*Sorry this is a day late, editing took a bit longer than I expected. Thanks to everyone who has been reading this…I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 3: Kind of nice
The week went by quickly, too quickly for Maura. Saturday afternoon found her sitting alone in the den, legs tucked under her, comfortably reading. It was her weekend ritual, something she looked forward to every weekend that is until today.
With a heavy sigh, she leaned back into the soft leather couch she was sitting on. It was her favorite spot to curl up and read. She closed her eyes and thought back over her week with Jane. They had spent every day after school together, almost always ending up at the small pizza place where Frankie worked. Her thoughts carried her back to one such day as she remembered insisting that Jane eat something green with their greasy pizza.
"Jane, I must insist that we have something green with our meal today." Maura tried to interject as Jane ordered their food.
"Really…? You're kidding right?" Jane looked over at Maura with a scowl on her face.
"No, I'm not kidding. Since we have been coming here, I think I have eaten more pizza in the last week than I have in my entire life. I think we should have a balanced meal for once."
"O-kay…" Jane got a mischievous glint in her dark eyes before turning back to a waiting Frankie. "Add some green olives…"
Frankie nodded as he turned around, trying to hide his smile.
"Jane, you know very well I meant something like a salad." Maura crossed her arms, glaring at Jane.
"I don't do salads Maura…" Jane mimicked Maura, glaring back.
"Yes, well… be that as it may, olives will do… for today. You know, there are many benefits to olives Jane…" Maura started to ramble.
"Uh oh…" Jane rolled her eyes. "Here we go…" Throwing her arms up, she leaned back in her seat to settle in for a long speech.
"Really Jane, must you be so dramatic? I was simply stating that green olives have many benefits such as eliminating excess cholesterol in the blood, playing an important role in maintaining the immune system and they contain oleic acid which helps to protect the heart. Oh and they contain vitamin E which is wonderful for your skin." Maura's voice was filled with excitement.
"I'm not going to rub the olives on my face Maura." Jane deadpanned.
"I do believe you are being audacious Jane."
"Are you using your big words to say that I am being a smart ass?" Jane leaned over the table. Leveling her gaze, she tried to look intimidating. It didn't work.
"You never cease to surprise me Jane. And yes, but I am not at all comfortable with that kind of language."
"What…smart ass?" Jane tilted her head to the side to study Maura for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. "I am though…ya gotta admit."
The laughter that erupted from both of them startled Frankie as he approached their table with their drink refills.
"Girls…" he sighed as he set their glasses down. Rolling his eyes, he left a snickering Jane and Maura behind to get back to work.
"You know Jane; olives are also prized for their aphrodisiac properties." Maura said as she watched Jane take a drink from her glass.
Jane choked on the liquid as it hit the back of her throat, coughing and sputtering while Maura smirked at her. There was a playful sparkle to the hazel eyes that watched her with a curiosity that had Jane turning bright red.
"Maura dear, you have a phone call…" Constance's voice drifted towards Maura, not quite reaching through her thoughts. "Maura…?" She tried again.
Blinking back the memory that had her smiling thoughtfully, Maura finally looked over her shoulder at her mother. Constance stood in the doorway holding a cordless phone in her hand. Holding the phone up, she nodded towards it as if to emphasize what she had said earlier.
"Phone…? For me…?" Her mouth dropped open in bewilderment.
"I do wish you would pay attention when I am talking to you dear." Constance set the phone down next to Maura. "And please, close your mouth…you look like a fish out of water."
Maura picked up the phone, nodding at her mother as she left the room. She held the phone in her hand for a moment as if she wasn't sure what to do with it. No one called her, ever. It felt heavy as she brought it to her ear to find out who was on the other end.
"Hello?" Maura shyly inquired.
"Hey Maur…whattca up too?" Jane answered.
"Oh, hi Jane." Maura smiled into the phone. She shivered at the low throaty sound of Jane's voice. She hadn't noticed how deep it was until now. "I was just reading."
"Trying to stay ahead of the curve by reading ahead?" Jane chuckled.
"Um, no…I was just rereading Jane Eyre."
"You mean you're reading that for fun?" Jane's voice raised an octave at her surprise.
"It's one of my favorite books Jane. I've read it many times." Maura said uncertainty in her voice.
