Chapter 10

As the week passed Jane and Maura has successfully avoided each other. Maura confined herself to her office and Jane to the bull pen. Since there hadn't been any new murders there wasn't any need to see one another. Jane had left late each night so as not to run into Maura at the end of each day. Jane couldn't help feel sad for what had happened. She'd caused all of this because she couldn't be true to herself and in a way she felt like she'd taken Maura for granted; even though that was never her intention.

Maura each night had come home to Alex they were very slowly re-establishing their relationship.

Thursday had come and Alex was addressing the crowd of physicians on the practice methods that her hospital had implemented. Maura sat in the crowd eagerly listening to Alex, who would look around every now and then and spot Maura in the crowd and smile secretly. When the lecture came to an end Maura stood from her seat and made her way to the aisle. She indicated to Alex that she'd be waiting outside in the foyer.

Maura stood alone; she was over listening to a group of physicians discussing a break through routine that had been pioneered in Sweden. She made a mental note to Google the method when she had a chance.

"Doctor Isles.." Alex said as she sided up to Maura. Alex handed her a glass of red wine.

"Doctor Thornton.." Maura smiled as she accepted the glass of red.

"So…" Alex prompted.

"You were great; you had the audience's attention for the whole half an hour. It's amazing to think that such a technique could revolutionize the way we care for new born infants.. And to think it came about by a mistake." Maura beamed.

Alex smiled "I'm just glad that we can share this information, every little bit helps you know…"

Maura touched Alex's arm and patted it "so that's you finished with the conference…"

"Aha, tomorrow there are a few lectures in the morning which I won't attend and in the evening is the conference dinner and dance..." Alex said as she sipped her wine "Maura…would you mind if I brought you along as my date…I wasn't going to attend but I feel I should now, you know with the lecture being such a success."

Maura nodded "I'd love to Alex.."

The following night; Jane stood in Marie's apartment she adjusted her jacket as she waited patiently for Marie to appear from the bedroom.

Marie had flown back to Boston that morning. She'd called Jane and invited her around that evening.

"Jane what time does it say we have to be at the University…?" Marie's voice travelled through the apartment.

Jane looked on the couch and picked up the two invitations "Eight O'clock" she called out.

Marie appeared from the bedroom, she glanced at her watch "I'm ready". Marie gave a little twirl for Jane's benefit.

Jane smiled slightly "Okay, so what's this dinner and dance thing for again…"

"There's been a conference this week for leading physicians from around the world here in Boston. The University is hosting the dinner and dance event. The Chancellor, Deans and Assistants plus Heads of Department were asked to attend…in reality it's a going to get messy after the dinner, a way to let our hair down so to speak." Marie laughed.

Jane nodded, her thoughts turned to Alex she wondered if she would attend tonight.

"Right, the car should be waiting down stairs…Jane you look absolutely heavenly tonight" Marie said with a wink.

Jane looked down at her black tailored dress trousers; she pulled at the matching dress jacket and readjusted her vibrant red fitted V-neck sleeveless blouse. She held out her hand to Marie and they left the apartment promptly.

"Maura you ready?" Alex called out from the kitchen. She picked up her glass of red wine and brought it to her lips just as she was about to take a sip Maura appeared in front of her. Alex lowered her glass. Her gaze fell up the honey blonde that stood a few feet away from her.

The vintage emerald green Chanel sleeveless dress sparkled as Maura stood a few feet from Alex. She matched the dress with gold accessories; dress watch, spiral earrings and a thin gold necklace. Alex stood in awe as she stared at the honey blonde in front of her.

"Maura you look absolutely stunning" Alex cooed.

Maura blushed "Thank you Alex"

Alex stepped forward and took Maura's hands in hers "You ready Dr Isles; I think it's time to turn some heads"

Maura giggled; she slipped her arm in the crook of Alex's elbow as the pair strolled out the front door to the waiting black Mercedes.

Jane and Marie arrived at BCU their entrance was well timed as it were.

Marie introduced Jane to the Chancellor and other important people she had the privilege of working with throughout her career. They were shown their table. Jane held out Marie's chair allowing the smaller woman to sit first. Jane took her seat next Marie. She glanced at her place setting tag 'Marie Jamissen (Guest)' she was intrigued to see who was also joining them on the table. She read to herself the place names she could see but wasn't able to see the remaining two which sat opposite her. Well she'd have to wait and see. She'd hoped that she wouldn't be stuck with two affluent consultants who were devoid of any sense of the real world. She followed Marie in folding her napkin on her lap; resting her elbows on the table she scanned the large banquet hall in wonder if she would see Alex Thornton. No such luck. Turning to Marie she smiled slightly. Marie and Jane made small talk as their table started to fill up. Jane was introduced to the members of her table who were all intrigued to hear that Jane was a detective at Boston PD. The two remaining seats were still unoccupied.

The dinner was to start shortly. Marie leant into Jane and whispered in her ear "no show.." as she nodded to the empty seats. Jane acknowledged Marie by glancing to the seats. The hustle and bustle of the banquet hall died down. The lights started to dim and the constant chatter in the background lowered to an almost whisper. Everyone was seated and awaiting the first course.

The large elaborate banquet doors slowly opened wide. A few people turned to see who was to enter. A waiter walked in first; he momentarily stopped and turned and looked back. In walked Alex who stopped and turned to see Maura enter. Alex held out her hand to which Maura took it. Audible gasps echoed around the hall. The waiter led Alex and Maura towards their table. Jane looked towards the door and noticed the stunning honey blonde hand in hand with Alex. A small gasp escaped Jane's mouth. She'd never seen Maura looking so beautiful. Her eyes followed Maura as she sauntered through the sea of tables. It wasn't long before Jane realised Maura and Alex were heading her way. She turned to Marie who gave a quick glance to Jane. Jane smiled sweetly as she turned her attention back to Maura who was now only a couple of tables away.

