The LAPD Ball Part 3
Maura's viewpoint
Moving to the table in response to the waiter's request, I found my place between Lieutenant's Provenza and Tao, with Brenda beyond Provenza and Anastasia on the other side of Michael.
Jane was sitting almost opposite me, a situation I was not completely happy with as I prefer to sit next to her, but it meant that we were required to be social, not that I minded too much, especially as back in Boston there had been some quiet complaints that we were often too wrapped up in each other to the detriment of people around us at formal social functions.
However since we had arrived in LA everyone at the table had made us very welcome, even Jane's ongoing personal sense of competition with Detective Sanchez had settled into something more familiar than serious, so being social presented no insurmountable issues
Lieutenant Tao held my chair for me and moved it in as I sat, a gentlemanly gesture I appreciated, thanking him with a smile. I noticed Lieutenant Provenza was doing the same for Brenda, an action repeated around the table. It was an example of old fashioned manners that I found utterly charming, I had been to innumerable society functions where the manners on show were far less than those freely on offer here.
The dinner itself was pleasant and Detective's Tao and Provenza were particularly charming company seated to either side, however I did miss Jane's comforting presence beside me.
The LAPD Chaplain, Father Bernard Riley, led off the evening with a quiet but heartfelt non-denominational prayer for the officers of the LAPD.
"Friends, let us pray for our fallen" Heads bowed around the room.
"Almighty God, we ask you to continue to watch over the spirits of our fallen officers, keeping them in your love and care. We also ask that you extend your love to those friends and family of our fallen left behind, providing a measure of peace to those who must bear the burden of living with their loss"
"In particular we ask you to watch over the families of those officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, as you take them into your eternal care" The Chaplain's voice took on a slower, sadder tone as he read the names as their faces appeared on large screens mounted on each wall.
"Detective Manuel Cordoba"
"Lieutenant John Farley"
"Officer David Kelly"
"Officer Tony Liao"
"Sergeant Nathan Menser"
"Officer Cory Mullins"
"Officer Nikki Black"
Chaplain Riley paused for a moment to give us time to reflect, seven dead officers this year, four since we had arrived. It was moments like this that the reality of what Jane did, the risks she faced, truly hit home. Jane was careful, she was good at what she did, but as she reminded me in a conversation not so long ago, it was not the safest of careers.
I wished she was sitting next to me, I needed to be able to reach out to her, to reaffirm our bond, at moments like this I needed the comfort of her touch. Her head was bowed so I was not able to catch her eye; I needed to connect with her. I wondered if that made me needy.
"Friends, let us now pray for the living. Almighty God, we ask you to watch over and guide the officers of the Los Angeles Police Department as they continue to protect and serve the community, watch over the innocent, defend the weak and arrest the guilty. Provide our officers with the guidance and counsel they may seek, while extending your care and support to them as they go about their duties, so that they may continue to protect your children, Amen"
A murmured 'Amen' filled the room in response and I saw several people at the table, Jane, Sharon, Julio and David, cross themselves. While not a religious person, I understand and sometimes envy the solace that it can bring to those who believe.
Jane looked up and saw me watching her, giving me her warm smile which I returned with love.
The meal itself was a surprise. I had been expecting the rather unpleasant standard of what Jane facetiously calls the 'rubber chicken circuit', bland food prepared poorly and served in a mediocre way to make eating something to be endured, not enjoyed.
Instead the food was a delight. A check of the order of proceedings on the table revealed entrée was a liquorice braised venison cheek, pork cromesquis, carrot, cumin puree and pickles, presented wonderfully and wonderfully delicious.
Unfortunately entrée was followed by a tedious and obviously rote speech from the Mayor, eminently bland and forgettable and which he had no doubt forgotten 30 seconds after delivering it.
The main more than made up for it however, roasted duck breast with honey glazed parsnips, rhubarb chutney, confit duck pastia and a pain d' pice sauce. When I commented on the quality of the food, I was informed that the fare served at the previous Ball had been rather dire and the committee responsible had been summarily replaced and a new committee of volunteers had taken over the running of the event.
Brenda happily noted that Lieutenant Provenza was one of the new people on the committee and his work was roundly praised by everyone at the table. He looked embarrassed and deflected our thanks, commenting that 'he had to eat it too so it had damn well better be good'. I am sure he found our thanks gratifying, even if he went out of his way to not show it.
Chief Pope's speech was surprisingly inspiring. For all his political skills, Chief Pope had been a police officer once and his deep care and regard for his officers was obvious.
