A/N: Hey again, thanks for all the wonderful reviews I'm glad people are enjoying this story, unfortunately while I feel that there is really nothing more I can add to this chapter, I feel that it is a little unfinished. I admit to find myself a little disappointed with it at the end. Feel free to point out to me what I might have done wrong and I'll try to fix it in the next one. All feedback is appreciated as usual and now; on with the story!

Of Witnesses and Suspects

Alexis cut off her end of the line and looked down at the phone in wonder. Kate had said that she loved her, she couldn't explain why it made her feel so good, after all so many of her dad's past girl friends had tried to smarmy up to her father by feigning interest in her. Gina had certainly said it countless times during the years she was Alexis' step-mom but it always sounded like Gina felt it was her duty as her father's wife to love his daughter, her mom had said it countless times, of course, but that was just a cursory affection that she bestowed upon her daughter whenever she was in town. She never doubted that her mother loved her but she was sure that Meredith loved a lot of other things just as much and certainly loved herself a lot more than her daughter.

But she really felt like she had earned Kate's love, that she wasn't just saying it out of obligation or to get into her Dads pants. As a matter of fact the first time that Kate had gotten into her dad's pants she and her soon to be step-mom had not been on very good terms at all and it was obvious that for a long gone time she had been trying to get Alexis to accept her as a part of her father's life.

Alexis had long ago determined that Detective Kate Beckett was the best thing that had ever happened to her dad and now even though it had happened over the phone they had both accepted each other into their lives.

Mandy was confused to see slight smile on her red headed friend but as she was on the phone with her head of security she couldn't exactly ask her friend about her misplaced demeanor.

As Alexis put her phone back in her pocket she heard the sirens approaching the crime scene. "Well that was fast." she said to Mandy, still sounding like she had slight a head cold.

Mandy nodded. "Yeah they have a precinct not far from here."

Alexis looked at her friend curiously. "And how exactly do you know that?"

Mandy looked down bashful. "I uh was arrested for DUI after my last show here." she replied. "I spent the night in lockup sleeping it off."

Alexis couldn't help but grin. "I bet that was fun."

Mandy grinned back. "The parts I remember were actually," when Alexis looked at her confused she elaborated. "There was this cop, apparently he was the one who pulled me over and he had no idea who I was, which was so refreshing and he was so nice."

Alexis raised an eyebrow. "Just nice?"

"Oh he was too old for me, but yeah he was hot, you know with an Italian accent? " she admitted. "And he let me off with a warning asking me to be careful next time."

"Yeah I'll bet," the red head replied sardonically. "And your flirting with him didn't help at all did it?"

"Well it might have helped, a little." she said and they both laughed but it was still subdued both painfully aware of the man lying in front of them, his life cut tragically short.

Alexis turned away from the body, she normally could easily stand to see dead people without feeling queasy but somehow every time she saw the GSW to the head she was taken back to watching as the man's head snapped back with the force of the bullet.

"Come on,"she said pulling her friend back. "They won't want us standing so close, and I feel like I'm about to throw up."

"If I wasn't on an empty stomach I'd be right there with you," Mandy replied. "As it is I've been dry heaving ever since I saw that body."

Alexis glanced at Mandy. "Thanks for taking my mind off things with your DUI story." she said softly.

Mandy shrugged but smiled. "It's true," was all she said.

They waited silently for the sirens to get closer, the first cruiser they saw stopped just near the body, the second one coming from the other direction stopped near the girls.

The driver got out and shined a light on them. "Boston PD, hands where I can see them." Both girls put their hands up and waited. "You the ones who called in the 911?"

"Yeah," said Mandy. "It was me, I called it in."

The officer walked up to them, he was still hidden from the light so they couldn't see his face. "And may I see some ID miss?"

Mandy quickly pulled out her Drivers license.

"Miss Sutton," he quickly pulled out a small pen light, "I sure hope you're not under the influence again miss." shining his light in her eyes.

Mandy squinted against the light. "Officer Rizzoli?" she asked finally placing the familiar voice, she shook her head. "No, I'm completely sober."

Frankie nodded. "That's good, so uh you said in your call that your friend witnessed the murder?" he asked looking at the red headed girl stranded next to Mandy.

