A/N: Thank you all for joining me again on this ride. I did want to address a guest review for my previous chapters that was upset at the idea of Jane hooking up with Kate. Please, readers, trust me. I know full well where this is going. No need to fret. If that is a true concern? Please bale now. Not saying it will come to fruition, but still. I want a lot of good, meaty chapters. If you're willing to stick around? Awesome. So without further delay? Please enjoy!
"If I have to do this, I need you there with me," Jane pointed out.
Maura looked at her suspiciously. "I still do not understand why."
"I don't have enough time to train a rookie to properly handle evidence. All our other female techs are on assignments. So, you're the last resort. Come on, Maura? You and Cooper and Korsak threw me to the wolves. It's the least you could do."
"Why can't Det. Cooper do it?"
Jane shook her head and waved her hand. "No. She'll be paying way too much attention to the women or making comments later. Just...do this? Please?"
Maura took a deep breath but finally agreed. "Fine. Given the responses we had to your profile, how many suspects are we currently looking at?"
"If they all show? Eight to ten, tops?" Jane thought. "That's what Riley said she'd confirmed, anyway. I have to look over that in a little bit. I got caught up with some things."
Maura smiled teasingly. "Oh? Who is she?"
"It's not always sex, Maura. In fact, for quite some time, it wasn't sex at all." Jane countered.
"I know which is why I can tell it's sex now. Tell me? I'm your best friend."
Jane sighed teasingly, knowing deep down she loved Maura prodding her for details. "It's just Sarah? That woman I'd gone home with the other night? I can still hear that sexy Southern accent in my head. It was incredible."
Part of Maura really didn't want to hear more. Not that she was opposed. In fact, she knew she was jealous. "Right. You'd said she was from Tennessee?"
"Yeah," Jane smiled. "She'll be heading home soon, I suspect. Of course we keep saying our 'I'll keep in touch' lines. I really hope she does. She's funny and down to earth. And unlike you, she doesn't mind me buying her a beer instead of some fancy wine," Jane teased.
Maura looked over. "I don't always drink wine. And I have had your beer, remember? I enjoyed it. There are times I'll go home and have one by myself just because I desire it over wine."
"Really now? That I'd love to see. I mean yeah, wine is nice from time to time. But there is just something sexy about a woman drinking straight from a bottle. Toying her fingers up and down the neck...you know?"
As Jane spoke, Maura easily saw in her mind exactly what Jane was speaking about. She could see Jane's long, slender fingers teasing their way over the neck on a bottle of Blue Moon and she felt herself shudder. "I will have to show you sometime, then." Maura stated. "But, back to the case. I take it you'll be wearing a wire?"
"Of course, Maura. Hey, I meant to ask. How did dinner with your sister go?"
Maura smiled. "Very well. I realized how much I do need to spend more time with the girls. I also had an epiphone when I got home as to why I hadn't made as diligent an effort."
"Whoa, Maur. TMI," Jane grinned teasingly. "I don't tell you when I have epiphanies."
"Very funny, Jane." Maura said flatly.
"Okay okay. Tell me. Why haven't you made an effort?" Jane looked at her friend sincerely.
Maura took a breath. "Seeing them makes me jealous. I love them dearly. Don't get me wrong. I just...I can't help but see them and wonder if Caitlin and I had grown up together, would we have been like Ryan and Max?"
Jane reached out her hand, gently touching Maura's arm. "I get it. I'm sorry, Maura. For all the 'what if's?' You turned out great. I know it was pretty lonely for a long time but you're an amazing woman. A little quirky at times," Jane gave a deep-dimpled grin. "But, it's part of your charm."
The medical examiner nodded. "Thank you. I know my parents love me. It's just hard not to wish they were more demonstrative. Like Angela. Or Kate."
Jane let out a groan. "Like my mom? Really Maura? No. You would not be a tenth as cultured as you are. Come on. Sure I know some Italian if I have to. But really? She tried grooming me since I was in Pampers to be a wife and that's not me. At least Constance let you explore whoever you wanted to be."
Maura tilted her head, thinking. "True. We are who we are because of our past, period. I am simply saying I don't discount Angela's contributions to who you are. Just as I do not discount my parents contributions to me."
"You'll be a great mom. If you decide to go there," Jane nodded. "Don't worry. A lot of people...what's the word? Overcompensate," she smiled.
