A/N: Where do you think they meet this chapter? Enjoy!
The game had been awesome! Well at least for all the Sox fans. The home team had suffered a crushing defeat, 13-2, and many of them had left well before the game was over. But all the runs meant that Jane and her boys had the time of their lives. It didn't hurt that they had prime seats along the first baseline. They never could have afforded 3 seats this close at Fenway but here they had practically been free!
After the game, the trio was so worked up from the victory, they decided to hit one of the local bars to celebrate. There were no shortage of places but the Bostonians were feeling nostalgic for home so they ended up at an Irish pub in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown. The three secured a table and Frost offered to buy the first round of beers.
The first round had quickly turned into four rounds and within a couple of hours, the trio was well on their way to wasted. The local crowd was giving them a hard time, not because of being drunk, but because of their Red Sox gear. The teasing only served to make the trio feel even more at home. Finally after nightfall, the three cops had stumbled their way back to their hotel and quickly passed out.
R&I
The next morning found Jane groaning awake as once again the sun washed over her. She was really going to have to remember to close the curtains before going to bed. Maybe if she was sober that might happen, Jane thought.
Speaking of sober, Jane groaned again as her head pounded. She had certainly gone a little overboard with the celebration yesterday, especially when the rounds stopped being just beer and had incorporated Irish car bombs. Jane was out of practice.
Crawling out of bed and heading into her bathroom, Jane briefly wondered if her angel had gone out partying as well after their team had spanked the Padres. As Jane was washing her hands after relieving herself, she began to wonder if her angel had been at the game alone. Each time Jane had seen her, she had been alone but that's not to say she really was. She had said she was in town for a conference so that had to mean that she knew other people.
The image of her angel with anyone else made Jane see red. She had never felt such possessiveness over someone she didn't even really know. There was just something about that woman that caused Jane to think MINE. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Jane decided she needed a hot shower to wash away her night of drinking followed quickly by lots of coffee.
After her shower, Jane felt slightly more human and got dressed in casual lounge clothes, not wanting to dress for the day just to go get some coffee. She made her way down to the cafe in the lobby and was happy to see that there wasn't much of a line. Her headache was starting to come back and she needed that caffeine kick to chase it away. Jane briefly wondered if she might see her angel floating around.
As if conjured by her thoughts, Jane caught a glimpse of shiny honey tinted hair moving toward the main doors of the lobby. Jane felt her mouth go dry as she saw her angel dressed to impress in a form fitting emerald green, knee length dress that screamed designer. And the legs Jane couldn't get enough of were being shown off as her angel was prancing around in impossibly high heels that matched her dress perfectly.
Jane was so caught up in the vision before her that she missed her name being called for her coffee. Apparently several times as eventually the barista had come out from behind the counter and tapped Jane on the shoulder, handing her her coffee with a scowl on their face. Jane mumbled an embarrassed sorry before leaving the cafe, being drawn to where she had seen her angel walking.
Unfortunately for Jane, she was only able to see the toned leg of her angel lifting up into a car at the curb outside. A car, that as Jane approached, she could make out the form of a man driving. A man who was currently leaning over and kissing her angel before pulling the car out of sight.
Jane felt her heart clench at what she had just witnessed. She should have known that that gorgeous creature wasn't available. Jane had allowed herself to get caught up in all the cat and mouse flirting the two had been doing. Wait a minute, that's right! They had both been flirting! In fact, Jane could definitively say that her angel had started the flirting and continued to do the lion's share.
This only confuses Jane more and the throbbing in her temple reminded her that she had had a long night and still hadn't had her coffee. Deciding to leave the detecting for later, Jane headed back toward the elevators to go upstairs and hope to return to her normal self after some more rest.
R&I
The additional sleep after her coffee had done the trick and Jane woke up a few hours later feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. The trio had decided to take advantage of being in San Diego to go to the World Famous Zoo that everyone talked about.
It has actually been Frost's idea. Apparently baby Barold Frost had wanted to be a zookeeper when he was little and had spent a lot of time learning all about every kind of animal. His chosen profession had changed but his love for wild animals had not and he had insisted that they visit the zoo. Frankie and Jane had only put up resistance to give Frost a hard time but both secretly couldn't wait to see all the animals.
