work week was busy and exhausting. I was upset when I had no energy to write. this story is my pride and joy right now and I'm sorry to myself for this delay of updating this. At least my muse has been intact just no energy to do so. Here's the next chapter as the plot thickens. Enjoy!


As soon as Jane wheeled herself into the precinct she was greeted by Cavanaugh. He didn't seem surprised to see her, but he didn't seem glad to see her either.

"Rizzoli, why are you here? Don't you understand what medical leave means. Usually people like having time off."

"Well I'm not one of those people sir, you do realize this right? Plus I don't want Crowe to try and replace me as Lieutenant," she told him. "Plus I'm mainly here to see Maura, I rather her supervise me than my mother. I'll happily take part in desk duty."

"Crowe could never replace you Jane, unless you quit, but by the looks of it you seem set to stay."

"For the time being, I'm still trying to figure things out. I'll head to my desk now, if that's allowed."

"Of course Rizzoli, but I better not ever see your ass leave your chair, understand," Cavanaugh looked at her and Jane just smirked.

"You say that like I have a choice," she wheeled off to her desk, Crowe looked up from his.

"Hey Rizzoli, returning to work so soon?" he asked and she nodded.

"Yeah I need to keep my eye on you, make sure that you're not up to something," she ended with a smirk. "You know the kids keep on referring to you as Uncle Crowe, welcome to the family."

"Was that sarcasm there Rizzoli?"

Jane nodded, "Just a little bit. I really am going to have to see your ugly mug all day, aren't I?"

"You chose to come back to work, if you have a problem you could always go elsewhere."

"Jane why are you at work?" Frankie asked as he walked into the room, ignoring Crowe's presence.

"Is that going to be the question of the day? I'm here to work and keep busy," she grabbed some files before leaving her desk. "I'm going to just hang out with Maura, do as Crowe here said and go elsewhere. Have fun up here boys," she told them before wheeling towards the elevator.

"Why does Jane seem agitated already?" Frankie turned to Crowe who shrugged.

"Beats me Rizzoli, I can ask the same thing about you," he responded before returning back to his work, Frankie shook his head and went to sit at his desk, mumbling. "You say something?" Crowe looked up at him with a frown.

"No Detective Crowe, I did not. Can we just both get back to work?"

"I seriously don't know what your deal is," he pushed himself out of his chair and headed to the cafe.

Frankie ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "It's going to be a long day."

Jane had finally made it down to Maura's office, she knocked on the partially open door, Maura was on her computer typing away. She looked up for a moment and nodded, waving her in before returning her attention back on the screen.

"I guess you're busy?" Jane asked, wheeling up to her wife's desk.

Maura finished what she was typing before she looked up at Jane, she shook her head. "Not too busy, I was just discussing Cailin to Lauren some more. She plans to meet up with Hope and Cailin later today. And then I was doing some writing."

"What were you writing?" Jane placed her files on Maura's desk.

"Just journaling, I've been doing a sort of memoir thing, you know a lot of interesting people have autobiographies."

"I didn't know you were into writing like that, how long have you been working on this?" Jane was curious of her wife's leisurely activities.

"About a year, trying to figure out how to form the outline of my book. I have to get the flow just right."

"Well that sounds interesting, what you got so far?" she leaned over trying to peak at her screen.

"It's a work in progress, you can read it whenever I find it suitable for you to do so, right now it's just all jumbled up thoughts. Anyways, I see you brought files, may I ask why? I just thought you were going to take up space on my couch."

"Might as well be productive while I'm here, you mind helping me to the couch now, since we're on that subject."

Maura got up from her chair and helped Jane out, "All settled now?" she asked and Jane shook her head.

"Not yet."

"What do you need? Did you forget your meds again?"

"Nope, my dear sweet mother made sure I didn't forget something so important. You said you weren't too busy, why don't you relax on the couch a little bit, what do you say?"

Maura sat down next to Jane, "I say five minutes, and no funny business."

"Why would you think I would be up to any funny business? Can't I just want to snuggle up my wife for five minutes?" Jane looked up at Maura with pouty eyes.

"Not when you were talking about having a boner if you were a man just this morning."

"You're the one who mentioned fucking me over and over again once I get healed."

