Setting: Intro AFTER Season 7, flashes back to End Season 6/Start Season 7

I join in with Jane Rizzoli's growling as the detective re-clenches her jaw while we collectively follow… tracing Alice Sands' scent through the backroom of the business serving as a front for our nemesis's drug-dealing finances. Jane has literally jumped the gun… and we've charged in after Sands without waiting for Korsak and the rest of backup. In fact, I doubt either of us will care in the long run. I echo Jane's yearning thoughts and raging desire. I WANT THIS OVER!

The extreme shakeup and scrambling of the human detective's identity and financial status…

The burning down of our den… the loss of much more than a place of residence and the human's clothes. While my human counterpart will likely never admit it out loud, we both agree with our Human Friend, Dr. Maura Isles. We did lose much more than a bunch of twenty identical shirts! *1

And this bitch threatened not just the Rizzoli family, she arranged to lure Maura out to a fake crime scene and have her abducted! Sands eliminated all of Maura's sense of safety and security and later even directly contributed to the threat our human friend's actual life!

In fact, along with all of this Alice Sands garbage, I, along with Jane, have been wrestling with an extreme, deep down… possibly an instinctive feelings regarding Maura. The human and I both have individually and collectively pondered this particular feeling… likely originating long before all of this crap, but solidifying when the medical examiner was missing… and also leading to the collapse in the Homicide Squad room.

The human detective has never felt more helpless, to my knowledge, than when she was waiting for the M.E. to regain consciousness throughout the ambulance ride and the hospital. Despite all of the assurances, Jane (myself as well) automatically knew something wasn't entirely right. I was surprised at the detective's patience… very likely she was distracted by the current ordeal and has even started to question her own abilities and judgment as a cop. *2 Jane even consulted with a priest earlier today… unable to get past the possibility of a forgotten sin or some sins she's failed to confess or the potential of not attending church mass like Angela has periodically accused Jane of. The Rizzoli Matriarch is becoming more at odds with us the last few days… unsurprisingly blaming her daughter for her breakup with Ron.

But Jane has only "confronted" Maura directly by proving our Human Friend's tactics and strategy of deflecting and redirecting any inquiries away from her injury and resulting condition. Thankfully, the doctor didn't resist and came clean regarding this bleed on her brain after she realized we both couldn't be fooled anymore and gently held our ground.

"Crap!" Jane growled, "she's got someone else in there!"

Our already red vision snapped an even darker hue and Jane tightened her grip on the weapon…

… "HOW THE HELL DID SHE GET AHOLD OF MAURA?!" I roared to Jane.

"AGAIN?!" My human symbiant echoed my rage as Alice Sands countered the hostage's struggles against her grasp.

Jane swallowed a roar as her weapon's grasp wavered slightly. Our hardened, narrowed eyes briefly shifted between her and the gun brandished against the M.E.'s head. Sands and Jane exchanged a few words as my remaining senses honed in on our ginger blonde friend. She was desperately searching for any possible opening to break our enemy's hold on her.

Could this really be the end? Certainly the price of Maura's life is not an option! I certainly wouldn't be able to live with it and no doubt Jane could either!

Never doubt yourself… we both heard. Could Maura have spoken aloud? Even Jane is slightly puzzled while she struggles to maintain her proper tactical mindset.

… I'll always love you both. It has to be Maura's thoughts we're hearing!

"…you will never be able to have people believing you, Jane!" Alice presses the muzzle harder against Maura's temple.

"Don't believe her, Jane!"

"Shut up!" Alice screams into her ear, causing our enraged red vision burn brighter.

We began smelling Korsak's scent approach on the door's opposite side and Sands promptly demanded for us to send the Sergeant away or she'll kill Maura.

"She's not bluffing!" I confirmed to the detective as my other senses other than vision detect the intention behind her threat.

Jane tells Vince Korsak to leave and this time I'm nearly praying for him to heed his partner's words considering the times he'd let her down in the past. While she conceals it, Jane's relief is palpable as mine is when we sense Detective Korsak reluctantly withdraw and Alice resumes her smug rant.

