A/N: This show has been part of my life since season 1 and got me into Fanfiction. I've enjoyed each season for particular episodes, the characters, the mystery and also giving me something to type. I cried, I laughed and enjoyed everything. Fun part of Fanfiction: the story doesn't have to end and I plan to keep on writing for this fandom especially the Rizzles!

Now back to our feature story brought to you by…well, me! (Yes, I feel like a Christmas mood so the story does take place around Christmas time if you haven't figured that out yet)

Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1

"We don't have to like each other. We're family." – Claudia, "Home for the Holidays" (1995)

Ch. 5: A Rift at the Funeral

The following morning after resting with Maura by her side, Jane entered BPD, prepared to handle her hard head of a cousin. It was one thing to interrogate a former detective but interrogating family was a whole other level. She wasn't even sure if Korsak or Cavanaugh would allow her in the room since they were related.

When she heard the elevator binged, she took in a deep breath then released it. "Here goes nothing," she stated as she stepped onto the homicide floor to see Korsak with Cavanaugh and a strawberry blonde woman in business attire, holding a suitcase. She immediately recognized the woman and greeted, "Emily Richards."

The woman turned and smiled widely, "It's good to see you, Jane."

Jane approached, giving the other woman a hug. She then pulled back and asked, "What brings you here? I thought you're working for the Drug Unit's cases these days."

"Actually, I'm here for Devyn." Jane's eyebrows shot up at this and Emily sighed, scratching the back of her neck. She then glanced over at Korsak and Cavanaugh briefly. "Can we talk privately," she inquired to Jane, returning her attention back to her.

Jane nodded and gestured to the break room, closing the door behind her. "It's been a long time since I've seen you, Em. Maybe a couple years ago when I did that case with Martinez," Jane commented.

"I know, Jane."

"So why are you here for Devyn then? I mean I know you've known us since childhood but you're part of the DA. I doubt my cousin asked for a lawyer." Emily bit her lip and Jane sighed, "My cousin called you to be her lawyer."

"There's more to that story," Emily stated, causing Jane to get ready to ask another question but the other women continued with her hand up to stop Jane, "and I feel that Devyn should tell you despite us being good friends."

Jane gave a confused expression but nodded and stepped back, leaving the room. As she reentered the bullpen, Cavanaugh approached Jane and stated, "You have enough lead way on this but if you and Vince get off track especially with the track records you carry with D'Angelo, I'm removing you off the case. Got it?"

"Yes sir," Jane answered.

As they approached interrogation, they noticed that there was an audience consisted of Frost, Frankie, Nina, Drake, Susie and Maura stood on the other side of the glass. Jane glanced over to see Devyn sitting in the interrogation room with a tired expression. She ran her hand over her face then looked back toward the mirror as she stated, "I can feel people staring. Just come in and ask your questions." Jane took in a deep breath then looked at Korsak before the door opened.

Devyn looked up and sighed tiredly, "Finally…"

"Enjoyed your night in a cell," Jane asked her cousin.

"Comfortably." She then looked over at Korsak and a small smile formed, as she greeted, "Long time, no see, old man."

Korsak smiled and greeted back, "Hello Dev. You still look the same."

"Flattering, Vince but trust me, I've changed. You, however, are more grayer than I remember."

Jane rolled her eyes then pulled out photos of the notes. She pushed them toward Devyn and stated, "When I showed you these, you didn't wish to answer. You kicked Doctor Isles and I out of your office. Told me to back off." She pushed the notes forward and ordered, "Talk and tell me how you found out."

Devyn picked up the notes, gazing at them before she pushed them aside. "Despite being retired, I still have access to certain things. For example, your phone was originally mine and I still have access to the recorded calls," Devyn explained.

"So you listened in on the conversation?"

Devyn nodded, twiddling with her thumbs, "After you came to my office, I went back to a couple things. When the case went cold, people assumed the Bard died when my last suspect, Eddie Quinn died in a car accident. The murders stopped suddenly but the cases still remained unsolved…"

"I remember, you didn't want to let it go," Korsak commented.

