Hey everybody! This took me a bit longer than usually. But I really appreciate you reviewing and taking an interest!
This chapter is focused on showing development in Jane and Maura's relationship so I hope you guys like it and aren't getting too antsy. I have some big things in store for the next chapter...
And now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Set Fire to the Rain
/
"Dr. Maura Isles, shoe shopping while on duty?" Jane sounded scandalized. The doctor in question swiveled around in surprise, trying to quickly snap her laptop shut.
"I'm not- my autopsies are finished-" The blonde stammered with a wide-eyed expression. Jane just smirked.
"Hey, I'm glad. I was beginning to think you were a cyborg. No one is that perfect."
"Jane…"
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." Jane winked as she pulled her hand that had been hiding behind her back to reveal a bouquet of cascading purple flowers mingled with cream ones.
"Oh Jane, they are beautiful." Maura gasped as she stood to accept the gift, completely forgetting about being caught in the indulgent act.
"I saw them at the florists around the corner and thought of you." Jane said bashfully as Maura smiled dazzlingly at her.
"They are lovely. Wisteria frutescens. You know, during Victorian times all flowers had a coded message. These meant steadfast." Maura brought the delicate blossoms up to her nose and inhaled deeply. She peered up at Jane, her hazel eyes glowing almost golden against the lavender color as they appraised her tenderly. Jane's stomach flipped at the striking sight.
"Yeah?" She managed to say unintelligibly under the heated gaze.
"Yes, I find them fitting." Maura took a step closer and Jane's hands instinctively grasped her hips.
"I'm glad." Jane said looking wantonly at Maura's curled mouth.
"How can I thank you Detective?" Maura purred as she caressed the velvety petals.
"I can think of something." Jane did not waste anymore time as she leaned down to capture Maura's lips that easily reciprocated. Jane felt her body ignite with the same fire from the first time that she had kissed the doctor. Maura was infinitely soft under her touch and smelled just as expensive as she felt, like roses in the sunshine. Maura moaned into her mouth as Jane's skilled tongue flicked playfully against hers. The brunette trailed her hands up the sleek material of Maura's fitted dress and tangled in her silky curls pulling her closer. It was safe to say that her favorite past time was kissing the blonde doctor so she was sure to do it as often as she could. All week they had been pawing at each other like a couple of teenagers every chance they got. Their normal routine of coffee dates were punctuated with stolen kisses and now after dinner instead of watching a movie or the game, they would make out to it on the couch.
Jane reluctantly pulled back before they got carried away, "I have been waiting all day to do that."
The detective felt a surge of desire at Maura's apparently aroused appearance. Her pale skin was slightly flushed pink and her pupils threatened to take over her irises. The bouquet had been crushed between them and her blonde hair was caught in some of the lilac petals. Jane could not resist placing one more kiss chastely on her full lips.
"Jane…" One of Maura's hands toyed with a lock of her dark hair.
"Yeah?" She marveled at how the shorter woman felt in her arms. She never imagined that she would get a chance to hold her like this. When she had slipped up in Maura's kitchen, she thought for sure that she would have driven Maura away. But the doctor had instead willingly returned the sentiment. At times it still felt surreal to Jane.
"When are you going to take me out?"
"Huh?" Jane was suddenly forced out of her dream like state.
Maura giggled, "Not that I am not enjoying our time together. But aren't you going to ask me out?"
"Why aren't you asking me out?" she asked immediately.
"Because I am a lady and ladies are escorted. We don't escort."
"Oh? And what does that make me?"
Maura tilted her head to the side like she was seriously thinking about it, "You are my steadfast detective."
"Is that so?" Jane began but was again distracted by her proximity to the doctor as her lips gravitated towards Maura's and her heart jumped pleasantly in her chest at the words 'my steadfast detective'. She closed the gap again. She could not get enough of this woman. Jane groaned in displeasure as her cell phone buzzed at her hip. She huffed as she stepped back to read the message from Korsak.
