A/N- Sorry this took a while; I struggled with the end a little. This is a bit more of a slow burner than I usually do so I have to stop myself putting too much plot and not enough build up in each chapter. Thanks for reading and please review x
Jane had switched to drinking whisky when Frankie had left her and was on to her third when she saw Dr Isles leave the bar. Jane resisted a sudden urge to speak to the Doctor but knew that she was doing the right thing by keeping the wreckage of her life strictly to herself, she didn't think the Doctor was the kind of woman you could love and leave in a hurry, and that was the only kind of woman Jane was interested in, in her current state.
A few moments later Jane finished her drink and decided to leave, the place was starting to fill up with cops and she could do without bumping into any old "friends". Jane pulled her jacket close as she hit the street, it was a cool evening and she noticed she could see the foggy heat of her breath in the air. Jane turned to head to another bar a few blocks away and was passing an alley when she heard the unmistakable sound of a woman in distress. It wasn't a scream or a shout but Jane had heard the sound before, like a gasp when a woman is grabbed suddenly and all the air leaves her in a fearful yelp.
Jane could see two figures in the dark alley and didn't think twice about heading down to investigate. "Who's there?" She called as she strode toward the sound of heavy breathing. As Jane got closer she could make out a man and a woman. The man had his fists clenched around the material of the woman's jacket and was pushing her against the wall of the building. He relaxed his hold as Jane approached.
The woman turned to look at Jane and Jane instantly recognised Dr Isles looking somewhat more dishevelled than earlier but much to Jane's relief she didn't look completely terrified, she obviously knew this guy, Jane deduced.
"You okay there Doc?" Jane asked, putting her hands in her pockets and puffing out her chest.
"Yes, yes, thank you." Maura said hurriedly, glancing nervously at the man who still had hold of her.
That was when Jane looked more closely at the guy, Jane felt instant dislike fill her as she realised she knew him. "Detective Griffin." Jane said with mock friendliness. "Why, how nice to bump into you, on this fine evening."
Realising he had been recognised he finally let go of his grip on Maura and took one step back. "We'll talk again Dr Isles." He said as he turned and pushed past Jane. "Get out of my way Rizzoli."
Jane turned and kicked out a foot as he retreated, causing him to fall to his knees. "Ooooops, clumsy me." Jane said bending to offer the Detective a hand up from the floor and smiling sweetly.
Griffin ignored the hand and scrabbled to his feet.
"If I ever see you with your hands on the Doc again Griffin, I'll gut you like a fish." Jane snarled close to his face as she helpfully brushed off his jacket.
Griffin looked in her eyes and at the grimace on her face and was unsure what to think. He had heard the stories of course. He turned without a word and straightened his jacket up as he walked calmly out to the street.
Maura tried to collect herself, straightening her jacket up and taking deep calming breaths.
"You sure you're okay?" Jane asked stepping closer to Maura and putting a hand on her shoulder.
Maura frowned at the hand that rested upon her and Jane removed it quickly.
"I'm fine." Maura said firmly. "It was nothing, a disagreement."
"You often have disagreements in alleys, late at night with men?" Jane said bristling.
Maura looked sheepish. "I'm sure it looked worse than it was. But thank you for your assistance Jane, I am grateful."
Jane looked doubtful. "Sure." She said following Maura out of the alley.
Maura turned left and began walking away with Jane striding along, slightly behind her.
"He's an asshole, y'know." Jane said after a moment of silence.
Maura stopped and looked at Jane. "How do you even know him? Is he an associate of your brother?"
Jane shrugged. "I know a lot of people."
Maura continued walking. "I am beginning to realise he is indeed an asshole, as you so eloquently put it."
Jane thought Maura looked pissed, although she recognised the doc right away as one of those people who are good at keeping their feelings in check, but Jane was one of those people who could see what others didn't want her to, that was why she had been so good at her job.
"Oh, you and him have a thing." Jane said as it dawned on her.
Maura looked ahead but Jane could see she had guessed right. "We did, it's over." Maura said firmly.
"What and he doesn't like that it's over?" Jane guessed again.
"On the contrary, he is very pleased that it's over." Maura said glancing at Jane over her shoulder.
"So what was he roughing you up for Doc?" Jane asked, she was a little curious.
Maura stopped and waited for Jane to step close to her. "If you're going to escort me home you could at least walk beside me." Maura said finally.
Jane smiled and nodded for Maura to go on as she stood close beside her and matched her pace.
"So are you going to tell me or should I ask him?" Jane continued.
"We had a very brief liaison, before I found out he was married and then we were in mutual agreement that we should break any and all contact." Maura sighed. "Why am I even telling you this?" She asked Jane.
"I don't know Doc, sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger, I guess." Jane shrugged, hands in pockets, as Maura's pace finally slowed into more of a stroll than a march.
"It ended a few weeks ago but yesterday another Detective, one I trust, approached me to say that he thought I should know Detective Griffin had been bad mouthing me to anyone who'll listen and that I should talk to him. I did and it got a little heated and that's where you interrupted us." Maura tried to sound casual about it but the truth was Griffins reaction had scared her a little.
"You didn't know he was married huh? You didn't think to ask around?" Jane said doubtfully.
"No, I didn't!" Maura said indignantly. "I thought he was a good person, he was nice to me."
"Until he got what he wanted, that's a little naive of you Doc." Jane said truthfully. "I would have thought a smart lady like you could see past that. You're not a good judge of character huh?"
Maura narrowed her eyes at Jane. "Well, why don't you help me out then? What am I supposed to think about your character?" Maura wanted to turn the attention away from her and she really was interested in this woman, who seemed so different to her.
"You don't have to think anything about me Dr Isles, I am going to see you home safe and then I am out of here." Jane avoided the question and noticed that Maura looked a little disappointed.
"Safely." Maura corrected. "You are going to see that I get home safely."
Jane looked like she was going to say something but bit her lip and changed her mind. "You don't think Griffin would get nasty with you again do you?"
Maura quickly shook her head.
"If he does you should speak to Frankie, and steer clear of the dark alleys." Jane added sardonically as Maura slowed in front of a large dark, empty looking house.
"This is my home." Maura said taking out her keys. "You could come in for a drink." Maura looked at the floor suddenly unsure of herself.
Jane looked uncomfortable. "I can't. Y'know you should leave some lights on so the place doesn't look so empty. And really you shouldn't be inviting me in, we just met, I could be a crazy killer." Jane warned.
Maura frowned. "Okay, well thanks for the advice and for seeing me home." Maura spoke moving toward the house and not sounding very thankful at all.
Maura really didn't know what to make of Jane Rizzoli, she was rude, nosey, judgemental, blunt and even though she had seemed concerned about Maura and had saved her from, what was potentially a frightening confrontation, she seemed to have absolutely no desire to prolong her time with Maura, which was the thing that had annoyed the Doctor the most.
