Aftermath

This is my version of a continuation to 'Remember Me" (s02e10). There has to be some kind of aftermath following traumatic events. Of course as a fan of a cool show some things just can't be ignored.

Enjoy! Have fun and I hope you like it.

DISCLAIMER: Characters aren't mine, just story line…

Hoyt was dead, dead by her own hand. She had felt herself being propelled forward by blinding protectiveness, fear and overwhelming panic with hardly a conscious thought as everything happened. It all happened so damn fast. She still had not been able to fully appreciate the severity of the situation. Therapy was sure to be assigned by the department before her return to active duty. In the mean time Detective Jane Rizzoli needed some time to digest the events of the last 24 hours. She needed to think but it was difficult to get any respite from her hovering mother.

"Ma, please take Maura home. Frost dropped my car off. The doc said it won't be much longer, okay."

"Janie…"

"Please Ma. Look at her," Jane said firmly as she pointed to the CME as she fought to stay awake in one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs head lulling to one side. "Please take her home. It's been a long day and she doesn't need to be here any longer than she has to be."

"But Janie are you sure you will be okay to drive."

"I will be fine. I promise. Please, Ma. Just take her home", she was nearly begging now.

Looking over her shoulder at her surrogate daughter Angela Rizzoli, hovering mother extraordinaire, grudgingly agreed then gently nudged the exhausted doctor to her feet and guided her out of sight.

After another hour and half Jane was release back into the world to fight another day. Once free she made her way to the Dirty Robber for her 'surprise' birthday party. She knew her mother all too well. The party would be on. Finding the bar and grill empty however, was both unexpected and, as much as she hated to admit it, slightly disappointing. Getting back into the car she felt the bone weary exhaustion finally seep in.

Not wanting anything else aside from falling into bed to cry herself to sleep she slowly made her way up the stairs to her apartment. Her mind was blank as she shut and locked her door.

"SURPRISE!"

With her heart pounding frantically she yelled, "God Almighty!...Gees!" With false bravery Jane turned to face the music of the party of her dreams…had it been on any other day. She just never pictured having to kill her own personal boogie man with her bare hands today of all days. Her birthday never was how she imagined it and probably never could be.

… … …

The surprise birthday party which nearly gave Jane a heart attack was finally coming to a close. There was a reason she hated surprises. She loved and appreciated her family and friends but really some extra thought should have been given to throwing surprise birthday party for someone who has already had one too many traumas for one lifetime let alone one day.

Once empty the silence of the apartment was deafening to Jane Rizzoli's battered and beaten soul. It was much too quiet to be comforting.

"I don't think I can handle this…" she whispered out loud from the sofa. She wasn't speaking to anyone. Actually she wasn't even aware of speaking out loud until she heard a familiar voice beside her.

"What did you say?" Jane looked over to find Maura sitting next to her with a curious concerned look etching her soft features.

She repeated evenly with very little feeling, "I can't handle this…oh, God…" pent up tears started to fall then her face fell into her hands. A fine tremor began to travel through her body. Maura gently touched Jane's arm before moving close enough to pull her into a hug. Jane wrapped her arms around Maura's waist with her face pressed into her abdomen. She had fists full of the designer blouse as if it were the only thing keeping her afloat lost in the vast sea of emotional turmoil. Maura traced soothing patterns on her friend's back as she hummed softly. Finally she could feel the hiccupping sobs of the brunette in her lap begin to dissipate into slow even breathes. After a very long and trying day Jane finally cried herself out succumbing to complete mind numbing exhaustion.

Maura, ignoring her own pain and terror, was not willing to move in hopes Jane would stay asleep. She knew the tough exterior of the detective would have held in place had they not been alone. This happening spoke volumes to the doctor because she was well aware Jane hated to show anyone her vulnerability with exception to someone she fully trusted. Maura was thankful she could be the anchor Jane so desperately needed. She was however willing to put off addressing her own needs for Jane. At least for the moment as a doctor she knew full well the time would come soon enough. Right now her best friend needed her to be strong. No one needed to know that her brain insisted on playing that horrific scene over and over again in brighter than life Technicolor.

Trying to interrupt her own train of thought she concentrated on what Jane had said before her resolve broke, 'I can't handle this.' After their last few conversations Maura hoped beyond all hope that that statement wasn't true. She didn't want this latest event to be the one to completely destroy her best friend this beautiful, strong, and brave woman now sleeping in her lap.

Lost in thought Maura let her head rest against the cushions dozing lightly with tender hands resting on her tormented friend's back and head.