Hey folks!
Checking in with chapter 12 here. I am going to put a mature content warning on this one. I don't own anything but I hope you enjoy!
Look Who's Coming to Dinner
/
"Please stop fiddling with your necklace Jane." Maura told her for the fourth time since they had gotten into the limousine.
"I don't accessorize." Jane grumbled. "And did we have to take a limo? I'm perfectly capable of driving."
"Yes, my parents sent it." Maura looked at her pointedly, "And we could not very well show up in your Crown Vic."
"What's wrong with my car?" Jane continued to needlessly adjust the elegant string of beads Maura had put around her neck.
Maura sighed, "Nothing is wrong with your car. I love your car. We have had some wonderful times in the backseat of that car."
"Yes we have." Jane smirked thinking about the time she had taken Maura to a lookout over the city she used to go as a teenager. She had brought a nice picnic of cheese and wine. Maura pointed out constellations while Jane had taught her what it meant to go parking.
"But it is not suitable for an event." The blonde brought Jane out of her memory.
"When is a car not appropriate to drive you somewhere?"
"Is this how it is going to be all night?" Maura already sounded very tired.
The detective stopped herself from dragging her hand through her hair, after all Maura had spent so much time styling it into tidy waves. Jane looked over at her apologetically, "I'm sorry Maur. I'm just nervous. When I'm nervous, I lash out."
"I know." Maura smiled forgivingly as she slid across the seat to rest her head on Jane's shoulder, "But everything will be fine."
"I sure hope so." Jane still felt a little unsettled. The feeling only increased as the long, sleek car turned through a wrought-iron gate with imposing stonewalls on either side. They started up a dim, gravel path as night began to fall. Grand, old oak trees lined along either side of them and Jane could see the leaves had begun to change flanking them with yellow and orange salutes as they drove by. As the tree line broke, the largest house Jane had ever seen came into view.
"It hasn't changed at all." Maura murmured more to herself than Jane. The mansion was built of red brick with wide windows causing the warm light from the inside to spill out onto the neatly trimmed hedges. The house, if you could call it that, had many facets and angles as it climbed up into the sky. Jane craned her neck to try and get a better look through the tinted glass of the car.
"Are there gargoyles up there?" Jane asked incredulously.
"I believe so. I think I named them all when I was a child. The one on the far right is Gladys."
"Jesus, Maura this is like a freaking castle." Jane felt her stress growing exponentially, "Exactly how rich are you?"
"You really want to have this conversation right now?"
"I suppose not." Jane leaned back in her seat and started tugging on the necklace with a vengeance.
"Jane, give me the necklace." She held out her tapered hand.
"What? No, it's fine."
"You are uncomfortable. I want you to be comfortable." Maura persisted, "Besides, it disrupts the clean line of your suit."
"Okay." Jane willingly handed over the jewelry and watched Maura slip it into her clutch. The detective had to admit that she did not mind the tailored suit that her girlfriend had purchased for her. It fit her far better than anything else she had ever bought and the fabric was so soft like one of Maura's dresses. She especially liked the satin accent on the lapels that popped against the rest of the matte material. Maura even had the tuxedo shirt fitted to her proportion to ensure the entire ensemble made her look long and lean.
A valet dressed akin to a penguin complete with bowtie and coat tails opened the door as the automobile came to a halt right in front of the great wooden door that was carved with a Tudor pattern. The man extended his hand to help Maura get out of the car then offered the same service to Jane.
"I'm good." Jane ignored the appendage and climbed out on her own accord. Her hand found its way to the small of Maura's back as they walked up the steps. Her fingers brushed against the texture of her dress. The doctor looked classical, beautiful in the cream gown with sheer black lace covering the whole thing. Her honey curls were pulled half up like she sometimes wore when performing autopsy but was secured by a brass, Celtic style barrette. She was wrapped in a shawl to fend off the autumn wind on the short journey to the interior of the house. As the entrance swung open, Jane had to be sure to keep her jaw shut tight to prevent gaping. The foyer had a vast ceiling with a grandiose chandelier lighting the mahogany woodwork and priceless heirlooms that decorated the room. Her heel clicked softly on the polished, white marble of the floor.
Upon entering, an impeccably dressed man swooped Maura's wrap away without so much as a word, while yet another man with a flawlessly trimmed moustache greeted them. "Hello, welcome to the Fairfield's. May I ask who to announce?"
"Dr. Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli." Maura provided.
"Of course." He gave a courteous little bow then led them to a huge living room where the main theme seemed to be gold. People were already milling about with cocktails and dressed to the nines. Flashy fabrics and crisp suits chatted with one another for a moment, then floated away to the next set of folks. Each time this exchange happened the people would squawk in excitement like audacious birds, acting as if they had not seen each other in ages. The women would kiss cheeks enthusiastically and coo over each other's outfits while the men would heartily shake hands like they were congratulating one another.
