A/N: I wrote this story WAY before I ever watched XWP, but there are similarities between both pairings that strike me. Jane had a foot problem, Gabrielle had a foot problem. Xena had a pest infestation, Maura has a pest infestation Before I watched the almighty (sometimes campy and outrageous) XWP, I thought 'Rizzoli Isles' had great subtext. Wrong. They got nothing on XWP. There was subtext, maintext... it had everything! Jane and Maura (in the TV series) would never have been a couple with Jan Nash as showrunner (I think they would have if it had been Janet Tamaro. Give me your opinions in the reviews!). The writers played on 'will they, won't they?' to tease viewers. Again, watch XWP. It surpasses 'Rizzoli Isles' in subtext and lady loving and badassery. Don't get me wrong though, I still love Jane and Maura.
Anyway, from this point on, the story will continue in the 'past' unless noted in the beginning of the chapter.
JANE'S APARTMENT: FIVE HOURS LATER
Jane conjured new dreams she never had as a teen: a three bedroom house with a red SUV parked in a two-car garage, a wide collection of classic movies that Maura introduced to her, and maybe a few trips to Europe to enjoy their culture and delicacies. Becoming a beat cop, and eventually a proud detective, was the only dream that stuck with her since childhood. She achieved many rudimentary goals she set for herself as she grew older and now she wanted to tackle new and challenging ones. Jane knew the house, car, DVD collection, and vacations were easy to grasp if she saved money, but the person that inspired it all would be difficult to win over.
She really didn't need those materialistic properties; she had her own apartment, wonderful friends, a crazy (but supportive) family, and a lifestyle she loved to live –though Angela voiced her concern for her daughter's safety constantly. However, even with these magnificent blessings, there was still a lot of wishful thinking on Jane's part.
The skills Jane garnered as a detective proved useful in day-to-day life. Some interviewing tactics benefited her when it came to bargaining prices, extracting information from friends and family, and –to her amusement– getting things to happen her way. Not only did intimidation work in her favor, but the most important quality Jane used, and it never faltered: empathy. Part of her work required her to grill suspects and their accomplices, break their spirit and show their true nature. Her job also required her to console grieving loved ones and offer any solace she could. Whether she dealt with murderers, loved ones, or victims, the ability to understand and be part of their situations helped solve cases. And Jane could feel a new case brewing closer to home that required her attention.
She could go through this over again in her mind and one of two possibilities sounded reasonable enough: her romantic feelings for her best-friend clouded her judgements or, simply, Maura did return the same feelings. Jane wanted to settle on the most reasonable explanation for the heart pounding intimacy of Maura's unexpected hug. Two weeks of strictly professional behavior –the work load increased astonishingly after the New Year's– and complete exhaustion kept the two apart, so it only made sense that her feelings actually got in the way. Jane totally read too much from that hug, after all, the medical examiner and detective weren't strangers to physical contact. Yes, the two were comfortable enough around each other to hug, gratuitously touch, and sleep in bed together. Yet, the kisses they shared drunkenly on New Year's provided evidence that Maura may share the same feelings. Once, twice, three times, going back around in a circle, Jane went point by point for each reason with supporting evidence that this was all in her head. Or was it intentional?
Then she thought about Maura's demeanor earlier in the morning: mismatched heels, avoiding her, the strange glow. Jane's confusing theories and explanations shattered when she thought it all through again. The detective's anxiety sky-rocketed thinking of who or what held the medical examiner's attention.
"Oh my God!" Jane uttered aloud, "I'm obsessing too much." She rolled out of her covers, sat on the edge of the bed, and rubbed her eyes. She huffed in exasperation when the alarm went off, signaling her to wake up for the day's work; Jane laid in bed for almost an hour before, waking with a start, thinking about Maura. She couldn't continue doing that. She had to get ready, pick up coffee, and focus on the hit-and-run case. But, who could deny Maura's perfect wavy blonde hair, hazel eyes, and those luscious lips? The bright smile, her bright personality, and infectious laugh? Everything that was Maura Isles made Jane's day so much brighter, and her friendship meant the world to her.
"Dammit, I'm too selfish." Jane got up and pulled the bedroom door open. She walked down the hall, to the bathroom, and flicked the light on. She looked at herself in the mirror, jumped back a bit at the bags under her eyes, and sighed. Their friendship meant the world to her, but Jane wanted more with Maura. This was the new and challenging goal she needed to meet. She didn't know whether the journey would flow seamlessly or end in disaster, but she needed to find out if the drunken kisses meant anything –if Maura's hug held more meaning like she suspected.
