Rizzoli & Isles:

Chapter 26

"A Ways to Go"

Maura walks up the stairs, slowly pacing her way to James' bedroom.

She makes it to his closed bedroom door. She softly knocks.

MAURA: "James?"

There's no response. She turns the doorknob, and finds the door locked. Maura leans forward on the door.

MAURA: "James, can you open the door?" [Waits for a response] "I'm not mad at you. I just want to talk to you. May you please, open the door?"

Still, Maura doesn't get a response.

Maura lets out a sigh, as she pushes herself off the door, and walks away.

JAMES' BEDROOM

In James' bedroom, all that is heard, is the door unlocking, and Maura opens it from the other side.

Maura peaks inside, and doesn't find James. So, Maura walks in, looking around for him. She finds him, or at least a piece of him. James is seated on the ground, against the bed, out of view from the doorway. All Maura can see is the top of James' head.

Maura makes her way to James' bed, tapping the loose key in her hand, as if showing James she has the upper hand.

She sits on the edge of his bed, facing the door. Maura glances behind her, over the bed, looking at what James is doing.

MAURA: "James?"

James doesn't look up, but continues looking down at his baseball glove, that Jane gave him, that he's now wearing on his hand; as if he's cherishing it.

MAURA: (Demands) "James, look at me."

James' eyes look up at her, but his head stays down.

Maura leans back on his bed, trying to get a better look at him.

MAURA: "James, why did you attack Jane like that? You really hurt her, did you know that? Do you care?"

Maura waits for a response, something from James.

MAURA: (Cont.) "What's gotten into you? You don't just attack people like that, no matter how upset you are."

James looks down from Maura's gaze, obviously in guilt and shame for what he'd done.

MAURA: (Demands) "Answer me James?"

James doesn't say anything, but just shrugs, as if saying 'I don't know.'

MAURA: "Fine."

Maura rises from the bed, and goes over to where James' desk is; where Maura grabs his CSI Kit, which Jane got him for Christmas. She than reaches over and grabs his PSP as well. Along with other items she can carry.

That's when James looks up, and peaks over his bed, looking at what his mother is doing. That's when he starts panicking over his mom, grabbing all of his stuff, as if she's taking it away from him.

JAMES: (As he rises off the ground) "What are you doing?"

MAURA: "Taking your gifts back. Obviously your showing, you don't deserve them."

JAMES: (Protests) "NOOOO!"

James runs around his bed towards Maura, and tries to grab at his things in Maura's hands, trying to get them back. To which, Maura pulls back, away from his grasps.

MAURA: "NO JAMES! NOT UNTIL YOU TELL ME WHY YOU DID, WHAT YOU DID."

James took a step back, lowering his gaze again; going back to being reserved.

Maura begins to put somethings back on James' desk, fearing that this is going to be a long, dragged out conversation.

MAURA: "James? Why are you acting like this? Is it because you don't want Jane and I to be together? Is that it?"

James doesn't raise his gaze, but mumbles something, that Maura can't make out.

MAURA: (Questions) "I'm sorry?"

James goes quiet again.

Maura goes towards him, and puts her finger under his chin, getting him to look at her.

James looks up at Maura.

MAURA: (Softly) "You're going to have to speak up, James. No more stonewalling. Okay? Or else, I will take those back."

Maura said, referring to James' gifts.

JAMES: "I don't want Jane to leave."

Maura gives him a confused look.

MAURA: "What do you mean? Leave? Why would Jane leave?"

James looks down at his hand covered glove, sadly.

MAURA: (Warns) "James?"

JAMES: (Emotional) "I don't want you dating Jane."

MAURA: "But why, James? I thought that you loved Jane? You said you wanted us to be a family."

Maura takes a moment to think.

MAURA: (Softly) "Is it because of Bill?" [James is quiet] "I know, honey. And I will talk to him about this too. Is that what's been upsetting you? You hate that Jane kissed me, because I'm still with Bill?"

James shakes his head no.

MAURA: "Than, what is it James?"

James doesn't respond.

