A/N: Thank you for the reviews. Again, this is a long haul story. There will be ups and downs, ins and outs, break-ups and make-ups. And worth it. You have been warned.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Rizzoli House

Jane and Frankie were bickering about a case as they sat down at the dinner table. Frank was anxiously waiting on Angela to serve the food, and she was trying to get all the food on the table. It wasn't until they had said grace that Jane realized Maura wasn't there.

"Where's Maura?" She looked at her mother, hoping she had an answer. When Angela shrugged, she pulled her phone out and found a text from the doctor letting her know she had been called into a teleconference and would be a bit late. "Ah. She texted me that she's running late."

They were just getting started when Maura arrived and took a seat. Jane could tell Maura was preoccupied as the dinner progressed, and kept shooting Maura questioning glances. Angela noticed the non-verbal communication and wondered if they were about to announce their engagement. Deciding to help any possible announcement along, she asked, "So, Maura, anything new?"

Maura smiled. "Actually yes." She looked at a surprised Jane before continuing. "I was late because I was on a conference call with the governor, the FBI and an international medical relief agency. I can't say too much, but I am going to be on loan to this task force for the next two months."

Jane was so shocked that she fumbled her fork, causing it to skitter across the floor

. "What?!" Jane bent to pick-up the fork and as she came back up, she repeated, "What? Where will you be? Who will you be with?"

Maura took a drink of wine, wiped her mouth and looked at Jane. "I can not tell you where I am going, but don't worry, I will be with a large group of people. A few I know, and one who is a former colleague."

Jane pushed her plate back, having lost her appetite. "Colleague? Anybody I know?"

Frankie piped up, "Yeah, maybe I know them." He was oblivious to the nasty look Jane was giving him. Angela, however, was not.

"I don't know if either one of you know her or not. Jordan Cavanaugh? She was with the ME's office a few years back." She looked at Jane. "Jane?"

Jane Rizzoli most definitely knew who Jordan Cavanaugh was. She knew her reputation for being reckless, for trying to solve crimes and most disturbingly, her flexible sexuality. She had been on the receiving end of a flirtation from the ME. It was years ago, well before Jane was ready to admit to herself that she was attracted to women.

Jane nodded. "Yeah, I worked a couple of cases with her when I was with DCU." She looked at Maura. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Jane spewed the drink of water she'd just taken, across the table. "What the hell, Maura?" As she began trying to wipe up the mess, she continued, "Who is going to be filling in for you?"

Maura looked down. "Dr. Pike."

Both Frankie and Jane groaned. "Maura! He's awful!"

Frankie chimed in. "He's incompetent. And annoying."

The rest of the dinner was spent bemoaning Dr. Pike and wishing Maura good luck, with Angela paying close attention to Jane. She couldn't read her daughter's body language and Maura was no different. She did notice they kept shooting glances at each other. Having given up on getting anywhere with her daughter and Maura, she began packing leftovers for Jane.

XXXXXXXXXX

Maura's House

Maura opened the door to find a less than pleased Jane Rizzoli standing there. "Jane, come in." She stepped aside and moved toward the couch, assuming, correctly, that she wanted to talk.

"Maura, I know you can't tell me where you are going, but will you be safe? Or are you going to be in some third world country?" Jane held her breath, hoping Maura would assure her and fearful she wouldn't.

"Jane, I will be safe. Very safe. Safer than if I were here." She took Jane's hand. "I promise."

Jane looked at Maura's neck, trying to see if there were any signs of the hives. Satisfied that there weren't any red marks, she nodded. "Ok. I need for you to be safe, and this will buy us some time. Ok."

Maura considered her next words carefully. "How do you know Jordan Cavanaugh?"

Jane shrugged. "Told you, worked some cases with her when I was in DCU." She looked at Maura and realized what she was actually asking. "She hit on me. I wasn't anywhere near ready to admit to myself that I liked women, so I shut her down." She took Maura's hand. "Maura, I didn't lie to you. You are my first. First dance, kiss and...you know."

Maura smiled and nodded. "I know. I didn't think you were lying, I was just afraid you may have been interested in her and it was unrequited." Maura hated how jealous she felt thinking about Jane and Jordan. Or anybody else really.

"No. Not even close. And she's not really my type." She nudged Maura with her shoulder. "I like my ME's shorter, blonder, smarter and hotter. And named, Maura." She looked down, took a deep breath and asked, "How do you know her?"

"Pretty similar to the way you did, with the same result." Maura considered what she'd said. "Actually, that was during a really dark time for Jordan. She was really self destructive."

Jane nodded. "Maura, I know we are broken up and all, but I really hope you don't meet somebody else. Ya know?" Jane looked pitiful as she made her plea.

Maura stood and pulled Jane up, walking her to the door before answering, "I don't think that will happen." She leaned up and kissed Jane on the cheek. "I'll get in touch as soon as I can, however I can." She hugged Jane and watched her until she got in her car and pulled away, then she closed the door and slid to the floor, fighting back tears.