Title: Winds of Change
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Summary: The next three chapters involve the journey into Undrehiel. It is a little different and I hope I managed to convey the things I saw in my imagination well enough on paper for you to have some idea of what things look like as Jane and Maura encounter things they never have before.
Thanks to all of you out there who have read my story and are now following or have favorited me or the story. An extra special Thank You to all of you out there who took the time to write a review for this story. An additional Thanks to Hope6968, Melany4021, and CrimeCrazy4519, their kind words really made my day. Everyone's words really help keep my striving to continue on. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter.
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CHAPTER 16
Jane groaned burying her head further under the covers as the alarm on Maura's cell phone went off for the third time. They had stayed up long hours enjoying their last night in the human realm. Neither of them knew exactly what the future would hold or if they would get much time for indulging in long, hot, sweaty lovemaking sessions in the near future. They took full advantage of their uninterrupted time together after they had returned from visiting with Bethany and her family. Jane felt Maura fishing for her cell and shortly thereafter the alarm was once again silenced.
Maura slowly sat up against her pillows stretching her delightfully sore body. "Jane baby, I don't want to get up either, but we have pushed it as long as we can. We still have to separate out what we think they may allow us to take into Undrehiel and what they won't. It is going to be so odd living without my cell, iPad, or computer. We can't take anything with us that isn't made of natural fibers and materials and most anything with metal in it is denied." Maura paused looking at the mound of covers next to her. The only thing she could see of her wife was part of her wild mane feathered out across her pillow. "Jane, are you listening to me?"
Jane's hand slid out from under the covers snaking around Maura's middle as she snuggled closer. "Yes dear, I hear you." Came her muffled voice. "We will be fine and we'll adjust I'm sure. Remember Undrehiel is much older than our world, I'm sure we will discover ways of living that will leave us with little need for human technology. We are already going to have telepathy between us, which is much better than trying to reach you on a cell phone. Besides Evie said they have a large shopping market similar to a mall on each side of the in-between selling goods from the different realms. We'll get there early enough to shop for some of the things we may need and Marcus said not to worry that there were some trusted retainers already preparing for our arrival. You will also get to do more shopping once we get settled in Undrehiel."
"I know you're right, but I still worry. I prefer picking things out for myself." Maura was running her hand up and down her loves arm. "I wonder what fashion is like there. I am really going to miss my shoe collection, although this does give me the opportunity to build it back up again there."
A chuckle escaped Jane. "Way to look on the bright side, babe. You get to explore a whole new world of fashion and shop till you drop." She pulled the blankets off of her head. "I'm going to miss Jo Friday though, but I think I have found the perfect baby sitter for him. I thought I would leave him with Evie and Marcus' people, however I now think that Bethany would make a much better dog sitter and could devote more time to taking care of her. What do you think?"
It was Maura's turn to chuckle. "I think that girl will be over the moon with the opportunity to take care of the pet of the woman who makes her juvenile little heart race." She thought the crush Bethany had on Jane was adorable.
"Another one of the reasons I think she would take such good care of her."
"You're probably right." The fair haired woman leaned down and kissed her lovely mate. "Now get your cute derriere up and moving. We have lots to do. I want plenty of time to shop before we enter the in-between."
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Jane and Maura watched as the bags they weren't taking with them were loaded up into one of the SUV's by five of the original ten wolves who had been staying with them. Those five wolves would be taking their things to a vault at Wolf Security Headquarters in Boston to be stored until they returned. The only thing Jane and Maura were bringing that would need to be stored in the private safe room Marcus' company held at the crossover depot would be one cell phone, one laptop, their wallets, and Jane's gun and badge. They had found out that they could visit special accesses in the in-between and be able to use their phones or computer. They figured that once every human realm week, which was about once every Undrehiel year, they could drop an email or call to their family and friends and check any messages they had.
Jane had called Bethany's parents after she had gotten up and inquired if they would mind if she asked Bethany to dogsit for her. She was glad they were okay with the request, but not nearly as happy as Bethany had been when Jane posed the question to her. The girl had promised to take excellent care of Jo Friday, she would treat the dog like she was her own. Jane thanked the young wolf and gave both the girl and the dog a hug goodbye before heading back to the inn to catch their ride for the crossover depot.