"Yeah, um…okay. That's cool…" Jane said softening her voice as she realized Maura was feeling uncomfortable and it was her fault. "So what else do you do for fun?"
"Oh, I love the symphony and the ballet." Maura smiled into the phone. "I especially enjoy going to the museum, maybe you could come with me sometime."
"Not really my thing, but um…" Jane had detected the hopeful sound of Maura's voice and didn't want to disappoint her. "But yeah, maybe…"
"What about you Jane? What do you do for fun?"
"You mean besides pound on my brothers?" Jane joked. "I guess go to games, movies, maybe bowl a game or two…you know, just hang out."
"Sounds like fun." Maura's voice had a wistfulness to it that had Jane frowning on the other end of the phone. She couldn't help but wonder if Maura had done any of those things.
"Hey, if I hadn't promised Frankie and Tommy I'd go with them and my pop to the Red Sox game…" Her voice trailed off as she pondered what she was trying to say.
"Sounds like you have a nice day planned. Red Sox…are they some sort of football team?"
"Really Maur? The Red Sox are a baseball team…the baseball team…Boston's professional baseball team…my favorite team…" Jane sounded exasperated.
"I know baseball Jane. That's the game where a bunch of testosterone laden men run around in a circle after hitting a grapefruit sized ball with a stick…right?"
"Um…you're kidding me right?" Jane hesitated, waiting for Maura to answer. When she was met with only silence, she let out a huff of air that had Maura chuckling at the impatience she could hear on the other end of the phone. "First of all, it's a baseball diamond, not a circle. Secondly the ball is more the size of an orange…this isn't softball for crying out loud. And the ball is hit with a bat…not a stick." Jane's impatience was radiating through the receiver.
"It really is much too easy to rile you up over your love of sports Jane." Maura tried to reign in her teasing. "I do know all of those things about baseball, although I am not much of fan. I suppose that could be because I've never seen a game myself."
"You've never been to a game before?" Jane sounded shocked.
"Nope…I've never even seen one on television."
"Then I shall make it my life's mission to educate you on the finer points of professional baseball, concentrating on being a Red Sox fan of course." Determination laced Jane's words, causing Maura to try to hold back another bout of laughter.
"Of course…" Maura said through her growing smile.
"It's settled…I am going to take you to a game at Fenway Park…"
"I look forward to it." Maura said, meaning every word.
"I can't wait, we'll have Fenway Franks and pizza…I'll show you the Green Monster, Pesky's Pole, Duffy's cliff…" Jane rambled on and for the first time Maura felt what it must be like for Jane to listen to her go about stuff.
"If I must…"
"Yeah, um…" Jane paused, clearing her throat. "I'll check with my pop. He gets tickets all the time."
Maura couldn't help but notice the sudden change in Jane's mood, wondering if she had said something wrong.
"Hey, Maur…you don't have to sit through practice every day if sports aren't your thing." Jane's voice sounded small and far away to Maura's ears.
"Well, I rather enjoy spending time outside with autumn just around the corner." Maura wasn't sure what to say next, knowing she had to choose her words carefully. "I really like to watch you Jane. You're very good you know."
"Yeah, so I've been told." Jane didn't sound convinced.
"I may not know much about football, but what I do know is that you are the best player out on that field. Your athletic prowess, confidence, and natural leadership ability are just a few of the attributes that you lend to your team. Not to mention you wear that costume well…um I mean with pride." Maura tried to cover up her mistake quickly.
"It's a uniform and thanks." Jane sighed, not sure what to make of what Maura had let slip. "I like having you there. It's like I have my own cheering section.
"I will always be here to cheer for you Jane." The sincerity in Maura's voice caused Jane to falter slightly as she took a shaky breath.
"Maybe you to wear a cheerleader outfit sometime." Jane joked, not really realizing the proposition she had just laid out for Maura.
Maura thought for a moment, not quite sure what she should say. She knew Jane hadn't meant anything by what she had said, but for some reason Maura thought she might use this opportunity to test the waters where Jane was concerned. She wondered how far she could take it, or how far Jane would let her. With an evil grin, she decided to go for it.
