"And here she is, Doctor Maura Isles, the former Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!" The publicist called, and the roar of the crowd drowned out the aside Jane had started trying to say to Maura. "Here today with her proof-reader and good friend Sargent Jane Rizzoli!" The noise, already immense, grew again, and Maura strode out onto the stage as though she belonged there, Jane trotting along behind her, a little dazzled by the bright lights and standing ovation. She had time to note that most of the crowd was decidedly female before sitting next to Maura on the stage.
"Some people say that the backdrop of Boston is almost a character in itself, the way you write it," a panelist said. "Were you aware that most of Boston sees your collection of work as a love letter to their home town?" The crowd, ever enthusiastic, got back onto their feet to show their support of their statement.
"I grew up in Boston," Maura said, her voice refined, barely shaking. Jane took her hand to steady her and reveled in the thankful glance Maura gave her, both ignoring the awed hush from the crowd. "I have roots here, I have family here, I have loved ones buried here. This city has welcomed me like no other ever has, and anything I wrote about it was just," Maura shrugged. "It was just how the city presented itself to me. The smell of molasses up in the North End, the salt-water of the docks permeating Beacon Hill, the fresh pine scent of the inland regions - Massachusetts has a lot to offer, and it really shone through. I'm glad it resonates with so many people."
"Most of you will know Sargent Rizzoli for her high-profile cases in homicide and her work for the Frost Memorial scholarship, but I'm introducing her today as my proof-reader, my best friend, my partner in solving crime - and, as of recently - my partner in life." Maura kissed Jane's hand and the crowd, already hyped, started to lose its collective mind. "We hope you enjoy the next book as much as we did," Maura finished, watching Jane blush.
"Doctor Isles will be signing at station five in half an hour, so make sure you have your books in order before you head over," the publicist said. Jane and Maura got to their feet, heading away from the crowd.
"You did great," Jane said, letting her hand rest on Maura's waist as they walked.
"Thanks for coming with me. The last time we presented together..."
"Yeah," Jane said, remembering the blood cottage. The blood bath. Boston was always going to hold memories, but she hoped to build up more good ones to drown the old ones out.
Maura was pleasant, signing books and all charm as people came through. Jane brought her a water, aware that the line hushed as she approached Maura.
"Thank you," Maura said, taking the water.
"You need a break?" Jane asked, concerned as Maura shook her right hand, taking it in her own and rubbing between the index and middle finger.
"I'm fine, Jane," Maura smiled up at her.
"You need anything..."
"I'll let you know," Maura said, still smiling, and Jane leaned down to kiss Maura's temple, blushing as a collective 'aww' came from the line, bustling away back to Angela.
"I read The Chapter. Hope lent it to me last month," Angela said idly. "All I can say is it's about time."
Notes:
I have never been to a book signing and I doubt they're like this.
I'm going to a museum tomorrow. I reached out to my old work wife to see if she'd want to go, so Rizzoli and Isles inspired me I suppose. We're going to look at dinosaurs with her partner, who I work with and thoroughly enjoy.
I think I am going to take a Rizzles break after this - a few things were a bit too much and I have a few shows to catch up on/books to read. Once I read the books again I will probably do a book version but that might not be for a while. I do hope to finish Be My Guest but my brain is not that way any more. I'll be on tumblr and will probably keep posting shorts there.