I'm so sorry it took so long but here you go. This chapter might lag some but things are about to pick up, I promise. The next chapter will hopefully be up faster than this one was. Thank you for reading, please tell me what you think and as always enjoy.

Chapter 4: Killer

I yawned and stretched as I started to wake up before rolling over to face Maura and get away from the sun. Maura's bare back was towards me, making it so I couldn't tell is she was still asleep of not. I reached over to wrap my arm around her and pull myself closer to her. Maura responded by finding my hand with hers and chuckling, telling me she was awake. I kissed her neck before sitting up, pulling the sheets up to just under my shoulders before letting another yawn escape.

"Morning," I said.

"Morning," she said rolling over to face me. "Did you sleep alright?"

"For the amount of time I had to sleep, yes I did," I replied.

Maura was about to speak when the doorbell rang. I glanced at the hallway scrunching my eyebrows together, trying to figure out who would be ringing the doorbell at seven in the morning. If it had have just been me here I would have ignored it completely and waited for the person to leave. But Maura always answered the door, which in some cases was a bad thing to do. It wasn't that she didn't check to see who was at the door it was the fact if she knew them she let them in and sometimes I just didn't want to see my ma.

"Are you going to get the door?" she asked sitting up.

"Really Maura?" I asked, referring to the fact I was naked.

"Then put a robe on," she sighed. "Fine, fine I'll go, but only because I know you won't."

Maura slipped out of the bed and crossed the room, before grabbing a robe from a chair and pulling it on to cover her bare skin. She tied it shut before shooting me a look and walking out of the room to answer the door. I didn't wait to hear the front door open to jump out of the bed and search for something to wear. The slack I wore yesterday were still wearable so I grabbed them from the floor and slipped into them before finding a clean bra and undershirt to pull on. As I was pulling the undershirt over my head I heard a familiar voice great Maura. Ignoring the fact I was only partially dressed I walked out of the room into the hallway just as Casey stepped through the door into the foyer.

He was dressed in running shorts and an old t-shirt, looking like he had been out running because of the huge sweat stain on the shirt. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face when I saw the look on his face as he tried not to stare at Maura.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I followed the two into the kitchen.

"Maura's house is on my jogging route, so I thought I'd drop in and check on you two," he replied taking a seat on one of the barstools.

"My ma called you again didn't she?" I asked him not believing him at all.

"I think the better question would be why is my house on your jogging route?" Maura smiled.

"The park is down the street and this is the longest route to it," Casey defended himself before he turned to me. "Yeah she did. I really need to stop answering my phone when she calls."

"I'll talk to her when we get to work," I told him. "She really needs to stay out of my business and stop bothering you."

"I should have asked this before but I didn't come by at a bad time did I?" he asked throwing a glance at Maura.

"We just got up," Maura replied. "Don't worry you didn't interrupt anything."

Casey's face grew hot at the thought of having interrupted Maura and me. I pushed away from the counter to get a mug out of the cabinet, needing my morning fix of coffee. Casey tapped his fingers against the countertop slightly uncomfortable from dropping in on Maura and I in the early morning. Not only that but he was probably uncomfortable seeing me half-dressed and Maura being only in a robe. He may have been my ex and he may have been a Lieutenant Colonel in the military but he was still a guy.

"Can I get you some coffee Casey?" I asked glancing over my shoulder at him.

"Might as well," he shrugged. "Doesn't look like I'll be finishing my run today."

I reached up to dig behind some spices Maura had in the cabinet to pull out the instant coffee I had hidden. Maura instantly shot me the 'what the hell is instant coffee doing in my house?' look but said nothing to the fact. Casey glanced behind him at the door completely oblivious to the small exchange, but smiled when he saw the coffee would be a quick fix. I wasn't the only one who had to deal with Maura's coffee that took forever to make; on more than one occasion Casey had been held up by it. Safe to say both of us were partial to instant coffee, but that was probably more of a law enforcement/ military kind of thing than anything else. I glanced at the stove clock as I prepared the two cups of instant coffee. It was 7:15 meaning Maura and I had to leave in forty-five minutes.

"Shouldn't you go shower?" I asked Maura as I handed a steaming cup to Casey.

"It can wait until Casey leaves," she replied.

"Either take the half an hour you have now or you won't be able to take one," I warned her.

"I hate you sometimes," she sighed as she rose. "I'll see you later Casey."

