AN: Hallo to all, the responses to the last chapter has been great. Again I apologise for the speed of the updates! Please accept a mostly angst free chapter before we get back to the gritty. Still a ways to go!
Resting her head on the detective's shoulders she used her hand to bring Jane's face dangerously close to her own. The brunette's eyes closed as their foreheads rested against each other.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you," Jane's words barely heard in the silence.
"You didn't", closing the gap she met Jane's lips with her own.
Maura's hand snaked under the tresses at the back of Jane's neck, time appeared to have blissfully stopped. It wasn't heated, yet it was more than enough for them both. As their lips separated, their foreheads met once more cementing their connection. Fingers in her hair began softly and deliberately massaging the skin there. The calming effect it had on the detective was something Maura had stored away long ago for moments like this.
"Will you stay?" The dying fire cast an eerie glow in the darkness, Maura could barely see the face in front of her anymore.
"Yes,"
In the early morning light Jane wearily opened her eyes, a small smile forming on her lips as she felt a warm reassuring weight on her. Maura was still asleep gratefully using her chest as a pillow, carefully she threaded her fingers through impossibly soft hair tucking it behind her ear. She hadn't dreamt it all; she had turned up in the middle of the night and stood her ground. She knew the worst was still yet to come; they hadn't really talked about it in any particular specifics.
After all what had really transpired? They had barely spoken and then, then Maura had kissed her. She covered her own eyes with both hands trying to try and make sense of it all, what was she going to say when the doctor woke up? Whatever she was going to plan was cut short when she glimpsed her watch, Angela was going to be up soon for breakfast and that was definitely a conversation to be avoided.
Gently she took her hands, one to steady her back and the other to jostle the woman above her. The quiet snorts of protest were something Jane mentally logged to smile about later; right now it was imperative everything seem as normal as possible.
"Maura, honey you need to wake up,"
"Noooo, too comfy,"
"My Ma will be up in like five minutes; do you want to explain to her why you're sleeping on me at this time of the morning?"
"Gurumph,"
"Without caffeine?"
"I'm up, I'm up!"
Without any of her usual grace she rolled off the smirking brunette. She tried to glare down at her, but couldn't make her muscles do anything but smile. She ghosted her fingers over the olive cheek, her thumb grazing the smirking lips. The grin softened mirroring her own, this was important, this was special, and this could destroy them both.
Jane's hand covered the one on her cheek, savouring the seconds they connected. She sighed out when they separated, Maura to the kitchen as she followed. Almost on cue the back door opened, the elder Rizzoli poking her head around the door, beaming when she saw the girls.
"Good Morning you two! Gosh Jane look at those bags, did you get any sleep last night?"
Jane visibly jumped but silently thanked the blonde when she spoke up for them both,
"We had a bit of a late night; we haven't been able to spend any real 'girl' time lately. I think we both tried to over compensate." Angela just gave a knowing smile while Maura set the table for breakfast.
Well in a roundabout way it was true, even if she did have to roll her eyes at the girl time comment. It seemed enough to satisfy any further curiosities, after all this wasn't the first time Jane had stayed the night. Except it was, she had barely stepped foot into the house since Mark arrived on the scene. Yet here she was spending the night cuddled in front of a fire, while he cooled off in the drunk tank.
He would be out soon; she shivered at the thought of how this was going to play out. What if it had been all a mistake made in the heat of the moment, everything Maura had said, everything Jane hadn't said. Maura turned and handed her a fresh cup of coffee, her eyebrows knitted with concern at the look on the detective's face. Caught in her own thoughts Jane tried to wave her off with a weak smile before her mother could catch on.
"Did you girls hear the storm last night? I thought the rain was going to break my window!"
"Yeah it was a pretty wild one; we even got caught out in it a little."
"It was certainly unexpected; I hope there wasn't too much damage."
While Maura was being completely literal, Jane couldn't help drifting back to the beginning of their 'storm'. She glanced a look at her left hand, her knuckles were still a little red but thankfully not glaringly obvious. There was definitely a shit storm coming her way. What if he tried to press charges? She could hardly plead self defence when she struck first, and last. Internally she allowed a little smug feeling, Mr one hit wonder.
She was trying to maintain meaningful eye contact, at least look like she was listening. But truth be told, Jane Rizzoli, would never be a strong poker player. At least not with her Mother at the table.
"Jane, sweetie, what's wrong? You haven't touched your breakfast." Maura had mirrored her mother's concern.
"It's nothing, work stuff. I think I need to head down there."
"On a Saturday?"
"Criminals don't take the weekend off Ma," And with that she stood from the table, "Maur, you got any clothes I can borrow so I can head back to mine?"
"Of course Jane, you know where they are. I, uh, I should probably head down there too. There's something I need to pick up."
Her tone drifted a little at the end, she wasn't too excited at the prospect of seeing her fiancé that morning. It saddened her slightly, although what she had said was true, she still felt almost obliged to greet him happily. At least the circumstances allowed her to forgo those sentiments. She knew Jane was concerned about what she might find, there had been no contact after the arrest, and he hadn't called.
"I'll catch you later Ma, thanks for breakfast." She placed a quick kiss on her mother's cheek before strolling through the house in search of clothes.
Angela collected the cups and plates and moved them to the sink. Turning on the hot water she quietly watched Maura worry the ring on her finger.
"Is everything ok? You seem a little preoccupied."
Maura offered her a weak smile,
"Maura Isles, you would tell me if something is wrong?"
"We just had a bit of a, lively evening you could say. I'm a little worried about Jane."
The moment she said the words she bit her lip as the light hearted look Angela had offered flipped to concern. She hadn't meant to say it, but at least with Jane upstairs she could try some damage control.
"Is there something to worry about Maura?"
She breathed deeply, nodding as she spoke, "It's more like someone."
Her head spun as she heard heavy footsteps into the kitchen, Jane had found some of her overnight gear in Maura's closet. The detective had felt a tiny victory that they were still there and hadn't been moved to accommodate 'him'. She saw the look on Maura's face, it was the classic 'I've been caught, what do I do?' She cleared her throat sparing a glance at her Mother.
"Bathroom's all yours Maur, I better get going."
She spun on her heel and made quick steps to the door, while collecting her soaked suit. Jumping into the car she quickly fished out her cell to key a quick text.
[Maur, I'm so sorry to run, but I can't, not with ma there. Maybe meet me for lunch later? X]
She slapped herself for in her words being a 'gutless coward' before turning the cruiser around and heading to her apartment.
Maura rose, feeling the gaze on her all the while. She raised her hand before Angela could speak.
"Believe me when I say I want you to know, I truly do. But now really isn't the time, so please don't ask me anymore."
She dipped her head instantly feeling the shame of keeping the past night's events to herself. She was more surprised when she was pulled into the trademark Rizzoli squeeze. Angela was rubbing large circles on her back to comfort her.
"You know I don't like secrets, but just promise me that you'll tell me, in time?"
She felt Maura nod against her shoulder. Relinquishing her hold she cupped Maura's sad face in her hands.
"I promise Angela."