She stepped into the bath and relished the cold water running down the length of her body. Jane, exhausted from lack of sleep, readied herself for the journey she'd risk her friendship for. She also mentally and physically prepared herself for the piling workload she hated stressing over, but loved going through and solving.
MAURA'S HOUSE
The blonde soundlessly slept for five hours. No dreams, no nightmares. Total darkness enveloped her consciousness, time slipping easily from her grasp. She went to bed with an overly active mind, fell asleep instantly, and woke up begrudgingly before her alarm clock. Maura got ready for work and although she slept soundly, she couldn't shake the fatigue from her limbs and mind. Ian's unexpected arrival and their frantic session could have caused it. But the sex only invigorated and excited her –it stirred the sparkling embers. The root of it all: Jane Rizzoli.
The physical and emotional attraction to the brunette hadn't caused her any trouble in the past. As their friendship prospered, Maura got to know two sides of her detective best-friend. The way Jane carried and presented herself intimidated people. Her gumption, insistent attitude, and masculine energy made those who didn't know her uncomfortable. Only, that intimidation the brunette used on others was an armor. Jane's ability to frighten others guarded the warm, humorous, and loving personality Maura always got to see. Jane Rizzoli did not expose that side of herself to others outside of her circle.
Their trust in each other brought them close to a point where playful hitting, sleepovers, and gratuitous touches became a norm for the two. As her attraction grew; however, Maura learned to hide her emotions. No one would have picked up on it in the first place –Jane and Maura flirted in front of friends and family. In fact, their friendly flirtation became normal enough that it didn't cause anyone, not even Jane, to bat an eye.
But the events of New Year's Eve and her tumble in bed with Ian would prove difficult for Maura to keep her impulses in check. Her kisses with Jane started a fervent wanting for physical intimacy; they couldn't, or she couldn't, act on it because they were both drunk. Maura would have gladly continued despite her inebriation because she had imagined them together many times before. Yet, if Jane didn't feel the same way –it was hard to deny since they participated in the act of french kissing– Maura wasn't sure their friendship would continue after one drunken night in bed. The only way to fulfill her need balanced between two acts: masturbation (it could only do so much) or sleeping with someone else.
That person ended up being Ian Faulkner, a man she once loved, who helped scratch an itch that had gone on for far too long. She didn't mean to; however, the memory of her kissing Jane allowed her to finish with Ian. And she wasn't sure how much longer she could wait for the brunette. Maura wanted to discuss the incident with Jane to find out if their relationship could progress into anything more. If both agreed that their friendship was to stay exactly the same, Maura wanted to know as soon as possible so she could get over her feelings and move on.
Until then, Maura would have to deal with the repercussions of her scatter brained actions. As she walked from her bedroom to the kitchen, the knock from the front door caused an uncomfortable stirring in her stomach. She hoped it wasn't who it was but, upon answering the door, Maura couldn't avoid him now.
"Maura, darling," Ian grinned, pushing a satchel to his side, "I'm sorry to catch you so early in the morning, but I didn't have your number."
"I can't stay long, I have to go in to work." Maura ushered him in. "May I offer you any drinks? Some breakfast?" She opened a cupboard and pulled out two cups. She started a pot of water and decided to make tea.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind a pot of tea. I don't need any breakfast, thank you. We just really need to talk." Ian took a seat by the counter, placed his bag on the floor, and watched as Maura made her way through the kitchen. She took a lunch bag out of a cupboard, went into her fridge and took out her day's lunch: a grilled chicken breast with stir-fried vegetables.
"While the water's heating, I just want to let you know that last night..." Maura stopped and looked up at him, his eyes seemed to glitter with anticipation, "Last night, had I been in my right mind, we wouldn't have slept together."
Ian got up from where he sat, went around the counter, and put a hand on her shoulder, "What happened last night will never repeat itself. Look, the reason I came by last night was to ask for your help."
Maura shrugged her shoulder to get his hand off her, "My help with what? Ten years of no communication and you suddenly appear on my doorstep for help?"
Ian crossed his arms, "I got myself into some trouble and got your address through some contacts. You're the only one I can trust Maura."
She hesitated, listening to the worry in his voice, "What sort of trouble could you possibly be in?"
He went to the satchel and pulled manila folders out, "If you look through these, I dipped... my hands into a situation I lost control of. While working in Ethiopia," he looked as her face fell, "I met a few doctors who were part of some shady businesses. I found out about what they were dealing in and planned to report them, but they cut a deal. If I worked with them, I could travel the country, be my own boss, and... profit more."