Maura nodded. "It's an attempt to make up for what people felt they lacked as children. Correct problems created, but at the same time, they will create new ones. That is just the nature of the beast. You'd be a great mother too, Jane. You have a lot to offer a child."
She looked at her friend. "Maura, it's sweet you're placating me but I don't have anything to offer a kid. Come on. Look what I do? Look at my life." Jane protested.
"You're very giving and protective. Supportive. If you're that scared to do it on your own I know the right woman would make you certain it's a great path to take."
Jane looked at Maura gently. "Alright, alright. Enough of the kids talk. You'll make me start ovulating if you don't stop."
"Actually Jane, you are ovulating." Maura said.
"Whoa, how the hell do you know that?" Jane's eyes went wide. "And why?"
"You're my friend. I make a note when your last menstrual cycle was. We've actually been in sync the last few years. And from that, any first year can factor your ovulation cycle which matches my own. That would very much explain your overly active sex drive as of late." The doctor didn't flush rattling any of the information off.
Jane meanwhile flushed almost crimson. "Maura! We don't need to be discussing that at the moment."
Before Maura could respond, her doorbell rang. "I'll go see who that is."
"Not expecting anyone?"
"Of course not, Jane. I'd set the morning aside just to discuss the case with you." Maura went to the door and looked through the peep hole. "Caitlin, hello. Is anything wrong?" Maura looked confused but tried being polite to her sister.
The dimpled smile mirrored Maura's but she shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. I just was jogging and saw your car so I thought I'd drop in?"
As Maura showed her sister inside she couldn't help but notice the outfit she had on was brand new. Instead of her usual tee and shorts, the woman was wearing a clinging tank top and lycra running shorts. Everything hugged Caitlin, leaving little to the imagination. "Um, that was a lovely sentiment but I am spending the morning with Jane, remember? I'd told you yesterday?"
Caitlin continued walking toward the kitchen. "Did you? I'm so sorry I forgot! I'll just be a moment? Grab some water and I'll head back out?"
Still finding her sister's dress and behavior odd, all Maura could do was follow.
"Jane, hello. Didn't mean to barge in. I forgot Maura said you two would be hanging out. I just dropped in from a run."
As the kitchen door swung open, Jane looked up, her eyes suddenly glued to things they really shouldn't be. A trickle of sweat ran from the base of Kate's neck downward between her breasts and Jane's throat went dry. "I uh...i-it's fine," she stammered. "I could use some water. Can I get you one?" She clumsily made her way over to the fridge.
Caitlin, delighted by the effect she was having, smiled deeply and ran her tongue over her lip. "That would be great. I am really, really thirsty. Which is funny because at the same time, I'm all wet."
"Sweating is a natural cooling system for the body," Maura pointed out as she came in.
Feeling the sexual tension she was trying to build get shot down by one sentence from her sister, Kate took a deep breath. "True point, Maura. What were you two working on, exactly?"
"Uh," Jane passed her a bottle of water. "Maura's going to go undercover with me at the Merch. I don't have enough time to train a female tech and my partner? Well, she wouldn't be as professional as I need. Or she'd make comments to me later. Either way, Cooper's not going in."
Kate smiled and nodded as Jane passed her the water. "Oh my god! You're going into a lesbian club? Wow, Maura. I'm impressed."
"I've been to lesbian clubs before, Caitlin. Most recently I've been with Jane. But I've gone on my own before. I have had girlfriends before." She stated simply.
Jane's head almost snapped as she looked over to Maura. "You what? Why didn't you ever tell me that?"
"I didn't think it mattered? We've been so entrenched in our work I didn't really have time or need to develop deeper relationships with anyone. Men are simply a means to an end."
Noting Jane's surge of interest in her sister's potential sexual openness, Caitlin purposely spilled some of the chilled water onto the white tank top. "Goodness! Do I have a hole in my lip?" She pretended to blush.
Jane looked over and noticed right away the woman's nipples were hard from the cold. "I uh, looks like," she quickly glanced away as things began tingling southward.
Maura cleared her throat to get attention back. "I'll take you upstairs. You can borrow something of mine, Caitlin."
"It's fine, Maura. Just water. It will dry," Kate smiled. "I should get going and let you two get back to discussing work. Will you be by for dinner on Friday?"
