A/N: First of all, thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review the first chapter; I was surprised by the response. Your feedback is very much appreciated. I know I said this story was to remain a one-shot, but I couldn't help but explore this further. That being said, I want to warn you that I don't have a plan for this story. It's going to be very organic in it's creation, so if that worries you, you might not want to continue reading. I'm open to any ideas or feedback. Oh, and if you are liking this universe, I would suggest reading my Truck Buddies fic, which is also set with these two in college. And it's complete, which I'm sure will make some of you happy :) Thanks again.
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As Maura Isles takes a seat in the front row of her forensic anthropology lecture, she quickly glances around the room, looking for her new… friend? Acquaintance? Cereal sharer? She smiles as she thinks back to her Friday night; so lost in thought that she doesn't notice said cereal sharer take a seat next to her.
"Hellooo," Jane says and waves her hand in front of Maura's face to get her attention.
"Oh! Jane," Maura says turning in the direction of that newly familiar, deep voice, "hi."
"You look surprised to see me."
Maura shrugs, not wanting to admit she was worried that Jane had forgotten about her offer. Or her. So instead she replies, "You look...like you haven't slept well."
Jane lets out a laugh. "Well isn't that the nicest way of telling me I look like shit." She reaches to grab her coffee cup off the floor.
Maura looks horrified and quickly says,"That's not what I-"
"Nah," Jane interrupts, "it's true."
"You definitely don't look like shit, but you do look tired. You look very tired," she clarifies and reaches out with her hand to gently trace her thumb over the dark, sunken skin beneath Jane's left eye. Jane's face twitches beneath her touch and Maura quickly removes her hand.
"Sorry," Maura says quietly. "I need to work on not touching strangers, apparently."
Jane chuckles. "Oh come on, we've shared cereal. That's hardly strangers. And besides," she nudges Maura's shoulder with her own, "I don't really mind, you just throw me off a little bit."
The two are quiet for a moment while they both dig in their backpacks (designer messenger bag) for their notebooks and pens before Maura starts up the conversation again.
"More nightmares?" she asks.
"You get right to it, don't you?"
Maura gives another shrug.
"Yeah," Jane replies with a heavy sigh, "getting real sick of it, too."
"I'm so sorry, Jane. I wish there was something I could do to help you," Maura replies honestly.
"Thanks, but it's really not your problem to worry about." Jane wants to kick herself after noticing the hurt on Maura's face by her words. "Ah, shit. Sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound like that. I just… I guess I'm trying to figure out why you care. I mean, we only just met a couple days ago."
"I…" Maura fumbles a bit, "You're right, we did just meet. I'm not really used to having friends… I guess we aren't technically friends even," she says sadly. "I thought we really connected… I'm sorry. I totally read the situation wrong."
"What? Maura, no. That's not… I do want to be friends with you."
"You do?"
"You are the dumbest genius I know. Yes. I guess what I meant to say is that it felt weird, but really nice to just… I don't know, connect with someone so quickly. Like, you actually listened to me… and you don't have, or at least it doesn't seem like you have an ulterior motive or whatever. Especially after seeing me… well, you know."
"I suppose I should admit to you now," Maura pauses to watch Jane's reaction, "I'm using you for your cereal," she deadpans.
It takes a moment for Jane to process before they both fill the lecture hall with laughter.
"Oh my god, Maura. You know, for someone who claims they're bad a jokes, you're pretty damn funny."
The smile on Maura's face is so bright, Jane is certain she'll be in a good mood for at least a week.
"Perhaps I just haven't had the right audience… or any audience," Maura replies.
"Well, now you've got me."
Add another week to Jane's good mood schedule.
"Anyway," Jane says in a quiet tone, noticing their profesor starting to set up, "speaking of cereal, when can I redeem my voucher?"
Maura leans in close to respond, "Well, I know I promised a box of cereal, but how about a warm breakfast over at that diner down the street? My treat. We can go right after class if that works for you?"
"Count me in."
xxxx
Sitting opposite one another in an old booth at the local campus diner, Jane and Maura sip quietly at their coffees, waiting for the waitress to come back and take their orders.
"Thank you for agreeing to join me," Maura says.
"I'd be crazy to pass up a free meal… and your company of course," Jane responds with a wink before taking another sip of her heavily sugared coffee.
Maura feels her cheeks get warm and, no doubt, pink. "I wasn't sure if you'd seen my note," she admits.
Jane laughs. "There was a cereal box in bed next to me, how could I miss it?"
