Chapter 14

Cavanagh had given Jane some well needed Annual Leave. She'd kept her distance from Maura and Alex. In fact she'd kept her distance from everyone. She'd not left her apartment for 5 days. She'd purposely disconnected from the world. Her mobile switched off and her land line unplugged from the wall. She'd not even bothered to turn her lap top. In fact she hadn't even watched any television. She'd spent the last 3 days in bed. Sleeping most of the time and when she wasn't asleep she was staring at the ceiling.

Jane's tears had dried up and now there was nothing. She felt nothing; except the endless emptiness that started at her toes and ended in her fingers. It was a strange feeling. Sometimes the emptiness would subside but it soon would reappear with what she could only describe as the most horrific pain she'd ever been exposed to.

Jane looked over to her alarm clock; it read " 16:43". She glanced out the window, the light curtains tried in vain to shield her from the setting sun but it was no good. She sat up and crossed her legs, she leant back slightly; leaning against wooden bedhead. She wondered what day it was. She flung the blanket back and padded over the carpeted floor. She made her way to the kitchen. As she reached the fridge she ran her finger over the calendar. She realised it was Thursday. Her heart sunk even lower as she realised that Saturday Maura would be leaving for London. She turned from the fridge and slid slowly down it. Jo Friday appeared and nudged Jane's leg. Jane looked at her dog. She ran her fingers through the little dog's caramel coloured coat. Jo started to wag her tail, she was grateful for the attention. Jane smiled softly.

Maura left Boston Logan International Airport; she joined the outgoing traffic and followed it through the 'Ted Williams Tunnel'. The traffic was at a standstill and her thoughts fell back to Alex and her standing in the departures lounge embracing.

Alex leant back from Maura; she ran her hands up and down the length of the honey blonde's arms.

"Maura I'll call you when I get home…"

Maura smiled "I'll be waiting.."

Alex lowered her head, her lips grazed upon Maura's cheek until they met with Maura's lips. Giving it a slight nip she massaged Maura's mouth with her lips until Maura's mouth opened slightly. Maura increased the pressure and started nipping and sucking Alex's bottom lip. A low moan escaped both women's mouths. Alex pulled back.

"I'll pick you up from Heathrow Sunday morning."

Maura nodded. Alex smiled widely "I can't believe it Maura; I can't believe you'll be in London with me."

Maura didn't answer Alex, she stood on her tip toes and pulled Alex's head down so their lips touched. Their lips lingered equally pressured by both women until Maura pulled away.

"until Sunday" Maura said with a wink.

Alex smiled; she glanced up at LCD Screen flashing a message "BOSTON – LONDON FLIGHT 403 GATE 16"

She turned her attention back to Maura; she placed a virtuous kiss on Maura's cheek before she picked up her hand luggage. "Until then Maura"

Maura stood back as Alex slung the small bag over her shoulder; she took a hold of Maura's hand and kissed her knuckles before letting go. She walked away from Maura and headed towards the allocated gate. Maura's eyes followed Alex until she couldn't see her anymore.

Maura pulled up outside her house. Switching off the engine she sat in the car for a few moments. How was it possible that the last month had been turned on its head? One month ago she was happy to continue with this toing and throwing with Jane. Their constant unconscious flirting, the feelings she had for Jane suppressed just under the surface waiting for them to boil over at a moment's notice if Jane was to allow it. And that was it the moment, this was all about Jane. Never about what she wanted. Her feelings, her wants, her desires had never been in the forefront of her thoughts. It wasn't until that night when Maura innocently asked Jane to help her with her zipper. That was the point when her life changed direction and she finally stood up and made herself count. Now here she was one day away from leaving Boston, leaving her career as a Medical Examiner with the Boston PD, leaving Jane and everything she'd cared about for the last few years. A lone tear rolled from her eye, she let it fall from her cheek and soak into her lap.

She automatically opened the car door. She slid out the car gracefully and shut it softly. She walked the short distance to her front door. Pushing it open she slipped inside silently.

She noticed Angela preparing dinner in the kitchen. An aroma of garlic and herbs filled the kitchen.

"Smells good.." Maura commented as she placed her car keys on the island.

"Nonna Aida's famous chicken with garlic and herb pasta" Angela beamed before continuing "do you want some Maura?"

"Yes please Angela" Maura said as she moved around the island and reached into the top cabinet pulling out a plate. She placed it on the counter beside Angela. Maura then moved to the fridge, she pulled out a half opened bottle of wine "Wine?" Maura said as she showed Angela the bottle.