She nodded, "Obviously, I worked on the case for so long that it took over." There was a distant look in her eyes, which Jane noticed, and her cousin shook her head, "Anyways, I kicked you guys out because it is exactly like his notes before. I wanted to make sure and I knew especially with the language."

"The language?"

"Taunting and intellectual at the same time. It's a technique he mastered."

"So it is him?"

"It's his voice but I'm not sure if it's the same man. I'm not sure how he can appear, all of a sudden, ten years later."

"So how did you know we were going to the event," Jane questioned.

"Professor in Shakespeare and former detective, remember? I added it together."

Jane nodded then leaned back, "So why didn't you tell this all yesterday?"

The professor shrugged, "Didn't want to. Also you acting like a bitch didn't help."

Jane shot up from her chair at this comment, tired of her cousin's obnoxious attitude and retorted angrily, "I've been a bitch? This is coming from the prodigal daughter herself. The person who cut off her whole family from her life for no apparent reason."

"Jane," Korsak shouted.

Devyn didn't reply but leaned back in her seat, confessing quietly, "I didn't want to believe that he was back especially after building my whole life back up from the bottom."

"What do you mean," Jane interrogated.

"Let's just say my ex-husband couldn't handle the job and decided to cheat on me, which he revealed after he gave me the divorce papers. He then tried to take it back and I refused cause I was seeing someone."

Jane took a moment to digest the words then glanced up at the mirror. She then looked back at her cousin, connecting the pieces as she whispered, "Emily. You're seeing Emily."

Meanwhile from behind the glass, people began to compare notes about the two women especially Frankie who glanced over at Emily who gave a small smile. "I can see how they are related," Frost commented to the group, "Well, at least, related to Jane."

"Hey," Frankie whined.

Frost raised his hands and continued, "No offense, bro but I can see Jane's mannerisms showing." Also certain tastes in a type of woman, Frost added in thought.

"Agreed," Maura stated as she watched the former detective continued to stare at Jane. The look reminded Maura of Jane especially, as if she learned the stare from her cousin.

"I want all your notes," Korsak stated suddenly, breaking the silence between the two.

Devyn diverted her eyes from Jane to the older detective and retorted, "They're at my apartment. Someone needs to come and pick them up."

"Why don't you just bring them," Jane questioned quickly.

"Because there are several boxes and preferably, I don't want to be here anymore." Devyn then stood up from her seat. "If we're done, I have to go and get ready for my father's funeral."

Korsak nodded and Devyn walked out of the room into the bullpen. As Jane took a seat at her desk, she noticed Emily standing up from her chair as Devyn approached and gave a gentle kiss on the lips then greeted her quietly. Everyone's eyebrows went up in surprise despite knowing that the two were together. Devyn then walked toward Jane's desk, grabbed a notebook and pen then wrote her address and stated, "Either I will see you at the funeral or not."

Jane took the address then glanced at Maura, twisting the paper in her hand.

R&I

"Are you sure it's okay for me to come," Maura inquired as Jane pulled up to the cemetery in the cruiser.

Jane looked over and took her hand, replying back, "I want you here and also, I want us to talk after."

"But I'm not family," Maura tried to reason, knowing that she and Jane would be the center of attention.

"You are family. If anything, you are my family."

"You have your family, Jane."

"It's different when it comes to you."

Before Maura could even reply to this, they noticed Angela approaching with Tommy. Jane stepped out of the car and Angela hugged her immediately, "I thought that you weren't coming."

"Devyn invited me and…I wanted to pay my respects to my uncle."

Angela pulled back from the hug and did a once over Jane, realizing that she was still in work attire. "You could've changed like Maura did," Angela commented, gesturing to Maura's black dress under her white coat.

Jane rolled her eyes and continued, "I came straight from BPD which Frankie is doing as well."

Angela nodded then hugged Maura before escorting them to the church where they can see the others. Maura observed and can see the relation between Angela and her sister; both had very similar facial features. She then looked over to see another woman who was about Frankie's age and a young man about Tommy's age.

"Oh Jane," Jane's aunt Annetta greeted with a sob. The woman engulfed her niece in a giant hug, which Jane returned awkwardly, trying her best to console her aunt until the detective pulled back and grabbed Maura's hand, bring her forward to the others.

