Disclaimers: I own nothing Rizzoli & Isles. That is the privilege of Tess Gerritsen, Janet Tamaro and TNT. I love the show so much that I use R & I as a muse. No infringement intended.
A/N: This is actually the first story I started to write, but then I stalled with a bit of writers block. Newly inspired again I started working on it once again. Any feedback or suggestions would be great. I hope you enjoy this fanfiction story anyway.
Summary: Jane gets a phone call that sets her world upside down. With Maura's support and assistance can she help her best friend set it right again. Eventual Rizzels. M for future chapters.
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'Could You Believe'
Chapter 1 The Phone Call
Unlocking and pushing the door open Maura had just enough time to move out of the way when her best friend storms past her. "I can't believe I let you talk me in to going with you to that benefit!" The tall lanky brunette interjects.
"It may have been a silly idea, but I believed you would enjoy watching a Red Sox game from one the stadium suites. Just knowing you didn't have to dress up for once and that could wear your favorite game day attire should have made you happy." Gesturing her arm up and down at Jane's oversized Red Socks Jersey, worn blue jeans and converse sneakers she was wearing.
"I would have, if there wouldn't have been so many creepy men there. I felt like a piece of meat Maura, a piece of meat! I couldn't even watch the game for more than five minutes before some guy was up in my personal space."
"You're a gorgeous woman Jane, people notice."
"It was no different than sitting in the stands. At least when I sit in the stands the drunks there actually know about the game they're watching."
Maura followed Jane into the living room while she continued her rant, "These guys only saw a piece of meat not a woman Maura! They had no interest in the baseball game at all! They wanted to play with me while their wives were busy. Those guys were so sleazy and once they found out I was a cop…they got all horny over the fact that I might use my hand cuffs on them. Those were the horniest un-couth rich guys I've ever seen and I've seen my share. I can handle the usual arrogant rich snobs and there pretentious behavior. I've come to expect that when I go with you to your charity events, but this was different…I can't even explain it. Besides I thought I'd at least get to spend some time with you."
"I'm not quite sure how to respond to that. I thought I would have more time to spend with you too, I'm sorry Jane. I didn't expect to have to do all those presentations or have to answer so many questions about the Isles Foundation."
"I know Maura. I just wish you would have taken me with you."
"I just thought you would enjoy watching the game more."
"Normally I would have, but with all those bees swarming the hive…and I'm say'in…me being the hive…I couldn't pay attention anyway."
"For what it's worth I am really sorry Jane. I really only spend time with the ladies in that group. I had never met their spouses before today. I believe you got to know them better than I did."
"Yeah…I'll say. I think I need a shower being with those guys. Maybe even two or three."
"Would it help if I told you that I recorded the game on my DVR? If you give me a chance to change, we could watch it together."
"Maaaybeee? Wait! Why would you record it?"
"I know how you like to re-watch the games even when you watch them at air time."
"Wow, thanks."
"So I'll go change and be ready in a few minutes. Wouldn't mind pouring me a glass of wine when you get yourself a beer?"
Before Jane could answer Maura her phone began to buzz "'Rizzoli' pause "Yes this is Jane Rizzoli" pause "What happen?" long pause.
Maura stopped and waited for her phone to ring. Figuring it was a call from the precinct she headed to her purse for her phone. When hers didn't ring she turnaround to see Jane begin to pace. Sensing something was wrong she waited for the call to end.
"Yes I am. Can I talk to her?" pause "When?…okay?" pause "Okay, yes please tell her I'm coming" pause "Well…I'm in Boston…so it's gonna take me a few hours." pause "Even if I leave now it's like a five hour drive, but I'm on my way…I'll be there as soon as I can." pause "Yes I'll see you soon. Do I ask for you when I get there? Okay I will. Please call me if anything changes. Oh, and you'll tell her I'm on my way, alright? Thank you."
When the call ended Maura watched as her best friend held out her phone staring at it, while she continued to pace for several more moments, running her hands through her unruly locks or up and down her face from time to time. When Jane finally stopped pacing she sat down on the couch. She looked as pale as a ghost. When she began to shake, Maura crossed the room and was by her side in seconds.
