CHAPTER SIX

Maura was starting to worry about Arizona. Well, she'd been worried, for a while, but now she felt like worrying even more. She knew that what Arizona was going through was horrible, and that there was no way she could just fix it for her friend, but... She was frustrated that she couldn't just help her.

On one hand Maura knew that Arizona was furious with Callie, and that she needed time away from her, to be by herself, to figure things out... But on the other hand, Maura could see how much this was hurting her. She could see that Arizona really missed Callie; her friend needed her wife. The only problem was just that Arizona hadn't realised it herself. She was still convinced that this was what was best for her, and she wasn't even sure if she and Callie were supposed to be together.

Maura knew they were supposed to be together. She'd never seen two other people love each other like that, and it was sacred. Arizona just had to realise it; she had to see. The two of them had been through so much together, and for this to break them apart? Now, that would just be utterly ridiculous. The question was just how Maura made Arizona see all of those things herself. She had no idea how to help her friend, and it was starting to bother her. When she had expressed her concerns to Jane, the other woman had said, "You can't help her with this Maura, she has to realise all of these things herself. You can't force it."

...and Maura knew that she was right (oh, wasn't she always?). But that didn't mean that it wasn't still bothering her.

Arizona was sleeping in today; there had been no sound from the guest bedroom yet, and Jane had left a while ago to write a rapport at the precinct. Maura had made breakfast for her best friend; she'd done exactly like they used to do in college when they slept in after a night out (Arizona had gotten quite a lot to drink yesterday), and she had even cooked bacon for her friend, even though she was very displeased about it.

Balancing the tray in her hands, Maura managed to knock on the door, before she entered Arizona's room. Her blonde friend was lying on the bed, sprawled out across the mattress with hair everywhere. Her prosthesis was resting against the wall, and even though Maura was a doctor and had seen this and that, she still had to get used to seeing her own friend without a leg. She placed the tray on the mattress, opened up the blinds and took a seat next to Arizona.

Stroking her hand across her hair, she whispered a quiet "Good morning."

Growling in her sleep, Arizona turned over and slowly squinted both of her eyes open. "Maura?" she hoarsely whispered, "What time is it?"

"I let you sleep in late for the occasion." Maura replied with a smile, as she tried to hide how amused she was by Arizona right now, "And I made you breakfast, so you better wake up. You and I need to have a little talk!"

Rolling onto her back, Arizona's lips curled into a little smile, "Talk about what? Like you and Jane for instance?"

Dismissing her, Maura shook her head, "There's nothing to talk about me and Jane, and I'd like to think that you have realised that by now." She stirred the coffee in front of her, "Sit up, Arizona, I even made bacon for you."

'Bacon' seemed to be the magic word, because all of a sudden, Arizona was a lot friskier than two seconds ago. She pulled herself onto her arms and managed to make quite a comforting seat with pillows against the headboard. She smiled, "You're really too fantastic, Maura Isles."

"Anything for you, you know that." Maura replied and handed Arizona one of the coffees, before taking the other one for herself, and getting comfortably seated in the mess of pillows and blankets, "Did you sleep well?"

Shrugging, Arizona sipped her coffee, "Not really. Your bed is very nice, but I'm just... I'm just used to having Callie next to me, I guess. She's always so warm, and she has her arms around me."

Maura nodded and watched her friend with wide eyes. So she missed Callie when she slept, huh? Maybe she was starting to realise it. "I guess it is hard to be without her after all these years."

"Oh, I never said it wasn't." Arizona replied, "But just because I miss her, doesn't mean that this is not the right thing to do." She added, before she grabbed a piece of bacon and took a bite of it.

Wincing, Maura decided to ignore her quite poor manners. "Well, if you think so."

Arizona chewed happily. "I don't want to talk about me and Callie, Maura," she said, shaking her head and offering her a small characteristic Arizona Robbins-smile, "I just... I don't see what good it's going to do. Not right now anyway. But I do want to thank you for last night, because that was amazing, and it was exactly what I needed. I've missed going out with my friends."

