Rizzoli & Isles:

Chapter 37

"Stories My Ma Told Me"

A/N: Well, let me first start by saying thank you for those who sent concerning messages in your reviews, I'm fine. I've just been very distracted these past two months, to update this story. Sorry. It sucks when you kind of have to share your time between hobbies and activities. Something always get thrown to the side. But, I'm back.

So here's the next update...

BPD – DRUG UNIT – DAY

Jane is sitting at her desk, typing up a report. She seems bothered and perplexed by what she's typing up in the report.

This is her first week back on the job, and already her first case back, is making her wish she was still out on sick leave.

She grabs a small zip-block bag of what looks like gummy bears, and another bag of sorted candy that's sitting on her desk. She examines them thoroughly. She then goes back to her computer and types in the descriptions of the 'candy' in her report.

Frankie, dressed in his uniform, breezes in the squad room, and plops down in a chair next to Jane's desk.

FRANKIE: "Hey."

Jane breaks away from her computer screen to look at Frankie.

JANE: "Hey. What's up?"

FRANKIE: "Got your police report from Officer Davis."

Frankie hands it to Jane.

JANE: (Distracted) "Oh. Yeah. Thanks."

Frankie notices that Jane is bothered by something.

FRANKIE: "Everything okay?"

Jane looks at him and sighs frustratingly.

JANE: "Nah. Not with this case. No."

Frankie looks down, understandingly.

FRANKIE: "Yeah. I heard. It sucks."

Frankie than turns his attention to the bags of candy on Jane's desk.

FRANKIE: "So, these gummy bears are the ones that are laced with drugs?"

Frankie grabs the bag of gummy bears and examines them through the bag.

JANE: (Leans back in her chair) "Mm-hmm. We're not sure what drugs though. The tox report isn't back from the hospital yet. The crime lab still has to run tests on them."

FRANKIE: "So, where did this candy come from?"

JANE: "That's what we have to figure out. Apparently, this teenager goes to a party, brings home this 'candy,' and his younger brother finds it, and consumes it. And now, this kid is in the ICU, fighting for his life. All because his older brother was stupid enough to be around this shit in the first place. I mean… fuck, what is this world coming to?"

Jane shakes her head.

FRANKIE: "Wow. And it looks like real gummy bears too."

JANE: (Scoffs) "I think that was the point. Ugh, I picked the wrong week to come back."

Jane goes back to her computer. Typing along.

FRANKIE: (Rises from his chair) "So, you wanna have lunch today? My treat."

Jane looks up at Frankie, uncertain.

JANE: "Uh. Nah. Imma try to finish up here. Raincheck?"

FRANKIE: "Yeah. Sure. If you want, I could go grab you something, and bring it back."

Jane waves him off.

JANE: "Nah. That's alright. But, thanks anyways."

FRANKIE: "Alright. Well, call me, if you need anything."

JANE: (Smiles) "I will. Thanks Frankie."

FRANKIE: "Okay. See ya."

JANE: "See ya."

Frankie walks away, and out of the squad room. Meanwhile, Jane goes back to finishing up her report.

JAMES' SCHOOL – CAFETERIA – NOON

James and Josh exit the food line with their lunch trays. They make their way to their usual table, talking away.

JAMES: "So, I have to tryout?"

JOSH: "It's not that hard. Usually it's the same guys who tryout every year, and they make it. I mean, you have to be really, really bad at baseball, to not make the team."

James thinks about it. Still wary about whether or not he'd make the little league team.

As they make their way to their table, James pauses a bit, seeing Gavin messing around, picking on other kids at their table.

Josh sees James' pause, and immediately looks over at his POV. He sees Gavin swipe some other kid's ice-cream from his tray. And messes with his stuff, ultimately irritating the kid to fight back.

JAMES: "Can we sit somewhere else?"

Josh agrees. He doesn't want to deal with Gavin either.

JOSH: "Yeah."

They each look around for somewhere to eat. That's when Josh spots a classmate he's familiar with, CHRIS HOWE, whose at a table by himself, eating alone.

JOSH: (Motions to James) "C'mon, let's go over here."

James follows Josh. As they make their way over to Chris' table.

JOSH: (To Chris) "Hey, Chris. Can we sit with you?"

Chris looks up at them, truly surprised.

CHRIS: "Uh… Yeah. Sure."

They place their food trays on the table, and sit across from Chris.

JOSH: "Cool. Thanks, man."

JAMES: "I'm James by the way."

CHRIS: "Chris."

They each nod at the acknowledgements.

JOSH: "James is new here. He's thinking of trying out for the little league team."

CHRIS: (Down) "I'm not going to play this year."

JOSH: (Surprised) "Why not?"

CHRIS: "My parents can't afford to let me play."

JOSH: (Disappointed) "Oh."

JAMES: "How much is it to play?"

JOSH: "About a hundred and twenty."

JAMES: (Stunned) "Dollars?"

Josh and Chris nod.

JOSH: "It's supposed to pay for our uniforms and everything. Or we could get sponsors to pay for it. But, we never do."

James than notices that Chris is eating some chips out of a sandwich bag. While not touching his homemade sandwich at all, that's just sitting on his brown paper bag.

JAMES: (Trying to make small talk) "What kind of sandwich do you have?"

CHRIS: (Disgusted) "Bologna."

Josh is also disgusted.

JOSH: "Just bologna?"

CHRIS: (Nods) "With mayo."

Josh makes an even more disgusted face.

JAMES: "I've never had bologna. Is it really that bad?"

Both Josh and Chris nod in unison.

CHRIS: "I hate bologna."

JAMES: "So, why does your mom make you a bologna sandwich, if you don't like them?"

Chris shrugs, sheepishly.

CHRIS: "Probably, because my brother does."

JOSH: "You know, you can just eat the food here. It's not that bad."

JAMES: (Agreeing) "Yeah."

CHRIS: "My parents can't afford it. They can only give me and my brother five dollars a week for lunch now. Since my dad lost his job, and my mom doesn't make that much at the store."

This saddens both Josh and James.

But, before either can say or do anything, Chris starts gathering up his things in a rush to leave. Feeling embarrassed about being too poor to afford his own lunch.

CHRIS: "I gotta go." [Quickly rises] "See ya."

James can't help, but feel this sudden surge come over him, to do something. Anything, to make the situation better.

So he just goes with the first thing that pops into his head.

He turns, and rises from his seat, and goes after Chris. Stopping him from leaving.

JAMES: "Hey, Chris."

Chris stops and turns towards James.

JAMES: "You can have my lunch, if you want."

CHRIS: (Surprised) "What?"

JAMES: "Or we could share it. I'm not that hungry. So, it's cool, you can have it."

James says with a kind smile.

CHRIS: "No, that's okay."

Chris waves him off, not wanting his pity.

