Chapter Forty Eight

Jane is at work thirty minutes before her shift begins and her day already feels like it's more than she can handle. She had to watch Melissa head out to yet another therapy session, which on its own is fantastic. As it stands, however, Jane thinks that perhaps she is pushing herself too hard. She decided to wait and see how things are tonight before making any comment on the matter, but after Melissa left the house she sat down with Monica and talked.

The idea was to figure out ways with which they could both reduce stress on Melissa and be more proactive about being supportive. Jane feels like it was productive, but it has left her feeling drained. Now she stares at her computer and reads over the forensic report from the murder of Bertie and the attempted murder of herself. A shudder rolls down her spine as she contemplates for the first time today how close she came to death.

It isn't like she hasn't come close before. It isn't even the first time a serial killer has nearly done her in. It feels different though. Perhaps it's a result of getting older or maybe it's because she finally feels like her life is headed in the direction she wants it to. More than likely though, it is that she was practically blindsided. She didn't see it coming. Her encounters with Hoyt, she knew at least on some level, that she was taking a huge risk. Even when he was on his deathbed she knew he wasn't to be trusted.

Two mornings ago was different. Even though she had a sense that the whole thing could go sideways to the point that she was calling Maura just in case, it still hit her out of nowhere. She still let her guard down. She still allowed herself to be distracted. Not even staring at cold hard facts which tell her that she wouldn't have seen a thing anyway can assuage this sense of frustration that's building. Jane realises that her frustration and fear has nothing to do with her own life. She's frustrated because when Bertie took that bullet to the skull the only solid lead they had to work with ceased to exist.

She can't take much more of this.

"Rizzoli, my office."

Jane looks up and watches Inspector Freeman as disappears through a doorway. She quickly makes her way over to his office and steps inside, closing the door behind her at his behest. She sits down when he motions to the seat in front of his desk and looks at him quizzically.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good to go, sir."

"Glad to hear it. I need you to pair up with Wilson to follow up on some of the cases that have been falling between the cracks."

Jane's eyes narrow and she feels a rising surge of protest wanting to force its way out of her mouth, but she swallows it down. The look on his face tells her that he is more than prepared to quash any argument. She protests as quietly as she can manage through gritted teeth, "But sir…"

"I can't have you on this. Especially given the suspected connection between the recent events and the hit and run attempt on your girlfriend's life in 2005."

Jane's eyes widen in surprise and yet she feels a sense of relief. She didn't expect him to pay that much attention to what was happening around him. She actually got the sense he was the type to sit back and let the Launceston CIB run itself. It's a relief that his finger is on the pulse, even if it's having her pulled away from the only case that matters.

Jane nods and quite reluctantly says, "Yes sir."

"Rizzoli," he says quite firmly, "Do not let me catch you investigating the Anderson murder. Do you understand me?"

Jane studies his demeanour and while it is professional the look in his eyes makes it quite clear he's not happy with what he's just done. His earlier words, 'I can't have you on this' suddenly take on a whole new meaning. Jane suspects he's feeling pressure from higher up, probably from Commander Hillenbrandt who has made it abundantly clear how little he regards her. He brought Rachael onto the case, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's pushed to have her removed.

Her smile is a grim one as she acknowledges, "Understood sir."

"Good. Now get back to work. Marsh has several open cases waiting for you and Wilson to follow up on." Inspector Freeman says with a dismissive wave that tells Jane this little meeting is over.

Marsh is waiting at her desk when she returns and she offers him an obviously fake smile and thanks him, before dumping them on the desk in front of her and plopping herself down on her chair. She picks up the first file to get acquainted and she's done skimming the first three folders when she notices Gabby walk in.

Jane waves her over and when Gabby comes to a standstill at her desk she hands Gabby the folders she was just looking at. "Looks like we're working together again."

Jane watches in pure fascination how the smile on Gabby's face completely falls and the darkest of clouds appears to form above her head. She looks completely defeated, but Jane isn't taking this personally. She knows this isn't about working together, it's about what working together means. At least, technically. She's sassy in response in an attempt to prevent further clouds rolling in. "Gee thanks, Wilson. Way to make a girl feel loved."

Jane's humour inadvertently prompts a memory of what Melissa said to her yesterday afternoon about how Kelly overheard Gabby banging Maura into oblivion. An unwanted image flashes through her mind and she shakes her head and mumbles, "Some things really shouldn't be mentioned."

