I absolutely loved the response I got from last chapter. Enjoy this new one, I liked writing it. And happy holidays to you all!
Korsak kept glancing over at Jane as he drove her to the precinct. He seen how tense she looked, as she furrowed her eyebrows, and fidgeted with her hands. He doesn't remember the last time he seen her in this much distress. "Hey whatever it is you and the Doc are upset about, it's going to be alright. You've both been through hell and back together."
"Yeah, I just she's so upset I hate seeing her this way. I need to explain, she thinks space is what we need but I know we need to talk things out. I refuse to let this turn into something worse than she's making it," she looked at the window, sighing as he pulled up to the precinct.
"Did you want me to go in with you?"
"That's probably not the best idea, not since you punched Cavanaugh. I still can't believe you did that."
"He deserved that shit Jane," Korsak grumbled, getting out of the car to help Jane out of the car and into her chair. "At least let me wheel you to the front door," he offered and Jane sighed.
"Fine, but that is as far as I'm allowing you to go. If Cavanaugh sees you he won't be pleased."
"Oh give me some credit, I can handle Sean."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Jane shook her head, letting Korsak wheel her to the doors of the precinct. "Wait for me in the car, I'll let you know when or if you can take me home."
Korsak nodded, "Well I wish you luck with the Doc," he patted Jane's shoulder before walking back to his car. Jane took a deep breath before wheeling her way inside. The security guard greeted her.
"Hey Rizzoli, aren't you supposed to be on medical leave."
Jane looked up at him, "I'm not returning to work just yet, I just need to handle some things."
He let her come in, "You know it's odd seeing you in civilian clothes."
"It feels more odd being in a wheelchair. I'll see you later Mike," she gave him a nod before wheeling her way towards the elevators, she didn't have time for small talk. She pushed the down button and waited for the elevator door to open, thankful that no one was in it. She got on and hit the number to Maura's floor, tapping her fingers against her chair's arm rest. "This thing is taking forever," she didn't have time to waste and this elevator was ticking her off.
What felt like forever the elevator door finally opened, Jane pushed her way out and over to Maura's office. She tried to just open the door but it was locked, 'She never locks the door,' Jane mumbled, tapping lightly on the door. She sat there for a few minutes before Maura opened the door.
She froze looking at her wife sitting there, "Jane, what are you doing here?"
"Coming to discuss things with my wife, let me in."
"I have work to do Jane," she turned on her heels to go back to her desk, Jane was glad Maura didn't close the door on her. She wheeled inside and frowned, taking in the appearance of Maura's desk.
"Any reason you flipped this over?" she picked up the frame of them that was turned over, placing it on the desk. "I always liked this picture of us, we were so happy, you know. Just like we were a couple of hours ago," Jane made small talk to Maura hoping it would get her to say something. "You know I'll just keep on going, even if I have to wheel on eggshells for you. You know I would have said walk, but I'm not allowed to walk, it could really delay the healing process."
Maura looked up at Jane, "Can you please just stop?"
"Stop what, I'm just making conversation," she ran her finger over the photo.
"You're avoiding the start of the real conversation, the real reason you are here."
"Well I don't even know where to begin to be honest, was kind of hoping you'd like to start, since you walked out on me back home. I can't even get a read on your face right now, and you're hardly making eye contact with me. You realize that I never wanted this to happen, I never wanted you to get hurt or upset. I didn't know how to tell you, part of me thought it was not any of my business to tell, how was I supposed to tell you what I never understood myself. Does that make sense to you?"
Maura sighed, "You still should have told me especially when I asked if something was wrong with her, I asked you straight out, gave you an opportunity to tell me, but you didn't. I much rather have heard it from you," she looked down and started scribbling some notes on some of her paperwork.
Jane wheeled over to Maura's side of the desk, reaching up to stop her hand from writing. "Is this the reason you're upset, because you think I hid this from you on purpose. I wanted to tell you Maur, I know I needed to tell you but I didn't know how. How could I tell my wife that her sister has mixed up feelings for me."
