Okay…not exactly sure where this chapter came from…but here it is. Hope you guys enjoy…see ya next week.
Chapter 31- Always
"Wow…" Frankie let out slow whistle as he stood back to admire his sister.
"You can say that again." Maura's breath caught in her chest as she took in the sight of Jane in a tailored tuxedo. Her eyes swept over the tall, lean form standing before her until she found herself meeting the tailor's eyes over Jane's shoulder. He gave her a wink and she smiled at him and their shared secret.
"Absolutely…" Rocky, the tailor crowed as he stepped closer to Jane. He ran his hand across her shoulders and then down her arms silently taking notes on what he needed to alter before it was a perfect fit.
"Yeah?" Jane turned towards the full length mirror to admire herself.
"Yeah…" Maura moved to stand behind Jane so she could slip her arms around a slim waist. Watching their reflection carefully, Maura pulled on the front of Jane's shirt to adjust it slightly. "You've got a Marlene Dietrich thing going on here." She said as she gave the shirt one last tug before reaching up to adjust the bowtie at Jane's neck.
"You got that right." The flamboyant tailor gave Maura a pat on the back as he walked past them in Frankie's direction. "Come on young man, let's find you a vest to compliment the color of your girls dress." He waved his hands in the direction he wanted Frankie to go. As they started to leave, Rocky looked over his shoulder and winked. "Marlene Dietrich indeed." He said with a flourish as he left them alone.
"And who is Marlene Dietrich?" Jane asked as she caught the smaller hands in her own to keep them from wandering any more than they already were.
"Hmmm…who is Marlene Dietrich?" Maura mused as she moved around to face Jane, finding herself in the circle of strong arms. "Well…you could say she was one of the most glamorous movie stars in the 30's and 40's. More like a femme fatale…some would say the original femme fatale." She reached up to run her fingers along Jane's cheek. "Almost otherworldly I suppose."
"Ah-huh…" Jane linked her fingers behind Maura's back to hold her in place.
"Oh…yes." Maura nodded enthusiastically. "Her style was classically androgynous…stunningly androgynous I would say. In fact, her formidable sex appeal stemmed from the fact that she seemed just as comfortable in tuxedo's and men's suits as she did in an evening gown."
"You don't say…" Jane tilted her head back just enough so she could peer down. She watched as Maura continued to trace her fingertips along her jaw.
"I do say…" Maura's eyes dropped down to study the bowtie Jane was wearing. "Men and women were virtually helpless under her spell and sex appeal."
"Men and women?" Jane raised a questioning eyebrow.
"She was well known for her sexual prowess…legendary for her affairs with both men and women, something she never tried to hide." Maura continued to study the bowtie as she contemplated her next words. "You remind me a little of her persona…" She peered up at Jane through light colored lashes as her fingers stopped their exploration of Jane's face.
"Her persona?" Jane frowned slightly as she tried to understand what Maura was saying.
"Ah-huh…" Maura sighed as she mimicked Jane's response from earlier. She watched as Jane swallowed hard at what she was saying. Her fingers moved down to gently pull on the bowtie. She smiled as she watched it unravel to reveal the skin at the hollow of Jane's throat. "You my dear...are stunningly androgynous." Pushing the open collar away from Jane's throat, Maura lifted up on her toes to place a soft kiss on the skin that was revealed. "You have the ability to be both passive and dominating…" Her lips traced a pattern up Jane's neck and under her jaw. "Both masculine and feminine…" As her mouth moved to hover over Jane's slightly parted lips, she smiled before continuing. "She was exquisite…you…are exquisite…"
The words carried to Jane on a warm breath that caressed her mouth just before she felt Maura kiss her. The force of the kiss made her feel dizzy and she pulled Maura closer, tightening her hold for some stability.
"And don't forget that voice…" Rocky's interruption caused both Jane and Maura to jump before quickly separating. "Don't stop on my account darlings…" He waved his hands at them to indicate what he was talking about. "I just need to borrow Cary Grant here…" He nodded his head in Maura's direction.
"Are you insinuating that I am Cary Grant?" Maura tilted her head and gave him a confused look.
