So originally I was going to wait until I finished the next chapter before I posted this chapter, but the reviews from the first chapter were just so amazing that I decided not to make you guys wait!
I cannot thank you all enough for all your feedback! Your reviews made me so happy!
I hope you all will enjoy this chapter as well. I really wanted to take some time for our ladies to get to know each other! So enjoy!
Thanks again for reading! -J
Chapter 2- Getting to Know Each Other
"So what do I bring to Pizza night anyways?" Jane asked late Thursday afternoon, having wandered down to the basement in search of Maura, trying to escape her paperwork; having solved the murder of their Jane Doe from earlier in the week. "I mean I feel like I need to bring something. I can't come empty handed."
"Well I have everything we need to make the pizza at home," Maura replied, looking up from her computer screen. "Though you are welcome to bring anything else you may want to add to our dinner."
"Okay," Jane nodded, flopping down on the couch, making herself at home like only she could. "And what about the movie? What do you two usually watch?"
"Well normally we watch a documentary of some sort," Maura said, unable to miss the disgusted look on Jane's face. "You don't like documentaries?"
"Well they're alright," Jane lied, shrugging her shoulders. "But I mean does Amelia like that? Doesn't she get bored? She's four!"
"She actually enjoys them quite a bit," Maura told her as Jane simply stared at her in disbelief. "She does! And they're all she really knows. We don't watch much else."
"Okay that's just unacceptable," Jane scoffed. "Amelia is a kid! She needs to watch kid movies," she said. "I'm going to bring something. That will be my contribution to the night and trust me Amelia is going to thank me for it one day."
"I suppose that would be okay," Maura replied reluctantly, though she couldn't hold back her smile, amused by Jane's concern. "I mean Amelia did invite you as her special guest, so it's only fair that you get to contribute something to the night. Will you still be coming over right after work?"
"As soon as I can get out," Jane nodded, surprised by how much she was looking forward to the next night. "How's Amelia doing anyways? School going any better?"
"Well she's staying the whole day," Maura said. "Though I'm not really sure that things have gotten any better on the friends front. Angela said she hasn't really seen Amelia with any of the other kids when she picked her up the last couple days," she explained. "Thank you again for introducing me to your Mother Jane. She has been a really big help these last couple days."
After Monday afternoon Jane, realizing that Maura obviously needed some help with her daughter, had spoken to her own Mother explaining the situation and asking her if she would be willing to help. Angela had been quick to agree, immediately coming in to BPD to introduce herself. Though Maura has been reluctant about accepting help, she had eventually realized that Angela and Jane were not going to take no for an answer and had agreed to Angela watching Amelia after school for her.
"It's really no problem Maura," Jane had assured her. "My Ma is happy to help and she said Amelia has been great. I hear they're getting along brilliantly."
"Amelia loves Angela," Maura smiled. "I do hope Angela knows I won't be taking advantage of her much longer. I've got Nanny interviews all weekend."
"Maur, you're not taking advantage," Jane said, the nickname slipping out without thought. "My mother volunteered to help and she's loving it. You don't have to rush into anything. Don't worry okay?"
"Okay," Maura sighed, realizing that there was no point in arguing as she had already had a similar conversation with the older Rizzoli the night before. "Well thank you…again," she smiled. "So tomorrow night?"
"Tomorrow night," Jane nodded, smiling. "I can't wait."
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Maura wasn't sure why she felt so nervous. The honey-blonde had spent most of her workday Friday thinking about her plans for the evening and when she had gotten home by 5pm, Amelia immediately began asking about when Jane would be arriving.
Jane and Maura had been getting along wonderfully, having lunch together most days and seeing each other quite a bit during the day when their work allowed it. Maura was surprised by how easily she got along with the brunette detective, especially since socializing wasn't exactly one of her strengths. Maura rarely made friends and it wasn't very often that she brought new people around her daughter but Jane Rizzoli seemed to be the exception.
So as the medical examiner began to get things ready in the kitchen while Amelia finished up some printing exercises for school, she couldn't help but feel nervous about the night ahead, not wanting to do or say anything that could ruin her friendship with Jane.
"Mommy is Jane going to be here soon?" Amelia asked, looking up from where she sat at the kitchen island, beginning to get antsy.
"She messaged me not too long ago," Maura replied, smiling at her daughter. "She was running a little late but she should be on her way," she assured her. "Just be patient for a few more minutes okay?"
Huffing in response, Amelia went back to her homework, Maura laughing to herself as she began chopping up ingredients for their pizzas, wanting to have everything ready for when Jane arrived. Focused on her task, Maura was surprised when the doorbell rang a few minutes later.
"I'll get it!" Amelia shouted jumping down from the stool she was seated on and running for the door.
"Make sure you ask who it is!" Maura called, running her hands under the faucet.