"I think we're losing the point of this conversation, sounds like funny business is on your mind."

"Oh just come here, we're wasting our precious five minutes," Jane pulled Maura into her arms, squeezing her gently, pressing a kiss to Maura's shoulder, lightly pressing her lips along her jaw line.

"Jane, what are you doing?" Maura shifted to look at her wife.

"What do you mean? What I'm doing is completely harmless, now this is not harmless," Jane ran her hand underneath Maura's breast, before giving it a squeeze, kneading it with her hand. She smirked as Maura bit her bottom lip to hold back a moan. "Just let it out babe? I want to give you some sweet release."

"Jane, this isn't the time or place to... shit..." Maura groaned as Jane's teeth gently tugged at her earlobe, sucking at the warm flesh.

"You like that Maura?" Jane whispered in her ear, seeing Maura shiver. "Let me take care of you," her hand slowly moved away from Maura's breast, resting on her thigh, letting her finger run up until she got near Maura's underwear. "I want to please my wife. I won't get hurt, all you have to do is ride my fingers. I can only imagine how tight you are right now, unless you want me to stop." Jane sighed seeing Maura shift, she noticed her kick off her heels, but what she wasn't expecting was Maura to get up from the couch to sit on the floor, sitting with her legs crossed, closing her eyes as she took a few deep breaths. "Maur, what are you doing?"

"Meditating, we need to have at least some self control Jane," she spoke calmly.

"Did you want me to go back upstairs?" Jane asked with a frown, sort of hoping this would have gone differently.

"You can stay Jane, there's nothing wrong with that just, maybe we shouldn't be in close quarters to each other. Just one little touch seems to send us both insane," Maura sat on the floor for a few more minutes before standing up. "I'll bring you your files," she leaned down to kiss Jane's cheek before heading to her desk and grabbing the folders Jane brought down with her. "Here you go," she placed them on her lap.

"I'm sorry Maura..." Jane sighed.

"You don't need to apologize, we both have problems with self control. I know we're used to having sex more and being intimate, but good things come to those who wait," she rested her hand on her wife's shoulder, leaning down to press a kiss on Jane's cheek. "I love you."

Jane nodded, smiling warmly at her wife, "I love you too Maura. Maybe we can do stuff once we get home?" she suggested and Maura looked up at her and smirked.

"Only if you behave the rest of the day, then just maybe I'll give you my sweet release," she laughed at Jane's use of words.

"I'll take those odds," Jane smiled back before turning her attention to her files.

Meanwhile upstairs in the cafe Frost joined Crowe at the table he was sitting at, maybe he could talk to him and see what was really up with him and Frankie. "Hey Crowe, what's got you so down this morning?" he decided to try this approach.

"Nothing Frost, you seem chipper this morning though, it's a nice look on you."

"Thanks, it's been a while since I haven't felt stressed or depressed."

"I never took you for a depressed type, so you're doing well for yourself then?" he sipped at his coffee.

"Yeah, I'm doing more than well. But you, you look like hell, I've been there, maybe I can help?" Frost suggested and Crowe shrugged.

"I'm not depressed Frost, I do have a general question for you though, how were you able to do it?"

"Do what?"

"Has Frankie always been difficult?" Crowe decided he could trust Frost. "You know, romantically?"

Frost leaned back in his chair, "So my hypothesis was correct? That you and Frankie are involved?"

"Yes and no... I thought things were going well but after dinner last night he was upset at me being helpful, even told me I was being a suck up. I just wanted to be helpful, you know. I didn't realize that that was a bad thing. He seems to be giving me the cold shoulder. So back to my question of Frankie being difficult..."

He nodded, "Yes he's a difficult person, but he has reason to be. Plus he's a Rizzoli, all three of them are quite difficult."

"So how can you handle it?"

"Having patience that's something really important to know. How does Frankie feel about you?"

Crowe shrugged, "I couldn't even begin to tell you, one day he seemed willing to give this a shot then he gives me the cold shoulder. He seems worried about what Jane thinks, he's not allowing himself to be happy and it makes me feel bad for him."

"Well that seems like something you have to get used to, Frankie is a complex man. Maybe if you and Jane get along better maybe Frankie will be willing to let all his feelings out. Are you able to have patience with Frankie, he's also probably pretty worried about getting hurt. We both know his track record with relationships."