Maura takes a step back, and tries to think of what could cause James to act out like this. Why would a kid lash out at his own father? A father that he loves, and gets along with? Hell, they were practically inseparable.

And then that's when Maura started to put the puzzle pieces together. She knew that James always wanted to meet his father, and now that he has, they have the best father-son relationship that she could ever hope for.

And now, he says he doesn't want her to date Jane, because he's afraid she'll leave. But leave? Leave where? Where does he think Jane's going? Or does he mean, that she will leave him behind, if a relationship were to start. Does James really feel threatened by their romance? Does he really think that Maura would be taking Jane away from him? This was something Maura needed to address.

MAURA: "James, are you afraid of losing Jane to me? Is that it? Are you afraid that I'm going to be taking her away from you?"

MAURA: (Cont.) "You think, that Jane will stop spending time with you, because we're dating?"

When Maura sees that her questioning is not getting anywhere, she starts putting the rest of his things down on his desk. She goes and puts a loving hand on his shoulder, guiding him to his bed.

MAURA: "C'mon, sweetheart. We need to talk."

James follows her lead. And the two sit on the edge of his mattress, facing each other.

MAURA: "James, listen to me. I love your mother. And she loves me. And you know, she loves you too. I'm sorry, that you had to find out this way."

James continues looking at his glove.

JAMES: (Sadly pleading) "But I don't want to lose her."

MAURA: "You're not going to lose her, sweetheart. She's always going to make time for you. I'm not going to take her away from you. She's always going to be your 'best friend' and parent. Nothing is going to change. She's not going anywhere, sweetheart."

James shoots an angry look at Maura.

JAMES: (Snaps) "YES SHE WILL! THEY ALL DO!"

Maura's taken aback by James' outburst.

JAMES: "You guys will break up, and she'll leave! Just like they all did! Just like Ian did!" [Starts to weep] "And I'll never see her again."

And there it was. The truth. Ian. James' behavior had nothing to do with him fearing losing Jane to Maura, and their potential romance; but to losing Jane to their potential breakup.

Maura knew eventually, that the conversation of Ian would eventually come up again. She knew how their breakup had a HUGE impact on James. And he took it badly.

Since James took to Ian right away, when they met him in Ethiopia, during Maura's work with Doctors Without Borders. Maura and Ian worked there together for almost 6 months, before they started dating.

And James and Ian took to each other from the very start. James clung to Ian, like a lost puppy. Ian didn't mind, he found a little helping partner in James. James would always provide a helping hand, whenever he could; whether it'd be helping move/provide with supplies, or helping prepare food and clean water. And James enjoyed it. He felt wanted, and appreciated.

Ian soon became a strong father figure in James' life. He stepped up, to Maura's surprise. She never did tell Ian to be a father to James, he just was.

Ian would spend quality time with James, whenever he could. Playing, teaching him how to ride a bike, and helping him with his home schooling. Ian had even gotten him a pet tortoise, which Maura ended up naming Bass. He even taught them how to take care of him, since neither knew how. Ian would even have deep discussions with James, about what life is like in these third world countries, and what they do to help these communities. And about all the traveling he'd done. The different people he met. And James looked up to Ian; and trusted him. And in some ways, he wanted to be just like him.

But, after almost a year there, they returned home to Boston. Ian even came along, to James' delight. James didn't know why they had left Ethiopia so abruptly. But in truth, it was because of his grandmother, Constance, which put an immediate end to their time spent there.

Constance wasn't very fond of James spending his young life in a 'dangerous, disease infested country,' as she put it. So she pleaded with Maura to be a 'good mother,' and bring him home. And raise him the right way. Or in Constance's eyes, bring James up to the fitting of an Isles. A true Brahmin.

Maura knew that it wasn't a good idea to take James with her to Ethiopia, since the probability of him getting sick was high. But, she had nowhere to place him. Constance didn't want to help out, nor did she have anyone else to turn too with whom she could trust. So, she took the risks, and brought him along with her.

So, Maura came back to Boston. After making arrangements with her mother. And Constance kept her end of the deal, and made calls to some local boarding schools for James. So that way, Maura could finish off her residency; without having to worry about James.