"Yeah, definitely see you later," Casey nodded smiling slightly.

Maura kissed my cheek before walking out of the room, leaving Casey and I alone. We sat for a while just sipping on the piping coffee, not having anything to say to one another. I wanted very badly to talk to him about Hoyt; I needed him to be aware of the possible dangers that the case might bring. He had been one person I confided in about Hoyt because I trusted him and needed someone who would look at it objectively and not treat me like I was shell shocked. One of the best things about Casey is he didn't question my ability or how much emotional distress I had been going through; he was completely by my side for any decision I made, even if he didn't like it. Casey understood the sense of duty police officers had to the citizens in their district mostly because he had the same sense of duty to the military- to serve and protect- that's what we did, and sometimes Maura didn't understand why I did some pretty stupid things. Those were the situations that I needed someone who had the same experiences to talk to.

"I need you to promise me something Casey," I said avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah anything Jane," Casey said happy to do anything I asked. "What do you need?"

"You know Maura and I went to talk to Hoyt yesterday," I started feeling my heart start to pound against my chest. "He gave us very little information but he did confirm that he has another apprentice…"

"I take it the apprentice isn't what you're worried about?" Casey said wanting confirmation.

"Hoyt told me that it wasn't over," I felt a lump form in my throat. "I know he wasn't talking about his apprentice… He was talking about me; Hoyt still has plans for me, and I know he's planning something…"

"Where do I come into all of this?" Casey asked giving me a concerned look. "Do you think he's planning to escape?"

"I don't know Casey. If he was going to escape he would have to come up with something elaborate to get out- not fake appendicitis," I explained and then dropped my gaze to the coffee in my cup trying to form my next words. "If Hoyt does escape- hell even if he doesn't- anyone involved with me is in danger, including Maura. I need you to promise me if Hoyt ever manages to get out that you'll protect Maura with your life… Make sure she's safe."

"Jane, Hoyt is not going to escape," Casey tried and failed to reassure me.

"Listen to me Casey," I said forcefully. "I know you'll argue with me if I say Maura's life is more important than my own, but if anything were to happen to her because of me I would never be able to forgive myself. All I'm asking you to do is to protect her, not to allow me to go on a suicide mission if Hoyt were able to escape."

Casey didn't respond but he kept his gaze locked on me as his body tensed and his jaw locked in a grimace. The only sound keeping the room for udder silence was the loud trickling of water coming from the shower. I found myself unable to look him in the eye after asking so much of him. Casey would never compromise my safety or Maura's safety and he would go to great lengths to ensure that we were safe. After a minute he swallowed the rest of his coffee in two large gulps and then rose from the barstool.

"You want me to stay here tonight?" he asked. "I can take up residence on the couch."

He offered a slight smile to me and I couldn't help but laugh at his attempt to make me feel better.

"Yeah Casey because I need you sleeping twelve feet away from Maura and I's room," I said with a chuckle.

"Yeah yeah," he waved it off as we both headed towards the door. "If you change your mind your mother knows where to find me."

I burst into another laugh at Casey's attempt at humor, having him stay here was the last thing on my mind. My ma had walked in on me and him before and she had walked in on Maura and I multiple times- the last thing I needed was my ex-boyfriend walking in on me and my current girlfriend.

"I mean I wouldn't be against watching over you and the doctor…"

"Goodbye Casey," I said opening up the door.

"I mean does she look as good without clothes as she does with them?"

"Would you get out?" I laughed shoving him out the door playfully.

Casey laughed with me but the moment was brief; he hugged me tightly before turning around and heading down the driveway. I closed the door behind him and let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. There was one thing taken care of, now I just needed to make sure my last will and testament was up to date. I smiled slightly at the thought as I pushed myself away from the door and headed back to the bathroom. The water was still running which meant Maura was still in the shower. Without knocking I opened the door and walked in, a large grin breaking across my face when I saw Maura through the clear glass sliding shower doors. Maura's response only added to my amusement as she looked over at me once and after having to do a double take she reacted by covering her bare breasts with her arms.

"Jesus Jane, don't you knock?" she cried.

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked before Maur," I reminded her. "Besides Casey just left, so it's not like he's gonna get a peak."

"I find you completely unbelievable sometimes Detective Rizzoli," Maura said rolling her eyes. "But I also find you completely irresistible and that being said would you be so kind as to hand me a towel?"

