A/N: Your reviews have been AMAZING! I love hearing all the different ways you'd like to see this story go. I hope to please you all with the results. One review said that they're ready to be back in the present. Well, this is the last flashback (for now?). Hang in there, the present is right around the corner. Please review and tell me what you think, how you feel, and where you'd love for this to go! Thank you all for reading and I love how y'all want Jane to be punished! AGAIN: They aren't mine. I don't own anything directly from Rizzoli & Isles.
4 months 9 days ago.
Maura Isles was nothing if not a complete professional. She had managed to work side by side with Jane since the night she was left in her bedroom alone. Their focus remained on work and no matter how often the caramel blonde's mind began to wander, she kept it in check. Though their work relationship seemed as strong as ever, there was a noticeable tightness to their interactions. Jane kept to herself during the day unless she was needed in the morgue and Maura let the techs bring any new information upstairs. It kept things bearable for the two women who were silently mourning the loss of their best friend.
One evening after a particularly uneventful day Jane finally had enough. She needed Maura in her life. She knew that her marriage was an obstacle that Maura was tired of working around, and Jane would handle that in due time. But for now she just needed to talk to Maura. The detective understood that she was in no position to demand anything of her friend, but she wanted to at least answer the question Maura had asked weeks ago.
When the exhausted investigator finally reached the home that once felt like her own, she hesitated before knocking. She knocked once and with the Prius in the driveway she wasn't sure what to make of there being no answer. After another knock and a long wait she decided to let herself in. This was no time for Jane Rizzoli to turn over a new leaf and be polite or patient.
Once inside all Jane could see was light coming from the kitchen. With no other sign of life besides Bass making his rounds, Jane made her way to the kitchen in hopes of finding Maura. Instead of seeing the beautiful woman she had been missing at her side for weeks, she was greeted by a slightly startled but still very chipper Angela Rizzoli.
"Janie! Don't sneak in here like that! You'll give me heart attack!" The older woman yelled, grasping her pajama shirt to her chest.
"I'm sorry, Ma. I was hoping you'd be Maura."
"It's nice that you have so much enthusiasm to see your own mother."
"Oh come on Ma, you know what I mean." Jane rolled her eyes before slouching against the counter. She rubbed her face briskly before turning to regard her mother. The Rizzoli matriarch was dressed in loose pink pajamas, made from some material that looked as soft as a cloud, hair pulled back off her face. She looked too young to have three children, one more stressful than the last. "Hi." Jane's face automatically softened before she leaned in to press a kiss to a tan cheek. "Is Maura home?"
"No. She should be home shortly, unless it turns out to be a very good night." Angela chuckled at her own less-than-subtle innuendo.
Jane's dark brows knit in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"She's on a date." Angela looked at her daughter as if what she had just said was old news. After all, why wouldn't Jane know her best friend had a date?
"With who?!" She didn't mean to yell. She didn't mean for her chocolaty eyes to bulge as her response was forced from her tight throat. Angela sensed that maybe this was news, news that Maura herself should share with Jane.
"It's not my place to say."
"Since when do you keep ANYTHING to yourself?" Jane's voice was still at a high volume.
"Jane Clementine Rizzoli do not speak to your mother that way!"
Jane took a deep breath. The eldest Rizzoli was right. If Maura didn't share this information with her then it wasn't any of her business. She just needed to know one thing. After taking a minute to calm down and shoot her mother an apologetic look she pressed for one more small detail. "How long have they been seeing each other?" The brunette needed to know how long forgotten she actually was.
"A few weeks."
It was a punch to the gut. This iron fist of pain and shock was twisting her stomach into knots. Why was it so surprising? Maura was a gorgeous single woman. Jane didn't own her, far from it actually. Jane was the married one. The one who entered into a contract that was supposed to be built upon love and trust. She didn't have that kind of love for Casey, and she did nothing but break trust from the moment they exchanged their vows. She felt like some sort of emotionally defective monster. What have I done?
"Janie, are you ok?" Angela placed her hand on her oldest child's shoulder. "You look a little pale."
"I'm fine, Ma. Just tired. Long day. I'm gonna get going, good night." Jane turned and made her way rapidly to the front door.
"Good night, sweetheart." Angela knew when something was wrong with one of her children, but she couldn't figure out exactly what had her Jane so shook up.
Once outside, Jane took in as much fresh air as her lungs would allow. Try as she might she couldn't keep her head from spinning. Jane knew she should go home. Go to her house, her dog, and her husband. Get some sleep, and talk to her friend about this in the morning. As she folded her long legs behind the steering wheel of the cruiser all rational thought left her mind. The detective needed to know who this mystery date was, and that's just what she intended to do as she moved her car down the road and cut the engine. Waiting for Maura in any way was always the hardest part.
xxxxxx
"I had a lovely evening." Maura simply stated as she sunk into the comfortable passenger seat of a cherry-red Mercedes.
