Chapter 13

Wow, this has been a journey, and it's time for a very bittersweet end. I'd like to say thank you to my girlfriend, DrAllisonHouse, for all of her inspiration, love and support throughout this process. And thank you to every single one of you who took the time to indulge me and inspire me to continue this crazy little brainchild. This one's for you!

Maura hadn't gone far. When she left the café, she realized that the last thing she wanted to do was go back to a big empty house. So, she circled back to the main entrance of the precinct, and used the ID badge they had mailed her to get in. The ME walked with purpose, hoping no one would stop and try to introduce themselves. She wasn't ready to deal with all of that yet. She wasn't ready to deal with much of anything. Pushing the down button on the elevator, she drew in a shaky breath.

Jane had lied to her. The one and only person she had dared to actually care about more than Ian – and had dared to care back – was a liar. An imposter.

Had she been doing it for the sex? For the money? To humiliate Maura, like most everyone else in her past?

Stepping off of the elevator, she looked around cautiously, preparing what to say if she ran into anyone. Luckily for her, it appeared that Dr. Pike had already cleared out. No one was around. Seeing the state of things down here in the morgue made Maura anxious to get started and do things the proper way, but she had plenty of other things to be anxious about at the moment. Leaning against an exam table she closed her eyes, and inhaled slowly, trying desperately to center herself.

Maybe Jane hadn't lied just to be cruel. What was it she had said? Something about her job? Now, Maura was no detective herself, but she was very familiar with the process of deductive reasoning.

So, Jane really was a detective – she knew that much now. Which meant she had to have been only undercover as a prostitute the whole time. That also meant that Jane wasn't exactly lying…just following orders. But that's also what many Nazis had claimed in the Nuremberg Trails.

Maura chose not to pursue that line of thought any further.

After all, Jane had never done anything to hurt her. She was a patient and tender lover. She had even attempted to keep things away from dangerous emotional levels by insisting that they didn't kiss on the mouth. And what's more, Maura knew they had mutually fallen for one another – she could feel it. It was something she couldn't prove scientifically, and yet she knew to be factual.

But this all still left a slew of lingering questions about Jane's mission itself. Had she been on a totally unrelated assignment, saw Maura, and chose to go with her that night? Or, was Maura somehow related to the assignment? Because if the precinct had somehow concocted a scheme to lure Maura into this job, they had risked a pretty nasty lawsuit. Or, was it perhaps a combination of both? What if Jane had just been hired to check out the precinct's ME prospect, and things had gone farther than she had ever expected?

Maura decided that this was a both a plausible and favorable explanation. She wasn't sure about Cavanaugh yet, but Vince Korsak was quickly becoming a very good friend of hers. She couldn't imagine him wishing anyone ill, unless they found themselves on the opposite side of the law.

All speculation aside, and whether it was actually part of Jane's mission or not, the woman had convinced her to take the job. In fact, she had helped her to see that it was perfect for her, despite anyone else's opinion. Jane had taught her to value herself, and for that, she would forever be indebted to her.

Maura sighed. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they were even. Because Jane still misled her, and healthy relationships are built on trust, not deception. Maura did know that much. But if she was really being fair, Jane and Maura weren't in a relationship. That was a step that they still had to decide if they were ready to take.

Standing in the room where she was certain she would enjoy many amazing moments turning the pages of the new chapter in her life, she couldn't imagine enjoying them without Jane. The Officer Rizzoli Korsak had described just days ago – the woman that Maura had met just this afternoon – that was the person she wanted to get to know. She wanted to enjoy this new chapter with her Detective.

Maura's eyes flicked open, and instantly, she set off. She had one more request to make of Vince Korsak.

~LT~

Jane had returned to her apartment, a place she hadn't been in over a week. Things weren't looking too hot, so instead of inviting her mother over for a talk, she simply decided to give her a call while she straightened things up. She opened her window to let in the cool, summer breeze just before dialing. While she waited for Angela to pick up, she saw a record album of her mother's that she never recalled borrowing, but something told her to put it on the turntable.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ma."