"It was quite a nice evening, wasn't it?" Maura agreed. She grabbed one of the plates from the tray and started eating her breakfast. "I am still very confused about that lady though. Why did she think that Jane and I were girlfriends? We are very close, but it is certainly not like that!" she added, watching Arizona with one eye as she ate her food. She was quite curious to hear what her friend had to say about this now, and she hoped that Arizona would give her some inputs. She'd been musing this since she came home last night, and it was quite tiring to be honest.

Arizona tilted her head, "Oh please Maura, I know you're still innocent and sweet and all of those super cute traits, but really? You can't be that innocent."

Maura felt her heart speed up a little bit as she just looked at Arizona.

The blonde woman continued, "Maura!" she hissed, "It's not like I'm the only person who can see it! Angela can see it too, and she's just waiting for something to happen! Frankie and Frost too! Heck, I think even Korsak has started to catch on!" she placed her plate on the tray and grabbed Maura's free hand, "Why are you being like this? This isn't like you, this isn't the Maura I used to know."

Blinking, Maura had no idea what to reply to her best friend. Arizona had hit the nail right on the head; in a matter of few days, she'd seen through everything that Maura had tried to hide by sheer ignorance and determination. For so many years, she had pretended that it wasn't there, even though it was eating her alive. And now Arizona had showed up, and suddenly her act was falling to pieces around her. "Angela knows?" she whispered.

"The other day she said to me, and I quote 'I wish those two would just be together'." Arizona whispered, and there was something so soft and nice flickering across her face; her eyes showed nothing but support and love for Maura at the moment, and it was exactly what she needed.

"Do you think Jane knows?" Maura whispered, and suddenly her heart was beating so wildly against her chest, that she didn't know what to do with herself. She felt like she was a teenager again, stuck with Arizona in the dorm room, talking about the cute guys she never dared to ask out. She knew she was being silly, but there was something so risky and dangerous about this situation... It could really blow up in her face and ruin everything, and that was the last thing that she wanted.

Arizona shook her head and drew calming circles on the back of Maura's hand with her finger, "No", she promised her, "no Jane doesn't know a single thing. She's... oblivious to it all. You're hiding it well."

Good, was the only thing that Maura could think.

"But why though?" Arizona continued with curiosity, "Why are you hiding it? Why not just tell her how you feel?"

Shrugging her shoulder, Maura had no idea how to explain to her best friend what she was so afraid of, "I think... it's just easier. It's easier to be her partner and her best friend, to – to pick her up when someone hurts her. And to act like I have no idea what's going on when someone – like yesterday – makes a comment about us." She swallowed loudly and finally dared to meet Arizona's eyes, "I get all the best things with her, Arizona, I get to do all those things."

"I know that." Arizona agreed, "Which is why it's absolutely crazy that you're not together, because you're sure as hell acting like a real couple!"

Maura had no idea what to reply to that. She knew that what she and Jane had was odd, and that no one – but the two of them – really understood it. She wasn't brave enough to risk any of it, because what if she lost Jane completely? If she rattled the cage, she might lose it all... So she was willing to take what she could get; sleepovers, dinners, movie-dates, nights out with Jane on her arm. Those things were good enough for her – she could handle her desire to kiss the other woman and then spend her nights dreaming about it instead.

"Maura." Arizona said, and her voice was firm; not to be messed with. "Jane doesn't know how you feel, alright? But I don't know why you won't tell her – everyone is waiting for it, we're all rooting for you. Jane's not supposed to be with any man, she's supposed to be with you, and we all see it." She kindly whispered, nodding her head and showing Maura the support that she so desperately needed.

"You really think so?" Maura whispered, once more feeling like she was twenty again.

Arizona arched an eyebrow, "Do I think so? I know so."

Maura couldn't hide the small smile that that comment forced onto her lips, "I just think it's odd... I never used to fall in love with females, I never have before, and I probably never will again. Why Jane?"

The blonde woman dropped Arizona's hand and reached for her cup of coffee, "Why Maura-kins? The answer to that is simple and straightforward: Because you guys are meant to be together." She took a long sip of her coffee and stretched her legs out, "You two are supposed to be together, and that's why. You just need to tell her. I don't think she'll run, Maura, I don't think Jane's a runner. She's just going to have to get her head around it, and maybe she'll need some time alone, or maybe... Maybe she'll wrap her arms around you and kiss you right there. One thing is sure though – she's not going to make the first move, because she doesn't know it herself."

