I apologize for any errors in this. I worked an overnight shift last night and am lacking in sleep :) Sorry again for the delay, but I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Later that night, Jane had time to calm down and process the day's events. Once both children were in bed, Jane was looking forward to some alone time with her wife to be able to talk about how to fix the messy situation she was currently in. After shutting the nursery door, Jane checked on Jack one last time before heading into the master bedroom where Maura was getting ready for bed.
"The kids are both down for the count." Jane called to Maura, letting out a loud sigh as she flopped onto the bed. She reached out to grab one of the pillows and buried her face into it, groaning loudly for a few seconds. Maura peeked her head out from the bathroom where she was finishing up her nightly routine and smiled sympathetically at her wife sprawled out on the bed. Maura quickly rubbed the last of the moisturizer onto her face, wiped her hands, and headed to join Jane in bed.
Jane felt the bed dip, and a second later, felt Maura's hand at the small of her back. She sighed again and turned her face slightly from the pillow to look at Maura. Maura was lying on her side and moved her hand from the small of Jane's back to brush a few curls out of Jane's face. Instead of pressuring Jane to start talking, she scooted closer and got comfortable, deciding to wait for Jane to spill what was on her mind. Maura's hand took up residence on Jane's lower back once again, and after a few minutes Maura could feel Jane start to relax under her gentle and comforting touch.
Jane used the silence to study the beautiful blonde lying next to her. Maura had been wonderful the past few days, always offering a shoulder to cry on, reassuring words, and even suffering through Jane's overflowing anger and frustration over the situation with Martinez. Jane closed her eyes and sighed again, thankful for the woman lying next to her. When she opened them, she found those familiar hazel eyes locked on hers.
Jane waited a few more seconds before finally speaking.
"I really got myself into it…didn't I, Maura?" She said quietly, lifting her head from the pillow and propping it underneath her chin. "I can't help but wonder if I just shot myself in the foot by cutting my ties with Martinez. What if Cavanaugh refuses my transfer?"
Maura studied Jane for a second, noting how Jane's brow was furrowed in frustration. She leaned over and kissed Jane's forehead, hoping to ease the wrinkles as well as some of her frustration.
"You know I don't like sentences that start with 'what if', Jane." Maura teased gently.
Jane rolled her eyes, but Maura could see a hint of a smile pass across Jane's face as she shifted to lie on her back. Once Jane was settled, Maura allowed herself to be pulled closer as she settled on Jane's chest and wrapped her arm around Jane's midsection.
"In all seriousness Jane, I think you did what was best for you. Granted, it may have been a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, but from what you told me, it doesn't seem like you and Rafael are going to be able to put this behind you."
Jane pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. "I just can't believe it came to this, you know?" She opened her eyes and adjusted the pillow behind her head with her free arm. "After I left your office I went straight to Cavanaugh. I made an appointment for tomorrow to discuss my transfer options. I know he's gonna chew my ass out, but I want to get the ball rolling on this."
"That's probably for the best." Maura replied. "Have you given any thought to which department you want to transfer to?"
"I haven't really had a chance to give it much thought, I guess. Vice might be cool, but I think there's a good chance I would have a lot of undercover assignments, and I think I'm good with those for a while. Especially since we now have two kiddos and all." Jane exchanged a brief grin with Maura. "Maybe homicide? That's the only other department I can really see myself working in, to be honest."
Maura shifted so she could look up at Jane. "I think you would be an excellent homicide detective."
Jane grinned and kissed the top of Maura's head. "Aw shucks, you're just buttering me up now, aren't you?" She teased.
Maura smiled in return, happy to see Jane starting to return to her normal self after a few very intense days.
"No, really, I think you would be great at it, Jane. When you were doing your rotations in the different departments before you took your detective's exam, you seemed to be the most excited by your homicide rotation with Detective Korsak." Maura watched Jane contemplate this statement before continuing. "You even said it yourself, you enjoyed putting the pieces of the puzzle together and figuring out the cases."
Jane thought back to her rotation with Detective Korsak, remembering how willing he was to teach her things, and how she had enjoyed the intellectual side of the investigations. Working in homicide certainly would be different from the day in and day out of questioning people high on various drugs about different drug rings, while working in the narcotics unit.
"You're right. I did enjoy it." Jane admitted. "But I don't even know if there are any openings in the homicide division."
Maura snuggled closer to Jane, nuzzling her face into Jane's t-shirt. "Well, I guess that is a conversation to have with Lieutenant Cavanaugh tomorrow, then."
