Chapter 1

Jane had already watched the game at the Dirty Robber, so she knew who was going to win, but still she felt the need to just sit and veg out for a while. The day had been rough enough and now she had to come home and listen to Natalie complain about whatever it was that she wanted to complain about. She couldn't understand it. Natalie was a successful doctor of dentistry, with her own office situated in the best part of Boston, but still she found reasons to complain about nearly everything.

Maybe she just wasn't happy with her life, or with Jane.

"Are you listening?" Natalie called out from the kitchen.

"Of course, I'm listening." Jane called over her shoulder.

"What do you think I should do about it?"

Jane wanted to tell her to take a very long vacation, because she obviously needed it. When she got tightly wound up like this, it affected every area of their lives. They'd been living together for nearly 8 months now, and with the exception to Natalie's crazed days of complaining, life was pretty good for them.

Jane placed her beer down on the coffee table and stretched.

"First, I think you should tell her how much she's getting on your nerves. And then fire her ass."

"Jane! I can't fire her!"

"Why not?"

"Because I have no reason to fire her. It'll come back on me."

"Termination for reasons of being an annoying asshole. That sounds good to me."

Natalie laughed and went back to preparing dinner. She was an excellent cook. Everything she made tasted like a gourmet meal.

"When is company coming?"

Natalie glanced down at her watch. "Another hour and they'll be here. You want to get cleaned up?"

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing at all, other than you've been in it all day. I thought you'd like to freshen up, you know."

Jane flipped her hair over her shoulder and cracked her neck.

"What I really want to do, is go to bed. I'm beat."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I really appreciate you entertaining some of my colleagues tonight, Babe."

Jane leaned back on the couch and gazed at the ceiling. "Yeah. No problem."

"Are you alright?"

"Yep."

Natalie turned the eye down on the stove and joined her on the couch. She leaned over and placed her head on her shoulder and hugged her.

"I know you, and I know something is up. What is it?"

Jane glanced over at her and gazed into her eyes. She couldn't tell her that she missed her Friday nights at Maura's house because she was a bit on the jealous side. But she did miss her time with Maura. When Jane decided to move in with Natalie, Maura started distancing herself. Jane didn't know how much she really missed those times until they were taken away from her.

"I'm just tired, Nat." Jane said with a smile. "I just want you all to myself tonight. That's all."

Natalie leaned in for a tender kiss. "Aww, that is so sweet. Well, you'll have me all to yourself when they leave."

"And when will that be?"

"Probably around eleven or so."

Jane sighed and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Gotcha." She knew she'd get no sex tonight. Natalie had to work in the morning. So, she would be going straight to bed after company left.

"Is Dr. Isles coming tonight?"

"I don't know." Jane replied.

"Didn't you send her the invite?"

"I did, but she never responded."

"Oh, well that's odd. Maybe she was busy. Did you see her at work?"

Jane was getting slightly annoyed. Natalie knew damn well that she really didn't want Maura to come to dinner, and her inviting her was just because she was Jane's best friend. There was already too much animosity between the two of them for them to even enjoy a nice cordial meal together.

"Yes, I saw her at work, but she didn't mention the invite and neither did I. She's about to head to San Diego in the morning anyway."

"Oh really. For what?"

"Some Death Conference."

"Oh wow, that sounds exciting." She hopped back up and skipped into the kitchen.

Jane wondered what she was so excited about. Communication was a problem. Not a really bad problem but it was annoying enough to get to Jane. Like this dinner for one. She'd planned it and didn't even tell Jane anything about it until yesterday.

Jane reached for her phone and checked for messages. There was one from Maura.

Maura: Could you call me?

It was timestamped twenty minutes ago. She got up slowly from the couch and brought her bottle to the recycling bin. She leaned over and kissed Natalie lightly on the cheek.

"I need to make a phone call, and then I'm going to go freshen up for dinner."

"Okay, Babe."

Jane dragged herself into the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed. She dialed Maura and waited for her to pick up. The call connected after 3 rings.

"Hi Jane." She answered.

"Hey Maur. How are you?"

"I'm doing okay. Just relaxing and watching TV."

"What are you watching?"

"I'm streaming Downton at the moment. But I'm about to turn it off. I need to be up early for my flight."

"Oh, yeah, that's right. Your Death Conference." Jane said with a laugh.

Maura laughed lightly on the other end, but didn't respond to her joke. She just held the phone silently.

"Are you alright, Maur?"

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

"I got a text from you telling me to call you."

"Oh, that's right. My apologies." Jane heard her fumbling with some papers on the other end. "Could you check on Bass while I'm gone?"

"Oh. Sure. That's fine."

"Thanks."

Jane cleared her throat softly. She wondered why Maura hasn't even mentioned the dinner invite.

