Disclaimer: I own nothing. Besides my car. And maybe my apartment. Oh, and my clothes! I love those. And Andrea. I own myself! Hell yeah!
I would say that I'm a hefty person. I always have been. Unfortunately, even the strongest person on the planet has a collapse at some point. It's inevitable... it´s Kinetic energy. We try to push it away but, in the end, it always catches up with us.
´Going with Casey to his theraphy. Rain check on dinner?` The ME sighed dejectedly, reading the message for the unptenth time that night. Everyone has a breaking point and sitting in the dark corner of an upscale bar, drinking her sorrows away, Maura Isles had hit hers.
Picking her glass, she finished her drink before signaling the bartender to bring another. It seems like the only thing that will help her forget, at least for a little while, at least until the next morning, when she´ll be sitting at her desk, smile firmly locked in place, waiting for Jane to come to the morgue and tell her all about the progress that the Major Jones was having in physical therapy.
"Here´s your drink, Signorina." An handsome man, clad in black fitted slacks and a nice tailored shirt, deposited the drink carefully in front of her.
"Thank you." Looking into worried green eyes, she smiled in reassurance, hoping that the young man would leave her alone with her thoughts. She watched him sigh, before he left her vision to tend to another customer.
Sitting alone, she let her thoughts wonder, again, to the homicide detective. The italian had been dating Casey for over six months now. Six months of cancelling dinners and morning runs. Six months of having the Major or his therapy as their only topic of conversation. Six months of having to see their hapiness on the Sunday brunch´s that Angela insisted on having. The blonde sighed loudly as she picked her glass. It looked a little blurry. Unluckily, the thoughts that overpowered her mind were still cristal clear and until she could remember them, she would keep drinking.
Downing her 3th glass of Margarita, or was it the 4th, she signaled the bartender again. After terminating her relationship with Dennis, who if she was honest with herself, she never envisioned a future with, Maura allowed herself to acknowledge her infatuation with Jane. The blonde doctor knew that she would never be able to admit her feelings. Jane was straight and even if she had never expressed any homophobic tendencies, in the years that they have know each other, she also hadn´t showed any interest in the fairer sex. And wasn´t love all about being happy if the loved one was happy? Jane was happy! She was in love with Casey and she seemed more content than Maura could remember seeing her. Unfortunately, her heart and mind weren´t really on the same page about the love logic and everytime she saw the couple together, she could feel her heart breaking a little more. She knew that any sane person would distance themselves, but she just couldn´t.
Picking her refill, she sighed. Her love life was really an epic Greek tragedy.
Andrea was getting incredibly restless as yet again she kicked another man out of her establishment. The gorgeous blonde with the sad face was completely wasted and the brunette bartender was having a hard time keeping the sleazy bastards away from the dress clad female.
"Poor girl," Jack said from beside her. Seeing his line of sight, she assumed that he was talking about the mysterious stunning woman. "She looks so sad, Boss. She´s also majorly drunk. Maybe we should call a cab for her?"
Looking at the blonde woman again, Andrea thought about her employer suggestion. "I´ll take her home. She´s far too intoxicated and I couldn´t forgive myself if I saw on the news tomorrow that something happened to her."
She could see Jack´s smirk growing as she talked.
"What?" She whispered harshly.
"Nothing." She raised an eyebrow at her friend´s amused chuckle. "It´s almost closing time. Me and the guys will finish it here. Call me when you get home."
Shaking her head at her best friend´s retreating back, she smiled before making her way to the gorgeous woman. Though she didn't know why she had suddenly been overcome by the urge to consume so much alcohol, Andrea knew that she had more then enough, judging by her looks. The italian couldn't guess what exactly had happened, but she couldn´t stop the feeling of wanting to know.
"Get yourself together, sciocca." Running her right hand throught her hair, she berated herself quietly. The task at hand was to get the beautiful woman home safely and with that in mind, she stopped in front of the blonde,leaning on the white sleek counter that she had helped to project.
"Signorina?" Andrea´s breath caught in her throat as the blonde lifted her head and inebriated hazel eyes looked into hers. Dio! "I´m sorry to inform you but we are closing."