JAMES: "But…"

Chris turns and walks away. James feels even worse, for not being able to help the situation. But instead, felt he made it worse.

He sees Chris walk up to a trash can, and chuck his uneaten sandwich into the trash, and leaves the cafeteria.

James looks helplessly after.

JAMES: "Damn."

He then turns and heads back to his seat.

BPD HEADQUARTERS – FORENSICS LAB – SAME TIME

Jane enters the forensics lab, carrying in the candy in evidence bags for testing.

JANE: "Hey, Sam."

Jane calls out to one of the lab techs.

SAM: "Hi, Detective Rizzoli. What can I do for you?"

Jane places the evidence bags on the table counter.

JANE: "I need you to run tests on this candy. We believe it's made from drugs. We need to know what kind? So, do your magic."

SAM: (Looks at the candy) "Gummy bears?"

Jane nods.

JANE: "And don't forget about this other questionable candy."

SAM: "Alright. We should have the results to you shortly."

JANE: "Thanks."

Jane looks across the hall at the Morgue.

JANE: "Uh. Is Dr. Isles in?"

Sam takes a glance across the hallway as well.

SAM: "Uh… She should be. I didn't see her leave for lunch yet."

JANE: "Alright. Thanks."

Sam returns to work, as Jane leaves the lab, and walks down the small hallway towards Maura's office. She peeks into the closed door window, and sees Maura sitting at her desk, talking on her office phone.

Jane decides to let her be, and heads towards the elevator to head on back upstairs.

Meanwhile, back in Maura's office…

Maura's sits at her desk, in deep conversation over the phone.

MAURA: (On the phone) "No. I don't think we'll be able to make it out this year."

FEMALE VOICE: (Through the phone's receiver) "Why not? Is it because of James? Will he be stuck at school?"

MAURA: "No, it has nothing to do with James' academic scheduling."

FEMALE VOICE: "Then what is it? I haven't seen you two in so long. You didn't come over for the Holidays, like we've planned. And I don't hear from you for a while. And now this. I'm starting to think that you're avoiding me."

MAURA: (Sighs heavily) "No Mother, it's not that. It's just, James and I want to celebrate Mother's Day here, in the states."

CONSTANCE: (Upbeat) "Than, I have good news for you. This year I've decided to change things up. I'm having a gathering at a friend's cottage in Hyannis. You remember Helen Palmar, my colleague from Harvard?"

Maura leans back in her chair, and rubs her forehead in frustration.

MAURA: "Yes. Yes I do."

CONSTANCE: "Good. Well, she's lending me her cottage for that weekend, and all you have to do is drive down there. Or I could send you a chauffeur to come and get you and James. So that way you don't have to stress about the travel. How's that sound?"

Maura was at a loss for words. She had no idea what to do. She really wasn't looking forward to spending Mother's Day with her mother. Especially with Jane now in the picture. She wanted to spend the holiday with Jane, since it would be their first together. How would she tell her?

MAURA: "Uh… Well, mother, that sounds ideal. But, I'm still not sure if we can make it out there this year."

Maura could hear her mother's heavy, frustrated sigh on the other end of the phone. And it tore into her, like a dagger.

MAURA: "Mother. It's not that I don't wanna spend time with you. It's not that. But…"

CONSTANCE: "But what, Darling?"

MAURA: (Sighs) "I want to celebrate Mother's Day with James. And with some of my colleagues here at work, with whom I've grown fond of. And James… I'm not sure he'd want to go, and…"

CONSTANCE: "But, Darling, you're my daughter. And I would like to see you, and spend some time with you and James. I feel like I haven't seen you in years."

MAURA: (Down) "I understand, but…" [Sighs again, not liking the direction of this conversation] "Um…" [Looks at the wall clock] "Mother, I'm at work right now."

CONSTANCE: (Sighs frustratingly) "Fine. I understand. But, will you please think about this. I want to see you Maura."

MAURA: (Moved by her mother's words) "Yes. I'll uh… I'll talk to you later about this. Okay?"

CONSTANCE: (In French) "Je vous aime, Maura." [TRANSLATION: "I love you, Maura."]

MAURA: (Responds in French) "Moi aussi. Parles-vous bientôt. Au revoir." [TRANSLATION: "Me too. Speak to you soon. Bye."]

Maura hung up. Feeling terrible for how that conversation went. She then reached over and picked up a framed picture of her with Jane and James. Smiling sadly at the photo, feeling that her mother would again, not approve of her life choices, if she knew the truth about Jane.

RIZZOLI HOUSEHOLD – DUSK

Jane enters the front door.

JANE: (Shouts out) "HEY!"

ANGELA: (From the kitchen) "JANE IS THAT YOU!?"

JANE: "No, it's just a random stranger, entering your house."

Jane moves towards the dining room area. Where she finds James sitting at the table, doing his homework.

She goes up to him, and kisses the top of his head.

JANE: "Hey, Jamie."

JAMES: "Hi."

JANE: "Doing homework I see?"

James nods.

JANE: (Ruffles his hair) "Good boy."

Jane heads into the kitchen to greet her mother.

JANE: "Hey mom."

She walks up and kisses her mother on the cheek.

ANGELA: "Hello, baby. How was work?"

Jane leans against the counter.

JANE: "Ugh. Don't ask."

ANGELA: "Why, what happened? Did someone die?"

JANE: "No, not yet at least. Man, I can't wait to transfer to another unit."

ANGELA: "I told you. It's still not too late to switch careers."

JANE: "I'm not quitting, Ma. I just can't believe the things we see in our job, that's all. I mean, how can people be so stupid enough to mess up their lives with drugs?"

ANGELA: "They're probably not stupid, Jane. They're just… misguided. Like your brother, Tommy."

Jane tilts her head, agreeing.

JANE: "How is Tommy doing anyways?"

ANGELA: "Oh, he's fine. Still working with your father. Thank God."

JANE: "Good. I'm glad."

ANGELA: (Heads towards the refrigerator) "So, are you and James going to join us for dinner?"

JANE: "No. I don't think so. Maura hasn't told me anything about working late today. So… We'll probably eat at her place."

ANGELA: "Okay."

Angela grabs some vegetables out of the fridge and heads over to the counter.

ANGELA: "Did you at least get to eat today?"

JANE: "What's that supposed to mean?"

ANGELA: (Pulls out the cutting board) "Frankie told me you didn't eat lunch today."

JANE: (Rolls her eyes) "Ugh, really? Just because I don't have lunch with Frankie, that automatically means, I didn't have lunch at all?"

ANGELA: "So what did you eat?"

JANE: (Stuttering) "Just… some stuff. In the lunch room."

ANGELA: "You mean, from the vending machines?"

JANE: (Annoyed) "Ma, I had a really long day. I don't need this."

Jane exits the kitchen, and plumps down in a chair at the dining room table, across from James.

ANGELA: (From the kitchen) "I'll make you a salad!"

