Hey guys…I know some of you out there wanted Maura to hold on to her anger for a while longer and I presume there will be some out there who will want Jane to as well but I am ready for these two ladies to move on. I'd like to save the fireworks for a later time…perhaps the bedroom…? Anyways, I hope this chapter moves us forward…of course there are still some people out there that are intent on making things difficult but at least they will face it together. Also…I was wondering if anyone out there would be interested in being a Beta reader for some original stuff I will be starting in the next month or so…just PM me if you are interested. Again…thanks for reading and reviewing…I love hearing everyone's thoughts and opinions. So without further ado…enjoy.
See it Through
Chapter 14
It had been a long weekend after Jane and Maura had parted ways. Their separation had finally come to an end after almost three days with an arrest that Jane was confident would end in a conviction. Even though both her and Maura had spent most of the last three days at the station, their paths had rarely crossed. On the rare occasion that they did see each other, Jane was surprised at how much she had missed Maura and how much she dreaded the moment that they would have to part again. There was one thing that had bothered her and it was that Maura sometimes seemed distracted and even at times distant, but Jane just chalked it up to the stress of the case.
As she sat at her desk with her mind wandering over past and present moments, she realized how much she wanted Maura's presence back in her life every day. Dropping her head down into her open hands, she closed her eyes and imagined those things she never dared to before and a small smile creased her lips as a life she never thought she'd be able to have flickered behind her closed eyes. An image of waking up beside Maura, tangled up in each other's arms as the sun streamed in through their bedroom window, in their home as they lay in their bed came to her mind. When the day dream progressed to the sound of little feet running down the hall and the melody of playful giggles, Jane suddenly looked up with surprise written all over her face. Kids…she was thinking about the day she would wake up to a small body wiggling its way between her and Maura seeking hugs, kisses, and early morning tickles. The realization hit her hard because up until that moment, she had never thought about having kids before and all of a sudden it was all she could think about. The picture of a little girl or boy with hair as dark as her own and eyes as green as Maura's popped into her head causing her to take a sharp intake of breath.
"Hey…you alright?" Frost asked, concern filling his dark eyes as he watched Jane over his desk.
"Um…yeah…" Jane stammered over her words because she was anything but okay. "Just tired I guess…" She said in an attempt to cover up the slight tremor in her voice. Blinking a few times, the images of the life she could have, the life she wanted to have with Maura flickered then disappeared as she focused her attention on Frost.
"Me toooooo…" He drew the last word out on a long sigh. "I've just got this last bit of paper work to finish and then I'm gonna go home and crash…" His arms stretched out over his head as he yawned. "Did your mom get moved into Maura's place okay?"
"Yeah, thanks to Frankie, Carly, and Ryan…thank goodness the place was already furnished and all they to do was get her personal stuff moved in." Jane couldn't stifle her own yawn. "She got all settled in yesterday…spent her first official night there. Of course Maura and I were here…so she was alone but hopefully not for long."
"I felt really bad we weren't able to help…but I guess we didn't have much choice in the matter." Frost shuffled some papers around his desk as he looked for his pen.
"No worries…there really wasn't much to it…just a few boxes of…well…" Jane swallowed hard as she realized her mother wasn't left with much more than a few boxes of memories. "We did miss dinner though…" She managed to say nonchalantly.
"Oh please tell me it wasn't her ravioli lasagna…" Frost looked up to find Jane giving him an apologetic smile. "Damn…I love that stuff."
"Me too." Jane couldn't help but laugh at the way that Frost was frowning at the thought that he had missed his favorite Rizzoli meal.
"Umm…things seem to have gotten better between you and Maura since you got back…" He glanced up from what he was writing to gage her reaction to the question.
"Well, I guess they are." Jane set her pen down and looked over at him. The question didn't anger her at all, in fact she was glad her had asked because she really wanted to talk to somebody about it.
"Meaning…?" He set his pen down as well giving her his full attention.
"Meaning…we're gonna give it a go…see what happens." Jane couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face as she spoke. "I think we may have a real chance…a second chance at something great."
