Maura began packing her suitcase. She was heading back to Boston. She smiled. Paris had been truly amazing. Definitely not what she expected when she decided to come for a month and it turned into five. Her time here was fantastic. There was no denying that. She finished her book. She traveled. Made new friends and became closer with her parents. She even purchased an apartment not far from the one her parents owned. This piece of information she had not shared with Jane. Her friend had the tendency to react before fully understanding the situation at times. She shook her head. She knew Jane would assume she was never returning to Boston, which wasn't true. She was returning. She just wasn't sure how long she would stay. Much of that depended on Jane.
Paris had provided an awakening for her just has she had hoped it would. The writing of the book was the catalyst that allowed her to remove herself from Boston. She recognized it was never the end result. A nice outcome but the end result was clarifying and understanding her relationship with one Jane Rizzoli. She now understood what she needed. She needed that safe place. She needed home. She knew that home was where her heart was and her heart was in Boston. More specifically her heart was with Jane. She found it astonishing that she had never realized the depth of her relationship with Jane and how it permeated every aspect of her life. There had been little in Maura's life to compare what she and Jane had until now. Now she understood this was extraordinary.
Maura knew she loved Jane. What she became conscious of during the times she longed to be with her friend was that she was in love with her as well. Jane was this wonderful being who had walked into her life and showed her what unconditional love meant. Without complaint, Jane accepted her quirkiness and awkwardness. Jane didn't judge her. She listened to her hopes, calmed her fears. She defended her and dared anyone to disrespect her. Jane saw all that was good in her even when she doubted herself and her DNA. When she hurt and broke apart, it was Jane holding her together until the pieces mended.
Her presence in her life centered her, comforted her. Jane battled demons for her. There was this smile reserved just for Maura. In that smile, all was right in the world. There was a way that she would say Maura's name that made her feel that Jane would move heaven and earth to keep her safe and make her happy. When Maura looked into her eyes – dark and beautiful, the person reflected back was a much better person than Maura believed she could ever be. Understanding these truths meant it was time to go home, to claim what she wanted.
Maura had fulfilling careers. She was well respected. She possessed wealth. She had followed her dreams and was proud of all she had accomplished but she wasn't ashamed to say she wanted more. She wanted Jane Rizzoli.
She had love with Ian. It was intensely passionate and extremely sexual although in hindsight it wasn't the great love she believed it to be. With that type of love, you would move the world to keep it. She had not. She would have left Boston with him and returned to Africa. She didn't. She stayed in Boston with Jane.
She had love with Jack as well. She remembered it to be a sweet, considerate love that she found gratifying but again it wasn't that great love. She had encouraged him to follow his ex-wife for his daughter's sake but Maura didn't follow Jack. She was willing to let him go while she stayed in Boston with Jane.
"So, you are going back to the states?" Eleanor asked her as she leaned against the door frame.
"Yes. It is time." Maura continued folding items into her bag.
"I could come," Eleanor offered. Maura smiled.
She walked to Eleanor and kissed her gently. She had enjoyed her time with the French woman. She found her alluring and passionate. They shared many of the same interests. The walks and visits to museums fueled her curiosity of all thing French. Eleanor brought fun to her life, even a bit of romance. She enjoyed her sexual escapades with her. But she missed the whiny, pouty, protect you to the end Jane Rizzoli. She missed the sarcasm and wit. She missed the complaints about doing anything cultured although she did them every single time. She missed the wild brunette mane and the deep, meaningful brown eyes that would stare back at her at the end of a particularly rough day and make her feel everything would be fine. She missed what she had come to realize was her heart.
Eleanor sighed understanding the meaning of the kiss. She knew this wasn't to be and it surprised her that she wanted it. When they started, their intentions were clear. Both wanted fun and no commitment. Eleanor was more than happy to oblige the great Dr. Isles but she wasn't expecting to fall for her. That was never her style until Maura. She wasn't quite sure how anyone could not fall in love with her.
"Eleanor," she replied with another smile.
