A/N: Happy Tuesgay! Giovanni is here! Magicfull Jane is 21 and Maura has just turned 20! Hope that helps :) Thank you all for the lovely reviews, the follows and favourites! Getting close to the actual road trip now! Enjoy :)

A smile spreads over Maura's face as the water from the shower pours over her face, washing away the tear tracks that she believes had ultimately convinced Jane to say yes.

And now that she had promised to take Maura, there was no need to cry anymore. She wasn't even sure why she had cried in the first place. She had been frustrated and then just sad because Maura did not want Jane to leave. She wanted to go with Jane; there was no way she could live in this house and be torn apart by what her mother wanted and expected of her.

She could be happy going with Jane. It would be a new start for the both of them and she trusted Jane's promise. She wasn't weak, she wasn't vulnerable but she liked the security that Jane offered and promised when she agreed to let Maura come with her.

After their little talk, Jane had gone to get changed out of the clothes she had worn during the night and Maura had gone to shower. The warm water provided some kind of release of emotions, a cleansing, a fresh start. As soon as she stepped out of the shower, Maura would be a girl on a mission, an adventure. It was terrifying. Part of that terror was manifesting itself into excitement.

Maura shuts the shower off, stepping out and wrapping a white fluffy towel around herself. Another smaller one wraps around her hair and she pulls open the bathroom door and is instantly hit by the smell of freshly brewed coffee that is wafting from the kitchen to her bedroom.

The whole situation feels oddly domestic. Jane has come into her life and it's almost like they're living in their own little bubble, not put down by social expectations, just living and being happy. It feels like something from a book; two young women off on an adventure to start a new life out West, not knowing how they're going to get there, or what they'll do once they're there, battling through the struggles that life throws at them.

She hums a meaningless tune as she tries to pick an outfit for the day. A thought strikes her as she flicks through the number of designer dresses on the rack. The logistics of this move confuse her slightly; there's no plan, no rules and frankly that worries Maura. She likes things to be organised, for there to be a definite plan. She doubts plans mean much to Jane; she definitely seems to act more on impulse. But maybe that's what Maura needs; someone to take control and to grab every opportunity and not let fear stand in the way. Pure impulse.

After deciding on a pair of tight fit jeans and a cashmere sweater, and drying her hair, Maura follows the wonderful scent of coffee through to the kitchen where Jane is sat, nursing a cup in her hands. Instantly, Maura's eyes are drawn to Jane's legs, still in shorts despite the cool autumn chill that is seeping through Boston. Definitely a runner. There is no way on earth that someone could be that perfect and quite frankly handsome but Jane seems to defy all the odds. Maura pulls her eyes away from the exquisitely toned and tan legs, but meets Jane's gaze instead. A small smirk is playing round her lips and Maura moves quickly to pour herself some coffee so Jane can't see her cheeks flush red.

She tries not to feel bad for ogling at Jane in her kitchen, because what does she expect if she wears shorts in this weather? Maura pretends not to notice her hands are shaking slightly as she pours the coffee. She likes how this whole situation feels. The domesticity of it. And she hates that she likes it because it's barely been 24 hours and yet she feels this tug, this need to hold on to Jane. Maura never likes to depend on someone. Maybe that's just her parent's influence; she likes to be independent but she thinks Jane would give her that. Security, a promise and guidance but not so much so Maura would be trapped yet again. She has total undivided faith in Jane and it worries her that she feels this way, that there is so much trust already. She doesn't really know this person.

She feels a slight tingle on the back of her neck and turns to see Jane peering over her mug of coffee, brown eyes boring holes into Maura, as if she's trying to analyse her. Maura sits down opposite her and Jane drops her eyes to her drink, like she's been caught doing something she shouldn't be.

Questions are burning with a need to be asked inside Maura as she grips her mug of coffee.

"Can I ask you some questions?" she asks, breaking the silence between them. "About what we're about to do," she clarifies.

