We here it is you voted for it and this was the winner 72 Hours! I promise it'll be a good one. Just a not although it does not start out Rizzles it gets there. I didn't want to write something like I had already done. You will get it I promise! So without farther adieu thank you for reading, please review and tell me what you think so far and as always please enjoy.

Chapter 1: 96 hours

Long slender fingers held a pen between them as the perfectly manicured hand moved across the paper. The pen dropped out of the hand and fell to the desk. Dr. Maura Isles took her cramped hand and massaged it with her other. She had been filling out paper work for most of the afternoon. Earlier she had finished an autopsy on a young college student who had been found dead outside of a night club. It was what her friend and colleague Detective Jane Rizzoli would call an open and shut case. Although Maura disliked jumping to conclusions she found herself in agreement with Jane after finding that the victim had accidentally ingested a fatal amount of alcohol and ecstasy causing an overdose. While Jane and Korsak, the other detective they worked with, went out to tie up loose ends and ensure they hadn't missed anything Maura had to fill out the autopsy report. Maura felt confident in her findings as well as the detectives to rule the death accidental which would be the end of that. She only wished that closing a case was the end of her day. Unfortunately for her being the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts she had paper work as well as other bodies she had to tend too.

Maura sat back in her chair, glanced at the wall clock, sighed and opened her laptop and started to type. She had become so wrapped up in what she was doing she didn't hear the knock on her door or notice Jane Rizzoli walking across the room until her computer was tipped down by Jane breaking Maura's line of sight and concentration. Maura looked up at her best friend slightly confused as to why she was there.

"Can I help you Detective Rizzoli?" Maura asked.

"I need to talk to you," Jane replied seriously.

"What about Jane?" Maura pushed dropping all formality.

"About yesterday at the crime scene and then again during the interrogation," Jane admitted.

Maura understood instantly. Yesterday when they had been called to a scene they had gotten into an argument which had led to a few of less than professional comments from both of them. Later when they had brought in the driver from the scene they had worked and had a fight at Jane and Korsak hadn't been able to get the witness/suspect to talk and Maura had a suspicion why. When Korsak had suggested they let Maura give it a shot Jane had made a few comments that had hurt Maura's feelings but Maura had shrugged them off like she had done for a long time. Jane was right Medical Examiners didn't normally do interrogations but Maura had ended up getting them the information they needed. Things had been rough for the group since they had lost Frost in a car accident. It had brought them all closer but without Barry's humor tensions had a tendency to flare. Especially with Jane who had taken Frost's death the hardest. Maura rose from her chair and came around her desk so she stood in front of her friend who was now leaning against the desk and chewing one of her nails.

"So you wanted to talk to me about yesterday," Maura reminded Jane as she touched her friends arm to get her attention.

"Actually I wanted to tell you I'm sorry," Jane confessed. "I shouldn't have treated you like I did. You're my best friend Maura I shouldn't be treating like you're not."

"I wasn't aware that sorry was in your vocabulary Jane," Maura joked but then became serious. "Jane it's alright it's been hard without Frost. I'm fine Jane I need to remember not to step on your toes."

"I've already lost one friend Maura I don't want to lose you too," Jane admitted.

"You won't," Maura assured her. "You do owe me though."

"How about I buy you dinner and the Robber tonight?" Jane offered with a smile. "Or something like that."

"I'll take the dinner," Maura said.

"Alright well Korsak and I are finishing up some paper work and I'm sure you are too," Jane started. "Come up at the end of the shift we'll just leave together."

"Alright I'll be up at the end of the shift," Maura agreed.

Jane smiled one last time at Maura as she stepped out of Maura's office. She hadn't been paying much attention because as she was going out Suzie was coming in. The two collided with each other. Jane stumbled back into the door frame with a grunt of surprise. Suzie with a small cry of surprise tumbled back onto the floor. Maura couldn't help but chuckle at the scene in front of her. Jane had shot her the 'I meant to do that' grin she had become famous for at Maura then reached down to help Suzie Chang, Maura's lead lab tech. get to her feet. They exchanged a couple of words before Jane waved at the two and took her leave. Maura was still watching Jane as she headed to the elevator through the windows when Suzie came up to her. Suzie noticed Maura's staring, took a second to glance at the detective before she turned back to her boss.

"Dr. Isles?" she asked.

"Yes Suzie?" Maura replied turning her attention to Suzie. "I apologize I was just thinking. Do you have something for me?"