JANE: "MA! I'm not eating that! I'll eat at Maura's."

James meanwhile, reaches into a small pocket of his backpack, and pulls out a bag of gummy bears, and eats from it; while doing his homework.

This startles Jane.

JANE: (Pointing to the gummy bears' bag) "Where did you get that?"

James looks up at Jane, fearing he's being scolded.

JAMES: (Nervously) "At the student store at school."

Jane reaches out, and grabs the gummy bears. She examines the packaging. And looks inside to see what they look like. She's surprised to find that the gummy bears she confiscated at work, look exactly like the ones in James' bag.

JANE: "Huh." [To James, while sniffing inside the bag] "Do they taste any different?"

James looks on confused.

JAMES: "Different? How?"

JANE: "Nevermind." [Hands him back his gummy bears] "You shouldn't be eating those anyways."

JAMES: "How come?"

JANE: "They're bad for you."

James just rolls his eyes, as he continues consuming them.

Just then, Angela comes into the room, with a small plate of salad. And places it on the table in front of Jane.

JANE: "Ma, I said I didn't want a salad."

ANGELA: "It's just a little one, Jane. You could use a healthy snack every once in a while."

James chuckles.

JANE: (Forces a smile) "Thanks, Ma."

ANGELA: "Your welcome, sweetie."

After Angela leaves the room…

Jane turns to James.

JANE: "Hey. I'll trade you for those gummy bears."

James just smiles, as he shakes his head at her. He goes back to doing his homework, and eating his gummy bears.

Leaving Jane with no choice, but to eat her salad.

MAURA'S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – LATER

Maura's at the table, pulling out takeout containers from a bag onto the table. While, Jane stands by, slicing up the loaf of French bread that Maura also bought.

MAURA: "I hope these sides are okay. They didn't have the potato salad you like. So I got you macaroni salad instead. Is that okay?"

JANE: "Yeah. That's fine. Thanks."

Maura smiles.

James comes in with a stack of plates for all of them. And places them on table, and sits down.

Jane then works on cutting up the roasted chicken, as Maura heads to the kitchen for their drinks.

JANE: (To James) "What piece do you want James?"

James hold out his plate.

JAMES: "I want a leg."

Jane cuts a leg off the whole chicken, and places it on James' plate.

JAMES: "Thank you."

JANE: "Mm-hmm."

Maura comes back into the room, with a wine glass and a bottle of wine in one hand, and Jane's beer in the other.

MAURA: (To James) "Honey, what drink do you want?"

JAMES: "I'll go get it."

James happily leaves the table to go fetch his drink.

Maura and Jane sit down at the table, passing food to each other.

MAURA: "Do you want some salad?"

Jane stares at the leafy filled container.

JANE: "No. I already had a salad 'forced' on me today."

MAURA: "Your mother?"

JANE: "Mm-hmm."

Maura feels like she has to get something off her chest.

MAURA: "Speaking of mothers… My mother called today."

JANE: (Wary) "She did?" [Maura nods] "And…?"

James reappears in the room, with his drink in hand, and sits down at his spot at the table.

Maura now feels nervous about discussing this in front of James.

MAURA: "We'll talk about this later."

JAMES: "Talk about what?"

James asks, wondering if the conversation is about him.

MAURA: (Shakes her head at James) "Oh, no honey, it's nothing bad. I promise."

James still looks wary.

MAURA: "Eat your food." [Sees Jane's wary look on her face too] "You too."

Maura continues eating as if nothing is wrong. But, Jane and James have a feeling that something is going on.

JANE: (To James) "So James, how was school today?"

Jane asks, trying lighten up the mood in the room.

James shrugs.

JAMES: "Okay, I guess."

JANE: "Really? Just okay?"

James nods, as he continues eating. Not wanting to talk about his encounter with Chris.

JANE: "Well, work sucked for me."

MAURA: (Looks at Jane seriously) "The Miller case?"

JANE: "Yeah. Who knew drugs could be made into candy."

JAMES: "They can?"

JANE: "Yes. And that's why I don't want you excepting any candy from anyone at school. Okay?"

MAURA: "Jane."

Maura says, thinking that Jane is taking this too far.

JANE: "What? He has to know that this stuff exists. And that there are bad things out there, that may seem innocent — like candy. But it's not, okay?" [To James] "Just look out for these things okay?"

JAMES: (Nods) "Okay."

James says, still unsure about the whole situation.

JANE: (Satisfied) "Alright."

Maura decides to put in her two cents.

MAURA: (To James) "Just make sure that the packaging and labels are correct. And don't except any candy or food that doesn't come pre-sealed or pre-packaged by the manufacture."

Maura says with a reassuring smile.

JAMES: (Still feeling awkward) "Okay."

Jane sees her son's pout expression. She soon puts her fork down, and rubs her face tiredly. Feeling bad for going after him like that.

JANE: "James… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that. I'm just worried. This case has… really gotten to me. Just be careful out there, okay? I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

James nods his understanding.

JAMES: "M'kay."

He says, feeling a little bit better. Knowing that he's not being attacked for no reason.

They all return to eating.

LIVING ROOM – LATER

Jane plumps down on the living room couch, next to Maura.

JANE: "So, James is up in his room. Now we're all alone. So, do you wanna tell me what's up with you and your mother?"

Maura turns towards Jane. And takes a deep breath before starting.

MAURA: "Like I said earlier, my mother called. And she wants James and I to go spend Mother's Day with her in Hyannis."

This catches Jane off guard.

JANE: "Oh."

MAURA: (Sensing Jane's disappointment) "Yeah."

JANE: "Okay. So, you're going to go?"

MAURA: "I don't know. She wants us to come. She practically begged for us to come. She said she's borrowing a cottage from a friend for us. And knowing her, she's got some big party all planned out for that weekend." [Short pause, Sadly] "But… I want to spend Mother's Day with you."

JANE: "Well, yeah. I wanna spend it with you too. But, I can't go with you guys. Ma would kill me if I miss out on her annual Mother's Day barbecue."

Maura nods sadly.

Jane frowns, knowing that they'll be apart on such a special day for both of them.

MAURA: "Maybe I won't go."

JANE: "What? No. Maura, you should go. I don't wanna be the cause of a rift between you and your mother."

MAURA: "But, she's not my mother, Jane. She stopped being my mother once James arrived."

Jane feels for Maura.

JANE: "But she still cares about you, right? I mean, she cares about you enough to call you and such. And she's going out of her way to plan this Mother's Day get-together with you and James."

Maura looks on. Knowing that there's some truth to that.

JANE: "Look, Maura, I don't know your mother. Or the relationship you now have with her. So, the decisions are yours. But, she's still your mother, Maura. And it seems like she's trying to be close to you again. I mean, she's invited you and James to spend all the holidays with her, right? I mean, didn't she invite you guys over for Christmas last year?"