"I suppose Greta Garbo would be more appropriate." He grinned at her. "If you don't mind Marlene…I need to borrow Greta while you slip into something a little more comfortable."
"Greta Garbo huh…?" Jane pulled Maura back into the circle of her arms again. "I was wondering why you wanted me to try on this tux…"
"I could help you untry it…" Maura winked knowingly.
"Okay…we'll have none of that." Rocky reached out to grab Maura by the arm to pull her along. "I don't run that type of establishment." He huffed impatiently, but winked over his shoulder at Jane to let her know he was only teasing. "It seems as if Junior wants your opinion on which vest he should choose."
"Junior?" Jane's eyebrows knit into a look of confusion as she watched them walk away.
"I think he means Frankie, Jane..." Maura couldn't stop herself from giggling.
"Two tall drinks of water… jet black hair…soulful, brown eyes…twins…" Rocky was mumbling as his voice trailed off and finally disappeared leaving Jane standing alone in the lobby of the dressing room.
"Hmmm…." Jane turned back to look at herself one more time in the full length mirror. "Exquisite, huh?" She smiled at herself as her eyes swept up over the tall, lean figure staring back at her. When her eyes caught the open collar of her shirt, she could feel a blush warm her cheeks as her thoughts turned to the feeling of Maura's mouth. 'She knew exactly what she was doing when she asked me to try this thing on…she's way too good at stoking the fire. Damn do we need some alone time.' Jane thought to herself as she took one last look before heading to the dressing room to change.
"Alrighty little lady…I've done everything you've asked me to." Rocky smiled over at Maura as they waited for the 'twins' as he had dubbed Jane and Frankie. "It's been all taken care of. I added the residual amount to your account."
"Thank you Rocky, I really appreciate this." Maura spoked quietly. She didn't want Frankie or Jane to know that she had made arrangements to pay for whatever Frankie couldn't afford. "She really did look good, didn't she…" It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes my dear…you're just lucky I'm open minded enough to have women's tux's in my inventory." He said without looking up as he finished writing something down on a piece of paper. "So…you and Marlene Dietrich huh…?" He finally looked up and wiggled his eyebrows in a playful manner.
Maura hadn't expected the question to cause her to blush, but for some reason she couldn't help it. With a crooked grin, she gave him an affirmative nod.
"Well, I can't say I saw that one coming…but welcome to the family." He pulled her into a hug and then started to laugh when she gave him a questioning look. "The gay family…" He paused to look down at her. "You do know I'm gay…right?"
"Um…yes…I kinda figured that out on my own." She smiled up at the man who had been tailoring her father's suits for as long as she could remember. His rugged good looks and muscular build had both men and women wondering 'is he or isn't he?'
"You think that Junior there might be willing to switch hit?" He looked over as Frankie stepped out of the dressing room.
"I think that would be a big 'no'." Maura gave him a gentle poke to the ribs with her elbow.
"Well, it never hurts to ask." He let out a quick breath as he tried to move away from her so she couldn't hit him again.
"Um…here's the money I've saved for the tux's. I hope it's enough." Frankie glanced nervously over his shoulder to see if Jane was approaching yet.
"One hundred and eighty dollar's…" Rocky counted out the money before smiling at Frankie. "Exactly what they cost." He gave Maura an inconspicuous wink. "I will have them ready for you on that Saturday."
"'Kay…I really appreciate you keeping this a secret from Jane." Frankie let out a sigh of relief. He had saved as much as he could from his pizza parlor job and he was just thankful that it was enough. Their Ma had offered to help, but it was something he wanted to do on his own. "You don't think she's gonna be mad about this, do you?" He turned worried eyes towards Maura who smiled back at him.
"I think what you're doing is wonderful and I'm sure she'll feel the same way." Maura placed her hand on his arm reassuringly.
"Well, you know how much she likes surprises." Frankie shrugged his shoulders.
"I can safely say that Jane is definitely warming up to surprises…" Maura said with a confidence that had Rocky laughing out loud and Frankie looking confused.
"What's so funny?" Jane asked as she entered the room. She looked at Frankie and then Maura before looking at Rocky.