"It's not just feelings Jane, she said she is in love with you, it's more serious than some little crush your brothers had on me. She tried to nearly die from alcohol, if I knew the truth maybe it wouldn't have happened, we could have prevented that from happening."
Jane nodded, now realizing the real reason Maura was upset, "I see, I don't think you're mad because she has feelings for me, I think it's more about how she dealt with the whole thing and that scares you the lengths she was going to go to handle her problem. Maura it's pretty obvious that she needs help, she lost Camille, she's depressed and who even knows if her feelings for me are real or she just believes they are because I almost died and she got scared. People almost dying cause people to do crazy shit, like Ma when her and Cavanaugh after Korsak," she shook her head. "Anyways the point is that this is more serious than we thought about Cailin and if I knew what I do now I would have told you her feelings right away. She's like a sister to me and it even scares me knowing how she is reacting. But I swear to you, I don't feel anything for Cailin outside of a sisterly way, just like I felt about Camille. It's going to be tough to convince Cailin to get help, especially if she thinks that she doesn't need it. Was my hypothesis correct in why you got so emotional about her confession to you in the end," Jane looked deep into Maura's eyes who nodded after giving Jane's words some thought.
"Jane I'm sorry for how I reacted, I was scared about the whole thing she almost killed herself because of what she was feeling. I was stupid to think for only a moment that you shared those feelings with Cailin. You were just trying to protect her at the time, trying to understand her feelings. I know she needs help, but how is she supposed to get it if she's not willing to get that help. I really wish she wasn't so stubborn sometimes."
"If anyone knows how to handle a stubborn person, it's me. You're okay if I try to help her out, try to make her see that she needs to get professional help."
Maura shook her head, "I don't think seeing you is the best thing for her right now, she needs to keep her distance from you until she gets better. I do still have the number and email that Lauran woman gave us, she did seem to want to help Cailin with her grieving process. I think it's time we bring her in. I'll email her right now, and then maybe we can retire to the couch. How does that sound?"
"That sounds like a good idea, I have to give Korsak a call anyways, let him know he doesn't have to wait for me anymore. You're alright if I stay on your couch, we can start our trial of me here while you're at work earlier than we anticipated," Jane smiled and took out her phone, calling Korsak as Maura started typing her email to Lauren. She looked at her wife with a smile glad that she came after Maura so they could talk. "Hey Korsak, you're free to go. Yeah me and the Doc are going to be more than okay now. Yeah, thanks for driving me, you are going to be okay with the twins and Ma right? See you guys later, bye," she smiled, hanging up the phone and wheeled over to the couch, waiting for Maura to finish her email.
Maura looked up at Jane, "Well now we wait until Lauren replies," she pushed out of her desk chair and went to the couch, helping Jane out. They sat on the couch, Maura curling up beside Jane, resting her head gently on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for acting how I did back home, you know as much as I do that I'm not fond of being angry, let alone mad at you for something you couldn't control."
"I accept your apology, as long as you accept mine for hiding something that was important information to let you in on."
Maura nodded, pressing her lips against Jane's jaw, "I forgive you, but please know honesty gets you far."
"Honesty is the best policy is what the saying is."
"Are you really correcting me right now?" Maura asked, running her tongue against Jane's earlobe.
"No," Jane groaned, "I wouldn't dream of it. Um Maur sweetie, maybe you should close the door if you're going to do this," she closed her eyes as Maura sucked at Jane's ear. "Shiit," Jane shifted on the couch cushion. "Maura..."
Maura pulled away and went to go sit back at her desk, looking at her wife in amusement, "This is not going to be a very good trial run if I join you on the couch."
"You're such a tease," Jane licked her lips. "And that really wasn't fair you know. Leaving me high and dry."
"I don't think you're exactly dry right now Jane," Maura winked. Jane rolled her eyes, causing Maura to shake her head and getting back to her work.
Jane went to go lean back on the couch, groaning at the slight pain in her chest. "Hey Maura, I forgot that I needed to take my meds. The pain in my chest is definitely back, do you have like emergency back up meds somewhere?"
Maura looked at her wife and got up from the chair. "Yeah, I'll be right back, are you going to be okay?"
Jane nodded, "You do remember what meds I'm taking right?"
