A/N - As always a massive thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, put the story on alert or simply read. I don't know how many more chapters there are likely to be, but truthfully I can't see it being all that many left. I have a particularly busy week coming up in about 10 days time, so I'm trying to see if I can't wrap it up before then (Best laid plans and all that). I will then be concentrating on Loves labours lost - as well as the story Honorcpt and I are writing.
Again, thank you - sorry I haven't commented individually - I hate that you've taken the time to respond, but I haven't! I hope this will suffice. As usual, thanks Honorcpt for the help - and hope you all continue to enjoy. Next chapter is pretty much written - just being edited before I begin chapter 39.
Chapter thirty seven
"You told me Pierre had nothing to do with this." Jane shot an accusing look at Maura, who in turn looked affronted.
"He hasn't had anything to do with this Jane. We are only here to review the place, to see if we like it. Your mother was eager to gain our input. It was my mother who suggested this venue, and I've already told you all this."
"So why is there Barbie at the front desk?" Jane nodded in the direction of the reception area.
"She works here. Honestly Jane, you need to relax."
Jane huffed, pushing her sunglasses up onto her head, before shaking her shoulders slightly and striding up to the reception trying not to gag at the plastic doll that was facing her.
"Can I help you?" Barbie asked, the fake smile of receptionists the world over plastered on her face.
"Yeah, you can. Where's Ken?"
Confusion registered on Barbie's face."I'm sorry? Ken? You'll have to be a little more specific. Do you have a surname, room number or an extension I could call?"
"Never mind. Jane Rizzoli and Doctor Maura Isles, we have an appointment with your events manager. Mr Pendleton."
Jane internally shivered and wondered how on earth someone could do her makeup and hair in such a way they looked more like a doll than a human. Perhaps Maura might know?
"Of course." Another fake smile and teeth so white, Jane decided that they could been seen by the astronauts in the international space station. Barbie picked up a phone, talking in hushed tones as Jane's eyes began to roam the whole lobby area.
White teeth flashed again and Jane fought the urge to put her sunglasses back on. "He will be right down."
"Thank you." Maura answered, before gently pulling Jane a few steps back from the counter. "Please Jane."
Jane looked down at pleading eyes, and sighed. She pulled a finger through some hair, flicking it behind her ear. "I know... I know." Jane huffed some more. "I just - we've gotta remember my family are gonna be at our wedding and even more are gonna be at the reception, and you know what they are like. Blue collar, working class Maura. Some are more like Giovanni than I'd like to admit - We bring 'em to somewhere like this, and your Mother might never be able to visit the place again. Actually, she will be able to visit again, but it'll only be to pay for the damages and apologize!"
Maura tentatively smiled, trying not to chuckle at Jane's words, understanding her concerns. "I have thought about it as well. I know you're worried about this, so if you're not comfortable with this location, we'll just continue to look around."
Slipping her sunglasses back down onto her nose, Jane smiled. "I think we need to continue to look around."
Maura spun on her heel, and walked over to the reception, politely informing Barbie that they wouldn't require Mr Pendleton's services after all and to send their apologies. She then walked back to Jane, hooking her arm under Jane's elbow as they then walked out, Barbie's confused smile following their progress out of the lobby.
"Barbie just got taken down the Maura Isles way - bam! I do like it when you take control of a situation like that." Jane said, her smile wide.
"You like me in control?" Maura winked, "Perhaps if you're lucky you might see me taking control of another situation once we get back home."
"That would make me very lucky, and very happy." Jane smiled even more, and they quickened their pace.
She stopped dead as the phone went off on her belt just as they got back to the car.
"I told them not to call me. Dammit!" Jane muttered as she saw it was Frost trying to get hold of her. She looked across at Maura, who tipped her head slightly, showing she understood.
"They would only call you if it was important." Maura reminded Jane, as she leaned in to give her a quick kiss.
Jane sighed. "I know, but you're important Maura. This wedding is important."
"I know, but so is your job. Answer it, and we'll just have to see what he wants before we fear the worse."
"How long you think before those two get back here?" Angela asked, as she began to fill in some paperwork to confirm some of the orders for the reception.
"I don't think they will stay long." Constance admitted. "We both know Jane will find the location far too uncomfortable and pretentious, so will be pretty quick in dismissing it. I would be surprised if they even meet with Mr Pendleton, the events manager. "
"Well, so long as they give us another half hour." Angela couldn't help the smile that broke out. "It couldn't have worked out better really. Thank you for doing this for our babies."
