It's 4pm at East Boston Memorial Park, and the softball team just started their warm ups. The opposing team staying to their side of the field doing their own exercise. Maura was walking through the grass in her heels while carrying a large cooler filled with gatorade. She passed Susie and Frost who were on the bleachers and went directly towards Jane.
"Hey isn't that Doc?" Frost stood up from where he was sitting and pointed to the blonde who was strutting across the field, who didn't seem to be struggling with the heavy cooler at all. "Oh, oh wow it is. I didn't know she'd actually come." Susie was just as surprised as Frost sounded.
"Whoa, she's strong, '' Frost thought out loud once he saw Maura reaching Jane and placing the cooler in front of her, opening it to reveal it being filled to the brim with ice and juice. All Susie did was nod, it was no surprise to her.
"Hello Jane" Maura said, trying her best not to sound out of breath. She might've made it seem easy, but in reality walking in grass with heels is already hard enough. Jane was talking to one of the parents when she turned around when she heard the familiar voice.
"Hey Maur, oh wow" Jane got distracted by the cooler.
"I bought these for the girls. I figured they would need this. Gatorade, because of its electrolyte content, helps to restore the lost electrolytes and keep a person hydrated, during intense activity. Though it can also replace electrolytes, during times of illness, such as stomach viruses. It was designed to help serious athletes perform better on the field." Maura stated matter of fact, then looked at Jane curiously.
"Have you put on sunscreen Jane?" Maura was already reaching into her purse to pull out her SPF 50. The brunette has yet to say anything, as if she was stuck in Maura's trance. "Mhm?" Maura tilted her head, waiting for a response. "Oh, no I haven't, I've been distracted, I was going to put some on… sorry that was a lie." Jane immediately folded and put her sunglasses on her head, allowing Maura access to her entire face. The blonde put some of the sunscreen into her hand first then rubbed them together. She gently rubbed it into Jane's face. Jane had a soft smile on, Maura had such a concentrated face. Wanting to make sure she did a good job.
"Hi Doctor Isles!" Veronica said, jogging over to the pair, with Brittney by her side. "Doctor Isles! We missed you at our practice last week." Brittney said. The teenage duo made it to where their mentors were standing and smiled. "I've brought you girls some gatorade for the game. It's important to stay hydrated. Especially during your first official match!" Maura said excitedly. She's never had any relationships with her students before, so seeing this duo being excited about her presence made her overjoyed. "Um, I don't think it would be called a match. Just a game." Veronica said, Brittney nudged her. "Thank You so much Doctor Isles. We'll let the team know" Brittney smiled brightly then ran back to where the team was practicing. "Thank you Doctor." Veronica blushed and followed her friend.
Maura gave a smile in response and looked expectantly back at Jane. "Maur, thank you for coming and for the cooler. It means alot to their girls that you showed up and, and it means alot to me too." Jane said shyly, remembering their encounter from earlier that day in the school hallway. Maybe saying they should remain friends was a good idea, Maura was here to show for it. This is a good sign… right?
Maura kept note on how Jane kept calling her Maur and how it made her stomach flutter each time. But here she was with her Jane again, no avoidance. Maybe staying friends was a good thing for them. She felt an uneasiness in her chest, unsure if this was the right answer. "It's no trouble at all. Anything for the girls, and for you" She said the last part softly. Before Jane could respond the Umpire called over the head coaches to start the game and get their teams in place.
"I have to go now, maybe you could join us after the game. We're celebrating at Ma's cafe." Jane said, anxious about the game and the sudden invite she just made. "I would love that Jane." She blushed. Jane leaned in and hugged her before running off. Maura had held her breath not expecting the sudden contact. She walked back to the bleachers and spotted her coworkers.
"Hello Coach Frost , Hello Ms Yang." She greeted them before taking a seat next to Susie.
"Hey Doc!"
"Hello Doctor Isles"
Frost reached over to Maura and gave her a popcorn bag. "Here, for you."
"Thank you Barry." Maura offered him a smile before focusing her attention back onto the field. She tried to give herself a crash course on softball so she'd understand the game some more. Hopefully it worked. She saw Jane huddle her team in and they all cheered. "GO TEAM!" Before laughing and running to get in line to take off their hats for the national anthem.. The crowd cheered and the game began.
