Disclaimer: Still do not own any characters etc.
Thanks to tlc125 for your constructive criticism - it really helps! And as for the vacation idea - it is upon us :) Time for some happy happy holiday shenanigans! Sorry in advance for the short chapter, I really struggled with this one! I'm not sure that I entirely happy with it but I would love your thoughts!
"Jane, are you almost ready to go home?" Maura asked as she perched herself on Jane's desk.
"Yes Maur, I was just about to come down and get you." Jane replied smiling sweetly before giving Maura the once over, her gaze settling upon the M.E.'s milky thighs that were now in front of Jane, tantalizing her.
"Ok good, let's get going then." Maura stood up and brushed imaginary wrinkles out of her skirt.
As the pair were about to exit the bullpen, they ran in the Lieutenant Cavanaugh who had a big smile on his face. "Enjoy your week Rizzoli. And Dr Isles, please make her relax!" He stated with a grin before patting Jane on the shoulder and continuing past them and into the bullpen.
"Maur, what on earth was he talking about?" Jane asked, her brows burrowed in confusion.
"Well, I was hoping to keep it as a surprise until we arrived home, but now it looks like the cat has escaped the sack."
"Ah it's 'the cat's out of the bag' Maur" Jane lovingly corrected as she giggled to herself. "And hold up - what's going on?" 'Smooth, Maura. I swear sometimes she deliberately says the wrong thing just to distract me' Jane thought to herself.
"Well Jane, I arranged for us both to have a week off. We both have plenty of leave owed to us and I wanted to treat you." Maura smiled her sweetest smile, hoping the detective would not be mad that she arranged this without her prior consent.
Jane returned Maura's smile before wrapping her arm possessively around Maura's waist. "Thanks Maur, that's really sweet." She said as they started walking towards the elevator. Jane pressed the down button before turning back to the M.E and lovingly kissing her cheek.
"So, where are we going?" Jane asked as they entered the elevator.
"It's a surprise." Maura replied as the doors closed.
"Maur, you are going to have to tell me where we are going so I know what to pack." Jane shouted to the doctor in the living room as she fumbled through clothes in her cupboard.
Jane jumped as she felt arms grab her hips, swiftly turning her around. "Jane, I know how much you hate packing, so why don't you let me pack for you. I know where everything is and I know exactly what is needed." Maura offered as she gently rubbed her hands up and down the detective's arms.
"Maur, I can pack for myself you know." Jane whined. Maura was right - she hated packing, but she knew that if she played this right, the doctor might accidentally disclose their destination.
"You're not fooling me Jane Rizzoli. I am not going to slip up and tell you where we are going." Maura responded knowingly.
"Wha..." Jane started before looking at her girlfriend who was now brandishing a very stern look. The detective quickly realized she was fighting a losing battle. "Fine." She responded before kissing Maura and exiting the room.
Maura made quick work of the packing and within the hour they were leaving Jane's apartment.
"Maur, don't we need to stop at your house so you can pack?" Jane asked as they passed the doctor's exit.
"I packed this morning Jane, did you not notice my suitcases in the trunk?" Maura answered, not for a moment taking her eyes off the road.
"Hmm no. I guess I was distracted in all my excitement." Jane chuckled. She usually hated surprises, but she knew Maura would not take her somewhere she would not like. She knew Maura would have given it a lot of thought, so she felt comfortable in whatever decisions she made.
"It's been a long day, I'm just going to close my eyes for a minute." Jane whispered as her eyes drooped. She had been fighting sleep for that past half an hour and, not knowing their ultimate destination, Jane had no idea how much longer the drive would be. She closed her eyes for just a minute...
"Jane we are here." Maura whispered, gently shaking her lover who had now been sleeping for the better part of an hour.
"Hmm? Five more minutes..." Jane muttered.
"Jane sweetie, I'm tired so I am going to head inside. Are you coming or are you going to sleep in the car for the night?" Maura teased, gently poking the detective's side.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming." Jane replied as she finally opened her eyes. She looked around, desperately trying to ascertain where exactly they were. Their current surroundings were providing Jane with very little insight. But... Oh. My. God. The house they are currently parked in front of is incredible. A large white two-story lake house. Jane exited the car, her mouth agape as she looked around. All she could see was water. It was quite possibly the most beautiful place she had ever visited. "Maur. Where are we? What is this place?" Jane asks in reverence.
"Well Jane, we are just out from Cape Cod and this house is owned by my family. In fact, this whole peninsula is owned by the Isles Family." Maura stated as she started unpacking their luggage. Noting Jane's silence, the M.E. was immediately concerned. "It's too much, isn't it? I'm sorry Jane, we can book into a hotel somewhere if you would prefer." She offered.