Constance reached out a hand, lightly touching Angela's forearm. "As you say, this is for our babies. It is the least I could offer to do. It is an ideal combination of Maura and Jane's needs. When I spoke to Maura about her wishes for the wedding, she really did want to do this for Jane, but just didn't know how, and then Jane said she wanted a church wedding and proper reception so she decided it couldn't happen. She so wants Jane to be happy, but she still struggles to actually ask for things."
"Janie did that to appease me... and while I'm happy she is okay with a church..." Angela took a deep breath, "Still at least we can do this. Just wish we could have brought Maura into the plan." Angela sighed, the pen being dropped onto the sheets of paper, all now filled in. "But of course, she'll never be able to keep something like this from Jane, and would be in a constant outbreak of hives or fainting at every turn."
"It is rather unfortunate Maura has that affliction. Although I disagree, because personally, I think this will be a lovely surprise for them both. At least, by giving us control of the reception we can plan it now."
Angela nodded as she contemplated what Constance had said. "Yeah, hadn't thought of it like that. And with Maura not knowing, this way, they both have the same moment. Gonna take a bit of planning on our part though to keep it that way."
Suddenly a door banged open, and then was kicked shut.
"Tommy can you at least try and do one thing right." Angela stood up as Tommy moved into the house, the boxes he was carrying threatening to topple over, when finally something did fall from one of them. Angela picked it up with a wry smile as she thought back to the memories it held.
"Yeah, thanks Ma for helping... You didn't say there were this many boxes. Just one or two you said." Tommy replied, the usual Rizzoli sarcasm showing, as he managed to finally get the boxes safely onto the dining table without any further losses.
"Less of your smarts. I have enough with Janie, without you starting."
Tommy simply rolled his eyes as he stood back, as Angela began to attack the first of the boxes, pulling stuff out quickly.
"I don't know how you're gonna stop Janie from finding out about all this." Tommy said as he sat down. "She's gonna know something is up pretty quick."
Constance winced and stopped herself from correcting Tommy's grammar. Instead she took the items Angela was pulling out to keep and placing them in a new box they had ready. "It isn't going to be easy, but we'll just all have to refuse to answer her questions should they arise."
Tommy almost laughed, "You do know she's a detective right? She does interrogations for a living. If she wants to find out, she will."
"Then I will just tell her to stop." Angela said with a frown. "She'll have to learn to live with not knowing on this occasion. If that doesn't work, we just keep her busy with the actual wedding planning."
"Oh that's going to go down so well." Tommy muttered.
Jane stood up and paced the interrogation room, the woman sitting at the table looking bored.
"See, this is what we have as hard evidence. Evidence that can be introduced in court to nail your ass." Jane sat down opposite the woman, to be alongside Korsak who was staying in his seat, keeping quiet, allowing Jane to lead the interview.
"You can't have evidence for something I haven't done." The woman said, chewing gum with a sneer on her face. "Besides, Brad told me what killed him. Cockroaches... I mean, what the fuck? How's that murder?"
"It might not have been murder, you're right." Jane leaned forward, resting on her elbows. "But you see, we have a great medical examiner. One of the best in the whole country, and she said that the cockroaches caused an allergic reaction. One that is pretty much identical as shellfish allergies. But you knew all this, because you did the search on the computer." Jane finally opened the manila file on the table, putting paperwork out in front of her. "We tracked the history, saw that a search for cockroach, allergies and shellfish was done."
"So, a few people used the computer, doesn't mean shit."
"You're right, it doesn't mean shit." Korsak came into the interrogation. "That's where the supplier of the cockroaches comes in. You can't just trap a few cockroaches at home and hope. There are got through specialist suppliers, and they also keep records." Korsak pointed to pile of paper Jane had pulled. "You bought the cockroaches."
"What if I did?" The sneer on her face intensified.
"Nothing, in itself. But see, we've been doing this job a long time now, and we don't just ask who bought stuff, but was there anything said? Any thing else that might be important, and guess what; this time there was something else." Korsak leaned in, deliberately pushing the personal space. "We were told you said you had told your boyfriend all about this competition, and wanted to buy some cockroaches so he could practice. That they were a surprise." Korsak finally leaned back.
Jane took up the rest, "So, that leads us to ask the question why did you kill Tony? You see, juries like to know not just the how, but they also love it if we can give the why. And the why is your affair with his brother - Brad. Brad and Tony's sister Brenda, was the first one to tell us about the affair, and Brad, well, he's already admitted to his part in all this, and has told us it was all your idea..."
Jane swept a hand through her hair as she watched a uniformed officer lead the two people who had just been arrested on the case.
"Nearly always the family or significant other. I will never understand how someone can kill just so they can be with the sibling or whomever it is they are having an affair with. For fucks sake, just break up with whoever you're with." Frost said as he stood alongside Jane and Korsak.