Jane makes a motion with her hands with a mouthful of coffee, telling Maura to go ahead. "Sure," the brunette says after swallowing.

"How are we going to get there? You clearly don't have a car. And can you drive, because if you can't then we have to buy train tickets or plane flights. And what about all my belongings? How are we moving those because I don't want to leave everything behind. What do we do when we get to San Francisco, do you even have a plan Jane? We have to rent a house! What do I tell my mother, what if she comes to take me home?" Maura can't breathe. Everything has come out in one big rush and she feels slightly panicked. She doesn't know how Jane can be so calm when she has none of this planned out but—why is she smiling?

Jane has a small grin on her face, staring intensely into Maura's eyes as she listens to every question.

"It's not funny, Jane!" Maura says indignantly, more questions threatening to spill over her tongue until warm hands cover her own. Maura feels the tension drop from her almost instantly.

"Maura, look at me." She does and sees the grin still on Jane's face. "I'm gonna be truthful with you, okay? I'm just as worried about all those things as you are. I can drive, I will get us there, I promise you. I have a route, I've got a friend who can help us and we can get people to ship your things across when you have your own place. It's gonna mean staying a few nights there in some crap hotel while we try to find a place, but it'll be worth it. Trust me, Maura, I've got it all figured out."

For some reason Maura's trust in Jane wavers. It was a nice speech, and could sound comforting to less sceptical ears. To Maura it sounded too good to be true. But it was better to be going without a plan than staying in a comfortable, unhappy bubble here in Boston.

But she can't help but wonder if, really, Jane has no idea what she's doing.

She had promised Maura she would get them to San Francisco. She had promised that, unequivocally. But once they were there… well, that was the thing; she had no idea. There was something in the back of her mind that makes Jane think it will all work out. Staying in a cheap hotel was one idea, but she knew she didn't have the money to keep that up for months until she found somewhere permanent to rent. She wouldn't even have a job.

You can't back out. You promised her. Don't give up on someone again; you said you would never make that mistake twice.

Maura seems to have calmed down slightly but Jane can tell from the way her bottom lip is running under her teeth that Maura is still worried. It sparks an idea in Jane's mind, something that will make Maura have renewed faith in Jane.

She drains her coffee, setting her mug down with a sound that makes Maura jump. It leaves a slight burn in Jane's throat. "There's someone we should go and meet. He's a friend of mine. I was gonna go there today, on my own but… now you've gotta come with me I suppose," she says with a smile to let Maura know she really doesn't mind at all. "He owns a garage, so we can buy somethin' cheap and… well, then it depends how much longer we need to stay."

Maura looks to be more comfortable and at ease with the 'one step at a time' approach Jane is going for. It settles Jane's own mind too, that she really has a plan for this now. And she has someone to help her, and someone to make sure she keeps safe, which makes her more determined to keep this logical and not far-fetched. She's letting Maura choose so they don't rush into this, so Maura still has a chance to back out.

"Is he the same friend you were texting last night?" Maura asks. Jane laughs, shaking her head.

"Nah, that was Frost."

"Frost? That's an unusual name."

"Well, his real name is Barry Frost. I've called him Frost ever since middle school, it just kinda stuck," Jane explains, half shrugging. "He's my best friend." Maura smiles at her, and Jane doesn't feel the need to go on. She doesn't want to either because thinking about how she's leaving her best friend and actual brothers makes everything ten times harder. They sit in silence for a few more minutes until Maura's finished her coffee.

Jane stands up, taking her cup to the sink and washing it out with water. She shivers slightly just looking out of the window and seeing the wind blowing through the trees. Turning back, she sees Maura looking at her again. It's rather unnerving. But there's some hope in her eyes that Jane is taking the lead, like she's waiting for their next move.

"I'm gonna go get changed, and then we can head out," Jane says, offering her short, but succinct plan. Maura just nods and five minutes later, Jane emerges from Maura's bedroom wearing her jeans that are torn at the knee, her old police academy t-shirt and her leather jacket. She almost feels embarrassed considering what Maura is wearing.

