Thanks so much for the song suggestions…I am in the process of writing the next chapter and I will do my best to include the one's given to me in one way or another. I just want to let everyone know how much I appreciate the time that is taken to review and read my story. I cannot respond to those that review as a guest but I really, truly appreciate the time you all take to write to me. I will always try to take to heart any suggestions or answer questions if I can. Thanks again for taking the time to read…it means a great deal to me.
Smile at you
The day of the last game came quicker than Jane had anticipated causing anxiety to accompany her as she sat on the sidelines watching Maura and her team warm up. It was a scene she was familiar with but this time she was on the other side of the fence as a spectator. Her memory floated back to those days she played baseball in high school and all of the times she had glanced over her shoulder towards the bleachers to find Maura smiling at her reassuringly. Without fail, Maura had been her own private cheering section giving her the fortitude to go out there on the field every time and play her heart out.
Today it was her turn to give back and it made her heart swell with pride when Maura glanced over at her and smiled. Smiling back, she stretched her denim clad legs out in front of her and leaned back giving her a relaxed appearance. When Maura turned her attention back to the field, Jane tilted her head back to look up at the sky. White fluffy clouds dotted the skyline against a brilliant blue background giving the barest hint of a storm brewing off in the distance. The sight gave her pause as she pushed her aviator sunglasses up higher on her nose and studied the distant threat of rain. A light breeze blew past her ruffling her unbuttoned Red Sox jersey, pushing it open to reveal the navy blue tank top underneath. As she continued to look up at the sky, she felt someone slip into the seat next to her and she tilted her head just enough to regard the smiling face that greeted her.
"S'up?" Jane turned her attention back to the cloudy sky.
"Not much. Thought I'd drop by to see how things are going." Carly stretched out her longs legs and leaned back mimicking Jane. "Besides, Aunt Angela invited me to come have a sausage dog."
"Yeah?" Jane let out a heavy sigh as glanced longingly out towards the ball field where Maura was.
"Yeah…," Carly followed Jane's line of sight and let out a chuckle. "Hard being on the other side of the fence…isn't it?"
"I suppose." Jane glanced over to look at Carly again. She couldn't help but laugh at the fact that they looked more like sisters than cousins. Perhaps it was the blue jeans, Red Sox ball cap, and converse high tops paired with the dark hair and lean statue that made them look so much alike but whatever it was Jane couldn't help but smile.
"What's the goofy grin for?" Carly sat up straighter wondering what Jane thought was so funny.
"Nothing…it's just that sometimes I forget how much we look alike…except for these….," Jane slid her sunglasses down just enough to reveal her dark brown eyes.
The words brought a smile to Carly's face as she gave a quick nod in return. "Ya know I love ya like a sister…," she gave Jane's shoulder a little bump with her own.
"The sentiment's the same here." Jane bumped back.
"So with that being said…," Carly hesitated for a moment as she looked out towards Maura who was waving at her. She gave a wave back. "I've got something to tell you."
"Is everything okay?" Jane sat up straight and turned her full attention to Carly having heard the serious tone in her voice. "Is Ryan alright? You guys aren't breaking up are you?" Her stomach dropped at the memory of their last meeting.
"On the contrary…," Carly reached over and took Jane's hand in her own and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm pregnant."
Jane blinked a few times as the words and their implications sank in and her mouth dropped open as she struggled to find the words that seemed to be evading her at that moment. Her eyes glanced down from Carly's light blue to her stomach then back up as if she didn't quite understand what was being said to her.
"Jane…," Carly ginned. "Ryan and I are finally going to start a family."
"What? How could this happen? I mean I know how it happens…," Jane started to ramble on and wave her hand in the air.
"In-vitro at a sperm bank…that's how it happened." Carly couldn't help but laugh at Jane's reaction. "Look, we've thought long and hard about this and yes before you ask, we looked into adoption but that just doesn't seem to be in the cards for us." Her shoulders sagged under the heavy truth.
"Wow…just…wow." Jane let out a heavy breath she hadn't known she had been holding. "That's really great Carly. I'm so happy for you guys." She leaned over to wrap her arms around Carly before pulling back quickly and looking down again. "I…um…don't want to hurt you or the baby or anything."
