AN: Again apologies for any heinous spelling or grammar mistakes, my phone seems to think it knows better than I do.
Chapter 7
"Actually, I think I'd prefer a game. Would you be free to join me at a blackjack table?"
"I'd be honoured. If you'll make your way over to one of the tables on the right and I shall be back with your chips. I'm sure our wonderful Yvette explained things to ya?" Bianca smoothed her dress before moving out from the table.
"15 thousand should be enough for a little while." Jane winked, and realised maybe she'd overplayed her hand. But the lilting giggle she received calmed her nerves a little. Suggestions of that amount of money were making her nervous and knowledge that Major Crimes were footing the bill had left her feeling significantly less like James Bond in Casino Royale than one might expect in this role. She needed to calm down. Take a breath and gather her thoughts. Blackjack would take significantly less focus than poker, yet she knew that eventually she'd have to make her way there. Poker being one of the only ways she could think to interact with other patrons.
Deitrich, the MC lead on this case had discussed several ways in which Jane and Maura could potentially glean information in a short space of time. Maura could gather info from staff and Jane from other members or from one of the so called 'companions'. Jane had already assessed by the calibre of woman employed in that role, that these were no two-a-penny street walkers who would turn on a dime. They were clearly paid well and would respect their employers wishes.
So, her shot was going to be her fellow gamblers and the lonely rich men of Boston who frequented for other reasons. Hopefully Maura was having more luck as Jane was fully aware she wasn't known for her social skills.
Not daring to glance too long at Maura again, Jane made her way to the blackjack table currently unoccupied. She spied several furtive glances from patrons and some lascivious ones from many of their accompanying companions. Jane felt emboldened and wondered if their attentiveness was due to boredom for the 'typical' clientele or if she was actually managing to pull off this character? She let her courage lead her and once seated, waiting for her chips to arrive she dared to make eye contact with her friend and moreover beckoned her to the table with a wry smile.
Maura for her part, appeared shocked and with as much confidence as she could muster made her way over to Jane's side.
"Yes ma'am, can I help you this evening? A drink perhaps?" She attempted, trying not give herself away. She dared not even look towards the croupier. Jane thought it time to try a different tack and use this role to her advantage.
"My lady friend seems to be engaged at the moment on an errand so I wondered if you'd be kind enough to suggest a beer to enjoy with a game of blackjack?" the dealer for her part simply stood back from the table and allowed the ladies some space to converse.
'Suggest a beer' if she recalled correctly was code for 'have you any info'. If Maura replied with Jane's favourite Blue Moon then Jane knew nothing vital had been offered up yet however if she was suggested to try a Hoegaarden then she had something they could use.
"If you're fancying something a little fruity," Maura smiled playfully and shook her shoulders a little. Jane almost melted on the spot, she felt her cheeks flush yet again but she had to keep composure. "I can get you a Blue Moon with a slice of orange?" Jane dared to look at Maura's face, her eyes no doubt reflecting how incredulous she was finding this all, yet she couldn't keep the smile from her face.
"That would be wonderful thank you." She struggled to keep her beam below her ears.
Maura turned to head back towards the bar. Two can play at this game. Jane thought as she leaned forward and lightly clasped Maura's wrist, the electricity from the contact causing her heart to race, "But don't go too far honey." They locked eyes for the briefest of moments and Jane knew she saw Maura's eyes darken with desire and more than that, a longing. And suddenly she felt her stomach drop an inch and her chest tighten. Desperately wanting in that moment for everything to fade away, for time to stop for everyone but them Jane didn't know how to breathe, realising the nights she'd dreamed of Maura's soft skin beneath her fingers and hearing her own name escape her friends throat might actually be reciprocated made her want to forget everything, because in that second nothing but Maura mattered.
But she was faintly aware of red haired movement on the periphery of her consciousness and knew that the show must go on for now this was who they were and what they did. She released Maura's wrist but the feeling of Maura's soft skin beneath her fingers lingered for moments after. And as she walked away back to the bar Jane knew that in that split second everything between then had changed.