Before I start, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank y0ungalaska who beta read my story. This is my first fanfiction, so I would appreciate any comments or criticism you have for me but please be gentle ! Hope you'll enjoy !
Disclaimers : I own nothing.
Jane was in the waiting room, sat in a chair, hiding her face in her hands. Then she rose and watched by the window. The city was quiet and peaceful, unlike her who was full of anger and angst. She was pacing like a caged lion.
Detective Vince Korsak looked at his partner trying to find words to soothe her. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Jane, everything will be fine, trust me".
Her eyes were darker than usual. She was angry and she spoke quietly through clenched teeth. "You gotta go now, Vince. Catch this son of bitch".
"Sure. Our team inspects the crime scene. Through examining the remains of the device, the labo guys will be able to find the suspect. Don't worry about that. I'll stay with you until we have news." His voice was comforting.
"I'm well, Korsak, you can go. You will be more helpful with Frost. I need to know you both are working, doing your best to arrest this man." Jane took a few steps with Vince toward the exit. "Please go now and call me as soon as you have new information on the case".
The grizzled man left his young colleague with regret. Sometimes, he considered her as his daughter. He wanted to protect her but it wasn't easy. Even in the worst situations, she was bossy.
On her way back, she met a man wearing scrubs. "Detective Rizzoli, could you please come by my office ? " The doctor asked looking her straight in the eye.
"Have a seat."
She shook her head. "How is she ?" she asked impatiently.
"Her condition is stable. None of her vital organs had been affected."
The brunette relaxed a little.
"But, you have to know the most important..." the man chose his words carefully. "She has full and partial thickness burns to her face, head and neck. She also has shrapnel in both feet."
The more the doctor described the situation, the more distraught Jane became.
"Her blood gases are normal on admission and her lung fields are clear."
Jane was speechless with shock.
"A complete recovery will take time, patience, courage and support." The clinician spoke, slowly, in a reassuring tone.
"Can I see her ? " She tried to hold back her tears.
"In view of the peri-oral burns and her hoarse voice, she's intubated. So she can't speak and you can't stay long because she needs rest but... she also needs friends to take care of her, especially right now... We will take you to her."
"Please, follow me Detective". A nurse led her to a room.
A basic white room, functional and depressing. With the fluorescent lights and the machines ominously whirring and bleeping.
Immediately, Jane saw Maura lying on a bed that seemed too big for her.
The nurse checked the infusion, the breathing, the heart rate and the blood pressure. Her actions were precise.
"Does she feel pain ?" Jane murmured.
"No, don't worry, she received medication. She's just groggy from the morphine."
Half opening her eyes, Maura Isles looked up and saw her best friend standing over her. She tried to muster a smile but failed. Her face was partially covered by a synthetic temporary skin substitute to care for her burn wound and prevent bacterial infection.
"Hey, Maur'..." She tried to command her trembling voice. "I'm so sorry. I should have been with you... to protect you..."
The detective could barely speak and was breathing with difficulty. She took Maura's hand softly. " I wasn't there when you needed me. I beg your pardon..."
Her face was devastated by the raging storm of emotions. The pale woman blinked and squeezed her hand back gently.
"It's enough for today," the nurse said.
With a deep breath, the detective turned and left as tears flowed down her face.
Jane Rizzoli crossed the hallway filled with the heady odor of antiseptic and bitter coffee. She rushed to the toilet and threw up. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was livid. "You must be strong. No choice. Not the time to fall apart, " she said to herself. She splashed her face with cold water then she left the room.
She walked in the direction of the waiting room when she heard a familiar voice calling out from behind her.
"Jane, Jane ! Detective Korsak called me. What happened ? Is she safe ?"
"Ma, at the moment we don't know with certainty...a pipe bomb was thrown into Maura's car."
Angela knew her girl, she used to deal with difficult situations, but this time her cracky voice alarmed her. "Janie, honey. She's going to make it. She's a fighter. You have to control your emotions. Don't give in to your fear. Just focus on Maura. Put all you've got into this struggle."
"I don't know if I can handle this mess."
"It's a fierce battle, but she can win with you at her side."
"Me ? Really ? We had plans to go at the Dirty Robber, but I had paperwork and I told her to go without me. I should have been with her. I should have been the driver. I feel like a crap."
"Stop being so hard on yourself." The warm woman placed her arms protectively around her daughter.
Jane collapsed and sobbed into her mother's arms.