She bloviated about how she's planned to end the Boston Police Detective who robbed her rightful place among its ranks and family tradition. "… even if in self defense," Alice's smug voice is now alarmingly calm. "There will always be some of the force who'll wonder if you did it in cold blood."

We're running outta time! My thoughts raced along with Jane's as we desperately continued to search for any opening to break our enemy's grasp on Maura, while not harming our friend. There was never any doubt in my mind that Sands believed she would leave this room feet first, in a body bag. The main question is how much collateral damage can she take with her?

"So long as Maura's life is saved," Jane agrees with me. "That's all that matters."

Our vision narrows as a small opening appears. "Even you'll wonder if it'll be cold blood," Alice taunted as she closed the small opening. My hearing detects the subtle sounds of her fingers shifting on the weapon trained on Maura's head.

"Jane…"

I pause. Jane too is confused at hearing our Human Friend speak; yet appearing not to.

"Vuk…"

Now my name, but Maura's face continued to remain unchanged.

"Jane…" the doctor's soft voice somehow is nearer, closer. More insistent. "Vuk…"

The detective and I are now in a daze, as Alice Sands' lifeless eyes remain locked with ours. Somehow Maura is no longer in the room and thankfully all of the blood is only from Sands. Nevertheless I quickly sniff to reassure myself that all this spilled blood is hers… NOT Maura's!

"Vuk…"

While Detective Rizzoli continues to stare at the bitch's lifeless eyes, I notice Korsak and SWAT in the room. Vince knelt down beside his partner and I could sense his emotional concern for her. We, along with Dr. Maura Isles have been through so much with Vincent Korsak… having seen each other at the lowest of moments along with the happiest. Those positive moments seem so, so fleeting…

"Jane…" I see Korsak's lips move as the Jane finally turned to acknowledge his gentle grasp on her shoulder.

"Vuk…"

Korsak has never known about me specifically… or has he always known? Confusion is starting to overwhelm me. The intensity of Jane's daze- or shock increases.

"Jane, wake up!" Maura's gentle but insistent voice somehow enters our immediate hearing.

Jane's vision shifts downward as Vince carefully places a hand over his partner's double gripped weapon.

"Vuk… try to wake up."

My vision fades and even sensations are replaced. Jane experiences it as well.

"Jane," Maura's voice whispers. "Vuk… try to wake up. It's only a dream…"

…Familiar and unfamiliar surroundings greet me as my Human Symbiant opens her eyes with a gasp and surge of anxiety.

"Shh, shh…" our Human Friend soothes as she gently strokes Jane's perspired brow. "Slow… deep breaths," she whispers as Jane Rizzoli struggles through the emotions that could easily brew into a full-blown panic attack.

"Deep… slow breaths," the doctor softly continues. "Focus on breathing with the diaphragm."

I follow my human friend's instructions too- hoping my actions will better assist Jane's attempts. It takes the human nature a few minutes longer to begin calming her racing heart and mind. A sudden flash illuminates behind Jane's closed eyes and Maura's fingers quickly tighten on Jane's shoulder along with her embrace as we're startled by the sudden flash of light.

"Shh, shh… it's all right," Maura reassuringly soothed. "You're safe… both of you are safe. It's only a thunderstorm. You're safe."

My keen hearing detects the rumbling thunder before human ears sense the same. My Human Friend continues her soothing words and even hums some melody similar to a lullaby. I think it has a Slavic origin due to once hearing Maura's speaking the Serbian lyrics. In fact, her name for my specific nature is the Serbian word for: "wolf." *3

My vision quickly adjusts to the darkness as Jane Rizzoli reopens her eyes. My brief confusion ends before the human's. At first we wonder what had happened to either our inner den or Maura Isles' guest den, ahm- guest bedroom.

