Jane Rizzoli: A Case Study

Part Three: Hypothesis

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Maura's not a guesser. So, when she comes up with a theory as to her best friend's recent change in behavior, she sets out to test her hypothesis the only way she knows how: careful observation and experimentation.

Warnings: The following fic is rated M (NC-17) for language and sexual situations. Readers be warned.

By the next day, Maura finally had her hypothesis. Of course, she had gone over many possibilities the night before. The problem lied not only in being subtle with her approach, but also in making the hypothesis testable. It was one thing to read the general signs of sexual attraction: eye contact, pupil dilation, bringing attention to the lips and mouth. It was an entirely different thing altogether to determine if Jane would ever be willing to act on her feelings.

Thus, Maura determined that she would have to push Jane a bit without her realizing it. Doing so would require meticulous observation, calculation, and experimentation. Maura would have to gently test the boundaries of their friendship to see how Jane responded. She only hoped she wouldn't push Jane too far.

And as Maura drove to work that morning, she pondered her methodology as she waited in traffic. If I were to initiate physical contact more often, how would she respond? And if I looked at her only a bit more brazenly, would she blush? Turn away? Make a joke?

She considered letting her touch linger, letting her hand wander to her neck, or to her chest, or up her thigh. In fact, Maura got so lost in her thoughts that by the time she was at the station, she was more than a little hot and bothered. As she parked her car, she shook her head and cursed herself for letting her mind wander so recklessly.

No. I need to focus, she thought to herself as she walked inside. Baby steps.

Maura had intended to start her experiment that day, but with a new case and two other bodies to examine, her personal inquiries got pushed aside. And, quite frankly, when Jane finally made it down to the morgue to check on her progress, Maura simply lost her nerve.

She was sitting on a stool near one of the autopsy tables making notes when Jane came strolling in. Maura instantly knew it was her by the distinct sound of her boots scuffing the floor. The honey blond was about to comment that she had only just finished the first autopsy when her eyes settled upon the smiling detective swaggering into the room. She couldn't help but lightly bite her lip at the way she strutted with such confidence. The brunette was wearing a light blue button-up shirt—Maura's favorite—with a black suit jacket and black slacks. Her hair was in a low ponytail and her hand was on her hip.

"What's that look for?" Jane chuckled.

Maura gulped, trying not to blush, "Um…"

The brunette seemed to laugh it off. "Another long night?"

"Huh?" Maura said blinking up at her.

Jane shrugged, "You just seem … out of it."

Maura shook her racy thoughts away. "No. Sorry," she said, standing up. "I'm fine. I've only just finished the first autopsy. I won't have the reports finished for at least a couple hours."

That's when Jane stepped into Maura's space. She frowned at her, watching her eyes carefully, "You sure you're okay? You've been acting … different lately."

Maura frowned but dared not move, "Yes, I'm fine." She noticed Jane glancing at her lips and thought, I could say the same about you.

"If you say so…" Jane said slowly, her hand lingering near Maura's hip, as if she longed to pull her closer. Maura continued to search Jane's eyes, resisting the urge to step forward.

Suddenly, Jane broke the spell. She stepped back, shifting her weight from one hip to the other. She smiled expectantly, "So, what can you tell me about the first victim?"

Maura let out a soft, reticent sigh, looking down at the body on the table next to them. As she started her description of the facts, she noted how Jane increased the distance between them, stepping to the other side of the table and crossing her arms over her chest. The doctor noted the stark difference in her composure from only a moment before. When she had come in, Jane had exuded confidence, swagger. Now she seemed distant, closed off. It was almost as if Jane had grown scared the moment that she had recognized her boldness. At least, that was the way it seemed to Maura, but she was unwilling to speculate much more without experimentation.

Unfortunately, the doctor did not get such a chance for several days. The two cases they had open turned into three when Maura determined that the second victim died by homicide. On top of several cases to review from Boston Medical, Maura was also drowning in paperwork from the week before. She barely had time to consult with Jane over coffee for the next four days. Finally, when Friday came around, Maura got a chance to talk to Jane alone.