"Of course Jane, I made mental notes of your dosage and your prescriptions, an Isles is always prepared," Maura left her office and Jane coughed, feeling like her lungs were on fire.
She sat up as she kept coughing until Maura rushed back with medicine and a cup of water, she sat down next to her. Jane took a drink of water and then took the meds, closing her eyes. "Jesus, that was painful as hell."
"Are you going to be alright, you don't need to go to the hospital, do you?" Maura asked concerned, taking Jane's hand in hers.
"No, but I do think the whole turning me on thing wasn't wise."
"I really am sorry Jane, I didn't mean to cause you physical pain. I'll be careful from now on, okay?" Maura felt guilty for causing Jane physical pain.
Jane nodded, "Can you please just hold me Maur?"
"I think I can do that, work can wait," Maura pulled Jane close. "I love you and sorry for any pain I've caused," she said with tears in her eyes.
"Please don't cry sweetie, it's alright, and we're alright. We both just need to be more careful," she kissed Maura's shoulder. "I love you too Maur. Only you," she smiled feeling her wife relax and they just sat on the couch in each other's arms.
Meanwhile upstairs in the cafe sat Vince Korsak, after he had his phone call with Jane and she told him to go home he decided that he would stay at the precinct a little longer. Plus he didn't mind taking a break from the twins and Angela. Plus he didn't want Jane to know he was going to have a talk with Cavanaugh about the incident from the other day.
"Vince, I do not know what you're doing here, but you can't just sit in the cafe when you no longer work here."
"Well I'm Jane's ride home, so I can't exactly abandon her," Korsak told him, Sean didn't need to know that he was no longer needed here.
"Wait Jane is here? Why didn't I see her?"
"Dr. Isles and Jane had a little lover's spat so Jane had to come to see if things were okay with her and Maura. I didn't want to talk about Jane though."
Sean crossed his arms, "Unless you're here to apologize, I do not want to hear it."
Korsak leaned back in his chair and laughed, "You really think I want to apologize to you after that remark you made. The baby can't even be yours, Angela explained the whole timing of things. You need to apologize to me."
"What you want me to apologize, for what? Sorry you punched me in the face. Yeah like it's my fault you can't trust your wife," he pushed himself up from the table. "Whenever Jane gets done with Dr. Isles I want you the hell out of here. And if you step out of line again when you don't even work here, I'm going to make it where you can't ever come back to the precinct unless you're getting arrested, can you comprehend that Vincent?"
"Whatever you say sir," Korsak grimaced.
"That's what I like to hear, have a good day Vince," he shook his head as he left the cafe. When he was heading back to his office, he seen Jane and Maura exit the elevator. "Hey Jane, you know I'm quite surprised I didn't see you sneak passed my office. Don't people understand what taking time off means around here."
"I just had to come and get some things situated."
"Yeah Vince told me..." he couldn't finish his sentence as Jane cut him off.
"Vince, how did he tell you anything, he supposed to be at home."
"He said he was waiting for you, he's a real piece of work. Stay out of trouble Rizzoli, and take good care of your wife, alright Maura?"
"Yes sir," Maura nodded, smiling down at Jane as the Lieutenant headed back to his office.
"I need to go scold my father," Jane rolled her eyes, as Maura wheeled her into the cafe.
"Jane that's sweet, you called him your father."
"I meant that in a sarcastic way babe, he's definitely in trouble," she eyed Korsak seeing him at a table in the corner. "What the hell Korsak? I thought I told you to go home."
"Shit," Vince muttered. "I didn't do anything."
"Yeah well when Cavanaugh calls you a piece of work I know it was something, but you know what, I don't even want to know, I only came upstairs because I was hungry," Jane turned her attention to Maura. "And sandwich and one of those green smoothies should do the trick. Make sure Lydia does it right this time, I swear she has no sense of..." Jane stopped seeing Lydia look over hearing her name. "how much green is bad for my bowels," she smiled at the blonde who just rolled her eyes.
"Nice save Jane," Korsak laughed.
"Oh shut up old man."
"You know Vincent," Maura spoke up. "She referred to you as her father before we came over here," she smiled before heading to the counter.
