Notes: Thanks again to everyone for reading and commenting! I had some requests for a little bit of fluff after all of the angst of the past few chapters before we get to the trial so I was more than happy to oblige at least in the latter half of this chapter. Coming up we'll deal with Kearns and then I may actually wrap this one up, but never fear I've been working on some ideas to continue this little world set after my Shadows fic.
CH 23: Interlude
Judith Isles made her way down to the morgue at BPD headquarters on New Year's Day only to be informed by one of the lab assistants that her daughter had already stepped out for lunch. The lab tech, a nerdy young fellow by the name of John in his first job out of grad school, told her that 'Dr. Isles and Detective Rizzoli' never informed him of their lunch destination but that someone in the homicide unit was likely to know.
Judith wasn't sure what to expect as she stepped into the homicide unit. Television's over-dramatized procedural cop show model told her to prepare for a unit alive with hustle and bustle, graphic crime scene photos plastered across any number of "murder boards" with surly detectives hauling fresh suspects to and from interrogation rooms. She was slightly disappointed when a relatively empty squad room was the scene she actually happened upon. Various desks were situated around the space and the few detectives present poured over what looked like relatively banal paperwork. There were no graphic photos, no fancy technology stations and no screaming suspects spouting their innocence.
Frost looked up from his half-eaten ham sandwich to see the strange woman standing befuddled in the doorway to the unit, "Ma'am can I help you with something?"
Judith walked towards his desk, "I hope so, I'm Judith Isles, Maura's mother, a young gentleman in the morgue said she'd already left for lunch but didn't know where she went and her phone must be off."
Frost stood, wiping the sandwich crumbs on his pants legs and extended his hand, "Barry Frost, I'm Jane's partner…" Judith smiled and shook his hand. "I believe Jane said she and the Doc were heading down to Rosenberg's Deli. They just left about 10 minutes ago so they haven't been gone long."
Rosenberg's smelled of delicious roast meats, particularly the corned beef and pastrami they were known for. Judith paused just inside the door to take a deep breath of the savory aroma mingling with the delicious notes of the other ingredients, which completed the famous Rosenberg's reuben.
Judith spotted Jane and Maura in a booth at the far end of the deli, "It would be much easier to track you down you know if your phone was turned on," she jokingly chastised once she was at their table. "May I?" Judith asked looking down at the empty space on Maura's side of the booth.
Maura looked at her mother and then at Jane. She set her sandwich back on its plate and daintily wiped her hands on her napkin before sliding out of her side of the booth to join Jane on the other, "Be our guest," she said motioning at the now empty side as she placed her hand over Jane's.
Judith slid into the space vacated by Maura and clasped her hands nervously in her lap, "I had no idea what Elizabeth had said when you pulled us aside last night, Maura…"
"No, but you certainly must have known how she felt about my relationship with Jane and yet you gave me no indication. If I had known we never would have come; I never would have put Jane in that position. What Aunt Elizabeth said…"
"Was absolutely indecent," Judith cut in looking at Jane, "completely unacceptable and is in no way a reflection of what I think or how I feel. Honestly, when I told your aunt and uncle she barely said anything, I had a sense that she was displeased but I had no idea she would say such things. Maura, I know my track record thus far doesn't inspire much confidence but your father and I we really…no, I'm going to address this to you, Jane. William and I really do like you, and I even remarked to your mother that since being with you there is such a noticeable and positive change in Maura. Maura, you're sociable in a way you never were before, and affectionate like you're old awkwardness is fading away, and you're confident and bold and I think these things are wonderful. Angela said you two are good for each other and I believe that, I can see it. Jane you have a wonderful family. Maura, I can't lie, it hurt when you suggested your father and I don't love you unconditionally, because we do. I wish that maybe I was more like Angela, but just because it's taking me longer doesn't mean I won't get there and it certainly doesn't mean that I ever stopped loving you."
Maura looked down where he hand rested on top of Jane's and laced their fingers together. "Thank you," she said softly, "for coming here to talk to us."
Judith rooted through her purse, extracting an envelope, "I felt so terrible for ruining your New Year's Eve, and Jane you have been…well, honestly I don't know how you've put up with us except that it must mean you love my daughter very very much and for that I can't be anything but grateful. I…I just wanted to do something for you, I know it doesn't make up for last night or any of the other hell I've put you through, but William and I talked and we…well, here, you know I'm really not good at all of this, emotional processing or whatever you call it, I'm trying but…here."
