Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. I feel like I've just let this story sit in an attempt to get as many reviews as possible, but I swear that's not what happened. School started, and I've been busy adjusting to the new schedule.

I know I'm wasting space and that the word count is larger than the story actually is because of the length of this author's note, but I just wanted to say thank you for embracing me into this community. I was nervous about the response I'd get for my story, but it looks like you guys liked it if you want me to continue.

This chapter is not as…feel good as the other one. Apparently, I think Maura is a rather sad human being, and the majority of this is just that. However, I still think you'll like it. Maybe you'll be like me and find it sweet. This, I feel, is like part 1 of Maura's tale of impressing Jane. It was just getting longer than what I wanted it to be, you know? I didn't want to ruin the mood by adding the fun fluff.

As always, I hope you enjoy it. I love reviews, by the way. ;) And this is also unedited, because I'm posting as I type. All mistakes are mine.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor am I affiliated with anyone that has any connection to Rizzoli & Isles, TNT, or anyone of that nature. This story is just for fun. I do not get paid for dreaming (if only).

XOXO,

SLWF aka Nanny

PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANGIE HARMON! She is now...even more pretty. ;)

Maura Isles, the resident chief medical examiner for the city of Boston, was proud of her occupation. She did not need it, of course. She came from a wealthy family and was perfectly capable of living a life of ease and comfort. Instead, she had used her rather high intelligence to become an M.E. to help the deceased since they could not help themselves. She could speak for them, and help bring them justice. They were unable to criticize her, ostracize her, and bully her. They needed her. This was much more than Maura could say about living, breathing people. Those types of people did not need her help, or if they did, she was unable to provide it. They scared her, because they were scared of her. She was different, and they did not understand. No one understood Maura. No one, that is, except Jane.

Now Jane, she was an anomaly in Maura's life. She was confusing, emotional, and irrational; everything Maura could not comprehend even with her extensive knowledge. Yet with Jane, she did not mind the uncertainty. In fact, she embraced it. Jane teased her, yes, but she only meant it in jest. Jane was a protector. She protected the people whose lives were stolen from them, and she protected future victims. She sought justice for their sakes, no matter the cost to her own self. She brought closure to their families, no matter the emotional toil that she went through. Jane gave everything to protect those she thought were in danger, or those she thought needed her. And Maura needed her. She needed Jane to explain human emotions to her, to shield her from the cruelties and insults that people often bestowed on her for her awkwardness in social situations. Jane was Maura's protector, and guide, in a world that Maura just did not understand, the world of the living.

Jane, her Jane, was strong, and she made sure people knew it. She was the bringer of justice, the savior to the downtrodden, and the hope for the hopeless. But in close quarters with Maura, Jane let down her guard. She allowed Maura a glimpse beyond her tough exterior. She let Maura see her, and Maura relished those moments, however brief they were. It was not that she liked to see Jane vulnerable, open to the harshness of the world, but rather that she enjoyed that Jane trusted her enough to let her see that side of herself, the side only very close people ever saw.

That was why whenever she and Jane had their weekly movie nights, during the weeks that afforded them the luxury, Maura tried to make things as comfortable for Jane as Jane made the world for Maura. Jane was Maura's safe place out in the big, scary, mean world, and Maura was Jane's when they were indoors where no one could see. Maura helped Jane when she had nightmares, when she needed someone to vent to, and when she just needed someone to be there for her without hovering. Maura was her safe haven during those moments, and Maura cherished the responsibly.

This week, Maura knew, had been an incredibly tough one for Jane, and it was only Wednesday. The case they had to deal with was one of the most disturbing the two had ever encountered together. Their victims were young ones, much too young to have lost their lives. Maura had lost sleep over the case, struggling to find anything that would help. And if Maura lost sleep, she knew Jane had not gotten any. So this movie night was going to be extra special. Maura wanted to make Jane forget about the terrible things they had witnessed over the previous days, even though she knew that was an impossibility. The case had been solved, and the perpetrators locked away for the rest of their lifetimes. Now she just wanted Jane to relax. And that was exactly why she was standing outside of her guest house. She was going to ask for help from Angela Rizzoli.

