I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, but I wish I did.
A/N: Thanks you for the reviews, follows, and favorites! Sorry for any mistakes and that this took so long. Crazy week! Oh, and credit to Survivor and Thomas Dolby.
Jane and Maura trudged through the Maura's front door both beaten down by the day. Worn out from the emotional rollercoaster the two women weren't willingly riding, Maura struggled removing her coat. Without being asked, Jane helped the blonde out her coat and hung it in the closet for her.
"I'm so tired, Maur'. Is it Friday yet?" Jane plopped down on the couch with her head lolling to the side.
Maura walked into the kitchen to pour the both of them adult beverages. "I'm exhausted as well, Jane. All the grief Kellie is causing us is really starting to wear on me." Maura handed Jane her beer and returned to the kitchen to retrieve her wine.
Jane took a long draw from her beer before the buzzing of her phone caught her attention.
A weather alert popped up on her display.
"Hey, Maura. Turn on the local news."
The doctor retrieved the remote from its spot on the coffee table. "Which network do you prefer?"
"Use WHDH. It has the cuter weatherwoman." Jane winked at Maura and received a slap on the shoulder for her cheekiness.
The couple had to sit through a story about the rerouting of a bus route in Jamaica Plain before the weather report began.
"A powerful nor'easter is converging on southern New England and a blizzard warning has been issued to Boston and all of eastern Massachusetts. Snowfall should begin around 8:00 tonight and run all the way through to 5:00 tomorrow morning. We are expecting snowfall rates of 1 ½ -2 inches per hour at times for much of the area…"
The once exhausted brunette was now brimming with excitement and joy. "Maura! Do you know what this means?"
"Well, according to the weather report, we can deduce that a major blizzard is coming our way." Maura stated the obvious.
"Yes, I know that, but what happens to schools when it snows?" Jane was giddy. All of her exhaustion had melted away.
"They close, Jane."
Why is Jane asking me such an obvious question?
"Of course, they close, and if the schools are closed we don't have to…"Jane looked expectantly at her girlfriend.
"Go to work. Oh! I see what you're getting at! No school!" Maura downed her wine glass and hopped off the couch.
"Snow day!" Jane snatched Maura up in her arms and danced her around the couch.
Jane and the doctor dropped down on the couch after they had finished their impromptu snow dance. "Now, we just have to wait for it to be official!" Jane smiled, wrapped her arm around her girlfriend, and settled back on the couch.
R & I R & I R & I
"...continue to stay tuned for the latest school closings." The newscast blared.
Jane muted the tv and threw the remote down in disgust.
"What the hell, Maura! Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties are already closed. Why aren't we?!" The brunette pouted.
Jane glanced at her watch. It read 11:25.
"I want to go to bed knowing if I have to wake up early tomorrow," Jane groused. "Shit, I should probably head home in case we do have school."
Maura's joy from the possible snow day evaporated at the thought of Jane leaving for the night.
"Jane, that's silly! You are not going out in this weather. I bet there's already, hold on," Maura looked out her kitchen window, "four inches on the ground. You are NOT driving in this." The blonde put her hands on her hips in a no nonsense gesture.
Sighing, the brunette slumped back down onto the couch. "You're right. I think I left some clothes her anyway."
Jane really did want to stay, but she was in a foul mood, so she just needed an outlet for her grumpy attitude.
After the initial weathercast, the two women had run out to grab the essentials: milk, bread, and beer. Jane insisted that the beer was an essential along with toilet paper and chocolate.
Maura was pleased that her beautiful brunette was staying the night after all. Unlike her girlfriend, Maura knew how to be patient. She knew it was only a matter of time before school was called.
Jane stomped over to the fridge and pulled out another beer. From the kitchen, Jane watched the tv willing the scrolling marquee to announce that Boston city schools were closed. After fifteen minutes, her wish was granted.
"Boston city schools closed!" Jane exclaimed. The brunette ran over to Maura, threw her over her shoulder, smacked her on the ass, and ran up the stairs.