Judith passed the sealed envelope across the table, which Jane took with both a slight degree of trepidation and overwhelming curiosity.
"No…way…" Jane stared slackjawed at the pair of Super Bowl tickets in her hand.
"I know the game is just a few days before the trial, but I thought all the more reason for you two to head out of town for a couple of days, have an opportunity to do something fun together before…"
"Mom," Maura interrupted, "that's really very thoughtful, but I don't know if we should take off right before the trial, I mean…"
"Maura…Super…Bowl." Jane waved the tickets with a pleading look in her eyes. "Please," she mouthed.
Maura laughed, reaching up she ran her thumb lightly over Jane's cheek, "Well, if you're going to look at me like that how can I say no?"
"You know, with all of my parents' connections I would have thought they could have gotten better seats…" Maura said looking down from the skybox in Cowboys Stadium.
"Maura! Are you joking? SKY…BOX!" Jane threw her arms up in awe. "Comfy seating, our own bartender…Maura, we have our own bartender. We don't have to worry about drunks spilling their beer on us. This is perfect!"
Maura chuckled; Jane was like a kid in a candy store, "Ok, I would have thought you'd want to be closer to the field is all."
"For future reference at any sporting event that would generally be a safe assumption, unless the alternative is skybox, then, always…take…the…skybox. I don't even know how your parents were able to swing this, only a month before the game."
Maura smiled, settling down next to Jane and pulling her arm around her, "I'm sure they'll owe someone a big favor. Jane, this is a silly question but, who are we rooting for? I don't know a lot about football but I do know you're a Patriots fan, so how do we decide?"
The waiter approached with the beers Jane had ordered and set them down on the table next to the posh leather couch they were lounging on watching the massive crowds below file into their seats.
"The Steelers, because they're the AFC Champions and the Patriots are in the AFC so at least if they win we'll keep it in the conference." Jane looked at Maura, "You have no idea what that means do you?"
"Not at all."
Jane laughed kissing Maura on the temple, "That's ok, I'll teach you before next season."
"GAH! I can't believe they lost!" Jane slung her bag down on the chair in the living room of their hotel suite.
Maura smirked as she watched Jane flop down on the sofa, "I'm surprised you got so invested!" Maura sat on the sofa next to Jane and ran her fingers through the tousled brunette hair.
"Once I pick a team I want to win, I'm in it. I hate losing."
"That is a part of your character I have observed in the time that we've known each other. Maybe I can take your mind off the disappointment."
"I don't know, I'm pretty bummed," Jane said coyly.
"Hmmm…" Maura walked to the mini-bar and fixed a drink, which she handed to Jane, "I'll be right back."
After freshening up Maura walked back into the living room where Jane was still slumped on the sofa casually sipping the Gin and Tonic she had been given. Maura was clad in a silk burgundy robe that barely covered her as she walked provocatively towards Jane. She stepped in between Jane's legs and leaned over just enough to provide a shadowy glimpse down her robe as she lifted the drink from Jane's hand, "This was for me," she whispered taking a long sip.
Maura set the drink on the table as she walked away. Keeping her back to Jane she feigned a yawn and stretched her arms above her head, which inched her robe up high enough to reveal a pair of matching burgundy La Perla medium briefs made entirely of lace. She glanced over her shoulder, "You do seem pretty out of sorts about the game, so perhaps I should just let you be and go to bed."
"What game," Jane croaked as her breath hitched, her dilating pupils roaming hungrily from Maura's slim ankles up her chiseled calves to her thighs where they lingered on the silk robe at her rear which had re-covered the inviting lace underneath as she had lowered her arms.
What game, that's what I thought. Maura smirked as she turned around twisting the edges of the robe's waist tie between her fingers. She pulled one of the ends of the bow excruciatingly slow. Jane watched as the bow loops disappeared and then as the buttery silk tie unraveled allowing the robe to fall open. Her eyes settled on the creamy smooth skin of Maura's abdomen.
Maura grabbed the lapels of the robe and ran her hands down its front, "Do you like? It's new."
"Mmmhmm, very nice," Jane managed to get out. "It would look nicer on the floor though."
Maura smiled, dropping her shoulders allowing the robe to fall in a seductively silent heap around her feet, which revealed the burgundy lace sheer push up bra. Jane's eyes locked on Maura's ample breasts admiring the way her rosy nipples peaked through the transparent material. Jane started to get up from the sofa.
