Chapter 6

It was 2am and Jane and Maura were wrapped around each other fading into sleep. Jane pulled Maura even closer and smiled into her hair.

'Thank you, Jane' Maura whispered 'The next few days will be crazy and I am so lucky to have you.' She paused 'I have you, right?'

'Well, I haven't forgiven you for shocking Korsak and Frost earlier –'

'Jane. Come on. You know I can't lie' Maura heard Jane's tone and knew she was joking. 'If you weren't so distracting I maybe could have thought of a better wording for our coming out'

'Honestly, I have to admit it was pretty perfect. You know, I'm not facing them alone tomorrow. I know you'll be busy most of the day but let's have breakfast at the café. Catch the boys on their way in?' Jane returned to her previous position of buried in Maura's hair.

'Sure Jane. I would like that. Now let's sleep' Maura pulled her arms round Jane tightly and closed her eyes. She kissed the side of Jane's head and started to fall asleep. She hadn't realised how drained she was.

'Night, my love' Jane whispered as she felt Maura drift into unconsciousness, to which she soon followed.

The next morning Rizzoli and Isles headed to the café. Angela was already there and when she saw the girls approach she left the counter and waved.

'Hi girls' Angela pulled them individual hugs, given them both chest crushing squeezes. 'Usual for breakfast?'

'Oh yes please' Maura exclaimed as Jane looked on confused.

'Usual?' Jane toned echoed the look on her face.

'Well, your mother does get us breakfast every day. I imagine she's pretty certain as to what we were going to order'

Before Jane could answer Angela arrived with two coffees. 'The usual.'

Jane started laughing. 'That is our usual'

'Maura, you've got a long day ahead of you. I think we can forgo your actual usual and you can have pancakes today. You too Jane' Angela squeezed Maura's shoulder and spun on her heel. She was out of there before Jane could say

'No bunnies, Ma' Which of course she said anyway but Angela pretended not to hear.

'Jane, you don't give your mother enough credit. I, for one love bunny shaped pancakes.' Maura smiled widely and reached for Jane's hand. 'You do too. Do not even try to deny it'

'I don't know where you get your ideas from Doctor but after 35 years of eating them, I'm kinda over the bunny shape. I have been for 30 years' Jane tried to pout but Maura's smile was just too magnetic this morning. 'Would you stop?'

'Stop what?' Maura's smile turned to confusion

'We're at work and if you keep that blissful look on your face, well let's just say I'm not one for PDA and I feel like I could make an exception for that face. And that's hardly appropriate, now is it. Doctor Isles' Jane smiled as she said it. She didn't want Maura to think she was ashamed of their relationship but she was aware of office gossip and although she knew Frost and Korsak had their backs she didn't feel like putting fuel to any fires.

'I understand Detective. You know we never really had much of a conversation last night about anything. How are you with us? Being public I mean. I, well I don't want to sound like I don't want t be an official couple because I do but I have never thought about coming out as 37 year old woman. I mean, I never really thought about my sexuality before or cared what people thought about who I have dated the older I got but its other people I guess. How they may react and we're both in prominent positions within the Police Department. You saw what happened in the press after the mess with Patrick Doyle.'

Any fears Jane had about Maura's commitment faded as Maura talked. She smiled and rubbed Maura's hand.

'I'm glad you said that. I have no idea how our being in a relationship together will affect our work. I know we aren't in the same department. Honestly we may be overthinking the whole situation. I mean, if I was Frankie would you be as concerned? Scratch that, do not think of Frankie in a romantic way please. But seriously, I am here for you. I think we're doing a fine job at the moment. I'm happy for the first time in a long time because I know I'm going home to you. And I know we've been friends for a long time but I was always sad, you know. And for a while I didn't know why. But now I do. It's always been you' Jane blinked to stem the tears that had sprung in her eyes. It wasn't even 8am. She had already said some pretty corny things, she would not follow it with water works.

'Oh Jane, I can't believe your saying this. Here in the café, and honestly it's perfect. You're beautiful mind really outdid itself. I'll be here for you, every day. God, we need to stop' Maura's eyes were shining and she had the look that started this conversation on her face again.

