Author: Smilis

Disclaimer: No infringement intended. I own nothing I'm just borrowing the characters for my own amusement. This story may depict two women in a sexual context and if that's not your cup of tea feel free to not read.

Summary: Jane finally admits the truth about herself to Maura – what happens then?

Rating: M

AN1: English - not my first language so please excuse the mistakes I'm bound to make.

AN2: Thanks a lot for reviews even though it's been years! I'll try to do better!

AN3: So maybe not the best chapter but hopefully it'll get me back into writing a bit again.

Chapter 7 - Dinner Talks

"Jane, please open the door." Maura knocked on the bathroom door trying to get Jane to open the door but all she heard was quiet sobbing and a tiny voice. "Go away." She sighed and sat down on the floor resting her back against the wall next to the door and listened to the silence. Thank god everybody had left.

"Jane, I'll sit here all night if I have to but I won't leave you all of your own. Just..." She inhaled deeply. "Just relax and take deep breaths. Everything is OK."

She thought back to the night and stifled a laugh.

"Ok dinner's ready boys." Angela nearly shouted to the boys. Cavanaugh had shown up a couple of minutes behind Casey and now they were all watching the game waiting for dinner to happen. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy. Finally, everything fell into place. She just wished it had happened sooner. She briefly wandered why Maura was talking so much with Casey but maybe she was just giving him some pointers. If she remembered correctly, he wasn't really all that romantic. But, she surmised, they fit.

Jane sat down and Casey immediately sat down next to her. "I love you" he whispered as he put his hand on her thigh and caressed it.

As everybody sat down and dug in Maura tried to make eye contact with Jane but Jane was laughing and talking with Casey. "So, Frankie," Angela said, "why don't you tell Maura about that band camp you enjoyed so much in your senior year?"

"Band camp?" Maura was surprised. "I didn't know your liked to play." She heard a full out laugh from Jane and watched as Frankie's ears got redder and redder. "I too enjoyed band camp." She frowned as she remembered her friends at camp. "Not everybody had talent of course. Don't know why some girls where even there." She looked up from her plate and over to Frankie. "Maybe we can play together sometime?"

The beer coming out of Frankie's nose was an indicator that she said something funny but before she had time to ask she heard Casey's smug voice "What did you play?"

"Oh, I played a lot but I loved the flute." Maura smiled. "There is just something strangely erotic with the flute."

Everybody, except Cavanaugh and Angela erupted in laughter. Well Jane smiled rather than laugh but when she watched the twinkle in Maura's eyes she knew they had been had.

"Of course the flute became even more popular an instrument after the films." She watched as they sobered up. "Never tried that one trick but I'm sure lots of people did." She starred at Frankie. "Did you Frankie?" The table erupted again in laughter.

"How long time will it take for Jane to get a desk job?" Everybody glared at Angela but she continued on eating. "I mean when she gets pregnant she can't be out on active duty. That wouldn't be good for the baby." The laughter died down immediately.

"Pregnant? What the hell are you talking about? I'm not pregnant." Jane almost screamed. When had this conversation ever been OK to have?

Angela looked up and smiled. "Of course not. But it's bound to happen. You've always wanted kids." She took a small sip of her wine before continuing. "I know; it may not happen soon. It could take a few tries. Especially considering you may have to go through testing and all that but still you have to consider this. Better be prepared.

For the first time Tommy looked up from his food. "What kind of donor do you have in mind? I mean have you already checked? It can take a really long time. And what procedure do you want to use"

Suddenly every eyes were on him. "And… how would you know?" Cavanaugh had been quiet but this he was just a little bit interested in knowing.

"Donor? Why?" Angela stopped. Of course. She hadn't considered Casey's accident. How sad. "I get it, I'm sorry of course. Well Jane, you have to look into this really soon. You aren't getting any younger."

"Mom, really?" Jane glared at her mother before shifting back to Tommy. "Yes, do tell. How do you know?"

"Oh, just something I read." Everybody stilled what they were doing. "Guys, I do read you know. I'm not stupid."

Again there was a lull in the conversation while everybody finished up. "This was fantastic, as always Angela."

"Thanks Sean"

"Ok, so I have something I have to say." Jane almost stood up but when she watched Maura smile encouraging she stayed sitting remembering that it really wasn't all that big of a deal.

"No wait." Casey interrupted and stood up. "Let me go first." Angela watched him and ever so slowly nodded. She leaned towards Maura and whispered something in her ear. Maura just shook her head.

"Jane, I know we've had a rocky relationship ever since the beginning but I've always trusted and believed in us. There is just something unexplained between us and no matter how far away we are we're still each other's first love. You made so happy when you chose me in high school."

"Casey, please let me say something." Jane tried standing as well but Casey put his hand on her shoulder.

"As you know I've been offered a new position back in Afghanistan and while it is very interesting I much rather stay stateside and work with all the veterans. But Jane, I don't want to do it without you by my side." As he fumbled with his pockets Jane tried again to speak up.

"Casey, don't do" this she whispered to him. "Please" But he didn't listen.

"Jane, I want to grow old with you. I want to have all those kids with you. And Jane, we'll name one of them Sandy." He smiled down letting her know he hadn't forgotten that.

"Casey" This time it was Maura who tried. "Don't you think you should let Jane speak now?" Her glare was hard but Casey met it and smiled. The glint in his eyes told Maura he did this just to irk her.

"Jane, I want to marry you. I want to become your husband. I don't really want to go over again so this is me saying. If you want me, I'll stay." He picked up the ring and slid it onto her finger without waiting for an answer.

From the other end at the table a thud was heard when Frankie dropped his glass. "Oh God, Sandy. How could I have not known." He stood up, walked over to Jane and completely sidestepped Casey throwing his arms around her. "I'm so so sorry."

The emotional roller coaster was too much for Jane. Had she just not opened the box she would have been OK but now all her pent up feelings came rushing forth, both from, essentially coming out to Maura and her brothers to relieving the memories of Sandy again, and she slumped in her brother's arms crying. The rest of the table was silent, uncomfortable so.

Cavanaugh was the first to stand up and heading towards the door. "I'll just be going now. Angela, lovely dinner. We'll talk later." Moments later he was gone.

"We should celebrate." Casey tried to smile. "After all we are engaged to be married. Aren't we Jane?"

"Are you stupid or something?" Tommy almost screamed. "Of course you're not engaged. How can you even think that?" He rose up and seconds later he was by his sister's side who were still crying in Frankie's arms. "You probably knew all along, didn't you?

Maura sat stunned just watching this train wreck when suddenly Angela turned towards her.

"Oh my god." She hyperventilated and reached out for Maura to hold her. "You thought I was talking about you." She turned to her sons and daughter. "Oh god."

Jane was more aware again and dried her tears while Casey still stood up in front of her. "Mom?"

"Jane? 20 years? 20 years and you don't say anything? Was I that bad of a mother?" Tears streamed down Angela's cheek. She rose up and headed towards the door.

"Mom, please don't leave. Please." New tears trickled down Jane's cheeks.

"You didn't trust your own mother Jane. Have I ever given you any reason to doubt me? I can't talk to you right now." She donned her jacket and locked over. "And Casey, a marriage isn't an ultimatum. Just go."

"Where is Jane?" Maura asked after she had talked briefly with Angela outside. "And where is Casey?"

Both Frankie and Tommy were slumped down on the chairs. "Casey left and Jane hurried to the bathroom. He said something to her but she wouldn't say what" Tommy rose and dragged Frankie with him towards the front door. Before closing it he popped in again. "Something about you."

She hurried to the downstairs bathroom.

"Jane, please open the door."