Jane Rizzoli: A Case Study
Part Eleven: Analysis
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.
"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?
There was a long silence. Maura stared at the notebook. She's outraged, Maura thought frantically. Why is she upset? Is she disgusted? She looked up at Jane, fearful of her response.
The brunette's expression melted instantly. Maura could feel tears brimming in her eyes. "Maura," Jane said softly, "is this about me?"
The honey blond nodded, desperately trying not to cry. Maura froze as Jane approached her. She couldn't read her expression. "Jane, I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell—"
"No." Jane interrupted, stepping into her space. The brunette took her face in her hands and looked into her eyes, "Don't be sorry."
Maura's breath caught in her chest as Jane pressed her lips to hers at last. Her knees went weak, and she had to grasp desperately at Jane's arms to keep herself from falling—or maybe from floating away. Jane let a breath out through her nose as her hands slipped around Maura's neck and she pulled her deeper into the kiss.
Maura hummed, causing Jane to suck hungrily on her lip. Shivers went down Maura's spine as Jane moved her hands into her hair, tugging lightly on her lip with her teeth. Maura's whole body felt like it was lighting on fire. She couldn't breathe. Jane stepped forward, pressing her forcefully against the counter. Startled and extremely turned on, Maura moaned.
Jane pulled back, breathing heavily as she looked at Maura with impossibly dark eyes. As she leaned in again, Maura prepared for another kiss, but Jane gently put her forehead on hers instead. She released Maura's neck and slid her hands down her arms.
She was staring at Maura's lips when she growled, "You've been driving me absolutely crazy."
Jane's low, gravelly voice made moisture pool between Maura's legs. Her breath hitched as Jane slipped her hands around her waist. Maura moved her hands to Jane's chest. She searched her mind for the words as she looked up at her, but now that Maura knew how warm and soft Jane's lips were, all she could think about was tasting them again.
"I've wanted to do that for weeks." Jane breathed, locking eyes with her. For a silent moment she studied Maura's expression. Then, with wonder, she asked, "You've been waiting much longer, haven't you?"
Maura swallowed nervously, nodding.
"God," Jane sighed, playing with Maura's hair, "I've been such an idiot thinking there was no way you—" She stopped, catching Maura's eyes. Her voice dropped to a whisper, "felt the same."
The honey blond shook her head, avoiding Jane's glance, "I should have told you. I just didn't know how. If you didn't feel the same, I would have ruined everything."
"Hey," Jane said, oh so tenderly, pulling her chin up with one knuckle, "You couldn't ruin anything."
Jane smiled gently, glancing at Maura's lips before leaning in for another kiss. This one was soft and slow—exploratory. Maura wondered at the softness of Jane's lips as she slipped her tongue over her bottom lip. The brunette let her taste her mouth. Jane hummed with approval, sneaking her hands around Maura's waist and pulling her closer. Maura's fingers went into Jane's hair, shivering as the brunette played with the hem of her blouse at her back.
Jane shivered, stepping back suddenly.
"Jane?" Maura asked worriedly.
The brunette let out a ragged, frustrated breath, her eyes closed. She leaned her head against Maura's. "How do you do that?" she said at last.
"Do what?" Maura frowned, leaning back so Jane was forced to look her in the eyes.
Jane's eyes were dark when she whispered, "Turn me on—so much."
Maura grinned.
"Don't look at me like that." Jane complained, tugging at Maura's hips.
"Like what?" the honey blond smirked.
"Like you deserve some sort of prize."
"Well, I am very good. And attractive."
"And so humble," Jane chuckled. She bit her lip, leaning forward.
Suddenly, a voice snapped them out of their bubble.
"I knew it!" Angela pointed accusingly.
"Ma!" Jane said, jumping back from Maura and blushing profusely.
"You were lying!" Angela said sounding triumphant.
"Angela—?"
"Ma, what are you doing here?"
"Well," Angela said smacking her purse down on the kitchen island dramatically, looking outraged, "I went looking for Maura to see how she was doing after this morning."
Angela approached them accusingly, pointing menacingly, "And what do I find out? Not only is Maura gone, but so is my daughter. In the middle of the workday! So, of course, I think something horrible has happened. Neither of you are picking up your phone! No one knows where you are!"
Jane stepped in front of Maura protectively though she looked deathly afraid of her mother.
"And here you are!" Angela yelled, throwing out her arms angrily. "Playing hooky!"
"Angela—" Maura tried.
Angela pointed at the honey blond harshly, "You said she didn't come out to you."
"She didn't." Maura insisted.
"Wait," Jane frowned, "that's what you're upset about?"
"I didn't really lie," Maura tried to explain, feeling her skin start to itch. "She hadn't told me anything yet."
"Wait…" Angela squinted, "you haven't been dating this whole time?"
"What?" Jane and Maura said together.
"What whole time?" Jane frowned.
Angela threw up her hands, "You guys have been making eyes at each other for months!"
The eldest Rizzoli ranted on as Jane and Maura watched with pale faces and shocked expressions. Angela started wiping the counter with a towel, apparently needing something to stress clean as she rebuked them, "I try to be a good mother and not prod into your business. I try to be patient and let you figure it out. But the both of you are so damn clueless!"