"Nothing darling…" Rocky tried to contain his laughter as he wrapped an arm around Jane's shoulder. "Have I ever told about the time I tailored a suit for Muhamad Ali?" He asked as he led Jane away from Frankie and Maura.
"Um…no…" Jane said as she let Rocky lead her away from her brother and girlfriend.
"That was close…" Maura let out a breath as she watched Jane being led away.
"I think she's got some sort of radar so whenever someone says her name, she appears out of nowhere like Batman or something." Frankie mused.
"Radar? It think it's more like telepathy…" Maura considered.
"Really Maura?" Frankie gave her an exasperated sigh.
"Or Batman…Batman is a good comparison." Maura shrugged her shoulders noncommittally.
"Come on…we've got a ballgame to play this afternoon." He said with a roll of his eyes as he threw his arm over her shoulders and leading her in the same direction Rocky and Jane had gone.
A warm trickle of sweat rolled down the back of Jane's neck as she sat down on the bench in front of her locker. It had been an unseasonably warm day and the late afternoon sun had beat down on her relentlessly as she had taken most of her frustrations out on the baseball field. It was always the same o'l song and dance when it came to her and Maura; they never seemed to have enough alone time together. And to add insult to injury, they had made the playoffs which would mean even more time away from each other.
With a frustrated sigh, she threw her glove against the closed locker before resting her elbows on her knees. "Fucking playoffs…" She growled as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand.
"Feeling restless?" A familiar voice Jane hadn't heard in a few years asked from far too close behind her.
"Um…Susan…it's been awhile…" Jane shifted nervously when she felt the other girl come to stand behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled in warning causing goosebumps to race down her arms.
"That it has Jane…" Susan sighed as her hands came to rest on Jane's shoulders.
Jane tensed immediately at the foreign touch and gave a little shrug in an attempt to loosen the grip. "What do you want Susan?" Jane half turned to look at the tall blonde. Her ire was piqued at the memory of Frankie telling her that he thought Susan had been harassing Maura.
"Just trying to be friendly…and offer my congratulations on making the playoffs." Susan attempted to placate Jane's sullen mood with niceties.
"I don't know why, but something gives me the impression you're looking for something more." Jane scowled up at blue eyes that seemed to be smoldering. She couldn't remember if she had ever seen this look in Susan's eyes before or if she was just now recognizing it for what it was, desire.
"You seem frustrated Jane…what's wrong…your little nerdy girlfriend not fulfilling your needs?" Susan smirked down at Jane's surprised expression.
"What…?" Jane struggled to find something to say.
"Come on…" Susan drawled as she moved to startle the bench next to Jane. "Why didn't anything ever happen between us?" Her icy blue eyes softened slightly as she studied Jane's expression looking for an answer.
"I guess 'cause I just don't like you that way…" Jane tried to find something, anything to deter Susan's slow advance.
"Really…I find that hard to believe. Are you telling me that you never, ever…" Susan leaned close to Jane so her lips were mere inches away from Jane's ear. "Ever…thought about it?"
"Um…" Jane stammered as her face turned bright red. Susan had moved so close that Jane could now smell the light perfume that seemed to engulf her. A sick feeling twisted in her stomach as her body realized it wasn't Maura. "No…"
"I don't believe you…" Susan closed the distance and placed a hot, wet kiss against Jane's neck.
When Jane felt the searing touch of Susan's lips on her skin, she pulled away as if she had been burned. Her breath was coming fast and hard as she fought to slow it down.
"Okay…I see how it's gonna to be." Susan frowned up at Jane who was now standing over her breathing heavily. "But you know it won't last. Look me up when she breaks your heart…for you, I could learn to like sloppy seconds."
"Why now?" Jane's voice was breathless as she tried to bring her trembling body back under control.
"Why not?" Susan sneered as she stood to leave. When she saw the sincere expression on Jane's face she decided to elaborate. "I suppose the challenge intrigues me…"
"I won't hurt her…I'd never betray like that…" Jane's anger was beginning to show itself as she started to clench and unclench her fists.
