Disclaimer: All recognizable Rizzoli & Isles characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners including, but not limited to Tess Gerritsen, Janet Tamaro and TNT. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fan fiction story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No financial gain is associated with the publishing of this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Note: Was asked by a reader if there is more. Yes. How much? I have no idea. The ideas just keep coming to me and I've had plenty of time to write as of late. However, I am uncertain of where it all ends. When they sleep together? When they define what they are? Do they even need to define it? I'm clearly not sure. If any of you have suggestions, I will readily take them. In the meantime, I'll just keep writing the ideas as they come. -DKC
Slow and Steady – Chapter 7
"He is employed by the French consulate, Rizzoli," the grumpy lieutenant told his detective.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Rizzoli argued.
"He has immunity," came the only response she was given.
"This is bullshit and you know it!" Jane huffed, storming out of the office.
As Jane approached her desk, she used both her arms to take a swipe at her desk. Paperwork, empty coffee cups and her lamp crashed to the floor. She stomped out of the bullpen and forcefully pushed open the door to the stairwell. Once the door closed behind her she sat on the top step. Fuming for several minutes, all Jane could think about was hitting something. She had learned for the sake of her knuckles to not punch walls—that lesson taking far longer to learn than it should have.
"What?!" Jane snapped as she heard the stairwell door open.
Looking up she noticed that the person coming through the doorway was one Dr. Maura Isles. Jane shook her head.
"Sorry," she turned away from Maura and continued stewing.
The doctor walked toward Jane and joined her on the top step without saying a word.
"Frost?" Jane asked, wondering how her best friend knew where to find her or that anything had happened in the first place.
Maura pulled her cell phone out of her jacket pocket, opened the text message from Frost and tilted it for Jane to see. It read: Jane needs you. The detective sighed, relaxing at the fact that her partner knew her so well and realizing how inappropriate her behavior had been.
"Would you like to talk about it?" Maura asked calmly, placing her hand on Jane's thigh.
"God, Maura. This job makes me crazy sometimes," Jane admitted. "Police work is hard enough without one hand tied behind my back."
Maura hated to see anguish on Jane's face. She hated to see her friend so invested in an outcome that just wasn't possible. She knew Jane well enough to know how frustrating not getting results was for her. Maura looked back toward the stairwell door to make sure nobody was watching through the small glass window and then took Jane's hand in her own. Maura interlaced their fingers and held Jane's bicep with her other hand. The doctor rested her head on Jane's shoulder.
"You'll find another way," Maura reassured her.
The two women sat like that, holding hands with Maura resting her head on Jane's shoulder for several minutes. Jane's mind and body finally relaxed and the frustration began to dissipate.
"Why are you so good to me?" Jane asked.
Maura sat up a bit and looked right at Jane. "You are my best friend and I love you."
Jane arched an eyebrow at her friend.
"Not now," Maura shook her head and smiled briefly, attempting to defer a conversation about her love for Jane for another time.
The detective knew what her friend meant and responded by simply squeezing her hand tighter.
"I should get back," Jane stood and offered a hand to Maura.
The doctor stood and wiped unnoticeable particles from the back of her skirt. She took a few steps toward the stairwell door and had her hand on the handle when Jane's hand covered hers, stopping her from going further.
"Maura…" Jane said quietly. "Thank you."
Maura looked into Jane's eyes, content with the feeling of Jane's hand on hers and the knowledge that she, more than anyone, could have such a calming, comforting influence on her friend.
"Of course."