Disclaimer: The characters below belong to Tess Gerritsen. Apologies for any grammatical mistakes. Enjoy.
As she turned towards the house Maura couldn't help herself from making one parting remark about Jane's appearance.
"You know, Jane, you look much hotter in those shorts than I ever did. You should hold on to them."
CHAPTER 3: WHAT WE DO BEST
Walking down the short hallway that lead to Maura's spacious living room, Jane heard her friend humming a familiar tune in the kitchen. The detective chuckled and shook her head.
Good to know she's heard of Joan Jett; maybe we have something in common after all.
"Hey Maur? I'm trying not to track in dirty water here but do you think I could use your bathroom? I could really use a hot shower."
The ME found the brunette slightly shivering in the living room, hopping from one foot to the other and doing her best to prevent her clothing from dripping on the wood floor.
God she looks adorable.
"Oh Jane, I'm sorry. Why don't you just use my master bath instead? The tub has been cleaned and it's a Jacuzzi so you can use the jets if you'd like. There are fresh towels in the cupboard and you'll find bath oils or gel by the sink. Just yell if you need anything, I'm waiting for the delivery person to bring the Thai food."
"Thanks! A bath sounds amaazzing. I'll be quick!" Jane yelled the last bit from the stairs as she galloped towards Maura's bedroom.
As Maura began to cut some fresh greens for a light salad—an attempt to supplement Jane's fried diet—she pondered the feelings she had experienced upon witnessing Jane gyrating in her driveway. Just the image of the lanky brunette, soaked, wearing cut off shorts and acting care-free caused her to blush again.
Time to open that bottle of wine.
She uncorked the bottle of merlot and retrieved two glasses.
Meanwhile, Jane was slipping into a steaming, hot bath. As her lithe body slipped beneath the water she allowed the aroma of rose bath oil to waft over her. She sighed audibly.
"Now this is the life."
As she shut her eyes the same thoughts that had kept her mind stirring each night for the past 6 months began to replay themselves.
I bet Maura takes baths here all the time. Can you imagine how amazing she looks relaxing in this tub? Her hair pinned up that sexy way, that adorable smile on her lips, her amazing body…naked. Ugh! Stop it! Stop! She's your friend!
As she berated herself internally she shook her head as well, causing the bath water to become slightly turbulent. Jane opened her eyes, her entire being still relaxed, but her mind a little less so. Then she heard a sound; were those footsteps?
"Maura?"
No answer.
In the hallway Maura carefully held two glasses of wine while juggling thoughts of broaching the subject of her new feelings and what they meant, along with how to open the heavy wooden door. She decided that going forward gently would be prudent on both accounts.
"Jane? I thought you might like some—"
"Maura! Wha? No! Stop! I'm naked in here! Don't look!" The flustered detective began to fruitlessly cover her submerged body with her hands while her friend simply began to laugh and turn her back away. Looking in the opposite corner of the room Maura controlled her laughter and set down the glasses.
"Now, Jane. I'm a physician, I have seen many female bodies your age and besides we change together all the time."
"Uh yea! Dead bodies! And we don't change together naked! We change quickly, in the yoga locker room, with underwear on, there's a difference!"
"Wow, sorry, I just didn't know you were so body shy. I grew up in an all-girls boarding school, so you can see how this isn't a problem for me. Now may I please at least sit next to you if I don't look?"
The detective let out a petulant huff but agreed.
"Fine. But no looking…not like you'd want to anyway." Although she had meant the last part for herself, her friend unfortunately had exceptional hearing.
"What? You can't mean—Jane? Jane, you have an amazing body. If anything I should be the one who is intimidated by your, well, nudity. However, I have come to terms with my negative and positive physical attributes." The ME said this with a proud smile and took a gulp of her delicious wine.
"Your 'negative' attributes? And those are…?" Jane delivered in a disbelieving tone. "Compared to my boy-like frame, you are like a guy's ultimate fantasy. Blonde hair, amazing legs, big—uh…anyways. Can I try some of that wine?"
Maura was unable to suppress the giggle that arose at Jane's anatomical omission and her heart swelled at the compliments. Coming from Jane such words were certain to be sincere and honest.
"I don't see how I can hand you a glass and avoid seeing you naked. See? This is silly. Can I please just talk to you face to face now?"
Jane realized that she actually didn't feel uncomfortable at all-after the initial shock-and the praise that her best friend had just given her regarding her body had boosted her confidence.
"Shoulda used the bubble bath…just had to use the scented oil." Jane's eyes gleamed with humor as she spoke and Maura could hear it in her voice. She assumed Jane was comfortable now.
