"I applied to BCU," Jane offered out of the blue, playing with her food.
"It's very hard to get into," Maura responded. The almost comforting tone wasn't lost on Jane, but she decided not to be insulted.
She smiled slightly at the doctor, "I got in."
Maura's face clearly betrayed her shock at first, but then her brow furrowed in confusion, "Why didn't you go?"
Jane shrugged and took a bite. "I wanted to be a cop."
Maura saw right through her, like always. "What's the real reason?"
Jane sighed and mumbled around a mouthful of Chinese, "My father would have spent everything to send me there; I couldn't do that to him."
Not having enough money isn't something Maura often came across in her life. She wasn't quite sure how to ask certain questions without coming off as a spoiled rich kid. She decided to stick to an easy inquiry, something that would hopefully ease her piqued curiousity. "Did you ever tell him?" Her eyes were glued to Jane's face, deep in concentration.
"No," Jane murmured and tilted her head to return the stare. "That would make him too sad."
That conversation occurred a long time ago; several years, in fact, but it was one Maura had never forgotten. Back then, she'd let Jane divert the topic, but it still ate at her. She still had questions to ask. They burned in her mind right now, and given the surprise her detective had in store for tonight, there certainly seemed to be no time like the present to get some answers.
She turned her head to the woman beside her. "Jane," she began and waited until the brunette rolled over on their bed to face her. "If you'd gone to BCU, what would you have majored in?" The widening of Jane's eyes is obvious; she hadn't been expecting anything of that sort.
"Criminal justice," she answers after a beat. She raises herself up on an elbow. "I've always wanted to be involved in law enforcement. If I'd gone, I probably would've aimed to be a lawyer, slamming the bad guys away instead of tackling them in alleys."
"Hmm," Maura hums, more in acknowledgement than an attempt to convey something. "If you could go back in time and you had the money, would you go?"
Jane considers it for a second. "Knowing everything I do now, or knowing what I did at that age?"
Maura smiles, glad that Jane is taking the conversation seriously. "Both."
A moment lapses as Jane thinks through her answer. "Knowing everything I do now? I don't think I would. I love my job. And I love you; there is absolutely no guarantee that, without our paths crossing at the precinct, I would have met you," she smiles fondly at the doctor. "But if I didn't know how my life as a detective would turn out? If I was eighteen again, I definitely would've gone."
At this Maura nods. The answers are what she hypothesised that Jane would disclose and it's nice knowing she's right. She glances at her watch and discovers it's time they got going. Any other questions would have to wait.
She pats Jane's thigh before rolling out of bed, pulling the detective up with her.
They walk into the grand ballroom which is absolutely bursting with people. Maura only knows a few of her old professors; none of the alumni who bothered to show up for the reunion. She feels proud and confident, though, despite that. She's got Jane on her arm, looking positively ravishing in the deep purple dress the doctor managed to talk her into, and that's more than enough to satisfy her. Especially when she knows just how fast she'll be allowed to strip it off after Jane's received her surprise and they've returned home.
She licks her lips absently in anticipation.
After mingling and conversing with several classmates who sought her out (having heard about her demanding and impressive career as well as reading of her in the papers), it's time. Maura pulls Jane along beside her as she heads into the library whose existence is a very well guarded secret. The head of Maura's alma mater greets them both with generous smiles.
"Thank you very much for coming, Doctor Isles and Detective Rizzoli." His handshake is firm yet pleasant. Maura can feel Jane's respect for the man rising with each passing second. "If you'll just give me one moment," he says as he turns away to rifle through a stack of envelopes. He selects the two he requires and turns back to them. The first is significantly smaller than the second and he hands that one to Maura; it's a simple thank you note for showing up to the event.
The second envelope he holds out to Jane, who's obviously confused, but takes the parcel anyway. "Thank you," she says hesitantly, almost as a question.
He raises his eyebrows. "You didn't tell her?" The question's aimed at Maura and now so is Jane's gaze.
"Tell me what?" Jane demands, but Maura smoothly ignores her.
"No, I thought it might be a pleasant surprise," she explains, well aware that the detective is darting glances between the two of them.
He chuckles, but gestures toward the envelope. "Please, Detective Rizzoli, open it."
Maura receives the searching look coolly, offering only a smile in response. Jane huffs and opens it, pulling out a sheaf of papers. Her quick inhalation of gasping surprise is the tell-tale sign she's read the important parts of the document.
"Maur, is this – what did you – how?" Maura's never heard Jane to be so at a loss for words. Well, aside from the afterglow of certain bedroom activities.
"I didn't do anything, really," she assures her. She watches as Jane grasps onto the edge of a bookshelf to maintain her balance.
"Maura, this is a scholarship for Criminal Justice majors." Jane's eyes are wide and looking a little watery. "And it's in my name."
Maura nods. "And the second part?" She watches as Jane flips a page, witnesses the jaw drop and the look of utter incredulity spread across her face.
"I've got an honorary bachelor's degree in Crim." Maura notices that Jane trips over the sentence, but wisely doesn't say a word. "Maura, how?"
Maura opens her mouth to respond, but the dean beats her to it. "Actually, I believe I can answer that question slightly better than Doctor Isles." He looks at Maura to make sure she's alright with him explaining. The small nod he receives allows him to continue, "Our academic institute was looking for ways to give back to the community. You've been in the papers and criminal justice is a faculty we don't usually focus on. You're smart, you're determined, you seemed like a good fit for us, so I contacted Doctor Isles and she was fully supportive of the process." He paused to let his words sink in. "As for the degree, it seemed only fitting that you should be a part of our alumni if we're going to name a scholarship fund after you."
Throwing everything Maura had ever taught Jane about social etiquette, the doctor couldn't help but smile as Jane pulled the dean into a thankful hug. Her smile only grew as Jane released him and moved on to her next target: Maura.
"I love you so much," Jane whispers into her ear.
"I love you more," Maura promises. "Now come on, I believe I owe the new graduate a nightcap." And then she winks slyly at Jane, just to make sure her meaning is clear.