Jane couldn't help privately thinking that the lizard man, she swore she heard Maura's voice in her head scold by reminding her that the man's name was Marcus, looked like he struck oil as she played back the recordings for him. The first meeting where Cavanaugh threatened with disciplinary action if she didn't do as she was being ordered to despite her very clear and correct argument that nowhere in her job description did it say she was someone that Vice and Narcotics could pick up to use at their whim. The meetings with her handler where she expressed her concerns that something was wrong and that she needed to get pulled out but the Vice handler issued the same threats that were now coming from above Cavanaugh, the Vice lieutenant and the Narcotics lieutenants. The night of the raid that had her fellow UC who outed her, buried one of four slugs in her chest and killed three SWAT guys.
Marcus couldn't help mentally rubbing his hands together as he read the typed out transcripts as each respective clip attached to the transcript in his hand was played. Not only were Jane's very real concerns being downplayed by the people above her, she was outright threatened by them to continue the operation. Just off the top of his head he could think of charges for coercion and witness intimidation that would stick with no problem.
"There's a few more recordings to be had but the flash drive was full. I'll email the rest to you but tell me straight lizard man, what kind of odds are you giving me on this shitting on the BPD and them not being able to cover it up?" Jane asked as the last recording ended and another transcript was laid in a careful pile.
"Bluntly speaking Ms. Rizzoli, very very good odds. Every time you brought your concerns up to be pulled out and were threatened with disciplinary action- that is a separate charge of witness intimidation. The fact you were roped into the operation against your will and threatened with disciplinary action if you didn't comply- a charge of coercion since you were forced to do it and witness intimidation. The fact that your fellow undercover who was in charge of acclimating you into the organization being the one to shoot you, I wouldn't be surprised if most or all of her estate and pension went to you and there's nothing her next of kin can do about it." Marcus leaned back in his chair looking thoughtful.
Jane's brow furrowed as it again weighed on her, that question of if she should really follow through. She knew what Maura thought, what her family thought, but she also knew the people of the city needed to know the BPD would be there to protect them when they needed protecting. Those already hating the police and military, mainly for the massive budget they have, would latch onto this as an excuse to cost cops their funding and seed even deeper seeds of doubt about cops truly being there to protect the common citizen. Hearing what the internal structure did to the cops below a certain rank, like herself, she could only imagine how big that rift of mistrust would become when it was evident the abuse of power and bigotry towards women like her in the force would make people distrust ever having to call a cop.
"I can guess what you're thinking Ms. Rizzoli."
Jane lifted her gaze to meet Marcus', a scowl marring her face. "And what would that be exactly?" she asked with a tight tone.
"You're second guessing your decision to come to me with this. You're second guessing your decision to even think about suing the Boston Police Department because, despite the bad apples that nearly got you killed, you know most of them are good men and women who want to do the right thing. You're thinking how much the Boston Police Department would be damaged by a trial revealing how rotten those in position of authority can seemingly do as they please and thus you're thinking about how much it will make people choose not to call the cops for fear of being treated like animals." Marcus brought his hands together tapping both of the pads of his pointer fingers against the other. "All very valid concerns but the fact of the matter, the police department is guilty of a number of crimes and needs to be held accountable. Cops are the gatekeepers to society Ms. Rizzoli, you were one so I know you know this, but they are not immune to the rules or laws they are sworn to uphold" he said.
Jane made a noncommittal sound of acknowledgement as she stood from her chair.
"Doing this is the right thing for Maura, you and your family. I might be special and single by choice, married to the job as it were, but you have something special Ms. Rizzoli. Under all that genius intelligence, Maura doesn't truly trust or love anyone but select few. She has given her heart and her soul to you, Jane. If anyone else had asked me to do this, I wouldn't have done it; Maura is a different breed of animal. You want someone with a heart to make Saint Peter weep? It's Maura. You want someone to be at your bedside cheering you on while you recover? It's Maura." Marcus let his hands fall and pushed himself up to his feet. "Do the thing you feel is right and despite the hang-ups and doubts, I know that means doing what it takes to make Maura happy. Not to mention easing your worries. Tell me now, are we moving forward with the lawsuit or not?" he asked.
