AN: Made an error in chapter 1 that I fixed. For those that didn't realise, I meant to write 'this is NOT going to be angsty'. And of course I missed out the most important word in that's sentence. Anyway, happy reading…
-There will always be a reason why you meet new people. Either you need to change your life, or you're the one that will change theirs-
If Jane thought her life sucked before, she was wrong. NOW it sucked. It was easier for her to count the good things happening to her as opposed to the bad. Because the good approximated to about…nothing. Well there was one thing, she was among the six percent of people that survived cardiac arrest (or was it twelve percent? She wasn't entirely sure). Oh and then there was the fact that she didn't have to live in her parents' house at the moment. But that didn't really count because in place of that she was living in MassGen. And the obvious fact that she'd have to go back to her parents after she was discharged. Right, so we're back to one good thing. Oh wait; there was also the change in her mother's behaviour. A near death experience, she learned, was a one hundred percent effective way of getting her mother off her back – of essentially turning her mum into a normal mum.
Things were getting worse.
Everyone was scheduled to show up that afternoon for a 'party' (yay, she thought sarcastically).
Oh yes, here was another good thing – she'd finally get to meet doctor Maura Isles, her saviour. She was happy and nervous at the same time. Jane wasn't sure how she could properly thank the woman for what she had done for her.
...
Jane wore a long sleeved blue t-shirt with tights, under the sheet. She sat up on her bed surrounded by her family, and Frost and Korsak. The only guest left was Doctor Isles.
Maura was like one of those women from a Chanel catalogue – beautiful, elegant, and untouchable. Jane watched her walk in, almost as if on slow motion. Maura was wearing a round neck black dress which reached just above her knees with a turquoise three quarter sleeve blazer. The only jewellery she wore was a plain silver necklace, silver studs on her ears, and a silver watch.
She was a vision.
The pathologist's long blonde hair bounced up and down as her four inch heels gracefully tapped the floor. ''I apologise for running late,'' She breathlessly blurted. ''The traffic light around the corner wasn't working and-''
''It's alright Doctor Isles,'' Angela moved to give her a hug in greeting. ''When we say 2pm around here,'' she gestured to her family, ''we never really mean 2pm''
Jane noticed the slight confusion on the doctor's face. Clearly 2pm to Doctor Isles meant 2pm.
Angela didn't notice this of course.
''This is my Jane,'' she announced proudly, gently pushing Maura towards the brunette.
''It's lovely to meet you,'' Maura greeted Jane with a handshake, barely meeting her eyes. The blonde fussed a little with her handbag and looked everywhere to avoid meeting Jane's eyes.
''And this is my husband,'' Angela practically turned Maura's body to face the other guys.
''Thank you very much Doctor Isles. It's really nice to finally meet you,'' the man said diplomatically.
''Nice to meet you again,'' Frankie said.
''Likewise,'' Frost added.
''Detective Korsak,'' the older man introduced himself. ''I work with this one over here,'' he playfully pointed to Jane.
''It's wonderful to meet you all,'' Maura said shyly to them, fiddling a little with the handle of her handbag.
Jane was aware that she hadn't said a single word to Maura. There was so much she wanted to say, too much in fact. She hardly knew where to begin.
''Ha-Happy birthday…'' Maura faltered a little, and left the sentence hanging. The truth, Jane could clearly tell, was that Maura didn't know what to call her – Jane? Officer Rizzoli? ''It's not much but I figured you wouldn't have gotten one yet and I thought perhaps you would need it.'' Maura rumbled as she pulled a small wrapped box out of her bad and a card.
''Thank you,'' Jane rasped - Her first words to the doctor. Her voice was still groggy from being under-used, and she still felt very tired. She took the box from the blonde, noticing once again how Maura quickly averted her eyes from her. Jane was sure the blonde didn't want to be there at all. She placed the gift on her bed side, choosing to open it later.
After all the awkwardness was out of the way, everyone began to interact with each other. The guys thanked Maura over and over again, as she continued to tell them it was alright. At one point Mr Rizzoli pulled her into a grateful hug for what she had done for her daughter. Jane mainly spoke about how she was feeling, because that's all everyone kept asking her; ''are you alright?''. No! I'm not alright she wanted to scream.
They cut the small cake they had bought, and Jane opened her other presents. 2 tickets to a baseball game in December, from Frost and Korsak. A spa day ticket for two, from Frankie. A five hundred dollar gift card for Bed Bath & Beyond from her parents. And a birthday card from Tommy, who was still in prison.
''We figured you could get some house things when you get your apartment,'' Frank explained.
''No hurry though,'' Angela quickly added throwing a stern look at her husband.
Jane just hoped they wouldn't start this conversation with Doctor Isles in the room.
After a short while Jane suddenly burst out laughing. All eyes turned to her to see what was so humorous. ''When you turn thirty, a whole new thing happens; you see yourself acting like your parents,'' Jane read out from the card in her hand.
Leave it to Tommy.
''He's a funny one isn't he,'' Frank said wistfully. They all missed Tommy.