The moustache man stood at attention in the archway as he announced to the guests, "Dr. Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli."
This caused the room to smile in their direction. Jane shifted uncomfortably as all the eyes in the room appraised the couple. Maura seemed unfazed as she kept her polite smile firmly in place and entered the room with her head held high. Suddenly a woman appeared from nowhere with her midnight blue gown billowing behind her, grasping Maura's shoulders to pull her into staged kisses, "Maura, darling!"
"Hello Mrs. Fairfield." Jane could sense the blonde stiffen under the abrupt touch but not enough for the tall, ash blonde woman to notice. "What a lovely event."
"Thank you darling. And please we are past formalities. It's Elaine." Her hand fluttered about frivolously. "And who is this?"
The older woman directed her attention towards Jane. Maura smoothly introduced them, "Elaine, this is Jane Rizzoli, my date."
Mrs. Fairfield's hand settled long enough for the brunette to shake it, "Nice to meet you."
"Charmed." The other woman said tightly. Her phony smile cracked slightly as she quickly caught on to what Maura meant by date.
"How is Mr. Fairfield?" Maura asked dutifully.
"Oh, you know Harold." Elaine was animated once again, happy to ignore Jane's existence, "All he wants to do is sit out on his boat. I swear the man is obsessed with it since he retired."
"That must be nice for him. Do you know if my parents have arrived yet?"
"No they haven't. Though I have never thrown a party where Constance Isles was not the last to arrive." She said as she was already looking away, "You must excuse me. Jonathan Cabot just arrived with his third wife. I swear they get younger and younger."
The hostess dashed off and Jane could hear an exaggerated 'Johnny!' that would make anyone cringe. Jane glanced at Maura, "Well, that could have gone a lot worse."
"I always found that woman unbearable." Maura said though her expression remained pleasant and neutral.
"Don't worry about it." Jane shrugged it off. "Come on, let's go swim with the sharks."
They walked through the crowd until the next overly thrilled woman caught Maura in an unwanted hug, "Maura, as I live and breathe. I haven't seen you since finishing school."
"Kathryn. How are you?" Maura let a willowy woman with auburn hair reel her in. She was pretty with a long nose and bright teeth but there was something about her icy blue eyes and the sharp arc of her brow that was malicious. Her smile seemed more like she was baring her teeth than an expression of happiness.
"I'm wonderful. You remember Franklin. We just married last fall." She gushed about the silent, brooding man who loitered by her side. His black hair was slicked back and his heavy eyebrows seemed to be in a constant scowl as he nodded curtly at them. Jane hid her smile the best she could as she was reminded of those exaggerated Italian gangster from the movies.
"Oh yes, I saw the announcement. I'm sorry I could not make the wedding. I believe I was tied up with work in New York at the time." Maura acted as if she truly regretted not having been able to attend, "Congratulations to you both."
"Oh thank you. We couldn't be happier." She bragged.
"Yes." Maura looped her hand around Jane's elbow, "You haven't met my date. Detective Jane Rizzoli."
"A detective?" Kathryn looked over her critically before plastering on her too-sweet smile, "How novel."
"Very." Jane said wryly not bothering with a proper introduction this time.
"Well, it was nice seeing you again." Kathryn said briefly before departing with her husband in tow.
"She seemed nice." Sarcasm dripped from her tone.
"Kathryn Wright, or I suppose Kathryn Hughes now." Maura shuddered, "She tortured me in primary school. She dipped my hair in ink once and ruined my Burberry dress."
"She dipped your hair in ink? Did you go to school in 1910?"
"Our private school was very traditional. She was half the reason I asked my parents to sent me to France."
"Are all of you acquaintances unbearable?" Jane asked lightly.
"No, just most of them." Maura kept hold of her arm, as they started moving again, "I could use a drink."
"Agreed." They went to the open bar where Maura ordered two vodka martinis for them.
"This is the best martini I have ever had." Jane exclaimed.
"It should." Maura dropped her olive garnish into Jane's glass, "Belver Bears costs about $100."
"A bottle?" The brunette gladly ate her girlfriend's cast off.
"A glass." She corrected.
"Jesus." Jane whispered after almost spewing the beverage out at Maura's statement. Fortunately Jane avoided the spit take on some woman's fox fur wrap in front oh her who was squealing with a group of plump old women. She knocked the rest of hers back so she could get another one.
"Maura!" Mrs. Fairfield suddenly emerged from the crowd once again. "I want you to look at my new Chichuly vase. You always have such an eye for these things."
"I'll be right back." Maura promised as the older woman hauled her off, leaving the brunette standing there helplessly. Jane instantly felt awkward amongst the wealthy people who moved around her like she was just another piece of furniture. Someone accidentally bumped into her from behind.
