Maura had been in New York City for four days. She was due to go home in three days. She couldn't wait. She really wanted to see Jane. She missed Bass and Jo as well. Just as she was about to walk into the conference room she heard her phone beep. Opening up the new message she smiled as she read, 'I'm at my parents place this afternoon and probably tonight as well. Phone me when you're conferences are done for the day. Want to talk to you. Miss you x' She walked into the room thinking about Jane. She had nothing but think about Jane since she got here.
…
After showering Jane put her Red Sox Jersey on with a pair of black sweat pants. She was actually looking forward to being at her parents place today with her family. I must be going mad. Laughing she called for a cab to come and pick her up. Quickly taking Jo for a walk, Jane was back at Maura's just as the cab was pulling up.
"I'll be back out in two seconds." Jane told the driver. Quickly running inside she grabbed her phone and a jacket. "I'll be back soon." She told Bass and Jo.
As the cab pulled up outside Jane noticed her Ma was stood out front. Paying the driver she muttered her thanks as she climbed out of the car. "Hey Ma." Jane said walking towards to her mother. "What are you doing out here?"
"I've invited Thomas around to join us for dinner." Angela answered not looking directly at Jane.
Jane had a horrible feeling. No. I've got to have this wrong. "Who is Thomas?"
"He went to school with Frankie. I bumped into him the other day while I was shopping. He's a fire fighter now." Angela shifted from one foot to the other. "He's a good man."
Jane tensed up. "Please tell me you haven't invited him around to set me up with him?" Jane said through gritted. She has. FUCK. "It's been just over a month since my husband shot me. Killed MY son and then himself. And you're trying to set me up." Jane shook her head. "It was just over a week since I told you how I felt about Maura." Jane took a few steps back from her Ma.
"I want you to be happy Janie." Angela said taking a step towards Jane, who took one more step back. "Why didn't you tell us what was happening? We could have helped you."
"If I couldn't tell Maura what was happening do you honestly believe I could have told you?" Jane shouted. "I'm out." Jane started to walk away but stopped a few steps later. Turning to face her mother, "I honestly thought you would okay with my feelings towards Maura. I never thought you would stoop so low as to set me up with someone. Just over a month after."
"If it was Maura who was coming tonight would you be walking away?" Angela asked.
"You know I wouldn't." Jane hissed.
"Why is she in New York without you? After what you told her if she felt the same about you wouldn't you be with her now?"
"Maura is my best friend before anything else okay?" Jane shouted. "If she tells me she doesn't love me then fine. She will still be my best friend. But my feeling towards her will NOT change."
"Janie, wait."
Jane did stop but didn't turn to face Angela. "I want you to be happy. Please...just stay and meet him?"
Before Jane could reply Thomas walked up to them. "Hi Angela."
"Thomas, hello dear." Angela said. "Do you remember..."
"...Jane. Of course I do. How could I forget. How are you doing Jane?" Thomas asked, turning his attention to Jane.
"I'm leaving. Tell Pops I'll see him when I get back." With that Jane left ignoring her Ma's question of where she was going. I'll see him when I get back? Where the hell am I going?
…
Back at Maura's place Jane flopped down on the couch. She couldn't believe her Ma would do this to her. Yes she knew her Ma would want to set her up, but she didn't think it would be this soon. But what hurt Jane the most was knowing that Angela had tried to set her up knowing how she felt about Maura. After her talk with her mother about the letter she gave Maura, she thought Angela was okay with it all. She damn acted like she was. She needed to talk to Maura, quickly reaching for her phone she dialled Maura's number, hoping she would answer. When Maura didn't answer Jane left her a message.
'Maura, it's Jane. I really need to talk to you. Don't worry I'm fine. I just need to talk to you. Please phone as soon as you get this. Thanks, bye.'
Jane didn't have to wait long until she heard Maura's ringtone. Quickly answering it before voice mail picked it up. "Hey."
"Jane...are you okay?" Maura rushed out.
Jane laughed. "I told you not to worry about me. I'm fine."