Jane took a long moment as she glanced between Marcus and the window outside where Maura was waiting in the car. "Draft whatever motions you need to do whatever you need to do and start the process. We're moving forward with the lawsuit." Jane left the office, set an appointment for another meeting after the complaint was drafted and filed and then left. She needed to distract herself.
Jane groaned as she rolled over on the bed. "Maura, I don't want to dress up and go to dinner" she whined. "It's bad enough every Sunday my mother comes over and makes a big to do about dinner and more so about us ever since.. you know."
Maura rolled her eyes as Jane whined. Ever since they had cleared the air as far as being soulmates went and the raven haired italian had begun consultation to sue the Boston Police Department, she had noted that Jane wasn't particularly fond of going out a lot. It was like pulling teeth with trying to get Jane out of the house to attend her physical therapy sessions; it annoyed her quite a bit to say the least. "Jane, I love you and I will do anything for you, you know this by now. I'm asking you to go to dinner with me, not attend the opera. The table is private, we won't be surrounded by people who know us personally and it is not fancy. I don't ask you for much Jane so please, just pull on your slacks and a button down so we can enjoy a nice dinner" she said turning her head to look over her shoulder.
Jane held a firm look with Maura before folding after a minute. The fact she had folded to Maura when they were merely friends was ten times worse now that they both knew they were soulmates and actively taking steps, albeit slow ones, to get used to such a drastic change in their relationship. "We aren't staying longer than dinner" she said with her famous 'I won't go unless that the line' tone.
"Agreed, the restaurant I had in mind isn't one that does terribly good dessert to begin with" Maura agreed. "Now get dressed or I swear you'll wake up tomorrow covered in British strawberries and Bass trying to eat you."
"You wouldn't dare sic your turtle on me" Jane said pointing a finger at Maura accusingly.
"He is a tortoise, for the last time, and I will if you don't get dressed for dinner" Maura said, the last four words stressed for emphasis.
"Maybe you need to find a looser set of panties or get the pair you have on out of the twist they're in" Jane mumbled under her breath.
"What was that about my panties, Jane?"
"Nothing Maura, nothing at all." Jane pushed herself off the bed and made over to the closet before pulling out a pair of slacks and one of her white button down shirts. Her mind automatically brought up that they used to be her work clothes but ever since she had gotten out of the hospital and went on leave, they weren't. They wouldn't be when her notice was up in three days. "I'll meet you downstairs, I'm going to shower first" she said before heading for the guest bathroom.
Maura sighed silently since she had been slowly trying to nudge Jane into getting to using the master ensuite since they already shared her bed and Jane practically lived in the house long before now. She didn't understand the big deal about using the ensuite when they were already sharing so much as they began down a path of a more intimate relationship. "Don't take too long, our reservation is in forty five minutes. Please, please be showered and dressed in fifteen so we can make the drive across town in less than twenty" she called out while carefully tending to her hair.
"Red and blues blaring, gotcha" Jane called back.
"That's not what I said Jane and you know it" Maura groaned to herself. Even when the italian was being exasperating, she couldn't help smiling a little and loving the woman. She could drive her up a tree and despite the annoyance that would inevitably rear its head, she would never be able to think of the olive skinned woman with anything but love and affection.
"So where are we going exactly?" Jane asked while Maura slowed the Prius to a halt at a red light.
"I'm not telling you Jane, for the fifth time. I planned this for us, just let me have my surprise" Maura said while drumming her fingers on the wheel. She loved this woman more than life itself but she could certainly be annoying when she wanted to. "All I will tell you is a that its a steakhouse and the whole back patio is reserved for us alone."
Jane quirked an eyebrow at the fact that Maura shelled out the money to reserve a whole patio for them, a reservation that by itself couldn't be cheap. Of course she knew Maura could afford it, her soulmate was independently wealthy and so was her family, but that wasn't what bugged her; not really anyways. Maura could have drove them to a Sonic or a Wendy's drive through and she would have been fine; having exuberant amounts of money spent on her made her skin crawl. She had always worked hard for what she had and hadn't had a real exposure to the truly wealthy until she met Maura. It made her feel a bit like she was using the blonde, something she strove never to do; Maura was too beautiful and kind and pure, even considering who her unfortunate sperm donor was, for her to be comfortable with that sort of idea.
