A/N: I kinda like the 'ending-less' ending of the previous chapter (i.e. leaving it as it is..) but, if we must continue, at your peril!~
Maura kept Jane away from the Doyle residence. She made it clear to Jane that she was not to go near the place again and that she was always welcomed here at Beacon Hill. Maura minted Jane a key of her own, and she was just contemplating the right time to gift it to her. It would be rather strange, she worries. Friends do not, do they? She found Jane a new shirt and a new pair of gloves. She had gotten her a new hat as well. She smiles, at her bags of shopping. Shopping for her someone special.
Jane had quickly changed the subject and managed to never broach again the topic of the Doyle residence. Choosing avoidance over omission. She had her own plans and she didn't want Maura aware. She knew the woman struggled with lying and Jane knew Barry wouldn't be planted as a mole if the cops hadn't a plan of their own. She needed to make sure Maura came out of this unscathed. Jane had seen the papers across Maura's desk when Maura had sent her into the study to get her a book for reading. It was an occupational hazard, a snooping detective lives within her depths. She feels dishonest, but she reasons that she's doing it for Maura's sake and Maura's good. Doyle's a two-bag liar and he'll only cause her hurt. Doyle had gone into hiding and Maura will take the brunt of what's to come. Jane seethed at the thought. How can Maura be so brilliant and gullible. She kicked at her toolbox.
"Janie!" Frankie yelled from the shopfront. "What are you up to back there?"
"Nothing!" Jane responded and carried on her mumbling thoughts as she picked up the scattered nuts and bolts. She hadn't mean to lose her temper. Barry, with one drink too many had told her how much Maura avoided hurting the innocent. But the chief up there wouldn't care for that. He brands people first as criminals, evidence of otherwise a latter later consideration. If Maura had enough berth and distance. "Stupid Doyle," she heaved the sack of cement towards the mixer.
Maura wanted to make secret their relationship, their dealings, since she believed it'll keep Jane safer. She reasoned. Chang suspected but she never pried. She could sense Chang's concern, and she respected Chang's respectful nature. She appreciated Chang's assistance. She had given her a raise. Chang thanked her and left the envelope of cleaned bills on the counter for her as she had instructed. She had insisted Chang head out to get change, to collate bills together cleaned through various civilian transactions to amount for Jane's plumping services. She never explained or mentioned why Jane was over at her place so often. Maura trusted Chang's discretion
Jane had waived payment for the plumping services but Maura insisted. Business is business. She knew Jane's brothers were not favourable of her and she wanted to do what she could to make a better impression. She doesn't know why it mattered. They had come over when she had visited Jane's apartment. She wanted to know more of Jane's tastes and preferences, of her style in décor and furniture. She was impressed by Jane's bachelorette pad as Jane called it. Functional and yet, filled with homely Jane touches and messes. Like a worrisome pile of beer bottle caps that Jane calls her drink mountain as opposed to a drink fountain. Maura had shaken her head and smiled. Jane's sense of humour.
Jane had invited her to spend the night and she hadn't declined. Even when they had only lain asleep next to each other. Comfortable with cuddles. She hadn't made a move and neither has Jane. Strangely, she likes how things are at the moment.
Sweet, tender kisses before and after dinner. The taste of Jane mixed with a light scent of beer. Jane's hands explored and wandered but they never travelled beyond her waist and she felt strangely excited, compelled, to test Jane's discipline, Jane's restraint but that can wait. That can wait, she tells herself. Jane's not going anywhere, she's starting to believe Jane's words. Soft promises peppered between kisses. Her hand in Jane's as they watched some sporting game together. Jane never letting go even when she'll jump up from the couch and yell at the images flashing across the television as if they could hear her.
Maura never failed to find it an equal amount of endearing and alarming. How Jane could get so passionate about things that get at her emotions. She'd couldn't help it, but she did get Chang to look up Jane Rizzoli. The fresh-faced cadet in training to be a detective but had dropped out weeks before graduation because her parents had an unfortunate passing. Her brothers had been in school still and someone had needed to ascertain income, and stability. She stepped up to uphold her father's name. Her father's honourable dealings unlike her own, a murderer if she called it as it is. They never talked about their past, or from it anything personal but she needed to understand Jane's shroud of mystery. She needed to know for certain that keeping Jane away from her darker dealings is the right thing. That evasion is not omission. That Jane will be protected. That her Jane, will be kept safe even if she will undeniably be taint.
