Maura Isles is, first and foremost, a woman of science. Emotions were all well and good and after years of knowing Jane, Maura had even come to appreciate them for their complexities and intricacies. At the moment, however, Maura's feelings were utterly confusing. What Maura needed was empirical data. She needed tangible data points she could see. Maura needed to follow the facts, let them lead her to a conclusion. Deciding she was in love before examining all the data was like Jane calling reddish brown stains 'blood'. It was an assumption, a foregone conclusion. Maura didn't make assumptions. She analyzed, she plotted data points, she examined all the evidence and then stated the most empirically likely scenario from that data. Which was why Maura started counting the number of times Jane touched her. It would be the first cornerstone of her data. The second would be a catagorical assessment of Maura's own actions to each touch. Maura would find all the data. Maybe, just maybe, it would help her figure out what to do next. This might just be one of the most important forensic analysis Maura had ever done, after all, her relationship with Jane hung in the balance.
Jane had touched her 28 times with an outlier of 1 from the time they left Bass's exhibit to the time they made it home. Most, 17, were mere brushes. The whisper of a touch as they passed one another, the subtle brush of fingertips as they walked. They had made Maura feel tingly. Though Maura had to consider all her feelings at the time a potential outlier, her reactions overshadowed by her emotional connection at the exhibit. 5 of Jane's touches had lasted several seconds, lingering on the small of Maura's back or on her forearm. Maura assumed, due to duration, these were more intentional touches. They had made Maura's stomach flutter, her heart race. 3 times Jane had teasingly bumped in to Maura. All 3 had made Maura laugh. Once, Jane and Maura had collided with one another while chasing TJ. Maura assumed it was accidental and therefore an outlier but Maura noted that Jane's hands on her hips, steadying her, made Maura's whole body flush. The remaining few times were... perfect... no... just statistically significant. Twice in the car on the way home Jane took her hand, holding it in her own as they talked with Frankie and Nina. The way holding Jane's hand felt was... indescriable. Pleasing, warming, dizzying, and so much more. The final touch was when, before entering the house, Jane pulled Maura aside to thank her for coming to the zoo and tolerating her crazy family. She had leaned in then and kissed Maura's cheek. Maura felt an immediate flood of dopamine and andrenaline course through her body. Her cheek grew hot and tingly. Breathing became labored. Maura could conclude, definitively, that she was attracted to Jane. However, attraction was just one data point in the course of love.
Sleeping had been difficult for Maura. She was keenly aware of Jane beside her. Her warm body, her every movement. The way that Jane did not shy away from Maura when their forms touched. Maura felt... odd, enjoying that comfort now. Jane was a friend with platonic intentions. Maura, in the dark silence of their room, had to acknowledge that she longed for those intentions to be something more. Maura turned her mind to measuring the other aspects of a romantic partnership. If she could quantify the other aspects, she could derive relevant data from there.
Sunday with the Rizzoli's meant two things: sports and food. Maura had come to accept this reality years ago. She enjoyed the science behind the sports, the statistics, the physics, even the biology of the athletes was engaging. It was entirely second nature to Maura, at this point, to host the entire Rizzoli clan and their friends for a raucus afternoon and a family dinner. Frankie and Nina were the first to arrive that Sunday while Jane was out walking the dogs, hoping to tire them (mostly Boston) out before the others arrived.
'Hey Maura!' Nina said, following Maura in to the kitchen with Frankie on her heels, 'need any help?'
'No but thank you Nina!' Maura replied with a smile. She moved her cutting board to the island to face the duo as she worked.
'I feel like we spent the whole weekend talking about the wedding. Tell us about Virginia and your book!' Nina asked eagerly.
'Oh!' Maura replied happily, 'I've loved hearing about your wedding. I'm so excited for you both!'
'Thanks Maura,' Frankie said smiling lovingly at Nina before sneaking a carrot off of Maura's cutting board and chomping on it. When both women just stared at him he shrugged and said, 'what? I didn't eat breakfast.'
Nina shook her head, smiling indulgently. It was a smile Maura knew she often wore when Jane was around. A data point to consider for later. 'So, Maura,' Nina prompted again, 'Virginia? Your book?'
'Virginia is lovely,' Maura replied happily. 'We are excited to have you all over for Thanksgiving.' Maura moved on to chopping onions. 'My book is finished and set to be published in early October.'
'Ooh! Is there a preorder?' Nina asked, smacking Frankie's hand as he reached for a second carrot.