Jane couldn't help but grin at Maura's matter-of-fact conclusion. "How did I end up married to the most logical woman in the world?"
Maura lifted her head and smiled coyly, tapping a finger on her chin as if she were in deep thought. "Hmm, I seem to remember alcohol having something to do with it…"
Maura shrieked with laughter as Jane suddenly pulled her on top so she was straddling her, then quickly flipped them over.
"That may be true." Jane leaned down to nip playfully at Maura's jaw before leaning closer to whisper in her wife's ear. "But I like to think that we were just in the right place at the right time. You know…like…fate." Jane kissed the spot that always drove Maura crazy just below her ear, and pulled back.
Maura looked up at her wife, who now had that certain gleam in her eye. Maura reached up and grabbed Jane's face, bringing her down once again to kiss her deeply. After it became clear that things were heating up, Maura pulled back breathless.
"I like your version of the story better." She said, struggling to sit up under Jane's weight.
"Oh yeah?" Jane's hands started to roam over Maura's body, stopping first at her breasts, which were hands down her favorite part of Maura's body.
"Yeah." Maura replied breathlessly, her hands reaching out to grab the hem of Jane's t-shirt. "It's much more romantic." Maura grinned as she slipped Jane's t-shirt up and off her body and pulled her down for another searing kiss.
"Well…I do know a thing or two about romance…" Jane's voice trailed off as her hand slipped below the waistband of Maura's pajamas.
"Rizzoli? Come on in." Cavanaugh called gruffly from the doorway of his office.
Jane stood and tried to brush the wrinkles on her slacks away. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and followed Cavanaugh into his office.
"Have a seat Rizzoli." Cavanaugh gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk as he slipped off his sport coat and sat down in his chair.
"Thank you for seeing me today, sir." Jane said as she sat down. "I know you're busy, so I appreciate your time." She wiped her sweaty palms down her thighs.
"Let's cut right to the chase Rizzoli. Look, I'm still a little baffled by what happened between you and Martinez, but I understand you are looking for a transfer to a different unit. Is that correct?"
Jane swallowed and nodded. "Yes sir."
Cavanaugh regarded her for a few seconds before opening a file of paperwork on his desk and thumbing through some of the pages. "Things are tight right now in most of the departments Rizzoli. I'll have to take a close look at things to see if we can approve your request for a transfer."
Jane's heart sank and she tried not to let her disappointment show. "I understand sir." She looked down at her hands, twisting her wedding band around her finger while she waited for Cavanaugh to finish scanning his paperwork.
"Did you have a specific department in mind?"
Jane looked up at Cavanaugh. "I'm leaning towards homicide, sir."
Cavanaugh looked up from the paperwork and studied Jane for a few seconds. Jane couldn't be sure, but she swore she saw a flicker of a smile on his face.
"Homicide, huh?" Cavanaugh flipped a couple papers over. "Korsak will be glad to hear it. Ever since you shadowed him he's been putting a bug in my ear about how good you were." He straightened up the pile of paperwork and closed the file. "I'll see what I can do Rizzoli. My hands may be tied, but I'll do my best."
"Understood, sir." Jane replied. She stood up when she saw Cavanaugh do so, and followed him toward the door. "Thank you again for meeting with me."
"No problem, Rizzoli." Cavanaugh was just about to open the door when he paused and turned to Jane. "Look, between you and me, I don't know what the hell happened between you and Martinez. I've read the report front to back several times, and the bottom line is, he was your superior. Even though it was your idea to use your CI in the drug buy, which for the record wasn't a great idea, in my opinion Martinez threw you under the bus." Cavanaugh paused for a second, then continued. "I would be a fool to let a talent like you slip away Rizzoli. I'm going to do everything I can to keep you on here. Give me a few days, I'll get back to you with an answer, okay?"
Jane nodded. "Thank you Lieutenant. I appreciate it."
Cavanaugh nodded briefly, and opened the door. "Have a good weekend, Detective Rizzoli."
"You too, sir."
By the time Monday rolled around, Jane was going crazy wondering about her transfer to homicide. When she hadn't heard from Cavanaugh first thing in the morning, she was a little disappointed, but she knew she had to get on with the day and take care of the kids. She put on a brave face as they got the kids ready for the day, and as she kissed Maura goodbye as she headed off to work.
Jane had just dropped Jack off at school and was making her way back to the car with a wiggly Tessa in her arms, when her phone started to ring. Jane hurriedly made her way to the SUV, somehow managing to get Tessa settled in the car seat and answering the phone before it went to voicemail, putting it on speakerphone as she started to secure the baby.