"Yeah?" Frost raised his eyebrows in surprise. "That's really good news Jane. I'm glad to see you guys worked things out…" He couldn't stop himself from looking away as questions started to flow through is mind, questions he wouldn't dare ask yet.
"We still have a long way to go…" She had noticed his expression change. "What is it? Why do you look like you want to ask me a question but are afraid too?"
"No…it's just…well…I guess I'm just surprised at how quickly you guys got over everything." He coughed nervously. "You really hurt her…"
"Tell me something I don't know…" Her voice lowered to that pitch she reserved for interrogating suspects. "I said we were working it through…I had a lot of explaining to do Frost…things that only Maura and I know…will ever know. While I can't tell you why I did it…Maura knows and understands, that's all that matters to me."
"I get it…really I do. I just hope that whatever spooked you all those years ago doesn't rear its ugly head again and cause you to bolt…that's all I'm sayin'" He leveled his gaze at her, not flinching as she did her best to stare him down.
"If I do, I give you permission to shot me." Even though her tone was light, her expression was deadly serious. "I won't ever walk away from her again..." The conviction in her voice was heavy and all Frost could do was nod in understanding.
"Then I wish you the best of luck Jane. Like Frankie said…she's good for you." He gave her a small smile as he picked up his pen again. "Now…I'm gonna finish up this work so I can get the hell outta here. I suggest you do the same."
"Already on it…" Jane too turned her attention back to her paperwork just before her phone buzzed next to her. She picked it up and smiled at the message that lit up when she pushed the button. It was an invitation from Maura to have dinner at her place after they finished up their work.
"By the looks of that goofy grin, I'd wager to say that you just got a message from Maura." Frost didn't look up.
"Am I that transparent?" Jane asked as she typed her reply of 'yes' back.
Frost looked up from what he was doing and didn't say anything at first as he quietly studied her. When he was satisfied he had seen what he was looking for, he answered. "Absolutely…"
"Well…then so be it." Jane shrugged her shoulders as she turned back to the work on her desk. The need to finish had reached an urgency she wasn't used to experiencing and as she flipped through the last few pages, her heart lightened with the knowledge it wouldn't be long before she would be with Maura again. She also knew that there were things they needed to talk about, or rather things that Maura needed to tell he. Things that had Maura worried. Even though uncertainty hung over her, the one thing she knew for certain was that no matter what Maura told her, she would not run…at least she hoped she wouldn't.
Maura was finally home after a long weekend of work. She had taken two days to do the autopsy to be sure that Jane and guys had the right person when they made their arrest and now it was over. When she left the station, she had been so tired that she hadn't changed out of her black scrubs but her fatigue was easing at the prospect of seeing Jane again.
As she made her way to her bedroom to change, her mind began to wander to what she would say to Jane…where she would start. She knew it was time to tell Jane everything, the only thing that mattered now was that they get a fresh start with no secrets or omissions of information. It was still easy for her to keep things from Jane because she wasn't lying about anything, she just wasn't telling her everything. The thing that worried her the most was whether Jane would see her relationships with Angela, Carly, and Ryan as a betrayal…she couldn't even fathom what Jane would think about her interference with the hospital and rehabilitation after Hoyt. There was one thing that Maura had kept from everyone and that was the fact that she had assisted on the surgery that had closed up the wounds on Jane's chest and stomach. She had made sure that the doctors had used a new revolutionary form of stitching that would leave little to no scare tissue. The small plastic sutures closed like a zipper over the wound allowing it to heal without having to pierce the skin with needle and thread. Jane had been one of the first patients in Boston to receive them. Maura shivered at the memory of all of the cuts along Jane's chest and stomach. She couldn't help but wonder how they had healed and the temptation to ask Jane the other night had almost caused her to slip so she was glad she was finally going to tell Jane.
Pulling her black shirt over her head, she tossed it across the room towards her hamper and it was closely followed by her pants. She needed a nice hot shower to wash the day…no, the last few days away. Her muscles were tight with tension and she hoped that a steady stream of hot water would help to loosen them. Unfortunately, she knew there was only one thing that would truly cause the tension to leave her body and that was talking to Jane.
