The Rizzoli & Isles Chronicles 3/?
A/N: Third Installment. The action is coming, I promise.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They are all the property of their respective creators etc.
Chapter 3
Jane awoke the next morning to the sound of something striking the wall repeatedly outside the guest room. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up quickly, intent on giving Maura's "turtle" a piece of her mind.
"Good Lord Bass, is that necessary this early in the-" Jane paused. What she'd thought was coming from the hall was in actuality coming from her room. "Did you spend the whole night in here?"
Bass ignored her words and continued ramming the door.
"Alright. Hold on." Jane stood up, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn before turning the handle and setting the tortoise free to lumber throughout the house. As soon as the door was open the most wonderful smell floated through the air and up to Jane's nose, causing her to inhale deeply as a smile spread across her face. She made her way to the kitchen where she found the M.E. nose deep in the morning paper.
"Apparently your turtle and I had a sleepover last night," Jane mused as she reached for the coffee pot.
"Tortoise, Jane," Maura corrected, eyes never leaving the paper.
…
Cameron sat at the end of the street eyeing the M.E.'s driveway from the driver's side window of the truck. She didn't bother with the ruse of a newspaper knowing that if anyone were suspicious Detective Rizzoli would be the one who ended up confronting her. Instead she simply stared down the street patiently observing while Sarah initiated phase one of their plan.
Across town Sarah was busy loading a small moving truck with a few items from the safe house. She'd already spoken with the landlord of Jane's building and having paid a month's rent up front and in cash, had received the keys to the vacant apartment adjacent to the Detective's. Once she finished loading the truck she drove back to the apartment, unloading a few small items on her first trip. She climbed the stairs and passed by the Detective's door making her way to her own.
It had been Cameron's idea to have Sarah initiate a familiar relationship with the Detective after making such a horrible impression herself the night before, and what better way to do so than to become her neighbor. Sarah set down the items she'd brought up with her and made her way to the window overlooking the street. As she surveyed the neighborhood her phone vibrated in her pocket, startling her from the almost peaceful silence.
"I'm in position," Sarah stated after punching in her 3-digit code. "What's your ETA?"
Ten minutes later Sarah pulled a large box out of the moving truck just in time for Jane to walk by.
"Whoa, let me help you there." Jane reached out to steady the box in Sarah's arms.
"Thanks," Sarah said, turning so she could see the Detective face to face. "Finally moving in."
"Here?" Jane questioned. "I didn't know they'd found a renter yet."
"Yup," Sarah replied, passing through the door Jane held open for her.
"Well if you need some help moving boxes," Jane offered. "I just have to take Jo for a quick walk and I can help you out."
"That'd be great, thanks." Sarah smiled. "Is Jo your dog?"
"Yeah," Jane replied. She turned her key in her door and nodded politely to Sarah as she slipped inside.
Sarah swore inwardly as she pushed the box into the apartment with her foot. A dog did not bode well for Cameron's second chance at making a good impression.
…
An hour later, Jane had helped Sarah move everything out of the moving van and into her apartment.
"I think it's time for a couple of beers, wouldn't you say Sarah?"
Sarah smirked. "Before noon?"
"Ah, oh, is it that early?" Jane ran a hand through her hair.
"I'd love one," Sarah laughed as she followed the Detective the short distance down the hall and into her apartment.
"Welcome to Casa Rizzoli," Jane declared opening her arms wide in a welcoming gesture. "Have a seat anywhere you like and don't worry about Jo, she couldn't hurt a fly."
Sarah walked in, taking careful note of her surroundings, before making her way to the kitchen bar. Jane removed her upper half from the refrigerator, two beers in hand, and kicked the door shut behind her. She placed the bottles on the bar top and slid one to Sarah, cracking her own open.
"So," she said taking a swig. "Where'd you move from?"
"Nebraska," Sarah offered, taking a swig from her own bottle. "Just moved here last week. Been staying at a hotel downtown."
Jane laughed lightly as she processed the words she'd just heard. Two Nebraskans in less than twenty-four hours had to be a record of some sort.
"Well, on behalf of Boston and the BPD, I'd like to say welcome."
Jane extended her arm clinking her bottle on Sarah's before tipping it back and taking a large swallow.
"Cheers," Sarah reciprocated. "And thanks."