As Jane once said to our dear and departed friend, Barry Frost… what seems a lifetime ago: "… we're not in Boston anymore…" *4

And it's true. We're not in Boston… nor even in the State of Massachusetts anymore. Even Jane Rizzoli is no longer a detective as Maura Isles is not a full time or Chief Medical Examiner anymore. However, Dr. Isles will occasionally consult with local medical examiners here in Virginia. Also, Jane will periodically give some insight to some cases with her FBI colleagues, but not to the extent as some might believe.

The former Boston Police Detective was far more surprised than even I could've imagined at how brilliant some FBI agents were, not just the minds of the FBI trainees she teaches. After just a single year as an FBI instructor at their Academy, Jane Rizzoli was also given the responsibility to teach the occasional recertification and refresher courses for actual FBI agents. It was through these types of courses that Jane has created her "network" of FBI agents and even unofficially consults on some cases with some of them.

"Another nightmare?" Maura's voice softly inquires.

Jane briefly closes her eyes as she swallows several times. "Yeah," she tremors slightly as she fights down the haunting images in her mind along with another surge of anxiety.

Delicate fingers gently rub my human symbiant's forehead once more as we feel soothing emotions being projected into our collective mind. Dr. Maura Isles has periodically been able to project emotional sensations to me and Jane Rizzoli; however, more for me than the human nature given that my wolf nature is primarily instinct driven.

As some people familiar with Jane Rizzoli's brilliance and talent as a police detective would expect some FBI agents desiring her consultation on some cases, the notion of Jane's life after Boston to be entirely peaceful is a complete fallacy. Even Maura Isles' life after Boston and the months she spent in Paris and publishing her first book hasn't been a bed of roses either. Although the doctor immediately addressed her issues in the aftermath of her abduction, it didn't mean our Human Friend no longer had nightmares or other post-traumatic stress disturbances. As Maura had told Jane when discovering the detective on her couch for several weeks since rescuing the doctor that "… it's a process." *5

Unfortunately, Jane Rizzoli… and I guess me too, didn't exactly seek out help therapy wise even though she met with a therapist several times after our friend's rescue. Yet those few sessions were on Jane's… or our terms (Jane just subconsciously growled at me).

I won't exactly go in depth… perhaps Jane'll tell you in more details sometime in the future. Or maybe she'll give Maura permission to write out in some future novel.

Our first year here in Virginia/Washington D.C. area was tumultuous. It wasn't too long ago that Jane and I finally felt adjusted here at our new home. While Maura helped us find a townhouse just after the month in Paris with her, this modest house on the outskirts of a suburb near Prince William National Park is the best decision for all of us, not just for me and Jane. Another thing that was likely the main stressor to Jane and me that first year, year and a half after leaving Boston was not being able to bodily shift, transforming into my full body and being able to run. The term "stir crazy" is the MOST MASSIVE understatement when trying to describe my feelings (and some of Jane's) of that time! I still growl whenever recalling that time…

"Easy Vuk…" my Human Friend nearly coos as her hand gently strokes Jane's cheek. "You're safe… nothing's threatening us. Shh… shh…"

"My mother 'shushes!'" My voice combines with Jane's sleepy tone, making her usual husky, fatigue-laden voice even more gruffer than usual. *6

A very light chuckle is Maura's only response. She tightens her embrace on Jane.

"Lupine's simply recalling the past few years," Jane adds, shifting slightly in response to Maura's tightening hug.

The former M.E. only hums and Jane smiles slightly. She mentally "punches" me for disturbing their attempts to return to sleep. I only snarkingly "bare my teeth" at my human companion in response, causing a mental, tired grin in return. I try to "withdraw" some from the human's immediate consciousness and return to my previous thoughts.

Let's see… oh yes, "stir crazy!" (trying to keep growling at a subconscious level).

As much as Jane Rizzoli despises them, she ended up purchasing a treadmill, mostly for my sake, since we had no real place locally in that townhouse for me take over bodily and go run.

I know, I know… I just said earlier that we didn't bodily shift and transform for me to run. Neither Jane nor myself count "treadmill running" as true legit running. Don't get me started on the "flip flop shifting" or constant back and forth bodily shifting from human to wolf to human and back to wolf due to having the speeds and inclines adjusted for my benefit! I kinda have nightmares regarding the disastrous attempt of me trying to make the treadmill's adjustments myself! Apparently sharing Jane's memories and my own observations through her eyes of other treadmill runners at the gym wasn't quite enough!

