Maura took Jane to a jewelry store, looking through rings.
"If there's nothing you like, I have someone who does custom work," Maura said anxiously.
"You know me, I'm not one for all this stuff," Jane said, glancing her way through. She gravitated to the men's rings, and Maura followed her.
"You'd prefer something plain?" Maura asked.
"Something I don't have to take off for work. Something I can interview serial killers in without them knowing I have a weak spot."
"I'm your weak spot?" Maura asked, not sure of she should be flattered or offended.
"Yeah. Something I can wear on a chain maybe, so I can put it under my shirt. Something that my gun won't scratch up."
"Would you prefer one for the left or right hand?" Maura asked. "Right would be less conspicuous, and would be less in your way."
"One I could switch over after work, if I can."
"Can I help you ladies?" An assistant asked, looking primarily at Maura, as usual for these types of stores when Jane came in with Maura. It was like they could smell the money coming off Maura, and Jane was just a bad smell. "Something for your husband?" The assistant asked, looking at the case they were in front of.
"Wife, and I'm afraid you won't be able to help us," Jane said, smiling sweetly. Maura took Jane's hand and led the way out.
"Ugh, is this going to keep happening?" Jane asked.
"Did you at least like any of the rings?" Maura asked.
"Not enough to deal with her," Jane said.
"Would you mind waiting a few weeks?"
"Why, you got an idea?"
"My mother has a friend who does magnificent work, and now I know your requirements I think I can send through a design sheet. Would you mind if it had an inscription on the inside, rather than a visible diamond? Perhaps a pattern? Titanium, so it won't get scratched by your gun?"
"You're very practical," Jane said.
"Your needs are very practical," Maura countered. "What would you like to do for the rest of the day?"
"We could go to the zoo?" Jane asked, but Maura shook her head.
"I prefer to see animals in the wild."
They spent the day at the African-American history museum, then off to look at political landmarks. Back at the hotel, Maura looked through a number of material and designs as Jane worked through the cryptography puzzle Maura had made the day before.
"Is this based on anything we would have covered in the academy?" Jane asked, frowning.
"Any cryptography course should have covered this material,but perhaps not in detail."
"Ok, so it's nerdy. Probably ancient." Jane got up and swiped the laptop from Maura. "Got it," Jane said, handing the laptop back. "And I like that top left one."
"The rainbow tungsten?" Maura asked, pulling it up. "With the rainbow inside, and in a line through the middle. In black?"
"Yeah, it's badass," Jane said, scribbling away. "Aw, Mau, you're such a nerd. A sweet nerd, but a nerd nonetheless." Jane read the message back. "'I love Jane Rizzoli.' I coulda guessed that."
"Mulavediya is a very common cryptography method. I'm surprised you didn't get it earlier. What do you want unscripted."
"Can I get this?" Jane asked, pushing the paper over. "Encrypted, so I don't forget you love me, but also so I don't forget what a nerd you are."
"A nerd that loves you," Maura said, sending through an email asking for the commission.
"You're the only nerd I could love," Jane said, taking the laptop from Maura and putting it on the table. "Now let me show you how much."
Notes:
I bought flowers for a girlfriend maybe 14 years ago and they asked who they were for and I said my girlfriend and OH BOY.
Hopefully things have changed now, but disclosing orientation is something I don't bother to do unless it's the forth time an x-ray tech has asked if I'm pregnant.
Rainbow tungsten rings are gorgeous and I would love one but my fingers do not fing well.