A/N: Hi guys! Kindly forgive me for still being in the midst of Season Two of R&I (it's a long story, one involving school and an unexpected - and easily fed - addiction to a reality show aired in 2006). I promise I'm going to get myself caught up when I can afford the DVDs; but, in the meantime, kindly accept my offerings, which are based on what I've watched so far.
I've always been one for unconventional ships. I, personally, cannot stand Rizzles (don't ask me why, I used to love it!) so I've been wracking my brain for viable alternatives. I can enjoy Jane/Casey and Jane/Dean to an extent, but I'm trying out something rather unconventional for our lovely detective in this fic. As for Maura, well... this is my favourite Maura ship that I'm writing here. I hope y'all like it.
Sometimes you just know it's going to be one of those days, Jane thought to herself.
So far, she had managed to misplace her current case's file and spill coffee on her one of her favourite white blouses. And if calamities come in threes, she knew she was in for one more piece of ill luck.
Jane glanced at her watch and noticed that it was time for her lunch break. After one last irritated sweep of her desk area for the missing file, she gave up and headed downstairs to the café.
As she was waiting for the person in front of her to find his wallet (an endeavor that apparently required searching every pocket in his uniform) and leave, Frankie walked in. After grabbing a sandwich and soda, he joined her.
"Not much of a line today," he observed.
"Half of DCU and a good chunk of homicide is out working the Doherty case," Jane reminded him. "And I'm surprised you aren't with them."
Frankie shrugged. "I figured I've got enough field experience and decided to work on prepping for the written part of the detective's exam."
"Fair enough," Jane said. "If you need any help with that, you know where to find me."
"Thanks, Janie," Frankie said gratefully.
The officer in front of them finally found his wallet, sheepishly paid, and all but ran out of the café.
Angela looked up from the cash register. "Jane! Frankie! Do you two have a moment? I need to talk to you both. It's very important."
Jane and Frankie exchanged looks of "uh-oh."
"Sure, Ma," said Jane, with only a slight hint of irritation audible.
They paid for their sandwiches and the three of them sat down at the table furthest from the door.
"I'm worried about you two," Angela began. "Neither of you have had a serious relationship since high school."
"Ma!" Jane exclaimed.
"Really?" Frankie added.
Angela glared defensively. "Well, it's only a little bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?"
Frankie and Jane traded looks of exasperation. Here comes the attempt to set one or both of us up with someone, they agreed silently.
Not even slightly deterred, their mother continued. "Thanksgiving is coming up," Angela said. "I want you two to come and have dinner with Sean and me." She paused for a moment. "And I want you both to bring dates."
Jane and Frankie looked at her with identical expressions of horror.
Taking their silence to mean assent, Angela smiled happily. "I can't wait to see who you bring!" She got up and went back to behind the counter to help the only other patron in the café. Frankie and Jane sat there for a few more moments in mute horror, then got up and hightailed it out of their mother's vicinity.