The potential for Agent Cameron Davies walking in without notice didn't help either! I don't wanna get started in that area. Thankfully that… wasn't necessarily a romance to me. It didn't work out and guess it was part of Jane's adjustment time after moving from Boston. Especially since Maura left right after helping unpack and arrange new furniture to the townhouse. *7

So, since we don't consider those treadmill runs as "true runs" and those body transformations as "true body shifts"… I got extremely stir crazy. Also, nightmares and other issues from the whole Alice Sands ordeal and even Charles Hoyt (may they both rot in hell) started for us both, but most especially for Jane. There were times Jane had to resort to drinking hard liquor, to the point of passing out, in order to not consciously remember her dreams. If my specific nature didn't exist, Jane likely would've believed she had succeeded.

However, the dreams continued and the alcohol only slowed my mind down slightly. Alcohol's never been a problem for me… for some odd reason even our friend Alison "Al" Grey-Wolfe has yet to determine, not just Dr. Maura Isles. Their primary theory at the moment is how high both my and Jane's primary metabolism is. But mostly mine. I guess the alcohol's mental effects either cycle through my system like food, or the chemical effects aren't compatible with my mind, or whatever other chem. system or receptors Maura might list in rapid fire recitation.

It was the drinking and Jane's initial refusal to seek a professional regarding her nightmares and post traumatic issues wrought by Alice Sands (and Hoyt) that played one of the biggest roles in the breakup between Agent Davies and Jane.

He couldn't match her capacity for liquor… partly I'm to blame as much as her threshold expanding (not sure if I'm partly to blame for that too or not). Also, he couldn't exactly force the FBI instructor seek professional help due to there being no issues regarding her teaching or interacting with other Academy personnel and trainees. Also, there would've been the issue of their "more intimate" nature relationship-wise, that would have only caused their issues to shift from official channels back to personal.

Given Jane's fierce desire for privacy… stemming primarily from our sense of self-preservation, Cameron wasn't going to force the issue, due to Jane's professional conduct always remaining intact. Had her professional conduct been impaired due to her drinking, it would've been a different story altogether.

Heck, my human symbiant can teach her classes dead asleep compared to the hours and intensity of the work she accomplished while she was a Boston Police Detective. Quite possibly it was a factor lost on Cameron Davies when trying to separate his personal feelings vs. his objectivity regarding the situation. Cameron Davies would eventually be transferred to San Francisco, California within the following year. Whether he actually put in for a transfer himself or the FBI "higher ups" assigned it, we'll never know. We believe it's best to leave the past in the past regarding him.

Jane never even considered telling Cameron about me… the wolf aspect of her being. Don't get me wrong, I never felt slighted, ignored, overlooked, or anything in that regard to it. I made every attempt to withdraw and hide deeper inside Jane just like the Alpha wolf taught me so many years ago whenever Cameron was around Jane. I very likely woulda snarled my objection nonstop if Jane was insistent on wanting to tell Agent Davies about me. So it was just as well that it didn't work between them, in my perspective. If Jane ever were to tell anyone about my existence, then it'd be obvious that she was seriously considering taking the relationship to the most permanent level… as when she nearly told that military guy.

Jane has just growled at me in her sleep… apparently my thoughts of those two guys are "seeping" into her dreams.

Anyway, after Jane and Cameron Davies went their separate ways, my human symbiant continued her nightmare escape via liquor and would periodically speak with a chaplain at the Quantico Base. Whenever speaking with a chaplain, nothing would be reported with the exception of suicidal or homicidal intents. Also, if the chaplain were to write any notes, then nobody could order him to turn them over… total confidentiality. Practically a form of a Confession, but in an office and laid back instead of the subdued confines of a Confessional. Also, the chaplains of Quantico were of various faiths and Jane has spoken with the non-Catholic chaplains as well as the Catholic one.