Maura shrugs (and makes a mental note that she needs to stop shrugging so much), "I'm not quite sure, actually. I just thought… well, since you didn't call or anything," she says quietly, feeling a little ridiculous. It had only been two days after all.
"Yeah," Jane rubs at her neck, "I'm sorry about that. It's just," she sighs, "between the lack of sleep and then working all day Sunday, I just forgot. Which sounds awful...I should've at least texted you letting you know I got it. It actually made me laugh out loud when I saw it that morning. I'm sorry."
"No, don't apologize. I'm definitely overreacting, I-" she doesn't have time to finish her thought as their waitress greets them.
"What can I get ya?"
"I'll have the veggie omelet and a side of fresh fruit, please."
"Toast?"
"Whole wheat. Thank you," Maura says and hands her menu to the waitress.
"Chocolate chip pancakes and hash browns. Oh, and a side of bacon, too."
The waitress takes her menu and heads off to the kitchen.
"What?" Jane asks after catching sight of Maura's shocked expression.
"I don't understand how you can eat like that and look like that," she replies, gesturing to Jane's body.
Jane grins at her, "I think there's a compliment in there somewhere."
"Definitely," Maura answers quickly without realizing what she had said that out loud. "Um, I mean-"
"It's ok." Jane grins and slides her hand across the table to quickly squeeze the flustered woman's hand. "I can take a compliment. Thank you, by the way."
"You're welcome," Maura responds, still flustered. Get a hold of yourself! You barely know this woman! "So anyway, you mentioned you worked all day Sunday? Where do you work?" she asks, in an attempt to change the conversation and get her face back to a normal color.
"BPD, actually. It's nothing too exciting, just working in the cafe, but I figure it's a start. I mean, I know they wouldn't hire me on the force just because I'm their cafe waitress, but it's kinda cool to be around all the officers, especially the detectives."
"That's great, Jane. Really," Maura smiles and looks up as the waitress comes back with their food.
Jane shrugs and cuts into her stack of pancakes, "I guess. Helps pay the bills, that's all I care about." She takes a heaping bite of the fluffy, chocolate goodness, "how about you, are you working anywhere?"
"Currently, no. I try to volunteer at the medical center when I can, but I've found that my course load has kept me much busier than I originally anticipated," she answers and takes a petite bite of her omelet.
Jane chuckles, "You thought you'd have any free time as a pre-med student whose double majoring in biology and anthropology?!"
Maura smiles at her before popping a grape into her mouth. "Ha. Ha. Ha," she replies after chewing, secretly overjoyed that Jane has remembered her fields of study.
"Anyway, must be nice to not have to work," Jane says, taking a bite of bacon. "Making enough for rent is one less thing I'd like to worry about." Her tone is bitter.
"Oh," Maura says quietly, thinking carefully about her next choice of words. She has a feeling that mentioning anything about her financial status would not be taken well by this woman. "Yes, I'm sure that's quite stressful, on top of your studies and homework-"
"And training," Jane adds.
"Oh?"
"For the academy. I try to get at least a two hour workout in everyday. Gotta stay in shape and I don't know, I feel like I'm gonna have a lot to prove being a girl in the academy. Which is such bullshit, but the truth."
"Well judging by the definition in your arms alone, I'm sure you won't have a problem keeping up with the guys," Maura says, once again her mouth is quicker than her brain. Oh my god, stop it! She takes a rather large bite of her omelet and looks away, hoping the conversation moves on.
Jane can't help but grin. She's thoroughly enjoying this flustered, no filter Maura. She decides to push a little, "So, judging by your well defined arm muscles, I would assume you like to work out as well?" And just like she'd thought, Maura's face flushes pink. She almost feels sorry.
Maura quickly glances down at her own arms before returning her attention to Jane. "I… yes. Physical well-being is very important to me. Oh, and thank you for the compliment."
"Of course. So what do you do for workouts?" Jane asks and squirts ketchup on her hashbrowns. Maura makes a displeased face.
"Yoga and pilates, usually."
"Psh, no way! You're telling me your arms look like that from yoga?!"
"It's true! You should give it a try sometime, you'd be surprised."
Jane looks skeptical. "Yeah… I don't think so."
"Oh, come on! You should at least try it before speaking poorly about it. Yoga is great for building muscle strength, flexibility, improves energy levels." Helps improve your sex life and stamina, she wants to say, but thankfully doesn't. "You know, it also helps with stress. Maybe you should consider going to a few night classes, it might help you sleep better. I'll invite you next time I go."
"Ugh, fine," Jane gives in, "but only if you join me for one of my workouts, too."
Maura gifts her with another bright smile.
"Deal."