"Hugging me won't hurt anything even when I'm out to here." Carly held her hands out in front of her to indicate how big she would get. "But "I'm only twelve weeks now."
"A little over two and a half months…I'm at a loss. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Jane frowned slightly.
"We've had a rough go of it Jane." Carly pulled her hat off and ran her fingers through her long dark hair before putting it back on and tugging low over her eyes in an effort to hide the tears that shimmered beneath the light blue. "We started trying a little over a year ago. At first it was Ryan, but it never took. The doctor thought that maybe it was the stress of her job so we decided that I'd give it a try."
"How long did it take you?" Jane's heart felt heavy with sadness as she thought of how heartbroken Ryan must have been.
"Well…," Carly leaned back and placed her hand on the space just above her hips and spread her fingers out as if cradling something unseen. "They say the third time is the charm…and I guess it is."
"I never knew you wanted to have kids." Jane's eyes glanced back over at Maura as a longing she had never felt before washed over her. She hadn't known until Maura had come back into her life that she wanted the same thing.
"We always thought it would be Ryan that would get pregnant. I just never really thought it was something that I wanted to do but…," Carly hesitated as she followed Jane's eyes finding Maura looking back at them with a smile. "I'm doing it because I love Ryan…the fact that I can give her this…something she's dreamed about her whole life, it's a small sacrifice on my part." Tilting her head, she regarded the wistful expression on Jane's face. "You'd do the same thing for Maura if she asked you to."
"I would…," Jane said with a smile. "If you'd have asked me six months ago, I would have said 'hell no'. But you're right, today…I wouldn't even think twice about it."
"Is that something you want?" Carly asked as she settled back against the bleachers and relaxed.
"It is…I've been thinking about it more lately, but I think we need to get to know each other again before we start planning a family together." Jane let out a heavy sigh.
"But you are planning a future together." Carly said as she lifted her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun so she could watch Angela make her way in their direction.
"Who else knows?" Jane asked as she too watched her mother walk towards them.
"Our Mom's…Bella and Mia, and you and Maura." Carly said the last name without thinking, causing Jane to give her strange look.
"Maura? You told Maura before you told me?" Jane couldn't contain the hurt in her voice as she furrowed her dark brows.
"Maura is the one who referred us to the sperm bank and one of the best fertility doctors in Boston Jane. She practically knew before we did…she is a doctor ya know." Carly tried to defend herself.
"So what you're saying is that my Ma doesn't know yet?" Jane gave a sly grin as her mother approached carrying a box filled with hamburgers, hotdogs, french-fries and sodas. "Guess what Ma?" She called out to her mother as she jumped up to grab the box. "Carly and Ryan are pregnant…"
The look on Angela's face was priceless as she tried to process what Jane had just told her. Her eyes grew wide with surprise before she launched herself towards Carly almost knocking them both over with a forceful hug.
"Oh my goodness! Tell me all about it!" Angela pulled a now standing Carly back down to sit next to her. "Here give me that…," She reached up and took the box of food from Jane before frowning at the contents. Greasy burgers, hotdogs, and fries seemed to mock her at the moment not to mention the two cans of beer alongside the sodas. "This won't do…you need something healthy…not this crap." Shaking her head, she shoved the box back in Jane's direction. "Here…"
"It's fine Angela…I don't think a burger will hurt but I'll pass on the beer." Carly looked up at Jane who was still sporting an evil grin. "Do you have some bottled water instead?"
"Absolutely…Jane go get Carly a bottle of water." Angela gave Jane a dismissive wave as she turned her attention back to Carly. "So…tell me…"
Jane couldn't wipe the scowl from her face as she realized that she had just been dismissed. "Well, at least I can drink one of these." She said to no one in particular as she reached in for one of the ice cold beers. As she popped the top open, it hissed and foamed over the sides before she brought it up to take a long drink as she drifted away from the conversation she had instigated between her mother and Carly.
Frankie caught her eye as he waved her over to where he and Frost were standing as they watched Vice take the field for practice. As she got closer, she could see that both of them were focused on a few young women tossing the ball back and forth.
"Put your tongues back in your mouth's you perv's." She handed him the box of food that her mother had sent away. "Here."
"Thanks…I think." Frankie glanced over towards the direction Jane had come from. "Hey…is that Carly?"