She's still sat at the table when Jane walks back in to the kitchen. "Ready?" she asks, zipping her jacket up. Jane doesn't miss the small start Maura makes when Jane speaks, but the smile is genuine as Maura stands and looks at Jane.

"What were you thinkin' about?" Jane asks, curious as they head over to the door, Maura taking her time choosing what coat to wear. The look of concentration on her face is nothing short of adorable. She only speaks once she's picked and buttoned it up.

"It's exciting, isn't it? I've never done anything like this before because I never thought I'd have to, but… travelling with a friend. It's an adventure." There's a sparkle in Maura's eyes that stops Jane from hitting home hard truths that it could all go wrong at any moment. She'd try her hardest to never let that happen, and she knows that Maura isn't stupid and will take everything as seriously as she does. Because they're friends.

"So we're kinda like Bonnie and Clyde?" Jane muses as they walk out of the door, Maura locking it behind them.

Maura frowns. "I hope not," she says, letting Jane lead the way. "I'd rather make it to San Francisco alive rather than be shot in an ambush in Louisiana. And also I don't think we plan on robbing any banks."

"And you don't own a machine gun or smoke cigars…"

"Actually, that portrayal is very inaccurate. There is no evidence to suggest that Bonnie Parker ever fired a weapon, let alone owned a machine gun. And nor did she smoke cigars," Maura says as though everyone in the world should know this. She turns to look at Jane as they turn the corner. "And why did you assume that I would be Bonnie anyway?"

Jane kneels down to pick up an amber coloured leaf that's fallen from the trees along the sidewalk. She twirls it in her hand for a second before unzipping her jacket pocket and pulling out her wallet and folding the leaf inside it. Autumn was always her favourite season. "I'm more like a guy than you are," she shrugs, grinning as she stands, looking at Maura.

Maura laughs and Jane's heart soars. The wind rustles through Maura's golden brown hair, pushing it back from her face and Jane can't help but let her gaze drop to Maura's neck and then up to her jawline and marvel at how it looks like Maura should be standing in a temple to be worshipped rather than walking down Boston's street with a blue-collar Italian runaway.

"We're also not involved in any kind of romantic or sexual relationship," Maura states. Jane almost chokes on air at the way Maura just said it as though she was reading things off a shopping list. She's stunned for a second, her brain trying to keep up with her mouth as she tries to think of a comeback.

"I… Well, Giovanni probably will," she settles on, trying to sound annoyed, although she would be honoured if anyone ever thought she was good enough for someone like Maura Isles. "My friend, who will, hopefully, sell us a car," she clarifies when Maura looks at her, confused.

"Does he think that about any girl you're with when you see him?"

"Oh yeah," Jane grins. It was half true; he'd thought that when she had first turned up with Kate, and she was sure he would do the same this time. "It's a shame really, I'm his favourite type."

"Oh really? What's his type?"

Jane turns her head to grin at Maura. "Women," she says, laughing which causes Maura to chuckle too.

"You should remind him that you two have that in common." Jane is stunned for a second before laughing even harder.

"Oh yeah! How else do you think I get rid of him?" she grins. "Actually that doesn't really stop him…" she says after a pause.

"That's unsurprising. He's part Italian, making him a very passionate person, therefore very dedicated."

"Hey! I'm Italian," Jane says, pouting a little as though she's made her point perfectly clear that she is nothing like Giovanni.

"And you seem to be very passionate and dedicated too, Jane. It's not a bad thing," Maura says, shrugging her shoulders slightly. Jane doesn't quite know what to say so she just smiles.

They walk in comfortable silence for a while down familiar streets and past familiar shops, neither really focussing on them, but rather their thoughts drifting towards the future. There were little glances to look at each other, almost to comfort themselves that the other wasn't having second thoughts about this. That Maura wouldn't turn around and go back to her house. Now that Jane had Maura with her, she was scared she would lose her. They're not far from Giovanni's garage, but it's still not too late to turn around.