As if on cue, the heavy thud of Cameron's footsteps reverberated down the hall causing Sarah to jerk her head quickly towards the door. She listened closely for Cameron to go to their apartment first before returning to the Detective's door and knocking lightly. Jane stood; crinkling her brow and offering Sarah a small smile, and walked to her door. She didn't know who to expect when she pulled the door open, she hadn't been expecting Maura 'til much later, but she most certainly didn't expect to find the 22-year-old face of one Cameron Phillips staring back at her from the hall.
"You," she almost yelled. "How the Hell did you find my apartment?"
"I'm sorry," Cameron said timidly. "I'm looking for…" Cameron paused. She hadn't thought of how she would define her relationship with Sarah. Her new driver's license said 22, much too old to be the daughter of a 37-year-old Sarah. "My girlfriend," Cameron finished. Sarah's eyes went wide.
"Cam- Cameron," Sarah stuttered as she stood. "This is Detective Jane Rizzoli, she helped me unload the truck."
Jane stared in disbelief as her new neighbor walked over to the door.
"Well, thank you Jane. For the beer and the help. I'll get our of your hair now."
All Jane could do was grunt weakly as Sarah took hold of the girl's arm and turned her towards their apartment.
"What the hell was that?" Sarah barked once she'd gotten Cameron inside. "You're girlfriend? Out of all the options for how we could be related you went with girlfriend?"
"It's appropriate for the situation," Cameron stated matter-of-factly.
"And what, may I ask is the situation Cameron?"
"The Detective and the Doctor are more likely to go out with another couple than with a woman and her younger relative. Also," Cameron chose her words specifically and carefully. "Based on the age they believe me to be, you are far too young to be my mother."
Sarah knew Cameron was attempting to rectify the situation through flattery and made a point to ignore it.
"Fine, the damage is already done. What makes you think they're a couple anyway?"
Cameron accessed her memory recall and went over the previous night's interactions before responding.
"Both women had heightened levels of arousal based only on interactions with each other. Their physical familiarity with each other also goes beyond the realm of what would be considered normal for those who consider themselves just friends."
Sarah just nodded.
…
As soon as Jane closed the door behind Sarah she ran for her phone hitting the speed dial for Maura as she brought it to her ear.
"You need to get over here now," Jane barked as soon as Maura picked up.
"Jane, is everything alright?"
"I'm fine, M. Just, come over now, please?"
Despite knowing the M.E. couldn't see her Jane put on her most pathetic puppy dog face as she pleaded.
"Yes, Jane. I'll be over as soon as I- oh, do you want me to bring the wine for dinner or have our plans changed?"
Jane sighed. "No, we're still on for dinner." Jane walked into her kitchen and pulled open the fridge. "Could you pick up some beer on the way over though, I'm almost out."
"Of course," Maura confirmed.
The M.E. arrived at Jane's apartment a half hour later, alcohol on one arm, purse on the other; the brilliant smile she arrived with, however, fell upon seeing the disgruntled look on Jane's face when she pulled open the door.
"Cameron's my neighbor," Jane confessed as she took the case of beer from Maura and put it in the fridge. "I found out this morning."
The M.E. paused and turned, giving her friend her best "that's why I rushed over here" look. "She moved into the apartment at the end of the hall?"
"Yeah, I ran into her girlfriend this morning when I got back. I helped her bring some of her stuff upstairs." The detective popped open a beer and proceeded to find a glass and corkscrew for Maura's wine.
"That was very nice of you Jane," Maura smiled. "Is she attractive?"
"Well she's, wait, what? Maura!" Jane scowled.
"I'm curious. One would venture that in order to attract a mate as intelligent and well structured as Cameron one would have to have an appealing bone structure and musculature as well."
Jane sighed as she pulled the cork free from the bottle of wine and passed it and the glass to her friend along with a slightly playful glare.
"Cameron is a very attractive girl. I'd assume her girlfriend would be equally pleasing aesthetically."
"You assume?" Jane sassed. "Since when does Dr. Google assume?"
"It's less of an assumption and more of a hypothesis based on multiple studies and years of scientific research in which-"
"Okay! Enough, I get it. And if you must know, yes, she's attractive."
Maura's eyes sparkled. She loved it when Jane conceded defeat, an honor that seemed to be reserved distinctly for Maura. Jane watched her friend intently as she nursed her bottle, her eyes growing wide when she noticed an all too familiar look of realization spread across the M.E.'s features.