Maura nods.

JANE: "See? So you can't say that she doesn't care. I mean, yes, she probably wasn't supportive in the beginning, when James was born. But, it seems like she's now trying to repair that. I mean, it's just one day out of the year."

Jane reaches out and holds Maura's hand in hers.

JANE: (Cont.) "Everything is going to be okay."

MAURA: (Touched) "Thank you."

Jane leans over and kisses Maura.

JANE: "You know, I'm always here for you. Always. And we could celebrate Mother's Day on a different day. Just the three of us. We don't have to celebrate it on the actual day. Considering that we both have to be in two different places on that day. So… Don't stress about it, okay? Please."

Maura thinks it over. And nods.

MAURA: "You sure it doesn't bother you?"

JANE: "Well… It does. But, it's not in our control, right? You have to be with your mother, and I have to be with mine. God willing."

They share a laugh.

MAURA: (Seeing that Jane's right) "Thank you."

JANE: "Feel better?"

MAURA: (Sighs in relief) "Yes. Much."

They lean in and share another loving kiss. As they each scoot closer together, and cuddle on the couch.

JAMES' SCHOOL – CAFETERIA – LUNCH TIME

James is once again looking for somewhere for him and Josh to eat at. He paces around the lunch room, looking at the various tables. He then spots Chris, once again sitting at one of the tables, relatively by himself.

James' first instinct is to pass on sitting with him, due to what happened yesterday. But, James can't help but feel badly for him. And he wants to make it right.

He takes a quick glance down at his tray full of food. And decides to cross over towards Chris' table.

JAMES: (Shyly) "Hey."

Chris looks up at James. And sighs annoyingly. He doesn't want to deal with him again.

Chris soon starts gathering up his things, and prepares to leave.

JAMES: "Wait. I don't wanna cause trouble. I just wanna apologize to you."

Chris pauses, and looks at James intensely.

JAMES: (Sighs) "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad yesterday. I was just trying to help. I know what it's like to not have much."

Chris looks skeptical at James.

CHRIS: "You're rich. How do you know what I'm going through?"

Chris is ready to leave again.

JAMES: (Losing his cool) "I'm not rich. Yes, we have money. But it wasn't always like that. I was poor once."

CHRIS: "You poor? Do you even know what 'poor' means?"

James quickly places his food tray on the table, and sits down, across from Chris.

JAMES: (Adamant) "I lived in Africa once. And we didn't have hardly anything."

Chris stares at James in disbelief. He thinks James is lying.

JAMES: "I did! My mom took me down there, so that she could help the people there. We stayed in a small village, living in a small, dirty hut. We didn't have barley anything. Because mom would give most of our stuff away to the people that needed it."

Chris listens on, as James continued on with the story. Even though, he's not sure if he should buy James' story or not.

JAMES: (Cont.) "My mom used to get mad at me, when I didn't want to give our stuff away. She told me to be charitable; that we were there to help people. And that the people need our stuff more than we did. She told me, that I would meet people, who may go hungry, because they don't have money for food. Which a lot of people in Africa didn't have. And some of them got sick and died."

Chris looks on sadly.

JAMES: "So, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. I didn't mean to. I just didn't want you to go hungry like those people in Africa."

Chris stares on at James skeptically, thinking, 'Is this kid for real?'

That's when Josh comes over, and sits next to James. He greets both James and Chris, as he sits.

JOSH: "What's going on?"

James shakes his head.

CHRIS: (To Josh, seriously) "Did you know that James was poor once, living in Africa?"

Chris asks, wanting to know if there's some truth to James' story.

JOSH: (Without thinking about it) "Yeah. He and his mom lived there for a while a few years back. Why?"

CHRIS: "Was he poor?"

JOSH: "Oh, you mean when his mom gave away all their stuff? And everyone thought that she was crazy."

Josh chuckles out, remembering the story James told him.

That's when Chris nods. Seeing that there's some truth to what James was saying. And he accepts James apology.

James looks down at Chris' brown lunch paper bag.

JAMES: (Presents his tray to Chris) "Hey, you wanna trade?"

Chris looks at him surprised.

CHRIS: "Trade?"

JAMES: "Trade your lunch for mine?"

James offers happily. Doing the exact thing that Jane had done to him with her salad the day before.

CHRIS: (Unsure) "It's a bologna sandwich. You won't like it."

JAMES: "I never had one, so I don't know if I'll like it or not."

James moves his food tray closer to Chris. Josh sees this, and grabs an ice cream off his own tray, and presents it to Chris as well.

JOSH: "Yeah. Here, take my ice cream too."

Chris is overwhelmed by their generosity. But he's still too proud to take it.

CHRIS: "Nah, it's okay." [Offended] "I don't want your charity."

JAMES: "But aren't you hungry?"

Chris shakes his head at them. As he rises from his seat, ready to bolt again.

JOSH: (Annoyed) "C'mon, just switch with him. You know, you want to. It's not like you're going to eat that sandwich anyways."

Chris looks down at the paper bag in his hand. And then at James' food tray, tempted to accept it. Feeling his stomach clench and rumble, wanting food. He then looks at James, giving him a last "are you sure" look.

Both of them nod, and James gives him a "yeah, go ahead."

Chris sits back down, and takes the food tray from James, and hands over his lunch bag to James.

CHRIS: (Happily) "Thanks"

Chris starts to attack his food, like he hasn't had food in him in a while.

James smiles, feeling proud for helping him out.

James then digs into the lunch bag, and pulls out the sandwich. He takes it out of its wrapper, and takes a bite out of it. He's soon disgusted as he tastes the plain bologna and mayo sandwich.

Josh and Chris chuckle at James.

CHRIS: "Told you."

James can't stand it, and spits the piece of sandwich out into a napkin.

JAMES: "Yuck."

JOSH: "Bad, huh?"

JAMES: (Tries to wipe his tongue down, disgusted) "Uh-huh."

He tosses the sandwich and napkin in the lunch bag.

JAMES: "Imma go buy something else."

CHRIS: "Do you wanna share this?"

James waves him off.

JAMES: "No, that's okay. I'm going to go get something."

James leaves the table, and heads back towards the cafeteria windows, to buy himself something.

BPD HEADQUARTERS – PARKING LOT – AFTERNOON

Dan's car pulls into the parking lot. Both Jane and Dan exit the car, and make their way into the Precinct.

DAN: "So, you have any plans tonight?"

JANE: "Yeah. Maura and I have someplace we have to be."

DAN: (Raises a brow, smirking) "Really?"

JANE: (Chuckles) "No, it's not like that. James' school is having a 'Parent Night' type of thing. And we have to go and meet his teachers, and they tell us how he's doing. You know."

DAN: "Oh, you mean like an Open House?"

JANE: "Yeah. Something like that."

Jane opens the door to the building, and they walk in.

