Chapter 12

Things fell into a routine for the next week and both women really seemed to be enjoying the company of the other in more ways than just in the bedroom. Although they came from much different backgrounds they seemed to complement each other. Jane's hard core attitude softened when she was dealing with Maura and Maura learned the many ways to read Jane's moods. She learned when she needed to rant and rave to let off steam, when she needed to be held and when she needed to be left alone to work things out on her own.

Jane in turn learned that Maura also had her moods. She was a bit harder to read because she tended to keep things inside. Maura had learned early in life that her family was not going to be very supportive in her life. Oh she had the best of everything that her parent's money could buy, everything except their love. She went to the best boarding schools and private colleges but even then her best wasn't good enough for her adoptive parents. She never heard a word of praise, even when she graduated near the top of her class from Medical School. All she heard was how disappointed they were because she wasn't at the top. They were even more disappointed when she chose to become a Medical Examiner and not a 'real' doctor as her mother put it. She was not used to people taking her as she was and not trying to mold her into what they want as her parents had. But that was just what Jane did from the very beginning. She took her at face value and did not get disappointed when she did something different from the way the detective would normally do it. Jane was patient in teaching Maura new ways to do things and she was willing to learn new things from Maura.

Growing up, Maura would spend time with the household staff and one of her favorite spots was in the kitchen. The chefs were patient with her but it was always a solemn affair to learn from them. She learned how to cook just about everything or so she thought. Cooking with Jane was a totally different experience to say the least. She was the complete opposite from the chefs growing up, pots and pans were banged around noisily. Music was a necessity, dancing was an option, one Jane chose to do wholeheartedly. The more mess you made the better the food tastes, or at least that was Jane's philosophy, she said it was a Rizzoli rule of thumb. One night they were making potato gnocchi and by the time they were done they both had flour in their hair and flour coated half of the surfaces in the kitchen. But Maura couldn't remember ever having that much fun cooking.

Jane brought out an inner child that Maura didn't even know was hiding inside her. Maura learned to play and look at life from a different point of view. She went to her first baseball game ate hot dogs and washed them down with beer. She yelled at the umpire for a bad call which had Jane laughing. Jane bought her a Red Sox hat and Maura wore it with pride.

Wednesday Angela called and invited them over for dinner and said it was time to break it to Frank and Frankie but she wanted to have some fun with them first. Maura was worried that she wouldn't have anything to contribute to the dinner and Jane assured her that she would have plenty to do. There wasn't a game on tonight so they should have the full attention of both men. Jane and Maura arrived at 6:00 and went straight to the kitchen. Jane held up her hands as an excuse. "Can't help tonight Ma but I brought Maura's hands and you can teach her as you have taught me." Jane looked over the counter into the living room to make sure the guys could see and hear them. "She has very talented hands Ma so don't do anything to hurt them."

Frankie walked over to the counter and sat in a chair. "Yeah her being a doctor and all I would hope she would have talented hands."

Angela looked back and forth between her two children and smiled a secret smile. "I'm sure those hands have many talents. Right Jane?"

Jane walked up behind Maura and loosely wrapped her arms around her then lifted Maura's hands as best as she could. "You bet Ma, Maura can do amazing things with these hands." She gave her a quick peck on the neck before she released her. Frankie looked at his Mom to see her reaction to the kiss and noticed there was no reaction. He looked back and noticed there was something different between Jane and Maura but he figured it was just because they've been spending more time together. "Hey Frankie can you get Maura a glass of wine, I can't because of my fumble fingers."

"You have no idea how many of my dishes and glasses she has broken trying to please me…by doing things for me." Jane sputtered when she realized that Maura was referring to their little escapade on the kitchen counter this morning. She couldn't believe that Maura could even mention it with a straight face. She looked at her mother and all Angela did was smile a knowing smile, Jane actually blushed.

Frank Sr. walked into the kitchen to get a beer from the refrigerator. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure." Frankie turned to his father. "Jane and Maura are up to something."

"What do you mean Frankie, Maura and I aren't up to anything." Jane turned to Maura. "Are we up to anything Maura?" She then turned to her mother. "Ma do you think we're up to something?"

"No dear, I think that you needed help and Maura is more than happy to lend a hand and as we've already established she has talented hands so why not take advantage of that?" Angela then turned to her husband and youngest born child. "What do you think they are up to Frankie?"

"I can't put my finger on it but there is something different." Frankie just kept staring at the two women.

"One of the most important aspects of a good detective, or a cop, is his or her powers of observation. If you think you see something, there just might be something there. I'm not saying we're up to something but if we were you'd have to figure it out for yourself." Jane then turned to Maura and smiled. "That sounds fair don't you think?"

Maura smiled back at Jane. "That sound very fair Jane." Maura then turned to Angela. "I think it only fair that he have to work this out on his own." Maura walked around the corner and surprised both herself and Frankie by placing a kiss on his cheek. Everyone laughed as they watched him blush. "Jane and I have grown closer since Hoyt got a hold of her and I have discovered that I really enjoy her company and she seems to enjoy mine. Nothing wrong with that is there Frankie?"

