This is my first foray into Rizzoli and Isles fanfiction. This story was one I had lurking on my hard drive, initially writing it for Xena, but it wasn't quite gelling, so I left it. As I was clearing some of my stuff up, it occurred to me that it could fit well within an R & I's setting. I'm from the UK, so there may be some spelling issues between myself and the US. Please let me know if you spot any.

Dr Temperance Brennan is only mentioned in passing at the beginning as it seemed to fit the story. This is not a crossover though, sorry. As far as I know there is no such tribe as The Anisisi Tribe. If there is I apologise, but honestly, it was just a word that I made up which sounded the part.

This is also the first attempt from a first person point of view, so I hope I get all the grammar correct. Not been beta read, so sorry if there are any mistakes. All reviews and any constructive criticism welcomed. Bear with the start though, because it is that way for a reason.

Disclaimer, as usual the Characters don't belong to me, I've just borrowed them, and I promise to return them safe and sound. No profit will be made from this; it's only a bit of fun.

Copyright: Original story belongs to me, and may not be reused or reprinted elsewhere without express permission.

Summary: A totally AU story. A virus creates a deadly plague. Told from Maura's point of view, it covers the start of the plague onwards. Eventually Rizzles. Set approx. after episode 2 season 3.

Courting Disaster.

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Prologue.

I have no idea how long I will be able to keep a record of the disaster to which the human race has succumbed. However, I feel it is important to try and document what has happened in the hope it might help mankind. Thus far it has only been a year since doomsday started.

I'm almost tempted to begin this missive like they would have done a few hundred years ago.

In the year of Our Lord!

Except many people have lost faith in religion. They haven't necessarily lost faith in good individuals; of virtues like compassion, truth and honor. I think we need those basics qualities in order to survive and hang onto our humanity. However doctrine means nothing in this tormented world.

So what evil has befallen us and robbed us all of our freedom? A plague was brought about by people manipulating DNA in such a way that the first batch of bodies created their own virus. This virus mutated and could be passed on by touch. A lot of people died, but the worst was reserved for those who were only half killed. We named those affected as 'The Others.' They would fight amongst themselves for food sources, at times inflecting so much damage to another beings body that they would be killed in the fight. The Others went on to further indiscriminately spread the disease; it was a bit like the self - fulfilling prophecy.

I have lived my life with science as my guiding light. Over the years friends would comment on my lack of knowledge regarding popular culture. However, once the concept of the Zombie was explained to me I could think of no better analogy. It makes me shudder even now; knowing that somebody took a vision from a horror film, and deliberately created something so close that the Zombie, in effect, became a reality.

Although an estimate of numbers is not yet known, a percentage of us remain immune to the outbreak, fending off the terror of attacks made by those afflicted by this grievous malady. Many of us were forced to stand by, utterly helpless as close family and friends' succumbed to its hideous effects, a nightmare that will haunt us for months and years to come. I watched as my family was destroyed by both forms of the disease. My Father, Mother, and worst of all - Jane, my best and dear friend, the person I loved more than I had loved anybody before- all lost within 48 hours of each other, although we didn't fully understand it at the time.

We survivors seek refuge and safe harbour where we can. Some, like my group, are lucky and we form larger communities, making it easier to defend against attacks. Others choose to roam in smaller numbers, evading The Others and becoming transient communities.

Despite witnessing such gruesome acts by these poor altered beings, we are the fortunate ones.

2012 certainly became a year to fear.

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Chapter one: And So It Begins.

12 months previously.

I was just finishing signing the paperwork related to the case which I knew had brought Jane down from the bullpen. It was shaping up to be a nasty serial killer with five men and woman already found dead within the past 24 hours. The Mayor had put together a task force and the FBI was called in, with agents expected to arrive within the day. Smiling I heard the distinctive thunk of Jane Rizzoli's boots hitting the floor leading into the autopsy suite. Knowing how much this case was getting to the homicide detectives I worked with, I expected Jane to be deep in thought as she arrived.

Sure enough, as I turned around to greet my best friend I noted the crumbled clothes, furrowed brow and worrying of her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Please tell me you've got something Maur?"

