A/N: Well I wanted to have this out by Christmas as a sort of gift but then it got longer and longer and then my beta thought it'd best to cut it in two and I totally agree, it's just better this way. So you'll get the next half in a few days. Hopefully this answers all the questions as to why exactly Maura acted the way she had in the last chapter.
Thank you for all the reviews, a lot of them really, really inspired me to keep going. I wasn't confident in this chapter but my beta helped with that with her amazing response and encouragement so thanks to her.
Anyways enjoy and review if you please.
"What have you got, Frost?" Jane asks as soon as she enters the bullpen.
He stares silently at her for a moment with a look Jane can't quite make out.
"What? Do I have something on my face? You told me you had something."
"Sorry. Just um, how's the kid?" He wonders.
"Fine. Now what have you got?" She asks again.
"Just fine?" He questions.
"Yes Frost. He is fine. What did you call me up here for?" She asks one final time, her voice teeming with exasperation.
"Right." Frost says clearing his throat. "Tim Douglas had an outstanding custody battle over Aaron, the boy's mother wasn't Kathy Douglas."
"Who's his mother then?" She questions.
"A Janice Royce. Tim won custody of Aaron after his birth. She was addicted to drugs at the time. She filed for custody again a few months ago. The courts were most likely going to rule in favor of Tim again." Frost explains.
"That sounds like motive to me." She smirks, glad to have finally caught a break.
"You want to go pick her up?" He asks.
She nods then looks at her watch. "Shit. I should probably stay back. Aaron's DCS caseworker is going to be here soon."
Frost just looks at her with the same look he did when she walked in.
"Okay, What?" She growls.
"Nothing." He shrugs before walking off.
"Why is everyone acting so crazy today?" She groans as Frankie rushes in.
"Jane. I need to talk to you." He says.
"I was just about to look for you. I need you to go with Frost and pick up a suspect."
"Okay, but Jane, I need to tell you something." He insists.
"Fine. What is it?" She huffs.
He pulls her outside where no one can hear before whispering "Ma, went out on a date with Korsak last night."
"So." She shrugs.
"A Valentine's Day dinner. Just Ma and Korsak." He elaborates.
"Frankie, I heard you. I'm glad." She says nonchalantly.
"What?"
"Korsak's a good guy Frankie. Ma needs to move on from pop and find someone new. We're not little kids anymore. She deserves to find someone and I'd rather it be someone we already know than some creep off the internet or whatever." She explains.
"But Jane. He works with us. He was your partner for years." He says again.
"Look Frankie, Ma is going to date whether we like it or not. Don't interfere."She demands before walking off and groaning once her phone beeps again.
She looks down and notices a text from Maura asking her to come back downstairs. She kind of wants to avoid the blonde for a while to let things cool off, but obviously her job won't allow that. She heads down to the lab with a heavy heart. She knows shit may hit the fan soon. She can't keep dodging Maura and the questions she is sure will be asked of her.
"What's up Maura?" She asks, feigning nonchalance when she gets in the lab.
"Susan just got the DNA report back. Kathy-"
"Isn't Aaron's biological mother. Shit Maur, sorry that's what Frost just found out. I meant to message you but Frankie distracted me."
"It's fine." She shrugs it off. "Have your guys found Aaron's aunt?"
"Korsak is trying to find her, but if his biological mother checks out she may end up with custody." Jane explains.
She catches something in Maura's eye that she thinks may be disappointment and it sets her insides alight. It's a look she can't stand to see on Maura's face.
For once Jane is happy her phone beeps interrupting the awkward silence that was bound to occur. She doesn't know how to approach Maura right now. Things are extremely confusing and she wants to avoid causing that look all over again.
She reads the message then sighs. "It's Aaron's caseworker. She's downstairs waiting for me. I'll be back soon." She doesn't stay to see Maura's reaction. She can't keep seeing that look.
As she steps into the lobby she notices a woman standing around waiting. She's very pretty and petite with mousy brown hair. She's dressed in a blazer, a skirt and heels which leads Jane to assume she is either a lawyer or the caseworker from DCS. She approaches her and extends her hand. "Hello, I'm detective Jane Rizzoli. You must be from DCS."
"You are correct." She smiles. "Name's Andrea. I was assigned to Aaron's case."
"Great. He's in the morgue sleeping right now." Jane confirms.
Andrea clears her throat and shoots Jane a concerned look.
