Chapter Five

Having removed one glove each and holding hands again, Jane led Maura up the path to the front door. Having been denied direct human contact since early childhood Jane relished the feelings that holding hands gave her, just as Maura was.

Opening the front door, both women could hear the buzz of voices.

"Let's get this over with!" Jane murmured as she led Maura into the front room that was full of people.

A man who looked very similar to Jane, though several years younger, came over.

"I don't believe it! Jane Rizzoli wearing a dress and without nagging too!" He remarked with smirk.

"Can it Frankie. Maura asked nicely and I had no change of clothes with me, so she lent me this." Jane said, going bright red.

"Are you going to introduce us?" He asked, still smirking at Jane's discomfort.

Janes blush got deeper and she turned to Maura.

"Maura, this is Frankie. The older of my two younger Brothers." Jane said indicating Frankie before turning to him. "Frankie, this is Maura. She's the new ME and the person I should have been Bonded with as a child."

"Pleased to meet you." Frankie nodded at Maura but did not offer to shake hands. Seeing Maura holding his sisters hand had warned him that he should not offer.

"Did Ma call the whole family?" Jane asked, indicating the large number of people.

"Yeah, and they're not all here yet. You'd better enjoy the peace while you can, as when Ma sees you…." Frankie said, but he was interrupted.

"Janie!" The loud voice of Angela Rizzoli sounded over the noise as she came through the crowd.

"Too late!" Jane remarked as Angela came up and looked at Jane in astonishment.

"You look beautiful Janie! Is that yours? Angela asked, looking Jane up and down.

"No it's not Ma. Maura lent it to me as I had nothing to change into and no time to go home and change."

"How come she can get you to wear a dress in less than an hour, but when I try I have to nag you for a week or more?" Angela demanded.

"Because Ma, Maura asked. Unlike you, she did not shout or try and guilt me into it." Jane replied, her face turning red again.

Angela looked from Jane to Maura and back again. She then gave a smile and completely against character, turned around and disappeared back into the mass of relatives without saying.

Jane looked at her Mothers retreating figure, a puzzled look on her face. Deciding to take the gift, she started showing Maura around and introducing her to the various relatives that all seem keen to find out who she was.

After a trip though several rooms where Maura was introduced to more people than she could remember, they came up to an older woman who was seated on her own in a wing chair, observing what was going on with a smile on her face.

"I was wondering when you would get around to me Janie!" The woman gently admonished.

"Sorry Auntie." Jane replied, blushing slightly. "This is Dr Maura Isles. Maura, this is my Auntie Rosa, my Pop's older sister and the Rizzoli representative on the Council and at Court." Jane continued, smiling at Maura and glancing at Rosa.

"Pleased to meet you Lady Rizzoli." Maura smiled in greeting and gave a half curtsy to the older woman. This caused Jane to laugh and Maura to blush in response.

"Please forgive my errant Niece." Rosa said, smiling at Maura. "She has no idea when it comes to manners or other formal behaviour. She will need your help if she is to take her rightful place on the Council and at Court." The older woman continued, glaring at Jane who promptly stopped laughing.

"What do you mean?" Jane asked, looking from her Aunt to Maura with a puzzled expression on her face.

"I'm tempted to tell you just so I can see you squirm." Rosa said, giving Jane an imperious look. "However, I think that Maura here would be a much better person to do it, when you are alone. Beware though, it's very formal both in language and behaviour. Oh, and when you do take the family seat you will probably have to at least take a step back from front line police work. And due to commitments with the Council you will probably at least have to transfer to a different department. You might even have to resign from the police altogether." She finished, smiling more kindly at Jane.

"You're kidding right?" Jane demanded. "I've wanted to be a detective since I was kid and now I have to give it up? No way!" Jane stated with determination. "If I am forced to choose between being on the Council and being a detective. Detective will win every time!" She finished, crossing her arms and for the first time since leaving the car, let go of Maura's hand.

Rosa looked at her Nieces determined face and smiled to herself. This was going to be fun to watch! Meanwhile, Maura patted Jane's arm.

"I'm sure we can work something out Jane." Maura said soothingly. "I doubt the police will want to lose you. After all, it's not like Hunters are common and as you said, you are the only one in Boston." She finished, still patting Jane's arm.

Jane turned to Maura and raised her left eyebrow.

"I've learned that nothing is impossible where politics are involved. However there is no point in worrying about it now. Let's get some food and we can worry about the future later." Jane said, stroking Maura's chin.

"Yes, you girls go and get something to eat. I'll see you both later." Rosa said, nodding her head and indicating the dining room.

Jane and Maura nodded and hand in hand, they headed towards the dining room. Before they entered, Jane pulled Maura to a stop and looked at her.

"What sort of behaviour was Auntie Rosa talking about?" She asked.

Maura smiled at Jane and squeezed her hand.

"Behaviour and dress in and around the Court and Council circles is very formal. The women all wear formal dresses and there is a lot of curtsying, especially when greeting other members."

Jane groaned. This was worse than she had feared.

"Sounds stifling and dull. Please tell me there is more to it?" She asked, trying not to plead.

"Like what?" Maura asked.

"I dunno! Parties, beer, food?" Jane replied after a few seconds.

"Yes Jane, there are many Court and Council functions that involve both alcohol and food. Though I'm not sure I would describe them as parties. Now stop pouting. While I don't know what is going to happen, I'm sure it will be an interesting experience. We will need to go to the Council hall tomorrow and complete the final test. Once we have passed that, the Bonding ritual can take place." Maura said, giving Jane another smile.

"Then Auntie Rosa steps aside and I take the family seat." Jane finished. "Who represents your family Maura?" Jane asked, wondering why she had not thought to ask before.

"My Mother. My parents wanted me to take over but as I am Unbonded I have been unable to. They thought it would help since I am adopted, which can cause a problem or two." Maura replied, sighing softly.

"So what is House Isles like?" Jane asked, curious to know more about Maura's family.

"Oh! We don't have our own House Jane." Maura replied, somewhat surprised, but it soon passed when she remembered that Jane knew next to nothing about the Court or Council. We are represented on the Council by House Fairfield, though we do have a presence at Court. My Mother does usually attend the Council along with Mrs Fairfield though, as she likes to know what is going on. I suspect that is why they are so keen for me to be Bonded with Garrett. It would make the Isles part of House Fairfield, making my parents position stronger." Maura finished, her face clearing as if she had suddenly connected all the dots.

"Wow! It looks like things are on the change. Let's go and get some food like Aunt Rosa suggested and I'll introduce you to the other members of my family." Jane said, giving Maura a smile.

Jane led Maura into the dining room where the table was piled up with a wide variety of food. They helped themselves and without exception, Jane introduced Maura to every member of her family. Maura was impressed how she managed to remember all the names without even having to think about it.

By the time the party had started to wind down Jane and Maura had both had enough. After saying their goodbyes to Angela and Rosa they went back to Jane's car and headed to Maura's house.