I crossed the room in a few swift steps and plucked a towel off the towel rack, holding it in on hand just outside the shower door. Maura stepped under the shower head and ran her fingers through her tangled locks one last time before turning off the water. As she slid open the glass door and reached for the towel I held out for her, I pulled it away from her just to mess with her.

"Not quick enough Dr. Isles," I smirked. "You're going to have to work for it now."

"That isn't even remotely funny," Maura said shooting me a glair. "Give me the towel."

"Nah," I said with a shrug. "If you want it then you have to get it."

"You'll pay for this later Jane," Maura said scowling.

I intended to keep my gaze from her to really get on her nerves but I found myself unable to avoid admiring her perfect figure, made even more irresistible by the water soaking her skin. Maura smirked at my inability to keep from gawking at her as she plucked the towel out of my hand and wrapped it around her, leaving me to stare at her legs- toned by years of yoga and walking in heels. God damn… I see this woman day in and day out with and without clothes, and she still manages to do this to me… My heart raced, like it always did around her, as I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her to me, not caring that she was still dripping wet.

"We have work."

"Korsak and Frost can handle it. We haven't gotten anywhere with the case, being late won't be too bad."

"Except that we have that fund raiser to attend later tonight."

"You mean you have to attend."

"You're my plus one Jane."

Maura wrapped wet arms around my neck and stood up on her toes to see me eye to eye. She knew she didn't have to do much to convince me, as long as she was standing in front of me in only a towel I would go. I caught her lips as she broke into a smile; our tongues explored one another for a long passionate minute, both of us completely forgetting about everything else. Maura was the one who broke away first, offering up a smile as she pulled out of my grasp and started out of the room. An affectionate smack on the ass made me jump in surprise, and turn around to see Maura smiling to herself and chuckling.

"Does that mean I don't have to go?" I asked as I turned to follow her.

All she did was laugh.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Today hadn't gone as I had hoped it would, it didn't even come close. No physical evidence had been recovered from the second crime scene, and no evidence was found on the second victim besides what we had expected to find. Korsak, Frost and I had been working to at least get a start to our suspect list, a list that contained over 150 names at the current time. The list consisted of people with histories of assault with a deadly weapon (weapon of choice being a knife), military history (as much as I hated to do that), and people with ties to Hoyt. All that we knew for sure is that we had another Surgeon on our hands. The knife made us lean more towards the military sense it was a standard issue Ka-bar, but we had found you could get one almost anywhere.

But that wasn't the problem. The problem was internal affairs breathing down my neck and questioning everything I did. My actions in regards to Hoyt had been a red flag for the investigators, causing them to feel the need of farther review. Immediately following the questioning IA had terminated my privileges regarding Hoyt; I was no longer allowed to speak to him. I had also been tipped off that Maura had been under investigation as well because of her involvement with me. The second we entered the station they took Maura for questioning about God knows what, and then had the nerve to tell her she was obligated to keep her mouth shut about what they had asked her. I wanted more than anything to know what they had asked her, but I wasn't willing to jeopardize her job for the information. It was completely fair to say that IA was backing me into a corner and trying to break me. They wanted my badge and wouldn't stop until they got it- raising the question as to who was out to get me.

"The pieces are falling into place Jane…"

Hoyt wasn't lying. Even without him and his apprentice I was close to losing my job, whether it was his doing or not things were coming together. I was fighting a two front war and currently I was losing horribly.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Six hours later at fundraiser…

Maura held the glass filed with golden liquid as she made her way through the large mass of people (mostly doctors) to introduce me to an old friend of hers. I was less than interested to spend an evening talking to doctors who thought they had to talk down to a cop. It wouldn't have been so bad if they didn't call me Ms. Rizzoli and I would have to correct them that it's Detective Rizzoli; they always gave me a look before completely ignoring me all together. Sometimes I hated the things Maura drug me too because she was so oblivious to her colleagues looking down at me because I didn't have a PhD. But who needs a PhD when you have a 9mm Glock on your belt constantly? Not me, that was for sure. Cops and doctors never seemed to get along; doctors always were lawyering up and asking for a warrant- no matter what the reason may be.

"Maura c'mon slow down!" I groaned after I bumped into someone. "I don't want to meet this guy…"

"You'll love him I promise you," was all she said.

"Is he another walking dictionary like you?" I asked.

