Chapter 35

The train ride back to Boston had gone smoothly. They were only about 30 minutes from Boston and a sense of calm had finally washed over Jane. She could not believe that her mother would approve of her starting a relationship with Maura. And she really couldn't believe that her mother had told Maura this. Jane spoke to her mother daily and not one time had Angela mentioned anything about getting involved with Maura. But as she got passed the shock of Angela saying something to Maura, she could let herself focus on what exactly it was that Angela had said. Her mother approved and was secretly hoping for her to get involved with Maura. The realization that she would be open to that kind of relationship warmed Jane's heart.

All of this had happened so fast that Jane had not even really stopped to consider how her family would react to her wanting to date a woman. When she left Boston almost a week ago she had never expected she would be returning with Maura as a possible girlfriend. How on Earth did that happen again? Jane found she hadn't had the time to obsess about family and friends but as the train pulled itself closer to Boston she found herself wondering.

Apparently Angela was fine with the notion of Jane being involved with a woman. Or maybe Angela was just ok with the notion of Jane being involved with Maura. Jane had never thought Angela was too hung up on labels or sexuality. Her big concern had been the Catholic Church's apparent lack of acceptance of same sex relationships. Jane hadn't known where her mother would draw the line between her own family and her faith. But if she was secretly hoping Jane and Maura would end up together she clearly was standing on the side of her family. And Jane loved her for that.

As she thought about this, Jane wasn't even sure she knew how to describe herself- gay, bi, unsure, but decided she didn't need to have an answer to that yet. She knew what was in her heart and that was Maura. All of the rest of it would eventually work itself out. Maura and Jane could figure it out together.

If Angela was fine with her and Maura being a couple, Jane started to wonder about everyone else. She felt that Frankie would accept it without an issue. She knew he loved her and he cared for Maura like a sister. Frankie and Jane had always been close and she felt that Frankie would want for her whatever made her happy.

She was concerned about Tommy's reaction though. Not so much from the standpoint of having any issue with Jane being gay, or whatever she may consider herself, but more from the standpoint of his feelings for Maura. Jane was aware that Tommy had feelings for Maura so she was worried that he would be jealous or upset that Jane was with Maura and he wasn't. Hopefully he would support both Maura and Jane's decisions to try to make this work.

She thought about Frost and Korsak. She cared for both men deeply. The relationship you have with a law enforcement partner is not a typical friendship. You trust that person with your life. Jane trusted both men implicitly. She felt for sure Frost would be fine. She wondered a few times if Frost hadn't been one of the many that already assumed there was a physical relationship between her and Maura. Either way he cared for Jane and for Maura and Jane was convinced he would be happy for them if this was what they wanted.

Jane worried about Korsak for as supportive as he usually was Jane was concerned that he was old school. He was from a generation that didn't race to embrace the notion of homosexuality. She had never seen him make any comments or discriminate against anyone he thought was gay. In her gut she believed Korsak would be happy for the both of them as well.

And that was it really. Ma, Frankie, Tommy, Frost and Korsak were the only ones she actually cared what their opinions of her were. She could care less about everyone else. This was no one's business. Being the only female detective in homicide and just being a female cop for that matter, Jane had long since dealt with the assumptions about her being gay from the boy's club at Boston PD. She knew the rumors. She heard the side comments. And she didn't care. She was who she was.

It annoyed her that some of the men took to a stupid stereotype about all female cops being butch or dykes or whatever other offensive slang term they could use to describe them. It annoyed her not because she cared if that was how they viewed her but more because it just showed how ignorant the men were and she hated to be surrounded by ignorance. The rumors about Jane and Maura had floated through the hallways of BPD for years. Maybe it was time for there to be some truth behind the rumors.

She settled herself into the comfort of believing she would get support from all those that she cared about. She was not sure when she or Maura wanted to start telling people they were dating. Part of Jane wanted to wait to at least have their first date before trying to have some big announcement or coming out party. She believed that in the end she and Maura would know the best way to tell the people they cared for what was going on with them. They'd decide that together.

The train finally pulled into the Back Bay Station and Jane smiled knowing she was back home. New York was nice to visit but she was grateful to be home. It suddenly dawned on her that they had not discussed sleeping arrangements for the evening. She wondered if Maura wanted to be alone tonight. They hadn't been apart since Tuesday morning and now she wasn't looking forward to possibly spending a night away from her.

"Maura?"

"Yes?'

"We haven't talked about tonight. Are we going to separate places? Did you want some time alone?"

"I was just thinking about that myself. I was thinking that I could stay at your place tonight. If I go home tonight I will have to deal with Angela. There's no way she won't realize that we came back a day early. You said she was going to pounce on me the minute she sees me and I really don't think I'm up for that tonight. Mind if I hide out that your place?"

