Standard disclaimers apply: I don't own these characters, their ownership resides with the legal rights holders, in particular Tess Gerritson and Janet Tamaro. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to play with them

I loved the character of Abby Sherman, it was a shame they took away such an interesting character so quickly in the name of plot. I decided to play with the characters a little, all in the name of appeasing the story gods.

Doctor, Detective, Soldier, Heroes

A different take on Episode 2x1

I watched Jane, standing there at the lectern, tall and straight and beautiful in her BPD uniform, heaping praise on everyone else while playing down play her own heroism. Jane was the real hero that day, putting a bullet through herself to stop Bobby Marino from carrying out his promise to shoot me as a diversion during his escape. I saw her looking round the room, before her eyes came to rest on me as I smiled, letting her know how proud I was of her.

I'd come to love Jane, she was strong and confident and outgoing and compassionate and dedicated and beautiful, I loved her as my best friend, though I found myself wishing for so much more. Unfortunately Jane wasn't interested and so our friendship remained platonic, I needed her too much in my life as my best, closest, most dear friend; there was no way I was going to place that in jeopardy, so I remained the supportive friend, despite my longings.

After the speeches, I turned from a conversation with the Mayor to find Jane talking to Private Abby Sherman, the other hero being honoured tonight. She was tall, taller than Jane actually, red hair and a creamy complexion that the outdoor life of an army soldier had failed to diminish. Both were beautiful women and I smiled, seeing the ease they had with one another. Both strong women doing their job well in male-dominated careers, both admirable, in their uniforms they drew the eye and I confess that seeing them both together like that made my heart beat just a little faster.

I liked men, I really did, but I loved woman at least as much if not more. Men provided stimulation, a generally satisfactory sexual experience and were socially acceptable partners. Women were generally more emotional, giving, intimate and loving. Jane and Abby however seemed to encapsulate the best qualities of both, all those traits wrapped up in gorgeous, dress-uniformed packages.

I strolled over, to be introduced to Abby as Jane's best friend, as well as Boston's medical examiner. I watched as Abby's eyes flitted over me, taking me in, followed by a warm smile as I wondered if Abby was appreciating me as Jane's friend or as an attractive woman. I smiled to myself as we chatted; after all why should she not, I'd just done the same.

It turned out that tonight was Abby's last night in the Army; she was taking a discharge and returning to civilian life, her family was in Boston and she was looking forward to returning to a life free from the regimen of the Army, away from the attention her exploits had generated.

Jane and I smiled before Jane pointed out she felt the same way. They really were similar, both modest women uncomfortable in the spotlight. I watched as they interacted, then smiled happily as Jane handed over her card, telling Abby that if she wanted someone to talk to then she should give Jane a call, even if it's only to keep reminding each other the 'hero BS', as Abby put it, isn't real.

As we rode home in the car that night, I looked across at Jane, sitting there in her uniform and smiled.

"That was not so hard after all was it Jane?" She looked over at me and bobbed her head.

"Once I got to sit down afterwards it got better Maur. Standing up there was horrible" I smiled at her.

"You spoke very well Jane" She sighed; I knew what she was going to say before the words left her lips.

"I'm no hero Maur; I did what I had to; to protect you and Frankie. Lots of people died that day, why should I be singled out, I'm no hero. I shook my head,, partly in frustration at Jane's singular refusal to see what everyone else did.

"Many other people beg to differ Jane. They see you as a hero. I see you as a hero" She shook her head.

"Abby, now she's a hero. She saved a lot of lives back there Maur, did the right thing at the right time and that's why she's a hero, she deserved the recognition tonight, not me" I smiled. Jane Rizzoli was be one of the most stubborn, passionate people I knew, she would never accept the hero tag, denying it till the day she died, but I knew better.

"Well Jane, it seems Abby shares your distaste for the recognition" Jane laughed gently, her voice afterwards was soft.

"Yeah well, she seemed like a good person Maur, I liked her"

"As did I, perhaps you will be able to stay in touch"

"Yeah, I'd like that"

Arriving at home we got changed into casual clothes and sat around for an hour, just chatting, before finishing the conversation in my bedroom, talking till sleep overtook us. The last thing I remember before sleep overtook us was Jane's hand in mine as she spoke, her voice low and sleepy.

"Thanks for being there Maur; I couldn't have done it without you"

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.