There was no mistaking the pleading tone as Jane had spoken. I moved over to brush a dishevelled lock of dark hair out of her face. Jane looked surprised at my candour, knowing it had only been a couple of weeks since we'd really started to revive our friendship after the incident with Doyle.

I smiled reassuringly and patted the seat next to my desk. "Go on, I know you've been on your feet for close to twenty hours."

With a huge sigh of relief Jane's tall frame seemed to fold into itself as she slumped onto the offered seat. "Thanks, you have no idea how much I needed that," she ran a hand over her face, scrubbing away some of the tiredness. "So, anything that might help us work out this thing?"

I felt myself frown. "I have nothing new; I was just about to do a conference call with a colleague who has more experience with some of the bone injuries I documented."

Jane perked up with that news. "Really, anybody I know?"

I shook my head as I turned on my Skype system. "No, but Dr Brennan is widely regarded in her field." Just then Temperance Brennan face appeared on my computer screen.

"Ah, Dr Brennan, thank you for your time." I indicated towards Jane, "I hope you don't mind the lead Detective joining in?"

"Not at all."

I could see the curiosity crossing the Anthropologists face and I suddenly realised I hadn't introduced them properly.

"Oh, sorry," I felt a blush creep up my face, "forgive my manners, Detective Jane Rizzoli, meet Dr Temperance Brennan, Forensic Anthropologist.

Jane placed a calming hand on my arm as she looked towards the camera connecting us to Washington. "Doctor, thank you for the help, has Dr Isles got you up to speed on the case?"

The Anthropologist smiled in return. "Yes," she shuffled a few paper in front of her and got straight to the point. "I can already tell some features are similar to the bone damage left behind by the Anisisi Tribe."

I felt myself tense, I had read that paper, and Jane noticed my reaction. "What? Maura, you know what that means don't you?"

I glanced at Dr Brennan. "Yes, the paper was very clear. The tribe had exhibited signs of cannibalistic behaviour."

Dr Brennan bowed her head in acknowledgement of my statement. "Indeed, I'll email you copies of my full findings."

"Thank you."

As we said our goodbyes I could feel Jane's presence closing in.

"Maur, when you said cannibalistic, you mean cannibalistic as in eating other humans cannibals?"

I sighed heavily. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."

"Holy crap!"

And for once I could only agree with the sentiment.

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The FBI arrived and set up in the conference room. Cavanaugh had then ordered the homicide team to take the night off. I had pleaded with him that afternoon to make sure they got some rest. When I'd gone upstairs to check on progress, Barry Frost had been asleep at his desk, Vincent Korsak looked awful and Jane had been pacing, dark circles under her eyes a testimony to how little sleep the three of them had achieved recently.

So it was that I found myself outside Jane apartment, with Chinese takeout and beer in hand. I had debated about using my key, but given the newness of our rekindled friendship I decided to knock instead. Jane took a while to answer, and when she saw it was me, gave a tired smile and gestured for me to follow her inside.

"Sorry to drop by unannounced." I moved to plate up the food. "Only I was worried you'd be too tired to eat properly."

"Thanks Maura. You're right, I am tired. At least Ma's looking after Joe Friday until this case is over." Jane joined me at the counter, we both grabbed some plates and silverware, and I uncapped a beer for Jane, before we sat down on the couch.

I took a moment to study my friend. Despite the obvious tiredness, she seemed pale and listless. "Are you feeling alright?"

I was concerned when all Jane could do was shrug and reply with. "I think I could have a bit of cold." She obviously saw me move to check her over, and put a hand out to stop me. "Honestly, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Despite everything that had happened I still cared deeply for Jane. Her words to her Mother the day we got home after the incident at the Sensei Matta Yoga centre still echoed in my mind. 'Ah, I think you've got a Doctor too.' The Rizzoli family have done so much for me. The acceptance I felt at that moment was enormous. There was a huge shift in our friendship that day, and we seem to have drawn even closer than we were before. I find myself wondering if Jane has the same depth of feelings as me, feelings that were getting even stronger as time went on. And if I was being honest with myself, it was getting harder for me to deny that some of those emotions were romantic in nature.

Jane gently grasped my free hand, shaking my thoughts free of those memories. "Yes, and if I feel worse tomorrow I promise I'll take a day."