"No." Jane stated.
"What, Jane, I didn't even say anything." A faint smile played at Maura's lips as she tried to hide her amusement.
"You were about to and don't give me that crap about mind reading not existing, I know what you were going to ask."
"How could you possibly know-" Maura was cut off.
"I'm so not asking them to have dinner with us."
Maura cocked her head, lips parted, as she processed her friend's words. "But, Jane, it would be nice."
Jane stared.
"Name one female friend you have other than me."
"I- what does that have to do with this?"
"It'd be nice, Jane. Please?"
Maura looked up at Jane from her barstool perch, her hazel eyes big and glassy, pleading with her friend to give in. The second Jane met Maura's eyes she knew she would cave, knew she had no other choice but to give in and make Maura happy. She always did and she never wondered why.
"Fine," Jane huffed. "Just, don't cry. I'll go ask them."
"I wasn't… okay."
Jane walked slowly down the hallway stopping just shy of Sarah and Cameron's door. She reached up and swallowing hard, knocked three times.
Cameron had taken up position at the window in the living room and was running a perimeter scan when she heard the knock at the door. She turned seeing Sarah a few steps ahead of her gripping the handle of the lock she kept tucked in her pants. She stopped a few feet from the door, mentally cursing the fact that it lacked a peephole, and drew her gun before nodding to Cameron to answer it.
The Tin Miss opened the door slowly, shooting a quick look to Sarah indicating there was no threat.
"Hello again detective," Cameron smiled.
"Uh, hi," Jane said, reaching her hand up and rubbing the back of her neck.
Cameron pulled the door open further, revealing Sarah, and took note of the slight relief she saw in Jane's eyes. "She's comfortable with Sarah." Cameron thought.
"Hi," Sarah grinned. "Um would you like to come in?"
"Oh, no," Jane shifted awkwardly, folding her arms across her chest. "I was just, Maura and I were wondering, would the two of you like to come over for dinner later?"
"We'd love to," Cameron replied, wrapping her arm around Sarah's waist and pulling her close.
Sarah tensed, surprised. "Can we bring anything?"
"I think we've got it covered, thanks."
Jane turned away quickly before realizing she hadn't told them what time. "See you at six," she called over her shoulder.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They are all the property of their respective creators etc.
Chapter 3
Jane awoke the next morning to the sound of something striking the wall repeatedly outside the guest room. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up quickly, intent on giving Maura's "turtle" a piece of her mind.
"Good Lord Bass, is that necessary this early in the-" Jane paused. What she'd thought was coming from the hall was in actuality coming from her room. "Did you spend the whole night in here?"
Bass ignored her words and continued ramming the door.
"Alright. Hold on." Jane stood up, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn before turning the handle and setting the tortoise free to lumber throughout the house. As soon as the door was open the most wonderful smell floated through the air and up to Jane's nose, causing her to inhale deeply as a smile spread across her face. She made her way to the kitchen where she found the M.E. nose deep in the morning paper.
"Apparently your turtle and I had a sleepover last night," Jane mused as she reached for the coffee pot.
"Tortoise, Jane," Maura corrected, eyes never leaving the paper.
…
Cameron sat at the end of the street eyeing the M.E.'s driveway from the driver's side window of the truck. She didn't bother with the ruse of a newspaper knowing that if anyone were suspicious Detective Rizzoli would be the one who ended up confronting her. Instead she simply stared down the street patiently observing while Sarah initiated phase one of their plan.
Across town Sarah was busy loading a small moving truck with a few items from the safe house. She'd already spoken with the landlord of Jane's building and having paid a month's rent up front and in cash, had received the keys to the vacant apartment adjacent to the Detective's. Once she finished loading the truck she drove back to the apartment, unloading a few small items on her first trip. She climbed the stairs and passed by the Detective's door making her way to her own.
It had been Cameron's idea to have Sarah initiate a familiar relationship with the Detective after making such a horrible impression herself the night before, and what better way to do so than to become her neighbor. Sarah set down the items she'd brought up with her and made her way to the window overlooking the street. As she surveyed the neighborhood her phone vibrated in her pocket, startling her from the almost peaceful silence.
"I'm in position," Sarah stated after punching in her 3-digit code. "What's your ETA?"
Ten minutes later Sarah pulled a large box out of the moving truck just in time for Jane to walk by.
