AN: I just want to apologise to everyone who has been waiting for this next instalment. I had a fall, had knee surgery and slipped a disc in my back all within the space of a month so I was unable to work on it. I hope you enjoy this part!
12
Jane leant in the doorway of Maura's office, watching the honey-blonde hard at work. She was still in her black scrubs and Jane smirked. She loved Maura in black scrubs.
"Why are you lurking in the doorway?" Maura asked, not even raising her eyes from the computer.
"I'm not lurking." Jane pushes off from the doorway with her hip and walks into the room, and sitting on the chair in front of Maura's desk. "I was ogling. There's a difference."
Maura stood up and made her way around to Jane's side, leaning against her desk. "Oh really? And what were you ogling at?"
Jane lifted an eyebrow. "Really?"
Maura settled herself in Jane's lap and wrapped her arms around the brunette's neck. "You really like these black scrubs, don't you?"
Jane slipped a hand up the back of Maura's scrubs, her fingers trailing down Maura's spine. "I really, really do."
Maura kissed her, pressing her body close to the brunette. Jane was contemplating whether to take Maura in the chair or on the desk, when they heard the sound of a throat clearing.
Maura pulled back from Jane's embrace and looked over the detective's shoulder. "Jimmy!"
Jimmy Carter stood in the doorway and shuffled his feet. "I seem to always pick the worst times to come and see the two of you, don't I?"
Jane was about to reply that yes, he really did, but Maura sent her a look as the blonde got up from Jane's lap.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Jimmy," the medical examiner smiled. "Any news on Jane's article?"
"Actually that's why I'm here. It's going to be in the paper tomorrow. I wanted to make sure you were going to get a copy."
Jane's eyes widened. "Wait…we don't get to read it first?"
"Can't do that, Jane. Against all my journalistic codes of conduct. The only person who got to see it is my editor."
Maura butted in before Jane could object. She had own her concerns. "Jimmy, while I appreciate your codes – I myself have my own that apply to my craft – we have certain family members and certain issues that both Jane and I would prefer remain out of the newspaper."
Jimmy put his hands up. "It's okay, I promise. I wasn't able to interview your parents, Maura – they refused an interview – and the only other people I spoke to were Mr and Mrs Rizzoli, Frankie and a couple of people here at BPD."
Jane's mind ran over the events that had occurred between her and Maura. So many things that needed to be kept private, so many things that she was ashamed of and so many things to think about whether anyone else could possibly know about them.
Maura could sense Jane's distress, but as she mentally ran her mind over what had happened since Jane's shooting, she was unable to think of anyone else who could know how bad things had really gotten. And Angela, who was really the only one that couldn't be censored, shouldn't know any of it.
With that in mind, she rested a hand on Jane's forearm. "I'm sure we'll both look forward to seeing the article, Jimmy, and that it will be wonderful."
Jane glanced sideways at Maura, still with panic in her eyes. Maura just smiled at her, silently reassuring her that everything would be alright.
Jimmy found it fascinating the way the two women were able to communicate volumes to each other without saying a word. It would have been interesting to do a book on them, but he knew that before he even got the suggestion out, Jane would do seriously painful things to him.
"I'm glad you're looking forward to it. I think you'll both really enjoy the article. I hope I've captured you both just as you are."
Jane still had her arms folded, looking quite combative so Maura felt the task of actual polite communication fell to her.
"I'm sure you have, Jimmy. It was a pleasure for both of us to work with you. And we appreciate your discretion and your understanding on certain matters…don't we, Jane?"
Jane sighed. "Yeah, we do. You've been really good about it, and I'm sure it wasn't easy interviewing my mother."
Jimmy grinned. "She is….a very interesting woman."
Jane snorted. "Very political of you."
"Anyway, I really enjoyed working with the both of you. I'd say good luck, but I don't think you need it. I hope to get to do this again sometime."
As they said their goodbyes, Jane had the feeling that she'd rather not do interviews again, but perhaps she would have to grudgingly learn to accept their inevitability, considering she always managed to get herself involved in something newsworthy.