"Oh I'm sorry." Jane turned to face her disruption.
"Apologies." A gruff voice greeted her as she found an older gentleman with an unlit cigar pinched between thumb and index finger. He was short and robust with graying brown hair and his cheeks were jolly with color. It could be natural or it could have been effects of the whiskey that he clutched in his other hand.
"It's alright." Jane was surprised when the man stopped to talk with her.
"I'm Harold Fairfield, the proprietor of this ostentatious display of charity my wife has conducted. And I use the word charity in the most vague sense of the word. I don't believe I recognize you and normally I'm so good with faces."
Jane laughed at his bluntness, "Well this is my first time attending sir. I'm not even entirely sure what the money is being raised for."
"That explains it. And I don't rightly know either, whatever my wife has deemed the fashionable cause of the season." He guffawed and Jane joined him. She liked this guy.
"I'm Jane Rizzoli." She introduced herself with a firm handshake after he tucked his cigar away in his breast pocket.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
"So what is it you do, Jane?" He asked cheerfully.
"I'm a detective for Boston Homicide."
"Good for you." He said genuinely, "That is great work."
"Thank you sir."
"I'm assuming my wife did not send a personal invitation to the police department so which of these foolhardy young men had enough balls to bring you along?" He leaned in conspiringly.
"Actually…" Jane began.
"That would be me." Maura approached them with a winning smile.
"I should have known." Harold chuckled. "You always knew how to break the rules. How are you dear?"
"You a rule breaker? I never thought I would see the day." Jane muttered to her, which earned her a gentle elbow in her stomach.
"I'm very well Harry." Maura accepted his affectionate hug then stepped back to stand next to Jane. "How are you and your boat?"
"In tip-top shape as always."
"Wonderful. I see you have already met my girlfriend, Jane."
"Yes, I've had the pleasure of bumping into her. Can you tell us what is in this season? Feeding starving children or saving the rainforest?"
Maura giggled, "Stop it. You are so bad. And it's raising money for the arts."
"I see. Very prodigious." He shook his head, "Anything to do with that gaudy, new glass contraption my wife has been parading around in front of everyone?"
"It's very… green." Maura offered.
"You were always too kind. We all know that it is ugly as sin."
"It is certainly not something I would have chosen." Maura admitted.
"That is because you have taste." He complimented, "Speaking of which, have you introduced your detective to your parents?"
Maura blushed, "Not yet. I was hoping to get the chance to do so tonight."
"Ah, doing it in a public setting. Smart move."
"Hopefully the plan does not backfire." Maura showed her first signs of concern throughout the evening.
"Well I'm in your corner dear."
"Thank you Harry." Maura said graciously, "You have always been kind to me.
"Well, you were almost my daughter-in-law." He saw Maura flinch at that and was quick to reassure her, "Not that there are any ill feelings on my part. If you ask me, you were too good for Garrett from the start."
"Is Garrett here?"
"Yes, he is prowling about. His mother demanded he come home from Milan for this so be careful."
"I'm not worried. I brought reinforcements." Maura smiled brightly up at Jane.
"Damn straight." Jane grinned back. "I'm not one to leave my lady unattended."
"Of course." He nodded approvingly, "You two make a handsome couple."
"How are Adam and Sumner? Are they here as well?"
"Adam is busy fettering away his trust fund and arguing with his wife Jocelyn. You remember that scarecrow? But Sumner is doing a fine job with the family business." He boasted proudly.
"What is the family business?" Jane asked.
"Shipping of course." He said with a wink.
"The Fairfield's all but own Boston Harbor." Maura filled her in.
"It's a tough job but someone has to do it." He joked.
"Harold," Elaine sounded exacerbated as she suddenly pounced on her husband. Jane wondered how she managed to be everywhere at once. "You must say hello to the Rosenberg's. They have been waiting to see you."
He sighed, "Alright. It was nice speaking to you ladies."
As soon as he said goodbye, his wife was leading him away urgently like the guests were on fire leaving them alone once more.
"Now he was nice." Jane pointed after them.
"Harry has always been a dear friend." Maura said fondly. The blonde checked her delicate wristwatch, "Dinner is almost ready to be served."
"I don't suppose we are eating hamburgers."
"Jane." Maura rolled her eyes and laughed. She intertwined her fingers with the detective's, the simple gesture suddenly felt far more intimate than before. The blonde spontaneously holding her hand was glaringly more honest in a room where every act was calculated and staged to keep up appearances. Even Maura had not been quite herself amongst these people as she acquired an almost pretentious air about herself. Jane did not doubt that it was a defense mechanism that she developed through the years. But in this moment, Maura was simply herself again. Her shoulders relaxed and her smile reached her eyes as the corners crinkled adorably. Jane got so caught up in admiring her girlfriend that she was surprised when voices joined them.