"Don't tell him I told ya this but he's... Well he's kinda like family to me," Jane said, breaking the silence. "Like a really annoying cousin that you can't help but like. Just don't tell him, his ego doesn't need the boost," she chuckles.

"I'm a vault," Maura grins.

Jane zips her jacket higher against the wind, looking down at the floor as they turned the corner into her old neighbourhood. She glances at Maura as they walk past buildings that are vastly different, from the surroundings in Beacon Hill, looking for any indication that her new companion was uncomfortable. If Maura was, she showed no signs of being so; if anything she seems happy to already be out of the wealthier neighbourhood even if it's just for a couple of hours while they talked with Giovanni. She looks happy to be with Jane.

They walk into the first garage on the left, the one with music blaring inside and the sound of metal clinking against metal, the stench of oil hitting their noses as they step onto the concrete floor.

"G!" Jane yells, trying to shout louder than the music. Maura taps her on the shoulder and points to a pair of legs sticking out from under the hood of a red Alfa Romeo. Rolling her eyes, Jane walks over, sitting on the polished hood of the car, crossing her legs at the ankle, then thumping twice, hard.

There's swearing and then a lanky, ruggedly handsome, Italian-American in blue overalls undone to the waist comes sliding out from underneath the car, black stuff smeared across his face. "Knock it off!" he shouts, before noticing who made the noise and breaking out into a grin. "Jay!" He stands up and goes for a hug, then realising he's got oil on his white tank top and on his hands, and thinks the better of it. "Great to see ya! You lookin' for some work again 'cause I got a leak under here. Needs a delicate touch."

Jane smiles, softer this time. Giovanni was one of three people she'd miss most. She'd miss coming here during the day when things got too much and she could just spend her time tinkering and being useful rather than be stuck in her mind with dark thoughts running around inside. And despite the fact he flirted with everything with a pulse, he was her friend and would miss him more than she previously thought.

"Yeah, maybe later G," she says, clapping him on the shoulder. She turns to Maura, gesturing at her to come and stand next to her. Giovanni's eyes light up and he stands a little taller, his gaze almost examining every inch of Maura's body, especially her chest. Jane thumps him on the shoulder and he just carries on grinning at Maura, who to her credit just smiles back, seemingly unperturbed by him. He focuses his gaze back on Maura's face until Jane, loudly and obviously, clears her throat.

"G, this is Maura Isles," she says, tucking her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.

"Nice too meet ya, Maura. Pretty name for a pretty face," he says, grinning still. "Giovanni. I'd shake ya hand but don't wanna get ya covered in grease, see." If Maura was in any way disgusted with the blatant attempt to flirt with her, she gave no indication of it.

"Lovely to meet you, Giovanni," she says politely, looking at Jane.

"So, Jay, this ya new girl?"

"No!" Jane answers far too quickly, glancing across at Maura and seeing a brief glimmer of hurt flash across the younger girls face. "I mean… well, no, we're not," Jane clarifies, slower, looking apologetically at Maura, even though it was the truth. "But don't get any ideas, G," she says quickly, giving him a stern look.

"Oh! You bat for the other team too?" Maura opens her mouth to respond before Jane cuts her off.

"G! C'mon!"

G raises his hands in mock defence, grabbing a cloth from the work bench by the side of the car and wiping his hands and face. "This a social call?" he asks Jane, but looking at Maura.

"Uh, not exactly," Jane says, narrowing her eyes at him. "We, as in Maura and I, came to ask you if-"

"No need to continue Jay."

Jane looks at Maura, who looks blankly back. "Right?"

"I mean ya could've just called 'cause if you ever needed someone else, a guy, in the bedr—"

"G!" Jane yells, before he can finish that sentence, feeling her neck and cheeks flare up. Maura, to her credit, remains unembarrassed and just politely laughs behind her hand. "Knock it off will ya? Never finish that sentence."