Mandy nodded at Alexis who was blinking against the harsh light. "Yeah, this is Alexis, she saw the whole thing."

Frankie nodded and moved towards her. "I'm going to have to take your statement for the detective working this case. Officer Nelson will be roping off the crime scene and I'll need you two to stay and talk to the detectives before they clear you to leave." Both girls nodded and followed Frankie back to his cruiser to give their statements.

Jane and Maura arrived at the scene ten minutes later meeting Frost who had arrived a few minutes after Frankie.

Jane nodded at him. "What'd we got."

"Shooting, victim was bound; both arms and legs duct taped. He was shot execution style and then shot six more times by two assailants."

Maura, who was already crouching down next to the body spoke up, "Detective Frost, I would think after all this time you would refrain from speculating. There is no way of knowing how this man was killed, how many times he was shot nor how many people shot him without doing a proper autopsy."

Jane was looking at Frost, they both knew Dr Isles well enough to not be offended by her reprimand, she discredited Jane's speculations every day but what caught the detectives eye was the fact that Frost was looking like the cat that ate the canary.

"You know those things for a fact don't you Frost?" she looked around when Frost nodded. "We have a witness." she concluded. "Where?"

Frost pointed towards the ambulance, "She bit herself trying to keep quiet. EMTs patching her up," he handed Jane a clipboard. "Frankie took her statement."

Jane glanced down at the document only taking in the names; she preferred to hear witness accounts first hand. She glanced down at her...girlfriend? And asked. "Maura? You done? I need to talk to the victim, you can be my polygraph."

Maura looked down at the body and sighed. The crime scene tech had not found any ID so they didn't know who he was. There wasn't much she could do here so she got up and nodded at CSU to take the body to the morgue.

She looked up at Jane and smiled coyly, Frost had gone to talk to Kodak who had just arrived so no one could hear them. "You don't really need me there to tell if the witness is lying."

Jane smirked at her. "Yes well, I don't really feel like letting you out of my sight," she paused thinking that she was being too clingy. "Do you mind," she asked concerned, she was aware that they were at a crime scene but her relationship with Maura was the most important thing to her, she needed to know if she was messing up.

Maura smiled touching Jane's forearm lightly but longer that professionally appropriate. "Of course I don't mind," she replied. "You know that the only reason I go out with you to interview people is to spend more time with you."

Jane's eyes widened at the admission, she knew the the only reason she agreed to let Maura accompany her to interviews was because she wanted to spend more time with the ME, but she had no idea it was mutual. She had to valiantly resist kissing that upturned set of beautiful lips, instead she blushed and looked away.

"Come on let's see what our witness has for us." Jane said and started walking towards the ambulance with Maura followed pleased with herself for getting her detective flustered.

They walked around the back of the open ambulance and saw two beautiful girls barely out of their teens huddled together under a blanket. The redhead had a bandage on her left hand and Jane recognized her as their witness.

"Miss Castle?" Jane asked stepping forward.

"Alexis." she said nodding.

Jane smiled. "I'm Detective Jane Rizzoli-," she said starting their introduction but was interrupted by Maura.

"Alexis Castle?" she asked stepping forward. Jane's head went from Maura to Alexis in confusion.

Alexis blushed awed by meeting her hero in person. "Dr Isles, I thought you might be working this crime scene."

Jane smiled at Alexis. "Would you excuse us for a moment?" she asked and without waiting for a response dragged Maura behind the ambulance out of view of everyone. "You know this girl?" she asked astounded.

Maura nodded brightly. "Not personally but we have been communicating via email for the last couple of weeks, she is a promising young student interested in my field of work. I was supposed to meet her tomorrow so that she could get some first hand experience from my expertise in Forensic Pathology."

Jane nodded along with everything she was saying. "Great," she said when Maura finished. "You can conduct this interview Maura."

Maura grinned. "Really?"

"Yeah, you already have rapport, she'll be more open to you than to me."

Maura nodded seriously. "Yes I believe you are correct in that assumption." she smiled and leaned up to peck her lips, "Thanks Jane." she said and almost skipped back to the witness.

Jane still a little stunned by the unexpected kiss waited a moment before following the ME back to Alexis.