Maura looked around she could indeed see that heads were turning; she blushed slightly. She wasn't accustomed to the attention. She overheard the gasps and whispers as she passed the tables.
Alex turned her head to Maura and noticed she was blushing. She rubbed her thumb over the back of Maura's hand in a reassurance. Maura felt the touch she glanced at Alex who gave Maura a wide smile.

The waiter stopped at the table he pulled both chairs out and stood aside as Alex and Maura walked up to them. To say Jane's face was a picture would be an understatement of momentous proportion. Maura's eyes met with Jane's both staring what seemed into each other's souls. Maura sat first with Alex swiftly following. They both shuffled their chairs closer so they were tucked snugly against the table.

"Jane..it's nice to see you again." Alex smiled warmly

"And you Alex" Jane replied rather curtly.

"Dr Isles" Marie acknowledged Maura.

.
"Dr Jamissen" Maura responded. She decided to use Marie's full title even though she remembered what the woman had said only days earlier about her dislike for "titles".

Marie pursed her lips together "Please call me Marie..."

"Marie" Maura replied without trepidation.

Jane glanced at Maura "hello Maura" her voice at an all-time low and huskier than ever.

Maura flinched a little "Evening Jane"

Their eyes continued to bore into each other's souls. Perhaps the mutual acknowledgement lasted a little too long. Marie studied Jane's face; she turned her attention to Alex. "Marie Jamissen" she smiled slightly.

Alex extended her hand to Marie "Dr Alex Thornton" She smiled.

"Ohh a British accent; London actually...what part?.. Let me guess.. North London, possibly Islington.. But you're not originally from there are you Doctor.." Marie said with a terse smile.

Maura was quick to respond "originally from Surry."

"Ahhh I just love dialectology...fascinating subject to learn." Marie beamed.

"The systematic study of dialects goes back well over a century. The earliest research aimed to draw up linguistic atlases showing the geographical distribution of different dialect forms." Maura said, she couldn't help herself to share this bit of information. Marie looked stunned she couldn't believe that Maura seemed so knowledgeable.

Jane smirked and looked away. She thought to herself "touché". She turned her head to Maura and winked. Maura smiled slightly. Even though she had just enjoyed out smarting Marie she realised it was a little juvenile. She lowered her head and let her eyes fall into her lap.

"Play nicely...Doctor Isles" Alex whispered in her ear.

"I was only providing a little history of the study of dialectology." Maura returned the whisper.

The close contact didn't go unnoticed by Jane. She could feel the heckles on the back of her neck raise slightly.

Jane leant back in her chair, she turned her head away and watched the army of waiters appear from nowhere with trays of appetizers.

With the meal coming to an end and the constant chatter filling the banquet hall. Maura excused herself. Alex nodded and continued her conversation with the Russian Consultant who was explaining a theory that he'd been experimenting with for the last three years. Jane's eyes followed Maura through the sea of people who were heading for the dance floor. She turned to Marie to say she'd be back in a minute but realised it would be futile. Marie had joined Alex and the Russian Doctor's conversation and wouldn't even realise she'd disappeared.

Jane threw her napkin on the table, she straighten her jacket and briskly walked towards where Maura was heading. She caught up with Maura and reached out for Maura's hand. Maura felt the tug; she looked over her shoulder and saw Jane had her hand. Jane pushed past a small crowd of people, her grip on Maura becoming constricted. Jane led them to a fire exit, nudging the door with her shoulder the door swung open. Jane literally cast Maura past her and out in the fresh air. Maura spun around.

"Jane what are you doing, I was going to the toilet." Maura was confused.

"Am I too late because you are with Alex…?" Jane asked, her eyes pleading with Maura.

Maura looked away; she didn't feel the need to explain anything to Jane. "I'm not talking about this now" her voice uncompromising, her eyes darted back to Jane's.

Jane could see the anger bubbling in Maura's eyes. "A simple yes or no Maura…Yes or No…"

"Yes and No…"

"Huh?" Jane was confused.

"I'm not discussing this with you Jane.. I told you I am done with chasing after you. I deserve some happiness Jane and I am feeling that with Alex…"

"Maura, she'll be gone in a couple of weeks, how can you possibly start anything with her…" Jane's voice became strained.

Maura looked defeated, as much as she felt Jane didn't deserve an answer; she knew Jane would keep digging until she got one. The words spat out of her mouth before she realised what she said. "We're continuing where we left off years ago…and I'll be joining her in London soon enough."

Jane's expression changed in that instant, she'd gone from looking for an answer to hearing something that would possibly haunt her for the rest of her life.

Maura's took a deep breath; she narrowed her eyes and quickly walked pass Jane and back through the fire door and into the banquet hall, leaving the brunette standing alone in the open.

Maura walked back to the table; her mood slowly simmering as she reached the table. Alex looked up at Maura she could tell something had happened. She stood and embraced Maura.

"Do you want to leave?" Alex asked.

Maura nodded. Alex continued to embrace Maura "Okay. Let's go..."

Alex turned to back to the table, grabbed her and Maura's clutches; she looked over to Marie "Nice to meet you Marie, but we are leaving..."

Marie silently nodded as she watched the two doctors walk briskly out of the banquet hall, her attention turned to Jane who she could see in the distance by the fire exit. A look of distress on her face. Jane had seen the embrace shared between Alex and Maura. Marie stood quickly and walked over to Jane.

"Jane come on it's time to go..." Marie said as she grabbed Jane's hand and led her back out the fire exit.