It didn't take long before Maura found herself standing in her kitchen dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt staring out her kitchen window at the bungalow Angela had just moved into. She's been home for at least an hour and had yet to see or speak to her new tenant. She contemplated going over so that there would be no chance of Angela interrupting her and Jane later. The longer she stared, the more she thought it would be a good idea, so she put her glass down and headed out the door.
Knocking softly on the door, she waited patiently for Angela to answer and wasn't at all surprised when the door flew open and she found herself pulled into a hug.
"Maura honey…you're finally home." Angela beamed. "Does that mean that Janie is home too? She hasn't been answering my phone calls."
"I think we left at about the same time. She probably went back to her place to get cleaned up…being at that station for a few days can leave its mark on you." Maura said as she pulled herself free from Angela's hug. "She's coming over for dinner anyways…I'll let her know you wanted to talk to her."
"Dinner huh? Things going okay with you guys?" Angela pulled Maura into the small cottage.
"Yes…so far, but I think I'm going to have to tell her everything Angela…I just can't keep it from her, not when she's been so honest with me." Maura allowed herself to be led to the couch where she sat and looked up at Angela who had a grim expression on her face.
"Everything?" Angela asked as she sat across from Maura.
"Yes…everything." Maura sighed. "We need to start clean…no secrets…not anymore."
"Okay…I understand, but we both know how hot headed Jane can be. She may explode, but give her some time to process…she'll come around." Angela tried to reason.
"I do know how she is…that's what has me worried." Maura gave Angela a sad look.
"Hey…" Angela reached out and took Maura's hands in her own. "I know how my daughter is…but I also know that she loves you very much Maura. Things won't be easy…not today…not tomorrow…maybe not ever but if you face it together…you'll be okay."
"You really think so?" Maura took a shaky breath.
"I do…" Angela gave the hand's in hers a light squeeze before leaning over to give Maura a kiss on the forehead. "So, what do plan on making for dinner?" She asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Um…I was just going to order some take out…" Maura shrugged her shoulders. She hadn't really thought about cooking.
"Oh…no, no…that won't do. I'll whip up something and put it in the oven over there for you. All you have to do is listen for the timer. I've got some stuff to make a nice salad too…" Angela jumped up, excitement filling her voice.
"Well, I can help you…if you'd like the company…" Maura stood up as well.
"I'd love it." Angela grabbed Maura's hand and pulled her towards the kitchen. In that moment she realized that she had made the right decision to accept Maura's offer to let her live there because she knew she would never feel alone again.
"Hey beautiful…" Jane said when Maura opened the front door. The smile that greeted her was genuine and full of something that Jane never thought she would see again…love.
The sight of Jane casually leaning against her door frame, blue jeans hanging low on her hips and a hoodie sweat shirt brought a smile to Maura's face but the flowers that Jane held in her hands brought the light to Maura's eyes. Jane looked relaxed and comfortable for the first time in days. And the use of an old endearment sent butterflies fluttering throughout her stomach as she was greeted with that devastatingly dimpled smile.
"I see we both decided to dress down tonight…" Jane nodded at Maura's choice of sweat pants and t-shirt. "Um…here…these are for you." She suddenly thrust the small bouquet of wildflowers into Maura's hands feeling slightly foolish by the romantic gesture.
"Thank you Jane…they are really beautiful…" Maura said taking the flowers before smelling them. She smiled even though she could sense the unease coming from Jane. "Come on in…I'll just put them in a vase."
"Something smells good. Don't tell me you cooked?" Jane followed Maura into the kitchen, hands thrust deep into her pockets.
"Well, actually no…I didn't cook…at least not entirely. I had help from Angela…" Maura said over her shoulder as she pulled a vase from the cabinet below her sink.
"Really? She's already made herself at home…" Jane said with a slight smirk on her face.
"She was just trying to be help. I made her promise to give us some privacy…" Maura dropped the flowers down into the glass vessel before filling it up with water.
