They were making their rounds to prepare for landing when the flight attendant woke Jane up so that she could wake her companion without startling her. Thanking her, Jane smiled that Maura's sleeping form and gently brushed her hand across her cheek. "Maura, wake up we are about to land and you were starting to drool on my shoulder." She just had to throw that in as pay back for flirting with all the guys in the line for security.
A slight blush creeps across Maura's face as Jane's words hit her through the sleep-induced haze. Wiping her hand across her mouth she spoke, "I'm sorry Jane. I tend to do that when I am comfortable enough the drift into my REM cycle of sleep."
Smiling at the choice of words and facts that the doctor used even still half asleep Jane just helped her buckle her seatbelt. "Really Maura, I was thinking it was maybe because you were dreaming about a good wine or shoes."
This comment earned her a pat on the leg. "Well I was dreaming but that is for me to know and you to find out." This is the last thing she says before setting back into her seat for the landing.
"You do realize that I am a trained interrogator and know how to get information out of people." Jane issued this as a challenge to the fine doctor. She was thinking the whole time that she would know what the dreams were before the trip was over.
The pair departed the plane and walked to baggage claim. The airport was not that busy since they have planned to take the trip in the days following Christmas and just before New Years since most people were with their families for the holidays. Jane told Ma that she would be leaving after Christmas since they see each other every day at work. She seemed to understand, which Jane thought was odd at the time. She would have to ask about that some time while here in Colorado.
As soon as they retrieved their luggage they caught a cab to the resort so they could check-in and hit the slopes as soon as possible.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you that I just got an update on the ski report and they are saying that the light dusting from a small system that passed through last night has left fresh powder. The upper altitudes have the best snow since not many go up there. I hope that my snow skies got here safely."
"Well all that I care about is having a snowball fight with you as soon as we get settled in the cabin."
"Jane, you wouldn't do such a childish thing, or would you?" Maura tried to act surprised.
"Is that an attempt at sarcasm?" Maybe Ma was right; her bad sarcasm was rubbing off on her friend. " If is was, you need to work on your delivery. Besides I would do a childish thing like that since we are on vacation. I don't want to be a cop for a few days. I just want to be Jane Rizzoli, luckiest person in the world to have you." Oh that last part slipped out before she could stop it. Damn, she needed to make sure her brain to mouth filter was in proper working order before she let her feelings for Maura come out. "I mean that as in you are my best friend and I'm lucky to have you in my life."
"Well I like the way you put it first." Maura dropped this bomb on Jane before turning to talk to the receptionist and get directions to their cabin. "Oh look Jane, they have holiday themed karaoke tonight after the ski lifts close. Can we please attend this? I haven't done karaoke since college."
"Yes, we can." Jane slowed a bit as Maura's comment hit her, "whoa, back up, you Maura Isles, the shyest and self-proclaimed most socially awkward person sang karaoke in college." Jane was shocked.
"I was actually quite good at it and won a few competitions in the process. I used the money to buy extra reading material for my classes. Besides I didn't go out and do it, I sang at the senior center I was volunteering at."
"Oh, of course it would not be in the way I would have thought." This woman was like on of those intense mysteries, many layers just waiting to be sorted though and examined before you could see the whole picture. "Don't think that this little tactic is going to make me forget about that little bomb you dropped on me back there."
"Maybe you will find out what I meant by that before we get back home." Thanking the receptionist for the keys and a ride to the cabin, Maura grabs her luggage and turns to Jane. "They have a snow cat that we can pay to take us up to the cabin or we can walk. I personally would like to take the snow cat considering the cabin is half a mile from here."
"Snow cat it is, by the way what exactly is that."
"Well it is like a snowmobile but bigger with tank tracks and a cab to ride in so you're not out in the elements. They sometimes used them to build half-pipes for snowboarders to do tricks on."
"Sounds cool, let's go and maybe they will let me drive it."
"I don't know about that Jane. It's not like driving a car."
"Well way to suck all the fun out of it. Let's hurry up because we are burning daylight and we still have a snow fight to have."
Maura just shakes her head as she walks along behind Jane to check out her backside as she walks. "She really does have a nicer gluteus maxims than Tommy."
"Did you say something Maura? Were you just checking out my ass and comparing it to my brothers'?" She was holding out her hand to help Maura up in to the cab of the snow cat.
"Oh, I didn't think I said that aloud, but if you have to know, yes I was." She grabs Jane's hand to get in the cab. "It is a prime example of how the muscles work together to make a sexually appealing body part. In many countries the size and shape of the gluteus maxims is a criteria that is examined when determining mates."