"Yeah…but Ma's bending her ear at the moment." Jane couldn't help but smirk.
"So, do you think Maura's team is gonna win this one?" Frost asked as he reached into the box Frankie was now holding taking out a hotdog and the other beer.
"Hey…who said you get the beer?" Frankie groused as he turned to set the box down on the bench next to him, taking a burger for himself.
"You snooze; you lose big boy." Frost grinned as he popped the top and took a drink.
"You suck…" Frankie sighed as he grabbed a coke.
"Why don't you just go get one…they're right over there in that cooler." Jane huffed as she watched her brother pout.
"Then I'd miss that…" He tilted his head in the direction of the two girls they had been watching.
"Jesus Frankie…you're such a dog." Jane gave him a little shove.
"Hey it's not just me…your partner over there has us set up on a double date at the Dirty Robber after the game." He jabbed a finger in Frosts direction.
"Whatever man…" Jane shook her head. "Guess you don't mind shaking that money maker on a first date."
"Hey…if you're referring to our lost bet and Karaoke…then no I don't mind at all. I'm thinking a little Prince might break the ice." Frost held his beer up in mock toast. "Just because you're a chicken shit and don't want to have a little fun…"
"I am not chicken shit…I just want to keep my dignity. Besides, you don't get to pick the song." Jane glanced over towards Maura who was gathering her equipment and heading their way.
"What makes you think that Maura will embarrass you?" Frankie asked as he swallowed a bit of his burger, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Let's just say I owe her one…" Jane gave a pained look as she remembered Maura telling her to brush up on her Madonna. She knew that Maura didn't want to embarrass her but it was inevitable if she had to get in front of people and sing. But she also knew it was a bet made fair and square, one that she had lost.
"Hey, can I have drink?" Maura asked as she stepped up beside Jane, dropping her bag at her feet with a tired sigh.
"Uh-huh…," Jane handed her can of beer over and smiled when Maura made a face at the first taste.
"I still don't understand how you can drink this stuff." Maura handed the can back.
"Well, in my defense…this isn't my usual choice. But it is beer and it is cold." Jane couldn't stop from laughing at Maura's scrunched up face as the bitter taste lingered.
"You know I'm not a fan of soda, but if there's one left I'll take it." Maura looked over at Frankie who pulled out a can and handed it to her.
"You guys looked good out there. Are you ready?" Frost asked before taking the last bite of his hotdog. Wading up the tinfoil it had come in, he tossed it over into the box sitting on the bench before giving Maura an expectant look.
Maura was quiet for a minute as she watched the action on the field trying to gage the competition. Then a smile spread across her face as she turned her attention to Frost. "I have no doubt that we are ready and will win."
Jane couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes at Maura's remark. She wasn't as sure as Maura was because she knew how competitive Vice was. They were tough and not afraid to play dirty. That is what bothered Jane the most. Maura was a rule follower and so were her teammates.
"Hey boys…wanna make plans for our meet up tonight?" One of the girls from Vice called over to get Frankie and Frost's attention.
"Yeah, yeah…," Frankie called back as he dropped his trash into the box. "For what it's worth Maura…I hope you win. Someone needs to shut Martinez's mouth once and for all." He said as he turned around to follow Frost.
"Is there something I should know about you and Martinez?" Maura cautiously eyed Jane.
Ducking her head in an effort to buy herself some time, Jane caught a glimpse of her mother and Carly still engaged in conversation and she decided to change the subject as delicately as she could. "You didn't tell me you knew about Carly and Ryan." The words came out harsher than she had intended. So much for delicate she thought to herself as she cringed at her accusatory tone.
"Well, I didn't know…not for sure. I had a feeling that last time we saw them." Maura tried not to sound hurt at the hint of accusation and anger in Jane's voice.
"Um…sorry. I'm not mad…just a little hurt. I didn't even know it was something they were thinking of doing. Why didn't you tell me?" Jane glanced down as she looked down at her feet.
"We haven't been together for very long Jane…we haven't really had a chance to talk about things other than us." Maura tried to defend herself.
"I know. I guess it makes sense." Jane pushed aside her hurt and reached out to pull Maura into a hug. "I just feel so disconnected to everything…everyone."
