Hi guys - sorry about the alerts on chapter 12. I made a couple edits and of course it re-blasted chapter alerts. Don't worry, nothing of substance changed. In the meantime, here's a true update for you. Reviews appreciated!

Chapter 13: Thinking About It

"Come to Paris with me, Jane," Maura repeated.

"What are you talking about?" Jane asked, confused.

"I want you to come back with me. We have two weeks between when camp ends and our senior years begin. I could show you around. It would be amazing. I think you would love Paris. It is an incredible city. What do you think?"

Jane was flabbergasted that her friend, and only very recently her girlfriend, was asking her to jump across the ocean with her. She was flattered, but reality was never far behind. Continuing to stroke her girlfriend's hair, Jane let out a sigh. "I wish I could. I think it would be amazing and I would certainly love to go with you, but there's no way I can afford even the plane ticket, let alone expenses and stuff once we got there. And that's even assuming my folks would let me, which is probably even a bigger hurdle then the money," she replied morosely. It was no fun to not have money to burn like Maura did, but Jane understood that their situations were very different. It usually didn't come up, but at times like this Jane felt bad that, outside of camp, she knew she wouldn't be welcome (or even able to access) the same circles that Maura ran in.

Jane and Bobbi had taken the jobs at the camp to save for college. Jane thought about how much she had saved because she had actually spent very little of her bi-weekly paychecks, and she thought she'd probably have enough to go to Paris with Maura, but she wouldn't have anything left for college, which defeated the whole point of her working through the summer.

"No, Jane, you don't understand. I'd take care of it," Maura replied. Without waiting for a reply, she launched into the idea of she and Jane in Paris. "Have you ever been abroad? France is beautiful, especially in the summer, and you wouldn't have to worry about the language because I'm fluent. We'd have so much fun. My parents have an apartment in the city, but of course they are on travel and haven't used it in months. But I'd call the concierge and he'd have the apartment prepared for us once we arrived. That's where I was planning on spending my time before I had to return to school anyway, but it would be so much more fun with you there! Oh, but I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself. Do you have a passport? If you don't, I think we could work on expediting one. My father can help; I'm sure. I think they're in India right now, or at least Father is. I got an email from him last week. Jane, Jane, what do you think?" Maura finally paused for a breath, noticing that Jane didn't seem to be sharing in her enthusiasm for this plan.

"Sweetie, it is really sweet that you want to take me to Paris with you, but there's just no way I can pay for it. I'd really like to go though, with you, some day," she replied sadly.

"But I can take care of it. You wouldn't have to worry about the money," Maura repeated her earlier statement.

"I can't ask you to do that. It's expensive. And it isn't fair to you. Someone who crosses the Atlantic with you should be able to pay their own way, and I just can't. I'm sorry." Jane began to physically pull back. Money conversations were always awkward and she didn't think they should be quite so entwined when discussing such topics.

Maura felt the shift and realized Jane was pulling away both physically and mentally from the idea. "Please Jane? I should have asked, instead of demanding. I apologize that my manners got away from me, but I would really love to take you to Paris. It isn't unfair at all for me to pay for it. My parents ensure that I am well taken care of, which I am grateful for, but I'm also alone a lot too, because of the work that they do and the travel it requires. Jane, all of my expenses and needs are taken care of by a trust that my parents set up. In addition, the trust gives me a fairly generous weekly allowance.

"My parents didn't even understand why I wanted to work this summer since of course I didn't need the money, but I really wanted the experience and it had been awhile since I had spend any time in the U.S. In short, I basically have all of the money that I've earned from working here this summer and my parents don't care what I do with it. In fact, I'm not even sure they realized that it was a job instead of an unpaid internship.

"I would really like for you to come back with me. Traveling is one of my favorite activities and I love France. Please at least think about it?"

Jane was trying to process all of this information. "You've been thinking about this for awhile, haven't you?" Jane guessed.

Maura looked down, sheepishly. "Yes," she replied quietly.

Jane chuckled. Of course Maura had thought about this at length before approaching her about it. Ever methodical and calculating, she wouldn't have asked for such a large thing without having all of her ducks in a row. The tall brunette pulled her girlfriend back to her, kissing her forehead.

"I am very flattered that you want to take me abroad with you. I will think about it, but it seems like a lot of money to spend on someone you just met this summer."

Relieved that Jane agreed to think about her proposal, she snuggled closer to her. "But you're worth it. And honestly I would just be alone in Paris until school started. I'd much rather spend that time with you." We have so little of it left, she thought to herself. "Do you have a passport?"

