AN: I haven't abandoned ''Someone like you'', hell no. This was just pushing to be written, what could I do? It's going to be about 5 really long chapters and that's it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, or Rosario Dawson in any way.
Rizzoli's signature loud steps made herself known before she even arrived at her destination. She'd been out in the field all day on her feet, and she was half sure if she stayed any longer at the precinct she'd have to crawl to her car. What made it worse was that she couldn't even go to her own apartment and relax in peace. Her phone had literally been run over by a dump truck as soon as she walked onto the crime scene, meaning her mother had been trying to call her for hours to no avail. It never really registered to the Rizzoli mother that her children were actually adults, she still badgered them like ten year olds. Frost had warned Jane that Angela was patiently waiting at her apartment for her, so Jane had ruled her home off as a place to spend the night.
''Can I crush at your place tonight, I swear my mother will be the death of me'', Jane laid her burden to one of her good friends.
''Sure you can, but I won't be around this weekend'', said friends responded, finally turning to see a grumpy and weary looking Jane. ''Tough day huh'', she sympathized.
''You don't even know''. The detective sunk into the office couch in her friends office and watched as the woman packed. ''Are you off to Maryland again?'', she said a little sadly.
''Yeah. Kind of a last minute decision. Maura isn't feeling well so you know….''
''Sure. Do your thing girl, and tell her I said hi. I'll just spend tonight I swear, I'm not in the mood to see my mother right now. I'm really too tired for that''
''Stay as long as you need Jane. I'll be flying back on Monday morning anyway''
''Thanks Roe'', they hugged goodbye and Jane dragged her tired body to some rest .
Rosario Dawson was the Medical Examiner for the BPD. She'd worked there for three years in which a friendship had developed between Jane and herself. They shared some interests, mainly sports and beer. But Rosario favoured other things likes art, and films, literature and shopping – things which Jane didn't understand and didn't care to try. So normally if they were both free, they'd go to drink at the Robber with the other guys or watch a game at home.
Jane liked that Roe was simple to get along with. She called her Roe because she said her name was too long and she was often lazy to go through all the letters that spelt Rosario. And then she said Rosie was too girly for her liking. In Jane's exact words, ''I don't wanna have a friend called Rosie. Imagine me being like, 'oh hey Frost, I'm gonna head down to the morgue to see Rosie'''. And then she'd made a gagging gesture. Rosario was fairly wealthy, but she drove a decent car and lived in a two bedroomed condo. She was the type of person who adapted to her surroundings. When she was with Jane, she dressed her casual way and goofed off happily. And when she was with her other sophisticated friends she dressed impeccably and spoke eloquently. Jane had no interest in the other part of Rosario's life, and just enjoyed the friendship they had.
The two weren't the best of friends, granted. But they were good friends who worked and got on well in and out of work. Often times Rosario joined the Rizzoli's for their Sunday dinners or Jane would join the Puerto Rican woman and her brothers for their traditional meals. Rosario had two younger brothers just like Jane. The said two got along with Frankie and Tommy as well, despite the fact that they were both in medical professions like their sister.
...
''Finally'', Jane sighed as she fell onto the bed. She'd taken a shower and was finally just getting to sleep. She hated that her friend wasn't there though. Roe was funny and knew how to help her de-stress. Most weekends had been unpleasant like this for a year now. It started when Roe went for a conference in Maryland one time, and came back with a massive crush on one Dr Maura Isles. To Jane's displeasure, the crush swiftly turned into an interstate relationship. Not to say she was jealous or unhappy about her friends love life, she just hated that she couldn't spend many weekends with her that's all.
This Dr Isles had been to Boston on two separate occasions, both times missing Jane. Those visits had strangely coincided with Rizzoli family trips so…that was that. Maura's next visit was scheduled for Thanksgiving, exactly four weeks from now. To say Jane was thrilled would be a lie, and she had mentioned this to Rosario. Jane had put Maura in the category of Roe's other friends – the rich and pompous she'd tried to get along with and failed. Over the phone they had talked briefly on a number of occasions, and Jane had to admit that Dr Isles sounded polite, but she wasn't entirely sold. Rosario was her close friend, so she did her best to just separate Roe's love life from their friendship.