"Oh I didn't mean for it to sound like that." She laughs lightly. "My colleague's office has a couch in it and he was tired." She explains. "Should I take you to him?" She asks awkwardly.
"Not yet. I'd like to get all the information first." She answers.
"Right. Would you like to get some coffee in the café then? It's been an early morning for me." Jane suggests.
"Sounds great." Andrea agrees while following her into the café.
"So you're not used to this are you?" Andrea asks once they're seated with their cups and she notices Jane's nervously fiddling her hands.
"Is it that obvious?" She laughs. "This is my first time finding a kid on a case. As you can see, it's not my area of expertise. I'm not so great with kids."
"Something makes me doubt that." Andrea contests. Her friendliness helps put Jane at ease.
"So what is it you need to know?" Jane asks.
Andrea fills out the paperwork while Jane spews off all the information she has on the case."
"Have any relatives of Aaron been found or contacted?" She asks while she's nearing the end of her questioning.
"We're trying to find his aunt. Kathy wasn't his mother. His biological mother is currently a suspect in the case and is being brought in for questioning." Jane explains.
Andrea spends a moment writing it down before looking up and smiling. "All right, I think I'm ready to meet the little guy."
"Do you mind if I ask you a question first?" Jane wonders.
"Shoot." Andrea prompts.
"Providing that Aaron's aunt isn't found and his mother had something to do with the Douglas's murders, what would happen to the boy?" Jane asks.
"Well, we'll extend every effort to find a suitable relation within the family to take him. Foster care really is our last resort but if no one is available that's where he will end up." She explains sadly.
"What if someone were to want to take the boy in?" She honestly has no idea what's coming out of her mouth at the moment. Why she's asking all these questions. But she knows she'd do anything to make Maura happy. A kid couldn't be so bad right? She took care of Junior for a few weeks. At least this one can use words to convey what he wants or needs.
"There are certain processes they'd have to go through but it's possible. We'd rather the child have a permanent home than be put in a foster home." She informs her. "I get the feeling this isn't a hypothetical question."
"My girlfriend is the M.E. and she's gotten kind of attached to Aaron already." Jane explains. "I tried to warn her not to get too attached but she's been a wreck worrying about his fate."
"Well she's lucky to have you to care about what she wants. I'll see what we can do." Andrea says with a smile. It puts Jane at ease knowing she isn't opposed to both the idea of taking Aaron or the status of her sexuality. "Well, shall we go meet him?" She asks.
Jane leads her to the elevator and they head down to the morgue together while she sends a text to Maura warning her that they're coming. When she gets down there Maura isn't in the lab so she can only assume she's in her office. She leads Andrea in to find her sitting on the couch while Aaron plays games on her phone.
"Hello." She greets standing to introduce herself. "I'm Dr. Maura Isles, chief medical examiner for the common wealth of the state of Massachusetts."
"Andrea, agent for the department of child services for the common wealth of the state of Massachusetts." She responds with a hint of comedy in her voice. "And you must be Aaron." She says to the boy.
He doesn't respond and just nods as usual.
"Well Aaron, it is very nice to meet you. I'm going to have to ask you a few questions if that's okay." When she sees the boy's eyes go to Maura she quickly adds to her previous statement. "Maura can stay with us if you'd like."
Maura smiles at the young boy before stepping over to Jane. "I asked your mom to bring him some lunch. I was hoping you could stick around and maybe wait for her I'd appreciate that Jane." But Jane notices her eyes are saying a different story. They're pleading her to stay. Maybe because she's worried Andrea will take Aaron away and she's willing to provide Maura with any comfort she needs.
"Of course." She answers before heading out the door and pacing until her mother arrives with some boxes of food.
"Hi Janie. I brought lunch for everyone." She says while handing the cartons to Jane. "What's wrong?" She asks, noticing Jane's worried state.
"Nothing. This kid's just been very stressful." She answers while setting the boxes down.
"Jane, it's just a little boy. How bad could it be?"
"Pretty bad when Maura is basically pleading me to let us keep him like he's some homeless puppy we found on the street." Jane whines.
"She asked you if you guys could adopt him?" Angela wonders.
"Not physically, but I can see it Ma." She says sadly.
"Well Jane, Maura's a very caring person but you've got to give her some credit."
"I know, of course I know that. But Ma, we aren't ready for a kid-"
"I think you are." Angela interrupts.
