A Mission and a Case

Chapter3

Jane was hiding in the ladies' room. She wasn't proud of it, pacing and biting her thumbnail. Big, bad detective...she thought with more than a littler derision. So, what…you might be bisexual…half the fucking department thinks I'm gay anyway. And it's Maura Isles! Who wouldn't bat for the other team? The last thought, unfortunately, reminded her of The Leprechaun. Jane abruptly stopped in front of the mirror and evaluated her reflection with more criticism than a character in a Housewives' episode. The purple shirt was pressed. Her finger snapped open a button to reveal a shadowy hint of cleavage. Jane blushed, half-tempted to redo it. She's a lesbian, she'll look. The thought sent all manner of quivers through her body. Today her black, curly hair was parted on the side. Suddenly she wished she had pulled it back in a sleek ponytail to accentuate her neck and chest. The black denim pants hugged low on her hips, completely showing off their length and shape.

Two days had come and gone since the softball game, two days of avoidance and self-doubt. Her entire perspective had been blown off its axis. One day she was straight and the next…she wanted Maura. When she backtracked over the 'evidence' of their friendship, Jane had to slowly admit that there was always an attraction. She had assumed her lack of commitment was a by-product of the job, one foot out the door at all times just in case things went south. What if…what if Maura…were the reason I've never gotten really close to any of the men I've dated? Overcome by the implications, Jane's mind reeled away. Deliberating over her appearance seemed a much safer pursuit.

What am I doing?! You're attractive, smart, strong! Jesus, you didn't obsess this much with guys for fuck's sake! Yeah, okay, they're easier. Jane snorted, turning to the side to check out her ass. Okay, okay…my ass…nice. Yeah, Maura's gonna wanna grab…The image of her best friend's hands doing just that made Jane breathless. As much as she wanted to linger, the detective felt the creeping little feet of responsibility stepping on her conscience. Sighing, Jane left the bathroom and headed for the morgue. It didn't occur to her until she bounded down the stairs that she wasn't going there for work-related reasons.

Of course the room was cold. It was a morgue but Jane, in her haste to see the medical examiner, had neglected to retrieve the light hoodie hanging from the back of her chair. Consequently, when she felt the blast of frigid air envelope her, goose bumps erupted along her arms. The thin shirt did little to hide rapidly erect nipples, a fact that, days ago, would have been irrelevant. Today, it boosted her confidence.

"Is that his gall bladder?" She asked in way of greeting.

Honey strands were impeccably arranged in tight chignon as the doctor leaned over the decedent, concentrating. Jane felt a fleeting desire to unravel the artful arrangement and run her long fingers through those luxurious tresses.

"It's the appendix. I don't know why you continue to confuse the two." Maura straightened and looked at her best friend with humor. "They look absolutely nothing alike."

Jane shrugged, unconcerned. "And that's why you have all those letters after your name, Maur."

Removing her latex gloves, the medical examiner turned away from the table and began peeling off the smock.

"So, what brings you down here?"

"Who's the stiff?"

Maura rolled her eyes. "Detective Thompson's case."

"We missed you last-"

"I told you I had a date." The impish grin crossing her face caused Jane's insides to twist with apprehension.

"Yeah, with the leprechaun, I know. That's like twice in four days."

Sighing she's expression turned stern. "Her name is Jasmine-"

"A leprechaun stripper, pardon me."

The corners of Maura's mouth quirked in amusement. "She's lovely."

Jane laughed outright, her hand trailing down the blonde's arm. "I'm sorry, Maur, but I keep seeing her straddling some pole with a box of cereal in her hand."

Maura's face scrunched up in puzzlement. "I'm not certain why cereal is germane-"

"I'm just being silly, Maur. Anyway, I wanted-"

"I'm seeing her tonight." She announced, a slightly conniving timbre lifting her words. "Why don't you meet us for drinks?"

"Whaaat?" The brunette stalled, taken aback. The conversation had taken a decidedly wrong, wrong turn, so very far away from what was swirling in her mind. The hard knot in her stomach returned, twisting painfully with the news.

Maura cocked her head to one side. "Are you alright, Jane?" She placed the back of her hand to the detective's forehead, evading her space.

Stepping back, she blurted, "You're buying."