Jane's face lit up and she smiled. She wasn't going to have to face the night without Maura. "I would love that. We can get a little more situated and deal with Angela tomorrow. We both are in for it from her although she will go easier on you than she will on me. But, considering she is guilty of harboring some secret desire for us to be a couple and hasn't bothered to inform me of this, I have a few cards I can play if she gets too clingy or Hurricane-ish."

Maura smiled that this. "Then that settles it. Now, let's get off this train so you can take me home." The smirk that crossed Maura's face made Jane blush.

They gathered their belongings and exited the train. Once they claimed their luggage they headed to the parking ramp. Jane escorted Maura to her car first and made she sure was all packed and settled. She leaned down and kissed Maura before shutting Maura's car door. "See you at my place." She threw her stuff into her car and both vehicles made their way towards Jane's apartment.

They arrived at Jane's place basically at the same time as traffic was pretty light. Jane grabbed her stuff and enough of Maura's luggage she could make it through until morning without issue. Maura also had clothes and toiletries at her place just in case.

Jane had a sudden panic about the condition of her apartment. She couldn't remember if it was clean or not and she had fled in a hurry to get to Maura. "Maura, I may need to warn you…"

"Not sure it's clean or a mess, huh?" Maura winked and smiled at Jane.

"I have no clue what we are walking into so you may want to stay back in case it's really, really bad." Jane said almost apologetically.

Jane was generally a neat person but she wasn't as compulsive as Maura. She could let items sit out for a while before finally putting them back whereas Maura would not go to sleep or leave the house unless everything was in order. Jane wasn't a slob so it wouldn't be horrible but there was a more than decent chance the bed was not made and there would be laundry on the floor in both the bedroom and in the bathroom. It was doubtful there was any food in the fridge and it was almost certain that there was a collection of empty beer bottles, pizza boxes and Chinese food containers sitting near the trash in the kitchen.

"Jane, I've seen your place at its worst. I'm still willing to risk it."

They got to her front door and Jane slowly placed the key in the door. She opened the door just as slowly, still unsure of just how bad it may be. She didn't see anything too bad at first glance so she pushed the door open a bit further. She stuck her head in the doorway and started to glance around. Maura, growing impatient, came up from behind and pushed open the door and walked in.

"Really Jane! You are acting like you think we are going to get attacked by something. It can't be that bad," she said with a chuckle.

Accepting her fate, Jane fully committed to entering her place. She was shocked at what she saw. She stood in the doorway and looked around. It was immaculate. Nothing out of place. Nothing laying around. It even smelled clean. She glanced at the kitchen and there was not a bottle, box or container to be found. She dropped the bags and went straight for her bedroom. The bed was made and the rooms showed not one loose piece of clothing.

She rejoined Maura in the living room. Maura, too, was also looking around. Their eyes met and they both spoke simultaneously.

"Ma." "Angela."

Jane made the mental note to thank her mother for coming to her rescue. Maura, as a friend, seeing her place less than stellar was one thing. Maura, as her possible future girlfriend, spending her first night at Jane's place as such was another matter altogether.

Maura and Jane got situated. Jane had checked the kitchen and found that besides cleaning her mother had stocked Jane's shelves and fridge with food and beverage. She pulled a beer out for herself and got a glass of wine for Maura. Looking at the food options she turned to Maura. "Something simple or takeout?"

"Let's do something simple. And then how about a movie?"

"That will work. Why don't you run out and get a movie and I'll start dinner. I believe it is your turn to pick the movie anyway."

Maura agreed and headed out to get a movie. Jane reviewed the food options and decided on one of Angela's lasagnas she had brought over. Looking around, it was really sweet what Angela had done for Jane. She grabbed her cell phone and called.

It was a full ring before Angela answered. "Hey Janie! How's Maura?"

"Hey Ma," smiling at her asking about Maura. "Maura is good, Ma. Much better. Things have started to work themselves out and I think she'll be ok."

"Oh that's great! It broke my heart that she was so unhappy. Does this mean you are finally coming home?"

Jane, trying not to outright lie to her answered, "That's way I'm calling. Are you still planning on having family dinner tomorrow?"

"Of course! It's Sunday Jane. Just because you and Maura go gallivanting off to parts unknown doesn't mean the world stops. Sunday is family dinner night, whether you bother to be in town for it or not."

Jane flinched. Maybe she did deserve that a little. She knew her mother was worried about both Maura and her. "I was calling to make sure Maura and I had a place to go for dinner tomorrow, Ma. We both want to have dinner with you." That was the truth. Jane was trying to avoid saying they were in Boston now. So far so good.