Maura sat next to Alexis as Mandy stood up to stretch her legs. "So Alexis, can you tell us exactly what you saw?"

Alexis nodded. "I was waiting for Mandy to finish her show and come meet me out back, I don't like concerts all that much so I chose not to attend. Mandy was going to accompany me to my hotel room. It was getting late and I wanted to schedule my appointment with you Dr Isles." she said looking up at her idol.

Maura smiled at the girl. "Oh Alexis please, call me Maura."

She gulped and fidgeted her hands nervously. "Okay, Maura?" she asked testing her name, it sounded wrong not using her title, when Maura nodded encouragingly she continued. "Well just as I was going to call Mandy and ask her to hurry up, I saw a car pull up," she looked up at Jane. "I was too far to see the plates and it was too dark to see the colour, I do know it was a sedan though, since the um victim was pulled out from the trunk."

Jane nodded understandingly while Maura took Alexis' fidgeting hands in her own. "That's alright sweetie," the endearment slipping from the honey-blond unconsciously. "Just tell us what you did see."

"I uh I saw a short squat man pull the victim out from the trunk and make him get on his knees at gun point, from the way he was walking I could tell his hands and feet were bound and he must have been gagged as well because he wasn't making a sound, when the short man's partner, a thin tall man asked him something he shook his head 'no'," she again looked up at Jane, "I couldn't tell what they were saying, I was too far away, sorry." Alexis said looking down at her hands encased in Dr Isles.

She was disappointed in herself, after everything that Lanie, Kate, her Dad and Forensic Pathology had taught her she still barely had anything that could help with the investigation. She could feel the tears pricking at the corner of her eyes and she viciously pushed them back, she was going to tell them everything she could remember, even if it didn't help much, she owed it to the man lying lifeless at the crime scene.

"After that the taller man trained his gun on the victim from behind, aiming at his head, and pulled the trigger." She looked at her bandages hand. "I uh bit my fist to stop myself from screaming. They got out of there pretty fast after killing him and almost as soon as they left Mandy came out looking for me, when she found me I told her to call 911 and ran up to the man. When I saw he was dead I backed away and told Mandy to keep back." she looked at Maura earnestly, "I didn't want to contaminate the crime scene."

Maura nodded gently at her. "You did good Alexis." she said and Jane nodded her approval. Alexis was probably the most accurate witness she had ever heard from. Most people needed to get past the trauma to talk lucidity enough but with her background in Forensic Pathology she had pushed back her shock and tried to help the cops as much as she could. Jane hated to think what would happen when the days events caught up with her.

Just as Jane was getting ready to clear them Alexis spoke again. "I uh called my dad's fiancé after checking on him, I hope you don't mind."

Jane exchanged a look with Maura, she didn't like unauthorized people knowing about ongoing cases but Alexis had been distraught, what could they do, it was natural to call someone you love for comfort after a traumatic event.

Alexis watched the silent communication between Detective and Pathologist and hurried to explain. "She won't do anything wrong, she is um a homicide detective in New York. She and my dad are on their way here."

Jane's eyes widened. "Wait Castle? Father marrying NYPD homicide detective, you're Nikki Heats step daughter?" Jane gasped looking at the redhead in amazement.

Maura looked at Jane weirdly, since when did Jane get fangirly.

Alexis sighed. "You read my father's books?" she asked.

Jane grinned. "Do I ever, I mean before it was okay with the CIA and the military stuff with lots of gruesome murders but ever since he started writing the Nikki Heat series, I mean the details are just spot on and the way that Heat and Rook solve the crime are just so genuine. And Raley and Ochoa, Roach I mean-"

Maura put a dainty hand up. "Who is Nikki Heat?"

Jane gasped and looked at her like she had committed the original sin.

Alexis spoke up. "Nikki Heat is a character in a series of books written by author Richard Castle, who happens to be my dad, she is based upon a real life Homicide Detective Kate Beckett who my dad has been shadowing for the past five years for 'research' for his books and whom my dad proposed to last year and as of this year they are engaged to be married."

Maura blinked at Alexis' succinct delivery. "Wow that almost sounds like a fairy tale," she looked at Jane. "And how come I've never heard of this love of murder mystery novels from you."