"Maura..." Jane pouted.
"Hey I told you things will work out with you and Maura. I'm glad, you two arguing is never good. Your father is very proud of you."
"I'm not even going to entertain you, why aren't you home with Ma, does she know you're hiding from her and the twins?"
"I'm not hiding Jane I just decided that I could use time for myself. Plus according to Frost Tommy is going over to help out. You know I think Frost there is getting a soft spot for Tommy. I guess he thinks Tommy being all responsible with kids is attractive. If I'm being honest even I think it's a good look on Tommy."
Jane stared at Korsak, "I'm going to ignore your comment on that, you thinking that looks good on him is quite disturbing."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I'm sure of it, I swear if Frost goes back to Tommy..."
"You mean if Frost can honestly be happy with someone?" he asked, raising his brow. "I thought you wanted Frost to be happy."
"He won't be happy with Tommy, that's like if Crowe was into well, just about anyone, he'd make anyone miserable."
"Is that what you really think of me Rizzoli?"
Jane frowned at hearing Crowe's voice, "How long were you standing there?" she turned to face him.
"Long enough. Ignoring that little comment you made, I heard that you were in the building, had to see for myself. You look well Jane, considering what happened."
"Thanks, you're not that upset at what I said, are you? It's true though, you must believe it because I never see you with anyone."
Crowe just smiled, "I kind of miss our bantering Rizzoli, I mean Rizzoli-Isles," he corrected. "It's going to be a long eight weeks without you here."
"Well maybe I'll just have to come back early put you out of your misery," Jane smirked.
"That sounds good to me," he patted her shoulder before going up to the counter.
"Why is he acting odd?" Jane asked Korsak.
"Beats the hell out of me," Korsak shrugged.
"Hey Maura," Crowe greeted Maura at the counter as she waited for the food. "Jane seems content."
"Yeah, you really think so? You get a chance to think about what I said."
Crowe nodded, "Yeah, I think I'm going to have to ease Jane into this whole new development between me and Frankie. I wouldn't even know how to begin discussing it with her. I had plans to meet up with Frankie after work, but maybe I'll take up that offer you extended to join you guys for dinner. A nice home cooked Rizzoli meal always sounded appetizing when it was mentioned."
Maura nodded, as Lydia handed her the food. "Thanks Lydia. I'd love to have you over for dinner, but maybe discuss that with Frankie since you already made plans with him."
"I already kind of discussed it with Frankie, he says it's okay if the offer was still there. So I guess I'll see you guys when, around 7?"
"How about five thirty? It'll give you brownie points if you extend to help cook. I know Angela would be thrilled about it."
"Will there be actual brownies?"
"We usually don't have brownies, I'm not too fond of them as a dessert. We can discuss more later, Jane will throw a fit if I don't deliver her food."
Crowe nodded, "Yeah that's a very good idea. I'll see you both at five thirty then," he turned to order coffee from Lydia as Maura headed back to the table.
"What were you and Crowe talking about over there?" Jane asked as Maura sat down next to her.
"We were discussing brownies."
"Why were you guys talking about brownies? You don't even like them," Jane spoke as she sipped at her smoothie. "You know this isn't half bad."
"That's what I told him. My conversation with your coworker doesn't always have to be about work you know."
"Yeah I know, but it's Crowe, back me up here Korsak."
"You know the last time you told me to back you up I was on your mother's side and you got pissed at that," Korsak shook his head.
"That's because she shut off the game," Jane grumbled, taking a bite out of her sandwich. "Can you believe that Maur, Ma shut off a Red Sox game."
"I can't even imagine why she'd do such a thing," Maura smirked, causing Korsak to laugh.
"I'm really glad you guys are better now, I never like you two at odds," Korsak stood up from the table. "I should probably go back to your mother and the twins. You two can behave yourselves once I leave, right?"
"Of course Vince, I'm an angel," Jane beamed.
"Yeah an angel from Hell," he teased. "I don't know how Maura does it," Korsak walked off still chuckling.
"He's such an asshole," Jane shook her head, continuing to eat her sandwich. "Lydia actually did a good job with my lunch. So what were you and Crowe really talking about?" she urged her wife to tell her about it.
