Thank you for the comments, reviews and encouragement...plus the patience.
I don't think writing non-dramatic fun type stuff is really my forte.
I was really hoping that ideas would flow in from my wonderful readers that would help me to fudge my way through this to make it into something semi-decent. But my wonderful readers/reviewers have been oddly silent on the ideas front. So I am muddling my way through, verrrrryyyy slowwwwllllllyyyy with some rather cheesy ideas. But at least it's only for a bit of fun...
Which reminds me...not giving ya'll cliffhangers is really REALLY killing me...lol.
Please enjoy, be honest, and if you do hate it then gimme some awesome ideas :D

xxx Jam

CHAPTER 3

Jane was in a sort of paradise.

Whatever she wanted to do whenever she wanted to do it.

Not having to do any of the things she didn't enjoy.

And best of all, hanging out with her super smart, supportive and funny best friend.

Of course she was respectful of Maura's other activities, events and work as well as space she might need.

Of course she didn't select activities she knew for sure that Maura would hate.

Guilt over the lies creating this paradise wouldn't allow her to even think about overindulging.

And of course she paid for most of it herself...unless Maura fought hard enough to pay, or did so in secret.

And when they did argue at the checkout or counter over who would pay, Jane even found that enjoyable, like they were a couple.

And best of all, Maura mostly agreed to go just because Jane asked her.

No text instructions needed given.

Jane didn't want to question whether it was Maura being protective or whether Maura enjoyed hanging out with her.

She probably didn't want to know the answer.

Why ruin paradise.

So they had been to the batting cages. That had been Jane's absolute highlight event.
She loved that place almost as much as the punching bag at the gym.
Maura wore the wrong shoes even though Jane explicitly said to wear running shoes or flats, as so she looked comical in the low heels with the helmet, face guard and gloves.
Maura complimented her technique.
And Jane performed better than ever, she always liked having an audience, ever since playing little league.
She had some really good strikes in there that she was proud of herself.
Then they had an unhealthy snack.
And then when it was Maura's turn, Jane was able to help her.
Finally Jane can get rid of the Pee-wee Herman 'optimal' batting stance that Maura uses.
She shows Maura how to stand, and then adjusts Maura's stance, touching her shoulder to indicate lowering it, the elbow raises, the head tilted a bit more.

The first two swings are terrible and Jane presses her lips together to stop a giggle coming out.
The third and fourth are a little better.
Jane steps right in behind Maura, her front pressing into Maura's back. In that moment she is glad Maura isn't wearing her skin-tight wind-resistant suit.
One hand on Maura's stomach to adjust the posture and with the other she grips the bottom of the bat and glides it down slightly.
She can feel Maura's entire body against hers and it feels nice. Jane thinks maybe they should play pool later. Jane can help her with that game too. And darts perhaps.

"Relax." She whispers in Maura's ear.

The thunk and whoosh of the ball coming out of the machine is met by the clunk of a swinging bat.
"Home run" Jane laughs over Maura's squeal of excitement, "Well done."
Maura jumps up and down on the spot and give's Jane a sort of hug, jumping and hugging is never easy.
When she lets go, the clunk and whoosh sound reminds Jane that the machine is still on.
No time to react as the ball hits her helmet knocking her into the cage before she slides to the ground.
When her eyes opened Maura was leaning over her asking her how many fingers she was holding up.
She lied. And so she got some extra doctor attention.
But she was fine really, and when Maura realized she was playing Jane got a good solid thump in the arm.
They both laughed and Maura helped her to her feet.
Best date...uh...outing...ever.

A few days later they went to a small clothing and craft market.
Jane thought Maura would like it, and she did.
So many textures and materials and styles to touch and see.
Jane brought matching embroidered bracelets for them, made by some children.
"These are friendship bracelets Maur. We each wear one to symbolize our friendship."
She suddenly felt like she was five again, but Maura accepted hers with a huge grin and put it on straight away.
"I've always wanted one. I've never had one before. Thank you Jane."
Jane blushes from the neck up at the thank you kiss on her cheek that followed.
Best date...uh...outing...ever.

On the weekend they had gone with Angela, Tommy and TJ to the beach.
It was a beautiful warm breezy day and Jane was looking forward to just de-stressing.
Maura had repeatedly insisted Jane wear some sunblock to protect her from 'dangerous UV rays'.
Jane had rolled her eyes and so Maura had even offered to apply it and started to list off every study done on skin cancer.
Angela had backed Maura, "You should listen to your friend Jane, she is smart and knows what's best for you."
Just to stop Maura ending up in a full panic she had agreed.
And if the beach doesn't de-stress you...lotion rubbed in gentle circles over skin and muscle certainly does.
Jane falls asleep for a good fifteen minutes before TJ dumps cold water on her feet.
A water fight follows with Maura and Jane teaming up against TJ and Tommy.
The girls win easily and Maura laughs as Jane runs a victory lap around the two boys before buying them all ice-creams.
Best date...um...outing...ever...