"Jeez, okay! But if you ever did, I'd be the first person you'd—"

"If you don't shut it right now I'll shove that wrench up your—"

A small, slightly amused cough from behind Jane makes her stop, and turn sheepishly around from where she was pointing her finger at Giovanni. Maura is stood there, a small smirk on her face, raising an eyebrow at Jane. She does it in such a way that Jane feels the rare urge to apologise.

"Anyway," Jane says, breathing through her nose and surprised that it's not steam coming out because of the heat she can feel across her face. "We're here to buy a car." Judging by the look on Giovanni's face, this was not what he had expected.

"A car?"

"Yeah, well you own a garage don't ya?" Jane says dryly. Please don't ask why, please don't make this any harder.

"Why d'you want a car?" Shit.

Jane doesn't quite know what to say. She's drawn a blank. Words can't seem to form in her brain because she doesn't want to lie to Giovanni, he deserves the truth through all the support he's given her, but she just can't.

"For a road trip." Maura takes a step closer to Jane, who exhales without realising she's been holding her breath. Always coming to my rescue.

"Yeah, me and Maura are goin' on a road trip," Jane clarifies, wishing her voice wasn't about as steady as her legs were feeling.

"A permanent road trip?" Jane's heart almost stops and her grin falls from her face in a split second. The look of terror seems enough to confirm Giovanni's suspicions. "Aw, c'mon Jay, you think I'm that stupid?"

"How… how did you know?"

"Your Ma came in yesterday," Giovanni shrugs. "Somethin' about you takin' off with a bag and never comin' back. She was worried sick, Jay, she'd been cryin'. Says she made a mistake and just wants ya home. You're runnin' away." Jane thinks she might throw up, if it wasn't for the sudden, gentle pressure on her arm. She swallows, silently thanking Maura who's holding onto her arm as though Jane might faint. Maura knows what this means to Jane, she understands because she's going through it as well with her own mother. And Jane has to ask herself, would she be comforting Maura in the same way if she was in Jane's position? The answer is, of course, yes.

"Yeah, I'm running. I ain't ever goin' back there, G. She says she made a mistake now, but if I go back, it won't be anymore. She's not worried." Deep down Jane knows this is a lie. Her mother is most definitely worried. She would never rest until all her children were home safe, especially Jane. And now she was going to be waiting a long time before that ever happened. "I don't expect you to understand, G…" Jane mutters, folding her arms, grateful that Maura's hand stays exactly where it is.

"Why not Jay!" It's the only time Jane has ever heard Giovanni angry. She looks up, startled. "Your Ma comes in almost in tears askin' for ya! The same woman who used to hand out cookies in the street to us kids! And I couldn't tell her crap, Jay 'cause I hadn't heard from ya! Did ya not trust me enough?"

"Course I did! You're like my brother!" Jane shouts back, tears forming in her eyes. She looks away and at the ground, blinking fast. "It's complicated. They just hate me, G. And me and Maura… we're the same, in the same boat and we're gonna leave and find our own place and start again where we can be happy. And I'm not sayin' I hate this place, 'cause you know I love Boston. It's my parents and…" She trails off, but he finishes her sentence for her.

"Kate?"

Maura's grip tightens for a split second on Jane's arm. "Memories," Jane mumbles, not wanting to dwell on the subject. "And I'm gonna miss you G, really I am 'cause you've been good to me, givin' me a job and helping with… her. And I'll keep in touch, and when I'm there in San Francisco and happy, you can come and visit. You'll always be my other brother, G. And I know you want me to be happy so… can we take a look at the cars?" she finishes, with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. She can almost see Giovanni calculating, figuring everything out and trying to accept it. And he does. He smiles broader than Jane is doing and rests a hand on her shoulder.

"I've got just the thing," he grins, and walks off and out of the back door of the garage, leaving a confused Maura and equally stunned Jane in his wake.

A/N: A little more from G next chapter! Hopefully I'll update quicker this time, I'm awful at it I know! Hope you liked it, and remember constructive criticism is always welcome! Please review, follow, favourite, it means a lot :) ~Pol