Again, Jane laughed. Always the planner, Jane thought. I haven't even said yes yet, but of course she'd want to plan it out in case I do say yes. "I do, actually. A couple years ago my folks drove us up to Canada for a family vacation, so they got us all passports then. It's still current, so that shouldn't be a problem." Jane felt Maura relax against her.

"C'mon, it's late and we should probably at least try to sleep since we're on the breakfast shift tomorrow," Jane stated practically.

"Okay. Good night Jane," she said and reached up to kiss her girlfriend sweetly on the lips. The slow, sensual kiss sent desire coursing down Jane's body, and she could feel warmth flood her lower body. Maura pulled back before Jane could respond and snuggled back into her neck.

"Good night Sweetie," Jane croaked out, closing her eyes and trying to get her pulse back under control.

The next morning Jane woke up first to find Maura peacefully slumbering in her arms. I had forgotten how great this is. Is this what it would be like in Paris, only instead of being in a tiny tent we would be in her bed? There would be sounds of the city outside instead of the forest, but I'd happily trade the peace of nature for a comfy mattress and a nice pillow. She mused further on her fantasy, imagining what the sounds and smells would be like. Finally she looked at her watch and realized that she had to wake her companion if they were going to set up for breakfast.

"Maura," she whispered, trying to gently stir her girlfriend. "Time to get up. We have to set up breakfast for everyone." Maura groaned in response and burrowed further into Jane's neck. Jane couldn't help but smile. This was definitely one of her favorite ways to wake up.

"C'mon Sweetie, time to get up," she said, a little more forcefully and jostling Maura a bit more. Maura opened her eyes.

"You're so cruel," she quipped, but got up without further argument. They both grabbed their toiletry bags and headed to opposite sides of the camp group to tend to their morning needs and pull themselves together, getting dressed for the day ahead. After a few minutes, they met back at the tent and began to discuss what to do for breakfast prep. The camp was beginning to wake up, so they both got to work pulling out pots and pans, unpacking breakfast foods and water. With both of them working together, the chore didn't take them long and they had everything laid out by the time the girls who would be cooking arrived.

Once breakfast was cooked, everyone sat down and began discussing what they'd like to do with the day. Since it was so nice out, several of the counselors recommended a long hike, and aside from a couple kids who hadn't slept well, everyone agreed to this idea.

On the hike, Jane pulled up the rear while Maura manned the middle with a few other counselors, with the camp Lead taking point. The kids who hadn't wanted to hike were sulking, so Jane tried joking around with them to get them out of their funk, but in the back of her mind, she continued to think about Maura's proposal.

Could it really be that easy? she kept thinking. To just let someone take care of me, pay for everything, take me to an exotic location, one that I never thought I'd be able to visit? Even if I can swallow my pride and let Maura pay for the trip, would Ma and Pop even let me go? Jane was overcome by Maura's generosity. She had never met anyone who would be so willing to give so much. She wished that Bobbi was on the trip so that she could bounce the idea off of her. Man, would she be floored! she thought gleefully.

The hike was a great success, with a stop at the running river again where the kids could jump off the high rocks into the deep water as long as they went feet first. The camp leader made it clear that if just one kid broke the rule, they'd immediately head back to the tents. Everyone obeyed and they were able to lunch on the river and hang out for hours until the sun began to descend in the afternoon sky.

Though they were busy and apart most of the day, Maura stole glances at Jane throughout the hike. She seemed like she was having a good time, but when she wasn't actively engaging one of the campers or talking to a counselor, she looked deep in thought. Well, at least she's considering it, Maura thought hopefully.

At dinner, Jane and Maura agreed to prepare for dessert and clean up afterwards – s'mores again (everyone's favorite). There still wasn't an opportunity for them to talk privately, so Maura decided to table the idea until they were alone in their tent again.

The campers were sent off to their tents once their eyes became heavy after several rounds of stories and jokes and their bellies were full of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. There was a small discussion around tomorrow's chores, but for the most part everyone just agreed to repeat the chores they had done that day. Most everyone was tired from the sun and activity of the day, including Jane and Maura, and the group broke up to go back to their tents.

"What a day, eh?" Jane stated amicably. "I'm beat. How 'bout you?"

Maura smiled, "Yes, it was a great day, but I'm tired too. I forget how the sun drains your energy, but it was beautiful. I think the campers had fun."

"Yeah, they had a good time. I'm gonna go get ready for bed. Be back in a few," and then Jane was off. Maura mirrored her action and left to prepare for bed.