"Jane what's wrong?" She got no response. Jane just sat there staring straight ahead really seeing nothing. "Jane, are you okay?" Still Jane sat shaking, her breathing becoming more and more erratic by the minute. Jane sat frozen as if not hearing a word Maura was saying. "Jane, can you hear me? Please talk to me. You're scarring me Jane and you're starting to hyperventilate. You need to relax. Please take a deep breath."
Still getting no movement or response from Jane Maura asked. "Jane, where are you supposed to be going?" With this question Jane turned to Maura lifting her dark brown eyes to meet her hazel ones, but she still said nothing. Her lower jaw began to quiver and tears began rolling down her cheeks. It was now clear to Maura that Jane was in some sort of shock. She was in distress. Maura reached up grabbing Jane by the shoulders giving her a slight shake. She spoke very matter of faculty. "Jane you need to breathe! Take a deep breath nice and slow."
By the color of Jane's lips the honey blonde was afraid that her best friend was going to pass out. She knew she needed help. "Jane! Take a deep breath for me PLEASE!" Maura decided Jane needed help now so she ran to the back door, "I'm not going anywhere Jane. I'm just getting your mother." Maura opened the door yelling out as she ran back to Jane's side. "ANGELA! ANGELA! I NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE!"
By the time Angela made it through the back door Maura was sitting next to Jane who had her eyes closed leaning into the back of the couch. "Jane breathe with me…Jane open your eyes. Look at me!"
"OH MY GOD, WHAT HAPPENED MAURA!" Angela was kneeling at her daughter's side in a second. "What's wrong Honey?" Angela started rubbing Jane's leg. She looked over at Maura who was rubbing her friend's arm, "What happened?"
Jane flinched at the sound of her mother's scream. Jane opened her eyes still focusing on nothing though she took in her first deep breath. Maura continued to rub her arm encouragingly. "That's it Jane. Nice slow deep breaths."
Once Jane took another breath Maura turned to Angela. "She got a phone call. Then she started to panic and to hyperventilate." Looking back from Angela to Jane she said. "That's good Jane, keep taking nice deep breaths for me." Looking back to up at Angela again she continued. "She said to whomever was on the phone that she would be there, but it would take her at least five hours."
Angela took the phone that was still in her daughter's hand. She gently removed it from her hand bringing up the current incoming calls list. "It was from New York Methodist Hospital." Angela leaned back on her knees thinking. "Jane has a friend that lives in New York."
Jane cut her off speaking for the first time in a voice that was almost a breathy whisper. "Rachael."
Angela continued. "Yes, her friend Rachael, the…"
Jane cut her off again. "Rachael's in the Hospital…it's not good…I gotta go." She leaned forward; standing up to leave, Maura stopped her. Jane looked down at Maura with anger in her eyes. "Let go Maura! I got to go pack some things so I can drive to New York."
"Jane! You're in no shape to drive! Let me drive you or better yet let me book a flight for you."
"It will take too long to get a Flight…I need to get there, like yesterday!" She pulled out of Maura's grasp and headed for the door. Maura was right on her heels.
"Jane let me book the jet…we should be on our way in an hour if you will let me make the call."
Jane stopped turned around, running her hands through her hair and with a defeated sign she nodded her consent. Maura made the phone call to book the jet while Angela went with Jane to her apartment to pack some things. While her daughter packed she gathered up Jo Friday and her things.
Once Maura had the flight and hotel booked she packed a few things. She knew Jane was in no shape to go alone even if she just waited at the hotel. The smaller woman wanted to be there for her best friend.
Angela drove them to Logan International airport for their flight. On the way their Jane talked to Lt. Cavanaugh while Maura made arrangements for the Morgue and Lab staff to cover in her absence. In an hour and a half from the time the call came in they were on their way to JFK.
Other than her brief conversation with Cavanaugh Jane had not said another word since she first left Maura's house to go pack. She remained very quiet while they went through security and while they waited for the flight to take off. She answered only necessary questions asked directly to her. Once the flight took off Jane just looked out the window for the first fifteen minutes. After refusing anything to eat or drink Jane finally spoke. "Thank you for doing this Maura. I know I didn't ask, but thank you for coming with me. I don't think I could do this alone."
