Hello! Welcome to another update, language warning for this chapter just as it's a bit more frequent than previous chapters, oh and anything in italics should be what the character is thinking, I find it helps to read it in the character's voice (if you don't do it already, you don't? just me? I'll leave you to it then!

Enjoy, happy reading!

Chapter 10 - Questions

It only took a couple of minutes to walk from the bleachers to the science classroom, but that short distance was enough to cause Jane's nerves to collapse completely. The brunette could feel her whole body start to shake as her breaths were becoming shallower. She couldn't believe what the hell was happening; it was only two weeks into her senior year and things were more messed up than ever. Her feelings for Maura were raging through her body and she couldn't wait to get to know the gorgeous woman more intimately.

Shit that was meant to be tonight.

But that was just it, she didn't know Maura at all. Yes, they clicked. Yes, they had this bond that my god, neither of the two could explain, but who knew if it would last? Then there was Riley. The cocky, confident, sexy sports coach who had introduced Jane to a whole new world.

Really Jane, Disney quotes?

However, she had also played with Jane's head, heart and…. other places, for over a year now and Jane was sick of it. The Italian knew Riley wasn't the one for her, but she couldn't deny there was still something there. But she thought, it was only because Riley was her first… her first step into accepting who she was and for that she would always be thankful. Then there was the ridiculous way Riley was trying to flirt with Maura to get one over on the young Italian. Letting out a frustrated moan, which caused a concerned look from Frost; Jane's brain was whirring from all of the impossible emotions she was feeling at once… they were each getting stronger with every passing second, all fighting for dominance, making every cell in her brain scream for attention. She couldn't take it anymore. It felt like she was going to explode.

As soon as she walked through the door of the science classroom, the Italian's eyes darted around the room searching for the perfect hazel orbs that she knew would calm her down and put her mind at ease. But that moment didn't come, her head was starting to feel light and the classroom before her was swimming out of focus. Harshly, she grabbed onto Frost's arm as she felt her legs starting to buckle underneath her.

"Frost". She whispered desperately, she couldn't control this anymore, she recognised the feeling of hopelessness she'd only felt once previously and she was scared shitless that it was happening again. Happening here, now, in front of people. Fuck.

"Shit Jane you okay?" He asked, worry written all over his face, as he started to lower her down onto the floor, not knowing what to do.

"DOC?" he shouted, his concerned eyes connecting with his teacher over the other side of the room.

"Jane?" A concerned voice followed by the sound of heels quickly tapping on the floor arrived at the side of brunette. Unknown to the best friends, Maura had been waiting for Jane to come through the door. Her heart had sank when she saw Jane struggling with, what appeared to be, a panic attack.

"Doc I don't know what happened, we were just talking, she was a bit upset, but she was okay honestly." Barry struggled to get the words out to tell the blonde and Maura could tell he was confused about what was happening to his best friend. Maura stood up and turned back to the class before she loudly addressed them.

"Okay class, I'm sorry but I need to make sure Miss Rizzoli is okay, can you all please go to the library for some independent study? I will see you tomorrow." Maura instructed the rest of the seniors, making it clear that they needed to leave quickly. "Barry, stay close and keep talking to her okay?"

As the class filed out, various murmurs of 'get better soon Rizzoli' were heard. Jane tried to smile softly at the care of her fellow classmates and half nodded her thanks in between her shallow breaths. The honey blonde had returned and kneeled down beside Jane, who despite her short and sharp intakes of breath, seemed to have some colour returning to her cheeks.

"Jane it's going to be okay, I just need you to breathe deeply for me. In and out, okay? Just like that sweetie." The term of endearment caused warmth to spread through Jane's body.

She was going to be okay.

Maura continued to speak softly, reassuring Jane while rubbing small circles on her back. Jane brought her knees up under her chin and held her head between them. Frost had tried his best to talk about football, about pizza, about girls even, but he just couldn't get the words out.

"Barry, what happened before she came in here?" Maura directed the question towards the young man, her eyes however, never left Jane.

"We were on the bleachers… talking. She was worried about something." Frost kept his eyes fixed on Jane, not daring to look Maura in the eye, he knew where this conversation was going, but how could he tell the doctor she felt like this because of her feelings for her… and Riley?

"You were on the bleachers? But wait… didn't you have Miss Mills for English class? Why were you out there?" Maura was confused. She didn't want to admit she had memorised Jane's timetable, but she knew she wasn't mistaken.

"Well…"

"Mr. Frost, if there's something I need to know I'd rather you tell me... please" the older woman added.

