Happy Valentine's day to everyone…whether you celebrate it or not…I hope this brightens your day a little more. Thanks for everything…I look forward to hearing more thoughts and ideas…keep them coming.

Morning Sun

Chapter 10

The early morning light outside Maura's kitchen window was soft and muted with ribbons of pink and orange as the sun peeked over the horizon. She stood at the kitchen sink watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee in hand, surrounded by a stillness that she had grown accustomed to. As she stood taking comfort in the quiet solace of her solitude, her attention shifted when something changed in the air that began to stir around her. It was a presence she hadn't felt in a long time. Without having to turn around, she knew the moment that Jane had entered the kitchen interrupting her isolation. She turned her attention to the warm cup of coffee she was holding in her hands, unable to bring herself to look at Jane, afraid that it might melt the anger she was feeling from the night before. When her mother had left them alone to talk, Maura couldn't find the energy to finish what they had started so she offered an exhausted Jane her guest room. Reluctantly Jane had accepted knowing that she was in no condition to drive. It hadn't take long for Maura's mood to change from surprise to anger as she thought more and more about what both Jane and her mother had confessed and even though she had secrets of her own, she couldn't help but feel betrayed. Betrayed that her mother had conspired to keep the identity of her biological father from her and that Jane had so readily agreed to go along with it. Looking down into the dark liquid in her cup she realized that she hadn't even taken the first sip and now it would be tepid at best so she tipped it over and watched as it swirled around the sink before disappearing down the drain.

Jane moved around the kitchen as quietly as she could so as not to disturb Maura who appeared to be lost in thought. Moving from one side to the other, she grabbed a mug and poured herself a cup of coffee. As casually as she could manage, she leaned against the counter opposite Maura and watched her thoughtfully. What she saw caused her stomach to flutter in that way it had all those years ago when they first started dating. Maura's beauty had always been breath taking, but the woman she had become was now filled with a strength and vitality that made Jane's chest ache with regret. She wasn't sure if she should say anything or not so she decided to just stay quiet and still until Maura initiated the conversation. For what seemed like an eternity, silence surrounded them but it wasn't uncomfortable just contemplative until finally Maura spoke.

"You know…this was one of the reasons I decided to buy this house." Maura mused as she stared out the window, her profile awash in the soft yellow that now illuminated the sky outside.

"What?" Jane asked quietly, still afraid that any sudden movements or sounds would cause Maura to disappear.

"This window…" Maura glanced over her shoulder to look at Jane. The sight of Jane leaning against the counter in her rumpled pants and tank top caused Maura to smile briefly before turning her attention back to the window. Jane's physique hadn't changed much from what Maura remembered. She was still lean and muscular but now there was a self-assuredness that she had lacked as a teenager.

"Why?" Jane had seen the small smile on Maura's lips when she looked at her and it emboldened her to take a step closer.

"The morning sun…I just love to stand here and watch the sun rise. It's always different…" Maura let out a sigh when she felt the air stir as Jane moved closer. The movement cause her heart to beat faster and she couldn't decide if she wanted to run or stay to see what would happen.

"It's beautiful this morning…" Jane took a step closer then hesitated before moving to stand behind Maura. "Almost as beautiful as you…" She set her coffee cup down on the counter with her left hand as her right hand moved to Maura's hip. With a tentative touch, Jane slipped her arm around Maura's waist and pulled until their bodies were touching. "I've missed you so much Maura…" The words carried on a whisper as Jane bent her head to bury her face in the silky soft strands of honey-blonde hair that fell along Maura's shoulders and down her back. Inhaling deeply, Jane was reminded of how Maura had always smelled. It was what she thought sunshine would smell like, warm and fresh. She couldn't stop herself from brushing Maura's hair away to expose the long expanse of skin along her neck. When she felt the body in her arms responding to her touch, she ran her fingertips up and over the newly exposed skin. In a bold move, she allowed her lips to trace the path laid out by her fingers and for a fleeting moment she thought that Maura might turn her head to kiss her back.

"Please…don't Jane…" Maura's body betrayed her thoughts as she leaned back into the contact briefly before pulling away.

"I'm sorry Maur…" Jane reluctantly pulled away realizing it was too early to hope for more.

"Don't you think I want this too?" Maura spun around so fast that it surprised Jane causing her to stumble back unbalanced. "Don't you think I want to forgive and forget? It's taking everything I have not to give in to you. Yes, I'm hurt Jane…but most of all I'm angry!"

