Chapter one: Introduction to madness
It was a late Sunday evening at Maura's house. It looked like a Sunday like all the rest but it was definitely not. The clock on the far wall informed Jane that it was six thirty -dangerously close to the time the world as they knew it would change once more.
She turned her attention to the TV just as the weather forecast ended and the broadcaster made his final statement.
''We are less than thirty minutes away from the third annual Purge. Those of you spending the evening home, stay safe. For the rest of you Purge and Purify.''
She sighed, lowering the volume. With the corner of her eye she caught Maura approaching and the clicking of her heels was entirely out of place for the madness that would soon follow.
''Studies show that regular exposure to sounds over 80 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss.''
''Your heels can do that without the TV. Besides, I just turned the volume down.'' The Detective snapped back.
''I'm only looking out of you.'' Maura said defensively. Jane turned to her and stared, without speaking. Korsak's voice saved the Doctor for the very spiteful answer she had been processing, not before she had seen it flash on her face however.
''Dr Isles, your mother is on the line.'' He said, holding up the device.
''Where is she this year, Thailand?'' Jane asked ironically.
Maura's reply was neutral. ''Paris.''
''At least she has options...'' She heard Jane's remark as she picked up, yet tuned it out.
Frankie took his seat on the couch next to his sister, taking the remote.
''Can't you let it go, at least for tonight?'' He asked her gently.
''You of all people should know better than asking me this.'' She said, deeply annoyed as she rose to her feet and headed to the guest room.
She stood undecided in the middle of the bedroom she had not seen in almost a year, staring at the extremely distasteful painting Angela had forced upon the beige walls. How has she entirely forgotten about this?
The knocking was more of a formality, since he entered anyway. ''Oh shit, you here to cry? I'm going-''
''I'm looking at the aesthetic assault our mother committed on Maura's wall.''
He stepped closer, taking a look. ''This definitely does not look consensual to me. I wonder why Maura kept it.'' Frankie half laughed, until he saw Jane's expression. ''I'm not helping, am I?'' She just kept on staring at him, wishing he'd stop talking eventually but it did not seem likely. ''Look, I know you don't wanna be here but it's for the best. It's just one night.''
''This is me, being calm.'' She realised he was going to need some help shutting up.''You, here, not helping.''
''You still want to get out of here? If you do, I'm coming with you, how bad can it be anyway?'' He tried to joke, but then he caught her look.
''You think this is a joke?'' She She half growled at him. ''I've been out there, have you?''
''I think I should go check on Maura... in the kitchen...'' He mumbled, opting to leave than face his sister's rage and his own guilt. He stopped just outside the kitchen door, listening to the sharp whispers of his Sergeant and the Doctor's sniffly replies.
He could almost be certain that what he was hearing was the failure of Korsak's attempt to console the crying woman.
''I don't even know what to do anymore!'' He heard her say.
''You need to give her some space...'' Korsak said passing her a box of tissues.
''I gave her eight months of time-''
''You know what she was doing these months.'' His voice grew just a little stern.
''She's not even past the second stage of grief. She's just stuck in Anger for an entire year, she cant go on like that!''
He knew that it was fruitless arguing with the Doctor on her scientific boundaries of guilt but he also knew there was no way Jane was going to move to Bargaining any time soon. He stood without speaking as she composed herself suddenly recalling that they were coworkers and he had just seen her runny mascara panda look.
''I am very sorry Sergeant Korsak.'' She said as she tried to make herself presentable. ''This is not your fault and it is highly unprofessional of me.''
''I'm just glad she listening to Frankie and is staying here tonight.''
''I know it's wrong but I'm somewhat relieved she didn't find anything, or she might be out there tonight.'' She looked away, walking towards the fridge. He watched her take out a bottle of beer for him and check the oven.
''Don't say things like that...''He muttered, popping his beer open.
''You have to admit the chances of Jane finding anything are very slim.'' She faced him with a challenging eyebrow lift.