Susan silently studied the firm resolve on Jane's face and gave her a nod. As she approached the door, she had a sudden streak of courage and turned to look over her shoulder. "We'll see about that." She threw a suggestive wink in Jane's direction before disappearing around the corner.
"What the actual fuck!" Jane spun around and punched the locker door. In an attempt to slow her breathing and rapid heartbeat, she leaned her forehead against the cool metal. A wave of relief washed over her when she smelled something more familiar to her heart. With bated breath she waited for the touch she knew would calm the storm that was brewing deep within her.
"Thank you." Maura's voice was barely a whisper as she put her hands on Jane's hips. She let out a heavy sigh and leaned her forehead to rest between Jane's shoulder blades.
"Why are you thanking me Maura?" Jane ground herself further into the metal locker seeking to find the coolness that had disappeared under her hot skin.
"I'm thanking you Jane…" Maura's hands moved around Jane's waist to clasp over her stomach. "For loving me enough to say 'no'." She gave Jane a gentle squeeze.
"You heard?" Jane asked, sadness tainting her voice. She could feel Maura nodding against her back as silence filled the air around them. When the only sound was their breathing, Jane decided she needed to say something to cut through the quiet. "I'm sorry."
It hadn't taken Maura by surprise to find that Jane wasn't alone in the locker room. She had seen Susan Rodgers follow Jane as she left the field in search of a cool shower after winning the game. It hadn't even surprised her to hear Susan's words as they floated to her in the dark hallway as she listened to the conversation she wasn't meant to hear. What had surprised her was the conviction in Jane's voice when she told Susan she would never hurt or betray Maura.
For the moment, Maura was content to just hold onto Jane taking comfort in the warmth that radiated between them. But as she stood there with her arms wrapped around her home, she had the sudden urge to conquer and claim the body that was currently pressed against her own. The urge was so strong that it almost took her breath away. She had never felt anything like it before and it caused her to feel lightheaded. Her posture immediately turned tense as she struggled with the new feeling that was racing through her veins.
Jane felt the immediate change in Maura when the smaller body that had been nestled against hers abruptly tensed. At first she thought it was anger that had caused Maura to withdraw sending tremors throughout her body and into Jane's. But then she felt soft, warm lips moving up the back of her neck and around to her ear.
"Put your hands on the locker…" Maura whispered into Jane's ear when she felt Jane reach down to give her a reassuring touch on the arm.
"Maura…what are you…" Jane started to say but stopped when she felt Maura's hands slowly moving her own to rest palm down against the locker.
"Just do it..." Maura's voice held a commanding tone that Jane had never heard before. She threaded their fingers together before pressing herself firmly against Jane's back. "I need to touch you Jane…I need to feel you…" After a gentle, reassuring squeeze, Maura released Jane's hands. For the first time she didn't wait for Jane's consent as her hands began moving over Jane's body, seeking out the heat of her skin.
Jane looked down when she felt Maura's hands begin tugging at her jersey, untucking it from her pants with an urgency she had never experienced before. "Maura…?" The name fell from her lips on a soft sigh when she felt warm hands move under her shirt claiming her.
"Tell me you belong to me…" Maura's voice was breathless as her fingers pushed Jane's sports bra up and over her breasts so she could map out the contours and curves with the palms of her hands.
"Oh my God…Maura…" Jane gasped before sucking in a quick breath when she felt the palms of Maura's hands travel over her skin. Even though Maura's touch was insistent and demanding, there was still a gentleness in each stroke. Jane suddenly felt as if she was being worshiped as Maura's hands continued to graze her breasts.
"Please Jane…" Maura's breath was hot in Jane's ear. "Tell me…"
"I'm yours Maura, always…" Jane struggled to speak when she felt warm lips envelope her earlobe before a gentle nip followed.
Maura's breathing became uneven as her right hand made a slow decent down Jane's stomach only stopping when she came into contact with the elastic waistband of Jane's athletic boxer shorts. Slipping a finger between Jane's warm skin and the cool elastic, she moved back and forth along the silky, smooth expanse of skin she found there.