"I did as well." A low voice returned as the engine came to life. "I'd like to see you again," a small smile spread across full lips as sapphire blue eyes settled on the beautiful passenger. "As soon as possible."
Maura bit her lower lip and smiled back at her date. "Our evening doesn't have to end so soon, does it?" Perhaps she was being a little forward in thinking her date wanted the same thing she did, but Maura Isles never assumed. She read all the signs clearly, body language told her everything she needed to know.
"I was hoping you'd say that. You certainly look too good to leave so early." At Maura's blush her date continued. Maura silently congratulated herself on her choice of black leather skirt and red silk blouse for their date. "What did you have in mind?"
"A night cap at my place?"
The driver didn't respond. The only noise that could be heard in the cars cabin was the sound of the engine revving as their speed was significantly increased.
In less than fifteen minutes the Mercedes pulled behind Maura's Prius in the driveway. Immediately catching the investigative eyes from across the street.
A Mercedes. Well apparently Maura finally decided to stop slummin' around with blue collared folks and find a guy that's her caliber. Probably a pediatrician by day that moonlights as a super hero saving third world countries from war and poverty. Jane snorted at her own over exaggeration.
Jane's slid lower into her seat as she watched the car doors open. At the first sight of a stiletto foot on the passengers side Jane's heart rate increased. She saw the stockinged legs, knowing that those stockings would go thigh high and meet some impossibly delicate and sexy under things. She spotted the leather skirt and her mouth went dry. The well trained, critical gaze didn't drift from Maura until she noticed another stiletto stepping from the drivers side. An equally beautiful, sculpted calf emerged, this one free of any restrictive materials. Full thighs were hugged tightly by the bottom of taut black dress. The slender woman stepped from her vehicle and shut the door.
"A woman?!" Jane couldn't keep the words in her mind. She was so shocked she had to say it out loud to help try to believe it. After shaking her head violently she returned her eyes to the women. The lady in black waited for Maura to come around the car and lead the way, placing a manicured hand on the small of the doctor's back. She was slightly taller than Maura. Her curves were apparent but no where near as delicious as the ME's. Long auburn hair came to the middle of her back, wavy and loose. The light was too dim for Jane to make out any facial features, but if Maura was dating her Jane was sure she was stunning.
"Son of a bitch." Jane muttered as she watched the couple disappear into the house. She sat in a stupor as she tried to think of what to do next.
xxxxxx
"Would you like a glass of wine? I have a bottle of Nosotros I've yet to try."
"I'd love some." Maura's date took the time to look around, getting to know Maura's personal tastes. "You have a beautiful home. Such wonderful style." She extended her hand and accepted the offered glass of wine. Maura led them to the couch, removing her shoes and taking a seat. She signaled for her date to follow suit.
No further invitation was needed for the other woman to settle in closely. Both women sipped at their wine. They exchanged small smiles and glances. One daring the other to make the first move. Finally, Maura placed her partially full glass on the coffee table and inched closer to her date. "How's the wine?" Maura watched the other woman's lips, waiting for their answer.
"Very good, but I can think of something that'll taste better." She leaned in as she spoke, breaking away briefly to place her own glass on the table, bringing her lips closer to Maura's and finally making contact when she heard the small hum of permission from the blonde.
The kiss was so soft, so gentle, Maura could barely control herself. She wanted more. More pressure, more heat, more passion. She needed it. The doctor brought her hands to the womanly hips in front of her, pulling her date flush against her own body. Feeling their curves fit together caused a small moan to escape the redheaded woman's mouth. When her lips were parted Maura took the opportunity to taste the woman, her tongue dancing just inside full lips before entering fully. Breathing was heavy and hands were roaming more freely. Just as Maura started to pull the taller woman on top of her, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Foreheads resting together, Maura muttered an apology as she made her way to the door, stumbling the whole way. She tried to mask her grumpy feelings towards the intrusion knowing such actions would be unbecoming. When she opened the door she was more than a little surprised to see a disheveled Jane Rizzoli standing on her doorstep.
"Hey, Maur!" The slender detective walked past her frazzled friend and into the entryway. She noticed her rumpled appearance and flushed skin, but she didn't let on to that fact. Her eyes continued to sweep the house. "I was just stopping by to see if my Ma made any lasag- oh!" Near-black eyes landed on the equally flushed woman sitting on Maura's couch. She moved closer. "I didn't realize you had company!" She looked between the women, large grin in place. "Hi, I'm Detective Jane Rizzoli..." Jane paused, hand extended to her new nemesis.
"Doctor Phyllis Bouchard." The proper woman gave Jane's rough hand a gentle shake.