"I don't know what else to say…" Jane instinctively reached out to grab ahold of Maura to steady herself. She looked down to see that Maura's hands had found their way into her own, holding her up but at arm's length. "I think I might just die if you don't forgive me. I don't know what I'll do if you can't find it in your heart to love me again." Jane's voice trailed off as she shook her head.

"Again?" Maura's voice was getting louder in exasperation. "Again? How can I love you again when I never stopped loving you in the first place!"

The admission took Jane by surprise but she couldn't stop herself from giving a crooked grin. In that one statement she realized that she had a chance but she also knew that they had a long road ahead of them.

"Damn you…" Maura let go of Jane's hands and gave her a little push.

"What?" Jane held her hands up in surrender because she wasn't sure what she had done.

"That smile…those dimples…" Maura huffed as she crossed her arms and glared. "Why do you have to be so damn sexy…"

"Guess it's just part of my irresistible charm." This time the smile turned into a full smirk.

"This doesn't change anything Jane…" Maura dropped her gaze. "We still have a lot to talk about…things that we need to say to each other…" She paused as she looked back up into those dark eyes that couldn't hide the emotions that Jane tried so hard to bury. "Things that I need to say…"

"I know…but please, tell me that this is the beginning…that we have a chance…" Jane couldn't stop herself from reaching out to push a strand of hair away from hazel-green eyes so she could see the promise hidden within their depths. And it was there, the flicker of hope that caused her heart to soar with the promise of more to come.

Maura had sensed that Jane was searching for something in her eyes when she brushed her hair away and she couldn't look away from the love she saw shinning back at her. In that moment she accepted what Jane had to offer but she wasn't ready for Jane to know just yet. "Can I ask you something?" She leaned back against the counter to put some distance between them.

"Of course…" Jane said as she too leaned back against the counter across from Maura after retrieving her cup of coffee.

"What will happen to Angela? Where will she live?" Maura glanced over her shoulder out the window at her empty guest house.

"Um…I suppose she'll have to move in with either me or Frankie…" Jane watched Maura over the rim of her cup with a curious glint in her eyes.

"I think she should move in with me…" Maura started to say but held up a hand when Jane tried to protest. "I mean she should move into my guest house." She hitched her thumb over her shoulder at the small cottage outside her window. "It's empty and I wouldn't mind the company since my mother will be in Paris for the next six months."

"You do realize that if you invite one Rizzoli into you house…" Jane brought her cup down just enough to speak as she continued to watch Maura. "You'll get all of us…are you ready for that?"

"Yes..." Maura gave her a challenging look. "And I am willing to accept that…if it helps your mother." She said as an afterthought. Angela meant too much to her to allow her to remain homeless, aimlessly moving from one place to another. It was the least she could offer the woman who had become her surrogate mother other the years. A pang of guilt hit her as she realized that Jane still didn't know that she and Angela had remained close. She also knew it was something they would have to talk about eventually but that was another thing she wasn't ready for yet.

Jane watched as several different emotions passed over Maura's face. She couldn't help but wonder why Maura would want to do such a thing but at the same time she was grateful not to have her mother living under her own roof. "I'll talk to her…she's at her sisters right now." Jane set her cup down on the counter and let out heavy sigh. "I still can't believe he just left…"

"Did he know about you and Paddy?" Maura asked even though she really didn't want to know the answer.

Jane ran her hand through her hair as she tried to think about what to say. "I think maybe he did…" Her expression darkened. "Yeah…things changed between us after that. But what really hurts the most is that I don't think he was ever sorry."

"Sorry about the gambling or what it did to us?" Maura bit down on her bottom lip as she waited for Jane to answer.

"Both…" Jane cleared her throat nervously. "I think that even though he acted like he was okay with it…deep down he thought it was a phase…I mean us…" She waved her hand between them to indicate what she was talking about.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I don't think your mother felt the same way…" Maura looked away.

"No…she really loved you. It almost killed her when we broke up." Jane noticed the way that Maura stiffened and wondered why.

"You broke up with me…" Maura's eyes flashed with anger as she turned to look back at Jane but it quickly subsided when she remembered her relationship with Angela. "Sorry…I don't want to argue anymore."

"Okay…um…" Jane hesitated as she rubbed the back of her neck in that nervous way that Maura had noticed lately. "Can I take you out to dinner tonight so we can talk…not argue, but…just talk."