"Here you are," Jane said, standing in the doorway to her office. It was late and Jane was already dressed to leave—apparently, she had remembered her coat this time. The brunette looked tired, but her smile was warm, genuine. She glanced at the notebook Maura was penning in as she approached. Before Maura could close the notebook, Jane added, "Frost and Korsak are headed over to the Robber for drinks. You want to join?"

Maura smiled, pushing in her chair, and putting the notebook into her bag. "That sounds nice."

"What is that, anyway?" Jane said, pointing to her bag.

"I told you," Maura grinned politely, "just some notes." She put on her coat as they left her office. "Why?"

Jane shrugged, "I don't know. Just curious I guess."

They stood quietly as they waited for the elevator. Maura noted how Jane stood a bit further apart from her than normal. Still, she seemed to gravitate towards her as they stepped onto the elevator.

"It's been a long week," Maura said with a sigh.

"Tell me about it," Jane groaned, pinching her nose.

"Were you able to get any leads on the Cottrell case?" Maura asked conversationally as they headed out the building.

"No, we're still waiting on records from Queens." Jane sighed.

"You don't think the NYPD will get involved, do you?" Maura said, linking her arm with Jane's.

The brunette stiffened. Still, she did not pull away, so Maura dismissed it as a reaction to the mention of interdepartmental affairs. And, after Jane eased her posture, Maura's nerves were relieved. In fact, Jane's chuckle made her heart swell.

"No," she shook her head, "both homicides happened here in Boston. Besides, I'm sure they have their hands full."

Maura smiled as they walked into the bar. They found Korsak and Frost in the back in their usual booth. The gentlemen smiled and waved them over. Frost made to move to the other booth, but Jane stopped him.

"Sit." She instructed, "You're fine."

He frowned but sat down.

A bit curious, Maura hung her coat on the hook by their table, watching Jane take a seat next to Vince. Barry smiled at her genially as she sat next to him. Maura looked at Jane questioningly, but the brunette avoided her eyes, opting instead to call the waitress over. Quietly, Maura pondered Jane's behavior.

It wasn't as if they always sat next to each other; however, they customarily did so when having drinks with Jane's partners. Maura wondered if the stiff reaction outside had anything to do with Jane's change in seating choice. After a moment, though, she shook the thought away.

A quick reassuring smile from Jane put her heart at ease. The honey blond sighed. She loved that smile. It was so soft and sincere. She could get lost in those warm brown eyes, and for a moment, she did.

"So, how was your week?" Barry asked Maura.

Reluctantly, Maura broke her gaze from Jane's. She turned to Jane's young partner, answering truthfully, "Long and very tiring."

"Same here," he said, lifting his beer as if in solidarity.

"How are you doing Vince?" Maura asked, noticing Jane watching her out of the corner of her eye.

"I'm sure glad it's Friday," he sighed, taking a sip of his beer.

"Amen to that," Jane and Frost said together.

"You have the weekend off then?" Maura asked, making conversation.

"Just Saturday." Korsak said disappointedly.

"They're making you come in on Sunday?" Frost frowned.

Maura tuned out the rest of the conversation. She was too focused on Jane's unusual behavior. The brunette was avoiding her eyes. Her posture was uncharacteristically upright. She seemed to be fiddling with her hands in her lap.

Your behavior is so inconsistent, Maura thought with frustration. Will I ever be able to figure you out?

Their server arrived with the ladies' drinks. Jane smiled at the waitress, taking the drink eagerly. She guzzled down nearly half the bottle before Maura even had a chance to bring her wineglass to her lips.

"Woah!" Frost teased, "Thirsty much?"

Jane blushed, looking at Maura briefly. Normally, this would be the perfect opportunity for Jane to give her a sly wink, but the brunette looked nervous instead.

Maura frowned, mouthing, 'You okay?'

