Disclaimer: I own nothing; just taking my perception of the characters for a spin. Apologies for any grammatical errors. Sorry for the delay! What can I say? Med school is a bitch.
*10 points to the person who can decode Maura's dating profile screen name*
Click Here for Romance!
Chapter 2
By 5 o'clock Jane was itching to check the message on the dating website. She tried her best to concentrate on the current unresolved case that sat in a manila file on her desk. Although the papers were strewn about in a manner that suggested she was working studiously, her mind kept wandering to the person who had sent the message.
What if she's just another weirdo who saw me in the news and wants to talk about Hoyt? Or even worse someone who's just messing with me and not actually interested. I mean who would send a complete stranger a message? Whatever happened to meeting people in person? What the hell, I should just read the message when I get home and get it over with.
Being exceptionally good at turning an exciting situation into a stressful one, Jane began to dread opening the message. But her curiosity got the best of her and after taking Joe for a short walk she settled into her couch with a laptop and cold beer.
"All right Joe, it's now or never!"
The mutt seemed more interested in the treat hidden in her chew toy than her owner's dating drama.
Rizzoli logged into the dating website, took a large swig of her beer and clicked on the blinking message box.
She scanned the page:
Subject: Hello
Hello, I was perusing the new member section of this website and your profile picture caught my eye. I hope it isn't too forward of me to be sending you a message. Personally I find the idea of messaging a complete stranger to be a bit weird, but I guess this is what dating has come to in this modern era of ours. In any case, if you see anything of interest in my own profile and would like to chat sometime please let me know. I am very interested. Best,
QOTD73
Jane laughed aloud, partially out of relief that the woman wasn't a "psycho" and partially due to the straight-forward style of writing. She felt a rush of excitement in her belly as she clicked on QOTD73's dating profile. It read: Career field: medicine My Interests: vintage wine, reading, star-gazing, yoga, cooking The compliment I have received most often from previous partners: very flexible Tell us something about yourself:
Profile images available: 3—images only provided by request
Children: none; would like children someday
Bienvenu! This is my first dating profile so I hope I provide you with the information you seek. Firstly, I work in a very demanding profession and am looking for a future mate who will complement my lifestyle. I appreciate old movies, fine wine, and unwinding to classical music after a long day. I believe in maintaining balance on a physical and emotional level. (I find yoga is the best outlet for achieving both.) I am not one for loud concerts, excessive drinking, and smokers need not apply. If you are interested in learning more about me please don't hesitate to send me a message.
Being the "bad ass" detective that she was, it took all of 5 seconds to come to one definitive conclusion:
"Holy crap, Joe! It's Maura!"
Jane quickly scanned the message for the date and found that the message was received three days after the team had closed the Gaynor-Randall case. That meant that the ME had chosen to hit on Jane electronically after she was done acting as bait for the victim's murderer. The brooding brunette was having trouble wrapping her brain around why Maura would do such a thing. Was she simply playing a joke on her? The ME did have an odd sense of humor. She scanned her memory to think of a singular prank the ME had ever played on anyone. Maybe not. Puzzled and buzzed from the second beer that the message warranted, Jane began to draft a reply.
"Dear Maura,
First of all what on earth are you doing on a lesbian dating website? Did your favorite online shoe boutique shut down? Or were you looking for an alternative to correcting articles on Wikipedia again?"
Jane quickly deleted the draft, and then tried again.
"Hey Maur,
I'm glad you finally decided to come out to me. As you know I will support any life decision you make and love you just the same. I am happy that you feel comfortable enough to be this open with me. As you know, I'm not really into the whole, dating women thing, but…
"Urrggghh", the brunette ran her fingers through her curly mane.
Nothing she typed seemed appropriate or particularly subtle and she didn't know how to approach this subject with her best friend without making an ass of herself. If she played it off naturally and supportive and Maura was actually kidding things could get awkward between to the two of them quickly. On the other hand, if she responded as if it was a joke and Maura was trying to reveal a very personal piece of information, the ME would be hurt. Of course the most terrifying alternative could be that Maura really was actually interested in Jane in "that way", and using the medium of online dating to subtly express her true feelings. No matter how Jane looked at it she felt that she was doomed. One thing was certain however, she needed to respond to Maura in some way now that she had seen the message.
As Jane went through the mundane, bedtime tasks of brushing her teeth and flossing, her thoughts wandered into an area of her brain that she placed a lock on many years ago. Maura's unexpected message had freed that part of her brain now and she began to fantasize.
When she was younger Jane had secretly romanticized about falling in love with and marrying her best friend. The trouble was that she never experienced having a real best friend. In fact most of her closest friends were guys, who viewed her as a "buddy" more than a "babe". It's true that this sometimes bothered Jane as she watched other girls go on dates and brag about the expensive things that their boyfriends had bought them. However, Jane was always more mature in her life goals and dreamed of the day when she would one day have someone in her life that completed her, balanced her, and new her better than anyone else. She knew she wouldn't meet this person in junior high or high school, so she was content with her lack of romance in her younger years.
And now, after a few failed relationships with men, general disgruntlement over the ever increasing pressure from her mother to marry, and the incredibly close friendship that she and Maura had, she had stumbled upon a stark truth. She had a best friend, someone who knew her deepest faults and accepted them, someone who she spent more time with than anyone previously in her life. The realization that Maura might be the person who fit her "ideal mate" fantasy was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Turning off the tap she mused that she should have put a heavier lock on that part of her brain.
"Wow, I really must be losing it. I'm taking this lock metaphor way too far. Either I'm going insane or Maura's right about me needing to get more sleep."
Climbing into bed she patted the end of the bed to welcome her endearing mutt. As she began to fall into a blissful sleep her last thoughts centered on something Maura had said on her profile.
Flexible eh? I wonder if she meant flexible with plans or...oh god. I'm definately bringing that up next time I see her.Jane smiled and passed out.