AN: This is a universe in which HOYT AND THE S01E10 SHOOTING DID NOT HAPPEN! Also, I couldn't eliminate Frost (may his soul RIP), I just couldn't do it. So he is Jane's partner for whatever other reason we all feel happy with. I will be posting short chapters everyday, or every other day.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli and Isles, just this story, which I make no money out of.

Prologue

Angela and Frank Rizzoli's greatest pride were their children. The couple held the three on a paddle stone, despite how very grown up they all were. Rough and tough Jane was their first and only daughter. Even with little encouragement, she managed to make it to, and succeed in her chosen career. The tall olive skinned woman, and her tomboy nature had garnered her a few harsh times, but she sailed through regardless. Working in the male dominated field didn't quite help either. Looking at her life closely, this could be the one thing that would be said to be the cause of her short fuse. Her friendly, nice nature never parted with her, but the woman had a seriousness and 'don't-fuck-with-me' vibe that people never dared to test. And the very few times she was angry, those closest knew to stay the hell away. She made plenty of friends still, but kept a very limited number close by due to the unfortunate betrayal she had witnessed others suffer. Working in the Police Department was her utmost joy and at some point her parents had finally given her the full support she yearned.

Frankie Rizzoli was one to follow in his big sisters footsteps no matter what – and that, he did. Young Tommy Rizzoli proved to be the biggest problem of all, just when Angela and Frank were content in thinking they had fully succeeded at parenthood. The man was a walking trouble-magnet; he seemed not to know how to escape it. The last straw was when he eventually landed himself in prison. This obviously caused a rift in the tightly knit family, with Jane feeling fully responsible because she was the eldest of the siblings, regardless of everyone trying to persuade her otherwise.

The only thing that kept Jane sane that year was Maura Isles. This was the Medical Examiner that joined the team right after Tommy's imprisonment. All she got to hear were the lovely-turned horrible stories of the infamous Tommy Rizzoli. Socially inadequate as she was, she sensed the detective needed a shoulder and she offered that. Had Maura Isles shown up in Jane's life at a different time, they might not have formed the unbreakable bond they appeared to have. The medical examiner surprisingly took the place of Tommy in everyone's life in no time at all.

Where Tommy sat at the dinner table, Maura now did. Where the family went on outings, Maura was there to bring the number back to its original state. Despite his somewhat rebellious nature, Tommy was very helpful. And where he used to do the dishes and help Angela clean up, Maura did with no protests. Not to say she was pleased with Tommy's absence, but to Angela it was an even bigger blessing, because she had a daughter with whom she could do 'girly' things with. So as hard as Tommy's behaviour, and thus consequence had been on the Rizzoli family, Maura Isles made it a little better, especially for Jane.

It wasn't until nearly two years later that Tommy was released. He was surprised to find a beautiful blonde now part of the family. As expected, the guy tried his luck. His sister was not having it though. Jane wasn't in the habit of lying to herself – to others, maybe, but not to herself. She loved Maura, there was no denying it. At first it had been very ambiguous due to the circumstances around the blonde's arrival. But as the fog cleared up, Jane saw it plain as day. She was taken by the blonde's beauty - quirky and all. And if she couldn't have her, neither could Tommy, or any other useless and unworthy guy for that matter.

What she had in Maura was too good to be tampered with, so the brunette held back and focused on what she was sure she could have. And for the first five years of their friendship it worked like a charm.

Present day

She was standing outside Maura's door trying to pull herself together. So far everything had proceeded without hiccup, but this was the first out of three very important trials and the last thing she needed was to make a mess of things.

One deep breath and she was unlocking the heavy wooden door into her best friend's house. She then realized it was already unlocked then slowly made her way in. ''Maur, are you ready?'', she yelled.

''Yes, just a minute'', said-best friend responded semi loudly from her bedroom.

''Take your time, no rush''. Jane made quick work of scanning her surroundings making sure she recalled every detail correctly. She tried to take in as much as she could in the few minutes she had before Maura descended the stairs, looking like one of God's angels.

