Part 10

"Jane, since we are stuck here. Would you like to talk to me about whatever it was that was bothering you earlier?" Maura asked softly but wasn't sure she should have asked when she saw Jane with that deer in the headlights look. "Or we could wait."

"No, I guess now is good. We can't do a lot for the case at the moment. We shouldn't be interrupted tonight." Jane said with a nervous laugh as she looked anywhere but at Maura.

"Jane, are you okay? I don't think I have ever seen you quite so nervous." Maura moved all the way on the bed and positioned herself sitting against the headboard and reached for Jane's hand. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you. You know that, right?"

"I know." Jane let Maura grab her hand and intertwine their fingers. "I'm just a little afraid that once I say this, things will change. I know they will change. I'm just afraid of exactly how." Jane looked directly into her eyes this time.

"Slide up here and sit next to me. Tell me whatever you are thinking. I promise we will be fine." Maura paused. "You are my best friend and know me better than anyone. We will always be together in some way." Maura looked away with that statement.

"I'm just unsure of some of my feelings…Wait. What do you mean "in some way"?" Jane reached for Maura's cheek and pulled it to look at her. "Don't answer that. I have been feeling a little more than 'friendly' when I look at you and it scares me. I need to know that I am not going to scare you away. I need to know that even if you don't feel the same attraction to me that we can work through it and remain friends no matter what." She had to pause and take a breath. "I have been having some dreams lately, they have scared me; that is the reason I started dodging staying at your house. The reason I wouldn't get too close when standing next to you. I find myself thinking about how it would feel to kiss you, to hold you close all night, to wake up next to you. I ….."

Jane couldn't finish her sentence because Maura had succeeded in squelching her ramble with her soft lips on hers. Jane froze but didn't pull back. She ran her hand up Maura's back and pulled her closer letting herself feel what she had pictured so many times before. It was gentle and new but wonderful.

Maura pulled back for a moment. "I have been wanting to do that for a while now. I was just afraid that you didn't feel the same way." She looked at those dark eyes and could see the light inside them. "Please say something."

"Wow." Jane smiled. "That was better than my dreams." She blushed and pulled Maura in for a hug.

Maura held her tight and then softly spoke again. "Thank you."

Jane pulled back. "For what?"

"For finally talking to me. For trusting me. For taking a chance." Maura took a breath. "I never thought I would be so thankful for a storm and a cabin." They laughed a little. "What made you take the chance now?"

"This situation with the first victim leaving a fiancé behind before they even had a chance to start their life together. I don't want that to be us." Jane started playing with Maura's hair, her hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I just want us to…."

Maura reached over and placed her hand on Jane's cheek causing her to pause her sentence. "I know Jane. I want this too." Without another word Maura leaned in and kissed her softly but when she went to pull back Jane pulled her tighter, increasing the intensity of the kiss. They shifted to lie down and hold each other never breaking the contact until oxygen was needed. A smile spread across both of their lips and they relaxed into each other.

The harsh and frantic storm outside did nothing to disturb the calm relaxation of the two beautiful woman inside, the occasional kiss and soft caress that lulled them into a peaceful slumber until the sun was shining in through the window.

When Jane awoke she felt rested and alive. When she noticed the gorgeous lady laying in her arms breathing softly against her chest the memories of last night flooded her brain and broadened her smile. She placed a single kiss on her head inhaling the scent of her hair. She debated on attempting to get up without waking the sleeping beauty but decided to just enjoy the moment instead. It wasn't twenty minutes later when she heard Maura sigh and begin to shift.

"Good morning. How did you sleep?" Jane asked as she shifted to allow them both to sit up.

"Great." A giant smile showing as she spoke. "You?" Maura couldn't seem to keep the smile from her face.

"Better than I have in a long time." Jane almost whispered but she still couldn't believe they were doing this. So many dreams and now she could live out those thoughts.