Puzzle Pieces
A Rizzoli and Isles Story
By Enginerd
Disclaimers:
Rizzoli & Isles were created by Tess Gerritsen and adapted for TV by Janet Tamaro. This story takes place in the beginning of season two and contains mature themes involving the love and its physical expression between two women.
Chapter 4 – Just Fine
"Dr. Isles?" Frost asked again, finally getting her attention as they moved the body into the ambulance. She had been very distracted since she arrived at the scene. "Is everything all right?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You seem somewhere else tonight. Is it Jane?" he asked curiously, walking with her to her car.
Maura looked at him uncomfortably. "Yes."
"Is she all right?" he asked with concern.
"She still has amnesia. The doctor is unable to determine how long it will last."
"Eh. Wait and see is so not Jane," he said with a knowing chuckle. Maura glanced down uneasily, recalling Jane's recent declaration that wasn't going to let life just pass her by.
"So it could be permanent?" he asked with worry as she opened her car door.
"That is one possibility," she said distractedly.
"Doc?" Barry frowned, not having seen Dr. Isles so preoccupied before. Not even after her drug-smuggling boyfriend left her for Africa.
"If you'll excuse me," she said, getting a nod from the young detective. "Good night, Barry," she said without a smile and got in her car.
He watched her drive away sensing there was something else.
R&I
Jane shut the door and exhaled with relief that her mother was finally gone. Angela really did like to chat, she considered as she started for the kitchen. At least her mother agreed to talk to Tommy, she considered, knowing if he still continued, she would personally take care of the situation.
A knocking caused Jane to roll her eyes and return to the door. Pulling the door open she blurted "forget something, Ma? Oh! Hi," Jane said sheepishly.
"I know they say Law School ages you, but I would have never guessed you'd confuse me for your mother," Marissa said with amusement.
Jane chuckled. "I owe you my deepest apologies," she said. "Come in."
"So? Any news on the neurological front?" Marissa asked with a small cringe as she entered Jane's apartment.
"Well, according to my neurologist, I look fine," Jane moaned, shaking her head.
"You sound disappointed that you look fine," she said curiously.
"There's nothing obvious to explain the memory problem," Jane said with a sigh, rubbing the back of her tense neck.
"Ah. So no memories popping back at all?" she asked hesitantly.
"Well, I knew what Maura's African Spur Tortoise was. Apparently, I've seen a National Geographic show on Tortoises."
"That's good, right?" Marissa offered hopefully.
"I suppose," she sighed, then looked at her sympathetic neighbor. "Uh . . . would you like something to drink? I just remembered I actually have manners," Jane said, rolling her eyes.
Marissa laughed. "No thanks, I've got to get going. I have a huge test tomorrow that I am worried about," she said with a grimmace.
"On what?"
"Search and seizure."
"Trouble with exigent circumstances?" Jane guessed.
"I suppose you'd know about that as a cop, huh?" Marissa said with excitement, placing a hand on her forearm.
Jane looked at her and smiled.
R&I
Maura put on her nightclothes and slipped under the covers. She exhaled heavily and stared at her ceiling, feeling guilty for not contacting Jane after she had left the scene. But it was now too late to call, she rationalized, then frowned, looking at her nightstand clock which read 1:23 am. It wouldn't be the first time she would be on the phone with Jane in the wee hours of the morning. But it would be the first time with this Jane - the Jane that kissed her, the Jane that forced her to acknowledge what had been brewing beneath the surface for so long . . . .
She shook her head in frustration. How was it this Jane, after only six days, could act on her feelings but not the Jane she had known for years?
Maura had always found Jane attractive. Since their first meeting at a crime scene, she was captivated by the tall brunette with her wild mane of hair that she would later consider was so . . . Jane. Her beauty was striking, certainly. Her confident swagger, ready smile, and smoky voice made Jane Rizzoli someone to notice. And she was noticed, by males and females alike, who paused to look at her when she arrived. She was no exception. But it was Jane's intelligence, amazing perceptiveness, and genuine warmth that really drew her in, making her yearn for this woman's acceptance. She had worried her awkwardness would put off her new co-workers, but Jane had looked past her social quirks and nervous spouting of facts, but not without some good-natured teasing, to quickly become her friend . . . her best friend.