"Guess it wasn't such a difficult case after all old man." Jane said, her tone teasing.
"Told ya." Korsak sounded smug. "And less of the old. So, down to The Robber to celebrate?"
"Whatever you're old, and nope, I'm outta here. Maura and I have plans and they sure as hell don't include you two."
Jane walked off, ignoring the whistles and hollers from Frost and Korsak, a smile on her face.
"Ma!" Jane walked through the door into the house and stopped dead in her tracks.
Maura, not realizing Jane had stopped barreled into her back, grabbing her hips, almost sending them both to the floor but for Jane being able to replant her feet quickly.
"Jane?" Maura peered around Jane's body and gasped.
"This is not happening." Jane straightened right up to her full height, anger already starting to mount. A hand came out and was placed firmly in her lower back, before Maura pressed her whole front into Jane's back tightly, another arm snaking around her waist.
"Jane." This time Maura's voice was soft, trying to calm the irate woman in front of her. "Jane, you need to stay calm."
Jane turned enough to look at Maura, her disbelief showing. "You're telling me you're okay with this?"
"No, but you have to try and stay calm." Maura reiterated as she then moved to be alongside Jane, still with one arm around her waist, holding them together, not wanting to risk letting Jane go.
"It's the fucking Mutant Ninja Turtles Maur... It makes my little pony look... normal..." Jane was still stunned as her eyes drifted to the house and what was now inside it. "Seriously, this can't be happening." Jane blinked rapidly, hoping it would change the view, even though she knew it wouldn't.
Angela walked towards the two women. "What, don't you like it? You can even get pizza this way cos it would be in with the theme. Pierre suggested it when we were looking at ideas and possible motifs we could use."
Jane's eyebrows virtually hit her hairline. "Like it? Pierre suggested it? That's it, he's dead and Ma, what in god's name are you thinking? Seriously - are you high? Or have you got early dementia? And Maura, please, no spouting facts about early dementia."
Maura mouth snapped shut quicker than well... a snapping turtle. There was a time and a place, and she knew this was not the time nor place.
Angela spun around, picking something up from the table. "But look Janie, I found your old costume, Raphael wasn't it? Because you always wanted to be the bad one of the turtles."
"Ma I was what, seven, eight years old when I wore that?!" Jane almost shouted, taking a step forward, her fists bunched at her sides.
"Raphael, Raph for short, is the most impatient, aggressive and hot headed of the turtles. He has an extremely short temper and displays considerable joy in combat, genuinely enjoying life threatening situations where he can prove his skill. Even today as an adult, the choice does seem rather apt Jane."
Jane spun around, eyes wide. "Really! Really?! Of all the times, now is when you display your knowledge on pop culture?"
"But it'll tie in with Maura having a turtle." Angela spoke up, ignoring Jane's reaction to Maura. Jane spun back around to face her mother.
"Bass is a tortoise Ma! An. African. Spurred. Tortoise. to be precise. For fucks sake."
"Aww Jane, you really do know he isn't a turtle, that's so cute."
Jane turned - again - trying not to get dizzy, her glare fixed back on Maura, who had a hand up on her chest, a dreamy expression on her face. "Maur, not the time."
Maura's face fell, as did her hand. Jane meanwhile failed to see it happen, as she had turned back towards her mother.
"Ma, you better get rid of this stuff now, or so help me I will be lighting a fire in the back yard using all of this, my old costume included, open burning laws be damned!"
"You do not get to talk to me like that." Angela straightened up, and walked towards Jane, the costume dangling from her fingertips, and she then threw it at Jane, who wasn't quick enough, and it caught her right in the face, before falling to the floor in a crumpled heap. "Take the costume then and I'll be in the guesthouse with Constance going through various menus when you decide you will use this theme for the reception. Pizza will happen one way or another."
Jane could only stand there in stunned disbelief.
Jane sat down, having not uttered a word since Angela had left. She stuffed the costume down on the table where she was sitting, and then pulled the box that was also on the table towards her.
"Jane?" Maura sat alongside Jane, worry on her face and in her tone.
"Just... It won't happen, don't worry but man, I didn't think she'd managed to keep all this stuff after the house was sold." Jane looked up from the picture she'd pulled from the top of the box, unable to stop the wry smile. "This is me as Raph."
Maura took the offered photograph, slightly yellow with age, and smiled. "You look..."
A warning finger came up. "Don't you dare say cute."
"I was going to say you look strong, dashing, even as a child."
