AN: A long chapter for your wait. I've been busy as usual - and I'm kind of not sure where to go yet story wise. Happy eclipse viewing tomorrow to those in totality. Thanks, guest,Tingtorn78, AnSaMo, Don Quichotte, and CerthasDaeron, for your reviews on Chapter 12. It is much appreciated.
Lost in her thoughts, Jane thought about how Maura didn't even entertain the idea of moving to where she was. I mean, given under opposite circumstances, even if Jane was the one who fell in love with her, she'd still have wanted to be around Maura even if Maura didn't return her feelings. She realized that perhaps Maura just wasn't willing to settle for anything less than someone who was in it the same as her. Admirable though it was, Jane couldn't help but feel disappointed that Maura hadn't even listened to all the positive research she had found. Surely, her appeal to her scientific mind would be the cincher. Cameron, who had walked into her apartment and saw her deep in thought, asked her what she had been up to and if she wanted to go out for a movie. Jane, however, was so deep in her thoughts that the words barely registered. Cameron noticing how engrossed in her thoughts she was, inched closer to her trying to embrace and greet her. Startled out of her thoughts, she jumped to attention squared up. Raising his hands in defense, "Hey, take it easy, Jane, it's just me."
"Don't come up behind me like that I startle easily."
"I'm sorry about that. How did your call with Maura go, is she packing up and on her way here?" He smiled trying to lighten the mood in the room.
"No." Jane didn't want to go into specifics of what had occurred on the call. She wasn't sure how to explain to Cameron that Maura wasn't moving to DC with her best friend because she had fallen in love with her.
"Why, not?" Cameron was sure Jane had thought of everything enticing to her best friend.
"She wanted to stay near family. She just got to know her birth mom.. I get it." Jane started to feel very selfish all of a sudden. Maura was gracious in declining, but here was Jane wanting to take Maura away from the only support system Maura had ever known. In addition to her adoptive and birth Mom progressing to be worthy of having a daughter like Maura and Jane had asked her to drop all that for her and also expect to be in love with her and have to see her daily, in relations with Cameron.
"I'm an idiot." The brunette muttered under her breath. "I was selfish to ask her."
"Jane, it's not selfish. She's your best friend and you love her."
"What?" Jane paused incredulously.
Cameron repeated himself again. "It's not selfish. She is your best friend. It's natural to want to have her around."
Jane sighed at the thought, rather wanting to be alone with her thoughts, free of Cameron and muttered under her breath, "not if its more than wanting someone you are dating around."
In the morning at work, Maura looked through the catalog of notes and photos taken at the raid of the warehouse that they found. Her mind was split between that and chronicling the events of Jane, finding out Maura's feelings inadvertently. If she admitted it to herself, she was a bit disappointed that Jane couldn't return her feelings, but she also could definitely understand that Jane was always a person who avoided things. Jane had a lot of introspection to do if she were to be in a relationship with Maura.
"I can't get work done if I keep thinking about this." The blond stood up from her desk and placed the folder onto her desk and paced a little. She decided to jot down some goals. If Jane wasn't returning her feelings, then she needed to move forward in her dating life, her professional life, and distance from all the Jane dependent things in her life. Now was a perfect time to explore more of her relationships with women since all her previous relationships with men did take the forefront while her time was mostly consumed with Jane on the downtime.
"I've got to get moving if I want certain things in life, and I can't sit back any longer and hope for something that isn't. I just have to make things happen for myself." Pleased with her new motivation, Maura stopped pacing and, with a new focus and determination, sat down to try to find a break in Angie's case. She had been mentoring Kent and also making sure he was continuing his higher role in the medical examiner office after she returned from Paris.
Most of the precincts, including Lt Cavanaugh, all speculated that now that Jane was gone, Maura would soon follow. After all, Jane had followed the medical examiner to Paris. Coworkers and best friends didn't tend to go to the most romantic capital in the world, nor did best friends need to be in constant contact with one another. Everyone who saw them together thought the chemistry was there in spades.
Maura thumbed through the photos and evidence captured. She hated that the trip to the car warehouse had not provided any additional leads. She thumbed through each picture of the warehouse area and now was thumbing through some of the records that they had seized. Bill of sales, titles, and other such items. The title for the car they were looking for was there, but the car itself wasn't. Next, she started looking through receipts when she settled on a couple of gas receipts, car wash receipts, car repairs, and body work.
"Collision work! That's it." She rifled through all the receipts until she found the car they were looking for. An estimate for some body and paint work for a front bumper. She looked at the date on the estimate, and it was dated the day of the raid. Quickly realizing time was of the essence to get something off a car that might be repaired of its collision with a woman she dropped the receipts and picked up her desk phone and dialed the bullpen above her.
The person on the other line picked up. "Rizzoli." Hearing the surname was bittersweet, but she was on a mission.