He spoke at length of the lives and careers of the seven officers who had died in the last year, as images of their careers flashed up on large screens on each wall.
I looked up to find Jane's eyes on me, aware of my need for her reassurance. We exchanged a long look, full of compassion and love, before we smiled gently at each other and looked around.
"How long exactly have you and Jane been together" It was Lieutenant Tao, leaning in towards me slightly.
"Almost a year, but we have been friends for another two years on top of that" He smiled.
"Just watching you two, it looks like it's been a lot longer" I smiled as warmth spread through me at his words.
"Thank you, I waited all my life for someone like Jane, it's as if we were meant for each other" He smiled and raised his glass in a silent toast to me.
The dessert was the equal of the rest of the meal, a vanilla crème brûlée with macadamia biscotti, neither too sweet nor too tart. I took the opportunity to lean in and quietly compliment Lieutenant Provenza once again on the quality of the fare, receiving a small smile in return.
Coffee and tea was served with dessert, bringing the formal part of the evening to a close, as the stage filled up with an enlarged band, signalling that the dancing would soon begin.
As the band warmed up, Brenda tapped the wine glass in front of her to attract everyone's attention and noted that we were sure to have plenty of opportunities to dance tonight, but that for the first dance at least, only Sharon and she were available. I smiled in appreciation of her tact, as Jane walked around to my seat and held it for me as I stood.
She took my hand in hers and leaned in close.
"Would you do me the honour of the first dance Doctor Isles?" I looked up into her face and saw the warmth and love in her eyes, settling me as nothing else could.
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure Detective Rizzoli" I smiled and the answering grin lit up the room.
I looked around to see Anastasia walk up to Natalie and offer her a hand to rise, bringing it to her lips as Natalie stood. Standing there with Jane's arm around my waist, I looked over at Brenda and Sharon. I wanted nothing more than to see them dance together and be happy, that wasn't possible right now, but Natalie and I had plans for later in the evening.
After a short discussion and a coin toss between Lieutenants Tao and Flynn, Andy stood and offered his arm to Brenda, while James, Lieutenant Provenza and Sergeant Gabriel resorted to rock, paper, scissors, with David making no attempt to hide his pleasure at being Sharon's first dance partner of the evening.
We made our way out to the floor as the opening strains of Bryan Adams 'Everything I do, I do it for you' started up. The female lead singer had a sultry, throaty voice, which I felt did the track real justice. We were joined on the dance floor by at least another dozen or more pairs as the music rose. I stepped up close to Jane, one hand in hers, the other round her neck as her hand held me close low on my back and we moved in synch to the rhythm.
Jane smiled down at me as we moved easily together.
"I like this track, very appropriate" I smiled back at her, before she pulled me in and held me close. I felt very much at home, my head on her shoulder as I looked past her to see other couples moving together. Only a few feet away I could see Natalie and Anastasia lost in each other's eyes as they moved in effortless synch together.
Beyond them I could see Sharon and David dancing a formal waltz to the music, both obviously enjoying themselves, while Brenda and Andy Flynn were dancing not too far away. I had been told that that Lieutenant Flynn was an accomplished dancer, but I was impressed, Brenda was equally accomplished, together they looked like they could dance professionally. Unfortunately for the poor lieutenant, Sharon had designs on a tango of a different kind with Brenda.
I smiled to myself at the dance-related joke, ever since I had met Jane, she had been striving to bring me out of my shell, to make me more confident around others socially and little by little she was succeeding. I owed her so much; the person I am today is due in no small measure thanks to her.
I was about to say something when I suddenly felt Jane's fingers ghosting across my back, drawing teasing, gentle circles lower and lower, despite the lace of the dress between us I could feel my skin tingle at her touch. I sighed gently and felt more than heard Janes gentle laugh, she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
Realising two could play at that game, I snuggled in a little closer, before turning my head to her neck and gently kissing the point where her neck met her shoulder, just above her clavicle, then dragged my tongue up her neck for an inch or so. I took delight in the gentle shiver that passed through her body as I snuggled even closer into her body.
"Ok, you win babe" Jane's voice was warm and full of humour. "I'll stop the teasing" I chuckled at her; little did she know I had little intention of stopping.
As we danced, I saw that we had attracted a significant amount of interest, with Natalie and Anastasia and ourselves the centre of attention, people seated all around the dance floor had turned to watch.