Evie, Ashley, Warren, and Tony joined Jane and Maura while Marcus spoke with those headed back to Boston. Evie and Marcus would only be staying in Undrehiel for a few months, which equaled only a few days in the human realm. Ashley, Warren, and Tony would be staying in Undrehiel until Jane and Maura returned. As soon as the group heard their ride approaching in the distance JeanAnne, Jasper, Jacqueline, Laura, Erin, and Bethany with Jo Friday in her arms all came out to watch them leave. When the helicopter crested the trees everyone said one last goodbye before Jane, Maura, and their entourage loaded up once the helicopter had landed. The trip would take approximately two hours arriving around eleven in the morning deep in the middle of nowhere Maine.
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The Maine crossover depot looked like a giant barn built right into the mountain. There were other outbuildings around the complex, even an old farmhouse that was still in use.
"There is a spell around this area to help blur it from the human world, but if anyone not wise to the preternatural ever comes calling they only see an old farmstead and have the urge to move on. This place is not like an airport where you can leave a car and come back to it. You either have someone drop you off and pick you up or you take one of the depot's vans out to one of the larger cities in the state and find your own way from there. Arrangements can also be made for the vans to bring people to the depot from major cities. Many things are done to make sure the norms don't discover crossover depots." Everyone heard Marcus explaining in their headsets as they circled to land. He had ridden up front with the pilot leaving plenty of room for the others to sit three to a seat facing each other.
Jane smiled at how Maura was taking in everything, cataloging every new thing that came her way into that giant brain of hers. Everyone departed the helicopter carrying the one bag they had each brought with the addition of Jane carrying a computer bag and Maura her good size leather purse. Jane knew the laptop case was lighter than that purse. They all stood together straightening themselves up after Marcus had waved their ride off.
"Just so you know the two of you will not be using your normal last names once we step inside. You will go by Jane Raven and Maura Snow or Laird Raven and Lady Snow from this point on. From what I was told those on high have made sure everything has been prepared for your arrival here. You will have identification, monetary exchange cards, and monetary funds waiting for you when we check in." Evie said as they made their way up to an oversized door that was opened for them by a large man dressed in overalls and a feed store hat. At a glance you might think he was just a farmer and not a guard except this farmer had a large sword strapped to his back, a knife in his boot, and a gun holster hidden just inside the bibs of his overalls. "Most of the guards who patrol the grounds or who travel outside at this depot all dress similar to him."
"Interesting. Jane I bet you would look cute in overalls." Maura's teasing smile appeared, the one that she knew always worked on Jane.
Jane couldn't help but smile back. "Maybe, but I bet you would look better in a pair that have the legs cut off really short and wearing nothing at all under the bib." She leaned over saying privately to Maura, although she bet their friends standing closest to them heard if the giggle was anything to go by.
Maura flushed, however she wasn't going to let her wife go at that. "Hmm, I'll see what I can do." She kissed Jane on the cheek and stepped away with a smirk. Jane had paused in her forward movement for a few seconds as that picture flared through her mind.
Evie and Ashley laughingly continued on keeping Maura between them as they headed to another door that was in the back of the barn, bypassing desks and check-in counters along the way.
Warren bumped Jane's shoulder as they followed the women. "She got you, stud."
A grin broke across the dark haired woman's face. "Yeah, but if she comes through with that, I really don't care." She and the men broke out laughing.
They could only agree with the sentiment.
Their group only stopped for a moment at the rear door of the barn as two more farmer style guards scanned Evie and Marcus' palms with what looked like a digital tablet. "Hey Garrad, been a while. Hope the family is doing well." Marcus spoke to one of the guards.
"Been doing fine and the family is all well. The kids are growing like weeds." He looked around the group all were familiar to him except for two. "They new employees of yours?"
"No, they are VIP's we are escorting. You should have the authorization there in front of you." Marcus was all business now.
Scanning down the screen on his tablet the guard nodded. "Yes sir, right here it is." He indicated to the other guard to open the door for them. "I hope you all have a nice stay." The two guards tried to be covert in their interest in the two VIP's.