"Yeah, I hated seeing him so down after a break up, I really understand his concerns, just wish he didn't bottle things up. Are you even okay with all of this? You guys hardly have been broken up yet."

Frost nodded, "I'm more than okay. Frankie and me just didn't work, it happens, plus I have my focus elsewhere."

"Tommy you mean?"

"I, yes... how did you know about that?"

"I just happened to look over while watching the movie and seen you and Tommy kissing, I figured when you both left Jane's house with smiles that something was going to happen. You being so relaxed this morning has sort of proved my theory."

"You seem happy about my choice in mate."

Crowe nodded, "Of course I am, partially because that means Frankie is free," he added with a smirk. "Even if he's being difficult there's at least some sort of hope."

"Maybe he's also worried about how I feel. I can reassure him that I'm okay with his decision. If he wants you he really shouldn't be worried about me."

"You'd do that?"

"Yeah, seeing you with emotions make me want to help, you're not so bad there Crowe," he smiled before his phone rang. "I have to take this," he got up and answered his phone. "Hey Tommy, I was just thinking about you too. No, I'm not busy at the moment," he spoke as he left the cafe. Crowe sighed, he was glad that Frost could be happy, now if only that could happen for him.

He got up and went back to his desk, he seen Frankie slam down his phone, he seemed a little frustrated. He didn't know if he should say anything, but he was worried about him. "Hey, is everything okay?"

"Not exactly," Frankie stood up. "I need to go talk to Jane..."

"I'm here if you need me Jane and Maura are probably occupied."

"Thanks for feigning concern, but it doesn't have anything to do with you," Frankie grabbed his jacket, brushing past Crowe. Before he could react Frankie disappeared towards the elevator.

Once Frankie got downstairs he knocked on Maura's door, even though it was opened. "Maura, I need to talk to Jane. It's important."

Jane looked up from her file, "Hey, is everything okay Frankie. You look really tense."

"Did you want me to leave you two alone?" Maura asked. Jane said no as Frankie said yes. "I have to talk to Susie about something anyways, I'll be back," she got up from her desk and left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Okay spill, why do you look like you just seen a ghost?" Jane closed her file, focusing all her attention on her stressed out brother.

"I just received a call about news on our father."

"The sperm donor, you mean."

"Yes that asshole, he's just been released and is on parole."

"He's been what?!" Jane shouted and Frankie nodded. "He's hardly served any time."

"Apparently he was on very good behavior, I have a feeling he faked that shit just to come out."

"What are we going to do now? The restraining orders will still be in affect, so maybe we should seek him out. He does not need to be a free man."

"So you agree that we need to devise a plan to make sure he messes up?" Frankie asked just to be clear of the plan.

"You realize how many people that pissed him off, he's going to want to do something about it. He was willing to hurt me, who knows what the hell he thought of while he was in jail."

"I have a feeling Lydia may be the first one he visits, he's going to need a job and a place to live. Let's just hope she makes a good decision and doesn't let him back in."

"Even I don't think Lydia is that dumb Frankie, give her some credit. Why do you care about Lydia?"

"We both know how she is, and she has a lot to deal with if he comes near her. She needs to be protected."

"Well you keep an eye out on Lydia then. I'll focus my attention on making sure Ma is alright," Jane ran a hand through her hair. "That means I need to tell her. That won't be fun. You should call Korsak tell him what's going on, let him know I'll tell Ma. I'll tell Maura when she comes back. I will not let Frank fuck with our lives."

"I'll go let Lydia know what is going on," he turned on his heel.

"Frankie before you go, just don't get too attached to Lydia. She seems to have a thing for those Rizzoli genes."

Frankie paused before nodding, "Of course, you think I don't know that."

Jane looked at her brother, noticing the look on his face, he felt guilty about something. "Frankie you didn't... did you?"

"We don't have time to talk about this right now."

"Frankie Rizzoli, please do not tell me that you and Lydia..." Jane frowned.

"We'll talk about this later."

"Sit down right this instant. And tell me that you didn't...not with her... Why?"

"Later Jane, please... It's not what you think," he was out the door before Jane could say anything else.

