AN: So my computer did a funny thing before I saved this, so I had to re-write about three quarters of this all over again. Imagine the horror! I hope its good enough.
Jane did a double take to make sure it wasn't April fool's day. What was happening to her might have made it to 'Joke of the year'. The Mercedes was pulling into an S & M's Cocktail Bar and Lounge. Oh wait, it gets better! The labelling was flashing in rainbow colours. Jane wanted to die. This was the last thing she expected. No, sorry- this was nothing she expected, a moonlight picnic was even on her list. But now a gentleman she hadn't said more than two words to was opening the door for her, so she could walk into this gay bar and have her first date with Maura. If she told anyone, they would never believe her. She would need photographic evidence for the rest of her life. The man, noticed how Jane wanted to sink into the earth, threw her an apologetic 'forced' smile. The one she figured she'd get from someone who had been given specific instruction to be nice and to make her feel comfortable.
When it became clear to her that this was no joke, she hesitantly made her way to the entrance, the only positive thing so far being that she was dressed appropriately. She watched as lesbian and gay couples made their way into the undeniably beautiful venue. She'd certainly never seem so many homosexual people in one place, and to say she was feeling uncomfortable would be an understatement at best. She hadn't labelled herself 'gay' as it was, so part of her felt she had no business being there. Then she quickly remembered she was in love with a woman, and that just made her want to down a few beers. She counted it a blessing that she had arrived on her own, so Maura wouldn't witness her second guessing herself.
She slowly approached the door, looking like a deer in the North Pole – so scared and out of place, or lost rather. ''Name please'', a very cheerful lady with an accent was standing by the entrance welcoming people and checking their reservations.
''Uuummm, Jane. Jane Rizzoli'', she stammered.
''Yes, Jane. Just give me a minute let me get someone to escort you''. Jane stood awkwardly by the door whilst several other couples filtered through her.
A minute later as she was promised, a very gay man approached her and hooked his arm with hers as if they knew each other.
''Wow, when Maura mentioned how beautiful you were, she did you very little justice if you ask me.''
Jane came to an immediate halt the second they stepped inside, ignoring the man's comment, or compliment therefore. The place was a little on the dark side, with mostly red lighting. There were several two seat tables spread across the room (obviously occupied by couples). On one end of the lounge had a magnificent bar, with all manner of alcoholic beverages. The other side of the place had large open doors that led to an outside addition. As Jane was pulled further into the establishment she soon realized the veranda was set up into a Karaoke stage with lovely sofas and double armchairs for viewers to sit. Above the stage hung a banner written ''SING FOR YOUR LOVE''.
She had a zillion questions she wished she could ask the gentleman leading her to a table, but he looked like the sort of guy who wouldn't shut up once he got started. Jane wasn't going to go down that route in that moment, she needed some alcohol first.
''Jane, this will be your table tonight'', the man let go of Jane and spread his arms to present the table to Jane. ''I'll be back shortly with a drink for you. Please, make yourself comfortable'', he made a mock bow and winked at Jane as he retreated. The detective was left sitting on a chair in stunned silence. The opposite chair, supposed to be for Maura, was unoccupied. And in the middle of the small table sat a lovely vase of red roses. The table was not set to eat, and as Jane looked around, she realized no one was eating anyway. All the couples were sitting and enjoying their drinks. There was a small dance floor with a few couples dancing to some slow music. A little further up from where she sat (because their table was located at a partially secluded area with only four others, not too close though), were two gay men making out as if they were in the luxury of their own home. Jane stared for a while then suddenly felt self-conscious.
Jane couldn't help feeling like her detective skills were slackening. She was only noticing now that the tables in the area she was sitting in had one occupant only, unlike the others further up with couples. Before she started investigating, the gay man was back with a cold beer and a small envelope attached to a single rose.
''For you'', he handed her the items and left. Jane's hands trembled a bit so she had to attack the much needed beverage first. After a few gulps she put the flower to her nose, and inhaled the sweet scent. She smiled to herself as she opened the small card, it turned out. ''Hope this is ok. Thought it might be a nice surprise. I love you Jane, and I missed you today. Can't wait to see you'' There was a mark of red coloured lips that Jane thought were no doubt Maura's. She instinctively ran her finger over the still moist print. Maura had literally just kissed that. A wave of…..something, ran through Jane. It suddenly felt so real that she was on a date with Maura, finally. Oh, yes – a Maura who happened to not be there actually. It was funny if she really thought about it.