"Who is it?" Amelia called through the door, listening closely as Jane called back that it was her. "Jane!" The little girl greeted as she pulled open the door, immediately jumping into the rather surprised detectives arms.
"Hey kiddo," Jane smiled, picking the little girl up and settling her on her hip. "Sorry I'm late! I hope all the fun didn't start without me!"
"Don't worry we waited," Amelia assured her with a very serious look on her face making Jane laugh as Maura made her way to the entryway, greeting her with a smile.
"You're just in time Jane," she said, taking the bag that the brunette brought in with her and placing it on the table for her. "Everything's ready to start making the pizza. I've already worked out the dough. We just have to add the toppings and I will warn you Amelia likes quite a bit on her pizza."
"Ah a girl after my own heart," Jane grinned, following Maura in the kitchen where she placed Amelia on top of one of the stools, ruffling the little blonde's hair before making her way over to the sink in order to wash her hands. "Your house is beautiful by the way. I felt a little intimidated walking up."
"Oh thank you," Maura blushed; knowing the house was a bit extravagant considering it was just her and Amelia. "Amelia can give you a proper tour once we get the pizza in the oven. Although I must warn you we still aren't completely finished unpacking."
"Well you could have fooled me," Jane laughed, looking around the great room that consisted of the kitchen, dining room and family room; all of which looked immaculate. "I would love a tour though," she smiled, noticing the uncomfortable look on Maura's face; silently berating herself for saying anything at all. "So let's get this pizza started huh? I for one am starving!"
"Me too!" Amelia agreed, sitting up on her knees so she could see the top of the counter better.
"Alright then we better get started so we can feed you two," Maura smiled, her tone once again light and playful as she spoke to her daughter. "Why don't you show Jane how it's done?"
"Okay," Amelia nodded enthusiastically as Jane made her way back around the counter so she could stand next to the younger Isles.
"So you guys do this every Friday?" Jane asked looking briefly at Maura while still following along with Amelia.
"We try to," Maura replied, chopping up a few more things. "Amelia loves pizza but takeout tends to be rather greasy so I prefer this; it's much healthier. And Amelia loves it."
"And where may I ask did you learn to make pizza like this?" Jane asked curiously. "I mean I see a lot of homemade pizza in my family but we're Italians; it's in our blood. You don't look Italian to me."
"I spent a summer in Italy when I was 20," Maura replied, once again unable to hold back her blush. "I like to try and educate myself in some way whenever I travel so I ended up taking a few cooking classes," she explained. "I can make a pretty good lasagna too, though I'm sure it's nothing compared to what you ate growing up."
"My Mother does make the best lasagna," Jane grinned as she helped Amelia spread green peppers around the pizza.
"I like your mother," Amelia said, looking up at Jane with her big, hazel eyes. "She tells me stories and we got to bake cookies together."
"Yeah my Ma's pretty great like that," Jane nodded. "I've been told she's been having a great time with you too Mia."
"Mia?" Amelia furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding the nickname, which had just rolled off Jane's tongue.
"Yeah," Jane shrugged. "Mia. It's short for Amelia. It's a nickname. Do you like it?"
Amelia bit her lip and placed a finger on her chin as she thought about this for a moment, Jane doing everything in her power to hold back her giggles; looking up to find that Maura was also struggling not to laugh at the look on her little girl's face.
"I like it," Amelia eventually nodded, a goofy smile on her face. "Do you have a nickname?"
"Well most of my family calls me Janie," Jane replied, delighting the young blonde who clapped her hands in excitement.
"Janie!" Amelia exclaimed. "I want to call you that!"
"Well you can definitely call me that if you want," Jane laughed, amused by the little blonde's enthusiasm. "I mean we are friends. You can call me whatever you like."
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When Jane revealed The Little Mermaid as her movie choice for the evening she was surprised to find that Amelia had never even heard of the movie. The four-year-old, who was obviously too smart for her own good, had apparently never watched a Disney movie; a fact, which Jane considered completely unacceptable. So as they all sat down together in the Isles' family room, their bellies full of pizza, Jane had been just as excited as Amelia; spending much of the movie watching the little one's reaction rather than paying attention to the screen.
"Well she almost made it all the way through," Maura whispered when the movie ended, turning her attention to her daughter only to find that the little blonde had fallen asleep, her head leaning against Jane's shoulder. "I think she really enjoyed it."
"I'll let you borrow the movie so she can watch the end tomorrow," Jane said, shifting so that she could drape her arm over Amelia's shoulders; careful not to wake her. "And I was serious before. Your child is in desperate need of a Disney movie education."
"I will keep that in mind," Maura chuckled softly, smiling at her sleeping daughter, slightly surprised by how comfortable the four-year-old seemed to be with Jane Rizzoli. "You know you're very good with her. She seems to have taken to you very quickly, which really isn't normal for Amelia. You've been extremely kind."