"I suppose that could be arranged…as long as I get to be on top…"
Maura's words hit Jane like a punch to the stomach taking her breath away. Fear, excitement, and warmth spread through her like a wild fire.
"Of the pyramid that is…" Having heard Jane's sudden intake of breath, Maura decided she had made her point.
Before Jane could say anything, Frankie picked up the phone somewhere in the Rizzoli house interrupting the silence that had overtaken them both.
"Hey dork…pop said the train is leaving the station and if you don't get your butt in gear, you're gonna get left behind." He paused for moment. "Hey, who ya talkin' to anyway?"
"Hi Frankie…" Maura said, not sure what to say next, if anything at all.
"Hey Maura..." Maura could hear someone talking to Frankie in the distance. "Come on Janie…time to go…"
Silence again greeted them when Frankie slammed the phone down in his haste. For the first time since they had started talking on the phone, it was an uncomfortable silence and Maura started to regret her boldness thinking maybe she have scared Jane away.
"I guess I gotta go. I'll see you Monday Maura. Have a good rest of the weekend…kay?" All of Jane's usual bravado had been replaced with a quiet shyness. "Will you still come to practice?" Her voice wavered as if she were afraid of Maura's answer.
"Of course I'll be there." Maura said with conviction, knowing Jane needed to hear her confidence. "You have a good weekend too. I hope your Blue Sox win tonight."
"Red Sox Maur…" A much more comfortable Jane said and Maura could tell she was smiling. "Later alligator…"
Maura looked at the phone in her hand as the dial tone rang back at her, a big smile on her face.
"That is a mighty big smile on your face Maura…who were you talking to?" Constance asked, making her presence known.
"Oh…" The smile got bigger as Maura set the phone down. "That was my friend, Jane."
"That's nice dear…" Constance said with the nod of her head. "Glad to see you are finally making friends." With one finally assessment of her daughter, she left an almost giddy Maura alone to her thoughts.
Thursday found Maura sitting in the bleachers watching Jane take the field for practice, just as she had done every day since she had started tutoring Jane. They had been working hard every day after practice and Maura was surprised at how well Jane was doing. It was all really a matter of time management.
As Maura watched Jane on the field, she couldn't help but feel attracted to that brazen side of Jane she saw every afternoon. She was strong, confident, and self- assured, not to mention she looked pretty good in the uniform. Maura felt those all too familiar butterflies in her stomach every time she saw Jane pull back and launch the football across the field. Her heart skipped a beat when Jane would look for her in the bleachers and give her a small wave when she was supposed to be doing something else.
Stepping out of the pocket, Jane reached back to launch a bullet of a spiral down the field to her wide receiver, Steve. Making the connection gave Jane a surge of excitement as she watched the ball land in Steve's hands. With a fist pump she jogged off of the field, eye's casually scanning the bleachers for her personal cheer leading section. Her large smile was hidden by the face guard of her helmet, but Maura knew it was there. Jane waved, almost bashful in its delivery, not wanting anyone to notice who she was waving to. Knowing that Maura was there for her gave her a thrill she couldn't quite place, but she liked it none the less.
Maura wasn't really confused by her feelings for Jane, just surprised. Being attracted to Jane was a given for most people. It was hard not to be. Everything about Jane brought a torrent of emotions to Maura, feelings she had never felt before. Maura didn't let her emotions guide her actions, but for some reason whenever she was around Jane, it was hard to contain all that she was feeling. She tried to think of them in clinical terms which usually worked for her. She figured that she must be having these feelings because she was seeing two sides of Jane. There was the sweet, kind, sincere, protective friend off the field and then there was the Jane that was tougher and more masculine than most of the guys on the team. This was the Jane that made her blush and made her heart beat faster.
Taking one last glance at Maura out of the corner of her eye, Jane turned her concentration to the snap of the football. In the blink of an eye, she was laying on her back, gasping to catch her breath. A sharp pain shot through her right side as she struggled to breathe. She stared up at the cloudy sky; eyes watering as the pain subsided, wishing she hadn't dropped her focus. Jane hadn't seen the blitz coming and it came at her in the large, muscular form of Giovanni.
As Maura sat contemplating exactly what it was she was feeling, her thoughts were interrupted by shouting. Looking up, she saw that Jane was lying on her back, holding her side. Her first instinct was to rush to Jane's side, but she stopped when she saw that two players were in a shoving match next to Jane.