Angela nodded as she started dishing out a portion of the chicken and pasta. She placed it effortlessly on Maura's plate.

Maura poured some wine into the glass and handed it to Angela, who took a sip "hmmm; it will enhance the chicken.." she laughed.

Maura brought her glass to her lips and took a sip.

Angela and Maura then picked up their plates. They decided to eat their dinner at the table. Angela had set the table earlier. Taking their seats the women sat down opposite together. Silence filled the home as the women took their first mouthfuls. A chorus of "mmmmm" flittered around the table. Angela smiled sweetly at Maura as they continued eating in somewhat silence. Minutes passed and both women where half way through their meal.

Angela lent back in her chair. "I see Doctor Thornton has gone back to London"

Maura looked up from her dinner "Yes; I just dropped her off at the Airport"

Angela nodded; she felt like it was time to say something "I like her, she seemed lovely"

Maura smiled "yes she is.."

Angela picked up her fork; she started to play with her food. Maura noticed Angela's actions. She'd seen the same mannerisms in Jane when Jane had something noteworthy to say.

"Maura, please don't think I'm forward in saying what I'm about to say. But you know I consider you like a daughter to me"Angela put her fork down, she pushed the plate away from her.

Maura didn't answer, she gave a trivial smile. She placed her cutlery down and lent her elbows on the table, leaning forward she had all of Angel's attention. "No it's fine Angela.."

"I've seen what's been going on whilst Doctor Thornton has been here. I gather that you two once were in a relationship.."

"Yes many years ago.."

Angela nodded, she pursed her lips together "I saw Jane leave the other week; she looked pretty upset. Now I'm guessing that you two have fallen out. Would I be correct in saying she realised your relationship with the Doctor."

"Something like that…" Maura said in an almost whisper.

Angela looked away momentarily from Maura "Jane loves you, you know.."

Maura wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the rest of what Angela had to say. She squirmed in her seat, she pushed it away from the table and was about to stand up. Angela reached over to Maura and held her hand to stop.

"I'm not blind Maura, my Jane has had feelings for you for a while.."

Maura looked at her hand and then to the elder Rizzoli "Angela please…"

"Maura sit, please just listen to what I have to say…"

Maura resigned to the fact that Angela was going to say what was on her chest. She sat.

Angela gave Maura a motherly look, the corners of her mouth curled into a slight smile "..And you have feelings for my Janie. I've seen the looks you both give each other when you both think that the other one isn't looking."

"I did have..I don't know how I feel about her anymore.."

Angela gave a quizzical look.

"When I tried to show her, she ran…"

"That sounds like my Janie; the thing you need to realise about my Jane is that she isn't one really to talk about how she feels. She hides her feelings under the bravado she portrays Maura. But she's shown you many times.."

Maura didn't answer. She continued to listen to Angela speak.

"It's every time she's put herself in danger to protect you, it's every time she made jokes at your expense, it's your mannerisms she's using from time to time. If I know my daughter at all, I'd say she's in complete awe of you Maura.."

Maura leant back, she glanced away from Angela. She thought about what Angela had just said. A torrent of memories of everything Angela had just suggested flooded her mind.

"It's too late Angela; I'll be travelling to London on Saturday night. To be with Alex" Maura said wringing her hands nervously. "Even if you suggest that actions speak louder than words with Jane, it's too late. All I ever wanted was for Jane to talk to me not run..."

"Does Jane know you are going.."

"Yes…"

Angela nodded and pursed her lips together "And she's done nothing?"

"I haven't heard from her since the day of the incident in Professor Jamissen's Apartment." Maura frowned.

"Jane has gone into hiding.."

"What?" Maura frowned; she didn't quite understand what Angela was saying.

"It's what I used to say when Jane was a child and she was upset or heartbroken." Angela explained "Knowing Jane she's probably holed up in her apartment…When Jane was a child and she was upset she'd lock herself away in her bedroom. She wouldn't have any contact with anyone for days. Until she felt she could cope or deal with her feelings."

Maura didn't say anything; she continued to listen to Angela.

"When she's ready she'll make an appearance and she'll show you…when it really counts." Angela smiled hopefully; she stood and gathered up both plates before walking off to the kitchen. She scraped the leftovers in the food caddy.

Maura turned to Angela and stood; she walked over to Angela and started to help clear up.

Angela turned and placed her hands on Maura's shoulders "Trust me Maura; she'll show you.." She turned Maura and gently pushed her away "..And another thing it sounds like you're the one running away now…"