Violet and Paul Stark called Maura Isles this brisk morning pleading that she leaves Boston as soon as she could to do an autopsy for their daughter, Naomi. Violet and Paul believed Naomi was murdered because of her high-class contacts. The police had said Naomi committed suicide. Naomi would never kill herself. Never.
Maura knew Violet since boarding school and Violet's parents were close to Maura's. Maura emails Violet every now and then and they have a superficial friendship. They discuss art, French cuisine, and most importantly fashion. Violet has attended every fashion show in Paris. Violet is the editor of Vogue Paris and on occasion, she supervises photo shoots. Naomi was trying desperately to become a fashion designer. She used her mother's contacts to get an assistant position. She was one of many assistants to Monique Lhuiller. Naomi kept her designs pretty private and she made up designs every day. Naomi called Maura every other day. Usually at the office during Maura's lunch hour and Naomi's end of the day wind down. Naomi was pretty much Maura's goddaughter.
After Maura got the call, she couldn't believe Naomi was gone. She went into the living room and sat on the chair closest to the couch. She listened to Jane sleep, while observing her hands fidgeting with each other. She didn't know what to do or what she needed. Naomi had meant so much to Maura; she was just so shocked. Maura's thoughts kept telling her she should go to Paris and find her killer. No one else is going to pursue this. Naomi deserves justice and her parents deserve to know the truth.
The only thing that was stopping her was the thought of leaving Jane behind. Jane was her rock, her well of support and strength and Maura needed that strength to stand upright and the support to find the murderer of her dear friend. Maura was afraid of Jane's probable rejection. It paralyzed her. Maura needed Jane. Maura's need for Jane was profound and it took Maura a long time to realize that fact. It scared Maura. No one had ever been that consistent, that supportive and that trustworthy towards Maura. Everyone else who got close to Maura had inevitably left. No one has stayed around for this long. Maura used to believe that she would always be alone because she was so different from others that she couldn't relate to others. But then Jane came into her life.
The perfect smart ass to her literal inquiry. "Not every hooker has a heart of gold, alright sister?" "Apparently not, sister." She was definitely intrigued by that woman. For weeks after that encounter, Maura came into that café to observe Jane. Every day, Maura wished she had the courage to talk to her again. This woman was strong, assertive, powerful and smart; why was she a prostitute? This puzzled Maura more than she realized. Then, that woman stopped coming in to the café and Maura found herself overwhelmed with disappointment.
Five months later, one of Maura's co-workers, Susie asked Maura to go out for drinks at the Dirty Robber. Maura said yes even though she doesn't usually go out. Maura was feeling like the person she was, was incredibly blah and she wanted to be someone else. At least for a night. She went home to change into a flowing sexy dress. It was knee length and a deep purple. It had a v neck which showed quite a bit of cleavage. Maura wore a silver chain that had a pendant of jade and amethyst. Her earrings were simple: diamond studs. She met Susie at 8 at one of the booths in the back of the bar. Maura was feeling very reckless and she wanted a change. A major life altering change. But she didn't know what she was looking for; she just knew it was missing. "Susie, do you want anything from the bar? I'm heading up there."
"Yes, please. I want a long island iced tea."
"Ok, I'll be back a.s.a.p." Maura sashayed through the crowd to the hot bartender. His dark eyes were absolutely penetrating. "Two long island iced teas, please." He nodded. Maura got her wallet out and placed the money on the counter, giving the mysterious bartender a 20 dollar tip. Maura was feeling rather generous and casual.
"Miss?" The drinks were ready. Maura started to carry them towards Susie but before she could reach the booth she was distracted by wild, unruly, alluring hair that belonged to that woman. The woman she barely knew but missed dearly. Maura was star struck, thoughts kept coming up, telling her to go up to her or telling her to go back to Susie or wait for her to see her and let the ball be in her court even though Maura was fighting the urge to go over and lead the woman to a secluded space. Maura had the compulsion to kiss that woman and never let her go. She wanted to be one with this woman and these thoughts were convoluted, unfamiliar and very confusing. Maura had never felt these feelings before. Remembering Susie, she directed her eyes back to the booth and moved her feet towards it. Maura handed Susie her drink and sat across from her. She gulped down half of her long island iced tea. "Susie, do you know who that woman is over there?" She gestured to the tall muscular woman sitting five booths up and one over.