"I have to go." Jane said apologetically, "We need to track down a suspect."
She gave her once last peck before turning on her heel. Maura protested, "But Jane-"
The brunette spared one last glance at the ME and had to laugh. She had never seen the elegant woman look so petulant. She would not have been surprised if she crossed her arms and stamped her high-heeled foot.
Maura sighed, "Fine. Jane would you like to go out with me tonight?"
She just chuckled on her way out, "Look at the card."
For the first time Maura noticed a little white card that was tied around the stems. She opened it eagerly and another grin took over her face as she read, 'I'll pick you up at 7'.
/
Jane was stuck on Maura's porch. Over the months of their friendship she had taken to waltzing into Maura's home whenever she pleased and usually hollering about how she never locked her door. This was not another movie night with pizza and beer though. This was their first date and it was already off to a rocky start for the detective.
Before her shift had ended she caught a right hook to her temple as she was pursuing a suspect. A bruise had bloomed on the outer edge of her eye socket but fortunately it had not swollen up. The injury made her late to get to her apartment so she had to hastily scrub her skin free from the grime of the city. She had torn apart her minimalist closet in a frenzy looking for something to wear. In the back, gathering dust, she had found a classic black dress that she was fairly certain had been purchased for her Great Aunt Melinda's funeral at her mother's insistence. It would have to do for the occasion as she begrudgingly threw it on and set about the nearly impossible task to tame her unruly hair. She attempted her best to cover up the bruise but her bathroom was poorly stocked with only the bare necessities, making it difficult. She just had to hope that her hair would cover most of it as she pulled up to Maura's about ten minutes late. Now she was caught on deciding whether or not she should let herself in or not. Jane was not used to being so unsure of herself.
Finally, she settled on ringing the bell. It did not take long for Maura to answer the door with a teasing smile, "I was wondering how long you were going to stand out here- Oh! Your periorbital region has a hematoma."
"In English Maur."
"You have a bruise on your outer eye socket." Maura let her step inside so she could see the damage better in the light of the hallway.
"Yeah, I ran into a suspect's fist." Jane explained dismissively as she took in the blonde's appearance, "You look beautiful."
She really did. Maura was wearing a silky deep red dress. The high neckline skimmed across her collarbones, the silhouette hugged her curvy figure perfectly, and the fabric bunched asymmetrically at her hip, sending graceful folds down the front of her skirt. The doctor had swept her hair up in an elegant knot at the base of her slender neck, which made Jane want to desperately pepper kisses down the soft pale skin.
"Thank you." Jane was relieved when Maura did not press the subject as she placed a sweet kiss on her cheek, "You are gorgeous. Your dress accentuates your trapezius and deltoid muscles."
Jane grinned at her unique compliment but shifted uncomfortably in her dress, "Ah, thanks. Your dress accentuates your- you."
"Prada does not always suit me but I am fond of this season."
"Yeah me too." Jane agreed, as her eyes still roamed over her form. The brunette needed to get them out of here now, before she just decided to 'stay in' with Maura. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, all I need is my bag." Maura turned to a table in the hall to grab a small clutch. Jane gulped at the sight of her posterior. The doctor's dress scooped down to her mid-back revealing a tantalizing amount of unblemished skin giving Jane a new appreciation for the body part. As Maura joined her side, Jane placed her hand on the top of her spine, sliding it down the intricate bone that rest just below the skin, stopping where the top of her dress began. The brunette enjoyed the way she discreetly shuddered at her touch, marveling in how smooth and warm she felt underneath her rougher hand.
"Let's go." Jane led the doctor out to her car. She opened the passenger side door for her date who murmured a small thank you as she slipped into the car. The detective said a silent prayer for the evening to go well as she climbed into the car as well and started off to the restaurant.
"Where are we going?" Maura enquired.
"Patience." She shook her head.