Maura actually beat Jane back to the tent and was fidgeting with the hem of her pajama top when Jane re-entered. "You ready for bed?" she asked upon entering. Maura nodded. Jane laid down and Maura molded herself around her.

Unable to contain her patience any further, she asked Jane if she'd thought about Paris. Jane sighed.

"I've thought about it a lot. All day, in fact, but I think you knew that," Jane teased. Feeling Maura tense, Jane hugged, and continued. "I caught you looking at me several times today, but that's okay. I didn't mind." Maura smiled to herself. "I'm still not sure what to think. It would be really cool to go with you – don't get me wrong. And you're right. I think we'd have a great time. I'm even trying to wrap my head around you paying for everything…well, most everything. I'd have to pay for some things." Maura tried to sit up so that she could look at Jane and protest, but Jane held her to her and continued. "Just some things Maura. I couldn't ever be a completely kept woman," she joked.

"Okay," Maura agreed reluctantly.

"So, if you give me a little time, I think I can get there about the money thing. So the next big hurdle are actually my folks." She paused, before admitting what she considered the absolute deal-breaker. "I really don't think my folks will let me go with you."

Maura pondered this. Her parents were so disengaged from her upbringing it always surprised her when other people's parents were more involved with their children.

"Hmmm…that is a problem. Why don't you think they'd let you go?" she asked innocently. It still seemed like a great idea. Jane's folks wouldn't have to pay for anything and they'd be giving Jane a chance to see more of the world. Didn't parents usually like that sort of thing?

Jane barked out her laughter. Her girlfriend could be so naive sometimes. "Really?" she asked disbelievingly. Sensing that Maura was indeed not joking, she continued. "I'm not sure that Ma and Pop would let their seventeen year old travel to a different country with someone they don't know anything about. I mean, if it was a school trip, or a team trip, or if there were chaperones or something, I might stand a chance, but this….this is completely off the grid as far as my parents are concerned."

"Oh. I hadn't thought of it like that."

"I mean, for all they know, I could be making you up and I'm secretly going to Paris to be with my new biker boyfriend and get knocked up," she joked, imaging what her mother would say.

"I can see why it might be difficult to have you go on such a trip without them and without other adults." Maura continued to ponder on this new roadblock. "Do you think they'd want to come with us?"

Again, Jane laughed out loud at the absurdity of her parents abroad. Actually, the idea of her mother in Paris trying to ask for something gave her a fit of laughter and it took her several minutes before she could settle back down. Seeing that Maura was annoyed, Jane tried to explain.

Wiping tears out of her eyes, she explained the mental image. "I'm sure my mom would love to go to Paris, but it would be like a fish out of water. And I don't think there's any way that Pop would either want to go or be able to take the time off work. I'm also fairly certain they wouldn't be able to afford it. You gotta understand that most of our family vacations are within driving distance and frequently they are to see other family so we don't have to pay for hotels or food. Trust me, I love my family, but this type of vacation is on a whole other level." Maura looked disappointed again. "But thank you for thinking of that."

Maura's face lit up again, and Jane braced herself for the next idea that was to come. Don't laugh at the idea this time Rizzoli! she admonished.

"What if they did meet me? What if they saw I wasn't made up, and that I was sincere about wanting to show you Paris? Do you think they might be more agreeable to the idea then?"

Jane paused, considering this thought. It was a good idea. Maura was bright, beautiful, but a little quirky. She wasn't entirely sure how the Rizzoli clan would take to her, but it wasn't a bad idea.

"I think it would take more than a handshake and an introduction for them to agree to this Maura," she said somberly. "Are you sure you even want to do this? Meet my parents? They may still say no."

"I want to do this, if there's a better chance that you could come with me. We don't have to spend the whole two weeks in Paris. Spending any time with you, where ever we may be, would be lovely. I could come back to Boston with you. Your parents could meet me and if they still didn't like the idea, well..at least we tried."

The softball coach was touched that the petite medic would be willing to go to all this trouble for her. "Are you sure? My family can be a bit…unique. And there's still no guarantee that they'd agree to it, even after spending time with you."

"But we can try," Maura replied, excited about her new idea and about the fact that it was resonating with Jane.

Chuckling to herself, Jane laid back down, envisioning how she was going to break this idea to her mother. That was going to be a memorable conversation!

Maura and Jane started the next day by prepping for the breakfast chefs again. They had both been exhausted from the hike and had fallen asleep quickly after they'd decided that Jane would at least ask her parents about Paris. If they disagreed, she'd ask them if Maura could come home for a few days. Maybe they'd change their minds once they met her. This was the best plan they could think of, and both were committed to at least attempting to make this happen.