"Privacy huh? What'd you have to do…promise her our first born…" Jane said before she could stop herself. Fear gripped at her stomach when she realized what she had said.
Maura took a deep breath and turned around. The look of abject terror on Jane's face indicated that she hadn't meant to say what she had out loud and Maura choose not to respond, giving Jane a reprieve. "She made some chicken parmigiana…it's got about another thirty minutes in the oven. I made a nice salad to go with it."
The fact that Maura hadn't acknowledged what she had let slip indicated to Jane how well Maura knew her. She was grateful that Maura had let it go, but deep down she had meant it. Shoving her hands down deeper into her pockets, she nodded as Maura recited the menu for the evening.
"Um…should we do this now…or after dinner?" Maura leaned against the counter and leveled her gaze at Jane.
"What?" Jane asked, her voice filled with confusion. She had no idea what Maura was asking because her mind had wandered to thoughts of how good Maura looked in sweat pants and t-shirts.
"Talk Jane…should we talk now or after dinner…?" Maura couldn't hide the small smirk as she watched Jane's eyes widen with realization. She too had been having thoughts about how good Jane looked and how much she just wanted to get past all of this nervous energy that surrounded them both.
"Well you said that dinner would be ready in thirty…now probably twenty-five minutes. Is what you have to say to me going to take longer than that?" Jane inquired.
"Probably…" Maura bit down on her bottom lip as she tried to decide what to do.
"Look, let's just relax before dinner and then you can start while we eat." Jane tried to come up with a compromise.
"Okay…I suppose that works." Maura sighed. She had wanted to get it over as soon as possible but Jane was right, why get caught up in it and then have to stop to get dinner ready. "Would you like some wine?"
"Yeah, sure…whatever you got." Jane leaned against the counter opposite Maura and watched her intently. She could tell that Maura was anxious to get things out in the open, but for some reason she wasn't so sure she was ready to hear what Maura had to say. It wasn't because she thought that she would be angry by what was revealed, it was because deep down she knew that it was going to hurt.
They watched each other in silence before Maura turned around to open the cabinet that held her wine glasses. She stood on her toes and strained to reach the glasses on the top shelf all the while feeling Jane's eyes on her. "Um…do you think you could help?" Her voice was slightly breathless as she continued to reach.
Jane pushed away from the counter and took three long strides until she was standing directly behind Maura who didn't make an effort to move away.
"Those on the top?" Maura pointed up and got a nod in response.
Leaning forward, Jane reached for the glasses, very much aware that her front was pressing firmly into Maura's back. A jolt of electricity shot through her body from her head to her toes, a familiar yet long forgotten feeling. When she brought both glasses down to hand to Maura, their fingers touched and their eyes locked in a moment of smoldering heat but it was quickly replaced by a shy smile as Maura took the glasses and set them down. The move broke their contact, both physical and emotional for the time being.
"Thank you…" Maura placed her hands on the counter for fear that she would give in to her need to touch Jane if she didn't.
Tilting her head to the side, Jane looked down into depths of hazel/green for a second too long before suddenly pulling away. It amazed her that one look into those eyes could render her speechless, in fact she was having a difficult time coming up with the words 'you're welcome' but after a second of internal struggle, she managed to squeak them out. The feelings of uncertainty laced with just a little bit of fear were making her feel unbalanced so she took a step back to put some distance between them. She watched as Maura poured red wine into the glasses and she suddenly let out a heavy sigh.
"I think that maybe I should stock the fridge with your favorite beer…seeing as wine isn't exactly your go to choice." Maura glanced over at Jane with a small smile on her face. She could still feel the imprint of Jane's body against her own and it was playing havoc with her mind.
"I guess that would be nice…but the wine is fine too." Jane said when Maura turned around to hand her the glass. Reaching out, she carefully took the glass from Maura without touching her this time. She moved back over to the counter to lean against it because after what had just transpired between them, it was about the only thing keeping her up on her feet.