"Don't get up," Maura instructed. "Clothes…off."
Jane complied, pulling her shirt up over her head and tossing it to the end of the sofa. Not taking her eyes of the stunning form of her girlfriend 10 feet away she fumbled to remove her shoes and socks and then undid her belt and the zipper to her pants raising her hips up just enough to slip them down and kick them out of the way.
Now it was Maura's turn to admire the form in front of her, the smooth tan skin, the long lines and naturally toned musculature of her girlfriend. Jane ran her hand across the smooth fabric of her bra, letting her finger circle the area that covered her nipple before her hand trailed down her own body to the top of her sensible cotton panties where she traced the elastic waist band, "Did you want these off too?" She smiled as she watched Maura's eyes track every movement her finger made. Turnabout's fair play.
"Mmmhmm" Maura nodded.
Jane reached to unhook the front clasp of her racerback bra, which once removed revealed two fully erect nipples. She hooked her thumbs under the waist of her underwear and eased them down, tossing them to the side with the other items.
"What do you want?" Maura asked.
"You…I want to touch you," Jane answered huskily.
Maura cocked her head, "What if I don't want you to touch me?"
"Ummm, I'd say you've made a strange choice of outfit for the evening then," Jane chuckled.
"What if I want you to touch you," Maura replied with a slight smirk.
With an arched eyebrow Jane looked down to where her fingers were still lingering above her now exposed mound and then up to Maura who looked back at her expectantly. She's serious…oh, what the hell.
Jane leaned her head back on the sofa and closed her eyes; she spread her legs to reveal the glistening treasure between them as her fingers dipped down into her moisture and then back up to circle slowly around her clit. She exhaled heavily, her skin flushing as her pace quickened. Soft moans rolled from her throat as her hips arched to meet her own touch.
Maura licked her lips and tried to ignore the arousal that was growing between her own legs as she watched Jane, completely open, exposed, free, never more beautiful. She tiptoed quietly towards the sofa until she had discretely position herself in front of Jane who, eyes still closed, continued her self ministrations unaware of Maura's proximity. Maura eased down to her knees and crept closer to Jane's center careful not to brush her and alert her to her presence prematurely. Finally, when she could resist no longer she let her mouth cover Jane's fingers and sex as she gripped Jane's hips, which lurched forward at the contact.
"Mau…oh, God…" Jane panted as she withdrew her hand to wind it in Maura's hair. Maura's well-practiced skills brought Jane to the edge and sent her moaning and shivering over in short order. She rested her cheek against Jane's thigh, gazing up the length of the long body in front of her as her hands caressed over every inch of skin she could reach.
When Jane had caught her breath she looked down to see the hazel eyes that looked adoringly back up at her, "Come up here," she said reaching down to grasp Maura's arms and pull her up. Maura straddled Jane's lap and closed her eyes as her head tilted back while strong hands kneaded from her hips, up over her ribs and around her back before popping open the clasp to her bra and tossing it aside. Jane pulled Maura forward encircling one nipple with her mouth as her hand massaged the other breast.
"Mmm," Maura breathed out as she wrapped her arms around Jane steadying herself as her hips rolled uncontrollably seeking release, "Please…" she panted, "please."
Moving her mouth to Maura's other nipple Jane let her left hand slide down Maura's torso and inside the barely there panties to meet her velvet wetness. Maura inhaled sharply as Jane's long fingers thrust inside her inciting her hips to rock more feverishly, her body bucking making it too difficult for Jane's mouth to stay in contact with the nipple she was sucking. Jane buried her forehead in the swell between Maura's breasts as she pushed as deeply into her as she could reach, curling her fingers as her thumb applied pressure to Maura's clit in a circular motion.
Maura squeaked out a satisfied "Ahhh" as she clenched and shuddered around Jane's fingers. Jane smiled as she stroked out her lover's orgasm until Maura's body collapsed in a glistening heap all around her, hands snaking around Jane's back, her face resting on the lean shoulder as the rest of her sagged into Jane's torso. Jane cleared Maura's hair back from her sweat dampened face to make sure she could breath and caressed lightly up and down her damp back as she placed light kisses all over her head and cheek.
"Touchdown," Jane whispered eliciting a giggle from Maura.