XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Next Day, The Docks

After a chilly morning at Maura's and taking separate cars to the crime scene, Jane was shocked when Maura informed them all she knew the dead via his brother. Jane went from sympathetic to Maura, to jealous to angry at Maura's answer to "Was it serious?"

Her ire worsened as she met the Fairfield's, and saw Maura's interaction with them. As soon as she saw the good looking Garrett Fairfield and Maura's reaction to him, she wanted to punch a wall. Or Garrett. She felt her blood pressure rise as Garrett let his eyes linger a tad too long on Maura. And at Maura's deference to the family. Her anger boiled over when she found Maura doing the autopsy on a Sunday, resulting in some bickering.

Maura, confused as to what they were arguing about, decided to just ask Jane.

Okay, so, what are we arguing about here? History or are you mad at me for who my friends are?

This is about work, okay? I've just never seen you hugging suspects before.

We don't even know what happened here. If this was an accidental drowning, there are no suspects.

So you're hoping it's an accident.

Are you hoping it was a murder?

I'm doing my job like I always do. Why don't you do yours?

I am. And as the medical examiner... it is my job to determine the cause and the manner of death. So I'll tell you whether there's a case here or not.

Maybe I'll just figure it out for myself.

Maura watched, helpless, as Jane stormed off. She stayed unsettled until she talked with Korsak and began to understand that Jane was likely feeling insecure. Determined to make things right with Jane, she went to see Garrett. As she talked with him, she remembered why she'd fallen for him all those years ago and didn't immediately stop him as he leaned in the kiss her.

However, as soon as the stubble from his chin grazed her jawline, she remembered Jane and stopped him. She realized she didn't want him anymore. She wanted Jane's soft, smooth face rubbing against hers, and between her legs. She pulled away and smiling at him, she agreed to accompany him on an errand he needed to run. She used the opportunity to needle him and gather information, calling to inform Jane while she waited on him to return to the car.

XXXXXXXXXX

Jane found Maura in the morgue and decided she had, perhaps, been too rough on the doctor. She asked if Maura wanted to grab a drink, and was happy when she agreed.

As they sat drinking their respective drinks, Jane finally worked up the courage to ask about Garrett. She wasn't surprised to hear Maura had been crazy in love with Garrett, but was surprised at her admission.

Maura leaned in, looked into her wine glass and then at Jane. "He was my first."

"First? First what?"

Maura blushed as she struggled to explain, before blurting it out. "I lost my virginity to him."

Jane realized what she was saying, and replied, "Oh. Okay. Uh...so...how old were you?"

"I was a junior and had just turned 18. He was about to turn 20."

Jane nodded. "Right. You entered college at what, 16?" Maura nodded. "So...ok. Was that something you found to be sacred or no big deal?"

Maura frowned. "Why would that be sacred? The idea of a woman's virginity being some badge of honor is antiquated, and sexist." The corner of her lip twitched. "However, I will admit to being very particular about my first sexual partner. I wanted it to be with somebody I cared about and who respected me. All of me. My brain, my body, and who I was."

"And that was Garrett?"

"Yes." She looked away. "Or at least I thought he was." She shrugged.

"But?"

Maura took a deep breath and then a healthy drink of wine. "I found out that before I slept with him, he was cheating on me. With multiple women. Including, but not limited to a cheerleader, majorette, TA, and a middle-aged English professor."

Jane grimaced. "Ouch." She placed her hand over Maura's. "I'm sorry. A majorette?"

"Yes. Thankfully I insisted on using a condom for all of our encounters, because his cheating did not end once we started having sex." Maura glanced around. "Apparently he had some...uncommon desires he didn't think I would accommodate." She smiled. "And I wouldn't have."

Jane leaned in. "Did he ever hurt you?" She was relieved when Maura shook her head. "How long did you date?"

"A year." She shrugged again. "It was a learning experience. First love and all."

Jane titled her head and gave Maura a sad smile. "You, Maura Isles, are nobody's learning experience."

Maura dabbed at her eyes and smiled at Jane. "Let's go finish this case."

XXXXXXXXXX

Maura's House

Jane had watched Maura closely in the hours since the arrest of Garrett Fairfield. She had noted the red eyes and nose of the doctor after a prolonged absence from the morgue. The doctor had rejected her attempt to hug her, and closed her office door for the rest of the day.

Jane had delayed going home in case Maura called for her. Maura finally called her at seven and asked her to come by the house. She used her key and found Maura sitting on the couch, eating Girl Scout cookies, surrounded by used tissues. She joined Maura on the couch and helped herself to some cookies.

"What can I do?" Maura pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and laid her head in Jane's lap. Jane ran her hand through Maura's hair. "I'm sorry Maura."

Maura sniffled and asked, "Will you stay with me tonight? I need a cuddle."

They hadn't shared a bed since the start of the case, and neither woman had been sleeping well. Jane agreed and they went upstairs, slipping beneath the covers. Maura clung to Jane, and allowed the detective to hold her.

"I lost my virginity to a killer."

"In his defense, he wasn't a killer when you had sex with him. Was he?"

"No. I don't think."

Jane suddenly remembered Maura's date. "Hey, didn't you have a date?" Jane fully expected Maura to say anything other than what she said.

"I did. It turned into having a drink with her."

Jane felt her jealousy flair at this, and she wondered two things: when did she find time to go for a drink, and why was she going out with a woman? She decided not to ask either of those questions if she wanted to get any sleep, but she had to know one thing.

"So, are you going to see her again?"

"Hmm. Maybe." Sensing Jane's unease, she raised her head and kissed the detective. "She's not you."