''We're talking about Jane, it might take time but she'll find what she's looking for. She found Hoyt.''
''And you saw what happened then, he almost killed her.'' She took their dinner out of the oven.
''And that's why I'm glad she's here tonight. So we can keep an eye on her.'' He helped her carry the roast chicken and potatoes, casting a curious glance at Frankies sudden presence.
''You guys need any... help?'' He stammered. Maura handed him the plates she was carrying and orders to set the table and make a salad before she escaped towards the master bedroom.
''You think she's gonna cry again?'' Frankie asked.
''Possibly.'' Korsak nodded.
The younger Rizzoli peeked over the other man's shoulder as they set the table cloth, seeing Maura climbing up the stairs.
''I think she's heading towards Jane...''
''Uh oh...''
''You think we should...''
''No, definitely not.'' He grabbed another beer and handed it to Frankie. ''This is going to be a long ass night.''
They were surprised to hear Jane huff a very frustrated ''come in.''
Maura was just as surprised when she pushed the door open. She found the Detective sat on the bed, staring ineffectively ahead at the news broadcast, since there was no sound.
''We're getting ready for dinner.'' She offered.
''I know.'' Jane refused to look at her, observing the mute presenter.
''Do you want to join us?'' Maura persisted.
''No.'' She sighed. ''Thank you thought. For dinner. And for letting us stay here.''
''Don't be ridiculous.'' She cleared her throat. ''I know you're mad at me, yet you still haven't told Frankie, have you? He wouldn't insist bringing you here if you hadn't.''
''If i didn't come he wouldn't come either. And this is the safest place in Boston.'' She finally turned to face her. ''I want my family to be safe this time.''
''We're all safe here, this smart house has the most advanced Purge-Specific security system available. All entrances are monitored by a control center to which only one administrator holds the password.'' She realised way too late that she was babbling. ''Will you ever forgive me, Jane?''
The Detective reached for the remote and turned the volume up.
This is not a test. This is your emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the Annual Purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Weapons of class 4 and lower have been authorized for use during the Purge. All other weapons are restricted. Government officials of ranking 10 have been granted immunity from the Purge and shall not be harmed. Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours. Police, fire, and emergency medical services will be unavailable until tomorrow morning until 7 a.m., when The Purge concludes. Blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn. May God be with you all.
''Okay.'' Maura allowed, when the sirens finished blaring. ''I'll be downstairs if you need anything.'' She let the door close gently behind her.
Jane stood and clipped her holster on. She knew that she should have called the Doctor back but it would have only been a pretense and it wound end up in an argument, like the countless they had the past twelve months. In fact every time they talked resulted in shouting or angry silence.
She would have spent the next twelve hours drinking red bull and watching reruns of the Red Sox entire season, had Korsak's phone downstairs not rung.
Who calls during a purge? She waited until it rung again and then burst outside, looking down at her watch. What could a call seven minutes after the announcement mean?
She saw it plain in Korsak's face. It was not good.
''What happened?'' She felt Maura's eyes on her and for the first time searched her gaze without anger. ''What is it?
Korsak returned his phone to his pocket. He looked at the other two but since neither volunteered...
''As you know all crime is legal during-''
''What is it Korsak?''
''What I'm getting to is that all federal facilities are not guarded by personel tonight.'' He paused, turning to Maura for help.
''He means they called from the FBI, about Hoyt.'' The Doctor came to his aid.
''Hoyt is in Washington.'' Jane cut in. She did not like the pause that followed.
''They...'' She looked down at the weapon on Jane's hip.''They transfered him to an FBI facility in Boston for brain observation.''
''Why didn't they say anything?!'''
''They encountered a temporary black out two minutes after the announcement and when the power came back his cell was empty.'' Korsak rushed to explain.
Jane stared at him.
''But don't worry, we're entirely safe in here, this system is impregnable.'' Maura supplied.
The Detective did not have time to utter her reply. The lights went out.
Chapters hopefully to grow in size. Let us know what you think.