"I just know the both of you will really hit off. At the baseball diamond-"

"You really like her, don't you?" What the fuck is the matter with my mouth?!

Maura's dimples showed. "I think…" Coyly she tapped a fingertip to her lower lip. "…it's too soon to tell. But she knows how to kiss."

It was too much, too soon. The flare of challenge smoldered inside Jane. Visions of demonstrating exactly just how Maura should be kissed taunted the detective. Little leprechaun lips?! Unconsciously her slender body canted towards the medical examiner, the pull proving to be irresistible. Green eyes imperceptibly widened as her tongue darted out to moisten her lower lip. Jane's intense eyes followed the movement, shimmering with repressed desire.

Inches apart, the detective whispered, "I seriously doubt it." When Maura only blinked in response, Jane, grasping at straws quoted, "'A woman like you…should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.'"

Although she couldn't have guess why those words tumbled from her mouth, the ME's reaction wasn't expected. Maura was laughing, loosely covering her mouth with one hand while the other firmly clasped with Jane's.

"You're quoting Rhett Butler in 'Gone With the Wind'!" Pulling her into a warm embrace, Maura tucked her chin over Jane's shoulder, whispering, "Such a romantic for a tough detective."

The heavy press of her best friend's breasts against hers, the clean and crisp scent of her skin conspired to undo Jane. Instinctively her arms tightened around Maura's slight frame, fingers spreading wide against her back. The contrast between their bodies sent tiny, thrilling shockwaves through Jane wherever they touched.

"Um, Jane…?" Maura's tone was a little confused, hesitant.

Blushing, the brunette dropped her arms and stepped back, unable to look at the ME. Shit, shit, think asshole! "Well, um, ok…It was a trivia question at the bar last night." Fucking so lame, Rizzoli.

She practically fell over her own feet leaving.

Maura eyes remained fix in the spot Jane had been long after her best friend made a hasty retreat.

The wind from the harbor wreaked havoc with Jane's hair, long tendrils whipping the sides of her face, tangling in her sunglasses. Maura had arrived at the crime scene minutes before the detectives, looking entirely too composed. Frost was hurling over the metal railing. Korsak was talking to the uniforms who answered the call. As for Jane, she was…hovering.

The victim was on his back, headless and handless. Blood congealed in smeared puddles around his body, seeping into the brick promenade. No identification, jewelry were found at the scene but Jane had sent some patrolmen to canvas every garbage receptacle within a two block radius.

"He wore a wedding ring as well as one on his right middle." Maura spoke, balanced on four inch Jimmy Choo's as she squatted next to the body.

"Maura, you're gonna get blood all over your skirt if you're not careful."

"Mmmm." She stood up, tape measure in hand, and walked around to the other side of the body, next to Jane. "The band-width is approximately two centimeters wider on the right hand. And he's missing his belt."

"Probably ivy league school ring. He's wearing a silk suit-"

"Valentino, silk shantung. Starts around a thousand dollars."

Korsak ambled up, greeting the doctor. "Be careful around all that blood, doctor. Wouldn't want to get any on those pretty shoes."

"Thank you, Vince. I'll be very cautious."

Jane huffed. "I tell you basically the same thing-"

"I got the unis' statements which coincided with the second wave and the EMT's."

Scowling at the ME's dimpled smile, Jane told Korsak, "Call Officer Nickelson and tell him to let his guys know we're looking for a men's belt, high-end."

"Okay, okay, I'm good now."

Jane grinned as Frost joined them, stopping well away from the body. "Is it easier to handle on an empty stomach?"

Korsak turned away, punching numbers in his phone.

Noticing the ME's body shift, Jane offered her hand to help her up. Their eyes met for an instant and the detective had to remind herself to breathe.

"Barry, I have some antiemetic-"

"Uh, thanks, doc, I'm good."

"You have a time of death?" Jane asked, her voice a little raspy.

"His temperature read about eighty-one degrees but it's rather chilly here. Sometime after midnight but I can narrow it down when I get back to the lab."

"Was he killed here?" Frost asked.

"Let me get out the fluorescent spectroscope and check for blood spatter. Since it's a brick surface I don't want to chance missing something."