Maura sighed, she had to let her know now without telling her the whole thing. She knew Jane was testing her to see how she would handle telling her something. "Detective Crowe was going through something and I invited him to come over for dinner. He was just telling me that he was free and we'll expect him at five thirty, that's not a problem, is it?"
"I um... of course not. Plus he's acting strange, I'd like to get to the bottom of it, maybe I can devise a plan during dinner."
Maura rolled her eyes, "Of course you'll make this into something more than it is, can't you just accept the fact that maybe Crowe is more human than you'd like to admit."
"I'll believe that when I see it."
"You do realize he risked his career to help save mine, I don't think that's a sign of a bad person."
"You always tend to see the good in people, I'll trust your judgment, but if he's trying to be nice to take my Sargeant position away he has another thing coming," Jane finished off her sandwich. "So you trust him then?"
"Yes Jane, I trust him. He wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt anyone, plus no one is a better Sargeant Detective than you," Maura reassured her wife.
Jane nodded her head in agreement, "Alright, if you trust him, then so can I. I never thought of the day we'd invite Darren Crowe to dinner."
Maura hoped that everything would go okay, because there was a chance that Detective Darren Crowe would be a regular guest in the future.
It was five o' clock once Jane and Maura made it home, Angela greeted them both with big hugs. "I'm so glad everything is alright, I got so worried about the both of you."
"Ma! Get off of me," Jane grumbled, causing Angela to pull away quickly.
"Oh my God, did I hurt you? I'm so sorry I just... I'm glad you guys made up."
"Well that's nice that you feel that way Angela. I can never stay mad at Jane for too long," Maura smiled.
"Yeah, I don't like holding a grudge with my wife," Jane eyed her mother before wheeling over to the twins. "Hey, I've missed you both. Maura has invited a friend over for dinner, be polite to him even though I don't like him much, doesn't mean you shouldn't happily welcome him."
"Aren't we taking this honesty being the best policy thing a little too far Jane?" Maura lightly scolded her before going to help Korsak in the kitchen.
"Why would I ever do that?" Jane smirked, patting the kids head before they resumed coloring. "Just behave. So Ma, who else is coming to dinner?" she asked her mother who still looked upset that she hurt her daughter. "Ma, I'm okay, you don't have to get all emotional on me."
"I can't help it," Angela wiped her eyes. "Plus Julian has been making me over react just a little more than normal, I'm alright though. And to answer your question both of your brothers and Frost will be joining us. Tommy is actually in the guest house taking care of your tortoise. So who's this friend Maura invited?"
"Detective Crowe, I'm surprised you didn't realize who I meant by I don't like him much, but he did try to help save Maura's career and helped me out with the Camille thing while I was in Paris. I owe him to be nice, plus it's what Camille would have wanted as well. Do we think Frost, Tommy and Frankie should be in the same room together?"
Angela shrugged, "I don't see why not, they have to get used to it, one day Frost will be a Rizzoli, it's just a matter of time to see who it will be."
Angela's comment caused Jane to groan and roll her eyes, "You seem confident about that, who seems to be most likely to get with Frost in your opinion, since we're on the subject."
"I think Frost compliments Tommy pretty well, you know Tommy has hardly gotten into trouble when he was involved with Frost, he needs a good man to take care of him."
"Frost needs to take care of himself Ma, Tommy will just ruin that for him."
"So you're siding with Frankie and Frost then?" she asked.
"No, I side with Frost and his independence, not being involved with a Rizzoli will suit him quite well I believe, but if he wants to do anything with Tommy or Frankie I can't exactly force him to not be involved. It's his life, I just try to guide him in the right direction."
"You're a good friend, but sometimes I think you care just a little too much sweetie."
Jane scoffed, "You say it like that's a bad thing, I got it from you, you know. The joys of genetics. I wish little Julian all the luck in the world, luckily enough for him he's not all Rizzoli. Please be better than all of us little brother," Jane rested her hand on her mother's stomach. "Hey he kicked, I think he understood me," she beamed. "I can't wait until I'm in your situation one day Ma," she spoke, pulling her hand away aware of what she just admitted to her mother.