"He's lost his damned mind."

"What's the matter?" Maura asked as she walked back into her office.

"I'm questioning the sanity of my brother, and guess who got a get out of jail free card?"

"Don't tell me that Jasmine is out of jail," Maura's face fell she couldn't handle that kind of news right now.

"I'd be off this couch so damn fast if that was the news. It's still pretty bad, Frank has been released and is on parole."

"Oh Jane, I'm sorry to hear that," she sat down next to her wife. "Are you going to be okay?"

"If he comes nowhere near my family then things will be alright, but I don't think it'll be that simple. We all know he has a temper and who knows what he thought of in prison. Frankie and I hope he steps out of line even just one step, then things will be much better. I know you don't want us to be in close quarters right now, but I really need you right now babe."

Maura nodded, reaching out to pull her close, "I won't let him anywhere near you or your family, I promise."

"Don't make promises that you may not be able to keep. Frank is capable of a lot of things."

"I know sweetie," she kissed the top of Jane's head. "I'll still do the best that I can." Jane closed her eyes, trying to relax. She liked being held by Maura, she could always feel vulnerable around Maura and know that things would be okay and that she would be in good hands. Jane really did need to talk to Frankie and find out where his head was at, she was very concerned about him.


A few hours have past before Jane decided she should go home and not put off any longer to tell Angela the news about Frank. Jane felt obligated to tell her herself.

Frankie was going to drive her home, they got situated in the car and Frankie started in up and just sat there. Jane knew he was acting odd, she wanted him to speak of the thing he had with Lydia, whatever that was. She wasn't sure how to bring it up, she liked ignoring that Lydia ever existed but she was there.

"Why?" Jane decided to just ask, especially since they were still parked.

"Why what?" Frankie looked at his sister.

"You know... why Lydia? Aren't you a little young to be having a midlife crisis?"

"I'm not having a midlife crisis Jane. Yes I made a mistake, I can't even tell you why I did what I did," he sighed in frustration. "I don't want to tell you why... just know that I was sort of drunk."

"Wasn't Korsak working last night at the Dirty Robber?"

"Yeah but I got drunk before then. When I left your and Maura's house I went home, drank a few and then went out. I took a cab, so don't worry about that. She was leaving when I got there and she asked what happened to me..."

Jane frowned, "I didn't realize that you were struggling with anything, Frankie you don't get drunk..."

"Not often anyways," he shrugged. "There's been a lot on my mind, first the whole break up with Frost, then some developments elsewhere."

"With Lydia right? Or are there more people in this scenario?"

Frankie shook his head, "I'm getting to that part, just listen it's easier when you don't respond just yet, understand?" he asked and she just nodded, leaning back in the seat. "So anyways Lydia drove me home, I never rode in a car with her before, at least that's one thing she could do right. She seen me fidgeting in the passenger seat and she asked me what was the matter and I blurted out that I was tired of feeling tired and hopeless. She comforted me with her words and then one thing led to another and we... well you know the rest. Lonely drunk guy getting complimented and turned on..."

Jane had to interrupt, "Please spare me the details of that incident please. I know how sex and desperation works. It's Lydia Frankie, she has relations with Frank."

"Jane you think I don't know that."

"Is that why you had to warn her about Frank because you have feelings for her?" Jane asked in almost a shout, even startling herself.

"What God no, I woke up this morning regretting what I did. Sleeping with Lydia was never anything I wanted to do, ever I just she was there and I was lonely... You do stupid things too when you're lonely... like having sex with Gabriel back in the day," he argued back. "I'm done with this now," he put the car in drive and started to drive.

The ride was spent in silence, she was pissed at Frankie already for mentioning Gabriel, his obsession with her made his ex fiancee go insane almost leaving Jane crippled, not to mention kidnapping Maura and threatening to kill her. And then with the choices he's been making lately.

When Frankie pulled up in the driveway Jane turned to him, remember something, "So why exactly were you getting drunk last night?"

"What?"

"The reason you got drunk enough to do Lydia..."

"Don't worry about it, I told you I'm done with it," Frankie exited the car and helped Jane out and into her wheelchair.

"Frankie maybe I can help you."