"Well, am I at least wearing the correct attire?"
"Maura, on you a burlap sack would be the correct attire."
"Burlap is made from the jute plant or sisal fibers. It came from India in the 19th century and is used to make bags and rugs due to its durability. It is abrasive to the touch and therefore is not traditionally used in garment making. I would have a hard time finding a dress made of burlap," Maura rambled nervously.
Jane laughed, "I was exaggerating."
"Right. Sorry. I have a difficult time understanding hyperbole." Maura fidgeted with her purse.
"Don't be sorry. I kind of like that you know all that stuff." Jane assured her as she turned the car left.
"Really?" Jane did not miss the hopeful sound in Maura's voice.
"Of course. I think it's adorable," Jane said as Maura let out the breath she did not realize she was holding in.
"I just- other people in my past have preferred I be less verbose. Rather seen and not heard so if you preferred that I would not be offended." The despondency in tone was distressing to Jane. She mentally kicked herself for inadvertently bringing up a sore subject. Then she thought about kicking everyone who had ever hurt Maura or made her be ashamed of herself. Jane needed to turn this around and fast.
"Hey, none of that, " Jane comforted her the best she could while she drove, "I like you for the way you are. I wouldn't want you to change in the slightest. I could listen to you talk about paint drying and I would still be interested."
"It is a rather fascinating chemical process." Jane was relieved to see that her hazel eyes were clearing of the worry and an easy smile graced her lips.
"Well, let's save that for date number two. I don't know you that well." She joked, "And we're here."
"Le Beu Truc?" Maura attempted to cover her surprise, "I heard they have a brilliant nouveau take on escargot."
"I just know you like French stuff." Jane pulled up to the valet parking where two men opened both their doors for them. She had done some research into where a proper place to take Maura would be. The detective could not take her to her favorite burger joint, which happened to be the Dirty Robber. She wanted to make this night special for the honeyed blonde. She just hoped that this experience would be better than the French restaurant she had gone to with Claire.
"That is so thoughtful." Maura showed her gratitude as Jane held the door open for her. Jane told the hostess that her reservations were for Detective Rizzoli and they were lead straight to their table. Jane looked at her surroundings and felt immediately out of place in the ritzy establishment. If the white pearlescent fabric covering the tables and high-backed chairs upholstered in gold were not enough to tell Jane that she did not belong, the dubious glances from the other patrons certainly were. Jane was suddenly hyper aware on her stomping gait that indicated her years of athletics and labor while Maura floated through the room as if on a cloud. The brunette was glad to have reached their seat so as to not be a spectacle anymore. This was not helping her nerves.
"Jane, we didn't have to come somewhere so expensive." Maura exclaimed when they picked up their menus.
"I'm not broke Maur. I can afford a nice dinner for you every so often." Jane waved her off. Being single did have its perks. With nothing better to do than work and no one to spend her money on, it had allowed Jane to save a fair bit of money for a rainy day.
"If you are sure." Maura settled down as the waiter came over.
"How are we this evening ladies?" He said in a heavy, authentic French accent.
"Fine." Jane nodded while Maura simply smiled.
"What can I get you to drink?"
"The house wine for me. White, please."
"I'll have water." Jane mumbled while she tried to decipher the words on the page. The waiter scurried off to get their beverages and left the two woman to look over their menus. As they studied the options, Jane could feel Maura's desire to say something hanging in the air as curious hazel eyes watched her over the top of her menu.
Jane set hers down, "What is it?"
"What is what?"
"What is on your mind? I can practically hear the gears turning in that brain of yours." Jane smiled kindly, hoping that it would encourage her to open up.
Maura chewed her bottom lips before blurting, "Are we out?"
"Ah, yes?" Jane looked around confused.
"I know we are on a date. But, I mean, are we not trying to hide our fledgling relationship or is it a secret? Or is it only a secret at the precinct? Can I hold your hand or is that not allowed? Do we-"
"Hey, whoa, slow down." Jane thwarted the doctor's rambling, "We can do whatever you are comfortable with."
