A/N: So as you guys know, I've been nominated for a Rizzle award for this piece of work. Shout out to Mrj726...you r my new favorite person. Anyway, if you guys really like the story I'd love it if you voted for me. I'm really proud of this work. This chapter is mostly funny and character building and plot building...but the story will pick up in the next chapters leading back into the drama. Also it flip flops POV from Jane to Maura so pay attention so you don't miss it. Let me know what you guys think...I love your ideas. I try and do my best to give you what you ask for. All that being said...vote for me and here we go!
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Jane
"MAURA!" I wailed pulling the pillow over my head and growling into it.
"You're impossible," I sighed, my voice muffled behind the pillow.
"Jane...I'm simply stating that Spider Man is scientifically an impossible phenomenon. Human beings are capable of many things but to think a person could evolve to shoot spider webs from their eyes and swing around buildings and crawl up vertical walls is just silly at best. I can't justify sitting through two hours of something that could never happen based on the laws of biology, physics, and the limits of human capabilities." Maura protested in bed next to me.
"He doesn't shoot spider webs out of his EYES Maura...he shoots them from his wrist!" I said punching the pillow over my face with my fist.
"Even so it's just as silly. Spider webs are made of the saliva in the glands of arachnids that produces certain enzymes that create the silky strong substance in which spiders build their homes and their food traps. The material is certainly strong but not strong enough for a fully grown male human being to swing around fifty feet in the air." Maura said pointedly.
I muffled a scream into the pillow. We'd been having this conversation for thirty minutes already and it seemed no matter what I said Maura just didn't get. I pulled the pillow from my face and let it fly across the bedroom.
"Jane...don't be careless with your things!" Maura scolded me.
I rolled my eyes again. Maura was always scolding me about something. It was Sunday morning and ever since Maura returned to me Thursday night we'd done nothing but bicker playfully and run around town like maniacs getting ready for the home inspection on Tuesday. Both mine and Maura's world was a blur of motion far from the norm that we had come to expect in our lives. Maura made me eat veggies and I made Maura watch sports center. Maura made me be neat and tidy...well she tried at least...and I made Maura eat chocolate cake with real sugar and butter, not the healthy soda cake she seemed to like so much. Maura read books while I wrestled with Franklin Thomas and watched cheesy reality TV. My choice in television programming was always a sore subject with Maura.
"These programs are rotting the minds of perfectly decent young adults. If you just must watch TV why don't you watch something educational? How about the History Channel? They are airing a documentary series about the evolution of religions around the world!" Maura asked excitedly Friday night as I lay my head in her lap on the couch.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Maura really? The freaking history channel? It's so boring, there's nothing wrong with the Real Housewives of New Jersey." I scoffed.
"Do you not find this program offensive to Italian Americans?" Maura asked curiously.
"What? NO! This show is awesome! And I'm Italian you know!" I said looking up at Maura reading her book.
"I figured as much being as that your sur name is Rizzolli and you have the genetic markers of the Italian race. Even so, this program shines a negative light and perpetuates certain stereotypes of an entire race of people...your people!" Maura said turning from her book and looking down at me sternly.
She was wearing her reading glasses that made her face look serious all the time and one of those negligees that made her body look twice as sexy as it normally did.
"Maura, I don't relate these people's lives or the fact that they happen to be Italian to myself in any way. Besides...the drama of my own life far outshines anything on this damn show. I watch this because it's funny and mindless and helps me escape the reality of my own existence" I said snuggling further into Maura's lap and turning up the volume on the TV.
Maura simply sighed and ran her fingers through my hair as she turned back to her book.
"I don't relate these people to you either. You're far more complex, dynamic, and intelligent than anything I've seen so far on this...this program. However if you just insist on rotting your mind with this substandard programming I must insist that you watch something more...more engaging later."
I just rolled my eyes. At the time I didn't think much of Maura's threat but later that evening Maura sure enough convinced me to watch a French love film with her...that was all in FRENCH! I'd barely made it through the thing. The only reason I did was because Maura was snuggled up in my lap on the couch and I liked the way I could look down every now and then when she wasn't paying attention and see the tops of her pretty milky white breast. Maura translated the entire movie for me...much to my displeasure. I would have told her to stop...I didn't care about the cheesy smoochie smoochie film anyway, but Maura was so cute and kinda funny laughing and crying and gasping excitedly at the movie. It was more entertaining watching Maura than it was watching the actual movie. Besides...I liked the way she squirmed in my lap...it made be feel...hmmmm!