Sighing, Maura took a sip of her coffee as well and leaned her back against the headboard, her shoulder brushing Arizona's, "Why is love so hard?" she questioned.

Arizona leaned her head down and rested it against her shoulder, "I don't know." She mumbled, "I mean... I've experienced love quite a few times, heck, I think I might have experienced the greatest love of my life with Callie, and yet I just... I just make a mess of everything." She breathed out heavily, "I gave up so much for her, and it wasn't even a sacrifice, because I wanted to. All of a sudden, I wanted those things that I hadn't thought I did, and I wanted them all, with her, and now everything is just... screwed up."

Tilting her own head down to rest it upon Arizona's head, Maura answered her, "It's not too late to fix it, Arizona. If you believe that Jane and I are meant to be, all I can say to you is... A lot of people believe that so are you and Callie."

"I'm just not sure anymore." Arizona whispered as she closed her eyes peacefully.

"Why not?" Maura huskily whispered back.

Arizona was quiet for a few seconds as she mused the question over, probably thinking about everything that had happened and how it had all made her feel. "I think that too much has happened, I think that we're both changed, and that trust has been broken."

Maura replied, "Trust can be build back up. If you both decide to."

"It's not as easy as that." Arizona whispered back as she raised the cup to her mouth and took another sip of her coffee.

Maura had to agree. No, it really isn't.

X

Jane wasn't sure if this was going to be considered a good thing or not a good thing. Well, in her own eyes she was doing a damn-good deed right now, but she wasn't sure if Maura was going to consider it as such. Oh hell, she had to, didn't she? Maura was all pro-Callie and Arizona, and Jane was seriously helping that along right now. If she said so herself, she ought to get a damn medal for being so freaking nice these days.

It wasn't like it was intentional or something. Or even her own idea. It's just that her mother had intercepted something, and now she was forcing Jane to do it anyway. So she'd had to lie to Maura about writing some paperwork (when had she ever done that? Maura ought to know her better!), but she was going to be forgiven the second Maura realised which part she had played in this entire thing.

That Angela had been the one to orchestrate everything was just minor details.

"Damn, this is taking forever." Jane mumbled to herself as she glanced around the large hall, desperately trying to spot the person she was looking for. Not that she knew entirely how to find her; she had only met her once and seen pictures. The odds certainly weren't in her favour. But she was a detective, and she had an eye for details. At least that's what her mother had told her when Jane had tried to get out of it, using those exact excuses.

It was just so typical her mother, typical, typical Angela Rizzoli. She always had to meddle in things she should just stay out of. But no, her damn mother always stuck her nose into other people's business, and now she had Jane doing her dirty work. It wasn't like she minded anyway; it was for Arizona, and despite her groans and complaints about the other woman, Jane was quite starting to like her. She had balls, and Jane appreciated that in any other person.

Jane just wasn't sure if this was her place. She didn't even know Callie and Arizona, and if Arizona wasn't answering Callie's phone calls, it was probably because she didn't want to talk to her right now. That was usually the reason why other people ignored some people's phone calls. Or at least that's what Jane had also tried to tell her mother, but Angela wasn't hearing any of it; not after 'accidentally' picking up the phone in Maura's kitchen while she was cooking. Here she 'accidentally' talked to this Callie person who's been trying to reach Arizona on her cell, but instead opted to find Maura's phone number so she would be able to contact her wife through her.

And that was how Angela had heard everything Callie said; how she wanted Arizona to come home, and if she didn't she was willing to come there and work it out. At that point Angela had gotten a brilliant (beyond brilliant, if she said so herself) idea, and thus there was Jane. Picking up Callie and her daughter Sofia in the airport, so she could drive them to Maura's and they could see Arizona.

It was probably going to be okay. That little girl deserved to see her mother, or at least Jane thought so. It had been about a week since Arizona came to Boston, and as far as Jane had understood, she hadn't really spent that much time with Sofia in the weeks before that.

Glancing around the hall once more, Jane was starting to lose her patience. She was really not a people person, and there were far too many humans gathered at one place for her liking. Why had her mother guilted her into doing this again? Oh yeah, 'It's for Maura' and uh, 'Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for you?' and the classic 'These two are in love. They deserve each other, Jane!'.

