Part 2
"Maura where are you?" Jane had showered, changed and attempted to tame her hair, still there was no sign of the usually very punctual Doctor.
"Jane I'm sorry … this morning's Autopsy ran over. I just finished up. I will change and head on over."
"Well you better hurry Ma is already downstairs rearranging my life and Pop is on his way according to Frankie's updates… if the in-laws show up also I don't think I can take it"
Maura laughed softly, "it won't be as bad as you think...honest...I will be with you in half hour."
"Ok…see you then" ending the call Jane stood up from her bed, a quick glance in the full length mirror and she was happy with what she saw. She had opted for a pair of fitted jeans with a simple black, sleeveless top and a pair of heels to top it off. The heels she hoped would only last for the greeting of the in-laws so she appeared to have her life together, soon after she planned to discarded them. The bonus of having this shindig at her home. Not that she had much of a choice as her mother wouldn't host as that would mean Frank senior sitting round her dinner table which since the divorce we not an option.
Jane had ventured back down the stairs and had been happy to see her mother had took over, she even noticed that the chicken had been re-wrapped. Having set the dining room table there was now nothing left for Jane to do but await the arrival of the remaining guests.
"Well update from my mother they are on route" Rachel walked into the kitchen phone in hand. "You need anything else"
"No we are all ready to go."
"Your look amazing"
Jane was a little taken aback but managed a smile with a shrug, "thanks… makeup helps." Jane was thankful that Rachel wasn't treating her any different since she opened up last night. She wasn't treating her like she was broken. "And heels"
"Jane…" Rachel's tone had changed a little now, she spoke lower clearly not wanting to be over heard, "about last night…I'm sorry… you know if I have caused any problems"
Shaking her head Jane stopped Rachel from continuing, she moved toward the counter which separated the two of them, "you haven't caused me any problems… my ma in there rearranging my set table is a problem, you, me and last night … it wasn't a problem. It was unexpected… but…"
Rachel offered a smile of appreciation, "I heard Frankie earlier… your colleagues they … think we slept together"
Jane again stopped the other woman "Rach the guys can talk all they want. It's just them giving me a hard time...and that's fine but Frankie walking in here earlier talking like that… he crossed a line. I'm sorry you heard him and I'm sorry if it's made you feel awkward at all."
"I don't… Jane I'm a big girl myself...and… I kissed you. I crossed that line."
"I didn't exactly stop you"
Rachel nodded "we're good tho yeah?"
"We are fine" Jane agreed.
Before anymore could be said the front door shutting closed and the sound of heels against the wooden floor interrupt them. Maura walked into the kitchen, handbag over one lower arm and box held in both hands. "Afternoon both"
"It should be morning that you showed up" Jane fired back as she sounds to face the blond.
"Trust me when you get the autopsy report tomorrow you will be glad I remained at work later than planned."
"Afternoon Maura" Rachel greeted, they had shared a few meals in the time Rachel had been staying in Boston, Jane and her family and friends really had gone out their way to make Rachel and now her family welcome. "So is that the famous cheesecake that Jane's been going on about."
"It is...as requested" Maura placed the box on the kitchen counter
"You're a life saviour" leaning over Jane lifted the box to reveal its contents, looked as good as Jane recalled, something then registered with he brunette she looked up from the cheesecake to the Dr "You better not have put these in the autopsy fridge." she growled lowly.
The look on the doctor's face, the avoidance of eye contact and the nervous attempt to change subject was all the tell Jane needed. Jane stamped her foot like a child and whined, "Maura… I can't give our new in-laws to be autopsy cheesecake!"
Rachel laughter at the exchange.
"It was fine… I assure you...it had a shelf all of its own!"
"Oh that makes it all better… was it the shelf above or below the eyeballs and brain matter"
"I have neither of those stored in the fridge" Maura advised with a matter of fact tone with a hint of annoyance.
"Not the point!" Jane countered, shutting the lid and taking the box she walked with the box around the kitchen counter and deposited it in a non medical fridge. "Can I get you a drink? Either of you… White wine?"
"That would be perfect...thankyou" Maura responded slipping her jacket off.
"Sounds great"
"Two wines coming up"
Jane placed the two glasses on the countertop and went about pouring herself a glass of water.
"Well the parents are only a few minutes out… I'm just going to go freshen up." Taking the glass of wine Rachel excused herself.
"do you need any help in here?" Maura enquired
"Nope Ma took over so all is in good hands...I'm just glad you're here now to help coordinate the social side of this gathering" Jane explained as she placed the water bottle back in the fridge.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Exhausted by my family already"
"I mean about…"
"I know" Jane cut in. She broke eye contact and looked down, she shrugged her shoulders. "It's hard some minutes of the day it hits me and others I don't think about it others." She explained honestly. "It good to have this as a distraction I suppose"
Reaching over the counter Maura placed her hand on top of Janes "Well you know where I am when you need to talk"
Jane smiled, "thanks"
"Maura dear… " Both Jane and Maura were pulled out of their exchange by Angela entering the kitchen. As Angela approached and offered a kiss against the cheek of of the doctor greeting her Jane straightened her back, took a breath and pushed back the emotions back that the brief exchange with her friend had brought to the surface. "so glad you could make it."
"Even though she's late…" Jane smirked as she gathered her water, "I will be in the garden... why don't you tell Ma about the cheesecake Maura?" Jane called over her shoulder, she smirked as she left the kitchen.
Rachel watched from the kitchen window, the exchange of both sets of parents seemed to be going were all currently sat around the garden table sharing a drink together with numerous stories being shared of their children's antics throughout their youth. Next to the sets of parents were Jane, Frankie and Maura they were laughing with ease. From the surface it appeared like the perfect family set up - Rachel knew from experience there was always more beneath the surface of perfection.