Maura squinted her eyes at him. Money and power was the reason Ian abandoned her in Ethiopia, left her with no explanation whatsoever why he picked up and left. "So, what? You need me to help you...?"
"I'm under investigation for international drug smuggling. With my connections as a doctor, I got my hands on drugs that were used for medical procedures." He took a deep breath in and scratched the back of his head, "I could be placed in a federal prison for five years... or more, depending on what my kind colleagues plan to say about me."
"So you need me as an alibi? To tell officials that you're actually a law-abiding citizen who got caught in the middle of an illegal scheme?" Maura poured herself and Ian some tea and poised herself before she bursted, "Ten years go by and you show up here to ask for my help? What do you make of me Ian?" She pointed at the files, "You stole pharmaceuticals you were not authorized to take, performed procedures on other criminals –which makes you an accomplice for whatever crimes they've been involved in. I don't know who you are!"
Ian put his hands up defensively, "I know what I'm asking of you is a lot, especially after I left you when everything–,"
"Don't bring it up. I've moved on and we don't have to discuss it. But this," she pointed between them, "I can't help you with. You got yourself into this mess, so you can get yourself out of it. Why did you even bother coming here Ian?"
He closed the distance between them and took her by the shoulders. His resolve broke and desperately needed to get out, "Maura, you're the only person I trust. I know I don't deserve your kindness so you can decide whether you want to help me or not. I can't do anything without authorities catching my trail. I need a few supplies to get back to Africa so I can tie a few loose ends, then I'll turn myself in. It's as simple as that."
Maura shook her head. She couldn't get involved with a wanted felon. Maura had no idea what else he could be involved in. "I can't do that Ian."
He let go of her and sighed in disappointment. He gathered the files, placed them in the satchel, and drank the last of his tea. "Alright Maura, I'll be on my way."
She gazed downwards. The sparkle in Ian's eyes were there because he thought she could help, but once she turned him down, he aged in those few seconds. If he stayed true to his word and turned himself in, Maura couldn't see the harm in buying him a few supplies. She walked to him from the kitchen and stopped him before he could get to the door. She pulled him back, made him take a seat, and sat down across from him.
Before she could say anything, the sound of jingling keys at the knob panicked her. "Oh gosh. That's Jane's mother."
He started to panic too and shrugged, "What? Do you want me to hide?"
Her nerves spiked as she heard the lock turn, pointed at his bag and motioned for him to shield it. Ian grabbed it from his shoulder and placed it between his legs. She took the pot of tea and poured more for them, attempting a scene of normalcy. Maura whispered to him before Angela walked through, "No, just say that we're colleagues. I don't want to explain you to Angela."
Ian couldn't agree more, "I am hard to explain, aren't I?"
"Yes, yes you are." Maura looked down as Angela entered. "Just act casually." She whispered again.
Angela looked up from the doorknob and staggered backwards at the sight of Maura and her house guest, "I'm so sorry Maura. I didn't know there was company. I'll just go–"
Instead of sending Angela away –she would become very suspicious– Maura stepped from around the counter with a cup in hand, "No, don't worry Angela. This is a colleague of mine, Doctor Ian Faulkner. We were just… uh," She couldn't tell Angela that she was planning to help a fugitive.
"We were discussing a few old cases that we handled together over a few cups of tea." Angela edged closer to them, "As Maura already mentioned, I'm Ian Faulkner. It's a pleasure meeting you Angela." He reached out for her hand and shook it with a strong grip.
"Ow," Angela smiled uneasily, "So, Maura, you're working quite… early," she turned her attention to the blonde, "This is a colleague or a former colleague?"
Maura couldn't understand that Angela was referring to their romantic life, not work, "He is a former colleague. But, we are reestablishing our earlier work relationship… to aid one another with cases?" Maura made eye contact with Ian so he could confirm her statement.
"Yes, Doctor Isles and I are collaborating–"
Angela could see Maura growing more uncomfortable and could take a hint of their relationship. She raised a hand, "I won't understand any of your medical lingo." Angela proceeded to take a seat, still eyeing the odd couple, and pulled out a notebook. "I'm not sure if Jane mentioned my new hobby?"
Maura smiled, relieved the subject had changed, "She has, yes. Angela is working on her certification to become a professional organizer." She turned her attention to Ian, "Isn't that great?" Ian's news took a toll on her, but she had other problems she wanted to focus on. Not on a fugitive she didn't have feelings for, who decided that he could turn to her for help after abandoning her.