While the ME opened her kit, Korsak returned. "Word's out what to look for." He scratched the back of his hand, looking off in the distance. "I just don't get it. This is a prominent area with boat docks and luxury condos."

"Business deal gone bad?" Frost speculated.

"Dunno. Hopefully the canvas will turn up something. So, let's split up, gentlemen. You know the drill."

"He was killed here, Jane. Oh, and there was a wet, gel-like substance on the bottom of his shoes. I collected a sample and run some tests when I get back."

"Thanks, Maur."

Hours later, the detectives reconvened at the precinct, comparing notes and writing on the murder board. Jane had texted the ME about lunch but Maura hadn't answered. Assuming she was elbow-deep in a chest cavity, the brunette had picked up a salad for her and kept it in the break room refrigerator. All three of them had struck out knocking on doors and talking to local businesses. Korsak offered to revisit some of the closest establishments later in the evening.

Finally there was a lull and Jane took the opportunity to dash downstairs with lunch. When she reached the morgue, the ME wasn't in the lab. Jane went to her office and was surprised to find Maura seated at her desk, huskily speaking into a phone. She knew it was a personal call if the relaxed posture and intimate tone of the blonde were any indications. Jane froze, hating herself for the indecision. All she could do was breathe past the constriction of her throat, past the sinking feeling in her stomach. When she heard Maura's low laugh, the palpable urge to escape fiercely descended upon her. Something must have given her away because green eyes were suddenly looking at her with surprise. The roaring sound in Jane's ears prevented her from hearing what Maura was saying into the phone but she quickly ended the call and stood up.

"Sorry." Maura offered, self-conscious.

"I...brought you…a salad."

Taking the bag from Jane's numb fingers, the ME said, "That was sweet of you, Jane, but Jasmine stopped by…" Her voice trailed off, a distressed look overtaking her features. "…Is something wrong?"

Fuck, fuck, fuck! The lump in her throat was prize-worthy.

"No, of course not! What could be wrong?" The words were rushed, too guttural. Jane cleared her throat, eyes trained somewhere beyond honey-colored hair. Move feet! Move, move, move! Everything inside of Jane was screaming at her to leave.

"You seem to be…upset." Maura moved in closer, slowly held her friend's hand. "What's the matter?"

Jane felt nauseous, angry, and hurt. Limp, her hand was cradled within the ME's warm ones, her thumb lightly rubbing across the detective's knuckles. The soft concern in Maura's green eyes pierced the brunette's heart. A few days that look would have been enough but now everything had changed. Jane wanted those hands to keep traveling up her arms, encircling her neck. She wanted to feel the heat and texture of their lips opening, of their tongues touching. The way her body strained against her control was entirely alien. Heat infused her as her rapid beating heart pumped blood through her veins, making her skin tingle.

The silence persisted and the bittersweet pain in Jane's chest blossomed. Dark eyes probed confused green ones, seeking an answer, a sign, a glimmer. Maura's fingers gripped tighter then slowly moved up the detective's forearms. Jane stepped closer, her hands finding a perch on Maura's hips. Tentatively, the ME's hands wound around her best friend's shoulders and drew her near. She settled her cheek softly against Jane's, her short breaths brushing against the exposed skin of her neck.

"You're my best friend, Jane. Let me help."

It was a testimony to strength of Jane's composure that she kept the tears at bay and eased into the blow. She kept her muscles relaxed, not fighting the frissons of pain. When the time seemed appropriate, Jane withdrew, her face expressionless.

Maura whispered, "Won't you tell me what's wrong?"

"I forgot the salad dressing."

Jane sat in her car and stared at the text from Maura. She was parked down the street, a few minutes late. The scene in the morgue kept replaying in her mind. Her hand trembled as she raked it through her hair. Honestly, she was scared. Nothing made sense and everything was crystal clear. There was no plan albeit not from lack of trying. The possible scenarios of tonight's meeting merely served to further scramble Jane's brains.