"Jane it's nothing. You're my best friend. You know there is nothing I wouldn't do for you."
"No it is something…it's everything. I think this is above and beyond best friend things…especially this…" Jane gestures around the plane. "This, private jets…um…I don't know how I'll ever repay you. You're too kind to me I don't deserve this." Maura started to say something in protest, but Jane put her hand up to stop her. Jane reached over putting her hand on Maura's arm. "Maura this is a big deal…to me…I'm so honored you'd do this for me…you're taking time off work to come with me no questions asked. Well questions asked, but none answered. I don't know how to explain how much this means to me." Jane removed her hand from Maura's arm and looked down at her shoes. "I'm afraid that I won't make it in time…the doctor said that Rachael is having a really hard time breathing and needs to be intubated. She fighting them on it and won't let them do it until I get there." She looked up and locked eyes with Maura with a single tear rolling down her cheek. Looking at Jane was breaking Maura's heart. She had so many questions to ask Jane, but knew not to push her so she waited. Maura just wanted to kiss her and hug her to take away all of Jane's pain away. "I wanted to talk to Rachael…the doctor said it was really hard for her to talk. He wouldn't tell me what was all wrong. Just said it was serious. Maura, do you think she's in a lot of pain if she can't breathe…especially since she won't let them do what they need to do?"
"You know without knowing what's wrong with her, what her diagnosis is I cannot guess. I will say that struggling to breathe does put stress on various organs and the body in general so yes I believe there is some pain involved. I know you want me to say no, but I can't lie Jane. Long term shortness of..."
Jane nodded cutting her off. "Thanks for being honest and not telling me the Google way is best right now."
Jane squeezed Maura's hand then turned to look back out the window. There was a silence between them again, but not an uncomfortable one. Shortly before they landed Jane spoke again. "Rachael has no one…no family I mean…not since Kurt died. I'm her contact person by default. I said I would be, after you know…with Kurt and all, but I never thought I'd be called for anything like this. I'm no good at things like this." Jane looked over at Maura, "It has to be really bad if they needed we to come right away isn't it? I don't even know where or who is taking care of Rachael's girls."
"Yes, it is usually serious when family is called for a patient and if they want to intubate her she may need someone making medical decisions for her. If that's you then that would be why they requested you come right away." Maura reached over rubbing Jane's thigh. "You never really talk about your friend Rachael. I remember you going to her husband's funeral last year. I don't remember you saying they had children though."
"I don't talk about her…I think…cuz I feel guilty… you know…for not being a better friend to her after losing Kurt and all. We email regularly and I call her once in a while, but I haven't really been there for her like I should."
Jane ran her fingers through her wild mane, "After all they went through to have kids they end up with the two girls, Jordan and Alex. I think the girls were the only thing that helped Rachael get through losing Kurt. They're a hand full from what she says. Our Skype chats are always fun. Alex is two and Jordan is three so let's just say they keep her pretty busy."
"Wow they're close in age." Reaching over taking her friends hand, "And you…Jane Rizzoli…are a good friend…trust me, I should know. Maybe you couldn't visit like you might have liked, but I bet if asked she would say you've been a great support for her. That's just who you are."
Jane arched her eye brows. "Are you guessing Dr. Isles?"
"No, I just know you Jane and I know how strongly you feel about your friends and family. You said after all they went through, how did they end up with two so close in age? I know the logistics, but if they were having problems?"
Jane shifted and looked back down at her feet. "Yeah, they couldn't have kids so they were trying to adopt. That was taking so long. It was like a five-year waiting list, so they did IVF as well. They had to try a bunch of times…and well…it finally took! So right after they found out Rachael was pregnant, they were notified of a pending baby for adoption…they felt fate had blessed them twice and they went through with the adoption." A small smile showed on Jane's face as she relived the memory. "So along came Jordan and eight and a half months later Alex was born."
"So Jordan is adopted and Alex is their biologic child."
Jane hesitated for a moment then said. "Yeah…right."
The Pilot's voice over the intercom promptly ended their conversation when he announced they were landing.