Evie and Ashley led the way with Jane and Maura following behind and the men bringing up the rear. It looked like they were walking into a completely dark space, however as soon as the door shut behind them light gently lit the area of a short, but wide hallway carved out of the mountain. Upon reaching the end of the hallway Jane and Maura tried not to gape. They saw actual elves with pointy ears and everything roaming and working in the main area of the depot. There were life size fairies flying about and a group of dwarves huddled together not too far from them, some with long pipes in their mouths. They saw creatures that they could only think might be ogres and many more that they had no sure idea what they were.
A dark head leaned over whispering into the honey blonde's ear. "Dorothy we are so not in Kansas anymore, we've fallen right through the rabbit hole."
"Although you are mixing two different fairy tales, I have to agree."
Their companions chuckled. "Your first time to Undrehiel is always a bit shocking. You'll get used to it. Now come on. Let's get checked in and take our things to Wolfe Security's private suite and our vault. We want to have enough time for you two to shop and maybe grab a bite to eat and look around a little. We are scheduled for the three o'clock adjustment period." Evie led them all on. The security team always kept Jane and Maura in the middle of their group.
Halfway to the reception desk they were met by a young man who eagerly greeted those of the security team. He bowed slightly tilting his head offering his neck to Marcus. Marcus simply leaned forward letting out a puff of breath onto the young man's neck. This greeting was just another sign that the newlyweds were in another world and had a lot to learn about the culture. Human rules most definitely did not apply.
The young man straightened. "Sir, I have this package for you." He handed over a slightly bulky legal size brown envelope. "Also I have seen to your other deliveries. I personally escorted them to your suite and made sure they were all secure for the transfer to the in-between."
"Thank you Nathaniel. You always do good work for us." Marcus discreetly passed a tip to the man as the smaller man gave a slight bow to the Alpha wolf. "I will let you get back to your duties."
Nathaniel gave one quick glance to the two newcomers, but knew better than to stare or ask questions. "Thank you sir. I hope you all have a nice stay in Undrehiel." The man was quickly off and lost once again in the crowds walking along the thoroughfare.
Marcus slid the envelope open and two slim leather wallets slid out, one black, one white. He immediately passed them over to Jane and Maura.
Both women were quick to open them finding new picture id with their Undrehiel names on them and an address neither woman was familiar with, they looked very similar to a drivers license. Another id card behind that one looked very similar, but clearly stated their positions as royalty, naming them King and Queen and Laird and Lady and carried an entirely different address. There was also a bright purple card with their royal titles and names on them and numerical codes under that were all written in gold. Another similar card was in the wallet except it was red with silver writing and had their normal Undrehiel names on them. These were their monetary exchange cards. They also found a variety of bills similar to American currency, however with people and places on them that neither woman was familiar with. They were made of some sort of fibrous material, each denomination was a different color. Both women quickly slid the wallets out of sight, no need to advertise what they had just received among so many strangers. They could check it out further when they were in private.
"Use your everyday id when we check in, it will be best to keep that other under the radar until we are officially in Undrehiel." Evie warned casually, strongly aware of the world around them.
Both women nodded in understanding. They were all through check-in quickly and our gals had finally met their first vampires. One seemed like anyone else while the other appeared to have gone overboard to look like the epitome of Dracula.
The royal couple were first escorted to a large suite with Wolfe Security and Investigations emblazoned on the door in gold. The suite was nicely appointed with comfortable chairs and couches. A large flat screen TV with the accompaniment of the latest tech gadgets was also in the main room along with some items our Laird and Lady did not recognize. There was a small kitchenette with both human and Undrehiel appliances.
"Now the adjustment period for the in-between is six hours. Once we enter the in-between we will not be able to leave this room. Through the door on the right is a bedroom with a king bed and a private bath, the room on the left has several bunks and another bathroom. The door to our private vault is in the far wall. Why don't the two of you take your things into the room on the right? You can freshen up and change out anything that has to do with your human realm life and replace it with what you were given. For the next four years or so of your lives ladies you will be saying goodbye to Detective Rizzoli and Doctor Isles and saying hello to Laird Raven and Lady Snow, King and Queen of all Lycan kind." Evie continued to explain. "Just so you know, your monetary exchange cards' funds come directly from the banking accounts you have inherited from the previous Lord and Lady, that account was large from the beginning and has done nothing but earn interest in the many centuries since they put it in trust for you. The account now is almost limitless. You are among the wealthiest couples in Undrehiel."