"Do you want me to take you here…now…?" Maura growled against the crook of Jane's neck. When she felt Jane's hips jerk in response, she smiled against the hot skin her lips were pressed against. "I'll take that as a yes…" Her voice become a low purr as her hand dipped down further. When a moan filled her ears, she wasn't sure if it had come from her or Jane and she didn't care. It wasn't until she felt the abundance of Jane's need coating her fingers that she recognized the moan as her own.
"Yessss…." Jane pushed herself against Maura's fingers as they began a slow exploration. All of the frustration she had been feeling earlier was beginning to drain from her body as Maura's movements carried her along a wave of pleasure that was quickly consuming her. When she no longer felt Maura moving over her, but within her, Jane couldn't stop herself from following the rhythm that Maura set with each quickening thrust. Before she knew what was happening, Jane found herself being pushed up against the locker, pinned between hard metal and Maura's soft body. When her legs began to shake, she was suddenly grateful to have a place to rest against.
It had been the shaking of Jane's legs that caused Maura to push her up the lockers. She dropped her left arm down to wrap around Jane's waist to help support her. As their movements became more frantic, Maura could feel the moment that Jane's world tipped, pushing her over the edge.
Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, Jane was practically clawing at the metal locker she was pressed against in an effort to stay upright. When her world exploded into a million pieces of light that scattered behind her close lids, Jane knew that each piece was tattooed with Maura's name.
"Maura…Maura…Maura…" The name floated on the air like a prayer, a mantra of peace as Jane's body slowly came back to her. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was still pressed against the locker but Maura had both arms wrapped around her, holding her up. She could also feel that Maura had her forehead pressed between her shoulder blades again and she was trembling. "Hey…what's wrong?" Jane moved to turn around until she was facing Maura. She didn't have a chance to see the tears that were rolling down Maura's cheeks because Maura buried her face against her chest.
When Maura felt Jane's movement in an effort to turn around, she hugged her tighter and buried her face against Jane's chest so Jane couldn't see her tears. She could feel Jane's hands making circles on her back in an effort to soothe and it caused the tears to come faster.
"Maura…sweet heart…why are you crying?" When Jane felt hot wet tears seep through her shirt, she pushed away just enough to force Maura to look at her. Her heart almost broke when she saw guilt and shame shinning back at her in the depths of hazel-green.
"I'm sorry…" Maura moved to bury her face against Jane's chest again. She couldn't bring herself to look Jane in the eyes.
"I don't understand…why are you sorry?" Jane placed her chin on top of Maura's head and continued to rub her back.
"I don't know what came over me…I just…just needed…" Maura's voice trailed off as words began to fail her.
"You needed what Maura? You needed to feel me…claim me?" Jane asked with an understanding that Maura hadn't expected.
"I've never felt that way before…an all-consuming need to conquer…" Maura finally brought her eyes back up to look into Jane's. She was met with a knowing smile and an understanding nod.
"I think I can understand. I would feel the same way if I had been in your position. But…" Jane cupped Maura's cheek in her left hand and used her thumb to wipe away the tears that had finally slowed. "I liked it Maura…it felt good to let myself go like that…allowing myself to fall, knowing that you would catch me…it was exciting."
"Yeah?" Maura sighed. "I didn't scare you?"
"Nah…" Jane shrugged her shoulders. "In fact…I kinda like it when you take the reins…it's…" She bend her head to kiss Maura.
"It's what Jane?" Maura pulled back to ask, her curiosity piqued.
"It's exhilarating…" Jane smiled down at the surprised look on Maura's face. "I know fancy words too." She cocked an eyebrow at Maura's crooked grin.
"I have no doubt…" Maura shifted so she could nestle her face against Jane's chest again. "It's just that it scared me a little. I didn't feel like myself, but at the same time I did. I've never lost control like that before."
"Well…" Jane gave Maura a gentle squeeze. "Welcome to the human race. Now, I think we could both use a quick shower…care to join me?"
"Um'kay…" Maura mumbled as she let Jane lead her to the showers.
When Jane and Maura emerged from the locker rooms, both had wet hair and it was something that didn't go unnoticed by Giovanni and Frankie who waited outside for them.
