might continue her experiment some more. Unfortunately, they had a murder to solve—and she needed a change of clothes.
"Asphyxiation." Maura said, moving to the other side of the table.
"Huh?" Jane blinked, looking bewildered.
Maura pointed to dead man's neck, "The cause of death. It's asphyxiation. See the bruising?"
Jane shook her head slightly, as if trying to refocus. She looked down at the body. She frowned, observing, "He didn't drown."
"Nope," Maura said. She pointed to the x-rays on display on the wall. "The hyoid is broken. And I didn't find any water in his lungs."
Jane looked almost disappointed. Maura wondered if she had hoped to do their usual back and forth banter. The brunette just loved trying to get her to guess. It was something Maura used to find annoying, but Maura had learned that Jane just liked teasing her.
I wonder what other kinds of teasing she likes? Maura thought suddenly.
"I guess your job is done then," Jane smirked.
"Not quite," Maura shrugged, giving her a flirtatious smile, "I still need to finish up the autopsy, review the catalogued evidence, check the toxicology reports, and sign off on the paperwork. I'm afraid I'm going to be busy for quite some time."
"Too busy for lunch?" Jane said, looking hopeful.
Maura leaned a little bit closer. She dared a wink, "I'm sure I can squeeze you in."
Jane's hand slipped from the table where she had been leaning. She faltered slightly, letting out a cough. She shifted backward, biting her lip. Maura was sure she had never seen Jane so flustered.
"I, uh …" Jane struggled to say as she practically stumbled backwards, "I'll see you then."
"I'm looking forward to it," Maura smirked, trying not to laugh as Jane ran into an autopsy table as she turned around.
The doctor found it even more impossible to concentrate after that. The dark look in Jane's eyes kept coming back to her mind. And the way her words had rendered Jane unstable. She recalled the breath catching in Jane's throat and the way she struggled to breathe evenly afterwards. Maura had no idea she could have such a strong effect on her.
The minutes seemed to pass by like hours as she tried to complete her work. Normally, she would be able to shut such thoughts out of her mind with a strict boundary between work life and personal life, but this had always seemed impossible with Jane. The detective had been part of both for years. And now there was something new—at least she thought there was.
Why do I keep doubting myself? Maura sighed internally, handing Susie the freshly signed paperwork for the crime scene evidence. She looked at the clock. It was already past one and Jane still had not texted her about lunch.
The M.E. went into her office to look through the fridge. Even if Jane didn't like the food from the "dead fridge," Maura had to eat something. She stood with the door open, looking at its contents indecisively. The only thing other than evidence and testing samples was week old take-out. Maura looked at the box dubiously.
"See anything you like?"
Maura's knees went weak at the sound of Jane's sultry voice. She steeled herself for the smirk that was certainly on those lips. Before she turned, however, she quickly unbuttoned the top of her blouse. There was no denying where Jane's eyes went as the doctor approached her. Maura smirked triumphantly as Jane accidently crinkled the carryout out container in her hand.
"Is that for me?" Maura asked, giving her an innocent smile. She only realized the double meaning of her question after she took the food from the speechless brunette.
"Um…" Jane struggled, looking guiltily up into Maura's eyes. Maura wondered if she felt bad for looking at her breasts. She wished she wouldn't. Jane's gaze was driving her body crazy.
"Thank you," Maura smiled, glancing at Jane's chest. The brunette had taken her advice and undid some buttons—something she hadn't expected Jane to try at work—but it did give Maura the chance to show her that she enjoyed what she saw too. She took the food from Jane, looking into her eyes pointedly as she said, "I'm very hungry."
The honey blond could hear Jane let out another ragged breath as she turned around. Maura took her meal to the couch and sat down. Jane stood frozen in the doorway.
"Aren't you hungry?" Maura asked, in all seriousness, pointing to the other container of food in Jane's hand.
The brunette proceeded wordlessly to the couch, sitting on the far end. Maura frowned, "What's wrong?"
She shook her head wordlessly, avoiding Maura's eyes. Maura watched her as she opened the container and slowly started to eat.
She's doing it again, Maura thought, closing up. Is she doubting herself? Does she think her feelings are shameful?