We hadn't talked about our little kiss since it happened. Actually, there was nothing little about that kiss. I couldn't stop thinking about it, I couldn't stop thinking of everything I felt wrapped in Maura's arms with her soft tongue in my mouth. I felt things in those few seconds I hadn't felt in all my life. I'd never felt so much heat between my legs over a simple kiss...I'd never felt so much heat between my legs in all the times I'd lay with a man period. I fell to pieces with Maura's lips on my own...but then everything got all weird and ruined when the Firemen burst into the apartment and I'd nearly died of embarrassment. I'd been doing my best to make up for that disastrous mess ever since it happened. My dinner had been ruined and all my expectations and desires of showing Maura how much she meant to me were ruined with it. I'd been beside myself with grief and loathing. Maura seemed to think it was funny...but I didn't. I wanted to melt into the floor every time I thought about it. Except the kiss part...I liked that part. Thinking of the kiss made me feel like melting into the floor too...but in a totally different kind of way. But we'd been so busy with running around town, chasing after my bad ass dog, visiting Angela, and Maura often went to her office that there was no time left for talks of our heated moment with each other.
Even still, I slept in Maura's bed every night and woke to find her draped across my body like a human blanket. Every time I woke in the night to find Maura on top of me like that...OH God! So very very many dirty little things ran through my mind. Things I was to afraid to admit fully to myself let alone express to Maura. I think even Maura was nervous about the whole kiss thing between us. Ever since Thursday evening Maura had taken to running off on tangents about random facts and textbook information I didn't find in the least bit interesting or exciting. I'd smile and nod patiently while Maura spouted off about everything under the sun but...it sort of felt like she was avoiding talking about what was really on her mind. I wanted to push her to open up but...I was afraid to open up myself so I let everything go unspoken. Besides...I loved Maura's company...even when she was driving me crazy with all the nonsense she found so interesting. I didn't want things to get weird between us. Especially not right before our home inspection.
"MAURA! Once again...people don't go see Spider Man because they care about how realistic it is that Peter Parker getting bitten by a radioactive spider turns him into a super hero. Nobody cares about that part. People go see Spider Man because it's freaking AWESOME and everybody loves superheros. Plus...everybody likes it when the bad guy goes down. It's just human nature Maura...you can't break something like that down in your little science theories and what not. People see Spider Man cause it's exciting and fun to watch...it's alot more interesting at least than whatever the hell you made me sit through the other night." I grumbled leaning back on the bed and rolling my eyes.
"Actually the compulsion for humans to become enraptured by the idea of the good guys catching the bad guys is very deeply seeded in the science of the psychology of society in general." Maura said sitting up and rolling on her side to look at me.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Here we freaking go!" I thought trying not to chuckle at the onslaught of science facts I was about to have to endure.
"As a society we are driven to root for the good guys because it's ingrained in us from birth the battle of good versus evil. We want the good guys to win because it makes us feel safe and secure in our minds and in our homes. We put Super Heroes on a pedestal because the idea of one man battling all evil makes us feel powerful and self-important that we as a species are above all others and above all evil. But it still doesn't make Spider Man realistic..."
"...IT'S not SUPPOSED to be realistic Maura oh my GOD!" I wailed wishing I had my pillow to pull over my face again.
"Jane, there's a very good documentary on the rise of the Third Reich playing at a little theatre outside the city. Wouldn't you rather go see that?" Maura said patiently ignoring my frustration.
I looked over at her incredulously. I started to protest vehemently but Maura's eyes were so cute and sweet and sparkling with excitement I just couldn't bring myself to lash out at her. Besides, I could see right down her negligée while she was leaning over the way she was and my mind got wiped of unpleasant thoughts. I found myself smiling instead despite the fact that the woman was driving me crazy.
"Maura...I watched your thing the other night. I'd like it if you come see Spider Man with me tonight?" I cooed at Maura.
I'd found Maura most often would bend to me if I pleaded with her in just the right way. Maura looked down at me for a few moments studying me. Then her lips turned into some wicked little grin. Why was she so sexy when she grinned like that?
"I'll take you to see your silly little movie on one condition," Maura said sliding her body on top of mine and looking right down into my eyes.
I was lost for breath momentarily. There was too much going on between my legs to speak when Maura's gorgeous body was all over mine.
"What's that?" I finally managed to squeak.
I wanted to kick myself for that.
Maura widened her mischievous little grin. She wiggled a little bit on top of me much to my dismay. I tried not to squeak and squirm beneath her but something about Maura's body in motion on top of mine was just...it was making me crazy!
"You come with me to my foundations fundraising event Wednesday night. And you come as my date Jane and not as my friend." Maura said running her hands through my hair gently.
I sighed and huffed. We'd had the same discussion before and I'd always managed to wiggle my way out of making a commitment to go. I didn't want to go...I didn't know any of those people and I had nothing appropriate to wear. Besides Angela was coming home Friday and I'd rather spend my free time getting ready for her. And further more...I didn't want to embarrass Maura in front of all her uppity up friends. God only knows what those people talked about in conversation. If Maura's conversation was any hint I knew I'd be bored to freaking pieces the whole time and just want to go the hell home.