"Rizzoli." Jane answered as she leaned into the SUV to buckle the straps around her daughter.
"Jane, this is Vince Korsak. How are you?"
Jane almost bumped her head on the door in surprise. Stifling a curse, she finished buckling Tessa up and straightened up.
"I'm good, thanks. What can I do for you Detective Korsak?" Jane shut the SUV door and leaned against the vehicle.
"I just spoke to Lieutenant Cavanaugh, and he said I could give you the good news. A position opened up in homicide, and we'd love to have you on board."
Jane's heart sped up, and she was momentarily rendered speechless. She hadn't anticipated things falling into place this quickly. She took a second to compose herself and cleared her throat.
"Wow, Detective Korsak, I'd be honored." Jane stammered.
She could hear Korsak chuckle on the other end of the phone. "I'm the one who's honored, Jane. I've been trying to get you over to homicide since you became a detective. You are gonna be a great asset to our team, I know it."
Jane grinned, feeling the stress disappearing with each second that passed. "Thank you Detective Korsak. I can't wait to start."
"Good. We're in the middle of two cases, and Cavanaugh said the transfer is effective immediately. What do you say you start tomorrow?"
Jane's grin grew wider. "That sounds great. I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for letting me know, I really appreciate it."
"No problem Jane. I'll see you tomorrow. Welcome to homicide."
Korsak disconnected the call and Jane shoved her phone into her back pocket. There was a spring in her step as she made her way to the driver's side door and climbed into the SUV. As she glanced in the rearview mirror to check on Tessa, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hey peanut, how about we pay a little visit to Mommy and let her know the good news, huh?"
Maura had just finished up her first autopsy of the day and was peeling off her protective sterile gown when she heard a knock on the morgue window. Glancing up, she immediately smiled when she saw Jane holding Tessa up in the window, holding one of her tiny hands up and waving it at Maura. Maura tossed her dirty gloves and gown into a biohazard bag and pulled her hair out of the ponytail as she made her way to greet her wife and daughter.
"Jane! To what to I owe this surprise?" Maura asked as she exited the swinging door to the morgue. She immediately reached out for Tessa and Jane complied, transferring the baby into her arms. "I thought you were meeting your mother for lunch?"
"Well, we were just about to head there, but I have some news and I want you to be the first one to hear it." Jane said nonchalantly, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms. "Although, Tessa technically was the first one to hear it." She made a goofy face and tickled the bottom of Tessa's foot.
Maura looked up at Jane nervously. "Did you hear from Lieutenant Cavanaugh?" She shifted the baby in her arms as she waited for a response.
"Nope." Jane replied, loving the fact that she was drawing the suspense out for Maura.
Maura huffed and rolled her eyes. "Really, Jane, just tell me!" She reached out with her free hand and pinched Jane on the upper arm.
"Ow...Maur! Okay, okay!" Jane scowled and rubbed where Maura had just pinched her. "Detective Korsak called me. Cavanaugh worked it out and…you are looking at Boston's newest homicide detective." Jane said with a proud grin.
"Jane! That's fantastic news!" Maura reached out and pulled Jane in for a side hug, mindful of their daughter in her arms. "When do you start?"
Jane gave Maura a quick peck on the lips before answering. "I start first thing tomorrow."
Maura could easily see how happy Jane was with the new position, and pulled her close for another hug. "I'm so happy for you Jane. I know you are going to be a wonderful homicide detective." They started down the hallway towards Maura's office, hand in hand.
"Thanks Maur. I'm just glad they were able to find a spot for me."
"I knew they would, Jane." Maura squeezed Jane's hand gently. "What time are you meeting your mother?" She kissed Tessa's temple before handing her back to Jane.
Jane glanced at her watch. "In about a half hour." She chuckled as Tessa let out a big yawn. "Hey, you wanna take an early lunch and come with?"
Maura contemplated the offer. She had a lot on the agenda today, but it was also Friday, and could justify taking a little extra time for lunch if need be.
"Come on…" Jane coaxed, holding Tessa up next to her face and pouting. "Who can say no to these faces?"
Maura laughed and shook her head. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads. "You're right. I can't say no to my two favorite girls. Let's get some lunch and celebrate."
Jane pumped her fist triumphantly and wrapped an arm around her wife's shoulders as they headed toward the elevator with Tessa snuggled up in the crook of her arm.