"Is this some science way of hitting on me?" Jane asks trying not to laugh.
"No, I was just pointing out a fact. If I was to hit on you as you say, I am not so socially awkward to not know how to do it. I have after all been on more dates then you in the last year."
"Gee, thanks Maura. I can't help that the one guy that I would consider dating is currently in Afghanistan."
"Good point." Changing subjects Maura asks, "What song are you thinking about singing tonight?"
"I don't think I will be singing unless I have had a few drinks in my system. The only time I sing is in my shower or in the car to a steering wheel."
"Well that is a shame, one time I over heard you singing in the guest bathroom, you have a great voice." The snow cat stops in front of the cabin. "oh here we are."
"Wow, this place looks even better then the website makes it appear." She is the first out of the snow cat. While Maura is climbing down, Jane gathers up some snow in her hand and throws it at her back. She nearly falls over from laughing at the look of shock in Maura's face.
"You didn't just throw snow at my favorite coat?" Maura rushes at Jane knocking her over. Jane wraps her arms around Maura pulling her down with her. So Maura gets a handful of snow and rubs it in the detective's dark locks.
Jane is laughing to hard to notice what she is doing. "Uncle, uncle." She calls a truce to catch her breath.
"I'm not sure why you are calling uncle, but I will stop so we can go in and get out of the wet clothes now." Only she does not immediately move off of Jane. She gazes at the disheveled mess of snow covered hair and slightly red face of her best friend. The sight before her takes her breath away. Without realizing it she is slowly closing the distance between them.
"Earth to Maura." Jane states without opening her eyes, and so she doesn't know that Maura was close to crossing a line that has been tested many times throughout their friendship.
Realizing what she was about to do she gets up. "Oh sorry, I got distracted."
Standing she reaches out a hand to help Jane stand.
"By what? We are the only ones out here now that the snow cat driver left. Thanks" Finally standing she realizes that she has yet to let go of the proffered hand.
"No problem, let's go in an get warmed up. I don't know about you, but my clothes are now wet and would like to change before hitting the slopes. Also a nice warm cup of hot chocolate would be great." Maura lets go of Jane's hand to pick up her luggage and proceed into the cabin.
"So which room do you want? The one that overlooks the mountain or the one the overlooks the frozen lake." Jane enters the cabin, careful not to track in too much snow.
"Hmm, I will take the lake side, since that is on the east side and gets the morning sun. I know how you like to get your beauty sleep." Maura enters her room and begins unpacking. "You can take a shower first, since there is only one bathroom and I will start making a snack for us."
"Sounds like a plan. Do you think that we will have much time to ski today, or should we just wait until morning?" Jane started the water in the shower to get the bathroom steamed up so that the air was not too cold when she got in.
Checking the time on her watch Maura notices it was going to be dark soon, "Well, since it will most likely be dark by the time we both get cleaned and changed, it would be best to wait until morning." She was looking through the fully stocked kitchen trying to decide what to make. "How does soup sound for a snack before we go back to karaoke tonight?"
"Sounds good to me. I'm still not singing tonight."
By the time Jane was finished showering, the soup was warmed and the doctor was scooping some in to bowls.
Jane was towel drying her hair as she sat on a barstool at the island. "Smells great Maura."
As she brought the bowls over to the island, Maura got a glimpse of her friend. She looked amazing with her hair still damp from the shower in her jeans and nice sweater. "You looked dressed to go out, but you might want to dry your hair completely before we leave. I don't want you catching a cold."
"Of course I am going to dry my hair Maura, I am from Boston. It does tend to get cold there too."
"Well, I just don't want you sick on your vacation. I am not that kind of doctor, but I will do my best to cure you."
After eating and cleaning up the dishes both women went off the get ready for their night out. As always Maura had packed clothes that looked like they belonged on a fashion runway and not at a ski resort, but that is just Maura being Maura. She doesn't have to attitude of a wealthy person, but she does have a taste for the finer things in life. Jane has already called for the snow cat to come pick them up and it was waiting outside, when Maura stepped out of her room.
"Wow, looks like I should have put my badge on tonight to be your body guard."
"That won't be necessary Jane, I'm a big girl and can handle myself, but thanks for the offer. Unless, you are going to be one of my suitors." She winks as she walks out to the snow cat.
Jane says to herself, "Tonight is going to be very trying on my nerves. I hope that have good whiskey at this place." She follows Maura out after locking the door.
Author's Note: I don't know much about skiing, so please be forgiving of any mistakes made on that part. In the next chapter our girls will sing. Feedback is encouraged and wanted. I'm glad to see that so far many of you like the direction it is going.