At breakfast Jane suggested a softball game and most of the camp chimed in that they liked that idea. The ones who didn't want to play agreed to watch. Jane asked Maura if she wanted to play and the medic admitted that she never had been much for team sports. Given the public forum, she decided she'd watch this game instead of jump in. Though she usually wasn't one to shy away from a challenge, she didn't want to embarrass herself without a little practice beforehand.

The game went well and the time seemed to fly by. Before anyone realized it, it was time for lunch and then afternoon activities. Then it was time to pack up and head back to the main campus. Maura considered it a success that no one got hurt and that all of the girls had high spirits.

Once they arrived back at camp, Bobbi came out to great them.

"Hey gals, did you have a good time?"

"You bet. Little fresh air and a change of pace – can't really complain about that. How were things around here? The girls behave on the diamond?" Jane asked.

Bobbi laughed. "Yeah, for the most part. I mean, they are still kids. Do you want to eat dinner first or drop the gear back at the shed and then head to the mess hall?"

Jane had been dying to talk to Bobbi over the last few days and welcomed a chance to tell her all that had happened in private. "Let's take the gear to the shed." She waved good-bye to Maura, promising to drop by her cabin later that night.

Since whichever coach was on rotation on the sleep-away trips brought their own gear, there was no more need for the softball equipment since both Jane and Bobbi had already completed their sleep-away obligations.

"You sure you don't want dinner first? It's a long hike from the camp ground back here. We can always do this afterward. It's not like someone's going to spirit away all our bats and balls," Bobbi pointed out.

"Nah. Let's get it out of the way. I wanted to talk to you anyway and it's easier to talk when we aren't in the mess hall." On their way to the sports shed, Jane filled Bobbi in about Maura's offer to take her to Paris. When she was done, Bobbi let out a low whistle.

"Wow Jane, that's really something." She thought for a moment. "So she's going to take you half way around the world before she deflowers you? Man, that girl knows how to raise the stakes for anyone else!"

"Shut up Bobbi! It isn't like that." Jane paused. Or was it like that? What if she couldn't go? Would they never get to be together like she wanted, like Maura promised?

Seeing her friend turn thoughtful, Bobbi piped up, "I'm sure it's not like that. I was just joking. I mean, that is an amazing thing she's offering you. I hope your folks will let you go."

Jane continued to be lost in her own thoughts. If she couldn't go, then when would they be together? Maura had made it clear that she didn't think that the camp was a romantic enough setting. She suspected that she'd have similar reservations about her bedroom in Boston. Actually, she had reservations about doing much in her bedroom in Boston considering that her brat brothers could barge in at any time. Then Maura would be headed back to Paris, with or without Jane. She could feel herself becoming aggravated. She'd ask Maura about it tonight.

Jane knocked lightly on the door of Maura's cabin, and the honey-blonde promptly appeared through the screen door smiling. She noted a darker look in Jane's eyes.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Jane asked. Maura nodded and grabbed a nearby sweater since the evening had turned cool. They started toward the lake.

"What's wrong Jane?"

"Maura, do you remember what you made me promise? About us and…being together?" The medic nodded. "Well, what if I can't go to Paris? What if my folks say no? When will we…, um, be together?"

With eyes cast down, she couldn't help the soft smile that spread across her lips. Of course Jane would want to know that. Taking her hand, she tried to ease her girlfriend's concerns.

"You're worried that I'll leave you without ever fulfilling my promise. Is that it?" Jane nodded. "Well, I haven't gotten everything planned out, but even if you can't go to Paris, I'll figure out a way that we can be together." She noticed Jane looking at her skeptically. "What? Don't you trust me?"

Sighing, she admitted that she did trust Maura. "You know I do. I just don't know how it will work."

"It is really important to me that your first time be memorable. Mine wasn't and I regret that. I want to give you more than what I had. Do you understand?"

The taller teen nodded again. It was the same argument they'd had before. Jane was convinced that it would be special because it was with Maura and it didn't matter where they were, but Maura was equally convinced that the environment had to be right. They were both stubborn, but this had been the plan they both agreed to.

Still sensing Jane's reluctance, Maura added, "And I definitely want your first time to be with me, so I'm not going back to Paris without having had you."

Jane smirked at Maura's flirty tone, and reluctantly returned to her worry. "I'm just really not sure my folks will let me go, and you know how much I want to be with you."

"I promise I will figure out a way that will work even if you can't come back to Europe with me." This cheered Jane up.