Jane shook her head as if to dismiss her friend's worries. She shifted her position to face Korsak and Frost, picking up the earlier discussion about the misery of working weekends. The honey blond only participated with a quick smile or nod in response to Vince's efforts to get her involved. In truth, she was lost in her own thoughts.

Is Jane acting this way because she's starting to recognize the change in her behavior? Maura wondered as she sipped slowly at her red wine, aerating it contemplatively as she watched the interaction between Jane and her colleagues. Or has she become uncomfortable with my behavior? Have I been too flagrant?

It was true that Maura was not good at subtlety, but she really thought she had been careful. All week long she was careful to only observe Jane's behavior and note any patterns. The only pattern Maura had been able to find was the complete lack of one. If Maura didn't know any better, she might think that Jane was struggling with a conflict of conscience.

But, surely, I'm imagining things. She thought, letting her eyes linger back to the brunette. Jane is decisive. Confident. Committed to her values. If she were attracted to me, surely, she would act on that? She might not have a way with words, but she has always been honest. Sincere.

Maura blushed as she noticed Jane glancing at her. She smiled, trying to save face, but had to look away. She was tempted to get lost in those warm, coffee brown eyes again. She turned and listened to Frost talking excitedly, watching Jane out of the corner of her eye. The brunette glanced at Frost for only a moment before her gaze slipped back to Maura.

A couple hours later, as the women walked back to the parking garage at the station, Jane seemed distant. Maura longed to link her arm with Jane's, but the brunette had her arms crossed over her chest. She looked anxious. As they reached Jane's car, Maura decided to address Jane's standoffish behavior, but before she could speak, Jane dropped her arms, stepping close to her.

"Maura …" Jane started. Her lips remained parted as she breathed slowly, studying Maura's eyes. The honey blond waited expectantly for Jane to continue. The brunette reached out for Maura's hands. When Maura took them, Jane broke their gaze. "I…" she tried again.

"Yes?" Maura whispered, trying to encourage her to continue.

Jane shook her head and released Maura's hands. She stepped back. With a weak smile she said, "Have a good night."

Disappointed, Maura's heart fell. For a moment, she had wondered if Jane was about to make a confession. She had hoped at least to get an explanation for her behavior. Instead, Jane made to walk away.

"Wait!" Maura called after her. When Jane looked at her expectantly, Maura faltered. It took her a moment to come up an excuse for calling her back. "I, uh…" Maura struggled. Thankfully, she remembered their conversation early that week, "Are we still going shopping tomorrow?"

Jane nodded, her voice barely a whisper, "Of course."

"What, no complaints?" Maura teased. "That's all you did on Tuesday."

Jane smiled weakly. She looked woefully disheartened. "I guess I'm just a bit too worn out for it," she shrugged.

"Jane…" Maura said softly, tilting her head sympathetically as she stepped forward.

"I'm fine," Jane said, shaking her hand dismissively. "I'll see you in the morning. Ten o'clock, right?"

"We'd better leave earlier. How about nine?"

"Okay."

Maura watched helplessly as her best friend walked away looking exhausted and almost disappointed. Maura sighed as she got into her car. She reviewed the night's events as she drove home. It all seemed so strange. It was almost as if Jane was trying to tell her something, but she didn't have the courage to say it.

I can't stand to see that defeated look on her face, Maura thought as she pulled onto her street. I'd do practically anything to never see her so downtrodden again.

That's when she finally settled on her hypothesis. All of Jane's behavior seemed to point to one conclusion: she was struggling to admit to Maura—maybe even to herself—that she felt more than just friendship for her best friend. It seemed to be a definite possibility, for why wouldn't Jane struggle with doubts as well? Why wouldn't she worry about crossing such a dangerous boundary?

She's at least made it certain that our friendship means as much to her as it does to me. She thought as she pulled into her driveway. If I were to respond to her gestures with positive reinforcement, would she have the courage to take things a step further?

And so, Maura began the development of her methodology. She would start immediately. The first step was to text Jane an encouraging message before turning in:

Good night Jane. Sleep well. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

To be continued