Prolog

"Constance?"

"Yes?"

"Constance I need you to do me a fav-"

"Paddy? Paddy Doyle?"

"Just shut up and listen, please. I don't have a lot of -"

"Mr. Doyle I don't thin-"

"Maura's in danger."

"W h a... ?"

"I need you to contact someone. An old friend of Maura's. I need you to leave a message."

"But how... why now?"

"I don't have time to explain. Just... can you do this?"

"Yes, of course. Anything! Anything at all! But shouldn't Detective Riz-"

"She can't know. It will only put them both in more danger. Do you understand? It's safer if they don't know. Just call this number, and leave a message that Paddy Doyle is calling in a favor. I was given a word of honor that I could collect on this debt, and it's time. I'm calling it in. Got that?"

"Yes. You're owed a debt of honor and are calling in a favor. Yes, I have it. Do I-"

"Don't say any more, or any less. Do you understand? That's all you need to do. Maura will be safe."

"And Detective Rizzoli?"

". . . hmph. . . . yeah . . . I suppose she'll be safe too."

Chapter 1

Detective Jane Rizzoli was in a cautious good mood. With Labor Day behind them, the city of Boston was behaving itself. Kids were in school, parents were refreshed from the summer vacations, and no one was yet stressed by the upcoming holidays that seemed to turn perfectly normal families into homicidal maniacs. Clearing her desk of long overdue paperwork and cold case files in preparation for a well-deserved weekend off, Jane felt a sense of accomplishment as she dropped the last file onto Sargent Vince Korsak's desk to sign off.

The older man pulled off his glasses and glanced between the detective and file folders. "That the last of 'em, Janie?"

"Yep! Done and done!" Jane sauntered over to her partner's work station with a pleased grin, casting a pointed glance at his last case file. The handsom black man looked sideways at her, light brown eyes narrowing in aggrivation. Ignoring the look, Jane perched her hip against the edge of his desk and held out one hand, fingers wiggling expectantly.

With a resigned sigh, Detective Barry Frost leaned forward to fish his wallet from his back pocket, removed a crisp bill with a pained look, and slapped a $20 bill into his partner's hand. "Least we know who's buyin' tonight," he muttered, putting his wallet away and yanking the last file from under Jane's butt.

Jane smirked. "I donno. Think you'll have time to make it tonight? Lord only knows how long it will take you to finish that last case's paperwork," she teased reaching over her own desk to pull her jacket off the back of her chair. With a dramatic toss of long curly black hair over her shoulder, Jane cast one last grin at her partner as she headed out the bullpen door. "I'm going to grab Maura and head out. See you at the Robber, boys!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there," her partner's voice followed her as she reached the elevator. "You better not drink all the beer!"

Chuckling to herself, Jane stepped into the elevator and pushed the basement button for the morgue. She liked teasing Frost. He was a good guy and, she admitted, a great detective with good instincts. He had the kind of juice that would do him well in his career. If he kept his wits about him, and his lunch down at crime scenes, that is. Jane knew Frost was spending time in the morgue with the medical examiner in the hopes immersion therapy would help, but it wasn't easy. Frost had a kind soul. Overcoming his natural gag reflex at the sight of the violence one person could inflict on another would be a long, difficult process.

The ding of the elevator interrupted her thoughts, bringing Jane to the present. Down at basement level, she easing through the double-doors of the morgue, where she caught sight of the station's M.E., Dr. Maura Isles. Not for the first time the detective thought the black scrubs, sensible crocks and safety glasses made the otherwise elegant doctor look like a kid playing at doctor. Jane thought it was a shame Maura's wavy blond hair had to be tucked under a surgical cap and her svelt figure hidden behind the formless garments. But considering Maura was usually elbow deep in blood and gore, there was no way she could stay in the designer dresses and expensive heels the doctor prefered.

The detective spared a glance at the sheet-draped figure of an elderly lady brought in earlier. She must have passed of natural causes or Jane would have heard about her long before Maura got to her. 'Wish we could all go like that,' Jane thought to herself, glad the woman wasn't yet another victim of violent crime. 'If I am very lucky, the entire weekend will pass without a homicide,' the detective thought with a smile. She didn't dare wish for more, though. Jane knew asking for more than that would be asking for a miracle.

At the table, Maura finished the last knot on the victim's Y-incision. As with everything the petite blond did, it was meticulous and precise. 'A first class surgeon wouldn't have done a better job closing the chest,' Jane thought with a fond smile. She knew it was a point of pride, and to no small degree, respect for the dead, that drove Maura to perfection. A drive that not only earned her the title, Chief Medical Examiner to the State of Massachusetts, but also the less celebrated title, "Queen of the Dead". Not that anyone addressed her friend that way anymore. At least, not within hearing range of the detective. Not if they knew what was good for them.

