”Good Sir.” Maura responded with a giggle, dipping into a curtsey.

”You look… Damn Maur.” Jane ran her hands through her hair and sighed. ”You’re stunning.”

A loud crash and laughter caused both women to turn and watch as Korsak, with his ape head firmly in place, collided with a waiter, knocking his tray of drinks to the floor.

”Who’s the ape?” Jane whispered, her breath tickling Maura’s neck and sending a shiver through her.

”It’s Vince.” Maura replied as they watched him fumble to help the waiter who was sneezing wildly as the fur of Korsak’s costume tickled his face.

”Figures.”

-/-

The evening crept into morning, the ’couples’ having all eventually found each other, took turns having a prom style photograph taken together, many throwing various character poses for the camera. Vince, having worked out he was King Kong, eventually found his Fay Wray and proceeded to beat his chest in victory.

”Ok.” Jane hiccupped, ”I think that’s our cue to leave.” She whispered as Vince tried to pick up his partner under one arm, failing miserably thanks to a mixture of cumbersome costume and excessive beer and ending in a crumpled heap with ’Fay’ giggling atop him.

Maura yawned next to her. It had turned out to be a hugely successful evening all round.

”I think you’re right Jane.” She leant into the detective, her head resting naturally on her shoulder as Jane’s arm came rest on her hip. They fit so perfectly together. ”I’ll call for a cab.” She couldn’t supress another yawn and Jane guided them to the exit, knowing that there would already be line of taxis awaiting them.

-/-

By the time the taxi pulled up outside Maura’s home, the doctor was fast asleep, a blissful expression gracing her sleeping features. In every sense, she was a sleeping beauty. Jane had roused her enough to get her into the house and upstairs into the bedroom.

”C’mon Maur.” She purred, setting out Maura’s favourite pyjamas. ”Get changed.”

Maura sighed and struggled with her dress as Jane left the room, heading into the living room to fix herself a coffee. After the first cup, she checked in on the doctor who was sleeping soundly. She fixed herself a second cup and returned to the bedroom, settling quietly with a book as the early morning hours ticked away.

Jane read by soft lamp light, her chosen tome tugging at her heart. Maura had tried to hide it but she’d seen the truth in her face that cold winters day. Jane had been sleeping on the couch, her legs resting in Maura’s lap. She had awoken to gentle sobs, her eyes fluttering open as Maura shook them with her sorrow. One glance to the television and back to Maura had told her everything she needed to know. The animated film depicted Sleeping Beauty being kissed by her prince. It was that moment that sealed their relationship, Jane had made a silent promise to try and be the Prince that Maura deserved.

Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, Jane got up carefully, walked around the bed and turned off the alarm before it had a chance to sound and ruin her plan. She knew Maura’s internal clock was more accurate than any alarm and only minutes later, she saw the doctor begin to stir. Smoothing her jacket, she glanced in the mirror and straightened her sash before running her hands through her hair.

Dropping to her knee beside the bed, she leant in slowly, capturing Maura’s lips in a warm, delicate kiss.

Maura’s eyes fluttered open, confused hazel meeting loving brown as Jane smiled down at her.

”Mmmm” the happy sigh escaping Maura’s lips as her eyes roamed the uniformed prince before her; Jane leant in once more, a simple kiss that stole her breath.

”Happily ever after.” Maura sighed, her fingers twisting gently through untamed locks.

”Happily ever after!” Jane agreed.