"We will be back out shortly." Maura led the way into the room with Jane close behind.
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Jane shut the door snicking the lock in place. She turned leaning against it as she tried to catch up with the world around her.
Maura placed her bag and purse on the bed. "The last," she glanced at her watch "thirty five minutes have completely shaken my world." She turned to her tall wife who simply let her bag and the computer case slide to the floor before opening her arms. The smaller woman was in them in a heartbeat. Both women were each other's shelter in the storm that their life had become.
They simply held one another for several minutes before Maura brought her head up, Jane meeting her halfway as their lips collided. The kiss was long, deep, and soothed them both.
The kiss broke. They simply rested their foreheads together breathing deep. "I love you sweetheart and so needed this. It has been too long since I held you and kissed you. I also needed the comfort and support. I really thought I had my mind wrapped around this trip, yet coming out of that cave like hallway and into the depot was so much more than even my imagination could possibly have prepare me for." Jane said.
"I understand, baby. I wasn't prepared for it either. The last half hour has really driven home just how much we have to learn."
Jane sighed. "We better hurry and get back out there. They will be waiting on us."
Both women freshened up first before removing anything that could identify who they were in the human realm. Maura emptied her purse and went through everything. Her wallet was much thinner when she was through.
Jane simply took out a few pictures from her wallet and placed them into the black one Marcus had given her. The hardest part for her was placing her badge and gun with her wallet on the bed. They had been a part of her for so long. She leaned into her wife for comfort when she felt the delicate yet strong arm slide around her back. The women turned as a knock sounded at the door.
Jane opened it to find Ashley standing there holding a wooden box in her hand about the size of a shoe box. It had a brass combo lock built into the hasp. "We thought you might want to use this to put your personal things in. You can set your own combo for the lock then we can show you how to set the magical lock on the box. You can place it in your own personal safe in our vault."
"Thanks, Ashley. We'll be right out." Jane took the box letting the door shut behind her. "This is a cool looking box. I wonder what all this writing means on the outside of it, I bet it has something to do with the magical lock on this thing." She handed it to Maura.
"It is beautiful. I don't recognize the writing either, but I would say you are correct about it having to do with magic." Maura sat the box on the bed before opening it up. The inside was covered in some kind of red velvet like cloth. She grouped up her small pile of cards and notes from her purse and wallet that had anything to do with identifying her as Dr. Isles and placed them in the box, along with her cell phone. She would send a quick email to her family and friends, but wasn't prepared to talk with them yet. Jane agreed she wasn't ready either.
Jane picked up her gun, cleared it, and took the clip out. She quickly stepped into the bathroom grabbing a small white hand towel and an even smaller facial cloth. She wrapped the hand towel around her gun and the facial cloth around the clip. The cloths would help protect the gun and clip as well as their personal documents. She laid her wallet with Maura's personal cards and put her badge on top of it all before closing the box. The women came to an agreement about the ten digit numeric combo in no time. They would use the month and year that they had met all those years ago in a museum for the first four digits and the month, day, and year that they were reunited over a body at a Boston crime scene for the last six. It was a combination both women could easily remember and others wouldn't be able to easily guess.
Everyone turned to them as they reenter the main room. "Everything that can identify us as Detective Rizzoli and Doctor Isles is in here except for our laptop." Jane announced.
Evie took the box from them. "Why don't you grab you laptop case, we can place it inside the vault while we go out shopping. No one should have the audacity to snoop in our rooms, nevertheless I would rather be safe than sorry. If anyone did decide to snoop in here there is no way they could get into our vault."
Maura turned back gathering the case before she and Jane joined Marcus and Evie in the small walk in bank type vault in the back wall of the suite.
"Place the laptop in one of the shelf bins by the door. It will be safe enough until we get back." They all turned to the back wall which was completely lined with what looked like row upon row of wall safes. There were smaller ones on top, medium in the middle, and large ones on bottom. Marcus was opening up a safe in the middle. "This one should be big enough for all of your remaining things not joining you in Undrehiel. If it turns out it is not enough we can move down to one of the large ones."