"Did you two just…" Giovanni started to ask but found himself gasping for air when Jane's elbow made contact with his stomach.
"Shut up Gio…" Jane growled through clenched teeth.
"Um…we were just wondering if you guys wanted to come have pizza with us." Frankie pulled his hat down further over his eyes to try to hide the blush at Giovanni's implication.
"Yeah…I wanted you to meet my girlfriend." Giovanni bent over to catch his breath. "Did you have to hit me so hard?" He asked as he attempted to right himself to find Jane giving him an amused grin.
"Pizza sounds good…I'm hungry." Maura pushed past Jane and Giovanni towards Frankie.
"Don't even think about it…" Jane glared at Giovanni who was grinning at her in a knowing way.
Holding his hands up in mock surrender, Giovanni couldn't contain his laughter as he followed Jane who was following a safe distance behind Maura and Frankie. "Wouldn't dream of it…" He bumped Jane's shoulder in a playful manner. "Or maybe I would…" The words were followed by a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"You're such a dog…" Jane gave him a light shove before joining in on his laughter.
"I can't wait for you to meet Marti…she's really great." Giovanni said excitedly as he took a chance and wrapped an arm around Jane's shoulder.
"That wouldn't be Martina Stevens, would it?" Jane gave him a sideways glance.
A huge smile filled Giovanni's face as he pulled Jane closer so he could place a kiss on her forehead. "You wouldn't be jealous now would you?" He joked.
"Um, no…have you met Maura?" Jane pulled away to give him a surprised look. Even though Marti Stevens was considered one hell of a catch by pretty much every guy she knew, she didn't compare in any way to Maura. Sure she was blonde and curvy in all the right places, but when Jane thought about it, Marti couldn't stand up to Maura's classic beauty, no one could.
"You got me there Jeanie." Giovanni laughed again. "But still, I want her to meet one of my best friends…"
"Aw…gettin' sentimental on me old man?" Jane asked as she watched Maura walking side by side with Frankie. Her eyes followed the slight sway of full hips as an image of what they had done in the shower flashed through her mind. The blush came over her so quickly that she didn't have a chance to turn away from Giovanni.
"You did…didn't you!" He started to gloat triumphantly before finding himself at a loss for breath as Jane's elbow found its mark yet again.
"So…like I was sayin', her ti…" Giovanni started to say but was interrupted when Jane leaned over the table and slapped her hand over his mouth to stop him.
"Whoa there Gio…" Jane was shaking her head vigorously. "Don't want to hear that..."
"What? I was just tellin' ya how great Marti's ti…" He attempted again to get his point across but instead had to dodge a piece of pizza crust that had been launched in his direction. "Hey…what's wrong with you? I thought since we're playing on the same team now, we could talk about things like this, since you can appreciate…ya know…" He shrugged his shoulder as she glared at him indignantly.
"Look, I can appreciate a lot…I just don't like it when you talk like that. It's disrespectful…" Jane glanced over her shoulder to where Marti and Maura were standing over the juke box trying to make a selection.
"Yeah well Marti likes it when I talk like that…" He lifted an eyebrow as a thought came to him. "Don't you guys…ya know…talk dirty to each other?"
"I am so not having this conversation with you Gio…" Jane leaned back and crossed her arms. She was silently praying that Maura would return to their table to rescue her.
"Come on Janie…don't be so friggin' uptight." Giovanni mimicked Jane's posture by crossing his arms. He gave her a stern look before smiling at her. "Girls like it when you tell them what you like, what you want…"
Jane could feel her face growing hot with the blush that racing furiously up her neck and across her face. She clenched her jaw a few times as she tried to think about what to say next. The way that Giovanni was eyeing her made her nervous causing her temper to begin to boil.
"I'm not uptight…" She ground out the words through her clenched teeth. "What Maura and I do…alone…together is not something that I am willing to discuss, end of story."
"Yeah…whatever." Giovanni waved his hand at her dismissively. "But I'm tellin' ya, its one sure fire way to get your girl all hot and bothered."