But, that's when things with Ian started to turn. Ian stuck around for a short while. He stuck around, working at local clinics and shelters, before he was up and running again, heading back to Africa, with supplies and all. But, without Maura or James this time.

Maura didn't want him to leave. But, he promised to be back. So, she waited for him to return. And the two of them started a long distance relationship for a while.

And sure enough, he returned over a month later. Both Maura and James were happy for his return. But, like always, it'd be short-lived; as he decided to take off again. But, this time, Maura wasn't having it. And the two of them fought constantly.

And to James, he saw Maura push him away, and he never returned. James saw Maura cry for him, in the days and weeks to come. She missed him dearly. But, in James' eyes, he watched his mother turn the only father he ever had, away. And James resented his mother for that.

Maura explained to James that Ian was the one who left, and that she didn't kick him out. But James never did believe her. He didn't want to believe that Ian left him, willingly. Even though, he was only 8 when Ian left, since than he never really felt like he had a real family. Nor did he ever get as close to anyone ever again.

Sure, Maura dated here and there, since Ian. But none of her boyfriends seem to care about James, or even try to get to know him, and spend time with him, like Ian did. Some even tried to be nice to him, by buying him gifts and such, just so that they could get some brownie points with Maura. But, he knew that all the niceness was all an act. Hell, even in his eyes, Bill was the same way. Bill would always come around, every once in a while; not for him, but for Maura. But James didn't so much as care, because he knew Maura's boyfriends would leave eventually, and it had no real impact on him what so ever. That was until Jane came into the picture.

And Jane was different. Way different. Jane was his biological father, for one. And she was EVERYTHING to James.

Even though, James wanted them to be a family. A real family, together under one roof. In the end, he found out, that that didn't have to happen. Cause they were already family. Jane spent time with him, taught him a thing or two about life and things. Just like Ian did. And James was loving every minute of their family time together. Hell, Jane had even introduced him and Maura to the rest of the Rizzoli family. And the Rizzolis welcomed them in. James finally got everything he ever wanted: He got his father, who loves and adores him, he has an extended family, and he's got best friends who he spends his time with.

Everything was going great in James' life, for the first time, everything was perfect. He didn't want anything to change. And then he finds out that Jane and his mother want to be together, dating…this was a kiss of death, in James' book.

James knew his mother's track history with dating, and he feared that Jane would end up like all those other boyfriends, which included Ian. Gone. And James saw that as a red flag. A huge no – no in his eyes.

He didn't want to lose everything. He knew that if things went sour for his parents, than he would lose more than just a father: He'd lose the Rizzolis as well. And James didn't want to lose the only secure family he had.

And this broke Maura's heart, to see him in such distress over this fear.

Maura reached out and cupped James' tear-filled face.

MAURA: "James, listen to me. Nothing is going to change. Jane and the Rizzolis will always be here for you. No matter what happens. We are a family. And we will always remain a family. And you know family always stick together, right?" [James nods] "What happened with Ian, will not happen with Jane. She loves you. She will NEVER leave you. And she will always be here for you, no matter what."

JAMES: "You promise?"

MAURA: (Gives a reassuring smile) "I promise."

That's when James lifted his hand, and showed off his pinky to her.

JAMES: "You pinky-promise?"

Maura looks at James confusingly.

JAMES: (Explains) "Jane said that if you promise something really big, and you really mean it, you have to do a 'pinky promise.'"

MAURA: "Oh. Okay. So how do you 'pinky promise?'"

JAMES: "We lock our pinkies together, and we swear to keep our promise."

Maura nods. And the two lock their pinkies together. Making the promise official.

MAURA: (Proudly) "I swear to keep my promise. Jane and the Rizzolis are not going anywhere. Okay?"

James nods.

Unbeknownst to them, that Jane, with a tissue hanging from her nostril, and carrying an ice pack, was right outside James' bedroom door; listening to everything that was said. Jane sadly lowered her graze, and walked down the stairs, away from them.

Meanwhile, back in James' bedroom, Maura still had to deal with what had just happened outside.

