Interrogation Room Three
A scriptlet sequel to "A Slow Day in Homicide"
A/N: This follows what was supposed to be a one-shot. I wrote this sequel for two reasons: One, several folks asked for one and I do admit I left it as a cliff-hanger, although not on purpose; and B, the more I thought about it(with some prompting), the whole bet thing between Jane and Frost was awfully disrespectful to Maura. So...this. This is the END. I won't be following this up; it ends where it should. Thanks for reading. (And thanks, owl_called_raven!)
SCENE 1
(Setting: a standard police station interrogation room. Very bare, a central table, three chairs. A large mirror along one long wall.)
(Enter MAURA and JANE)
MAURA: Jane, is everything all right?
(Jane closes interview room door)
JANE: No, no, it's okay. We just need to talk.
MAURA: All right.
(Jane sits on table, Maura faces her)
JANE: Maur', we've been friends for quite a while now...
MAURA: Four years.
JANE: Yeah, four years. (sighs) Maur', this has been so...different for me. I've never had a friend like you. I'm not sure I've really been what you need in a best friend. I can be a real bi...I mean, I can be really hard to get along with.
MAURA: It's...not a problem. I've learned how to deal with you and your peculiarities. It's why I...enjoy being with you.
JANE: Thanks. And it's been good. And you've been so sweet, so patient. But...Maura, I have to tell you something that will change things between us. I have no idea what's going to happen but I have to...
MAURA: (gasps in shock; her eyes open wide, both hands cover her mouth) Oh no...no, Jane, please!
JANE: (puts a hand on Maura's shoulder) Whoa, what?
MAURA: (Starts to tear up, she's ready to cry) You want to end it, don't you? You don't want to be friends any more!
JANE: What? Maura, where'd that come from?
MAURA: (sobbing, searching for a tissue, but her dress has no pockets. Jane hands her a clean handkerchief from her back pocket.) It always happens. I bore people. They get tired of me rambling on about...whatever. I thought we were different. I thought we had...
JANE: (immediately concerned, consoling) No, no, Maur', hey, it's not like that at all! It's...just the opposite.
MAURA: Opposite? What do you mean? (continues to dab at her eyes.)
JANE: I don't ever want to stop being friends with you. Ever. But...there's more. More than being best friends.
MAURA: (questioning look)
JANE: (Grits her teeth) Maura...I love you. I'm in love with you.
MAURA: (Stunned) Love?...you...in love with me? Oh my god.
JANE: I'm sorry.
MAURA: Why?
JANE: (puts her face down, won't meet Maura's eyes) I didn't mean to scare you off. You seem so shocked.
MAURA: I'm not...I mean it's not what you...oh for heaven's sake come here. (She reaches out, takes Jane's face between her hands, kisses her. Performer's note: this a passionate, powerful kiss. It is NOT exploratory or gentle. It is also prolonged. Maura means business.) (She breaks the kiss) There. Is that an answer?
JANE: (gasping for breath) Ahh...yeah. I think so.
MAURA: You think so?
JANE: You feel the same way, no?
MAURA: Yes! Most emphatically yes. I've felt this way for a long while. Ever since I first met you. I've never been impulsive in my life, I always weighed every decision, but I fell for you like a ton of cement. Right away. Do you know how hard it's been...
JANE: I do, I do. Oh, and it's a ton of bricks, Maur'. (Maura nods) I can't remember when I knew I was in love with you. Years, though. So I understand. (Jane stands; they kiss again, this time more tenderly, mutually. They hold the embrace during the rest of the scene)
MAURA: Why now? Why'd you tell me this now?
JANE: Oh. Ahh...I kinda got goaded into it.
MAURA: You? Of course not.
JANE: Yeah, me. Frost was...he was kinda needling me about you. He kept slamming me about being too cowardly to ask you. He knows I'm gay. And now so do you. I kind of lost my temper and well, that's when you showed up.
MAURA: And you thought no time like the present.
JANE: Yeah. I'm sorry. I wanted this to be different. More romantic, I guess.
MAURA: Like maybe on a date?
JANE: Yeah. I'd like to ask you out on a date.
MAURA: Yes. I accept your invitation.
JANE: Don't you want to know where or when?
MAURA: As for when...it's Friday. Do you have plans for tonight?
JANE: Just TV and pizza with you.
MAURA: Fine. Pick me up at eight.
JANE: Seriously? (Maura nods, smiles). Well, then sure. Tonight. Eight. Sure. Then, where?
MAURA: Surprise me.
JANE: It won't be up to your standards.
MAURA: You are my standards. If you took me to McDonald's I'd be happy. If it was you with me.
JANE: I can do better than that.
MAURA: I'm sure you can. But don't go crazy trying to impress me. (They kiss.) I should go back to work. How's my makeup?
JANE: Your mascara didn't run. You look fine, Maur'.
MAURA: See you tonight. I love you.
JANE: I love you.
(Exeunt)
SCENE 2
(Setting: the homicide bullpen. FROST, KORSAK at their desks)
(Enter JANE)
(JANE walks to KORSAK's desk)
JANE: Gimme the money.
KORSAK: What happened?
FROST: Dr. Isles just blew through looking like she'd won the lottery.
JANE: We've got a date. Tonight.
KORSAK: No shit!
JANE: No shit. Tonight. You wanna follow us around in an unmarked to check up, be my guest.
(KORSAK hands JANE an envelope. She opens it, pockets some bills, and hands the rest to FROST)
FROST: What's this for? You won.
JANE Yeah. In a lot of ways. And I leaned something. Take the damn money!
FROST: (takes the bills) Okay, okay. Jesus. What'd you learn, if you don't mind my asking?
JANE: I learned you don't bet money on someone you give a damn about.
FROST: Did Maura say that?
JANE: No. She doesn't know about the bet. And you will never say a word, right?
FROST: (smiles) Right. Or...
JANE: Remember what I told Korsak? All your equipment, Frost. Every inch.
(JANE puts on her blazer, waves) Well, G'night, gentlemen. I have a hot date.
(Exit JANE, with jaunty swagger. FROST and KORSAK stare after her, heads shaking.)
(FTB)