"Maura...how come you want me to go so bad? You know I wont fit in there." I sighed looking up into Maura's gorgeous eyes.
They were almost a clear hazel in the light of the early morning sun bombarding the room.
"The correct sentence structure would be, 'Why do you want me to go so bad-ly'" Maura said pleasantly and with a little smile at that.
I grumbled and rolled my eyes again.
"Really?" Was all I managed to say.
"One must not forget Mr. Adverb," Maura's smile widened.
I frowned.
"I know one who can forget me going to her foundations fundraiser," I eyed Maura unhappily.
Maura looked down at me sympathetically.
"I'll be with you the entire time Jane. And you will fit in just fine. I always end up going to my own events alone and it's unseemly for the CEO of the Isles foundation to be absent a date all the time. Besides...you'll be the most stunning woman in the room, and you'll be there with me! I can't wait to show you off! And furthermore you'll be working for the foundation soon and this is the perfect opportunity to meet everyone in a casual setting outside of the offices." Maura said matter of factly like she was proud of her reasoning.
"Casual! It's a formal event!" I exclaimed.
"I don't even have anything to wear," I protested pouting up at Maura's smiling face.
She wiggled a little bit on top of me again. I had to bite my bottom lip and close my eyes briefly for a moment to steady my mind and my nerves. I wondered if Maura knew what she was doing to me wiggling all over me like she was? When I opened my eyes I got the sneaking feeling by the grin on her face that Maura knew exactly what she was doing. Maura had taken to being absent appropriate amounts of attire around the house sometimes when I would come back from walking Franklin Thomas or visiting Angela. I'd caught her several times in nothing more than her underwear and a rather sheer, short little bathrobe. Sometimes the robe would even be open a little more than necessary revealing ample amounts of all the sexy going on underneath.
"Albert will take you shopping. He's told me all about how much he wants to dress you up." Maura giggled pulling my hand to her lips and kissing my fingers lightly.
My whole body tingled. I sighed and rolled my eyes thinking of Albert. I loved the guy don't get me wrong, but every time I spent more than an hour in his company I was left feeling like I'd run a great gay marathon.
"I can use some of the money you forced me to take for our first date," I said sighing heavily.
It had been one hell of a row between Maura and I when she forced me to take money again. I'd gotten so frustrated I just gave up arguing.
"We just have to go somewhere reasonable...like...like a mall where normal people shop." I joked at Maura who was giggling at me.
"I'd prefer if you went somewhere a little more high-end. And of course the bill will come to me!" Maura tried to give me her best smile to disarm my mounting irritation.
"Maura no way! We've been through this a million times! I have everything I need. I've got all my own clothes from my apartment now and you've already bought me like three suits that cost more than everything I own. I don't need anything else...you've given me everything already. I can buy my damn dress!" I sighed rolling my eyes.
I wished Maura would just drop it. I wished Maura didn't think she had to buy me things all the time. I wished she knew I'd still care for her just as much if she didn't have millions in the bank just to throw around at her pleasure. But Maura and I were not the same people. Love in my eyes was a shoulder to cry on and a hot family meal at the dinner table. Love in Maura's eyes was green paper with Benjamin Franklin's face on the front. How could I show her that you couldn't buy love...it wasn't for sale? It was something that was given freely and with no strings attached. I felt like I had a long road ahead of me as far as convincing Maura of all that.
"How would it look for my lady to show up in anything less than purple labels?" Maura argued.
I knew she was gearing up for another fight. Her eyebrows were arched in that way that told me she was going to get her way no matter what I said. I almost wanted to cry, I didn't want to argue with Maura anymore, it was just so exhausting.
"Maura please!" I wailed.
"I can buy my own clothes at least. You buy everything else...even stuff I don't really need." I sighed trying to wiggle out from underneath her.
Maura spread her legs and straddled me in such a way that I was locked underneath her. I felt her pelvis push into my own and her strong thighs holding me still...a slave to her will. I felt something move inside me that sent juices oozing from between my legs. I stifled a moan. Maura looked down at me unsmiling, her eyes were low and burning with some unspoken thoughts I couldn't quite read.
"My mother is going to be there, the vice president of my corporation, and most of the other major shareholders. James will be there along with his partners, Allison and everyone from the foundation will be there also. Most of greater New York will be there actually all dressed in their finest and you will be dressed better than all of them. Albert will see to that." Maura said leaning closer to me and resting her head in her hands propped up on her elbows.
Our faces were so close our lips were almost touching as we spoke.
"Your...your mom is going to be there?" I asked suddenly feeling a great deal of panic.