"You're not…disconnected Jane." Maura slipped her hands inside Jane's open Red Sox jersey around to her back. Resting her check against Jane chest, she snuggled close.
"Not anymore." Jane rested her chin on top Maura's head and let out a long, heavy sigh. As she stood there with Maura in her arms, her eyes wandered the field finally finding the one person she didn't want to think about, Martinez.
"Play Ball!" The home plate umpire shouted to signal the beginning of the game.
"I meant to ask you where Ryan was?" Jane settled down next to Carly again, long after her mother had left.
"She said she'd be here as soon as she finished at work. Should be anytime now." Carly bristled slightly at Jane's arrival.
"Come on…you're not mad at me, are you?" Jane tried not to grin as she spoke.
"Maybe…," Carly gave her a sideways glance and tried to glare. "Just a little."
"Sorry, but I knew she'd be excited." Jane tried to explain. "Besides…it keeps her off of my back for a while."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. She wants me to give her the name of the fertility clinic we went to…ya know so you and Maura can start planning." Carly couldn't suppress the grin that spread across her face. "I saw you got some quiet time with Maura."
"Yeah, but she kept asking about Martinez. I think she knows that something happened between us." Jane shrugged her shoulders.
"Did you tell her?" Carly asked.
"It would only distract her." Jane tried to reason.
"Or give her a good reason to watch her back. He doesn't play fair. You learned that the hard way." Carly glanced towards the field as the first batter took his place at home plate.
"I know, I know. But what good would it do to tell her about Wendy?" Jane let out a heavy sigh.
"It's okay that you had relationships before she came back into your life. She had relationships as well. I just have a feeling that he's gonna take his frustrations out on her since he can't take them out on you." Carly nodded towards the short, stocky man at first base.
"I get it…but I can't blame him…not really. We went out a few times and it didn't take…can't say the same thing about his sister though. But I get it…she's his sister and it was a mistake…what can I say." Jane tried to brush off Carly's comments even though she had worried about the same thing.
"Maybe try by saying that you're sorry." Carly declared.
"What? Sorry that he thought we were dating when it was his sister I was interested in the whole time." Jane could feel her anger flare. "I thought I made it clear that I wasn't interested in him that way. We had fun hanging out together ya know…he just took it the wrong way. It's not my fault."
"And you'd be right to feel that way, but try to see it from his perspective. You and him were friends before…then you and Wendy started dating and then you broke up, but then you stopped hanging out with him." Carly did her best to explain.
"Okay…I can see what you mean but our break-up was mutual." Jane took a deep breath when she heard the crack of the bat echo around them. Looking up she saw the first hit of the game make their way to second base.
"I know that, but when you broke up with Wendy…you also broke up with him." Carly turned to regard Jane thoughtfully. "I guess that's why he's so angry at you. There was no resolution for him."
"I suppose it was just easier to stop hanging out with him. Things got pretty awkward from then on out." Jane shook her head.
"It doesn't help that he has feelings for you as well." Carly decided to say what she was really thinking.
"I know and for that I'm sorry."
"Then tell him…," Carly spoke softly as if soothing a wounded animal.
"Yeah…you're right. I'll do it after the game." Jane resigned herself. "But he'd better not do anything to piss me off before then…and he'll be going out with Maura over my dead body if they win this game."
"I believe you." Carly chuckled even though she hoped that he wouldn't do anything stupid as well. "Hey, I think someone is trying to get your attention." She pointed towards the dugout where Maura stood patiently waiting her turn at bat.
Jane's expression softened at Maura's anxious smile. She gave a wave and got a small one in return. Throwing all caution to the wind, she mouthed I love you in Maura's direction only to get the same response in return.
"So…what are you hoping for? A boy or a girl?" Jane turned her attention back to Carly, bringing a smile to both of their faces.
"I'm gonna be cliché here and say either…as long as it's healthy." Carly's smile grew to fill her face when Ryan appeared.
"Hey love…," Ryan dropped down next to Carly, giving her a quick kiss on an offered cheek. "How are you feeling? You need anything?"
"I'm good…just glad you made it." Carly leaned a little closer and laid her head on Ryan's shoulder.
"You tired?" Ryan reached over to run her fingers along Carly's jaw to trace up the outline of her ear.