Jane extended her hand across the table and Maura tentatively slipped her hand into it. The detective rubbed her thumb across moisturized knuckles, "We probably should have talked about this before. I'm not closeted Maura. Well, I have not exactly told my parents but it's because I have not found someone worth bringing home. My brother and Korsak know though."
"So we aren't hiding?"
"Only if you want to. I don't want to push you into something you are not ready to for."
"I don't want to hide this." Maura looked at her through thick eyelashes.
"Then we won't." Jane brushed a kiss on top of her hand, making Maura's cheeks flush pleasantly and her heart skip a beat, "And you never have to ask to hold my hand."
They did not pull away from each other as the waiter came with their drinks and took their orders. Jane was pleased with their transition from friendship to dating. She had been understandably anxious about maintaining her best friend while also pursuing Maura romantically. But their relationship had already blurred the lines of platonic boundaries. Jane found it was still easy to talk to Maura as they comfortably chatted about their day, though tactfully avoiding talking about any specific case so as to not spoil the atmosphere. The handholding was just an added bonus. Jane thought that Maura looked perfect in the glowing candlelight that cast a warm hue on everything. For the moment, all of her doubts faded away. After the unstable beginning, Jane felt that she was starting to feel like the date was going well. At least she thought so until their meals came out.
"Your entrees." The waiter placed a plate in front of each of them.
"Where is the rest of it?" Jane could not stop herself from saying as she looked skeptically at the sparse food on the table. Even Maura looked perplexed at the lack of content on the plates, though she did a much better job of concealing it. For the price she would have thought that the chicken came diamond encrusted but she was not prepared for the barely there portions. Maura cleared her throat and Jane realized that that was not the appropriate response, "I mean thank you."
The waiter offered a tight smile and curt nod before he crisply walked off. Jane waited until he was out of hearing range before she spoke again, "Sorry."
She apologized to Maura who shook her head, "You don't need to be."
"They definitely left this little detail out on the website."
"Jane it's fine." Maura giggled.
"When they said young pheasant, I didn't think it would be a chick." Jane grumbled as they started to eat their meager feast. Dinner was as brief as one could imagine, leaving Jane anxiously fiddling with her silverware.
"You want dessert?" Jane dreaded to see the cost and size of the selection but she would bear it for Maura.
"I'm okay." Maura tried to say.
"No, we can at least split something." Jane insisted and went to wave over their waiter. Regrettably in the gesture she sent her glass of water toppling over. She tried to catch it as ice and water seeped into the tablecloth but only made matters worse as she also sent Maura's wine glass flying straight into her lap.
"Shit!" Jane swore loudly, earning glares at her expletive from the guests.
"Oh!" Maura shot up as the liquid dripped onto her. She shook out her napkin that that been sitting on her lap where most of the wine had fortunately gathered but it did not stop some from creating dark splotches on her dress.
Jane cringed, "I am so sorry Maura!"
"It's alright Jane. It's only white wine." She accepted the napkin that the brunette offered her and dabbed at the stains.
The waiter hurried over to help clean the mess, "Is there anything I can get you?"
Jane covered her eyes with her hand, her voice deflated, "Just the check please."
The brunette rushed them out of the restaurant after having caused the brief commotion. In the car she continued to apologize profusely, "I am sorry about your dress. I can get it dry cleaned for you."
"Jane, don't worry about it. The dress is practically dry and I can hardly see it anymore." Maura assured her.
Jane sighed. She needed to get this date back on track. The normally relaxed and smooth detective was feeling out of sorts. "Okay. How would you like to take a walk through the park?"
Parks were romantic with the moonlight and the crickets, right? Plus there was nothing that she could spill down Maura's dress there.
"That sounds lovely."
"Great." Jane took them to a quiet park near her apartment where she liked to go sometimes for peace after a long case.
