A/N: So, I'm deeply unimpressed by the jackassery that's been directed towards my choice of ships. I don't flame Rizzles stories (if I don't like it, I just don't read it - which, FYI, is the mature thing to do) so please don't flame mine. But to the people who have been positive, thank you. I really appreciate your kind reviews and messages.
That said. I may not update for a while, but I'll try to hurry things along. (For the record - I've banned myself from watching RockStar and going on facebook until I finish the bit I'm working on, so hopefully that works...)
Jane got to her apartment and collapsed on the couch. A mixture of emotions were whirling around in her head. The dominant ones were irritation (at her mother) and a strange mix of anticipation and tingly excitement. He's just my partner and friend, she reminded herself. Barry's a great guy for putting up with this on her behalf, but he was just a friend. Albeit a deeply trusted one.
The knock on the door startled Jane away from her thoughts. She hurried to open it, finding Barry on the other side.
"Hey," she greeted him. "Come in! Sorry, I just got back from helping Ma cook. Not dressed yet."
Barry entered and smiled. "No worries. Hope she wasn't quizzing you on your date too much."
Jane rolled her eyes. "Nah, she was more interested in teaching me her stuffing method. She's quite intent that I learn to prepare Thanksgiving dinner myself." She motioned to the couch. "Make yourself at home. Want a beer or something?"
"Sure."
Jane grabbed two beers from her fridge and handed one to her partner. They sat there for a few moments, not really knowing what to say.
"I should go get dressed," Jane said. "I'll be right back."
Meanwhile, Frankie had just arrived at Maura's house.
Maura opened the door just as he was about to knock. "Hi, Frankie," she greeted him.
"Hey." Frankie seemed a little nervous. He made eye contact briefly and then broke it to look at his shoes.
"Thanks for doing this," he managed to say as the two of them walked out to Frankie's car.
"No problem," Maura responded softly.
As they were about to get into the car, Maura's hand on Frankie's arm brought them to a halt. "Frankie," Maura said in the same quiet tone, "I have to tell you something. And I'd rather do it here than at your mother's place."
Taking his silence to mean assent, Maura continued. "I like you very much, Frankie. I've liked you since not long after I met you. I just never said anything, because I didn't want to put my friendship with Jane at risk."
Frankie had pulled his gaze away from his shoes the instant Maura had started talking. He looked at her in complete surprise. His warm brown eyes met her soft grey ones, registering nothing but blank shock for a second. Then he smiled, a warm, genuine, joyful smile that sent shivers down Maura's spine.
"I've always liked you, Maura," he said softly. "But I held back for the same reason you did - Jane - and because I was worried I wasn't smart enough for you." His smile fading, Frankie looked back down at his shoes for a moment, then met Maura's gaze again. His eyes pleaded for her to allay his fear.
"Frankie, if I waited for a man who was both my intellectual match and the kind of person I hope to spend my life with, I'd be waiting for a long, long time. Although I do prize intellectual prowess, there are many characteristics that I consider far more important. Courage, kindness, and respect are far more important than an IQ score. And you have those qualities in abundance."
She took his hands in hers. "Please know that the fact you are willing to listen to and attempt to understand my explanations of the medical and scientific terminology I use means far more to me than prior knowledge of the terms themselves."
Frankie smiled at her again, the joy in his expression completely infectious. Maura smiled back, then closed her eyes as he leaned in to kiss her.
They could have stood there for hours, revelling in each others' presence, but Frankie eventually pulled away, glanced at his watch, and said, "whoops. We're going to be late."