"Excuse me?"

Jane sighs and motions for Gabby to come a little closer, this isn't something the entire bullpen needs to hear. When she's leaning in close, Jane quietly says, "I was just wondering if it occurred to you that you currently have a house guest when you were…" Jane pauses, trying to delicately frame it, before giving up and leaning into Melissa's language choice. "Banging Maura into oblivion?"

Gabby goes completely red and the embarrassment Jane interprets from that reaction is enough to elicit a smirk of her own. Now that she has this new image in her head she can function for the day. It's not exactly the most comfortable thing to think about Maura being intimate with anyone else, but it's something that was always going to happen. Jane decides to lean into the discomfort partly for herself, but mostly for Gabby who needs her head to be in a better place. "And we both know how vocal she can be."

Jane moves quickly to avoid the clip around the ear Gabby tries to give her. Despite the attempted violence Jane watches Gabby visibly relax, all the tension and apprehension she exhibited when she learned Jane was off Alexis' case appears to melt away. With a negative spiral successfully diffused, Jane feels comfortable grinning like an idiot.

"Not another damn word, Rizzoli." Gabby says, her voice is all serious and completely betrayed by the suddenly very smug smirk on her face.

It's a little disconcerting.

"Just look at the files. We can talk about the other stuff later, alright?"

Gabby nods and pulls up a chair. She starts flicking through the first file and Jane lets out a deep breath. This is not how she expected her work day to begin, but it does have one serious benefit. She doesn't have to work with Rachael. Working with Gabby is a walk in the park in comparison. Actually it's more like a leisurely Sunday stroll with a loved one while eating ice cream when compared with the nails dragging along a chalkboard level of agitation she feels working with Rachael. Just thinking about that woman makes Jane's blood boil. She sighs heavily.

"What's weighing you down?"

Jane flicks her eyes towards Gabby and then flicks them in the direction of the office where the main investigation is taking place. She tries to keep her agitation to herself instead focusing on the one positive she has identified. "I'm just thankful I get to work with you."

Gabby stares at her for longer than really feels necessary, but Jane doesn't say anything. Finally Gabby closes the folder she is perusing and shrugs. She rather energetically, too energetically for Jane's liking, jumps up and motions down the hall. "Come on, let's get out of here. We've got some police work to do."

She doesn't have to say it twice. Jane is more than happy to get out of the station. It reduces the chances she has to have any contact with Rachael. She hurries after Gabby and after they reach their unmarked Holden Commodore she throws an expectant look in the Australian's direction. She holds her hand out and says, "Keys!"

Gabby rolls her eyes and says, "Rock. Paper. Scissors."

Jane huffs a little as she shakes her head but on the count of three she throws out the two fingers that represent scissors. She gleefully snatches the keys when Gabby offers them up in defeat. "Like taking candy from a baby."

Gabby moves towards the passenger's side, stopping to look over the roof of the vehicle. "Only arseholes take candy from babies, Rizzoli."

"Only irresponsible parents let their babies have candy, Wilson." Jane snaps back, a stupidly smug grin on her face. She ducks her head down and climbs into the car. She adjusts the seat to better suit her reach and straps in.

Gabby does up her seat belt and says, "Start with Kings Meadows and work our way back towards the city?"

"Sounds good." Jane agrees as she turns the engine on and gets them moving towards the scene of a burglary.

Jane's focus is on the road as they fall into relative silence. When they stop at a red light Jane glances sideways and sees that Gabby's looking pensive, staring out the side window. She doesn't know precisely what is running through her partner's head, but she can hazard a guess. "We're gonna get the asshole," Jane declares confidently.

Gabby sighs and turns to look at Jane. Her eyes look haunted, but the rest of her face looks frustrated. "He took you off the case."

"And?"

"And those two have apparently been working this a lot longer and haven't gotten anywhere. I'm supposed to think they can figure it out alone?"

Jane glances up at the traffic lights and as they turn green she shifts her primary focus to the road ahead. As for Gabby's lament, she feels it too. She has just as many doubts, which is precisely why she isn't going to let this go. She'll just do as Freeman asked. She won't let him see her investigating. "Freeman didn't. Pretty sure he's just following Commander Hillenbrandt's instructions."

"Does it really matter where the order comes from? You're off the case."