Occasionally Jane will oblige her, and they'll watch an episodic nature serial. She loves it when Jane's lost in the beauty of the lolling hills and crashing waves. She has a softness for Jane's softness. Her gentle sturdy steady calm presence. A protector watching over. She liked watching Jane asleep. Serene and a soft snorer. Jane always makes sure that she's got most of the blanket tucked under her before she'll offer the space next to her for cuddles.
Maura never feels cold with her own human heater beside her. She had made a mental note to take Jane away on a holiday when the weather gets colder.
Jane's a hot-blooded Italian who doesn't seem to bear a liking or penchant for the colder weather. She'd never expected coming over to Boston will mean her acquainting with such warmness.
Jane had cleared space for her in Jane's apartment. It had felt right even when they've not had an actual discussion as per their status to each other.
"I know it's a little cramped over here and it's not as spacious as your place but," Jane guided her along the trail of rose petals, "You're always welcomed here Maura, and, this can be your home too," she rested her hand against her chest. "I'll always have space for you and this," she showed her a chest of drawers. "I made you your very own shelving compartments, for your belongings, for your items. If you wanted," Jane hastily added. She didn't quite know yet what they were to each other but, Jane supposed if they exchanged the occasional kisses, Maura is entitled to have a space for her toothbrush if she ever wanted to again stay over.
Maura held the key she minted for Jane in her palm. Jane went to get dinner. It's their three-month anniversary, if they could call it that. Maura smiled and breathed in the fresh bouquet Jane had gotten her. Roses. Of many colours. She wonders if Jane's been purposefully avoidant.
She thinks maybe tonight's her move to make. She finds the matches to light candles.
"Wait," Jane's got the phone between her ear and shoulder as she holds the sauce pot up at an angle. "What do you mean simmer but not bubble?" She stares at the melting butter. Daring it to behave.
"It means, to heat it at an angle but not for it to boil Janie," Tommy's surprisingly patient voice answers.
"I don't understand why this step's needed. It's not as if this," she stares at the butter, "Meagre amount will make much of a difference."
"It's the first coat. The seepage for the inside of the bread Janie."
"Seepage? That sounds gross and does this mean we have to melt another round?"
"You wanted Ma's recipe for garlic bread Janie."
Jane rolls her eyes. "I didn't know it'll be so much work."
"Why are you making such an effort Jane? Is there someone special?" Tommy's voice a lilt of a teaser.
"No," Jane feels her cheeks flush. "I just," she watches the bread – handmade – soak up the butter. "Felt peckish is all."
"Sure, takeout's suddenly too posh?"
"Oh shut up." She hangs up.
"Too much?" Maura checks her make-up. "Or too little?" She gives her blouse a sniff.
"Tommy!"
"Hey sis."
"Why isn't it hard!"
"What?"
"The spaghetti."
"What?"
"You said to watch it so it doesn't get hard, you didn't tell me it'll get limp!"
"How long did you leave it in for?"
"Thirty minutes."
"Thirty?! Have you ever seen Ma's dinner taking that long to put together?"
"What? She's always in the kitchen."
"Making the desserts. Not the main dishes. Geez Janie." Tommy chuckled. "You messed up spaghetti."
"Idiot."
"You definitely are," Tommy laughs and hangs up.
Maura looks at the clock.
She's uncorked a rich red wine.
It's not like Jane to take so long when it comes to food.
She scrolls up and down the chat with Jane.
She wonders if she should text.
Jane picks up the new pot of spaghetti she's made. Packs carefully the garlic bread she's baked. Hides the boxes of chocolates in her pockets. Keys.
She stops to send Maura a message: 'On my way. I'm sorry.'
Maura smiles at Jane's text.
She's grown to expect Jane's accountability. She's become comforted by it.
Knowing when Jane's safe in her bed, ready for sleep.
Knowing when Jane's coming over. To stay.
She sets the table.
Checks the candles.
Readies the playlist.
She remembers Jane's lingering looks.
She's ready.
Deep breaths Rizzoli, she waits outside Maura's door. She can hear Maura's music playing. Sultry. The sound that saxophones make, it's such a seductive musical thing; Maura's laughter over breakfast together. She takes deep breaths.
It's not that I don't want to sleep with her. She centers herself.
I just, she smiles. Want her to know that she's loved.
She rings the doorbell.
