A/N: So, here we go… hope it meets (and hopefully) exceeds some readers' expectations.
"What did you think?" Maura asked Jane as they joined the line of conference attendees forming to speak with Dr. William Bass.
"Very interesting," Jane grinned genuinely. "I was actually surprised… learned a few things that I'll find useful when investigating cases."
Maura returned Jane's smile. "I'm glad."
The detective took in their surroundings as people continued to mill about, subconsciously remaining alert. "So, what's…" a subtle buzzing caught Jane's attention. She fished her phone from one of her pockets. Her eyebrows furrowed briefly as she contemplated the incoming number. "Excuse me, Maura."
Jane stepped out of the waiting line in search of a more discreet, quiet area to take the call. Dr. Isles watched the dark brunette stride towards one of the doors at the back of the near-empty convention hall, bringing her phone to her ear. A slight nudge from behind caused her to realize she was holding up the line. The M.E. hastened forward to fill the gap. The forward movement caused Maura's line of sight to the detective to shift behind her, forcing the M.E. periodically to glance back in order to see Jane. The detective continued to remain on the phone.
It's possibly Angela Rizzoli or someone regarding follow up appointments when we return to Boston at the end of the week. Maura struggled to keep her thoughts to become prying, realizing the detective should have some privacy, and maintaining a specific boundary with her thoughts.
Dr. Bass's voice grew more distinct. Maura quickly redirected her attention to her professional hero. She reached into her satchel for several books and looked over her shoulder once more to discover Jane Rizzoli gone.
"Jane?" Maura slowly approached the bench as the detective glanced up in response. "Is everything all right?"
Jane both shrugged and shook her head. "Not really. But I'm not ready to talk about it."
Maura simply nodded in understanding as she gradually sat upon the bench's opposite end and the two women remained silent for a short while.
"Um," Jane eventually spoke up. "What else is left for today… conference wise?"
"Two additional seminars after lunch, one on new DNA splicing techniques and the other on the latest diseases being seen in autopsies. However, I can forego attending those and stay with you if need be."
Jane quickly shook her head. "No… no, you don't need to cut out on my account. And sorry, I hope my phone call didn't keep you from meeting Dr. Bass…"
The doctor graciously waved a hand. "No, no… I just finished meeting with him. In fact," she opened one of her books authored by the anthropologist to reveal the signature. "I got in line at the precise amount of time that the waiting wasn't very long."
Jane nodded. "That's neat. I'm glad you got to meet him."
"Me too," Maura smiled.
Silence lapsed between them once more as Jane's hands fidgeted with each other and a foot trembled nervously.
"Would…" the doctor softly began, "would you like to go for a walk?"
Jane's eyes looked up into hers, silently conveying her earlier concerns of the M.E. skipping out on the conference.
"It's okay, Jane." Maura gently placed a hand upon Jane's bouncing thigh, momentarily stilling the nervous tremors. "A perfect attendance isn't necessarily required for a conference, and I voluntarily chose to attend this particular one.
"So, going for a walk sounds and feels far more appealing right now." Maura added with a slight pat on the detective's leg before withdrawing her hand.
Jane sighed, her eyes turning downward towards her shoes for several moments. "No talking?" she hesitantly asked.
"Only if you want to," Maura gently smiled. "However, if you start talking, I'll likely respond."
Jane chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?"
True to her word, Dr. Maura Isles remained silent as she and the detective strolled on the fairly unoccupied section of the beach. She initially feared of disregarding her word by convincing Jane to remove her shoes and socks. However, to her relief, Jane followed her example by kicking off her shoes. The M.E. wordlessly assisted her in the removal of her socks and rolling up Jane's pant legs. While rolling up her own pant legs, Maura noticed Jane's gloves land near the shoes. It's a good thing that her hands will be receiving some benefits of sunlight, Maura thought as she indulgently allowed her toes to dig into the sand as they began to walk.
The waves gently washed up on the beach, occasionally reaching the women's feet. The occasional sea gull squawked overhead and would periodically follow in search of some type of hand out of food.
"They've moved it up…" Jane's voice suddenly spoke. "Hoyt's trial… The start date has been bumped up to next month."
"I see," Maura responded simply, "and I can see why that can be upsetting."
"Yeah," Jane huffed a sigh. "The ADA wants to see me as soon as possible when we get back… I certainly wasn't gonna leave sooner than we're scheduled to!"