Once again Jane was struck at how San Diego had yet another world famous attraction right in the middle of the city. The zoo was situated right in the San Diego equivalent of the Boston Commons. Once they entered the zoo, they almost forgot they were in the city as they were transported to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Jane had envisioned the zoo trip would take up a few hours but after looking at the map and seeing how big the place actually was, she realized why Frost wanted to take the day.
And it turned out to be well worth it. They had gotten to see so many different types of animals, including a baby hippo, baby tapir, and young gorillas. They had oohed and awwed all morning, taking countless pictures, and had excitedly discussed all the animals they had seen over lunch. They had even gotten a chance to feed giraffes and Jane had gotten great pictures of Frankie's face as a long tongue was seen inches away from licking it.
The group had eventually made it over to the new Africa Rocks section and discovered the penguin and shark exhibit. There was an underwater viewing area that was cool and had benches were they could sit and watch the action. The penguins were especially active at the moment and the trio were just as giddy as the small kids who were running around trying to follow the swimming birds.
It was as Jane was laughing at Frankie's squeals of joy at seeing the penguins swimming among the sharks that Jane once again heard the honey coated voice of her dreams speak almost directly behind her. "Although those are California leopard sharks, they are very similar to the the shark species that the African penguins share their habitat in the wild with, the pyjama shark. Having them together allows for both species to act as they would in their natural environments."
All three Bostonians turned toward the voice with comically wide eyes as they processed the biology lesson that had just been delivered to them. Jane saw the uncertainty in the angel doctor's eyes as none of her pupils seemed to respond. Jane couldn't help taking a long look at her angel's outfit up close. The dress was even better than the glimpse she had gotten earlier had revealed. All of the doctor's natural curves were accentuated and Jane had to swallow hard to keep from drooling.
Her angel began to fidget and look around, as if deciding whether to run, the longer the silence dragged on. Jane was having none of that and recovered quickly saying, "I had no idea. So you're a dermatologist and a marine biologist..." She accompanied her words with a smirk and a wink so that her angel doctor would know that she was teasing. Jane's actions seemed to work as the woman before them visibly relaxed, shoulders dropping about an inch from their previous position by the doctor's ears.
"Perhaps, I mostly find the animal kingdom fascinating and thought that you might enjoy the information," her angel doctor said, a light blush rising on her heart shaped face. Jane found the look adorable and longed to touch that gorgeous face. Jane startled as she heard her uncouth boys laughing loudly beside her. She watched as the embarrassed doctor was getting upset and knew she had to intervene.
Smacking both men upside the head to get them to stop, Jane stood up to fully face her angel and said, "Don't mind these idiots. They would be content to just sit here and stare at the glass like it was a TV. I, on the other hand, am super grateful for the info. Would you care to join us? I promise to keep these knuckleheads in line." Jane swung her arm to indicate where she wanted to the doctor to sit, pointedly glaring at her brother and Frost to behave. The two could be seen grimacing from their efforts to keep their laughter at bay, but both knew not to mess with Jane when she used that look.
"Well, I don't know, I wouldn't want to impose," her angel said hesitantly. It caused Jane's heart to clench. She preferred her confident angel not the uncertain woman who was standing in front of her.
"Impose, pshh, naw you wouldn't be imposing. It would be nice to finally meet the woman my sister keeps drooling over," Frankie's brash voice said. Jane's eyes went wide as her brother's words sank in and she spun around and really smacked him on the head. "Owww, Janie, quit it! I'm gonna tell Ma you keep abusing me!" Frankie shouted, rubbing his head and pouting.
Jane was so embarrassed and didn't want to turn around to see what the clearly sophisticated woman would think of her brother's antics. Just as she was steeling herself to face the music, that melodic laughter she had heard even in her dreams was coming from behind her. Jane blushed but met the glimmering eyes of the woman of her dreams. At least it seemed she had forgotten her own discomfort and was enjoying Jane's.
