A/N Just a quick thank you for your patience. I'm all done with my studies and now can spend infinitely more time on this. I'm so sorry I had to push it back a little in my priorities.
With any luck the writing itself, the pace and the speed of delivery should me much better now.
Chapter 12.
As the alcohol slipped down her throat she felt the familiar warmth and spice envelop her chest. The tingle on her lips heady and welcome. Another long draw on the amber liquid and she allowed a few small slivers of ice to entertain her mouth. Her confidence was returning, slowly but ever so surely.
The silence was a little thick, Jane gestured to the sofa with her glass and beckoned Maura to take the lead.
"I'm sorry, I would have expected music but..." She began as they moved towards the seats. Maura leaned towards the table as she took her seat and a small phone sized instrument lit in her hands. The illumination jarred with the low lit mood a little, but it allowed Jane a full view of her friends face, unfiltered.
Just Maura.
But as she smiled and directed the screen to Jane, she realised finally and completely that she had never been 'just Maura'. This woman would never be 'just' anything. It resonated like a chord inside her. And suddenly everything made sense. The unspoken words from so many missed moments screamed their memories. Jane gently shook her head softly at both her own naivety and stupidity.
"What's your preference?" Maura attempted innocence her face impassive, eyes guiltless, as she proffered the device to Jane who attempted to restrain a smirk and playfully snatched it, her fingers grazed Maura's knuckles and her senses heightened, their proximity like an aura and her whole body tingled in response to there closeness, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
The music playlist was expansive and catered to every taste, she found.
"Some smooth soul should do." And she set it down on the table, the movement calmed her unsteadiness as the dulcet tones of Etta James piped through unseen speakers.
Maura sat upright, her posture always perfect despite the plush, inviting couch. She cradled the glass in her lap and sipped at intervals, whilst Jane having set herself back just gazed at her. Moments passed and she sensed Maura's discomfort start to increase, she fidgeted lightly.
"So, I should probably apologise for asking you to drink with me. I'm aware that this isn't typical protocol and I'm sorry if you're not comfortable, I'm grateful we got to share one drink together..." She let her words hang lightly. Maura deserved a way out, if that's what she wanted. A few beats passed. Her gaze fell to her glass, preparing herself for the rejection.
"Not in the least Miss Masiello, I was intrigued that I should pique your interest so." Hazel eyes met her own, and that surprisingly confident tone, so different from the Maura she just witnessed and Jane suddenly remembered that whilst this was her Maura, looked and sounded like her, they were still in character. Though her phrasing let her know that there was just enough of Maura talking that Jane knew, whatever happened from here wasn't just acting, not just the role they'd been sent in to play.
An opportunity was playing itself out in front of them, fate transpiring in their favour for once and Jane wasn't likely to let it pass her by. She smiled, an open and genuine smile.
"You remind me of someone. I hope that doesn't offend you." She relaxed, allowed the soft leather to envelop her. Maura had to turn slightly more to speak directly to her. Jane took a long sip, allowing her free arm to stretch along the back of the sofa.
Maura buried a shy smile, though all of it played out on her face beautifully exactly as Jane knew it would. She may be a brilliant mind and perfectly capable, but it wasn't difficult to throw her a curve ball.
"Somebody close to you Miss Masiello? Or just a passing acquaintance? One can only hope that you liked this person" She looked up from her glass and once again eyes met, "Otherwise I'm not sure where this could possibly be going?" Jane tried to keep her breathing steady, she gathered all the confidence her cop facade could muster.
"More than just a passing acquaintance and I believe it would be doing an injustice to say that this person was less than important to me. Again, I hope none of this offends you..." Jane refused to allow herself to become flustered. "I'm sorry we haven't been properly introduced and it's completely inappropriate for me to not at least know your name."
"Maria. My name is Maria. You're the first person here to ask me." Maura was proud of her character creation and that no one had asked her name all evening had irked her. But, she knew that was supposed to be the beauty of the role.
"Well I'm sorry about that." Jane added genuinely, before taking another slow drink. Her friends disappointment burned a little.
"May I offer you a massage? I'm adept at several styles? Maybe a simple Swedish or if you have problem areas I could do a little deep tissue? I've studied several styles in depth. I'm surw many executives appreciate the relief and relaxation massage can bring? I could even do a little lymphatic drainage, I know that stress and in particular a strenuous job can increase lymphatic blockages quite considerably. This can to all manner of..." Maura went on. Jane was surprised at the u-turn in conversation but maybe Maura realised that anyone eavesdropping on their encounter might expect more.
"Something relaxing would be good. But the table isn't necessary. Would you be happy for me to be seated? Perhaps a simple shoulder massage?" Jane refused to give any cameras a shot of her at any stage of nakedness. And Jane knew that few people had enjoyed massage therapy as Maura and similarly no one had quite the knowledge of anatomy which her best friend held. They'd shared massages, mud baths and even the occasional jacuzzi however this was something they'd never experienced.
"A seated massage would be fine Miss Masiello." Maura clinker the glass quietly as she placed her empty drink on the table and moved to the stand of accoutrements to, undoubtedly find some suitable ointments. Jane followed her lead with her also empty glass, took a very deep breathe, struck her hands on her upper thighs and stood, searching the room for a chair.