"Frankie, I need you to get some uniforms and evidence techs to this collision shop I am sending to you shortly. I found the car that wasn't at the warehouse. It's at a collision shop getting fixed! If we don't hurry, they may sand off and repaint that car before we can get anything off of it."
"Shoot Maura, I didn't even think of that, I mean I've been spinning my wheels in their ledger looking for any sales that may not have had a receipt on the off chance that they were selling it under the table. I didn't even think twice to believe they'd be dumb enough to keep it."
"I'd get there as soon as you can. My guess is after the raid, if anyone was involved in this, they'd probably pay extra to get it fixed faster. We may not find anything tied to the car until we can prove it's the car."
"On it. I'll call you once I get there. Keep your phone on you. It may be later this afternoon before I secure all the paperwork. I may just chance it and see if they will let me into their shop. They may have no clue about the circumstances and might aid a police officer in finding evidence."
"Good idea. Let me know if you have any luck."
Setting down the receiver, she blew out a breath she was holding. Now, to the hard task of talking to Kent and Lt Cavanaugh. She stood up from her desk and set about to walk to Kent's office and knocked on the door that was half open. Kent, hearing her arrival, welcomed her in.
"Hey, Dr. Isles." Kent acknowledging her entering his office.
"Maura. Please, Kent. I have something I want to talk to you about. As you may know, I had started finding additional interest in another medical field. Pathology will always be my first love, but I feel like my role here will never be quite the same. "
"Without Jane you mean?" Kent pointed out.
"No, no, not just that. I know you, and I know Jane is deceptively complex, as is our friendship, but I also have found I am quite enamored with the recent volunteer work I have been doing." Maura explained. "I've decided I want to pursue a fellowship in neonatology. Which means I may not be here for long. I believe you are a perfect replacement for me. Once I continue to show you the ropes, I can slowly transition."
"And Jane." Kent insisted.
"Yes, Yes, and Jane. Can we get past that piece."
"Maura, you and Jane, I know, had something special here at BPD. it's very understandable to feel out of sorts now that the other half of the duo is gone. I just think you may make a decision out of sadness. Never make a major decision when sadness or great happiness is brand new. Let it sit with you for a while and then make decisions."
Maura paused for a moment, wanting to convey something clearly and precisely so he wouldn't worry. "Kent, I loved being the ME, and I loved being part of the dynamic duo, but that isn't what I want for myself long-term. I want to do something rewarding that doesn't put me or my loved ones in harm's way any longer. I enjoyed my time here, and i am sure you will too, I just think that at this point in my life, I realized there are things I value more, and I want to pursue them instead."
"I understand now. I just didn't want you to make any rash decisions. Jane is deceptively complex. You are too Maura, and I see now how much more complex you are. The Medical Examiner's office was just the start of your journey, I can't wait to see your next. Please keep me involved, and hopefully, you will also be someone I can reach out to whenever I get stuck.
"Thank you, Kent, that was very sweet. I've got a lot of planning to do. I definitely can't wait to see what is ahead of me. A new change of scenery is better for where I feel like I want to be in my life, and I just need to listen to my intestines." Maura smiled.
"I think you mean listen to your gut." Kent corrected. Maura laughed. "Yes, that is what I meant. I will see you later. I have to head out to my biological mom's clinic. She wanted to demonstrate open heart surgery on a premature infant on a simulator tool that she had just recently bought. I am excited to see if it has any resemblance to real surgery."
Hope Martin adjusted the centerpiece in the middle of the table at the French Restaurant that she had invited Maura and Constance Isles. Maura had let her know that Constance would be in Boston for emotional support for something her daughter was facing. Although she understood that she would not be Maura's first choice in life situations, she was hoping to be there someday. She wanted to make up for all the time lost with the daughter that the mob took away from her. Things were sensitive, to say the least, ever since Maura was revealed in media that she was the daughter of Paddy Doyle. Even more so after Hope Martin testified against Paddy.
After testifying, Maura stopped turning down invitations to outings with her and Caitlin. At first, Hope was afraid that the testimony would lead to her death bed, but she believed it was the right thing to do and a way to repair her relationship with Maura. Soon after the testimony, Paddy warned all of the mob enemies that Hope was off limits even despite the testimony leading to his arrest and prison sentence. He had no ill will toward Hope, and she, too, had to pay back the money that she had received. In his eyes, they were even and Paddy's wishes in his late stage of life that his remaining child have some kind of semblance of normalcy as his legacy.
Maura found it honorable that he would do that, so she too sometimes visited Paddy when he was allotted a very rare prisoner visitation once every few months. She wasn't proud of a mob boss as a father, but she understood that people make mistakes in life and sometimes their personalities and issues cause a lot of problems in life.
Maura rose her wineglass to swirl the merlot that was served, and her eyes flashed in recognition as Constance Isles appeared near the Maitre' d. She and hoping began waving to get her attention toward their table. Seeing them both, Constance smiled lightly in recognition and began walking towards the table. As she joined the table, she greeted them both with a kiss to the cheek of her daughter.
