A/N: Thanks for your reviews…more things happen in Paris…hope you like it- as always * for translation and Rizzoli & Isles belongs to TNT and Tess Gerritson...I own nothing, just love them!
Day 4, 15:20 GMT+1, Paris, Ile de la Cité
"So where is that fancy friend of your's, Dr. Maura Alexandra Susan Catherine Isles?" Jane asked with nonchalance.
"How did you just call me?" Maura nearly shouted and looked bewildered at her tall friend.
"Since when is your name an insult?" Jane prompted raising an eyebrow.
"My name is certainly not Alexandra Susan Catherine. Wait a moment, Jane, you got the initials right. How is that possible? You know the odds for are fairly low. This is striking. Amazing I can't believe it. How did you do it?" was the perplexed response.
"I've always been good with probability."
"Well quite impressive. Mhmm let me see, one out of twenty-six letters by three tries, but you have to consider the consecutive order, which you also got right."
Before Maura could elaborate further on the mathematical background Jane interrupted.
"Obviously." The doctor didn't catch the irony and expressed her amazement. "You sure did a great job. I never knew you were interested in higher mathematics. Certainly there is a certain quantity of chance involved, which seemed to play out in your favour. How did you do it? Which method were you using?"
"I'm with you on the chance thing, but before I reveal my 'method' to you, just tell me which names I got right?" the brunette teased.
"Except for my first and last name, none."
"So the initials only. Damn. Give me one and I give you my secret." The detective tried to bargain, but the smart women didn't fall for it.
"No my dear Jane. You said you'd tell me if I told you which one was correct. So I did. Your end of the clearance is to be disclosed." the scientist stated triumphantly.
"Maura, it is end of the bargain." She thought it was awfully cute when the brainiac confused sayings. This showed a weakness, a loveable one for that matter, which revealed that she was human after all. It was so endearing to see her use phrases believing they were the thing to say.
"Oh, anyhow, your turn!" The blonde insisted and Jane could see how it made her upset not to know. It seemed like she would soon burst.
"Well, Dr. Isles I used the highly sophisticated Asciugamano method." she pushed it further.
"I have to admit, I'm not familiar with that one. Please enlighten me." Maura was even more excited and Jane was enjoying this far too much.
"No wonder, only a selected few have the sufficient insight to indulge in this, uhm, complicated procedure."
The look on her friends face was priceless. She was so bewildered and confused. It was hilarious.
"Jane, tell me, I'm sure I can handle it. I graduated sub auspices. Tell me." the doctor plead.
"Well, then, the Asciugamano method states..." Jane paused in order to come up with something that sounded plausible. Maura nervously fumbled with her golden hair and couldn't believe that there was a method she hadn't heard of and Jane Rizzoli, of all people, was familiar with it. Wait, Rizzoli? Italian? Asciugamano? No wonder she hadn't heard of this method. The doctor shoved the brunette: "You little Italian devil, you made this up! Asciugamano is Italian and means towel. Shame on you, Jane Clementine Rizzoli."
The named was shaken by laughter so hard that tears burst out of her eyes.
Maura shoved her again and again while rambling: "You know what? I'll get back at you. This was sooo mean. Pahh. Glad you're enjoying this."
"Yes I truly am. Couldn't withstand the temptation to mess with that big brain of yours."
She tipped her raging friend on the forehead. "Had to check whether you're really a genius."
Maura rolled her eyes, but had to admit that Jane had played it well. She had her, for a split second; nonetheless she had fallen for it. Oh Jane, how was this possible. Not only strikingly beautiful and smart, but also funny, funnier than anyone she'd ever met. God, she had missed her.
"Stop the shoving, women. Have you lost interest in how I figured it out?" Jane said, while trying to evade the constant pushes.
"You know, most people wouldn't put up with your abuse." the blonde said, giving her one last push.
"Now tell me or I'll..."
Jane grabbed her at her shoulders and spun her around, so that she faced in the other direction and could see Francois approaching them.
"Behave Dr. Isles, your illustrious friend has arrived."
"Am I interrupting something, Mademoiselles?" He said with a nasty grin on his face.
Jane left her hands on Maura's shoulders a little longer, for him to notice and grinned, "No, no, you just arrived in time."
After saying their hellos - Jane was still startled by that cheek-kissing thing - he took the lead into the cathedral. Maura seized the moment and turned to Jane. "You still owe me that explanation."
"And you still owe me that story. Guess we're even, huh? Maura 1, Jane 1, remember?." uhe detective whispered and pointed her index finger at her friend.
Maura made a disapproving face and walked up the steps, knowing that her friend had no idea that she was keeping a totally different score.
Day 4, 15:45 GMT+1, Paris, Ile de la Cité, Saint Chapelle
It was mesmerizing. The light that came through the stained glass windows illuminated the interior in a fashion that Jane had never seen before. "Holy cr…" she started, only to be interrupted by Maura.
"Jane we're in a church. It doesn't seem appropriate to swear here."
"Sorry, it is just so…wow. I guess you didn't exaggerate. This is breathtaking." Jane corrected her appraisal.