The evening was warm and still as they strolled along the path hand in hand. The orange lampposts cast light on the looming trees and created shadows that played across their skin as they walked along. Maura hummed, "It is nice here."
"It is." Jane inhaled the verdant night air. "I come here to be alone."
"It's a beautiful place to be."
Jane looked solely at Maura, "It is."
The blonde stopped and regarded Jane. She disentangled her fingers from the taller woman's hand and ran them up Jane's bare arm, coming to rest on her tanned shoulder. Jane touched her hip where the fabric gathered on her dress. She wanted to feel the enticing skin and delicate bone that lay under there. Maura looked up into the light so Jane could see the desire sparkling in her eyes. Frozen on the trail, they gravitated towards one another. The moment was pregnant with excitement as they waited patiently to break the boundaries once again, content to revel in the anticipation for the time being. Maura cracked first as she pushed her frame into Jane's taller one. The detective gripped tighter as she watched her incline her head upward to make contact with Jane's lips.
Unfortunately, before they could meet, a loud rumble rolled over the sky followed by a flash of light. Next thing Jane knew the heavens had opened up and rain was pouring down at an alarming rate.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Jane whined as she grabbed Maura and dragged her to a near by gazebo for some shelter. By the time they had reached the enclosure though they were completely soaked and Maura was laughing hysterically. The blonde pulled off her heels and dumped water out of them, making her laugh even harder. Jane angrily kicked off the shoes that had been killing her feet all evening.
"I am glad you think this is funny." Jane moped as she wiped droplets off of her face. "Ugh, I just wanted this date to be perfect. But no, I came late, looking like Mike Tyson, and I practically made you cry in the car. The restaurant was a disaster and I feel like a dog walking on its hind legs in this freaking dress."
"Jane stop." Maura stilled her by drawing her in by the hands. "You don't need to impress me with 5-star restaurants or by dressing up."
"But you deserve those things-"
"No, it is my turn to talk. I don't like you because I think that you will spend $200 on a meal. I like you because you are genuine and caring and maybe a little rough around the edges." Jane scoffed at that but Maura kept going, "We could have gone to Applebee's and it would have been perfect. I like the way you dress. It is part of who you are, even though you do buy your blazers a little boxy."
"I messed this up, didn't I?" Jane chuckled ruefully.
"No, you didn't. Any time I get to spend with you is wonderful." Maura shivered as the slight breeze in the air licked the water on her skin. She was stunning with her hair darkened, a few tendrils sticking to her face, and her skin glistening seductively.
"You're cold and I don't have a jacket to offer you." Jane noted her goose bumps and rubbed her arms to try and make them disappear.
Maura just smiled and turned to deliberately walk back into the elements. Jane was shocked, "What are you doing?"
"The water is warm." She turned her palms up to catch the summer shower, "Kiss me in the rain."
Jane stared at the blonde for a moment. She wanted to be sure to memorize every detail from the way her dress clung to her body, to how the water slid down her arms, to the radiant smile that was like the sun. Jane slowly joined her. One arm wrapped securely around her waist and the other cupped her wet cheek as they crashed together. Their lips slipped uncoordinatedly against one another's as the water dissipated any friction between them. Maura's fingers skittered across her biceps and wound in her dark mass of hair only to drag back down her arms again. Their moans were lost in the thunder that boomed overhead.
Jane suddenly lifted Maura and spun them around as lightening exploded behind their eyes. Maura held on tight to Jane's shoulders and smiled into their kiss. She stopped twirling them but continued to hold Maura a few inches off of the ground, her toes pointed like a ballerina's, no doubt from years of classes as a child. The doctor laughed and pressed her forehead to Jane's.
"You are something else Maura Isles." Jane's whisper could hardly be heard over the fat droplets pelting the grass.