"This envelope came for you from BCU they dropped it off with me by mistake," Suzie explained.

"That's strange," Maura noted. "I would think they would send any mail to my house not here."

Maura took the envelope from Suzie and examined it. There was no return address but Maura could easily tell it was from BCU because of the emblem in the corner. It was addressed to her of course, however, instead of the information being printed on the envelope as it normally would it was hand-written. Immediately she knew who had sent her the letter. It was from Jack Keystone, a professor that Maura had recently dated at BCU while she was teaching a course there. Her heart sank as she stared at it and turned it in her hands. Jack was a good man. He had been really good towards Maura and her difficult personality. Not only that but he had become close to Jane as well in the short time they had been together. He had an ex-wife as well as a daughter who he was very involved with. The relationship had been perfect in all aspects except for one. It was one Maura couldn't control and it ultimately led to her ending their relationship. It hadn't been a bad break-up by any means but Maura feared that Jack didn't fully understand her situation. The letter in her hand only increased the fear.

Maura looked up from the letter to bring her attention to Suzie, who stood there quietly observing Maura's actions. Maura took the letter and set it on her desk so it was no longer the object of attention. She forced a smile at Suzie who promptly smiled back.

"Thank you Suzie. If there isn't anything else I'd like to finish some paperwork."

"That was all Dr. Isles. I'll see you tomorrow," Suzie said before she exited and left Maura to herself.

Maura circled around her desk so she could take a seat in her desk chair. She knew why Jack had sent the letter here and not her home. It was because she was always here and he knew Angela Rizzoli, Jane's mother and the occupant of Maura's guest house, went through her mail. Maura picked up the letter hesitant to open it. She had no idea what Jack could have written that he couldn't just call her about. Maura took a deep breath and held it as she used her manicured nail to tear the envelope open. Inside there was a hand written letter one and a half pages long. Maura felt her heart sink even more as she pulled the letter from the envelope. As her eyes scanned the page she let out a breath of relief that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She smiled as she read through the lines. His ex-wife had gotten a new job and had to move with their daughter out of state so he had decided he would move too so he could stay close and be a part of her life.

He also added towards the end that he hoped Maura the best and that if she ever needed anyone to talk to he would always be available. Maura smiled as she read the last line where he signed love, Jack. She had been so worried that the letter was something bad but it had turned out to be her imagination getting the best of her. Maura put the letter back in the envelope then placed it in her desk for safe keeping. Unable to bring herself to do anymore paper work she gathered the files in front of her into a neat pile, taking only the two files on top with her as she prepared to leave. It was early fall in Boston and although it was still fairly warm Maura grabbed the jacket she had brought with her that morning and pulled it on. When she glanced at the clock she smiled Jane would be at the end of her shift soon. Maura shut off the lights, pulled the door closed behind her, made sure to lock it and headed to the elevator. She was ready to take Jane up on her offer by then. She was starving.

XXXXX

Jane tossed the report she had just finished onto the top of the pile of files that had formed on her desk. Recently it had been slow around the precinct the crime wave that had plagued Boston in the past few months had passed leaving the detectives with little to do other than paper work. When a case did come in Korsak and Jane jumped on it. They would do anything to keep their minds busy during the day. The empty seat between them that had belonged to Frost was hard for them to be around but they refused to pack up his things or let the desk go to someone else. His death was too fresh in their minds and hearts.

"Hey Vince you doing anything after work tonight?" Jane asked her longtime partner. "Maura and I were going to head to the Robber thought you might want to join us."

"I can't tonight," Korsak replied. "I'm meeting with Kiki later. Rain check?"

"Are you ever going to ask her out?" Jane teased.

"Kiki doesn't date clients," Korsak reminded her.

"Maybe you should stop being her client and find a new life coach," Jane suggested with a smile. "Oh hey Maura. Looks like it'll be just you and me. Korsak has another date with his life coach."

"Alright knock it off," Korsak grinned. "I'm getting out of here. I'll see you tomorrow Dr. Isles. Don't let the door hit you on the way out Jane!"

"Tell Kiki hi for me, Vince," Maura requested as Korsak pulled on his blazer and headed out the door.

Korsak waved to both of them as he entered the elevator and then he was gone. Maura and Jane were left standing there alone in the silence that filled the room. They stared awkwardly at each other for a moment before Jane slapped her hands on her knees and rose from her seat.