Jane's love life on the other hand….haha. It was laughable. There was Dean, and Casey…and the list ended right there. The detective couldn't detect what was wrong with her when it came to that aspect of her life. Not a single person had made her heart stop. The whole relationship business was like a chore to her, done out of pure obligation. Sex…God forbid. None of those two men made her core throb, made her want it, or enjoy it. Sex was just the mere act of penetration. Her heart didn't beat. They didn't touch her body right, kiss her properly, caress her in the most tender of ways. It was hopeless. And though Rosario had persuaded her to take on a female lover, she was adamant in her stance as a purely heterosexual woman.
...
And just like most weekends, the two days passed by without a trace. Jane just watch T.V and met up with her family for Sunday dinner before work on Monday.
Meanwhile in Maryland, Rosario was playing nurse. Maura had caught some type of bug that left her vomiting, dehydrated, and weak. Other than Maura's illness, the two love birds enjoyed their time together.
''You look all relaxed this morning'', Rosario said to her friend when the brunette walked in looking chipper as ever.
''Yeah, I caught up on sleep this weekend. Your place is so peaceful without any of my family members budging in at various times throughout the day''
They shared a knowing smile. Work hadn't yet started technically, so Rosario was busy getting herself situated while Jane lounged around and chattered on.
''I bet you didn't get any sleep'', she smirked at her doctor friend.
''Matter of fact no. Because Maura was sick''
''Right'', Jane snorted.
''Well fine, that wasn't the only reason. I can't help myself okay'', she laughed.
''Of course. She still coming over for Thanksgiving?''
''Yap'', Roe answered happily.
''Doesn't she wanna be with her family though?''. It only made sense right?
''She doesn't have family in America. And her parents live in France and don't celebrate the holiday''
''So what did she do all those years before she met you?'', Jane wondered.
''She said it was just like any other day to her really. She just spent the day home and relaxed. Maura doesn't like to talk much about it. I get the feeling it makes her sad so I don't ask her too much''
Jane just scratched her head, completely unsure what to make of it.
''I'm still jealous though. You got four whole days off after thanksgiving, and I only got ONE day. It totally sucks'', Roe complained. She'd begged and pleaded with her boss to get the time off but the days were already taken by those who asked first.
''Next time book that time off a year in advance'', the brunette advised.
''Last year I wasn't dating anyone, so I didn't really see the need to be off for all those days. And to think Maura will be here for the whole week'', she sighs.
''You'll be alright. You'll work shorter days and while you're stuck here I'll keep her company. If your brothers…and mine, don't hog her'', she laughed.
''I'd rather she spend her time with you. The only man I can trust with her is Frankie, only cause he's respectful. Tommy, and both my brothers are perves''
''True'', they laughed. Those three boys were wickedly handsome and womanizers. Rosario knew they wouldn't even care that Maura was dating their sister. So it left her entrusting her girlfriend to the company of Jane or Frankie only. ''I'm gonna hate Thanksgiving though. My Ma is gonna be on about me being single. Everyone will have a date there'', Jane said dejectedly.
''You have about three weeks to find someone Jane, don't lose hope'', Roe said with faux sincerity.
''Fuck you''
''Come on, you'll find someone I promise. If only you'd just open you mind up a little bit'', Rosario encouraged her.
''I'm not gay Roe'', Jane defended for the….she'd lost count.
''I wasn't talking about dating a woman specifically. Maybe just try not to give the guys a hard time''
''Sure, like dating a male nurse. Or the guys that want me to use my handcuffs? No. I'm not that liberal''
''Even just so you wouldn't endure Angela's wrath?'', the doctor raised her eyebrows questioningly.
Jane seemed to think about this for a little bit. But came to the conclusion that it wouldn't do her any good. Her mother would put this poor man through a myriad of questions and ultimately embarrass her with talk about marriage and grandbabies. Nope. Flying solo for the holiday dinner was much better. With a little luck, one of the boys would show up with no date and it wouldn't turn out so bad for her. Even her mother was going to be with Korsak. That part sucked the worst.