"So are you Jane Rizzoli." The taller woman set her back onto the earth. Maura tucked her head against her shoulder and Jane rested her chin on top of sopping curls. They stayed like that, swaying together to a beat only known to them. Their presence set fire to the rain around them blazing through the night.
"Jane."
"Yeah?"
"I am still hungry,"
Jane laughed then groaned, "I'm never going to the another French restaurant ever again."
"We will see about that." Maura balanced slightly on her toes to kiss Jane tenderly.
"Come on." Jane slung an arm around Maura's shoulders as the rain began to lighten. She latched onto Jane's narrow hips as the detective led them to collect their shoes, "Let's get you wrung out. I have leftover from my mother in the fridge. She makes the best gnocchi."
"Perfect."
/
"You were right Jane." Maura set her empty plate on the coffee table, "That was the best gnocchi I have ever had."
"Told you." Jane picked up the dirty dishes and placed them in the sink for later. Maura was full of contentment as she sunk further into the couch. She did not even care that she was wearing a pair of baggy sweatpants that pooled around her ankles because they were too long or a threadbare t-shirt that had a worn field hockey insignia on it. She actually enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by Jane's clothing despite their lack of fashion sense.
Jane rejoined her on the couch. She maneuvered the compliant doctor so that she sat between her long legs while Jane leaned against the armrest. Maura burrowed her head into Jane's chest and smelled the faint scent of lavender she associated with the detective.
"It is nice here, too."
"It is." Jane kissed the top of her head sweetly. The warmth spread through her body at the gesture. Her eyes drooped sleepily as Jane stroked her still damp hair.
"Maur, you are falling asleep."
"No, I'm not." She mumbled.
"Yes, you are." She felt Jane shake with laughter underneath her.
"Maybe." Maura conceded.
"You want me to take you home? Or… you can stay here."
"Jane, I'm not ready…" Maura was jolted by the suggestion. It was not that she did not thoroughly enjoy the physical aspects of their relationship that they partook. She would never tire of having Jane's dexterous hands or her pleasurable lips on her. But no matter how much desire was built, she could not take the next step. The thought of being with Jane excited her, however, she was still unsure of how to be with a woman, a woman who happened to be her best and only friend. She did not want to rush into sex for fear of ruining it or for not being enough for Jane. The timing had to be perfect.
Maura was glad to hear her worries being calmed as Jane stammered equally as nervous, "I'm not saying we should- I think that- I just like this, having you close. I want to wake up in the morning with you. That's all."
Maura let the words flow through her and she smiled impishly, "You just want me to make you pancakes tomorrow."
"Damn, you figured out my master plan."
They shared a laugh before Maura spoke again, "So, if we aren't doing anything, does that mean we can't do any of this?"
To illustrate her point she moved her lips along Jane's neck, sucking lightly on her pulse point. Jane moaned appreciatively, "Oh, we can definitely do some of that."
"Glad to hear it Detective." Maura whispered seductively into her ear.
"You are trying to kill me woman." Jane's hands began to wander while Maura continued her attention on her neck, "I have to say seeing you in my clothing is a huge turn on."
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
"Then I must be Hercules babe." Jane managed to swiftly flip their position so Maura was pressed into the cushions. She let out a squeal of delight at the sudden movement that quickly shifted to different sounds of pleasure as Jane kissed her soundly.
/
The first sensation that Maura felt when she woke up was the feeling of warm breathes puffing on the back of her neck. As she became more aware, she realized that a strong arm was flung across her waist, holding her to the sturdy figure she felt behind her. She hovered on the outskirts of consciousness, feeling deliriously happy about waking up with Jane wrapped around her. However, her internal alarm seemed determined to not let her sleep anymore. She had been conditioned to wake up for morning yoga so that once the sunlight began to creep into the room she could not manage to stay still. Her hazel eyes blinked open owlishly as she adjusted to being in Jane's bedroom. Slowly, she lifted Jane's sleep heavy arm and slid out from underneath it. Doing her best to not jostle the dozing detective, she sat up and looked down at her bed partner. She smiled at brunette hair that was tangled around Jane's peaceful face. She took the time to enjoy Jane in her unguarded state. Her olive skin that covered up those alluring long muscles was flawless as the morning light danced along her contours. Maura would have loved to fall back into that warmth but she wanted to let Jane rest.