"No, you think doing Lydia is the worst thing to happen... well I don't want to tell you anything else. I'll just figure it out on my own," he wheeled her to the house, they entered and the twins and Korsak were playing a board game and Angela just observing on the recliner.

"Hey guys, did you want to join the kids and I to a friendly board game of Clue? The twins think they'll be able to gang up on me, but I think not," Korsak greeted before focusing on the game.

"I rather not play, those kids can be brutal if they end up kicking your butt. Plus I want to discuss something with Ma. I'm sure Frankie here could enjoy a little game, he's good at those. Come on Ma help me to the guest house."

Angela nodded, getting up from the couch heading to the guest house behind Jane. "Vince said you needed to talk to me about something earlier? He wouldn't tell me what it was about. Are you feeling okay? Is it Frankie? Why did he seem so angry?"

"We can talk about Frankie later, can you sit Ma?" Jane asked softly and Angela nodded sitting on the edge of the bed. "Thanks... what I'm about to say is upsetting but I wanted you to hear it from me."

"Okay sweetie what is it?" Angela asked her daughter.

"I got some information today and I knew I needed to tell you. Frank, well, let's just say it's tricky and I'm working to figure it out so he won't bother us since..." Jane rubbed at her hands.

Angela seen her struggling she reached out to take her daughter's hands. "He's out on parole," she figured she'd help her out.

At her mother's words she looked up, "Wait, you knew this already?"

Angela nodded, "He called me last night after you guys all went to sleep. I was surprised hearing from him he wanted me to hear it from him. Claimed he was a changed man and he had the nerve to ask me for a favor. Can you believe that? He hurts my children emotionally and physically and he wants me to provide him a place to stay. I of course stood my ground, after years of being the doting housewife being treated like shit. I told him the only place I want him to have is a place in hell where he belongs. He then told me he'd just ask Tommy instead. Don't worry I warned him because I know how Tommy is, but he reminded me that he went to go visit Frost that one time, did you know Tommy and Frost got back together, I think Frost is very good for him. Maybe Frost will be an official Rizzoli one day," she ended with a smile.

Jane nodded, "Yeah Frost told me this morning but said he's going to take it slow. Anyways, I am glad you stood your ground, I'm still worried that he's up to something dangerous. I want you to be protected, if he comes anywhere near you again I want to know right away. Even if it's by phone, we don't want him out of jail and he's bound to fuck it up and end up back there. Jail isn't anywhere close to hell though unfortunately. So are you going to be alright? I was really worried to let you know."

"Yes sweetie I'm going to be just fine. So what's up with Frankie now besides him probably being angry about Frank. He did seem odd leaving the house last night so abruptly. One moment he's in the kitchen talking to Crowe and then he's out the..."

Jane straightened up in her chair, "Wait a minute, it's all starting to make sense... Ma I need to go have a talk with Frankie."

"Jane tell me what's going on..."

"I can't, I have to talk to him. You can go back inside if you want to or you can stay out here, I think Chad should go eat his lunch," Jane waved her mother's concern off before wheeling back into the house.

Jane observed the four playing Clue, the twins were smiling, patiently waiting for Korsak to do something, his tie was undone and hair unkempt. "Jesus Korsak, you that stressed out about a game, did you want my help?"

Korsak looked up at her with a frown, "No I don't need help."

"Sure you don't," Jane laughed. "Anyways, do you kids mind if I borrow Uncle Frankie for a moment?"

"No grandpa is going to take a while," Kate responded with a laugh.

Frankie looked at his sister. "We have nothing to talk about..."

"Yes we do, come out on the porch, please?"

Frankie grunted getting up from the floor, "Fine, but only because I know you aren't going to stop it until I talk. I'm not a criminal though keep that in mind," he went out with Jane to the porch, his sister closing the door. "Okay what?"

"Why did you leave so abruptly last night? Ma made an observation that it was after you were talking to Crowe in the kitchen," Jane noticed her brother's body language change from tense to exhausted, she knew it definitely had to do with Crowe now. "What did he say to you? I swear if he said something shitty to you or about you, I'll kill him myself."

"Jane, it's nothing okay? You've already judged me enough about Lydia."

"Frankie please, I want to help," she looked at her brother with a pout.

