AN: So, this is my first R&I story. I appreciate your feedback on how I am handling the characters. I do want to state for the record that this is NOT a Rizzles story so if you are looking for that, please do so elsewhere. I've currently got 3 chapters of this story done and will post them as I edit them between writing more. I desperately want this story done before the season premiere so that is my goal. Also, I will not be directly adressing the loss of Frost, rather vaguely referencing it. Let's face it, our favorite family of law enforcement isn't so talented at dealing with their feelings and I want the story to reflect that.

Spoilers: Through Season 4

Pairings: Frankie/Maura and mentions of Jane's relationship with Casey as well as Angela's with Sean

Disclaimer: Neither author nor her muse own Rizzoli and Isles or any of the characters. We're just borrowing them from people who have more money than we do.

The knock on her door startled Maura back into focus. As she rose and went to answer it, she wondered who it could be. Angela never knocked anymore, she had just been texting Jane, and Tommy, who was practically living in the guest house again, was at an AA meeting. Maybe it was Korsack checking up on her again.

She unlocked the door and swung it open, nearly losing her grasp on it as her visitor came into view. "Frankie?"

He smiled softly at her and shifted his weight on his feet. "Hey Maura. I'm sorry to bug you so late, but I was wondering if Ma was here? She's not at her place."

She managed to quickly regain her composure and stepped back to allow him entry. "She went to dinner with Lieutenant Cavanaugh, but they should be back soon if you want to wait."

He paused a moment before nodding. "Thanks." He waited while she closed the door then followed her to the kitchen.

She knew he was watching her as she put a kettle of water on for tea. Once the flame was properly adjusted, she allowed herself to look at him. What she saw worried her.

While he was still looking in her general direction, he was no longer looking at her. His eyes were as glazed as hers had been as she sat on the couch a few minutes earlier. His brow was tightly knit and imprinted with worry lines. He had significant periorbital darkening, indicative of a lack of sleep. And, while he would generally look slightly scruffy this late in the day, his current growth of stubble indicated he hadn't shaved that morning.

She turned from him to busy herself setting out tea cups and a canister of herbal tea as her gut knotted sharply in guilt. She had been so focused on Jane lately that she hadn't noticed his obvious affliction. "Frankie, what's wrong?"

"I'm worried about Janie. Between the crap Casey pulled and then Frost..." He trailed off as his voice caught.

While Maura and Angela had talked and cried at length together about the loss of Detective Frost, the rest of the team was playing their emotional cards close to the vest. Jane had assured her that she had been 'talking it out' with Korsack, but she also knew that her friend hadn't talked to Casey about her pregnancy.

Morning sickness and insomnia, as well as hiding the former from her friends and coworkers, were wearing her down quickly and she looked constantly exhausted. She had lost a little weight, and on her frame it was fairly obvious. Frankie was right to be worried about his sister, but Maura couldn't tell him that without betraying Jane's trust. "She'll be okay. The past few weeks have just been really hard on her."

He scrubbed his hand over his face and sighed. "I hope so. I just wish she'd talk to me Maura."

She knew the two eldest Rizzoli siblings had always been close and, while neither was (as Jane put it) 'touchy feely', they were generally very open with one another. "She will when she's ready." The kettle whistled and she stepped back to the stove to click it off. She carefully filled the pair of cups and added a tea bag to each.

She rounded the counter, placing one cup in front of her guest before settling onto the stool beside him. She observed him surreptitiously as he fiddled with his drink. His skin tone was unusually dull and his dark hair lacked its normal sheen. "When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?"

He shrugged, his focus remaining on the steaming beverage before him. "I dunno. Maybe a day or two after we wrapped up the Bloomfield case?"

That had been over two weeks ago. No wonder he looked so worn down. "You really need to get some rest. She reached over to place a comforting hand on his arm and he finally turned to look at her.

The tension which had slowly built between them for months until their kiss outside Jane's apartment had been lost in the chaos of the last two weeks, but now it veritably slammed into her with a force that stole her breath.

His hand rose to cover hers on his arm, warming her skin quickly. His eyes were locked on hers and she had to make a concerted effort not to lean in to kiss him.

She was rescued from the very real possibility of losing her mind's argument with the rest of her body by the sound of a key in the front door.

She could hear the door open and a voice followed the sound. "Maura? Is that Frankie's car outside?"

As Angela's voice rang through the house, Maura slid her hand from its warm cocoon and stood.

"We're right here, Ma. No need to wake the neighbors." Frankie's sarcastic remark was typical for the family that had become so dear to her, but lacked the usual edge of exasperation.

His mother joined them as, ever the proper hostess, the home's owner fixed another cup of tea.

Angela surveyed her son. "What are you doing here so late? You look tired."

Maura deposited Angela's tea then retreated as the family matriarch fawned over her middle child.

Frankie rolled his eyes. "I am fine, Ma. I came to talk to you about Janie. I'm really worried about her.

Angela's brow furrowed. "Me too. I think she's lost weight. You two spend more time with her than I do. Do you think she's sick?"

Frankie shrugged and the Rizzolis both turned to look at the only doctor in the room. Maura had to think fast. She couldn't lie to them or her hives would be a dead giveaway. But, then again, technically Jane wasn't sick. She was pregnant. "I don't believe she's ill. Did you know that stress can lead to insomnia? Then, the pair combined can lead to fatigue, changes in eating habits, altered skin pigmentation, weight loss, irritability, and decreased cognitive ability to name a few."

Angela's frown deepened. "I'm going to talk to Sean about getting you all a few days off."

Frankie sighed heavily. "Ma, we're in the middle of a case." His eyes softened as he took in his mother's obvious anxiety. "Look, once we make our arrest, I'll make Jane take a day or two off, okay?"

Angela nodded reluctantly. "Okay, but not just her. You too." She took a sip of her tea, studying her son the entire time. "Why don't you stay with me tonight? You're exhausted. I don't want you driving home like this."

He tongued the inside of his lip, drawing attention to the thin pink scar still easily visible there. "Is Tommy staying at your place tonight?"

"Sean went to pick him up from his meeting. My place is closer than his." Translation: Yes.

Frankie shook his head and stood. "He's still pretty pissed at me. It's better if I just let him have his space."

"I wish you two would make up already! I can't stand my boys hating each other." Angela's eyes welled up.

Maura caught the tender look on Frankie's face as he stepped next to his mother and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We don't hate each other, Ma. Hell, I'm not even mad anymore. And Tommy, he's still pretty upset about...well everything. So if he needs someone to blame right now, better me than you or Jane."

Maura decided to intervene before Angela had a complete breakdown. "Frankie, why don't you stay here tonight? You really shouldn't drive while experiencing extreme fatigue. On average, a hundred thousand vehicle crashes each year in the United States are a direct result of fatigued drivers, and drowsiness contributes to a large number of crashes blamed on other causes."

Frankie looked like he was going to object, but his mother didn't give him a chance. "Thank you, Maura. I'll come over in the morning and make you both breakfast."

She kissed her son on the cheek and was gone a moment later, leaving Maura one again alone with Frankie.