Jane grins grimly as it occurs to her how structured Gabby must have been throughout her career to think this will put a stop to anything. "Are you forgetting your own need to investigate? Do you think if I was going to play by the book I'd have given you anything to run off the damn reservation with?"

"So you're ignoring a direct order?"

"As far as I understand it, I just can't get caught investigating. I'll figure this shit out and Morris can close it." The mere thought leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. It isn't so much about getting credit, it's that she'll have to trust someone else to make the arrest and as it stands she's not sure how much trust she has for anyone when it comes to that.

"Okay."

Jane tosses a cursory glance in Gabby's direction, worried by how weak and uncertain her agreement sounded. Her head is turned away, staring out the side window again, but her fingers are digging into her leg and it worries Jane. She scans the road ahead locating a safe spot to park. She pulls the vehicle over and cuts the engine. Gabby is still in her own little world.

She reaches out and places a hand on Gabby's shoulder. She feels the slight jump beneath her hand and when their eyes finally meet Jane asks, "Where'd you go?"

"What if we can't figure it out?"

A nightmare world, Jane determines, is where Gabby went. A nightmare world that she herself is also oh so familiar with. She's been there many times in her dreams since all of this started. She just gets the added joy of also being haunted by Hoyt, as if all of this is his doing from beyond the grave. Now wouldn't that be something? A shudder rolls down her spine. She squeezes Gabby's shoulder in an attempt to show a little support. "Don't go there. We will figure this out."

"I can't lose anyone else to this guy, Jane." Gabby says quietly, wiping at the corners of her eyes. "I'm not strong enough to survive that."

Jane averts her gaze. She looks through the windshield at the road ahead and works her jaw a little. She doesn't know what to say because she feels it too. Losing either Maura or Melissa would absolutely gut her and she isn't sure what would be left of her if it happened, so she gets it. She's also realising that she doesn't like the idea of a world without Gabby in it either. She might be absolutely infuriating at times, but she's an essential part of the lives of those she cares most about. She's probably the only person she herself can actually trust in all of this too.

Jane finally looks back at Gabby, a gritty sense of determination rising up within and plastering itself all over her face. "I won't let that happen. I promise."

It's a promise she doesn't know that she can keep.

Kelly runs her hand through the fur at the back of Charlie's neck and nuzzles into the side of his face. "You're such a good boy," she coos gently, breaking out into a fit of laughter when he turns his head and licks her enthusiastically. "Alright, alright, no more kisses, I got it."

Kelly reaches out and grabs a slobbered on tennis ball that's sitting beside her on the grass and heaves it further into the garden, smiling when Charlie immediately chases after it. She wipes her face and hands free of slobber with the collar of her t-shirt and lays back down. She stares up at the leaves on the gumtree providing her with shade and revels in this moment of peace.

It is a moment where she isn't thinking about lawyers or her overbearing father. She isn't thinking about her failed marriage and how much she misses the simple things with Melissa. She isn't thinking about the awkwardness that has taken over her brain since she overheard Maura in the throes of passion and the revelation of her own attraction that ensued. Not a single bit of it.

The sun is shining, the garden smells divine and she is completely alone apart from Charlie who is now laying nearby holding the tennis ball between his paws while he gnaws on it with his teeth. She rolls onto her side, propping her head up on her fist with her elbow meeting the ground. She watches the way Charlie works the ball and grins knowing that it will be destroyed within minutes. It's a simple joy. It's a necessary joy.

Charlie's head lifts and his gaze snaps towards the back of the house. Kelly sighs because she knows this moment of peace she's found is over. She sits up and twists her body, raising her hand to her forehead to block out the sun. She watches as Charlie bounds towards the backdoor tennis ball long forgotten. He is greeted warmly by Maura who is dressed in shorts and an absolutely hideous brown t-shirt.

It's only as she gets closer that Kelly recognises its merchandise from the same team Melissa is fanatical about. A team she remembers that her wife has in common with Gabby. It's probably one of her shirts. An unexpected ache in her gut forces Kelly to drop her gaze towards Charlie who is following behind Maura as she approaches. He's simply the happiest dog. Kelly longs to find that level of happiness in her life one day. It would be wonderful.

"Good afternoon." Maura greets warmly as she sits down on the grass beside Kelly.