"A little I suppose." Carly sat up straight at the crack of a bat against a ball. The sound caused everyone to stop and look.
"That's my girl." Jane said proudly as she puffed her chest out. As she watched Maura make her way around the bases towards home plate she couldn't suppress her smile. Maura's team had two points on the board and it was only the first inning.
"Hey Jane." Ryan leaned over to see Jane better. "Things going well?" There was a cautious undertone to her voice as she spoke.
"Yep…so far so good." Jane peered over at Ryan giving her a look that spoke volumes. They hadn't spoken much since their last meeting at Maura's house and Jane hoped than nothing would come of it but deep down she knew better.
"Glad to hear it. I'm guessing that Carly told you the news?" Ryan reached over to take Carly's hand in her own. It was both possessive and protective.
"She did. Congratulations." Jane's turned her attention back to Maura who was making her way to their dugout amidst pats on the back and high fives.
"Thanks…," Ryan hesitated before reaching over to take Jane's hand in her own, giving a squeeze. "It means a lot to have both you and Maura around for this."
Jane took a shaky breath as she gave a squeeze back. She had heard the unspoken message in the words and it caused her to give a shy glance in Ryan's direction.
"So I hear we are in for some entertainment tonight." Ryan let go of Jane's hand and placed it back on Carly's.
"Damn…don't remind me." Jane ducked her head at the thought that pretty much everyone she knew was going to be there to watch her humiliate herself.
"What's the big deal? So you gotta sing in front of some people." Ryan shrugged the idea off.
"Does that mean that you'll sing too?" Carly's voice sounded hopeful.
For a moment Ryan was silent as the breeze picked up and blew her bangs away from her eyes but when she looked at Carly, there was a playful twinkle in the depths of green that shimmered.
"Absolutely…I already have the song picked out." Ryan leaned over and placed a quick kiss to Carly's cheek.
"You guys are giving me cavities here with all of this sweetness." Jane pushed herself up from her seat. "I need a beer. Anyone need anything?"
"I'll have a beer since you're offering." Ryan grinned up at Jane. "In fact, I think I'll come with you…," she stood to follow Jane. "Can I bring you back anything?" She looked down at Carly who had a pensive look on her face.
"Just some water please." Carly said with a sigh. She knew exactly why Ryan wanted to go with Jane. It wasn't that they were going to talk that scared Carly, but it was what they were going to talk about that had her feeling sick to her stomach. Ryan was still working the Doyle case and even though there had been no developments since Jane and Maura had agreed to join forces with the DA if needed, Carly hoped beyond hope that it was something that would never come to fruition.
The worried expression that appeared on Carly's face did not go unnoticed by Jane as she and Ryan started to walk away and it made her feel ill at ease. Now that Carly was pregnant, she didn't want anything to happen that might risk that. She knew that Ryan had the same habits that she had when it came to work. Once an idea set in, she was loath to let it go and this was no different. The desire to see Paddy Doyle put behind bars was something they both wanted but she wasn't sure she was willing to pay the price at this point in her life but one look at Ryan's contemplative expression told her that maybe Ryan hadn't come to the same conclusion yet.
"I gather we need to talk." Jane finally broke the uncomfortable silence that had followed them away from Carly.
"I just wanted to let you know what's going on. There hasn't been much movement on Doyle's part. I think he might suspect something but I can't be sure." Ryan shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans. "I don't think we'll have much to go on. The DA is giving us until after the first of the year to get something…anything to bring an indictment."
"Okay…so we wait him out. Make him think that we've pulled back the investigation. Give him enough room to hang himself." Jane said with a confidence she didn't feel.
"Or us if we're not careful." Ryan gave a sarcastic chuckle.
"That won't happen. We've got each other's backs here…," Jane tried to reason.
"I do…you know that, right?" Ryan stopped walking, causing Jane to as well.
"Yes…I do. I've never thought differently." Jane reached over and placed her arm over Ryan's shoulder. It felt awkward at first because Ryan was so much shorter but then Ryan reached her arm around Jane's lower back making them fit better together. "But listen here shorty, you better not do anything to get Carly hurt…or yourself for that matter."
"I hear you loud and clear stretch…loud and clear." Ryan tried to smile but for some reason she couldn't quite bring herself to.