Jane smirked at her. "A little mystery is always a good thing Maura," she replied. "A girls gotta have a few secrets."

Alexis looked from Jane to Maura confused; that last sentence sounded a little like what Kate would say to her dad when she was in her teasing mood.

Jane noticed her speculative gaze and realized how her last words could be interpreted she immediately tried to steer that ship to safer waters. "Oh I'm so sorry for talking about these things in front of you, I'm sure you must be very exhausted, I'm not acting very professional am I?" Jane asked self-consciously.

Alexis shook her head. "No no its fine, it took my mind off of things to tell the truth, and I'm tired of people treating me like I'm made from glass." she said standing up from the ambulance. "I'm glad you were so genuine, I've seen how Kate and her team behave at a crime scene, I understand why you do it."

Jane nodded and led the two women back out to the crime scene. They saw Mandy speaking to Frankie again, "My friend has a small crush on Officer Rizzoli, he's your brother right?"

"Yeah, what gave it away," Jane said sarcastically. "And he's too old for either of you."

Alexis nodded blushing, "Yeah," she replied. "She knows too." indicating Mandy.

"So, did you drive here?" asked Jane.

"Yeah, my cars out in the parking lot, I can drive myself to my hotel room."

Maura spoke up for the first time in a while. "Mandy is not going to be with you in your hotel room am I correct?"

"She has her own penthouse apartment, yeah,"she replied. "Why?"

"Well apart from the fact that after what happened tonight, you shouldn't be alone and also since you are here to observe my work I feel it is only my duty to offer you my guest house for the duration of your stay. "

Jane looked at her friend curiously as Alexis' eyes widened. "Oh no, I couldn't impose. I'll be fine in my own and maybe I'll ask Mandy to stay with me."

Seeing Maura's crestfallen face Jane decided to jump in, she might not understand her best friends need to have the redhead under her roof but she hated to see her sad. "Alexis, you possibly witnessed a gang related murder. The situation is such that your life may actually be in danger; at this point an easily traceable hotel room is a place I'm not comfortable placing you in. It would ease both my worries if you were somewhere relatively safe and with someone I trust completely. I assure you Maura has everything you could possibly need in her home."

Alexis looked stricken at the implication that she had indicated that she wouldn't be comfortable at Dr Isles home, she was concerned about being in danger but she hoped that the Boston police would be able to keep her involvement under wraps for now.

She guiltily turned to Dr Isles and smiled at her hopeful face. If four hours ago someone had told her she was going to be living in Dr Maura Isles house for the duration of her stay in Boston she would tell them that they were crazy. But now as she nodded her acceptance and watched Maura's face light up in delight all she could do was to along with whatever bizarre turn her life had taken.

Jane smiled as Maura was happy once again. "Okay Maura, I'm assuming that you're going to do the autopsy tomorrow?" Already predicting the MEs response the second she said the 'forbidden' word.

Maura narrowed her eyes at the detective. "Jane you know I don't like it when you assume," she said indignantly, but when Jane just stared at her she sighed. "however, your are right I'm going to wait for the morning to begin."

Jane nodded. "Good, because I still need to process the scene, " she replied. "Alexis can give you a ride home." she turned to look at the redhead in question. "I hope that won't be a problem."

The girl shook her head. "Of course not," she replied. "I'll just go tell Mandy what's going on and see if she needs a ride home."

Alexis walked off as Maura set about gathering her things. "Interesting girl." Jane commented as she stared after their witness.

Maura made a non committal sound and continued packing up, Jane got the weird sense that she was avoiding eye contact. "Speaking of interesting things," she went on, "it's interesting you offering her a place to stay."

Maura glanced up at Jane. "Do you think I shouldn't have?" she asked concerned. She wondered of she perhaps had broken some unspoken rule of etiquette regarding their fledgling relationship by inviting the young girl to stay in her guest house, she didn't think she did but then again she wasn't that we'll versed in serious committed relationships and she knew without a doubt that any relationship with the beautiful detective would be serious and committed.

Jane shrugged at her question. "It's your house Maura, you have the right to allow anyone to stay there."