Susie looked over and a look of recognition flashed upon her face. "Yes, that's Detective Rizzoli; she works for the Drug Control Unit. She's pretty kickass, always doing undercover jobs." Maura's face changed from curiosity to looking like she was suddenly turned on. And she was. "Do you want to meet her?" Susie asked. "Detective Rizzoli!" She yelled before Maura had the chance to answer. Detective Rizzoli looked over at Susie and waved. She turned her head slightly to take in the view of Maura. Jane remembered her. How could she forget her? She could never. She thought of that woman often; wondering what she was up to, how she was, who else she was generous to. Jane sauntered over to their booth with undeniable confidence that Maura found insanely sexy. "Hi Susie, haven't seen you since the department's annual picnic. Who's your friend?"
"I'm Maura Isles. I'm the new medical examiner at the precinct."
"I'm Jane." She extended her hand out to Maura's right hand. Maura gripped it strongly and shook both hands at a mild pace. Maura glided her fingers over Jane's palm before returning it to her thigh; leading Jane's eyes to Maura's thighs. Maura was staring at Jane. Jane could feel Maura's gaze on her so she glanced up to find Maura's eyes. The eye contact made Maura feel like Jane was going to devour her right then and there but there was a slight sense of hesitation beneath the longing, lustful look that Maura wished wasn't there. As that realization came to Maura's mind, Jane looked back at Susie. "Well, it's been a long and exhaustive day so I should hit the hay. It was nice seeing you, Susie. And it was really nice meeting you Maura." She gave Maura a smile before leaving.
Maura hadn't thought of that night since it happened. She almost forgot those intense feelings she experienced when she first met Jane. She honestly didn't believe how good she had gotten at being in deep denial around Jane. She had wanted to have sex with Jane but she lost the uninhibited outlook of that night when she saw her again. Jane acted friendly but the sexy undertones were gone. Maura decided Jane must have regretted the look she gave her, that that hesitation won over and she is just going to pretend that display of attraction didn't happen. After all, she hadn't seen the way she looked at Maura so how is she supposed to know what the look was like.
Seven years later, Maura is staring at Jane's sleeping body and debating whether or not she should wake her up. It was six in the morning. A time Jane hates. Maura decided to make coffee before waking her up. She wanted Jane to go on this trip with her because without Jane, Maura would be lost. Jane ruined being alone for Maura. Maura even thought that the life she had been leading, prior to meeting Jane, was her merely existing. With Jane, Maura was living and breathing everything in.
Maura moved to stand in front of Jane; she leaned down to sweep Jane's hair off of her cheek. "Jane. Jane. Wake up. Jane." She gently shook Jane awake. Jane had stayed the night, falling asleep on the couch while watching a movie with Maura.
"What? Mauuurrra. It's so early." Jane whined sleepily.
"I know, Jane, but I need you to come with me." Jane opened her eyes again and saw Maura's concerned face.
"What's wrong?" Jane sat up and gestured for Maura to sit next to her. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah." Maura said unconvincingly. "I have to go−"
"Go where?" Jane interrupted hastily.
"France, Jane." Jane's eyes looked at Maura's in surprise.
"France?"
"Yes." Maura looked at Jane uncertainly. "Will you go with me?" Jane looked at her with immense astonishment. "Please, Jane."
"Maura, I don't know if I can. I mean, it's France and I have work. I don't even have a freakin' passport."
"Maybe you can work on Naomi's murder. My mother's friend has a private jet and they have a place there too." Maura felt like she was drowning and waiting for the life preserver to reach her.
"I don't think I can just go over there and take over the case, Maura." She said sarcastically. Maura looked tremendously dissatisfied. "Maur, why do you need me to go?"
Maura was in deep thought; her head was swirling with conflicting ideas. She didn't think she would tell Jane in this manner. Right now. But she really needed Jane with her. They hadn't been apart. Ever.
"I'm sorry, Maur. I didn't mean to sound and be so bitchy. I just don't know…" Jane trailed off; hoping she didn't upset Maura irrevocably.