The idea of meeting the mother of the wealthiest person I'd ever known was making me more than a bit nervous. Actually I was freaking out inside, but I was doing everything in my power to maintain an outer exterior of reserve and calm. I don't know if it was working. Maura didn't seem uncomfortable at all about my meeting her mother. She seemed almost...almost excited about it.
"She'll love you Jane." Maura said happily grinning at me.
I wasn't convinced.
"She will not! She'll think I'm a loser and that you're crazy for doing everything you do for me." I sighed trying to wiggle out from beneath Maura again.
But that woman's thighs were remarkably strong...she held me in place with little effort on her own part.
"My mother has no say over how I spend my personal money. She couldn't care less anyway...she's only concerned about her art and the business. I've never introduced her to a lady I was dating before. Not since college at least. She'll be happy that I finally showed up with someone and not by myself like always." Maura kissed my fingers again lightly.
I got shudders all over again, but...I still felt so uncertain of myself.
"So we're...we're dating?" I asked softly lowering my eyes from Maura's and looking at her lips instead.
She had such nice lips. Maura arched an eye brow and looked at me like she couldn't believe I'd even dare to ask her that.
"Do you not consider our relationship to be in such a place?" she asked, she sounded almost hurt.
"NO! I mean...yes...yes of course! I actually...actually I think most people think you're my girlfriend. All the people assume as much that I've met so far with Albert or James and at the foundation and the hospital. I didn't correct them. I thought it would be best to let them assume since we're putting on this song and dance show for Angela's sake." I grinned.
Maura seemed almost angry. Her eyes glowed that dangerous bright red again. I was worried for a moment that she was furious I let people think I was her girlfriend.
"Is that the only reason you think I'm doing this? Is that the only reason you didn't correct people's assumption?" Maura said in that hollow angry tone.
"Jesus Maura NO! I...I care for you! You're all I think about. I miss you constantly when you're gone...even though you kinda drive me crazy. And...I know you care for me too!" I said cradling Maura's face in my hand.
Maura smiled at that. I loved the beauty of her soft smile. It made her whole face look adorable and precious, a far cry from the fury I saw sometimes in her eyes.
"I'm just thinking this isn't one of those things you take your whore too!" I said before I could stop the words from flying out of my mouth.
I immediately regretted it. Maura's face turned into that mask of hardly contained fury again. Her eyes were blazing and her jaw quivered. I felt like I'd shrunk three sizes under the power of that gaze. It was a moment before Maura spoke again.
"We spoke about you referring to yourself as a whore before Jane...several times actually." Maura said dangerously.
I'd mistakenly called myself a whore twice already since Maura got back from Boston.
"I'm sorry I forgot," I said honestly.
I was sorry and I did forget how furious Maura got when I let the word 'whore' slip from my mouth.
"I've never kissed a whore a day in my life." Maura said eying me sternly.
I giggled.
"You kissed me," I smiled reaching up and cradling Maura's face in my hand again.
"And you are not a whore," Maura said raising an eyebrow at me.
"I was," I corrected.
Maura rolled her eyes and rolled off of me.
"I'm not taking you to silly Spider Man if you insist on upsetting me." Maura sighed.
I rolled my own eyes and then rolled my own body on top of Maura's.
"Ok daddy...I'll go to your foundations thingy." I whispered against Maura's lips.
I thought I felt Maura squirm a little bit beneath me this time. Every time I called her daddy Maura's eyes clouded over with something that looked very close to burning lust. I felt my own insides heat up. Maura and I stared into each others eyes for long moments lost in whatever it was we thought we saw in each other. The more I gazed at her, the more my heart swelled and the more the fire grew inside me. I didn't want to go to her charity's formal event, but I didn't want her to be angry with me either. If swallowing my insecurities and going to this fiasco with Maura was what would make her most happy...I'd just have to grit and bare it. That's just how much I cared for her.
I absent-mindedly traced the outline of Maura's lips with my thumb. The smile that broke out on Maura's face took my breath away. I felt drawn to her, I needed her...I needed to feel her lips against mine again. I brushed several loose strands of Maura's honey blond hair from her face and leaned down closer and closer...!I heard Maura's breath hitch in her throat, I felt her body shudder beneath me and her hands wrap around my waist pulling me closer to her. I felt my heartbeat quicken and my insides explode with fire. I closed my eyes just before our lips touched when...
...BANG!
The sound of something heavy hitting the floor tore me from my precious moment. I rolled off of Maura in an instant and sat up straight. Maura sat up too, both our eyes were wide with frustration and annoyance. I wanted to be kissing Maura right then...not...not dealing with whatever mischief I knew my dog was causing. I choked on a million curses.
"EL DIABLO!" Consuela screeched from somewhere in the apartment.