JANE: "Why, what you have plan tonight?"

DAN: "Uh, nothing really. I was going to head out to the 'Robber after work. Thought that maybe you'd want to join me and hangout."

JANE: "Oh. Sorry."

DAN: "Don't worry about it. Have fun at school tonight."

JANE: (Chuckles) "Ha. Yeah, it's going to be so much fun."

Jane laughs off sarcastically.

DAN: "Alright. See ya tomorrow."

JANE: "Yeah. See ya."

They separate. And Jane makes her way towards the elevators to head down.

MAURA'S OFFICE

Jane walks into the lit room, and finds it empty. She then heads towards the morgue…

JANE: (Poking her head into the room, excitingly) "Maura, look who's here."

Maura looks up from her laptop computer at the counter, happy to see Jane.

MAURA: (Happily) "Hi."

Jane enters the room, and walks up to Maura.

JANE: "Ready to go?"

MAURA: "Sure." [Looks at her surroundings] "Just let me finish up, and change back into my clothes."

Jane looks at her admiringly, as Maura continues typing on her laptop computer. Finishing up her report.

MAURA: "Okay. I'm just about ready."

Maura finishes up her report for the day. And closes her laptop.

JANE: "Alright. I'll wait in your office, okay?"

MAURA: "Okay. I'll be out soon."

Maura and Jane share a little peck. Maura then makes her way towards the lockers to change out of her scrubs. As Jane heads back into Maura's office to wait.

After a short while, Maura makes her way back into her office, now fully clothed in her usual upscale attire, that seems a little to elegant for work.

She puts away her laptop, and arranges some paperwork. She then crosses to Jane.

MAURA: (Smiling) "I'm so excited about heading to James' school tonight. Aren't you?"

JANE: (Coyly) "Well… I'm more nervous than excited. That's for sure."

MAURA: "Really? Why?"

JANE: "I've never been to one of these. So, I hope it goes well."

MAURA: (Comforting smile) "Don't worry. I'm sure everything will go smoothly."

JANE: "Yeah."

Maura gives Jane a reassuring kiss on her lips.

JANE: "Alright. Let's go get our boy."

Jane puts her arm around Maura, guiding her out. They walk out together.

JAMES' SCHOOL – SCIENCE LAB/CLASSROOM – LATER

It's "Open House" at James' school. Where parents and guardians can visit the school, and get a chance to meet their kid's teachers, and get a glimpse into their kid's learning environment.

Both Jane and Maura are being dragged around the classroom by James. He excitedly shows them the room, and where his desk is.

Jane happily looks around at everything. Listening to James, as he explains what goes on daily in this classroom, and what they're learning.

James then takes Jane's arm, and guides her to the back of the room, where there are some Science "presentation" projects laid out on a table.

JAMES: (Picking a project out) "This one's mine."

James pulls out the cardboard presentation, and shows it to Jane. It's a presentation of how color is related to the wavelength of light. Jane looks at it in awe.

JANE: "Wow. You made this?"

Maura then takes a look at it, and reads the multiple info cards attached to it.

MAURA: (Reading the title) "The Colors of Life."

Maura's impressed by how much detail he inserted.

MAURA: "Wow. You even separated the three primary colors: Red, Blue, and Yellow into different sections."

JAMES: (Points to a diagram on his project) "Yeah. I even show what colors you need to make other colors. See?"

JANE: (Looking at the diagram) "Yeah, I see. Red and Yellow makes Orange. Yellow and Blue makes Green. It's cool." [Sees the grade he got on his project] "A-plus. Not bad sport." [Pats him on his shoulder] "I'm proud of you, James."

Maura happily puts her arm around James, rubbing his back.

MAURA: "I'm proud of you too, sweetie."

She leans down, and kisses the top of his head.

Just then, they are all spotted from across the room by James' teacher, Miss Farr, a young woman about Jane and Maura's age. She comes over to them.

MISS FARR: "Hi. I'm Miss Farr. James' teacher. Are you his parents?"

MAURA: (Happily) "Yes. We are." [Hold out her hand] "Maura Isles."

They shake hands. As Jane puts James' project back on the desk. And shakes the teacher's hand as well.

JANE: "Jane Rizzoli. Hi."

MISS FARR: "I've been looking forward to meeting James' parents."

JANE: (Nervous) "Really? Like in a bad way?"

MISS FARR: "Oh, no, no, no. Not in a bad way. James is a great student. Far more interested in Science, than an average student in my class."

JANE: "Mmm, yeah. He gets that from his mother."

Jane tilts her head, motioning towards Maura.

MISS FARR: (Laughs) "Yes. Well, do you mind if I take a few minutes of your time?"

MAURA: "Yes. Sure."

Jane pats James on his shoulders.

JANE: "Yeah." [To James] "Can you give us a few minutes, buddy?"

James nods, as he wonders off.

Jane and Maura follow the teacher, and walk towards a desk nearby, and they all sit down to chat.

MISS FARR: "I understand that James transferred here from a Prep School. Is that right?"

JANE: "Well, it was more of a private boarding school."

MISS FARR: "Right."

MAURA: (Concerned) "Is something wrong with James' academic growth?"

Maura asks, worried that James is falling behind.

MISS FARR: (Reassuring) "Oh no, nothing like that. It's quite the opposite. I reassure you. James has been… Like I said, he's very interested in Science and logic."

JANE: "Yeah."

Jane says, unsure where this is going.

MISS FARR: "And he seems to be more interested in learning about subjects that are beyond this Science course."

JANE: "Like?"

MISS FARR: "He seems to be more interested in learning about Genetics. Human Genetics to be more precise. Along with Genetic mutations and what causes them."

This surprises both Jane and Maura. They are left speechless.

JANE: (Nervously rubs her chin) "Really? I don't know where he would get that interest from."

MISS FARR: "Well, there's nothing wrong with it. I'm glad to see James find Biology fascinating. But, he does present an odd fascination with one particular subject matter."

Both Jane and Maura lean in, wanting to know more.

MISS FARR: "Two weeks ago, I informed the class that when they take Health Class next year, there's an additional 'Sex Education' course taught along with it. And James raised his hand, and asked if they'd be learning about Intersexuality."

Jane cringes at this. Knowing where James' curiosity is coming from. Ever since Maura's failed attempt last summer, on broaching the subject with James about Jane's condition; neither have broached the subject with him again.

MISS FARR: (Cont.) "And at first, I thought that he was trying to be funny, and make the class laugh. But, when I talked to him after class, he informed me that he was serious about wanting to learn about it. And asked if there's a way he could find out more about it. He said he had a family member who was intersexed, and he wanted to know more about it. And that he couldn't research it himself, because his internet access at home is limited."

This causes both Jane and Maura to feel regrettable. They had set a Parental Control on his internet access at home. And they have pretty much kept James at arms-length away from this subject matter. Not to keep him in the dark per say, but that they felt he was too young to understand the details of Jane's condition fully.