Two minutes later someone was speaking through the rather loud microphone. ''Ladies and gentlemen, if we could make our way out to the veranda for some karaoke'', the crowd sounded vastly excited and let out ''yay's and woo's'' as people began to walk outside. Jane quickly swallowed the last of her one beer and followed suit. The other three lonely ladies and one man close to her, followed as well. Once outside Jane located a free spot next to one overtly energetic lesbian couple and regrettably took seat next to them.
''Are you alone'', one of the woman asked upon noticing no one was joining Jane.
''Not Exactly'', that sounded weird, even to Jane herself. Luckily the women understood.
''Oh, your partner must be singing right?''
WHAT! Jane wanted to scream but clearly all the air had been knocked out of her lungs. ''God don't tell me Maura is going to be SINGING! Of all the things''.
She'd hardly ever heard Maura sing, except for the constant humming she was doing of late. Jane did not have a clue how to respond, or feel about the news she'd just learned. ''no wonder she isn't sitting here with me. She's probably practicing.'' Jane wanted to stop Maura before she embarrassed herself. Maybe the other people were good singers and Maura was going to stand there and make a complete ass of herself. This was a woman who had a year ago been cutting up dead people, listening to some weird instrumentals, with no idea who The Black Eyed Peas were. It was a catastrophe in Jane's books. And if she wanted to sink before, in that moment she just wanted to disappear and not leave a trace that she had once been on earth.
All the worry was futile when she started to think rationally. Maura was smart, and besides, how good can the other people really be. In addition, there was nothing she could do to stop Maura. And also part of her wanted to hear what the genius woman had to sing. Besides, it wasn't every day that the Chief Medical Examiner took the stage for you.
So after the presenter, or whatever they called him, introduced himself and the event, the first woman took the stage.
''I want to say happy third anniversary to my girlfriend. When we started dating we lost a lot of love and support from some of our friends and family. They didn't understand our relationship and it began to take its toll on us. But somehow we held strong, and three years on I still love her the same as I did when we started dating. I just want you to know Lisa, I don't care what the world has to say about us, I love you, and I always will''
There was a round of claps and cheering as the woman started singing. Many eyes turned to look at this Lisa, who was so wrapped up in the song being sung to her. It was so sweet, Jane had no idea these things existed. She was starting to enjoy it a bit.
''….And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand. When everything's meant to be broken, I just want you to know who I am….'' A few people were softly singing along to the lyrics of Goo Goo Doll's Iris. Jane loved the song and was silently humming too. A great part of her was super nervous about Maura's impending appearance.
The woman concluded her song and was awarded by a round of applause as she made her way through the crowd to her girlfriend. They made a very beautiful couple and Jane couldn't help wonder what people would think of her and Maura. To her relief, the next woman on stage was not Maura, neither was the next.
And then….Maura finally appeared. She put on a cool front, but Jane could see how nervous Maura was. She was wearing maroon straight leg jeans that matched Jane's shirt, a pair of flats and a black and white simple top. Her hair was tied at the back and she wore round silver earrings. Jane's heart melted a bit at the sight of Maura. She looked even more beautiful than she always did. She looked like a super star – on stage, mic in hand, and many eyes on her. Jane was proud to be on a date with her, not to mention the fact that she was about to sing to her.
Before speaking, Maura quickly scanned the room for Jane. She found her with very little difficulty. They smiled at each other for a few seconds before Maura started speaking.
''When I thought I lost you, my whole world came crushing down'', the mood in the whole room changed dramatically. Maura's voice, and the way she said her words, seemed to captivate every soul in the room. She was looking directly at Jane, and everyone else was looking between the two. Jane already had tears forming in her eyes. She wasn't sure what the reason was in that moment.