"You three are like the Three Stooges," her angel said once she had stopped laughing. She stepped around Jane and accepted the seat next to Frankie, patting him lightly on the arm, offering comfort in light of his suffering. Jane glared at her brother again, watching her angel's hand on his arm with narrowed eyes until Frankie discretely moved his arm away.
"Yes, well, I know these two are Manny and Moe, but I take offense at being included in their mess. By the way, doc, I would like to introduce you to my brother, Frankie and his brother from another mother, Frost." Jane looked away briefly and said a bit more shyly, "and I'm Jane." It didn't go unnoticed by her boys how demure Jane got when introducing herself and their snickers made Jane blush a deep crimson.
"Well, it is nice to meet you all. I am Doctor Maura Isles," her angel said with a large grin on her face as she gave a little wave. "Pardon me for asking, but what sort of name is Frost? It is quite unusual." This time Jane laughed as Frost flushed and responded, "It's actually my last name. My first name is Barold but I have never used it. When I joined the force, I was so glad when everyone started calling me Frost." Frost looked through his long lashes at the doctor and Jane felt her jealousy rear its ugly head again, the kiss she had witnessed earlier flashing through her mind.
"Doctor Isles, are you here alone?" Jane queried forcefully. She realized as soon as her words were out how harsh they sounded but it was too late to take them back. She wanted to know if her angel was spoken for. Jane was falling so quickly for this stunning creature and she needed to know if she had a chance.
Her angel doctor's face screwed up in a look of confusion and said, "Of course. Why would I be here with anyone else? As I believe I mentioned to you yesterday, I am here for a conference." Jane released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and felt her stomach untwist from a knot she didn't notice had formed. Jane felt the relief wash over her body and she grinned a big dopey smile at her angel.
"In that case, you should join us on the rest of our tour through the zoo!" Frankie said excitedly before Jane could even make the suggestion. She was a little suspicious about her brother's intentions but Jane couldn't argue with the invitation.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I really must get going. I have several things to get ready before I get inundated with things from the conference. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day," Maura said as she stood up, smoothing down the back of her emerald dress. Jane was reminded of the high heels that the woman had been wearing and wondered how she had managed to walk all over the expansive, hilly zoo in those torture devices.
"Oh, that's too bad. Maybe we will see you at the hotel again?" Jane asked, trying to convey how much she hoped that would happen. The light tug on the doctor's lips gave away how much she wanted that as well and a simple, "perhaps," was thrown over her shoulder as Maura strutted away. Jane was sure she put a little extra sway in her hips just for Jane's benefit. And Jane was very thankful for it until she heard the low whistle coming from Frankie.
"Damn, Janie, that is one fine woman there. You sure you can handle all that?" Frankie was still looking longingly after the doctor so he missed his warning as he was once again slapped upside the head. "Dammit Janie, quit it!"
Frost just laughed and Jane smacked him on the arm for good measure. "Ow, Jane, what was that for?" Jane just glared at him and said menacingly, "Don't think I didn't notice you looking too." Frost looked guilty for a moment before breaking out into an evil smile. "Can you blame me? That ass-" before he could get the rest of his sentence out, he was smacked upside the head.
"Look you two, she already thinks we're the three stooges because of your inability to act like grown men for two seconds. I will not have you ogling her like she's a piece of meat. Now, eyes front and center." Jane put her hands on her hips, in her best intimidating pose, and the two boys turned back to face the giant glass that displayed the frolicking penguins and cruising sharks.
Jane chanced her own look back toward where she had seen her angel doctor walking and was surprised to see the doctor's alluring eyes meeting hers. There was a look on Maura's face that Jane couldn't quite decipher from this distance but the small smile she could see made her fill with pride. They held eye contact for a bit longer and then Maura gave her a shy wave and turned and disappeared from view. Jane was sad to see her go but felt like in that look, a whole conversation had been had and she was resolved now more than ever to get to know this woman, this Doctor Maura Isles.
A/N: We have a name folks! This is not a drill, we have a name! lol Our ladies are moving along. The next few chapters will have them finally getting some information about the other but where oh where will these chance encounters be? Stay tuned!