Rizzoli & Isles

Chapter 2

A/N: This is only the second story I've ever posted and it was only supposed to be a one-shot. I should really be working on the other since its still incomplete but I've hit a road block with that one and can't seem to stop my fingers from letting this one escape. So enjoy.

Disclaimer- I do not own any characters used in the following tale. This was solely created for enjoyment, not profit.

Jane was relaxing after the Danielle Davis case. She was in a solitary mood after having pondered all the things she may have missed out on by not going to college. Maura had just left after a comforting dinner and all Jane wanted to do now was watch her Red Soxs beat the Angels.

She had prepared well. She had a chilled six pack of MGD 64 on her coffee table, a full stomach and she even had called her mother to let her know she was staying home to watch the game. There should be no interruptions.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, just as the Sox's main hitter made one of the all-time greatest homerun hits to even up the score, her phone rang. Pissed off, Jane grabbed the phone and answered.

"Rizzoli." She barked.

"Did you see that? Best hit he's made all season." The other line replied.

Jane was confused for a second, not recognizing the voice. A spark of familiarity caught her however. 'Could it really be him after weeks of silence?'

"Joe?"

"Hey Janey." He replied. "You're watching the game too right?"

"Uh yeah. Of course." She hesitantly responded.

"Wakefield's up next. I hope he can keep his average up it's been dropping lately."

"Yeah I'm surprised he's even still around." Jane replied still a little unsure of what to say.

It had been three and a half weeks since Joe Grant had left Boston for Washington, D.C. It had been three and a half weeks since he burst through her door kissing her like there was no tomorrow. And it had been three and a half weeks since they had left things unresolved between them. When she didn't hear from him after the second week she was sure things would always be just that; stuck in limbo. But here he was calling her, asking about the game as if nothing was amiss.

"Why are you calling?" She demanded, feeling a bit foolish for having to ask.

"I said I would. Don't you remember?" He asked in response.

"Yeah I remember I just thought I'd hear from you sooner. It's been almost a month."

"I'm sorry Janey."

"Stop calling me that." She declared forcefully, more than a little irritated.

"You're just going to have to get used to me calling you that." He replied good-humouredly.

"No I don't." She responded adamantly. She was never one to let anyone tell her what she was or wasn't going to have to deal with.

Grant sobered, realizing she was truly not happy with him "I'm sorry. What do you want me to call you? I can't call you Rollie Pollie Rizzoli or Frog Face anymore." He half joked and Jane had no response for him. "Please Janey." He finally stated.

Jane released her anger in a huff and decided to meet him halfway. "I'll make you a deal. I let you call me Janey as long as you don't ever, and I mean EVER, use it around anyone else. I don't want it catching on." She compromised.

"Deal. Janey." He laughed lightly.

"I'm so going to regret this." She joked back.

"And I meant to call sooner but this new job is really crazy. I've already been to Saudi Arabia twice. Jet lag can be such a bitch." He answered her question from before. "Tell me what you've been up to?"

"Oh you know same old, same old. Solving murders, catching bad guys. The usual." She deflected.

"Seriously Janey, how are you?"

"Uh…" She hesitated. This was always what she was worst at when it came to relationships, communication. How was she supposed to talk to guys about the things she'd seen and done without them getting grossed out or thinking less of her? But this was Joe Grant, former homicide Lieutenant. He respected her and he already knew what the job entailed. Maybe she could try talking to him, openly.

'Well here goes nothing' Jane thought.

"Well there was this case." She started but paused.

"Yeah?" Grant encouraged.

"A shooting on BCU campus. 20 year old lost her scholarship and started hooking to pay for tuition. Her RA pimp shot her when she tried to quit."

There was nothing but a comforting silence coming from the other end of the line, waiting for the real reason she was bothered by this case and encouraging her to continue.

"I almost went to BCU." She whispered.

"Why didn't you?" He asked quietly.

"Didn't want my Dad to have to deal with the heartache of not being able to send me there. And I may have been a little scared. My parents hadn't gone to college, no one I knew was going and I just wanted to be a cop, even then." She took a labored breath. "This case really just got me thinking about all the things I've missed out on. All the carefree moments and social events college kids get to experience… I don't know." She finished.

"You wouldn't be any different Janey. You'd still be the best homicide detective BPD has, college or no college. You'd still be the best daughter, sister, friend…the best person I know."