"All you had to do was tell me you were coming over for dinner," she said but Jane heard the excitement in her voice. She heard Angela immediately cheer up at the thought of getting to see both Jane and Maura tomorrow. "Dinner will be at 5. Will you both be able to make it by then?"

Jane, thankful for the way Angela had just asked that questioned answered, "Sure Ma. We can make it there by 5. Do you need me to bring anything?"

"Just you, Jane. I miss you! Oh, and Maura too. I need to see that she is ok for myself."

"I've missed you too Ma. I really have. We both will see you tomorrow."

Jane went back to the kitchen and finished getting dinner ready. She thought for a moment about whether to set the table or just eat at the island. She opted for the island as setting the table seemed too formal for them. Maura returned just as the last of the dinner preparations were completed.

"Something smells wonderful."

"Ma brought over lasagna," Jane said with a smile.

"Excellent. I'm starving." Maura pulled up a stool to the island.

"What movie did you get?"

"It's a surprise. Let's eat and then we can watch the movie."

"But what movie?"

"Eat Jane. The movie will be revealed soon enough."

They settled in and started to eat. Both were hungry so the lasagna was perfect.

"Oh, we are due over at your place for family dinner night by 5 pm tomorrow," Jane offered.

"You called Angela?"

"Yeah, she was going to want a confirmation on return time so I thought I'd pre-empt her asking and offer to come over. I didn't want to have to lie about our return plans."

"Were you successful with your sin of omission?" Maura asked with a smile.

"Absolutely."

They finished dinner and Maura handled the clean-up. Jane started to snoop around for the DVD but got immediately warned by Maura to stop. "Don't even think about it Jane. Go get more comfortable and as soon as I clean up I will share the movie choice with you."

Jane pouted as she went to the bedroom and changed clothes. She dressed in lounge pants and a BPD t-shirt. She went back into the living room and plopped down on the couch. She turned on the TV to watch a bit of ESPN before Maura was ready for the movie.

Maura finished in the kitchen and went to go get herself more comfortable. She looked into the living room and caught sight of Jane on the couch. She heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene. In that moment she didn't think she would ever see anything sexier than Jane in her lounge pants and t-shirt. Sexy lingerie be damned, Maura thought. Jane in her comfort clothes was a sight to behold.

Maura came back into the living room in a slightly more refined version of pajamas and was holding a DVD in her head. She put the DVD in the player and grabbed the remote. In the past, movie night would have Jane on the couch and Maura in the love seat but tonight, Maura retreated to the couch and snuggled up into Jane. Jane welcomed her with open arms.

"So, what's the movie?"

"Patience Jane," Maura said and kissed her gently on the cheek. She then hit play on the remote and let the movie start.

As soon as the picture started, Jane smiled. "Really?!"

"Really."

"But you hate this movie."

"True, but I love you," and she snuggled in closer. Jane was worth Maura struggling through 'Airplane' again.

Jane leaned forward and kissed Maura. The kiss was strong and passionate. It was their first kiss being completely alone. That seemed to add to the passion. Neither was tentative and it didn't appear that either was holding back. Maura's tongue ran across Jane's bottom lip and then quickly made its way into her mouth as soon as her lips parted. Both tongues danced to what now seemed like a choreographed routine.

Jane slowly ran her arm down Maura's side until she could position it on Maura's hip. Once positioned, Jane made one fluid movement to hoist Maura both up and under her and Maura found herself horizontal on the couch with Jane leaning in on top. The repositioning had happened so quickly Maura didn't catch the new position until Jane was suddenly hovering over her. She was going to have to remember a move like that.

They broke for air a few times but their lips immediately reconnected and the deep, passionate kisses were getting both ladies' breathing to quicken. Maura broke off the kiss only to commence kissing Jane down her neck while Jane started to let her hands explore the finely toned body of the lady beneath her. Maura worked her way back up to Jane's lips and the deep kissing resumed.

Jane let her hand drift off Maura and fumble around for the remote. Finding it, she turned off the TV. Maura stopped a kiss when she heard the background noise stop. She looked up at Jane. Both women were a little breathless.

"Bed?" Maura asked and by the look in her eyes she didn't mean for sleep.

"Maura, I…shouldn't we at least go on a date first?" Jane asked a little nervous about the prospect of doing what she wanted to do.

To that, Maura stood up and took Jane's hand and pulled her up off the couch. "Jane, we've had more dates in the last five years than most married couples have ever had. The time for dating is over."

A/N There is one more chapter for this story which I will post tomorrow. After that, I will start the sequel next week. Be on the lookout for "Discovery" starting just after the Labor Day holiday. In the meantime, hope you enjoyed this chapter and will enjoy the last one. I've had the best time writing this