A/N: For clarity, chapters 38-44 are all happening more or less congruently in the same weekend. I also know that Saris and more specifically Ternas are fairly formal but eh. Finally, this is your reminder that you do not have to read this fic if you do not like the original characters. There's no need for you to complain about them to me.

Aarna tapped her fingers on the table as she sat on hold. She watched Noemi as she prepared lunch, Berry and Boston dancing at her feet hoping she would drop some scraps for them. Aarna knew Noemi was more comfortable with animals than people but watching Noemi with the dogs was like watching sheer unfiltered joy. Aarna had hardly done a thing for the dogs this weekend. Noemi had excitedly volunteered for everything. Aarna enjoyed the dogs but she loved watching Noemi in unfiltered bliss.

Noemi was setting left over curry and rice in front of her when the hold music cut out, 'hello this is Nia Williams.'

Noemi and Aarna exchanged a look. Aarna took the lead, she was more comfortable spinning half truths, 'Hello Ms. Williams, my name is Aarna Dhar and I'm with the FBI. I had a few questions about a case you worked with a Doctor Isles.'

'Agent Dhar,' she began, sounding frustrated, 'I would be more than happy to comply if you bring me a warrant. Really. More than happy.'

'But you won't answer any questions now?' Aarna asked, sensing a weakness in the woman's words.

'I want to, believe me, I do.' Williams answered, 'so much so that I will even let you ask them but department policy is extraordinarily clear.'

'So can you confirm that you have worked a case with Doctor Isles?' Aarna asked.

'Yes.'

'Can you confirm the date of a particular case?' Aarna knew it was unlikely but she could ask.

'With a warrant,' Williams said with a sigh.

'What if I told you I had a source who already confirmed that you worked a case with her in the week of labor day? Could you confirm that?' Aarna asked.

'No,' Williams paused, 'but I will say I haven't worked much with Doctor Isles.'

Aarna nodded, that narrowed things considerably. At least, it did if Williams was saying what Aarna thought she was. 'What if my source also suggested that it was child abuse related?'

'I would not be able to confirm or deny it,' Williams answered, 'though I could provide my official job title. I am a case worker for the Department of Family Services in Prince Williams County.'

'Thank you Mrs. Williams,' Aarna replied, 'the reason I am calling is because we have heard some concerning chatter regarding Doctor Isles.'

'I am very sorry to hear that,' Williams said, 'I'm certain I could be of assistance if you provided a warrant.'

Noemi frowned at her. Aarna agreed. There was a message there. 'Could I ask you a hypothetical question Ms. Williams?'

'Certainly Agent Dhar.'

'Hypothetically, if we served you a warrant would you have an idea as to who might be making threats towards Doctor Isles?' Aarna asked. She held her breath as she waited to hear the answer.

'Hypothetically,' Williams began, 'I might have a name that has caused me some concern. A name I cannot provide without a warrant.'

Noemi's face lit up like she had an idea. 'Could you hold a moment Ms. Williams, my partner is trying to get my attention?'

'Certainly.'

Aarna muted her microphone and asked, 'what? What just went off in that brilliant brain of yours?'

Noemi grinned, 'social work calls often have to be escorted by local police officers. She might be able to give you that name. Working with the local police is probably easier, departmentally.'

Aarna grinned, 'you're brilliant Noie!' She wanted to kiss Noemi but she figured now probably wasn't the time. Shame. She unmuted her microphone, 'I apologise for that Ms. Williams. My partner mentioned that often social workers are escorted by local police officers.'

'Your partner is correct,' Nia replied.

'Would you be able to provide the name of the officer you worked with?'

'With a warrant.'

'What about a list of officers you worked with?'

Silence greeted Aarna. Finally Williams sighed, 'I'm afraid not. I really cannot say anything further without a warrant.'

Aarna sensed the finality in her words. They had gotten more than she hoped for. 'Thank you for your time Ms. Williams. I appreciate it.'

