17

The next few weeks flew by. Jane settled into her position, Maura felt right back at home in her lab and the two women were still very much in their 'honeymoon' period of the relationship.

So far, Jane had managed to stick to her word and stayed away from any frontline activity. The guys in homicide had been pretty welcoming in the whole, either knowing Jane previously or knowing about the legacy she has, so even if they didn't like her much, they sure respected her.

The Italian sergeant was sat at her desk when McBride walked in accompanied by a tall, blonde, tanned, attractive female who was wearing blue chino's and a white, tight fitted button up shirt. Jane looked over slightly confused.

McBride approached Jane with a smile. "Sergeant Rizzoli, I'd like you to meet our newest recruit to homicide, detective Andi Stephens. Andi has just transferred from San Fran PD and will be a great asset to us here at BPD."

The blonde laughed, "Well I'll certainly try my best not to let you down Lieutenant." She then turned her blue eyes toward Jane and extended her hand "Hi Sergeant Rizzoli, I cannot wait to work with you, I've heard and read so many amazing things."

Jane smiled, a little embarrassed. "Welcome onboard Stephens. Apologies, the boss hadn't let me know we had a new joiner today or I wouldn't look so surprised. I'm sure you'll fit right in here. Although, gota say, Boston is a but different to San Fran, so if you need any navigational help, let me know."

Andi retracted her hand slowly "oh i'll be sure to let you know. Thank you." She left a lingering look and then turned on her heels to follow McBride into his office.

Jane looked slightly confused about the look she just got. Maybe the new detective is just really friendly and used to the California way. Whilst Jane was staring into space Frankie approached.

"Hey sis, who is that tall drink of water?"

"Er Frankie, what are you, sexist now? She's going to be your colleague and you have a fiancé that i'm sure wont appreciate that phrasing so get some respect and rephrase the question."

Frankie rolled his eyes, "Sorry. Who is the new colleague...that better?" He said sarcastically.

Jane slapped his shoulder "Yes, much better. Her name is detective Andi Stephens and she's just transferred from San Fran."

"California, that explains the look. No one is that sun kissed on the east coast! You know once Maura and Nina clock this we'll hear about it, right? This is going to be funny."

Jane turned to her brother with a confused look "Clock what?"

"Jane, a hot, tall, blonde is going to be spending a lot of time with us on a daily basis - you wait to see how Nina and Maura react."

"What do you mean? Why would Maura be bothered about this? I think we're all adult enough to recognise that yes, a new attractive colleague has joined but that we are all in adult relationships - jealousy isn't a thing at our age. I don't know about Nina but Maura is way too measured to be childish about this."

Frankie just stood there grinning like a cheshire cat "Oh Janie, you wait. Just remember you live and learn." He left her desk and walked towards the shared kitchen, just as he reached the doorway Jane launched a pencil at the back of his head, "HEY!"

Jane pointed at him "That's for talking crap."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Once Stephens had signed all her paperwork, she exited McBride's office and made a b-line towards Jane's desk.

"So.." the blonde said "i could really do with a coffee that isn't from that machine in there. You fancy joining me, my round, and you can tell me all about BPD."

Jane thought about it for a minute, then realised she was being ridiculous. It was just a coffee and she was allowed to have friends, "Yeah sure why not, sounds like a good idea. Lets head downstairs."

The two made their way to the division one cafe, constantly in full conversation. Jane ordered her usual, drip coffee straight up - just the way she likes it.

Just as Andi handed the money over Jane grabbed another $10 bill from her pocket. "Oh hold up, can i grab a skinny flat white separate to that order please."

Andi looked round "I said i'd buy the coffee, it's fine if you want two Jane. I'm not going to judge caffeine intake in this line of work!"

Jane laughed "Well i'm glad you aren't judging, but it's not for me. My girlfriend works downstairs in the morgue, well actually she doesn't just work in the morgue, she's the chief medical examiner of Massachusetts. Figured i'd grab her a drink then can show you down there."

The smile dropped slightly from Andi's face "Oh, I see. Yeah that sounds like a good idea."

"Here's a great tip for you Stephens, get pathologists on your side from day one. They provide some of the most important evidence." The Italian grabbed her drink and walked over to the sugar.

"Ha. Oh is that right? Is that how you woo'd you're girlfriend? To get all the important evidence first? Not all tactical I hope?!" She laughed.

Jane frowned slightly "Not in the least, not sure my relationship is really on topic for us as i've literally just met you but be rest assured no woo-ing took place whilst I was a detective...in fact i think I drove her near to insanity at times, so quite the opposite! All you need to know is they're a talented bunch that are as important as we are. They speak for the dead who can't give their version of events - its a skill. And Dr Isles...well Dr Isles is the best of the best. Come on, lets go say hi."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Jane and Andi got down to the morgue, Jane burst through the doors with swagger. A smile hitting her face as soon as she saw her hazel eyed girlfriend.

"Hello, Dr Isles" Jane winked "I'd like to introduce you to our newest detective, this is Andi Stephen's, she's transferred from sunny San Fran."

Maura smiled and held out her hand for a firm shake "Nice to meet you detective Stephens."

Andi smiled back "Good to meet you Dr Isles, and you can call me Andi. I've heard rave reviews about your work."

"Have you now? Well lets hope I live up to these reviews." She looked at Jane and smiled warmly "Is that for me Jane?" She said pointing at the coffee cup in the Sergeants hand.