Silence resumed between them again, leaving each woman in their own thoughts. Only the gentle lapping of the waves and a couple of squawks of a sea gull could be heard.
"Do you… feel ready?" Maura finally inquired. "Ready to testify?"
Jane took a deep breath and glanced down at her bare hands. "I doubt I'd ever be ready," the dark brunette shook her head. "I especially don't ever wanna see Hoyt again…" her voice trailed off into silence for several moments. "But, I got no choice since I'm a material witness… and a victim."
Maura reached out and took one of Jane's hands into hers. "You're a very strong-minded individual, Jane Rizzoli. Regardless if Vuk is permanently or temporarily gone, all of these trials to your strength and character can only serve in making you stronger."
Jane found herself blinking away tears. Maura's arm gently wrapped her into a loose side embrace as they continued their walk.
Maura switched on the light as she heard Jane's sleeping mumblings expand into actual words and… perhaps growls? Unlike the past two nights of relative peaceful rest for the detective, now with the phone call informing Jane of Hoyt's trial starting much sooner than anticipated it was no surprise for her to be experiencing nightmares.
Another rumbling growl sounded from the sleeping woman's throat as various incoherent words were spoken, reminding the doctor of the few occasions Jane and Vuk combined their voices. Jane's voice always took on a gruffer tone then, and low growlings or rumblings were heard in the detective's throat.
Similar to what is being heard now, Maura thought and tried restraining her anxiety and excitement of the possibility of her wolf friend returning. There is no real baseline from which to compare past and the current observations. Maura forced herself to rationalize as she withdrew her leather notebook containing both her own and Al's research transcribed from the flash drive disguised as a crystalline wolf claw necklace.
"Always exercise caution when possibly awakening or intervening with the wolf's anger and protective nature!" The scientist reread the warnings she received from Al.
Given their first night here in Orlando, and Jane nearly grabbing the doctor's throat when she tried awakening her from the nightmares, Maura was not surprised. But then, those who experience post traumatic disturbances and nightmares exhibit the same symptoms and reactions.
A mild roar sounded from Jane and a half closed fist shot out from beneath the bedcovers. Maura gasped as she saw the detective's hand. The features were indistinct, practically a blur and a ripple, vaporous appearance surrounding the brunette's hand. The skin color tones appeared solid instead of five separate fingers and bending at the second, midway knuckles.
"Vuk?" Maura softly called out, eliciting another growl from the sleeping woman. The M.E. gasped as Jane's mouth opened to reveal another "rippling effect" surrounding her teeth where the unusual denture had been before the ramifications inflicted by Hoyt. It always saddened Maura whenever she saw Jane's teeth whenever she or a nurse assisted her with meals and dental hygiene in the hospital. While some would possibly notice the minute, subtle differences, only Maura and others who would understand what to look for would become suspicious.
Ever since that fateful night in the cellar, Dr. Isles never saw any of the wolf like characteristics in her friend's teeth. Probably the most human teeth the medical examiner had ever seen and now they appeared to be shifting. As if trying to transform…
"Vuk?" Maura jumped back slightly as Jane's eyes opened and she suddenly sat up in the bed.
The dark brown eyes anxiously glanced around the room, nostrils twitching and inhaling deeply, before focusing upon Maura. A whimper erupted from her throat as the detective appeared to try speaking.
"It's all right," Maura conveyed in a soft, gentle tone. She felt confusion and fear in her mind as the brown eyes fastened on hers. The same facial expressions the scientist saw the first night here were currently present, along with some of the subtle shifting she had seen in the past. "You're safe. Safe and far away from Boston at the moment."
Jane's eyes quickly took in their surroundings again, her nose sniffing and exhaling in deep huffs. Looking back at Maura, the detective's mouth opened as if to speak and only a whimper emerged.
Why can't I speak?! Maura felt in her thoughts along with frustration-induced anger. Where's Jane?! How could I survive in her form and she die?
"Vuk!" Maura gently took one of Jane's hands into hers, ignoring the strange sensations and curiosity of wanting to examine the 'paw-ish' hands. "Vuk, listen to me." Somehow Jane's eyes focused more intently on her. "Jane is alive… we've actually been worried about you."
Jane's teeth bared, another growl rumbling in her throat. How could I have been… away?! Jane's gone right now and how can I know she's still alive?
"Vuk, Vuk!" Maura tried to embrace the dark brunette only for her to pull away in fierce snarl.