"Bonsoir Maura."
"Mother." The blonde's posture became straighter if that was even possible as the couple turned to face the new arrivals. Jane looked at Maura's parents for the first time. Her mother was petite wearing a structure black dress with the definite grace of old money. Her dark brown eyes were scrutinizing the juncture where her hand still clasped Maura's. Her father was only a bit taller than Jane with thin shoulders. His salt and pepper hair was sparse on the top of his round head but he wore the look well like a distinguished professor complete with square spectacles. "Daddy. You've arrived."
/
"Hello pumpkin." Her father said blandly in his deep baritone.
Maura felt frozen under the serious gaze of her parents, like she was 16 again and explaining that she wanted to be a medical examiner and not a more lucrative career such as being a cardiothoracic surgeon like they had hoped. Her mother spoke in a soft, lady-like tone but there was a hint of condescension lurking there, "Yes, we've just arrived."
"I did not hear you announced." Maura tried to grasp her bearings as she stumbled forward to air kiss her mother's cheeks and then pithily hug her father.
"Yes, well you look distracted." The refined woman clearly looked Jane up and down with some distain. Maura felt a spike of anger that emboldened her. She was not a child anymore. She was a grown woman and her mother had no right to be passing judgment on the detective that she had not even met yet.
"Mother, Daddy, this is Detective Jane Rizzoli." Maura squared her shoulders and daringly took her girlfriend's hand again. "Jane, these are my parents, Constance and Richard Isles."
"Pleasure to finally meet you both." Jane let go of Maura and stepped forward to shake both of their hands. The brunette placed a comforting arm around her, stroking Maura's upper arm reassuringly. Maura relaxed slightly under Jane's touch but she could see her mother faintly flinch slightly at the clearly romantic action while her father remained as stoic and indifferent as ever.
"I don't believe Maura has mentioned you." Constance said in a civil but clipped manner. "Are you her colleague?"
"Yes, Maura and I work together."
"We do more than work together, Mother. Jane is my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Her father seemed to catch up with what was going on, "You mean to say you are a lesbian now Maura?"
"Richard." Constance hissed and looked around discreetly to ensure none of the other guests had heard her tactless husband.
Maura blushed, "Well, yes, I suppose so."
Awkward silence fell over the four of them, her parents straining to be well mannered with stiff smiles that looked more like grimaces and Jane doing her best to be unwavering support. Maura felt her insides churning with the uneasiness carrying on. All of a sudden her black satin pumps were the most interesting things as her eyes stayed down cast as she felt the disappoint come off in waves.
"Dinner is served." The butler's voice rose about the din of the crowd. It was a relief for them now that they had an excuse to gracefully leave the situation.
"We will talk to you after supper." Constance statement sounded more like a threat as she and her husband started filing out with the others to the dining area.
"Of course." Maura let out a shuddering breath, letting her parents put distance between them.
"You okay Maur?" Her girlfriend's voice came quietly in her ear.
"Yes."
"No, you're not."
"Physically I'm fine Jane."
"That's not what I meant."
"We can't talk about this right now." Maura put her mask of sophistication back on and Jane thankfully let it go. The brunette took cues from the other occupants in the room and offered her arm for Maura to grab. The doctor did so gratefully. She needed something to hold onto. She knew her parents would be less than enthused about her relationship with Jane but to see their grim faces still felt like someone had given her a swift kick to the stomach. They had not even made the move to hug her and it had been eight months since she had seen her mother at her art gallery opening in New York and probably longer since she had managed to make it out to London where her father enjoyed hiding out.
"Let's just get through dinner." Maura and Jane started towards the eating area with other stragglers where long banquet style tables had been set up to accommodate the numbers. Large autumn themed centerpieces were placed equidistant from one another with ridiculous pumpkins and gourds. Mrs. Fairfield was notoriously known for her missteps in proper décor and tended towards trendy as opposed to classic. No doubt her mother found them endlessly tawdry and Maura was inclined to agree. She had fashioned herself so much after the glimpses of her mother that she had been able to catch growing up. Young Maura had always thought that if she tried hard enough to play the part, her mother might be more inclined to attempt to relate to her awkward daughter.
When she was allowed to tea with her mother she would absorb every detail from the way her mother would stir milk and honey into her Earl Grey without clinking the spoon onto the china to how she almost tenderly held the cup to her perfectly stained lips. Maura loved to watch her parents leave for events looking as glamorous as the old movie stars. She would hide at the top of the stairs, her little hands clutching the banister with rapt attention while she memorized the way her mother would fastidiously adjust her father's tie until it met her approval while her father smiled adoringly down on her. Then she would play the game of trying to stay up until they returned, reading over the medical books she had borrowed from the library, sounding out the words that she did not quite understand yet. On the nights she succeeded, Maura would peak out into the hallway, a crack of light streaming into her bedroom and she would observe her parents walk down to their bedroom, a place Maura was rarely invited into. They would appear tired and maybe a little giddy from the wine but no less elegant than when they had left.