The best friend she ever had.
Ever.
Why did Jane have to go and upset her safe and comfortable roll as best friend? Why did Jane have to cross that line? Sure that line was admittedly was growing blurrier as they grew closer; she loved Jane Rizzoli and couldn't envision her life without the detective. But could she really expose herself to the risky proposition of becoming lovers?
Maura was well aware of her horrible track record with lovers. If not murderers or smugglers, her lovers were pompous or terribly dull . . . and ultimately left. They all left. Keeping her as a best friend was the safest option. She couldn't lose Jane too. But Jane had changed things. This new Jane had opened herself up to that risk . . . that ultimate rejection. But this new Jane showed a courage she wished she had. And when Jane had acted, she forced her feel things that frightened her. She had never experienced so much emotion and . . . GOD, she was getting wet just thinking about their kisses and their bodies pressed together.
Maura groaned and sat up, staring at her phone on the nightstand by her clock, which now read 1:29 am. She leaned over and grabbed the phone and stared at it in her hand. She needed her friend. She loved her friend. And she couldn't ignore it any longer . . . she wanted her friend. Physically.
Maura frowned with doubt. What if it didn't work out? What if she lost one of the best things that ever happened to her - her friendship with Jane? But what if . . . what if it actually worked out between them? She had never felt so comfortable around another person. Kissing Jane felt so . . . right. She recalled Jane's words that she didn't want to watch life pass her by. Maura cringed at the realization that she had been doing just that. She had to talk to Jane! They would figure this out. They could overcome anything, together, she believed as her excitement grew. Not knowing what she was going to say, she dialed anyway. Her heart pounded as the phone rang.
"Rizzoli residence."
The voice washed over her like a bucket of cold water.
"Hello?" Marissa said curiously, not hearing anyone respond.
Maura felt a painful tightness wrap around her heart and hung up.
Jane emerged from the bathroom and returned to the dining room table covered in textbooks. "Who was it?" she asked, seeing Marissa look at the phone tiredly and rub her eyes.
"They hung up," Marissa said and yawned, then looked at the caller ID. "Dr. Isles," she said with surprise.
Jane looked encouraged, then realized what Maura must think with Marissa answering the phone. "Fuck," she exhaled as she ran her hand through her hair.
"Oh!" Marissa said with understanding. "You should call her back," she said quickly.
"Do you really think she'll answer?" Jane said flatly, rubbing the back of her neck.
Marissa winced. "Given the circumstantial evidence, that would be a no."
"I don't think so either, counselor. I'm gonna call a cab. You can stay here if you want," Jane said, motioning to the book-covered table.
"Thanks but, I'm fading. I'll get my stuff and head back to my apartment," Marissa said as Jane took the phone from her. "Do you really think going to her place at this time of night is a good idea?"
"I have no idea," Jane said with a humorless laugh as she grabbed a phone book.
"Didn't think so," Marissa said and gathered her books as Jane called for a cab.
As they headed out Jane's apartment together, Marissa placed a hand on Jane's forearm. She pulled out a pen and scribbled her phone number on the corner of her notepad and ripped it off. "Here," she said, handing over her number.
"Uh, really, Marissa?" Jane said with an uncomfortable cringe.
"It's in case you need someone to bail you out," Marissa explained dryly.
"Ah. Funny."
"I really didn't mean for you to get in trouble," she said guiltily, biting her lip.
"If not you, I'm sure something else would have gotten me in trouble," Jane said warily.
"I really do appreciate your help, Jane."
"I'm glad I could help. But you really didn't need it. You know it cold."
Marissa shrugged. "Well, I think now I do. Good luck with Dr. Isles," she offered sincerely.
"Thanks. Something tells me I'm going to need all the luck I can get," Jane said with a weak smile.
Continued….