Jane shook her head with a smile and a look of thanks at Maura for saying the right thing. "Ma couldn't be serious about all this could she?" Her forehead creased in a frown as she looked at the decorations scattered around them.
"I think she might have been thinking for much later in the evening, once the formalities have finished." Maura shrugged, "I cannot believe she would consider this as being acceptable for the reception as a whole. Besides, Mother would never allow it."
"You still believe Constance actually has a say in all this don't you."
"I have to hope she does."
Jane began rummaging through the box more, slowly pulling out various bits from her childhood. She shook her head and chuckled as she found another picture, which she gave to Maura. "Frankie, just after I got him with the hose in the back yard one summer."
Maura laughed at the wet looking Frankie, who looked very bedraggled, his hair flopping down across his eyes, water obviously dripping off his clothes. She carefully put it back on the table, before taking hold of Jane's one hand.
"I love that you had the childhood you did." Maura admitted softly.
"Yeah, fat lot of good it's doing us now. Pop has disowned us all and effectively called us all bastards, Ma - well less said about her at the moment the better - and Tommy has a kid, that could just as easily been my half brother. We're kinda fucked up Maura; sure you still want in?"
Maura leaned in, kissing Jane soundly. "More than ever." Maura said quietly as she pulled away, only far enough to rest her forehead against Jane's. She stood up, pulling Jane as she went. "Now, I believe we had an arrangement for when we got back."
"Oh yeah, you still want to do that?" Jane's grin widened. "After all, both our mother's are in the guesthouse and who knows where Tommy and Frankie are."
Maura moved swiftly, not only ensuring the doors were locked, but bolts and chains thrown into position as well.
"You were saying?"
Jane followed as Maura strode towards the bedroom, unconsciously licking her lips. "As I said earlier, I like it when you take control of a situation."
Maura spun around as they reached the bedroom door. "Good, then you won't mind me taking control now."
Jane didn't even have chance to squeak as Maura grabbed her by her shirt, pulling her into her body with a force that momentarily took their breath away, before lips crashed together.
"You're mad, doing this with our Mother's just outside in the guesthouse." Jane said breathlessly as Maura stole another kiss.
"Am I now? What makes you say that?" Maura asked, as she made absolutely sure the bedroom door was locked, before pushing Jane up against it.
Jane bit back the squeal as the door handle hit her lower back, as Maura pulled back slightly, before grabbing one of Jane's hands and tugged her towards the bed. "This, this makes me say it. You're reckless when you're horny as hell." Jane finally answered as her senses hit, albeit briefly.
The flirtatious smile was back that drove Jane insane. "I don't hear you complaining, and since I don't hear any complaints, I suggest you fuck me."
Jane's eyebrows lifted, as a smile broke out on her face and she pulled Maura the remaining distance to the bed, but not before she literally ripped the zip open on the dress Maura was wearing, before grabbing at it, pulling it off quickly.
"You do this to me. Or maybe it's that stunt you pulled in the morgue earlier once you got called back to work," Maura said breathlessly, and at Jane's expression of feigned innocence, Maura tugged at Jane's shirt and then pants and all other remaining clothes, the urgency showing in both women, so finally they were both naked, "the one where your hand wandered up my thigh when we were kissing."
"Stunt? I don't pull stunts." Jane tried to look appalled and failed. "You were trembling so I decided to hug you, and when that failed I patted you on the leg to reassure you… my fingers just fell in that position..." Before she could finish the sentence her self-control slipped and Jane giggled and then automatically looked around to make sure no-one else had heard her. It was enough to bring another self satisfied smile to Maura's face.
"A hand... that... Oh god, don't stop...slipped up and under my dress. Physically impossible Jane."
Maura closed her eyes, taking the opportunity to simply listen to Jane's ragged breathing. It was a sound she could never get enough of. Maura had never realized just what she had needed in her life until Jane had come into it. Admittedly, they took a long time to become more than mere acquaintances at work. Initially, just seeing each other at fleeting moments at the precinct, before Jane was promoted to Homicide. Even then, it had taken far longer for the friendship to develop. It had been Hoyt's attempt at Jane in the damp basement the first time that began to build their friendship, for it only to deepen the second time he tried to kill Jane on his escape. Maura often wondered if she would have ever escaped the man made prison she had been confined in, but for Jane and the Rizzoli family.
"Maura." A soft caress of fingertips on the cheek brought Maura out of her musing. She smiled as her eyes opened slowly.
"I'm okay." Maura was quick to reassure, seeing the question in Jane's worried eyes. She moved to twist her own fingertips with Janes, keeping them against the skin of her cheek, leaning in ever so slightly to the sensation. "I'm more than okay."