'Ow!' Frankie yelped.
'There is,' Maura replied, 'and then I'll be on a book tour for most of October and part of November.'
'Hyping it up for the holidays?' Nina asked.
'That's my editors idea.'
'How's living with Jane? She driving you crazy yet?' Frankie asked. When both women stared at him he shrugged again, 'what? I lived with her for years. I know she's a hard roommate.' Nina shook her head. Frankie was the sweetest, most tactless man.
'It's...' Maura hesitated, her chopping slowing as she considered what to say, 'completely platonic.' She knew the moment she said it, it was the wrong answer. Maura saw the detectives share a glance.
'Is there a non-platonic option?' Nina asked, her grin borderline predatory.
This was going to end with Maura in hives. She already knew it. 'Certainly,' Maura replied keeping her eyes on the cutting board. 'There are plenty of facets to any relationship ranging from hostile to passionate.'
'Passionate?' Frankie asked, his eyes tracking every one of Maura's movements. 'Like romantic?'
'That is one possible facet,' Maura replied carefully.
'A facet that you and Jane might be open to?' Nina asked.
Maura turned to grab potatos. The recipe didn't call for potatos but Maura needed the excuse. 'We haven't discussed it.' Maura replied truthfully.
'But one that I'm guessing you would be open to discussing,' Frankie suggested.
Maura counted to ten before answering. 'I am open to discussing a great number of things, Detective Rizzoli.' Frankie laughed, holding up his hands in fake surrender.
'Being open to and wanting to are two very different things,' Nina observed quietly.
Maura set her knife down and stared at the woman. 'Et tu, Detective Holiday?'
Nina, however was unaffected, 'I think that maybe living with a certain some one has made you realize that maybe you want more than just a platonic relationship. And that maybe, just maybe, you are so terrified by that, that you are shutting it all down with some kind of rationalizing science bullshit.'
'I do not rationalize my emotions using science,' Maura replied.
'Hives!' Frankie pointed triumphantly at Maura's neck. She could indeed feel the burning, itching sensation crawling up her neck. Maura took a couple of steadying breaths.
Nina walked around the island and offered Maura a hug, a place to hide for a moment. 'You okay, Maura?' Maura accepted the hug and nodded stiffly in the embrace. It wasn't like when Jane held her. It was nice, a bit awkward, but friendly. When Jane held her it was like coming home or taking a deep breath after being under water. Another data point.
'Well,' Frankie said feeling a bit awkward, 'if someone ever decides how she feels, I think a certain someone else would be one hundred percent receptive. Just a thought.' Frankie walked away then, going in search of the remote.
Maura had pulled away from Nina, blinking after him. That was the missing data, wasn't it? Maura's attraction was accounted for. The outcome of this scenario depended on Jane's data. A mutual attraction would have a positive outcome. The only problem would be if there was a discrepancy between their attraction levels.
Nina watched Maura's face go in to science mode. She had to hide a giggle. Then Jane had walked in with the dogs. Maura's whole body beamed at the other woman. Nina watched them greet each other, their bodies reorienting to one another as Jane washed her hands and then went to join Frankie on the couch. She saw the look of awe on Maura's face. The girl was in it deep and she didn't even know. Nina leaned in and whispered conspiratorially in Maura's ear, 'Frankie's right, you know. Go for it.' Maura swatted at her with a towel but Nina knew the look in her eyes. Nina was very well acquainted with it. She felt it every time she looked at Frankie. It was hope.
Hope stopped outside her biological daughter's house. She checked her make up in the mirror and did her best to calm her nerves. Cailin watched her quietly. 'Are you ready to go in?' Hope asked.
'Yeah Mom,' Cailin said with only the barest hint of an eye roll. They were finally making it out of the too-cool-for-you teenager stage. 'It's just Maura's. You don't have to be nervous.' Cailin said softly. She had spent far more evenings with her half sister and the Rizzoli's.
'I know,' Hope murmurred, wondering if it was appropriate to confide in her daughter. 'I just...' Hope trailed off.
'You want her to like you?' Cailin said with a shrug, 'you want them all to like you. I get it.'