Shaking her head, Maura tried to smile to take the sting out of the rejection. "I can't tonight, I am having dinner with my mother but how about Saturday. You can let me know what Angela says about moving into my guest house."

"Yeah, that'll work. I guess I should head home…" Jane couldn't quiet contain the pout that appeared on her face as she looked at Maura.

"When will you be back at work?" Maura tried not to sound too interested.

"Probably in a day or two. Korsak's been on my back, but I have a few things left to take care of." It was obvious that Jane wasn't going to elaborate. "I'm really sorry about everything Maura. I didn't know you would be worried about me…"

"Why would you say that? You all but disappeared without a word and you didn't think I would worry?" The hurt in her voice was thinly veiled as Maura tilted her head to regard Jane.

"I guess I was just trying to do what you asked me to do…" Jane started to say.

"Whatever would that be?" Maura crossed her arms in defiance. She wasn't sure what Jane was talking about but she surely didn't remember telling Jane she didn't want to see or talk to her.

"You asked me to give you space…" Jane gave her a sheepish grin. "I guess I took that too literally…huh?"

"I suppose I did ask for space but I didn't expect you to just disappear." Maura frowned as she thought about what she had said. "Maybe I need to accept that this isn't just about me…I'm sorry for that."

"No worries Maur…" Jane smiled and shoved her hands into her pockets. "I'm gonna head home to shower and change…I've got a meeting with Ryan this afternoon."

"Why? Is there something wrong with a case?" Maura's curiosity was piqued as she studied Jane's body language. It seemed as if the somewhat unsure and awkward teenager she remembered was back.

"Don'know…she wouldn't tell me, just said it was important." Jane shrugged her shoulders as she moved to stand in front of Maura. She couldn't stop herself from shifting from one foot to the other nervously as she tried to decide what to do next. In her heart she knew what she wanted but she also didn't want to scare Maura away either. As she hesitated briefly, it gave Maura enough time to make the decision for both of them. Jane watched wide eyed as Maura lifted up onto her toes to place a quick kiss on her cheek.

"I'll see you in a day or two…" Maura gave Jane's shoulder a quick pat as she walked past her.

"M'kay…" Jane mumbled. She couldn't help but bring her hand up to touch the spot that Maura had kissed. It may have been a friendly gesture but there was still the promise that it would lead to something more meaningful.

"I'll let you see yourself out. I've got to get ready for work." Maura said from the doorway. "And Jane…we still have a lot to talk about…okay…"

"Yeah…I know…" Jane dropped her head in an almost bashful way. "I'll call you about dinner…'kay?"

"'Kay…" Maura couldn't stop herself from giving Jane an encouraging smile. Her heart lightened as she took the stairs one at a time thinking that it was time to rebuild the foundation of their friendship and perhaps they would find their way back into each other's hearts again.

"What's up Ryan?" Jane asked as she slumped down in the chair across from Ryan's desk. She watched as Ryan pulled her gray pinstriped jacket off before hanging it over the back of her chair.

"Jane…" Ryan acknowledged Jane with a slight nod as she rolled the cuffs of her shirt up and over her forearms. She watched Jane carefully as she nervously undid the top button at her collar to allow herself some breathing room. She wasn't entirely sure what she was looking for as she peered over the rims of her reading glasses before pulling them off of her face to set them down on her desk. A phone call two days ago had changed everything between her and Jane but Jane didn't seem to have any idea. "I'm sorry if I seemed a little…" Ryan paused as she continued to watch Jane for any indication she knew what was happening but all she saw was curiosity. "I guess maybe I was a little short with you last night…"

"Nah…I should have called first." Jane brought her right ankle up to rest on her left knee where she placed a hand palm down against the newly pressed slacks she had changed into that morning. She had been so happy to rid herself of the wrinkled mess she had slept in the night before. In fact, it had given her a renewed sense of purpose as she sat in Ryan's office wondering why she was there in the first place.

Jane's relaxed attitude only confused Ryan more. It appeared that Jane had no idea why she was sitting in her office. "Um…Jane…" She leaned forward as she continued to study Jane, hoping to see something, anything in the dark eyes that continued to peer at her innocently. Nervously, her fingers ran over the thick, black frames of her glasses as she tried to find a place to start. With a resigned sigh, she knew she just had to tackle the situation head on. "It has come to my attention that you've been meeting with Paddy Doyle…would you like to explain?" The relaxed posture disappeared in an instant and Ryan couldn't help but frown. It meant that Jane now knew what she was talking about.

