DISCLAIMER: Rizzoli and Isles are owned by Tess Gerritsen and Janet Tamaro and TNT. I'm altering their realities for fun, not profit, as I own nothing and have the credit report to prove it. I Don't Want Anything to Change is copyright Maia Sharp, Liz Rose, and Stephanie Chapman, and is also used without permission or profit. I love Bonnie Raitt, and she and Lyle Lovett did this together on Crossroads and it's been stuck in my filter.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.

Karaoke
By sailor80

 

Part 1

Jane hated karaoke night, but could find no way out of it. Her voice was terrible, and it was hard to find a song suited to it, and then it took a couple – four, actually – strong drinks to get her on the stage after everyone, even shy Maura, took a turn. Maura did respectably well, and Jane applauded and whistled for her, just like she did her other colleagues.

And then it was her turn.

Sleepless nights aren't so bad
I'm staying up, I'm staying sad
I don't want anything to change
I don't want anything to change
I like it lonely, I like it strange
I don't want anything to change

While she sang, Jane found her eyes going to Maura more than appropriate, and made herself look at the far wall. She knew this song well, and didn't need to watch the screen for the lyrics.

You left a mess, you're everywhere
I'd pick it up, but I don't dare
I don't want anything to change
There's nothing I would rearrange
I don't want anything to change

Maybe this wasn't such a good choice. But Maura hadn't let her apologize any other way. Maura hadn't said a thing to her outside of work, and there, it was clear that the Medical Examiner was speaking to a homicide detective in a strictly professional capacity. There were no lunches, no drinks after work, no Rizzoli family dinners, no sarcasm or teasing, and no long explanations about everything.

I can feel you fading
But until you're gone
I'm taking all the time I can borrow
The getting over is waiting
But I won't move on
And I'm gonna wanna feel the same tomorrow

Jane hadn't felt this bad since the first time her heart was broken.

I know the truth is right outside
But for the moment, it's best denied
I don't want anything to change
I can feel you fading
But until you're gone
I'm taking all the time I can borrow
The getting over is waiting
But I won't move on
And I'm gonna wanna feel the same tomorrow

And I don't want anything to do
With what comes after you
I don't want anything to change
I don't want anything to change
I don't want anything to change

Jane finished and put the microphone down and walked outside. As the door closed, she heard loud applause, but it didn't matter. She either made a complete ass of herself in front of people who would take every opportunity to tease her, or she bared her heart to the woman she loved in front of the people who supported them every day.

Her long legs carried her into the parking lot. She knew she shouldn't drive, but she could just sit there and try to muster up some self-respect so she could face the others.

She didn't hear Maura behind her, didn't realize she was there until she turned to sit on the hood of her car and Maura bowled her over. Jane's arms went around her automatically and she inhaled deeply. She needed this, just holding Maura, to keep her life on some kind of even keel.

Maura's hands held Jane's face while she kissed her, and after she abruptly separated them. "We need to talk," she said breathlessly.

"I know." Jane sounded resigned.

"We're not good at it."

"No," Jane admitted, "we're not."

"Will you go with me to see someone?"

"God, Maura, I'm all ready seein' the department shrink."

"You don't actually talk to him," Maura pointed out.

"We talk about baseball and bad guys."

"For me. Please, Jane. I don't want to lose the best thing in my life because I don't know how to tell you what I need."

"Just say it." Maura had been trying to pull away, but Jane held her firmly. "Whatever it is. The worst I'm gonna do is say no."

"What I need from you right now is for you to agree to accompany me to a therapist."

"All right," Jane sighed eventually. "If we're done fighting, please take me home." She offered her keys. "I'm way too drunk to drive."

Part 2

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