"Oh, yeah, yes. Sorry, totally forgot I was holding it, probably would have walked off with it! Thought you might want a pick me up."

The honey blonde reached out and took the cup "Thank you, Jane. That's very thoughtful." She ran a hand down Jane's arm.

Jane acknowledged with an assertive nod. She turned back to face Andi "Right, shall we get you back upstairs and allocate your new partner?"

Andi nodded and smiled "Yes. That sounds like a good idea. Can't wait to get my teeth stuck into some Boston crime!"

Jane laughed, "well that I can fix. Come on, crime awaits!" Jane turned back to face her girlfriend "I'll see you later, shouldn't be late."

Maura walked towards the Italian and planted a kiss on her lips, much to Jane's surprise. "Ok Jane, sounds good. I'll see you at home."

Jane stood, stunned and a little puzzled. They'd normally kept it professional at work...especially in front of people. But who is she to complain about a kiss from Maura. She looked round at a straight faced detective Stephens. Jane began to talk to clear the awkwardness, she cleared her throat. "Erm, that normally doesn't happen at work, I hope it didn't make you uncomfortable."

The tall blonde was quick to respond "Oh no, I wasn't uncomfortable in the slightest. It was good to meet the woman behind the great Jane Rizzoli. She seems...nice."

Jane smiled with pride "Ok good. Yeah she's extremely nice, as you put it. Hopefully you guys will get on well. Maybe we should head for drinks later in the week. Get you fully accustomed to the BPD social scene."

The California native flashed a perfect smile "That sounds like a great idea. Tomorrow?"

"Ha! A keen one! Tomorrow should be good. Let me get a few of the guys together too and we can head to our usual spot, the dirty robber."

"Perfect!" Andi responded.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jane walked through the front door around 8pm to find Maura curled up on the couch reading. Hair scraped back into a rough bun, she looked beautiful without even wanting to try. Jane walked over and planted a kiss on the top of the doctors head "hey babe."

"Hello darling. I've ordered Chinese I hope that's ok? I was feeling a little lethargic when I got home, sorry."

Jane cracked open a beer and approach the living room "Er, number one, never apologise for ordering take out. Number two, never apologise for feeling tired...especially to me, i'm more than aware of that feeling" The Italian placed a chaste kiss on Maura's lips and lifted her legs so that she could sit underneath them on the couch.

The honey blonde looked at her girlfriend actually, she stared and Jane felt her eyes on her. "Maura, you're staring - what would you like to say?"

"What? No i'm not can't i just look at my girlfriend?"

Jane looked at Maura and smiled "Yes of course you can, but you want to say something, I know you and I know that look."

The doctor bit her lip "Ok fine. Maybe I was going to say something."

Jane grinned and rolled her eyes "Yeaaah, which was?"

"If you must know I was just going to comment on detective Stephens appearing to be very...nice."

"Funny you should say that Maur, she used the same word to describe you."

"Oh, did she. Well I hope she keeps her niceness professional."

Jane nearly spat out her beer "Meaning what?"

"Well Jane meaning that from what I saw of her I'm sure she could get what or who she wants...so I hope she realises you're taken."

Jane sat in mild shock for a second before answering "Maura, I'm pretty sure she got that message from me telling her you were my girlfriend and from you planting a kiss on me in front of her. You have staked your claim on me, do not worry! Also, what makes you think she would even be after me at any point? You met her for a whole 5 minutes! You suddenly have an in-tune gaydar?"

Maura huffed "Don't be ridiculous Jane, gay-dars are not a thing. I was merely saying you're very attractive and she's going to be spending a lot of time with you, so I'd like her to know in case she needs future reference, that you are in a committed relationship...with me."

"Well I don't think you have 'merely' said anything. I think you have blatantly said it. And she knows ok, i've told her and you showed her! Plus regardless of what her future self may do, I have absolutely no interest in anyone else. Look, i've said we will go for drinks tomorrow so you can stake your claim all you like at the dirty robber."

Now it was Maura's turn to roll her eyes "Don't be ridiculous Jane, I am not going to be all over you in public to prove our relationship to someone who is irrelevant. If i'm going to behave like that i'm doing it because I want to, not to prove a point."

Jane laughed "Now you don't want to prove a point to someone? Oh ok, sure! Well, gota say, i'm slightly disappointed, thought I was in line for some serious attention." She gave a wiggle of the eye brows and a grin.

The honey blonde's hand connected with the Italians shoulder - hard. "Ouuuch! Hang on! How am I being punished for this? All I did was introduce a new detective, who happens to be a bit fortunate in the looks department. You were going to meet her anyways. Plus, I have a girlfriend who is A LOT fortunate in the looks department...and that I love. So stop being jealous ok. It doesn't suit you and more importantly you have no reason to be." She leaned over and pulled her love in for a tender kiss. "Ok?"

Maura bowed her head slightly and leant it on Janes shoulder "Ok. I know it's silly, but I can't seem to help it. Maybe the drinks tomorrow will alleviate my concerns."

"Exactly! Look Maur she seems nice, she's new, she probably just wants a few friendly faces to help her settle in." The doorbell rang, Jane jumped up and sped towards the door "Ooooh YES...food!"

Maura frowned, annoyed with herself that she has let this remotely bother her. This wasn't her, what was it that she was worried about it? She just couldn't put her finger on it, but something made her slightly uneasy.