As a little girl, Maura had yearned for her parents to veer towards her bedroom to check in on her and say goodnight or even scold her for being up so late but it never happened. Sometimes she would pretend that they had taken her with them. It would have been a ball where she could wear her favorite blue dress and her father would let her dance on his feet without caring about scuffmarks on his shiny shoes. She would be so worn-out on the ride home she would fall asleep in the car. Her father would carry her in and she would be in the hallway with them for a fleeting moment before he would place her carefully in bed. Her mother would let her sleep in her good clothing just so she did not have to wake her. But it was all just a fantasy. It never happened. Maura always went to bed with a brusque goodnight from her governess of the month. Her parents kept switching the nationalities of her nanny so that she could be exposed to different languages, something Maura was very proficient at now.
She owed so much to her parents and Maura had spent most of her life attempting to get her mother's approval. Now she had done something to dissatisfy her and it was nearly crushing.
"Maur? Where did you go?"
The blonde looked at Jane. Her girlfriend looked wary and Maura realized just how much Jane did not belong in a place like this. She was so stifled. Her normal grin was absent and her hands fidgeted about uselessly as she was unsure what to do with them. If there was one thing about Jane Rizzoli that Maura loved, it was her confidence. She was always certain and passionate but here she was floundering. It was so heartbreaking. Maura did not know if she could do this to Jane. It was like domesticating a wild stallion. Nothing so beautiful should be trapped and tamed. She loved Jane as she was and did not want to impress this life upon her, the kind of life that was expected from her. At the same time she did not know if she could do this to herself. Maura did not know if she could handle the disappointment that was now being pressed on her. Emotions whirled as she collected her thoughts and put them aside for the time being.
She looked down at the orderly rows of silverware and finally answered Jane. "I haven't done this in a while. I've forgotten how much cutlery they actually give you."
Jane chuckled, "Well if you don't remember, then I'm screwed."
"Just start on the outside and work your way in." She advised as the first course was being brought out.
/
"Maura, look who we've found." The doctor turned to the sound of her mother's voice and cringed as she saw her parents walking towards her with none other than Garrett Fairfield. She and Jane had kept to themselves after dinner mostly. They had run into Sumner and Adam who had found them to specifically meet Jane. They had already heard the gossip mill turning, probably from their mother, and wanted to meet the woman who had stolen Maura out from under Garrett. The men and Jane hit it off swimmingly as it turned out they all took delight in making Garrett out to be a cad. The doctor had done her best to scold them but could not help giggling over the cracks at their brother's expense. Now the very man was walking towards her and Jane with a false swagger that looked ridiculous on him now that they had spent the better part of 15 minutes mocking him.
She whispered urgently to her girlfriend, "I am so sorry for what is about to happen."
Jane looked confused as Constance and Richard brought over her ex-fiancée. He had not changed much over the years. His hair was longer on the top, impeccably combed and the blonde color of his youth had been completely taken over by a dark brown. He still had his boyish smile but his green eyes were more serious with worry lines beginning to form on his forehead. Garrett was not shy about pulling her in for a too-friendly hug, "Maura, I didn't know you would be coming to this. If I'd known I would have been happy to attend with you."
"It was rather last minute." Maura did her best to reestablish distance between them. She could feel Jane tensing her muscles next to her, "Besides I brought a date. Garrett, this is Detective Jane Rizzoli."
"Well, that is nice." He looked at Jane for the first time, "You are a good friend for accompanying Maura."
Jane clenched her jaw a sure indication of her growing annoyance that matched Maura's. Her parents had brought Garrett over under the assumption that she was available; no doubt with some gentle hinting from her mother that she missed the dashing man. The detective looked like she was about to snap when Maura jumped in, "Actually Garrett, Jane is my girlfriend."
He still did not grasp the meaning behind the word as he leered at the doctor, "You know Maura since I'm in town perhaps we could catch up, maybe fly to New York for the weekend. For old time's sake."
The blonde could see Jane was now enraged as her brow furrowed and she glared at the presumptuous man. Maura needed to get the situation under control before Jane completely lost it. Maura found her girlfriend's protective nature endearing but there was a time and place. At the Fairfield's banquet dinner with her parents watching carefully was neither the time nor the place for Jane to demonstrate it. Maura clasped her hand around Jane's balled up fist in hopes of soothing the savage beast. "You've misunderstood Garrett. Jane and I are dating. We are a couple."
He drew back in surprise, blinking stupidly, "You're dating a woman?"