"Hey Maur, didn't you get the dinner invite for tonight that Nat and I sent you?"

"I—Um, yes I received it."

"You just didn't feel like coming?"

Maura sighed heavily and hesitated for a couple of minutes before speaking. "Honestly, Jane, I don't believe that Dr. Fisher enjoys my company as well as you do."

Jane shook her head slowly and cursed under her breath. For Maura to pick up on it too, meant that Natalie really didn't like Maura at all.

"I'm sorry, Maur. I know her personality is strong, but don't let that bother you."

"I'd prefer not to be put into a position where I need to explain why I am your friend."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I've said enough already."

"So that's why you're not coming to dinner? Because Nat makes you uncomfortable?"

"I didn't accept your dinner invite because I don't want to have to pretend that your girlfriend doesn't get on my nerves, because she really does!"

"Wow." Hearing those words come out of Maura's mouth was sobering. She'd suspected for a long time now that that was the reason for her distance. A clash in personalities between the new love interest and the best friend.

"Plus, I have a flight to catch early in the morning." She offered more softly.

When Jane had introduced Natalie to Maura, they seemed to have hit it off pretty good at first. But something changed over the first two or three months. And then when Jane asked her to date exclusively, almost everything changed.

Maura stopped inviting her out, stopped texting her a hundred times a day, stopped just being herself.

"Okay." Jane said quietly. "I'll check on Bass in the afternoon."

"Thank you."

"How long will you be gone?"

"My flight comes back next Friday."

"Will you text me to let me know you made it safely?"

"Yes. I will text you when I land, but my teaching agenda is packed, and I—"

"I understand." She interrupted.

"I hope you have a wonderful evening, Jane."

Jane closed her eyes and forced the uneasy feelings back down beneath the surface. She'd expected that she could have a girlfriend and her best friend too. Somewhere in her mind, she thought that since they were both doctors, that they would have enough in common to get along. Was she ever wrong!

Natalie was jealous of Maura and her's relationship. So, Maura made the decision to not come around as much. To avoid the drama.

"Do you really mean that?" Jane asked.

"Yes, Jane, I do."

"It would be so much better if you were here. Then I'd have someone to talk to about whatever. Nat and her friends are just going to be talking teeth all night long."

Maura laughed lightly on the other end.

If nothing else, Jane was good at humoring her.

"Come on, Maur. Please come."

Maura sighed. "I'm sorry, I cannot come tonight, but the next time, I will."

Jane heard a noise behind her and she turned to see Natalie standing in the doorway. Jane smiled at her and gestured for her to give her one more minute.

"Okay, do you promise me on that?" she asked.

"Yes. I promise."

"Great." This made Jane extremely happy, because Maura would keep her promise. "Have a safe flight, Maur and I'll see you when you get back."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Bye."

Maura disconnected the call without saying goodbye; Something that she'd just recently started doing. Jane tossed her phone onto the bed and turned her attention back to Natalie.

"Hey what's up?"

"Who was that?"

"Maura."

"Oh, okay. Is she coming to dinner tonight?" Natalie crossed the room and started undressing by the closet.

"No she's not. As I thought, she's got that conference to go to so she couldn't make it."

"That's too bad." Natalie stepped into a form fitting blue dress and motioned for Jane to come and zip her up.

Jane came to her side and zipped her up. With Natalie standing at 5"4 inches tall, Jane towered over her. She reached down and hugged her from behind, pulling her in close.

"Can't we just cancel?" She said placing a tender kiss on her neck.

"Those are important friends coming tonight, Babe."

"Aren't I important to you?"

"You are the most important person in my life."

"So why can't we cancel?"

"Because I need to form align myself with like minded colleagues who will be able to help me further the expansion of my practice throughout the city. I have a plan. It's going to benefit us in the long-run."

Jane sighed and squeezed her tighter.

"That beautiful mind of yours needs a vacation. You're always thinking about work."

"That's just how I am." Natalie pulled away from her and pushed her over towards the bathroom. "You, go shower. Now."

"Yeah, yeah, okay." Jane took one last kiss and dipped into the bathroom.

As she was about to step into the shower, Natalie called out to her telling her that Angela was on the phone for her.

"Tell her I'll call her back tomorrow!" Jane said.

She couldn't handle any more anything today. This week had been full of explainable deaths and even more inexplicable motives. Jane was tired of life today. All she wanted to do was relax. Whatever it was, it would have to wait. At least until tomorrow.

I've been reading FF/RI stories for a while, and I know fans hate seeing Jane or Maura with other partners. So do I but this was an idea I had in my head. If you don't mind Jane having a S.O. for a few chapters, then please follow! Eventually, Rizzles will happen. Review if you want.