Jane blinked, her jaw dropping.
"You knew?" Maura asked breathlessly.
Angela stopped frantically wiping the counter. Her expression and tone softened. "Not for sure, no," she shook her head, "but you've always adored each other. And Jane …" She looked at the brunette with a sigh.
"What about me?" Jane said, insulted.
"Oh, honey," Angela said sweetly, "I've known."
"Known what?!" Jane choked.
"I denied it for a long time," Angela admitted with a sigh. "I thought you just needed to meet the right guy."
"Ma!" Jane complained.
Maura grabbed Jane's hand, squeezing it gently. The brunette's shoulders relaxed. She looked back at her. Maura shrugged, smiling apologetically, "I kind of thought you were a lesbian when we started working together."
"Oh my god!" Jane groaned, pinching her nose. "Does everyone think I'm gay?"
"I mean," Maura grinned, "you did just kiss me."
"Maura!" Jane stared at her indignantly.
Maura couldn't resist, mouthing, "Quite a lot."
Jane buried her head in her hands. She mumbled, embarrassed, "Oh my god."
"Well, since there doesn't seem to be any emergency and the two of you seem to have … figured things out," Angela said firmly, "you two stop this funny business right now! Both of you get back to work. You are professionals!"
With that, Angela stormed out of the kitchen in a huff. Jane was still mumbling into her hands when Maura started to laugh. The brunette looked at her in disbelief.
Before Angela close the door behind her, she shouted over her shoulder, "And don't you think this gets you out of giving me grandchildren!"
Maura started to giggle uncontrollably.
"What is so funny?" Jane said with annoyance, though a smile started to break through.
The honey blond couldn't answer. She was too busy trying to control her breathing. She held her stomach, completely overtaken with laughter.
"What?" Jane said, starting to chuckle.
Maura shook her head. She wasn't sure why she was laughing except that she was so relieved. This whole time she had been right. And even Jane's mother could see it.
"Jane," Maura struggled, taking a deep breath. She tried to focus her thoughts, but the brunette was smiling too; though, she was clearly confused. Maura smirked up at her, "For a detective, you're pretty clueless."
Jane's hand at her hip made her bite her lip.
"Well," Jane said biting her lip in return, "for a genius, you're pretty clueless too."
The honey blond lost herself in those warm brown eyes. "Well, the evidence was rather inconsistent."
Jane closed her eyes and sighed with frustration. "You kept giving me mixed signals. I could swear you were flirting with me, and then I wondered if I was just imagining it." Jane peered down at her, whispering sadly, "I should have told you. I tried to … so many times." She glanced into Maura's eyes fearfully, "I just couldn't risk losing you … Maura, I don't know what I'd do if—"
"You have me." Maura insisted, tugging at Jane's shirt collar, "I love you."
A smile slowly spread over Jane's face. It quickly turned into a grin, a blush spreading over her cheeks. Maura tugged her into an openmouthed kiss. Jane stepped forward, pressing her into the counter again. This time Jane's hands went confidently up her back.
Jane's breath hitched when Maura moved her hands over her chest. She lost her concentration and bit her lip as the honey blond squeezed. Jane's growl made Maura's center ache. New moisture spread between her legs.
"Maura," Jane huffed as Maura palmed her breasts again. "I should really—we should slow down."
The honey blond pulled back, trying to hide her disappointment. She really didn't want to make Jane feel bad, but just being this close to Jane was kicking her sex drive into high gear. Maura dropped her hands as Jane stepped back, licking her lips and taking a deep breath.
"Don't get me wrong," Jane apologized, "I am very turned on right now—" She let out a ragged breath as Maura pulled her closer by the belt loops. "But I need to go back to work. Frost said he'd cover for me, but that was like an hour ago."
Maura couldn't help but pout her lip oh so slightly. She got exactly the reaction she anticipated. Jane's lips pressed against hers again. A few seconds later, however, Jane managed to pull back when her phone started to buzz. The brunette sighed heavily as she checked the message.
"He's going to kill me." Jane groaned. "Apparently, Cavanaugh is on his case about where the hell I am." She stepped back reluctantly, "I should go…"
"Okay…" Maura said, still holding on to Jane's belt loops.
"Maura…" Jane complained.
"One more kiss."
"Maura."
"Please?"
Jane finally tugged away. "If I kiss you again, I'm not leaving. And need to go."
"Maybe I should go back in, too." Maura sighed.
"Don't you dare!" Jane threatened, pointing at her accusingly. "I already got enough side-eye from Frost and Korsak after what happened at lunch."
Maura bit her lip, giving Jane a salacious wink. She smirked at Jane's response, thinking, I'm going to get away with a lot, aren't I?
She shook that thought from her head, taking a slow breath. "Okay. I'll work from home," she said sincerely, trying to reassure Jane.
"I'll see you later tonight?" Jane replied, backing away from her reluctantly.
"I'll be waiting…" Maura winked, "eagerly."
The brunette nearly stumbled over a kitchen stool. "Fuck," Jane said with a shaky breath, finally breaking her gaze.
To be continued