Moving into her friend's line of sight, Jane waited until she was sure Maura spotted her before asking, "Almost done there, Maur?"

Eyes that appeared more gold than green today glanced up, then returned to the stitches. "Almost."

Taking a pair of surgical scissors from the tray beside her, Maura cut the thick thread, placed her instruments back on the tray for sterilization, then offered her friend a bright smile. "You're down early. Done with your paperwork already?"

Jane returned her friend's bright smile. "Yep. And ready for the weekend! How much longer do you have down here before we can go?"

"I've just the paperwork on Mrs. Lowerson. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes tops. If I clean up in the gym locker room, I could meet you at the Robber by six-fifteen or so."

"Mind some company while you finish up?"

Maura's smile softened in gratitude. "I would like that, Jane."

As the detective followed the medical examiner into her office, Jane kept herself occupied studying the crazy knick-knacks on Maura's bookshelves while Maura settled at her desk to check email. As so often happened, the detective found herself marveling at the eclectic mix of cultures and cultural icons jammed into such a small space. While she could appreciate the crazy mish-mash of things in the room - from the african masks adorning the walls to the one-of-a-kind large red plastic 'guest' chair - she did wonder at her friend's taste in some things. It was one thing to have animal skeletons and old fashioned medical equipment scattered around. Maura was a doctor afterall. But that godawful chair-thingie? It was just plain uncomfortable. Why would anyone buy a guest chair that was so uncomfortable? Jane reconsidered that last thought. It actually made a weird kind of sense. The space did kind of describe Maura's personality: complex, cultured, and not a little uncomfortable.

At her desk, Marua suddenly sat up a little straighter, head tilted in a decidedly curious fashion. "Oh? OH!"

The doctor's outburst pulled Jane from her perusal of Maura's bookshelf to face her friend. The blond appeared stunned as she read whatever message was on the computer screen. Then before the detective could ask what was going on, a strange, delighted smile blossomed across her friend's face.

"Everything alright, Maur?"

Jane was surprised to see Maura blush before looking up with a nod.

"Oh yes. I just... uh... It seems a, ah... an old friend will be in town tonight and wants to meet." Maura glanced back at the computer screen, her smile mellowing to something warm and remonescent. "I haven't seen Bobby in ages."

The detective watched her friend's face as she continued to read the email. To judge by the waves of blushes that kept warming her face, her memories of 'Bobby' were good.

"An old friend, huh?" Perching on the edge of Maura's desk, Jane winked at the M.E. "Just how good of a friend?"

With another blush, the doctor waved one hand as though swatted at her friend playfully. But a heartbeat later, she admitted, "A very good friend."

Jane smirked. "Um-hmm. Have to be to get you to blush like that." Jane smiled at her friend fondly. It was good to see the doctor so happy. "So I guess this means you won't make it to the Robber tonight?"

Maura finally tore her eyes from the screen long enough to glance at Jane. Looking torn, the M.E. bit her lip and started fiddling with her ring. "I know I promised to go to the Robber tonight, but... I haven't seen Bobby since college and..."

Jane shrugged and offered her friend a half smile. "No, it's okay. I completely understand. It's not every day you get to see old friends." Jane lowered her voice suggestively and waggled her eyebrows, "Especially 'very good' old friends."

Maura smirked, blushed once more, but still looked unconvinced. "But I don't want my very good, 'current' friends to think I'm ditching them, either."

Jane snorted. "Please. I'm just teasing you, Maur. Go! See Bobby. Have fun! The boys and I can hold down the fort for one night."

The doctor held her gaze a moment, clearly studying her features for any sign of disappointment. Jane carefully kept her best poker face in place. Maura had few friends and Jane didn't want to be in the way of her reuniting with someone she obviously remembered fondly. Evidently, it worked because the doctor's smile eventually brightened. "Thank you." Looking back at the computer screen, Maura appeared thoughtful. "I suppose... I could ask Bobby to meet us at the Robber? Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak."

The detective appeared to think about it, though she already knew she would say yes. "Yeah, sure. Why not." With a wink, Jane added, "Besides, I wanna see the kind of friend who can make you blush just from memory."

With a coy smile of her own, Maura did that little shoulder shake her friend found so cute before turning back to the computer to type a reply.

Author's Note: This story has been tumbling around in my head for months now and I've finally given in and decided to get it out of my system. I'm also sharing it, which is something I've never done before. Keep this in mind while reading it. I love creative criticism - that helps me grow as a writer. But this is my story and it will evolve and conclude as I wish.

This is an old trope... nothing new here. While I introduce an original character into the mix, please be aware RIZZLES is the endgame. I want to see our favorite ladies get together. But I'm also going to play a bit before we get there. So hang tight.

This might take about 10 chapters or so, but hopefully I'll make the ride worthwhile.

~ Luvnot ~