He furrowed his brows, but nodded anyway, "How interesting!"
Angela grinned and waved a finger in the air, "Being organized is the key to success! So Maura,"
"Yes?" She needed to leave if she expected to get any work done.
"Let's get organized!" Angela opened the notebook, "What should we start on?"
The threesome looked at one another, not knowing what to do because one: Maura couldn't be classified as disorganized, and two: Maura and Ian were not in a good place. Even so, Maura allowed Angela to do as she pleased. The older woman moved to the cabinets and insisted on labeling each item. Ian suggested, instead, that she could probably organize each item in alphabetical order. At that suggestion, Maura gave him a strained smile and shook her head behind Angela's back.
"This will be done in no time!" Angela removed everything out of its place to categorize them in correct order.
"Thank you Angela for offering to do this," Maura embraced her, "I'm going to leave for work now. Ian, if you don't mind?" She beckoned him to follow her to the guest room on the first floor. She pulled out a notepad and pen from the nightstand and wrote her number down, then handed the sheet of paper to him. "Here's my number if you need it. While I'm away, what do you plan on doing?"
Ian shrugged, "I think I can safely assume that you're still deciding whether I'm worth your time, so with that in mind, I'll make a few calls to get a ticket back to Africa. I don't have any assets so I need some supplies that I can take back with me. I can explain more, but I–"
"I'll finish around six and we can discuss more later." Maura patted his arm and left the room before asking, "If I help you, you help me. You're authorized in medical procedures. Do you think you could perform a simple procedure on a foot?"
Ian stuttered, "Excuse me... a foot?"
"Make yourself comfortable, don't say anything to Angela." She walked out with him trailing behind her, "And don't, for goodness sakes, dare do anything else that could get me into trouble."
"What's in trouble?" Angela asked as she pulled the backing off a sticker.
He knew that she couldn't lie and she was already doing so much for him, he came up with a story. "A patient I've been working with for a few years has shown no sign of improvement with the resources I have in a third world country. I might be able to see a full recovery if Maura," he turned to make eye contact with her, "...invests her time and resources with the patient."
She knew what he meant. And she would come up with a plan when she was ready. But she needed to leave for work or someone else might end up knocking at her door with questions she knew she wasn't ready to answer. Maura could envision Jane's reaction had she learned that she planned on buying supplies for a wanted criminal.
"Well, I hope you can help Maura." Angela said as she grabbed Maura's lunch bag. "Have a good day, okay? I know you've worked a lot lately, so make sure you get some breaks in and rest properly." She handed over the bag to the doctor and a thermos filled with Maura's favorite tea.
"Thank you Angela!" Maura took the items and lugged her medical bag and laptop case. "Ian," she eyed him cautiously, "Don't ruin Angela's organization!"
Angela looked him up and down with a grin, "Don't worry. He'll help tremendously."
THE CROWDED COFFEE SHOP
There were two people ahead of her before she could place her order of four large cups of good ol' Joe. Like always, while waiting her turn, Jane grew agitated.
She murmured as a customer stalled, trying to figure out what she did and did not want in her coffee. "You're fucking kidding me. I arrive here at a quarter past 6 and I'm still in this damn line?" After the woman sarcastically thanked the cashier, and the gentleman in front of Jane quickly ordered a dark roast black coffee, she finally got her chance to order. "Can I get my usual order and don't take an hour, please?"
The woman behind the counter gave a blank stare, unsure of what to punch into the register, "I'm... I don't know what that usual is."
Jane took a better look at the girl again and apologized, "I'm sorry. I assumed that you knew my order. I'm used to seeing the same people behind the counter..." she read the girl's name tag, "Sammy." Jane reached for her wallet in her back pocket, took out a few bills and started her order. "I'll need–"
A familiar face walked up to the register, she grinned at the detective and took over for Sammy, "Don't worry Detective Rizzoli, I remember the usual. Sammy, will you make the drinks please?" The brunette punched in the orders, gave her coworker the receipt and looked up at the detective. "Your total today is $10.89."
Jane double checked the screen again and down at the bills in her hand. That wasn't her usual order, it normally came out to about twice that amount. "Uh, are you sure you got my order..." she recognized the girl, gave her order to her in the past and saw her make it, but that total wasn't right. She also didn't know her name and couldn't find a name tag on her. "Lucy, right?"
