Innocence

Part 13

Jane pulled away, angry.

Maura rushed around the island and held on to her.

"Jane wait!"

"Maura! Let me go!"

"I will not let you go until you let me finish!"

Jane stilled.

"Tell me." Jane pleaded, her voice stressed out.

Maura took a breath and moved her arms around Jane's waist. Jane couldn't help but to return the hug.

"She was in my first year senior class, Jane. I know it is wrong and nothing could ever make it right, but there was only a year and a half in age between us. Being a first year teacher I was so happy and grateful for any help I could get. It seemed as though I was always under a pile of papers. Samantha offered to help me file at our lunch and free period. Samantha…Sam was in my 3rd period A.P. Biology and as you know lunch is fourth period; she would just stay and help. As time went on we grew closer. I found out she had been held back a year because she had to take time off because she was sick. What she went through just endeared her that much more to me. As the year progressed, so did our feelings. It was coming on summer and graduation was just a few days away when we were putting away some things in my closet. We bumped together and next thing I knew, she was kissing me."

Maura looked down for the first time. The confusion she must have felt at that time showed on her face.

"I didn't set out to be with her, Jane; I didn't. A week after graduation she came by the apartment I had then. We sat and spoke of things she wanted to do in her freshman year of college. Then she held my hand and one thing lead to another…well all I care to say about that is I woke up the next morning, alone."

"Maura you cannot be trying to make me believe that she forced herself on you!" Jane rubbed her temple, trying desperately to figure out intent.

"No, of course not Jane; what went on that night was coessential, between two adults."

Jane walked away for a moment and then came back.

"Were there anymore, Maur?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes, two more. They came back from college and well we had some private time also."

"Does private time mean sex?"

"Yes Jane, private time does mean sex." Maura answered straightforwardly.

"So you have never really had sex with someone in your class or who was under eighteen?"

"I'm not a child molester Jane!" Dark memories blossomed in the back of Maura's mind.

"Okay." Jane took a deep breath. "Okay, Maura, okay."

"What is okay Jane?"

Jane hugged Maura to her.

"Maura I accept your word."

"Does that mean we are still together?" Maura asked on bated breath. "I need you Jane, I would be broken if you were to stop caring about me."

"Care? Maura I love you." Jane stated with a smile.

Jane brought Maura closer and held her tightly. She could no more stop herself from falling for this woman than she could stop her beating heart.

The timer rung and they separated and took care of dinner. Sitting at the table was nice. They didn't talk much, but quietly enjoyed the delicious food.

After cleaning up the dishes and kitchen, they sat on the couch, holding one another.

They were both nodding off no matter how much they fought sleep.

"Jane, would you stay with me, in my bed, tonight?"

"Maura, I would, but I am so beat…"

"Just to sleep Jane; I want to feel your arms around me. You make me feel safe."

After securing the downstairs and making sure Bass had water and munchies, they headed up stairs for a well deserved night of rest.

Jane showered and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt she had left over at Maura's after one of the many outings they shared together.

She slipped into bed and rolled to the center and waited as Maura scooted over and wrapped herself around the detective. Jane turned off the bedside lamp after she flipped the comforter over them. It wasn't long after a brief goodnight kiss that both women were sleeping.

The next morning Maura was woken by a grunting Jane and someone calling her by her formal name. When she opened her eyes she finally saw what was going on. Jane had her mother's footman held tightly against the wall by his neck.

"Lady Isles, please call off your ruffian!" Edgar pleaded.

"What are you doing here Edgar!?"

"Please, my Lady…"

"Jane, let go of him, please." Maura politely asked.

Jane eased off on her hold, but didn't set him free.

"Why are you here, in my home, Edgar?"

Jane banged him against the wall, "Answer the woman!"

"Lady Maura, you are summoned home."

Maura could not believe it. After so many years of ducking her parents, she now had to return home at their behest. It was too frightening.

Jane turned to Maura after releasing the older man who adjusted his tie with a tad too much of self importance.

Jane sat down on the bed and took Maura's hand, "What's going on Maur?"

"I have to go home Jane."

"What, just like that?"

"You, ruffian, would, or should I say could not understand…"

"Shut it Edgar. Jane is my friend!"

"Of course, please do dress and make haste. The plane is waiting." With that Edgar left the bedroom with as much dignity as possible.

Maura knew she was out of time; she had to do it now before she went back to her nightmare.

"Jane, I love you, Jane. Thank you for our time." Maura said with a note of finality.

She kissed Jane and headed for the shower. As the steamy mist surrounded her body, Maura felt a draft and then warm hands gathered her. She turned and broke down in Jane's wet embrace. There was no lust, just a desire to feel one another. All too soon the water started to cool. They left their embrace and shut off the shower.

They toweled off and Jane put on sweats and a sweatshirt, while Maura's attire was resplendent. Jane had never seen Maura dress so upper class chic.

"Maur this is it? No luggage?"

Maura looked pained at the thought of going home and all the ramifications that brought on its own.

"No, no luggage. I'm sure mother has everything I will need already purchased and hung in my room at the estate."

Jane carefully took Maura in a hug and gently kissed her.

"I love you to, Maur."

"Jane, please, would you care for Bass. You could even stay here with him. You and Jo Friday; it would mean so much to me."

"Consider it done."

Maura smiled and took a set of key and codes from just inside the door to the walk in closet.

"You'll need these."

Jane took the keys and they hugged once more.

"Will I be able to call you Maur?"

Maura thought it would be best to say no, but Jane looked so hopeful.

"I'll be in touch in a few days, after I am settled." That was the best she could do.

Maura then turned and walk out and down the stairs where Edgar was waiting.

After dropping her cell phone in her clutch and donning her light rain coat, with the un-needed help of her mother's man, she looked at Jane once more and then left with Edgar closing the door carefully behind them.

Jane rushed to the window just in time to see the limo pull away. She only realized then she had been crying.

In the car Maura stayed quiet. She tried not to dwell on her nightmarish times she experienced as a child, but they kept coming. Only when she thought of Jane did the return to the dark recesses of her mind.

She was an adult now.

Maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.

Time would only tell.