So stealthily she climbed out of the bed and snuck out of the room to go about making breakfast. Her bare feet padded down the hallway to the kitchen that she had learned well. During her friendship with Jane, she had done her fair share of cooking at the detective's apartment so it was no struggle to buzz around the cabinets and gather the ingredients she needed for pancakes. As she mindlessly did the task, her thoughts wandered to her first date with Jane last night.
She had been so apprehensive for the event that she had changed her dress four times and reorganized her sock drawer out of nervous habit. But as soon as she opened the door to find Jane squirming on her porch, which was incredibly endearing, her negative feelings vanished. Jane was still her best friend. Their natural chemistry still flowed despite any hiccups that they had along the way. Admittedly, dinner could have gone better but the kiss in the park had ignited her in ways she did not know was possible. She had never been a spontaneous person. She liked rules and guidelines to follow so that she did not make a misstep. They helped her blend in with everyone else. In the unexpected rain though, with Jane's intoxicating aura, she acted on impulse rather than regimented standards.
She should have been horrified that her $1,000 dress was most likely ruined. She should not have let Jane see her with her hair probably a mess and make up running around her eyes. But she had not cared. In that moment, she had just wanted to be kissed in the rain. The water cascading down and cooling her skin that was heated by Jane's touch. It was like nothing she had ever experienced, but that pretty much summed up everything she felt with Jane.
Maura began to sing to the empty kitchen as the batter she poured sizzled into a hot pan, her thoughts staying with the slumbering detective, "Stars fading but I linger on dear. Still craving your kiss. I'm longing to linger till dawn dear, just saying this."
She skillfully flipped over the pancake, revealing its golden brown top, "Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you. Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you. But in your dreams whatever they be, dream a little dream of me."
"Who are you?"
"Oh!" The sudden intrusion into her reverie startled Maura, causing her to drop the pancake that had been poised on the spatula onto the cool linoleum. She turned and saw an older woman with sandy brown hair and warm chocolate eyes like Jane's. She was holding a grocery sack and her hand was authoritatively placed on her hip.
"Me? I-" Maura stammered, "I'm Dr. Maura Isles."
"And what are you doing in my daughter's kitchen?"
"I'm… making pancakes."
"I can see that. Why?"
"So you are Jane's mother?"
"Yes, I'm Angela Rizzoli."
"Oh, lovely to meet you." Maura chirped. As she was entirely unsure of what to do in this situation, she awkwardly loitered by the stovetop while Angela tried to figure out what this strange woman was doing in her daughter's apartment. Thankfully, a noise at the end of the hall caught both their attentions and Jane lumbered out calling to Maura, "Dr. Isles, I don't like waking up cradling my pillow."
"Jane…" Maura tried to warn her.
"Jane!"
"Jesus Ma! What are you doing here?"
"I was bringing you groceries."
"Ma, I have food. And don't you ever knock?"
"I have to knock at my own baby's door?"
"Yes!" Jane was quickly becoming agitated, "I am an adult. This is my apartment. I pay the rent here therefore, yes you have to knock!"
"I have stretch marks for you!"
"You act like I am your only child."
Maura did not say anything as they argued. She stood as still as she could, as if moving would alert them to her presence, even though she had an overwhelming urge to finish making the pancakes.
"And who is she? Why is she here?" Angela asked accusingly. Her plan did not work as the older woman redirected their attention to her. Everyone was distinctly aware of the suggestive sentence that Jane had declared as she had joined them.
Jane sighed, raking her fingers through her thick hair, "Ma, this is Maura. I didn't want to tell you like this."