"Not a six-year-old Ma. I wouldn't know where to begin." Jane responds.
"You'd learn as you go." Angela shrugs. "Nobody knows absolutely how to raise their kids. I wasn't a perfect parent. We just do what we think is right and try to give them the best life possible. They say it's instinct, and part of it is, but you also learn a lot along the way."
"I think you did a pretty great job, Ma." Jane says as she wraps an arm around Angela.
"Thanks Janie. And you don't have to make a decision right now. I mean there is a chance he could have family to take him. But for Maura's sake at least think about it and maybe talk about it with her. It's a big decision to make and maybe Maura may be thinking a little too much with her heart, but sometimes that's the right way to go. Just keep an open mind." She advises while kissing Jane on the forehead.
"I'll try." Jane sighs.
"Good. I've got to go back to work." She says before releasing her daughter. "Remember what I said. And remember I'm here. It takes a village, after all."
"Yeah, yeah. Love you Ma."
"Love you too Janie." She responds as the elevator doors close.
She waits another fifteen minutes before the office door opens and the two women emerge, Aaron distracted again by the phone.
"Well that should about do it for my paperwork." Andrea says as soon as they join Jane.
"And what about Aaron?" Maura asks.
"Well it's not normal for DCS to make decisions like the one I'm about to make, but since it isn't permanent and no legal action is currently required, I feel it's a safe choice that he stays with you, especially with you being a doctor and Jane being of the law. Aaron seems to have taken a liking to you Dr. Isles. He thinks of you as his protector and trusts you and I'm not willing to send him to a temporary home where he may withdraw any more than he already has. I think it is safe to suggest he stay with you until the future dictates further action. That is, only if you feel comfortable."
"Of course." Maura responds a little too quickly.
"Perfect, I'll need to check in on you guys tomorrow. Jane, I'll need updates on any new pertinent info to this case including the status on the whereabouts of his aunt and his mother's current status as a person of interest in this case." She says to the now paling brunette.
"Absolutely." She stammers.
"Alright. I'll leave you two ladies to lunch and show myself out." She says while walking towards the elevator, but not before sending Jane a quick wink.
Jane just sits there a moment in shock. This is what she asked for but she didn't really think Andrea would agree.
"Did your mom bring lunch?" Maura asks, breaking her out of her stupor.
"Uh yeah. I'll go grab it." She says before rushing out of the room. She grabs the cartons and is about to go back into the room until Maura emerges and walks up to her.
"Jane I just want to make sure you're okay with this. I mean it's our house and it's as much your decision as mine." Maura explains softly.
Jane steps closer and gently caresses Maura's cheek. "I'm fine Maur. Just a little stunned but we'll figure everything out. I trust you."
Maura's about to respond when Jane's phone goes off.
"Damn this thing has been going off all day." She growls. "I'm sorry Maur, I'm gonna have to take my lunch to go." She explains before kissing Maura hurriedly. "You should head home early and get Aaron settled. I'll have Frost or Frankie stop by his house and grab a few things for him."
"Okay. I love you." She says to the retreating brunette. She sighs as she walks over to grab the lunches and goes back into the office to eat with Aaron.
"What did you need Frost?" Jane asks as she enters the bullpen.
"Got your suspect in the interrogation room. Do you wanna take this one?" He asks.
"I'm not really feeling it today. You and Frankie take this one. I'll watch while I eat my lunch." She says ignoring the confused stare Frost gives her.
She's only halfway through her lunch as the interrogation comes to a close. Janice had a solid alibi working the graveyard shift at a 24 hour diner in downtown Boston. She emerges thoroughly pissed off, followed by Frost and Frankie who are clearly annoyed by the woman's attitude and the fact that they're now back to no suspects.
"Oh and I'd like to have my son home as soon as possible. Where is he?" She demands.
"Sorry ma'am, he's a ward of the state until this investigation is closed." Frost tells her, a hint of smugness in his voice.
"Yeah, we'll see what a lawyer says about that. I'm innocent and he's my son." She shouts while Frost tries to shoo her out. "I'll have him back by this time tomorrow."
"Of course you will ma'am." He drawls as he finally gets her out of the office. "What a bag of nuts she was." He says to Jane after the woman is gone.
"Some people just don't deserve children." Jane sighs.
"And some people will make amazing parents." Frost replies.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jane asks.
"Nothing. We were all just a little amazed by you today with that boy." Frost shrugs. "You'd be a good mom."