'Certainly, always happy to help Agent Dhar.' A click told Aarna that she had hung up.

Noemi gave her a smile, 'at least we know who to ask next.' She took a hearty bite of curry and rice.

Aarna smiled back. They did know their next step. Aarna just wasn't sure how successful they would be. How many police officers were there in the Virginia PD? Even in Prince Williams County? And how many of them would work with a couple of FBI recruits? Probably about as many FBI agents would be willing to work with police academy recruits. Aarna had a feeling they were boxing outside of their weight class. She suspected their ruse was up and it was time to go to Agent Rizzoli. That, however, was tomorrow's problem.

'So,' Noemi began, looking somewhat nervous, 'my Lola texted. She would like me and my roommate to join her for dinner tonight.'

Aarna choked on her curry. Noemi grabbed her water and pushed it in her direction. Aarna gasped out a soft, 'thanks.'

'I promised I would join her. I also told her you were probably busy.' Noemi's cheeks blushed.

'Oh,' Aarna said, not sure why she had a sinking feeling. She didn't really want to meet Noie's homophobic grandmother and spend the night pretending she was straight and very much not in a romantic relationship with Noemi. Did she?

'She didn't like that,' Noemi said quietly, 'she scolded me. Told me she deserved to know who I was spending all my time with. Said she wanted to meet you, sooner rather than later.'

'I'm- uh-' Aarna cleared her throat, 'I'm flattered. And I'm… open to attending. If you want me to.'

'You are?' Noemi asked eyes opening wide. 'Even though we will have to pretend to be not a couple?'

Aarna smiled, 'we usually pretend to not be a couple, dear.'

'Oh,' Noemi said, seemingly embarrassed, 'right. I forgot.'

'You forgot?' Aarna asked eyebrows raised.

'Sort of,' Noemi said, 'this weekend has been so perfect. Just you and I. I sort of just momentarily forgot its not always like this.'

Aarna's heart ached. They'd both agreed to hiding their relationship, to it's end date. Noemi didn't want to be 'out'. Couldn't be. And Aarna had never had a serious relationship in her life. Most people didn't understand her drive, her ambition. She scared people with her intensity or she enraged them with her flirtations with others. No one had captured her attention so completely before Noemi. No one had ever bothered to stay. If Aarna was honest, she had expected their relationship to implode within a few weeks. Long enough to have mind blowing sex and not long enough for either of them to get on each others nerves. Instead, Aarna had fallen in love. She'd fallen in love even though she knew it was a bad idea. Even though she knew the exact moment this relationship would end. And every once in a while, Noemi would say something like that and Aarna had to wonder if maybe Noemi had fallen too. Maybe, just maybe, she had reason to hope.

Aarna reached out, taking Noemi's hand in hers, 'it really was perfect.' She smiled as warmly as she could. After all, loving Noemi Baccay was her favourite kind of pain.

Noemi smiled back, brushing her thumb over Aarna's 'so dinner with my Lola?'

'I'm game if you are,' Aarna said, 'I'd like to meet your favourite person in the world.'

Noemi gave her a look then, a look that Aarna swore said, 'you are my favourite person in the world.' But it was gone in a flash, leaving Aarna uncertain. 'It might be nice having you meet my Lola. She's a force of nature, a little bit terrifying.'

'Oh,' Aarna teased, 'so you come by it naturally.'

Noemi blushed, 'shut it.' She turned her head sideways as she looked at Aarna, 'heaven help the restaurant that has to deal with the two of you.'

Laughing, Aarna said, 'I'll be good, I promise.' She swooped up their finished plates, rinsing and putting them in the dishwasher. 'What time do you want to leave?'

Noemi sighed, 'I'll call her but knowing my Lola?! As soon as possible.'

Aarna nodded, placing a kiss on Noemi's head, 'I'll go get ready then. Do I need to wear anything special?'

Noemi blushed a deep red, 'a sari would be nice. Not that my Lola will mind. I just like seeing you in them.'