"Oh NO!" I wailed trying to scoot out of the bed to see what the hell my dog had done now.
Franklin Thomas was a terrible little menace sometimes. Ever since Maura got home I'd been trying my hardest to curb his rebellious bad little habits but he never seemed to listen to me. Maura however had a way with him that neither myself or Consuela had managed with all our screaming and chasing him around the apartment until we were out of breath and gasping for air.
"Stay here sweetheart, I'll deal with little Diablo,"Maura said rolling her eyes and crawling out of bed.
I heard much commotion and screaming from Consuela. I could hear Maura's voice too only she sounded very stern and commanding. I heard Franklin Thomas whimper a few times. I smiled. Maura had a way of bending that dog to her will. Maura had only to get a certain look in her eye and hiss at FT in such a way that he would stop whatever mischief he was up to and run in a corner and hide from Maura's fury. It was hysterical actually, FT didn't do that for anyone except Maura. Maura was a tough daddy, Franklin Thomas learned that the hard way. Ever since Maura spanked him for chewing up one of her shoes he'd taken to cowering around her and treading lightly. I couldn't even be upset when Maura spanked FT even though he was whimpering and crying and looking at me with eyes pleading for rescue. Something about seeing Maura like that was...well it was sexy. Now every time my puppy misbehaved when Maura wasn't around I'd threaten to tell daddy he was a bad boy and he'd stop whatever he was doing and run under the coffee table and hide.
A few moments and many screeches from Consuela later Franklin Thomas came running to the bedroom with his tail tucked between his legs and hopped onto the bed with me curling into my arms and trembling. I giggled as I cradled my little devil in my arms.
"What did you do buddy? Did you make daddy mad?" I asked him scratching behind his ears.
Franklin Thomas licked my face and whined. Maura reappeared in the doorway leaning against it with a newspaper folded in her hand and a glimmer in her eyes. I knew she spanked Franklin Thomas again. I could tell by the way Maura's eyes burned and her lips turned up into a satisfied smirk. Maura's blue silk negligée was short...very very short. It stopped halfway down her thighs leaving very much of her toned sexy legs exposed. The cut of the negligée around her chest was far more revealing than anything in a Victoria's Secret add. Even dressed as she was Maura was giving off an air of power and command leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed and her eye brows arched. I felt that burning in my core again.
"Was he really bad?" I asked timidly.
Maura managed to smile at me but there was still that shadow of sexy behind her eyes.
"He knocked over a lamp on the end table in the living room," Maura said rolling her eyes.
I thought it looked like she was trying not to laugh.
"I'm sorry Maura," I sighed hanging my head.
I hated that Franklin Thomas was so keen on ruining everything in Maura's beautiful apartment.
Maura only smiled wider.
"You and your puppy are going to have to take some training classes. But for now it's time to get up. I want to have breakfast with you before I leave for the office and you leave for the hospital."
I felt my face fall.
"You aren't coming to the hospital with me?" I asked sadly.
I loved visiting Angela with Maura by my side. I loved holding my baby, but I loved watching Maura hold Angela too. Maura was always so gentle and so sweet with Angela in her arms. She always spoke softly and would run her fingers through Angela's curls just like I always did. Even still, even when Angela was in Maura's arms there was something so powerful and intriguing about the woman. Maybe it was that I knew Maura could be so different. Maybe it was that I'd seen Maura in a fury fit for a queen. Maybe it was that I knew Maura could bend and break very powerful people to her will that made her gentleness so...so sweet and so sexy. If there were any two arms I felt confident in placing my daughters care other than my own...they were Maura's arms.
"I have to run by the office and check up on a few things but I'm not going to drag you with me this time. I want you to visit Angela and enjoy yourself. I'll meet up with you later and take you to see your silly little movie," Maura smirked at me.
"Spider Man is AWESOME!" I growled, narrowing my eyes at Maura.
Maura only rolled her eyes.
After Maura and I had both showered and dressed, Maura in her thousand dollar skirt suit and I in an old pair of jeans and a tank top, we sat down at the kitchen island for breakfast. Maura was making me eat fruit and whole wheat toast again. I didn't so much mind the fruit...but whole wheat anything was yucky. I'd tried to get Consuela to make me bacon and eggs but Maura caught me, pinched my side and scolded me for my bad eating habits...again!
"But Maura...can't I just eat something I like for once? Even Consuela thinks I should eat bacon and eggs!" I grinned at Maura's not to amused face.
"Yes...you need eat more...look like stick!" Consuela piped in placing a plate full of a variety of sliced fruits in front of me.
"Seeee!" I said triumphantly popping a grape in my mouth.