For some reason, Maura couldn't meet Jane's eyes as she watched the red liquid swirl around in her glass. The tension between them was palpable and it reminded her of the days when they couldn't get enough of each other. She wondered it maybe it could be that way again. If the pull she was feeling at the moment was any indication, then she had her answer.
Jane silently watched the way that Maura was studying her wine and knew that she was trying to work something out in her brain, something big. Taking a chance, she broke the silence and cleared her throat before speaking. "What are you thinking about?"
"Oh…" Maura looked up surprised by Jane's question. The dark eyes that looked back at her held a multitude of questions. "Well…" She paused as she tried to put her thoughts into words.
"Were you thinking about us?" Jane pushed.
"Well, yes…I was just thinking that even though so much has happened, there is still something that I can't explain…a draw that I can't resist when it comes to you." Maura took a sip of wine.
"I know…I feel it too." Jane crossed her arms as she watched Maura sip at her wine.
"It's like…even after all of this time…after all of the hurt…" Maura held up her hand to stop Jane from interrupting. "I still want all of those things I wanted then." She sighed as she crossed her arms too, emulating Jane's posture. "There was a lot of hurt…it took some time to get over Jane…I won't lie, but in light of recent revelations…" Her words halted briefly as she swallowed another sip of wine.
"We've come a long way Maura…I just hope we can continue to do it together. I want all of those things we talked about in high school…" Jane's dark eyes turned intense. "Everything…"
"I do too." Maura didn't look away from the intensity of Jane's stare.
Before either one of them could say anything else, the timer on the oven went off letting them know that dinner was ready. Maura moved over to the stove to turn it off, bending down to see if the chicken looked as Angela had described. Melted cheese bubbled around the edges, brown and gooey indicating that it was time to take it out.
"It looks perfect…" Jane said over Maura's shoulder.
Maura jumped when she realized that Jane had moved to stand behind her without realizing it.
"Here…let me get this while you set the table." Jane gave Maura a gentle push towards the dining room. She could sense that Maura was nervous and anxious so she decided that maybe a few minutes alone would help.
"Yeah…okay…I'll grab the salad and bread." Maura moved away from the stove towards the refrigerator. It didn't take but a moment before she found herself setting the table for their dinner…a dinner she hoped wouldn't be their last together.
"So…you ready to get started?" Jane said as she took a bite of her food. There was no use in prolonging the inevitable so she though there was no time like the present.
"I suppose…" Maura set her fork down as the light in her eyes darkened.
"Look…Maura…no matter what you tell me…" Jane tried to reassure. "It won't change what I feel for you…I promise."
"Please…don't make promises you can't keep." Maura sighed sadly as she gathered her thoughts and tried to decide where to start.
"I am telling you right here and now…I promise I won't run away." Jane reached across the table to take Maura's hand. "Now please…tell me so we can move past this."
"Okay…I guess I should start with Angela…" Maura said absently as she looked away from Jane.
"My Ma…what about her…?" Jane's hand twitched slightly but didn't relinquish its hold on Maura's hand.
"When you broke up with me…all those years ago…" Maura hesitated as she struggled to get the words out. "I kept in touch with Angela…we saw each other on a regular basis…talked to each other on the phone…through letters when I was in Africa…" She rambled on.
"Hey…stop…" Jane held her other hand up to slow Maura's ramblings down. "What you're trying to tell me is that you and my Ma continued to talk to each other after we stopped seeing each other?"
"Yes…but it wasn't only Angela that I kept in contact with…" Maura started to say but was interrupted when Jane spoke.
"Carly and Ryan…" Jane let out a sigh. "How could I have missed that…?" She shook her head.
"We never talked about you Jane…I never pried into the life you had away from me. I just want you to know it wasn't about that." Maura tried to explain.
"So all these years…I've been feeling guilty for leaving you, thinking you had no one to turn to…and you turned to my family for the support you didn't get from me. I isolated myself from everyone…pushed people away in an effort to cope with my pain…and you were the one they comforted. I guess it serves me right. No wonder I felt so alone…" Jane let go of Maura's hand and pushed her hair away from her face in that nervous way she had.