"I have not been meeting with Paddy…" Jane bristled as she stiffened and gripped her knee tighter turning her knuckles white. She could almost feel all of the color draining from her body at Ryan's question.

"I've heard differently…" Ryan leaned back in her chair and peered over at Jane trying to read her expression. She had seen all of the color drain from Jane's face so fast that she thought Jane might be sick.

"What exactly have you heard?" Jane leaned forward. Her dark eyes flashed with anger as she stared into Ryan's. She wasn't accustomed to being accused of 'what' she wasn't sure, but whatever it was, it was a foreign concept to her.

Ryan was quiet for a minute as she regarded Jane thoughtfully. Neither was willing to break eye contact as they summed each other up looking for a weakness to exploit. "It's been brought to my attention that you made a visit to an establishment that is a well know hang out for Paddy…"

"Am I being followed?" Jane asked through clinched teeth. She was having a difficult time containing her anger and Ryan's somewhat passive expression was infuriating her.

"No…you are not…but he is…" Ryan placed an elbow on the arm of her chair, bringing her hand up so she could rest her chin against the palm. She tapped her index finger against her lips as she quietly studied Jane. It was killing her that she had to have Jane in her office asking these questions but she needed to nip this before internal affairs took notice. The burning in the pit of her stomach indicated how serious it had become as she tried to maintain a relaxed countenance.

"What are you saying Ryan?" Jane leaned back and crossed her arms in a defensive gesture. In all the years that she and Ryan had worked together she could never had predicted herself in this predicament. The fact that she was even there indicated how serious the situation had become and the only reason she was getting a heads up was because they were family.

"What I am saying is that Paddy Doyle is under investigation…a federal investigation. We are trying to build a RICO case against him…and imagine my surprise when I found out that you paid him a visit the other day…" Ryan let out a heavy breath of frustration. Her mouth set in a grim line as she waited for Jane to respond. This was one of the most difficult things she had ever done but she needed to get to the bottom of if before someone else did.

"Are you asking me if I'm on the take?" The hurt in Jane's voice almost suffocated her. It was one thing for people to think she was a loose cannon but for someone, especially someone she considered family to think she was crooked almost took her breath away.

Ryan took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. Running her fingers through her hair she brought her hands behind her head and leaned back into them. "No…I know you better than that…" She let out a heavy breath. "But people are asking Jane…I have to tell them something?"

"Tell them it's none of their damn business…" Jane growled as the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach lessened just a little.

"You know I can't do that…" Ryan said as she brought her hands back down to rest on the edge of her desk. "Tell me what you were doing there…please."

"This is bullshit Ryan…" Jane shook her head and closed her eyes. "I didn't do anything wrong…at least nothing illegal…" She let out a heavy breath.

"Please Jane…I need to know." It was more a plea than a request. Ryan knew that Jane would rather cut off her left arm than give up her integrity as a cop.

"Look…it…umm…" Jane clasped her hands together and began to rub her scars. "I…it…" She continued to stammer as she tried to figure out how to start. She was surprised when Ryan stood up and made her way around the desk until she was sitting in the chair next to her.

"Start at the beginning…" Ryan reached out to take Jane's hands in an effort to stop her nervous fidgeting.

"It…ummm…it was about my Pop…" Jane didn't pull away from Ryan as she felt the warmth of comfort surround her now cold and clammy hands. "Fifteen years ago my Pop borrowed some money he couldn't pay back…so I went to Paddy to ask him for help…"

"You did what?" Ryan let go of Jane's hands so suddenly that it surprised them both.

"Yeah…yeah…I've already heard it…bone head move…I know…." Jane shrugged her shoulders. "But I was a stupid kid who thought I could handle it. But guess what…I paid a huge price for that mistake…" She shook her head again.

"I don't understand…you must have done something right…Frank is still alive…" Ryan tried to reason as she did her best to wrap her mind around what Jane was telling her.

"Look Ryan…what I'm about to tell you can't leave this room…for both of our sakes…and Maura's too." Jane implored as she looked into Ryan's eyes looking for any indication that she understood the full extent of what she was saying.

"Maura? What does Maura have to do with this…?" Ryan was beginning to sound alarmed.

"Um…Paddy…he's…um…" Jane reached up to rub that back of her neck with a shaky hand. "He's…Maura's biological father…" She said in a rush of words.

Ryan leaned back as if putting distance between them would somehow make Jane's last statement untrue. Her eyes widened as what Jane said sank in and all she could do was swallow the lump that had formed in her throat.

