AN: Thank you all for the warm feedback, favorites, and alerts. Happy Reading :)

AN2: This chapter is lame but needed.

Disclaimer: I don't own R&I and the song.

Chapter 11

" Everybody needs a little time away

I heard her say

From each other

Even lovers need a holiday

Far away from each other"

~Hard To Say I'm Sorry by Chicago

Maura went down to the living room to her awaiting baggage. In any minute now, the cab she called will come to pick her up. Jack offered to bring her to the airport but she refused and told him that his job is much more important and she can manage herself. And Jane? Jane did not contact her since she left last night. It's okay. They both needed this space after all. They needed to think whatever this is between them. But she must admit, she missed the detective. And she will miss her for the next two days. Truth is, she doesn't want to be near either Jack or Jane today before she leaves.

Sitting on the couch, checking her emails on the phone, Maura was surprised when her back door opened. She looked up and saw Angela. The elder Rizzoli was surprised seeing Maura, too.

"Angela," Maura greeted with a smile.

"Maura. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?" She asked then noticed the baggage sitting on the floor. "You're going somewhere?"

"Oh yeah. I have to attend a medical conference in Quantico. I'll be gone for two days."

Angela sat down beside Maura. She looked at the doctor and noticed Maura's slightly swollen eyes. "Is Jack gonna take you to the airport?"

Maura shook her head. "No. He's busy. And I told him to focus on his job."

"So, Jane is going to take you to the airport?"

Maura stiffened at the question then slowly shook her head. "No."

Angela waited for Maura to say something more but none came. "Do you want me to take you to the airport?"

"It's okay Angela. I'm actually waiting for the cab I called." Maura said, smiling.

Angela nodded. "Have you been crying, Maura?"

"What?" She looked at Angela, surprised.

Angela studied her for a while, trying to read Maura. "Okay, I know you can't lie. Just don't answer it. Just remember that I'm here if you want to talk to someone. If you don't want to talk to Jack or Jane, okay?"

Maura smiled at her. "Thank you, Angela." Then they heard honking outside. "That must be the cab. I better go now. I'll see you on Sunday."

"Have a safe trip, sweetie."

It was a slow day in BPD. Jane tried to focus on the paperwork given that it's only an hour past lunch. It was really slow when she's not outside pursuing a perp or a lead on the case. And it's slow knowing that Maura isn't around.

Maura.

The flash of what happened last night invaded her memories. Their confession towards each other. Maura, spilling her guts. She, spilling her own. Finally admitting to Maura the reason why she became distant. That she was jealous of Jack though there wasn't any reason to be jealous of. Hell, she knows there is something more to her and Maura. She knew perfectly well. And then Maura acknowledged that their friendship was going downhill. And then Maura is telling her that she's confused and so was she. What is happening? Thinking back on that night, Jane thought of only one thing. Did she ruin Jack and Maura's relationship?

Maura.

Maybe by now, she's already on the plane off to Quantico. And she will be gone for two fucking days. And those two days will be unbearable for the detective. And a Jane without a Maura isn't someone you want to cross with.

"Rizzoli!" Korsak called out.

Jane was startled by the sound. She glanced up and saw Korsak with a questioning look. "What the hell, Korsak?"

"I've been calling you for like five times already but you didn't respond." Korsak now looked concerned at her.

"Oh," She sighed. "What is it?"

"Your mother called me looking for you. She told me to tell you to go to the Dirty Robber after work."

Jane groaned. She checked her phone and saw five messages from her mother and three missed calls. She wondered why she didn't hear it ring then it dawned on her that her phone was on silent mode. She turned the ringer on. She looked for Maura's messages but found none. Her heart dropped to her stomach. Since last night, they didn't exchange text messages, email, or calls.

"My phone was on silent mode that's why I didn't hear her calls."

Korsak nodded. "You okay, kid?"

Jane nodded and gave him a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm good."

"I haven't seen Dr. Isles today. Is she on leave?"

"Yeah. She's going to Quantico for a medical conference."

"I see," Korsak replied. "This will be unbearable," He mumbled.

"What?" Jane asked, not hearing what Korsak said.

"Oh, I was asking when she's coming back."

"Sunday."

Korsak nodded. "Hey, do you want to take the rest of the day off?"

"Nah, I don't have anything to do in my apartment. I'd rather be stuck doing paperwork here," Jane said disgustingly.

Korsak chuckled. "You'll be fine, Jane."

Jane was halfway through her second bottle of beer, sitting alone on her and Maura's booth, waiting for her mother's shift to be over. And as like earlier, her mind drifted off to Maura and her feelings when her mother slid herself into the booth across her.

"Do you think you have enough of the beer?" Angela asked.

Jane smiled. "Yeah. This will be my last for tonight."

"Too bad. I was about to order more for both of us," Angela joked and both of them chuckled.

"So, what's up, Ma? Why do you want to meet me here?"