Depositing the blonde on the bed, Jane grinned lecherously, "C'mon, Maura. Let's celebrate." The doctor squealed as Jane pounced on her.
No one knows joy like a teacher getting a snow day.
R & I R & I R & I
When the two women awoke, the sun had already been up for hours, however no one could really tell what time it was because the snow was still falling heavily.
"Maura, from the looks of it, we'll probably be out through the weekend," Jane happily remarked as she took a sip from her steaming cup of coffee.
Although the doctor was happy to be away from school, the niggling worry over Kellie's evaluation continued to bother her.
Jane set her mug down before turning serious eyes towards the blonde. "Hey, I know what's going on in that big brain of yours, and it pisses me off, too." The brunette reached across the table to take the doctor's hand in her own.
"Let's think of these days away as a blessing. For starters, I won't be getting fired or arrested for killing Kellie." This elicited a giggle from the doctor.
"Secondly, this gives Korsak some time to figure out what to do about the bitch." Jane's warm eyes reflected the assurance Maura was needing at the moment.
Maura was relieved by this. Jane was right; Korsak would fix it.
"Oh, and we don't have to see her asshole intern either." This was definitely a relief for both women.
Maura snorted, "It's fitting that he and Kellie were paired together. I found it surprising that he didn't know you and I were dating when he had asked me out." Maura leaned back in her chair and relished the warmth of Jane's hand in hers.
"Did you say that he asked you out?" Jane set her mug down.
"It was earlier this week. I didn't really think it was anything of consequence, so I didn't mention it. To be honest, I had forgotten about it until you brought him up just now."
Jane smirked, "You were too distracted by thoughts of your gorgeous girlfriend, right?"
Maura laughed airily, "Whatever you say, Jane."
Jane pushed away from the table and walked over to the coffee pot, "Maura, would you like me to top you off?" The brunette shook the pot after pouring a little more in her mug. The doctor nodded and allowed Jane to fill up her cup again.
"So, did you tell him I was your girlfriend or what?" Jane smirked secretly dying to know what Maura said to the arrogant prick.
Maura considered Jane's question before answering. "Well, no. You did actually."
"What?" Jane furrowed her brow and reminded herself that Maura would explain soon.
"We collided in the hall near the copy room." Maura's face flushed in embarrassment. "Mother had texted me, and I was too busy replying to pay attention to my surroundings."
Jane smiled at the thought of Constance texting Maura. Apparently, the older woman had really taken their talk to heart.
"I dropped my phone in the collision, and he was handing it back to me when you called."
Jane sat in her chair across from Maura and continued to sip her coffee. "How would seeing me calling you tell him I'm your girlfriend?"
Maura blushed furiously before she retrieved the phone from its position on the kitchen counter.
"Here's why," Maura mumbled as she handed Jane her phone. The doctor had pulled up Jane's contact information.
Suspicious of the doctor's sudden shyness, Jane glanced at the scene.
"Girlfriend!?" That's what my name is in your phone?" The brunette smirked and quirked her eyebrow.
"Yes, it is." Maura smiled coyly.
Jane sighed, "Fair's fair. Here look." The brunette picked her phone up from the table and tapped the screen a few times.
Sure enough, the caller ID Girlfriend! was on Jane's phone, too.
Maura's melodic laugh filled the room. "Do I have a ringtone too, Jane?" Maura smiled.
"Yep, call me." Jane leaned back in her chair rather proud of herself.
"She blinded me with science…"
The doctor laughed at Jane's choice of ringtone.
"I have one for you as well." The doctor dialled the brunette.
"It's the eye of the tiger. It's the thrill of the hunt."
The two women burst into giggles.
"I love you." Maura leaned across the table. "Just kiss me."
Jane chuckled, "I love you, too, sugar tits."
"Jane!" Maura tried to slap the brunette on the shoulder.
The brunette grabbed Maura's hand before she could make contact and pulled the doctor into her lap.
"Mmm. I have a few ideas about how I want to spend these snow days." Jane wrapped her arms around the blonde.
