Chapter 11
"Maura, sweetheart, I don't know if you'll like it, but I knitted it for you. I know you like fooochsia and the green really brings out your eyes," Angela finally presented Maura with the sweater that Jane had dreaded thus far.
"It's beautiful Angela, I love it!" Maura threw her arms around Angela, "and the party was lovely and so perfect! Thank you!"
Frankie gave Maura a BPD leather portfolio so that she could represent Boston in Seattle, Frost got her a bottle of champagne, and she received a sweater for Bass from Korsack. Giovanni couldn't be there but he sent a bouquet of roses "for the hottest couple," that everyone thought was his fantasy with Maura. Jane and Maura, however, knew better.
After she had said her goodbyes and exchanged an especially tearful hug with Angela, Maura finally broke the tension with Jane: "So, Jane, you didn't get me anything? Giving farewell presents is an age old ritual that many cultures practice..." she asked playfully.
"Uhh…I remained sober all night so I could drive you to Logan, be grateful!" Jane replied with a hint of feigned sarcasm. But as Maura stepped away from the crowd and they headed towards Jane's car, she handed her a bag, "I did kind of get you something, but it isn't flashy or new. It's also not quite your style… but it's brought me luck," she added awkwardly.
Maura pulled out Jane's weatherproof police jacket from the bag; a large, bold "Rizzoli" was engraved on the back in white letters and the front pocket had a small imprint of "Jane."
"You'll have to forgive the 'Jane,' I suppose, but you're practically a Rizzoli," Jane added. "Maura, Maura, don't…don't cry. I'll get you something new. It just didn't sink in that you were leaving until…until it was too late," Jane gushed in response to a tear streaming down Maura's cheek.
"No, no, Jane, it's the best present. You have so many memories with this jacket," Maura spoke with her voice wavering, smiling. "Even with the 'Jane'…. especially, with the 'Jane'."
Jane grinned back, "we don't want you getting drenched with a blown over umbrella after all….and I'll let you listen to Yo Yo Ma, in the car."
Maura responded, "No, I don't want to listen to music Jane. I want to talk. We've hardly talked tonight."
"So you'll return with a fancy book?" Jane joked as they were driving. "And I'll have to read it!"
"I will make you read my work!" Maura said resolutely.
"I can read you anyway," Jane laughed, "you know you have this quirky face and your eyes grow wide with wonder when you start talking about some tribal custom of the Incas. Its pretty easy to tell what you're thinking."
Maura laughed back, "And you're that different? You live across from Fenway Park! You want to get married in a Red Sox Jersey."
"Hey, you come into my fantasy, you play by my rules!" Jane feigned a retort.
"I don't think I'll stop thinking about getting you out of that jersey," Maura laughed back, with a quick wink.
"What about that baseball outfit you had on. You looked like catwoman," Jane recollected their baseball rivalries.
"We won the game though," she absent-mindedly put her hand on Jane's thigh.
"Yes, you had help," Jane responded, her voice more serious. "But Maur' you don't know anyone in Seattle?"
"I think I don't…but maybe…" Maura began.
"You will call!" Jane exclaimed.
"Yes, I will," Maura agreed, "And Jane, you're very brave, but your life is not worth anything, you know that, right?"
"Last night…" Jane began.
"No, Jane, don't," Maura caught hold of her arm and stopped her in fear of finding out what she anticipated. "I love you, don't leave me," her words were interlaced with so many meanings, but Jane only caught the reassurance.
"I'm here," Jane whispered, covering Maura's hand with her own.
They held each other for a long time when they said goodbye. Maura smiled and planted a kiss on Jane's cheek, and Jane watched her walk towards the gate with the expression of a deer caught in headlights before driving back to her empty apartment.