That startled another laugh from Aarna, 'anything for you Noie.'

Aarna allowed herself a few minutes to mope in the bathroom. Being in love with someone you can't keep was no where near as romantic as Hollywood made it sound. When she had, had her fill, she focused on her make up, making it natural but flattering. Maybe it was pure pettiness and maybe Noie's Lola would never give Aarna her blessing but Aarna was going to make sure she did everything in her power to empress the woman.

Aarna pulled out the only sari she had packed. It was a pale opaque blue down the middle, its edges were bordered by a sheer blue to silver dye, with silver flowers stitched in. It was one of her favourite saris. Modest enough for even a conservative grandmother but it's sheer edges conveyed hints of her dark skin. Better yet, it was one Noemi hadn't seen yet. It was a tad on the formal side and she had yet to find a reason to wear it for her. She wrapped it quickly, nivi style. She slipped on the embroidered blue and silver slippers that matched it. She pulled her hair in to a simple braid. Her hand hesitated over the chotli. It was silver with blue stones. She had forgotten in had been packed with this sari at all. It was typically a wedding accessory. Maybe that was why she fastened it to her braid. She doubted Lola would pick up on it and even if she did, Aarna could always reply it simply matched. Still, it felt a little like telling the truth. That she was meeting her lover's family not just her friend's grandmother. It settled her. One last glance in the mirror told her she looked as close to a model Indian woman as Aarna could.

Aarna heard rather than saw Noemi at the bottom of the stairs. She walked slowly down the stairs, partially to remind herself of the limited movement of her sari but mostly because she loved making an entrance. Noemi did not disappoint her. She stared up at Aarna with adoring eyes, her mouth hanging partially open. 'How do I look?'

Noemi swallowed hard as Aarna approached. 'Mahál, you look amazing,' Noemi said, her voice hoarse. Her eyes swept over Aarna's body, taking in every inch. It lingered on the chotli. For a moment, Aarna wondered if she should take it out. Undoubtedly Noemi knew its meaning but she simply smiled and pressed a kiss to Aarna's cheek. 'You're perfect,' Noemi said with feeling.

Aarna felt her cheeks heat. 'Thank you,' she whispered feeling uncharacteristically shy. 'You look pretty perfect yourself.' Noemi was dressed in black, her blouse and skirt made to look like a dress. Red flowers were embroidered diagonally across her waist. The dress was fitted and hugged Noemi's curves in all the right places.

'It's a tad formal,' Noemi said looking down as she brushed invisible hair off her front, 'and I had to run back to campus to get it but since I was making you wear a sari, I thought it only fair I wear my terno.'

'Will we be too fancy for your Lola?' Aarna asked, her voice laced with concern.

'Nope,' Noemi replied, 'I told her we wanted to take her to a nice dinner. She'll probably be wearing a terno too.'

'You do think of everything, don't you,' Aarna asked teasingly.

Noemi blushed lightly, clearing her throat, 'I just want to make this as comfortable for you as possible.'

'Well,' Aarna began clearing her own throat, 'you're very considerate. Shall we go?'

The drive was fairly quiet. Before Noemi, Aarna considered silence a bad thing. A sign of discomfort. With Noemi though, the silence felt less intimidating. It felt more intimate. A little like taking off the mask she wore for every one else. Noemi didn't expect her to be someone. She could simply be. Noemi parked the car, pulling out the keys. She turned to look at Aarna. 'If at any point, you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed or want to leave just let me know. I'll deal with my Lola later. Okay?'

Aarna's hand moved, reaching for Noemi's before she jerked it back. 'Thank you, love, but I'm not worried.'

Noemi nodded, her eyes flicking to Aarna's lips for a moment. It was almost like a kiss. Aarna knew she meant it as one. Aarna smiled and followed suit when Noemi left the car. She lead them in to a nearby restaurant that was dimly lit, soft instrumental music playing in the background. The wait staff were dressed in formal attire.