Maura nipped Jane's bottom lip and left a trail of kisses along the brunette's jaw. "I know what you mean. There is something I definitely need to do," Maura purred.
Jane squeezed the blonde tight against her body. "Yeah? And what would that be?" Jane seductively murmured in the doctor's ear.
Maura pulled away abruptly. "Grade papers."
The expression on Jane's face clearly indicated that she was not amused.
Maura giggled, "I thought you would be a fantastic grading break, and I know," the doctor stressed, "I'll need lots of breaks."
This pacified the brunette. "In that case, I will do the same."
Jane hopped up with the blonde in her arms and walked towards the stairs. "Let's play in the snow first though."
R & I R & I R & I
By the time the snow finished falling, Maura and Jane had a good foot and a half of snow to wade through to get to Jane's car. The couple decided to dig Jane's car out before the snow could harden again from the refreezing that would occur when the sun set later. After they had cleared the snow away, the two women chased each other around the yard until they were both exhausted.
Jane took a short break before she went back out to finish shoveling the driveway; the doctor found it incredibly arousing to watch the brunette doing physical labor. When Jane returned to the house, she did not expect the doctor to jump her. Completely divested of all her snow gear, Jane found herself pinned to the couch by a very enthusiastic blonde. Maura thanked Jane again and again and again for all her hard work.
R & I R & I R & I
It took the city until the end of Tuesday to clear the roads and school parking lots. Truth be told, most people had managed to get out of their homes safely by Sunday, but the Superintendent wanted to save money and not pay workers to clear the parking lots on the weekend. Jane didn't mind so much because it canceled the Monday Botany and Zoology Club meeting, but she kept that to herself.
Jane and Maura decided to take the brunette's Jeep into work on Wednesday in case there were any lingering slick spots on the road. As the two women made their way into the building, Maura clutched Jane's arm for "support." The doctor insisted that she needed help avoiding any possible patches of black ice. Jane simply rolled her eyes and guided the good doctor across the parking lot.
As luck would have it, Jane and Maura entered the building the same time as Joshua. Jane had to give the young man props for arriving to school much earlier than necessary. In the past, Jane would arrive a minute before she absolutely had to be there. Dating Maura had completely changed that habit, but Jane didn't complain because that meant she had extra time to spend with the blonde before school started. On occasion the two women cut it close to the wire because they got a little carried away with their good morning kiss.
Joshua gave them a hard glare. His eyes lingered on Maura's hand clutched tightly around Jane's bicep. Jane returned the glare, but opened the door for the young man and her girlfriend to enter. Maura couldn't forget her manners, so she politely greeted the man, "Good morning, Mr. Davis."
The intern tried schooling his features and replied, "Good morning, Dr. Isles." Then he nodded his head towards Jane, "Rizzoli."
"Davis," Jane nodded back. The brunette couldn't help but notice how Joshua's eyes lingered a little too long on Maura. Her dislike of the man continued to grow.
Once they were in the building and the intern was out of earshot, Jane turned to the blonde, "I think he still has a thing for you."
The doctor gently released the brunette's arm with one final squeeze. "You think so?"
"Yeah, even though your rejection stung, he still wants you. Did you see the way he looked at you?" Jane's jaw clenched. The brunette knew that in the future other men and women would be attracted to the blonde, but it didn't bother her too much since she trusted Maura implicitly. Jane realized that this was a given considering how amazing Maura was, but she couldn't help but be a little protective when the admirer was an asshole.
"Just be careful around him." Jane cautioned.
Jane really didn't feel like punching anyone else; her hand hurt like hell the last time, but she'd do it again if she had to.
Maura loved how Jane could be so protective without smothering her. She never really had a relationship in which she wasn't treated like a prize or a trophy. Jane was different.
Since it was so early, the two women knew that Korsak would be in his office and not in the common areas where the students congregate.