"Oh, I didn´t realize." Looking into her Cartier Ballon Blue Gold watch, she couldn´t pinpoint what time it was due to the quavering numbers. Realizing that maybe she had a glass too much, she lifted her gaze, looking straight into a concerned green gaze. "I´ll be leaving now." Picking up her Birkin, she eased herself off the bar stool, only to sway and grip the counter for support. "W-whoa!"
"Please, let me help you." She heard the bartender offering, alarmed emerald eyes looking at her unsteady figure.
"Thank you but there´s no need to worry. I just lost my balance for a bit. Have a nice night." Smiling in a silent acknowledgment at his kind nature, the ME turned to leave before drunkenly stumbling again.
The italian had seen it coming and leaped over the counter, catching the blonde around the waist before she could fall.
"Please, let me help you." Offering again, she smiled in relief at the other woman soft nod. Letting her left arm encircle the petit waist more casually, she led her to the employer´s private lift.
"Where are we going?" A slightly panicked voice asked as they where descending to the underground garage.
Shit! For an Harvard Business Major, she surely was a little stupid sometimes. Trying to convey her sincerety, the italian picked a slightly shaking hand before looking straight into scared hazel eyes. "I´m not going to harm you in anyway. I just want to take you home safely, I swear." Feeling the tremor subsiding in her clasped hands, she continued. "But if you´ll feel better, I can call a cab for you. I´ll wait until it arrives and you give the cabby your adress. Just to be sure that nothing happens."
"Why do you care? You don´t even know me." Hazel orbs bored into her own.
Scratching the back of her head, she sighed, before whispering. "I don´t know... I just do." Lowering her gaze, she let go of the blonde´s hand as the elevator dinged, signaling the end of it´s journey, before the door opened.
"The floor. It... it is s-swaying." The blonde slurred as she exited the compartment. Quickly moving, the italian resumed her hold on the blonde´s waist. "Thank you." Feeling a soft hand holding her hip, she looked down into tired greenish eyes, questioningly. "Would you mind... I mean, if it´s not a bother..."
Smiling softly, she gently tightened her grip. "I offered. It´s no bother at all." Feeling the other woman leaning her head against her shoulder, she sighed, caughting the faint scent of her perfume. She smelled wonderfuly. "Come on, careful now."
Walking slowly to her car, the bartender opened the passenger´s door before attentively helping the stunning woman inside the vehicle. Knowing from personal experience that the drive was probably going to get the blonde into a quiet slumber, she asked for her adress, before quickly typing it into the GPS car system and lowering it´s volume.
Andrea had been parked in front of the presumably blonde´s house for the last 5 minutes, just watching her sleep. She looked so calm and peaceful. Casting one last glance to the beautiful woman, she exited her car, moving to the passenger´s door and carefully opening the door.
"Signorina." She whispered, taking off her seat belt. "Signorina." Crouching down besides the blonde woman, the italian ran her left hand up the blonde´s arm, repeating the motion until she felt the other woman stirring slightly, before striking eyes blinked at her. Waiting until she was certain that the other woman was alert, she helped her out of the car, before gently resuming the hold on her waist.
"Thank you!" The ME´s smiled at the attentive gesture. She had started walking towards her house, when suddenly her legs gave away. Frightly, she tried to grab the black shirt near her but her reflexes were just too slow, dulled by the excessive amount of alcohol that she had consumed. Closing her eyes, she prepared herself for the painful impact with the ground, that surprisingly never came.
Astounded by the full weight suddenly depending on her arm, the italian stumbled but managed to prevent the blonde´s body from sliding down, and certainly hurtfully onto the floor.
"Are you okay?" The italian asked worriedly. Gently tightening her hold on the blonde´s waist, she waited until the smaller woman steadied herself again.
"Everything's spinning..." The blonde murmured, making no attempt to walk on her own.
Looking from the quiet form next to her, to the house´s front door still a little far away, Andrea made up her mind. Turning more fully to the other woman, she let the hand that was holding her waist drift higher. Angling her body slightly, the brunette moved her other arm to stand besides the blonde´s knees, before picking her up and carrying her the rest of the way. Stopping by the oak door, the italian murmured. "Can you get the keys from your clutch?"
"Yes. But I don´t think that I can open it, I´m afraid."
