CHAPTER TWO

I looked at Maura and saw the uncertainty in her expression.

"Well, those two options seemed to go hand in hand, don't they?" I asked, still somewhat confused.

Maura glanced down at our joined hands before swiftly withdrawing her hand from mine. "Sorry," she murmured.

"No, Maura, hand in hand. As in, they are one in the same," I explained, reaching for the comfort of holding Maura's hand again. "You are my family, Maura. However this doesn't explain why Casey doesn't fit in the category of 'I'd risk my life for you'. I mean, I risk my life for strangers on a daily basis."

"Yes, Jane. As part of your job. And I think deep down, you would take a bullet for Casey. Its instinct for you," Maura replied.

I leant back into the sofa, pulling Maura with me. I needed to be in the comfort of Maura's arms… Wait… What the?

"Do you love him?" Maura asked, just as my body stiffened with the realisation that I would rather be wrapped up in Maura's arms, on Maura's couch, than with Casey.

"Jane? Are you ok?" she asked, sitting up to look at me, questioning my sudden rigidity. "It is a very simple question. Have I upset you?"

"No, no. You haven't upset me. I was just thinking that I need another beer," I said, before abruptly getting up and heading to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge to find a beer but not really looking for one. What on earth is wrong with this scenario? I'd rather be with Maura than Casey? It's not like I'd rather be with Ma, or Frankie, or Tommy. They're family. Okay, I know where this train of thought is going.

"I'm a detective, for goodness sake," I spoke to the beer in the fridge.

"Jane?" Maura questioned, standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Geez, Maura, you scared me," I screeched as I jumped out of the fridge.

"Yes, well, your unusual behaviour is scaring me," Maura replied, walking towards me. "And you are frowning again."

Before her hand reached by brow I stepped back out of reach. Queue the raised eyebrow… And… there it is. God she looks cute when she does that… Wait, what?

"Jane?"

"I'm sorry Maura. I'm just a little jittery. Maybe I should just call it a night."

There was that look again; the 'should I or shouldn't I' look. What are you up to Maura? I was facing her, my back against the bench, watching her walk towards me like I was prey.

"Maura? Now, your behaviour is scaring me."

"I have a hypothesis, and I'd like to do an experiment, if you'll let me?" she asked.

"What kind of experiment? And a hypothesis about what?" I asked, running my eyes over the length of her body. Really Jane? Now's not the time to perve.

"About your little dilemma. It's a simple experiment, I promise," she purred, standing a mere foot away.

"Ah, okay," I agreed, reluctantly.

"I need to ask you a few questions first, just to form a clear picture of my theory. Is that okay?"

"Mmhmm," was all I could get out.

"So, you have spent the afternoon questioning your devotion to Casey, correct?"

Nod.

"And you are questioning why you feel closer to me than to Casey, correct?"

Nod.

She took my hand and intertwined our fingers.

"And you realised you would rather be here with me than with Casey?"

I looked down at our linked hands, before replying with another nod.

"And just now, when we were sitting on the couch, you were alarmed at what that might mean?"

"Maybe you should be the detective," I whispered, before raising my head to look into her eyes.

"Oh no, I'm much better with the scientific stuff," she replied softly. She raised her hand to my neck. "Like a rapid pulse, sweaty palms, shortness of breath."

"So, ah… is this all part of your experiment?" I asked, revelling in the feel of her hands caressing the side of my neck.

"Yes, Jane. There's just one last thing I need to check."

"And what…"

My response was cut short as I felt Maura's body lean into mine, before her lips… oh her soft, soft lips… pressed into mine. Wow. Oh wow. Rapid pulse, check. Sweaty palms, check. Shortness of breath, check. Wet panties, check…

Before I could regain the ability to move, the kiss ended. Maura stood in front of me, hand still caressing my neck, eyes questioning, seeking a response.

How do I respond to that?

Things are starting to become clear now. My body knows what it wants, and now my mind is starting to catch up. It's Maura. How long has it been Maura? Has it always been Maura? With my mind all caught up, I knew just how to respond to that.

I leaned forward and captured her lips, eliciting a moan from the beautiful doctor. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her even closer. Her hands tangling themselves in my hair. I was losing myself in this moment, this kiss.

I pulled away, but not far away, leaning my forehead against hers.

"Maura?" I sighed, a question hanging on the tip of my tongue.

"I'm so glad you finally caught up, detective," she replied with a grin.

"So does this mean the experiment is over?" I asked, huskily.

"Oh no, Jane," she purred, her hands under my shirt running them slowly up and down my sides. "I've only just begun."

THE END