"Well we might as well get going," she announced. "I don't know about you but I'm starving. Do you want to ride with me?"

"I figured I was since you drove me to the crime scene this morning and my car is back in my driveway," Maura pointed out.

"Holy shit I did drive you today didn't I?" Jane said shaking her head. "Come on lets go I really just want a burger."

Maura laughed. She waited for Jane as she pulled on her blazer and fetched her keys. When they were both sure they had everything they took the elevator downstairs. The swing shift was just getting in as the two pushed through the glass door entrance to the precinct. They found their way to Jane's car, both got in and Jane pulled out of her spot. They drove all the way to the Dirty Robber in complete silence. When they arrived they saw that it wasn't very busy. The Robber was rarely busy at the hour they two of them went there. They got their normal booth, ordered a beer and a glass of wine then put in their orders. Both ended up getting burgers and fries. Although that wasn't completely unheard of it was rare that Maura ordered a grease covered ball of meat as Maura so lovingly called it.

"It's been fairly slow recently hasn't it?" Maura commented. "I don't think I've ever had a week were there have only been a few bodies come into the morgue."

"Just wait," Jane began. "Next week I guarantee you it will be crime after crime and you will be to your neck in autopsies."

"I will take being busy over this any day," Maura decided. "I prefer to keep my mind busy."

"You say that now but the next crime wave will hit and you'll also have paperwork nothing but mountains of paperwork and then you'll want peace and quiet again," Jane explained. "That is a scientific fact."

"I don't think there is any science behind that Jane," Maura chuckled.

Jane with a shake of her head groaned at her friend then in retaliation for Maura's comment reached over and stole a handful of fries off of Maura plate. Maura gasped in disbelief as she tried to get her fries back but was shot down with a slap to her outstretched hand followed with Jane glaring at Maura hand holding her finger out sternly. They both broke out laughing after Jane said something to the likes of 'you destroy my dreams I eat your fries' which was completely ridiculous but they found it hilarious. After a minute their laughter died down they sat there silently. Maura held a fry in her hand that she used to push the other fries around on her plate. Her mind started to wonder as she watched Jane take a huge bite out of her burger. Maura watched Jane's perfect jaw line move as she chewed. Jane somehow had the ability to catch Maura's attention and keep it. So much so that Maura didn't even realized she was staring at her best friend, taking in every detail from her strong shoulders to the soft skin visible in the v-neck she wore. Maura even started to think about the times she and Jane had gone for a run where the only things Jane wore were her shorts, shoes and a sports bra. She watched Jane for a moment longer than decided to break the silence.

"So how are things with Henry?"

"Oh God I don't want to even talk about it," Jane groaned.

"Is it really that bad?" Maura inquired.

"No… Kinda… I mean he's a great guy and I really like him but I don't know he's a complete idiot," Jane admitted. "We fought the other day and I told him we were done."

"You two broke up then?"

"I don't know," Jane moaned. "I was about to throw him out cause he was really pissing me off but that never happened. Instead for only God knows why we end up in my room tearing off clothes and having rather angry I think break-up sex. He hasn't come back to get his stuff so it beats me."

"What is it that you see in him?" Maura asked. "I know you've introduced us and he is very friendly but if you're so unhappy…"

"I'm not really unhappy he just pisses me off a lot," Jane explained. "He does really stupid things and expects to be forgiven. Like last week for example I met his father for the first time."

"That doesn't sound too horrible," Maura noted.

"It wouldn't have been," Jane agreed. "Henry invited him over to my apartment to watch a game without telling me. Not a big deal right? Except it was an early game on my day off right after Henry had spent the night. I met his father for the first time completely naked wrapped in a sheet. Henry of course said nothing but at least his father thinks I'm a hot cop who he wouldn't mind have handcuff him."

"He doesn't deserve you Jane," Maura stated reaching over to pat her friends arm.

Jane smiled before she took a sip of her beer. Maura was completely right of course but one thing Maura didn't completely understand was how hard it was for a cop to date someone.

"Break up with him Jane. For good this time."

"You're right and I will," Jane sighed. "There are three types of men in the world for a cop, y'know that? There are the ones who just want you to cuff them to a bed and the ones who wan't you to quit and be a housewife or something both completely undatable. Then there are the ones who serve the country in some way; military, police, firefighters, EMT's those guys who know why they do what they do and would never ask someone in a profession like theirs to quit. Those are the ones I date. Even those guys suck. Grant was an ass. Dean was an even bigger ass. Martinez is starting to be an ass and Casey? Casey tried to get me to quit the force so he could continue to serve. Henry besides being a complete idiot has been the only guy who hasn't been a complete jerk."