A host stopped Noemi, 'we require a reservation to be seated.' His tone made it clear he did not believe they had such a thing.

'I have one. Baccay, B-A-C-C-A-Y.' Noemi said. It wasn't precisely rude but Aarna could feel the tension coming off of her.

The man looked skeptical before reluctantly looking down at his notes. 'I see,' the man's lips were tight. 'I will escort you to your table.' Aarna wanted to growl at the way he said escort, as though Noemi would steal something. He grabbed a single menu and walked away. Aarna looked at Noemi who shrugged.

At the table the host looked up in surprise, 'I wasn't aware you were together.'

Noemi looked ready to snap at the man. Aarna took the lead, 'it's no trouble, I'm certain you wouldn't mind retrieving a second menu for us and to make up for the oversight, I'm certain we would enjoy a bottle of wine on the house.' She smiled a smile that was less pleased and more predatory, she would broker no argument here.

The man sputtered, 'I- that is- I mean to say-.'

Aarna raised an eyebrow at the man, 'did you also want to publically apologise for your insolence?'

The man shook his head, 'would you prefer white or red?'

Aarna looked to Noemi who was grinning, 'white please.' The man inclined his head and hurried away. As he walked away, Aarna heard Noemi mutter, 'stupid racist.'

Their wine arrived shortly before Noemi's grandmother. The waitress popping it open with a murmured apology for their hosts behaviour. Aarna was grateful when she, and not the host, lead Lola back. Aarna knew it was Lola as soon as she saw her, the resemblance between Noemi and her Lola being uncanny. Aarna felt like she was glimpsing Noie forty years in to the future and it tugged at her heart strings.

'There's my apo!' Lola said, her face breaking in to a wide smile. Noemi stood to greet her, accepting the hug. Aarna stood as well, smiling as the older woman fussed over Noemi.

At last, after straightening Noemi's blouse and pinching her cheeks complaining about how little Noemi must be fed, she turned to Aarna. Her eyes were sharp, focused and clear as they took in Aarna's sari. 'Hello, I'm Aarna. It's wonderful to meet you, Noemi has told me so much about you,' Aarna smiled her most charming smile.

Lola smiled back, 'Apo, you never mentioned your roommate was so beautiful. I would have brought dates for you both if you had!' She laughed in that good natured grandmotherly way and Aarna felt her heart sink. This might be harder than she thought.

'She's spoken for Lola,' Noemi said, her voice unexpectedly sharp. Aarna felt her heart soar. She was going to be exhausted by the end of the night.

'Oh?' Lola asked, 'good. At least one of you is.' She chuckled then. 'Pour me some wine and tell me about your training Apo.'

Noemi nodded, obediently pouring the wine. Aarna tried to catch her eye. Tried to reassure her but Noemi avoided her gaze. Noemi gave her Lola what sounded very much like a rehearsed progress report. Aarna practically expected her to salute and call her ma'am. Aarna hid a grin behind a hand.

Lola met her eyes, a twinkle and a grin on her face, 'always so formal apo. Tell me how it's really going.'

Noemi looked at the pair of them helplessly, feeling she was being laughed at but not fully understanding. 'I was,' was all she said.

Aarna took pity on Noemi, 'I could tell you a few stories, if you'd like.'

Lola grinned at her, 'they had better make me laugh,' she warned.

'I can certainly try,' Aarna replied with sincerity. She launched in to a story about a mishap on the firing range that was, mostly, Aarna's fault, making the older woman laugh. Aarna couldn't help liking the older woman, even if it was against her better judgment. The waitress arrived to take their orders just as Aarna was finishing.

'So,' Lola began after the waitress left, 'tell me about your man.'

Aarna smiled, 'actually, if you'll excuse me, I have to use the restroom.' She left quickly, hoping Noemi could steer them to safer subjects by the time she returned.