"Yes," Jane slipped a possessive arm around Maura's waist with a fake smile plastered to her face, "For almost three months now."
Maura could see her parents embarrassment rising. She did not know whether to be mortified for them or join Jane in her indignation. The blonde did her best to remain neutral as she declined Garrett's invitation, "I think a trip to New York would be inappropriate. Perhaps dinner some evening with Jane and I. Just call."
Jane muttered in her ear quiet enough so only Maura could hear, "I'm not having dinner with this tool."
"At ease." Maura ordered softly under her breath, her eyes still trained on Garrett, "He won't be calling."
"Um, yes. Well, I have business to attend to so we will have to see." He said insincerely.
"Wonderful." Maura said in her best socialite imitation. They balked at one another for a moment before Constance inserted herself into the conversation.
"Garrett's line is doing fabulously in Milan."
"Congratulations. That was always your dream to start your own fashion label."
"Your suit is stunning Garrett. Is it one of your designs?" Her mother continued to act like Garrett was about the most interesting person in the room.
"No." He laughed casually, "It's Armani."
"Armani. My absolute favorite." Constance admired.
"Jane's suit is Armani as well." Maura's eyes narrowed on her mother. She was doing everything she could to ignore her girlfriend's existence and she was getting tired of it.
"Oh? It's lovely." Though she barely spared a glance in Jane's direction.
"Will you excuse us?" Maura asked curtly while defiantly grabbing Jane's hand and giving no other explanation. She carted Jane behind her, moving through the multitude of people until they began to line out. Leading Jane down a quiet, empty hall, Maura did not stop until she reached a set of French doors. She yanked open the doors and was met with the chilly fall wind.
"Jeez Maur, you're pulling my arm off." Jane griped. Maura ignored her but let her go as she breathed the cold night air as if she had been underwater for a long time. She walked out onto the dark balcony and leaned against, her palms flat against the chilled, gray stone. It helped clear her mind, along with the warm hands on her shoulders.
"Are you okay babe?"
"They're being so obtuse."
"I know. But remember when my mom found out. She was less than happy."
"Yes, well, your mom loves you." Maura said bitterly.
"Hey now. Your mother loves you. She just needs some time to adjust." Jane told her. Maura remembered saying something similar to the detective when she was feeling despondent about Angela's reaction but it did not feel true when Jane said it about her own mother.
"Yeah." Maura exhaled, not having it in her to counter Jane.
"Maura…"
"I just need a minute please." Maura needed to think. Jane fell quiet and tried to rub away the goose bumps on her bare arms. It was a clear, beautiful night. They were slightly outside of the city, revealing more stars than she was used to. The lights twinkled brightly in the sky, surrounding a crescent moon that cast little illumination onto the garden that was going dormant for the winter. It was strange that she had looked out at this sight many times before. The last time had probably been with Garrett standing behind her instead of her detective. Reflecting back, everything had been so simple. She had a direct path. She was going to medical school, then marrying her dedicated boyfriend and become the perfect compliment to her dashing husband. It had been so uncomplicated and yet looking back she had never been so unhappy. Even with her life in imminent peril she never felt safer or more loved.
"Sweetie, it's cold out here. Let's go inside."
"I just want to stay out here with you." Maura refused.
"Alright." Jane indulged her. "But I'm going to track down one of those waiters and get us some of that fancy champagne."
"Thank you." Maura hummed as Jane draped her jacket over her shoulders and walked back into the house. The blonde pressed her nose into her shoulder smelling the lavender and sandalwood scent of her girlfriend.
"Bonsoir Maura."
The doctor spun around and found her mother standing there with a pinched expression on her face. Maura resisted the urge to gulp, "Mother, are you enjoying the party?"
"It's adequate. Elaine is currently giving one of her colorful speeches."
"You mean Mrs. Fairfield is inebriated again." She scoffed.
"Maura, that is rude." Constance developed a stern demeanor.
"Sorry Mother." She looked away feeling chastised.
"It's that detective." Her mother glowered. "She is a bad influence on you."
"Jane is not a bad influence." Maura glared back sharply.
Constance looked stunned, "Can't you see what she is doing to you? My daughter would never speak so crassly to me."
"How would you know how your daughter speaks?" Maura demanded. "When was the last time we had a conversation that went beyond Chanel's spring line?"
"What has gotten into you?" She was aghast.
"Nothing has gotten into me! I'm with Jane because she makes me happy!"
"You don't mean that. She is a public servant for goodness sake. She has no business being here." Her mother protested, "You are an Isles. You belong with someone who can match that title."
"You don't know the first thing about Jane and I. She loves me. Can't you see that is more important than your precious status?"
"Maura be reasonable." Constance began trilling off in French at her. "She will ruin your life."
Maura responded back in French, "Isn't that a little dramatic? Jane is my girlfriend and that isn't going to change anytime soon."