"What the hell Giovanni!"
"Come on Frankie, if she wants to play with the big boys, she's gonna haveta learn to take a hit like one."
"You're such an asshole man. This is practice. We don't hit like that." Frankie gave Giovanni a strong shove.
"Do your job as right tackle and she won't get hit like that." He shoved Frankie back.
"If I knew you were going to come at her like that I woulda flattened you."
"You wanna go at me kid?" Giovanni pulled off his helmet and threw it on the ground. "Take your best shot little man."
Frankie grabbed at his helmet, but before he could take it off, Jane stopped him.
"He's not worth it." She said pushing Frankie away from Giovanni.
"Yeah, listen to your sister Frankie. And you…" He said jabbing his index finger into Jane's shoulder pads. "Keep your eyes off of the cute blondes and concentrate on the game…although I don't blame you one bit." He nodded in Maura's direction.
Anger hit Jane like a tidal wave, pulling her under with a rush of feelings she couldn't control. It happened so fast, she didn't have time to think of the consequences or the reason why fury coursed through her like wild fire. All she knew was that she had to do something. With one last flex of her right hand, she moved with lightning speed catching Giovanni completely by surprise.
Maura saw Jane push Frankie away from a much taller Giovanni, trying to calm her younger brother. As the shouting continued, Maura noticed Jane stiffen at something Giovanni said, something she couldn't quite hear from where she stood. Transfixed by the scene that played out in front of her, she could tell that Jane was angry and was doing everything she could to contain it. Jane's hands slowly balled into fists as she looked up at Giovanni.
Maura's eyes widened with wonder as she watched Jane's right fist cut across Giovanni's chin, knocking him to his knees. Before he could get up, Coach Cross appeared between them.
"You…"he said pointing at Jane. "Hit the showers. And you," he said pointing at Giovanni who was still on the ground. "If you ever blindside my quarterback like that again during a practice, you'll be off the team."
Jane took off her helmet and threw it on the ground. She glared at Giovanni and he glared back. Frankie started to push Jane away, picking up her helmet as they went. Even though Frankie was shorter than Jane, he was more compact and muscular. It took all of his strength to keep Jane from pushing back into Giovanni who was still kneeling on the ground, dazed. He didn't know what Giovanni had said to his sister, but whatever it was had Jane spitting nails.
"What? Am I speaking Spanish or something? Go!" Coach Cross pointed at Jane then glared down at Giovanni. "You're damn lucky she used her right hand to hit you with Giovanni. You'd be waking up in the locker room missing a few teeth if she had used her throwing arm."
Maura, who had been holding her breath, let it out long and slow as she watched Jane march past her being pushed by Frankie. She could tell that Frankie was using everything he had to keep Jane from rushing back to finish Giovanni off. Noticing Jane had a scowl on her face; Maura wondered what had made her so angry in the first place. As she watched Jane reach for her side and wince in pain, Maura hoped that Jane would give her a sign she was okay. Before panic could set in, Jane looked over her shoulder and gave Maura a wink and a reassuring smile.
Waiting for Jane for what seemed like forever to a normally patient Maura. She couldn't relax until she knew Jane was okay. Having watched the dark haired girl being pushed off the field by her brother had Maura worried. The first game was tomorrow and she hoped that Jane would still be able to play. They had spent the better part of two weeks preparing for the anatomy test that was also tomorrow. Maura had no doubt that Jane would pass with flying colors and hoped that a cheap shot wouldn't be the cause of her not being able to play in her first game.
Her stomach finally unclenched when she saw Jane and Frankie walking towards her, laughing and gently shoving each other playfully.
"Jane, are you okay?" Maura jumped up off the bleachers, heart pounding in her ears. She wanted to hug Jane, but she stopped herself. Even though she wasn't the best at reading people, something in Jane's posture told her to stay back.
Jane looked confused. "Oh, that?" she nodded towards the field. "That was nothing. Might be a little sore tomorrow, but I'm fine." She said touching her right side.
"Are you sure? You may have fractured one of your middle ribs. Fractures usually occur from direct blows. Do you have any pain while breathing?"