The next red light gave Maura time to spare a glance at Jane and arch an eyebrow in return. "Just trust me on this" she said shaking her head. 'The things I do to show this woman I love her' she thought to herself easing on the gas pedal as the light went green.
"You I do trust, surprises I like not" Jane said while crossing her arms. She knew that the way Yoda from Star Wars talked irked Maura so to use it was a good sign she was getting impatient.
Maura heaved a sigh of relief as a short time later the steakhouse came into view. While the facade looked all fancy and expensive, the menu was but that didn't concern her one bit, she knew that the restaurant itself was not. "We're here" she said as she slowed the car to a stop outside of a valet stand.
Jane's eyes nearly popped out of her skull seeing where Maura had made the reservation. To get into this place you had to wait months to get a reservation! "Maura, we-"
Maura, not wanting to rehash what was said before they had gotten into the car, cut Jane off with a kiss near the edge of her lips. "I know but I want to do something nice for you Jane. I love you, I want to be able to do things like this without you fighting me on it. I know you would be happy if I pulled into Dunkin Donuts and got you a jelly donut and called it dinner but what's the point of having money if its just sitting there doing nothing? Let me spoil you every once in a while ok" she asked softly as she pressed soft kisses along her soulmates cheek toward her ear and nuzzled it just under the earlobe making Jane shiver. Was it playing a little unfair doing that? Maybe so but she would spoil the woman she loved even if it was only once in a Blue Moon.
"F..fine, just stop it before I'm tempted to do something neither of us are ready for" Jane gasped while clenching her hands to keep from grabbing Maura inappropriately for a public space.
'You are not ready, I am' Maura corrected mentally as she pulled back with a small beatific smile on her lips. She unbuckled and hopped out, handing the valet the keys in passing, before she opened the door for Jane to step out. "Shall we, my detective?" she asked with warmth and amusement showing on her face.
"You are going to be the death of me Maura Isles" Jane groaned as she stepped out, adjusting the cuffs of her shirt so they didn't look as wrinkled.
"I would certainly hope not. I was planning how we would live a long happy life together. Tour Europe, see all the sights Asia has to offer, perhaps-"
"Before you start talking like we're an old married couple already, can we just enjoy what it is now? The domesticity and quiet is nice. Waking up in the same bed as you with you nestled into me is nice. Just deciding what we want to do over coffee-"
"If you don't find another adjective to describe our domesticity I will make Bass try to eat you by covering you in British strawberries one night after you fall asleep" Maura threatened in a teasing tone.
"You won't do that, you know why?" Jane asked confidently as she whirled Maura into her arms after stepping out.
"Mm and why is that detective?" Maura asked with a laughing purr. She didn't even notice as the valet, a pretty young woman, smiled a little and laughed before hopping in and parking the Prius nearby.
"Because you love me too much to do anything that would hurt me. Because you need me in your life to be truly happy and content. Because you-"
Maura cut Jane off with a kiss since the italian was right on all accounts. "I do, I do love you and I do need you in my life to be happy. So when this madness with the lawsuit and the BPD is over, can we talk about what your next step is? As far as work goes. I know you're too proud to not work, you have too much of a stubborn streak to do something like live off my wealth. When its all settled, lets talk about it ok? I don't want to have to worry about you getting hurt" she whispered softly after breaking the kiss when breathing became necessary.
Jane took a moment, her breath coming in pants as she rested her forehead against Maura's so their eyes were locked, before nodding softly. "We can. We will. I don't want to worry you like that ever again" she promised softly before breaking the contact and leading Maura inside.
A/N: So... Hi, I'm not entirely dead and neither is this story. I found this half written and well, got inspired. I got a few half written chapters for some stories I'll be posting in the next week or so. Be on the look out.
