This story is told from Angela's POV
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. All rights go to Janet Tamaro.
If I were to tell any love story, it would be the story of my daughter Jane and her best friend (now wife) Maura. It took them both a long time to admit it (because they were both so stubborn) after both denied it millions of the chemistry was there. Everyone knew it. Even they knew it, but they wouldn't admit it.
Maura and Jane met in Maura's freshman year at Boston Cambridge University...
Fall of 1995
Maura Isles was sitting under the big oak tree in the park reading "Gray's Anatomy." She always read things like that. Maura was the brightest person you could ever meet. She literally knew everything. But she didn't have many friends. She was socially awkward but she focused more on her studies than anything else.
"Hey you." A tall brunette said to the redhead. She seemed to be on a run.
Maura looked up. "Yes?" she answered.
The brunette knelt down to meet the young woman "I always see you out here alone." she said. "You're always reading medical books." she smiled.
Maura looked at her. "Well I just prefer to be alone." she said. "And I am infact studying medicine. So that would explain the medical books I'm always reading." She said.
"Uh huh." the brunette said. "Well I always see you out here and wanted to know if you'd like to take a walk." she asked.
Maura looked at her. She'd never been asked to go on a walk with anyone for as long as she could remember.
"Yes. Yes I would." She said smiling.
"Awesome!" the brunette said happily. She stood up then held out her hand for the redhead to take.
"Thanks." she said smiling and taking the brunettes hand as she pulled her to her feet.
"No problem." she said. "I'm Jane." she said as they started to walk.
The redhead smiled at her new friend. "I'm Maura." she said.
"Well nice to meet you Maura." Jane said smiling.
"You too Jane." Maura responded.
For the next two hours the two walked around Boston. The two talked about everything and anything. Maura was studying at Boston Cambridge but living in an elegant loft and she was studying medicine. Maura also told Jane that she was adopted and graduated high school rather young. And Jane had just started community college. She talked about how she'd go there for two years then go into the police academy.
"I want to be a homicide detective." Jane said proudly.
"How interesting." Maura said
Jane nodded. "It's been a dream for a long time." she said smiling.
She also told Maura she'd been accepted to Boston Cambridge but chose not to go.
"Why did you decline such a wonderful opportunity?" Maura questioned.
"Because my family wouldn't have been able to afford pop is a plumber." Jane answered.
Maura just simply nodded.
"So what are you afraid of?" Jane asked
"Chromium bacterium vialactia" Maura answered.
"Chromo bactro what?" Jane asked.
Maura laughed. "Flesh eating bacteria." she answered.
"Oh.. Well.. of course. That's like terrifying." Jane answered.
"It's quite scary actually." Maura said. "It eats the flesh from the inside out." she said cringing.
Jane couldn't help but laugh at her newfound friend. "Maura c'mon you mean to tell me you're not afraid of snakes or spiders?"
Maura shook her head. "I find the structure and pattern of a Thamnophis elegans terrestris quite fascinating. and the Labidognatha does good for nature." she said factually.
Jane shook her head. "Ok so other than the flesh eating demon, what else are you afraid of?"
"People. Living people." Maura answered.
Jane looked at her "But you said you wanted to be a doctor. You kinda have to have human contact." she said.
Maura shook her head. "I want to be a Medical Examiner." She said. "I want to be the voice for the non living. They deserve to be heard too Jane."
Jane nodded.
"Plus." Maura added. "The dead don't judge me like the living do."
Jane looked at her "I don't judge you."
Maura smiled. "I know you don't. You're my first true friend."
Jane smiled at her. "Well I've known you for exactly 2 hours and you already know my life's story.
Maura smiled "You know me very well too Jane."
Jane stared at her for a second. Something about this woman clicked. She didn't know what, but the chemistry was overwhelming. "C'mon Jane" she said to herself "you've got a boyfriend. You like MEN" She said in her head.
Maura stared back at Jane. She too felt a strange kinship towards the tall brunette. "Maura you know better. You love Garrett" she said to herself remembering her boyfriend."But studies do show humans love experimenting with new feelings and objects" she said to herself. Something about her. Something she's never felt with any man. Something new.
"Oh crap!" Jane said looking down at her watch.
"What is it?" Maura asked.
"I'm late for dinner and we're on the other side of Boston!" Jane exclaimed.
Maura chuckled at Jane freaking out.
"It's not funny Maura!" She yelled. "Ma hates late!"
Maura couldn't help but laugh at Jane's attitude.
Jane looked at her then thought about it. "You're coming with me." she said.
Maura stopped laughing. "Excuse me?" she said.
Jane nodded. "Yup. You're coming to a Rizzoli family dinner tonight. You're gonna be my excuse for being late." she said.
Maura looked at her. "I wouldn't want to intrude." she said.
"Nonsense." Jane said. "My ma always makes enough food to feed half of Boston." Jane said.
"Well.." Maura thought. "Alright. I've never had a real family dinner before." Maura quipped. "It seems like it'd be a rather interesting experience."
Jane smiled at her. "Fantastic." she said smiling. "I'll just say you're a friend from school."
Maura shook her head "But I'm not and I cannot lie." she said.
"What are you saying you'll break out into hives if you lie?" Jane snickered.
Maura nodded. "That's exactly what will happen."
Jane looked at her wide eyed. "Alright then." she said. "I met you in the park."
Maura smiled. "I like that." she said.
Jane smiled back. "Me too." she said. "C'mon we've got a dinner to attend." she said.
Now when Maura came into my house. I knew immediately she was something special. Not because she's smart as a whip, but because my daughter who didn't usually bring friends over ever, brought Maura into our home and introduced her to us. Jane hasn't done that with anyone except for her boyfriend Casey who never came over. And the way Jane acted around Maura. Maura brought out the joy and happiness that was infact my daughter Jane. She revealed a side of Jane no one ever thought existed...