Maura had spent most of the afternoon being away from Jane and it caused a subtle ache to settle in her chest. It didn't help that Martinez kept glaring at her in a menacing way. This strange behavior from someone she hardly knew caused her to conclude that there was something more between him and Jane than Jane was willing to admit. The fact that Jane had changed the subject so quickly when she asked had Maura feeling a little despondent but she knew better than to dwell.
As she dropped down on the bench in the dugout after her homerun, a small smile creased her lips as she thought about having been right about Carly. It had been a tough journey for Carly and Ryan, one that Maura had been a part of every step of the way and it made her heart swell with love at the thought that things were finally falling into place for two of her favorite people. She was glad that she had glanced over just in time to see Ryan arrive and catch Jane's attention drawing an 'I love you' from those perfect lips that she loved so much. The declaration seemed to give her the strength and focus to hit the homerun that put them on the score board first. Of course it had brought a string of swear words from Martinez's mouth as Maura rounded first base. The things he said had unnerved her and she was glad to be back in the dugout away from him.
When it was their turn to take the field, Maura moved quickly to her position at right field and slapped her fist into her mitt a few times as she had seen Jane do so many times all of those years ago. There was just something about the feeling of rawhide leather against her knuckles that made her skin tingle with excitement and anticipation. Of course it could also be the thought of what she intended to do to Jane later that evening when they were finally alone.
With the game progressing at a slow pace, her mind wandered to what she had planned for the evening until she noticed Jane stand and stretch before wandering towards the concession stand with Ryan following close behind her. Their body language indicated that they were discussing something that made them both uncomfortable. Maura knew that there was only one subject that could cause both Jane and Ryan to look unsure of themselves and that was Paddy Doyle. An involuntary shiver ran up her spine as she thought about what might happen in the days to come. She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize that it was their turn at bat until someone called out to her.
"Dr. Isles…that's the third out."
Maura blinked a few times at the bright sun that had dropped lower in the sky and marveled at the fact that becoming lost in thought was becoming an annoying habit lately.
"Yeah…I'm right behind you." Maura called out as she trotted off the field. She let out a heavy sigh when she made it to the dugout and sat down on the bench.
"Hey beautiful…," A familiar voice spoke from behind her causing Maura to grin.
"Hey yourself…," Maura turned around to find Jane standing on the other side of the chain link fence separating them.
"Nice hitting..." Jane laced her fingers through the metal barrier and gave them a little wiggle.
"Yeah? I think they call that a homerun." Maura reached up to intertwine her fingers with Jane's.
"Well, if you play your cards right Dr. Isles…that won't be your only homerun today." Jane gave a wicked grin and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Biting down on her bottom lip, Maura could feel her cheeks grow warm with the blush that was moving across her face. Her stomach fluttered at the idea that she wasn't the only one having thoughts about what would be happening at the end of the day.
"Are you ready to sing for me?" Maura licked her suddenly dry lips causing Jane's eyes to drop down to look at her mouth before looking back up into hazel/green sparkling with playfulness.
"Maybe…do you have a song in mind?" Jane mimicked Maura and licked her lips as well but it wasn't because her lips were dry.
"I might…," Maura grinned at Jane. "But you're going to have to wait and see." She teased.
"I see how it's gonna be…a little pain, followed by a lot of pleasure, I hope." Jane gave a quick wink knowing exactly what it did to Maura.
All Maura could do was shake her head at Jane' s attempt at being coy. "You think you're the one in control here…don't you?" She raised an eyebrow and dared Jane to agree.
"Um…," Jane faltered slightly at the look on Maura's face.
"I guess we'll just have to see how the dust settles." Maura gave a saucy wink back. "But if I was inclined to make a bet…I wouldn't bet against me." She gave Jane's fingers a gentle squeeze. "Now if you'll excuse me…I've got a game to win."
"Damn…she's gonna be the death of me." Jane said under her breath as she watched Maura walk away.
"Yeah, but what a way to go." Korsak appeared next to her.
"Glad to see you could make it." Jane tilted her head to the side to see him better.
"I told you I'd be here to cheer Maura on and…," he nodded in Martinez's direction. "And watch your back."
"Thanks…I hate that it's come to this with him. We used to be pretty good friends." Jane glanced over towards first base.