I smiled, it's not often you get see women of Natalie and Anastasia's beauty looking so lovely, dancing together. I knew we looked good together as well, so I'm sure there were many eyes watching us, contemplating us together.
Not that I minded, Jane had said that we would be completely open about our affection tonight, a surprise but one which I had been overwhelmingly and emphatically happy to agree with. Jane had been reticent about being openly affectionate and loving in front of her peers back in Boston, but she had become much more relaxed about our relationship in public since we had moved here.
I believed it was the chance for a new start, together with the close example of Natalie and Anastasia that had allowed her to become far more comfortable with embracing our relationship in public. Realising it was a big step, one I was so grateful for; I decided to tease her just a little more.
I let the hand on Jane's neck slide up a bit, my fingers teasing and circling amongst the soft short hairs at the base of her scalp, I could feel goose bumps rising under my fingertips and Jane hold herself just a little straighter as she realised I hadn't stopped the teasing. Her voice dripped into my ear as she held me close.
"Someone's feeling frisky tonight" I smiled and continued the teasing movements on her neck as I replied.
"I did tell you that I love seeing you dressed like that, I'm going to have to work hard to keep my hands where they should be, at least while we're out here on the dance floor" Her chuckle was soft and close.
"Mmm, you do like it when I get dressed up for nights like tonight" I smiled softly.
"I call it positive reinforcement darling. I make sure you know how much I appreciate you dressed like this, that way you'll do it more often" I felt her lips gently kiss my temple as we danced.
"But if I dressed like this every day, then it wouldn't be special. It'd become routine and then I wouldn't get to see how much you like me dressed like this" I leaned back a little and looked up into her eyes.
"You could dress like this every day and I'd show you and tell you how beautiful you are everyday" Jane just smiled down at me, a soft wondering smile before she pulled me in close, placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and held me tight as I felt very loved.
Finally the song came to an end and Jane escorted me back to the table, where we met up with Anastasia and Natalie. Natalie leaned in to us and spoke in a low, sexy voice, barely audible over the music and hum of conversation.
"My Jane, you do dance well. I'm looking forward to getting up close and personal on the dance floor with you tonight" Jane looked back at her and laughed.
"I'm sure the fact that we're out in public at a work function will slow even you down a little bit Nat" Natalie smiled and tipped her head.
"A little, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it" I smiled at the teasing.
"Of course you can, I'm going to enjoy dancing with Anastasia the same way" Jane just smiled and shook her head gently while Natalie smirked.
"Just hand her back to me in the same condition you found her Maura and I'll do the same with Jane. Well, I promise I'll try anyway."
I laughed at the teasing tone. Natalie was notorious about flirting with her close friends, but I trusted her implicitly. She might tease and flirt, but she could no more disappoint Anastasia than I could Jane. Still, that didn't mean we couldn't have some harmless fun with our lovers.
As I smiled, we were approached by several of the Major Crimes team, who asked us to dance. Over the next hour I found myself dancing with each of the men, with the exception of Detective Sanchez, who apparently was not comfortable with formal dancing.
Each was charming, complete gentlemen and I felt very comfortable with all of them, the night was turning out splendidly. In between dances with them I danced with Jane repeatedly, she too was having a pleasant evening, as she explained.
"I kinda thought it'd be weird, dancing with guys I work with. That it'd be like dancing with Korsak and Frost, but it's been a good night, not weird at all" I smiled happily.
"I'm just pleased you're having a good time darling, you looked like you were out there" Jane chuckled.
"Yeah, I was. Gabriel and Flynn in particular are damn good dancers" I smiled.
"So are you" As was her wont Jane tried to deflect the attention.
"Nah, it's you, you make me look good out there" I just shook my head at her in playful exasperation.
"Jane Rizzoli, why won't you accept a compliment when it's given"
"Probably because she's afraid she might start believing them" I looked up at Anastasia's voice, to see Natalie and her standing there. "Nat here wants to get her dance with Jane, which mean's you're stuck with me I'm afraid" I smiled at her.
"Now who's turning down compliments Anastasia? I watched you out there, you dance very well" She smiled.
"I didn't have much choice, my dad insisted I learn and Blondie here likes to dance, so it's either step up or be a wallflower while everyone else asks her to dance" Jane nodded.
"I hear that, same for me" Natalie just laughed as she looped her arm through Jane's.
