A/N: Thanks so much for the feedback. Hope this is up to standards.
The next morning Jane awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking. She gave a confused look to the empty room then checked quickly to make sure she still had clothes on. She did. The detective got up groggily, wiping her eyes as she sauntered into the kitchen.
"Ma, how many times have I told you, that key is for emergencies only."
Maura peeked her head around the open refrigerator door to look at Jane.
"Aww, you forgot about me already? I think I'm hurt," she said solemnly, but after a beat, she grinned.
"Sorry. My humor isn't up to par."
Jane smiled.
"Don't worry. It's early. You could be a professional stand up comedian and I wouldn't laugh. And sorry about the forgetting. It's habit. My mother…hovers. The harder I push her away, the quicker she comes back."
"So why don't you try clinging?"
"What?"
Maura laughed, wiping her hands on the apron she was wearing and sliding a full plate of food to Jane.
"I mean, if she's so used to you pushing her away, I'd imagine it'd worry her if you started enjoying her company."
Jane laughed.
"That would work with any other mother, I'm sure. Mine's just clinically nuts."
"Really?"
"No. But I can hope, right?"
Maura slide her own plate of food next to Jane at the bar and glided around the counter. She rested her hand lightly on Jane's forearm to comfort her.
"A helicopter mother is better than none," she whispered.
Jane had barely heard what Maura said she was so focused on the soft fingers tracing her arm, but as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone and Maura sat down next to her.
"Oh, and I made you lunch. It's in the fridge."
"How long have you been up?" Jane asked, shocked.
Maura thought for a second.
"Half an hour."
She grinned widely at Jane before taking a bite of her omelette. Jane, instead of eating, watched Maura, a smirk playing on her lips. After a beat, Maura realized she was being watched and turned her head.
"What?" she asked, her hand covering her full mouth out of courtesy.
"I'm trying to figure you out."
Maura smirked.
"You know you can multitask, right? Your breakfast's getting cold,"
Jane conceded, turning to face the counter and begin eating.
"I mean, you're proper and polite and you've clearly got your life in order. What's there to be depressed about?"
"Who said I was depressed?" Maura asked quickly, focusing intently on her plate.
"Maura," Jane pressed.
"Look, it's nothing, Jane. Really," she assured, still unable to tear her eyes away from her omelette.
Jane carefully reached over and took Maura's hands in hers, spinning her chair so they were facing.
"You don't have to tell me now, but I'm always here, okay? Any time, any day; you need anything, you just ask."
Maura smiled sadly, her eyes tracing from her hands in this strangers, up her arms to her face. Her eyes showed worry, hope, honesty. It made Maura smile a little wider, but she couldn't say anything. She just nodded her head. Jane smiled back, and after a long pause, she unwillingly let Maura's hands fall from hers. Both turned back to their meals.
"How'd you even find enough food to make all this?" Jane teased, grabbing another bite of French toast.
"Oh believe me, it was one of the most difficult things I've done in a while."
They both laughed.
"Jane! I'm sorry I'm late. You should've seen the lines at the store!"
Jane groaned and let her head slump to the counter with a thud.
"MA! Emergencies. Only."
Angela rounded the corner to see the two women eating breakfast and nearly fell over in shock.
"Jane, isn't it a bit early for guests?"
"Get out, Ma."
From her seat at the bar, Maura tried to hide her amusement, turning her head away from Angela.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
"No. Now out."
"Jane! You don't tell me anything anymore. Who you're dating, how your work's going. Gimme a break, sweetie, please."
Jane sighed.
"Fine. Ma, Maura. Maura, Ma. Happy?"
Maura stood up and extended her hand.
"It's lovely to meet you."
Angela smiled at the gesture and shook hands with her daughter's guest.
"Really, I've heard so many good things about you," Maura continued.
Jane made a face and nudged Maura in the ribs. Maura winced.
"You alright, dear?" Angela asked, worriedly.
"Yeah, fine. Hangover."
Maura turned to sit back down.
"Did you two—"Angela mouthed silently, to which Jane responded by furiously shaking her head. Maura looked over to see why all talking had ceased and the two Rizzolis smiled at her innocently. Jane quickly took her seat at the bar once more, while Angela went to put the grocery bag she was holding in the fridge.
"If I knew you were set, I wouldn't have come."
"I didn't really know I'd be set, Ma," Jane answered through gritted teeth.
Her front door opened and slammed shut. Jane buried her face in her hands.
"Good God, why me?" she complained as Frankie appeared behind them.
"Done cooking already, Ma? Oh, hey…"
"Hi," Maura said, her gaze fixed amusedly on Jane, who seemed to be in sheer agony.
"No, sweetie. I didn't cook. Maura did. Maura, this is Frankie, Jane's brother."
"Pleasure," Maura said with a smile, finally breaking her stare at Jane to look at Frankie.
"Is there any more by chance?" He asked, half running into the kitchen not waiting on an answer.
"Under the lid," Maura pointed.
She pulled at Jane's elbow, since the detective was still buried in her hands.
"C'mon. I don't wanna be late for work."
"Hmm?" Jane asked, confused.
"Work. Late. Go," Maura hinted, tilting her head toward the door.
"Oh! Yes. We have to go, but enjoy breakfast."
Both women slide from the counter.
"Crap. Maur, can you grab my lunch?"
Maura nodded and went back. Jane quickly grabbed her gun and badge from her coffee table drawer and threw them in her purse before Maura returned, bag in hand. Jane smiled and took it, opening the front door for her guest before exiting herself.