"Did Maura get to you guys or something?" Jane questions.
"No, why? Is Maura asking for children?" Frost wonders.
"No, thank God. I don't know how I'd handle that right now."
"You guys aren't getting any younger, Jane. You should give it at least some thought." He suggests.
"What is it with all of you today? I can't deal with this." She groans, getting up to head out.
"Jane." Korsak calls causing her to stop mid step.
"This better be good Korsak." She growls.
"I found Aaron's aunt." He says.
"You're sure?" She asks as her temper drops.
"Tim had a sister named Lisa. She's living in New York right now." He tells her.
"Okay. So Aaron has a family member willing to take him correct?" She asks hopefully.
"If Janice is somehow not fit, yes. She's coming down tomorrow."
"Great." She cheers. "Well let's get back to trying to find some leads on this case." She commands, her attitude taking a turn for the better.
"Something we missed, Jane?" Frankie asks regarding her new mood.
"Nope. Let's ask around and see if anyone knew if the Douglas's had any enemies."
"Alright." Frankie and Frost say simultaneously. It's scary sometimes how well they work together.
"Also I need you two to head back to the crime scene and get some of Aaron's things." She asks.
"Okay. Why? Isn't that DCS's job now?" Frost questions.
"Not since his caseworker left Aaron in the care of Maura temporarily." She explains.
"Now I see why you want Lisa to take him so badly. How are you gonna break it to Maura?" Frankie asks.
"Shit. I didn't think about that." She panics.
"Yeah not so great now." Frankie jabs.
"Shut up." She barks looking down at her now buzzing phone. "Susan says she's got something. Looks like we may have another suspect."
Jane comes back fifteen minutes later with new information. "All right guys we are looking for a Daniel Perkins. Susan ran the ballistics. The same gun used in our homicide was used in an armed robbery five years ago. He was questioned but never convicted and the weapon was never found."
"Why are we just getting this now?" Frost asks.
"Maura only had time to do the autopsy with Aaron downstairs. Susan was left to run the rest of the evidence." Jane answers. "Come on Korsak, let's go pick him up. You guys stop by the crime scene." She orders.
It's 5:30 when Frost and Julia are walking out of the interrogation room with their new suspect in handcuffs. They found a handgun in the glove compartment and Susan confirmed it was the one used in the homicide.
"What kind of idiot keeps the weapon he just murdered two people with, especially a hot weapon that was still missing from a previous crime?" Jane asks Frankie as the three exit the room.
"I have no idea but it makes our jobs a heck of a lot easier." He shrugs. "Maybe he didn't think he'd ever get tied to the murder."
"I guess. Which makes me wonder why he did it. He was so confident he wouldn't be tied to a double homicide that he kept the weapon on him." She notes. "I mean, he didn't rob them. What's his motive?"
"Some people are just crazy." Frankie replies.
"I don't think so. No one just randomly goes and shoots two people." She says. "Korsak, where does this guy work?"
"A car garage on 13th." He answers.
"What are the chances he enjoys eating at a 24-hour diner just down the street?" She wonders.
"You think Janice and Daniel know each other?" Frankie questions.
"It could explain motive. She wants custody of her kid and the Douglas's have a stable home and jobs. She knows she'll never win custody so she hires someone to do something about it." Jane explains.
"You could have something." Frankie exclaims. "But Perkins isn't giving anything up."
"We're going to have to question people at the diner as to whether or not Janice knows him before we bring her back in. Maybe we can somehow play them off of each other and get one of them to confess." Korsak proposes.
"We'll have this case wrapped up by tomorrow afternoon." Jane says happily. It's not often a case is so easily closed, especially not a double homicide.
"Well, should we head out and do some interviews?" Frankie asks.
"I think you guys are going to have to do that without me. You've practically done most of this case without my help. I should go home and help Maura out." She informs them as she grabs her things to go.
When she gets home Aaron is in the living room watching some cartoons Maura must have put on for him while she makes dinner in the kitchen. It's kind of surreal for Jane to be coming home to this situation. She hopes this is what the future will be like for them.
"Do you need any help?" She asks as she walks into the kitchen.
"Sure. Set the table?"
Jane does as she's asked in record time before she's back in the kitchen next to Maura. She'll do whatever she can to prove her cooperation.
"You're back earlier than I thought you would be. What's happening with the case?" Maura wonders.