Kelly watches as Maura's nose wrinkles adorably when Charlie drops the slobbery tennis ball next to her. A small smile adorns her face as Maura clearly has a brief mental debate before shrugging and picking up the ball. She tosses it away with as much gusto as she can muster, but it's quite obvious she doesn't have a pitcher's arm. "If you're lucky he'll lay back down and continue chewing on it once he brings it back."

Maura's smile is absolutely radiant. "I must admit that I'm not exactly used to having a pet that makes such a mess, but his enthusiasm for life is contagious."

An old memory returns to the front of Kelly's brain. "Ah yes, I remember the tortoise. Jane was looking after him when we met. He's with her mother now?"

Maura nods. "Yes thankfully Angela enjoys his company. I didn't realise you had met Bass. Though I suppose it really shouldn't be that surprising."

"Bass?"

"Yes, as in William M. Bass, the forensic anthropologist that invented the Body Farm."

Kelly is pretty sure she is going to regret this. "Body farm?"

Maura's eyes light up, seemingly enthused to be asked a follow up question. "A research facility first established at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1981. It was designed to study decomposition in human corpses, which has had a significant impact on forensic investigation. There are currently eight such facilities in the United States."

"That's…. Great?"

Maura smiles broadly. "Yes, it truly is."

Kelly's smile is genuine, though her tone is a little awkward as she limply pumps her fist and states, "Yay, science."

Maura chuckles. "Indeed. How are you feeling today?"

"I woke up, so it's a good day." Kelly says with a shrug right before averting her eyes. She chooses to focus on Charlie hoping that he has a hidden magical ability to save her from Maura's conscientious inquisition.

Maura doesn't say anything and as the seconds tick by Kelly finds herself unable to resist the pull to look back at her friend, worried by the silence. What she finds is a woman who looks to be studying her closely and she wilts a little under the intensity of Maura's gaze. Maura breaks eye contact and looks towards Charlie. Kelly shakes her head, this is precisely the kind of awkwardness she wanted to avoid.

She knows she needs to say something, because Maura looks a little hurt by her obvious hesitance to open up. Which absolutely sucks because the truth isn't really an option and she doesn't want to lie. Kelly sighs heavily and leans into the heartache she does understand to avoid a particular truth that doesn't need to be revealed. "It's just Missy stuff, you know?"

Maura looks back toward her and offers a quirk of her eyebrow. Kelly doesn't know if she doesn't believe her or if it's more an encouragement to continue. She shrugs again and says, "Everytime I think I'm ready to let go of all of this, she sucks me back in."

"I imagine the last couple of days can't have been easy."

Kelly has to fight the wry smile that tugs at her lips, because Maura can't even begin to comprehend how difficult the last couple of days have been. Surprisingly though, accepting that Melissa's need for emotional support is temporary has been easier to swallow than her newfound attraction to Maura. "No, they really haven't been."

"I think you have handled yourself really well. You may have even saved their relationship."

Kelly can't help but study Maura closely, half expecting some level of heartache to flash across her face or appear in her eyes, but she appears to be nothing but forthright and genuine. Apparently her feelings for Jane are buried really deep or are no longer romantic. It really isn't something she saw coming.

"I only did what anybody would do in that situation. Gave her a safe space and reminded her of what matters to her." Kelly says, not really feeling like taking credit. She did what had to be done. Taking advantage of the situation would have only made things so much worse and led to so much more misery and that's just not what she wants for Melissa or herself.

"Well she is still your wife, some may argue that you would be within your rights to…"

Kelly lifts her hand to stop Maura in her tracks. She isn't sure why Maura is thinking like this, perhaps it is an attempt to show solidarity, but it's not who she is. "I think I did enough damage when I first arrived. I'm not inclined to make things messy a second time around. I feel horrendous even now for the way my big mouth pulled Gabby and Missy apart." She winces a little, realising that Maura and Gabby are apparently quite happy and without her actions they may not be where they are right now. "Sorry. You know what I mean though."

"I wouldn't feel guilty about that." Maura says quite firmly, "You were upfront about your intentions, which were to win your wife back. You were well within your rights to pursue that."

Kelly has to hold back a smirk because she remembers how happy Maura was when Gabby and Melissa's relationship was about to end. That was a very awkward early morning meeting of the minds. In hindsight she can't help but wonder if even then a part of Maura's heart was already with Gabby, which is a thought that makes her own heart hurt a little.