"It's Lilly." Jane smiled guiltily, "Don't worry about it. And yes, I got your order. You seemed unhappy so I figured I could make your day by giving you a discount. And since Sammy is making your order as we speak, it'll be ready in a few minutes." Lilly returned a smile. She leaned in when Jane continued staring, "There are customers waiting behind you Detective," she whispered the last part, "I can't give all of them discounts."
The barista's smile made her feel more guilty, "Right, right. Sorry." Jane handed her two ten-dollar bills. "Thank you Lilly. Have a good day, yeah?"
"Don't forget your change!" Lilly waved the cash in her hands, causing a few of the customers to groan.
Jane shot a look at them before stepping off to the side, "Keep it. After all, I forgot your name." The woman held it hesitantly, but Jane insisted, "You can place it in the tip jar if that makes you feel better. Split it between you and your coworkers." Lilly placed the change in the jar and proceeded to make the next order as Sammy replaced her at the register.
Jane put one hand over the other and placed them in front of her, smiling as she waited for her drinks.
"Detective Rizzoli your order, as promised." Lilly fastened the cups into a holder and pushed it forward. "And if you don't mind me asking, where's that friend of yours?"
"Friend?" Jane asked, grabbing the holder.
"That strawberry blonde? You know the one with the big... smile." She pulled a loose strand of hair behind her ear and leaned against the counter.
"Oh! Maura?" Jane looked at Lilly curiously, "She's probably at work. We've been swamped and I figured I'd buy us all drinks to keep us awake." Jane noticed a change in the girl's demeanor, but ignored it.
"Well, tell your team I said hi." Lilly turned her attention to Sammy, noticing the orders piling up, "I should probably start the other orders."
Jane chuckled, "Probably." She waved and called out, "Thank you Sammy."
"Have a good day... yeah?" Lilly grinned, repeating Jane's statement.
The detective thanked them one last time before leaving. As she walked out, she chuckled at the girl's friendliness. Her irritation got her a discount. Maybe she should show her agitation more often so she wouldn't have to spend anymore money. That wouldn't be nice though, taking advantage of the girl's friendliness. She'd have to tell the others at the office about her discount. Maura would be impressed but scold Jane for her impatience. Jane started her car, paused as she thought about Lilly and shook her head. The one with the big... smile? The detective looked towards the coffee shop and suddenly felt protective. She seemed disappointed Maura wasn't with me.
She blocked that thought from her mind.
Jane drove to the department, parked in her usual stall, and took the elevator up to the bull pen.
"Morning Jane," Frost greeted as she placed a cup with the letter 'K' on Korsak's desk, "The hospital's notified us that Chris just woke up. They had to reset a few bones, pop his arm back in, but he's coherent."
She placed a cup in front of him, "Okay. We'll visit him later today. Do you know where Korsak is?"
Frost took a sip and sighed, "Oh, that's some good coffee." He waved his hand towards Korsak's approximate direction, "He's in the break room, making himself some breakfast."
"Do you know if Maura is in?" She took the remaining two cups out of the holder, placed them on her desk, and chucked the cardboard into the trash.
"I'm not sure," Frost replied, typing information into the computer, "I haven't gone down to the morgue yet." He drank some coffee again and looked up at his partner, innocently prodding, "You two didn't drive in together?"
Jane picked the cups back up and headed for the elevator, "Get some information on Chris will you? See if there could be any leads–"
Frost interrupted, "Already on it detective."
She pushed the button, turned back to him, and tilted her head at his sarcasm, "Detective Frost." She raised her drink up to him and stepped in the elevator as Korsak walked into the pen with a bowl in hand.
"Hey Jane!" Korsak nodded at her.
"You guys got discounted delicious coffee thanks to me!" Jane iterated through the closing elevator doors.
She shook off the tension in her shoulders as she stepped out of the elevator. It probably wasn't the best idea to confront Maura now. If things didn't go well, Jane wasn't sure she could focus on the case. It would probably disrupt the medical examiner's concentration too. She'd just act casually and wait to discuss things when she, at least, found a suspect.
Jane walked into the medical examiner's office, expecting to see Maura on her laptop, but she wasn't there. She looked around and saw no sign of the doctor, then went into the morgue. No sign of her there too. A knot formed in her stomach. Whatever caused Maura's tardiness last night, probably caused her tardiness now. She discontentedly made her way back to the office and sat on the edge of Maura's desk. She surveyed the room once more before placing Maura's coffee on her desk, then waited at the elevator again. She drank some of the coffee, stepped back into the same elevator, and went back up to the pen.
She would have to meet with Maura later on while she performed the autopsy. There wouldn't be any room for personal business.