"Here you go detective. You deserve this after laboring over my car."
Maura sat down beside Jane, facing her this time, and gave her a sly grin.
"Thanks. Mmm this is good wine. So now that we are okay with seeing each other naked…"
Maura nearly choked at the off-hand remark. Jane often used sarcasm to mask underlying feelings; maybe she could use this opportunity to seek out Jane's true feelings as well. She decided to feign innocence.
"Yes, well. It is natural to act this way around one's best friend, right? I mean women do this sort of thing all the time, so I've heard."
"Haha, do what? Lounge around naked, drinking wine together? Yes, some women do that together…there is a word for those types of women Maura."
The ME tilted her head to the side, analyzing the riddle.
"Oh! Lesbians!"
Jane laughed and covered her eyes at her friend's enthusiasm.
"Wow. Yes. Good job braniac."
"But Jane, we're not…I mean, lesbians? I for one have slept with many men and you…well, you date as well."
Maura noticed that her wine glass was empty and a feeling of calm had overcome Jane as well. Mostly likely due to the combined effects of alcohol and aromatics. Now was surely the time to breach the topic of new feelings.
"Many eh? How many? And yes, I date, thank you. Okay we're not finishing this conversation in here." She gestured at her surroundings.
Dammit, I was so close. Jane is finally opening up to me. If only I could get her to keep talking.
"Why not?" Maura tried to push her luck.
"Because this bath water is starting to get cold and the Thai delivery guy is probably waiting outside your door right now. Dinner? Remember?"
"Oh! Shoot! I'll meet you downstairs."
Jane laughed as she toweled off, letting her mind get the best of her.
How does she do that? I can barely be naked around my own Ma and I always turn off the lights when I have sex with guys. No other woman has ever seen me naked. And I have this distinct feeling she was about to reveal something extremely personal to me. Only Maura can make me comfortable with all of this stuff.
The two women sat in comfortable silence, concentrating on their gourmet Thai take-out. Maura spoke first.
"So earlier I meant to tell you something Jane. Now, I'd like to preface the following with the fact that I respect you very much and consider you the closest friend I have ever had. I in no way want what I tell you to affect our current relationship, or friendship so-to-speak."
The ME looked up expectantly into her friend's eyes.
"Um, okay. I'm all ears."
"Okay." The blonde took a calming breath and coached herself mentally.
"Today, when you were washing my car, I realized something."
Jane gave Maura a quizzical look and shrugged her shoulders to indicate that she should continue.
"I guess I never realized until today that I was so strongly attracted to you. I mean, physically and emotionally."
The ME delivered this information rapidly, hoping that it would be easier for Jane to take. With a tensed expression she watched as the brunette slowly swallowed her food and swallowed a large gulp of wine.
"You know, it's funny. I have been editing phrases in my head for the past 6 months to explain what you just said in a few words. Maura, I'm so attracted to you that I feel like I'm going insane."
Maura released a sigh of relief and then relaxed into a new smile; one that reflected her true feelings for the woman sitting across the table from her.
"Oh Jane, I am so happy that we are having this conversation. You are not going insane, and I'm not going insane, we are just…huh, actually what are we?"
"I dunno Maura. I just know that I'm really glad you feel the same way, cuz I'd hate to think where Ma would end up if our friendship went up in flames."
The blonde laughed and lightly hit her friend on the arm.
"So what do we do now Jane?"
"Come on, let's go do what we do best."
"What's that?"
"Sit on your couch, with a glass of wine, and talk this out."
Standing up the brunette held out her hand. The blonde cheerfully took it and the two women sat down on the leather sofa. Over the past few months Jane had gotten quite comfortable with their lounging positions. She would lay out on the couch with her head on the armrest while Maura rested on a pillow propped against Jane's stomach. Now Maura allowed herself more direct contact, she simply rested her head on Jane's stomach rather than a pillow. Wine truly worked magic on her level of forwardness.
"Is this okay? Or am I crushing you?"
In all honesty the ME was too comfortable to care either way. She could feel Jane's laugh reverberate into her own body.
"Nah no worries. I'm all yours; have been since the day we started working together and am now."
Maura glanced up at Jane with misty, hazel eyes.
"Really Jane?"
Jane debated on responding with a cheesy, wrote line but chose something much better. Leaning down and caressing the smaller woman's cheek, Jane placed a soft, heart-felt kiss on Maura's lips.
"Definitely Maura."
**This short story is complete. Hope it was enjoyable. Feel free to review/message me your thoughts. I will be M.I.A. for the next few months due to school but I look forward to the feedback! Thanks!**