"There will be others Jane," Maura assured her. "I've dated rich jerks, a man wanted by Interpol and a serial killer who tried to kill me."

"I know and now you have Jack," Jane smiled.

Maura sat back in her seat. She hadn't intended on having to tell Jane yet about Jack. Mostly because she knew Jane would be upset she hadn't told her sooner. Maura had her reasons for not but she wasn't sure Jane would care.

"Actually Jack and I broke up," Maura confessed.

"What? When?" Jane sat up in the booth.

"A couple of weeks ago," Maura told her. "Listen Jane it wasn't that big of a deal things just weren't working out."

"A couple of weeks ago?" Jane repeated. "Why are you just telling me now Maura? I'm your friend you need to tell me about these things when they happen."

"Jane I had a reason for not telling you," Maura explained. "You were still dealing with Barry's death. We all were. I wanted to give you space while you mourned you didn't need to deal with my problems too."

Jane thought about this for a moment. It wasn't like Maura had been keeping it from her because she didn't trust Jane. She felt bad for feeling angry at Maura for trying to give Jane the space she had needed. Jane's temper flared often since the accident that had taken the life of her friend and partner. Most of the time she went off on the people who were trying to help and comfort her. Jane reached out to place her hand on top of Maura's.

"Hey I'm sorry that you and Jack didn't work out and I'm sorry for being so bitchy," Jane apologized. "Now that we are two single women what do you say to a girl's night on Thursday after work?"

"By girls night you mean coming over to my house, eating my food and watching sports," Maura indicated.

"No not at all I was thinking we do each other's hair and nails and then have a pillow fight," Jane said sarcastically. "I was thinking more of just hanging out like we use too."

"That sounds wonderful," Maura smiled.

"It's a date then," Jane said. "Come on its getting late I'll drop you off."

"You better you drove me," Maura joked.

Jane laughed as sarcastically as she could at Maura before she paid for her half of the tab. Maura paid hers and the two left. Once again the car was completely silent as the two headed from the Dirty Robber. The drive to Maura's home wasn't very far so the two arrived in Maura's driveway within ten minutes. Maura turned in the passenger seat to face Jane.

"Do you want to come in for a little?"

"I can't I've gotta get back to the apartment and take Jo Friday out. Also need to make sure Henry didn't break in and take my TV," Jane said chuckling a little at the last part. "Do you want me to pick you up in the morning?"

"No that's alright I'm going in early to finish some paperwork I didn't do today," Maura told her as she opened her car door.

"Alright I'll see you tomorrow then," Jane said with a smile.

Maura shut the car door and waved at Jane before she started over towards her front door. She lingered outside watching Jane pull out of the driveway until she was completely out of sight. Maura sighed to herself as she let herself in. She was greeted by the darkness that covered the walls in her large empty house. Bass wasn't in sight leaving Maura to believe he was in the study near one of the vents keeping warm. She put her things away only taking the two files she had brought home back to her room so she could work on them before she went to bed. It never failed that after she spent time with Jane that when she was alone she felt an emptiness that she didn't quite understand.

For years she had been friends with Jane and the two had worked together on countless cases. They had also spent countless hours outside of work together usually at Maura's home. They were very close friends but for Maura this had started to change after Jane had saved her life for the fifth time. Maura had thought it had just been a near death experience that had triggered what she was feeling, but when it didn't Maura started to realize what it really was. She had just been denying herself since the beginning. Maura slipped out of her dress, put it aside and got ready for bed. As she climbed into her bed she pushed everything about Jane to the back of her mind. There was no point on dwelling over everything that night she had all of tomorrow to do that.

XXXXX

Outside a November wind picked up as the storm clouds rolled in over the city of Boston. Rain started to trickle down but soon started took pour ruthlessly down on the homes and the streets. The storm was eerie and unsettling because of how it came on with no warning. It almost seemed like a sign to the police, firefighters and EMT's that served the city of Boston of the impending possibility that the low crime activity of the week in front of them wouldn't last. Jane Rizzoli was one of them. Deep down she could feel that tomorrow would be the start of a terrible week…