"Whoa, let me help you there." Jane reached out to steady the box in Sarah's arms.
"Thanks," Sarah said, turning so she could see the Detective face to face. "Finally moving in."
"Here?" Jane questioned. "I didn't know they'd found a renter yet."
"Yup," Sarah replied, passing through the door Jane held open for her.
"Well if you need some help moving boxes," Jane offered. "I just have to take Jo for a quick walk and I can help you out."
"That'd be great, thanks." Sarah smiled. "Is Jo your dog?"
"Yeah," Jane replied. She turned her key in her door and nodded politely to Sarah as she slipped inside.
Sarah swore inwardly as she pushed the box into the apartment with her foot. A dog did not bode well for Cameron's second chance at making a good impression.
…
An hour later, Jane had helped Sarah move everything out of the moving van and into her apartment.
"I think it's time for a couple of beers, wouldn't you say Sarah?"
Sarah smirked. "Before noon?"
"Ah, oh, is it that early?" Jane ran a hand through her hair.
"I'd love one," Sarah laughed as she followed the Detective the short distance down the hall and into her apartment.
"Welcome to Casa Rizzoli," Jane declared opening her arms wide in a welcoming gesture. "Have a seat anywhere you like and don't worry about Jo, she couldn't hurt a fly."
Sarah walked in, taking careful note of her surroundings, before making her way to the kitchen bar. Jane removed her upper half from the refrigerator, two beers in hand, and kicked the door shut behind her. She placed the bottles on the bar top and slid one to Sarah, cracking her own open.
"So," she said taking a swig. "Where'd you move from?"
"Nebraska," Sarah offered, taking a swig from her own bottle. "Just moved here last week. Been staying at a hotel downtown."
Jane laughed lightly as she processed the words she'd just heard. Two Nebraskans in less than twenty-four hours had to be a record of some sort.
"Well, on behalf of Boston and the BPD, I'd like to say welcome."
Jane extended her arm clinking her bottle on Sarah's before tipping it back and taking a large swallow.
"Cheers," Sarah reciprocated. "And thanks."
As if on cue, the heavy thud of Cameron's footsteps reverberated down the hall causing Sarah to jerk her head quickly towards the door. She listened closely for Cameron to go to their apartment first before returning to the Detective's door and knocking lightly. Jane stood; crinkling her brow and offering Sarah a small smile, and walked to her door. She didn't know who to expect when she pulled the door open, she hadn't been expecting Maura 'til much later, but she most certainly didn't expect to find the 22-year-old face of one Cameron Phillips staring back at her from the hall.
"You," she almost yelled. "How the Hell did you find my apartment?"
"I'm sorry," Cameron said timidly. "I'm looking for…" Cameron paused. She hadn't thought of how she would define her relationship with Sarah. Her new driver's license said 22, much too old to be the daughter of a 37-year-old Sarah. "My girlfriend," Cameron finished. Sarah's eyes went wide.
"Cam- Cameron," Sarah stuttered as she stood. "This is Detective Jane Rizzoli, she helped me unload the truck."
Jane stared in disbelief as her new neighbor walked over to the door.
"Well, thank you Jane. For the beer and the help. I'll get our of your hair now."
All Jane could do was grunt weakly as Sarah took hold of the girl's arm and turned her towards their apartment.
"What the hell was that?" Sarah barked once she'd gotten Cameron inside. "You're girlfriend? Out of all the options for how we could be related you went with girlfriend?"
"It's appropriate for the situation," Cameron stated matter-of-factly.
"And what, may I ask is the situation Cameron?"
"The Detective and the Doctor are more likely to go out with another couple than with a woman and her younger relative. Also," Cameron chose her words specifically and carefully. "Based on the age they believe me to be, you are far too young to be my mother."
Sarah knew Cameron was attempting to rectify the situation through flattery and made a point to ignore it.
"Fine, the damage is already done. What makes you think they're a couple anyway?"
Cameron accessed her memory recall and went over the previous night's interactions before responding.
"Both women had heightened levels of arousal based only on interactions with each other. Their physical familiarity with each other also goes beyond the realm of what would be considered normal for those who consider themselves just friends."
Sarah just nodded.
…
As soon as Jane closed the door behind Sarah she ran for her phone hitting the speed dial for Maura as she brought it to her ear.
"You need to get over here now," Jane barked as soon as Maura picked up.