Maura turned to her when they were alone, a concerned look on her face. "Are you alright?"
"I don't know." Jane pulled Maura into her arms, holding her tightly. "I just hope we don't get any nasty surprises when the story comes out tomorrow."
Maura pulled back, her face earnest as she replied, "nobody else knows about what happened, Jane. I never told anyone, and nobody will ever know." She smiled, cupping Jane's face in her hands. "Just us. And we're past that, Jane. We're here, and we're going to get married."
Jane turned her head, kissing the palm of Maura's right hand. "I know. But when I think of what happened back then…"
"Don't." Maura was stern, giving Jane a look that the detective knew meant business. "That's in our past, Jane. We're moving forward." She took Jane's hands in her own. "And we're going to keep moving forward."
Jane bent down, capturing Maura's lips in a tender kiss. "I love you. So much. And if I wasn't certain that Ma would kill me, I'd say let's go get married right now."
Maura chuckled. "We're almost there, Jane. And then we can go on our honeymoon, and just be alone for awhile."
"Yes, alone," Jane whispered, nipping at Maura's earlobe. "Just you and me, and no phones, no pagers, no paperwork. Somewhere where I can make love to you whenever and wherever I want, with no interruptions."
Maura tightened her grip on Jane's body. "Jane…since Jimmy interrupted us, we have significantly less time to make love here, so either get to it, or stop teasing me."
Jane's grin widened and she set her lover on her desk. "Yes, ma'am."
The next morning, Jane groped around her nightstand as she heard the shrill ringing of the phone wake her up. Beside her, Maura groaned and snuggled closer to her fiancé.
"'Lo?"
"Jane!"
Angela Rizzoli's voice was so shrill that Jane instinctively pulled away from the phone, her ears ringing.
"Geez, Ma…what? What time is it?"
"I don't know, but Jane, your father just got the paper and you're in it!"
Jane blinked. "Ma, you knew all about it. Jimmy interviewed you, remember?"
"This is different than being interviewed, Jane! I'm actually seeing you in print! You and Maura! And there's a lovely picture. I'm trying to work out how many copies we need to get for the family. I might even send one to Maura's ridiculous parents."
Jane's eyes widened. "No, Ma. No. Don't. Please."
"Why not? It might educate them a bit. They have a wonderful daughter and you make their daughter very happy. They should know that."
"Ma…I don't often beg you for stuff, but please, don't do this. Don't do it to Maura. Please."
Maura looked up at Jane sleepily, clearly confused by what was going on. Jane smiled down at her and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Angela was silent for a moment and finally she answered. "Alright, Jane. I won't. Not if it means that much to you."
"It does," Jane said firmly. "And I appreciate it, Ma."
"Okay, Jane. Uh, don't forget to remind Maura about her final dress fitting this evening."
"I won't."
After saying goodbye, Jane hung up the phone and glanced beside her, where Maura was still staring at her.
"Ma saw the article in the paper," Jane said by way of explanation. She snuggled down further into the covers.
"And?"
Jane sighed, knowing from personal experience that keeping things from Maura never ended well. "She's getting Pop to buy up a whole lot of copies and she wanted to send one to your parents. She thought it might change their minds. I thought it better that she didn't."
"You're right," Maura said, curling her body around Jane's once more. "But your mother was sweet to think about it."
Jane smiled and brushed her fingers down Maura's cheek. "You're a member of the Rizzoli family, Maura. We all want you to be happy."
"And I am." Maura leant up and kissed Jane. "And while your family is sweet, it's not them that has made me the happiest. It's you."
Jane tightened her hold on the honey-blonde. "You have an amazing way with words. Must be the Google gene."
Maura arched an eyebrow. "Jane, there's no such thing as a Google gene."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Also, Ma said to remind you about your final dress fitting tonight." She grinned at Maura. "Can I come?"
"Absolutely not."
The detective ran her fingers lightly over her fiance's right breast. "Are you sure? You could get bored while you waited in the changing room for them to fix your gown, and since you'll be naked…I'm sure I could entertain you."