"No one knows about this except me, Constance, and Maura…and now you…." Jane's voice held the hint of apology for having to now include her in the ranks.

"This really complicates things." Ryan sighed.

"When I went to see Paddy all those years ago he made me chose between being with Maura or giving my Pop a second chance…he was afraid I would tell Maura about him, I suppose you can guess which road I took…" Jane frowned in an attempt to remain stoic.

"Yes…I suppose I can. So you always knew about Paddy?" Ryan asked as she gave her a sad smile. "Carly always thought there was more to the story…" She said as she recalled the many conversations they had had about Jane and Maura.

"Yeah…well, she'd be right then. And yes…I found out by accident before we graduated from high school…and then he used it against me. I was a dumb ass kid who didn't know any better…but that won't happen again…ever." Jane huffed in frustration. Even though it felt good to finally be talking about things, she was still having trouble processing her emotions.

"I guess Paddy has had his hand in meddling with both of our families at one time or another…" The statement was somewhat cryptic causing Jane to raise a questioning eyebrow. "You aren't the first Rizzoli to think that Paddy is capable of making a fair deal." She said as she held up a hand to stave off Jane's questions. "I can't be the one to tell that story Jane…but I can tell you the impact he's on my family." Taking a deep breath, she couldn't contain the sadness that swept over her as she remembered what had happened almost twenty-five years before. "My uncle…your lieutenant, had a family…a wife, a son, a daughter…" Ryan paused and looked away from Jane. "They died in a fire…a fire that was set by Paddy Doyle…although it was never proved it was him…" Her voice was filled with anger as she turned back to look at Jane. "I'm not at liberty to go into details but just know this…he has tried to ruin the Cavanaugh's…but he hasn't…we are still strong despite what he has done. It wasn't the first time and suspect it won't be the last time…"

"What did you mean when you said I'm not the first Rizzoli…" Jane couldn't bring herself to let the question that had been burning inside of her since Ryan had mentioned it go.

"It's Carly's story to tell…" Ryan's eyes held a sadness Jane had never seen before. "But…I still don't understand what you were doing there two days ago."

"Oh…" Jane was surprised by Ryan's sudden change in subject. "My Pop made the same mistake…but this time I went to tell Paddy that I wash my hands of it all…and," She hesitated as she thought back to the night before and her conversation with Maura. "I also told him that I was going to tell Maura everything…and I did."

"Really?" Ryan's sadness was replaced by curiosity. "And…?"

"And we've got a lot to talk about…but I think that maybe I've got a chance to prove to her that she's all I want…all I've ever wanted." A small smile crept along Jane's lips.

"I'm glad to hear that you finally figured things out. But…" Ryan didn't want to be the bearer of bad news but they were still in a bind. "This will make her a target Jane…"

"I know Ryan…but I won't let anything happen to her…ever!" The conviction in Jane's voice had Ryan convinced but there were still things that needed to be discussed. "She's offered to allow my Ma to move into her guest house…I think I'll encourage that. It'll mean that I can spend more time over there…ya know…keep an eye out for her."

"Yeah…that sounds like a good idea. I'm afraid it's going to get worse before it gets better…Paddy knows that he's under surveillance. It won't take much to set him off." Ryan got up and went back to sit at her desk. "I'm going to have to think of something to keep the heat off of you though…" She started to rummage around in her desk looking for something to write on. "Once I get this taken care of we'll meet again, maybe we can figure out some way to expose his weakness."

"Are we good here?" Jane waved her hand between them.

"Yeah…" Ryan didn't look up as she continued to riffle around in a drawer.

"'Kay…I'm gonna go see my Ma and try to convince her to move in with Maura…" 'And find Carly… ' Jane thought that last statement to herself as she got up to leave.

"Good…" Ryan smirked when she found what she was looking for. "Hey…wait…" She looked up to find that Jane was already standing in the doorway. "If you hurt her again…I'm gonna kick your ass…" Her smirk widened into an evil grin. "And we both know I can do it…" She threw a playful wink in Jane's direction to indicate she was kidding. "But really…" Her expression suddenly turned serious. "Don't let it happen again…"

With a curt nod, Jane turned and disappeared as she shut the door behind her leaving Ryan alone in her office. Being surrounded by thoughts and ideas that she was going to have to eventually muddle through left Ryan with the beginnings of a headache. She was going to have to find a way to make all of this new information work for them. She just hoped that no one would get hurt in the process because it would be far worse this time than just a broken heart.