"You hiding out in here all afternoon?"
Turning she was met with her sister, "just taking a breather"
"Yeah I know how you feel" Amy was the older of the two by a few years but they were close. "So Dan is a no show?"
"Not now Amy" Rachel dismissed her, she glanced back out to the garden.
With a shrug Amy complied with the request not to dig further, right now anyway. "So how has it been living with Jane"
"Yeah great…" a smile came over her, a genuine smile, "you know I could get used to this Boston life. They are good people"
Dinner was served and was going down well with everyone, a compliment had even come Janes way from Angela. The conversation flowed as well as the wine had been and Jane was happy to look at the far end of the table to see her younger brother laughing as he chatted with Amy's parents and their own Ma, holding onto Amy's hand sweetly.
"Anyway Janie… I thought you were going to visit me in New York!" Frank senior was sat opposite her. He was happy this afternoon, beer in hand and successfully acting like the head of his family. This was what he was best at playing perfect family, too bad he was far from the perfect father. Since the divorce from Angela, Frank Senior had been in and out of their world's. More out than in but still loved to have strong opinions on how they should and shouldn't live their lives. Over the years Jane had found it easier to let him live in the world he created in his head where he till saw himself as head of the family. It wasn't like she had to live in his world very long once or twice a year at most and the odd special occasion.
"Yeah sorry Pa. Had a lot on … you know...works been crazy" she looked from him back down to her plate, hoping he wouldn't press on with this line of conversation.
"You…" he shook his head, "if your not chasing lunatics around this city getting shot you're cooped up all alone in this house. Get out Janie… live a little"
"Sure Pa" she brushed off his comments, it wasn't like she searched out any damn asshole with a gun as a pastime and being alone in this house had never been in her plans.
"I mean you used to love a Beer with your old Pa, it's been too long"
"It's not like you live down the road anymore Pa, not like I can pop in on a Sunday to watch the game is it. Plus… I haven't drank in nearly a Year… remember" she held her glass of water up as proof.
"oh yeah…. You still on that health kick?"
Same old Pa, Jane thought, her struggle for sobriety had had its up and it's very big downs over the last ten months, her father's brush off as a health kick was a blow. She did not want this to escalate though she could feel the anger building up in her chest. "Yeah, that health kick"
She placed her folk down, her appetite becoming less with each passing exchange between herself and her father.
Maura discreetly moved her hand to Janes knee. She knew Jane well enough to know that despite the light hearted back and forth it may have seemed to the other dinner party guests it was cutting deeper into the brunette. Maura had been about to change the subject however found Frank directing his next comments to herself anyway. "i mean Maura... you're a doctor, don't you agree...My little girls too skinny. She needs to worry less about the calories and start enjoying life."
Jane wasn't going to have this play out Infront of their guests, her father's drink tally was increasing and with that Frank senior was turning into the father she remembered living with "Pa I'm 32. Definitely no little girl…" Jane began to protest.
"I think she's great…" Maura cut in on Jane now, a protectiveness to her tone that caught both Frank senior and Jane off guard. Jane found her focus drawn to the manor in which Maura held herself, her posture had straightened and Maura spoke with confidence.
Frank laughed "Well how much are you paying the good Doctor here Kiddo. If You keep up with the praise of my Daughter Maura maybe one day I will be Marrying her off too."
For the second time today Jane had practically been floored by words spoken by her parents. Married. She should have been happily married right now and her son should have been here with them causing havoc . Jane shook her head she looked over to her younger brother who himself had become tense - she could tell by the look on his face he feared a Rizzoli family row was about to unfold. She stood to her feet, "not up to this today Pa. Just leave it!" the table had fallen quieter, the other conversation settled as the focus was draw to Frank and Jane
"leave what… I'm only messing with you Jane. You lost your sense of humour since I been in New York too?"
"Looks that way doesn't it…" she looked around t the table "on that note I think it's time for desert" she smiled trying to brush past the awkwardness that had settled, "and I'm sure more wine"
She exited the dining room, a lump had formed in her throat. By the time she stepped into the kitchen her hand, which she had balled into a fist shook with rage. Her eyes filled again with tears. A deep stabbing came into her chest. She made it to the countertop and her hands gripped the edge as she held herself up.
Walking into the kitchen Maura's heart broke seeing Jane looking so broken. She wasted no time in stepping in and taking control, the strength was faltering in Jane and Maura had been witness to enough of the Detectives relapses to know when she was walking dangerously close to the edge. Maura moved to Janes side, placing her arm around her lower back in a supportive manner, her hand settled on Janes hip. "You're done… go" she spoke softly.
"i'm fine" Jane protested. Her tone indicated otherwise.
"No…. you're not… nothing right now is fine with you."
"I just need five...honest. I can't leave. My Ma and pop in the same room definitely requires a mediator… I mean Frankie… he would…."
"He will understand." Maura was firm, "go in there, tell them something came up at work and head over to mine. I will stay, I will help out, I will meditate and I will meet you later."
Jane knew Maura was right, she was on the edge of breaking, she closed her eyes and took another calming breath,then she turned to face the Doctor "I don't deserve a friend like you Maura"
Now it was Maura's turn to swallow back her own emotion. The term friend paled in comparison to the feelings Maura truly held for Jane, not that she had admitted out loud to anyone, and she even struggled to admitted to herself but over the last six months her feelings had definitely changed toward Jane, not that Maura admitted it out loud and she had only recently found herself acknowledging these feelings herself.
Maura took a step back, she needed to create a distance between them, she also knew she was not winning this argument with Jane "If you won't leave can you at least take a breather. Preferably away from your Father"
"That I can do… can you top the wine up and buy me some time"
"Sure"