To say Maura was surprised would be understatement. Many at times she had put in extra effort to attract Jane's attention, but had got very little of it. Jane never looked at her with appreciation for more than two seconds and every time she offered a compliment it was always bathed in jest – with the exception of a few times when Maura was sad or feeling genuinely insecure. But here Maura was on a Sunday afternoon walking down her stairs with an unwavering eye from Jane. Her best friend didn't even bother to pretend to look elsewhere, she plainly stared, with eyes full of lust and desire, and everything in between (if there was).

Maura was in a cream straight knee-length dress that had a black pattern on the neck line and bottom hem. Her feet were clad in the usual 4inch heels with a purse in hand. Blonde locks flowed like Niagara over her shoulders and bounced with every step she took towards Jane. The staring contest between the two lasted uniquely long. While Jane was openly undressing Maura with her eyes, Maura was trying to reconcile Jane's behaviour and an unidentified difference about her.

''There is something different about you'', Maura recovered first.

''You too'', Jane breathed, still enraptured by Maura's beauty. Has she always looked like this, she added mentally. When Maura kept staring at her she quickly brought herself back to earth and looked away in complete panic. ''Maybe it's because you haven't seen me in a few days''.

Maura would have sworn she saw the panic in her friend's rather different eyes, but attributed it to being derived from having been caught staring at her for far too long.

''Probably''

''Uhhh, you look very nice'', Jane said shyly. ''oh, and I got my hair cut''

Maura thought she was going to faint. Jane undid her hair revealing its shoulder length. It was much curlier than before (purposefully curled), and more dark brown than black.

''Oh my God Jane'', Maura almost screamed.

''I went to the hair salon yesterday'', Jane added nonchalantly, as if it was a natural occurrence.

The doctor did not know what to say, not for lack of trying – it was all just shocking. Jane was a creature of habit and rarely, if ever, stepped out of her comfort zone. A hair make over was extreme and something Jane would never do unless her life or that of a loved one was being threatened.

Something was extremely off with Jane, Maura could see it. She just wasn't sure why, and it was so hard to try to figure it out while she was still reeling from being ogled by Jane in such a manner – something she had always wished but had never happened. Not forgetting her best friend's extreme make over. So the doctor decided to take a closer look later and just enjoy the evening.

''Let's go. Your mother asked me to bring wine'', Maura said stopping in the kitchen to pick up a bottle. She saw Jane lock up after her and remembered how she had forgotten to lock the door when she came in earlier on.

As they drove to the Rizzoli family home, Maura's mind began a race of its own. First she wondered why Jane hadn't given her hell about keeping her door unlocked. The detective was always on about security, especially when it came to Maura's safety. Then there was the way she had looked at her as she came down the stairs. Maura had never seen such unabashed lust directed towards her by her best friend – not to say it was unwelcomed. Then when Jane had not complained about Maura being over dressed and something along the lines of spoiling her 'white' dress with sauce, Maura had been somewhat concerned. Maura's 'educated' conclusion was that there was something wrong with her friend.

Jane had been fine when she last saw her on Thursday lunch. Only to be surprised on Friday morning to hear that Jane had taken Friday and Saturday off 'uninterrupted'. It was so out of character for Jane, not to mention that she hadn't even spoken to Maura about it in person – only via text messaging. The detective had been doing God-knows-what alone for two whole days and now she had returned emitting a weird vibe. Maura was very concerned.

When they pulled up by the Rizzoli's house, both women were surprised to realize they had driven the entire journey in grave silence. ''I'm sorry Maura'', Jane ventured.

''What for?''

''For just being away I guess'', Jane answered unsurely.

Maura turned in her seat to look at Jane. ''If you need time alone its ok Jane, I don't see why you need to apologized to me…..or anyone for that matter. But if you do feel the need to apologize, do mean it'', when she was about to interject Maura ploughed on, ''You said 'you guess'. Indicating how unsure you are. It's insulting to a person to be apologized to when the person apologizing doesn't seem to know whether or not they should apologize, and what it is they are apologizing for''

''Sorry'', Jane hung her head. This was certainly going to be harder than she had anticipated.