"I need you because I love you. The thought of being gone without you for an undetermined amount of time…I can't." Tears started to fall slowly from Maura's eyes. "I've wanted to tell you this for a long time and I don't know why I'm telling you now. All I know is I'm in love with you and I need you to know that." Maura got up and went to the kitchen leaving a dumbstruck Jane behind. Jane's head was spinning. She didn't expect Maura to tell her this. Jane had had dreams about Maura. Intimate dreams that Jane had always brushed off thinking she only had those dreams because she sees Maura every day and it's been a long time since Jane had sex. But if Jane was honest with herself, she knew she was deeply attracted to Maura and loved her with all of her heart. She loved teasing her and making her laugh. She loved how smart Maura is and how determined she is to help find the murderer with her. Jane heard Maura turn on the faucet which got Jane's head out of her ass and into the kitchen.
"Maura." Jane was standing directly behind her and Maura was facing the sink. Jane placed her hands on both of her shoulders turning Maura around to face her. Jane kissed both of Maura's cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose and finally her soft lips. Jane put her hands in Maura's hair and continued kissing her. When Jane pulled back, she looked into Maura's soulful eyes and wiped Maura's tear streaked cheeks. Jane rested her forehead on Maura's forehead. "I love you." Jane whispered leaning her lips up against Maura's. Maura opened her mouth slightly, subtly daring Jane to deepen the kiss. Jane smiled and moved her hand down Maura's back, letting her hands settle on Maura's hips. Jane's tongue happily entered Maura's mouth. "I love you." Jane said throatily.
"Oh, Jane." Maura started kissing Jane's neck and ended the kissing trail on her clavicle. "I love you too." Maura said breathily. She kissed Jane fervently and tenderly. Jane could feel the heat radiating off of Maura's body and she loved it.
"You're an excellent heater." Jane joked. "Will you warm me up in France?"
"Does that mean you're coming?" Maura said enthusiastically. Her smile was so bright it touched Jane's heart instantaneously.
"Yes," she smiled. "I have a lot of vacation time saved up. Might as well use it." Jane lightly kissed Maura's lips. "Plus, you are my el-biff."
"You're my sexy bitch." Maura smirked and ran playfully back into the living room.
"Dr. Isles, I can't believe you would use such a crass phrase!" She hollered after her before she sprinted into Maura causing her to tumble on the couch and giving herself an opportune time to pounce on top of Maura. She kissed Maura's neck all over and nibbled Maura's left earlobe. "I just want to lick your face." She whispered. Jane licked Maura's face so quickly before Maura could protest. Jane started laughing, remembering her disgust from Giovanni saying the same thing. "That's what you get for calling me a bitch."
"Oh, but the adjective was acceptable?" Maura teased.
"I would assume so. You are the one who chose it." Jane kissed Maura again, this time she bit Maura's bottom lip before she drove her tongue into Maura's gratifying mouth.
"It is very acceptable. Especially, when I think of the second time I met you."
"You mean, when you met Detective Rizzoli and not the hard ass hooker?"
"Mmhm." Maura nodded. "Detective Rizzoli was oozing sex, and desire burned in her eyes. She walked with complete confidence that I could not think coherently."
"I didn't realize I had that effect on you."
"Oh, you don't. Detective Rizzoli does." Maura leaned over to kiss Jane firmly before she grinded her hips against Jane.
"Should I put my gun in my holster and badge up my slacks?"
"I can't believe we didn't act on our attraction to each other that night. I wanted to have you all to myself. Right then and there."
"You should have taken me. Clearly, I was too cowardly to do anything."
"I could sense the hesitation…I hated it…"
"I just didn't…I didn't know if I was enough. Good enough. You are just so you. Beautiful, gorgeous, insanely intelligent, generous, giving, kind, loving and open. You're open and honest about who you are. I found you intimidating but I really wanted to get to know you. I kept our relationship a friendship because I thought you deserve better."