"You seem to be slightly obsessed with getting me naked."
Jane snorted in amusement. "Says the woman who dragged me like a cavewoman into her office last week and proceeded to have her way with me splayed out on the desk."
Maura's lips curved in a smile at the memory. "You were so sexy. Hair all wild, cheeks flushed, shirt hanging open, pants around your ankles. Lovely." She looked up at Jane. "I can't help how my body responds to you. Every time I'm near you, or think about you, I want you."
Jane rolled over so that she faced Maura. "I feel the same way." She pressed a soft kiss to Maura's lips. "Do you think it will be still like this after we're married?"
Maura's smile widened. "Considering how our bodies crave each other constantly? Absolutely."
Jane grinned back at her. "Good. I love it when you go all caveman on me and drag me into your office."
Maura slid her leg between Jane's. "You're still not coming to my dress fitting."
Jane lay on her back and eased Maura to lie on top of her. "Then I guess I'll have to see you naked here."
She had been expecting it, so when she found the newspaper on her desk, opened to the page where a photo of her and Maura stared out at her, Jane didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled at the way Maura's body leaned into her own, the way they seemed to fit together perfectly.
"There she is, the media hound again."
Jane turned around and saw Korsak and Frost smirking at her. "I'm sure I have you two to thank for this being on my desk this morning?"
"We couldn't help but notice the big ass headline and picture," Frost admitted. "'Hero Cop Finds True Love'". Be still my beating heart."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Shut up."
"My favourite part is about how you stare adoringly at Maura when you think nobody is watching." Korsak chuckled. "He really caught you perfectly, Jane."
"At least I get to do more than just look," Jane shot back.
Korsak grinned as he headed back to his desk. "By the way, your mother has taped the article to the wall in the cafeteria."
Jane sunk in her chair. "Jesus."
Maura walked into the cafeteria, intent on getting a cup of coffee and she was momentarily stymied by seeing her own face staring back at her. She blinked and then continued on her way, meeting Angela at the counter.
"Maura, did you see the article?"
The honey blonde wondered how, with Angela Rizzoli, it was impossible for anyone to NOT see the article, but she smiled and nodded. "I did, Angela. Did you like it?"
"I loved it. Frank has bought so many copies that I'm surprised we didn't buy out the entire newsagent. It's a wonderful article and the picture of the two of you is one of my favourites."
Maura glanced at the picture again. It had been taken at their engagement party, which at their insistence had been low-key at the Robber. Jane's arms were around her, and the two of them were completely lost in each other. At first Maura had wondered where the picture had come from, but she was fairly sure it was an Angela Rizzoli special.
Angela placed Maura's coffee on the counter. "Here we go. Where's Jane this morning?"
"Jane's here and…Jesus, Ma." Jane caught sight of the newspaper mounted proudly for all to see. "Really?"
"I'm proud of you, Janie. And you and Maura look lovely in that picture and it's a wonderful article. Everyone needs to see it."
Maura smirked and brushed Jane's hand with her fingers. "Come and have coffee with me downstairs."
Jane nodded. "I'm right behind you."
Maura sat in Jane's lap as they looked over the article together.
"Nothing," Jane said, sighing in relief.
Maura smiled and kissed her cheek. "I told you. The only two people that know about what happened that night and at the cabin are you and I – and no one else will ever know. And now we can look forward to the future."
Jane smiled. "Yeah, which involves you trying on your dress."
"You still can't come." At Jane's pout, Maura chuckled. "But if you're very good, I might let you get me naked afterwards."
As Maura stood naked in the changing cubicle, part of her was regretting her choice to leave Jane at home. Jane's arms were just long enough that she could drape them over the top of the door and try to tease and taunt Maura with her fingers.
Then again, with Angela along on this trip, Maura felt it might have been a little uncomfortable with her and Jane in here…touching. Maura shivered. Definitely a good idea to leave Jane at home.
"Maura?"