"Well, some guys don't take too kindly to having their sisters heart broken by a friend." Korsak said.
"Hey, you know it was mutual. We were just going in different directions." Jane angrily shoved her hands into her pockets. "Anyway…it worked out better in the long run for her. She met Lisa and the rest is history."
"I know that…but he's her brother. He doesn't see it that way…not to mention he's been carrying a torch for you since the academy." Korsak backtracked a little. "Didn't you two try to date?"
"Look…we were just friends hanging out. He thought it was more but I did my best to make it clear that I was interested in Wendy…I can't help it that he wanted something I wasn't willing to give him." Jane looked over again at the subject of their conversation. When he glared at her, she glared back. "I guess I insulted his manhood or something."
"Yeah, or something." Korsak let out a laugh. "Don't sweat it…he's an asshole…always been one, always will be one."
"You're right on that count. He keeps giving Maura dirty looks, I don't like it…not to mention I haven't really told her about what happened." Jane gave a sheepish grin.
"Whoaw…not a good start my friend." Korsak gave her a hearty slap on the back.
"Tell me something I don't know. I just didn't want to distract her from winning this game. I definitely don't want her to have to go on a date with him." Jane tried to explain as she felt herself being propelled forward by the force of his hit.
"I think you may be too late for that." He said as he turned his attention towards the field and the beginnings of a commotion.
"What the hell?" Jane pulled her sunglasses down and squinted to see better. "That fucking asshole…," She growled as she took off at a run towards the lower end of the fence. With the agility of a gymnast, she easily vaulted over, landing on her feet with a heavy thud and continued to run.
Maura hadn't seen it coming as she ran towards first base as fast as she could, all of her attention on reaching the bag before the ball did. So when Martinez stuck his leg out, she didn't notice until she found herself face down in the dirt on the other side of the bag. Rolling over onto her back, she felt a sting and ache in her left knee and looked down to see that it was red with blood. She looked up to find Martinez sneering down at her, his hands on his hips with no intention of offering her a helping hand.
"Oops, better watch where you're going…," He chided.
Something out of the corner of Maura's eye caught her attention, something moving fast directly towards Martinez. It happened so quickly that she didn't have time to register what was happening much less warn him, but within the blink of an eye he was lying on the ground next to her with a very angry Jane standing over him.
"How's it feel being knocked on your ass when you don't see it coming you cheating son of a bitch." Jane's voice was tight with tension as she leaned down and grabbed him by the front of his t-shirt. "Get up…," She pulled him up to stand in front of her.
The look of surprise on his face spoke volumes as he struggled to say something, anything back at her but all he could do was stare at her with his mouth open.
"I should kick your fucking ass…right here, right now, but I'm not gonna." She pulled him closer to her before continuing. "What happened between us…stays between us. You got that? If you ever do anything to hurt her again…" Her dark eyes flashed with the anger she was barely containing.
"Bitch…" He said when he finally found his voice.
"You got that right." She curled her lip in a sneer. "But I'm angry and that makes me a dangerous bitch. You got that asshole?"
Korsak, Frankie, and Frost came up behind Martinez, just out of his field of vision but he could sense their presence when Jane glanced over his shoulder and gave a slight nod.
"Listen…you owe Dr. Isles an apology. She did nothing to deserve this. If you want, we can go out for a beer sometime and talk this over." Jane glanced down to see that Maura hadn't moved from where she was sitting on the ground cradling her skinned knee. "It's over Martinez…"
Swallowing around the lump that had formed in his throat, he also glanced down and saw the wide, innocent eye's looking back up a him. He dropped his chin to his chest as shame rushed over him at what he had done.
"If you let me go, I'll apologize to Dr. Isles…as I should." He looked Jane in the eye to show his sincerity.
With a little shove, Jane let go as she readied herself for anything. It was in her nature to be ready for the cheap shot but luckily Martinez turned to Maura and reached down in an effort to help pull her to her feet.
"I'm sorry Dr. Isles…it won't happen again." He waited for her take his hand.
Maura looked from Martinez to Jane and only accepted his help when Jane gave a slight nod.
"Apology accepted, but I need to bandage this cut before I run the risk of infection." She pushed past him and limped away.