Since her fathers death five years ago, Angela had gone through more dates than she had. It was embarrassing to have to compete with her fifty-five year old mother. At thirty-three, Jane thought it shouldn't have to be so hard to get a decent mate. She was wrong. They were there, plenty even, but none were anything close to what she desired. Her father had always told her that when she met right person, she'd know it. That she would feel it with every fibre of her being. So far….no such luck.
''Ma, Thanksgiving isn't for another week. Would you stop pestering me'', Jane huffed. They seemed to be playing a game of tag in Jane's little apartment. The detective was stepping as further away from Angela as she could, but the woman kept coming closer to her.
''I need a definite head count Jane. Are you bringing a date or not?'', she continued, unfazed by her daughter.
''Fine!'', Jane stomped her foot. ''I'm NOT bringing a date. Its just me''. Final. Angela looked sadly at her daughter.
''You know I never understand all this Jane'', she waved her hands in the air. ''You are very beautiful and…. Why is it so hard to find a decent man? Or even a woman like Rosario? Doesn't Maura have any friends she could hook you up with''
''Okay, that's it. You need to leave'', Jane gently pushed her towards the door.
''Fine, fine. I'm sorry honey. I love you, you know that right?''
''I do'', Jane answered exasperatedly. ''But are we done her. I told you, I'm coming alone''
''I'll see you around then'', Angela kissed her daughter goodbye. The woman's only job was to take care of her grown children. That's why she continually fussed about grandchildren, she desperately needed something to do. Her finances from her late husbands pension were enough to cover her bills and extra things she needed, so there was no reason for her to find a job. But that left her idle, and the person who bore the most of her brunt was the eldest daughter, Jane.
...
Thanksgiving that year was being held at Ralph's house, Rosario's other brother. He was a thirty-four year old Gastrointestinal Physiologist, only two years younger than Rosario. He was the most ostentatious of the three siblings. He owned a lavish home in one of the suburban areas of Boston where they often held most parties and gatherings – attended by the Rizzoli's as well, as they had become somewhat of an extended family.
Jane didn't care too much for these get-togethers. Everyone was always paired up or drunk. Though Roe hadn't been in a serious relationship since Maura, she'd always find someone to hook up with whenever she needed a date for something. That never came easily for Jane. So the only time the poor brunette had someone was when Casey or Dean were in town, which was seldom.
...
''You wanna come to the airport with me?'', the medical examiner asked her friend. It was Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and Maura was due to fly in the next day at 6pm.
''I think I'll pass. I'll come over on Thursday morning to see her''
''Come on Jane. She's excited to see you'', Rosario squealed in an uncharacteristic way.
''She has seen me'', Jane deadpanned.
Maura and Jane had spoken via skype twice. Jane had to admit, the blonde woman was rather beautiful. But computers always had a way of making everything beautiful, and besides, she wasn't really concentrating on her friends girlfriends looks. She just felt self-conscious and wanted the call to finish already. The woman was literal and didn't understand half the things Jane said. It was a pointless endeavour Jane concluded. And when they stuck to the once in two months three minute conversations she was thrilled. She wouldn't tell Rosario though, it would come off as rude and uncaring.
''Okay then. I'll just tell her my good friend wasn't interested in meeting her until it was absolutely necessary'', she fake sulked.
''You wouldn't''
''I don't know. We'll see. I'm so happy'', Roe gushed. ''I haven't seen her in almost four weeks. Tomorrow is like forever away''
''You know I meant to ask you'', Jane moved from the steel table she was sitting on to stand opposite her friend with the dead body in the middle of them. ''You guys seem really serious. What are you going to do with this whole distance thing? Cause I can tell you from experience, it always leads to trouble''. Jane was genuinely concerned for her friend. She could tell the woman was in love from the way she went on about Maura. Jane practically knew the woman already.
''You weren't in love with Casey or Dean Jane, that's the difference''.