Maura put her hand on the lower back of her friend and glared. "I'm really happy you like it. One has to see this medieval masterpiece. The Rayonnante Style is a fascinating development in Gothic architecture. It derives from Reims actually."
"Uhm, just what I thought." Jane prompted.
The doctor looked at her friend. She really wanted her to understand. So she tried to put it into simpler terms. "Gothic architecture had one goal. That was aiming high, reaching for the sky. One church after another was built with the intention to surpass the former in height and glory. Due to advances in structural engineering one abandoned the traditional buildings of the Romanesque architecture that were rather heavy, solid - like fortresses and castles - and aimed for light, tall and vertical. The further the style developed, the more translucent it went. Meaning more arches and pilasters, that supported the weight of the building and thereby dissolving the inner appearance. The load was transported to the outside following the laws of statics. The interior needed less load bearing walls and glass windows were installed that supported the idea of lightness. This is meant as a double entendre- François you sure know what I'm talking about?"
Maura wanted to involve her friend in the conversation and give him the opportunity to share his wisdom, but he just shrugged. It was interesting to see how he seemed to not really care. Jane on the other hand looked at her expectantly. She was truly taken aback by the beauty that was presented upon her and listened carefully to what Maura was telling her.
"So what was the double something?" she asked, hoping for the ME to go on.
"Well there are a few theories that I don't really want to get into, but basically one wanted to build a resemblance of heaven on earth. But please this statement is to be handled with care. It is a subject highly disputed among the scientific circles."
"She will not quote you on that one ma Chère. I suppose your whole elaboration is très difficile pour elle. Je pense qu'elle ne comprend rien. Elle est différente, pas comme nous. *"
Maura swallowed her fist impulse, which was to slap him in the face. No she couldn't do that. It was improper and she needed him. Nevertheless she had to defend Jane's honour. With a piercing stare she countered in Latin "Sapiens nihil affirmat quod non probat.**"
Luckily Jane was too preoccupied with admiring the surroundings, that she didn't pick up on what their argument was about. She settled things with a smile: "May you please select your weapons that the duel may begin? Or can Maura tell us more about where we are here?"
Thrilled by Jane's interest in her facts, the doctor elaborated further and was a stunning sight while doing so. That her friend was exquisite was obvious to Jane. She tried to focus on the elaborations, but her mind drifted off to their touch a little while earlier. It had felt so good, so at ease, so at home. All she wanted to do is grab her hand again and never ever let go of it. This was insane. It was her friend she was thinking about. The one standing right in front of her, trying to provide information on this beautiful work of art. No matter how fascinating this building was, it faded in comparison to the women. What the heck, why was she going there again…No Jane. Once and for all. This is Maura. Your friend, not some guy you're feeling attracted to. Attracted? No, she was certainly not attracted to her. Admittedly Maura was desirable. Jane Rizzoli, you are standing in a church and asking yourself why you are so drawn to your friend. Ma was right, Europe was a sinful place.
Notably to Francois as well, whom the detective caught staring shamelessly at Maura's taking behind while she motioned at the statues in front of them. Jane gave him a glare. She found it disturbing how boldly his gaze was fixed on her friend's posterior.
The only thing to do, that wouldn't be embarrassing for neither spectator nor object of attention, was to wave her hand in front of Francois' eyes and thereby disturb his fixation. He turned to Jane and raised his hands motioning what her problem was. The detective checked whether Maura was still facing the other way and gestured to her own eyes using her index and second finger forming a V, then her to own bottom and at the doctor. Finally she indicated Francois to quit his indecent observations by making a cut-throat motion.
The impetuous Frenchman flipped her the bird and continued his uninhibited glaring. Jane was outraged. She hated that guy. Her dear friend was not a piece of meat. Not that she herself was immune to the blonde's charms, but she controlled herself.
Maura finally turned around further shedding light on the statues. The relief the detective felt, for the focus on the desirable body part was blocked, lasted shortly. Francois now fixated the blonde's cleavage.
"And here we see the Apostle John, also known as John the Baptist or the beloved Disciple. Known for his dignity and humbleness…"
Jane interrupted her and snapped at Francois "A trait some people really lack."
"Cherie, I think your friend here, needs some air. This was too much information for her in one day." the accused fired back, smiling arrogantly.
Maura was irritated by their argument, but figured what the cause was. She had certainly noticed the man staring at her. "Well, my friends you are right, let's go outside. We've seen the most important things here anyway."
Francois wouldn't let it go and fuelled Jane's anger in smugly complimenting Maura with: "My darling, I have to say, most would agree when I say how you are filling this blouse may be considered dramatic art."
The doctor stopped him with a wave of her hand and a flirtatious expression on her face. "Oh, Francois. You're too charming." In the corner of her eye Maura had observed Jane sharply. It was obvious how she disapproved of their little tête-à-tête. Exactly what the doctor wanted to be established.
* is very difficult for her. I think she doesn't understand a thing. She is different. Not like us.
**The wise does not state something he can not prove.