"Okay." Pushing her luck, she continued. "You know, we could fix this whole thing tonight and not have to worry about whether or not I can go with you." She quirked her eyebrows up, hoping that Maura was following her line of thinking.

The medic laughed. Her girlfriend was always trying. "Nice try, but you know how I feel about taking you in the woods when anyone could interrupt us."

Jane returned her laugh with a smirk. "You can't blame a girl for trying though."

"Well, no, I suppose I can't. But I can think of other ways we can spend our time this evening…," she suggested, trailing off.

Picking up on the cue, Jane stopped and pulled Maura toward her, kissing her deeply. She felt her girlfriend instantly respond.

"Something like that?" Jane whispered after breaking off the kiss and beginning to nibble on her ear. A breathy 'uh-huh' was all the further encouragement Jane needed to continue.

The next day Jane made it a point to call her mother after dinner. It was a phone call she was dreading, but also one she knew she had to make. She tried to call her folks about once a week, just to check in, but this call would be coming early and she suspected that her mom would freak out.

"Hey Ma, this is Jane," she stated after her Ma picked up the phone.

"Janie, what's wrong? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"No, everything's fine Ma. I, uh, had something I wanted to ask you."

"Okay, Sweetie, what's that?"

"Well, I met this really nice girl at camp – Maura. I think I told you about her right?"

"Yes, you mentioned her. She sounds like a very nice girl. Very smart. You guys still getting along well?"

Jane rolled her eyes. Boy are we! "Uh yeah, we get along really well. Um, you know how I mentioned that she goes to school in France?"

"Oh, yeah, that's right. I remember you mentioning that. Is she looking forward to going back since the summer is wrapping up?"

"Um, I guess so. I'm not really sure. Hey, you know that once camp is over that I have a couple weeks before school starts back up?" After hearing an affirmative, she continued. "Well, did we have any plans, like family plans or anything?" Jane was reasonable certain that they didn't since they never had family plans since her pop liked working so much and was reluctant to take time off, but it never hurt to check.

"No, nothing really Janie, but I'm looking forward to spending some time with you again. You've been gone all summer! It's like I don't even have a daughter anymore!"

"Ah, Ma, c'mon. You know I've been busy with camp, and think of it like a test run for college."

"You're going to go away for college? Janie, we haven't talked about that. Where are you going? I thought you were going to live at home." Oh, this was not going the way Jane was hoping it would.

"Ma,..Ma! I don't know. I haven't even started applying for schools yet. I may stay in Boston. I may not. I haven't made any decisions yet, okay, so just calm down." She had to get out what she wanted to ask her mother before she lost her nerve. "Ma, I need to ask you something else though."

"Okay…," she could hear the hesitation in her mother's voice; that waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop tone.

"My friend Maura..," she hated calling Maura just her friend, but there were only so many shocks she could give her family at once, "she's invited me to come to Paris with her for about a week between camp and our schools starting." She was met by silence on the other end. Jane waited, but quickly grew impatient. "Ma, you there?"

Clearing her throat, she replied. "Yes Janie, I'm here."

"Uh, so what do you think?"

"Sweetie, that is very kind of your friend, but you know we can't really afford that." She could tell that her mother felt bad about bringing this point up.

"No, Ma, it's okay. Maura said she'd take care of the cost."

"What?" Mrs. Rizzoli responded, disbelievingly.

"Yeah,…uh,…Maura's folks have money and like the idea of Maura brining a friend home for a little while." This wasn't exactly the whole truth, but Jane figured it was close enough that her mother could understand it easier than the more complicated truth. And Maura had said that she'd be lonely. What good parent wouldn't want their kid to be lonely?

"I don't know Jane. I mean, I don't even know this girl."

"She's a good girl, Ma. I think you'd like her."

"Jane, I'm just not sure about this. You going to Europe, alone, with some stranger who we don't even know her family."

Jane knew where this was going, and she was on the fast track to "no" station. "Ma, how 'bout this? What if Maura came home with me for a few days? You could get to know her. If you still think it's a bad idea, then so be it, but maybe once you meet her you'll feel better."

"Janie, I'd love for you to be able to travel to far off places, but you're only 17! And I haven't seen you all summer! I miss my baby!" Jane rolled her eyes, but let her mother continue. "But there's no harm in having you bring your friend home with you before she goes back to France."

A bit disgruntled, Jane thanked her mother and hung up. Well, at least Maura could come back with her before she had to go back to Paris. She sighed and leaned her forehead against the handset. One bad conversation down, one more to go, she thought as she made her way to Maura's cabin to break the news.