"Jane, I…" Maura tried. She set down her fork and turned to face her best friend. Ultimately, their friendship was the most important thing, "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"Um…" Jane struggled, glancing up at her with an unreadable expression. "Yes—No! Um—it's just that—"
"Jane, I'm sorry," Maura stood. She looked at Jane desperately for forgiveness. Her heart was somehow palpitating and breaking at the same time. "I never meant to—I thought that—"
"Maura!" Jane said, standing up and taking her by the shoulders. "No! I'm sorry—I didn't mean it like that—"
"Everything okay?" A concerned voice came from the doorway.
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Jane growled, closing her eyes with exasperation.
Maura didn't dare look at Korsak's reaction. In fact, her eyes never left Jane's. The brunette was beyond mad. She breathed through her nose, trying to calm herself.
"I told you not to interrupt them." Frost said from behind Korsak's shoulder.
Maura finally looked away from Jane's eyes. Barry was hiding behind Vince, who looked at Jane as if she might tackle him at any moment. He looked between the two of them with his jaw slacked slightly as he seemed to put two and two together.
An instant later, he took a breath and said, "Never mind."
The doctor had never seen a man turnabout so quickly. Frost gave Jane a look, raising an eyebrow. The brunette widened her eyes at him, silently trying to signal something. Apparently Frost got the message because he turned on his heel and practically sprinted away.
"Look," Jane said, her voice suddenly soft, calm, "we need to talk about this, but we can't do this here. Can you meet me after work?"
Maura nodded wordlessly. Jane's hand had drifted to her cheek. The honey blond couldn't breathe. She was so confused. Was Jane upset with her or not?
Jane swiped her thumb over Maura's cheek. Maura looked up into warm, welcoming eyes. She let out a steadying breath as Jane licked her lips as she stared at Maura's. The honey blonde's breath hitched as Jane leaned an inch closer.
Then Jane stepped back, sighing, "At your place?"
Maura's heart dropped in her chest as Jane dropped her hand from her cheek. She nodded, closing her eyes and trying to force the disappointment down. She focused on her breathing.
Jane left without another word.
The doctor tried to compartmentalize, but she found it impossible. She tried finishing her lunch, but she only felt sick to her stomach. She scanned through her emails but found she could absorb no new information. She even tried distracting herself with shoe shopping, but to no avail. The only thing on her mind was how close Jane's face had been to hers.
Why has she been so back and forth? Maura thought, burying her head in her hands.
Finally, she sighed and stood up. There was no point pretending she would get anything else done for the day. She packed up her things and put on her coat.
"I'm leaving early," Maura informed Susie as she left her office.
"Again?" Susie frowned, "You're not getting sick, are you Doctor?"
Maura shook her head. "I just need some rest."
"Okay," Susie nodded, smiling sympathetically. "Feel better."
Maura left the precinct without telling Jane. The truth was, she didn't know what to say. She drove home in a daze. Exhausted, she dropped her things on the dining room table. Out popped her notebook. It tumbled onto the floor.
With a sigh, she leaned down and picked it up. Her heart ached as she flipped through the pages. So many notes, she thought disappointedly, observations, experiments, evidence… And still no answers. Irritably, she tossed it towards the garbage bin and went upstairs.
The honey blond woke to the sound of a movement downstairs. She blinked and looked at the clock. She had slept for no more than an hour.
"Maura!" a voice called from the kitchen below.
"Angela?" Maura called back as she descended the stairs. She stopped midstride as she reached the landing. "What are you doing here?"
Jane looked distraught. "Looking for you. You just left in the middle of the day," she said, frowning. "I was worried."
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself," Maura said irritably, not sure why she was mad.
"I know that but—" the brunette said, sounding hurt.
Maura turned away from her. "You should be at work," she said, still peeved.
"Maura?" Jane said almost pleadingly. Maura didn't turn around; she filled a glass with water and tried to collect herself. She was acting irrationally. Jane sounded annoyed when she continued, "What is with you lately?"
Maura spun around, "I could ask you the same thing."
Jane looked startled. She shifted uncomfortably, "I—well you were—I thought that you—"
"I can't take this anymore!" Maura said loudly.
"Oh my God, you're driving me crazy!" Jane bellowed. "First, you flirt with me constantly. Then, you back off and barely talk to me. Then there's whatever that was on Saturday! You've been making passes at me at work … Now there's this!"
Maura's heart stopped as Jane pushed the notebook across the kitchen island, looking at her expectantly. But how could Maura possibly explain thirty-eight pages of meticulous notes on her best friend?
To be continued