Whenever we Skyped or face-to-face or whatever technological fancies you humans use to somehow communicate face to face over great distances, the aspiring writer seemed to immediately notice some things weren't entirely right with us. There were a few occasions when my human counterpart was drinking and already on the start of a decent buzz when answering a call from Maura.

However, Maura never directly asked or confronted Jane regarding her drinking until she returned to the States from Paris, France. How much our Human Friend knew is still unknown to either Jane or myself. Not that it matters, but I personally believe the brilliant scientist always knew far more than I dare to imagine or what Jane may perceive. By that time, we (but Jane mostly) were beyond exhaustion on multiple levels, not just physical. Looking back on that time with the knowledge Jane and I have now, we were literally running away. We weren't facing and confronting our issues head on. Plus the doctor's… newly published author's idea to move further into this rural area, away from the urban, developed spaces couldn't have come at a better time.

While some of you might think it was solely for my sake, there were actually "multiple benefits"… hopefully I won't appear be "parroting" Dr. Maura Isles here!

In addition to seeing a professional outside the FBI insurance providers, Jane Rizzoli (and me) actually found the commute between here and Quantico to be a good method for decompressing and letting go of the frustrations and stresses of the day. Jane's townhouse seemed too close and there were even times the FBI instructor actually jogged to the base instead of driving… that occurred more than you might think… or are you not surprised? Jane would actually shower and change into proper attire that she kept in her locker at the Academy's fitness center. At least the run home (other than the slightly rank smelling clothes from that morning) was more helpful in letting go for the day's frustrations, except for the frustration that I could never truly run as a wolf!

While it wasn't Maine, Dr. Maura Isles was actually quite content here near the National Forest. There are times I'll find the ginger blonde actually walking the nature and bike trails with a leather journal… or notebook, as she prefers to call them after Jane arrived home. There will be times the writer will ask me to run or walk a few paces in front of her. Whenever I'd stop to sniff out anything of interest, she'll stop most of the time to simply observe me and write down a note or two. If Maura ever notices when I covertly watch her… often I'll continue to appear smelling out something even though my curiosity's been satisfied. If only my eyes could somehow be as a camera so both my human friend and symbiant (even though Jane can share my memories) could see what I see. And vice versa for Maura's eyes…

… I'm jarred awake by the annoying alarm clock. Jane growls along with me as she slaps at the end table to silence it. I groan too as I see the time through Jane's bleary vision. I'm actually surprised I was able to get some sleep while recalling our earlier times here in Virginia.

My human symbiant groans again as she contemplates the upcoming drive and the coursework today for her classes. While she's managed some sleep since the nightmare, she still feels unrested and "slightly hung-over" even though she only had one glass of wine with Maura last evening.

"Anxiety attacks, no matter how minor, expend quite a bit of energy more than normal," Maura's slightly sleepy voice speaks up… quite likely sensing our thoughts. "Very similar to how a seizure patient feels exhausted after an episode… not much different than a full body workout, but with no memory recollection."

I smile along with Jane as my symbiant finally sits up and does a few stretches on the edge of the bed before dropping to the floor to quickly stretch her spine. She does a few pushups before allowing me to take over and bodily transform.

This has been the daily habit… or ritual… between us ever since what we both call "The Awakening" … when my specific, wolf nature burst forth. *8 While it was extremely tough during times of big or major cases in both the Drug Unit and Homicide while Jane was a Boston Police Detective, we would always manage to find a few moments for me to emerge completely and exercise my senses and stretch.

"Do you want beef or chicken this morning, Vuk?" Maura asks, tying her robe's belt and heading towards the bedroom door.

I growl once, indicating the first option: beef. While wolves can't bark as domestic dogs do, I can rumble in a way that's not necessarily growling… or even barking. I rumble a few times indulgently and project a few mental images towards her as I roll onto my back. This house's carpet somehow serves as a back scratcher and brushes my fur too.