"Well when you say don't worry it usually means do worry. What's happened?" Maura calmed down a bit.
"Can I borrow you're car?" Jane asked. She had an idea and she really wanted to follow through with it before she chickened out.
"Can you borrow my car?" Maura asked, confused. Surely she didn't make me worry because she wanted to know if she can borrow my car.
"Please. I can't use mine, it's still at the house. I've not needed it since. But I need one now, so can I borrow yours?" Jane asked, hoping Maura would yes. It would be quicker for me to use Maura's than to go back to that house to pick up my car.
"Yes you can. But can I at least ask why you need it?"
"There's this friend I want to see." Jane said, hoping Maura wouldn't catch on.
"Oh."
She smiled when she knew Maura hadn't caught on.
"Please don't scratch my car. And just remember it hasn't got sirens and lights it, like you thought it had the first and last time you drove it."
It took Jane a few seconds to respond. She was to busy listening to Maura laugh. God, I love that laugh. "Is that the reason you have never let me drive your car after that?" Jane laughed. "I was showing you what a car like that is made for."
"It is made to get me from one destination to another. Safely."
Jane laughed. "You did get there safely."
"I need to go. The conference is starting again in a few minutes. Have fun seeing you're friend. I'll speak to you soon, I hope?"
"Yep. You will. I'll speak to you soon." Jane ended the call smiling. I'm going to New York City.
Turning around Jane saw Jo looking at her. "You want to go and stay with uncle Frankie for a few days with Bass?" Jane laughed as Jo barked at her and started to run around wagging her tail. "I'll take that as a yes."
Picking up her phone she called Frankie. "You still at your place?"
"Hey sis. Yea I'm setting off in a minute. Why?"
"Can you stay there until I come? I need you to do me a massive favour." Jane asked. Knowing her brother would look after Jo and Bass with no questions asked.
"Sure. Not a problem. See you in a bit."
…
"You sure you don't mind looking after them for me?" Jane asked Frankie, again.
"No, of course not. Can I ask where you are going?"
"New York. To see Maura." Jane smiled. "You can ask Ma why when you see her." Jane's smile vanished.
"What has she done now?" Frankie asked, concerned.
"I'll let Ma tell you." Jane said leaning against the kitchen counter.
Frankie nodded. He knew when not to push his sister on a subject and this was definitely one off them times. "Wanna grab a pizza or something before you go?"
"Can't. If I wanna get there before 10 tonight I really need to be setting off about now." Jane said, pushing herself off the counter and walking towards the front door. "Thanks for looking after these two. I owe you one." It was already 5:30pm, Jane couldn't believe how fast time had gone today.
"Well, you know I'll collect." Frankie laughed.
"I know. Thanks little bro." Jane hugged her brother and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "See you in a few days."
"Janie, catch." Frankie shouted.
Spinning around quickly, Jane caught one of Frankie's jackets. Looking at Frankie she smiled.
"It's meant to get cold tonight." Frankie shrugged his shoulders. "You might need it."
"Thanks Frankie."
…
Jane had been driving for nearly three hours when she had to stop and get some coffee. She wanted her caffeine fix. After drinking one coffee she ordered a cheeseburger and fries. She was starving. She had been looking forward to her Ma's meal today. Why did you have to do that Ma? How could you do that?
"Thank you." Jane told the waiter as she bought her dinner over.
"Anything else I can get you?" The waiter asked.
Jane her head, "no thanks."
She really wanted to see Maura. If you had set off earlier you would be eating with Maura now. Jane sighed. She suddenly wasn't that hungry any more. But because she hadn't eaten all day Jane ate what she could. Standing up she walked over to the counter. "Can I have another coffee please. I'll pay for everything now as well."
"Not a problem, Detective."
Jane stilled. Looking at the waiter she gave a confused look. "How did you know I'm a dete..."