I could feel my eyebrows rising in disbelief. "Take a day. Even with the case?"

"Even with the case," Jane gave a shoulder shrug. "With the FBI involved I doubt we'll be getting to do much other than be their lackeys anyway."

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The following morning I phoned Jane first thing, as I suspected she wasn't feeling any better, so I called in on my way into work having reminded her of the promise she'd made to stay at home if she wasn't feeling well.

I'd arranged to let myself into the apartment, and found Jane curled up in bed, I sat next to her and could see she seemed to be running a slight temperature. I ran my hand through her hair, slowly untangling the knots that had formed overnight.

"Other than putting a jug of water on the side so you can keep up your fluid intake, and getting some painkillers, anything else I can do?"

Jane stretched out slightly and moaned as I continued to knead her scalp. "Can you figure out how to keep doing that from work? It feels wonderful."

I laughed lightly. "Sorry, I don't think Cavanaugh would approve the use of my time," for a moment I frowned seriously. "Promise me you'll phone if you feel worse?"

Jane looked up from under the covers. "I will," she agreed solemnly. "Now go, before I kidnap you so you don't have to stop that massage."

After getting together the things I thought Jane might need that day, and making sure there was nothing more I could do for her, I tucked her in, kissed her forehead after she fell asleep and quietly shut the door behind me.

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Lunchtime came and went, I'd tried phoning Jane, but there was no reply, so I was hoping she was asleep. I'd just been called up into the conference room and I arrived to find Cavanaugh and Vince Korsak in a heated argument with a female FBI agent.

Jane's partner, Barry Frost was by the door and moved over as soon as I entered. "Thank God you're here Doc, I hope you can smooth this over."

"Why, what's the problem?"

"The FBI agents have some information from their ME, but they don't want to share."

I was curious. "If they weren't going to tell us, how did we find out about it?"

Barry shuffled guiltily. "I might have been running a tracer programme on the system. It got flagged."

"Oh Barry, please tell me it wasn't illegal!"

"Oh no," he was quick to reassure me. "But I trod on some toes by not asking permission and it's turned into a bit of a pissing contest." He saw my disapproving look. "Sorry about the language."

Before I could ask what my presence could achieve Vince saw me and waved me over. I caught the tail end of his conversation. "OK, so if your ME won't tell us, at least release the information to our ME."

He was obviously after a compromise, and turned his full attention to me. "Tell 'em it'd be a good idea for you to be read in on this Dr Isles."

All eyes turned to me, and I felt pinned to the spot by their intensity. "Well, Sergeant Korsak has a point, if it's relevant from a medical standpoint, I could be told on a need to know basis."

Korsak pointed with a triumphant look on his face. "See, told ya, come on, what could be that bad that you need to keep us out of the loop?"

The FBI agent sighed, and looked to her two colleagues for support. Coming to some kind of silent decision she indicated to the chairs. "You might want to sit down."

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I could feel my jaw slacken, and looking around I saw the others held a similar look of disbelief. I cleared my throat and tried to speak, startled to find my voice came out as a squeak. I coughed and started again. "So this virus has been let loose, and we have no way of stopping it?"

The female FBI agent, who I'd learned was called Sarah, nodded. "Yes, all we know at this stage is that those who aren't killed within 18 hours are reduced to becoming like Zombies. Up until now we'd contained the outbreak, but with these five bodies it looks like containment has failed. If this carries on the President will address the nation by the end of the week and declare martial law. The virus initially presents with the same symptoms as a cold…"

I felt my blood run cold as soon as she uttered those words. "Oh .No. No…" I jumped up, and could see Vince's questioning look as I grabbed my cell phone and hit the speed dial. "Please pick up. Please pick up. Please pick up."

"Maura what is it?" By now, both Vince and Barry were at my side. There was no answer from Jane.

"If what we've been told is true, we were exposed to the virus when we found the bodies. Jane took a day…"

I could see the horror on Vince's face as he worked it out. "Because she was ill."

Barry made a run for the door. Vince and I were right behind him.

By the time we got to Jane's place it was too late. The apartment was in total disarray and Jane was missing. That morning was the last time I saw her.