A/N: So it was a great episode, but we still got happy music in the end. I thought I'd stick with the angst theme a little. Plus, how could you not give them some one on one time at the end of this episode?
Maura breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Jane standing in the lobby, arms crossed and leaning cooly against the window. Her hair was up in her no nonsense pony tail, and she used two fingers to pry open the blinds, keeping a watchful eye on whatever was outside. Jane's head turned quickly back to the lobby as she heard the security door creak open. Jane scooped up the bag at her feet and hurried over to Maura, a big grin plastered on her face.
"Hi," she said softly, bringing Maura into a tight hug. Maura felt herself finally relax in her embrace. The past day and a half felt so far away with Jane's arms around her. She melted into her strong arms, finally feeling safe. She let you a small sigh and nuzzled herself further into the crook of Jane's neck. Far too quickly, she felt Jane pull away. "I brought you some clothes. Hope they match," she smirked, handing the bag to her.
So badly Maura wanted to thank her for coming. Thank her for caring. Thank her for showing Maura that she's something more. She wanted to thank her for solving the case. For catching the bad guy. But all she could mumble out was " I - Yes. Thank you."
Jane smiled and cocked her head, trying to figure out what exactly Maura was thinking. Despite everything Maura had been through in the past 36 hours, it still looked like there was something else on her mind. Something else gnawing at her. Jane leaned in close and whispered, "Listen, I don't want to overwhelm you, but there are a lot of people outside. Reporters are everywhere. Are you going to be ok? The quicker we get out, the better."
Maura took several deep breaths, trying to steady herself. Her emotions and thoughts over the past day and a half were swirling through her head. Jane was so close to Maura she could smell the lavender soap she used. It certaintly didn't help clear her head. "Yes, I'll be alright. Let me get changed so we can go home."
Reluctantly, Jane stepped aside. She rubbed her scars while Maura turned to the restroom to change. Jane hated leaving her even for a second. Calm down. She's fine. With a deep breath, Jane turned into steely Detective Rizzoli. She needs to be Maura's protective armor when they stepped out outside. She peeked through the blinds again. The crowd had gotten larger, teeming with reporters and overeager fanatics that have been following the media frenzy. She knew she needed to get Maura out and in the car as soon as possible.
Right as she was about to shout to Maura to hurry up, Maura step out. She was wearing slim fitting jeans, a silk, sleeveless, black button up, and flats. She smiled, referencing Jane's handy work. "Not bad."
Jane gave her a knowing look back, and tried to stifle a big smile at having picked appropriately. Maura in jeans and flats was one of Jane's favorites. It always felt like it was specifically reserved for her. Plus she felt taller. Which she liked. Quite a bit.
"Let's go." Jane pressed her hand against Maura's back and started leading her to the door. "Keep your head down. Don't make eye contact with anyone. Don't respond to anything they say." Maura nodded as Jane took a second to stop them both. "They're going to try to make you uneasy, Maura. They'll say anything in order to get a response. You just have to ignore it all. Ok?"
Maura gave another nervous nod and allowed herself to be softly pushed forward by Jane. The moment the doors opened, the flashes began. The crowd began frantically snapping pictures and attempting to swarm in.
"Stay close," Jane said, removing he hand from the small of Maura's back to around her shoulders, in attempt to shield her from the swarm of reporters. Though she tried to keep her head down, Maura couldn't help but notice the unnecessary amount of policemen keeping the crowd at bay. She smiled inwardly knowing that was because of Jane.
They pushed and fought their way through the crowd until they finally reached Jane's unmarked car. Right as Jane opened the door for Maura, a particularly loud reporter shouted out, "Dr. Isles, did you find it surprising when the killer turned out not to be you? I mean, the daughter of a mobster... it seems like it runs in your blood! Bet even you were shocked you weren't the killer."
Maura looked up at the crowd, stung. Jane side stepped to block her view and, more forcefully then she wanted to, pushed Maura in and shut the door. Muttering and then glaring back at the obnoxious reporter, Jane cursed. That was going to be the shot in all of tomorrow's papers. Maura scared and hurt face as she looked back into the crowd. That reporter got exactly what he was looking for - the money shot.
"Hey back off or I'll place you under arrest!" she growled at him, her voice straining through her fury.
"For what?" he snarled back. "Arrest me for making your girlfriend cry?"
"No," she spat back. "For pissing me off."
She roughly opened the car door and sat down, still fuming. As she plugged the key into the ignition, she stole a quick look at Maura. Her exterior immediately softened as she saw how fragile Maura still was. Jane reached out and rubbed her forearm a few times. "The worst of it is over okay? Let's get you home. How does a hot bath and a glass of wine sound?"
Maura gave a small chuckle and turned towards Jane. "Amazing."
"And just for you, I'll even join you. For the wine that is," Jane stammered off of Maura's raised eyebrows. "Not the - not the bath, obviously. I just - I'll have some wine instead of beer. For the celebration... of your release..." she trailed off weakly.
"It sounds perfect, Jane. Just what I need." It continued to astound Maura just how complex Jane was. Maura loved her protectiveness, her heroicness, even her stubbornness. But she was so kind. So sympathetic to other people's needs. It's what made her a great cop, and an even better friend. Maura closed her eyes for a brief moment while she continued to list Jane's qualities. Smart, hilarious, humble. Unforgiving, fiery, strong...
"Shit."
Maura turned and followed Jane's eyesight to see the cause of the expletive. In front of her house was a new gathering of reporters and "fans."
"How the hell did they find out where you live? Who released this!?" Jane swore as she quickly turned into a neighbor's driveway and pulled out again going in the opposite direction.
"Oh no," was all Maura could muster. The overwhelming, crushing feeling finally came crashing down on her. How much more was she capable of taking? Couldn't this day finally end? "Jane, where are we going?"
"My place," she responded, shifting gears to get Maura there are quickly as possible. "I'll make sure you get that glass of wine, even if it's the last thing I do. And I'll sleep on the couch tonight. You deserve a good night's sleep after all that you've been through. 24 hours after the story breaks, it's old news. We've just got to make it 'til then." Jane snuck a quick look to Maura. "Sounds ok?"
Maura smiled weakly, brushing off the one stray tear that had fallen on her cheek. "Yes, I think I can manage that."
Maura looked back at Jane and then reached down to squeeze her hand, which was resting on the console between them. Jane squeezed back, thinking back to the last time she had been able to touch those soft fingertips while she was in prison. How they had slipped away, and she was unsure if she would ever have that feeling again.
Jane couldn't help but smile; Maura kept her hand nestled in Jane's the rest of the ride home.
A/N: Hope you liked it! I'm excited about the next chapter; You'll get to see some angry, angsty Maura!