**Disclaimer I do not own R&I**

Jane was nervous. It was 8:00 and she should be with Casey in her apartment, but she is not. Instead she is almost as nervous as she was when she went to her first dance. Having to wear a formal dress just to get in, seriously? You could have killed her right then and there and that would have been fine. She rang the door bell and could hear it from the outside. Jeez she was a kid. Acting the way she was did not come easy unless it was to a child.
She heard Maura's heels coming closer.

Maura was right; she owed her an apology, but wanted some answers in return. The question was what should be asked? The door was opened quickly. Maura did not even check who it was. She would have to speak to her about that. It was not safe.

"Yes?"

"Hi Maur."

"Jane? What are you doing here?"

"I needed to speak with you."

"Come in."

"Thank you."

Jane hands Maura the bouquet of flowers she brought.

"Hi Bass!" Jane grins. The turtle, or rather, please excuse, tortoise, was there in the kitchen. "How is my favorite turtle?" She quips.

"Tortoise Jane, Bass is a tortoise."

"I know. I just like getting under your skin." Jane smirked.

"And you are quite good at that aren't you?" Maura questioned. "Why are you here?"

This wasn't anger. Just banter. It was a commonality for the women. Much like when they truly did argue they relied on work to keep them at least on speaking terms.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry Maur. That's why I am here. You're my Google mouth pointdexter know it all. You're my goofy goofball of a friend. You mean so much to me."

Maura just released a breathy laugh. All the anxiety washed away, all the fear.

"Jane, I want what is best for you. You know that."

"I know and I do too. You know how protective I am."

"Oh Jane, I was so petrified at the thought of losing you, of losing your family, and losing part of myself with it."

"Maura you can never lose me. Like you said, we always make it back to each other." Jane gave her signature Rizzoli grin.

"I'm sorry to Jane. If you truly love Casey, then I, as a friend, I must understand and come to terms with it."

Just like that the cloud which had been lifted came crashing down the storm harder than ever before.

"Yeah, yeah Maur, no I get it, I get it now."

"Jane, are you going to marry him?"

"Are you going to Africa?"

Maura covers Jane's hands with her own. This was going to be hard. She traced her scars with her fingers. Innocently of course, but it was one of the most intimate gestures which had ever occurred between them.

"I'm not giving you an ultimatum Jane. Do not expect me to. I am not Casey, and you know I cannot lie. The second I heard of this opportunity it left me in awe. Inner struggle for working with M.E.N.D. and with the fugitive I harbored, well it was a bit much, along with your engagement. I decided though, I will be going to Africa. Now it seems I am more welcome to return than I was then just hours ago, which always gives me options."

"Great so we are the backup plan."

"I did not say that Jane!"

"Fine fine! I don't want to argue. We obviously cannot cage each other up. We both need to experience the world. That's okay. It is what needed to help people grow."

"Jane, you know there will always be a bond which cannot be broken between us. It will be alright."

"What are we going to do? I feel as if we have made a mess of things."

"You are getting married. I am going to Africa. We will both be happy for one another. Can you say it Jane?"

"I am getting married. You are going to Africa. We will be happy for each other." She was barely able to get the words out.

"But right now, you are staying the night."

"I should get back to Casey. Take Jo Friday out."

Jo Friday was her scruffy dog that she came to love in time.

"Casey can sleep alone for one night Jane!" She chuckled. "I'm sure he already took your little girl out."

She was referring to Jo. Oh was it not mentioned it was short for Josephine? Even her dog has an androgynous name.

"Fine."Jane takes off her jacket showing off her arms only in pants and a muscle tee now. "But only because it is late and you offered. Plus I'm done fighting with you. Just let me call him."

The call was brief, direct and to the point, just like she was.

"I am too detective smarty pants." She whispered giggling now in the middle of the conversation. This earned her a little swat from Jane and she laughed and hung up.

"Go get your pajamas and get comfortable."

Jane had stayed over so often due to cases that she always had extra outfits and pajamas and necessities lounging around the home at her convince. At least she had not actually moved in as her mother had. Although this had been less often due to Casey, she knew she could always count on Maura having a place for her.

"I don't get how you are the one going to Africa! Isn't the line like "Me Tarzan, you Jane" Not "You Jane, me Maura", oh wait well I guess Ian's name would be there somewhere. Yeah…"

Maura just stared blankly. Jane could tell she didn't get her flub, thankfully, but then something dawned on her. It seemed as if she didn't get the reference at all.

"Wait you have never seen Tarzan?!"

"I don't believe so, no."

"Oh no way that is impossible!" Jane was astonished. "We have to watch it now!"

"Alright." The corners of Maura's lips perked up. "Now get changed."

She did as told. At least for that night they could pretend the future had no role in their lives. Jane went into Maura's master bed room and changed her bottoms. Her tee would do for the night. She heard a knock on the room door.

"Go away. I'm changing." Jane said with hilarity filling her husky voice.

Maura just laughed and opened the door. She had become quite good in hearing the sarcasm and humor. They undid the covers together. Maura backed away from the bed.

"Don't look." Maura said as she pulled out her own silk pajamas from her dresser. It was easier just changing in the room than having to go into her extensive closet to change. Her pajamas were in her dresser as were Jane's clothes, in a different drawer of course but she wanted to get situated quickly.

"Wouldn't dream of it. Don't flatter yourself doctor." Jane gave slight chuckle.

She respected Maura more than that.

"Maura can I ask you something?"

"Why of course." She smiles

"Do you think YOU will be happy? Over here? So far away?"

Maura could tell she was not being patronizing anymore.

"I believe so. I will miss you and the others deeply but I feel I will have a different type of fulfillment."

She put her left arm behind her head as she usually did when they lay in bed together. They would platonically lie in bed of course. Silence took over. A contemplating silence.