A/N: Brief mention of past sexual assault / Violence
Ch.11
As the days passed, Jane's moods changed considerably. She was a lot happier than she had been. And her mother was starting to take notice.
Angela walked into the kitchen yawning as she tried to turn on the light switch, only it was already on. Alarmed, Angela looked up & her jaw dropped. Not three feet from her stood her daughter. "Janie? What are you doing up so early?" Angela asked, looking at the clock on the wall, confirming that it was indeed 7:17 in the morning.
Jane looked back at her mother & smiled. "Mornin' Ma. I'm making some breakfast! Pancakes & sausage. Oh, and I made some coffee." Jane said, motioning towards the coffee maker. "You want some?" She asked, grabbing two cups from the cabinet.
Angela just stood at the table, dumbfounded. "Since when had Jane learned how to cook? And why on earth was she so cheerful?"Angela wondered to herself as she sat down in the chair, staring at her eldest child. "Uh Janie? Are you feeling alright sweetheart?"
Jane eyed her mother curiously, as she sat the coffee cups on the counter. "What do you mean?"
Before Angela could respond, the doorbell rang. Angela noticed the wide smile spread across her daughters face as she ran out of the kitchen to answer the door. Raising her eyebrow, and her suspicions, Angela arose from the chair and poked her head around the corner to catch a peek of the early morning visitor. She was highly surprised to see who it was. "Maura?" Noticing that Jane & Maura were both heading towards the kitchen, Angela rushed to sit back at the table, pretending to be highly interested in the wood.
"Ma, I hope that you don't mind that I invited Maura over for breakfast." Jane stated rather than asked they both came into the kitchen and leant against the counter.
"Uh… Well of course I don't mind Janie." Angela laughed, getting back up from her chair. "Now, if you two will excuse me, I'm going to go freshen up before breakfast." Angela smiled at Maura before excusing herself to the bathroom to take a shower.
Jane's eyes followed her mother as she left the room then fell on Maura once she realized they were alone. Pulling Maura into a warm hug, Jane breathed in the faint scent of Maura's perfume. "Mmm, God you smell good." Jane said into Maura's neck.
"Ha-ha, well I certainly do try. I missed you Jane." Maura said as they pulled away from each other.
Jane smiled and rubbed Maura's arm affectionately. "I missed you too." Jane replied. Ever since they had gotten together, they were hardly able to see each other. It was either Angela wanting to go Christmas shopping with Jane or the same with Maura & Constance. This was the first day that they were able to spend time together. "So… I was thinking that we could do breakfast and then do something spontaneous." Jane suggested, wiggling her eyebrows.
Maura laughed at Jane and shook her head. "You're so silly. But I think that sounds like a wonderful idea." Maura agreed, smiling at her raven-haired girlfriend/best friend. As Maura looked Jane over, she realized that Jane was dressed for the day already. It was a surprise to her when she heard a small knock on her window at 6:45 and Jane had asked her to come over for breakfast. Maura was meditating when Jane had come to the window and it had shocked her that the tall brunette was awake. Now it surprised her even more to see that not only was Jane awake, she was fully prepared for the day, wearing a cute pair of black jeans with a pretty, silk purple long sleeved shirt. Hell, she was even already in her high-heeled boots! "I'm so not used to seeing you up this early. Or fully dressed."
Jane laughed and shook her head at the last part. "And when ever have you seen me not fully dressed?" Jane teased, wiggling her eyebrows as she took come pancakes off the griddle.
"You know I hadn't meant it like that. I just mean that normally you're still in your pajamas for at least an hour when you first wake up. I'm not used to seeing you dressed in everyday attire this early is all I'm saying." Maura clarified, grabbing a spatula and taking the sausage off from the skillet. "And there have been times when I've seen you half naked, Jane. Like when we were 12 and I accidentally walked into your room when you were changing. Then I believe there was even a time when I saw you fully naked. I believe it was when-"
"Okay, Maur. Got it. You can stop embarrassing me now." Jane joked, poking Maura in her side.
"Sorry. You know I love seeing you be all flustered." Maura smirked, tickling Jane's side.
Jane squirmed away from Maura with a laugh then looked back as she heard someone walk into the kitchen. Jane raised an eyebrow as she saw Tommy walk in and sit at the kitchen table, scratching his head. Jane smiled slightly & shook her head. "Mom must've gotten him up."Jane thought to herself as she grabbed the bowl full of pancake batter when she remembered she wanted to talk to her little brother about Craig. "Oh! Tommy!" Jane started, looking back at her brother, whose eyes grew wide as he stared at her. Jane laughed on the inside as she looked at him. He looked scared to death. "Um, I wanted to talk to you about something later. Like after breakfast." Jane said, turning back to the bowl and pouring some of the batter onto the griddle.