"Is this over?" Jane tried to control the urge to run after Maura as she turned again to face Martinez.
"Yeah…for now. I'll take you on that beer and talk…you owe me at least that much." He bent down to pick up his mitt.
"I won't argue with you there." Jane called over her shoulder as she took off after Maura.
"Glad that was resolved." Frankie crossed his arms as he glared at Martinez.
"And if you ever hurt Dr. Isles again…" Frost started to say.
"Then we'll all kick your ass." Korsak interjected with a curt nod before turning his back on the slightly stunned man. Frankie and Frost nodded in agreement as they followed Korsak off of the field.
"So…what is it about you and sports?" Maura looked up from her seated position on the dugout bench when Jane entered the enclosure.
"What do mean?" Jane sat down across from Maura, taking the first aid kit that was handed to her from one of Maura's teammates.
"I don't know…it just seems to be the stage for way too much testosterone and conflict." Maura shrugged her shoulders. "Remember the trouble we encountered in high school?"
"Yes…" Jane leaned forward and blew gently on the skinned knee in front of her. The move caused Maura to shiver.
"Are you going to tell me what happened between you two that would elicit such a response from him?" Maura tried to concentrate on her words and not Jane's warm breath that spread over her like a soothing balsam.
"Okay…" Jane said as pulled an alcohol pad from its wrapper. "This might sting just a little."
"A little?" Maura scrunched her face up as the cold pad touched her tender skin. The sting came on strong but quickly subsided as Jane gently wiped at the raw skin.
"I dated Martinez's sister for a while." Jane blew over Maura's knee again causing her to flinch. "Sorry…," she tried not to smile. "My Ma used to do that when we were kids…I remembered it used to help."
"It didn't hurt, not really." Maura sighed because it wasn't pain she was feeling but a warm rush moving over her. "Was it serious?"
"Was what serious?" Jane continued to concentrate on cleaning Maura's wound before pulling out a large band aide.
"Your relationship with Martinez's sister…," Maura bit down on her lip as she anticipated the answer.
"Serious enough I suppose. When we broke up…it was mutual, but I guess Martinez didn't see it that way." Jane pulled the adhesive tabs off of the band aide before carefully pressing it against Maura's knee.
"Is that all?" Maura could sense that Jane wasn't being entirely truthful.
"I guess he kinda had a thing for me in the beginning and it didn't do much for his manhood when I choose his sister over to date over him." Jane tried to dismiss her statement with the wave of her hand.
"I suppose you're right about that." Maura glanced over towards where Martinez paced back and forth waiting for her to take her place at first base. "So why does her look at you like he's seen you naked?"
"Um…," Jane hesitated as her face turned a bright red. "He kinda did."
"Excuse me?" Maura suddenly sat up straighter.
"Look, he walked in on me and Wendy once. I guess he got an eyeful." Jane shrugged her shoulders as if to dismiss the memory.
"I suppose that could happen to anyone…," Maura mused as she looked away for a second. "See, that wasn't so hard…was it?" She looked back at Jane with and expectant look on her face.
"What? Patching you up?" Jane raised an eyebrow in uncertainty.
"Telling me what you've been avoiding all day." Maura reached out to cup Jane's cheek in the palm of her hand. "I don't need you to protect me Jane. I just need you to love me."
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to distract you from the game. I can't bear the thought of you going out with him. I might have to kill him before that happens." Jane tried to explain herself.
"No worries my sweet Jane. As they say…I've got this game in the sack." Maura smiled proudly at her use of slang.
Jane didn't have the heart to correct Maura's misuse of the phrase so she just tilted her face into the soft palm that still rested against her cheek.
"I don't have a lollipop for you but I do have something almost as good." Jane grinned at Maura who looked at her with curiosity.
"What would that be?" Maura asked.
"This…," Jane said as she leaned forward and placed a tender kiss to Maura's bandaged knee. "See, almost as good as a lollipop."
"You're such a goofball, but I'll take that over those high-fructose balls on a stick anytime." Maura laughed. "Now…if you'll excuse me…I've got a game to win." She stood up and squared her shoulders before heading back out onto the field where everyone was waiting.
Jane just grinned as she watched Maura walk away from her knowing that she meant it when she said she would win so when Maura's team won by ten points, she wasn't at all surprised.