They were disturbed by a sniffle. Both heads turned to see Angela standing 2 feet away holding breakfast with tears rolling down her cheeks. 'Oh girls. My Janie. Maura. I-' she sobbed and started to laugh at herself as she put the plates down. 'That was the most romantic thing I have ever witnessed.'

'Jeez, Ma. How much did you hear?' Jane winced

'Enough. Maura, thank you. You've already given me so much. But this, with Jane. I haven't seen my daughter as happy as when she is with you. No man has ever come as close to putting that sunshine smile on her face. So thank you. Just take care of her. I know you will, I just have to say it. It's in the handbook.'

'There's a handbook? For motherhood?'

'Maura! Ma wasn't being literal. Don't look so confused' Jane laughed as Maura's face lit up again.

'You'd think after 3 years of emersion therapy in the Rizzoli ways I would start to pick up these things' Maura sighed

'Never. I wouldn't have you any other way' Jane smiled as she decided she did want bunnie pancakes after all.

'I'm not done missy' Angela said, causing Jane's head to shoot up mid chew 'huh?'

'Don't talk with your mouth full. It's rude. Jane, I am so happy that you're happy but seriously. This girl here-' she wrapped her arms around Maura's shoulders 'if you hurt her I will, well I don't know what I'll do yet but I'll not be happy'

Maura smiled and turned to hug Angela

'But ma, I'm your daughter. That's hardly fair' Jane pouted but she appreciated what her mother was doing. Angela hated that Maura's parents were so distant and although the relationship had begun improving, Angela wanted Maura to know she had a family right there in Boston willing to go to the ends of the earth for her.

'Okay okay. Same goes for you Maura.' She comically pointed her finger and squinted like she was warning a child not to disobey.

'Of course Angela. I would never hurt Jane' Maura sounded serious and Jane decided it was all too heavy.

'Right, that's enough of the sap. Let's eat. And where are the boys?'

As if on cue Korsak and Frost walked in jovially. 'Hello Angela' Korsak said before they both turned and noticed Jane and Maura. All colour drained from their faces and they remembered the last communication they had.

'Hey guys, come sit.' Jane called.

'Go ahead Vince, Detective Frost. I'll bring you coffee right away' Angela directed them towards the seats.

'So, we cool?' Jane said.

'Um, yeah' Frost stammered. Korsak laughed

'Sheesh Frost, you look like you're looking at a corpse'

'I don't know how to take that' Jane laughed 'We are cool, Frost. Now, how much was the bet?'

After coffee they all headed to their respective work stations. There were two guilty looking faces as everyone read an urgent email when they got to their desks from operations reminding people not to be stopping the elevator when there isn't an emergency.

Maura's phone buzzed and Jane's name appeared beside an envelope symbol

Omigod that email!

I know, we should really stop

But it's so fun Maur!

I know but there must be some problem if they are emailing the departments

Well then, I shall try to control myself

If you must

;) not when we get home though

I hope not now let me get on with my work. I could talk to you all day otherwise

See you at lunch, lets take the stairs

Not in these heels. Now stop distracting me detective.

Okay okay. X

X

Neither woman could control herself, twice. It was like the forbidden fruit.

'We're going to get caught' Maura panted

'its 11.30pm. There's no one here. Don't worry' Jane reached to pull up Maura's skirt and Maura forgot she was even in an elevator for the next 5 minutes.

'Let's get out of here' Maura pulled herself up the hit the stop button.

When they left they didn't notice Frankie standing in the door of the stairwell. He though the lift had been broken and was about to take the stairs when he heard to coming. He was not expected his sister and Dr Isles to come out looking dishevelled as hell. 'Ewwwwwwww' he said as he took the stairs to avoid confrontation. Not that he minded then being together but in the lift. Now he understood the email.

The morning run had started out fun. That is until a particularly strenuous game of 'It' and Maura's nimbleness caused Jane to wreck her ankle. With much duress she got Maura to just look at it herself and not go to hospital.

But heading into work proved a problem. The lift was out.