Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli and Isles
Maura's bout with the flu lasted almost an entire week, and during that time Jane took good care of her patient. Every minute she wasn't at work she was at Maura's. She made sure Maura drank enough soup and Gatorade, she held her in her arms when her fever spiked, and brought in an endless supply of tissues, cough medicine, and DVDs.
Maura had never felt so cared for and so loved in all of her life. It was almost worth being sick.
There were so many things she had always admired Jane for—her intelligence, her abilities as a detective, her fierce love and loyalty to her family. Maura also admired Jane for the compassion she displayed for the many victims that she worked with on a regular basis, but that compassion was usually manifest in a fashion that was peculiarly Jane: as an obstinate drive to solve crimes and pursue justice.
But when that compassion was directed toward her, Maura realized, it was manifest as a tenderness and a warmth that she had never seen from the detective before. It thrilled Maura to know that Jane cared so much about her—thrilled her so much that it was a bit overwhelming at times.
The second night that Jane stayed over with her, Maura woke up shivering and discovered that she was drenched in sweat. Jane immediately woke when she felt Maura stirring and took charge of the situation. She got out a clean pair of pajamas—the pair that she had just laundered that evening—and sent Maura into the bathroom to change. When Maura came out, Jane had already put fresh sheets on the bed. She made Maura take a drink of water to replace the fluids she had lost, and then put her back under the covers. Curled up in Jane's arms, Maura couldn't help but let the tears fall and Jane soon noticed.
"Oh, sweetie, you'll feel better soon, I promise," Jane whispered sleepily into Maura's ear.
"It's not that, it's—you're being so good to me, Jane. I don't deserve it, especially after—after—"
"Shh, Maura, let's not talk about that now. Later, we'll talk, after you're better. Just sleep now, okay?"
Maura quieted, breathing deeply. "Okay. I love you, Jane."
"I love you too."
Despite the fact that she was sick and felt physically awful, Maura found that her sick leave was a welcome respite from the emotional turmoil she had been experiencing. Jane was being incredibly patient with her, and hadn't once asked for an explanation for the events of the previous month. With her libido dampened by illness and Jane treating her only like a friend—if a very close friend—she didn't have to think about the physical aspect of their relationship and where it was going. Once her fever broke and she started regaining a little energy, the two women simply enjoyed each other's company. In a way, they were still pretending that nothing had happened until Maura was healthy enough to deal with it. They were just pretending together instead of apart.
The day of reckoning had to come, though, and both women knew it. Finally, one afternoon Maura called Jane at work.
"Hi Jane, guess what." Maura sounded like her old self again.
"What—you finally figured out what happened to that retainer you lost in sixth grade?" Jane could imagine the exact look on Maura's face as she realized that Jane was teasing her—the narrowed eyes, the pursed lips, the tiny smile curling up at the corner of her mouth.
"No, that remains a mystery, and I'll probably continue to have nightmares about it for the rest of my life. I really wish I hadn't told you that story. Anyway, what I wanted to say is that I haven't had a fever for forty-eight hours so I've been cleared to go back to work tomorrow."
"Are you sure you're feeling up to it?"
"I should be fine—I've had a lot more energy today. I even caught up on all of the laundry and cleaning so you won't have to do it tonight."
Jane wondered if that was her cue that she should return to her apartment and sleep in her own bed. She didn't want to do it—even sharing a bed with a sick Maura Isles was better than sleeping alone—but she knew it had to be done.
"Oh, that's good, because we just caught a case and I'm going to have to work late—so you'll be okay on your own tonight?" Jane stretched the truth just a bit, hoping to make the transition back to normal life a bit less awkward.
"Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you, Jane, for all of your help. It means a lot to me."
"No problem, Maura, I was glad to do it. What are friends for?"
The question hung in the air as both women wondered: Are we just friends? Or something more?
Jane knew exactly what she wanted the answer to be, but she had to wait for Maura to decide.
When Jane reached her desk at work the next morning, there was another cream-colored envelope waiting for her. She felt panic rising in her throat—it looked exactly the same as the note that Maura had left for her over a month before.
Jane stared at the envelope for nearly a full minute before she finally decided that she should probably give Maura the benefit of the doubt and read it before storming into the morgue again.
