Maura insisted on driving to the next date location and though Jane grumbled, she handed over the car keys. The night sky was completely dark by the time they parked, but the city of Boston remained bright and bustling.
"Make sure you grab your jacket from the trunk, Jane. It's going to get chilly in a few minutes."
"I find it disturbing that you know that I keep an extra jacket in the trunk of my car."
"Don't be silly; I put it there."
"Of course you did," Jane tried to sound put out, but only succeeded in sounding pleased. She liked that Maura knew her so well.
The pair walked in companionable silence for several minutes. Finally, Maura came to a halt.
"Here we are," she said grandly.
"Longfellow Bridge?" Jane was confused.
"Yes, Jane. I want to take a stroll across the Charles River with you. If you want to walk with me?" Maura sounded anxious, suddenly worried that her girlfriend might think the whole situation strange.
"Of course I want to walk with you, Maura," Jane lowered her voice, aware that her confusion had made her insensitive.
Maura smiled tentatively. "I'm glad." She held out her hand, which Jane readily accepted, and they began to walk together on the pedestrian sidewalk. Cars and buses and trucks zoomed past them on one side and late night joggers and cyclists moved by them on the other.
When they reached the center of the bridge, Maura tugged on Jane's arm and pulled her over to the wall. Jane rested her arm across Maura's shoulders and Maura returned the gesture by snaking her hand out and around Jane's waist. The river beneath them was like the night sky; each boat sailing across it was a star trying to illuminate the darkness.
Jane shivered, "Thank God you told me to bring my jacket. The wind chill is killing me a little bit."
"I knew it would," Maura said cryptically.
"How did you know?" Jane probed, hoping that Maura wouldn't mind the question.
"I used to come here when I attended BCU. At first I just came because I needed something to do at night besides study. I thought I was killing two birds with one stone: exercising and clearing my head. And then it became…" she trailed off, receding into her own mind.
"And then…what?" Jane prompted. Her interest was piqued; Maura had never mentioned running across the Charles when they talked about her college days.
"It became a way for me to feel connected. To people. I mean, to living people. Here, I am just as exposed as everyone else. And I sense so much life here. Running along this bridge, I knew that I was human," her voice dropped with emotion and Jane rubbed her shoulder soothingly.
"I was so lost back then. But, that's why I brought you here." She took a deep breath, an attempt to regain her equilibrium, and turned in Jane's arms until they were making eye contact.
"Tell me," Jane's voice was rough.
"I haven't set foot on this bridge in almost six years. I haven't needed to-" She paused and brought her hand up so that it cupped Jane's cheek lightly.
"I haven't needed to," she continued, "because five years and eight months ago, I met you. And you make me feel human all of the time, Jane. Did you know that?" Her voice broke and Jane's heart contracted at the sound.
"Maura, don't—"
"And I'm sorry I'm crying; you know I can't control it. I didn't bring you here because I needed to cry, Jane. I brought you here because I wanted you to know that the day you walked into the station café, my life changed for the better. Even if I did think you were a prostitute at first."
Jane had been on the verge of tears herself, but Maura's words pushed a smile onto her face, instead. "You, Maura Isles, are more alive than anyone I know."
"Jane, stop it, you'll wake up Cailyn!" Maura hissed, trying to pull the house keys out of her purse.
"I'm not even talking, Maur!"
Jane's words were true, but they left out the fact that instead of helping Maura find the keys, she was helping herself to her girlfriend's…well, everything. Apparently Maura's waist was ticklish, because whenever Jane's hands passed over the fabric covering it, Maura burst into giggles.
"I need to find the keys, Jane! You're being a child," Maura tried to sound miffed, but it was hard to do when she was laughing uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry," Jane didn't sound apologetic in the least. "Here, let me help you." She spun Maura around and pinned her against the door. She smirked, realizing that their roles had reversed since earlier in the evening, when Maura had her trapped in the same position.
"I don't see how this is helping me," Maura feigned ignorance of Jane's intentions.
Jane ran a hand down Maura's front, grinning lasciviously when Maura shivered.
"I seem to recall something about a goodnight kiss?"
"I thought I told you I wasn't that easy, Detective."
"Even after a perfect first date?"
"Mmm," Maura moaned softly, "You make a good point."
A/N: The end. I think you guys can imagine what happens next... ;) Thank you so much for your reviews, favorites, and follows; they are one of the best parts of my writing process!