"Tell me like what?"
"If you would prefer I can leave." The doctor shifted uneasily in the tension filled room. She was not good with her own family let alone someone else's and the yelling was definitely uncharted territory. In the Isles household there was avoidance and veiled, passive aggressive statements, not a shouting match until everyone was hoarse.
"No, I would like you to stay, if you want." Jane offered her hand. Maura hesitantly took it. She was instantly emboldened by the contact that the unwavering appendage provided. She always marveled at the strength and confidence of Jane's hands. They were capable of so many things. They could comfort a victim's family or wield a gun. They could send Maura into fits of laughter as they tickled her ribs or make her moan as they grasped her tightly in a kiss.
"Of course Jane." Right now they anchored her under Angela's somewhat daunting gaze. Maura knew that she was providing support for Jane, but selfishly, it was the other way around. She needed to be holding on just as much as Jane did.
"Tell me what?" Her mother demanded again.
"Maura and I are dating." Jane told her evenly.
"You? What?"
"We are dating. I am dating a girl, Ma." Jane repeated. The words seemed to echo around the kitchen as Angela stood there in shock.
"Ma, say something." Jane implored.
"I don't understand. I don't understand where this is coming from." Angela shook her head in disbelief, "What about Joey Grant? Or that Casey [AE3] boy."
"I didn't know then. I mean I had an idea. But I was not happy."
"This is so sudden."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I never had the chance."
"Janie, the church says-"
"I know what the church says." Jane interrupted, "I want to know what you say Ma. That is all I care about."
Angela eyes began to water as she looked at her daughter, "I say you are my baby girl. I have never understood your lifestyle. But you know that I will always love you no matter what."
"Thank you." Maura could feel Jane's relief wash over her. The brunette let go to hug her mother and Maura shied away from the overt display of familial affection feeling, like she was intruding in the moment. They separated and Angela looked at her daughter with despairing eyes.
"This is going to take some time for me to get used to. I feel like I barely know you anymore." Angela patted her unruly curls hair to soften the blow but Maura could still see Jane wince at her words.
"I get that you need time but I am still me. I am still your daughter." Jane's tone developed a begging quality.
"I know. Just give me some time." Angela asked again.
"Okay."
"I love you Janie."
"I love you too Ma."
"I should go." Angela finally looked at Maura again, "It was nice to meet you."
"It was nice to meet you too Mrs. Rizzoli."
Angela nodded at her. "I will call you tomorrow Jane."
"I will talk to you then."
Jane and Maura watched as Angela left the apartment. As the door clicked shut, Jane's shoulders slumped with an unseen weight. She braced her hands against the counter to support herself upright. The encounter had not gone so poorly but it had definitely been draining, especially for Jane. The blonde had merely been a spectator and yet the seriousness of the situation still pended over her. She knew how important Jane's family was to her. Her mother had not outright approved but she had also not condemned her, so she considered these to be good signs. Yet, the uncertainty tainted the morning. Maura could only hope that Angela would come around. She was at a loss of what to say. So she simply shuffled forward and pushed her forehead in between Jane's shoulder blades, her slender arms wrapped around her torso.
"Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine." Jane scratched her brow, "She needs time to process. I need time to process. I'm sorry. This is not how I envisioned our day starting off."
"Don't be sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not right now."
"When you are ready, I'm here to listen." Maura said as Jane turned to face the doctor. The brunette stroked her cheek lovingly.
"I know you are." Jane managed a sad smile as she kissed her softly, "But right now I want you to finish making these pancakes. Or is that mine on the floor?"
"You." Maura picked up the spatula and began to swat it at the detective, "It's going to be if you're going to be like that."
"Okay, okay." Jane laughed genuinely as she backed off and picked up the fallen flatbread. "Just don't threaten my breakfast."
/
Okay let's try this again. What do you guys think!
And really, thanks to my beta readers who make this stuff legible.