Maura continued after a brief pause, ''My heart is still broken from everything that happened, but there is only one place I can go from here, and that's to you. I apologize for my unbecoming previous actions'', she stared at Jane as the brunette's tears started to roll down her cheeks. ''You are forgiven for yours too. You are home for me. You are what represents love. I trust you with my heart and my body Jane, because I know you will protect them like your own. You're enough for me, I couldn't ask for anything else, EVER!'', she emphasized. The people in the room appeared as if they were watching a game of tennis – looking between Jane and Maura. ''I love you Jane, and I know I will stand beside you years and years from now and still say the same thing, with even more conviction. Si intende il mondo per me'', Maura parroted Jane's words from months ago.
Jane was openly crying by the time the beat to the song began. Funny enough, she wasn't the only one. Apparently Maura's words had touched quite a few hearts; a number of other women were wiping away tears from their eyes too.
'' I know it's been sometime, but there's been something on my mind. You see I haven't been the same, since that cold November day…we said we needed space, but all we found was an empty place. And the only thing I learned, is that I need you desperately…so here I am. And can you please tell me…oh''. Maura's voice sounded so sweet in Jane's ears. It wasn't a voice of a good singer, the pitch wasn't perfect, but the message was heard. No one dared sing alone. They we all paying Maura their undivided attention, seeming to not want to miss a single word.
Jane wasn't embarrassed by the people watching her cry. She had only two senses working in that moment – sight (looking at Maura), and hearing (listening to the song). Everything else in her was working on default, so much that if breathing had to be done consciously she would have forgotten.
''I've been around enough to know, that dreams don't turn to gold. And that there is no easy way, no you just can't run away….and what we have is so much more, than we ever had before. And no matter how I try, you're always on my mind…''
Maura seemed so comfortable bridging into the chorus once more. She was holding on tightly to her microphone swaying lightly from left to right, eyes fixated on Jane. She was telling Jane something, not merely singing a song. She wanted Jane to know that whatever life threw their way, she would always go to Jane. She wanted Jane to feel that she was Maura's safe place. The blonde needed Jane to understand that she had tried to be without her, that even now she had the option and right to walk away, but she wouldn't. The purpose was for Jane to pick up on the fact that she was in her mind day in and day out.
Jane got it.
''…And now that I am here with you, I'll never let you go. I look into your eyes, and now I know, now I know…where do broken hearts go. Can they find their way home. Back to the open arms, of a love that's waiting there. And if somebody loves you, won't they always love you. I look in your eyes, and I know that you still care, for me''
Maura was asking also. She was asking if Jane still loved her. If Jane's arms were still willing to lift her up. Maura wanted to know if it was possible that Jane could have once loved her, but moved on now. Looking into Jane's eyes in that moment, Maura saw nothing but care, compassion, and unconditional love. But she wanted to know, she wanted to hear it, she needed Jane to say it. Because for all the questions she had, she was giving Jane the answers.
Maura came to the end of the song, as tears started spilling through her eyes. She had tried with everything she had to not make a mess of her performance. She had done well, and she was very proud of herself. Jane was looking at her like a poor woman who had just stumbled upon a gold mine. The love she saw in Jane's eyes took all her breath away. The presenter for the night took the mic from Maura and asked the very emotional crowd to give a round of applause. Like they needed to be asked – seriously. Had he at all heard Maura?
The two women were still looking at each other when Jane finally gave Maura a nod. The shorter woman practically ran to Jane who in turn lifted her off the ground in the biggest hug she had ever given anyone. Jane spun them around two times before gently placing Maura down with trembling hands. The scene, as most people had commented later that night, was the most romantic they had ever seen. The presenter was introducing the last act, but no one seemed to be paying attention anymore. All focus was directed to the two American women on the veranda that night.
As if they were the only two women in the world, Jane pulled Maura flush against her, looking fiercely into her eyes. ''That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. Thank you Maura. I love you, always and forever''. Maura smiled at Jane, and that broke the very last of Jane's resolve.
Maura did not see it coming at all, it seemed like it happened on fast forward. Jane lifted one hand from Maura's hips and placed it into Maura's hair, guiding her toward her lips. Everything turned to slow motion for Maura when Jane's lips touched hers for the very first time. Every part of Maura reacted to the feeling of Jane's lips pressed against hers. They weren't stagnant for long though, because Jane pulled Maura even closer as she softly moved her lips against Maura's. It was a feeling they both knew they would never forget, not even amnesia could take that away from them.