"I'd still like that time over again. I'd like to be less destructive in my pursuit of happiness."

Kelly's eyes meet Maura's and for what feels like a very long moment their eye contact lingers. There's an unexpected softness in Maura's eyes as she says, "I think you have handled yourself better than the rest of us have since you've been back."

Kelly's smile is soft, because it takes everything she has not to grin like an idiot at the compliment. She eventually breaks the lingering look they share by patting her legs and getting Charlie's attention. She throws the broken husk of rubber that used to be his tennis ball and watches him chase after it.

"Thank you," Kelly says quietly. "But I hardly think setting Jane free to follow her heart falls into the same category of dumb things I have done since being here."

Maura is unexpectedly quiet which draws Kelly's focus from Charlie back on to her. It quickly becomes apparent that there is something she's missing. Though she cannot even begin to imagine anything Maura could have done that would be equal to or worse than dropping the bombshell of her marriage to Melissa on Gabby the way she did. Let alone any of her other emotional miscues that have led to this moment in time.

Maura's cheeks look a little pale as she admits, "You give me too much credit. There are actions that I regret."

Kelly still finds it unlikely that Maura's regrets even enter into the same ballpark as her own, however she chooses to provide a safe space for Maura to get whatever it is off her chest. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but you know there's no judgement here."

"Perhaps there ought to be."

The quiet volume of Maura's words in combination with the slightly haunted look on her face leaves Kelly feeling worried. However she simply doesn't have it in her to judge this woman. "Are you forgetting that I fed your insecurities with my theories about Missy and Jane?"

"You were terrified of losing Melissa. I'm most certainly not going to hold that against you given that you didn't tell me anything I wasn't already aware of on a conscious or subconscious level. If anything you helped lift the veil of denial that had fallen across my eyes."

Maura looks so damn beautiful when she's passionate about something and at this moment Kelly can't help but feel like she's passionate about her. As a result she finds her eyes drifting towards Charlie once again. His head is now resting on his paws as he naps lazily in the sun. He is her safe space. He gives her the moments she needs to rationalise the things she finds herself feeling, because she knows deep down that falling for Maura is not going to end well.

"Kelly?"

Her head snaps in Maura's direction and she says,"Yeah?"

"Are you alright?"

Kelly musters up half a smile and says, "Yeah, I was just thinking that's all. Are you alright? You really don't seem like yourself."

"It's complicated."

Kelly takes a moment to really look at Maura and notices that she's rotating the ring on her finger. It comes across as a very anxious presentation and immediately every protective instinct in her body lights up. It is an instinct she forces herself to ignore because there is no platonic explanation for how desperately she wants to hold Maura right now. She takes a beat to take a breath and calm her nerves. "Well as you have seen, I'm great with complicated."

Maura chuckles lightly. At least she's still got a sense of humour. "You've been nothing short of impressive."

Kelly is pretty sure she's blushing, but she's also pretty sure she's a little red from the heat so hopefully Maura doesn't notice. "In all seriousness though, I'm more than happy to listen if you feel the need to talk about it."

"I appreciate that." Maura answers quietly.

Kelly watches Maura's gaze shift towards Charlie and realises they're both using his presence as a crutch for processing difficult emotions, which only leaves her wondering what it is Maura isn't talking about. She doesn't have to wait long for an answer.

"I'm starting to realise that Jane and I had some serious communication issues that I wasn't really aware of."

"Oh?"

"Apparently she and Melissa have been talking about having children. I got the impression from the look on her face that it is something she genuinely needs in her life and it occurred to me I was not aware of that."

Kelly's eyes drop to her hand which has been absently picking at the grass beside her leg. She needs a second to process, because the closer Jane gets to having everything with Melissa that she wanted, the harder it becomes to stomach the way her life is turning out. She forces herself to focus on the conversation at hand. "She never brought it up with you?"

"She asked me once if it was something I saw in my future, but she never mentioned it again after that."

"What was your answer?"

"That it wasn't something I'd ever put much thought into."

Kelly looks at Maura and watches how crestfallen she becomes as it is probably occurring to her in this moment that Jane felt either shut down or like it wouldn't be an option. Although Kelly does find herself wondering why somebody as stubborn as Jane wouldn't have simply asked Maura to think about it. "And have you put any subsequent thought into it?"

"Some. I felt an aversion to it when she brought it up, if I'm completely honest."

