Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
A/N:Thank you again for all the alerts, reviews and favorites. It took me a while to decide how to write this next chapter, but I hope you all like how I did it. The mistakes are my own.
It has been a few weeks since training camp began and, despite the distance, their relationship didn't stop growing. They knew it would take a lot of effort from both of them to maintain their relationship and both Maura and Jane made sure to have time and not to miss their daily talk, via phone call or video chat. In addition, they constantly exchanged texts throughout the whole day, not wanting to increase the chances of being teared apart by leading totally different lives.
With the tight schedule and exhausting training, Jane hadn't been able to go back to Boston on the weekends yet. While she loved playing and was grateful for the opportunity she got, being away from everyone always saddened her.
As one of the rookies this season, Jane was getting a lot of the brunt from her teammates. Some talked to her, some didn't. Some were nice, some weren't. It wasn't a nice feeling but Jane was used to having to prove herself; the trash talk fueling her to work even more.
But on the bright side, it wasn't just with her. The other rookies were getting the same treatment maybe because the older players didn't know which ones would stay or go. Coach Cavanaugh drove a tight ship and always announced no one had a permanent and secured spot. It would depend on your work and attitude.
Due to all that, Jane mostly stayed with the rookies. She gave her best in practice, watching and learning everything, but stayed out of the gossip. She would hang out with the players outside practice but didn't want her progress to be damaged by getting in the middle of situation that it wasn't her business.
One player she got along great and hoped they stayed together on the team was a rookie Wide Receiver named Barry Frost. On the second day of practice, they started talking and ever since then, a friendship was born. They both felt good about having someone to talk to in the same situation as them.
At the moment, Jane was alone in her hotel room with her tablet in front of her waiting for Maura to video call her. Jane smiled when Maura's happy face appeared on screen.
"Hi, Babe!" Jane said happily.
"Hi, Jane! I miss you." Maura replied with a pout.
"I miss you too, Maur." Jane said before continuing, not wanting to bring down their time together "How was your shift today?"
"It was quiet, but I've finally managed to schedule a meeting with my boss to talk about some of the changes I wanted to make. I have some ideas on new surgical techniques that could really help expand the hospital's notability." Maura explained, "I just hope he'll see the benefits of my ideas." She finished, noticing a smile on Jane's face.
"What?" She asked;
"Nothing, Maur." Jane replied, loving how Maura's face light up when talking about her ideas and thoughts. "Your boss would be a fool not to listen to you."
Maura's cheeks reddened at the compliment, looking down for a moment to gather herself before continuing with their talk.
"And how was practice today?" Maura asked, knowing some of the players weren't as welcoming as Jane hoped.
"The same. I'm pretty beat but coach seems to like what I've been doing. And even though their official quarterback, Michael, still isn't giving me much advice I'm trying to watch his practice and I've been reviewing their tape games." Jane replied with a shrug, feeling like she should be doing more.
Maura didn't really know what to say to stop Jane from feeling down; it was times like these she wished she was better interactions. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm sure everyone is noticing how hard you're working. You always show up an hour earlier and leave an hour later than anyone; just continue to do your best, okay?" Maura said trying to comfort the brunette; "It's always difficult being new on any job. Give it time and they'll warm up to you."
Jane smiled at how her girlfriend always said the right things to her. "Thanks, Maur. And don't worry, I'll won't stop. Besides, Frost said every rookie is being treated like that; so I know it's not just me. He said that the guys that aren't helping us are having problems renewing their contract. So maybe they're jealous or something."
"I agree, Jane. They probably know how good you are." Maura replied, happy she had put a smile on her girlfriends face. "And how is your friend, Barry?"
Jane laughed at Maura calling him by his first name. "He's good. Coach seems to like him too." A beep from her phone interrupted what she was going to say, Jane wasn't going to look but Maura insisted saying it could be important.
"Speaking of him, it's just a text from Frost, I'll check it later, babe." Jane said, putting the phone down.
"He could be needing assistance, Jane. It's late and you said he has no family near." Maura said, insisting Jane checked the text.
"He's a grown man, Maur! He can take care of himself." Jane replied, not wanting to interrupt her time with Maura.
The blonde simply arched an perfectly shaped eyebrow and the brunette sighed loudly before checking it.
"Nothing important, babe. He just wants to know if I wanted to hang out later tonight." Jane told her girlfriend before putting the phone away.
"You should go, Jane. It will be good for you to relax." Maura said, a thought entering her mind but she quickly put it away not wanting Jane to worry. "I'll be having dinner at your mother's so I'll be home later than usual, anyway."