"Vuk, please try and calm down." The scientist gently held up her hands, palms facing towards Jane. "I should've known better than try and embracing you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry… I haven't had any real conclusive evidence that you were alive… until now."
A few tears escaped Maura's eyes as the hardened glare in the midnight dark eyes softened and inched towards her slightly. So… I-I died and Jane's alive?
"Jane is very much alive!" Maura quickly assured her. "She's naturally trying to recover as best she can. Ever since Korsak…" another growl snarled out as the mention of Jane's partner.
He should've treated Jane better! Maura felt in her thoughts.
"Vuk," the doctor firmly interjected, "Korsak saved Jane's life! I was there… and he told me everything and blames himself."
He SHOULD! "Jane" snarled another growl, literally crawling towards Maura several centimeters. So anyways, Korsak rescued Jane… I don't… don't remember anything after… a mournful whimper sounded and the detective's face slumped downward upon the bed between her hands, shifting in order to look up at Maura.
The ginger blonde smiled at the mannerisms she had seen in the past now currently manifesting in front of her; however, in Jane's body. Had the overall situation been different, Maura would have found it all amusing. She gradually reached out towards Jane's head and the "detective's" eyes remained steadfast on the younger woman's hand.
"Vuk," the doctor softly asked, "may I pet you at least? I know it may seem peculiar… petting another human being as an animal."
The midnight brown eyes rolled as an indulging growl sounded, triggering a laugh from Maura. "Yeah, right now it doesn't matter… so long as you're okay and comfortable with it."
Another indulging growl answered and while "Jane's eyes" remained focused on Maura's hand as it slowly descended and gently stroked the near black, unruly curls. Deft fingers brushed several locks further away out of the detective's face as the doctor gently massaged the scalp. A relaxed rumble sighed out of Jane's throat as Maura's fingers brushed one of her ears. The dark head shifted, causing the M.E.'s fingers drift to the other ear and another rumbling sigh sounded.
The scientist smiled as she continued to stroke the long dark hair and nearby ear. These reactions to her actions served as additional evidence of Vuk indeed surviving and now starting to return. As if awakening from a coma… Maura thought as she and "Jane" drifted to sleep.
Jane felt herself awakening, sensing a presence close beside her. She momentarily stiffened in fear. Then, she felt herself relax as fingers gently stroked through her hair and a very familiar scent drifted into her nostrils.
Wait a sec, Jane's thoughts finally caught up. A hand?! Whose hand? *
It had to be Maura's. Who else would she permit to get this close to her, and on a bed? But Maura always maintained boundaries and respected personal space, even when in close contact and most especially with Lupine. So, why would she be touching Jane's hair now? Could the M.E. still believe the detective to be asleep?
A deep sigh emanated from the person beside her and shifted slightly. "Maur?" Jane hesitantly spoke as she opened her eyes.
"Good morning, Jane." The ginger blonde sweetly smiled as she gently stroked the dark hair one final time before Jane sat up.
"Huh, ow… gawh!" The detective hissed out as she tried stretching out her fingers. "What the…" she noticed her fingers tightly pressed together, including her thumbs and bent at the 2nd knuckles. "Why are my fingers practically tied together?"
The doctor's gracious hands took one of Jane's hands into hers and proceeded to massage the stiff fingers and slowly pulled them apart, triggering increased whimpers and mild squirming from the detective.
"I can give you an injection of pain medication," she offered, stilling her hands. "It should take effect quicker than the tablets."
"Yeah," Jane slowly rocked her head from side to side, stretching the neck muscles. "Yeah, go ahead. Haven't woke up with pain this bad since the hospital, after starting physical therapy!"
The doctor went for her medical bag and started the complimentary coffee maker with her own coffee that she brought along for the trip. The detective probably could handle all of the artificially processed and INSTANT in the complimentary pouches, but Maura could not.
"So," Jane gingerly pulled an arm out of her shirt as Maura removed the necessary items from the medical bag. "Did the nightmares get intense again? I don't remember waking up or anything."
The doctor sighed as she prepared the arm for injection. "Yes, you did have some nightmares." She changed out the needle after loading the syringe with the proper dosage and opened a small metal case containing specialty needles that were safe for both Jane and Vuk's physiologies. This case had been discreetly delivered to Dr. Isles in a parking lot one dreary afternoon, prior to Jane's release from the hospital. The M.E. had had to run some necessary errands after visiting with the detective.