"Aunt Annetta, this is my best friend, Doctor Maura Isles. Maura, this is my aunt, Annetta and my cousins, Nicholas and Angelica," Jane introduced.

Angelica looked over at Maura, eyeing her then retorted to Jane, "She's a pretty thing. Where did you find this one, Janie?"

Jane's jaw tightened somewhat and was about to retort until she heard, "Back off, little piranha." They turned to see Devyn dressed in black slacks with a black overcoat with Emily at her side wearing a skirt and a black.

Angelica frowned, "Don't call me that, little Devil and of course, you bring your girlfriend."

Devyn seemed unfazed at this, "Well, I've been dating her for about three years now so yeah, I would bring the love of my life."

Emily then touched her shoulder to have her back off. "Hello Angelica, I'm sorry about your father," Emily greeted. She then looked over at Nico who was looking away from her as she greeted, "Hey Nicky."

"Emily," Nico grunted simply.

Emily frowned and looked over at Devyn who sighed at Nico's greeting. The professor then moved closer. "Hi Nico," she greeted softly to her brother.

"Devyn," he greeted back.

He then walked away, heading toward the church. Jane raised an eyebrow curiously, never seeing Nico so rude toward his older sister or Emily. Angelica then moved closer as Devyn said quietly to Emily, "I need to talk to him about everything."

"Maybe I should. Remember he did have a crush on me?"

Jane cringed with her remembering that Nico did like Emily back in high school. But I thought that was high school. I mean, Emily was about Frankie's age and Emily told Nico that she liked women, Jane thought.

"Always taking things that don't belong to you," Angelica piqued.

Devyn gritted her teeth and retorted, "Emily turned him down. He understood that."

"That gives you the right to go and take her."

"She's not a prize," Devyn hissed. "Says the pot calling the kettle black."

Angelica turned red and was about to bite back before Annetta stated aloud, "Will you two stop it?" She looked from Angelica to Devyn who looked down at the ground. She approached her oldest child and kissed her cheek softly then gave her a tight hug. Devyn returned it somewhat then pulled back as the priest stepped out, gesturing for the group to head inside.

Jane glanced over at her Ma with a surprised expression who looked as bewildered. It had been awhile since she saw a fight between any of the D'Angelo children especially at that level of animosity that Angelica and Devyn were spitting. She glanced at Devyn, prompting her detective skills to come alive as she watched her aunt and two younger cousins sat in the front while Devyn and Emily sat behind them.

Confusion crossed Jane's face in which Maura noticed. The medical examiner leaned in and whispered, "They don't seem all too close."

"Angelica and Devyn fought all the time but it was never like that. Nico just follows whichever older sister, usually it was Devyn but it seems there's…a rift."

"Among siblings?"

"Nico looked up to Dev like Frankie looks up to me so…I'm not sure."

After this statement, the service began with some people saying their part about Uncle Pete and how wonderful he was. However, as each of his children stood to speak, it seemed that Devyn didn't stand up to speak despite being the oldest of the kids. She instead stood up once the service was done, watched as the casket was escorted to the burial ground then she stepped forward, placing a rose on the casket before stepping back.

She approached her mother, giving her a tight hug and whispered something in her ear before she stepped back and looked at her siblings. Nico approached his older sister, giving her a brief hug before stepping back and giving a small nod toward Emily. Angelica, however, stared at the two until she turned and walked away.

Jane and the others watched in confusion at the big drift that seemed to plague the family. Devyn looked over at Jane, locking eyes before she looked away to pull out the pocket watch to see the time. She then closed it and retreated back to her car with Emily, prompting Jane and Maura to leave and follow the car to Devyn's apartment.

Flashback…10 years ago…

Jane glanced at her house phone, contemplating about making the call. She heard the rumors but focused on her current and first real case in homicide with Korsak, involving a serial killer who killed couples. She tried to catch her cousin but Devyn avoided it every time. She didn't really see her cousin until this morning when she watched her cousin walk out of Cavanaugh's office with a box in her arms and left without a single word.

"Oh fuck it," she mumbled as she picked up the phone.