Hope stared at her daughter. She had grown in to a wise, perceptive and kind young woman. Hope nodded her eyes getting misty. 'Losing Maura as a baby was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through,' it was a truth they both knew. Maura's loss had shadowed most of Cailin's life. Had made Hope cling tightly to her younger daughter, driven Hope to extreme protective measures. When Cailin had fallen ill, Hope had fallen apart. She couldn't bare to lose Cailin. 'Getting Maura back was such a gift. And then Maura saved you.' Cailin nodded understanding, it had taken them time to acknowledge what they both knew. That Maura had given Cailin a kidney and saved her life. 'I spent a life time grieving only to get both of my daughters back. Only one of them, I hardly know at all.'
Cailin reached out and took Hope's hand. 'You're more alike than you know, Mom.'
Hope squeezed her daughters hand. She knew that too. 'I just... I owe her so much but it was so complicated for so long. I just... want to... belong.' Admitting it was hard. All humans craved connection, belonging. Admitting you wanted to belong, though?
'So does Maura,' Cailin said softly, 'she wants to belong with you too. She just... doesn't know how.'
'What do you mean?' Hope asked.
'Maura's not great with people.' Cailin offered. It was true. Her sister was socially awkward. 'But she has a big heart. She just needs you to guide the process. Normalize the relationship you want with her, you know.' Hope stared at her daughter. 'If you want to talk to her, then talk to her. If you want to tell her you care about her, love her, then say it. She'll follow your lead Mom.'
'You think?' Hope asked cautiously.
'Yup,' Cailin said with a smile, 'it's what I did.' Hope considered this. Cailin and Maura seemed to have a healthy relationship. Hope knew they talked, felt comfortable depending on each other. Certainly, Cailin seemed more sure of her relationship than Hope was.
'Any advice for the Rizzoli's?' Hope asked. Knowing Maura and Jane were a couple now made Hope want to please, what was effectively, her extended family now.
Cailin chuckled, 'cannoli's are a good start. And don't cheer against Boston. They're pretty simple.'
'Right.' Hope glanced at the box of cannoli's on the back seat. Hesitantly she asked, 'what about Jane?'
'Jane likes every one Maura likes. Win over Maura and you'll have Jane,' Cailin replied with a shrug. 'Jane's simple, just don't hurt Maura.'
It wasn't that simple. Hope had several encounters with Jane that told her it wasn't that simple. However, it wasn't wrong either. 'Well,' Hope spoke softly, 'I have no desire to hurt Maura.'
Cailin smiled at her, 'I know Mom. Think you're about ready?'
'Into the fray!' Hope said teasingly, pulling the keys from the ignition and exiting the car.
Jane answered the door. She pulled Cailin in to a quick hug and offered a smile to Hope.
'Hello Jane,' Hope said with a smile, 'it's good to see you!'
'I'm glad you could make it! Maura really wanted you here,' Jane said in reply. Hope noticed that Jane hadn't said she wanted Hope there but Hope would take Maura's excitement.
'It was wonderful to hear from Maura yesterday but what about you Jane? Are you enjoying being an instructor?' Hope asked following Jane inside.
'Yeah,' Jane replied. 'Would you like some wine?'
Hope shook her head, 'no thank you.'
'Instructing is different. A lot less physical but it's been really rewarding watching the recruits learn and grow, knowing they are going to be out in the field helping bring about justice.' Jane continued.
'I've always found teaching to be very rewarding,' Hope replied.
'Yeah.' Jane said, 'it's nice knowing I'll be home for dinner too.' Hope watched Jane's eyes wander over to Maura and a small smile cross her face.
'Will you be joining Maura on her book tour?' Hope asked.
Jane returned her attention to Hope, 'I'm planning on joining her at a few, on the weekends.'
'Good,' Hope said with a smile, 'I think she's going to miss you greatly.'
Jane blinked, her eyes threatening to get watery. 'I'm going to miss her too. Six weeks is a long time.'
Hope patted Jane's shoulder, feeling awkward but taking her younger daughter's advice to heart. She would build the relationship she wanted with Maura and with Jane. She just had to have patience.
'Thanks Hope,' Jane said with a smile. 'You should probably go spend time with Maura. She was so excited you decided to join us.'
'You know, I think I will,' Hope replied. 'I'm glad she asked me to come and that you are willing to let me join. It means a lot to me to be invited to the Rizzoli family dinner.' She hoped it conveyed everything she was trying to say.
'Maura's family. So are you.' Jane replied with a shrug.
Hope nodded, her throat tight with emotion. Maybe she could find her place in her daughter's life after all. She walked in to the kitchen and offered Maura a warm hug hello without questioning if it would be wanted. And Maura hugged her back.