"You're badge and gun gave it away." The waiter smiled, pointed to the items clipped to Jane's trousers. Shit. She couldn't even remember clipping them on to her trousers. She wasn't meant to be carrying her badge or gun seen as she wasn't on the job. I'll be back on the job in a few weeks anyway. Picking her coffee up off the counter, Jane paid then headed back to Maura's car. Taking her badge and gun off her trousers she locked them in the glove box. Just as she was about to set off she heard her phone beep indicating a new message. Relief washed over her when she noticed it was from Maura and not her Ma. 'Have fun with you're friend. I'll speak to you tomorrow.'
Typing back, Jane wrote: 'Have you got any plans tonight? X'
The response was quick to come back. 'Just dinner and a few drinks. X'
Jane resisted the urge to phone Maura and tell her see would be in the hotel in hopefully less than two hours. Instead she started the car and set off.
…
Finally. I'm here. Jane pulled the car over and cut the engine. Leaning over she took her badge and gun out of the glove box and clipped them to her trousers. She knew she shouldn't have them on her but she would never leave them in the car without her. It was 9:30pm when Jane walked into the hotel. Wow. This place is nice. Pulling Frankie's jacket open so her badge was on show she made her way to the reception desk.
"Can I help you Officer?" The receptionist asked.
"Actually it's Detective." Jane smiled. "But yes. I believe you have a guest staying here, a Doctor Maura Isles?" Jane waited for while the receptionist typed away on her computer.
"That's right, Detective."
"Could you please phone her room and ask her to come down here." Jane asked.
"That won't be necessary, Detective. Dr. Isles entered the Kastel Bar about ten minutes ago." The receptionist pointed to the bar.
"Are you positive it was Dr. Isles?" Jane couldn't stop smiling.
"Yes I'm positive. She came and asked me if she had any messages. Once she collected them I watched her walk into the bar."
Mmmhhh. I bet you did. "Thank you for you're help." Jane drummed her fingers on the desk before she walked towards the bar.
Jane had been sitting at the bar for twenty minutes. Ordering another beer she asked the bartender, "that women over there..." Jane pointed towards the table Maura and a group of other people were sitting at. "The one with the blonde hair and red dress. What is she drinking?"
"Pinot Noir."
"Thought so. I'll take a glass of that and another beer." Picking up the drinks Jane started walking towards Maura. She was suddenly really nervous. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Stopping she turned around and went back to the bar. What the hell did you come here for? After drinking her beer she drank the wine what Maura should have been drinking. Go home, Rizzoli. Climbing off her stool she headed for the exit, with her head down. She didn't get as far as she wanted to before her phone rang. It was Maura's ringtone. Quickly pulling it out of Frankie's coat pocket before Maura heard the tone. She answered it. "Maura. Hi."
"Hi. I hope you don't mind me calling."
"Not at all." Jane breathed out. She had got out of the bar without Maura noticing her. Looking back in she noticed Maura was stood at the bar on her own. "What's up?"
"Nothing." Maura sighed.
"Yes there is. I can hear it in you're voice. What's up?" Jane stood outside of the hotel leaning against a wall.
"I don't know how to explain it. I guess I just needed to hear you're voice." Maura smiled when she heard Jane laugh.
"Dr Isles. Did you just guess?"
Maura ignored her. "I was sat with a group of people having a drink in a bar when I looked around I could have sworn I saw you. For them two seconds I don't think I have ever been happier. I didn't know how much I wanted to see you until that moment. I thought talking on the phone everyday was enough. But it isn't. I really want to see you." Maura took a second to breath. "God. Jane I miss you so much." Maura waited for Jane to say something but after a few minutes of silence Maura finally said something. "Jane...please say something. Anything. Just...please."
Jane couldn't remember walking back into the bar but she was currently standing a few feet behind Maura. "Turn around."
"What?" Maura asked, confused.
"I said...turn around." Jane watched as Maura slowly turned around. Ending the call Jane put her phone back in Frankie's jacket.
"Jane..." Maura whispered. Taking a few small steps towards Jane, Maura felt her knees go weak.
Jane took the last few steps towards Maura. "Hey stranger." Jane smiled.
Maura couldn't speak. Jane was stood right in front of her and she couldn't say anything.