Maura only eyed Consuela over the rim of her coffee cup. She was wearing her reading glasses again, Maura liked to read the paper while she ate breakfast and I liked to watch cartoons on the flat screen above the stove. My affinity for old Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, and Tom and Jerry cartoons were another sore spot for Maura.
"Those cartoons only instill an affinity for violence in very young children." Maura scolded me one morning as I watched an old Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny cartoon.
"Maura! It's just not that serious. These old cartoons are classics. Didn't you watch these when you were a kid?" I'd replied curiously.
Maura just pursed her lips and went back to reading her paper.
"I wasn't allowed to watch filth. I read old French story books instead." Maura said haughtily.
I rolled my eyes.
"Maura...I'm starting to think you missed out on a lot of things as a child." I sighed.
"I did not! I had the best education and the best opportunities. I went to the best schools and had the best tutors and teachers. I had everything I needed growing up," Maura said eyeing me sideways.
"Yeah...but you didn't have any fun! You didn't get to play hopscotch or baseball or duck duck goose! You didn't get to go trick or treating or play hide and seek with your friends or sneak off on your bike and buy candy behind your parents backs! AND you didn't get to watch freaking cartoons." I'd raved.
Maura looked sad when I said all that. I felt sort of bad. I didn't mean to shine a light on how deprived Maura actually was. I mean...she did have all the best things money could buy when she was a kid...but she didn't experience so many other things necessary to become a well-rounded human being. Simple things like...like friendship and love and social acceptance. I think that had something to do with why Maura couldn't understand why I liked sports and cartoons and junk food.
"I...I don't know how to ride a bike," Maura said softly looking at me over the top of her news paper.
My jaw dropped.
"WHAT!" I gasped.
Who the hell didn't know how to ride a bike in their freaking thirties...I mean really!
"I...I never learned. I learned to play the violin and speak French and German and Portuguese instead."
"You know all that stuff...but you can't ride a freaking bike! Oh Maura!" I shook my head sadly.
"It's ok. I don't mind. I don't need to know how to ride a bike." Maura said trying to smile.
I wasn't convinced. I suddenly had a bright idea but it would have to wait for later.
"Consuela don't feed Jane unnecessary amounts of junk food." Maura eyed her maid over the frame of her glasses.
I think Maura knew Consuela snuck me pastries and candy bars when Maura wasn't home. Consuela might have been a huge pain in the ass, and she sure as hell hated FT, but she was great at sneaking me treats behind Maura's back and keeping secrets between the two of us.
"What me? Neva...I neva!" Consuela feigned innocence.
I smirked. I wished Consuela sounded more convincing when she lied.
Maura only rolled her eyes.
"I have to get to the office," Maura said rising from her seat and kissing me softly on the cheek.
"You and Consuela and Franklin Thomas behave...don't let your puppy terrorize Bass," Maura said running her hand through my hair as she grabbed her briefcase and walked toward the elevators.
"I'll miss you Maura," I called after her.
"I'll miss you too Jane," Maura called back.
Consuela made me bacon and eggs after Maura left. I ate every bit of it with a grin on my face.
Maura
I sat in my office most of the morning making phone calls and looking over profit and loss statements for the last quarter. I was pleased with the direction my business was going. Isles Enterprises had reported a six percent gain so far for the year and I was ecstatic. Even in the recession we'd always managed to turn a small profit or at least break even. That was mostly due to a team of very hard-working Ivy league graduates I'd hired to restructure the business. I was actually looking forward to the next board meeting when I could make our profits public to the board members and the share holders. Even with all the good news about my business that isn't why I came into the office today. I came in today because I wanted to speak to the detectives about the results of the blood samples and hair samples and fingerprints I found in the car that hit Jane's family.
Jane seemed to love to be around me when I was home and although I certainly didn't mind...I loved Jane's company after all...it made it extremely difficult to discuss her families case without her overhearing. I hadn't lied to Jane per say when I told her I was coming to the office to 'check up on a few things' but I hadn't told her the outright truth either. I wouldn't do that until I could tell her the person that had killed her family was behind bars.
Jane seemed to be adapting well to living with me...well most of the time at least. She still referred to herself as a whore far to much for my liking. It drove me insane every time she did that. I didn't know what else to do to convince Jane that I didn't see her as a whore and I never would. I knew Jane appreciated all the things I'd done for her, I could tell by the way she smiled at me and curled against me every night before she fell asleep. But still, I had a feeling all the money in the world couldn't move Jane to love me outright the way I wanted her too. Jane seemed most affectionate toward me when I was holding Angela in my arms. Jane would smile and kiss the top of my head with sparkling eyes every time I cradled her baby and sang softly in Angela's ear. Those were the times I felt closest to Jane, that was when I truly felt Jane appreciated me most. Even still...something had to be done about the lingering pain she felt over losing her family.