After dialing and waiting for a couple minutes, she got an answer. "Hello," she heard.

"Dev, it's Jane."

"What do you want?"

The tone was hostile and one that Jane never heard from her cousin, catching her slight off guard. "I just want to talk to you about what happened at BPD? Is everything okay?"

"Look, Jane, I…I'm no longer part of the department. I put my papers in and that's it."

"Devyn, come on, this is what you wanted for a long time. This was what we wanted. Remember?"

"Not anymore," her cousin retorted. There was a brief silence between the two before Devyn continued, "Jane…don't call this number."

Confusion crossed Jane's face. "You getting a new one?"

"No, I…just don't call this number again. Don't talk to me anymore."

"What the fuck are you talking about? We're cousins! Remember?"

"I…Goodbye, Jane."

The line then dropped.

Devyn unlocked the door with Emily walking into the kitchen and Devyn disappearing down a hallway as Jane and Maura followed closely behind. "Would you two like a drink," Emily asked as she watched Devyn walked down the hallway.

Jane didn't answer but approached the wall covered in photos, which caught her attention. "No thank you," Maura answered softly. The medical examiner looked up at the wall and immediately, recognized what it was that Jane was staring at.

It was a newspaper clipping of Jane receiving her medal from the siege. It was cut out in a certain way to show the article and the picture with a little plague on the bottom that states, My cousin receiving a medal for her courage under fire.

The detective's eyes continued to wander until they stopped at another picture. It was of Devyn with Emily, both dressed in Red Sox gear with wide smiles. "How long," Jane gestured to the picture.

Emily looked over her shoulder and gave a small smile. "About a year after her divorce finalized. She asked me out to dinner all of sudden," she explained. "I had feelings for her for a long time and I never thought she returned them. I gave up hope when she married but we still kept in touch, always grabbing a bite to eat or just talking on the phone in the late hours. When she divorced, I wanted to help her more. I wasn't thinking about a relationship, not until she expressed that she's been blind to many things but the one thing she hasn't lost sight of was me."

Maura sighed at this small story, glancing briefly at Jane. The detective glanced at Maura and both locked eyes briefly before turning away.

"But Jane," Emily continued, not noticing the glance they shared, "please be careful with this case. It ripped her apart years ago and she's rebuilt everything she lost. She's still aches over it even if she doesn't admit it."

"Then have her help us, Em. Have her end this."

"That's up to her, Jane. I won't push her to do it if she doesn't want to. I respect her decisions despite not agreeing to some of them. I want her to help you. I want her to reconnect with your side of the family. But this case broke her."

Jane sighed at this then resumed her attention toward the pictures on the walls while Maura looked over at Emily who held a concerned expression. "You two are a very lovely couple," Maura complimented, trying to lighten the mood.

Emily gave a small smile and returned it, "As are you and Jane."

Jane blushed harshly and Maura stammered somewhat as she retorted, "Oh…Jane and I…we're not…I mean…um…"

"What Maura is trying to say is that we aren't a couple," Jane cut in and informed Emily. I wish though, Jane thought.

Emily's eyes widened, "Oh…I thought…my bad, you two. It's just… you seemed so close and...well."

Before Jane could even reply, Devyn reappeared, carrying several boxes in her arms then she dumped the boxes onto the table. "Here's everything that I have," she told them. Jane approached the boxes, seeing the multiple labels that have been applied to each box. "That's many years of blood, sweat and tears in there," Devyn divulged quietly as she walked into the kitchen.

Jane opened each box, seeing the files and notebooks that were labeled inside as well as CDs. She lifted them up while Maura opened the other box that said 'autopsy reports and evidence.' The medical examiner began to read through one of the files and stated, "These are very detailed. Almost exact to the BPD's files."

"That's because I copied the autopsy files every time there was another body," Devyn replied as she poured a glass of wine.

"Dev," the professor turned her head slightly to listen to her cousin, "what happened at the funeral? You know with Angelica and Nico?"

"Nothing."

"That wasn't nothing; did you cut them out of your life as well?"

"Jane," Emily called out. The detective looked over to see a familiar expression that only Emily would give that look specifically to drop the conversation.