Between Noemi and Aarna they managed to navigate any information mines regarding their relationship and we able to finish a delicious dinner with tons of laughter. Aarna promised to continue to look after Noemi which made her stomach churn. Noemi kissed her grandmother goodbye and they settled back in to the car.

'So…?' Noemi asked.

Aarna smiled, 'I liked her.'

'Yeah? Because I know the whole… anti-gay thing is hard for you,' Noemi asked.

'It does. I don't like when people question my worthiness of love because of my sexuality,' Aarna said with a smile, 'but people are complicated. I would have liked her because she's your grandmother. She's important to you, so she's important to me. But she's funny and sweet and mischievous. I liked her.' Noemi stared at her, her eyes watery. 'What?' Aarna asked feeling uncomfortable, 'I'm allowed to have mixed feelings here.'

'You are,' Noemi affirmed, 'I'm just….' She paused her voice full of emotion, 'I'm very grateful for you.'

'Oh,' Aarna whispered shyly again, 'well that's…. good.'

They sat quietly for a few more moments. Finally Noemi whispered, 'I wish she could accept you for who you are regardless of who you love.'

Aarna looked at Noemi, the pain etched on her face. She wasn't sure how to help. 'I'm sorry she doesn't know you,' Aarna replied.

Noemi sniffed and nodded. 'How did you come out to your family?'

Aarna tried not to read in to that. 'What do you mean? Like how did I tell them?'

Aarna watched as Noemi's face shifted, puzzling out what she was trying to ask, 'yes but also how did they respond?'

'Well,' Aarna began, 'it helps that I'm the baby. My sister was already a doctor with a son on the way. My brother had just passed his bar and was engaged to his wife. So my parents legacy was already secured. There wasn't much pressure on me to be someone in their head. So when I told them they just sort of nodded and shrugged. I think, honestly, they were more disappointed in my decision to attend the academy.'

'But that's just as impressive as being a doctor or lawyer isn't it?' Noemi asked, startled.

'Not to them,' Aarna said with a shrug, 'I think they believe it is below our family's social strata.'

'But there are infinitely more doctors and lawyers than there are FBI Agents. You're an elite,' Noemi said, her tone getting defensive.

Aarna chuckled, 'I know that love.'

'Good,' Noemi said, 'because they should be proud to have you as a daughter.'

'They are,' Aarna said with a smile, 'they've come to terms with my career choices. I think.'

'And they didn't care that you like women?'

Aarna bit her lip thinking, 'I don't think they do. In some of the muslim or christian parts of India it would be forbidden but my family is Hindu. They're just more… open to it. Maybe it would have been a bigger deal if I'd grown up in India instead of here.'

'Do you think I should come out to my Lola?' Noemi asked, her face looking anguished.

Yes. Aarna thought. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Instead she whispered, 'don't ask me that Noie.'

'Why not?' Noemi asked, her voice trembling.

'Because,' Aarna whispered, 'I can't be objective about it. I don't want to be the one who makes you choose between us.'

'You think she'd make me choose?' Noemi whispered, sounding horrified at the thought.

I think she'd disown you on the spot, Aarna thought. Aarna forced herself to stay still, to not hold the other woman. They were still in public. 'I think it's a possibility that if you told her there could be relationship ending consequences. So before you tell her, I think you have to figure out if you're okay with that.' Aarna's voice softened slightly, 'I'll be here, no matter what, okay Noie? I will. But when I think about losing my relationship with my Mātā, it hurts so badly… I never want you to feel that way.'

'So you think we should stay the course?' Noemi asked, sounding so fragile a good gust of wind would break her, 'keep this thing between us private and call it quits after the academy?' She looked up through her lashes at Aarna, her eyes wet.

How was she to answer that? Lakshmi guide her. 'I-' Aarna's voice failed her. She tried again, swallowing down a lump as big as her throat, 'I don't…' She had meant to say she didn't know. That she hadn't the slightest clue what to do next. Instead her mouth traitorously said what her heart was feeling. 'I don't want that at all,' Aarna stopped everything that came after it. The I love you, the I want to be with you forever, the please choose me, choose us.