She motioned as if to knock on the door, but then she hesitated. Maura was never one to want to ask for help, but she knew Jane needed this. She needed time to process everything and compartmentalize it, so that it would not overpower her mind. So Maura knocked, and waited for the door to be answered. She did not have to wait long before Angela opened the door.

"Maura! Come in! Not that you need permission, this being your house and all," she said in one breath, upon seeing who her unexpected visitor happened to be. "I was just thinking about you!"

And it was true. She had just been thinking about the good doctor. As she ushered Maura over to the couch, she couldn't help but go over, for the millionth time, the conversation she had had with Jane and the realization that she had come to. Being the mother that she was, Angela was determined to find out if Maura reciprocated her daughter's feelings. After all, she just wanted her Janie to be happy. But Angela Rizzoli was no dummy, she would not out her daughter like that, especially if it turned out that Maura did not feel the same. So she had to use Maura's unannounced, yet welcome, visit to her advantage.

"This is your home now, Angela," Maura said as soon as the two were seated. "However, I did not come here to discuss that. I came because I wanted to ask you something."

"Is it about Jane?" Angela asked, sounding more excited than she had intended.

"Yes, actually," Maura tilted her head in confusion. "How did you know?"

"A mother always knows," was the reply. "What did you want to ask?"

"Well," Maura began, taking a deep breath before going into a rather long speech, "I, as you know, grew up privileged. As was the case, I did not have to learn to cook because I had people to do that for me. That is, I had world renowned chefs at my disposal. When I was ten years old, however, I was about to depart to boarding school and my nanny at the time wanted me to be able to prepare some of my absolute favorite dishes. That way, whenever I became withdrawn or homesick, I would have the food that I was used to eating and maybe feel better. My list of favorite dishes was rather simple, really. It consisted of various Greek meals and little else. Italian food was not present. Jane, of course, loves Italian food, as do I now. More importantly, Jane loves your Italian food."

"Okay," Angela said, not really comprehending why the doctor had shared that part of her history only to inform her of something she already knew. Of course Jane loved her food!

Before she could speak any further, Maura continued, "I would like to prepare Jane a meal, for our movie night on Friday. As this would be a meal with which I have very little experience in preparing, I was hoping that you would teach me. I thought we should start simple with spaghetti and meatballs. I know how Jane adores your spaghetti and meatballs. Now, of course, I am not asking you to share your secret family recipes, which Jane speaks so highly about. I was just wondering if you would just tell me how to do the basic work."

Waiting a moment to be sure that the medical examiner was finished speaking, Angela smiled. "Of course, dear! And I'd love to teach you how to make my nonna's famous spaghetti and meatballs!"

Maura started to repeat that she was not after the family recipes, but Angela would not let her. "And don't try to stop me. You're family now."

And with that, Angela got up from her seat and led Maura into the kitchen to start preparing the ingredients. She walked a little in front of the doctor, so that she didn't catch the huge grin. Her suspicions were all but literally confirmed. If anything, she knew that Maura definitely cared for her daughter, even if she might not love her yet.

"Angela, really," Maura said once they were in the kitchen, "you really don't have to."

"Nonsense!" Angela exclaimed. "Besides, it'd be nice to teach someone to cook. Tommy and Frankie are boys, you know, and this is really a women's tradition. Now, don't you start with the human equality mumbo jumbo. I'm just sayin' that in my family, it was always the girls that learned. And Jane never really wanted to. Sure, now that she's gotten a bit older, she's become interested but she is just so busy all the time and she has such impatience, it's a pain. You, you strike me as a fast learner. We'll be just fine."

As if by magic, Angela had everything they needed out on the counters. She waved off Maura's awe by saying that she had already started to prepare the food for herself, but that could not stop Maura from expressing her gratitude, "Thank you so much, for everything, Angela. You have no idea what this means to me."

Angela just smiled. Yes, Janie had found a good one.