''That sounds more genuine Jane'' she smiled, ''but please, you don't ever have to apologize if you have done me no wrong'', Maura exited the car and Jane did likewise.

''Can I hug you? I kinda missed you'', she said shyly, scrutinizing her shoes needlessly.

Maura readily agreed. Any physical contact with Jane was welcomed, due to how very limited it was. Jane pulled Maura into a tight embrace inhaling Maura's very expensive fragrance and pulling her as close as can be. Maura didn't object, she revelled in the feeling of being held so close and so tightly by Jane. The detective had a way about her Maura realized. When they broke off Jane lightly kissed her cheek and they walked to the house – Maura on her jelly feet, and Jane feeling smug as shit.

''I cannot believe you did that to your hair'', Maura gasped again upon further inspection.

''What, you don't like?'', Jane teased, shaking her curls exaggeratedly.

''You'd look nice anyhow Jane. It's just something I never in a million years thought you'd do. You remember how many times I've tried to get you to go to the hair salon with me, for just a simple wash? And now your hair is shorter, and curled, and coloured. Wow'', Maura said as they reached the door.

''It's hardly coloured Maura. And besides, I'm feeling different. There might be more shocks''.

Jane's second trial was to be put to test as the door opened. She could hear her mother speaking excessively loud in the kitchen to Frankie who clearly seemed to be trying to leave. Her father was sitting with Tommy in the living room. When they got in Frankie headed into the room in relief as Jane and Maura made their way to assist Angela. They made a pit stop in the living room before making it to their final destination.

Standing stock still for a few seconds, the detective admired her family. She pulled Frankie into a hug as if she had been seeing him for the first time. Uncomfortable as he was, the younger brother did not retaliate and just let his sister take the lead.

''What happened to your hair sis? And to what do I owe such affection?'', Frankie asked in amusement.

''You're my little brother, and I love you''

Tommy and Frank raised their heads to make sure it was in fact Jane saying these words. ''don't look at me like that'', she said to everyone staring at her. ''Can't I remind you how much you're loved…..and hug you?''

''Only if I'm getting one too. Nice hair by the way'', Frank said from his seat. Jane didn't miss a beat and leapt to embrace her father. Tommy followed next. ''You look a bit different''.

''Jus' the hair Pop'', Jane brushed it off. Maura watched in utter disbelief. Thinking she had seen all sides of Jane, the doctor was rendered speechless. Indeed she was in for a shock.

Jane hadn't planned for such a display of emotions, it sort of just took off on its own. She was helpless to stop herself from holding her family, but when she realized she was taking it too far, she pulled Maura into the kitchen so she could finally see her mother. Sunday dinner had just taken too long to arrive and she couldn't wait any longer.

''Oh honey, thank you for the wine. I was hoping you wouldn't forget'', Angela yelled as she gave Maura a hug in greeting, carefully placing the wine on the counter.

''Oh my God, Janie!''. She noticed her mother made no move to greet her the same way she had done Maura, but was certainly about to go on about her changed hair style, so Jane quickly gathered her in a tight embrace. Just as tight as she had hugged Maura outside, but less intimate.

Angela and Maura exchanged curious glances each wondering what had happened to their Jane. Maura added this to her list of Jane's odd behaviour.

''What? I can't hug my mother anymore too?'', Jane defended when she realized how out of character she was being again.

''I am not complaining honey, but is everything ok'', Angela asked in a worried tone.

''Yes'', Jane said dismissively. An errand tear was making its way down her check though, and she didn't even realize it until Angela wiped it off.

''Honey, you're crying. What's the matter?'', Angela asked, her voiced laced with panic.

''Can you just tell me you love me?'', she literally begged.

''Of course I love you. Do you even have to question that?''

''I just wanted more than anything to hear you say it to me''

''If anything was wrong you'd tell me right?'', when she didn't get an answer she added, ''or Maura'', who had silently been witnessing surreal events happen before her.

