Fic: The Deep End

Rating: T

Disclaimer: If I owned them, Jane and Maura would be married. And they wouldn't be able to keep their hands off each other and would constantly get caught.

Author's Note: So sorry it took such a long time to update. My sincere apologies. Not beta'd, so mistakes are mine. I know I said this was a two shot but I wanted to give you guys something. I promise to update the last part very soon.

It was only 7 pm when they reached Maura's house, much to their surprise. They felt like it should be at least midnight, with how exhausted they were. Maura took their coats and hung them in the closet and fed Bass before settling on the couch, where Jane met her with a glass of red wine and a beer. She handed the wine to Maura before taking a long drink of the ice cold brew.

"Maura?" The woman in question looked towards Jane, not making eye contact. "What was that back there?" Jane asked softly.

Maura shook her head. "I don't understand what you mean, Jane. We were both there: I slipped and you came after me." The detective took a deep breath.

"I know that much. I meant the part where you told me you couldn't swim. You never learned how to?"

"No, I never did." Maura said, then leaned back into the couch. "When I was younger, I always thought it was odd that my parents never put me in lessons, but then again I thought if they didn't put me in lessons, it must not be that important. Plus I had a very busy schedule with school, social events, horseback riding, ballet, fencing... And then I went to boarding school and it's not like anyone taught me how to there."

"But what about Garrett?" Jane felt a bitter taste in her mouth whenever she said his name. "He never wanted you to go swimming with him?"

"He did. He even offered to teach me how." Jane smirked inside. Take that, ass. She'll let me teach her, not you. "It was one of the reasons I knew we wouldn't work together. I couldn't share his passion for swimming and he couldn't understand why I would want to be a Medical Examiner." By this time, both drinks had been finished, and the woman were just idly playing with their glasses.

"Well that changes today, Doc." Jane said, taking Maura's glass and putting them down. She grabbed the ME's hand and held it. "I promise that when this case is over, I will teach you how to swim. I don't care if you don't want to learn and I have to personally strip you down and throw you in the pool." Jane silently groaned. Really, subconscious? Strip her down? Give me a break.

Maura thankfully didn't bring it up. "Really, detective? You're that anxious to teach me how to swim?"

"Absolutely. It was too risky today and I'm not letting you walk around not knowing how to do something that could save your life one day. I mean, what if I wasn't there today, Maura?" Jane shook her head. "I'm not chancing it."

Maura, touched by Jane's caring words, leaned in for a hug. She wrapped her arms tightly around her favorite detective and tucked her head into Jane's neck. Jane's arms were around Maura in an instant as she took a discrete whiff of Maura's hair. Still smells like vanilla.

"Thank you, Jane." Maura mumbled into her neck.

"Of course, Maura." Jane replied. "Besides, it'll be nice to teach you something for a change." They laughed and separated, though not letting go of each other. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. What do you say we head to bed?"

Maura nodded, eagerly. "I would like that very much." They got up and Maura started cleaning up while Jane made sure all the doors and windows were locked. She was at the back door when she saw it. The thing that seemed completely normal before but now seemed totally out of place. The thing that didn't cause a second glance but now seemed totally bizarre.

"Maura? If you can't swim, why is there a pool in your backyard?"

"Well the pool came with the house, and I really did like this house more than any of the other ones I saw. Safe and quiet neighborhood, not too far from work, and spacious."

Jane shook her head at the insanity that was her best friend. "Okay then. So I guess I'll..." Jane started walking towards the guest room. Take the bait, Maura.

"Oh!" Maura was surprised. I shouldn't be, though. I should be surprised that I was surprised in the first place. "I thought perhaps you might like to sleep in my room? Just because I know you like to watch television before bed and the guest room doesn't have one. Though maybe I should get one because I know you like-" Jane thankfully interrupted her.

"No! It's fine. I like your room better anyways." Jane said. Maura smiled as Jane grabbed her overnight bag and they made their way up the stairs.