A/N: No I didn't die, move to some third world country with no internet access, or attempt interstellar space travel. I'm…just incredibly lazy. I did, however (for anyone who is still following) get over horrible leg injury, return to work, get sacked from that job, moved house, and am now an unemployed bum / online university student. So…that's where I've been the last 12 months. I could quite possibly be the laziest fanfic writer ever! Hooray!
Anyway, I suggest re-reading the previous chapters (hey, it's been awhile, even I had to re-read them!)
So right now I'm supposed to be having a nap, as I will be out all night tonight with my father in law helping him at his job because he has a hernia. The fun life I lead…BUT I can't sleep, so right now it's just me, a can of Jim Beam and a packet of Anzac Biscuits…don't judge, it's almost 7pm. So the bar is open!
I was thinking about this the other day and thought I'd give it another go. No promises ;)
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By some incredible stroke of coincidence, both Jane and Maura arrived in the lobby of police headquarters at the same time. As they stepped off separate elevators, Jane glanced left and Maura glanced right, their eyes meeting as they came to a standstill. Time seemed to stop momentarily for the ladies as they stared into the depths of each other's eyes.
Suddenly Jane shifted slightly, her face blushing a deep red, and she cleared her throat.
"Come on Maura, I'm starving!" With that, she took off towards the café, leaving Maura momentarily stunned. Maura shook her head slightly, and followed after Jane.
"Janie! Maura! How are you girls?" Angela chirped merrily from behind the counter as they approached. Jane scowled slightly, as she was entirely too sleep deprived to handle her mother's nagging attitude without flying off the handle. She had, however, promised Maura breakfast, so she rolled her eyes, and steeled her resolve to behave.
"Hey Ma…We've had a busy night, can we get some breakfast, please?" Angela looked at Jane like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, while Maura stared at this new and polite Jane.
"Anything for my girls! Bunny pancakes and coffee?" Angela didn't even wait for a reply as she bustled off to prepare the two meals. Jane wearily approached the nearest table, with Maura in tow, and sat, slumping her head into her arms on the table top. Maura gracefully perched atop her stool and continued staring at Jane. It took a few moments for Jane to realise there was no conversation. She raised her head enough to catch Maura staring at her, slightly slack jawed.
"You ok, Maur'?" This question seemed to bring Maura back to reality, and she blinked a few times, and then made eye contact with Jane.
"I don't think I've ever heard you speak so politely to your mother…" Maura murmured somewhat wondrously. Jane sat up.
"Honestly, I'd have offered my right arm to get her off my case this morning! A little bit of manners was worth a try! I could NOT take her nagging this morning." Jane grinned wickedly. Maura looked shocked.
"Jane! You shouldn't say things like that! That's incredibly insensitive!" Jane reached over and touched Maura's hand, which was resting on the table.
"It was a joke!" Jane implored, but Maura withdrew her hand. "Ok, ok, I'm sorry; I shouldn't joke about things like that. It's just…you know how I feel about," Jane paused momentarily and glanced around to ensure Angela was not in earshot before she continued. "…my mother and her champion nagging, butting in and sticking her nose in my business. I'm so incredibly tired, and it wouldn't have been pretty. But I'm sorry I said that…Maur'?" Maura sighed and looked at Jane sympathetically.
"I understand, Jane. But in future, please don't joke about people's physical disabilities. It is incredibly insensitive." Jane nodded and smiled at Maura, who returned her smile whole heartedly. It was just at that fortuitous moment that Angela appeared at the tableside.
"Bunny pancakes, with a side of fruit," she glanced at Maura and gave her a wink. "I'll just grab your coffees!" and with that, Angela was off again. Jane scowled at the fruit, but picked up her knife and fork anyway. She cut a large piece of pancake off, and was in the middle of shovelling it into her mouth when Angela returned.
"Jane!" she admonished. "I taught you better manners than that! In company AND in public, too! You're embarrassing me!" Jane froze, rested her hands on either side of her plate, and glanced up imploringly at Maura, hoping for a save. Luckily, Maura both saw, and correctly interpreted this look.
"It's fine, Angela. We are just in a hurry to eat up and get home to bed," Maura herself cut off a large piece of pancake and picked it up, watching Angela eye her incredulously as it lifted towards her mouth. She sighed and tried valiantly to cram the ridiculously large piece of pancake into her mouth, in solidarity with Jane.
"Smmeeee Mooo, Wu aee jst hngryy!" Jane tried to talk through her mouthful of pancake, and Angela shot her a scathing look.
"Fine. Be a disgrace, how are you ever going to find a husband when you eat like a pig, Jane Clementine Rizzoli? You should present yourself more respectably in public!" Angela was off on a tirade. Unfortunately for Jane, both herself and Maura had large mouthfuls of food, and were unable to offer anything in defence. "…and what kind of man wants to marry a…"
"MA!" Jane had managed to swallow the pancake, hoping to stop her mother before she got any more into her spiel. "I'm sorry Ma, I'm just hungry, tired, cranky, and I really need to sleep. Can we please just eat in peace, you can lecture another time, I promise!" Angela looked a little insulted, but nodded.
"Fine. I love you Janie, I just want what's best for you, and I hope you know that." Angela departed the table, leaving her guilt trip hanging in the air. Jane sighed, and glanced at Maura, a 'see?' look written all over her face. Maura shrugged somewhat apologetically, and the two finished breakfast in silence. Maura even paid the bill, saving Jane the hassle of speaking to her mother. They headed back to the elevators, and once the doors opened, Jane dawdled in and pressed the button for the parking garage.
"Jane," Maura began, but Jane held her hand up in protest.
"Don't, please…I know, I'm a rude, insensitive, and horrible daughter. I just want to forget today happened. I don't want to fight with you either, Maur'. I don't think I can deal with that today." Jane had an incredibly sad look on her face. Maura rubbed Jane's back encouragingly.
"I was actually going to ask if you wanted to catch up this evening, seeing as we now have today off." Jane just nodded. "Is 7pm ok, Jane?" Jane nodded again.
"That sounds great, but…pleases…my place?" Jane whined and pleaded. Maura smiled.
"Of course Jane, I'll bring food."
"Ok Maur', I'll get some movies for us. Sounds good." With that, the elevator doors dinged open. Jane jumped out with a bit more pep in her step. She walked Maura to her car.
"I'll see you later, Maur'." Maura nodded.
"Drive safe, Jane. Let me know when you are home, please." With that, Maura get in her car, did up her seatbelt, started the engine, and drove away. Jane wondered slowly back to her own car, daydreaming of her warm bed and comfortable pillow, and entertaining a little bit of excitement about the upcoming evening.