"No Dr. Maura. I don't have any pain while breathing. He didn't hit me that hard. I think the worst part was getting the wind knocked out of me. Anyway, that's why I wear all that protective gear." Jane gave Maura a reassuring smile. "I think I hurt my hand more by hitting Giovanni. Thank goodness I used my right hand." She flexed the fingers of her right hand a few times.
Maura wanted to touch Jane's hand, but instead she put her own hands in her pockets. "Okay Jane."
Jane shifted her weight nervously and Frankie looked back and forth between the two of them. Jane nervously ran her hands through her hair.
"Just ask already." Frankie blurted out.
"Um," Jane shot Frankie her best annoyed glare. "Maura, I know the test is tomorrow, but I was kinda hoping that maybe we could do something fun before we got back to the studying." Jane stammered.
Frankie watched his nervous sister with curiosity. This was a side he hadn't seen and it amused him.
"It's just, um, after all that stuff earlier…I just got too much energy right now to study." Jane's eyes were pleading.
"What do you propose?" Maura asked, knowing full well that whatever it was Jane wanted to do, she was going to say yes. Jane had a way of getting Maura to say yes to pretty much anything. That was the effect that Jane had on her. She was however enjoying this nervous Jane in front of her as much as Frankie was.
"I propose…we go roller skating!" Jane smiled that huge, dimpled grin that made Maura melt.
"Roller-skating?" Maura exaggerated each word. "I don't know how to roller skate." She frowned.
"Frankie and I will teach you." Jane sounded excited.
"I'm not too sure about this." Maura began.
"Come on Maura." Frankie coaxed. "It'll be fun. And trust me; Jane needs to do something to blow off this steam before someone else gets hurt."
"Shut up Frankie" Jane gave him a jab to the arm, and then looked expectantly at Maura. "What do ya say?"
Maura took a deep breath and tried to smile. "Okay, but we study after."
Jane threw her arms around Maura's neck in an excited hug. Maura hadn't expected it, nor had she expected it to feel so good.
From the moment they stepped into the dark, dank skating rink, Maura felt out of place. The smell is what hit her first, causing her to scrunch up her nose.
"What is that smell?" She asked, holding her hand up to cover her nose.
"Oh, that would be the smell of sweaty feet…" Jane took a deep breath. "Yes…that all American smell of roller skates and feet."
"I am not sure I am going to like this Jane." Maura looked around, something akin to fear in her eyes.
"Look Maur…I know it's mostly a younger crowd around here…but it's a good way to blow off steam. I promise we'll have fun. Let yourself go…" Jane waved her hands in the air, spinning around as if to emphasize that she was willing to let herself go as well.
Maura watched Jane, a smile on her face. She was enthralled by Jane's enthusiasm and couldn't help but feel it as well.
"Okay Jane…I will let myself go."
"What size do you wear?"
"What size what?"
"Shoe Maur…what size shoe do you wear?"
"Oh…I wear a six and a half. Why?"
"Skates…I'm gonna go get our skates. You stay here, I'll be right back." Jane said as she headed over towards the counter.
When Jane returned, she was holding two pairs of brown, worn out skates in front of her.
"I know you don't expect me to put my feet into those…?" Maura asked surprise that Jane would even bring the skates near her, let alone want her to wear them.
"Well…if you wanta learn to skate, you haveta wear these." Jane said, dangling the skates in front of Maura's frowning face. "Here…let me help you…" She knelt down in front of a sitting Maura. "Take your shoes off and I'll help you lace these suckers."
"You're serious aren't you? You really want me to put those on?"
"As serious as a heart attack..." Jane chuckled. "Come on…we don't have all day." She said as she helped Maura out of her shoes and into the old skates.
Jane laced the skates up as tight as she could without cutting the circulation to Maura's legs. She smiled up at an unsure Maura before taking a seat next to her to put her skates on as well.
"If I get some kind of foot fungus…I will never forgive you." Maura sighed as she wiggled her toes around in the tight fitting skates.
"Come on Maur…live on the edge once in a while." Jane said as she finished off lacing her skates. "Here…take my hand." Jane stood, reaching down for Maura to help her up.
