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

Chapter 12

" It's sad to belong to someone else

When the right one comes along

Yes it's sad, to belong to someone else

When the right one comes along"

~ It's Sad To Belong by England Dan & John Ford Coley

Angela was already preparing all the ingredients she will use to cook for dinner later. Jane, out of her willingness, went to Maura's house earlier than usual to help her mother prepare since the doctor hasn't arrived, yet. And though if Maura arrived, Angela wouldn't let Maura help her because she's still exhausted from her flight for sure. From time to time, Jane would glance at the door or on her phone to check if Maura texted.

"Ma why are you preparing too much? It's not like we're going to celebrate tonight," Jane whines as she chopped garlic.

"Maura will come home today. And I know she missed homemade food. You know how she is when it comes to her healthy lifestyle."

"I am aware, yes. But this is too much. And Maura, for the record, was only gone for two days. She didn't work abroad."

Angela glared at her daughter. "Smartass. Why don't you just finish chopping that garlic?"

Jane rolled her eyes. "Fine. But why is Frankie not helping? He's just here to watch."

Frankie, who is currently sitting on the couch, looked over her shoulder with a beer on his lips. "Because I'm a guy."

"That doesn't mean you don't have to learn how to cook," Jane countered.

"Shut it you two," Angela admonished.

Frankie stood up and walked over to his mother and sister. "Fine. How can I help?"

"Go, wash those potatoes," Angela said and Frankie followed. "By the way, Jane, what time is Maura arriving?"

"I don't know, Ma. She didn't tell me."

"Aren't you gonna pick her up at the airport?"

"I asked her yesterday, but she said no. She said she'll handle herself."

"Do you think Jack will pick her up?" Frankie asked.

Jane stopped then replied quietly, "Maybe. He's her boyfriend after all."

Angela looked at her daughter, studying her. Trying to read what is written on Jane's face but failed since Jane is looking down at what she's doing. "Or maybe Maura didn't bother him either."

And they heard clicking at the door. And at that moment, Jo Friday, who Jane brought along with her ran towards the closed door and excitedly wagged her tail while barking happily. The three looked at each other and knew who was on the other side of the door.

The door opened and it revealed the blonde doctor with her luggage, smiling down at the little dog. She crouched to pat the dog on its head. "Aren't you the first one to greet me?"

"That one is a show-off," Came Jane's reply. The detective smiled as she walked towards the ME. Maura returned the smile as she stood up, dragging her luggage, meeting Jane halfway. Joe trailed behind Maura as it barked at Jane.

"I think Jo disagrees with you," Maura said.

"Yeah, she disagrees with me in everything," Jane replied.

The two just stood there, facing each other, studying, memorizing each part of their bodies like they didn't see each other in a long time instead of just two days, both smiling like a fool. Angela and Frankie shifted their gazes to each of them with a knowing look on their faces. Mother and son were both amused at the exchange.

"Hey," Jane finally greeted.

"Hey," Maura replied softly.

And there was silence again.

And they stared at each other again. Studying.

"Hi," They both said in unison.

"You're both aware that you're best friends and know each other, right?" Frankie snickered at the two because he knows if they don't, both Maura and Jane will just keep throwing greetings to each other.

"Francesco Rizzoli," Angela admonished as she continued stirring the sauce.

Frankie smirked. "What? Even Jo got bored at them. Look."

Both Jane and Maura looked at Jo Friday who's making its way towards Bass and settled down beside him. "She really likes your turtle."

"Tortoise," Maura corrected.

"Whatever. By the way, Ma here was trying to make a celebration for tonight. She's cooking a lot than she normally does."

Maura made a move towards the kitchen. "Is that so? Hello Angela, Frankie." She finally regarded the other two people in her house.

"Hi Maura," Frankie said as he finally finished washing the potatoes.

"Hi, sweetie. Welcome back." Angela smiled and gave Maura a quick hug. "Frankie, you start peeling off those potatoes."

"Why me? Why not Jane?"

"Because I'm still not finished with the garlic. And I still need to chop some onions. I hate onions. They make me tear up." Jane went back to what she was doing earlier and continued slicing garlic.

Maura smiled at the sight. She felt warm and happy as she observed her makeshift family. Never in her life, she would feel his house of her to be home. And she's glad she met Jane and the rest of Rizzolis. They provided her the one thing she wanted to have in her life that her money can't buy. Family.

"What are you cooking?" Maura directed her question to Angela.

"Oh. I decided on gnocchi, Jane's favorite and chicken alfredo. I know it's too much carbs so I'm going to make a salad, too." Angela replied.

"It's okay. You know how much I love your cooking. So what can I do to help?"

"Oh no. You're not helping us. I have Jane and Frankie to help me. You just got here, honey. Have some rest. We're fine here," Angela said in a motherly way.

"But..."

"No buts, Maur. I'll have you restrained if you ever try to help," Jane said, grinning. "Plus, you just got here. And I agree with Ma."

"Whoa. That's a first. You agreed with Ma." Frankie teased. Jane rolled her eyes.

"Francesco Rizzoli!" Angela glared at her son.

"Enough with the full name already, Ma," Frankie said.

"Then concentrate on what you're doing."

"By the way, I think Jane is sick. She cleaned her bathroom yesterday," Frankie smirked as Jane blushed hard. Both Angela and Maura looked at her.