"In what way, pregnant?" Angela asked with a smile on her face. "Oh my Gosh Jane, that's so great, does Maura know you want to..."
Jane shook her head, "No, I just... the only person I told was Camille at her grave. I hate to admit it but I want to experience it all. I want to carry a child," she spoke, tears in her eyes. "Sure part of me is scared but being with the twins, being protective of Camille I just... I want it. I don't want to just adopt like I originally planned. Please don't tell Maura, I'm not ready for that conversation yet. Plus I should probably heal from all of this first."
Angela kissed her daughter's cheek, "Jane I think this is wonderful news, and I stand by it. I'm sure it's not going to be easy or cheap, probably cheaper if one of you produced sperm."
"Ma! Come on now, don't start talking about sperm. That's not proper pre dinner talk," Jane scrunched up her nose.
"Sweetie, I'm pretty sure you need some kind of sperm to have a child."
"Ma, knock that off, don't make me regret telling you," she ran a hand through her hair, sighing in relief as the doorbell rang.
"Oh that must be Detective Crowe, hey maybe you can ask him..." Angela smiled as she went to go answer the door.
"Ma!" Jane shouted at her in disbelief, she knew her mother was kidding, or at least she hoped she was.
"Good evening Darren, Jane was just telling me that you've been invited to dinner, it's always nice seeing that she hasn't run everyone in the city of Boston away," she greeted, Jane couldn't help roll her eyes at her mother's words, glaring at Crowe when he laughed.
"It's pretty hard to run me away Angela," Crowe smiled. "Pregnancy seems to be treating you well, you're definitely glowing."
"Don't be disgusting Crowe," Jane responded. "Maura told me you were going to help in the kitchen, she's in there with Korsak."
"Mind if I say hello to the twins first?" he asked, and Jane sighed.
"If you must, they're busy coloring in the dining room while they wait for dinner," Jane told him. "Ma can go with you, I have to make sure Tommy isn't killing Chad."
"Who's Chad?" Crowe asked.
"Maura's tortoise. Ma, make sure he behaves," Jane eyed Crowe down once more before wheeling into the guest house. She seen Tommy sitting on the couch, "Hey Tommy, how's Maura's baby doing?" she asked, making light conversation since their last conversation wasn't the best.
"Chad's doing fine. Are we okay Jane?" Tommy asked and Jane shrugged.
"I don't know, I do want to apologize for what happened, what was said the other day. I have to be honest with you though, after you left Cailin confessed something, and I know it's not something you'd want to hear but I don't think liking Cailin is such a good idea. And it actually doesn't have anything to do with you."
Tommy sighed, shrugging his shoulders, "Cailin called me earlier, she told me what she said and honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Her liking you instead of me was definitely a shocker, I didn't think she still had a crush on you, and I guess it got bigger over time. I can't even imagine how you feel. It's probably odd and she told me Maura didn't take the news well."
"Yeah, you can say that. So Crowe has come over for dinner, he's acting really odd, did you want me to help figure out what his ulterior motive is?"
"Are you asking me to put my observation skills to the test?"
"It'll be fun, like old times, remember in high school Frankie with his girlfriends. We always knew something were wrong with the girls he dated, and we always knew what was best even though he didn't approve of our tactics. I don't want to feel distance from you or Frankie. I want us to try to get back to normal, all of us."
Tommy nodded, "Sure thing Jane, it'll be nice feeling like a family for a change. Family is all we got sometimes," he stood up from the couch. "Come on Jane, let's get this little detective game started, shall we?" he told her before pushing her back into the main house. "Hey Maura, Vince," Tommy greeted them and turned to look at Detective Crowe. "Good evening Crowe."
"Are you two up to something?" Maura asked, noticing them both smiling and she knew that something was going on, she wouldn't put it past them.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, after angst we needed something less angsty. Rizzles made up and have a new understanding, Jane confessed to Angela about wanting to carry a baby, and Tommy and Jane are up to figuring out Crowe's intentions. Family dinner will be interesting, thats for sure.