Screaming, yelling and excitement is what the home base bleachers are experiencing. All bases were loaded and Veronica had hit a home run. A grand slam! The ball flew right out the three teachers are at their feet at once cheering.
"RUN RUN RUNNNNNN" Frost is yelling to the point where Maura is convinced he'll have no voice tomorrow. Susie is jumping up and down blowing her whistle. Maura is so overwhelmed with the atmosphere she almost misses when Jane looks for her in the crowd and pressed her two fingers to her lips before sending them out and directing them to the Doctor.
The team quickly all ran onto the field celebrating their first ever win. They're chanting for Veronica, hugging, and even crying. They pick up Veronica and start their team chant.
"Yeah, Yeah,
Do We Rock?
Yeah, Yeah,
Take it to the Top?
Yeah, Yeah
Are we gonna stop?
No way!"
Everyone from the bleachers disperse and Maura makes her way to Jane. The brunette is high fiving her girls, throwing fist pumps in the air and chanting with them. She see the petite blonde trying to get through the crowd of congratulations and runs towards her. Before Maura could understand what was happening she was being lifted up into the air. Jane spun her in a circle and hugged her tight.
"They won Maur they did it!" Jane said in an excited squeal, Maura laughed and laughed. Her chest was so warm that Jane hadn't had much contact in days. For this to be happening now was all so overwhelming. Though before MAura could utter out any kind of response or congratulations Jane blew her whistle.
"Listen up team, you have an hour to freshen up and be at the Restaurant. I'll save the cheesy 'I'm proud of you' speech tonight while our stomachs are full from victory." All the girls are sming, sweating and breathing heavily intely listening to their coach. They huddle and chant for the team before running off the field. Jane turns back around with a lazy smile across her face. "Maur thanks again for the juice. You're probably the reason they did so well today. You kept them hydrated. Plus you just being here showing your support must've meant alot for them." Jane said, picking up the now empty cooler.
Maura can't help but to think that her showing her support meant the most to Jane, she heard it in her tone. She blushes and goes to grab the cooler from the coach. "What are you doing?" Jane said, pulling away from her. "You aren't allowed to carry this. You're my- I mean the team's good luck charm. Moving from this day forward you have to live your life with extreme caution." Jane started to walk past her, into the direction she remembered seeing the blonde walk from before the game had started.
Maura had shook her head and was on Jane's heels. "Don't be foolish Jane." Though the coach does not react and continues her stride out of the park.
"Are you coming to Ma's?" Jane asked as she put the cooler in Maura's trunk. Maura nodded, "Yes, I do plan to go to Angela's Cafe tonight. Though I don't want to intrude or anything." Jane reaches out and puts her hand on Maura's shoulder. "Hey, do you have a short term memory? I just told you that you're our good luck charm. You'd be doing no intruding. Plus I want you there, I um… I miss you." Jane takes her hand back and rubs her neck. Maura instantly missed the warmth.
"I've missed you too Jane." Maura said, she stared at the dark brown eyes in front of her and wondered how they ended up here. Not even a month before she was in an entirely different phase of life. Now she's here going out, making friends with coworkers, and making a best friend? Yes this must be it. A best friend.
"Hey Maur? Did you hear?" Jane waved her hand in front of the blonde's face. Trying to regain her attention. Maura tilted her head. "No, I apologize. What was it that you said?" She asked while adjusting her rings on her fingers. Wasn't like Maura to fidget, but having Jane's undivided attention makes her flustered.
Jane chuckled, her hoarse low voice coming through. Sounded like singing to Maura's ears. "I said I'm going to head out now, I'll see you in a bit. The drive is like 20 minutes from here. So you can't miss me too much." The italian jokes, she side hugged Maura before jogging across the street to her car. All the blonde could do was smile and accept the affectionate gesture. Before walking to the driver's side and climbing into the car.
Dinner was big and loud. Some of the teammates' families came to celebrate as well. It was a full house at the cafe. Maura and Jane sat in their usual booth, though Jane was up and down talking to the parents of girls and taking pictures. It made Maura feel so warm inside to be experiencing this with Jane. To see her so happy and so in her environment.
Angela bangs two baking pans together to get the attention of the entire room. All heads turned to the counter to where she stood behind. "Okay, now that I've gotten everyone's attention I think it's time that Janie makes a speech! She announced, Jane rolled her eyes and smirked at Maura while everyone clapped and whistled.