"Maura? Are you okay?" Jane asked, concerned. She was starting to think this was a really bad idea.
"I'm...you're...Jane?" Maura practically jumped into Jane's arms. "It is you. You're here."
Jane stumbled back. "I'm here." Snaking her arms around Maura's waist Jane pulled her closer to her. "I've missed you." She whispered in Maura's ear.
"Missed you too." Pulling back a bit Maura placed her hands on the back off Jane's neck. "Why are you here? Wait...you're friend?"
Jane smiled. "You was the friend, Maura. I planned to come and see you. I actually got here about an hour ago. But I got really...nervous when I was bringing a drink over for you. So I turned around then left. I was actually just working out of the bar when you called. I thought you would have heard the ringtone."
"So you asked me if you could borrow my car to drive all the way from Boston to New York City? Why didn't you tell me you was coming to see me?" Maura asked.
Jane looked away. "I...erm..." Jane was made to look at Maura when she felt Maura's fingers under her chin forcing Jane to look at her.
"I'm not mad at you, baby. Far from it. But what happened for you to want to drive all this way to see me? When you could have just picked up the phone." Maura smiled.
"I wanted to see you."
"You don't want to talk about it do you?" Maura asked.
"My went to my parents place today. To cut a long story short Ma invited one off Frankie's old school mate around. She was trying to set me up with him." Jane let her hands fall from Maura's lower back. "I need a drink." After ordering a beer and a glass of wine for Maura, she continued, "It's been just over month, Maura. How can she want to set me up with someone? And she knows how I feel about you. Does she really believe I would be able to change my feeling towards you when I've finally just told you how I feel?" Jane took a large gulp of her drink.
"Wow. I never thought Angela would try and set you up this soon." Maura had a small sip of her wine and turned to face Jane. "What is angering you the most? The fact that she is already trying to set you up? Or the fact that she is doing it when she knows how you feel about me?"
Jane sighed. "I thought she was okay with us...sorry...my feelings. How could she do this, Maura?"
"She wants you to be happy."
Jane yawned. "Sorry, I'm tired."
"Have you been sleeping?" Maura asked placing a hand on Jane's shoulder.
Jane shook her head. "No. I sleep for a few hours every night until...anyway I can never get back to sleep."
"You could have phoned me. Come on lets go to bed." Maura stood up and held her hand out for Jane.
…
In the elevator Jane leant against the wall. Closing her eyes she heard Maura press the button for her floor, then felt Maura snuggle up beside her she instantly wrapped her arm around Maura's shoulder and pulled her closer.
"Jane...baby, look at me." Maura whispered.
Jane slowly opened her eyes to meet her best friends gaze. Smiling she knew exactly what Maura was going to ask her. Placing a kiss to Maura's forehead she whispered, "I'm okay, Maura."
Before Maura could say anything else the door opened on their floor.
…
"Okay, Maura. WOW." Jane said as she looked around the suite Maura was staying in.
"It's just a room, Jane." Maura laughed.
"This is bigger than my apartment. How much are you paying for this room?" Jane asked. Then quickly added, "no. Don't tell me. I don't want to know."
Maura laughed. "I'll get you some pyjama's." Maura returned a few seconds later and handed Jane a pair of gold silk shorts with a matching top. "The bathroom is through there."
Jane changed and brushed her teeth before climbing into bed. She smiled when Maura walked into the bedroom. "Maura, come here." Jane patted the empty space at the side off her.
"Two minutes. I'm just going to get changed and brush my teeth." Maura smiled.
When Maura came out of the bathroom about five minutes later, Jane was asleep. Climbing under the cover Maura snuggled next to Jane. Placing on of her legs over Jane's she placed her head on Jane's shoulder. Her hand rested on Jane's stomach. "I've missed you." Maura whispered before placing a kiss on Jane's neck.
Jane hummed. "Mmm. I'm missed you too." Jane entwined her fingers with Maura's hand that was on her stomach. "Night Maura. Love you."
Maura waited a few seconds before replying. "I love you too." Maura waited until she was absolutely sure Jane was asleep then added, "more than you know."