"Well I'm asking you, I have Maura's permission and I won't take no for an answer, so c'mon Rizzoli"
I smiled as Jane made a play of being led reluctantly to the floor. They really did look wonderful together, they were both tall and striking and for all Jane's feigned reluctance, they melded together easily as the opening strains of Van Morrison's classic song 'Moondance' started up. I grabbed Anastasia's hand and led her to the floor, laughing over my shoulder as she followed happily.
"I love this song, let's dance" Anastasia laughed and caught up before swinging me round and into her arms as we moved into the dance. She moved easily in the lead as we effortlessly swayed and spun together. Looking at me, she grinned as she leaned in and spoke softly into my ear.
"I hope you promise to be good tonight" I laughed happily, leaning back a little to look her in the eye before dropping my voice to a low purr that Jane tells me hits her in exactly the right spot.
"Oh Tsarina, I promise you, I'm very good" I watched her eyes widen slightly, before they narrowed. As Jane would say, 'game on'. Her voice was teasing.
"I don't know Maura; I have higher standards than Jane, I'm not that easy to impress"
"Well then, you will just have to get my best efforts, won't you?"
I felt a naughty thrill as we flirted. It was all harmless but wonderful fun, especially as Jane and Natalie were only a few feet away, I was certain that Natalie was being her usual shameless self, something confirmed as I saw over Anastasia's shoulder to where Jane was blushing while Natalie sported a knowing smirk.
"I look forward to your best efforts then Maura" Hearing the implicit challenge, I leaned into Anastasia's wonderfully curved body; just enough so that I was moulding to her, thanks to our heels our similar height meant that our breasts were rubbing against each other teasingly.
I heard the slight hitch in Anastasia's breathing, followed by a smile.
"Not bad, not bad, but can you take it as well as receive?" Before I could formulate a reply Anastasia's hand slid gently down my back to come to rest just at the base of my spine where it teased in small circles, bringing a tingle to me. As we spun on the floor I heard a small laugh from Anastasia, before she leaned in to me and spoke in a sly tone.
"Looks like I wasn't the only one with the same idea" I looked up at her, then followed her gaze to settle our partners, Jane's hand was idly toying over the skin of Natalie's back, just at the point where her bottom swelled out. I could see Natalie standing noticeably straighter.
Realising how competitive Jane can be, I almost felt sorry for Natalie, before Anastasia's teasing hand reminded me that I was in my own game here.
I leaned in against her, resting my head on her shoulder, letting my teeth gently graze her shoulder, causing Anastasia to stiffen before she gave a low chuckle.
"Oh, nice one Maura, you're as bad as Nat" I lifted my head to look her in the eye.
"Why thank you, I try" My quip brought a snort from her.
"Very trying in fact"
As we smiled, she suddenly chuckled evilly, before moving me backwards until my back brushed against Natalie and Jane, giving Anastasia cover to slide her hand down over my bottom and giving it a quick squeeze, making me start and my breath catch, before quickly resuming its previous resting place, it was all done so quickly that I doubt anyone saw anything.
I gave her a mock glare as she smiled sweetly at me, before I broke into laughter. Deciding two could play at that game, I moved my hand so my fingertips were touching her neck and then slowly dragged the nails teasingly down her neck, causing a shiver to run through her.
Anastasia suddenly tossed her head, causing her lovely, thick black hair to cascade down her back and dislodging my fingers. Before I could take the teasing up again she leaned in close next to my ear, to anyone watching she was saying something, in actual fact she ran the tip of her tongue along the edge of my ear, causing a shudder to run through me. I heard a chuckle as she pulled her head away.
"Y'know Maura, if we keep going like this we're likely to get arrested for indecency" I pretended to consider her statement.
"That would be bad for our reputations; perhaps we should consider this a draw?" She nodded, smiling gently.
"That would probably be best for both our sakes. Besides, we may need to bail those two out if they get too carried away" I looked around, somewhat concerned, until I saw them dancing there, both laughing happily. Anastasia smiled at them. "They look like their having just a little too much of a good time" I raised an eyebrow.
"Is there such a thing?" We smiled at each other for a moment as she pretended to contemplate her answer.
"Probably not" With that Anastasia pulled me in close and we finished our dance, leaving me with a feeling not unlike that I get from Jane, where I was held and felt safe and warm.
As we danced together, I found myself looking over Anastasia's shoulder to see Jane with Natalie held close; over our respective dance partners shoulders we caught each other's eye and smiled, before Jane gave me a cheeky wink. I felt a huge grin break out over my face.
Tonight, all was right with the world.