"Jane, you are the most exceptional person I have ever known. You are fearless, courageous, intense, powerful, assertive, beautiful, brilliant, gorgeous, trustworthy, smart, protective, compassionate, loving, determined, and a force of nature. You changed my life the day I saw you. You made my life better the day we became friends. And you saved my life today when you kissed me. You are worthy of everything good in this world." Maura gestured Jane to place her head on Maura's lap. Maura soothingly ran her fingers through Jane's hair. "You mean the world to me and you always will."
"Maura, you mean everything to me. More than everything. You're amazing. I can't believe you're mine. Thank you for loving me. I love you so incredibly much."
"Thank you for never leaving me alone and loving me like the way only you can." Maura kissed Jane's forehead and then she pecked at Jane's yielding lips. Jane reached up to deepen the kiss.
"If anything, you are my sexy bitch." Jane smirked.
Maura started giggling. "You wish. You are so whipped." She teased. "You are under my complete control." Maura beamed. "Not to worry, I won't make you do anything you don't want to do."
"Whatever." Jane grinned. "Should we get ready to leave? Don't you have to call your mom's friend so we can borrow her private jet?"
"Yes, I will call Lucy right now. She's in New York for an art gallery opening. I really think we should get you a passport soon though." Maura kissed Jane's forehead and went to call Lucy.
Jane's heart swelled with happiness. Her interior monologue was jumping up and down in glee and shouting Maura loves me, Maura wants me, Maura needs me! Jane felt ridiculous for a millisecond, laughing at her thoughts. But then, Maura came back in and looked at Jane with such love and care that Jane no longer felt ridiculous. She knew she had been incredibly blessed.
"Lucy is sending the jet over and then we will be off to Paris. I'm so glad you are coming with me; I can't do the autopsy without your support. Naomi was practically my goddaughter. I still can't comprehend her death. I talked to her the day before yesterday. She was excited about her new designs that she came up with that week. She was very ambitious and talented."
"I'm so sorry. Come here." Jane waved Maura over to her lap. "I want to hold you." Maura obliged immediately needing Jane's comfort and warmth. Jane wrapped both of her arms around Maura tightly. "I love you." Maura started to softly sob. "It's going to be ok, we'll find her killer. We will bring some peace to Naomi's family. You are the best at what you do." Jane said soothingly. Jane kissed Maura's cheek and then let Maura nuzzle at her neck. Forty minutes went by and Jane was still holding Maura. "Shit, Maur, we should go pack." She gave Maura a squeeze before Maura got up.
"Do you want to pack our things separately or together in my suitcase?"
"Whatever's easiest… It will probably be fastest if we share." Jane reached for Maura's hand to hold as they walked to the bedroom. Maura set the expansive and expensive suitcase on the bed. Jane suddenly realized that most of her clothes were actually in Maura's closet. Of course, she already knew that but she never put it together. It was significant and really showed how close they were. "Jeez, Maura, what made you buy such a huge suitcase?"
"Jane," Maura exhaled, showing mild annoyance. "Obviously, I bought it because it allows minimal wrinkling of my clothes. Also, I added to my wardrobe quite a bit the last time I was away."
"Did you ever realize that pretty much all of my clothes are here?" Jane blurted out.
"I did, Jane. Your clothes made my room smell like you." Maura looked Jane straight in the eyes and smiled.
"And that's a good thing?" Jane smiled uncertainly.
"Yes, your pheromones are very attractive." Maura stood in front of Jane looking appreciatively at her entire body. Her eyes locked on Jane's lips. She reached out, gliding her fingers up Jane's sides. Jane tensed at the touch, goose bumps developed all over causing Jane to shiver. Jane closed the space between them by stepping towards Maura. Maura kissed Jane's neck while breathing her scent in. "Mmmm," she moaned in Jane's ear.
"Maur," Jane gasped. Her hands roamed Maura's back and unclasped her bra. Jane took half a step back and lifted Maura's shirt over her head. Jane pulled the bra off of Maura, her eyes hungrily scanning over Maura's breasts and she kissed Maura forcefully. Maura's nipples were hard against Jane's under shirt. Jane pushed Maura back on to the bed and Maura let out a surprised gasp before she pulled Jane on top of her. She kissed Jane until they were both out of breath.
Knock, knock. "Shit, that must be the driver who is going to take us to the jet." Maura said. Jane rolled off of Maura grudgingly.
"Fuck."