"Do you still feel that way?" It's the natural path of the conversation but a part of Kelly is practically begging for Maura to say that she still isn't interested in kids in the hope it will help kill these pesky feelings she feels starting to grow.

"I think with the right person by my side I would very much like to be a parent."

Kelly's ability to think short circuits under the surprising softness of Maura's lingering gaze. She can't bring herself to look away as her heart starts racing against her ribcage. If she didn't know any better she would swear until she was blue in the face that she isn't the only one feeling this connection between them, but then Maura looks away and the moment is lost.

"And is Gabby the right person?" Kelly asks softly, trying to figure out why Maura looks so sad again. It can't just be the communication issues with Jane, because they're both with other people now. They're both seemingly happy.

"I don't know." Maura admits, "It will depend on whether or not she can get past her current emotional trauma."

"Ah. You don't want to risk having to go it alone?"

"I don't want to become my mother."

Kelly's brows furrow. "In what way?"

Maura looks like she is calculating how much she wants to reveal. The silence between them drags on for a little while before eventually Maura says, "My mother suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety when I was young. My father's idea of dealing with that was to have multiple affairs."

"Oh."

"They fought horribly about it. Mother even attempted suicide."

Kelly dare not say anything because Maura looks like she's far away, undoubtedly lost in the memories that she is choosing to share.

"She loved him so much. She still does. It baffles me how she could forgive him for that, but she's a grown woman and it is her choice."

"And you witnessed the fighting?"

"Yes and the suicide attempt."

Maura's words are practically clinical in nature but several tears are carving a path down her face and for the second time today it requires every ounce of willpower that Kelly has not to scoot over and take Maura into her arms. Instead she settles on what feels like a very empty and hollow, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I made my peace with it. I had to."

Kelly isn't so sure Maura has made as much peace with it as she thinks, but she lets that slide. She is curious though, "Why did you have to?"

"It was holding me back. I was terrified of love and I didn't even realise it."

Kelly thinks she gets it. "You were terrified of history repeating. Of finding yourself so deep that you might not find your way out if the person you loved was anything like your father. Right?"

"Something like that."

Kelly can't help but wonder which of Jane or Gabby was the catalyst for Maura's need to process, but decides not to ask. It doesn't matter. What matters is that Maura is happy. "Well I think you're nothing like your mother. You didn't allow yourself to become a victim to Jane's feelings for Missy. You got out in front of that. That takes courage, Maura."

Maura's smile is hesitant but soft. She nods lightly and agrees, "Yes, I suppose it does." She appears to gather her senses then adds, "Much like tonight. The reason I came out here was to warn you that Rachael is coming over for dinner."

Talk about a segue she isn't expecting. "She is?"

"Gabby needs to be able to process the past and forgive her. She says it is necessary for her mental health."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"What other choice do I have?"

Kelly sighs. They discussed Maura's worries about Gabby finding out about Rachael's teenage adventures with Melissa the other day. Now she's actively deceiving Gabby to protect her from herself and it's quite apparent on Maura's face that she's stressed out by this. It makes Kelly a little mad that Gabby can't be a normal human being and simply control her murderous impulse. Maura deserves so much better than this, but she can't say that. It would only be self-serving and she doesn't want to be like that.

"Are you going to be okay watching those two be all buddy buddy?"

"I honestly don't know."

Kelly doesn't think Maura will break, but she feels like she has to do something even though she knows Maura is more than capable of looking after herself. It's that protective streak she has, being activated again. This time she has to find a way to help and so she volunteers to attend the dinner. "I'll join you, if that's acceptable. Strength in numbers and all that."

"What was that all about?" Jane asks as she sits down on the corner of Gabby's desk.

Gabby looks over toward Inspector Freeman's office, where she has only just returned from and offers up a cheeky grin. "I was kinda, sorta meant to stay at my desk today."

"Oh. That explains your enthusiasm for following up those burglaries."

Anything beats being stuck behind a desk. While a certain amount of paperwork is to be expected as a police officer and even more so as a detective, the whole point of being a cop for Gabby is to get out and about regularly. "Saw a chance and took it. Don't worry I made sure he knew you had no idea. Didn't want you getting chewed out too."

Gabby watches Jane's eyebrows rise a little in apparent surprise but then she pats her knee and stands up. "Oh well, it was a productive day. I better finish the paperwork on the Hamilton case so that I can go home."