Hope you can still make it. Jasmine is excited to spend time with you. –M

A long, exhausted sigh left her, filling the interior with its density and tragic pitch. All she really wanted to do was go home and cuddle with Jo Friday than fall into a dreamless sleep. Maura would forgive her for canceling at the last minute. Truthfully Jane didn't care. Foremost, she was the medical examiner's best friend and Maura had done nothing to forsake that bond. Just get through it. The thought of seeing them, together and cozy, unleashed a shot of anger within the detective. It straightened her spine as she got out of the vehicle, reinforced the gleam of resilience in her brown eyes as she confidently strode down the sidewalk. You suffered a minor set-back today. You can't win all the time. Fucking leprechaun. Bitch better be ready.

They were sitting on the same side of the table when Jane, smiling, walked up unannounced. She sat directly across from Maura's date and eased back in her chair, the picture of blasé.

"Nice to see you again, Jasmine." She said, offering her hand. Which, incidentally, wasn't taken.

"I'm sorry, "the redhead demurred, "I just washed my hands."

"Maura probably has some latex gloves in her purse?" Jane replied, her tone helpful.

"She's…allergic." The medical examiner explained, looking at the smaller woman, a kind smile on her face.

"Maura said you two met at the symposium?"

"Yes, we did."

Jane decided to invite Detective Rizzoli to the party. She had no problem whatsoever asking question upon question. "What do you do?"

"She's a forensic psychologist!" Maura extolled, squeezing the redhead's tiny hand which made the detective's jaw muscle flex.

"Hired gun! What a way to make a livin', eh?"

Jasmine's lips looked a little pale to Jane.

"Actually, no, I'm a legitimate psychologist with two degrees in-"

"Is Jasmine a family name?" Jane rested her chin in her palm as she leaned an elbow on the table. She caught her friend's attention and her mood rose a notch as she recognized the sparkle of amusement in those green eyes.

"Um, no…it isn't."

"I was tellin' Maur the other day it sounded like a stri-"

"Jasmine's testified in some of the biggest cases in California." Maura interrupted, frowning at Jane.

"Do you like music, Jasmine? Maura loves music."

The redhead was getting frustrated, an endless source of entertainment for Jane. She answered questions like she was on the stand, which was understandable. However, the forensic psychologist had always been prepped for a trial by a team of lawyers. Jane, she wasn't a lawyer.

"Yes."

"What's your favorite?"

"Jane, you sound as if you're interrogating her." Maura admonished.

Smiling apologetically, she replied, "Sorry, it just kicks in when I get monosyllable answers. Occupational hazards, huh, Jazz? I question and you give one word answers."

Maura's eyes narrowed in warning. Jane ignored her,

"Jasmine. My name's Jasmine."

The waiter cut in with the couples' drinks and Jane placed her order.

"Don't like nicknames?"

"No."

"I am learning so much about you." Jane enthused, her expression aglow with innocence. "Have you taken Maura dancing yet?"

"I'm not a very good dancer, I'm afraid."

"That's too bad, Jasmine." Looking contemplative, the detective waited a few seconds then snapped her fingers. "Maybe Maura can teach you! She's a wonderful dancer. Saturday night we were cleaning out my closet and she-"

"Jane, can I talk to you for a minute?" Maura hissed, the facsimile of a smile occupying her lips.

Without ceremony the brunette's arm was firmly jerked by a very agitated ME. Had her natural stride not been so long, Maura would have been dragging her into the bathroom.

"You better tell me what is going on, right now!"

"I was talking to your…girlfriend?"

Maura's eyes glittered angrily. "You're behaving badly, Jane, which isn't out of the ordinary, but I usually know the reason behind such-"

Airily, Jane said, "She's not much of a conversationalist. If I left it up to her, we'd still be staring at each other. And, by the way, Maur, her eyes are kinda lopsided-"

"Jane Clementine Rizzoli!"

"Hey, there's no need to go all Mom on me."

Maura, shaking with repressed emotion, claimed the space in front of her friend, nearly bumping chests. "Tell. Me. What's. Wrong."

The vision of Maura Isles on the verge of exploding transfixed Jane. It was powerful and alluring.

"She's a cross between Howie Mandell, the Lucky Charms dude, and some over-the-hill coked out chick who dances on Tuesday afternoons! Maura, I know you can do better!"

A small chuckle broke the silence. Jane's lips twitched as she watched Maura try to explain.

"It's not…funny…at all." Maura slapped back a fugitive laugh and waited for the impulse to pass. "It's just…I finally got…the cereal analogy."