Short new update just to see if anyone is still reading this. I will try to crank out some more chapters soon if there is still interest. With that being said there is a MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH in this story, specifically this chapter. If you have seen the original Fried Green Tomatoes movie, you know exactly what I am talking about (Buddy). I tried to work my way around that in this story, but in the end, I decided to write it in. I felt like the characters' relationships later really begin because of that experience. With that being said, read with caution please if this could be triggering for you. I tried to make it as quick and painless as possible. I promise Jane x Maura is endgame just like Ruth x Idgie.

This story is unbeta'd and mistakes are mine. Let me know what you think. S&W xx

Jane and Maura continued to run through the woods until they finally came to a clearing with a big concrete structure up ahead. Maura could hear the loud whooshing of water falling and surmised that the structure must be a dam.

"C'mon, Maura," Jane said while scampering up the side of the structure. Maura looked apprehensive once again while wondering if she could climb without scuffing her shoes or tearing her dress. Jane turned around once she got to the top of the dam and crossed her arms, daring Maura not to follow her directions.

Maura, still looking nervous, stuck one white shoe into a crack in the facade and began boosting herself up. Jane didn't offer a hand even when she got close to the top. Miffed, Maura said a little out of breath, "You could've helped me, you know."

Jane just shrugged. "Yeah, I coulda. But, I knew you could do it yourself. Now c'mon the best view is over here. You can see all the way up the river and down the railroad tracks." She grabbed Maura's hand and walked over near the edge, sitting and dangling her feet above the water that flowed out steadily. Maura followed behind her, using their joined hands to steady herself as she lowered to sit next to Jane.

They sat mostly in silence, as it was hard to hear anything over the water anyway. Occasionally, Jane would point something out to Maura but otherwise they just enjoyed each other's company, hands still clenched between them. It wasn't long before Frankie came ambling up, his heavy footfalls alerting Jane to his presence even with the loud atmosphere.

"Go away, Frankie," Jane snarled over her shoulder, letting go of Maura's hand in the process. As much as she loved her brother, she was enjoying being with her new friend. And enjoying holding hands, as odd as it made her feel. She obviously couldn't keep that up in front of Frankie.

Frankie, for his part, just smiled good naturedly as he was apt to do and planted himself on the other side of Maura. He rubbed his palm over the thigh of his dress pants and then stuck his hand out towards Maura.

"I don't think I've ever seen you before. I'm Frankie, Jane's big brother." Jane screwed her face up behind Maura's head, wondering why her doofus brother was trying to pretend anything but, well...a doofus. Maura didn't seem to notice anything amiss though and placed her hand in Frankie's.

"Maura. It's a pleasure to meet you, Frankie," she said, impressed with the boy's manners. So much unlike his sister's rather...slobbery handshake earlier.

Jane, feeling distinctly left out at this point, cut back in. "Okay, blah, blah. Now we all know each other. Now get lost, Frankie. Me and Maura were talkin' before you so rudely interrupted." She gave her brother her best glare, eyes squinting slightly and brows knitting together.

Maura just laughed next to Jane. "I don't think he was being rude at all. In fact, I thought he was sweet, introducing himself." She smiled softly toward Frankie, who suddenly had a faint blush coloring his tanned cheeks.

"Thanks, Maura," Frankie said. Then, deciding to lay it on even thicker, trying to impress his sister's pretty new friend, "That sure is a pretty dress you got on. Even your hat matches." He gestured up at the frilly adornment covering Maura's honey curls.

Maura reached up almost involuntarily while giving Frankie a small blush of her own. Her hand caught the brim of the hat, though, lifting it just enough for the wind to catch underneath it.

The next moments happened in such fast succession but at the same time, the world seemed to stop. With the wind catching Maura's hat and blowing it off her head, Frankie reached out, determined to grab it for her. Somehow, he miscalculated his balance and the force he expended in stretching his arm out. His fingers just brushed the lace of the brim as he toppled over the edge.

Jane's scream could be heard, even over the loud rushing water.