"I never liked Cavanaugh," Captain Jason Fletcher leaned back in his chair at the dining table and shook his head as he held the photo in his hand of Cindy. "I always thought he was narrow-minded. Figures I'd be right."
"Yeah, well, he's not the only one." Korsak shrugged. "Free country, though, but," he glanced around at the women in the room, "what's going on here isn't okay, Jason. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I got you, Vince." The captain set the photo down next to his coffee cup, careful to avoid his empty dessert plate. "All of you have put a lot of thought in this plan of yours, but are you sure Cruise is going to go for this?"
"He'll do it," Jane nodded. "Maura and I've seen him," she paused for a moment, not sure how much to say. "Captain, he'll do it."
"Man up, Rizzoli. If you want my help, now's not the time to pretend to be shy about who and what you are." Fletcher's look hardened. "What you're asking me to help you with is about equal treatment. We're cops; we're supposed to provide equal treatment, especially to our own, but, if you don't tell me everything you're up to, how am I supposed to know what's what when everything goes down?"
"Woman up," Maura calmly corrected as she stood to refill and top off everyone's coffee. "The last time I checked, Jane was neither a man in anatomy or psychology." She shot the captain a perturbed look. "Would you prefer I tell you to 'woman up' the next time you need incentive to do something difficult?"
"And you put up with this?" Fletcher asked with a smile and a wink toward the female detective across the table from him.
"Yeah, well, there are benefits of dealing with that," Jane smirked in response. "Look, I see Cruise and his boyfriend at a lot of the civil rights things Maura and I go to. He's really active in the community, and he's been pushing really hard for equal rights for other states, so I think he'd be in if we needed him. I mean, I'm not really liking the idea of bringing any more people into this shi… erm mess, but, if we have to, Frankie's right. Cruise is our man." She glanced to Maura who gave her a nod of approval before returning to her seat beside the dark haired woman.
With an air of what some could class arrogance, Maura stated frankly, "I'm choosing to ignore your jab at me, Captain Fletcher."
"Of course," he responded with a chuckle. "It's a good plan, Rizzoli… Rizzolis?" He shook his head. "She needs out, but this is a pretty sketchy thing, honestly. We really should go through HR with this. I'm just another cop, and I don't hire and fire people. You all know that. Look," he sighed heavily as he tried to process everything. "I don't want to bring Cruise in on this. If he's as much of an activist as you say, things might backfire, and I don't think anyone wants that."
"But you can't just let her keep doing what she's doing to people," Angela snapped, ignoring Korsak's pleading look for her to be quiet. "It's not right! Just because Jane and Maura choose to be…" The look of hurt from her daughter stopped her in her tracks. Everyone was silent for a moment as the eldest Rizzoli resettled. "Just because," she started again, slower and quieter, "Jane and Maura choose to be open about their relationship doesn't give Cindy or anyone else the right to hurt them in any way."
Tommy stood, pacing a bit around his chair. "So, if we're not going to go with the plan, then what?"
"Seriously," Frankie added, voice tense. "I cannot keep dating this chick. Every time she wants to touch me, I want to hurl on her."
"I've got some Listerine in my desk drawer. The after taste gets old," Frost deadpanned, not bothering to look up from his coffee.
"Tommy's question is valid," Maura said by way of redirecting the conversation. "What do you suggest we do, Captain?"
"Well," he looked down at the picture, "this is a good start. With the time stamp and the clear print of your ICE form in her hand, it puts her where we need her to be to nail her. I think," again he was silent as he processed. "I think it might be time to stir up HR a little. They can't deny something if it happens right under their noses with a captain, a sergeant, and the head of HR standing there watching." He glanced between the doctor and her detective. "How well do you two act?"
"I love my family. I missed my family. I'm so glad they're gone." Jane closed the front door with a groan and quickly locked every lock on it. "I'm tired. How about you?"
"Sadly, I am, too, which is a shame," Maura frowned. She worked quickly to put away the last of the dishes as she spoke. "I really was looking forward to that promise I made you at the supermarket today."
"Oh yeah," the detective smiled as she slid behind the smaller woman and wrapped her arms around Maura. "Well, I'm not that tired."
"Jane, you've been yawning and trying to not nod off for the past half hour. We're both that tired." Maura turned in the lithe arms wrapped around her. "Don't worry, dear-heart, we have plenty of time for that kind of fun later. We have a big day tomorrow. We should try to get some rest, don't you think?"
"No." Jane resolutely shook her head. "I think I want you to keep your promise."
"I think you're insatiable," the doctor sighed. "I'd be upset, but I find that to be one of the qualities I rather like about you." She grinned as she leaned forward to place a kiss on Jane's waiting lips.
A devilish grin running across Jane's features, she shrugged as she pulled Maura more firmly against her. "Hey, I don't want us to catch a cold or something."
"Mmmm, it is a good thing that you're thinking of our health," the honey brunette chuckled. "Since you're so concerned about our health, that means you ought not be too upset that we make sure to get enough sleep to function. After all, sleep deprivation also contributes to a lowered immune system which can…"
"Okay, all right, point taken." Jane sighed, rolling her eyes and stepping back. "Come on, let's get ready for bed. If I can't cash in on that promise, I demand a makeout session and some cuddling."
"Cuddling?" A perfectly manicured eyebrow rose in disbelief. "Really?"
"I'm feeling a little clingy. Don't judge." Jane pulled at Maura's hand. "Come on, sweetheart, I'm tired. I just want to go bed and be some place with you that is just ours for a little bit. Okay?"
The doctor tilted her head in consideration as she allowed herself to be led to the bedroom. "Ours," she whispered to herself. "Jane," she said a bit louder, "maybe I'm not that tired after all…"