"We…" the pair looked surprised at the Italian who was trying to speak, "we skipped because… I-I needed to tell Frost something."

Jane had raised her head slightly, looking very sheepish at what she was about to reveal, Maura however was still completely clueless about what the best friends were talking about.

"Maura… Frost knows…I- I'm sorry. B-but something happened with Coach Cooper… and I-I needed to tell him everything for it to make sense." Jane struggled to get the words out between breaths, but by the look on Maura's face, she wished she hadn't. In their short time of knowing each other, Maura had never looked hurt or upset and the sight of it killed her. The small circles the doctor was making on Jane's back had slowed to a stop, before she removed her hand quickly, not wanting Barry to make any harsh assumptions.

"Oh…" her plump lips forming an 'o' as the reality of the situation sunk in as she dropped back onto her heels.

"Doc it's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone, trust me. I can see how happy Jane is, and well… look at her, I've never seen her react like this before."

"No one has Frost." Jane managed to whisper.

"You mean this has happened before Jane?" Maura asked, concern flickering over her face.

"Only once. But it was much worse than this. I'm glad this is nearly over. I can finally take a deep breath'. Jane smiled gently, reaching out and touching the older woman's arm.

"Thank you, Maura, I knew seeing you would make me better. I kinda feel safe around you."

"Jane, as sweet as that is. We can't let this happen again. If you're feeling like this, we need to deal with it sooner rather than later. You need to tell me everything okay? What happened to trigger you feeling like this?" Maura didn't want to press Jane but couldn't stop herself from wanting to know more.

"Cooper. That's what." Frost muttered in disgust.

"As in Coach Cooper?" Maura asked incredulously.

"Yeah… erm. It's a long story." Jane shrugged her shoulders, hoping Maura didn't ask for a retelling right this instant.

"It's clearly affected you badly Jane, you need to tell me so I can help you. I want to help you." The blonde's piercing stare initially made Jane feel uneasy, but as the brunette looked deeper, she saw the care that was present in the gorgeous doctor's eyes and knew she had to tell her.

"Can I tell you tonight?" Jane shyly asked.

Maura looked from Jane to Frost and blushed, "Yes… as long as you're up to it."

"I'll erm, leave you two to talk. I'll be in the library Jane. Thanks again, Doc."

"Look, this period is nearly over, I need you to take care of yourself for the rest of the day. I really want to know what's hurt you so badly and what I can do to fix it."

"Right now, Maura can you just… hold me?"

The emotion in the young woman's voice was enough to break Maura. Without thinking about who might walk past, Maura held the young woman gently and securely in her arms. Not wanting to ever let her go.

"Whatever she did to you. I am not her, I will never hurt you, I promise you Jane."

Maura felt Jane's fingers squeeze her arm reassuringly, as the two women locked eyes once again. The younger woman's breathing had returned to next to normal as she felt safe again in the arms of this extraordinary woman. Jane studied the older woman's face that was inches from her own as she felt her heart pound faster at the true compassion in Maura's eyes, something she never saw in Riley's. She leaned in and captured those perfect pink lips in a chaste kiss. There lips only touched briefly, but it symbolised so much more. Trust.

Suddenly, the bell rang through the halls, signalling their brief time together was over.

"You had best get to your next lesson Miss Rizzoli, I need you to take care of yourself this afternoon, go to the library after school and I'll meet you there?"

"Crap I've got practice tonight, I finish at 4.30… is that okay?"

"Is it wise to go to practice? There's clearly a lot of bad feeling between you and Coach Cooper."

Jane flinched hearing Riley's name.

"It's probably not... but I'll just avoid her. Stand at the back, keep out of her way. I'll be okay Maura I promise, I just let my emotions get the better of me today."

Maura nodded sadly as she helped Jane to her feet and watched as the young Italian walked gingerly out of the door into the crowded hallway towards her next lesson.

R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I

*Later that day, in practice*

"Look sharp Rizzoli, you nearly dropped the ball." The voice of Coach Cooper grated through the Italian as she scored her second touchdown of practice.

"Fuck you." Jane snarled, low enough that only Frost (who was beside her) heard the comment.

"Jane, calm down. Practice is nearly over. Think about the good doctor." The chocolate skinned boy whispered back, Jane could hear the pleading in his voice, and she knew he was right. Riley wasn't worth it. Think of Maura, you're seeing her soon.

"Cat got your tongue Rizzoli? You've normally chewed me out by now." The coach goaded again from the touchline, her arms folded over her chest, subconsciously creating more cleavage than some of the younger members of the team couldn't help but gawk at. Riley could see Frost trying to talk his best friend out of biting back, but if Jane's stance said anything, is that she was one comment away from letting loose her wrath.