Dr. Maura Isles strolled through the dreary afternoon parking lot with her groceries after visiting Jane in the hospital that afternoon. The doctors were anticipating Jane Rizzoli's discharge within the next couple of days and starting more intensive physical therapy. The detective was also to undergo counseling therapy mandated by the police department's psychiatrist who had to interview Jane due to one of their officers being attacked and held hostage by a psychopathic serial killer under her investigation in addition to the hospital's own concerns regarding Jane's feelings towards her partner and family.
"Dr. Isles," a man's voice had said from behind her as she was in the process of loading the groceries into her car. He held up his hands in a nonthreatening gesture when Maura scrambled for her mace spray. "Please, I don't mean you any harm. I was sent to find you."
"What do you want?" Maura asked. "Who sent you?"
"A mutual friend sent me," the man slowly reached up to pull his dark turtleneck collar down to reveal a necklace. It was a much smaller, miniature version of the crystal wolf claw that Al had given her when seeing Jane in the hospital. "A new friend to you, however."
The man also graciously rotated what appeared to be a silver, white gold wedding band around to display a beautiful, realistic wolf head.
"Are you her husband?" Maura inquired, eliciting a chuckle from him.
"No, I'm not," his smile was contagious. "Yet, I do serve as a Beta."
Their eyes exchanged an understanding at the term: Beta. In her research of wolf pack behavior after first seeing Vuk in Westgate Park. If the wolf pack were large enough, a wolf would fill a Beta rank, similar to a 2nd in Command under the pack's leader, the Alpha wolf.
"So, it must be fairly important for a Beta to be dispatched." Maura found herself saying and the man nodded in confirmation as he started to reach for the inside pocket of his coat, keeping his movements in a non-threatening manner.
"Our mutual friend conveys their regards, both to you and another friend." He held out a non-descript metal box that appeared equivalent in size to hold a deck of playing cards. "These are specially designed for your injured friend, by our mutual friend."
Dr. Isles cautiously accepted the box and "Beta" gently shifted one of his hands to display the wolf ring once more. "Again, I mean you no harm," Beta reassured. "In fact, I've sworn to defend you, including my own life."
Their eyes met as his statement caught Maura off guard. "Am I really in danger?" she practically whispered.
"No," Beta shook his head. "However, our mutual friend takes no chances and strives to have every contingency covered."
Maura nodded her understanding as she returned her attention to the small box in her hands. Her fingers carefully opened the hinged lid to reveal individually packaged hypodermic needles. "'Specially designed,'" the doctor repeated, "as in health safety."
Beta nodded as his eyes confirmed Maura's disguised inquiry. As the M.E. returned her attention to the open box, he turned and quietly walked away. He was already out of sight and gone when Maura looked up after those few seconds between looking at him and the box. Al and her guards and now Beta's ability to practically disappear never ceased to amaze the scientist.
"Yes, you had nightmares." Maura repeated as she gently injected Jane's upper arm and slowly pressed the plunger, easing the medication into the detective. "However, your fidgeting and verbal outbursts were the most minimal I've seen."
"Then…" Jane flinched slightly, "why were we practically curled up in front of each other this morning?"
Maura sighed as she gently removed the now empty syringe and needle from Jane, separating the needle and placing it into a disposal container. "Jane, I need you to try and concentrate. Can you remember anything from last night after going to sleep? Are you able to remember any dreams or possibly anything peculiar?"
Perplexed and slightly annoyed, Jane tried. After several moments, she shook her head. "No, I don't remember anything."
Maura slowly took in a deep breath as she sat down on the bed near Jane. "This may come as a shock, but please try to maintain an open mind."
Jane's forehead furrowed at her friend's words. "What, Maur?"
"Jane, you… your body woke up during the night, but you didn't."
The detective's eyes widened as her eyebrows shot up in puzzlement and surprise.
"Remember that event the very first night we arrived here? You cannot account for those few minutes?"
Jane nodded. "Did that happen again?"
Maura took a deep breath again. "In a sense, however…" she hesitantly met Jane's eyes. "I-It was…"
"Maur?" the detective's voice shook. "Are you saying… I-I was someone else or a different personality?"
"Yes, but it's not what you or another person might think." Maura gently took Jane's hands into hers and refocused her eyes with the brunette's. "Jane, it was Vuk. It was Vuk's personality that manifested…"
Shock and surprise became etched in the other woman's face. "A-Are you sure?" Jane took in a sharp breath. "You s-sure it was Lupine? How come I don't remember it? W-Why wouldn't Lupine speak with me?"