'You don't want to break up with me?' Noemi asked, looking surprised.

Aarna shook her head, 'no I don't.'

'What if I never come out?' Noemi asked.

Aarna shrugged, 'I don't know. We'll figure it out?'

'You can't stay my secret forever Aarna,' Noemi said, 'you deserve more than that.'

Aarna was feeling emotionally whiplashed. She couldn't tell what Noemi wanted, what she was looking for. She took a breath, picturing her breath clearing away her troubled thoughts. 'I want you Noie. I want you and us and a chance to make this whole thing work. The question here is: what do you want?'

'So you will make me choose?' Noemi shot back angrily. Aarna looked at Noemi, really, looked, the woman was shaking. Her hands trembled, her body shivered, her breathing was shallow. She was terrified and trying to fight back at the only target she could see.

Aarna's voice got softer, 'no, love. I won't. I never would. I just need to know you want to be with me too.' Aarna wasn't sure what would win out in Noemi. Fear, fury, faith. 'You don't have to answer me now. Just… think about it.'

'I don't need to think about it,' Noemi spat back, fury apparently winning out, 'I know what I want.'

Aarna felt her stomach sink, the edges of her vision turned black, a roaring started in her ears. This was where she lost either all. Aarna didn't know why she felt so shocked, so betrayed. Noemi had told her from the start that this would how it would end. 'Oh,' Aarna heard her mouth say, as though it was detached from the rest of her body, 'of course. I understand.' Sheer force of will kept Aarna from crying.

'I want you,' Noemi said, grabbing Aarna's face and crashing their lips together. Even though they were in public, even though any one could see. Aarna had been caught off guard but her body knew what to do, yielding the pressure of Noemi's tongue against hers, opening eagerly to admit Noemi. Noemi's kiss was hard and desperate, claiming. It ravished Aarna's senses, altered her heart beat, stole her breath, going on and on until Aarna had to pull away to catch a breath. Noemi's lips and body followed her. Settling with remarkable grace in Aarna's lap in spite of the fact that she was wearing a dress and they were sitting in a car. She wrapped her hand in Aarna's hair, coiling braid and chotli around her fist, pulling Aarna's head back to have better access to her lips. Her free hand grabbed at Aarna's sari, not really trying to pull it off but grasping it tightly to herself as though she was desperate to hold on. Aarna yielded, surrendering to Noemi's will. She let Noemi take everything she wanted. She would always let Noemi take the lead.

Their lips were both swollen, lipstick smeared, by the time Noemi leaned back to look at her. Her eyes were sparkling. She unwrapped her hand gently, her fingers touching the chotli gently, 'I can't believe you wore this in front of my grandmother,' she whispered.

Aarna gulped, feeling her cheeks heat. 'I… just wanted to acknowledge how I really feel about you.'

'With a wedding accessory?' Noemi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aarna's blush was probably obvious now. 'Yes,' she whispered.

'Mmm,' Noemi murmured against her lips, 'lets go home. I want to take this sari off of you.'

Aarna cupped Noemi's cheek, her thumb brushing softly against her skin, 'are you okay? This has been a hard conversation.'

Noemi ducked her head, burying her face in Aarna's neck. 'Yes,' she murmured, 'I still don't know how we're going to do this…..'

Aarna rubbed Noemi's back reassuringly, 'me neither.'

'I know I want to though,' Noemi finished.

Aarna placed a kiss to Noemi's head, 'me too, love, me too.'

'Can I take you home now?' Noemi asked, pulling away from Aarna's neck at last, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

'Ahh yes,' Aarna teased, 'I believe you mentioned something about wanting to take my sari off.'

Noemi gave her as much of an appraising look as her seat could afford. 'From the first moment I saw it on you,' Noemi said with feeling.

It made Aarna laugh, 'then by all means, take me home.'