I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, but I wish I did.
A/N Thank y'all for your awesome reviews and messages. I made this one longer since I didn't update yesterday. Enjoy! Also, sorry again for any mistakes.
Jane and Maura exited the building out to the parking lot. Next to Frost's black Honda Accord stood her brother, Frankie. "Who's the hot woman walking with Janie?"
"That's the new science teacher, Dr. Maura Isles." Frost was lazily leaning up against his car. Frankie perked up, "Oh really?" Frost pushed himself off the car. "Don't even think about, man. I can already tell that Jane really likes her." Frost smiled at the thought. "How do you know if Dr. Isles is even gay?" Frankie scratched his head.
"I don't, but let's see how it plays about between the two of them." Frost leaned back against her car again. Frankie shrugged, "Well, if it doesn't work out…" Frost gave Frankie the biggest stink eye. Frankie didn't bother to finish the statement.
"Frankie!" Jane punched him in the shoulder when she got close enough. "Ow!" Frankie whined and rubbed his arm. "I didn't know you'd be coming. I thought you had to go out with your department." Frankie smirked. "Most of them decided to work through lunch today, and I wanted to see my favorite big sister."
"You're full of it, Frankie. I'm your only big sister." Jane punched him again.
At that moment, Jane realized that she had yet to introduce Maura. "Maura, I'd like you to meet my little brother, Frankie Rizzoli. He's a guidance counselor here. Jane then pointed to Frost, "And that guy is Barry Frost, he teaches computer applications and web design." Both men extended their hands to Maura. Taking each hand in turn, Maura replied, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Dr. Maura Isles, but please call me, Maura."
Frost elbowed Frankie when he held Maura's hand a little too long. For the second time that day, Frankie got the stink eye, but this time from his sister. Clapping his hands together to break the tension, Frost addressed the group, "Well, I'm starvin'. Let's go."
Trying to garner both Frost's and Jane's favor again, Frankie shouted, "Shotgun!" Then the grown man pushed his sister out of the way to get into the front seat. "You punk!" Jane fussed at her brother. Granted, Jane was secretly pleased because this meant that she got to squeeze in the back of Frost's car with the sexy doctor. Jane opened the door for Maura to scoot into the car. It was a tight fit for four adults, so Jane's bare thigh kept bumping into Maura's as the group drove to the restaurant. The two of them didn't mind it one bit.
After making two laps around the block before they could find a spot to park, the foursome made their way into the restaurant. It was a friendly and welcoming establishment with a long wooden bar that stretched along one wall. Pictures and memorabilia unique to Boston decorated the walls. A well-worn pool table and dart board took up one corner of the restaurant. Booths and tables made up the rest of the space.
Frost quickly walked over to one of the booths and pushed Frankie into it. He then immediately slid in next to him. Jane saw what Frost was doing and glared. The two women had no choice but to sit side by side in the booth. Maura excused herself to go wash her hands and asked them to order her a glass of water if the waitress came by. After the bathroom door closed behind her, Jane rounded on Frost. "What the hell are you doing, Frost! There was a perfectly good table by the bar."
"What do you mean?" he responded innocently and looked at Frankie like he didn't know what she was implying. Frankie started to smirk. "And you!" Jane turned on her brother, "Are you in on this, too?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Jane," Frankie shook his head in mock confusion. "Real cute, you two." Jane grumbled. The two men bumped shoulders and chuckled together. At that moment, the waitress brought menus and took their drink orders. Unfortunately, they all had to order water since they were still working. A few minutes later Maura returned. "Hi! I'm back. Has the waitress been by yet?" Maura asked as she slid into the booth.
"Yeah, and here she comes again." Jane nodded her head in the direction of the waitress. After the waitress deposited all of their drinks, she took their food orders. When the waitress finally left, Frost stretched his arms over his head and let out a mighty yawn. "You know, I need to get moving around, or I'm going to fall asleep right here. Frankie, how about we play a game of darts while we wait for our food?"