Especially after Maura's last and only conversation with James about Jane's condition, had Maura feel like maybe this subject matter wasn't age appropriate for him.

But now she sees that maybe she was wrong in how she first approached the subject with him.

Jane then takes a hard look at James, standing next to the food table, just munching away, looking small and innocent.

JANE: (Awkwardly) "Yes. We… know someone who's… intersexed. And we never really talked to James about it. So, this is probably why he has questions."

MISS FARR: "I see. Well, sexuality is a topic that will be broached in Sex Education. Which is voluntary by the way, with the parents' approval, and it would have no bearing on his final grade, if you choose for him not to take the course."

Both Jane and Maura nod.

MISS FARR: (Cont.) "But, unfortunately, Genetics and Genetic conditions are not part of the teachings of this course. Genetics is usually covered in a High School Biology course. And I would hate for James to feel, like his education is being limited here. Especially since we don't have any material on that subject matter here, that he could learn from. And it seems apparent that it's something he's interested in learning about. So, may I suggest, maybe you two could help him understand the subject better. Maybe give him some reading materials, discussion points."

JANE: "Yeah. We will." [Embarrassed] "I'm sorry about that. I didn't think about talking to him FULLY about this. I mean, I thought that maybe he's too young to understand."

MAURA: "I thought that as well. I tried to talk to him about it last year. And he didn't seem to understand what I was saying. But, now I see, he's still eager to learn."

Jane sees Maura's distress over this.

JANE: (Grabs Maura's hand) "Don't worry. We'll talk to him together about this. Okay?" [To the teacher] "We'll talk to him about it."

MISS FARR: "I hope I'm not causing an issue with it. That's not my intent—"

JANE: "No. No, it's okay. I'm glad you told us. This is a conversation we've been meaning to have with him."

MISS FARR: "I just wanted you to know that he's interested in learning about the subject. And unfortunately, the subject matter is beyond a 6th grade level."

JANE: "Yes, we understand."

MAURA: (Curiously) "So, in Sex Education, will Intersexuality be covered?"

MISS FARR: "Unfortunately no. Unfortunately we don't have the material to go through the understandings of Intersexuality, other then it's caused by a genetic abnormality. So… I'm sorry."

JANE: "So, it'd be just what? A footnote?"

MISS FARR: (Tilts her head) "More or less."

JANE: "Wow."

Miss Farr sees Jane's frustration.

MISS FARR: "Like I said, teaching Genetics goes beyond a sixth grade level. I'm sorry."

Miss Farr rises, as does both Jane and Maura.

MISS FARR: "But, other than that. James is really excelling in class. He does his assignments and gets along with everyone. He participates in class discussions. He's a pleasure to have. You should be proud."

MAURA: (Smiles) "We are."

MISS FARR: "Thank you for your time."

Both Jane and Maura shake hands with the teacher.

JANE: "And again, sorry for the… awkwardness."

MISS FARR: "No problem. Goodbye."

Jane and Maura walk up towards James, who's standing next to the snack table. Eating a cookie.

MISS FARR: (To James) "Bye James! See you tomorrow."

James waves back, goodbye.

The three leave the classroom.

IN JANE'S CAR – NIGHT

The trio are on their way home from the Open House.

As Jane drives, she keeps looking in the rear view mirror, looking back at James in the backseat. As he just sits there, staring out through the windows.

Jane squirms in her seat. She's nervous about their impending conversation they'll have to have with him.

MAURA'S HOUSE – HOME OFFICE – NIGHT

Both Jane and Maura sit in front of Maura's home computer, looking up websites that talk about Intersexuality; and the varies forms the condition comes in.

Jane is strolling through the website pages, trying to find a much easier way to describe the conditions and their symptoms to a "5 year-old" as Jane puts it.

JANE: (Frustrated) "I swear, how's anyone supposed to know what any of this means? I mean, I've been reading this same paragraph over and over again, and I still don't know what it says."

MAURA: "That was my frustration too. I know what the condition entails. But, trying to explain it to someone James' age is nearly impossible. Especially if he doesn't understand how hormones work or what role they play in the body."

This is when Jane realizes something.

JANE: "Umm. Speaking of hormones. Did you have 'the talk' with James about puberty?"

MAURA: "Yes. I explained to him what his body will go through when he hits puberty."

JANE: "And he understood you?"

MAURA: "Yes!"

Jane raises her hands as if saying, 'Sorry I asked.'

JANE: "Okay. I was just wondering."

Jane then goes back to scrolling the websites.

She then gives up, and leans back in her chair.

JANE: "Exactly what did you tell James about my condition?"

MAURA: "As much as I can tell him, without overwhelming him."

Jane gives Maura a look.

MAURA: (Cont.) "I explained to him that you have a condition known as Reifenstein Syndrome. And how it affects your body from responding properly to androgens, mainly testosterone."

Jane just sits back and nods cautiously.

JANE: "Well, that doesn't sound too confusing."

MAURA: "Yes, but James doesn't know how the human body works. How sex hormones like testosterone, are not properly regulated in the body of someone who has Reifenstein Syndrome. And how with your condition, testosterone is overproduced; which in high volumes, testosterone is then converted into estrogen. Which is what causes your body to feminize. Which causes breast enlargement, and widen hips. Not to mention, shrunken testicles, and a micro penis may develop. Along with infertility."

Jane is overwhelmed by Maura's ramblings about her condition.

JANE: (Holds up her hands) "ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT. Stop."

Maura stops.

JANE: "Now I see why that first talk went so badly."

Maura gives Jane a look of confusion.

JANE: "You overwhelmed him with all of this medical mumble-jumbo crap. He's just a kid. He's not going to follow all of that. Hell, I can't even follow all of that."

Maura sighs at herself, knowing Jane is right. But, she didn't know how to have a discussion on a kid's level, about any of this. Usually when she spoke about medical conditions, she always used the medical terminologies and definitions to describe them. Which often confused adults as well. But that was the way she always talked and conducted business.

MAURA: "What do you want to do?"

Jane takes a glance at the computer screen again. And sighs frustratingly again. Knowing that she's going to have to do it herself.

JANE: "Let me talk to him about this. It should come from me anyways."

MAURA: "Are you sure? I could come with you—"

JANE: "Nah. I need to do this. I mean, it's about me, right?"

Jane chuckles out. Maura on the other hand, is left feeling inadequate, that she couldn't do it herself.

JANE: "Don't worry. You did what you could."

Jane says, as she runs her hand comforting across Maura's back, as she leaves the room. Leaving Maura, who returns a sad smile.

JAMES' BEDROOM

James is sitting at his desk doing homework, when there's a knock on his door.

JAMES: "Yeah?"

Jane opens the door and looks in.

JANE: "Hey Jamie."

