There were many ways Jane could have handled the situation. She could have responded to the message with a simple answer. She could have played it off and changed the subject. She could have even faced her feelings and told Maura exactly what she thought about that dress. That damn dress. That red dress is all she saw when she closed her eyes. Every time she would rub her palms it had nothing to do with pain or scars, it's because her hands were still itching to touch that dress and the body it hugged so tightly. Sure, there were many ways for detective Rizzoli to handle this, so many mature ways. Which is why she was still unsure of why she chose the path she had. Avoidance seemed like the obvious choice at the time. But now as her car crawled closer to the station on Monday morning, Jane was painfully aware of the error in her ways.
With the way she kept checking over her shoulder as she got a cup of coffee you'd think she was one of the criminals in the building, not a highly regarded detective. The only thing that managed to look more suspicious than the looks is how high Jane jumped when her name was called across the cafe.
"JANIE!" Angela Rizzoli called out with excitement. "I haven't heard from you in awhile, I was beginning think you finally ran away."
"Good morning, Ma." Jane gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek. "Clearly I'm still here." She said with a forced smile as she handed her mother money and made her way to the elevators. Just a few more steps and I'll be-
"Is everything alright Jane? You seem skittish this morning." Jane turned slowly to face her mother.
"Of course Ma, just had a slow weekend. It's taking a bit to wake my brain up". Right hand on the elevator button and the left holding her coffee high. "This should do the trick." Smirk in place Jane stepped onto the elevator and let loose the breath she was holding as the door slid closed.
Being a homicide detective didn't mean Jane liked investigating murder. She hated murder. Probably more than most. She was faced with dark side of humanity on a daily basis. Fighting the monsters most people only heard about on the news. It was always a nice break when they didn't have a case, a peaceful time to catch up on paperwork, cleanup, or trash can basketball. But today all Jane wanted was a fresh case to distract her.
Frost and Korsak kept the conversation flowing, Jane was only aware of the continuous hum their voices provided. It was an appropriate soundtrack to the thoughts buzzing around in her head.
You're gonna have to face Maura sooner or later. What are you gonna do?
Korsak's voice and the obvious amusement it held pulled Jane from her musings. "Jane? What do you think?"
She shook her head of wild curls, trying to shake the webs of Maura free. "Huh-what? Think about what?"
"She wasn't listening." Frost chimed in, earning a glare from Jane.
"I was saying how we should get a drink after work. Celebrate such a boring shift with some excitement."
"What kind of excitement could possibly be taking place on a Monday night at the Robber." Jane threw the thought out there not even bothering to make it a question.
Never one to let the perfect opening slip away, Frost answered. "He's an old man whose love life is summed up by 3 divorces. Any night at a bar is an exciting one for Vince." Frost's eyes held a sparkle as they met the older brown ones across the room. He was ready for battle, but to his disappointment, Korsak was not.
"He's right Jane, I'll take whatever I can get." That caused Jane's lips to turn up for the first time since Saturday evening. This helped her realize how silly she was being. A drink after work with the guys and then she'll figure out her way around the Maura situation. After all, she was beginning to miss her search engine best friend.
Two hours later the partners cozied up in a booth with cold bottles in each pair of hands. The silence was comfortable and not one word was forced between the three. Jane truly enjoyed moments like this, a silent understanding of the job and the respect of letting go of the stress after shift. Things were really beginning to look up when Jane heard the familiar click of designer heels approach from behind her. This is why I always face the door. Avoid ambush.
"Good evening boys. Jane." Maura said with a tilt of her head. Surveying the seating arrangements, boys seemed to be on one side, leaving the other for the girls. Jane froze as Maura's weight settled in next to her. The subtle spice of her perfume making her nostrils flair shortly after the doctor was seated.
"Alright! The doctor made it, now the night is complete!" Frost said with palpable excitement as he rose from the table. "This round is on me." He turned to Maura. "Your usual?" Jane couldn't help but let a chuckle escape at the mention of the ME's usual. The Robber wasn't known for its wine selection.
"Actually Barry I'll take a beer this time. Last time the wine was too chalky."
"Any preference, Doc?"
"I'll have what Jane's having." The smaller woman turned to face her booth-mate, warm green eyes searching deep brown.
"You got it." Frost disappeared towards the bar just as Maura turned her attention to the eldest detective, striking up conversation about their lack of a case. Sure, the Chief Medical Examiner of the Common Wealth of Massachusetts always had her plate full, or rather her slab occupied, but it was a topic she knew would start up the flow of conversation.
One round turned to a few and the group found the clock approaching midnight a little too quickly. Jane was impressed by how normal the evening went on. Maybe she overreacted. Maura seemed normal. Perfect even. They had shared several friendly jabs, lingering eye contact, and more than a few casual touches. If Maura was uncomfortable with Jane's sleepy confession it would have been obvious by now. The ME couldn't lie in word or action. Maura had her fun and now things were back to normal. Thank God.
Frost was the first to rise, "Ok ladies, it's time for us to call it a night. It's well past Korsak's bedtime."
"I'm pretty sure you're the one with a bedtime, Junior." Korsak slapped the young detective on the back and said his goodbyes. Minutes later Jane found herself alone with her best friend.
"One more, or time to call it quits?" If it were possible Jane was sure her voice seemed lower than usual. Maybe she should stay away from another drink.
Without even answering Maura was already ordering two more and back soon after. "Last one. It is Monday after all." She said, settling in across from Jane with a smirk playing on her full lips as she slid the bottle into long expecting fingers.
"Fair enough." The smirk must have been contagious because it was now dancing across Jane's lips. As she took a long pull on her beer she locked her eyes on Maura as the other woman mirrored her own actions. The doctor was the first to break the silence.
"So. Jane. What did you do with the rest of your weekend?"
Thankfully the amount of alcohol Jane consumed allowed her to keep calm when her friend mentioned the weekend. "Not much at all. Turned off the phones and just relaxed. It's been a while since I just sat with my own thoughts. It's was nice." As Jane finished she noticed Maura shifting uneasily. Looking in the direction of the medical examiners gaze she noticed two men eyeing their table.
"Are you familiar with the term 'beer goggles' Jane?" With a small laugh Jane nodded her head yes.
"I'm surprised YOU are."
"There was a study done that proved it's true. After two or three drinks test subjects found originally unattractive people considerably more appealing." A dangerous smile was beginning to light up her already glowing face. "Is it beer goggles Jane? Or do you always think I'm sexy?"
There was no holding back the beer that sputtered its way past Jane's lips. Choking on the last bubbles that were burning her throat she looked up to meet the teasing eyes that never wavered. "Maur, can you please just drop this?"
"Drop what, detective?" If Maura's voice alone could seduce Jane, this is the tone she would use.
"Just forget I ever said it." The tall lanky woman began fidgeting in her seat.
"Said what?" Maura was playing now. She had waited so long to be able to get under Jane's skin and knowing she was there. The officer sitting across from the petite woman had made herself at home under her very own skin for over a year now and she needed to know if the feeling was mutual. Looking at her friend expectedly, she risked pushing too hard and asked again, gently. "Well?"
Jane's heart was pounding and she could feel the sweat developing on her brow. When did they turn the heat on in here? She looked into the trusting eyes that were upon her, trying to read her every thought. Could she tell her? Could she allow herself to open up, show that side of her that could change their relationship forever. The words were on the tip of her tongue but panic won out and she stood abruptly from the table and looked down at the smaller woman. "Forget what I said!" She spat, words full of venom as she turned and made her way out the door and into the chilly evening. Leaving a shaken, wounded Maura in her wake.