Title: The Beautiful Lie 2/?
Fandom: Rizzoli and Isles
Pairing: Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles
Spoilers: No...not really
Rating: R to NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I'm just playing around with them for a while.
Summary: Jane has to deal with changes in Maura's life and her feelings surrounding them.


Maura sipped her coffee and smiled at the kiss she felt pressed to the top of her head. She glanced up to see her fiancé attempting to straighten his tie and fill a cup with liquid caffeine simultaneously.

A cell phone rang and Peter Bentley groaned in obvious irritation.

Rising from the table, Maura snagged the coffee pot and filled his cup as he answered his phone. She moved to the next task, his tie, and grinned broadly at the look of thanks shining in his eyes.

As he talked in animated fashion, Maura studied his features. They were strong, chiseled just like the rest of his body, but his best feature remained the softest brown eyes she had ever seen. His olive skin and dark hair came in a distant second. His looks were deceptive however. His rugged features were wrapped around a good heart. He never pushed. He never pulled. In fact, he just let Maura be…Maura and followed her lead.

Over the past several months, Maura's affection for him grew. He understood her grueling schedule because his was at times a perfect match. He accepted her idiosyncrasies and often times found them endearing, and most of all he was one of two people who could make her laugh. A burst of warmth heated her from the inside as she thought about the other person, Jane. Both her and Peter had a lot of the same traits not to mention the same coloring. It was odd, really.

"Damn it." Peter swore.

It was enough to pull Maura from her thoughts. She peered at Peter, waiting.

He sighed and his mouth twitched. "That wasn't really a curse word, Maura."

Maura continued with the silence.

"If Jane had to put up with the incompetence I do sometimes, she would have said a lot worse."

Touché. "Possibly, but you're not Jane."

"Obviously, but if I had her swagger and a gun, I would have to beat them off with a stick. We could be twins. I'm sure that's part of the reason we get along so well. Imagine the damage we could have done." Peter sighed dreamily.

Maura chuckled. "Are we in awe?"

"I wanted to be her when I grew up." Peter deadpanned.

Maura's chuckle became all out laughter. "You wanted to be a lesbian? Well, technically you are." Maura leaned in kissing him on the chin for good measure.

"Well, I was definitely falling in love by the third date so I guess that qualifies me." Peter wrapped his arms around her.

Without qualms, Maura allowed the embrace. "I suppose that's good information to have."

"Okay, how about this? I certainly love you now." Peter paused. "You know…we are getting married."

"I know you do."

His expression turned thoughtful. "That should go in the vows."

"What?"

"That you have to say you love me."

"Peter…" Maura felt a pang of something she was unable to identify.

"I know."

"I feel more for you than I thought I could for anyone." Maura added.

"I know, Maura." Peter pulled her closer closing the space between them. "It means the world that you let me in."

Maura pressed her face into his neck, reveling in the warmth and the spicy scent of him. She pulled away slightly just enough to peer up at him. A twinge of guilt and a barrel of concern assailed her. "You and Jane are…"

"You don't have to explain Maura. Sometimes, I just turn into an old woman."

"Strange, I haven't been with a woman since medical school."

Dark brows rose to Peter's forehead. "Did you just make a joke?"

"Possibly."

He peered at his watch. "We need to mark this occasion."

Maura slapped his chest playfully. "I'm surprised you're not threatening to call Jane."

"Nah, don't know which Jane I'm going to get. She's been sending off a prickly vibe as of late. In fact, it's been a while since we chewed the fat."

"Prickly?" Maura asked choosing to concentrate on that issue alone. It had been decidedly strange to watch them drink and talk about her as if she wasn't there even though it had been some time ago.

"Irritable."

"I would think that would be normal. She solves murders for a living not to mention in the middle of it all she's helping me with the wedding. She's doing her best to be patient. I can see it's difficult at times. "

"I'm a lawyer. I read people for a living, and uhm, I don't think that's all. She's losing her best friend."

"She is doing no such thing. I see her every day. We talk several times a day."

"About?" Peter tilted his head as he waited for the answer.

"The wedding and sometimes work obviously."

"Uh huh and what did you used to talk about?"

Oh. "Everything." Maura answered.

"And when was the last time you guys have had one of those sleepovers you told me about? Or even gone out to have fun?"

"I-"

"If that was happening to me, I'd think I was losing my best friend. It would so make me prickly." Peter interrupted.

Maura blinked as the reality of his words came down on her. "I've been so busy. I didn't stop to think about it." She paused. "Why didn't she say anything?"

Peter met Maura's gaze as Maura answered her own question. "Because it's Jane."

"Ah, look at that brain work. Don't feel guilty just do what you can to rectify it." Peter ended his statement with a quick kiss. "I've got to go."

He's right. Maura needlessly straightened his tie once more. "Peter?"

"Hmm?" He answered over his shoulder as he neared the kitchen door.

"You're a patent attorney. You read more books than you do people."

The left corner of Peter's mouth turned upward. "You're on a role this morning. That's two in what? Five minutes?"

Maura grinned as he disappeared behind the swishing door.

Jane. As the quiet surrounded her, Maura felt a pang of loneliness. I miss you too.


"If you look at the mangled flesh, you can see the knife was twisted in a perfect angle. It was obvious the plan was to eviscerate him." Maura pointed at the wounds as Jane peered at them from the other side of the table.