Jane knew this wasn't a dig in any way. She had spoken at great length with Rosario about this. ''I guess you have a point. But at some point, aren't you going to want to be in the same state at least''
''I'll be honest, I have hinted at this a few times'', she did the last stitch to her Y-incision and covered up the body, giving Jane her full attention. ''Maura isn't interested in moving to Boston at all. Remember I told you she went to BCU?''
''Yeah. The more reason I'd think she should be the one to move here''
''I thought that too. But after she graduated she said she left because the city didn't hold good memories and she just wanted to leave it all behind''
''What does that mean?'', Jane asked.
''I didn't ask too much Jane. Personal topics like that make her uncomfortable and sad, and I hate it. I looked into moving to Maryland myself''
''What?'', Jane yelled. Fearing her friend was already leaving.
''I'm not moving Jane. At least not any time soon anyway. A move to Maryland would take me a step back in my career, and I'm not sure if Maura and I have reached a stage where I can make such a sacrifice for her''
''Good'', Jane smiled.
''You're so selfish. You should be encouraging me to run towards love'', Roe joked.
''Nah. I'd rather have my friend right where she is'', she laughed. Jane felt a little iffy about Maura sometimes. She didn't like the way the woman shied away from letting Rosario in. Her detective mind told her something was up with the woman's secretiveness. And Jane couldn't be happier to spend time with her, so she could fish it out of the woman and investigate whether her friend was in a worthwhile relationship.
''Maura'', Rosario engulfed the petite woman in her long arms.
''Hello'', Maura buried her face in her girlfriend's long dark mane, she was only a very few inches shorter. ''It's so good to see you'', they pulled apart and shared a welcoming kiss that said I missed you.
''Come on, lets get you out of here'', Rosario pulled Maura's large suitcase.
''I thought Jane was coming with you'', Maura asked as they headed to the car.
''Yeah, she bailed on me yesterday. Said she'd be over tomorrow morning though''
Maura held back most of the times when speaking to people. She didn't understand why people found it so difficult to speak properly – correct sentences and the use of full words. She loved her girlfriend, and often corrected her at times, but other times she just felt too tired to be bothered.
...
''Hey'', Roe answered her phone on the third ring.
''Sorry to disturb you. Ma's going ape shit here about the food. She wants to know if your girlfriend is allergic to anything'', Jane spoke hurriedly and frustratedly into the phone.
''Sure, just a sec'', she handed the phone to the blonde. Maura took the phone in surprise, mouthing ''who is it''. ''Jane'', Roe told her.
''Hello Jane'', she spoke kindly.
''Ummm…hey'', Jane wasn't expecting the phone to be transferred to someone else.
Maura didn't understand why Jane sounded surprised and speechless, but waited patiently nonetheless, she was nothing if not patient.
''Listen, I'm sorry to interrupt you. My mother just wanted to know if you are allergic to anything''
''Why is that, if you don't mind my asking''. Maura wasn't following.
''For…..the food. You know, Thanksgiving and all'', Jane said, but couldn't help the bit of sarcasm in her voice.
''Of course, my apologies. Do let her know that I am not allergic to anything, and thank her for her consideration''
''Cool'', Jane was about to hang up when she remembered. ''I'm sorry, I didn't even ask if you travelled alright. I would have come to meet you but my mother is driving me out of my mind here''
''I travelled alright Jane, thank you for asking. And don't worry about our meeting, I will be glad to see you tomorrow''
''Yeah. Well…..night then'', Jane said uncomfortably. There was something about Maura that made her uneasy at times. She didn't like it, whatever it was.
''Were you finished with Rosario?''
''Yeah. Tell her I said I'll see you guys around ten''
Before Maura even got out her final parting words, the line was dead. She didn't comment on it and just relayed the message to her girlfriend.
They made dinner together and caught up on stories they hadn't shared over the phone in the past three weeks. Maura made dinner and sorted out her luggage before the two shared a bath involving a whole lot of sex and eventually went to bed.
Thanksgiving – the day Detective Jane Rizzoli was dreading had come. She was only happy her mother had slept over at Ralph's preparing all the food, so she didn't have anyone to wake her up so early in the morning. She did however, have to head over to meet Maura around ten. That thought is what had her dragging herself out of bed a little after 9am.