I'm ready.
"Maura," her breath escapes her.
"Jane," she reaches for Jane's hand to guide her in.
"You look ready for a photoshoot."
Maura smiles. "This is a memorable evening," she reaches for the pot Jane carries, intrigued. "Here, let me help you."
Jane swallows. Maura's touch sending sparks throughout her person.
"I," she sends the box of bread down, "I wanted you to try my ma's cooking." She touches the box of chocolate in her pocket. Later. "She's no longer here but I…I wanted you to know. She made the best raviolis which I cannot replicate. Tommy had to teach me to make the bread and he's a rubbish plumber, but he makes a good chef. Frankie drove me bright and early to get the freshest tomatoes and I got a basketful in case I messed up which I did." She laughs nervously. Accepting the glass of wine Maura hands her. "I messed up spaghetti and I," she pauses, "I made garlic bread." Garlic breath.
She looks into her glass of wine. Expecting herself to sink embarrassingly into it. Geez Rizzoli, so much for being romantic. Chocolates melt and flowers fade.
Maura's warmed by Jane's sincerity and this is the first time Jane's open up about her family. She's spoken before of Constance, and a little of Hope. Jane's only ever listened and it had felt as if she's making mental notes but she's never asked, never questioned. She reaches for the box by the countertop. Now's as good a time as any.
"This is for you," she offers a box wrapped tightly with a ribbon bright blue. It matches the shirt Jane has on now. A crisp light blue hue. She counts the buttons. Shakes her head for thoughts to dissipate. Dinner first.
"This – for you," Jane sets the glass of wine down and reaches into her pocket for the chocolates flaked with gold and a caramel center. Some with liquor, some with a hint of minty lemon. They had said it was an exquisite assortment. She just wanted Maura to know she's special and worth every cocoa bean in the world and more. That Maura's finer than any decadent dessert. She has on the same perfume their first evening together.
Maura's hands on her shirt. Maura's lips, she learnt the taste of four evenings after.
She's counted. She's kept a running record. She's insisted on her own discipline because Maura deserves patience. Maura's to be loved. Her other lovers were for pleasure. Maura's different. Maura's so close and the food's already gone cold.
She holds the box Maura gave her. A gift. A token. She pulls away at the bow and she sees a key, shiny, newly minted, with her initials.
"A key to my place, to our place," Maura explained, "If you ever want to be, closer."
Jane nods. "I do," she doesn't back away when Maura steps towards her. Backing her against the dining table.
"I read this article in the New Yorker this morning," Maura reaches across Jane to get her glass for a refill. Jane's barely had a sip but she allows Maura to top it close to the brim. Maura grins at Jane's noticeable pupil dilation.
"Yeah?" Jane can smell nothing but Maura's perfume. She can feel Maura's heat radiate off of her.
"There are these 36 questions we can go through together," she guides Jane down to a seat. "We can play it together after dinner. It's titled '36 Questions – How to Fall in Love with Anyone'," she hands Jane a plate.
Jane serves Maura a helping, and then herself.
Maura holds onto Jane's hand. "We can fall in love if you want to," she interlocks their fingers.
"I already do," Jane holds onto Maura's hand all throughout dinner.
A/N: Okay fine folks, I've yet to look at those 36 questions - and they are a real deal from the real world. (As in they do exist; not sure if a person would really fall in love). So, let's say you and I do this together? Go through the questions and if you have...any answer to share, send them over? I accept Private Messages through fanfiction, a note left on the reviews, and or I can be found as namelessdudette on Tumblr. Also, haveringfool if you need another alias. / If you've been an avid reader of my other fanfictions (and this) you must know that I struggle with long-form, with long chapters...and I need the practice, I want the practice but I'm also, a little out of touch with love and falling in love. Single for the first time in 15 years, from a string so many of unrequited loves, my heart's like a burger patty. It needs rest. Plus, am busy with another book I'm writing as my personal adventure to becoming a published author (I hope I'm good enough~). So, happy to continue this story but, I'll need a little assistance :)
If it's all right to ask. I'm no longer sure of fanfiction's terms and conditions. But nonetheless, if this gets taken down, there'll be other platforms. I'm just here to...well, experiment with love~
Hope I've done the characters and you readers justice. I do apologize if, I've not taken y'all on a journey you want or desire. But now we can! I suppose. With input :)
As always, thank you for the time 😊
- C.