JAMES: "Hey Jane."

He goes back to doing his homework. Jane walks in, nervously. She walks up to James to see what he's up to.

JANE: "What'cha doing?"

JAMES: "Homework. I couldn't do it earlier."

JANE: "Right. Cause of the Open House."

Jane looks around the room, trying to figure out how to bring up the discussion with James. Should she wait till he's done with his homework? Or should she tell him now, and get it over with?

Jane decided to choose the latter.

Jane makes her way to his bed, and sits down.

JANE: "James. I need to talk to you, about something that came up at the Open House."

James looks on wearingly. Thinking that he's in trouble for something.

JAMES: "What is it?"

Jane pats a spot next to her on his bed.

JANE: "Come here. We need to talk."

James rises, and cautiously approaches the bed, and sits down next to Jane, looking down, scared.

JANE: "Uh… James, you know we spoke to your Science teacher tonight. And she informed us, that you're interested in learning about something."

James just continues staring off. Not acknowledging what Jane is saying.

JANE: (Cont.) "Uh… She said that you asked about… intersexuality."

James momentary closes his eyes, fearing that he's done something terrible. And Jane's going to punish him.

JANE: "James, look at me."

He slowly does. And Jane can see the fear in his eyes.

JANE: (Cont.) "Look James, I'm not mad at you. You're not in trouble, okay? Let's get that straight." [James continues staring blankly] "Alright?"

James slowly nods. But still looks a bit frightened.

JANE: (Sighs as she continues) "Look… I know why you're curious about this. I mean, we never really talked to you about this subject openly. I thought that, I'd let you choose when to have this discussion. When you felt that you were ready to. I thought that, I made it clear to you from the beginning, that you can talk to me. You can ask me questions about it freely. And I will answer them. I thought that I made that clear to you. But, I see I haven't."

James then slowly lowers his head again. Feeling shameful for not coming to her first about it.

JANE: "So, I wanna talk to you about this. Man-to-man. Per say."

They both share a light chuckle. Finally releasing the tension between them.

JANE: "Which is not easy for me, by the way. I mean, when I was growing up, topics like this were never talked about. Never. It was like some big family shameful secret. That nobody would acknowledge. And I don't want it to be like that with you. I should have had this discussion with you earlier. But, I felt that you were too young to understand all of it. Which I still think. But, apparently you still want to know. So, lets talk about it. What do you wanna know?"

James looks up at Jane, unsure if she's being serious.

JANE: "C'mon. Ask away. No matter how embarrassing you may think it is. What are you curious about?"

JAMES: "I can ask anything?"

JANE: "Yes. No matter how childish your question may seem."

James is still wary and shy about it.

JANE: "James… I'm here to help you understand the subject."

James gives in. Even though, he's embarrassed to talk to Jane about it.

JAMES: "Okay."

Jane braces herself for what James is going to ask.

JAMES: (Nervously) "Do you have what I have?"

Jane just stares at James, frozen.

JANE: "You mean, do I have a penis?"

James embarrassingly nods.

JANE: "Yes I do."

Jane answers in a, 'as a matter of fact' tone.

JAMES: (Low) "Oh."

JANE: "Anything else you wanna know about… my parts?"

Jane tries to continue bravely into the subject about her genitalia.

JAMES: "Does it work?"

JANE: (Thinks about it) "Yes. My parts work… most of the time." [James nods along] "I mean, I managed to create you, right?"

James nods in agreement.

JANE: "So…"

JAMES: "So, why did this happen to you? Mom says that you were born a boy, but you turned into a girl afterwards."

JANE: "Yes James. That's somewhat true. I was born a boy. But," [Thinking it through] "…I had inherited a gene. Do you know what genes are?"

James sort of shrugs.

JANE: "Well, genes are like ingredients for a recipe. But this recipe is for making 'you.' Do you understand?"

James nods.

JAMES: "So, genes are what makes you, 'you?'"

JANE: (Smiles proudly) "YES. You got it."

JANE: (Cont.) "So, anyways, I got a gene from grandma that came with some mistakes. And the gene didn't have all the correct information on it to make me a boy, like you. Understand?"

James nods along. Finally understanding it.

JANE: "Good. And so, when I was born, my body wasn't completely male. My penis and scrotum weren't fully together. And so, the doctors didn't know what I was. But they saw that my parts were there, but just not fully complete. So, they performed surgery on me to make everything down there look like normal, like what your parts look like."

James continues listening on. Intrigued by this.

JANE: "And when I started puberty, my body started to make too much of a male hormone, known as testosterone, that you need to mature, and fully grow up. Understand?"

James nods.

JANE: (Cont.) "And so, this miscommunication with this hormone caused problems for my body. My body didn't know how to 'read' this hormone, and work with it. And so my body started to change and I started to get female parts. Like, I started to grow breasts and such."

JAMES: "So your body changed into a girl's, because of this hormone?"

JANE: "Well, like I said, my damaged gene didn't have the correct ingredient needed to work with this hormone. So, my body didn't know what to do with it. It's kind of like, your color project at school. If you don't mix the right two colors together, you won't get a certain color right?" [James nods] "Well, the same thing was happening in my body. Boys need testosterone to mature. But, since my body was ignoring most of it, Estrogen, which is what girls need to mature, started taking over in my body. And that's why I got breasts and such."

JAMES: "But nothing happened to your… your 'parts?'"

JANE: "You can name the parts James. It's okay."

JAMES: (Rolls his eyes) "Fine. So, nothing happened to your dick and balls?"

Jane cringes a bit. Not really expecting James to use that type of terminology. But she lets it slide.

JANE: "Okay. Nice terminology. But, no, nothing really happened to my 'dick and balls.' Other than, they didn't grow much – Anyways… So, my doctor decided to give me the hormone, testosterone, in a shot form, thinking that it would trigger something. And it did work, slightly. But it also made me very sick. But I needed it, so that way my body could go through puberty, and so that way my body could mature, and I could have the ability to make children. Like you."

He nods.

JAMES: "So, why did grandma and grandpa raise you as a girl, if you're a boy?"

JANE: "Hmm. Good question. But, from what I know, your grandma and grandpa were told by doctors, that my body would get female traits once I started puberty, like I said before. And that would have been problematic for a boy trying to become a man, right?"

JAMES: "Yeah."

JANE: (Cont.) "And some of the doctors said that I might need reassignment surgery later on, if my 'dick and balls' didn't work properly. Since they weren't sure at that time, if my treatments would work. And not affect my overall health. Since too much testosterone may cause havoc to the rest of my body. They may need to go in there, and remove the problem. Which would have been to remove my 'parts' and ultimately turning me into a woman. But, as you see, that never happened."

JAMES: "Yeah, but…"

James has a hard time asking something.

JANE: (Encouraging) "But what? It's okay to ask, James. There's no dumb questions, okay?"