The anger radiating off of Jane reached Maura like waves in a riptide. She could feel the pull in Jane's direction and did not fight it as she felt herself gravitating back to the table. Giovanni had a slightly smug look on his face as both he and Jane stared each other down in what looked like a standoff. Marti followed close behind her as she too sensed a change in the space between Jane and Giovanni. The air seemed to crackle with an intensity that had Maura reluctant to approach but when she saw Jane's face turning red, she knew she had to intervene.
"What's a sure fire way to get me hot and bothered?" Marti slipped into the booth next to Giovanni, snuggling close to him.
"When I talk dirty to ya…" Giovanni slipped his arm around Marti's waist.
Maura's eyes widened in surprise as she looked from Giovanni to Jane who was slipping down further into the booth. As she sat down next to Jane, she was careful not to touch her just yet as she turned her attention back to a very confident Giovanni and a slightly embarrassed Marti.
The subject of Jane and Giovanni's conversation took Marti by surprise and she couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. She wasn't exactly sure why Giovanni would be talking to Jane about what they did in private. It seemed like a strange subject for him to bring up with another girl, especially when that girl looked like she wanted to slide under the table and out of sight.
"Don't be such a guy Gio…" Marti gave him a slight shove with her shoulder. She decided that humor would be the best way to deal with the palpable tension that had settled over the table. "I am sure Jane and Maura don't want to hear all about our sex life…" She said trying to smile at them both.
"I was just trying to help Maura." Giovanni tried to plead his case to Maura with an innocent smile. "She can be so friggin' uptight sometimes…" He said nonchalantly as he tilted his head towards Jane.
"I…am…not…UPTIGHT!" Jane glared across the table at him as her temper reached its peak.
When Maura took Jane's hand under the table in an effort to calm her, she found that it was clenched into a tight fist. Wrapping her hand over Jane's, she gave a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
"I can confirm that." Maura chimed in without thinking.
The response caused Giovanni to laugh as he nodded enthusiastically towards Maura. "I guess if anyone would know, it would be you." He grinned.
"Yes, well, as you know…I speak from experience." Maura leveled her gaze at Giovanni, daring to say something else.
"Alright, alright…I concede." He surrendered under Maura's stern stare. Teasing Jane was one thing, but getting Maura riled up was a no win situation for him and he knew better. "I was just having some fun…" He gave Jane quick wink.
Marti watched the exchange between Giovanni and Maura with curiosity. She could see that Jane was seething with anger, but when she saw Maura shift slightly, Jane's anger seemed to abate. But she had to admit that the conversation was weird and went over her head. "Look, I think you a need time out…" She tried to pull Giovanni out of the booth. "I can see that Jane is just about ready to leap over the table and strangle you…and I kinda like having you around."
"Okay…go crash Frankie and Cindy's table…" He pointed over at the table he was referring to. "I'll be right behind you."
Marti glanced from Giovanni to Jane before finally settling on Maura's reassuring smile. With a nod of her head and a little wave she left them alone.
"Hey…I'm sorry I got you all pissed off Janie, but sometimes you make it too easy. Peace?" He held up his hand in a silent offer of surrender.
Jane just glared at him, not yet willing to let him off the hook but when she felt Maura give her hand a quick squeeze, she couldn't stay angry. Taking a deep, cleansing breath she gave him a quick nod but didn't say anything.
"You should know better Giovanni." Maura scolded. She was more than a little irritated by Giovanni's teasing.
With a shrug of the shoulders and a crooked grin Giovanni nodded at Maura. "'Kay…we good here?" He tapped the space on the table between them with his knuckles for emphasis.
"Yeah…we will be." Maura chanced a glance at Jane who was less slumped in her seat and slowly getting back to her natural color.
"Later babes…" He tossed over shoulder in a last ditch effort to be funny as he exited the booth.
All Maura could do was roll her eyes as she watched him saunter off away from their table. "Feel like talking about it?" She let out a sigh of relief when she realized that she and Jane were finally alone. When Jane gave her noncommittal shrug, she leaned closer so their arms touched. "Come on…try me."
"It's stupid…" Jane let out a frustrated huff.
