Chapter 10: Right mind
Jane went through the door and closed it gently behind her. She leaned against it and slid down with her head in her hands. God Jane, what was that, you just kissed your best friend, like on the lips! She must think you're an idiot. You came here to help her mental state , not blow it out of the water. Did you like it? Well, yes. Did she like it? Not by the look on her face. Would you do it again? God ya, if given the chance but she'll probably never let you that close again. She pounds her forehead in frustration. Okay, get it together Rizzoli! You can talk your way out of this, you were just so happy to see her, ya that's it! You were so happy you kissed her. All you are to her is a best friend and that's what she needs right now. She pulls herself of the floor and heads for the en-suite bathroom, she splashed some cold water on her face, then she looks up at the eyes staring back at her. How can you tell her you are in love with her, that you've never ever felt like that about anyone. Almost losing her was the epiphany, how can you tell her? "Alright, lets work this case, keep her safe, keep your mind out of the gutter and take her home." She admonishes herself out loud. She stalked out of the washroom and changed into sweats and BPD tee as a knock comes to the door.
"Jane, supper is here."
Maura tries again,"Jane are you ok?"
The door opens, Jane appears and drops her eyes to the floor, "Ya, just freshening up." She makes eye contact and flashes Maura a slight smile. She looked past Maura and there was a quaint table setting for two at her little dining room table. Maura meets her eyes and leads Jane to the table.
" Wait, I need to call Ma and tell her I arrived ok," Jane hurries into the room and surfaces with her phone. She hits speed dial and her mother has it on the first ring.
" Oh Janie, thank God, you arrived there. Did you find Maura, how is she?" Angela got it all out in one breath
" Ma, breath, yes, I made it OK and Maura's here, she'll be alright." as Jane takes a side glance to Maura and offers a shy smile.
"Can I talk to her, is she with you now?"
" No, not right now, one hysterical Rizzoli at a time. Yes, she's here," Jane looks at Maura once more, Maura smiles and whispers.
" Give her my love," Maura blows a kiss toward Jane and her phone.
"Ma , Maura sends her love," Jane relays as she rolls her eyes at the atics.
" You take care of each other and I'll talk to you later, love you both."
" We love you too, goo.." Jane was interrupted by her mother.
" Vince and Barry were trying to get in touch with you!"
" Ma, I'll call them later or tomorrow, I'm beat and Maura has supper, love you Ma , goodnight." Jane close the call. She then notices the voice mail and texts from both Korsak and Frost. She thinks she should maybe check them or call the Jeff guy from ski patrol, as she ponders she catches a glimpse of Maura.
Jane looks at the little table, candles,white wine and a beer on ice in a silver cooler. She forgot how hungry she was, it was the first time all day she had let her mind wonder to food. The phone can wait as she sets it on the couch side table and joins her friend. Maura pointed to the chair, "Have a seat, I ordered your favorite," she said with a smile. Jane waited until Maura started to sit before sitting as well. Maura looked across the small table at her. Jane had not met Maura's eyes for any length of time since she exited the guest room,she seemed nervous and embarrassed. Maura was definitely perplexed about her friend : the kiss, is that why she is acting so strange? she thinks. "Jane," she tries to catch her friends eye, "Jane, lift the cover, I hope you like it, the chief assured me that it is amazing." Maura remarks as she smooths out the servette on her lap. Jane looks up at her with a quick smile. She does as she is told and lifts the platter cover. Her eyes get huge as she look from Maura to the large platter of burger and fries, with a house salad on the side. The burger was almost as big as the plate containing the side salad, three quarter pound patties, slathered with BBQ sauce and pickles. Maura looked amused at the look on Jane's face as she decided how best to tackle the feast before her. Maura uncovered her Spinach stuffed chicken breast, baked potato and side salad. She poured a wine and offered Jane a beer from the cooler. Jane accepted the offered drink. Her stomach growled audibly and both ladies looked at each other and laughed. The rest of the meal was enjoyed in relative silence while Yo-Yo Ma plays the prelude from Bach´s Cello Suite No. 1 softly in the background.
When the meal was done, both ladies moved into clean up mode, Jane spoke first. "Maura, sorry to be so weird and stuff," she says as she puts her cutlery on the plate and covers it with the silver dome.
Maura smiles an impish smile, "Oh, in what way?" she questions, causing Jane to turn and look at her friend.
"What do you mean in what way, you know before, when I," her hands gesturing wildly, " you know, did that. I was just sooooo happy to see you, Maur, I was so scared," her voice trailed off as her eyes studied the napkin she nervously rung in her hands.
Maura approached her friend and took both hands in her own. She looked at Jane and tried to get her to make eye contact. " Jane lets just detach from this reality tonight. We'll watch a movie and sit on the couch like the good old days. I just want to spend time with you, you came for me. If I'll only be your best friend, then I'll take it, but if there is more, well," Jane's eyes popped up to meet Maura's, " we can explore that too". Maura closed the space and looked at Jane as she captured Jane's lips in her own. Maura opened her eyes to see Jane's shut as Jane pulled her close and wrapped her fingers in Maura's hair. Maura struggled to pull away.
" Whoa tiger, lets stop there, " Maura breathlessly interjects.
" Sorry," Jane kisse sMaura's forehead then goes forehead to forehead with her as she breaths heavy, " we should stop, not the time, but Maur.."
Sensing what's next Maura puts her finger on Jane's lips, " Lets just pick something on pay per view and I'll get the blanket." she says as she tears herself from Jane. Jane rakes her hands through her hair as her heart rate levels. She can't help but smile as Maura led them toward the TV. YES!
The next day was an early rise for the Sergeant and Detective, as they prepared to go to Walpole to interview Patty Doyle.
"Vince, did you hear from Jane?"Frost questions
Not a word," Vnce looks down reviewing his notes, "lets just get this done for both our girls sakes." Frost nods.
Notes in hand they discuss strategy as they drive out to Walpole After a security check and surrendering of weapons, they were led to the interview room. As the secure door opened, they were surprised to see Cavenaugh and Dean already with Doyle. Paddy eyed them all with contempt."What do you want?" Doyle spits out in a hiss, as he looks from one to the other.
Dean looks at the other three men before speaking.
"What do you know about what's going on with Mob activity recently?"Gabriel Dean questions.
Doyle lets out a chuckles ,"And why would I know anything, you boys have me locked up tight here in Walpole," he gestures with his shackled hands. He doesn't look so fierce now, dressed in orange, thinner than before and shackled to the table. He had regained use of his legs, but he still needed assistance with a cane. All three men in that room knew, despite his appearance, he was still a very powerful force in Boston.
Sean moves close, and leans so he is face to face with Doyle, he speaks in a low deliberate tone, all the while keeping eye contact with Paddy. " You don't expect us to believe nothing gets inside these wall to you? You must know about these boys," Cavanaugh takes out the photos of the three murder victims and places them in front of Doyle. Paddy does not break eye contact with Cavenaugh, nor does he look down at the pictures, he simply shrugs. Sean keeps eye contact and continues. "What about Haas, O'Flanagan and Floyd," pointing again at the pictures." Doyle stays mute. Cavenaugh motions to Korsak, reluctantly he removes the photo in the evidence bag and places it before Doyle. He looks down and almost shoots from his seat.. All four men are startled by what they see.
"No one Lays a hand on Maura, you understand , no one," they definitely have Doyle's attention now.