''Yes I would'', Jane spoke directing her gaze to Maura who was standing behind Angela.

''I love you Janie. You're my only daughter and you mean the world to me. All I want is for you to be happy''

That was Angela's mistake – if you could call it that. Jane looked at her angrily then stormed out of the kitchen, then out of the house.

The two women were left in the kitchen looking at each other wondering what the hell had just happened.

''It's because I said I want her to be happy isn't it?'', Angela spoke to no one in particular, and then looked at Maura for reassurance. Frankie had just entered the kitchen to ask what Jane was mad about, especially seeing how jolly she was on arrival.

''I don't know Angela'', Maura would have loved to say yes, that that was in fact the sole reason for Jane's outburst. But something told her there was more to it. Something told her there was something terribly wrong with her Jane, and she wanted to find out sooner rather than later what the root cause was.

They enjoyed dinner as usual, in the absence of Jane of course.

''We're going over to Jorge's for the game tonight Pop'', Tommy yelled as he and his brother made their exit after the meal.

''Sure thing'', the eldest Rizzoli was already engrossed in the beginning of said game.

''They're running away from doing the dishes aren't they?'', Angela asked.

''Probably'', truthful Maura responded. ''I'm not leaving until we're done though''. After a short silence, Maura couldn't help herself, ''did Jane seem a bit odd to you today?''

''She always is odd isn't she'', they both laughed out loud. ''but seriously, yes I did think she was acting a bit strange. Something is bothering her, but she won't say what it is. I never know how to help her sometimes. Won't you ask her Maura? Please. She'd sooner talk to you than me''. Maura's heart broke a little for the woman. All she wanted was for her daughter to be happy, and to reach out if she needed something.

When Maura dutifully fulfilled her promise she saw herself out. Angela and Frank enjoyed their evening together as per usual.

Jorge was a man who had crawled into the lives of the Rizzoli's and their extended family seemingly out of nowhere. He was very charismatic and charming and quickly stole the hearts of everyone. Tommy was the first to meet him. He joined the small painting company Tommy worked for about three months after the younger Rizzoli began. They got to talking and sparked up a friendship really quickly. They didn't really have mutual interests apart from their job and sports, but it took little work for their friendship to blossom. Eventually, Tommy got to introducing Jorge to Frankie, then Frost, and then it just seemed to extend to everyone else. Jorge was a looker, much like Tommy, and he wasn't very modest about it either. He was tall, had sandy trimly cut dark brown hair and fantastic abs.

Upon first meeting him, as expected, Jane was not amused by him in the slightest. As a rule, she generally never quite fancied adding people to her 'circle'. It didn't help that he thought he was 'all that' as well. Skeptical as ever, Jane had done a thorough background check on him before admitting him into Maura's home for the first time. As it turned out, there was nothing to worry about, quite the contrary actually.

Just to fare up on his honesty, Jane had questioned him instead of just saying all she knew already. To her surprise, and delight if she were to admit it, Jorge had been completely honest. He told them all how his mother was a Mexican immigrant and died in a fatal crash when he was only two years old, inevitably landing him into Foster Care because he didn't know his father. He spent his life in Chicago, and that was about as interesting as his story got.

The key to telling a successful lie is to keep all major things true, but then just change minor details. So everything Jorge had said was the truth. The only lie came when he was asked why he moved to Boston. Here he told them he had come with his boyfriend, who had gone on and left him only two weeks after they moved – taking all his money, effectively leaving him to have to make ends meet by doing the painting job he had just got. He mentioned not wanting to go back because Chicago held sad memories, and something about wanting to start anew. This definitely got him into everyone's good graces, and they certainly thought Tommy could do with a decent friend. Another thing Jane had been weary of - in fact, that was the thing that had put her off the most – was the foreseen advances towards Maura. These however, were put to rest immediately upon learning the man was gay-as-they-come. It did however earn Tommy a little teasing, which with time faded. Jorge's true intentions remained unbeknownst to them all.