"Don't go all gooey on me Joey." She mocked.

"I won't, don't worry. I just meant that four years of college doesn't change who you are. Sure you may have built your alcohol tolerance level up faster but you'd still be the same Jane Rizzoli from Boston Mass."

"Why're you being so nice to me? It's weird." She admitted.

"I'll try and remember to be extra mean and bitter next time." He teased as he laughed at her statement.

"Har Har." She sarcastically replied enjoying the level of light hearted humor they were sharing. It was calming and gave her just the release she was looking for. Sure she had talked things out with Maura at dinner but there was still something left lacking. Maybe it was the assurance from someone who knew her back then that helped her come to terms with the regret; something that Maura would never be able to give.

"So, what's in Saudi Arabia?" She questioned, changing the subject and curious as to what he'd been up to.

"I wish I could tell ya babe but that's a matter of national security." He answered.

"Oh so it's the 'you could tell me but then you'd have to kill me' kind of thing right?" She playfully asked.

"Yeah, kind of." He laughed.

"That line is so overused." Jane stated.

"I probably shouldn't even have told you I went to Saudi Arabia but it slipped out. I just got back."

"How long was the flight?" She questioned concerned.

"Ten hours."

"Jees." Jane looked at the clock. "What are you doing awake? You should be in bed sleeping. Don't you have work in the morning too?"

"Yeah." He let out dejectedly. "Is that concern I hear in your voice, Janey?"

"Don't push it." She warned. "But seriously go to bed. Get some rest."

"I don't wanna." He sulked.

"Good night Joe." She stated matter-of-factly. "And for future reference pouting is very unattractive."

"Noted. No pouting." He mocked.

There was a polite knock on the door.

"Hold on there's someone at the door." Jane said and got up.

She walked over to the door, phone still in hand and looked through the peep hole. It was Maura.

"Maura what are you doing here?" Jane asked as she opened the door to let Maura in.

"I know I'm sorry. I know you're watching the game but I left my cashmere sweater in your room. I was half way home before I realized." Maura spoke as she walked in right passed Jane, to the bedroom and returned with said sweater in hand. "Here it is." She stated happily.

"Yea!" Jane countered with mock cheerfulness waving her fists about.

Maura noticed the phone in Jane's hand and that the TV was on mute. "Oh sorry was I interrupting something?" She foolishly asked.

"What? No. It's just…" Jane started but stopped. She raised the phone to her ear and spoke, "Can I call you back?" She asked.

"I'm just going to say goodnight Janey." He responded. "Sleep tight. I'll call you tomorrow."

"K." She replied with a smile. She turned back to Maura.

"Who was that?" Maura asked almost as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning.

"No one." Jane replied refusing to answer Maura's question.

"I'm pretty sure there was someone on the other line Jane." Maura countered.

"Just drop it Maura." When Jane saw that Maura wasn't going to give in she continued, "Please."

"Fine." Maura conceded unhappily. "For now."

"Thank you."

The two of them entered into a bit of a starring contest with both trying to convince the other to give in, Maura surrendered first.

"You know, you could have just told me you were seeing someone."

"What? I'm not." Jane claimed.

"So your free tomorrow night? Double date, I have someone I want you to meet."

"Maura No!" Jane insisted.

"Why not?" Maura asked innocently.

"Well…because…for one I don't want to." She stated with force.

"And two?" Maura asked.

"I don't have a two. But I'm still not going." Jane declared.

"Your cute when you're backed in a corner; your orbicularis oculi muscle twitches. And your dilator naris posterior contracts when you lie, so it's no use Jane."

"Shut up Maura." Jane huffed.

"I'm happy for you." Maura softened. She rubbed Jane arm as she walked passed her and out the door. "See you tomorrow."

Jane huffed again but this time to herself. 'Maura can be so frustrating sometimes.' Jane thought.

Her cell phone was still in her hand as she locked the door behind Maura. She pulled it up to her ear, the line was dead. He was gone. Again. She looked to the muted TV and the Red Soxs were rushing the field to meet the player who just scored the winning run. Korsak was going to give her hell tomorrow for missing it. She'd have to come up with a decent excuse.

She slowly walked to her bedroom thinking over her night. Her mood was definitely brighter than it was before he called. She got in bed, covered up and closed her eyes; all with an immovable smile on her face.

'Sleep tight.' She repeated his words to herself.