MAURA: (Serious) "Now, James. You still have to apologize to Jane for what you did."

James looks away from Maura, obviously feeling badly for the way he reacted.

JAMES: (Nods) "I know." [Looks at Maura] "But I didn't mean to."

MAURA: "I know you didn't want to physically hurt her. But, you did James. And now she's downstairs hurting."

James feels guilty and awful.

Maura rises from the bed.

MAURA: (Demands) "Now, let's go. C'mon."

James rises from his bed, removing his glove, and leaving it on his bed. He follows Maura out of his room, and off to find Jane.

MAURA'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM

Jane is sitting on the living room couch, holding up the ice pack to her busted nose. While, watching Bass just randomly trying to walk across the room.

James and Maura enter the room. Maura's got her arm around his shoulder.

MAURA: (To Jane) "James has something, he'd like to say to you."

Maura nudges James to apologize.

Jane is all ears.

JAMES: (Sincere, to Jane) "I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean it. I just didn't want you to go."

Jane is confused by his last statement. She wasn't sure what he meant by her leaving.

What is he talking about? Where am I going? Jane subconsciously asked herself.

JANE: (Lowers the ice pack) "Thank you, Jamie. I forgive you."

JAMES: (Looks up at Maura) "Can I go outside and play?"

Maura thought for a moment.

MAURA: (Calmly) "No. You're grounded for the rest of the day."

James is appalled.

JAMES: (Upset) "But, why? I apologized."

MAURA: (A beat) "Yes. But, still you need to be punished for what you did. You can't just go around and hurt people, James!"

James angrily scoffs, mumbling something to himself, as he retreats back to his bedroom.

MAURA: (Shouts out towards James) "DON'T MAKE ME TAKE YOUR PRESENTS AWAY!"

And all that is heard, is his bedroom door slamming shut.

Meanwhile, Jane mouths a "Wow," at the whole situation in front of her.

MAURA: (Frustrated) "I'm sorry, Jane. He's going through a difficult time right now."

JANE: "I know."

Maura gives Jane a look.

JANE: "I heard…you guys talking."

MAURA: "Oh."

Maura walks over, and sits on the couch with Jane. While, Jane removes the tissue from her nostril.

MAURA: "So, you know why he reacted that way towards you."

JANE: "No. Not really. All I know is that, he doesn't want me to leave. Leave like Ian." [Looks off] "Whoever that is."

MAURA: (Sighs) "Ian was my ex-boyfriend."

Jane shoots Maura a serious look.

MAURA: (Cont.) "He and James were very close. And he went away. He broke our hearts."

JANE: "Oh, Maura. I'm so sorry."

Maura shakes her head at the thought of Ian.

MAURA: "I loved him so much. But, he loved his job more. James took it the hardest. And now, he's afraid of us being together. Because he thinks that you'd leave as well. Just like he did."

Now Jane was getting it. She now understood why James was fearing her leaving.

JANE: "I'm never going to leave you, Maura. Either of you."

Maura smiles.

MAURA: "I know, Jane." [Holds Jane's hand] "I know."

Jane looks down at their joined hands. She looks up at Maura with a smile. And leans over and gives Maura a loving kiss on the lips.

The two cuddled together on the couch, just taking in each other company. Finally feeling like they could start their lives together, as one.

A/N: Yup, I said it was a short one. #Rizzles is starting. Yay!

As for James well, of course he's still upset. But, that's to be expected. Nobody likes being grounded. But at least now, he's upset for a different reason. One guest reviewer did nail the reason why he was upset, and acting out.

I always pictured James, as someone who overreacts to things, and doesn't know how to control his emotions. So he would always have these temper tantrums every once in a while. Especially when he doesn't get what he wants. So that's something that Jane and Maura are going to have to work on with him.

I did go back and watched the episode with Ian, and there really wasn't much to go on. Not much was said about their history together. So, I kind of got stuck there, trying to piece a history of them together.

And as for Bill, well, I think it's evident, that he's pretty much gone now. Don't worry, Maura will let him down gently. lol.