Chapter Text
Maya had just started to turn out of the aisle when she heard a woman’s voice talking at speed in what sounded like another language.
‘Dio mio! Perché sta accadendo proprio ora?’
She turned to see the woman with her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose in obvious distress. The firefighter wouldn’t normally care to involve herself in other people’s problems- she had enough of her own. Something about her though, just made Maya want to help.
‘Sorry, excuse me Miss. Is everything ok?’
‘Sì. Sorry, yes. They’ve just ran out of something and I needed it urgently.’ The lady replied. ‘I just finished a late shift and I guess this was just the buttercream that topped the cake off.’ Her hands flailed as she spoke.
Maya smirked and looked at her feet before looking up again into eyes that displayed a rather disgruntled expression.
‘Oh erm, sorry. It’s just, I think you meant ‘the icing on the cake’. She responded.
The blonde felt the blush spread across her cheeks at the thought that she may have upset the woman.
‘Yes, that is what I meant. I have trouble with these American phrases.’ Luckily, she didn’t seem offended that she’d been corrected.
Maya found herself analysing the woman’s features as she spoke. Her eyes were deep pools of chestnut brown and she had luscious hair which matched the colour of her eyes and perfectly framed her face. She didn’t know if she’d ever seen such beauty before.
Both women looked into the eyes of the other in a comfortable silence before the brunette spoke.
‘Anyway. I’m sorry that my Italian temper interrupted your shopping.’
Italian. The beauty makes sense.
Maya continued to look at her before realising she should probably reply.
‘No. No- I- Your temper, it’s- It’s great. It’s fine. You’re fine .’ Maya answered and chastised herself for her nervous response.
Why was she nervous?
The Italian smiled and looked down, clearly picking up on the response of the blonde.
‘Well, thank you anyway…‘
Maya assumed that the pause meant she should introduce herself.
‘Captain Maya Bishop, Station 19.’ She reached out her hand, an invitation for a handshake.
The brunette smirked and accepted the invitation.
‘Doctor Carina DeLuca’.
Their hands stayed together for longer than a typical handshake, mainly because Maya was mesmerised by the way that the doctor had just rilled her ‘r’s with her tongue.
Realising that she was staring, Maya took back her hand and picked up her basket.
Looking up, the blonde asked, ‘What was it you needed, by the way?’ She had realised that they’d gone off on a tangent and that her intention to actually help the woman was not successful.
‘Oh, it was just some flour so that I could make some pasta. My Dad is coming over from Italy and I wanted to make him feel at home. I don’t see him much these days.’
The Italian lowered her head and even though they’d just met, Maya could see the pain in her eyes.
The firefighter looked at her basket and reached for the flour that she had taken from the shelf just before this interaction had started. She’d only picked it up to replace it at the station because she knew Dean liked to use it to thicken his stews and sauces.
She held it out for the woman to take with a smile.
‘Here, sounds like you’d appreciate it more than me.’
‘No, no. It’s ok, I can go somewhere else.’ The brunette shook her head.
‘Honestly, it’s fine. Besides, whatever Italian goodness that you make with it is going to be way more delicious than anything else it will be used for.’
The woman smiled and accepted the flour. Maya had to refrain from dropping her jaw as they fingers brushed over one another.
‘Thank you, Captain. Maybe I could bring you some to try at your station? 19, was it?’
Maya’s eyes widened and she quickly threw together a response.
‘Yeah, sure. But, really you don’t have to do that.’ She paused before continuing. ‘Although I do have a house full of firefighters that I’m sure would appreciate your cooking skills.’ Maya felt more at ease that she’d not replied like a fumbling mess. She decided to take a little prod.
‘You are a good cook though, right?’ Maya smirked, impressed with her own teasing.
‘I’m Italian, yes I’m a good cook.’ The woman chuckled.
She looked down before making direct eye contact with the Captain.
‘Although it was you who I was really hoping to feed.’
Maya’s jaw actually dropped this time. She tried her best to keep her composure.
‘Well, you- you’re welcome…anytime.’ Maya responded.
She watched the woman quirk her eyebrow as she continued with a smirk and moistened her lips.
‘Then I’ll see you soon, Captain.’ Her smirk stayed firm on her lips.
‘I’ll look forward to it.’ Maya smiled and watched the Italian turn and walk away, her mouth was ajar again before she forced herself to continue her shopping, thanking her lucky stars that she’d picked up that flour when she did.