"That's a great idea, Frost." Frankie grinned. "Ladies, if you'll excuse us." Frankie quickly slid out of the booth. If looks could kill, Frost and Frankie would have dropped dead.
Jane turned to face Maura in the tight space they were occupying. "So, I heard you mention forensic pathology while you were telling off Pike," A smile tugged at the side of Jane's face. "Is that what you used to do?"
Maura sat up a little straighter. "Yes, I was a pathologist for ten years. Working with the human body and helping law enforcement track down killers was very rewarding for me. I spoke for the dead when they couldn't speak for themselves. Eventually, I came to a turning point in my career. I knew pathology was no longer for me, but I still loved science. I hope now that by becoming a teacher I might inspire others to love science as much as I did growing up. You see, Jane," Maura paused, "at times, science was my only friend."
Maura's admission saddened Jane and although she would have loved to delve deeper into the doctor's background, Jane didn't want to push her. Jane did what she did best though. She fell back on her sense of humor. "Science and I never got along too well. I nearly blew up the school's science lab my junior year. I didn't have eyebrows for weeks!"
Maura's somber mood quickly lifted, and the two burst into hysterics as Jane regaled Maura with stories of her misadventures in high school. The two unconsciously shifted a little closer to one another as they talked. Eventually, the food and the guys returned. The guys were bickering over who had actually won the game. Frankie claimed that Frost cheated, and Frost resolutely swore he was innocent.
As they ate, Jane glanced over to see Maura daintily chewing on the salmon she had ordered. Jane finished a sloppy bite of her burger and took a long drink from her water glass. Wiping her hands with her napkin, Jane grabbed a fry and leaned over to Maura. "Wanna try a fry?"
"Oh no, thank you. The amount of fat used when frying those does not lend itself to maintaining a healthy diet." Maura wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. "It's just one, Maura. One won't kill you." Jane gave Maura her best puppy dog eyes and pointed the offending fry at the doctor. "Please…?" Maura couldn't say no to that face and grabbed the fry between her thumb and index finger. Skeptically, Maura took a bite.
"Mmm! This is delicious!" Maura's face registered genuine surprise. Jane smugly shrugged. "I told you so." Maura wiped her fingers on her napkin. "You were right, Jane, but it still isn't something one should make a habit of eating." Maura sat up straighter as she said this. "If you say so." Jane rolled her eyes. The two men sat in the booth forgotten. They didn't complain though. It was nice to see Jane so at ease with someone else.
The waitress arrived with their bills; before she could finish distributing them, Jane intercepted Maura's check, "Here. I've got that." Maura said in disbelief, "Oh, Jane you don't have to do that!"
"I know I don't have to, but I want to. Welcome to Boston East, Maura." Jane gave Maura a lopsided grin.
Frost decided to break up the mushy moment. "Wanna cover mine, too, Jane?" Frost fluttered his eyelids at her. "Cover it yourself, Frost!" Jane said through her teeth and punctuated her remark with a kick to Frost's shin. "Ow!" Frost whined as he reached under the table to rub his shin.
The foursome left the restaurant with Frost and Frankie trailing behind. The two men looked to the women and back to each other and gave each other a high five. From the looks of it, their Jane was well on her way to making a new friend…or maybe more.
R&I – R&I – R&I
The rest of the day went by without any interruptions. Jane would've liked to spend more time with the beautiful blonde, but she actually did have work to do in her room before coaching cross-country practice later that afternoon. Unfortunately, that meant that she didn't get to say goodbye to the honey blonde.
Maura for her part was busy as well. She wanted to have her lesson plans finished for the entire first week and needed to make a thorough list of all the materials she still needed to purchase for her classroom. By the time teachers were allowed to go home for the day, Maura had to admit that she was exhausted. Shouldering her purse and tote bag, she slowly made her way out to her car. Maybe tomorrow she'll dress a little more casually. Her dress wasn't really conducive for setting up a classroom.