"Um…okay." Maura said, taking Jane's hand in hers and allowing Jane to pull her to her feet, her very wobbly feet. Feeling as if the floor was being pulled out from under her, she pitched forwards, and then backwards trying to regain the balance that slipped past her the instant she tried to stand. Throwing her hands out to brace herself, she smacked Jane in the side of the head before falling back, landing on her backside.
"Won't be the last time you land on your butt." Frankie glided up next to the two girls.
"Thanks a lot Frankie." Maura growled as she accepted Jane's hand again to help her to her feet.
"You'll get used to it Maura." Frankie grinned before taking off towards the big rink that Maura was dreading.
"You really think I can do that?" Maura pointed at the retreating figure of Frankie. "Oh and I'm sorry I hit you."
"No worries…you've got a good teacher...me." Jane said proudly as she reached down to help Maura up.
"No doubt you are the best…but I am not really very athletic Jane. Fencing and ballet…that is the extent of my athletic proficiency."
"Wow, again with the big words…athletic proficiency." Jane said with a raised eyebrow. "Come on…" She pulled Maura along with her until they reached the outer edge of the rink. "I'll be gentle…"
Maura tried to smile as she let Jane pull her along, feeling a mixture of dread and excitement.
"Here, take my hands…I'll lead you." Jane said. She could see the fear in Maura's eyes. "I promise I won't let go of you."
Maura looked at their out stretched hands wearily. "I'm really not sure about this." She wobbled on her skates.
"Come on Maur…. I won't let you fall." The honesty in Jane's dark eyes almost took Maura's breath away. "Here hold on to the wall while we get situated." Jane let go of Maura's hands, moving behind Maura so she could help guide her.
"Okay." Maura tentatively placed one foot out onto the smooth surface of the skating rink. She swayed and started to fall backwards, but then Jane put her arms around Maura's waist to steady her from behind. If being on roller skates wasn't unnerving enough, having Jane's arms around her almost toppled them both over.
Wrapping her arms around Maura's waist to prevent her from falling was the only thing going through Jane's mind until she felt Maura's body pressed against her. Being so close to each other sent a jolt of electricity through Jane and she wasn't sure if it was Maura or her that had almost caused them to fall. In an attempt to steady herself, she moved around Maura until she was facing her. She knew she had to place some distance between them so she pushed herself away, extending her arms slightly.
Having Jane's body pressed against her from behind, arms securely wrapped around her waist, gave Maura felt a sense of warmth and safety.
For a split second, Jane seemed to relax into their closeness. But just as quickly, she stiffened and pulled away from a slightly flustered and breathless Maura.
"Here, take my hands." Jane s voice was almost a whisper. Maura placed her hands in Jane's and Jane began skating backwards, slowly pulling Maura with her.
"What are you doing Jane? You're going to fall skating that way." Maura was slightly unsure. She was afraid for Jane, but thrilled to be holding her hands. She followed Jane's lead, lacing her fingers through the strong, yet soft hands in front of her.
"Nah, this is the way my dad taught me and this is how I taught Frankie and Tommy. Just keep your eyes on mine and you'll get used to it soon enough." Jane tried to smile at Maura, feeling her confidence diminish slightly. She was still feeling the effects of their proximity and the intimacy of Maura's touch.
Maura tried to look into the soft brown eyes, but she found it difficult, afraid that what she was feeling would somehow show on her face. Feeling Jane's strong hands holding hers was distracting enough, the thought of staring into Jane's eyes was just too much for Maura. Her nerves began to get the better of her.
"Did you know that roller skating is not only a form of recreation, but it is also a form of transportation." Maura slipped into her routine of spouting out facts. "The first recorded use of roller skates was in a London stage performance in 1743. No one knows who the inventor was though."
"Really Maur…are you that nervous?" Jane asked, feeling some of her confidence returning.
"No, I' m not nervous." Maura said too quickly.
"Look, I told you I wouldn't let you fall. Don't you trust me?" Jane gave Maura a pitiful look.
Maura sighed and tried to smile. "I know. I trust you." She said, thankful that Jane didn't know the real reason she was nervous. She watched Frankie wiz by at breakneck speed. He was waving his hands and swaying to the very loud music. Maura took this opportunity to change the subject. "He's pretty good." She nodded at him as he went by.
"Yeah, you think? I'm better." Jane smirked, pulling Maura along with her at a slow pace.
