*A/N: This is a little something that I simply couldn't wait to share with you fantastic readers! It's short, but I am really happy with the way that it turned out. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Like You

Chapter 3

Dr. Maura Isles wasn't accustomed to the feel of rough cement blocks against her skin nor was she accustomed to the feel of the slick metal of the semi-automatic pistol encased in her grip. In general, Maura Isles was simply not accustomed to anything involving weapons. She had taken a few self-defense classes at Jane's request and she was currently enrolled in a weekly kick-boxing course. Aside from the practiced techniques of those classes and a can of pepper spray discretely hidden within her Hilde Palladino handbag, Maura lacked any sufficient form of self-defense.

Despite the fear of handguns, Maura had ventured beyond her comfort zone and made a trip to the BPD's outdoor shooting range on the outskirts of Boston. She hadn't wanted to risk a run-in with any of the members of the Homicide Division, especially Jane Rizzoli. While she was sure her best friend would have been more than willing to teach her how to properly operate the firearm that she now held, Maura didn't want to face admitting to the purpose behind her recent interest in firearms. More specifically, she didn't want to admit to Jane that fear was the driving force behind her purchase of the Glock 23 that she now possessed.

Standing in the optimum shooting position as the firearms safety instructor had demonstrated, Maura raised the pistol from the cement table in front of her and steadied her shaking arms. Once confident in her position, the blonde lined up the front and rear sites until the desired location was centered. With one shallow breath, she moved her index finger from its awaiting position alongside the barrel to its active position on the trigger.

Through the sites, she could see Hoyt's face taunting her. She could hear him laughing at her failure. With as much force as possible, she pulled the trigger. As the laughing continued, she found herself pulling down the trigger repeatedly until the familiar click of an empty magazine could be heard. As she forced her shaking hands to place the Glock on the table, she inhaled deeply in hopes of balancing her breathing. Finally, she walked the twelve feet to the target to evaluate her shooting.

She found a tight-knit grouping of bullet holes covering the area where the human heart would be located. She could hear Hoyt's breath catch in a sharp gasp as he fought for oxygen. She could see the muscles in this throat moving at optimal speed to suck in whatever bit of air possible. Maura heard the defeated groan before a softened exhale as Hoyt released the last breath that he would ever take.

Dr. Maura Isles blanched at the terrifyingly soothing sense of satisfaction that she now felt. With uneven breaths and a shaking body, she packed up her firearm, took down the target, and prepared to leave. For the hundredth time she pictured the broken expression that her best friend held for months after an encounter with Charles Hoyt. She remembered how tight Jane had clung to her during those nights when they had shared a bed. She could almost feel the Jane's tense muscles relax when she wrapped her arms around the detectives sleeping form.

Decidedly, Maura folded the target and stuffed it into the case with her pistol as a trophy.

Maybe it took being like Hoyt to keep Jane safe.