"Mother, I'm so glad you could meet us. Hope and I were able to test out some new augmented reality equipment for practicing surgical procedures." The younger blonde beamed at her mother being cordial to Hope and taking time out of her visit in between foundation work she was also busy coordinating while in the area.
"Darling, I'm glad I could too. Please tell me you ordered already, and I've not kept you waiting too long." Constance remarked. Hope interjected that they, too, just arrived and that they had just ordered some wine to start. She slid the menu toward Constance. so she could catch up and find her entree.
"How has your Boston visit been, Constance? Maura here tells me you had some foundation business, but also, you were here to lend some support during a difficult task that she had recently."
"Ah yes, mostly to visit Maura, I've been proud of how she has blossomed here in Boston." Looking at Maura, Constance tried to ascertain how much Hope had been told. So, she awaited Maura to jump in to expound on what else needed to be said. Maura caught the look and understood and appreciated the confidence that Constance kept of why she had been here for support. It was time for her to tell Hope herself.
"Hope, remember when you told me that you understood why I didn't go with Jane to Virginia? That you realized now that it was a breakup?" Maura started to explain.
"Yes, I'm sorry again about that. I'd bet you and Jane were looking forward to raising a family when the miscarriage happened. I'm so sorry to hear that you broke up. Caitlin and I used to favor you and Jane's relationship. You were the perfect example of opposites attracting and complimenting each other so well." Hope began.
"Actually, we were just best friends. Nothing ever happened between us." Maura relayed slowly. "When you started talking to me and you had revealed your assumption, I was just very lost in my thoughts and feelings to correct you at the time. Jane and I have never been a couple."
Taken aback. Hope, shocked expression said it all. "Exactly my thoughts as well, Hope. When Maura corrected me, I, too, was dumbfounded. They always portrayed a comfortable married couple. I assumed the same thing as well." Constance smiled, trying to soften the confusion.
"Unfortunately Jane and I were just best friends and will always just be best friends." Maura added.
"Are you sure?" Hope asked. "We are afraid, so Hope, that is why I was visiting, Maura actually realized only recently that she and Jane should be a couple. Like you and I assumed they should. She brought it up to Jane a few days ago. Jane, however, is still straight." Constance harumphed.
"Mother!" Maura chastised. "People are who they are, its ok if she didn't return my feelings."
"Are you sure?" Hope asked again, dumbfounded that the overbearing Detective who made sure to threaten her if she didn't properly treat Maura right, more often than not, was, in fact, straight.
"Yes, unfortunately, she can't return my feelings for her. Mother was here to support me when I gave a shot at it after I realized some things in our separation." Maura wistfully relayed.
"Well, Caitlin is going to be shocked. I mean, you both just seemed so familiar and couple like." Maura smiled woefully. "Nope, she just loves me as a friend."
"Well, I think she is a buffoon for not acknowledging she is in love with Maura." Constance commented matter of fact-ly in her no-nonsense way.
Hope laughed at the interjection. "Don't worry, Constance, buffoons who don't immediately fall in love with Maura will always find their way. I mean, she is such an amazing daughter to us both, and I am sure everything will work out for what is right for Maura in the end." The waitress started heading their way from the kitchen and sensing their need to order, Hope lifted her glass, I would like to propose a toast, 'To Maura, a beautiful light in a dark world, who's shine will outlast any doubt and will guide all those who belong with her back to her."
Maura blushed and was touched by the sentiment. Constance and Maura rose their glass to the toast and sipped, and they all set their wine glasses down and picked up their menus to relay to the waiter.
Still stung by the distance from Jane and of the unrequited love, Maura still saw the bright side in her finding relationships with both her moms in a way she had never had before. Although her love life wasn't winning, the rest of her life was at places she would never thought possible.
Cameron watched the game on the tv while Jane retrieved some snacks from the kitchen. A bagful of Doritos and blue moon in her hand, Jane sat at the other end of the couch. Cameron noticing the distance was not uncharacteristic, but also farther than usual Cameron asked aloud.
"Hey, I promise you won't steal your snacks. You can sit by me." Cameron patted the spot next to him on the couch.
Jane scooted closer and opened the bag of chips, and sipped on the blue moon. He put his arm behind her neck on the cough.
"Maura said no, didn't she?"
"Why would you think that?" Jane responded.
"Well, for one, you have been moping all day. For another, that's the whole bag of Doritos and your third beer in 20 minutes. You only ever eat and drink that much when something is bothering you."
"Cameron, do you love me?
"Uh. I don't know if I can say that yet." Cameron answered flustered.
"It's okay, really. I can't say it yet, either." Jane answered quickly back as well. She was kind of relieved Cameron wasn't head over heels in love with her.
AN: Maura slowly gets all the things she never had. Will she still need Jane? probably lol. Jane's just in denial and has to do some self introspection, and that's a scary thing, especially if you are the victim of a serial killer