Dear Jane,
Sorry for sending you another note, but I think you'll agree that the occasion is more appropriate in this case.
Jane, would you do me the honor of being my date this Friday night? I have reservations at the Bristol Lounge for eight o'clock, so I will pick you up at seven-thirty if you are amenable to spending the evening with me.
All my love,
Maura
A grin spread across Jane's face, and it stayed there pretty much all day long.
She immediately whipped out her phone and sent a text.
Sorry to answer by text but I don't have any fancy stationery. I can use fancy words though: I would be delighted to be your date this Friday, and I look forward to the event with great anticipation. Love, Jane.
Then she found the restaurant's website to find out what kind of evening she was in for. After perusing the menu and photos of the food and dining area, she took out her phone again and hit the speed dial.
"Ma? Are you free this afternoon? I need you to take me shopping." Jane groaned in anticipation of her mother's reaction to her next words: "For a dress."
She had to hold the phone away from her ear as Angela screamed in delight.
Jane was ready for her date early, so she watched from the window as Maura's car pulled up in front of her building. When Maura got out, she saw exactly what she expected—Maura was perfectly put together, from her three-inch heels to her stunning green dress to the silky strands of hair that fell around her shoulders.
Jane felt tingly all over. She watched the sway of Maura's hips as she made her way to the door and hoped against hope that tonight, this night, she would put her hands around that waist and pull those hips against her own.
Jane's wish came true, and much more quickly than she had anticipated.
When Jane opened the door for her, Maura had the shock of her life. She had never—not once—seen Jane Rizzoli in a dress. But here she was, in the most amazing little black dress she had ever seen. It exposed Jane's cleavage and hugged her trim waist and hips, and Jane's legs—oh, Jane's legs. They just went on forever. And in heels?
All Maura could do was stare. She absolutely could not tear her eyes away from the perfect body standing before her.
"Jane—that dress . . . you look amazing." Finally she looked up at Jane's eyes and found them shining with delight.
"You like it? Ma and I picked it out yesterday." She twirled around so Maura could see the full effect.
Oh god, it's backless.
"Turn around again, I want to see the back," said Maura a bit breathlessly. Jane complied, and under the pretense of examining the stitching, Maura touched Jane's bare skin around the edges of the dress. Then she dropped all pretense and traced her fingers lightly up and then down Jane's exposed spine.
Jane's breath caught in her throat as she felt Maura touch her. When Maura rested both of her hands on Jane's hips, still staring at the bare skin in front of her, Jane turned around and the two women pressed their bodies tightly together.
"You look so beautiful, Jane—I've never seen you in a dress before."
"Yeah, well, I don't wear dresses for just anyone. But you are pretty special to me, Dr. Isles, and I wanted to look my best for this date. Our first date." Jane smiled and looked into Maura's eyes. Then she reached up and caressed Maura's face with just the tips of her fingers.
"Jane—I," Maura shivered slightly as Jane's fingers moved to the soft skin at the side of her neck. "I want you to kiss me—is that all right?" Maura's voice was shaky, but hopeful.
Jane leaned in close, and rested her forehead against Maura's, cupping the back of her neck with one hand and her waist with the other. She whispered, "Do you promise not to run away?"
Maura looked deep into Jane's eyes and whispered back, "I promise."
Then Jane closed the distance between them and their lips met. It was nothing like the heated and hasty kisses of their previous encounter, but no less passionate. Jane took control, opening her mouth and sucking on Maura's bottom lip, teasing it with light pressure from her tongue. Maura moaned as she moved to meet Jane's tongue with her own. She felt the heat radiating from there outward, filling her entire body with the most delicious warmth.
Finally, they broke apart, breathing heavily. Jane broke the silence. "We'd better get going if we're going to make our reservation."
Maura shook herself out of a daze and cleared her throat. "Yes, we should go." She reluctantly moved her body away from Jane's, but she reached out and took the other's woman's hand, lacing their fingers tightly together. They both walked out into the night air, breathing deeply and trying to calm their racing hearts.
A/N: I realize that in the "real" Rizzoli & Isles world Maura would have already seen Jane in the little black dress. But I couldn't help including it here, 'cause damn, Jane/Angie just looks so good in that dress . . .