"If work doesn't prevent me, yes." She nodded.
Kate made a point to go over and hug Jane. "It was great seeing you again, Jane."
"And you, Kate. Take care." Jane slightly bristled since generally no one but family or Maura hugged her but she tried being nice.
Maura made a mental note. Granted she did not like to guess or jump to unfounded conclusions, but things were becoming more and more obvious the woman whom her sister lusted was none other than her best friend.
Kate made her way over to Maura, hugging her as well. "The girls will be thrilled. We'll see you Friday, sis!"
Maura got her to the door and waved. "Have a good day, Caitlin." She peevishly shut the door and returned to Jane.
"That was kind of a different look on her, wasn't it?" Jane noted.
Maura shrugged, unsure how to explain it. "Perhaps she's getting more into running and wanted to wear better clothing? I don't generally guess, Jane."
Her friend gave a broad grin. "I know you don't. It's like pulling teeth with you at times. But it's part of what makes you you.
"Thank you? I think?"
Jane got up and put her arms on Maura's shoulders. "It is a compliment, Maura. I promise. It can be frustrating at a crime scene, but it's just not the same if I don't have you there."
At the familiar feeling of Jane's arms on her, a new sensation fluttered in the medical examiner's stomach and a slight blush broke across her cheeks.
"Everything okay, Maur? You're lookin a little flushed. Need me to open a window or something?" Jane began to move toward the kitchen window.
"I'm fine, Jane," Maura nodded. "But thank you. So, I'll go to the Merch and be waiting for when you arrive, correct?"
"Yep, sounds about right," Jane smiled. "I'm sure you have things to do so I'll get out of your way.
"I really don't have much going on but I understand Jo needs to be walked and such. I'll see you tomorrow at work," Maura smiled, walking Jane to the door.
There wasn't any need but Jane still leaned in, hugging Maura when they got to the door. "Absolutely. See ya tomorrow."
As Jane left, Maura stood at the door watching until her friend drove away. The entire rest of the day that little flutter did not cease.
Saturday rolled around. Maura arrived at the Merch before Jane and the owner took her to a dressing room. "Here's the outfit," she smiled, handing it to Maura. "It seems you'll fill it out nicely," she winked.
Maura blushed and gave a little smile. "Thank you. I'll just get changed and be set. I have my kit. May I place it behind your bar?"
The blonde nodded. "Absolutely. You can place anything you like behind my bar," she flirted.
She pretended not to notice and waited until the woman left before she began taking off her things. Noting the footwear of the waitresses on a previous visit, Maura made sure to wear similar heels. As she got the dress zipped, she looked in the full-length mirror. "Well, this leaves little to the imagination," she said to herself.
Jane was wired for sound when she came in. Spotting her friend, Maura walked over , tray in hand with a beer on it. "Your table is ready, Miss."
Jane's eyes immediately fell to Maura's ample chest. "Oh my ga- put this on," Jane responded as she moved to take her jacket off.
"No. I'm undercover," Maura replied. "Follow me."
Something in the tone told Jane the medical examiner was having far too much fun with things. "Oh my god," Jane whined through the fake grin on her face.
"I'll be right back with your drink." Maura smiled as Jane took her seat.
"Mmhmm, thank you," Jane replied as she sat, pushing some strands of hair back.
The first date seemed nice enough but nervous. Fortunately for Jane when the woman asked how Jane had come out, Maura had come over and leaned down.
"Ladies, may I get you something more to drink?"
Again Jane's eyes fell to her friend's chest. "Uh, no. We're good." She looked to her date. "We're good, right, Miranda?"
As Maura wandered off with the drinks to bag the suspect's, Jane's date chuckled and leaned in. "My real name isn't Miranda. It's Maryann. You have my number. Feel free to call me sometime."
Jane nodded. "Sure thing. Have a good one."
The next date was a lot more confident. A little too confident for Jane's usual taste. And the plays she was trying to make were painfully obvious. "I always fall for girls like you," the blonde quipped.
"Like what?" Jane asked with a smile.
"Smart. Confident. Complicated," she added with a wink as she laid a hand on Jane's
Jane moved her hands away. "My hands are sore from," she paused for a split second. "Volleyball."
The woman grinned. "You're gonna break my heart."
Again Maura came over at the perfect time. "Refresh your drinks?"