"Aw she's a sweet kid," Jane shrugged. "She makes it easy. Plus tonight was a lot of fun. I'm glad I was able to snag an invite," she joked, smiling as Maura laughed. "Could….would it be okay if I asked you a question?" She then asked, biting her bottom lip nervously, not wanting to seem intrusive, but unable to ignore her curiosity.
"Of course," Maura nodded, having a pretty good idea of where this conversation was headed. "My situation often elicits quite a few questions."
"Where's Mia's father?" Jane asked carefully. "I mean it's just the two of you?"
"Well yes it is," Maura replied, though the answer was unnecessary. "I actually don't know who Amelia's father is," she said, realizing how that sounded as she watched Jane search for a way to backpedal. "It's not like that," she quickly intervened before the brunette could say anything. "It's just that I used a sperm donor. It was completely anonymous; all I was ever given about the man was his physical description as well as health and educational background; those types of things."
"Oh," was Jane's reply, no longer sure exactly what to say. "I uh…so you just really wanted a kid?"
"Well yes," Maura nodded, smoothing the imaginary wrinkles in her pants as she considered how much more to share. "I was engaged at the time," she eventually continued. "I wanted to be a Mother, and I thought that Vanessa did as well," she said, avoiding making eye contact with Jane. "Getting pregnant in a non-traditional way often takes quite a few tries, so we decided to do a round of IVF before the wedding. We really didn't expect it to work, but it did," she shrugged. "Vanessa left when I was about six months in. She said she wasn't sure she wanted to be a mother anymore. So it's just me and Amelia."
"I…" Jane began once again feeling speechless. "I'm sorry that happened to you Maur," she said, wishing she could reach out for the medical examiner without rousing Amelia. "She's never contacted you about Amelia? Vanessa I mean."
Maura was rather surprised that Jane seemed unfazed by the fact that she had been engaged to a woman, once again feeling grateful that the brunette had stumbled into her life so easily.
"I haven't heard from her since the day she left," Maura shook her head. "I have heard that she's married to a man now. They have a two year old son," she said sadly, her eyes falling on her daughter; unable to imagine how someone could ever walk away from a life with her. "It's okay though. Amelia and I are quite content with how things are. Everything seems to have worked out the way it was supposed to."
"Definitely," Jane nodded her agreement, amazed by just how strong Maura Isles seemed to be. "So why the move to Boston though? I mean wouldn't you prefer to be closer to your family?"
"Oh well my family is…it's complicated," Maura replied with a shrug once again wondering how this person, whom she barely knew, seemed to make her open up more than anyone ever had. "I'm an only child. My parents adopted me," she explained, trying to stop herself from fidgeting; something she never did. "They work a lot…all over the place so I'm afraid trying to live close to them is nearly impossible at this point. I moved to San Francisco before Amelia was born. We were quite happy, but I'm afraid Amelia doesn't have much of a relationship with her grandparents and we didn't really have many people to leave behind in California, so when I got this offer here I just couldn't turn it down," she continued. "I lived in Boston for quite a bit when I was younger. I even went to college here so it seemed like a good choice, even if it meant Amelia and I starting over on our own."
"Well you two aren't alone anymore," Jane told her. "I mean I know we barely know each other, but you've got me," she said, feeling her cheeks flaring, feeling the need to make a joke in order to break the seriousness of the conversation. "I mean Mia and I are friends now so you're kind of stuck with me," she laughed. "Plus you have my Ma too, and once she inserts herself into someone's life they kind of have a hard time kicking her out."
"Thank you Jane," Maura replied, her beaming smile indicating just how happy the fact that she had made a new friend made her. "You know I should probably get her up to bed," she then said, gesturing towards Amelia who was still fast asleep, leaning against Jane. "Will you wait while I tuck her in? It's not often that I get adult time outside of work, I'd love if you'd stay for a while."
"Of course," Jane nodded, smiling. "I'll wait here, unless you need a hand?"
"No, no I'll be fine," Maura shook her head, standing up before bending over her daughter, lifting her up.
Though she was still fast asleep, Amelia immediately shifted, wrapping her legs around her mother like a monkey as she sleepily lifted her head. "Mommy?"
"Shhh, I'm just taking you to bed Baby, it's okay," Maura cooed softly, kissing the side of the little blonde's head. "Would you like to say goodnight to Jane?"
Turning her head towards where Jane still sat, her eyes barely open, Amelia gave the Detective a tired smile. "Goodnight Janie. Thanks for…coming," she said between a yawn.
"Goodnight Mia," Jane smiled. "Thanks for inviting me. I had a lot of fun," she said. "Sweet dreams kiddo."
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A professional at getting a sleeping Amelia into her pajamas and tucked into bed, Maura returned to Jane a few minutes later, finding the brunette flicking through the television channels, looking rather comfortable.