Frankie was looking at Maura like a lovesick teenager. "No Maura there's nothing wrong with that at all." He seemed to mentally shake himself. "But I think it's more than that. There's just something different."

Angela walked over and rested her arms on Frankie's shoulders from behind and looked at him from over his shoulder. "You must have an idea if you think something is different."

Frank Sr. grabbed the newspaper off the table and walked over and kissed Jane on the cheek. "I'm happy for you." Then walked back into the living room and took his normal chair and sat down to read the paper.

"What does that mean?" Frankie's head swiveled back and forth between everyone there. "Pops what did you mean? Jane what does he mean? Ma what is he talking about?"

"See this is why he should not be a cop, my Frankie should go into the business with his father. He's not good at observing people." Angela patted Frankie's cheek and went back to her cooking in the kitchen.

"Maybe he's just not good at reading people he's close to. I've heard from other cops that he's actually pretty good on the street." Maura smiled over at Frankie as she spoke in his defense and she watched him blush again. "And he doesn't get sick during an autopsy and you know how hard that can be Jane."

"He does have that going for him. Look at Frost he's a great cop but can't stand the sight of blood. At least you can hold your lunch at a crime scene."

"Jane! Such talk before dinner. I will have none of that in my kitchen." Angela chided Jane.

"That would be my fault Angela I brought up the subject." Maura came to Jane's defense as she laid a hand on Jane's arm.

"See! That's what I'm talking about. You guys are more touchy feely than you were before. Well, at least Maura is. You can't touch anything with those mitts on." He pointed to the bandages on Jane's hands. "You look at each other different too. You look at each other like…that's it! You guys are together as in…together." He danced around like he had solved all of the problems of the world. "That's it isn't it? You two are a couple aren't you? Man that's so cool." He walked over and hugged Jane then walked over and hugged Maura. I'm happy for you guys. Do the guys at work know?"

"Korsak and Frost know but nobody else does." Jane answered with a smile on her face. "You might make a good detective yet but I'll have to work with you on your observation skills but you'll do ok."

The four of them spent the night laughing and talking about things and generally having a good time. She watched Jane and Frankie fight about something unimportant then forget about it. The Rizzoli's were a boisterous family and Maura loved every minute of the evening. The dinner was the complete opposite of what she had grown up with. Everyone spoke at the same time, meaning they yelled to be heard over someone else. Dinner in the Isles' household was a quiet affair. You spoke when you were spoken to by either parent. If you wanted more food you'd ask then wait for one of the servants to walk from their spot in the corner and bring it to you and serve you. The Rizzoli's table was a small round table that was small enough for you to be able to reach almost everything on the table so before and during the meals arms were flying everywhere reaching for food and drink. Jane and Frankie were like two little kids. If one reached across the other they would slap the hand or grab something off the plate they had grabbed.

Maura found herself just sitting back and watching the interactions between the Rizzoli family and realized she really liked this loud and raucous family. They had made sure she felt welcomed into their home. It was well known that Angela didn't let too many women into her kitchen, Jane and Aunt Gina were the few allowed to help but this night she had opened her arms and her kitchen to Maura and Maura felt warmed by the gesture.

Jane was secretly watching Maura watching them. She couldn't ever remember seeing Maura this relaxed, she laughed at Pops' silly jokes and threw her head back in abandoned pleasure when Angela told her about something Jane had done in her youth. And the smile she flashed at Jane made her heart melt. There was no doubt in her mind that she was deeply madly in love with this woman and thoroughly whipped and wrapped and she wouldn't have it any other way. She'd never felt this way before and in some ways it scared the hell out of her but it felt so right.

"What are you thinking?" Jane felt a shiver go down her spine at the closeness of Maura's body and the huskiness of her voice. She was so lost in thought that she hadn't even seen her approach from behind.

Jane turned around and stood up and wrapped her arms around Maura's shoulders. "How much I want to take you home and make mad passionate love to you and tell you what you do to me." She kissed her behind the ear. "You are mine when we get home." She took Maura's hand and started towards the kitchen where her mother was busy packing containers for her and Frankie to take home. "Ma we're heading out. Thanks for dinner."

"Yes thank you Angela dinner was wonderful and I'm so glad I came." Maura walked over and gave her a hug then walked back over to Jane.

"Won't be the last time you come tonight." Jane whispered in her ear and Maura slapped her arm gently.

"Ouch Ma did you see her hit me?"

"All I saw was someone giving as good as she gets. Maybe you've met your match this time Janie. Thank you for coming and I hope you come more often." She gave Jane a smile to let her know she knew what she had whispered in Maura's ear and just like she thought Jane blushed. "I love it when I can still make my kids uncomfortable." She looked and saw that Maura was trying to keep from laughing at Jane's discomfort.

"I see where Jane get's her sense of humor." Maura headed out to the living room to say good night to the Rizzoli men but turned before she got that far to see Jane still standing in the kitchen. "Jane are you coming?" Then gave her an evil smile as she turned and walked away and she could hear Angela laughing as she walked into the living room.