I knew Jane could never commit truly to starting a new family when the shadow of her loss still haunted her. Besides...I wanted Angela to know there was justice in the world when she was finally old enough to understand what had happened to her uncles and her grandmother. I wanted Angela to know that the good guys do win, even though life is terribly cruel and unfair sometimes. I didn't want Angela to grow up in the shadow of her mother's pain and subsequently carry a shadow of her own with her always. I wanted the best for Angela...and I wanted the best for Jane. And in this instance...the best wasn't something I could throw my credit card at. In this instance Jane needed my skill and not my money. I would give Jane everything I had to offer. I wanted to be her Spider Man!
I picked up my phone and dialed Detective Korsack's number. I was grateful when he answered on the third ring.
"Detective Korsack," his deep voice sounded through the line.
"Detective, it's Doctor Isles how are you?" I asked pleasantly.
"Doctor! I'm good...how are you?" he seemed shocked that I was calling him on a Sunday morning while I was on leave.
I knew he'd be in the station today, I'd checked the schedule before I left and saw that he was on call. Of all the detectives and officers in the precinct I liked Korsack and Frost the best. They seemed genuinely pleasant and weren't caught up in all the ego I found most of their co workers to possess.
"I'm doing well detective. I'm calling to check up on some samples I sent to my lab for review. It's for an open case...vehicular homicide about five years ago...case number 53321..."
"...I remember the case. You asked me about it before you left on leave. I worked that case actually, but we never got anywhere because there were no witnesses and no evidence." Korsack sighed heavily into the phone.
"The medical examiner at the time found no evidence...but I found some things when I combed through the car last week. They were small things...hard to detect, but I managed to pull a few samples anyway. Because of the fact that the national DNA database has been introduced since the case went cold I was hoping my evidence might yield a hit." I said crossing my fingers.
I prayed I was right. I prayed I could give Jane what she wanted most in the world. I hoped and I prayed...please please please please!
"Well, I got something on my desk this morning with the same case number on it. But the results were inconclusive. Honestly I don't think your lab guys are as good as you. Most of us hold our crucial evidence until you come back because we can't trust your people to be as thorough as you are. We don't call you the Queen of the Dead for nothing. You're the best!" Korsack chuckled to himself.
I sighed and rolled my eyes. I hated that nickname. I knew they called me that behind my back...but I'd always thought it was because I never engaged them in personal conversation and preferred the quiet of my morgue to the boisterous noise of the bull ben. I had no idea it stemmed from some sort of respect for my craft and skill.
"The samples I submitted were good samples. Are you saying they just didn't turn up any hits?" I asked sadly.
"No...the lab guys just couldn't get any conclusive DNA or complete fingerprints. The samples are so old and most likely a bit contaminated. They don't know all your tricks Doctor. If you ran the labs yourself you might come up with something different. But as it is I'm thinking your people just don't have the skill it takes to pull anything definitive from these samples." Korsack said sympathetically.
I sighed heavily closing my eyes against the reality of what Korsack was saying. He was right and I knew it. If I wanted something done right...I'd have to do it myself.
"Perhaps I should fly back to Boston and run the labs myself as you say."
"I thought you were on leave. Can't it wait until you get back? It's a cold case after all, nobody is gonna rush this thing in the department. Why are you even looking into this anyway? We let this case go years ago." Korsack inquired curiously.
I thought of brushing him off...I thought of being cold and short like I most often was with my co workers...then I thought better of it.
"The sister and daughter of the three people killed in that accident is a friend of mine. I want to give her closure and this is the only way." I said openly and truthfully.
Korsack was quiet for a few moments.
"It's a long shot you know." He said honestly.
"I do know. But I have to try anyway."
"Well, I'll put a call in to your lab and tell the techs to hold the evidence for you when you get back. When are you coming?" He asked pleasantly.
"Late next week." I said without even thinking about it.
I had to be in New York Tuesday for the home inspection and interview with DCS, and Wednesday for my foundations' fundraiser, then I would be free to leave for Boston again. Jane would be ok by herself. I hated to think I might not be home to see Angela released from the hospital and brought to the apartment for the first time. But it's a sacrifice I was willing to make if it meant I could give Angela and her mother a lifetime of justice and peace of mind.
"All right. I'll let 'em know down there." Korsack said kindly.
I smiled to myself.
"Thank you Detective. I'll see you next week." and hung up with a heavy sigh.
I was hoping for better news. I was hoping to hear they'd found a match based on the evidence I collected and made an arrest. I was hoping so many things...but I wouldn't lose hope completely. I would get to the bottom of this if it killed me. I looked at my watch and gasped when I saw it was already after four p.m. Jane hadn't called me all day. I wondered what she was doing. I dialed her number on my cell phone.
"Maura!" Jane exclaimed excitedly when she picked up.