"Geez, what's got Cooper up your sister's ass?" One of the other boys muttered to Frankie who was standing just out of earshot of their coach. He wasn't the only one to sense something weird was happening between the Coach and their star player today. Their usual rapport had been replaced by indifference and taunting comments, it had made the tension in practice almost unbearable.

"I don't know, but I don't like it." The younger Rizzoli replied, "She's been in a foul mood all practice. Jane looks like she's ready to pounce though."

"Cooper better watch out." The other boy, Sean, chuckled. He had seen the wrath of Jane Rizzoli first hand, and knew the coach was in trouble if she didn't stop teasing her soon.

Riley had recently got herself a reputation within the team for her mood swings, but this was something else. From calm and collected during warm ups to unleashing hell itself during scoring practice. The caramel skinned brunette was taking no prisoners. Luckily, she blew her whistle a few seconds later and signalled them all to tidy up the equipment and hit the showers.

"Rizzoli, I'd like a word." Cooper demanded of the fiery young woman as she walked passed. Frost shot his best friend a warning look before joining the rest of the team heading back towards the showers.

"Yes Coach?" Her voice completely void of any emotion, she wasn't going to let Riley get to her this time.

"You're getting sloppy Rizzoli. I can't afford to have you playing like that against Freemont." Riley sneered, knowing she was getting under Jane's skin.

"Sloppy? I scored two touchdowns in 20 minutes didn't I?" Breathe Rizzoli, she can't get to you.

"Yeah 2… last game you scored 4 in 15 minutes." Riley scoffed, moving her body closer.

Jane took a step back, opening the gap once more.

"The last GAME Riley, not the last practice. Jeez, stop being such a hard ass, no one will want to play under you."

"The looks I was getting I think quite a few people want to play under me Jane. Anyway, how many fucking times do I have to remind you it's Coach Cooper in school?"

"Swearing at a pupil, classy… Riley."

"Extra practice. Before school. No arguments." Riley turned to walk away, a smug smile painted on her face, Jane couldn't get out of this one. However, the coach felt a firm grip on her upper right arm, stopping her in her tracks.

"Before school? Are you fucking crazy? Why would I want to spend any time alone with you?" Jane was beyond furious Riley was trying to play her again.

"Swearing at a teacher? Classy." She smirked back, echoing the Italian's words. "Don't you miss being this close Jane?" Jane stepped towards her coach, so their faces were almost touching.

"Fuck you and your games Cooper. I'm going to shower. Don't follow me."

"Jane, I wouldn't dream of it…. Well actually I would… our shower sex was pretty hot. Remember?"

"Nope." Jane sneered and jogged over towards the locker rooms where her brother and Frankie were waiting for her. Not noticing the fire that lit behind Riley's eyes as Jane rejected her so openly.

"I win this round Riley." She whispered, knowing her discussion with Maura later would shed some light on the mess that was Jane's love life.

R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I

"Be ready in 10 Jane?" Frost and Frankie called as they started to push open the door to the boys' locker rooms.

"10 my ass, you seen how much hair I have to wash?" She replied, laughing for the first time all afternoon.

"Okay fine, 15! I'm starving!" Her younger brother whined, as they both disappeared behind respective doors.

It was times like this that Jane wished she could share a locker room with the rest of her team to boost morale, talk about girls, what was the difference between them anyway? Except a few body parts.

As Jane turned the showers on, she welcomed the embrace of the warm water to wash away all the intense emotions she had felt that day. 10 minutes later, as she was towel drying her hair, standing in her black sports bra and black boxer shorts that were both trimmed with a white waistband, the door to the locker room creaked open. Jane tensed at the thought of someone seeing her in her underwear, I swear to God Riley, but as her eyes snapped up, she realised she didn't mind this someone seeing her like this at all.

"Last time I looked Dr. Isles this wasn't the library?" Jane smirked as she took in the expression on the honey blonde's face. Her hazel green eyes were wide at the sight of such defined abs, the way the Italian's boxers fit perfectly to her muscular thighs.

"I- erm, hope you don't mind. I wanted to see you in your… natural habitat, alone." She whispered, her eyes never leaving the toned mid-section. "Plus there were far too many students for us to go unnoticed leaving together and it is nearly 5pm."

"Well first things first, my eyes are up here…. Maura." Jane practically purred the older woman's name, and thoroughly enjoyed the blush that crept up the doctor's cheeks. "We can go as soon as I'm dressed, but by the looks of it, you don't want me to hurry that part?".