JAMES: "Um… How did you… I mean…"

James scratches his head, having a hard time gathering his thoughts.

JAMES: "How were you able to hide it? I mean, how would you tell people?"

JANE: (Lets out a heavy breath) "Well, I didn't tell people. I know that it's wrong to do that. But the truth is, I was scared of people knowing I was like that. I feared that people would not understand if I told them. Or they would try to harm me, if they knew. But, in life some people need to know. And I told those people who I was, and what my situation was. And thankfully, those I did tell, were very supportive and understanding."

JAMES: "Like mom?"

JANE: "Yes. Your mother was very accepting of the way my body was. I'm very lucky to have met her, and have her in my life. And I'm thankful that I met her at the right time in my life. When I wasn't as accepting of my body this way. But your mother made me see that there's nothing wrong with the way my body is. That God made me this way."

JAMES: "So, you didn't think about having surgery to become a girl?"

JANE: "Well, not after I met your mother, no. She showed me the light." [Chuckles] "She showed me that I didn't need to have surgery to feel like a real woman. And I didn't want to disappoint my parents. Not after they fought so hard to keep me this way, when doctors advised them otherwise."

James nods slowly. Letting all the information sink in.

JANE: (Cont.) "And think, if they have listened, you wouldn't be here. And my life would've been empty without you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. You're my life, James. And I don't regret any decisions that my parents made. Now that I see that I have you and your mother."

James smiles happily. Feeling fulfilled and joyful to have, and call Jane his father. No matter what form she came in.

He had no idea what his father had gone through. And he was happy to finally hear the reasons for why his father was like the way he is.

Jane continued talking to James openly about her condition. And allowing James to ask questions freely, with no objections. She wanted James to understand her, and understand why her parents and doctors made the decisions they made.

And why till this day, Jane and others close around her keep the condition a secret. Jane had informed James that there are some hateful people out there, that may do harm to people like her.

She tried her best to explain how discrimination exists in communities like hers and the LGTB community.

And how he should be careful about what he reveals to people about their family. Since there are those out there, who may not be so supportive. And she didn't want him to be a target for harm and bullying, for how she is, and how he was conceived.

As their conversation carried on, unbeknownst to Jane, that Maura was standing just outside James' doorway, hearing it all.

Maura smiled proudly, knowing that Jane was doing a good job in explaining it to James. She then turned and headed back down the hallway, letting them finish the conversation.

OUTSIDE JAMES' BEDROOM

Jane walks out of James' bedroom after their long, heart felt discussion.

JANE: (Turning back into James' room) "Don't stay up too late, alright? You have to get up early tomorrow for school."

Jane closes James' bedroom door behind her.

She then takes a glance down the stairs, and sees that all the lights are off. She then decides to make her way down the hallway towards Maura's bedroom.

Jane sees that Maura's bedroom door is open ajar. She slowly pushes the door open, pecking inside. She sees that the bedroom is a bit dark, with just a small dim light coming from a bedside table lamp, closes to her.

Jane tiptoes in, not wanting to disturb Maura, who's already in bed asleep… or she thinks she is.

Jane then removes her shoes and pants. Then she slowly slides into bed behind Maura, and wraps her arms around her.

This motion stirs Maura. And she then turns towards Jane.

MAURA: (Tiredly) "Hey."

JANE: (Smiling, softly) "Hi. I hope you don't mind, if I spend the night."

MAURA: "Not at all."

Jane reaches up and gently caresses Maura's cheek. Then leans in for a sweet kiss.

JANE: "I love you."

MAURA: (Smiles lovingly back) "I love you too."

Maura ran her hand down the side of Jane's face, cupping it, as she leaned in, capturing Jane's lips in a heated kiss.

JANE: (Moaned into the kiss) "Mmm."

Maura couldn't help but break the kiss.

JANE: (Whines) "Nooo. We're just getting started."

MAURA: "I'm tired, Jane. It's been a LONG day."

JANE: (Not fully convinced) "Mm-hmm. Okay."

Jane then lays back on her side of the bed. Maura scoots over closer to Jane, and cuddles up against her; as Jane wraps her arm around her, keeping her close.

MAURA: "Thank you for talking to James tonight. I really appreciate it."

JANE: "Yeah, no problem. I'm glad we had that talk. I think it's kind of brought us closer, you know."

Maura nods happily. She's happy to see that the conversation has brought them closer.

MAURA: "That's great. I'm proud of you."

JANE: "For talking to him?"

MAURA: "Yes. For opening up, and sharing your life story to him. I know that must've been hard for you."

JANE: (Playfully suspicious) "We're you eavesdropping on us?"

MAURA: "Not for all of the discussion. Just some of it. I was curious to hear, what you had to say about your condition."

JANE: "And…"

MAURA: "And I wish I knew more about your journey with this condition."

JANE: "I told you about my condition, and what I went through."

MAURA: "Yes, but not everything. I heard you say things to James that I didn't know."

Jane contemplates it.

JANE: "Okay. So, where do you want me to start?"

MAURA: "The beginning."

JANE: (Doesn't think twice about it) "Okay. The beginning." [Wrapping her arms around Maura, bringing her in closer] "So, once upon a time…"

They both start to laugh.

JANE: (Cont.) "…There was this young Italian-American couple, and they had a baby. But this wasn't just any ordinary baby, this baby was super special."

MAURA: (Playfully going along with Jane's story) "Really? How special?"

JANE: "Very special. And she was born with special powers."

They laugh again.

MAURA: "I bet."

JANE: "So, anyways… When the baby was born, doctors didn't know what to think. They…

Jane trailed on.

While Maura then laid her head on Jane's chest, listening to Jane tell her story. Until she drifted off into sleep, to the sound of Jane's voice.

A/N: Uh, I kind of felt like they should come back to discussing Jane's condition with James. I felt that the last conversation didn't go so smoothly with Maura. And that James may still be curious to know about Jane. But is too embarrassed to ask her about it. So he seeks the information else where. Also, it was mentioned in a previous chapter that they may decide to limit his internet access, which may prevent him from looking into searches of Intersexuality over the web.

I really wanted Jane to be the one to talk to James about it. Since she was the one going through it. And she would know how to answer his questions more thoroughly. And with a layman's terminology that James could understand. Uh, I did have Jane keep some key points off the discussion, simply cause James is still to young to understand the greater details of the condition. And This discussion will obviously be an on-going one between them, as he gets older, and is more equip to understanding things greatly than he is now.

Also, I'm not too sure about the French translation between Maura and Constance up there. I don't know French, at all. So if the translation is incorrect, please let me know. Google's translation tool had different versions for each. So, I just chose the first one that came up. It had different tenses, it was weird.

Thank you for sticking around, and reading. And for all your thoughtful and kind reviews. I love hearing suggestions and what you think.

Also, those in the US, Happy Thanksgiving!