It took no time at all for Jane to demand full entrance into Maura's mouth. The blonde obliged without hesitation. One would have thought they had been doing this for years, the way their lips moved so gracefully against one another. Jane slid her tongue into Maura's mouth, taking full control of all that was Maura. The blonde let her, she wouldn't deny Jane, or herself, anything like that.
The blonde's arms had long taken residence on Jane's neck, and they sure felt at home there. Jane's hands where trying so hard to pull Maura into her as much as she could. All the oxygen they possessed was gone from eating each other's mouths the way they had, so they eventually let go. The guests all gave a second cheer, which was when the pair remembered they were not alone. Both hearts were beating wildly in their chests as they shyly made their way back into the bar out of everyone's view, and to their table.
The last performance, which nobody heard, was just finishing off and people were starting to make their way back inside. Jane and Maura were still holding hands when they reached their table. There was a pillar partially covering it from everyone's view, where Jane cautiously pushed Maura against.
''Will you be my girlfriend Maura Isles?'', Jane asked seriously.
Those were words Maura only heard in dreams. She responded by nodding, which was the best she could do in the moment. Having the love of your life take your breath away with a soaring kiss in front of a crowd, then pinning you against a wall asking you to be in a relationship with them was not something one recovered from very easily.
''May I?'', Jane confidently asked, shamelessly looking at Maura's lips.
Once again, Jane's lips met Maura's after approval was granted. The kiss was even more heated than the first; perhaps because they were somewhat in privacy, or they were both more confident. Or maybe because they were now officially a couple. It didn't matter anyways. Maura was against the wall and Jane put as much pressure as she could muster onto Maura. They could feel their breasts rubbing against each other, as their hands were trying to get hold of whatever part of the other they could. Maura discreetly put her legs apart a little. The move was not lost on Jane, who skillfully placed one of her legs in the space between Maura's. They both moaned at the change in position and continued to kiss each other frenziedly.
''Maura..'', Jane tried. She wasn't sure how much longer she could take it. The detective genuinely feared she would rip Maura's clothes off in that moment. The heat between then was like an opened gas tank.
Maura couldn't stop to answer Jane; she could feel herself heading towards an orgasm, like seriously. They were grinding their hips into each other, as the other's thigh met the covered center of their counterpart. The whole experience resembled getting a sip of water when you're in a desert. Jane lifted her one hand to cup Maura's breast. The ''ahhh'' that escaped Maura's lips let out a significant amount of wet substance onto Jane's underwear. Maura wasn't too concerned about hers; she knew it was long ago soaked to the point of being able to wring it out.
Jane massaged Maura's breast hungrily. She had wanted to touch them for so long, and they felt so perfect in her strong hands. Maura couldn't stop her rhythm and her kissing with Jane, even though she knew they both needed some air. Not wanting to completely stop, Jane moved to attack Maura's neck knowing her kisses were sure to leave marks but not being able to draw back. Maura's head was resting on the pillar behind her, and her whole self was demonstrating what sexy and turned on looks like. With enough air in her lungs Maura was able to let out a word. ''Jane...''. The detective moved her lips from Maura's neck and brought them to her ear.
Struggling with the throbbing between her legs - ''Yes?'', Jane asked in the deepest and most erotic voice Maura had ever heard (films, soaps, and 'late night TV' included). Whatever Maura wanted to ask or say vanished instantly. She let out a desperate moan, pulling Jane into a painful, but much appreciated kiss. The grinding never stopped, and Maura could begin to feel the tingling in her legs more and more. They were in a twilight zone of sorts. With both of them on such a high, something regrettable was bound to happen. Thankfully the gay guy from before saved the day.
AN: Right! This story could start to wind down very fast from here, or we could explore plenty other ideas I have. Just let me know, because I don't really know how people are feeling about this now. Thanks! I apologize to guests in advance, I wont be able to respond.
Italian Translation - You mean the world to me.