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: Your reviews have been wonderful! I'm thinking approximately 20 chapters for this piece. -DKC
Slow and Steady – Chapter 15
Strut. That's the only word to describe how Detective Jane Rizzoli walked around the BPD precinct Monday morning. She'd singlehandedly wrapped up the case that fell into her lap Saturday afternoon and everyone in the precinct assumed she was proud. What they didn't know was she had slept with her best friend in the early hours of Sunday morning. What they didn't know was she was the happiest she'd been in a very long time.
When Dr. Maura Isles arrived to work Monday morning, she had no idea how she and Jane would interact. She hoped that there would be no awkwardness. She hoped that there might be a noticeable spark, a sign that once wasn't enough for Jane. They never talked about what they wanted from each other. They never talked about where they were going. The doctor tried not to wallow in her confusion, but the uncertainty was difficult for her to handle. She was a woman who required plans and outlines. She required certainty.
"Dr. Isles?" Frost's voice startled Maura as she was standing near the elevator waiting for it to arrive.
"Good morning, detective," she responded.
"You look very nice today," he repeated. He'd said it a moment before, but clearly didn't have her attention.
"Oh, thank you," the doctor blushed.
"Have you seen Jane this morning? She's quite pleased with herself, it seems. Closing the case emboldened her, I think."
Maura couldn't help but smile at Frost's comment. Perhaps something else emboldened Jane. Perhaps someone else emboldened Jane.
"I've not seen her yet," Maura replied as the elevator opened to her.
"Well, no need to be prepared. She is in an excellent mood. Have a great day, doc," Frost said as he walked away from the bay.
Maura rode the elevator to the basement and images of late Saturday night and early Sunday morning came to the forefront of her mind. Thinking about Jane standing in her underwear holding Maura's clothes on a hanger brought a huge smile to her face. As she stepped off the elevator and walked toward her office she noticed the shadow of someone standing in her office through the closed blinds.
"Jane?" Maura said as she walked through her office door and realized her best friend was simply standing in the middle of her office.
"Hey, Maur," Jane offered a smile.
Jane held Maura's questioning gaze for a moment. They didn't need words to express what they were both thinking. While Maura was thinking about Jane on top of her, Jane was thinking about Maura moaning her name.
"I…umm…just wanted to tell you good morning and to have a nice day," Jane stammered, unsure of why she was even in Maura's office.
The doctor smiled at Jane's sincerity and at how similar they were acting to two teenagers who had just shared their first kiss. They certainly weren't acting like two grown women who had sex the day before.
"Jane?" Maura questioned as Jane was walking toward the door.
"Hmm?"
"How do we…I mean…what are we doing?" she nearly repeated word for word the question she'd asked Jane days before on her office couch.
"I don't know, Maur, but I like it. I…uh…liked it," Jane answered while blushing.
"Yes, the sex was extraordinary," the doctor said in the matter-of-fact tone she had mastered.
Jane chuckled and walked to where Maura was standing. She reached her hand out and placed it on Maura's bicep.
"Whatever this is, I'm not going anywhere," Jane whispered.
"Promise me?" Maura's insecurity seeped into her words.
Jane leaned forward and kissed Maura's forehead. She then pulled Maura into a tight embrace. They were standing like that when one of Maura's assistants walked in with a file for the doctor.
"Oh, I apologize," he said.
The two women parted quickly, both looking somewhat embarrassed to be caught in the embrace. Maura reached for the file and nodded her head to thank him. As he left the office, Maura dropped the file on her desk and turned to look at Jane. She wasn't surprised to find a worried look on Jane's face.
"We'll figure it out," Maura said.
"Figure what out?" Detective Frost walked into the office at that moment without knocking or noticing that the two women were having a moment.
"Nothing," Jane responded quickly.
"We've got a case," Frost announced.
"Already?" Jane whined.
"The world didn't come to an end yesterday, Jane," Frost joked.
"No, no it didn't," Jane said, winking at Maura without Frost noticing.
Jane headed to the door, following Frost. As they reached the threshold, she looked back and smiled at Maura. She was offered a smirk in return. No, the world definitely didn't end. Maybe it just began.