"I'm sure you are. You seem to be good at everything you do." Maura felt herself blushing as she said the words. Jane looked into Maura's wide hazel eyes, not sure what to say next. The silence between them was comfortable, so much so that Jane could have stared into Maura's eyes all night if she could have gotten away with it. Suddenly the lights went out and they were plunged into darkness, followed by myriad of lights spinning around them.
"What just happened?" Maura asked, tightening her grip on Jane's hands.
"Um, they do that when they play a slow song…you know for couples to skate to." Jane said as the sound of Foreigners "I want to know what love is" drifted towards them.
Maura looked around at the little white dots of light that covered every surface of the skating rink, including her and Jane. "Is this from a mirrored ball?" She looked up to see the spinning ball over their heads.
"You mean a disco ball?" Jane asked, marveling at the innocent delight Maura showed for the smallest of things.
"Yes, a disco ball or glitter ball. I can understand the glitter ball reference…" She looked around again as the lights danced around the room. "The reflecting light directed in so many different directions produces a complex display of sparkling lights. It's absolutely beautiful."
"Let me guess…you've never seen one before." Jane asked as she unconsciously pulled Maura closer in the dim light.
"No, never…I find it fascinating that the surface of the ball is covered with hundreds of tiny mirrors, all the same size and shape. It feels like we are surrounded by stars." Maura gushed, allowing Jane to pull her closer. So caught up in the small lights that seemed to touch every part of the room, she didn't feel nervous anymore.
Not realizing that she had pulled Maura closer, Jane found herself becoming lost in the words of the soft music that filtered through her thoughts. She began to quietly hum the melody as she felt Maura yield to her gentle pull. She couldn't help but grin at Maura's enthusiasm, it was contagious.
"What is this song?" Maura asked, pulling Jane from her reverie.
"Hum?" Jane asked, not really listening to Maura. She was still lost in the lyrics when a particular stanza hit her hard. "I'm gonna take a little time, a little time to look around me, I've got nowhere left to hide, It looks like love has finally found me…" Feeling her very straight world tilt slightly at her sudden realization, she began to feel a little weak in the knees.
"The song, the one you're humming. I like it…what's it called?"
"Oh, its Foreigner…I want to know what love is…" Jane said, shaking her head slightly. She was feeling foolish for having been caught daydreaming. All of a sudden she was very aware of Maura's hands in hers and how much she was enjoying having their fingers intertwined. Jane was thankful it was still pretty dark because she could feel her face growing hot with what she assumed would be a bright red blush.
Maura tilted her head as if it would help her to hear the words better. She smiled as she listened to the power ballad being played over the speakers. Even though the lights were still dimmed, Maura thought she saw a multitude of emotions pass over Jane's face. She decided she needed to listen carefully to the song that seemed to have a strong effect on Jane.
"Let's talk about love, I wanna know what love is, the love you feel inside, I want you to show me, and I'm feeling so much love, I wanna feel what love is, no you just cannot hide, I know you can show me…"
With a small smile on her lips, Maura listened as the song came to an end. She couldn't help but wonder if what she was feeling every time she was around Jane was love. She had no reference for the emotions she was experiencing and figured that Jane didn't either, but whatever it was she was feeling, it was kind of nice.
"You know, you really are adorable…" Jane said her voice barely a whisper. She decided to take advantage of the shadows that hid her face, allowing what she was feeling to show in her eyes knowing Maura wouldn't be able to see.
Maura thought she heard Jane say something, but couldn't quite make out what the words were. Giving Jane's hands a gentle squeeze, she found herself wishing she could see into Jane's eyes.
As if on cue, the lights switched on and Maura found herself looking into two very dark eyes full of something she hadn't seen before. She felt something new in the way that Jane's gaze followed her, something that gave her those butterflies in her stomach. Could it be desire she saw reflected back at her, the same desire she was feeling.
When the room was flooded with light, Jane couldn't help herself. She took one look into those hazel eyes full of something that both frightened and excited her. Holding Maura's gaze, she let her feelings finally come to the surface, if only for a brief moment.
Being on the receiving of the smoldering look Jane was giving her, Maura's nerves got the better of her. She began to stumble forward until she found herself falling into Jane's arms. They both fell, Jane on her back and Maura on top.