"It's not stupid if it upsets you…" Maura pressed her arm closer to Jane to offer her comfort.
"Yeah…well it is pretty stupid, but Giovanni started talking about Marti…" Jane's voice trailed off as she struggled to explain.
"What was he saying?" Maura tried to carefully draw out the answer from Jane.
"You know…stuff about her body…" Jane looked away and bit down on her lip as she continued to struggle with her words. "He was gonna us the 'T' word…"
Maura was surprised to see that Jane's cheeks had become flushed as she struggled to speak. "I'm not sure what word you are referring to Jane." Her question was slightly exasperated.
"The word I'm referring to Maura…" Jane had a serious expression on her face as she continued. "Is…tits…"
The last word was whispered so quietly that Maura had to strain to hear it. When it registered what Jane had said, Maura tilted her head to regard Jane thoughtfully. "And that…word…bothers you?"
"Um…yeah…" Jane nervously ran her hand over the back of her neck, not at all sure why she had let Giovanni get her.
"It's just a word Jane…why does it bother you?" Maura inquired as she continued to regard Jane.
"Donknow…it just sounds so…cheap…disrespectful…" Jane looked down at the table top, letting out a heavy sigh.
"And then he asked you about…talking dirty…" Maura ventured as she started to put the pieces together. Even though Jane had learned to open herself up to Maura in their shared intimacy, there was still one area that left Jane flustered and it had to do with her inability to use words. When Jane gave a weak nod, Maura let out a sigh of relief at finally understanding. "Do you think it bothers me that you're not as uninhibited with your voice as I am?"
"Maybe…" Jane's voice was filled with uncertainty. "He said girl's like that kinda thing…do you?"
Maura took a moment to think about her answer because she knew she had to be careful what she said. In an effort to buy herself some time, she ran her fingers through her hair and tried to think of just the right thing to say. She wasn't used to seeing Jane's lack of confidence and it bothered her to think she wasn't confident when it came to their relationship.
"What I like Jane, is the way you tell me love me…with these…" Maura took Jane's hand in her own, intertwining their fingers before she leaned closer to whisper in Jane's ear. "And with your lips every time you kiss me…taste me…" She was quickly becoming breathless as she continued to whisper in Jane's ear. "I love everything about you my sweet Jane…when you're ready…the words will come and it will be something new to discover together…until then, don't let what anyone else tells you bother you."
The feeling of Maura's warm breath against her ear had Jane melting back into the soft vinyl seat of the booth they were sharing. Hearing what Maura was saying caused a wave of relief to crash over her as Maura's words continued to soothe.
"I don't know why I let it bother me…it's not like I don't hear stuff like when I'm around the guys on the team. It's just…" Jane hesitated but continued when Maura gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It just doesn't feel right to talk to you or about you using those kind of words."
Maura found it kind of endearing that Jane was hesitant to use certain words, especially when she already had such a colored vocabulary. It still surprised her that Jane could be such a paradox of contradictions sometimes. "How chivalrous of you Jane, but remember…talking to me when we are alone is different than talking about me behind my back."
Regarding Maura thoughtfully for second Jane realized that she was right, there was a difference between talking to and talking about someone. "How'd you get so smart?" She leaned her head against Maura's shoulder seeking comfort in the warmth she found there.
"Some say I come by it naturally…" Maura chuckled lightly. When Jane put her head down on her shoulder, Maura felt the tension quickly drain away. "But if you want to know the truth, I kinda think I'm learning as we go."
"Yeah…but it makes for one hell of a learning curve, don't it…" Jane sat up straighter and gave Maura a little nudge. "What say we get out here…I think I'm in need of some more private tutoring."
"You know you can be such a guy sometimes…" Maura joked as she gave Jane a gentle poke to the ribs with her elbow. "But yeah…I think it's time we evened up that learning curve." Taking Jane's hand, Maura pulled her up from the booth with a quick tug. She smiled when Jane gave her a wink before leading her through the crowd of teenagers that filled the small pizza parlor towards the exit. As she followed, butterflies danced around in her stomach at the thought of things to come; today, tomorrow, and forever.