Rubbing her hands nervously, Jane traced the scars with her fingertips as the elevator descended to the morgue. Chiming of the bell announced the opening of the door, it was time to get off. She forced her feet to move, forced herself to go forward and straight to the autopsy room.
And there she was, wearing her black scrubs, her lovely honey colored hair tied back, and face protected by a shield. A small wrinkle between her eyebrows showed her focus. Jane could swear then and there that she has never witnessed such beauty as chief Medical Examiner Maura Isles opened a man's scull with a saw.
"Hey, doc," she croaked out in her hoarse voice. A few droplets of blood hit the face shield. Then Maura raised her head and looked right at her.
"Detective, I'm glad you could join me."
And Jane was glad, too. Despite her previous nervousness, the ME's presence somehow held a calming effect, which was kind of ridiculous, because she was the source of the nerves in the first place. For a while now, Jane realized that she's in trouble. She found Dr. Isles interesting, endearing and utterly gorgeous.
"Nothing better than a Sunday in the morgue."
Maura's face brightened in a smile. "That is just what I said when I received a call from the hospital."
Of course, she did.
Two days later, when Jane, Frost and Korsak locked up the scumbag who managed to dress up as a doctor, sneak into the hospital and finish off his victim using a rare neurotoxin, everyone was exhausted.
Jane decided to go to the morgue and thank the doc for her hard work. As she stood there and listened to a litany of nonsensical Latin words, she decided that today was the day. She's going to ask her out.
"… and that is what made me take a closer look at the victim's stomach content, besides it being my personal favorite part."
"Speaking of stomachs, would you like to have a dinner with me tonight?" Jane almost winced as her own words reached her ears. 'Great job, detective!' She scolded herself.
The doctor seemed truly surprised. "A dinner?"
"I mean only if you don't have any plans or anything. I don't want to presume…"
"Sounds lovely!"
"Great."
They were sitting at Joe's, conversing about the case, Jane's eyes occasionally roaming around Maura's features, when Maura asked her an odd question.
"Do they still hurt?"
"What?"
Maura looked at Jane's hands. She didn't even realize that she was rubbing her scars again.
"Sometimes. Not right now."
"Yes, scars tend to hurt during changes in atmospheric pressure. Today however the weather was quite stable."
Jane suddenly wanted to be anywhere but here. "It's kind of late. And I'm drained after this case. Maybe I should head home."
"Oh." Was all she got for an answer from suddenly crestfallen doctor.
This was a stupid idea in the first place. She left some money on the table, muttered a goodbye and left.
She woke up in the middle of the night, shaking and crying. She hugged her legs and rubbed her scars for comfort, crying until she fell asleep again.
Next time she saw Maura it was in the ME's office. She gave her a file and briefly discussed the new case. Suddenly, Maura said "Anthropophobia."
Jane looked at her quizzically. "Expelliarmus...?"
"What? No, I have anthropophobia. Social anxiety." Maura went around her table and stood in front of Jane. "The other day when you took me to that dingy yet very lovely cop bar I was overjoyed, but at the same time I was terrified that I'll do what I always do. I have a hard time maintaining normal interhuman relationships because I don't understand people. At least not the living ones. And so please, if I stepped over the line talking about your scars know that I'm sorry. Truly." Jane was unwittingly rubbing her hands again. Maura continued. "I enjoyed talking to you. And I would like to make it up to you. Why don't you come to my house tonight? I'll make you dinner."
Jane found herself agreeing to Maura's offer. Social anxiety. That sure explains a lot of the doc's quirkiness.
Jane couldn't help but stare at Maura, who stood at an open door in a dress covered by an apron. Some of her hair tied on the back of her head, to prevent it from falling to her face. She looked like a domestic goddess or something. "Detective, is everything alright?" Maura asked after her greetings and welcomes went without an answer.
"You look stunning." Was all Jane could manage.
"Oh, thank you. The apron is new. Now come on in, the food will be ready soon."
Jane entered the beautiful home for the first time. Everything screamed rich yet tasteful.
"Can I offer you some wine? Although I took the liberty of buying a few beers if that's what you'd prefer."
"Wine sounds great, thanks."
A few minutes later they were sitting at a table, having the first bite.
"Out of the two of us, shouldn't I be an expert on Italian cuisine? How come your ravioli is this good?"
"I'm glad you like it. My mother put an emphasis on making sure I'm a capable hostess when she was raising me."
"Oh yeah? My ma' tried that too. She was driving me nuts. I moved out as soon as I could. Right when I started the academy."
"I think I know what you mean. I went to an all-girl boarding school when I was ten."
Jane's wine went down the wrong way. She coughed like crazy to catch her breath again.
"Are you all right?"
"Never better. You said an all-girl boarding school? How was it?" Jane's fantasy was going rampant.
"It was great in regards of my education. It didn't really help with my social anxiety."
Jane got her mind out of the gutter. "Sorry to hear that."
In her past Jane didn't really have a lot of female friends. Therefore, she felt rather odd sitting on Maura's couch, discussing men of all things.
"I think that detective really likes you."
"Please. He's annoying the hell outta me."
"Classical sign of courtship."
"Well I don't like him, so…"
"Who do you like, then?"
'This friendship might be good for the both of us. I shouldn't tell her. But it's so childish not to. Oh, I don't know.' Jane was trying to make up her mind. In the end she decided not to disclose her affection at that moment. Instead she not so subtly changed the subject.
Finally, it was time to say goodnight. Maura walked Jane to the door. "Thanks for having me, I had an amazing time."
Maura's face lit up upon hearing those words. "I enjoyed this evening as well, detective. Perhaps we could do something like this again in the future?"
"On one condition," Jane smiled, "You have to call me Jane from now on."
"Well if I have to."
"Yes, you do."
"Alright. Jane it is. And you can call me Maura." She said, extending a hand.
Jane took it in a firm handshake. She did not let go, however. Instead she leaned forward and gave the doctor a gentle peck on her lips. They were so soft, she wanted more, but she restrained herself and backed away, finally letting go of the hand. Maura blinked in surprise. It was clear she did not expect that. "Goodnight, Maura," Jane said and left.
"Night, Jane." She could hear behind her.
That's right, doctor Isles. I'm not letting you friendzone me that easily.