Their faces were merely inches apart as they stared at each other in shock. In fact, they were so close that Maura could feel Jane's warm breath on her cheek or perhaps it was the heat that seemed to be radiating off of Jane in waves. Maura couldn't help but shiver at the intensity of the moment.
Jane had her arms around Maura, holding her close against her, wanting to protect her.
"You okay?" Jane barley breathed feeling the slight shiver from Maura.
"Yeah…" Maura nodded, very aware of how it felt to have Jane's arms holding her close. It felt good.
"Jane, Maura…you guys alright?" Frankie rolled up next to them, breaking the spell.
Maura was thankful for the distraction that took her mind off of Jane's body, which was pressed against her own. She tried to read Jane's expression. She wasn't sure what Jane was thinking, but she knew that Jane was holding her closer and tighter than need be. Their lips were only inches apart and she saw Jane's lip part ever so slightly. She had a sudden urge to taste them, but pulled back to stop herself.
"Here, let me take Maura around a couple of times." Frankie said, helping Maura to her feet. She felt an unexplainable loss at having been taken from Jane's strong, shielding arms.
Jane blinked a few times, lying on her back as she watched Frankie pull Maura from her protective embrace. The immediate emptiness she felt almost overwhelmed her.
Maura watched Jane's dazed expression change to confusion and then embarrassment. With the quickness of a seasoned athlete, Jane was on her feet.
"Um, okay. I'll just go around a few times." Jane took off without looking at Maura hoping she could hide the blush she could feel creeping up her neck.
Maura was filled with disappointment by how quickly Jane had taken off. Her stomach dropped at the thought that maybe Jane was angry with her. Biting down on her bottom lip, she furrowed her brow as she worried about Jane's reaction.
"Don't worry Maura. I'll be more careful." Frankie smiled at her. It was obvious that he had mistaken the look on her face for fear.
"Thanks Frankie." She managed to give him a small smile. She could feel the sting of tears threaten at the confusion she was feeling by Jane's sudden departure.
Frankie was quiet for a minute then he looked up at Maura. "I'm glad you and Jane are friends." He gave her a nervous smile.
"Me too…" Maura said as she tried to find Jane in the crowd, hoping beyond hope that Jane still felt the same way.
"You know Jane doesn't have many friends." He said quickly as if he was sharing some guarded secret.
"Really?" Maura looked at him, raising an eyebrow in skepticism. "She seems pretty popular to me."
Maura had seen many people approach Jane at school. It seemed as if she was never alone.
"Those people aren't friends Maura. They mostly want something from her. The girls don't like her cuz she gets to hang out with the boys all the time and the boys are just plain afraid of her." He had a sad and serious look on his face.
"Look, I'm just glad she has you." Frankie looked embarrassed. "Since you two have been hanging out together, Jane has been a nicer person to be around." He gave Maura a crooked smile.
Maura didn't say anything for a minute. She searched the rink again until she found Jane skating at a harried speed, as if she were being chased by some invisible entity. Maura worried that it may be her Jane was trying to run from.
As Jane skated around the rink, speed was her friend. Her hair whipped past her shoulders and out of her face, cooling off her heated skin. She didn't look at Maura, couldn't look at her. She had seen too much in those amazing hazel eyes earlier and it scared her. One thing she did know was that she had hurt Maura by leaving so abruptly, but she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it. All she wanted to think about was how fast she could get away, but she knew in her heart she had to fix things.
Maura was surprised when Jane flew up alongside Frankie, out of breath and red in the face from exertion. She hadn't expected to see her return so soon.
"What say we park Maura over there by the wall and you race me around…loser buys pizza." Jane said, a twinkle in her eye that had Maura sighing in relief. Although Jane seemed slightly nervous, she was smiling in that relaxed way that had Maura wrapped around her finger.
Frankie gave Maura a questioning glance and Maura nodded as he pulled her over to the wall so she could hold onto the ledge. She saw the excited gleam in both of their eyes at the prospect of a competition. She was seeing sibling rivalry at its best
"Don't worry Maur…I got this." Jane winked at her.
"Well if it's any consolation, you've got me." Maura barely whispered as she watched Jane take off after her brother.