"I'm sorry Jane…" Maura let out a long heavy sigh. "I guess I should tell you that I'm partnered with Carly in her bakery as well…"
"Of course you are…" Jane shrugged her shoulders as if the news was obvious. "Who else would have the money to back her…" She ran her fingers through her hair again. "Jesus…I'm such an idiot."
"No, Jane…please." Maura reached over to take Jane's hand in her own. "Please don't say that."
"I'm not gonna lie to you Maura…hearing this…it hurts. I feel like such a dumbass…" Jane looked away from Maura's sad expression. "There's more isn't there?" She looked back to find the same sad look on Maura's face. "I didn't just dream that you were at the hospital after Hoyt, did I?"
The pain in Jane's eyes took Maura's breath away. She nodded but didn't say anything as she let Jane process what she had already told her. Without thinking, she reached across the table to touch the scar above Jane's left eyebrow. It was the same scar that Jane had gotten on the football field when she had ended up in the hospital and the memory rushed over Maura like a wave causing her to close her eyes. "I remember when you got this…" She allowed her finger to trace the thick line that ran about a half an inch before disappearing into Jane's dark eyebrow. "I was so worried…your mother and I…we formed a sort of bond that night. I can't explain it…the love we had for you was something we had in common. It just carried over after we…" Her voice cracked slightly under the emotions she was trying to contain.
The feeling of Maura's fingers tracing over the scar on her forehead brought a torrent of feelings Jane wasn't used to dealing with. Since Maura had arrived back in her life, she had been dealing with emotions she hadn't felt in years. It was just the way it was between them. Maura awoke a part of Jane that had stayed dormant for years, a part that only Maura could stir. Reaching up, she took Maura's hand in her own and brought it down to place a quick kiss on the back. "You know everything…don't you?" Jane held Maura's hand tightly in her own.
Maura didn't answer with words, she just lowered their hands to the place where the most prominent scar was located on Jane's chest. "I've often wondered how they healed up…" Her eyes dropped to where their hands were now resting in the space between Jane's breasts. "I was there when they sutured you up. I made sure they used the newest methods…that being the Zip Surgical closure application. With this type of application, the Zip attaches to the skin alongside the incision using a tenacious hydrocolloid adhesive." She couldn't stop herself from running her finger down the line she imagined was just under Jane's sweat shirt. "It also utilizes an adjustable "zip-tie" strap for wound tensioning and the doctor essentially twists the small plastic rods to close the wound without stitches or staples. It has the potential to distribute closing forces more evenly along the incision compared to staples and traditional sutures. Studies found that the wound closure using this method to be more uniform without being too tight which, reduces potential harm to the skin and results in less scaring. It is really quite amazing…" Her voice faltered slightly when Jane grabbed her hand again to hold it.
"No Maur…you're amazing." Jane's voice was barely above a whisper. "All those times I floated in and out of conscious I thought that I was dreaming when I saw you…but I guess I wasn't. And I suppose you had something to do with these…" She held up her other hand with the back facing Maura showing her most prominent scar.
"I made sure you had the best physical therapist…" Maura sighed as she looked away from Jane's questioning eyes. "I knew how much your job meant to you…I didn't want that taken away."
"I think…" Jane took a deep breath before finishing. "I think I need to go home…"
"Okay…I understand." Maura pulled her hand from Jane's and leaned back in her chair to put some distance between them. For some reason she hadn't expected anything less.
"It's not for the reasons you think." Jane leaned forward. "It hurts to know that all these years you've been on the fringe of my life…so close, yet so far away but I'm not angry at you…not really." She shook her head as she tried to process what she was feeling. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that all this time I thought you were alone but what I realize now is that it was me that was alone."
"You're not angry?" Maura seemed surprised.
"Maura…when I was in the hospital after Hoyt…it was the thought of you that kept me going. No…wait…" Jane looked down at their hands before threading her fingers with Maura's. "The last thing I remember before waking up in the hospital was thinking of you…it was the thought that I was going to find you again…Hoyt or Paddy be damned, that's what kept me from giving up. I refused to let myself die on that dirt floor when you were out there somewhere."