"Nice to meet you, Phyllis." She turned back to her friend. "I just got a craving for some of my Ma's lasagna but I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll just head next door and see my mother for myself." She made sure to enunciate each word perfectly. She was pleased when she noticed the stranger putting two and two together.
Maura just stared in disbelief. What was Jane doing there at that moment talking about lasagna? Her mouth opened and closed several times. Trying to apologize to Phyllis while also trying to offer Jane the lasagna that was on the third shelf of her fridge. Words didn't make their way out quickly enough because Phyllis was already excusing herself.
"I should be going." Phyllis broke the silence.
"On my behalf? No! Please stay! I'll be out of here in no time." Jane was already seeing the beautiful redhead to the door. Maura wasn't sure, but it seemed as if Jane kept her hand on her firing arm the entire time.
"Goodnight, Maura. We'll talk soon."
"Goodnight."
The door shut leaving only Jane and Maura.
"She seems nice. What kind of doctor?" Jane asked.
"Psychologist. Phyllis is actually the head of the psychology department at BCU." Maura didn't try to hide the annoyance from her voice.
"Impressive." The response was raspy and lacked Jane's usual genuine warmth.
"Jane, what was that all about?" Maura crossed her arms and rested against her kitchen counter. Jane had a lot of explaining to do and Maura had little patience to wait for it.
"I miss you."
"You see me at work and I think we're doing a pretty good job of moving past any of the awkwardness that was initially present." The doctor stated with the same tone she would deliver a diagnosis.
"No, Maur. I MISS you." Jane repeated, showing a fraction of the passion she had simmering just below the surface. "Do you miss me? At all?" Jane's dark eyes bore into Maura. She was silently begging her to say the words she needed to hear.
Maura couldn't lie. This wasn't something worthy of hives or going vasovagal. She's been honest with Jane from day one and this would be no different. "Of course I miss you, but that doesn't change anything."
Jane smiled. She misses me. No department head will make that go away. Jane moved to stand in front of her friend. Her gaze settled right into the depth of Maura's hazel eyes. "I came to answer your question."
"What question?" The normally astute ME was still shaken from the detective's sudden appearance and was foggy by her still present arousal. The usual brilliant mind wasn't working at full power.
"The one you asked me before Casey called."
"Oh." I shouldn't do this. I shouldn't allow her to barge in and have her way. As if she could sense Maura's hesitation, Jane reached forward and took Maura's hand in her own. "Fine. Go ahead."
"Everything." Jane stated. The brunette expected that one word to explain the past three months away.
"REALLY?" Maura tilted her head, giving Jane the same look she had been on the receiving end of many times before.
Jane smirked. Immediately recognizing her own attitude biting her in the ass. "Really. One minute I'm getting married and my best friend is throwing me the best bachelorette party EVER!" The small yet proud smile that caused Maura's mouth to twitch didn't go unnoticed. "The next, everything changed."
"I already apologized-"
"Maur, let me finish."
"I'm sorry. Please continue." A small nod followed the blonde's words.
"Everything changed because all of a sudden there was a possibility of something I had told myself I could never have. I had convinced myself that Casey was 'the one' because I couldn't have who I really wanted." Maura's heart began to thunder in her chest. "I just- I couldn't imagine upsetting so many people by stopping the wedding. Ma would be so upset, Casey would be devastated. Never mind all the guests and the family that came from overseas. It was too much. It seemed easier to sacrifice my own happiness than hurt all those people." Jane took a deep breath then. She realized that her words were coming at a much faster rate than usual. She showed up that night to talk to Maura, not run a marathon. "Then during the ceremony I was hoping you'd have enough balls for the two us to put a stop to the whole thing."
"I so badly wanted to..."
"You didn't. And I don't blame you. People do that in movies not in real life. Then it was like in the blink of an eye I was on my honeymoon with my HUSBAND. The whole time I was away I thought about you. How much I missed you and wanted to talk about what had happened. More than anything though, I couldn't stop thinking about how it felt when we kissed. It took my breath away and it wasn't even a real kiss!" Nervous laughter filled the space between Jane and Maura.
Deep, golden waves enveloped Maura's face as she lowered her head to wipe her freshly shed tears away. In a swift motion she flipped those waves back over her shoulder and looked the detective in the eyes. She was still holding Jane's hand when she began to speak. "Tell me you want me and that I won't have to wait forever."
"I want you and you won't have to wait forever." Jane parroted Maura through a wide grin. She couldn't wait another minute to kiss the full lips that have held half her attention since she walked through the door. Jane needed to erase the auburn-haired beauty from Maura's memory, and she planned on taking her time doing so.
That night Jane told Casey that she wouldn't be home, that Maura needed her after breaking up with her most recent flame.