Jane woke abruptly to her phone buzzing on the bedside table. It was a loud, obnoxious sound that made her remember she needed to put the thing on a damn book to avoid waking to the sound of the apocalypse when it went off. As her heart returned to a normal rhythm, wiping a hand across her face in exasperation, she opened an eye to read the new text. For a brief, unrealistic moment, she hoped it was Maura. Maura doesn't have your number, Jane. She scolded herself for never transferring the information. But in all honesty, they knew where to find each other. After all, they had, on numerous occasions since that first night. The Dirty Robber became the undiscussed rendezvous point. And exchanging numbers was too…real. She didn't even know the blonde's last name much less have her number. Jane didn't want real. Not with a woman. What would her mother think for Christ's sake?
Boston Joes? 20 minutes.
The invitation was too inviting to pass up. The promise of coffee always got Jane out of bed, even if it was Detective Korsak she was meeting. Jane grudgingly swung her lower body from beneath the sheets. A small but very visible bruise blackened her inner right thigh when she brought her feet to the floor. A half toothed grin grew up the corner of Jane's face. A bite mark.
Maura.
Exhaling loudly, Jane extracted herself from the bed determined to meet Korsak on time. But she couldn't explain the twisting feeling in her chest as she began to ready herself for the day. She missed her. Jane could feel the constriction in her stomach too. Damnit, Jane. She's just a fuck buddy. But Jane knew she was kidding herself. They didn't talk, not really. They had been up late on multiple occasions laughing about things that didn't matter - men at the bar, women at the bar, growing up in Boston, growing up in France. It nagged at Jane the way Maura could make her smile. Jane could tell Maura was a little awkward at times, not knowing how to react in some social situations but she clung to Jane, looking for her to rescue the moment. She always did.
As Jane ran mousse haphazardly through dark locks, she met her own eyes in the mirror. Button up, Janie. This can't happen and you know it. Plus, you're a detective. How would you ever find time to date? If she knew what you did for a living, she wouldn't want to be with you knowing you wave a gun around half the day. No man ever has.
She straightened as the day became suddenly new by her own insistence. "You're not gay. You just like to…push the limits." Jane nodded to herself, satisfied with the affirmation.
When she got to Boston Joes, Korsak greeted her warmly. A smile was sufficient.
"Mornin' Detective," he dragged out the greeting like he was hosting a morning show.
Jane smiled. "Hey Korsak." As people began to fill her life, clenched stomachs and knotted chests lessened. In the presence of reality, the make-believe part of her life abated. It simply went back into its hiding place. For now.
Simultaneously, their phones rang after placing their orders. They exchanged a momentary glance before answering.
"Korsak,"
"Rizzoli,"
Jane may still be in the drug unit but she was moving to homicide soon. She desperately wanted homicide. She was hoping this might be her chance. If both her and Vince were called, this could be it. A dead drug dealer could be her big chance. The morbidity did not escape her.
"Sounds like we got a new M.E. too," Korsak informed her. Apparently, he was given more information about what to expect at their next case than she. Jane got the obligatory, "crack head's been shot," then the uniform on duty hung up. Gah, I can't wait to get out of here. But Jane's dedication to her job didn't allow any slack in her responsibilities. Every case became part of her. She would not leave any stone unturned, her sense of justice never waned.
"Dark roast for Jane," the barrista called from behind the counter. Jane reached for her coffee, thanking the woman. She smiled sincerely.
"And caramel latte, extra foam for Vince," Korsak stepped up to the counter, winking once in thanks.
"Come on, Casanova," Jane rolled her eyes as she gripped Korsak's unused arm, turning him toward the door.
When Jane and Korsak arrived at the scene half an hour later, armed with coffee, their conversation over the man's preference in women didn't slow.
"I'm just saying, if you need to settle on a fourth wife, the barrista at Boston Joes is not the way to go."
"Stop bustin' my balls. I just winked at her." He laughed despite himself.
"At least she makes a good coffee. If she didn't, I'd have to arrest her for illegal coffee handling."
Korsak was still laughing when they began their approach of the body. A uniform at the scene lifted the yellow caution tape, admitting them entrance as they flashed their badges.
Another detective Jane only knew in passing caught up with them detailing the case thus far.
"Multiple GSW's to the chest. One in the thigh. We haven't found the weapon but we're still looking. Neighbors said they heard gunshots about two a.m. this morning. The new M.E. just got here. She's inspecting the body now."
"Excuse me, she?" Jane only ever knew male M.E.'s. Their last M.E. was male. Maybe this one had more promise. A female M.E. though…this can't be good. Don't tell me she squeals at the sight of blood. Jane's thoughts began to trail off as she approached the crime scene. CSU was still sweeping for prints when Jane and Korsak walked into the apartment. She inspected the room immediately, taking in the details on her way to the body. It was habit now, to take in everything at once. When her initial sweep concluded, Jane took a sip of her dark roast as she saw a familiar blonde figure hovering over the body. The familiarity was uncanny. The curve of her hips, the swoop of her hair, and the way she tilted her head when she was thinking about something, it was almost like…
"Time of death is between one and five a.m. I will have to get him to the lab to run some tests but it looks like a 45 caliber bullet by the diameter of the entry wound." The curvy figure spoke from the ground, resting the body once again back to the floor. She flicked her hair away from her face as she looked up to meet the new detective's eyes.
Jane spat her coffee from her mouth instantly. Everyone in the room turned to stare. Mortified by her own unprofessionalism, Jane covered her mouth abruptly. Her eyes never left Maura's.
"Geez Rizzoli, you'd think you never saw a dead body before." Detective Martinez called her out openly. He always did.
"Sorry," Jane muttered, barely audible. Maura hesitated only minutely, staring at Jane in return, before she cleared her throat and continued with her work, breaking contact completely.
"This is Doctor Isles. BPD's new medical examiner." Korsak continued. Martinez began his inspection of the room as the introductions ensued.
"Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Maura thrust her hand out to Jane. The introduction wasn't for its customary intention of pleasantry. It was a challenge.
"Detective Jane Rizzoli, drug unit." Jane extended her hand clasping the gloved hand of the same woman she had tied to her bedpost and fucked not a week earlier. Here they were, exchanging pleasantries.
"Take him back to the morgue, I want to do a full autopsy." Maura signaled to the techs hovering at her hip, waiting for her signal. They had received it. The blonde stepped away from the body, removing the purple nitrile gloves from each hand. The techs removed the body before Jane had an opportunity to even inspect it. Korsak and Martinez had taken in enough of the scene to draw conclusions of their own. Jane was still immobile. Without a word, Maura picks up her black M.E.'s bag and exits the room without a second glance at Jane.
It took only a moment for Jane to compose herself and turn to follow the new M.E. out the door. Maura, the girl I am sleeping with, is the new M.E.. Shit.
"Um..." she fumbled over the words, "Doctor Isles!" Jane finally called after the blonde.
"Yes?" Maura turned nonchalantly.
"I…we…did you know about this?"
"I can assure you, Jane, I did not." The M.E. turned to leave. Jane always prided herself on her ability to read people. It's what made her such a good cop. But Maura was an enigma. The detective in her wanted to run after the blonde and impel her for an answer or an explanation of what they were supposed to do. But for the sake of their…"relationship?" she decided not to press her. The new, undeniable pull toward the M.E. was unquenchable. Jane's throat felt dry as she watched Maura get into her black Mercedes and accelerate unnecessarily from the scene. Like she was escaping.