"No," she replied grinning. "He's actually another you, except he has a medical degree."

"Was that supposed to be an insult?" I asked.

"You take it however you want to," Maura said coming to a stop.

For a second I thought she was just screwing with me, but then a man tall in stature and in his late thirties caught sight of Maura and a grin spread across his face. He greeted Maura by taking her free hand and kissing it gently before pulling her into something of a bear hug. I stood there awkwardly with my hands at my sides, waiting to either be introduced or find a chance to slip away. When the doctor finally did notice me his grin fell slightly as he gave me a once over, trying to place me or get an incorrect idea of me. The moment didn't last as he turned his attention back to Maura and completely pushed me out of his mind.

"You're looking beautiful as ever Maura," he said with a thick accent I couldn't place. "It's great to see you again."

"It's great to see you as well Terrence," Maura smiled. "How are things going in New York?"

"The medical examiner's office is busy this time of year for some reason," Terrence replied. "Not as busy as around the holiday's but its close. It's pretty swamped but I had to get off to attend tonight. If not for the fundraiser than to run into you."

I rolled my eyes at his weak attempt to flirt with her; he was an idiot and I was insulted by Maura comparing him to me. It would have been great if I could have stayed at the department and worked on the case more instead of wasting my time being brushed off by some stuck up New York coroner. Maura seemed to sense my annoyance and quickly redirected her conversation.

"Um Terrence I would like you to meet Jane Rizzoli," Maura said holding out her hand to me to come closer. "Jane this is Dr. Terrence Cooper, we went to medical school together."

"Ah good to meet you Ms. Rizzoli," Terrence said holding out a hand.

"It's Detective Rizzoli," I said crossing my arms and ignoring his hand.

"I apologize Detective," he said dropping his hand. "So you're a cop?"

"Homicide Detective really," I said. "Maura and I work closely together."

"I guess that's why she brought you," Terrence offered Maura a smile but kept a straight face when looking at me. "You don't look like someone who would come to something like this."

My eye twitched at the remark. I knew he probably didn't mean it the way it came across, but I sure took it that way. Maura caught my agitation and was about to try and calm the situation; since it was obvious Terrence and I were like oil and water. I wasn't going to have it; I needed to cool off myself.

"I'm willing to do things for Maura that I wouldn't normally do myself," I said calmly. "Just do me a favor and knock it off with the flirting; she's taken."

As I turned and walked away from them Terrence face showed total confusion. Maura called after me for a second but didn't follow, probably understanding I just needed a minute away from her colleagues. I made my way through the crowd over to a back wall where I found a bench and dropped down breathing a sigh of frustration. Things with Maura weren't always easy, we argued a lot and had nights where we couldn't even be in the same house where I ended up sleeping in her office at the morgue. I knew all of Maura's colleagues were doctors or people from a higher social standing then I was and that didn't bother me. My friends and colleagues were cops and blue collar people- I didn't grow up with a privileged background like she did and sometimes she forgot that. She was only trying to expose me to other things like I did with her and beer when all she drank was wine. I had no right to be angry at her for introducing me to someone she went to school with- I did it to her all the time.

I started to count my breath as I let it sink in that I had just over reacted to a small miscommunication; it was a hazard of being a cop, any discrepancy I felt there was I questioned it and took it with a grain of salt. As I watched the masses of people mingle I noticed a man, slightly less made up as the rest, sit down next to me. He didn't strike me as a doctor or lawyer, more of a news reporter or school teacher. I took in his appearance; average height, medium build, hands that looked callused probably from years of hard work, his hair was shaved close to his head but long enough to see the honey colored hair, he had a five o'clock shadow that was close to becoming a full beard. His clothing matched the dress-code for the fundraiser of semi-formal, wearing a grey tux suit with white shirt with no tie, and his shoes were polished but looked like they had been through years of abuse.

"You here alone?" he asked his voice sounding like what someone would expect from a sports announcer.

"No," I replied suddenly on guard. "I'm here with a date."

"Lucky guy," he said.

"Lucky girl," I corrected him.

"I see," he said nodding to himself. "I guess there's no point in trying to hit on you is there?"

"Guess not," I replied smiling briefly. "Besides I usually don't take offers from strange men."

"I'm Joey Miles; you might have seen me on TV… I'm a reporter for the Boston 7 News," he introduced himself. "I'm not so strange now. How about you? You strike me as a lawyer."