/
Jane reclined heavily against the wall just inside the door with two flutes of champagne. She had been listening to the argument between mother and daughter when they suddenly had switched to French. Now she did not understand words that flew between them but she knew that what was being said was not good from the hurt and angry tones. She wanted to go to her girlfriend and wipe away the tears that she could hear in Maura's voice. But she forced herself to stay put and let the two women work it out.
"You know it will never work out."
Jane glanced up to find Garrett leaning against the wall opposite her like a villain out of a crime novel. She instantly rolled her eyes, "I'll keep that in mind."
"She belongs with someone from her class." He said arrogantly.
"Someone like you? I think that is for Maura to decide."
"You think you are good enough for her?"
"No." Jane scoffed.
"Then why…"
"Because I will work my hardest every day until I am good enough for her. I will love and protect her with everything that I have." Jane sneered, "And that is more than I can say for you."
"We are leaving." Maura breezed past her and Garrett without checking to see if she was following. Jane quickly brushed by him to catch up with Maura, her shoes clicking aggressively on the hardwood floor, then the marble of the foyer. The blonde did not bother to retrieve her shawl as she continued to race out of the mansion. Jane was hot on her heels while she marched down the stairs to the gravel path to find their limo in the long line of cars.
Maura's high heels caused her to teeter on the small pebbles. Jane grabbed Maura before she could fall in the drive, "Whoa, slow down."
The doctor whirled around and threw her arms around Jane's neck with tears of frustration apparent in her eyes as she buried her face in Jane's white shirt, "She is so infuriating. She just does not understand."
"Hey it's okay." Jane wrapped her arms around her.
"No, she'll never accept me for who I am." Maura cried. The brunette's heart hurt at her girlfriend's words. She was so distraught and Jane was the cause of her strife. Jane felt her guilt climbing as she had a hard time justifying to herself being with Maura if it meant causing a rift between Maura and her parents. Jane waited until Maura had calmed down some to speak.
"Maura, if you can't be with me, I'll understand."
"What do you mean?" She looked up alarmed.
"I just want you to be happy. If this hurts your relationship with your parents then I understand if you'd like to end it. Maybe being with some like Garrett will make you happy."
"Jane, I won't deny that when my parents reacted the way they did, I questioned if I could do this." Maura confessed, "But you know what else I realized?"
"What?"
"That being with you makes me happier than I could have possibly imagined. When I was with Garrett, I felt like half of a person. When I am with you, I finally feel whole. I would not give that up for anything. You are my bliss Jane. It's you."
"I love you so much Maura." Jane pulled her girlfriend to her once again.
"I love you too Jane. So much." Maura mumbled into her shoulder as they embraced in the cool darkness. The blonde sighed, "I want to go home."
"Of course." Jane kissed her softly and they walked away from the finery of the evening.
/
Jane loved Maura's bedroom. It was so different from the rest of her house that was full of the souvenirs of her travels and odd collections of her interests. Instead the doctor's bedroom was simple, a place where your mind could take a break from the hectic, outside world.
The antiqued bedposts were stained cherry along with the nightstands that sat along either side of the bed and the imposing bureau in the corner. The room was sparse of knick-knacks except for a few photos in stainless steel frames. Jane's favorite sat on Maura's side of the bed. It was a picture of her and Maura together at the Dirty Robber. Korsak had brought along his camera and snapped a candid photo of them while they had been cuddling in the booth. The blonde was looking down shyly at something Jane had said but with a pleased smile painted on her face while Jane looked completely enamored by her. She had a copy of the same image at home on her nightstand.
Everything else about the bedroom was white. The walls, carpet, and bedding were all a pearly color that absolutely glowed no matter what time of day it was. Right now the space was cast in a bluish hue as the night bounced around creating an ethereal atmosphere as Maura could not be bothered to turn on the warm lamp.
"Jane, will you help me with my dress?" Maura called softly to her she presented the brunette with her back. The detective stepped forward to help while the blonde swept her curls to the side revealing her long neck and elegantly sculpted shoulder blades. Jane fumbled to find the zipper before coming in contact with the cool metal. Something in the room shifted as she hovered behind Maura. The air became charged with a tangible energy that flowed between them. Jane slowly began to pull the zipper downward. With each inch of skin Jane exposed, the palpable feeling increased. As her knuckles grazed the soft skin that covered her spine, Maura's breath seemed to hitch. Once Jane completed the task, the doctor made no movement to walk away from her.