And then the trip to Fenway Park...
That was not an outing...
It was an experience...

Maura's arm brushed innocently against Jane's hip and, for the second time in less than two hours, Jane forgot where she was. All she feels is that strange sensation of butterflies in her stomach.
She forgets to breathe.
One breath of air is left trapped deep and painlessly in her lungs.
Her eyes widen, perhaps from the unconscious effort to hold that breath, or perhaps from the incredible scene unfolding before her eyes.

Maura looks completely awkward in the most adorable way. Her eyes sparkling and dimples deeper than usual from the silly grin plastered on her face.
Usually Jane would roll her eyes or say something sarcastic or witty, but instead she is completely caught off guard by the entirety of it all.
In that moment Jane has completely forgotten why they are at a Red Sox game, where they are in the stands or even how they physically got there.
She stands as the only statue among a wild crowd of over a thousand, all of them participating in the halftime wave. She is the only one not involved, the only one in the entire stadium, even the opposing teams supporters from out of town are trying to have a go.
Her lack of movement stood out in the endless movement all around her.
But Maura too busy to notice, her first wave ever, giving it everything she has as if this 'wave' is the reason the entire crowd turned up today and it will in fact win them the game.
But Maura is so so completely out of time that anyone watching would think she was being attacked by a bee.
And Jane can only watch. Transfixed.
Eyes wide and mouth half open.
Watching as intently as if it were the last few seconds on the game and the batter is racing against the pitcher with the ball for the home plate.
She hears Maura's sweet and high laugh stand out like a birds song against the chaotic hum and growl of background chanting.
Only when Maura turns to face her, giddy like a schoolgirl, smile as bright as the sun, does Jane force herself to breathe again.

"This is so fun." Maura says with a giggle, her face radiant.
Jane bobs her head up and down a few times in a sort of agreement without thinking at all.
And then her legs threaten to drop her to the ground, so she reaches to find the seat behind and throws her weight down heavily.
"Are you ok Jane." Maura asks, a soft frown growing across her brow.
Jane evaluates herself quickly, she has never felt so strange before, so weak and heavy at the same time. Her chest is tight and her palms sweaty. Her stomach sort-of spiraling. Her head lighter than air. Her mouth as dry as the Sahara.

The worst part is that she has no idea why.

Jane tries to nod again but it makes her head worse so she leans forward to put her head between her knees.
Usually she wouldn't care, but today she ready doesn't want to blow chunks in front of her cultured and dignified best friend who is far to close and watching her far too intently.

"What is it Jane? Whats wrong?" The twinkle has gone and the dimples vanished and Jane wishes she could apologize for ruining the moment.

Then a hand placed on her shoulder makes her feel like someone turned the heat up several degrees.

"Don't." Jane breathes out slowly, trying to with the one word to convey the hundreds of internal functions that have all suddenly turned against her.

The hand leaves her shoulder, "Are you unwell? We can leave. Nod if you want to leave."

Jane glances up gratefully into those worried eyes and opens her mouth to speak but nothing comes out so she shakes her head 'no' slowly instead, hoping whatever is causing her this response passes quickly.

"I'm fine." Jane says weakly as she lower her head again.
"You do not look fine, Jane."
Jane lets out a weak sigh. "I think maybe it was something I ate."
If Jane had looked up she would have seen the dimples reappear and a soft smirk start to spread across her friends face.
"Or perhaps it was everything you ate, Jane."

Jane opts to shrug in response, perhaps Maura is right and it was the combination of beer, two hotdogs, a corn-dog, a pottle of hot fries dipped in an sweet ice-cream sundae that was doused in chocolate sauce, plus a few pretzels...oh...and a single cream filled donut she had in the car on the way. But Jane silently doubts it. She has eaten far worse or greater combinations of food and has been perfectly fine.
It might be different if they were at a theme park going on roller coaster rides.

"Yeah probably." She lies, "Give me a minute."
Maura sits beside Jane and puts a hand on her arm giving a small stroke and Jane feels her stomach tighten again.
"Okay" Maura says with a nod and a laugh before giving Jane some space and turning her attention back to the game.
Jane looks to her side and watches Maura for just a moment. If only she could understand why she is feeling this way lately. Perhaps it's guilt or something.
Maura senses she is being watched and turns to Jane and smiles, "I am so glad I came."