Tommy raised his eyebrow at his older sister and took in a deep breath. "Yeah… sure. That's fine." He answered; unsure of what exactly it was that she wanted to talk with him about. But he was sure that it wasn't good. "Umm… I'm going to go and umm… Change… Or whatever." Tommy said pushing himself up from the table. Truthfully, he just wanted to get out of the kitchen.
As he left, Jane let out the laugh she could no longer contain, earning a soft smack from Maura. "You're so mean! You had him scared to death!" Maura shook her head as she looked at Jane, who was doubled over laughing.
"That… Would be my mother's fault." Jane laughed and straightened her posture, wiping her eyes. "She always starts off saying his name like that before he gets in trouble." Jane explained, laughing again.
"So, you did it on purpose?" Maura asked, eyeing Jane. Jane shook her head innocently before giving Maura a passionate kiss on her lips.
"Did that on purpose though." Jane smirked, leaving the kitchen. Maura licked her lips and shook her head. Jane just loved teasing her.
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Jane sighed heavily as she dried the last dish and placed it in its appropriate place in the wooden cabinets before looking at Maura. Her best friend/girlfriend gave her a reassuring smile as she looked at her. "I'm so nervous about this right now." Jane admitted, looking down at her hands, her left hand having a scar right in the middle of it, though she couldn't remember how exactly she had gotten it.
Maura grabbed Jane's hands and rubbed the back of them with her thumb. "It'll be okay Jane. Alright? I'll be there with you when you tell him." Maura promised, trying to make Jane look at her.
"I'm just so scared that he'll be just like my Aunt & Uncle… I'm scared that he won't believe me just like Craig's parents didn't believe me or Tanya." Jane sighed and shook her head as her eyes met Maura's. Her beautiful hazel eyes showed no fear or worry. Only love, compassion and hope. Smiling at Maura, Jane felt her spirits lift, as they always did whenever she looked into Maura's eyes. "You ready to do this with me?" Jane asked, rubbing Maura's hand. Maura nodded in response, so Jane took her by the hand and led her to Tommy's room. Taking in a deep breath, Jane knocked lightly on his door.
"Come in!" Tommy called out from inside his room.
Jane & Maura shared a look before Jane opened the door, letting Maura walk in before her. Once she entered, she closed the door behind her and cleared her throat as she looked at Tommy, who was as always playing a video game. "Umm… This is really important what I need to speak with you about Tommy." Jane said, getting Tommy's attention. Her eyes flitted back & forth between him & his game. It took Tommy awhile to understand what she was hinting at.
When he did, he nodded his head then switched off his game system. "What's up, Janie?" Tommy asked, looking back & forth between his older sister & Maura.
As Jane told Tommy about what Craig had done to her those many years ago, Tommy just sat there with a vacant look in his eyes. Many times, Jane would look at Maura & squeeze her hand to help comfort her. When Jane finished, she had tears streaming down her cheeks, reliving the memory.
Maura looked back and forth between Jane & Tommy through her teary eyes. She wasn't sure whether Tommy was saddened by the news or what. But she certainly didn't have a good feeling about it.
"Tommy-" Jane started but stopped when she saw the look in his eyes. She bit back her tears as she reached for him. "Tommy-"
"Don't touch me!" Tommy yelled pulling his arm back. "Don't fucking touch me! How can you lie to me about something like that Janie?" Tommy accused, shaking his head and pacing around the room. "See Craig told me, he told me that you'd try to say some bullshit like that now that we're hanging out! I didn't think that you really would but you did." Tommy shook his head again as he glared at his sister. He was about to say something but instead he just stormed out of his bedroom.
Not able to hold it in any longer, Jane broke down, falling into Maura's arms. Maura rubbed Jane's back and whispered soothing words in her ear. She couldn't believe that Tommy would think that Jane would lie about something as serious as rape. She honestly thought… Well she didn't know what she thought. She didn't know exactly how he'd react neither but she certainly didn't think he'd react like that. Kissing the top of Jane's head, Maura continued to rock her back & forth as they sat on the floor.
"I can't believe he thought that-" Jane started but not able to continue. Her tears prevented her from doing so.
"Shh I know Jane. I know. It'll be alright. He'll come around." Maura said, trying to comfort Jane. Jane cried against her shoulder and Maura shook her head. She wanted to strangle Tommy for hurting his sister like this. She knew that it was hard for Jane confiding in her brother for fear that he wouldn't believe her like her Aunt & Uncle didn't. Sadly, her fears were confirmed. Tommy didn't believe her. Craig had gotten to him before she could. Maura sighed and looked down at Jane. "Come on Janie. Let's go into your room k?" Maura suggested, helping Jane to her feet then leading her to Jane's bedroom. Jane immediately fell onto her bed face first, her head buried in her pillows. Maura felt her heart break at the sight of her best friend. She hated seeing her so upset. Maura let out a deep breath as she climbed into bed beside Jane.