To their surprise, he wasn't in his office. Then they realized that Mr. Talbert's office door was closed. Muffled voices from inside the office indicated that the occupants were in the middle of a heated conversation. Jane listened carefully and could tell that Korsak was inside with Mr. Talbert. Maura tugged on Jane's arm.
"Jane, don't you dare listen!" Maura scolded the brunette.
"I'm not Maura. I was just listening to see if it was Korsak in there." Jane was slightly offended that Maura would think she was spying.
Maura could tell she struck a nerve, "I'm sorry, Jane. I know you wouldn't eavesdrop like that."
The blonde tugged on the brunette's hand. "C'mon, we'll come back later."
Jane glanced at the closed door before answering. "You're right. Let's leave before Ma corners us and grills us on what we did the past couple of days."
Maura's face grew hot remembering exactly what they did over their break. "You're right, let's go!"
Jane smirked at the deep scarlet her girlfriend's face just turned and allowed herself to be dragged down the hall.
R & I R & I R& I
Jane walked into her classroom to find it as it was when she left last Wednesday. She cringed a little at the used Tupperware container still sitting on her desk. Jane picked it up to get a closer look.
"Oops," the brunette crinkled her nose at the dried up remnants of spaghetti and meatballs. "That'll need a good soak." She tossed it into one of the empty grocery bags she stored in her desk drawer and put it out of her mind.
Thanks to Maura, Jane had no grading to do, and her lesson plans were complete for the next two weeks. It took a lot of bribing and convincing on Maura's part to get Jane to do any work on their time off, but the brunette was grateful. Now Jane could focus on fixing the mess Kellie Thomas had caused. She promised Korsak she wouldn't talk to the woman; Jane couldn't help it that Kellie approached her first.
"Hello, Jane," Kellie Thomas leaned against the doorframe of Jane's room.
Jane looked up from her computer where she was busy completing a field trip approval form for the Botany and Zoology Club. The members had decided to visit the aquarium while it was still cold outside. Since Maura had never led field trip before, Jane volunteered to take care of all the paperwork. After all, she was the co-sponsor.
"What do you want Kellie?" Jane crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at the unwelcome visitor.
Kellie stepped into Jane's room and pulled the door closed behind her. "I just wanted to talk."
"What do we have to talk about? I know what you did to Maura." Jane barely contained the anger in her voice.
"Jane, I merely recorded what I saw. Maybe your girlfriend isn't the perfect woman you think she is." Kellie's smirk made Jane's insides clench. Jane had never struck a woman before, but Kellie was well on her way to being the first.
Jane sneered, "You do realize that we brought this to administration."
"Of course, I do." Kellie laughed.
Kellie's reaction was disconcerting.
"Then why are you so calm?" Jane furrowed her brow.
Kellie walked over to stand in Jane's personal space. It's your word against mine. Mrs. Anderson knows that you and Maura are dating, so you're just going to come off as the overprotective girlfriend. Besides, I have a reputation for being a fair evaluator."
Jane was a little apprehensive. Everyone knew that Jane and Maura were dating, but this didn't mean that everyone knew about Jane and Kellie's history.
"Here's the thing. I went to Korsak." Jane said confidently.
"Jane, I know that man thinks you hung the moon, but there isn't anything in my report that would show any bias." Kellie smugly stated.
Kellie was wrong. There was one thing in particular. Jane had found it that morning when she was re-reading the report, but she wasn't about to tell that to Kellie.
Jane's face broke into a triumphant grin. "Be that as it may, Korsak knows everything."
The woman's face screwed up in confusion. "He knows what?"
"I told him about D.C., Kellie. He knows all about your stunt in the hotel and in the bathroom."
The color drained from the despicable woman's face. She never thought Jane would make good on that threat.
"Also, he intends to involve Mr. Talbert." Although the thought of her boss knowing about her personal life made her cringe, the fact that it might lead to Kellie's comeuppance made it worth it. Granted, it made her sick to know Maura would be involved.
Kellie's mind raced. How could she salvage this? Again, nothing in her report would indicate she had too much bias. At least, she didn't think so. She was so screwed.
