Chapter One: Jane The Hulk. Jane reacts to news that an old friend of Maura's is now working for Constance and will be visiting soon. Additions will be uploaded every few days. follow for notifications. My twitter link is in my profile for those who wish to follow.
Jane Rizzoli hated this feeling and she would never admit to even having this feeling, not even to herself. Oh, all the people around her would know that something was bothering her, there was no other explanation. Her witty retorts became downright mean and her razor sharp wit suddenly cut like a machete'. Feelings would be hurt and egos would be bruised, but Jane Rizzoli didn't notice that, nor would she have cared, had she noticed.
She had been in these dark moods before, though seldom so. The hallmark of the attitude that engulfed her in these times of emotional darkness, was the one person immune from her wrath, Maura Isles.
Vince Korsak tried to stay as far away from Jane as possible when she had days like this. Doing so usually meant also staying away from the autopsy lab and Maura. Today was different however, as Jane was stalking the squad room, like a lioness on the prowl. "Today would be the day we wouldn't have a single case to investigate." he thought silently to himself.
Seizing an opportunity to stealthily vacate his desk, he made his way down to make a mid morning visit to Maura, perhaps he would be able to learn what had put Jane in such a tizzy.
"Good morning, Maura." he cheerfully greeted as he stood in the door Maura's Office.
"Good Morning, Vince, you certainly are cheerful, let me guess, we have a body to recover and a crime scene to investigate." replied Maura.
"No, no, no, all is peaceful in the town of beans this morning, I just wanted to visit with my favorite medical examiner while we have a slow time." he said.
"Well, I am always happy to have you visit, Vince." she replied with a smile.
"You seem bubbly this morning, Maura. To bad your good mood hasn't rubbed off on Jane." he continued.
"Oh dear, is Jane having a bad time of it this morning?" asked Jane.
"Actually its the rest of us who are the ones having the bad time," replied Vince, Jane has been on a tear today, something certainly has her in a bad mood. You haven't noticed anything?"
"You know, its odd," she said looking at her watch, "I haven seen Jane at all this morning. She didn't come by the house before work and she hasn't been down here. You say she is in a bad mood?"
"Lets just say her elevated adenine-thymine levels, aggravated by high levels of gamma radiation seem to be involved in some sort of emotional reaction this morning." explained Korsak.
"Oh no, her Bruce Banner complex is acting up, I wonder what set her off." replied Maura, "I better come upstairs and talk with her."
"You seem to be the only one who can calm her when she goes Hulk on us." replied Vince.
As the two walked to the elevator, Maura shared the good news she received last night. Her mother called unexpectedly to tell her of her planned visit to Boston. She was coming for the express purpose of visiting with Maura, while her new business manager takes care of some real estate details. Maura was aware that her mother was courting her MBA friend, Samantha Preston, for the business manager position, but she didn't know of the outcome of the recruitment 'til last night.
Maura had history with Sam, in that they were friends and roommates in college. There was, of course, one fact that Maura didn't share with Vince, that being that she and Samantha were actually more than friends in college. Even as freshmen, they shared an intense desire to excel in their chosen fields, Maura in medicine and Samantha in Business. Both had graduated at the top of their respective classes and gone on to distinguished careers. Early on, almost as a way to isolate themselves from the intricacies of college life, they became lovers. Doing so allowed them to isolate themselves from the social demands of college life that can distract one from their studies. Their tryst continued through their senior year then ended amicably when they graduated, both women chalking it up to being 'gay til graduation'.
As the elevator doors slid open, Maura immediately saw Jane. Her back was turned as she rifled through a file drawer, so the scowl on her face wasn't evident to the doctor.
Leaning close to Jane's ear, Maura whispered, "Are you avoiding me Jane Rizzoli?"
As if by magic, the frown and the down turned lips gave way and a sparkle appeared in the detectives eye. Smiling, she said, "Why, yes, I was avoiding you, but it seems I can't get away from you."
"Well then I suppose you won't be interested in joining me downstairs for coffee and croissant." said Maura with an impish smirk.
"I would even eat a hoity-toity croissant, if it means I can get away from this for a little while." said Jane as she headed to the door with Maura.
As they sat across from each other, talking about their day, the calmness of having no murder to investigate, the beautiful summer and even the fact that the Red Sox were in town for a weekend series, Maura just didn't see it. She didn't see Jane The Hulk that terrorized the others. She saw Jane her friend, who was all smiles and cheerful. She didn't realize that her presence was the only reason the terror that was Jane abated.
It wasn't until the conversation turned to Constance's upcoming visit that Jane became just a bit testy, knowing that Samantha would be accompanying her new boss to the states. Seeing the tension in her friend become palpable, Maura silently began to evaluate the cause of the sudden turnaround. She wondered, why her mothers visit would cause Jane any emotional distress. Perhaps she would be able to observe a cause and effect relationship when Constance and Samantha arrived in two days.