"Vuk…" Maura's sighing tone indicates she did indeed see my projections. "I'll make Jane some bacon, so sorry!" Her face's mock annoyance barely concealed her own amusement. She smirked at my rumbles and accompanying projections as I stood up.

"Maybe," she answered as she gently massaged behind my ears after I walked up to her. "We'll just have to see how the day goes." The doctor gently scratched and rubbed my head before leaving for the kitchen.

Jane and I trade a few thoughts as I finished up my daily stretches and start for the kitchen and to my breakfast of raw beef. "You're making me more hungry," Jane "kinda scolds" me as I imagine the platter of meat.

Maura has already set the said platter on the floor as she's filling my bowl (one of her old mixing bowls) of water. I rumble indulgently as I start into my meal and mockingly slow down when Jane urges me to hurry up.

"Jane is correct, Vuk." Maura suddenly speaks up from her place at the stove. "One shouldn't waste too much time…"

I only snarl slightly with a strip of gristle hanging out one side of my mouth and even though her back is to me, I know the doctor is smiling. "Oh shut up!" I internally snarl at Jane's mental jab.

Maura's laughter suddenly erupts from her position as a strip of bacon "accidentally" drops to the floor. I immediately spring in and snatch it up from near her feet. "You're welcome," my human friend mockingly scolds my lack of manners of not immediately thanking her.

Her laughter increases at my mental projections and of Jane's own "scolding" that she's failing at with her own laughter.

Hopefully today won't be so bad after all… somebody once said that if one's day started in laughter, it would likely be a good day. At least the day won't be a waste as a friend in Jane's past once said. *9

*1: Season 6, Episode 8 "Nice To Meet You, Dr. Isles" where Maura is trying to get Jane to possibly feel or deal with the loss of her condo in a fire… while avoiding talking about her adopted father. As a former volunteer firefighter, was heart rending to see and assist people trying to find something to salvage among their burned homes.

*2: Season 7, Episode 1 while Jane is trying to find "the sniper"/Alice Sands during the shootout behind "The Dirty Robber." I could be wrong about the look in Jane's eyes while trying to find her target… but the desperation and fear somewhat causes me to wonder if she's also wrestling with what Lupine's describing. Also mentioned in Season 6, Episode 14 "Murderjuana" where Jane finally confesses to Maura that she's not sure if she's good enough to catch the person targeting her. Throughout episode 2 in 7th Season where Jane is likely wondering when the Alice Sands ordeal would ever be over.

While I don't share the Catholic faith, I do occasionally seek out a minister of either my faith or Christian faith in general when I cannot shake a specific issue or issues. Some Catholic chaplains have provided the most useful insights and even felt uplifted personally after speaking with them.

*3: Nod to Maura Isles/Sasha Alexander's ability to speak the Serbian language

*4: Pilot episode of "See One, Do One, Teach One" of Rizzoli and Isles where Jane walks into the house with Frost… just before we viewers are introduced to Vince Korsak. "We're not in South Boston anymore, Dorothy!" Jane reacts to the fancy house.

*5: Season 6, Episode 14 "Murderjuana" where Maura is awakened in the middle of the night to journal… and potentially smack an "intruder" with it only to find Jane on the couch.

*6: Season 2, Episode 2 "Living Proof" of where Jane and Maura are in the mud (sorry, clay) baths. I'm having fun trying to imagine Vuk's thoughts & arguing with Jane whenever thinking of that particular episode!

*7: Season 7, Episode 12 "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow" where Maura shows Jane a townhouse in Arlington, VA and the "moving journal" before she and Angela start crying and Jane resorting to the wine. Would make sense she'd have to purchase some furniture (or Maura including that list in the binder) since the professor's townhouse was already furnished and Jane having just a few boxes after leaving Frankie's place.

*8: The very first story of this particular universe of Rizzoli and Isles, "Lupus Amicitia."

*9: Chapter 5 of "Lupus Amicitia: Act III" of Jane Rizzoli's physical therapist, Robert, using humor as one of his main treatments along with his physical therapy. Other aspects of his humor is in Chapter 2 of that same story.