Devyn rubbed her forehead tiredly and replied, "I cut you out of my life for reasons. Understand we do things for family despite it all. Also, if you must know, remember how I mentioned my ex cheated on me? It was with her and Nico thinks I stole his chance to be with Emily even though Emily told him she liked women. He's being stubborn!"

Jane's jaw dropped slightly and Maura's eyes widened. Emily sighed at her lover's bluntness as Devyn continued, "Now, you have your files so please go so I can mourn my father in peace."

Feeling bad for her comments, Jane picked up the files then gestured to Maura to pick up the other boxes. They began to walk out and before Jane stepped out of the door, she looked over to see Devyn twisting her pocket watch with her head down. Jane took in a deep breath then said quietly, "I'm sorry about your father, Devi."

Devyn's head rose at the sound of the name. Their eyes locked and a small smile formed on Devyn's face as she intoned, "Thanks, Janie."

R&I

"How could her sister do that," Maura inquired as we were driving down the road.

"I'm more surprised of Nicholas. He's usually more mature than this."

"Really?"

Jane nodded. "On the other comment, Angelica was always the jealous type," she explained. "Everyone compared the kids to each other especially Devyn to Angelica. I remembered my uncle raised the moon and the stars for Devyn. However, I thought there was family loyalty. I didn't expect my cousin to stoop that low."

Maura nodded in agreement then looked out the window. "Jane, where are we going," she asked curiously, noticing that they weren't heading toward Beacon Hill.

"You'll see."

"You know I don't like surprises."

Jane gave Maura a small smile, "You'll like this one. It's also an apology for my family drama."

Maura gave a sympathetic smile and replied, "Yours doesn't beat mine. Remember, mobster father and doctor mother, with one thinking I'm dead due to my mobster grandfather telling my father to get rid of me."

"Don't forget that you gave your kidney away to your half sister."

There was a small laugh, "That too."

"So where are we going," Maura attempted.

"Ah…nope. That's a secret and we'll be there in a couple of minutes." Maura gave a curious expression but resigned with the fact that Jane wouldn't tell her where they were going.

They drove for what seemed to be forever until they pulled finally to their destination. "Here we are," Jane announced.

Maura looked up to see the glowing lights that surrounded a sign that said, "Kris Kringle's Tree Farm." The medical examiner's eyes widened in pure surprise as she looked over at Jane who was turning the engine off and stepping out of the car then opened the passenger side door for Maura. The blonde took her best friend's hand and stepped out in bewilderment as Jane stated simply, "I figure we get your Christmas tree despite everything going on." She then bowed her head shyly, "I hope that's okay?"

The detective then felt Maura's gloved hand touch her chin then moved it gently up, making her look up to see a small smile on Maura's face. "I love the idea and it's very thoughtful of you, Jane." She then took Jane's hand and began to drag her toward the Christmas tree lot with Jane chuckling behind her.

The two walked through the Christmas tree farm, hand in hand to find the 'perfect' tree for Maura's house. Jane enjoyed the sight of Maura's kid like wonder at each tree, which had done every year but this year, for an odd reason, felt more special to Jane.

Was it because she was more accepting of the fact that she had feelings for the beautiful woman in front of her? The answer was most likely yes and she hoped to put those feelings on the table eventually.

The detective brought her attention back toward Maura, watching as she inspected a Christmas tree as if it was some experiment she was doing. "Maura, it's not like the tree is going to win first prize in the science fair," Jane joked.

"I know that. It just has to be perfect for the house, for a Rizzoli Christmas."

Seeing the smile on her best friend's face, Jane smiled back and moved closer, correcting as she took her hand, "For a Rizzoli- Isles Christmas."

Maura smiled at this, "For a Rizzoli-Isles Christmas."

"This one, ladies," one of the helpers asked.

Maura looked up at Jane who nudged her gently toward the tree, making the medical examiner giggle. As Maura instructed the man on which tree she wanted, Jane came to a conclusion in that moment, I'm going to tell her and hope we can be more.

So background about Devyn and Jane's other side of the family and Rizzles fluff, check. More stuff to happen next chapter, of course! Review, my friends! Please and thank you!