Jane had curled herself up on the lounge nestled herself into Maura's side. Maura lifted her right arm and absently placed it around Jane's shoulders as she continued to watch Masterchef intently.

Maura seemed far more taken in by the show than Jane. Jane was a practical person when it came to lifestyle. She had a limited wardrobe that was suitable to work, fitness and downtime, and she didn't own anything (many things) that was unnecessary. Even the little black dress she had was used on occasion and when she bought it (was persuaded to buy it) she was sure to be certain that it didn't just have one use; that is, it could be used on a date, for work, for formal family or social functions etc. Her house only had a few ornamental pieces, but was mostly filled with things she used on a day-to-day basis. And she was no different when it came to cooking. Whilst her preference was take-out, she did have some pre-made frozen meals that could be microwaved in minutes, cereal (which, in her world, was suitable for all meals) and beer (no explanation needed).

Maura, on the other hand, was a little more sentimental and extravagent when it came to her lifestyle. She had many ornaments on display in her home (both sentimental and simply pretty), an extensive wardrobe which, whilst still suited to her needs, was filled with things that had been worn only once (if that). When it came to cooking, she enjoyed the process of preparation of the food. She loved experiencing the aromas as they transformed along the way and the fact that, when it came time to eat the dish she'd prepared, she felt much more accomplished and truly savoured the flavours. Her fridge and freezer were full of fresh vegetables (both common and exotic), raw chicken and/or fish (usually salmon or red snapper, depending on what she planned to cook), white wine and fresh juices, and then red wine could found in her wine collection outside the fridge. To her, watching shows like Masterchef inspired her to create more complex dishes with flavours she wouldn't have thought up on her own. It was also a chance to escape a little and experience what she described as a richer lifestyle of food.

As the ads came on, Jane asked, "Do they really know all that stuff?" She scrunched up her face.

Maura scoffed ever-so-slightly, raising an eye brow and replied, "All 'what stuff'?"

"All that cooking stuff," she said, voice still unbelieving. "Like, flambé," she mocked poshly. "And bain-marie…" She added, still unimpressed. "And what about that whole deconstructed thing… I'm not going out to dinner just so I have to put my own food together. That's what I'm paying someone else to do for me!"

Clearly too far gone ranting, Maura simply laughed at Jane's blatant boredom. After a few hearty laughs, she sighed a little and added a touch of logic and rationality to it all. "Think of it this way: You know lots of things about police work that many wouldn't. That goes for official and unofficial procedures or responses, as well as the terminology, right?"

Jane, still on Maura's shoulder, shrugged slightly knowing that she's about to have her randomly spurted comments served to her on a platter.

"Well, these people are like just like you, but their specialty is in cooking."

"Mm…" she grumbled. "Still fun to mock them though," she said deviously.

Maura burst out with laughter, finding it hilarious that Jane was quite literally beyond reason.
"You don't really cook much, do you?" She asked curiously.

Feigning outrage she said, "Yes, I do! I cook all the time."

"Mhm…" She hummed in disbelief. "What do you cook?" She narrowed her eyes as a playful smile grew on her face.

"You know," she stalled. "Food! What normal people eat to survive and all."

"Macaroni and cheese, no matter how many different types of left over cheeses you've decided to throw in, does not count as real cooking," she smiled.

Jane opened her mouth to speak but closed almost immediately after, finding that she didn't have a great come back to that. She slumped down in a huff, before grumbling sarcastically, "Yeah, but I'm alive, aren't I?"

Maura just giggled as her fingers played on Jane's arm. "Perhaps I could teach you to cook something that involves a little more skill… and a little more nutrition," she offered (with a little mocking).

Jane smiled quietly to herself before nodded and nuzzling slightly back into Maura.

•••

Maura was practically bursting with excitement as she gathered utensils and ingredients from around her kitchen. A couple of days had passed and she'd finally convinced Jane to let her teach her to cook something.

Jane, on the other, watched on feigning excitement with blatantly sarcastic brows. She couldn't deny though, it was a little cute to see Maura like this, even if she was a little nervous about just how much work this was all going to be.
"So, ah, what're we making?"

"Just… one second," she said, pulling out the final pieces to tonight's culinary puzzle.

Jane nodded as concern grew that anything requiring this many items was not going to be an easy task.

Finally, Maura let out a contented sigh and looked up to Jane. What she hadn't quite realised was just how much preparing everything would frighten Jane. She let out a laugh as she observed the cute fear that was beginning to show on Jane's face. "Don't worry," she said with a big and remarkably honestly smile. "It's going to be fine."

Jane watched an assured smile grow on Maura's lips. It seemed genuine, so she figured she'd take it at face value as she tried to uncrease the corners of her face.

"This is a simple dish anyway," she smiled again. "I think you'll like it."

There was a hinting to something in Maura's voice but she couldn't quite pick it. She simply nodded as she moved toward the counter in the middle of Maura's kitchen.

"So, what are we cooking?" She asked dryly.

•••

As they moved from the dining table to the lounge, both were quite content to simply be in the moment.

After getting comfortable resting intertwined with each other, Jane smiled. "Thanks, Maura."

"You're very welcome," she replied happily. "You'll just have to teach me something of your world."

"Mm," she hummed in agreeance, albeit part of her wasn't quite sure what that was.

Well, after an exceedingly long hiatus, here we are.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. And remember, I love feedback.

Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for reading.

And I hope you are happy and well.

PS: I do simply ask that you not take this as a commitment to continue on regularly. I simply felt like writing this chapter. We'll see how things go. Thank you for your understanding.