"No Maur... I mean, yes it is very fancy but so long as you didn't have to pay anything for us to stay at the "Isles' Isle", then I don't mind in the slightest." Jane was waiting for the doctor to respond. Nothing. "You didn't have to pay for us to stay here did you?" Jane quickly asked.
"No of course not Jane. I am free to visit this house whenever I desire." Maura stated as she started lugging their bags towards to house. Jane was quickly at her side, grabbing the bags from the doctor.
"Ooh really?" Jane asked smirking. "How did I not know about this mansion before now?"
"It's hardly a mansion Jane. Our estate in Geneva is more akin to a mansion." Maura added with a shrug of her shoulders. She turned on her heels and made her way towards the entrance.
"Estate... Geneva.." Jane stuttered in disbelief as she followed her doctor's lead. "Okay, once we are settled in here, you have to tell me about all the Isles estates that you are free to visit. I think I need to be sitting down for that conversation."
"Okay, all unpacked. Now can I put my feet up?" Jane asked as she huffed down the stairs in jest.
"You are so melodramatic." Maura teased as she directed Jane to the sitting room. "Have a seat, put your feet up. I'll go get us a drink."
When Maura returned she was pleased to see that Jane had the forethought to remove her shoes and socks before she placed her feet on any furniture. "Here you go sweetie." She simpered as she handed Jane a beer. Maura then placed her wine glass on a coaster on the coffee table before making her way over to the fireplace.
Jane watched intently as Maura bent over to start the fire. She couldn't help it, she was completely enraptured with this beautiful woman. And what she saw once the fire flamed took her breath away. Somehow, the most stunning woman in the world became even more exquisite as she knelt in front of the growing embers. Her silhouette, surrounded by the fierce flames, somehow beautifully softened. The quiet crackle of the flames and gentle breaths the only sound in the room.
"Like what you see detective?" Maura asked seductively, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Very much so. Undoubtedly the most beautiful view in the world." Jane responded gently. And she meant every word of it.
Maura smiled genuinely as she sauntered over to the brunette, joining her on the couch before lifting the detective's legs onto her lap.
"I don't believe that to be an accurate statement my love." Maura responded as she started kneading Jane's calves.
Jane moaned contentedly, thoroughly enjoying the blonde's massage of her tired legs. "Why is that Doctor?" she hummed.
"I think my view is the most beautiful." Maura mused as her fingers continued to gently caress her girlfriend's legs.
"Agree to disagree." Jane softly retorted as she took a swig of her beer as her eyes fluttered in contentment.
They sat in comfortable silence for some time. Both women exhausted from their long week. Both thoroughly enjoying just being with each other. Jane was the first to break the silence. "Thanks so much Maur."
"What for Jane?"
"Well firstly for arranging all of this. You know I hate surprises but I have to say this is awesome. You can surprise me anytime." Jane said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
"Really detective?" Maura teased.
"Mmm yes. But that applies to you and you alone. So don't go telling my mother. Please." Jane said as she rolled her eyes, imagining all the horrible surprises her mother would concoct given the chance.
"Your secret is safe with me." The M.E. whispered.
"And thanks for just being you." Jane added as she placed a hand over one of Maura's.
"That's hardly and achievement on my part, nor something I deserve thanks for."
Jane tilted her head and took a moment to enjoy the beauty in front of her. "It is though sweetie. You are incredible. I could never get enough of you. You are so caring and loving. Your smile alone is enough to make my darkest day bright. Your hands..." Jane moved to gently hold both of the doctor's hands. "fit perfectly in mine. And yours are the only hands that have been able to heal mine." Maura gazed lovingly at Jane, thoroughly enjoying this softer side of her lover.
"You, Maura Isles, are the most incredible person I have ever met. You are my world. You are the most important person in my life. You make me want to be a better person."
"Oh Jane. I feel the same about you. You have always been there for me. You are my first and only true friend. I was so worried that taking this step in our relationship would effect us. And it has, but in the best way possible. I still have my best friend, but now I can also do this." Maura straddled Jane's lap and leant in and kissed her gently at first, before they both intensified the kiss. Kissing Maura evoked in Jane sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling before she felt the doctor's lips. Jane moaned softly as she brought her hands around to the doctor's back, softly trailing her fingers up and down.
Jane groaned in protest as Maura broke the kiss and got off the couch. She returned after a moment with a blanket in hand. Silently, the honey-blonde climbed back onto the couch, positioning herself so that she was at Jane's side, her back against the couch and her head gently tucked under Jane's chin. She pulled the blanket up to cover them and both women laid silently, watching the flickering of the flame from the fireplace.
Jane smiled widely and placed kisses on Maura's head. Delighted that such a simple moment could be so perfect.
To be continued...