Before the suspect could reply, Jane waved her hand. "No thanks. We're good." Unlike the first woman, Jane didn't bother asking if they were were. She made it an outright statement.
The night seemed to drag on until Jane was shocked. All the suspects had gone through but a very familiar redhead wandered over and took the seat across from Jane. "On some kind of speed dating run, detective?"
That drawl was a welcome sound to Jane's ears. "S-sarah. Hey. It's complicated. How are you?"
She teasingly drew her fingers over the neck of the bottle of Blue Moon. "I'm fine. I bet it's really not as complicated as you think," she smiled.
Jane's eyes were instantly drawn to the fingers, recalling every expert caress and thrust. A jolt shot from the pit of her stomach to between her thighs. "Uh…" She couldn't really think.
Unsure how to proceed, Maura hung back watching.
"You know, you kinda look like that woman that was killed here. What was her name? Katie? I saw it on the news a few days ago. That's pretty weird."
"Okay, this is just social. We should wrap it up," Korsak stated to Riley.
"Are you sure, sir? Obviously Jane is this woman's type. Why are we so quick to dismiss the notion our victim would be her type? She just mentioned how alike Jane and the victim looked."
Korsak took a deep breath but nodded. "True enough point. Dr. Isles wasn't expecting another sample so I'll uh...no. You go in there. Leave your badge and gun. Flag her and tell her to bus the last drink away too."
The detective nodded, leaving the things as told and headed inside. 'I'd love to get a closer view of that outfit anyway,' she smiled to herself.
"I guess. I hadn't noticed," Jane shrugged. "I'm kind of wrapping up here anyway," she smiled.
Sarah nodded. "Ah. Heading home alone?" She raised her brow.
Jane blushed. "Uh...yeah," she bit her bottom lip.
"Sure you want to?" Sarah didn't push but she wasn't going to let the opportunity go.
Jane drew a deep breath thinking over what the woman was offering. "No...no, I'm not sure."
Sarah set her empty bottle on the table. "Well, how about you come back to my hotel? You know I'm a sure thing."
Spotting Det. Cooper was puzzling. Maura wandered over to her. "Can I help you, Miss?"
At the sight of the doctor's outfit, Riley would swear her body was on fire. "I...uh. That table over there? Make sure you get the last stuff," she nodded.
Maura nodded in understanding. "Of course, Miss. We always fully bus the tables."
"Great." Riley leaned in and whispered. "You look amazing, by the way." She quickly headed off.
She finally noticed Jane and whomever the other woman was looking as if they were leaving. Maura wanted to stop her friend and ask but knew not to. She bussed the table, placing the empty bottle in an evidence bag and began gathering her things.
It took every ounce of restraint for Jane to not just push the woman against the elevator and start going at it. Images of Caitlin and Maura were swirling and flashing in her mind. Her body had been in need for days. And now? A woman who seemed to know every last button was there to push them.
"You don't have to be so quiet, Jane," Sarah teased. "You won't be soon enough, I guess."
Jane blushed. "True, true. H-how've you been?"
The photographer smiled. "I've been well. The pieces the city commissioned are turning out better than I'd hoped. It's always fun getting to go to a different city and be a tourist for work, you know? Well, I guess you wouldn't quite know. But I know you love your work."
Jane nodded. The elevator stopped on Sarah's floor and they got off. Both women were practically running to the door.
Sarah slid the card into the key reader and Jane rushed her inside. She pinned the woman against the door, kissing deeply, hungrily.
Sarah's fingers went to undoing Jane's clothes. Both women were very much in need and screaming for release. "Mmm you're thinking of her again, aren't you?" The southern woman asked softly.
"Wh-who?" Jane began ripping Sarah's things off.
"Maura, was it? The name you cried out that first night. I don't mind. I still know I'm the one that made your body move like that."
Jane shuddered, remembering. "Just...let's stop talking."
Clothes flew as the women hastily made their way to the bed. Naked bodies collided as the need and hunger enveloped them both. Sarah thrust three fingers deep into Jane, curling just so as her lips moved everywhere they could.
"Oooooooo fucccck," Jane cried out.
Her lover didn't relent. Sarah kept going. Thrusting and pumping. Within no time, Jane came undone, panting and relaxing against her lover. "Th-thank you. Just give me a moment to collect myself?"
Sarah grinned and kissed her. "Take your time, detective."