Stupid Rizzoli guilt trip! Jane thought inwardly, as she bounced a little on her toes. Where the heck was Callie!?

Pausing for a second, Jane thought that she was finally seeing something that looked vaguely familiar – wasn't that her? That could most definitely be her! It was a gorgeous Latina woman with a little girl's hand in hers, and she had a giant suitcase in the other hand. Most importantly: She looked a little bit lost. This ought to be Callie Torres.

Quickly crossing the room in a straight line, Jane came up right behind her and slowly poked her on the arm. "Callie?"

Doing a funny little jump, Callie turned to look at her, clearly shocked. "Oh God!" she breathed out, "Yeah! Jane?"

Sticking out her hand, Jane couldn't help but be a little amused, "Jane Rizzoli, I believe we've met once before."

"Briefly." Callie replied, and Jane could feel her warm eyes size her up and down for a few seconds. "Oh, this is my daughter Sofia."

Kneeling down so that she was on eyelevel with the little girl – who wasn't shy at all as she glanced up at her with dark eyes – Jane poked her lightly in the stomach with a finger. "Hi Sofia! I'm your aunt Jane!" she happily said. Technically she knew that she wasn't really her aunt at all, but wasn't that the thing that you always said? It was easier to explain than something else.

"Hi." Sofia whispered, before she turned around on her foot and laughed into her mother's leg.

Callie stroked a hand across her daughter's black hair, and smiled warmly at Jane. "Thank you so much for picking us up. It probably would have been possible to find our way to Maura's house, but this is just a lot easier."

Jane stood up again and smiled at the woman; she didn't know why, but she was getting very good vibes from this person. And that always used to mean a lot; she had always been quite good at reading other people. Callie was cool, Jane was certain of that. Why had Arizona cheated on her again? Sure, Callie wasn't exactly Jane's type, but it was quite obvious that she was a very beautiful woman. Oh, Jane probably shouldn't try to figure out what went on in other people's lives, she could bare figure out what went on in her own. "It's no problem. I'll take you straight to Maura's, her and Arizona are still there as far as I know."

The Latina's face immediately changed from thankful and happy, to somewhat concerned and nervous. She swallowed loudly. "Yeah, yeah... That's uhm, that sounds good, Jane." She squeezed her daughter's hand tightly and bent her head down to look at her, "Did you hear that Sofia? We're going to see Mommy now! Didn't I promise you, that after the plane, you were going to see Mommy?" Callie continued in a voice that was probably meant to sound happy for her daughter, but just sounded shrill and fake in Jane's ears.

Jumping into her mother's arms, Sofia laughed, "I want Mommy!"

Callie placed a long kiss on the top of her head, "And you'll get Mommy, baby, you'll get her. I promised you, didn't I?" she whispered as she hugged her daughter close.

Jane grabbed the handle of the suitcase and turned it over; there was no complaint from Callie, who was busy taking care of her child, "Come on, you two. It's not that far of a drive." Jane promised them, as she started to make her way across the hall, Callie – still with Sofia in her arms – walking right besides her. She could see how delighted the both of them were; how truly happy they felt for finally being able to see the one person they were missing more than anything. Jane suddenly wasn't so concerned that she was messing with them, sticking her nose into things she should be. No, she felt truly certain that she was where she was supposed to be right now; helping this little family reunite.

She was certain – she could see the love that Callie had for Arizona and for their family, she could see that these two were meant to be together. The only problem was just that Arizona was too messed up right now to see it, too. Maybe this was going to help, maybe Callie making this effort was going to open Arizona's eyes. At least that's what Jane was hoping for.

I am so sorry about the long delay! Lectures have really been kicking my butt, and I have so much reading to do lately, I can't even keep track of it all. I finally got time to write this though (I am at work, so yeah... Probably shouldn't be writing right now), and I hope you all like this! Callie and Sofia are finally in Boston, and Arizona saw right through Maura ;)

How did everyone like the summer finale of Rizzoli & Isles? Didn't Maura look crushed when Jane mentioned the M-word? And how did you guys like the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy? So many Calzona feels, but pretty much the reactions I had predicted!

Please let me know how you all liked this, and I shall try not to take too long writing the next chapter! You guys are fantastic :)

Dislciamer; I don't own Rizzoli & Isles or Grey's Anatomy.