"YEAH COACH JANIEEEE" Brittney teased which caused Veronica to slap her arm to shut up as Jane pointed her finger at her. "Hey watch it before you magically have to be the one to be washing these dishes tonight." This caused the girls to laugh and Brittney to blush from the small embarrassment she brought upon herself.
"Okay, okay. I'll keep it short, you all know I'm not so good with my words. But here it goes…" Jane glanced at Maura who was listening intently, with a relaxed face as she sipped her wine. Jane took a breath in and started.
"Four years ago we started this team as a club. Veronica and Brittney came up to me as tiny freshmen with a paper signed with alone a mere of five other names. In true fashion Veronica had a powerpoint slide prepared to explain why we should have a softball team and how I could really be at value being their coach. While Brittney nodded then proceeded to say and I quote 'yeah, what she said.'' Everyone laughed as did Maura.
"Anyways, I just want to thank you girls for being so strong and persistent. Most of you waited your entire highschool career for our team to be officially viewed as one and not just a club. I'm proud of you all, and I'm incredibly proud to be your coach. What an honor it has been." Jane took off her softball cap and put it to her heart. "Next stop playoffs!" She encouraged and all the girls ran up to her, all engulfing her in a group hug.
"Okay okay. Shoo shoo" Jane only allowed the hug to last about 10 seconds before prying herself out of the sea of highschoolers and making her way back to the booth. Maura was grinning at Jane as she sat.
"What?" The brunette asked, blushing under Maura's gaze. "You're a lovely person Jane Rizzoli." it came off her lips before she had time to think about what she was saying. Jane brought her hand and rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh, Thanks?"
"I'm being serious, I hope you don't think I'm teasing you or anything." Maura quickly added to Jane's shyness. "No, no I know. Just- thanks Maur." Before Maura can reply Angela came to the table and slid next to her and gave her a tight hug.
"Maura Isles I have not seen you since the barbeque! I hope the family didn't scare you away! " Angela said and the blonde shook her no. "Oh, no Mrs Rizzoli they certainly have not."
"Well then why haven't I seen you around? You are Janie's girlfriend after all, why haven't you come to our Rizzoli Sunday night dinners?" The older Italian asked, Jane choked on her beer at the mention of her mother addressing Maura as her girlfriend.
"Ma! Maur isn't my girlfriend, we're just friends." Jane said and looked at Maura apologetically. "Well that's just nonsense, you two together are just beautiful. I insist that you come on sunday. It'll be at my house, as always and-" She was caught off by her daughter.
"Ma, c'mon. You didn't ask if she was free. What if she has plans or I don't know doesn't want to come?" Jane was talking fast, moving her hands around. Maura couldn't help but chuckle at her observation of how embarrassed Angela seems to make Jane.
"Well?" Angela looked at Maura expectantly. Maura smiled softly and said "Of Course I'll join Rizzoli night. It sounds enjoyable." Jane laughs, "yeah it's far from that." Angela swats her arm and gives Maura another hug before standing. "Then I'll see you both on Sunday! and on time Janie." She gave a pointed look at her daughter before walking away.
The night quickly ended after Angela's invite. Everyone hugged goodbye and some even hugged the doctor already tagging along with Jane calling her their good luck charm. The pair stood behind and helped close up the cafe.
Maura had just hugged Angela once again saying goodnight before watching her walk to Jane's car, while Jane pulled down the gate to lock up the store. "Hey Maur, you seriously don't have to come on Sunday if you don't want to." Jane said while closing the padlock and stood up to face the blonde.
"I want to go to Jane." Maura answered quickly. Jane's smile grew and it made Maura's heart burst. "Okay, um. Will you text me to let me know you got home safe?" Jane asked shyly. Maura couldn't help but you put her hand on her own chest. To make sure her heart hadn't stopped beating. So many feelings at once. "Ofcourse I will." They both stood there taking each other in. Their faces are only getting closer.
Jane is the first to break their bubble. She stepped back and coughed. "Well um, I have to get going. Gotta drive Ma home." Maura stepped forward already anticipating Jane's side hug. Jane leaned in and wrapped her arm around the petite blonde.
"Good night Jane."
"Good night Maur."