"No defiantly not a lawyer," I laughed. "I'm Detective Jane-"

"Detective Jane Rizzoli, Boston Homicide," he finished my sentence. "I thought you looked familiar. Man I didn't imagine I'd ever run into you at something like this. Believe me when I say I'd much rather bother you here than at a crime scene."

"I thought it was your guy's job to fuck with the cops constantly," I mused. "Why? Are you covering our current case?"

"No, no one of my colleagues caught the story. I got stuck with this one- I'm on a break," he replied. "But my boss would kill me if I didn't at least attempt to get a statement from you."

"You should know that I can't discuss an ongoing investigation- either on or off the record," I reminded him.

"There's gotta be something Detective," he pushed smiling. "Any suspects or leads? Anything at all- I swear I won't run it without the department's permission"

"Fine I'll humor you," I sighed. "Suspect list is huge no definite person yet, as for leads nothing really."

"I heard it was a Surgeon copycat killer again," he said.

"I can't confirm or deny that," I said. "Talk to my Lieutenant."

Unlike most reporters, Joey was friendly and easy to talk to instead of someone you wanted to pistol whip to get them the shut up, and I appreciated his honesty. But as we continued to talk I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Maura standing over me, an apologetic look on her face. I smiled at her and rose to introduce her to Joey Miles; Maura hated reporters more than I did so this was fun for me.

"Maura this is Joey Miles, a reporter for the Boston 7 news. Joey this is Dr. Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner and the one who brought me."

"Great to meet you Dr. Isles, I'm a fan of your work." Joey said as he shook Maura's hand and flashed a reporter's smile.

"It's great to meet you two," Maura said smiling. "What brings you to the event? Work?"

"Yeah somehow I managed to pull this instead of the murder investigation," Joey shrugged and looked at his watch. "Speaking of work I need to get back to mine. It was great talking to you Detective and great meeting you Dr. Isles."

Seconds later I lost sight of him in the crowd. Maura laced her fingers through mine and smiled up at me. I smiled back, completely forgetting that I was absolutely out of my element in the crowd. I guess not all reporters were blood sucking leeches like most played them out to be.

"How much longer is this?" I asked.

"An hour or two," Maura replied. "I'm sorry about Terrence; he can be rude sometimes."

"Don't worry about it Maur," I waved it off. "But you owe me big time."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Joey Miles had been through a lot in his years as a field reporter for the Boston 7 News. He had interviewed pissed off district attorneys, over-zealous defense attorneys, ex-convicts, serial killers, death-row inmates, cops and citizens. But none of them ever made in impact on him, not the way Charles Hoyt AKA 'The Surgeon' had. The first time Joey had ever spoken to Hoyt he had become obsessed with his case, and every little piece of it; including one Detective Jane Rizzoli. Things had changed in the past couple of years since he first met Hoyt; Joey found himself bored with the life he had made for himself, and he had found a way to spice things up. Joey Miles wouldn't just be the reporter from Boston 7; he had found a way to be much more to the city.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Connor Sutherland, a security guard for the prison Hoyt was housed in answered his phone as he threw his gear in his beat up locker. After three seconds he hung up and pulled another cell out then dialed the number he had memorized weeks ago.

"Make it fast," he said waiting for the other man to speak.

"I ran into the Detective today," the voice that came over the receiver was broken up because of interference. "We had a nice chat. It looks like we're still in the clear."

"Perfect," Connor said hanging up his security jacket.

"Does he think it's time to make our move?" the other man asked.

Connor thought for a second back to his earlier conversation to Charles Hoyt- you can't rush delicate matters Connor; remind Joey of that.

"No, the big man wants you to hit one or two more," Connor replied. "Score a few more points before you check in."

"Really? Where are you in the locker room?" the other man laughed.

"Shut up, long day at work you wouldn't understand," Connor growled. "You have the list, go by the list. I have things to get in order on my end and then we'll move forward alright? We have to do this by the books."

Connor heard a scoff on the other line before it disconnected. He hated that Miles kid to no end, but Hoyt had found him useful. It was true that the media got closer to the police than the security guards did. Conner grabbed his motorcycle jacket and slammed the locker door. He had to plan Hoyt's next move by himself. The layout of the prison was full of long halls that would cause them to get caught; Connor's job was to find the fastest way out as well as keeping in mind a vehicle needed to be within his reach after the breach of security.