"Susan managed to get a trace on the ballistics evidence. We found who murdered Aaron's parents, we're just trying to piece together motive and see if Janice has any ties to our suspect before we decide what to do with Aaron." Jane explains.
"Why aren't you helping them?"
"I wanted to make sure you guys were good." Jane shrugs, turning to watch the boy quietly sitting on the couch enjoying TV. "I never told you how great you've been with him. He's really taken a liking to you, Maur."
"He just finds resemblance of Kathy in me. She was a mother to him." She tries to explain away.
"I don't think so, Maura. He's got good instincts and he trusts you because you're loving, gentle and trustworthy and he could sense that. Anybody could." Jane compliments earning a small smile from the blonde. "I'm sorry about today. It was hectic and just- I'm glad it's almost over."
"It's fine, Jane. I understand. A double homicide is trouble enough without finding a child." Maura pardons.
"No, you had the bulk of the work, Maura. And I wasn't very understanding." Jane insists.
"I understand. You're right, it was a hectic day and you were stressed." She excuses Jane again.
"But it's no excuse." Jane argues while stepping closer to the blonde and coaxing her to look at her. "You work so much more efficiently than I do under stress. And sometimes I become so selfish and I don't think about anyone else's feelings. I was in an awful mood, it was an awful day and then I was worried about possibly ending up with a six-year-old child. But that is no excuse. I should have been more supportive."
"Jane, I'm telling you it is okay. I'm not mad at you." She says one final time.
"You're not?"
"I was a little disappointed today in how unwilling you were to even talk about maybe the possibility of taking Aaron in-"
"But Maura, you've got to understand my panic. We haven't even discussed having a family and then all of the sudden we have a six-year-old thrust upon us. It took me a little time to warm up to the idea." She defends.
"I know. I'm not blaming you. Aaron is a special case though, after what he has been through he's going to need a lot of special care and foster care isn't going to help him. We really aren't prepared for a six-year-old but that's the only reason I considered it and I never would have made a decision without asking you. You worked so hard to avoid me today, I got a bit upset." Maura explains.
"I'm sorry Maura, I panicked. But I need you to know that I would say yes. I'd do anything to make you happy." She admits.
"What about you?" Maura asks softly.
"What about me?"
"Would it have made you happy or would you have only done it because I wanted to?" Maura clarifies.
Jane thinks a moment and Maura is sure that hesitation is her answer.
"Jane, there is a difference between compromising on what side of the bed to sleep on or who showers first in the morning or something like that. This is a huge decision that you should make because you want it too." Maura explains calmly.
"Maura I wouldn't make a decision like this if I wasn't sure about it. Whether if it's more for you than for me is irrelevant as long as I'm confident in that decision." She tries to defend herself.
"Ultimately, I don't want you to make a decision just because I want it. I'm just worried that we want different things for the future. Are you always going to compromise to make me happy despite what you really want?" She questions.
"Maura why can't you just trust me when I say that what you want is what I want?"
"Because it's not enough." She says simply. "It's not enough to keep a healthy relationship. Jane I want marriage and kids but you've said on multiple occasions that it's not what you want. I don't want to have those things with you if you're only doing it out of compromise. I know we haven't talked about this because talking to you about this stuff is like pulling teeth. But from your actions and your previous statements, how can I believe that's really what you want."
"Maura, I only acted the way I did today because I wasn't ready for a six-year-old child. That's a much bigger deal than openly deciding as a couple to have a child." She argues and she realizes maybe she hasn't chosen the right words to say as Maura's expression becomes blank and she turns away to continue finishing the meal she's been preparing.
"It doesn't matter anymore, because Aaron's aunt is willing to take him." Maura says softly.
"How did you know that?" Jane can't help but ask.
"Andrea called me to check up on Aaron." Maura tells her simply.
"I was going to tell you, Maur." Jane promises.
"It doesn't matter, Jane." She sighs, avoiding Jane's eyes that are now begging to be addressed. "It's a relief I suppose."
"Maura, can you look at me so we can talk about this? You're not being fair and hearing me out." She begs.
"Now isn't really a good time." She answers softly as she turns around to start plating the food. Her entire demeanor has changed and it doesn't take Jane long to recognize it. She's defeated and sick of the argument. Jane fears this emotion in Maura most of all because she doesn't want Maura to give up on her. To give up on them because of simple misunderstandings and stupid things Jane has said before they really meant anything.