Jane was happy Maura was getting along great with her mother; she knew Angela would always keep Maura company. And even thought Maura tried to hide it, Jane noticed the different look that passed on her face and while she hated talking about some things, she knew that with their distance, they needed to have a total honestly policy.
"Okay, babe. I'm glad you and my mother are getting along great, just please don't let her invite herself too much in your life; next thing you'll know, she'll be moving in with you." Jane joked with a serious face.
Maura laughed at the brunnete. "Don't worry, Jane." She replied before deciding to tease her girlfriend, "If she asks, I'll say no because I know you wouldn't Angela to hear us having sex in every room."
"Maura!" Jane exclaimed, feeling embarrassed by the blonde's words. Even though there was no one there and it was impossible of happening, Jane couldn't help looking around the room hoping no one at the hotel heard them.
The doctor laughed at Jane's reaction, not understanding how she could be so self-conscious about some things. Maura loved this part of their relationship, she never laughed as much as she does now she's with Jane.
Jane cleared her throat trying to get rid of her embarrassment. "I'll text Frost later saying yes, then." She said before asking, "And are you going to tell me what were you thinking after I told you what he wanted?"
Maura looked down and said, "It's nothing, Jane. I was just being silly."
"Maura." Jane said softly "Your feelings are never silly. Tell me please. Total honesty, remember?"
Maura knew Jane was right, they had agreed never to hide anything if they were going to make it work. She sighed before starting, "I was just wondering if, well, Barry knows you're in a relationship, right? I mean, he couldn't possibly be hopeful anything will happen between the two of you, right?"
Jane knew this situation was going to happen for the both of them so she was quick to reassure Maura, not wanting her to feel bad or insecure.
"Maura, babe, I promise there's no hope of that. I made it very clear to everyone that I am in a loving and happy relationship. I talk about you all the time and I keep a picture of us in my locker." Jane smiled at the blonde, noticing how she brightened when hearing that. "I promise we're just friends and he knows it too. Don't worry, okay?" She ended hoping to have calm Maura.
"Okay. I trust you." Maura replied honestly. And she did trust Jane. She just didn't trust the others; however she knew Jane was the same with her. "I need to go get everything ready for tonight, I'm bringing desert."
"Ah man! I can't believe I'm going to miss it." Jane said, pouting a bit.
Maura laughed at her silliness, "I'll buy some for when you're here."
"Okay, I'll let you go. Be safe? And text me when you get back? If not, you know I'll worry." Jane asked, protectively.
"I will. You be safe too. Don't drink too much, and drink plenty of water later." Maura advised, not wanting the brunette to feel hungover the next day.
"I promise. I miss you. Talk to you later, Maur." Jane said, sending a kiss via the computer.
"I miss you too. Bye, honey." Maura replied, sending kisses back.
Later that night, Jane walked through the doors of a popular sports bar near the hotel she was staying casting a look everywhere searching for Frost, finally spotting him waving for her attention.
"Hey man, you've been here long?" Jane asked, while sitting after greeting her teammate.
"Just got here. But I've already ordered us both a beer, is that ok or you want another drink?" Frost asked, already looking around searching for their waiter.
"Don't worry. It's perfect. I really need a few drinks to unwind." Jane replied as their beers arrived and they clinked their bottles before taking a sip.
"Oh yeah? And what would your girlfriend say if she knew you are out in the town with me?" Frost asked teasingly.
"Ha Ha." Jane replied, "As a matter of fact, Maura knows we're here. I was talking to her when you texted and wasn't going to come but she convinced me otherwise." She ended, feeling like she had won in his game.
"That's surprising. I don't think any of my girlfriends ever encourage me to go to a bar without them. You're a lucky girl, Jane. Don't let her get away." Frost said seriously before deciding to tease Jane more by adding, "Or you know, maybe she wanted you to come tonight so she could go out with her own friends to a bar tonight and have her own fun."
Jane smile disappeared, replaced by a scowl as she reach forward punching Frost's arm lightly as her answer. "Very funny." She said before continuing, "Luckily for you I trust Maura as she does me; otherwise I would already be on my way to Boston to punch anyone who decides to hit on her."
Frost nodded in agreement and said, "What about next Friday? You going back? I heard coach was going to give us the three days off to rest. I'm already planning to go home."
"Yeah, I heard that too." Jane replied, "Depending on what time it ends, I'm actually thinking of leaving Thursday straight out of practice. That way I get one extra night with my girl."