"Yes, Angela?" To Maura's relief, Angela had some boundaries and would not come into the cubicle.
"I was wondering if we could talk about the wedding."
"Of course."
"Did, uh, Janie happen to mention the small incident at our church a few months ago?"
Maura stifled the laughter that was bubbling up inside her. 'Janie' had indeed mentioned the incident. It had involved Angela telling the priest who refused to marry her daughter that he was a homophobe who hid behind a collar and a dress and that none of the Rizzoli family would ever set foot in his church again. "Yes, Jane mentioned it."
"Ah. Well, Frank and I have found a lovely new priest who we go to each week now, and we enjoy his service immensely. He said that although he can't marry you and Jane, he'd be honoured to give a blessing on the day."
Maura smiled. Although Jane tried to say it wasn't a big deal to her, she knew that deep down, Jane liked family traditions. "That's wonderful, Angela. I know it means a lot to Jane, even if she doesn't admit it."
"Maura?" Gregor's voice broke through the conversation. "Let's try the dress on again."
Maura accepted the dress over the cubicle door and dressed herself. When she was ready, she took a moment to just look at herself in the mirror. Her hand smoothed over the front of the dress. "I'm getting married," she whispered to herself, a bright smile lighting up her face.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the cubicle door and looked at Gregor and Angela. "Well? Do you like it? Do you think Jane will like it?"
Angela dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. Gregor's smile was wide.
"Maura, you are beautiful and the dress is perfect," Gregor told her.
Maura turned to her future mother-in-law. "Angela?"
"You're stunning. I think you'll render Jane speechless. I'm not sure anyone's ever done that before."
Maura felt it was probably inappropriate to comment on how many times she'd made Jane speechless in their bedroom. Instead she smiled broadly. "Just what I was hoping for."
Jane smiled as she heard the front door open. "Hey, Maura. Have fun wedding dress shopping with Ma?"
Maura walked into the kitchen, Joe in her arms. "I had a wonderful time. Angela says my dress will make you speechless."
Jane lifted an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
The honey-blonde put Joe back on the floor. "She seems to think that you're very rarely speechless. I was confused, since I seem to make you speechless a lot when I touch you."
Jane's eyes widened. "Maura…you didn't tell her that, did you?"
"It was tempting, but I managed to restrain myself." Maura glanced over at what Jane was cooking. "Grilled cheese sandwiches?"
"My specialty." She looked at her fiancé. "Besides, I was making these the first time you told me you loved me."
Maura's lips quirked. "Jane, grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the only things you can make."
"Just for that, I might not let you have any."
Maura put on her best pout, and slid her hands up Jane's arms. "You mean you'd let me starve?"
Jane caught the pout on Maura's face and groaned. "That pouting thing is not fair. You know it's not fair!"
Maura kissed her lightly and got down two plates. "You know, Barry says you're whipped."
Jane dropped the spatula she was holding and it clattered to the floor. She braced herself on the bench, pausing for a moment to filter what Maura had just told her. She took a deep breath and turned to her fiancé. "Frost said what?"
"He said you were whipped. I told him I didn't think so, because we didn't use that sort of fetish in our relationship. We don't go any further than handcuffs."
The detective was pretty sure she'd just lost her appetite. "Oh my god. Maura! You can't just go sharing details of our sex life with people!"
"Well he seemed to already assume things about our relationship. Besides, he's my maid of honour. We're supposed to talk about things like that."
Jane sighed. "Honey, Frost doesn't mean whipped as in actual whips. He means that I'd pretty much do anything you say."
Maura looked interested. "Really?"
"Don't go getting any ideas." Jane put a grilled cheese sandwich in front of Maura and caught the smirk on the doctor's face. "Crap, I'm in trouble."
13/?
"I wanted to tell you something, that I didn't want to say in front of everyone, but it's kind of a vow I have for you."
Maura looked at her new wife in interest. "Okay."
"I want to promise you something. I promise you that I'm going to wait for you and I promise that when I do go, I'm going with you, preferably when we're like one hundred and ten and having incredibly hot sex."
