Chapter Nine

"That's funny, Jane. I thought you said you wanted a divorce," Joey started to laugh.

"I did. Why is that funny?"

"I won't give you a divorce Jane, not so you can go be a dyke with that other one."

Jane reached across the desk and slapped Joey hard across his face. Joey's head whipped around.

"Maura is a lady, Joe. She's too high class for you to understand but you don't talk about her like that."

"Regardless Jane, I won't give you a divorce and neither will the Catholic Church."

"The state of Massachusetts will. Easily. And, after all your deception I think you'd be willing to give me a divorce. I don't think the priest will be quite so loving toward you after everything I fill him in on."

"Father Mulcahy understood everything when I told him about your previous relationship with Maura before we got married, Jane. He said I was a saint, bringing in one of God's children from the cold." Joey's voice was calculating and cunning. Mocking. Jane wondered why she thought she loved him.

"Father Mulcahy doesn't have a clue where you're concerned, Joe. As for my parents they gave me their blessing this morning. So, to repeat, I want a divorce," Jane stared at Joey.

"Fine. I want full custody of the kids."

"No. Joint custody."

"Their mother is a lesbian, the state will give me full custody."

"State of Massachusetts has legalized same-sex marriage. Those old attitudes are out the window, Joe. Joint custody is the best you'll get. My attorney will be in touch with yours to iron out the visitation schedule."

"We'll see," Joey muttered under his breath as Jane left his office.

Maura watched the happy couple take their first dance as husband and wife. It wasn't the dance itself that captivated her; it was the love and care the husband had for his wife. Kim was truly treasured, Maura knew. Before long, Maura's thoughts wandered to her and Jane and what they might have had.

Maura envisioned herself in a beautiful off the shoulder wedding gown. Her train was always debatable; Maura couldn't make up her mind how long she wanted the train. But her partner's identity was the same in every dream: Jane Rizzoli. Dressed in a white tux with morning tails Jane's olive skin looks were a beautiful contrast. Just as Maura felt Jane's arms around her, starting their first dance, Maura's cell phone rang.

"Hello?" Maura answered. The line wasn't clear and she couldn't quite make out the caller's identity.

"Maura?" the line cleared for a moment.

"Jane?" Maura asked. Jane chuckled.

"You always know my voice," Jane said. I still know every inch of your body Jane, Maura thought in response but remained silent.

Suddenly the line grew fuzzy. "Jane! I can't hear you."

"I asked Joey…" Maura heard and the line went dead. Maura disconnected the line and returned the phone to her purse. Ten seconds later it rang again.

"Jane? Did you call back?" Maura managed to say. The line was still fuzzy but not as much as before.

"Where are you, Maura? Sounds like a party," Jane said. She knew the cell phone reception to Australia could be tricky but she couldn't wait to relay the news to Maura that she asked Joey for a divorce.

"Wedding reception…Kelly and I…" Jane heard and the line went dead. Jane stood there in shock. Kelly and Maura got married? Jane wondered. Does Australia recognize same-sex marriage? If they did get married it's legal here in Boston. Shit, shit, shit. Am I too late again? Jane sat back down in her chair. She'd returned to the precinct after confronting Joey, not comfortable with going home this early in the day.

Jane opened her desk drawer and reached in the back to grab a framed picture of her and Maura. Taken many years ago it showed Jane teaching Maura how to hold and swing a softball bat. Maura's eyes were shining; Jane's face showed her love for Maura, even before she spoke it to Maura.

Damn, what do I do now? Jane thought.

Kelly walked across the floor to Maura. "Dance with me, my lady?" she asked, bowing low. Maura smiled and allowed Kelly to take her hand and lead her to the dance floor. The band eased into a slow song and Kelly took Maura in her arms.

"I'm sorry, Maura. I was hoping for more," Kelly said.

"I know. I tried, Kelly, I did."

"We both did. Unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be."

"You're being awfully gracious about this, Kelly. I mean, when I lost Jane to Joey I was a wreck for months. I kept imagining ways to hit Joey with my car, kidnap Jane and run off with her, I tried to think of all kinds of ways to get her back," Maura recounted. She smiled at the silliness of some of her own suggestions but knew how desperate she was to win back the detective.

"I think I was holding my breath at first, wondering if you could fall in love with me this time. So I wasn't too surprised when you told me we weren't working out for you." Maura looked at Kelly.

"You'll find the right girl someday, Kelly. She'll be lucky to have you," Maura said softly. Kelly whirled Maura around the dance floor.

"Too bad it isn't the girl in my arms," she replied.

Jane held her head in her hands. She didn't know what to do. The phrase 'Kelly and Maura married' ran endlessly through her mind.

"Frost! Get in here!" she called out through the bullpen. Frost appeared in her doorway immediately.

"Come in, shut the door behind you," Jane directed.

"What's wrong, Jane?" Frost asked. He looked at how disheveled and upset Jane appeared.

"I have reason to believe Maura and Kelly got married in Australia," she said with a quiet she didn't feel. Frost was floored.

"You're kidding? You're sure about this?" he asked.

"I just got off the phone with her. They're at the wedding reception now."

Frost sat back in his chair. "I'm sorry, Jane."

Jane felt her eyes tear up. "It's what I deserve I guess. I threw her away eight years ago and now she's found someone she loves. Maura deserves to be happy."

Frost didn't know how to reply. He always thought Jane and Maura belonged together, were soul mates. He was almost giddy with happiness when they first started dating before Jane married Joey. The two were good together and in their business happiness could be elusive-or short.

"I asked Joey for a divorce," Jane said in a quiet voice.

"Do you want the divorce even if Maura is married?"

"Yes, I can't be in the same room with him because of his deception. He isn't who I thought he was."

"I'm sorry, Jane," was all Frost could say.

"Me too, Frost, me too."

TBC