"I know," she said waving her away. "Finish packing. You are going to your Jane." Maura dropped her head. She had never lied or misled Eleanor.
"I never…" Eleanor stopped her.
"No you never did. We are adults you and I. We went into this with our eyes wide open. Never promising anything." Eleanor reached out and caressed Maura's cheek. "But you are an astonishing creature. Lovely. Passionate. You cannot blame me."
Maura touched Eleanor's face then kissed her again. Eleanor sighed happy to have had the opportunity to love her, sadden she would never know that happiness again.
The phone rang. Frankie recognized the ringtone.
"Janie!" he answered.
"Hey Bud. How's Nina?" she asked.
"Wait. Aren't you supposed to ask about me first?" he inquired. "I am your brother."
"Nah. I figured if Nina is good, you're good." He chuckled. That was true.
"She's good sis. Amazing." She could hear the happiness in his voice.
"That's great Frankie."
"Your mother on the other hand is driving me insane. I'm so glad Tommy and TJ are here. It gives her something to focus on besides me and Nina."
"The wedding?" Jane asked.
"That. Babies. We aren't even married yet." He huffed. Jane laughed shaking her head.
"You know how she is Frankie."
"Yeah," he groaned, "I wish she wasn't so much how she is. She's getting worse Jane." You haven't seen anything yet little brother Jane thought.
"You got out Jane," Frankie stated envious that he was here and she wasn't.
"I'm jumping back in Frankie," she replied casually.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I'm coming back to BPD." She let her words sink in. There was silence. Frankie thought about all the conversations he could have today but this wasn't one he imagined. Life hadn't been the same since she quit. His sister was coming home. He would be working with her again. Nina knew how upset he had been that she, Korsak and Maura all left at the same time. He felt deserted and alone. Without Jane there, he was still the other Rizzoli. Only now he was being compared to the original Rizzoli. Jane left big shoes to fill. But she was coming home. Coming back to BPD. Shit.
"Frankie?" she called out worried. She hoped her brother would be happy for her but his silence was scaring her.
"First, wow!" If she were here he would kiss her. "I think that's great. Hell, I didn't want you to go anyway Janie. It just seemed like something you thought you should do so I didn't want to get in your way. Second, shit. Ma is going to die." Jane released the breath she was holding. He was thrilled for her. That was good and yes their mother was going to die.
"Don't tell ma. You can tell Nina because I know you can't keep anything from her." He laughed. She knew him too well. "I'll tell ma, Frankie. I don't want you caught between ma and me because of this."
"This is going to be great Janie. I've missed you," his voice wavered a bit.
"Don't go acting like my sister," she said teasing him.
"Fu…"
"Language Francesco."
"You aren't Maura." He paused. "She had something to do with this, didn't she?"
"Of course she did."
"That's great sis."
"I'll see you in a couple of days."
Jane closed the phone and knocked on Cameron's door. She needed to make things right with Davies. She needed to apologize. He deserved that much. He looked up from his desk. They had seen each other around but he had honored her request. All of their interactions were professional. Cameron hadn't continued to pursue her for which she was thankful. He wasn't the one. Jane felt bad about what happened between them but she didn't want to settle anymore.
"Come in," he said leaning back in his chair.
"Thanks." He motioned for her to sit. She shook her head. This wouldn't take long.
"I'm sorry I was such an ass," she offered with a smirk.
"I'm sorry you were too," he replied seriously before smiling. She deserved that. "I hear you are heading back to BPD."
"Yeah. Wanted to thank you for the opportunity Cam," she said stuffing her hands in her back pockets.
"You are good Jane," Cameron replied disappointed. Her classes had the highest evaluations of the academy. Students enjoyed learning from her. "If you ever change your mind."
"Thanks," she said knowing that was doubtful. "Take it easy Agent Davies. If you are ever in Boston, stop by."
Jane stepped outside the building and was greeted by a beautiful October day. The sun was bright, a slight chill in the air. She pulled her sunglasses on, got into her car heading towards Boston and didn't look back.