...
''Hey honey'', Roe kissed Maura goodmorning. The blonde, as an early riser, had brought breakfast in bed for her lover. Rosario, as the ever adaptable one, could wake up whatever time she chose. If she had to be up early, it was with no difficulty. If she wasn't tied to any early activities, sleeping-in was also welcome. She was sort of the in-between between her girlfriend the morning person and her friend the one who wanted to punch anyone in her way if it was before 9am.
''Morning. I wasn't sure if Jane would like to join us for breakfast, or what she'd like if she did'', Maura rambled nervously. She was starting to feel the anxiety over having to meet someone new. Someone important to her girlfriend. It was quite daunting for a socially awkward person, and Maura didn't quite know what to do with herself, or how to get out of the predicament – if she even could.
''I can feel you thinking hard baby'', Roe smiled sweetly.
''I'm just nervous that's all'', Maura breathed hard.
''Well don't be. You've spoken to Jane several times. She's cool. Don't sweat it''
When Maura first met Rosario at the conference, she was instantly taken by her. But it came as a great surprise to her when she met the medical examiner in a different environment. She was intelligent but wasn't like most educated and sophisticated people she knew. The woman was atune with social situations and colloquialism much unlike her. And even though they were in the same line of work and almost same societal brunch, Rosario knew slang and sports and even spoke un-intelligently if she wanted to. It amazed Maura, and it made up one of the things she loved about the woman.
...
Maura made herself presentable as always, dressing in fine fitting black trousers and a cream warm sweater. She paced nervously in the kitchen in her house slippers, glancing at the clock ever two minutes hoping Jane would just show up already so could get her breathing back to normal.
The sound of the doorbell almost made her jump out of her skin. Rosario was upstairs doing whatever she was doing, while Maura stayed glancing around the beautiful living room and occupying the kitchen.
''That should be Jane'', Rosario called out. ''Can you get it honey?''
Maura wanted to die. But she didn't have a choice because Jane was now ringing for the third time. She held her head high – mainly for her own self confidence – and walked over to the door.
Before Maura, stood one of the most gorgeous women she had ever set her eyes on. Her long hair was curl and unruly, framing a perfectly sculpted face. And those eyes, Maura thought she'd lose herself in them if she continued to stare. Had Jane always been that beautiful? Wow.
Jane was battling the same thing. She hadn't even gone further down Maura's neck and she was positive the woman was a goddess. Her hair was perfectly curled, clear pale skin tinted with a rose colour over her cheek. Her lips were covered in red lipstick, and her eyes? They were adorned by a smokey grey eye-shadow and black liner. Their colour though? Jane didn't even want to go there.
They stared at each other for a long time, (or maybe it was a short time), before Maura stepped aside to let her in. When she closed the door and turned to Jane, the brunette flashed her a full on Rizzoli smile, dimples and all. Maura didn't know it was possible for Jane to be any more beautiful than she already was. And when she smiled back at Jane, and showed her own dimples, Jane was positive she was the most beautiful woman on earth.
Had they never seen these dimples on skype before? Hadn't they smiled at each other on video call in the past? It seemed like the very first time the two were ever setting eyes on each other. It was a moment the both wanted to capture and bottle so it was stored for a lifetime.
Jane experienced more chemistry in those few minutes than she ever had with ALL her boyfriends combined. It was epic – monumental. And the words her late father spoke to her made perfect sense instantly. Like how the act of adding one plus one gives you two. It was simple and straight forward. ''When you meet that person, you will know. You will feel it''. Yes, she knew. And God did she feel it. Her father never said anything about the persons sex, or about their age, or whether or not they should be single. She wished she had asked her father those questions when she had the chance. The problem was, when those words were spoken to her, she had little to no faith in them. And now, she was stuck.
The problem wasn't the object of her affections, because she knew without a doubt that Maura felt the exact same thing she felt. It was written all over her face, clear as day. The issue was the woman now making her way downstairs.