Maura had originally declined the invite. Jane had won two Red Sox tickets in the office raffle and Frankie couldn't go because he was on a shift. And so Jane had asked Maura and had looked quite surprised when Maura, who had no plans whatsoever for that evening, had simply said, "No thank you Jane. I am not interested in ball games enough to endure attending one in person."

Jane's shocked look had morphed into confused, and then moments later, Maura watched as Jane schooled her eyebrows down from her forehead and other features back to normal and had shrugged, "Oh...ok then."

And Maura was possibly more shocked than Jane when Jane simply turned and left.

It was about five minutes later, Maura received a message from the saved contact 'Internal Affairs?'.
'Please stay with Jane when she leaves work today and do not leave her alone. You won't be in danger.'
And five minutes after that, Jane was noticeably ecstatic at her deck because Maura had just called to accept the invitation to the ball game after all.

What had really surprised Jane though, was when they were standing in the entrance line, Maura had touched her butt. Not an accidental touch, but a press against her and then an intentional stroke down her back and buttock. Twice.

Obviously when the first 'touch' happened, Jane had spun around and glared at the group behind her. Just as she was about to tell the man that was closest to her and looked most like he might be the type to grope a ladies buttock in the crowd to 'keep his dirty hands to himself or she would arrest him', she felt the same hand brush down her other butt cheek.

She spun to look behind her and faced Maura.

Maura's neck immediately turned crimson, either from the shock of getting caught or from the lie she might attempt to use to cover it up. And Maura had no choice but to turn away and look at anything but Jane.

She completely missed the annoyed look on Jane's face turning to shock.

Neither said a word and ten minutes later they reached their seats surrounded by a tense awkward silence. Jane couldn't think of anything to say and every time she looked at Maura she would look away.

Once the game was underway, Maura had began to enjoy herself immensely and forgot all about the incident.

Jane, on the other hand, was still completely distracted.

The touch on her hip bringing it all back.

Maura would admit she did, sort of feel Jane up while waiting in the cue, but she would also call it an accident. She had been attempting to discretely check Jane's back pockets but the lady beside her had accidentally nudged her and caused her to loose her balance somewhat and fall against Jane, her hand grazed Jane's behind, and she hadn't felt what she was looking for. Once she recovered her balance, Jane was facing away from her and she could see a small bulge in the other back pocket, an rectangle shape. She needed to confirm so she reached for it to feel if it was a small hard square object like the cellphone she had seen.

And her hand, without the skills to discreetly check the item's shape or firmness, simply ran over the object. Jane spun on her feet and stared at Maura, who was suddenly aware of what she had just done and what implications or intentions could be associated with such a gesture.

Without having a decent explanation, Maura turned away and bit her lip, unsure how to correct the assertion.

What Jane didn't know was that Maura, after rejecting the invitation, had watched Jane turn and leave in surprise. Jane's usual groaning, begging and bribing routine had not been enacted, or even attempted, which seemed rather out of character. She watched the back of Jane's jacket disappear around the corner by the elevators and decided to follow her. She heard the ding of the elevator announcing its arrival on the basement level and the familiar sound of the doors opening, and Maura carefully poked her head around the corner. And just as the doors closed with Jane inside, Maura saw Jane reach into her back pocket and pull out a phone that was different to the phone Jane generally used. It was the same one she had seen in the restaurant bathroom. The one Jane had 'forgotten' to turnin as evidence.
The doors closed and Jane was gone from view.
Maura pressed her lips together in thought before heading back to her office where her phone alerted her to a text message. A message from 'Internal Affairs?'

And it was at that point Maura had begun to suspect something suspicious was happening that she needed to get to the bottom of.

Just not by touching Jane's bottom.

Jane never had the phone in public except the time Maura had caught her.

Texts from 'Internal Affairs?' always came when Jane was away from her...although according to them they were watching the two of them so would likely only text when it would not raise suspicion.
Maura would have to gather more information and be very observant.

Ten minutes later Jane felt better.
They both cheered as the Red Sox won.
And then Jane and Maura had gone home together to celebrate on with beer and wine.

"So I have to ask Maur. While we were waiting to get in...did you mean to...yah' know...touch my butt?"

Maura keeps her head down as presses her lips together and looks up at Jane.

She doesn't mean too but the look comes across a little seductively, maybe it's because of the soft blush and twinkling eyes.

"I was pushed from behind." Maura states clearly. It's the truth at least.

"Both times?" Jane presses looking somewhat amused.

"No." Maura admits keeping herself composed.

Jane waits for an explanation that will never come.

And while she waits, Maura decides to poke Jane in the ribs with her toe.

Jane laughs and jumps on her friend...and for now the topic is forgotten.

And when Jane falls asleep on the couch, Maura watches her and wonders what is really going on with her friend.

...to be continued...