Chuckling at the adorable drunk blonde, she adjusted the slender form on her muscular arms, before picking the keys dangling from a manicured hand. Feeling the stunning woman snuggling against her chest, Andrea smiled, entering the house for the first time with the resident woman in her arms. Finding her way to the living room, she gently placed the petite woman down on the couch.
"Where do you keep your medicine?" Andrea whispered softly, indulging for a little and letting her hand caress the gorgeous woman face.
Looking at her rolex, Andrea saw that it was close to one in the morning. The blonde had already taken the pills to soothe her impending hangover and the best that she could do for the stunning woman now was probably put her in bed instead of letting her pass out on the couch. "Can you stand up or do you want me to carry you to your bedroom?" The brunette asked softly, crouching besides the still tipsy woman.
"Would you mind carrying me?" The smaller woman said after failing to stand up on her own.
"I wouldn't have offered it if I minded, Signorina." Bending down, the bartender was about to lift the light frame, when she felt the soft hands wrapped around her neck tugging slightly.
"Is everything ok?" Andrea softly murmured, almost gulping at the blonde´s intent gaze.
"Thank you." The blonde whispered huskily, before closing her eyes and leaning in. Predicting the move, Andrea turned her face slightly, letting the stunning woman´s lips brush only her cheek. Her reaction was met with surprise, as perfect manicured hands slid from around her neck, and the blonde pushed herself away.
"Why did you avoid it?" The smaller woman brokenly demanded, as sharp and suddenly clear eyes pinned Andrea to the spot.
"I won't do something that you might regret in the morning." The italian softly told her, pulling the smaller woman tentatively into her arms, again. "And I really think that you should get some sleep now." She continued matter-of-factly, before picking the petite frame in her arms and carrying her into the master bedroom. The blonde did not resist, but neither did she snuggle against Andrea as she had done previously, and the brunette couldn´t help a small pang of sadness at the fact.
Entering the bedroom, she carefully lowered the dozing woman down onto the bed, taking her 5" louboutins, before depositing them side by side near the bed.
"Cazzo. Now what?" She whispered, running a hand through her hair in frustration. Letting her gaze roam over the sleeping woman, she concluded that although incredibly sexy, the black dress that she was currently donning was probably not very confortable to sleep in. Sighing in resignation, she wiped her suddenly sweaty palms on her Gucci slacks before unzipping the gown, succesfully averting her green eyes from wandering until the blonde was under the covers.
"Sogni d'oro." Andrea murmured, sneaking one last glance to make sure that the blonde beauty was well, before quietly letting herself out.
Maura awoke with a splitting headache. "Oh God. I´m never drinking again."
Throwing the covers, she sat up on her bed, noticing for the first time her undressed state. Looking around, she spotted her dress, perfectly laid on her chaise lounge and her pumps neatly stowed by the bed. "That´s odd..."
Getting up in slightly wavering legs, she made her way to her bathroom, trying to let her mind focus as it fought through the effects of a hangover. Nothing. Her mind was blank.
Sighing in defeat, she took a long bath, before sliding into a pair of designer dark skinny jeans and a yellow tank top. She was searching for her beloved Marc Jacobs sandals when she heard the knock on the door. Finding what she was looking for, she opened the prized box, quickly sliding into the high plataforms. Smiling at her reflexion in the spacious walk in closet mirror, she ruffled her blonde locks one last time, before making her way to the front door.
"Maura, sweetie. How´s your Saturday going?" Angela excitedly said, standing on her tip toes, trying to see if the mysterious man for the night before was still there. It was too dark to see his face, but judging by the way that he easily carried the doctor inside her house, she suspected that he was certainly hunky.
"Hello Angela." She watched as the other woman squinted her eyes, before rubbing her right hand against her temple. "I´m having a pleasant day. I just seem to have a mild headache. Would you like to come in? I´ll prepare some tea for us."
Chuckling slightly at the smaller woman obvious hangover, the older woman thanked her before making her way inside.
Sitting besides the loveable italian, Maura smiled as she sipped her herbal tea. After spotting the empty glass on the sink, her mind was assaulted by the image of striking green eyes and since then she had flashes of the previous night. Everything was still awfully blurred, but she couldn´t help the slight flutter of her heart at she pieced the moments.
