A/N: We finally have marriage equality in all 50 states—it's about damn time! And go SCOTUS! :D

A/N2: The plot doesn't move around much in this chapter, but I'm kind of new to this. Please bear with me.

Chapter 2: Checking In

Melinda was at the Board of Directors meeting, so Fin planned on meeting her during registration before the evening schedule. He busied himself by playing Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare in the hotel room. He was proud of himself and felt like a bit of a hacker for figuring out how to hook up his gaming system to the hotel television and internet. He was getting ready to look up his Canadian buddy who went by the gamertag BlondieZombieKilla83 when his phone vibrated with a text.

Amanda: Free to talk?

He paused his game and called his friend, "What's up partner? You guys catch a big case?"

"No, quite the opposite," Amanda sighed. "Also, there's no meetings right now, both Liv and my sponsor are busy, and I have a craving. You know, the usual."

"You're welcome to come play Xbox with me. I have a couple of free hours before the conference starts. I'll text you the hotel info."

"That sounds good. There's only but so many sweets I can bake before I get bored again."

"Oh yeah? Could you bring over some of your famous chocolate chip cookies?"

"You got it partner. See you soon."

Maura and Jane were standing at the check-in desk at the hotel when a tall, brunette woman approached Maura. "Hi, sorry to bother you, but you're Dr. Isles right?"

"Yes, I most certainly am. And you are?"

She extended her right hand, "I'm Holly—uh Dr. Stewart, but you can call me Holly. I am such a huge fan."

"Nice to meet you Holly, and please, call me Maura. And thank you, although I wouldn't call my line of work fanworthy."

"Maura, just say thank you for the compliment," Jane said under her breath.

"I only meant I am not an entertainer or celebrity who acquires fans."

Jane gave Maura a look. "I mean thank you for the compliment," Maura said as she stepped back to include Jane in the conversation. "Jane this is Holly, Holly this is my partner Detective Rizzoli, but you can call her Jane."

"Nice to meet you Holly," said Jane.

"Likewise." Holly waved Gail over, "This is my girlfriend Officer Gail Peck. Gail this is Dr. Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli."

Gail reached her hand out to shake both of their hands, "Nice to meet you two."

"It's nice to meet you, too. I hate to cut this introduction short, but we need to get settled in before the evening session. See you guys there?" Maura asked expectantly.

"Yes, definitely. And I would love to discuss your research with you later if you don't mind?" Holly asked.

"Not at all. It was pleasant meeting you and see you later."

Maura and Jane left to find their rooms leaving Gail and Holly to check in next.

As soon as they arrived to their room, Jane found the Boston Red Sox game. She was praying and hoping to God for her team to win the Pennant and then go on to ultimately win the World Series.

Maura was busy picking out the clothes she was going to wear for the first evening session. "You're not changing?"

"No... What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Jane asked.

"Nothing, I just thought you would probably want to make more of a first impression with it being the first night we'll be networking with people."

"Correction, you'll be networking with your M.E. colleagues. This is your time to shine. I will effectively fade into the background."

"Is that code for: I don't want to be bothered?"

Jane laughed, "Yeah, I guess it kind of is. Besides, you don't need to worry about first impressions because you have fans."

This time Maura laughed, "Correction, one fan, and I still need to make a good impression."

"Well I'll leave you to it while I watch this playoff game."

"Babe, you totally went all fan-girl on her," Gail said while she was trying to figure out how to hook up her Xbox to the television.

Holly was busy hanging up her business clothes for the weekend, "I know. I wasn't that bad was I?"

"No, not too bad. You're like a cute, excited puppy."

"Well it's just that she's accomplished so many things in our field. I really look up to her."

"And that'll be you one day with nerds fan-girling you over your accomplishments."

"Aw, thanks Bae. And you're a nerd, too ya know."

"Yeah, but it's not public knowledge."

"Don't you have clothes to hang up, too, so they won't get wrinkled?"

Gail held up the HDMI cable, "You have your priorities; I have mine."

Holly laughed, "I cannot. I'm going to look over my notes again for my presentation tomorrow."

"Okay babe."

Gail eventually figured out how to set up her game console with 20 minutes to spare. She decided to fool around with a practice round in Call of Duty. She decided to see what her American cyber friend by gamertag BigFinBigFlipper67 was doing and sent an invitation. He accepted the private audio chat.

BlondieZombieKilla83: "What's up?"

BigFinBigFlipper67: "Nothing much, just schooling my partner here on how to take out some zombies."

BlondieZombieKilla83: "The zombie mode is sick right?! She any good to be on a team?"

BigFinBigFlipper67: "Not yet but she's getting the hang of it. Look, I have to be somewhere soon, but if you want I can leave you all to it."

BlondieZombieKilla83: "I wish, I have to get going soon, too. I'm hoping to set up a game either late tonight or sometime tomorrow."

BigFinBigFlipper67: "That sounds good. Signing off now Killa."

BlondieZombieKilla83: "Later."

A/N3: Let me know your thoughts and please review!