"Nice!" Frost agreed, "That's a good idea, maybe I'll take my things to the stadium and leave straight to the airport too. Hopefully, coach will confirm this rumor. It will be our first break in weeks. And what did Maura said when you told her? She must be making all kind of plans." He asked.
"I haven't told her." Jane replied, "I didn't want to get her hopes up in case coach changed his mind; and I thought it would be a good surprise for her. I'll just have to make sure she isn't working next weekend but I'll just insist she takes those days off to rest. She's been working nonstop lately." Jane added, as they ordered another round of beers.
Meanwhile as both friends continued to talk, back in Boston Maura got out of the car walking towards Angela's front door knocking on it and patiently waited for someone to answer it.
"Hey Maura, come on in." Frankie greeted her, taking the desert from her hands while they both walked towards the kitchen.
"Thank you, Frankie. Hello, Angela. How are you today?" Maura said, being greeted by Angela with the most anticipated hug.
"Maura, my dear! Just in time. Everything is ready and the table set." Angela said, not wasting any time.
"I'm sorry for not getting here earlier to help, Angela. I thought I would be able to dress in time however Jane and I lost track of time talking, making me a little later than I wanted." Maura, ever the polite, apologized.
"Nonsense, Maura. We would have waited for you." Angela replied, smiling. "And how's my Janie?" She asked while the three of them started eating.
"She's good. Tired from the constant exercises but she seems to really be happy." Maura replied with a smile. "I do know she misses you two very much." She added, looking back at Frankie and Angela.
"We miss her too. Not having my babies here is hard, especially being the second one gone but we know it's what she loves doing so we'll all support it." Angela said, not realizing her slip.
"And besides, we remember how disappointed she was with herself when some people inside the NFL said she wouldn't be drafted. She was even considering applying for Boston's PD as a job alternative in case she really wasn't called up." Not wanting to get in uncomfortable talks, Frankie added looking back at Maura knowing she would like to know these little things about Jane's life before her.
Maura noticed Angela slip but decided again to ask Jane later and asked Frankie wondering what had happened, "Really? Why wouldn't she be hired?" Although Jane would look devilish delicious in a police uniform. She thought to herself, feeling her body respond to that image.
"Well, I don't know exactly. Jane didn't like to talk about it. From what I could understand the teams are still a little unsure about hiring women as players. Even though there's a lot of women coaches, not so much players." Frankie replied to the sweet doctor; "That's why we had a major celebration when she got drafted in the 100 position. For Jane, it doesn't matter she wasn't picked first; she actually uses that as a fuel to prove herself." He ended, giving Maura an insight on Jane's feelings.
"Yes, Janie knows how hard she had to work to get where she is now; that's why she won't stop working hard until she proves to everyone she's as good as the guy that was picked first." Angela added.
Maura was happy to hear all these things about Jane. It felt good learning whom Jane was from the two people who knew her the best; hearing all these stories only confirmed to Maura what she already knew about Jane. Maura felt her feelings for the brunette grow even more.
The three managed to finish dinner and desert in the mist of laughter and stories from Frankie and Jane childhood. They were connect with Jane absence being the link and those stories lessened the distance between them all.
"Well, I suppose it's time for me to go." Maura said, noticing the time after having coffee and helping Angela clean up everything.
"Already?" Angela said sadly. "You can stay if you want." She offered.
"Thank you, Angela but I really don't want to impose." Maura replied.
"Maura is probably tired and wants to relax, Ma." Frankie added, noticing how Maura was uncomfortable, not knowing how to say no to Angela.
"Of course! You need to rest well. Thank you for the company, dear." Angela said, moving to hug Maura good-bye while mother and son escorted her to the door.
Maura said her good-byes, getting into her car before taking out her cellphone to text Jane, letting her know she was going home.
I am leaving Angela's house and going home. Are you still with Frost? Wanted to see you before bed.
Maura sent out that simple text hoping Jane would be able to chat in bed. For some reason, seeing Jane's face right before sleeping made Maura feel closer to her.
Halfway home, Maura's phone beep and she used the red light to check it.
I was but I'm leaving now. I'll be at the hotel in 5. I'll be ready and waiting for you.
Reading Jane's reply made a wide smile fill her face. Maura rationalized and thought the urge to use her powerful car to speed home. She did however let herself go 3 mph over the speed limit to get to her computer faster. It's worth it.
A/N: Thank you again for reading. Let me know what you think!