"Janie! I'm so glad you called. How are you? I've been really curious about what's going on with you and Maura. Were you able to work things out? And is that my record you're playing? I never dreamed you would listen to it voluntarily."

"Well, actually, I don't know about Maura yet Ma, but I called to tell you something else."

"What's that, Jane?"

"I made detective, Ma. Cavanaugh promoted me today."

"OH MY GOD – that's so wonderful! Does that mean you get to stop dressing up as a prostitute?"

Jane winced. "Yes, that's what it means, Ma."

"Oh that's just wonderful dear, I'm so happy for you! You've wanted that for a long time. What does Maura have to say about all this?"

"I dunno, Ma."

"What do you mean you don't know? Jane Clementine Rizzoli – you didn't hurt that girl did you? You have to go out right now and make it right with her before it's too late."

"I tried to, Ma! But she didn't take it well, and…now I don't know where she is."

"She ran off?"

Jane could feel her voice about to break. "Yeah, yeah she did Ma."

"You told her the truth."

"Wha – how did you know that?"

"Because I know you, and my Jane always does what's right. And I'm so proud of you. For everything."

Tears were welling up in Jane's eyes when she heard a small knock at the door and Jane's heart fluttered.

"Thank you so much Ma. That really means a lot. But someone is at the door, so I'll call you back, okay?"

"Go get 'er, Janie!"

Jane smirked and she took a deep breath. She wished she had time to go turn down the turntable's volume, but she had already waited long enough. She opened the door to find a short, impeccably styled honey blonde – a very cute one at that.

It was her Maura. And she was smiling.

"Hello, Jane."

"Hey," Jane barely managed. "What are you doin here?"

"Well, after Vince was kind enough to provide me with your address, I decided I needed to ask you something," as she talked, Maura had inched her way past Jane, and into the apartment.

Jane couldn't take her eyes off of Maura. She was stunning even in the simple black dress and pumps she had changed into.

"What's that?" the detective countered.

Maura turned to face the brunette, inching ever closer until their bodies were flush. The honey blonde placed a soft hand upon the taller woman's shoulder. "So, in your fantasy, what happened after you climbed up the tower to rescue your princess?"

Jane let one corner of her mouth turn into the widest grin she could manage. Maura had forgiven her.

"She rescued me right back." And with that, Jane scooped Maura off of her feet, and kissed her like all princesses should be kissed as the final operatic strains of La Traviata played in the background.

After what felt like several glorious lifetimes, Jane broke their kiss to stare into the beautiful ME's hazel eyes.

"Hey Maur?"

"Yes, Jane?"

"Please believe me when I say that I am so sorry. I wouldn't blame you if you hadn't come here at all."

"I know you're sorry Jane. And I will admit that your deception still hurts me a little. But I realized today that I couldn't go on without finding out why you had worked so hard to get me to stay here. I forgive you, and I'm so happy I could help you follow your dream."

"I'm going to do everything I can to help make up for all the hurt I caused you. Which reminds me…would you like to be my date to the induction ceremony on Saturday? Then I'd like to take you to dinner after – just the two of us."

"Absolutely, Jane. I wouldn't miss it for the world. But I have just one condition."

"What's that, babe?"

"Could we maybe start from the beginning? I'll go first: Hi, I'm Dr. Maura Dorthea Isles, Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I'm looking forward to working with you."

Jane couldn't believe how wonderfully adorable this woman was.

"Detective Jane Rizzoli, at your service ma'am. I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship."

Maura beamed and they kissed again, but this time Maura broke it off.

"Jane, as you can imagine, I'm sure I'll be thinking of several more questions to ask you in the coming hours, but just to start off…what's your middle name?"

Jane placed a finger to her lover's lips. "Just kiss me, Maur."

And luckily for Jane, that's exactly what they did. Vaguely through the window, they could just make out a sound rising above the music in the apartment.

Out on the street, Rondo was strolling by on his way to meet Kit. He wanted to find out more about what this informant gig was all about. He was shouting. "Welcome to Boston! Everybody's got a dream – what's your dream? Some dreams come true, some don't. But keep on dreamin, this is Boston!"

The End