"Mm, so we're looking for someone with a possible…" Jane yawned and shook her head as if clearing it. "Sorry… someone with medical knowledge or at least knows about anatomy?" She mumbled as she continued to peer down at the gaping hole in the man's abdomen where his intestines spilled through.

For several seconds, Maura studied Jane, seeing things she had obviously been missing. She'd lost weight. Her cheeks were hollow and seemed to capitalize on the gauntness of her face. Deep, dark circles sat heavily underneath her eyes, and even her pallor was off. How did I miss this? What is going on with you Jane? "Yes, I'd say that was accurate."

Feeling eyes on her, Maura turned toward the sink and met Frost's gaze. The concern in his eyes as he glanced from her to Jane was palpable. It gave Maura pause.

"That should narrow things down, huh Frost?"

"A little." Frost brought his thumb and index finger together.

"Keep your panties on. I'm sure Maura will have more for us soon."

"It's thong Tuesday." Frost added with a grin, but Maura noticed that it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Well then, I guess your ass will have something to eat if it gets hungry." Jane deadpanned but her trademark smirk was nowhere to be seen.

Maura sighed. "Jane. Both you and Peter are vastly more intelligent than your vocabulary dictates."

"Sorry, Maura." Jane muttered contritely and cleared her throat.

Their gazes met but Jane's skittered away after barely a second. She's obviously very upset with me.

"Me too. I'm sure you don't want to think about my ass all day. No matter how nice it is." Frost's tone was overly bright, sounding almost forced.

"Let's let Maura get back to work." Jane said as she turned away. Without a word, Frost fell into step beside her.

"Jane?" Maura called out confused and worried about the display before her.

Jane paused and nodded at her partner as he continued toward the door.

They were alone and Jane peered at her expectantly, almost tentatively. At least there is eye contact now. "Do you think you'll be free for lunch?"

Jane's gaze lowered. "Wedding stuff?" She asked as her eyes returned reluctantly.

"No. Just you and me." She's definitely not herself. How did Peter spot this before I did?

The smirk that Jane has been missing earlier returned. "I'll call you. We can meet at that deli you like."

The door to the morgue opened with a creek, splitting Maura's attention. Her eyes widened as she stared at the unexpected visitor.

"Surprise? But we'll get to that later. Please tell me she's in the wedding party?" Hungry eyes seemed to swallow Jane whole.

Then, Maura was greeted by a smile she had no doubt weakened the will of many women. Once upon a time, she had been one of them. They were fond memories indeed. "Nice to see you too Addison."

"Oh come on! Say it like you mean it." Addison Montgomery demanded as she flipped fiery red hair over her shoulder.

Maura was aware of astute brown eyes watching the entire exchange. She swallowed and wondered why she felt uncomfortable. "Jane this is Addison. We've known each other since medical school."

With a smile that looked frozen in place, Jane offered a hand. "Nice to meet you."

"My God, that voice, you could read the dictionary to me and make my panties disappear." Addison muttered as she took the offered hand.

Jane laughed. Her smile became genuine. "Good to know."

Maura's discomfort increased especially when brown eyes turned toward her holding questions.

"So do you collect lesbians or something, Maura?" Jane's tone was light and her eyes glittered with a humor that Maura realized she had not seen for a while.

"I-"

Addison roared with laughter. "You have no idea."

"Addison!" Maura cried utterly embarrassed.

"What? I didn't do anything."

"Yet." Maura added.

"I've got plenty of time."

"And I have to go. See you at lunch, Maura." Jane said softly.

Maura watched Addison peer at Jane as she walked away.

"So that's your Maid of Honor?" Addison asked.

"Yes, she is."

"I don't like weddings anymore, but I think I might enjoy this one."

Maura sighed.

"In case you're wondering. I'm here on a consult, and since I was taking vacation next month to do the wedding thing anyway…I'd say it was fate."

"I see." Maura commented dryly. She was a little more than slightly irritated at her old friend.

"What's up with you? I thought you'd be excited to see me."

"I am. I just have a lot on my mind." Maura's thoughts went to Jane. She peered at the door as if she expected her to return.

"If you say so, now, tell me about your Jane." Addison said with barely repressed glee.

"She's not my Jane. Not the way you're inferring."

"Of course not now, you're getting married." A perfectly arched eyebrow rose. "But never?"

"No. Never. It's not—"

"Been that way between you? You have seen her right?"

"Yes, I'm aware of her attractiveness, aesthetically speaking." Maura answered.

"What the fuck ever. She would make Mother Teresa groan."

"Addison!"

Addison waved Maura's disdain away. "Get over it Maura. I can swear like a sailor and still have intelligent conversation. That's one of the things I'm going to finally teach you while I'm here."

"How is it possible that you haven't changed at all?"

"You mean once insufferable always insufferable?"

"Exactly." Maura answered.

"You love me. Now back to your Jane."

Maura glared at her friend.

"Okay tell me more about Peter first then back to Jane. If you called more than two minutes once a month, I'd know what's going on in your life."

You can't have Peter either. Maura was startled by her thoughts but tried to recover quickly. "You may have a point. I apologize."

Addison smirked. "We'll find a way for you to make up for it. I promise."