''I bet that's all that card says,'' Frankie laughed.
''Yap,'' the sister replied. ''that's all he needed to tell me.''
They all laughed, except for Maura. She obviously didn't understand what that was all about. And this was one particular reason she never wanted to intrude intimate gatherings, she always found herself unaware of what was taking place.
''May I open yours Doctor Isles?'' Maura almost jumped out of her skin. She'd felt invisible for a second there and was startled to hear her name, and subsequently, everyone staring at her.
''By all means'' She said, casting the usual quick glance towards Jane and hoping the brunette wouldn't read the card out loud.
Jane read her mind. She looked at the card with undivided interest and after reading it twice she placed it on her bedside next to the one from Tommy and the present she was yet to open.
Maura didn't dare look at her reaction.
Everyone else got talking a bit more among themselves, and a nurse popped in to check on Jane and promptly left. All in all, it didn't turn out as bad as Jane had imagined it would. Her mother didn't embarrass her and her work mates didn't make her feel like an invalid.
''Hey aren't you gonna open your gift?'' Frank asked, looking at the small box beside Jane intently.
That was an Angela kind of move, so it really threw Jane off. ''Uhhh, I'll look at it later,'' she said trying to go for nonchalance.
''Oh come on sweetheart. You've opened all the other gifts. Doctor Isles here might start thinking you don't appreciate it''
''Wh-what?'' she panicked. ''Of course I appreciate it,'' Jane said sincerely, looking at Maura pleadingly. She hadn't considered for a second that it would come off that way. The blonde had looked hugely uncomfortable and Jane had thought taking the attention off her would help. And if she was being honest, part of her wanted to open it when she was alone – for whatever reason.
''Then open it'' her father persisted.
Jane made quick work of opening it, not wanting to seem ungrateful to a woman who she practically owed her life to.
Carefully unwrapping the small box, Jane tenderly stroked the velvet exterior. Maura was watching with bated breath, hating Frank a tiny bit for causing such a fuss. Inside the box sat a silver heart shaped necklace. The top was a glossy purple with the design of an x-ray vision of the chest with a visible pacemaker. ''Wow, Doctor Isles. This is…nice,'' she said taking the necklace out to admire it closely. ''You really didn't have to'' she said weakly. Feeling guilty at the thought of how expensive it must have been.
''Don't mention it, please. It's more of a necessity really,'' The blonde answered, wishing she could leave already. ''Your details are on the back,'' she added quietly.
Jane immediately turned it over, and as Maura had said, her details were there. Engraved at the back was Jane's full name and the name of her type of pacemaker.
''It would be beneficial for you to have it on always, if you can,'' Maura blushed. Suddenly she realised, and so did Jane, that Maura had given her something that she basically had to put on every day of her life; Something that would remind Jane of Maura every single day.
What if she doesn't like it Maura worried. What if she doesn't want to be reminded of me every single day. What is she wanted to get a necklace of her own, one with a design and colour she liked. What if-
''I love it,'' Jane's deep voice broke through her racing thoughts. ''It's very thoughtful of you. It's beautiful.'' At those words, at Jane's honest and raw words, Maura finally looked her in the eye and maintained eye contact. Jane really meant it, and Maura was glad. The blonde smiled at Jane and finally turned away. That was an even better birthday gift for Jane.
''You seem to be the only reasonable one here Dr Isles,'' Frank laughed. ''We were busy getting season tickets and vouchers instead of getting something meaningful for Jane''
They all laughed, except for Maura. Because she left like maybe they would feel as if she was trying to be all high and mighty; as if she was intent on out-doing everyone's gift.
''Thank you,'' Jane said again, breaking her thoughts. And all Maura could do was offer a small smile.
Since the blonde received the invitation she had been absolutely stressed. She didn't know what to wear, and she didn't know what to get Jane as a gift. She knew almost nothing about Jane, how on earth was she supposed to find her a gift. Maura had briefly contemplated not going. If she could lie, she would have rung Angela to say she couldn't make because of something. The thought of the necklace had come to her one night before going to bed and she knew right away that it was the only thing she could possibly get Officer Rizzoli. Choosing a design had been another set problems once again. There were many to select from, and Maura ended up going with what she liked and hoped for the best. She had spent three hundred and fifty on the necklace, a secret she would never tell anyone. She didn't know why, but she had felt the need to select the best she could – the cost was not a factor at all.
About half an hour later Jane yawned and threw her back against the pillow. She was exhausted.
''I think we'll get going now Jane,'' Korsak said.
Maura felt elated. She'd wanted to say those word an hour ago but couldn't muster the courage. She liked everyone there. They were all very lovely people. It's just that she didn't know what to say or do with herself half the time. She knew she was better off in the comfort of her home.
''Yes, we better head out now baby,'' Angela said regretfully. Clearly she wanted to stay.
They all said their good-byes, which lasted another half hour. And by 6pm they were all gone. Once Jane's eyes closed, she fell asleep immediately.
AN: Will try to update every couple of days hopefully.