"Jane, is everything alright?"
"I'm fine, M. Just, come over now, please?"
Despite knowing the M.E. couldn't see her Jane put on her most pathetic puppy dog face as she pleaded.
"Yes, Jane. I'll be over as soon as I- oh, do you want me to bring the wine for dinner or have our plans changed?"
Jane sighed. "No, we're still on for dinner." Jane walked into her kitchen and pulled open the fridge. "Could you pick up some beer on the way over though, I'm almost out."
"Of course," Maura confirmed.
The M.E. arrived at Jane's apartment a half hour later, alcohol on one arm, purse on the other; the brilliant smile she arrived with, however, fell upon seeing the disgruntled look on Jane's face when she pulled open the door.
"Cameron's my neighbor," Jane confessed as she took the case of beer from Maura and put it in the fridge. "I found out this morning."
The M.E. paused and turned, giving her friend her best "that's why I rushed over here" look. "She moved into the apartment at the end of the hall?"
"Yeah, I ran into her girlfriend this morning when I got back. I helped her bring some of her stuff upstairs." The detective popped open a beer and proceeded to find a glass and corkscrew for Maura's wine.
"That was very nice of you Jane," Maura smiled. "Is she attractive?"
"Well she's, wait, what? Maura!" Jane scowled.
"I'm curious. One would venture that in order to attract a mate as intelligent and well structured as Cameron one would have to have an appealing bone structure and musculature as well."
Jane sighed as she pulled the cork free from the bottle of wine and passed it and the glass to her friend along with a slightly playful glare.
"Cameron is a very attractive girl. I'd assume her girlfriend would be equally pleasing aesthetically."
"You assume?" Jane sassed. "Since when does Dr. Google assume?"
"It's less of an assumption and more of a hypothesis based on multiple studies and years of scientific research in which-"
"Okay! Enough, I get it. And if you must know, yes, she's attractive."
Maura's eyes sparkled. She loved it when Jane conceded defeat, an honor that seemed to be reserved distinctly for Maura. Jane watched her friend intently as she nursed her bottle, her eyes growing wide when she noticed an all too familiar look of realization spread across the M.E.'s features.
"No." Jane stated.
"What, Jane, I didn't even say anything." A faint smile played at Maura's lips as she tried to hide her amusement.
"You were about to and don't give me that crap about mind reading not existing, I know what you were going to ask."
"How could you possibly know-" Maura was cut off.
"I'm so not asking them to have dinner with us."
Maura cocked her head, lips parted, as she processed her friend's words. "But, Jane, it would be nice."
Jane stared.
"Name one female friend you have other than me."
"I- what does that have to do with this?"
"It'd be nice, Jane. Please?"
Maura looked up at Jane from her barstool perch, her hazel eyes big and glassy, pleading with her friend to give in. The second Jane met Maura's eyes she knew she would cave, knew she had no other choice but to give in and make Maura happy. She always did and she never wondered why.
"Fine," Jane huffed. "Just, don't cry. I'll go ask them."
"I wasn't… okay."
Jane walked slowly down the hallway stopping just shy of Sarah and Cameron's door. She reached up and swallowing hard, knocked three times.
Cameron had taken up position at the window in the living room and was running a perimeter scan when she heard the knock at the door. She turned seeing Sarah a few steps ahead of her gripping the handle of the lock she kept tucked in her pants. She stopped a few feet from the door, mentally cursing the fact that it lacked a peephole, and drew her gun before nodding to Cameron to answer it.
The Tin Miss opened the door slowly, shooting a quick look to Sarah indicating there was no threat.
"Hello again detective," Cameron smiled.
"Uh, hi," Jane said, reaching her hand up and rubbing the back of her neck.
Cameron pulled the door open further, revealing Sarah, and took note of the slight relief she saw in Jane's eyes. "She's comfortable with Sarah." Cameron thought.
"Hi," Sarah grinned. "Um would you like to come in?"
"Oh, no," Jane shifted awkwardly, folding her arms across her chest. "I was just, Maura and I were wondering, would the two of you like to come over for dinner later?"
"We'd love to," Cameron replied, wrapping her arm around Sarah's waist and pulling her close.
Sarah tensed, surprised. "Can we bring anything?"
"I think we've got it covered, thanks."
Jane turned away quickly before realizing she hadn't told them what time. "See you at six," she called over her shoulder.