Climbing into her car, Maura adjusted her mirrors and buckled her seatbelt. Twenty minutes later Maura pulled into the driveway of her elegant Beacon Hill home. The house was honestly too large for one person, but Maura couldn't help but hope that one day she'd share it with someone. The burring sound of the garage door closing signaled the end of Maura's day with the outside world.
Maura deposited her purse and tote bag in their designated spot in the front closet, and softly padded up the stairs with her heels in hand. Mindful to hang up her dress in the dry cleaning section in her closet, Maura overcame the urge to just toss it in the hamper. She then slipped into a soft blue cotton shirt with a wide neck that hung off one shoulder and a pair of yoga pants. After a light dinner and glass of wine, Maura tried to stay up and finish reading through the exciting faculty manual she received earlier that day. Eventually, she had to give in to her drooping eyelids, so she indulged herself with an early evening and retired to bed.
Jane managed to avoid Frost's teasing until they were walking to their cars late that afternoon. The two of them would have left earlier, but the kids were pumped that the new uniforms had finally arrived, and they refused to leave for the day until Jane showed them. She really couldn't get mad at kids. It was refreshing to see them get excited about something as simple as uniforms.
"So, Jane." Frost's voice broke up the sound of their feet crunching on the badly in need of paving parking lot. Jane knew what was coming. She'd eventually get back at him for all his teasing, but for now she knew that she just had to endure it. That didn't mean that she had to like it though.
"What?" Jane didn't even bother to hide her irritation.
"It appears that you and the doctor got along really well today." He had a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Yeah, she's really nice. It'll be a relief to spend time with someone who doesn't have shit for brains." Jane groused.
"Jane! That's harsh. You should never talk about Frankie that way." Frost pretended to scold her going as far as to shake his finger at her.
"You think you are so clever." Jane snarked.
"Well if the shoe fits…" Frost intoned.
"Yeah, it fits. Right up your ass!" Jane tried to give Frost a shift kick to the butt, but Frost laughed and dodged her foot.
In all honesty, Jane wasn't really mad at him and slung her arm around his shoulders. "I know you're teasing because you care, and I will admit it. I would like to get to know her better even if it's just as friends."
"You never know, Jane," he said sincerely. The love he had for his best friend shone in his eyes. He wanted more than anything for Jane to have someone especially after all she'd had to endure. The two friends reached their cars.
"Now," Frost said as he leaned against his pride and joy, and Jane opened the door of her old green Jeep. "Go home, drink a beer, and take a shower. Preferably in that order. Because damn, you're funky!"
Jane barked a laugh, hopped in her Jeep, and waved Frost goodbye with her middle finger.
The next day began way too early. Jane was definitely not a morning person, but armed with her cup of coffee she managed to make it until her body actually woke up. The sight of Maura Isles approaching the front doors at the same time as she made Jane's heart speed up a beat. The doctor was "dressed down" today. Maura was sporting white capri linen pants and a sleeveless blue silk top with a boat neck collar. Catching sight of the beautiful brunette, Maura chirped, "Good morning, Jane!"
"Good morning, Maura," Jane stifled a yawn while opening the door for the honey blonde to walk through.
"Thank you, Jane!" Maura loved how chivalrous Jane was. She then eyed the shirt Jane was wearing. "Cross country? Is that what you coach, Jane?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I also coach girls' basketball in the winter and the track team in the spring." Jane puffed her chest out slightly. She was very proud of her job.
"Wow, you must be incredibly busy. That's very impressive, Jane," Maura remarked as they turned down the hallway that led to the science wing.
"I love to do it, so it makes it worth it. I mean. I do get a stipend for coaching. It's not much, but at least it's something." Jane shrugged.
Jane leaned a little closer to the doctor and teased, "So if you ever have any extra time and want to help out, I've got something for you to do!" At that moment, Jane inwardly grimaced. Thank God that Frost wasn't nearby because she could totally hear him say, "That's what she said."