"Maur. Maura!"
Wincing slightly at the sudden outburst, she squinted her eyes at the sheepish figure of her mother´s best friend, standing in besides her on the expensive couch.
"Angela! Could you please refrain from raising her voice?" Rubbing her free hand against her temple, she tried to sooth the pain. Her hangover was only mildly annoying at the moment, but bright lights and loud voices still left her on the edge.
"I tried but you weren´t listening." The italian grinned.
"I´m sorry. I´m a bit distracted today. You were saying?" Maura felt herself smiling at the amused look on the older woman´s face.
"I asked how the hot date went?"
"What?" Hazel eyes widened.
"The hunk from yesterday." Maura combed her hand through her hair, sighing in annoyance. "And don´t start huffing at me, young lady. I wasn´t spying! I was just fetching a glass of water and I saw him carrying you from the kitchen´s window. Jeez, you need to start spending less time with my daughter. The paranoid is catching."
"I´m sorry, Angela." Maura whispered sadly. She had almost corrected Angela on her wrong assumption, but she remained quiet, as her mind replayed all the times that Jane had cancelled their time together over the last months.
"Oh sweetie. Don´t worry about it. Now that I think about it, that must have sounded a lot like I was spying." Maura felt the other woman picking her free hand and squeezing reassuringly, misunderstanding her change of humor. "Did you had a bad time? You seem so sad all of a sudden... Oh My God! He was carrying you. Did you hurt yourself? Are you still hurt?"
She could feel Angela´s gaze on her, searching for possible injuries.
"No! No, Angela. I´m ok. I just fell asleep on the drive home and he carried me home." She replied truthfully.
"Oh you poor thing. That job of yours is too stressful. You should take some days off, once you awhile. Maybe some vacations with that gentleman of yours?"
Suddenly she was assaulted by the image of gorgeous kneeling brunette. ´I won't do something that you might regret in the morning.´ Maura felt her lips twitching into an infatuated grin. Yes, he sure had been a gentleman and vacations... "What?"
"Maura. You are really distracted today. I should let you rest." The older woman patted the blonde´s ME knee, before standing up.
"I´m sorry for being such a bad host this afternoon, Angela." The blonde murmured remorsefully, before standing up.
"Oh sweetie, don´t apologize. I was the one prolonging my stay." Angela hugged her, before making her way to the back door. "I´ll let myself out. You go rest, my child."
The Rizzoli matriarch had reached for the doorknob, before deciding that her vast wisdom was necessary. Turning around, she looked at the woman that she had come to love as her own daughter. "By the way, whoever he is, you should just go be with him, Maura. Life is too short and you shouldn´t spend your time on someone that is obviously completely clueless and doesn´t know a good thing even if it her in the head." Looking into stunned hazel eyes, she bid her goodbye. Making her way out of the petite woman´s house, Angela let her thoughts wonder. She was not naive. She had seen the love emanating from Maura´s gaze when she looked at her daughter and she was almost certain that Jane loved the gorgeous blonde too. Maybe if Casey hadn´t come back...
Sighing softly, the older Rizzoli made her way inside the guest house, intended on calling Vince. They could talk badly about Major Jones over some pasta.
Maura remained still for a few minutes, staring bewildered at her back door. Angela knew? Did Jane knew too? She could feel tears prick at the back of her eyes. "Oh God." Feeling her knees buckling, she let herself fall onto the couch, `Life is too short´ replaying over and over in her head.
"Maybe she´s right."
She sighed. Getting up and making her way into the kitchen to dispose the used mugs, the blonde tried not to think about Jane. It was hard not to. She missed the italian. All she wanted was to be with that woman. Her heart felt like it was broken, as cientifical impossible as that was. It hurt to see Jane. It especially hurt to see that the detective was doing okay without her.
´...you should just go be with him... life is too short... completely clueless` Angela´s voice rang in her head as she stared at the empty glass on the sink, near the discarded mugs, that still had some faint remains of her night´s red Chanel lipstick.
Emerald eyes flashed in her mind. "Maybe I should." Smiling for the first time since Angela left, she made her way into the master bedroom, already conjuring possible outfits in her head.
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