The hospital corridor was empty and let the noise of Janes joggers sound horribly loud as the brunette made her way to the room the nurse had indicated. She had spent almost the entire noon at school thinking about what she was going to say to Constance, which was basically the truth. "Always say the truth, Jane. People might hate you, but you will feel better." Her mother had once told her.

The truth was that Maura was one of the sweetest and intelligent persons she had ever met. It was really a shame that neither her birthparents, whom Jane had met in fall (also in hospital) nor her adoptive parents seemed to cherish the blonde. Jane had a hard time imagining what it must have been like for Maura to grow up with four parents on her hand and non-really caring, loving or paying attention.

Her long fingers pulled through her dark mane as she took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The brunette had even bought flowers on her way from school to hospital.

"Come in!" a muffled voice which was clearly used to give orders stated. Jane opened the door after one last deep breath, finding Constance neatly tucked into bed, surrounded by a sea of flowers. The whole scene reminded Jane of a queen who held court and she had to bite back a chuckle about the absurdity of all.

"Hi, you don't know me. I'm Jane Rizzoli." She spoke firmly and stretched out her hand, but the queen wouldn't take it. Instead she was eyed suspiciously from head to toe, something Jane had expected. Therefore, she waited until the elder woman had finished her inspection. Jane wore some black sport shorts, a white polo shirt and her joggers. Nothing wrong with that she thought and dragged a chair closer to sit.

"So, I'm Maura's girlfriend. We have been together for a while now, and I love her." She continued, searching for eye contact, which was refused.

"You might wonder why I'm here. The reason Mrs. Isles is very simple. You mean a lot to Maura and honestly, I don't get it because you always give her the feeling to be minor. But maybe that's what children do: they always love their parents. And their parents are heroes to them. And I came for two reasons: first to tell you that she is a great and brilliant person, she is fun, and everything a mother could expect from her daughter. And second I want to understand what makes it so hard for you to see that all she wants is for you to hug her and tell her that she is doing great?"

Jane furrowed her eyebrows, waiting patiently as Constance appeared to think.

"First." she started off with a cold voice counting with her fingers "its Dr. Isles. Second, this is none of your business. Who do you think you are that you come to tell me how I should treat my daughter and imply that I don't love her. And as far as I know, you are bad influence on her. Never on earth she would have worn these … these horrible clothes." Constance glanced mischievously at Janes outfit, but the brunette stayed cool.

"Look, Dr. Isles. I didn't come to argue with you. I came because Maura hurts. And I try to understand what is going on. I would never imply that you don't love her. And I'm well aware that your family is different to other families. You have many rules, and many does and don'ts. Maura told me all about them. But where is the heart at this? You gave her everything she needed to have good education and life. Why is hugging a don't? Why is it so hard to let go of some rules? There is nothing wrong with having fun or wearing leisure clothes."

"Our family is not like that!" Constance snapped. "We are not the usual people. We have money, we have power, and this is what we need to represent!" Jane wondered how this woman made it all sound like a big burden. Maybe it was. Who knew? But where was the sense of being rich and not enjoying live. Did one exclude another?

"Okay, so I get it. Your family is superior to others, but believe me, Maura will stop reaching out to you one day because of being fed up with this circus. And you are going to be the one who is sorry. This is your chance to pull your head out of your uhm uhm well, you know what I mean and cherish her for the person she is."

After speaking up fiercely, Jane stood to leave the room. At least I have tried, she thought as she padded down the hallway to get to her car.

R&I

"Where have you been, honey? You look exhausted. Did anything happen?" Maura greeted her with a peck onto her cheek with a worried look on her face.

"I went to see your mother. Tried to talk some sense into her and find out what the problem was. I want this to work for you so much babe, but I guess I failed."

First, all colors were drained out of the blonde's face and Jane got worried that Maura would be mad at her when the face took on a stern look. "You did what?" the ME gasped. "Uhh sorry, maybe I should have asked you, but I didn't think it was a good idea because you would only talk me out of it or so." Jane mumbled quietly.

She felt Maura's arm pull her close, holding her tight. "I'm not mad at you, Jane. I just don't know what to say. You are about the only person who ever stood up for me when it came to my family. This really means the world to me, you know?" she whispered as Jane now hugged her back, feeling relieved.

When Maura asked, she told her about everything she had said and what Constance had said. The blonde clicked her tongue occasionally and nodded. "I uhm also told her to take her head out of her butt." Jane finished and blushed but when Maura started bursting out into laughter, she joined in.

"I bet no one has ever said this to her before." The blonde stated after a while, releasing Jane from the hug when the ringing of the clock announced that their pasta was ready. "You're unbelievable, Jane." She chuckled when filling the plates.

"I can't believe that no one ever stood up for you." Jane said and dug into her meal.

"Yeah, usually people told me that I have to be nice, because they have the money. But your attitude is refreshing."

"Yeah, dah! Money is not all that counts. What about love, fun and laughter? Where are the feelings?"

Angela entered the kitchen with some vegetables from the garden. "Which feelings?" she asked and dropped her stuff onto the counter, tugging at her blouse to get rid of some earth.

"Ma, I think Maura needs a motherly hug." Jane stated, finishing dinner.

"Oh, I see." The elder Rizzoli made her way around the counter and wrapped her arms around Maura's shoulders who was still sitting, glaring wide eyed at Jane.

"What happened?" Angela asked and released the blonde to sit on a chair nearby. It was Jane who told the story. "Because of sweatpants? Hell, isn't that a bit overreacting? You are still only 23. No need to be dressed like a mannequin all day long. By the way I wondered yesterday. But I think they look great on you."

"Jane made me wear them because I lost a bet." Maura explained a bit helpless not knowing what to say. "you don't have to wear them anymore if you don't want to Maur." Jane said, shifting uncomfortable in her seat.

"What about the bet? Isn't it a question of honor?"

"Maur, if you're not feeling well because of your family, you should at least feel well in your clothes."

The blonde blushed. "Actually, I feel well in these clothes. I thought about buying some for myself, which fit better." Both Rizzoli women gasped. "I really am a bad influence on you, ha?" Jane said unsure whether this was good or not.

Maura laughed softly and touched her hand on the table. "I wouldn't say that. Absolutely not!" The girls smiled at each other. All three looked up when there was a knock on the door.

"Uh, must be Vince. I totally forgot that he is going to pick me up." Angela exclaimed, checking her watch, looking down at her dirty blouse. "Go get ready ma, Maur and I will keep him entertained." Jane said and rose to open the door.

Vince Korsak smiled when he saw her. He asked her how she was, flowers in hand and slightly nervous. So, this was serious Jane thought as she noticed the nice suit. She asked him in and made him sit in the living room. They talked about the last sox game for a while.

"I hope you don't mind me going out with your mother." He stated after they had gone quite for a few minutes.

"No, why would I?" she asked seriously before adding that they needed one more sox fan as support anyways in a joke. He smiled, which filled Jane with sympathy for him. Both looked up when Angela made her way into the room. She looked gorgeous and happy.

"Don't be late ma! And no drugs!" Jane scolded playfully as she left the room to leave them alone, feeling happy for them.