"I had no idea…" Maura's voice was barely a whisper.
"When I opened my eyes and saw you looking over me, wearing your blue scrubs…I just thought I was imagining it but it's the image that kept me going…kept me pushing until I could walk out of that hospital the same person I was before everything was almost taken away from me. I won't let that happen again…I won't give you up. Not now, not ever." Jane gave the hand in hers a reassuring squeeze.
"Then why leave?" Maura couldn't stop herself from asking.
"Because I need some time to think about the things you've told me. I may not be mad, but I am still hurt…do you understand?" Jane implored.
"I suppose…maybe." Maura sighed as she let her fingers slip from Janes hold.
"Also, you don't know how hard it's been for me not to try to kiss you…to touch you like I used to just to see if the memory of your body is the way I remember it…" Jane let out a sigh as she stood up from the table.
"I think I have an idea." Maura didn't stand.
"Then you also know it isn't the right time yet…we've both bared our hearts…there are no more secrets between us…" Jane tilted her head to regard Maura for a moment before continuing. "Right?"
"No…no more secrets." Maura gave Jane a small smile.
"Good…" Jane clapped her hands together before shoving them into her pockets. "I'm sorry to leave this mess for you to clean up…but I'm afraid that if I don't leave now…I won't leave at all."
"Would that be so bad?" Maura asked.
"We both know the answer to that…" Jane tried not to smirk. Her body was more than ready to move on, but her heart and mind needed some time to catch up. Even though she knew without a doubt that she loved Maura and wanted to spend the rest of her life with her, she wasn't ready to rush into a physical relationship while they were still getting to know each other again.
"Yes…we do." Maura nodded. "So I suggest you get out of here before I ask you to stay…"
Jane moved around the table before pulling Maura to her feet and into her arms. "If you did I'd say yes…so I'm gonna go now." She bent her head down so she could kiss Maura on the forehead. "But I promise…the next time you think about asking…ask, because the answer will be yes."
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Maura allowed herself to be wrapped in Jane's strong arms.
"I don't know. Korsak gave Frost and me the day off and I'm supposed to have lunch with Carly…" Jane gave a shrug. "But I'll call you…"
"Okay…" Maura laid her head against Jane's shoulder taking comfort in the fact that Jane was holding her and hadn't gone running from the house earlier. "I'll hold you to that."
Giving Maura one last squeeze before letting go, Jane smiled down. "I'll talk to you tomorrow…" She used two of her fingers under Maura's chin to tilt her head back so she could place a quick kiss on the lips she had been dying to feel against her own all night and then she pried herself away from Maura and left.
Maura stood and watched Jane leave and even though she was disappointed, she had a lighthearted feeling flowing through her. Jane hadn't been angered by what she had disclosed; in fact, she had taken the news rather well in Maura's opinion. Maybe they did have a chance after all.
As Jane slipped out the front door she ran right into her mother, knocking the box she was carrying out of her hand. "Oh shit…sorry Ma…"
"Janie…why are you leaving so early?" Angela asked as she bent down to pick up the box and its spilled contents.
"Um…I suppose you already know the answer to that." Jane took the box as Angela lifted it.
"Come over…we can talk…" Angela gave Jane a gentle push towards her small cottage.
"I don't know Ma…I kinda want to be alone right now." Jane resisted Angela's gentle prodding.
"No…we have some things to talk about…come on." Angela wasn't going to take no for an answer and Jane knew it.
"Alright…alright…" Jane sighed and rolled her eyes as she allowed Angela to push her towards the small cottage in the back all the while thinking that the longer she stayed, the less of a chance she had of leaving and for some reason it didn't bother her like she thought it should. In fact, she was beginning to rethink her idea of staying away from Maura. Perhaps it was time to give up the restrain, give in to what they both wanted because she knew in her heart that no matter what, she was going to see this thing with Maura through to the end…she had to for both of their sakes.