Jane, mesmerized, cautiously slipped her hands into the loose garment giving her time to pull away but Maura leaned back into the touch with a contented sigh. Jane pulled Maura flush against her while her hands explored the warm expanse of her toned stomach. Her lips dropped down to reverently kiss her glowing, pale shoulder then traveled up the back of her neck. Maura moaned lightly as Jane bit her gently, sucking on her creamy skin. The detective's busy hand pushed aside her lacy black bra to roll Maura's nipple between her thumb and forefinger. The blonde made her approval known as she ground herself subtly into Jane's hips while she continued her ministrations. Having Maura writhing against her sent arousal pooling in between her legs. Her sensual caressing became more desperate as she slid the thick dress straps off her girlfriend's body and freed her of her confining bra.
Maura turned in Jane's arms and attached her mouth to hers in a zealous kiss, pressing her naked form into Jane's clothed front. The thin cotton barrier that kept Maura's skin from her own was maddening as Jane helped Maura undo the buttons and ripped the white shirt from her torso. The blonde's hands threaded through her dark hair and tugged her closer as Jane pushed her back onto the pristine bed. The doctor's trembling fingers found their way to her belt. Jane captured the jittery appendages in one hand and stilled her movements, "Hey, if you're not ready we don't have to."
Maura's swirling hazel eyes looked up at her with apparent desire, "No I… Jane I need you."
Her girlfriend's voice was lower and breathy, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her at the words. Jane released Maura hands and reunited their lips once more. Maura managed to unbuckle her belt then opened the clasp on her trousers. She urgently pushed them down and Jane kicked them off the rest of the way as she refused to stop kissing Maura even for a moment as their tongues stroked each other heatedly.
Jane moved her worshipping kisses down the column of the blonde's rapidly beating neck, stopping once she reached Maura's chest. She lapped at her straining breasts causing Maura to whimper as she dragged her teeth lightly over the stiff peaks. Jane continued her journey downward as she teased around Maura's belly button then dipped to toy along the waistband of her underwear. Jane pulled the final layer off as she sat back momentarily to reverently kiss dainty ankles and slender calves before moving back up to her intended destination. As her tongue first delved into Maura's silky folds they simultaneously moaned, Jane into heated flesh and Maura into the bedroom, filling the space with her slight panting and noises of appreciation. The detective's long exploratory strokes shifted to short ones as she flicked her tongue repeatedly against Maura's aching clit. She sucked the bundle of nerves lovingly into her mouth as the blonde began to rock into the sensation.
Suddenly a demanding hand was pulling on her dark locks and she looked up confused. Maura was reaching out to her, "Jane please, I need you up here with me."
She wasted no time in moving back up her girlfriend's body, meeting her in a crushing kiss. Jane settled with her center pushing deliciously down on Maura's thigh as she worked her hand between them, her long fingers sliding easily along her wetness. Maura gasped, "Jane, I need you inside, please."
The detective savored the moment as she entered into Maura with two fingers for the first time. She was so hot and tight around Jane it caused her to groan. As soft as Maura was she was infinitely softer here. Slowly she began to move deftly within her.
"Yes." Maura hummed as her hips developed a mind of their own and met with each of Jane's steady thrusts. The blonde quickly became more earnest as the glorious friction built.
"More. Please." She rasped.
Jane's movements accelerated as her fingers curled, searching for the sensitive spot inside of Maura. The blonde bucked enthusiastically, "Oh Jane, right there. Don't stop."
There was no way Jane was stopping as her face fell forward into her lover's neck to nip at her skin, driving her closer to the edge as she unconsciously grinded herself onto Maura's thigh. They moved fluidly together, completely lost in themselves using every fiber of their being as a testament of their love for one another.
Maura's fingers slipped along Jane's slick back as she shuddered. "Jane, I'm coming."
Jane did not realize how close she was until Maura uttered those words sending her into a short but powerful orgasm. She rocked greedily on Maura while her lover's pleasured quaking slowly began to fade. Jane kept moving inside the blonde until the spasms around her fingers stopped and stopped completely, breathing heavily as they recuperated.
Jane looked down at her girlfriend who could barely keep her eyes open, her cheeks were rosy and her lips were parted in a small, satisfied smile. The brunette marveled, "You are so beautiful."
Maura purred as Jane pulled out of her and gathered the blonde against her chest, running her hand down her smooth side. Jane reveled in the feeling of Maura completely relaxed against her, her fingertips skimming along her collarbone, then scraping down in a half-hearted attempt to reciprocate Jane's action. The detective caught her roaming hand and brought it to her lips. "I'm okay. Just rest."
Her girlfriend mumbled something unintelligible as she rested her forehead in the crook of Jane's neck. The detective smiled and kissed the crown of her head. She never wanted to leave this place with Maura safely tucked in her arms, the feeling of unadulterated joy flowing through her.
"I love you." Maura wisped as she continued to descend into sleep.
"I love you too." Jane tightened her hold and let her own exhaustion take over.
/
What a night for our ladies ha, ha. You know I love to hear what you guys think, so leave it after the beep.
Beep.