Jane continued, "Mr. Talbert will find it hard to believe that you would be unbiased when scoring the girlfriend of someone who rejected you, especially when that score is a one."
"Wait. Did you say one?" Kellie looked genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, that's what your report said." Jane responded. Kellie's reaction to the scoring was unexpected.
"Jane, I would have never have given Maura a one. Even though I firmly believe that she deserved the score I gave her, she didn't warrant a one. Besides, if I was out to get her like you are claiming, wouldn't it be glaringly obvious I was if I scored her that way?" Kellie scoffed.
"Do you have a copy of the evaluation?" Kellie tucked her hair behind her ear.
Jane grabbed the offending paper from her desk and thrust it into Kellie's hand.
Kellie's eyes traveled down the page. At some places she had a self-satisfied smirk. At others, she furrowed her brow in confusion.
"Jane, some of these remarks aren't mine. Also, I specifically recall marking the scores." Kellie wouldn't admit it, but she labored over the report in order to make it look as authentically scored as possible. She knew deep down that Maura had earned a five, but that bitch earned a two in her opinion for the way she and Jane had treated her.
For whatever reason, Jane believed Kellie; now the brunette knew that Kellie wouldn't be stupid enough to give Maura as glaringly obvious a score as a one. Only someone who had little experience with evaluations and scoring would do that if he or she wanted to screw someone over. Besides, who would have access to Kellie's computer? Kellie and Joshua were the only ones...Joshua.
"Kellie, did you know that Joshua had asked Maura on a date?" Jane's detective skills were kicking in.
"No, and why would I care?" Kellie huffed.
Jane chewed on her thumbnail for a moment before responding.
"Maura turned him down, and he found out the two of us were dating. He didn't take it well."
"Why would he care that she's dating you? I mean, besides the fact that he's a cocky little son-of-a-bitch and she's choosing a woman over him?"
The two women caught each other's eye and snorted. This wasn't the first time that a man behaved like a petulant child when he learned a woman was a lesbian. Thank God all men aren't like that.
"He really dislikes me because I ripped him a new one when he joked about one of the girls on my team being fat." Jane explained. The memory still pissed her off.
Kellie narrowed her eyes at this. She may not be the best liked teacher and was a bitch to a lot of students, but she would never mock a student's body.
"I told him if I caught him doing it again, I'd let you and the higher ups know." Jane remarked.
For the second time in their conversation, the two women agreed. This didn't mean Jane liked Kellie nor did she think that the woman should she get away with what she had done.
"Did he know that you hate us both?" Jane asked although she already knew the answer.
"He may have." Kellie shifted on her feet, "But I don't hate you, Jane." Kellie moved into the brunette's personal space again and had the audacity to grab Jane by the belt loops, "I really wish you'd reconsider. I'm not as bad as you think."
Jane gently pushed her away and let out an irritated sigh. "Kellie, focus." Jane was so tired of dealing with this woman.
"Did he have access to your computer?" Jane continued her line of questioning.
Kellie thought about it for a moment, "We both use the school laptop that I keep in my room." The distasteful woman remarked.
Jane raked her hand through her hair. "Did you write up your evaluation on that computer?"
"Of course. What are you getting at? I'm getting really tired of your twenty questions." Kellie huffed and crossed her arms.
The brunette ignored the irritated woman and pressed for more information, "Was Joshua in your room when you were typing your evaluation for Maura?"
Kellie was growing increasingly agitated. "Jane, he's my intern. We obviously share a planning period."
"Did you leave your room at any point after you finished your report?" Jane knew that the pieces were about to fall into place.
Kellie had to think hard for a moment. Did she leave her room that day? Shit. She did. "Are you suggesting that Joshua had anything to do with this?"
"As a matter of fact, Kellie, I am." A sneer spread across the brunette's face. "How long of a window do you have to edit your report before it's emailed to your evaluee?"
Kellie was royally pissed. Joshua had used her evaluation to get back at Maura. "Ten minutes. Long enough to alter my results. That little son-of-a-bitch!"