Despite the fact she has a dinner tonight Gabby finds herself feeling charitable, especially after the day Jane had yesterday. She holds out her hand and motions for Jane to give her the file. "I'll finish up so you can get home to Missy."

"Are you sure?"

Gabby hits Jane with an incredulous look. "You've been checking your phone all day. I know you're anxious. Just let me do it."

Jane flashes a toothy grin and then disappears across the bullpen towards her desk. Gabby figures tomorrow she'll move her stuff to the empty desk opposite Jane's as she suspects this partnership could be a lot more permanent once Freeman realises how well they work together.

A figure looms in her periphery and Gabby turns to see Rachael standing beside her. Gabby offers up half a smile, still feeling very perturbed by the move Rachael made on Melissa and the sense she gets that she's not near as valued as Rachael indicated the other night on the phone.

"Dinner still at seven?" Rachael asks casually, just as Jane returns with the Hamilton file.

Gabby grimaces realising she forgot to explain to Jane what was happening and even though for a moment she feels like she's in a horror movie doing something stupid like running upstairs when the killer is in the house, she looks up into Jane's eyes. Yup, running upstairs was a terrible idea. She is now about to be eviscerated, she can feel it. She hurriedly looks back at Rachael and says, "Yeah. I just have to finish up some paperwork."

Rachael offers what looks like a genuine smile to them both before quickly turning tail and leaving. Absolute traitor, Gabby thinks, leaving her alone to face Jane's wrath after dropping her into boiling water like that.

"Dinner huh?" Jane's casual tone is surely for nothing more than the ears around them, because her face looks like it is ready to explode.

Gabby takes the folder and sets it down on her desk she then motions towards the exit and says, "Let me walk you out."

Jane falls in beside her and they walk stride for stride through the bowels of the building. Gabby feels like she's being marched to her execution. "So yeah she's coming over for dinner tonight and before you say anything, this was arranged before I found out about the shit she pulled."

"And you're still comfortable with this?" Jane grinds out between her teeth.

Gabby sighs. "I was never comfortable with it. I just know that her betrayal of our friendship has fucked with my head for a decade. Hating her is only feeding everything that's wrong with me."

"So, what, you're trying to be friends again?" Jane sounds absolutely incredulous, not that Gabby can blame her.

"I'm trying to get closure and find forgiveness." Gabby stops at Jane's car and offers a helpless feeling shrug. "She's not a total bitch."

Jane makes a scoffing noise.

"I need to do this Jane. I need to get my head screwed on properly if I'm gonna be able to give Maura the life she deserves. I hope you can understand that."

Jane shakes her head like she hates it but accepts it. She opens her car door and looks over the roof towards Gabby and says, "I can respect that, but please do me a favour and use whatever sway you have to keep her away from Missy."

Gabby nods. "Was already planning on it."

Jane forces a sickly sweet smile and quite sarcastically says, "Well, have fun."

Gabby watches as Jane gets into the car and steps back as the engine turns on. As Jane backs out of the spot and starts driving away Gabby quietly acknowledges to herself that tonight will be far from fun.

She has no idea how Maura is going to handle the dinner even though it was her idea. Not to mention the text message she got earlier informing her that Kelly would be joining them. Not really a surprise, but it also adds to the weirdness of the entire situation. It will be a dinner where three women have been serious about a woman Maura can barely stand at the best of times. Then there is Maura's strange hostility towards Rachael.

Fun times Rizzoli, fun times indeed.

A/N: I'm sorry it has been so long and I am sorry that this is a short chapter by my standards. I'm just really struggling at the moment. Have been contemplating a hiatus, but I don't want to do that to the people who have been hanging in there with me. So my question is, do you prefer the long chapter format where I update once a month or so, give or take dependant on life? Or would you prefer if I just do more shorter chapters to keep updates coming maybe a bit more frequently (which could mean some chapters are purely OC chapters)? I just want to get an idea of what you guys would like, as I might change it up to see if that helps the funk I'm feeling.

Thanks for reading guys. Maura revealing something deeply personal to Kelly, how's that got you all feeling? Was there something else she was trying to tell Kelly but decided against telling her? And how long will Jane and Gabby's mature-ish response to not being on the case last? Can they quietly investigate without drawing attention to themselves, or will it blow up in their faces? Tell me how you feel, it really does help during down times like this.