"How are you feeling now?" Maura asked kindly, avoiding Jane's flirting for now as someone could walk in at any time. She stepped forward a few paces towards the Italian, her hand coming to gently rest on Jane's cheek, as she caressed the soft skin beneath.

"That feels nice." Jane admitted quietly, as she leaned in towards Maura's hand, not wanting the contact to stop.

"YO JANIE YOU READY?"

Frankie's voice thundered through from the other side of the door, shattering the tension that had been quietly building between the two women as they jumped apart.

"Ah shit, sorry, I erm, I'll get rid of them. Hang on okay, don't go anywhere." Jane whispered urgently, already missing the heat from the honey blonde's hand.

"So, I'm stupid and forgot I've got homework to turn in for tomorrow. Rain check on pizza?" She smiled innocently, causing her brother to whine that he'd been waiting so long when he could have demolished a pepperoni pizza by now. Frost on the other hand, shot her a knowing look.

"Sure Jane, take your time, I know how important homework is to you". He chuckled as he steered away a very confused Frankie.

"Phew, now they're gone." Jane confidently walked back over to where the blonde was standing leaning against the lockers. Her tight blue dress accentuated the curves Jane wished she was in the mind frame to appreciate earlier.

"Jane…" Maura stated warningly, knowing if the brunette came any closer she couldn't be held responsible for her actions.

"Yes Maura?" Jane asked with a glint in her eye, placing her hands on the older woman's hips, bringing their bodies flush against one another against the lockers. A muscular thigh struggling to make its way between two milky white ones that were engulfed in a tight blue case.

"You know, I love how fitted this dress is, it shows off every curve I can't wait to explore."

Jane's lips ghosted over the doctor's neck and stopped just below her ear.

"But I'd love it even more if I could get closer to you." The hoarse whisper of the brunette sent goosebumps all over Maura's skin, her nipples fighting the harsh restraints of the royal blue fabric.

"Jane not here…. I want this…my god I do, but we need to go… NOW." The pleading in the woman's voice made Jane stop kissing the pulse point below the blonde's ear as she looked into the dark arousal of the hazel green eyes.

"Not even if I do this?" Jane muttered, as she extended her left hand to caress and squeeze the blonde's curvaceous ass. Causing the older woman to moan softly at the sensual movements of the brunette.

"I…. No, trust me Jane… no one needs to hear how I'm feeling right now."

"I do."

"Jane I'm demanding you get dressed now before this goes any further." The older woman panted, slightly tapping Jane's right shoulder to indicate she needed to get off before they reached a point of no return.

"I'll meet you at your car? Let me throw some clothes on and pack my bag."

"Don't throw on too many though, will you?" Maura threw a wink over her shoulder as she exited the locker rooms, swiftly followed by Jane who had never got dressed so fast.

As Maura reached her car door she heard footsteps close behind her.

"You certainly didn't wait about. Good girl."

"Why would I wait to talk to you again?"

Maura froze, it wasn't the voice of the brunette she was pushed up against just moments ago, but that of Riley Cooper; who had unknowingly been watching as the older woman left the locker room.

"Oh, Coach Cooper you startled me, my apologies."

"And yet it seems you were waiting for someone, so if not me? Who?" The smirk on Riley's face unnerved Maura, does she know something? Is this what Jane was trying to tell me earlier?

"Oh no one. I was actually leaving quite urgently though, so I will see you tomorrow." Maura tried to open her car door but found a caramel skinned hand blocking it.

"Let me take you for that dinner, I'm not busy tonight, and well it's a shame to waste such a beautiful dress on your students." Riley leered towards the doctor, somehow convinced the blonde would be charmed by her.

"No thank you, I am not free tonight. I will have to let you know when my schedule frees up, Goodnight." Riley didn't hide the fact she was annoyed at being dismissed by two women that day, but this time she stood back to allow Maura's door to open and watched the woman disappear inside.

Instead of heading back towards the school, Riley turned on her heel before getting into her own car and driving off, missing the young Italian jogging across the carpark to the silver Mercedes awaiting her. As Jane jumped into the passenger seat, she automatically leaned in to kiss the older woman hoping to pick up where they left off, but she stopped immediately when she saw worry reflected back in those beautiful hazel eyes. Maura took a deep breath as she saw the arousal growing smaller in Jane's eyes, replaced by curiosity at what the older woman had to say. The honey-blonde had shifted in her seat, so her whole body was facing Jane, she had extended her right hand to capture Jane's left as she spoke softly,

"Jane… what exactly happened between you and Coach Cooper?

"Maura, I-"

"Were you lovers?"