Author's Note: Cleaning out my hard-drive and realized I never actually finished this story either. Go back and read chapter one, since it was posted like...a year ago.
This feels wonderful.
Jane had slung her arm around Maura's shoulder earlier during a particularly clumsy moment involving Jo's leash and Maura's feet, and had yet to remove her limb from its perch. Standing there in the middle of the dog park, leaning against Jane as they waited for Jo Friday to mark a tree, Maura struggled to keep her breathing under control.
She manifests her affections physically; don't read too much into this.
"Janie? Is that you?"
Both women turned around. Jane grin was instantaneous, and handed Maura Jo's leash before stepping forward to envelop the elderly couple standing before them in a hug. Maura's heart clenched as she watched Jane treat the couple with a tenderness and warmth so rarely seen from the brash detective.
"It's been too long, Rizzoli" The elderly man gently reprimanded as Jane stared at her feet.
"I know…I've been a little busy." Jane mumbled, looking back to Maura instinctively for support.
Following Jane's gaze, the elderly woman took note of the Maura, standing off watching the reunion curiously. Turning back towards Jane, the woman looked at Jane expectantly. "Oh darling, is this her?"
Maura glanced at Jane, tilting her head to the side in unspoken question as Jane coughed uncomfortably.
"I…ah, Mrs. Cooper, this is Dr. Maura Isles. Maura, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Mrs. Cooper was my piano teacher and Mr. Cooper is the reason why I'm a detective."
"That's right. One page of Mozart for one story of my precinct days. Only way we could get her to sit through her lessons." Mr. Cooper patted Jane on the back, and Maura smiled in delight at the brief glimpse of a much younger Jane.
"I assure you, sir, coercion still plays a very large role in Jane's life. " Maura winked as Jane shoved her hand over Maura's mouth.
"You'll have to forgive her, today's her birthday. You know what they say, the mind's the first to go…" Maura licked the hand over her mouth in response, giggling as Jane pulled it away and made great show at wiping the saliva off on Maura's bare arm.
The elderly couple laughed along, sharing a knowing look that went entirely unnoticed by the younger women playfully swatting at each other, lost in their own world.
"She seems to have her wits about her to me, Janie."
Maura smiled, grabbing Jane's wrist to still her movement and interweaving their hands. "Thank you, Mr. Cooper".
"Well, we don't want to keep you ladies, we'd better get to it. Janie, I expect to see you at our house for dinner soon." Mr. Cooper glared at the brunette, before averting his gaze to Maura. "And Dr. Isles, I expect to see you there with her."
"I'd like that very much. I do hope you'll tell me more stories of young Janie."
"Oh honey, we have enough stories to cover several dinners!" Mrs. Cooper piped in. Jane scowled as Maura clapped giddily.
After saying their final farewells, the two friends continued their leisurely stroll through the park, enjoying the waning afternoon sunlight. "They seem like lovely people" Maura mused after a few moments of companionable silence.
"Yeah, they're pretty great. Like 'em better than I liked my grandparents. They've helped me through a lot." Maura could make out the faintest hint of longing in the brunette's expression before the brunette schooled it to mock exasperation. "I can't believe you actually licked me. You, the Queen of cleanliness and decorum."
Maura simply shrugged.
If only I could lick you where I so desperately want to.