Maura finally stood up straight fastening the clasp on her silver case. She looked the detective straight in the eyes observing her facial expressions. "I sense a contradiction coming?" she asked curiously if a little defensively.

Jane shrugged again. "Well I just think that she is after all a complete stranger, and since we have only her word as to what happened...?" she trailed off not wanting to accuse Alexis of anything without proof.

Maura looked from Jane to Alexis who was talking to her friend and then back at Jane. "Surely you don't think-?"

"That she did it?" asked Jane glancing at the redhead herself. "I don't think so, my gut says hell no but," she smirked at the ME. "You always say that my intestines can't talk."

Maura rolled her eyes at the detective and her 'gut' talk. "Well you did take me with you to interview her for a reason right Jane," she glanced slyly at her friend. "even if it was just a ruse to spend more time with me."

Jane gasped at her mock shock on her face. "Just a ruse? Dr Isles are you accusing me of acting unprofessionally in the field?" she smirked at the honey-blonde, while she waited patiently for Jane to be done with the theatrics. After a moment Jane slumped her shoulders. "Fine," she relented. "What did you pick up from your magical face reading mumbo-jumbo?"

Maura smiled at her. "There is absolutely nothing supernatural about recognizing facial expressions and detecting untruths from them Jane." she said with mock severity. "And from what I read from Alexis she was telling the absolute truth as it appeared to her, she was hiding something but after her eyes filled with tears at describing the shooting I realized she was holding back tears." she looked at Jane imploringly her own eyes glassy. "she's innocent Jane, and tomorrow I'll have the physical evidence to back up my claims, I just need you to trust me on this."

Jane felt like shit as she watched Maura's eyes tear up, wasn't it her just a few hours ago who had promised herself not to make her cry again. She had realized it was a fools promise and that there was no way she could keep it, but she hadn't expected to break it so soon. She hastened to make it right; lightly touching her arm, it was all the contact she could risk with prying eyes and ears in the vicinity, she spoke. "No, Maura come on, don't cry, you know I hate it when you cry. I'm sorry okay." she pleaded with Medical Examiner who's eyes had softened as soon as Jane had touched her arm. "I trust you okay, you know that, I just have to-"

Maura put her hand on Jane's. "I know Jane you have to have all your bases covered, but Jane," she said reassuringly. "Alexis isn't a threat."

Jane nodded. "Yeah Maura, I know that. If I even thought for one second that she was then there would be no way that you would be going anywhere alone with her."

Maura smiled at Jane's caveman attitude, she supposed she should be insulted at Jane assuming that she could allow the ME to do anything but she knew better. If Jane ever realized that Maura was in any danger than she would do anything to keep her safe. Maura had long ago realized that she really wasn't capable of defending herself against a determined assailant. Sure she had seen a few self defense videos and knew some of the moves but she knew where she stood in a fight, she relied on Jane to keep her safe and Jane took that job very seriously. Maura realized along time ago that it was one thing to be independent but another to be stupid; and Dr Maura Isles was a lot of things but stupid was not one of them, so she as usual chose not to be insulted by Jane's chest thumping but saw it as what it was; chivalry.

Maura perked up as she saw a streak of red head towards them, she gave Jane a stern look silently telling her to behave in response to which Jane gave a look back to the honey-blonde as if to say 'who me?' Maura just rolled her eyes at her friends antics.

"Hey," Alexis said as she arrived. "Mandy said that she'll catch a ride in the limo she came in. I can go now."

Jane nodded and genuinely smiled at the redhead, she knew that it was a ridiculous idea to suspect Alexis of murder but the evidence remained evidence; she wasn't the best female detective in Boston for nothing, just because it seemed unlikely doesn't mean it wasn't possible and unfortunately unless they found evidence proving Alexis' story, she was still going to be listed on her murder board as a possible suspect.

"Come on Maura I'll walk you to the car," Jane said and motioned for the ME to walk ahead of her as they followed Alexis' around the stadium to the parking lot. It was dark out now and she could see the young girl shiver, fear written plainly on her face as if she expected the men she saw appear and silence her. Jane closed her eyes for a moment and prayed that they found evidence disproving Alexis' involvement soon; she hated thinking of this scared young girl as a murder suspect.