"What?" She regarded the two women. "You think I'm a slob?"

"Yes, you are," Angela replied.

"Ma!"

Maura just chuckled at the banter as she headed towards her bedroom with her luggage.

Maura was sitting on the couch when Jane joined her some minutes before the dinner. Maura tried everything to keep herself busy while the Rizzolis were making dinner. She settled on watching some documentaries she left behind and she's now engrossed in it.

"Hey," Jane greeted as she sat beside Maura.

Maura looked to her side and smiled at Jane. "Hey. Is dinner ready? Am I allowed to help set the table?"

"Nope. Ma and Frankie were just finishing some things and they will set the table. You're still not allowed." Jane grinned.

"Okay. Guess I'm held hostage to my kitchen today."

"Yes, you are."

They both chuckled.

"By the way, did you really clean your bathroom yesterday?"

Jane smiled sheepishly then nodded. "Yeah. I told you I was bored."

Maura didn't respond. She just smiled at Jane. "Do you think we could talk later?"

Jane locked her gaze at Maura's. "Yes, I would love to."

Then they heard the doorbell rang. It was like a deja vu. It already happened before. They are both sitting on the couch with a TV on, catching up. Except now that Frankie and Angela are with them.

"I'll get it," Maura said as she stood up. Jane had a feeling that this night will not be one of her favorite nights of all.

Maura opened the door and was surprised to see Jack. Earlier, when she informed Jack that she will be arriving at noon in Logan, Jack informed her that he will be out of town and probably will be back on Friday. But now, he's here, standing in front of her, smiling widely. Angela, Frankie, and Jane looked at him and both mother and son greeted Jack. Jane's face, on the other hand, darkened. And she now knows why. Angela and Frankie turned to look at Jane and saw her expression.

"Jack, I thought you're going to Michigan today?" Maura asked.

Jack's smile did not falter. He leaned in and gave Maura a quick kiss on the lips and Jane has to look away. "I had a reason why I told you that."

"Okay?" Maura stepped aside to let Jack in. And as she did that, she met Jane's gaze. Jane's gaze sent shivers down Maura's spine. What was written in her dark brown eyes were coldness and blank.

"Good evening, Angela, Frankie, and Jane," Jack greeted the three Rizzolis.

"Good evening, Jack. I'm glad you could come. Dinner is almost ready." Angela said. She did not smile and was a little concerned about her daughter.

"Hey, Jack." Frankie nodded at the man.

"Okay. So can you tell me now why you lied about going to Michigan?" Maura asked.

"Well, I just said it so I could do my stuff before surprising you," Jack's smile did not leave his face.

"Well, you could've just told me you were busy while you do your stuff," Maura countered.

"Yeah. I guess I just panicked while I was talking to you on the phone."

"You can tell me everything after dinner," Maura said then remembered that she and Jane will talk later. She internally cringed.

"No, this can't wait." He put a hand in his trouser's pocket and held something in his hand. He took a deep breath as he stared at Maura's hazel eyes. "I've been rehearsing this speech over and over but like what other says, when you reach the point of confessing, everything you rehearsed will turn into nothing. But believe me, Maura, the speech I created in my mind was really beautiful in my thought." He chuckled.

"What are you talking about, Jack?" Suddenly, Maura's heart started to race faster. The three Rizzolis were glued to their spots witnessing whatever is unfolding in their eyes.

Jack, suddenly bent down on one knee while Angela gasped. Maura's eyes narrowed. Jack opened the box he was clutching and smiled at Maura. "I've been ready to spend the rest of my life with you. I hope you feel the same way, too." Then he took a deep breath again to ask the upcoming question. "Maura Isles, will you marry me?"

And just like that, the world stopped spinning for both Maura and Jane. Maura held a hand in her mouth due to the surprise by Jack. She stopped breathing and she could feel Jane's stare directed at her. She couldn't look up and see Jane's expression. Because if she does, she will see all the pain in her dark brown eyes.

Everyone fell silent. No gasps of surprise were heard, not even a cheering or giggles. They were all just all silent. And Jack was beginning to feel uneasy when Maura just stared at her in shock and didn't respond. Suddenly, they heard something ringing. They were finally out of their trances because of nonstop ringing. It's Jane's phone.

"Rizzoli," The detective answered firmer than she normally does. Then a nod of her head. "Be there in fifteen," She hung up. "I gotta go back to work. You guys continue this thing." And she hurried out of the door without looking at everyone, even Maura for that matter.

She knew it was rude to just get out of the house without saying of encouragement for Maura to accept Jack's proposal. She's not a hypocrite after all. She'd be lying if she'll say she's happy for both of them. No. She's not happy about that. It's crushing her heart. It's hurting her badly. The moment Jack knelt down, she wanted to yell at him to get out of Maura's house. She wanted to punch him in his pretty face. But that was Jack. Maura's boyfriend. And he has every right to come in and out of her best friend's house. He has every right to do things to Maura which she didn't have. And he was nothing but sweet, caring, and loving to her best friend which she was really glad, she must admit. That's why as she drove to the station, she let her tears threatening to fall rolled down her cheeks.

She knew it was wrong to leave the house just like that. But the moment Jack ask Maura to marry her, all she wanted to do was to get out of the doctor's house as soon as she can so she wouldn't hear Maura answer yes.

Okay, so my casket is ready if you want to kill me! LOL.