"Jane that look may work on Maura, but it doesn't on me. He didn't say anything bad to me or about me, just... he opened my eyes on things and I don't want to discuss it," Frankie crossed his arms. "Please don't make me, you'll threaten to kill him no matter what I say."

"I thought we looked out for each other Frankie, I guess that I was wrong. You can always talk to me, you know that right?"

"No I can't, not about this. You can take my place at Clue, I'm going home."

Jane frowned, "Fine, don't tell me what's going on... I'll just ask Crowe myself. You don't trust me with whatever this news is, so I'll just go to the source."

Frankie threw his hands up, "Do whatever you want to Jane," he stepped off of the porch and into his car before driving off.

Jane seen him drive off and dialed Crowe's number, as soon as he picked up she does at him. "What the hell did you do or say to my brother?"

"Jane, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Frankie isn't being open to me, he talks to me about anything but not whatever you said to freak him out. Whatever made him get drunk off his ass last night causing him to make mistakes that I'm not at liberty to discuss."

"Is that why he was acting odd this morning?"

"He said you opened his eyes to something but he wouldn't even tell me what it was. What did you say to him?"

"I told him that he takes your opinion too seriously, that he needs to be his own person and make his own choices. You're holding him back from doing whatever it is that he wants to do."

Jane grew pissed at his words, "You say that like it's my damn fault he wants my opinion on things, I actually like having him discuss things with me. Why would this even be coming up anyways? Now he feels like he can't talk to me, no wonder why he's been acting so damn standoffish, why he's bottling up instead of letting me in."

"I don't know Rizzoli, just maybe don't badger him like you're badgering me, that's what you did, right? Try to get him to talk when it sounds pretty obvious he doesn't want to talk. Why don't you just let him be?"

"And why don't you go fuck yourself Darren and leave the relationship between me and my brother alone.. I don't see how it's any of your damn concern anyways, the twins might think you're family but you're just a prick in my eyes, sure you tried to help Maura out and got yourself suspended that doesn't even begin to make up for the crap from over the years..." Jane was probably loud enough to have her family inside concerned about what was going on.

"Are you done now Jane?" he asked, Jane heard the defeated tone in his voice and knew she got to him, she thought it was good.

"Yes I think I'm done."

"Now after you had your outburst I'll explain what's going on." Crowe paused for a couple of moments, Jane getting annoyed by his silence.

"What the hell is it then? What is my brother not telling me?" Jane asked, all she wanted was a straight answer, she didn't have much anger left in her.

"He's scared Jane, scared you'll judge him about his feelings... his feelings for me or if he would even consider having feelings for me."

Jane couldn't help but laugh, "Feelings... for you... you're kidding me right?"

"See what I mean... anyways if you must know I have feelings for Frankie I admitted it when I was a little tipsy... I even kissed him..."

Jane was in complete shock at Crowe's words, "Woah hold on, wait a minute. You have feelings for my brother, and he might maybe have feelings for you back?"

"Yeah well he wants to figure it out well he did before our talk last night. Now it seems like he wants to forget the whole thing."

"Maybe he realized just how crazy is it. You and my brother will never work out Crowe, for starters it's fucking bizarre."

Crowe sighed, "I don't know Jane, Maura supports it..."

"Oh God is that why she invited you to dinner? Why would Maura support such an unrealistic idea? You and Frankie have nothing in common and it's just disturbing..."

"Well I am sorry you think so, I could make Frankie very happy if he let me in, let us figure it out together. You don't need to get worked up though, it's not going to happen now anyways. Is this conversation over? I need to get back to work."

"Yeah this conversation is over. See you at work tomorrow then." She responded grumpily before hanging up. "Oh Maura... why do you have to see the good in people?" Jane thought to herself before heading back inside.


Success I was able to post again before the New Year, man it's been a while since I posted this, well a while considering how fast I usually update. Tell me what you thought. Jane's conversation with Crowe on the phone was my favorite and by far the quickest thing I wrote in this whole chapter. I like the Rizzles scene in Maura's office of course as well lol will they get some hot time alone later? And let's hope Frankie figures his shit out, eh? Sibling tension isn't so nice and then Frank getting out on parole it's going to be quite interesting. Stay safe out there on New Year's Eve if you're reading this before then, and let's see what 2021 brings this story.