The M.E. shook her head with uncertainty. "I don't know yet why you cannot speak with Vuk. I do know that the wolf was very confused and fearful… Vuk was afraid you had died and she was left trapped in Human Form."
"So Lupine didn't appear… I didn't shift into the wolf's body?"
Maura shook her head again as she gently started massaging the detective's stiff fingers. "I did see the subtle indicators in your eyes that I've seen in the past. And, while it was very indistinct, I want to say that your unique teeth were also trying to re-emerge."
Jane followed the doctor's line of sight to the gracious fingers slowly manipulating the stiff ones. "And what's up with… with my hands? I-I hope I didn't attack…"
Maura's hands flattened out to capture Jane's hand within hers. "No, no, no!" Her voice softly, almost reverently spoke. "As frustrated and confused Vuk may have been, I never sensed any danger. In fact, I have never felt myself to be endangered by the wolf."
"But we did that one time…" Jane began only for Maura to firmly apply some pressure to the detective's hands.
"Jane," the M.E.'s tone of voice carried a mild, yet serious tone and inflection that brokered no tolerance for argument or disagreement. ** "Vuk… along with you- neither of you endangered my life that day. While self-control was lost for several moments, you still didn't inflict serious enough harm. ***
"I harbor no ill feelings about that day, all right?" Maura gently touched her friend's chin, forcing Jane to meet her eyes. "So quit beating yourself up over that. If I want to get anything regarding from that day, it's simply for you to learn from it and ensure mistakes aren't repeated."
Silence lingered between them as Jane averted her eyes. "Jane," Maura's tone remained firm, "will you do that for me please?"
A massive sigh accompanied the reluctant nod. "I'll try."
The doctor gently patted the detective's hand in hers before fingers resumed massaging the stiff hand. The two women remained quiet for a short while as Maura finished massaging and stretching the hand. She got up and poured them each a cup of coffee. "Do you need sugar?"
Jane shook her head as she took another gulp. "Uh, no. Whenever I have your coffee, I don't feel the need to add sugar."
Maura smiled as she set her cup near Jane's and started to massage the detective's other hand. "So…" the dark brunette began, "what's up with my hands?"
"As with your teeth, I was not able to closely examine your hands. They too were indistinct and when I held them, I felt no distinct features such as individual fingers; even thumbs. Your mid-finger knuckles were bent, as if Vuk were trying to flex her paws.
"Despite Vuk's personality primarily appearing, I want to believe certain features were trying to transform. But again, I'm not sure without additional evidence and observations."
Jane simply nodded, a faraway look in her eyes. "Why can't I remember? Why can't I communicate with Lupine?"
Maura shook her head. "I don't know. Vuk expressed the same frustration and confusion and initially feared that you had died… just as we have feared the same for Vuk."
A smile graced Jane's lips. "Before I met you, I've never known loyalty as Lupine's. I hope she's coming back… never felt so… so, isolated within myself before."
"As do I," Maura brought over the tube of Jane's medicated lotion. "I wouldn't be surprised if Vuk's experiencing the equivalent of a person awakening from a long coma. Unlike television and movies, a person cannot simply awaken and be normal right away."
"Yeah, I remember how groggy and confused I was after I first woke up from all of those surgeries." Jane reached for her coffee cup and drank its remaining contents. "Looks like we're gonna be having more sleepovers… I mean, it's no telling what could happen should Lupine take over my body and me not be aware or remember anything should something occur."
Maura nodded. "I completely agree." Their gazes locked briefly. "So, are you implying that you're attracted to me?"
Jane's face grew shocked for several moments, and then suddenly burst out laughing. "G-Good one, M-Maur!" Jane struggled to catch her breath. "Y-Ya got-got me that time!"
The doctor's smile grew broader before breaking out into hearty laughter, joining her friend.
* Season 3, episode 1 where Jane awakens to her mother's hand playing with her hair. Gets me every time… especially the music's timing! Wonder if my own mother thinks my couch feels like a sack of marbles whenever she stays over… however, she insists on sleeping on it and I keep my bed!
** In the pilot episode where Jane & Maura are on the bed where Maura says: "Jane!" when the detective told her to go sleep in her own room regarding Maura's "required reluctance" to speak about Dean's visit.
*** Chapter 5 of "Lupus Amicitia: Act II"