Maura gave off an airy laugh. "We'll just have to see, Coach," she husked and winked.
Did she just flirt with me? Jane couldn't be sure, but she sure hoped so.
Jane decided to take a chance. "Listen, I know you had lunch with us yesterday and are probably crazy busy today, but I remember that you said you brought your lunch, and I brought mine today," Jane rambled, "So how would you feel about eating with me again today because I had planned on running to an office supply store after I finished lunch and figured you might be interested." Jane finally finished her rambling and finally took a breath again. "Besides, isn't that the mentor-y thing to do?" Jane winked, so Maura wouldn't think Jane was helping her out of obligation.
"Yes." Maura said without hesitation.
"Yeah?" Jane made a mental fist pump!
Another thought occurred to her when she remembered how blank Maura's walls were. "Oh! We could also stop at a teacher supply store that's nearby. You can pick up some stuff to decorate your room with if you want."
Jane's thoughtfulness touched Maura. "That sounds wonderful, Jane. It's a date!" Jane's face registered shock, so Maura hastily amended, "I mean to say that I will see you at lunch."
"Great. See you then." Jane let it go giving the doctor an easy smile.
Jane walked out of the classroom feeling ten feet tall.
Before heading to meet Maura for lunch, Jane swung by the Guidance Office to check on the eligibility status of a transfer student who wanted to join the team. She walked over to her brother's office after she had finished her errand. Above his door hung the letters A-F which indicated the students whom he oversaw. Rather than knock, Jane barged right in and plopped down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
Jane got a good look at her brother's office. She really felt for the guy. He had a two inch thick stack of course request forms he still had to work through, and his desk had so many sticky notes on it that it looked like a tablecloth.
"So little brother. How's it going?" she smirked. She was still slightly peeved about yesterday.
"How do you think it's going Jane?" he huffed.
"Looks like you have a lot of work left to do." Although Jane loved to give her brother shit, Jane was incredibly proud of how good he was at his job. The kids loved him because he genuinely cared and would bend over backwards to help them.
"Yeah, that's what I get for not taking any of this home last night, but I'll get it done." Frankie pinched the bridge of his nose. "So, besides bustin' my balls, did you come here for a reason?"
"Nope. Except for a few small errands, I'm done. I just wanted to rub it in." Jane grinned as she hopped out of her chair and left without another word.
A little thrown by his sister's interruption, Frankie smiled and turned back to answering the fiftieth email he'd gotten that morning. "I guess I deserved that."
As Jane was walking to Maura's room, she readjusted her watch to make it rest more comfortably on her wrist. Jane hated wearing her watch all the time, but she preferred that over exposing the ugly scar that nearly wrapped about her entire wrist. Shaking off her mind's attempt to summon an old memory, Jane could hear the sound of opera music filtering into the hallway. She had to knock rather loudly to get Maura's attention.
"Hey, Maur'? Ready to take a break?"
"Yes!" Maura raced over to lower the volume of her speakers. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear you!"
"It's ok." Jane paused to listen. "Is that Edith Piaf you're listening to?"
"You know her?!" Maura was thoroughly impressed by the brunette. "She's one my favorite singers of all time," Maura gushed. "The dulcet tones of her voice inspired her contemporaries to nickname her The Little Sparrow."
"Yeah, "La Vie en rose" is actually one of my favorite songs. I loved playing it on the piano as a kid." Jane said softly.
"Do you still play?" Maura asked genuinely curious. Jane deflected, "Not any more. I don't have the time." Maura picked up on the hint of sadness in the brunette's voice and noticed how Jane rubbed her wrist as she spoke. Jane knew that Maura had noticed her fidgeting, but when she looked back at the doctor, all she saw was warmth and genuine care in her hazel eyes. The emotion was a little too much for Jane at the moment, so she cleared her throat and said good naturedly, "C'mon, let's eat so we can run our errands."
You're an enigma, Jane Rizzoli, and I can't wait to figure you out.