The Boston Public Library is paradise. Rooms full of shelves overflowing with near limitless knowledge. Peace and quiet for the furthering of intellect; individual spaces at long tables with green lamps for the scholarly.
Yeah, Maura can buy copies of almost all the books in the stacks and she can purchase tables and lamps just like the ones in the main study area, but it's not about that; it's about the feeling. It's about being able to breathe in the knowledge and the atmosphere.
Not that she's doing that now. Right now, she's trying hard not to hyperventilate as a certain dark-haired detective leads her into a small room (which she's never even seen, let alone entered) off the beaten track for their first date.
Their first date. The words kind of roll off your tongue, don't they? Like they're perfect? Yes. Maura thinks so, too.
There's a small table and two chairs, lit by the romantic glow of two candles. Jane is lightly pushing against Maura's back to force her to enter the room fully and she gasps as her eyes grow accustomed to the lighting.
The walls are murals, most likely dating back to the construction of the building itself.
They are beautiful. Painted with care and intricacy, these were the revered pieces; these were the ones seen only by a select few.
She's overcome with emotion and she doesn't know how Jane has pulled this off. For an inquisitive mind, she's strangely okay with not knowing, with letting the magic do its share.
Jane pulls her chair out for her and she smiles in thanks. From underneath the table, the detective brings out an appetizing array of foods.
They don't say much as they dig in; they've been talking about cases and victims all day and now they're content to simply soak up each other's company. Their fingers brush occasionally as they nibble away at the delectable morsels and Jane pours wine for both of them.
Maura isn't surprised when the wine is both delicious and paired enticingly well with their meal; she'd noticed the detective thoroughly studying her collection of vino last night.
They lounge in the quiet, the company, until the candles are burning low in their holders. Jane suggests a walk around the historical site to draw their evening to a close. Maura readily agrees. They hold hands as they wander together through hallways and high-ceiling rooms. She shares factoids and tidbits as they meander and the small smile she can see Jane sporting as she spouts these off is enough to tell her that Jane really does enjoy her company.
When they enter the courtyard, Maura's breath hitches. Not quite in the middle, just off to the side, is a modest square of flat ground with a lantern aglow that isn't BPL-sanctioned. Jane leads her to that very spot and then takes her in her arms.
They dance. They spin and hold each other close, rocking to music in Jane's mind. Maura leans her head against Jane's chin and their movements slow.
"Let's take you home, sweet girl," she hears in her ear. She flushes happily at the nickname, the way Jane's voice has a softer rasp to it than usual as it caresses the endearment.
They float on their cloud until they pull up at Maura's, but the descent back to reality isn't as long as you'd think. On her doorstep, Maura fiddles with her keys and Jane takes the hint. Pulling Maura softly against her, Jane's lips attach to the medical examiners softly. Their kiss is chaste, but lingering, and Maura's stomach is doing giddy somersaults as Jane blushes and walks away.
Maura waves to Jane as she steps into her house. The detective's car is on and running, but it is only once the door is closed that the headlights flash through the window and she leaves.
Maura bites her lip and smiles, already reliving what has been the best night of her life.