I Tried - Chapter 7
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Rizzoli and Isles, I'm merely borrowing them for a fan fiction idea that just wouldn't go away. Thank you to those who have reviewed ... didn't get too many on the last chapter so I'm hoping this chapter will draw some! Hope you guys like it, PLEASE REVIEW! Thank you! - rutgers
The Dirty Robber, closed to the public for the day, was wall-to-wall blue uniforms with a few black suits in the mix. Maura, Korsak and Frost managed to nab a table toward the back.
"I think Jane really did well today. The eulogy she gave for Frankie, well, there wasn't a dry eye in the place - certainly not on my face," Korsak said, loosening his tie.
"I know. She was so brave today. I'm worried about how she'll be after all this is done," Maura said, sipping her glass of cabernet.
Frost sighed. "I know. Me too. She shouldn't be back at work for at least another few weeks, with both her bereavement and medical leave."
Maura spotted Jane walking around, beer in hand, hat off and hair down. She was hugging everyone she came in contact with, offering up small smiles as someone inevitably shared a memory of Frankie with her. She'd politely listen and after a few more minutes, excuse herself.
...
Jane was pretty sure she and her parents spoke to everyone in The Dirty Robber and the place finally started to clear out after three hours. She was fully aware of one group she hadn't spoken to yet, however.
"Janie, are you coming home with us tonight?" her father asked, putting his arm around her and pulling her close.
"No, Pop. I really want to just go home. I need to heal, physically and emotionally. If you need me though, you call and I'll be right there. Okay?"
"Yes, and the same goes for you, Baby. Okay?"
"Okay, I promise."
"Janie, your dream this morning - " he started.
She smiled. "Yeah, it was a good one. Frankie was so clear to me, he spoke to me, Pop. It was amazing."
He kissed her forehead. "I'm glad, Sweetie. If you have one of those dreams again, you tell him we miss him and will always love him."
She smiled and nodded, tears coming to her eyes again.
"Honey, your mom and I already greeted your friends in the back there, but you probably should go over and say hello," Frank said, motioning with his chin to her three colleagues in the back of the bar.
Jane sighed audibly. "Yes, I know. I'm getting there."
"Okay. Come first and say goodbye to your mother. I need to get her home. I'm incredibly proud of the way you've handled everything, Jane, you're a wonderful daughter and an amazing woman," he said.
"Hey, come on, you're embarrassing me," she said, giving him a small smile and wrapping him in a hug.
...
After Jane said goodbye to her parents, she retrieved another beer from the bar and headed back to the table where Frost, Korsak and Maura were sitting.
"Room for one more?" Jane asked, softly.
Frost and Korsak exchanged a glance. "Yeah, of course, let's get a few more drinks. Frost," Korsak said, motioning to the bar. Frost picked up on it right away. "Sure."
Suddenly, Maura was nervous as the two men made their way from the table.
Jane sat down next to her. A tenseness that had never before appeared seemed to settle in between them. Neither woman said anything for the next few minutes.
Korsak peered behind Frost as they waited for their drinks. He was disappointed to see neither one of them saying anything.
"Thank you for coming yesterday and today, and for the flowers," Jane murmured, looking at her beer.
"Of course," Maura said.
Korsak and Frost saw the two women conversing and Korsak let out a pent-up sigh as he and Frost exchanged relieved glances.
Jane looked everywhere, except at Maura. She cleared her throat. Maura could tell Jane was nervous, probably just as much so as she found herself at that very moment.
"I'm finally going back to my own place tonight," Jane said.
"That's good. I hope you'll be able to get some rest. It seems like you are able to move around freely and can take care of yourself," Maura said, in what Jane had often playfully described as her `doctor tone'.
Jane still couldn't bring herself to look at her. Maura had to strain to understand her words when she softly spoke, while picking at a hang nail on her thumb. "Can you come over later?"
"Is that really a good idea today? I mean, you are probably exhausted and need to get some rest. Maybe tomorrow would be better?"
"Tonight, please. It's important, okay?" Jane said, finally bringing her dark eyes up to meet with Maura's hazel gaze.
She searched her face for a minute before relenting. "Okay. I'll be there."
