Jane sat in the passenger seat of the car staring out the window as various signs and tree flew by. Her and Vince were on their way down to Connecticut for an initial trial hearing. Vince had told her she didn't need to be there; her lawyer could handle everything. However, she wanted to be there to hear the charges against him and prove to him and herself she would be just fine.
Things had been going pretty well in Jane's life. Once Frankie got back from his trip to Orlando everyone fell into a comfortable routine. Frankie nailed it in Orlando and it was looking more and more likely he was getting drafted. She would do anything she could to help him with that dream and right now that just meant putting a roof over his head. While Frankie, Maura and Frost were in school Jane was working at the bakery and the bar. She was making a nice living and for now she was comfortable with that.
In the days since Jane freaked out around Maura she hadn't opened up much more than that however, the two grew closer. Jane begged Maura not to tell Frankie any of it, she would do it in her own time. Maura promised as it wasn't her news to share. Maura made it perfectly clear though that she was there for her in whatever way she needed. Jane appreciated that and the fact that Maura wasn't pushing her, she was just there. That's what Jane loved most…she was there.
"You ready to do this kid," Vince asked putting the car in park?
"Do I have a choice," Jane countered?
"Yes, you do Jane. You do not have to walk into that building."
"I do Vince…I have to do it for me."
"You're tough as nails kid…tough as nails."
Maura and Frankie walked into the bakery after school taking their usual seats at the bar area. Maura looked around but was not seeing Jane anywhere.
"Your girlfriend isn't here," Frankie laughed seeing Maura flush the minute she knew she was caught.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Maura tried to deflect.
"Hives Maura….hives," he said pointing to her neck area.
"I am not lying she is not my girlfriend."
"No, but you seem to be awfully close. Don't think I haven't notice you hanging out at our place more and more."
"Did you ever think that was because that is where you live you bone head," she said trying desperately to deflect?
"Last I checked I don't hang out in my sister's room," he smirked.
"Yeah, well someone needs to keep me company when you and Frost fall down the video game worm hole. How are you a star pitcher again when I swear all you do is play video games?"
"I'm simply that amazing."
"And so modest."
Frankie smirked and in that moment Maura could only see his sisters face. They looked so alike with such distinguishing features if Maura was into guys she certainly would have fallen for Frankie.
"Well, where is Jane today anyway? I swear she has lived in this bakery recently."
"I actually don't know she was pretty vague this morning. She said she would be gone most of the day taking care of some things….I think she is doing something with school."
"What," Maura said trying to stay calm?
"What," Frankie countered. "I heard her say something about Connecticut on the phone…I mean the only reason she would be going there is school stuff."
"Yeah I guess so," Maura said pulling out her phone and texting Jane.
Jane sat in the back of the court room her knee bouncing a mile a minute as she waited for the hearing to start. Vince had been back and forth checking on her while also getting information on the case. She almost yelled out when her phone vibrated in her hand.
"Jane are you ok? Frankie said you're in Connecticut…are you at school," Jane read the text to herself.
"No, to all the above," she replied knowing that would only cause the blonde to worry more.
"You're not ok? What's wrong? Are you alone? Jane tell me where you are and I will be there," Maura's replay came quickly.
"I'm just anxious and I am not alone I have a police officer with me."
Jane felt her phone start to vibrating again in her phone and saw it was Maura calling her. She hated to press decline but she couldn't answer it in court.
"I can't talk right now..I'm ok not in danger will talk later."
Once she sent the message she turned her phone off.
"They are bringing him up now," Vince warned Jane sitting back down next to her.
Jane took a slow and steady breath. This would be the first time she would be seeing him since she was in the basement. As the court door opened she fought the urge to throw up as Hoyt walked into the court room. No matter how Jane was feeling on the inside she put on her tough bitch face present a strong front. He scanned the court room as he was lead to the defendant table and eventually locked eyes with Jane. A sick smile came to his face and he gave her a nod as he sat down.
Jane sat and listened as the judge started to explain this was a preliminary hearing set to go over discovery. She really didn't understand half of what was going on but Vince had assured his this was totally normal. Every now and then Jane could feel Hoyts eyes on her but she refused to meet him. She stared straight ahead at the judge her face giving away nothing. It was almost 45 minutes later when the lawyers had stopped talking and the judge wrapped things up.
"What's next," Jane asked Vince as she watching Hoyt be lead from the room?
"Well, assuming there are no delays a trial date will be set for about 2 months from now."
"And I will have to testify."
"Unless we get a confession you are our best witness."
"You're not getting a confession from him…he knows he is going down he just wants me to get on the stand."
"We will prepare you for that and just because you are on the stand does not mean he gets to address you. We have an air tight case…once you testify you will be done with him forever."
"I'll never be done with him," she mumbled as she grabbed her side.
On the drive back to Boston Jane finally turned her phone on. She was a little surprised to see 15 text messages blow up her phone and they were all from Maura. She smiled reading through them all as they showed various levels of concern and trying to make her feel better. She laughed out loud seeing a couple pictures she had sent of her Frost and Frankie and what looked like a flour fight.
"Care to share," Vince asked?
"Just a friend of mine sent me a picture and my goofball brother."
"How is your brother doing? His pitching going ok?"
"Yeah, he had a great showing down in Florida the scouts are going to be out in full force when his season starts."
"That's great Jane. Does he know about this?"
"No, not yet."
"Jane…"
"I know…I know Vince but I have told someone."
"Well, that's a start. You're going to need to lean on them during the next couple months Jane. It might be beneficial to expand that circle a little. I am not going to lie while we have a tight case it is not going to be a walk in the park. It's going to be stressful beyond what you can imagine…there will be highs and lows and times you're going to walk away. Cling tightly to those who you love and trust."
Jane nodded knowing she was going to have to tell her brother soon. She knew he was going to be mad for withholding it this long but she would deal with it. She thought about her family and who she could trust as they were pulling into BPD. Her circle was small but mighty and she was going to keep them close.
"Jane please, please let me know you're ok. I won't bother you once I know you're ok."
Jane read the last text that came in from Maura. Once they got back to BPD Jane had only one place she wanted to be.
"Oh my god Jane," Maura threw her arms around the tall brunette wrapping her arms around her and never wanting to let go.
Jane never want to let go either never ever. She pulled back slightly from the hug and just before Maura could start her stream of questions Jane leaned down and kissed her.