Evie placed the wooden box on a nearby table. "To magically lock this box the two of you need to each place a hand on the side of the box over the knotted emblems there and with your other hand trace the large design on the top of the box. One of you will trace from right to left, the other left to right."
The women easily complied and both felt the magic flow around the box and through their hands as the magical lock was snapped home. "Now that was cool." Jane grinned at them all.
"It sure was. Does the safe have something similar?" Maura inquired.
"Yeah, just as this vault does." It only took moments to lock up the safe. "Now let's get going before we run out of time. It's a little after noon and we have to be back before three." Marcus waved them all out of the vault sealing it closed behind them. Moments later their group was back outside the suite heading for the shopping market just off of the main thoroughfare.
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Jane laughed as Maura wrapped the little leprechaun around her finger as she praised the craftsmanship and artistry of his shoes. They had already eaten, thankfully at a very human friendly restaurant. They had stopped at a women's shop immediately after lunch. Jane with Maura's help picked out a few things while Maura found herself a few dresses and hit the make-up and perfume counter. Jane was always impressed with how Maura could shop. She had left Maura with Evie, Ashley, and Tony when they headed to the make-up and perfume counter. Marcus wanted to take her to an armorer shop a few doors down. Warren accompanied them. Jane had seen some really finely made elven blades. The men knew Jane felt odd not having a weapon on her. She now had a fine elven knife in a sheath on her belt and one she could either strap to her ankle or slide into a boot. When Jane and the guys had met the women and Tony outside the shoe store they seemed to have more bags than she thought they should have.
Jane had lifted one eyebrow at Maura questioningly as she took some of the bags from her. "I may have picked up a few extra things I liked for the both of us." She grinned, leaning into her taller lover for a quick kiss before she led the way into the shoe store and found shoe love with a leprechaun.
The leprechaun's clerk was a nice female vampire. The clerk passed Jane her bag with the pair of brown leather boots she had purchased and a pair of sneakers very similar to those she had on except the soles were made of some material she wasn't familiar with. Both pairs of shoes were the most comfortable Jane had ever worn. She now sat in a chair surrounded by shopping bags, Evie and Tony sat on either side of her as they too watched Maura. Marcus, Warren, and Ashley had been sent to the market to pick up some snacks for them all to munch on while they were in the suite for six hours.
"I like to shop, but I have never seen anyone who could do it quite as extensively or as efficiently as Maura can. She isn't a frivolous shopper either. However, I think she gets a little dreamy eyed over shoes." Evie commented.
"Yes she does. Well made clothing and accessories are a few of the things Maura loves, but nice shoes are an absolute favorite. I have caught her a few times online browsing for shoes at work. When my lady is down about something that is an activity that can often help cheer her up." She glanced down at her watch as Evie's phone registered a new text message. It was a quarter after two, Jane was going to have to call an end soon to Maura's fun.
"That was Marcus. They are taking the things they purchased to the suite. Ashley is going to stay and put stuff away and the guys are going to come back to help us carry everything back to the suite." Evie said as she slid her phone back into her pocket.
"I better go over and hurry Maura along or we might miss our departure time." Jane rose stepping over the bags. She smiled at the little man helping her wife, before turning to the lovely woman with the dancing eyes. "Honey, Marcus and Warren will be back soon to help us take our things to our suite. I know you are enjoying yourself, but we are going to have to leave soon so we can get things situated before our departure."
"I know, however it is just so hard to pick just a few pairs and we won't be back this way for awhile."
"My dear lady, my family has many fine shops throughout Undrehiel." He slid a business card out of his pocket handing it to her. "Just look for the Landrekin name and symbol on the sign and you will know it is one of ours. We are the best cobblers in both realms. Please tell them that Raimesh sent you and they will take excellent care of you."
"Why thank you kind sir. I will most certainly do that. Now I think I will add this pair to those I have already chosen." She slipped the pump off handing it to the little man who quickly boxed it before heading to the counter to help the clerk check her out. Maura slid her heels back on. Jane assisted her up escorting her to the counter. When her purchases were rung up Jane was the one who paid for them. Both women grinned, the sharing of funds was new to them and made them both feel delightedly married. They knew they were going to have to take care of getting their finances set up similarly in the human realm as soon as they returned.