"Can I get you a drink?" Maura asked, startling Jane who hadn't heard her return. "Wine perhaps? A beer?"
"You have beer?" Jane asked, surprised.
"Your Mother told me it was your preferred beverage," Maura shrugged. "I just wanted to make sure I'd have something you'd like since she said you don't drink much wine."
"Oh you didn't have…thank you," Jane smiled. "A beer would be great," she nodded, watching as Maura went to her fridge to retrieve a bottle before moving to pour herself a glass of wine.
"Here you go," Maura said as she returned to the couch, handing Jane her beer.
"Thank you," Jane said, accepting the bottle; opening it up before taking a long drag, not missing the fact that Maura had purchased her favourite. "Did she even budge when you put her down?" She asked, still thinking of Amelia.
"Not one bit," Maura shook her head, the corner of her lips twitching into a grin. "She's a pretty heavy sleeper, which comes in handy when you don't want to wake her up again," she smiled, taking a sip of her wine; still watching Jane over her glass. "You know we've talked a lot about me, but you've hardly told me anything about yourself."
"Oh well there's not much to tell," Jane shrugged, leaning back into the couch, doing her best to avoid Maura's disbelieving stare. "Alright what do you wanna know?"
"You have siblings?" Maura asked, figuring she would start with the easy stuff.
"Two younger brothers," Maura nodded. "Frankie's actually a cop. He's just a rookie though so you probably haven't seen much of him around," she explained. "He's a good guy though. One of my best friends," she smiled, her smile eventually falling when her thoughts then turned to her youngest brother. "Then there's Tommy. He's uh…well…he got himself into a bit of trouble about a year ago. He's…well he's in jail."
"Oh," was Maura's reply, obviously unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"No it's fine," Jane interrupted, brushing the apology off with the wave of her hand. "Tommy was a troublemaker when he was a kid; it finally caught up with him," she shrugged. "I haven't talked to him since he went in and I don't think Frankie has either. Breaks my Ma's heart though."
"And what about your Father?" Maura asked, furrowing her eyebrow in thought. "I haven't heard Angela mention anyone."
"My father left a couple months ago," Jane replied, playing with the label on her beer bottle. "As far as I know he's in Florida with some bimbo," she shrugged. "Asshole…sorry," she apologized, knowing from her experiences at work that the honey-blonde didn't appreciate her swearing.
"I think that one was warranted," Maura replied, breaking out into a grin when Jane laughed appreciatively. "I'm sorry about your father though."
"Hm who needs him," Jane shrugged. "If you ask me, my Ma's better off, even if she doesn't see that yet. She's doing alright for herself."
"Definitely," Maura smiled, carefully considering her next question, wondering perhaps if she was being too intrusive.
"You okay there?" Jane asked, noticing Maura's far-off look.
"Just thinking," Maura replied, Jane giving her a pointed look as she raised her eyebrow in question. "I…I was going to ask another question," she sighed. "But I'm afraid that perhaps I am being a bit nosey. I don't…I guess you could say I don't have a lot of experience with friends and I don't want to ruin anything by being too intrusive."
"Hey you can ask me anything," Jane assured her. "I mean I don't promise that I'll answer anything, but you can ask it. You've done plenty of sharing tonight, the least I can do is take a turn."
"Okay," Maura nodded, still looking rather apprehensive as she took a deep breath. "Well it's just that I was wondering about the scars on your hands," she said, surprising Jane, who hadn't even realized that the blonde had seen her scars; scouring her memories until she recalled shaking Maura's hand the day they met. "I'm sorry I was just curious," she said. "By the looks of them they seem to be rather old, but I couldn't help noticing them. You don't have to tell me."
"It's alright," Jane shook her head, trying to ignore the nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach; a feeling, which overtook her whenever she thought about what had happened to her hands. "It's actually strange…having someone who doesn't already know what happened to me. I'm not used to it," she explained. "It was pretty big news when it happened. Detective falls into a serial killer's trap…" Jane paused; hating the vulnerability she could hear in her voice, but feeling like she owed it to Maura to be honest. "I was careless. I was so focused on solving the case and saving the missing woman that I just…I forgot protocol. I made a mistake and it almost cost me my life."
Rather shocked by the brunette's confession, Maura couldn't help but feel terrible, wanting to reach out and take Jane's hand in hers but thinking better of it. "What did he do?" She eventually asked when she realized that the Detective wasn't going to continue unprompted.
"They called him The Surgeon," Jane replied, her gaze straight ahead, not looking at Maura. "He pinned me to the floor with scalpels," she said rubbing her thumb over the palm of one of her hands. "If Korsak hadn't gotten there when he did…I was stupid."
"You were brave," Maura corrected her, finally giving in as she reached out to stop Jane from irritating her scars. "You were trying to save a life. If you ask me that's not stupid at all; just brave."