"So, earlier, I was at Maura's and I saw her before she left for Quantico..." Jane sipped on her beer as she waited for her mother to continue. "She seemed sad. Is there going on between the two of you? Or with Jack?"

Jane almost choked on her beer. She placed the bottle on the table and began fiddling the label. A gesture she does when she's nervous. "We're fine, Ma. And if there's something wrong with her and Jack, I don't think you have the right to intrude in it, you know."

"Oh, I care. I won't intrude but I will care. You know me when it comes to the four of you."

"Yeah, I know. You become an overly protective mother." Jane smirked. But Angela just stared at her. "The last time I know, she and Jack are on good terms so there's nothing to worry about, Ma."

"She had been crying. She didn't admit it but I know she was crying. And there are only two reasons why she cries. If it's not about Jack, then it must be you." Angela's tone wasn't accusatory, she was just confirming it. Jane clamped her mouth shut as her hand clutched on the bottle making her knuckles go white. "I didn't make you come here to judge you. I just want to know if everything is alright between the two of you. You might as well know that I observed you two drifting apart."

Jane tensed. She's not ready to have this kind of conversation again in less than twenty-four hours. "We're okay, Ma." She said softly.

"Your body tells me otherwise."

"Don't mind my body then."

"Jane, I'm worried about you two. I know whatever is this going on between you two, is affecting you both. You both looked so hurt and sad and I don't like what I'm seeing. Please fix this, honey."

Jane sighed. "We're both aware of it, Ma. We just had a talk last night. But the moment wasn't agreeable. She has to leave for Quantico. Maybe we'll talk again when she comes back."

Angela nodded. "That's good then. I'm not forcing you to talk about it. But I know something has changed between you two when Jack came in the picture." Jane didn't answer. She just stared at her mother. "She has been very supportive of your and Casey's relationship before even though I know she didn't approve of him. She saw right through him, you know."

"I know, Ma."

"What are you feeling, Jane?"

Jane paused as she tensed up again. She was contemplating whether to tell her mother the truth or not. She chose to hide but when she looked up at her mother's eyes, she saw no judgment. There was just pure love and understanding. Her heart melted at the sight.

"I felt jealous. I envied him and I pitied myself. I was used to doing all things with Maura by my side. When he came, I felt happy for both of them until it became heavy and suffocating. I know I should be supportive as Maura was to my relationship with Casey. And I was until I couldn't take it anymore. Maybe I'm not used to sharing Maura. Or maybe, I just don't want to share her with anyone else."

Angela understood. She tried not to push because she knows what Jane was feeling isn't known to the woman, yet. She doesn't understand the depth of her feelings, yet. So, the best way is to let Jane deal with her own feelings.

"Have you talked to Maura about this?"

Jane nodded slowly, eyes downcast. "I told her everything. And she was sorry she was neglecting me. I told her it wasn't her fault." She started peeling off the label of the bottle.

Angela reached out and held Jane's hands in her own, steadying her daughter's hands. "You know that I love you both right?" Jane nodded. "Whatever happens. Whatever decision you make, I will always support you both." Jane studied her mother as if she's already giving her permission to something that she hasn't known yet. "But for now, deal with your feelings first and figure it out while Maura is away."

Jane smiled weakly. "Thanks, Ma."

"Anything for you, baby."

After Maura did her nightly routine, she started unpacking her dresses to avoid it get wrinkled. She didn't bother to unpack her other things because she will only be staying in Quantico for two days. She poured herself a glass of wine then sat on the edge of her bed and started checking her phone. She got three messages. Two from Jack and one from Angela. But none from Jane. Not even missed calls or voice mail. She sighed as disappointment overtook her. She made a quick message to both Jack and Angela that she arrived at Quantico safely then put down her phone on the nightstand.

Her mind started to drift off as she sipped on her wine when her phone rang. She thought it was Jack but when she saw the name flashing on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. A smile was formed on her lips. It's Jane.

"Hey," Maura greeted softly.

"Hey," Jane greeted equally soft.

Maura waited for Jane to continue talking but she just heard a soft click of the door. The detective must have just arrived home. "Had a long day at work?" The doctor asked.

Jane chuckled softly. "Yeah, long day. We got nothing. I just did some paperwork."

"Oh. That must be hard for you," Maura said teasingly.

Jane grinned. "It really was. Anyway, I just got from the Dirty Robber. Who would've thought that my mother could keep up drinking with me?"

"You two were drinking?"

"Yeah, but it was harmless. Don't worry. We didn't drink to death," Jane chuckled.

"Bonding? Mother-daughter bonding?"

"Yeah, something like that."

Silence.

"I'm a horrible friend," Jane finally broke the silence.

Maura frowned though Jane wouldn't be able to see it. "Why is that?"

"I didn't even ask you if you arrived in Quantico safely."

Maura smiled at Jane's confession. She even smiled when her best friend didn't forget Mr. Adverb. "I arrived safely, Jane. Thank you."