Jane was not at all surprised that Maura had purchased five pairs of shoes. She looped her hands through the handles of the bags following the blonde over to their waiting friends. The women looked at all the bags. "Are you sure we don't need to pick up some luggage to help carry all of this?" Maura inquired.
"Don't worry about it everything has been taken care of. We will show you after we depart." Evie stood carrying the long bags holding Maura's dresses while she left one hand free. Maura filled both of her hands as did Jane. Marcus and Warren arrived while they were gathering everything together. They along with Tony picked up the last of the bags each of them also leaving one hand free, the hand that could get to their weapons the fastest. None of them was expecting trouble, all the same they wanted to be prepared anyway.
Many sighs were heard as they made it back to the room. "I feel like a pack mule." Jane teased as she headed for the bedroom she and Maura were given. She placed her bags on the floor by the bed moving out of the way as others placed their bags where Maura instructed.
"Ladies you have enough time to freshen up if you're quick about it, then please join us out in the main area. We will explain a little bit of what is about to happen as we shift into the in-between." Marcus announced before exiting the room with the others.
Both women wasted little time in using the facilities before joining everyone in the main area. They sat together on the couch along with Ashley. Evie, Warren, and Tony sat on the sofa facing them with Marcus taking the chair across from the TV. Everyone focused on him.
"I know you two don't know a lot about the in-between or why it takes so long to get through it, but first I am going to explain how we are getting there." He leaned forward in his chair relaxing his elbows on his knees. "The process is a mixture of technology and magic. We are the lucky ones who are able to traverse the in-between in a private suite. There are other private suites and some smaller rooms much the size of hotel rooms also available, however for most beings they stay in large areas much like commuter train cars. These rooms are linked so they can travel to the café or facilities. There are small private births available in these rooms or levels. There are a total of twenty four levels or trains consisting of six cars each at this depot. These levels are on a constantly revolving carousel that only pauses long enough for everyone to depart and reload. There are always twelve trains traversing the in-between towards Undrehiel as the other twelve head back towards the human realm. Now the private suites and rooms that aren't always used are basically attached to these levels or trains when needed. Most private suites or rooms are rented by the trip, but there are some who own rooms and suites as we do. It is similar to those revolving garages they have over in Japan."
"What exactly is the in-between?" Maura inquired after a moment of processing.
"The best I can describe it, is an open space in time between the two realms. We have learned to utilize the space to help make it safer to cross between worlds. Much like a diver who has dove to extreme depths must slowly rise back to the surface or he gets the bends. We must slowly be exposed to the time and atmosphere of Undrehiel or vise versa. Because of the time differences and differences in magical atmosphere it would be too dangerous to make the jump between realms all at once. Over the next six hours we, along with others on our level, will slowly be exposed to the atmosphere and timing of Undrehiel." He further explained.
"Sounds pretty cool. Will we feel these changes or will it be too gradual?" Jane pulled Maura a little closer.
Evie fielded that question. "Most non magic wielders do not really feel anything, but they may have a reaction similar to jet leg. Since the two of you will be able to wield magic you will feel it growing around you and it will probably awake parts of you that have been asleep until now. In most areas in the human realm there is not enough magic in the atmosphere for the magic to awaken in young wielders, usually they are taken to spend a up to a month in Undrehiel once they reach puberty to see if they are ready to begin training or not. Since we know you two are ready yours will begin to awaken as soon as you are exposed to it. Once it is fully awakened within you, you will always have it even in the human realm. I don't have a large knowledge of magic, however you two will soon be meeting with those who do to help you learn to use your magical gifts."
Before anymore could be said a tinny voice echoed through the chamber. "We are now locking all doors. Please be seated and remain seated until transfer to the in-between is completed."
Both Maura and Jane felt flutters in their stomachs. They were truly on their way to a new world, there was no turning back now.
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So what do you think? Don't worry you won't be held in suspense long. Now please read and review this chapter for me and let me know how you think I am doing. Until Next Time…Holly