I smiled, I wondered what mischief she was getting into to make her so cheery.
"Jane...what are you doing?" I asked curiously.
"Maura...are you all done with your office stuff?" she asked me.
I could see the grin on her face as plain as day by the tone of her voice. I knew the wheels in Jane's head were turning and her mind was full of some crazed idea of excitement.
"Yes...I was just about to leave." I said uncertainly.
What new horror did Jane have in store for me? What new silly thing was she going to make me endure for her amusement more than for the life experience she always claimed when she was making me do something I thought was ridiculous. I hadn't forgotten the fiasco of Jane trying to teach me to play basketsball at the park yesterday. That had been horrible. I'd accidentally given a man a black eye trying to shoot a hoopie or whatever it's called. Jane had to make excuses for me furiously to everyone on the court and drag me back to the apartment choking back giggles.
"You almost took that guys head off Maura!" Jane exclaimed after we were safely back in the apartment.
"I didn't mean to Jane! I was trying to make a hoopie!" I protested sitting on the floor and pulling off my tennis shoes that Jane made fun of me for earlier.
Jane covered her face in her hand and grumbled.
"It's called 'shoot a hoop' Maura! Jane whined shaking her head.
"Why is it called that? There are no guns involved in Basketsball. We weren't shooting anything!" I argued back rubbing my sore toes.
Jane only shook her head harder. Her brows were furrowed in such a way that said she couldn't believe what was actually happening.
"It's basket-ball Maura...not baskets-ball. And when you shoot a hoop you raise your arms over your head and flick your wrist. You don't launch the ball straight out from your chest at other people. What were your thinking? I bet that guy has a freaking concussion!" Jane wailed looking at me like I was a lost cause.
"I didn't do that badly Jane. It was my first time. I hit the hoopie once or twice." I pouted.
Jane just sighed.
"Yeah...one of those times it bounce off the hoop and knocked a child over on his ass. The second time it hit me it the back of the head. I had to get you outta there before you killed somebody!" Jane said trying not to laugh.
I laughed outright.
"I'm not a basketsball kind of person Jane!" I giggled.
"I see that." Jane said scooping me off the floor and carrying me to the bedroom.
I wrapped my arms around Jane's neck and enjoyed how strong she was...despite her skinny physique.
"You can teach me though!" I smiled at her.
Jane smiled at me back.
"I'm gonna teach you lots of stuff little miss basketsball!" Jane cracked.
We giggled all the way to the bedroom.
"Maura...change into your sports clothes and meet me at the park again. Meet me by the bench where we had lunch that one time!" she said excitedly.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"My sports clothing? We aren't playing basketsball again are we?" I moaned remembering my sore feet from before.
"NO! God no!" Jane grumbled.
I knew she was remembering that nightmare as well.
"This is something different." she insisted.
I sighed.
"Ok! I'll be there in twenty minutes."
I was nervous the whole walk to the park. I had no idea what Jane was thinking...but I knew it was something I would most likely hate. I had to go though and at least give it a try. Jane did bend to my desires most of the time...it was only fair that I bend to hers every now and then as well. I just wished Jane's things didn't involve me getting bruised or dirty or hurting people. I was so nervous about whatever trick Jane had up her sleeve that I actually had butterflies in my stomach and a lump in my throat. But when I approached the bench Jane was referring too I stopped short and smiled. Jane was standing there holding a pretty pink bicycle and smiling widely at me.
I covered my mouth to hide my grin and felt tears behind my eyes as I walked the rest of the way toward Jane. Jane met me with a hug that swept me off my feet and she spun me around in a circle.
"Do you like it Maura?" Jane asked me shuffling me toward the bike.
"I bought it with my own money," Jane said proudly sticking out her chest a little bit.
I pulled Jane into another hug wrapping my arms around her neck and kissing her lips softly several times. Jane kissed me back, I thought I noticed her cheeks blush. It was the sweetest of kisses. Our tongues danced, our bodies folded into each others, my mind wandered to places it had never been. I moaned softly into Jane's mouth. Jane smiled against my lips and her tongue moved further to explore me. It was many long moments before we released from our kiss. My lips left Jane's and felt cold and lonely absent Jane's mouth on my own. Jane smiled at me when she finally opened her eyes again. Her cheeks were red and flushed. I giggled at how innocent and adorable she looked in that moment.
"I love the bike Jane...but you know I can't ride it." I whispered softly against her lips.
"Don't worry...I'll teach you everything you need to know." Jane smiled down at me.
I wrapped my hands in her long dark curls and pulled her into another deep passionate kiss.
"What if I fall and hurt myself? I-I-I'm kind of clumsy!" I said softly blushing a little bit in embarrassment.
"I got you babe!" Jane said with a smile that could melt gold.