This time, Jane smiled. "Good," She sighed. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

Maura frowned. "Why is that? It's your off tomorrow, right?"

"Right. And you're not around. Though I know we don't spend time with each other that much, knowing you're around is still better than when you're away."

Maura blushed. Her heart sped up faster. "I'll come back on Sunday, Jane."

"You better be," Jane grinned. Then she sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't contact you after I left."

"I didn't either so there's nothing to be sorry about. And I think it's okay so we could process whatever there is to process."

"I agree. Hey, I want to talk to you when you get back."

Maura nodded as if Jane will be able to see it. "We'll talk. There are lots to talk about, yes."

Silence.

"You know, I like talking to you on the phone." Maura was the first to break the silence this time.

"Really? Why?"

"You are more expressive," Maura replied softly. "You open up more."

Jane sighed. "I guess so. Hey, I know you have an early meeting tomorrow so I won't keep you hanging. And I just wanna ask. Do you want me to fetch you at the airport on Sunday?"

There was a pause on Maura's side. The doctor was contemplating whether she would say yes or no. Part of her wanted to say yes because Jane is the first person she wanted to see when she comes back. Part of her no, so she would be fair to both Jack and Jane.

"No," She finally answered.

"Okay."

"I'll come back on Sunday."

"I'll be waiting."

It was already an hour before twelve when Frankie went to Jane's apartment the following day. What he saw caught her off guard. The normally messy and cluttered apartment of his sister is now tidy and clean. Something must be wrong. Fully entering the apartment, he saw the lights in the bathroom on and the door open. He went further and saw Jane lounging on the floor, scrubbing the tiles.

"What the fuck?" Frankie exclaimed.

Jane stopped scrubbing and looked up at her brother. "Well, good morning to you, too, little brother."

"What is happening, Jane?"

Jane frowned. "I'm cleaning?" Frankie just stared at her. "What? I'm not supposed to clean my apartment?"

Frankie was amused. Clearly amused. "You are so domestic these days," He chuckled. "First, you were cooking. Now you're cleaning your entire apartment. What is happening?"

Jane grabbed the cloth resting on top of the lid of the toilet bowl and dried her hands. She got up and exited the bathroom followed by Frankie. "I've got nothing to do."

"Is Maura with Jack again?" Frankie asked quietly.

Jane stopped for a moment then resumed walking towards the fridge. Grabbing two bottles of beer, she popped them open and handed one to Frankie before drinking her own. "No, she's in Quantico."

"Quantico?"

"Yeah, she has a conference. She'll be back tomorrow."

"Oh."

"What are you doing here by the way?" Jane asked as she headed to the couch and sat, Frankie, again, followed suit.

"I was looking for you. Thought you wanna go one on one basketball with me."

"Nah," Jane shrugged. "Got a lot of things to do here."

"Okay." Frankie sipped on his beer as his eyes caught sight of two picture frames on the divider. The first is a family picture of them when their father was still with them. And the second one is of Jane and Maura. Jane's arm wrapped around Maura's shoulder and Maura's arm wrapped around Jane's waist, both grinning.

"I remember that photo," Frankie said, pointing to the picture of Jane and Maura.

Jane followed what he's pointing at. She smiled. "Yeah, that was when after we watched Red Sox at Fenway. You were the one who took it. It's my favorite," She let the last sentence slipped. If Frankie heard it, he didn't comment on it.

"That's when before Maura started dating Jack," Frankie commented. Jane's smile disappeared. She suddenly felt a hard tug at the pit of her stomach.

"Yeah."

"He seemed nice, you know. But I kinda hated him."

This got the attention of Jane. She looks up at Frankie who is already looking at her. "Why?" Was the only question left Jane's lips.

"Well, I know for a fact that he's handsome, smart and maybe sweet to Maura. But I think he kinda fucked up the best relationship I've ever seen." He said, grinning and he drank his beer again.

Jane frowned. "What do you mean?"

Frankie sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "You and Maura started to drift away. The guy is nice but I know Maura can do better if she just let her eyes see the real thing."

And Jane wasn't able to comment on that. Were she and Maura really that drifting apart and everybody noticed it? Did everybody notice it?

Jane and Frankie sat on silence, drinking their respective beer when Jane's phone beeped. She smiled seeing that the text was from Maura. She opened the text and rolled her eyes upon reading the text though a smile is still plastered on her lips.

Should I be worried that you started cleaning your apartment? You aren't sick, are you? - Maura

Earlier, Jane sent Maura a picture of her and her living room cleaned out. She started typing her response when Frankie got up. He knows Jane won't be talking to him now that she's occupied.

"I'll leave you reading your love messages," Frankie said but Jane didn't seem to hear him. Frankie rolled his eyes and left Jane.

Haha very funny. I was just passing time because it's boring. - Jane

We can spend time tomorrow when I get back. Just like the old times. - Maura

I'll be waiting. - Jane

And both smiled like a fool at the exchange of their messages even though they are miles apart.