Jane wiped her eyes and looked over at Maura. She couldn't cry anymore. Her eyes wouldn't let her. Letting out a shaky breath, Jane scooted closer to Maura & laid her head on Maura's chest, allowing Maura to wrap her arm around her shoulder and run her fingers through the long, dark, curly strands.
Sighing, Maura glanced down at Jane, whose eyes had closed and her chest rising and falling steadily. Maura figured she was probably asleep. Crying does that to a person. Shaking her head, Maura thought back to Tommy. She wanted to throttle him for putting Jane through this. Hearing the front door open, Maura gently pulled herself from under Jane and opened the bedroom door, looking out. Her blood started to boil as she saw Tommy start to walk down the hallway. Maura closed Jane's door and approached Tommy. "What in the hell is your problem Tommy?" Maura scolded, folding her arms across her chest.
Tommy slightly jumped back as he turned to see Maura. He hadn't expected her to still be here. Replaying her question in his head, his mood dropped considerably as he bit his jaw. "What do you mean what the hell is my problem? The problem is Jane is nothing but a damn liar, that's what!"
Maura sucked her teeth as she stepped closer towards him. "How dare you! Your sister is not a liar! You, however, are an asshole! Jane sat there and poured her heart out to you, pleading with you to leave Craig alone because he hurt her and you accuse her of lying?" Maura seethed, shaking her head.
Tommy let out a scoff and shook his head at Maura. "You really expect me to believe her?" Tommy asked, shifting his weight to his left leg and leaning across the wall as he sized Maura up. He had at least 6 inches in height on her. She was cute but she had an attitude about her. Tommy figured it was from her hanging out with Jane so much. Shaking his head, he pushed himself off the wall and walked over to her, practically in her face. "See, only reason you do is because you two are best friends. But what you don't know is that Jane manipulates people. She lies and says shit that isn't true to get people on her side, so they'll do whatever she wants them to do. You just must be too blind to see it." Tommy concluded, but flinched as he saw Maura's hand rise then slap him across his face, causing him to stumble back quite a few feet.
"Don't you ever say that about her again!" Maura yelled as Tommy touched his face. "She is not a manipulative liar! If anyone is Tommy, it's you!" Maura sneered, taking several steps back as Tommy approached her with a fire in his eyes. She became frightened when her back hit the wall and he got in her face again.
Tommy bit his jaw as he glared at the small blonde. "How about you never, ever dare to hit me in my face again." Tommy started in a threatening tone, brushing a strand of Maura's hair back behind her ear. "And… Maybe… You keep this between us instead of going and telling that little girlfriend of yours." Tommy seethed, glaring down at Maura then smirking as he saw her eyes grow wide. "Oh yeah… I know all about you two. It's kinda obvious with you sneaking in & out of here all the time, then with the not-so-secret kisses you two share. It's kinda sickening when you think about it." He said disgusted and shook his head.
"Tommy… please…" Maura pleaded, wanting to distance herself from him. She was honestly afraid that he would hit her.
"Oh, so now you're begging me huh? What? Am I scaring you?" Tommy taunted.
Maura swallowed thickly and tried to look anywhere but at Tommy's cold dark eyes. "I won't say anything." Maura mumbled far too low for Tommy to hear her.
Tommy squinted his eyes as he tried to make out what she said. "I'm sorry, I failed to understand you. Maybe you should speak up." Tommy sneered, grabbing a handful of Maura's hair and pulling her hair back so she was forced to look at him. Maura let out a yelp before Tommy threw his hand over her mouth to quiet her. "I didn't say to scream out, did I?" Tommy asked in the same threatening tone. His smirk grew wider as Maura shook her head, clearly frightened by him. He was enjoying being in control. "Good… Now, what was that you tried to say? And you better not scream out, otherwise terrible things will happen." Tommy threatened, slowly removing his hand from over Maura's mouth.
"I said… I won't say anything." Maura stammered, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.
"Good girl." Tommy sarcastically congratulated, letting go of Maura's hair and patting her on the back. "Now… I'm going go. And when I get back, I better not hear anything from my annoyingsister that you ran your mouth to her. K princess?" Maura nodded her head and Tommy smiled. "Good. Catch you later toots."
With that, Tommy left the home, leaving Maura alone in the hallway. Maura fell to the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. Maybe confronting wasn't the right thing to do. She just hoped that they will never have another encounter like that again.
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A/N: Okay (1) I'm SOOOOOO sorry that I haven't updated in a long while. Just some stuff happened with my dad and family stuff. Things are better now though. (2) I will try to update weekly, as I will be starting back to school Aug 13. (3) This story is far from over. Just thought I'd point that out lol. (4) Sorry that this chapter isn't that long. I kinda had to throw the rest of it together so that way I can get on to the next one. (5) I'm sure a lot of you hate Tommy now and I know he'd never do anything like that in the show, but here… He does. His kind of an asshole… So… Yeah.
I hope you all liked this chapter, though it's not very lengthy this time! Please review! I love getting them! =) Thanks so much for the love & support!