A/N: Finally done! Check it out!

Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1


"I want to turn the clock back to when people lived in small villages and took care of each other." – Pete Seeger


Ch. 7: Alexandra

"Please consider it," pleaded Angela to MacCoughlan.

MacCoughlan peered from her parchment and replied, "Angela, again, I can't."

"They need the supplies. There are woman and children that need them, not just the Freedom Fighters. I thought you were understand that."

"I do understand but look at the situation, I can't do anything. I'm at the end of my rope when it comes to the supplies."

"You can get more."

"Angela," MacCoughlan sighed. "The Centurions are already having trouble with us, with me. I risk my exposure enough as it is."

"You wouldn't be discovered," Angela argued, slamming her hand on MacCoughlan's desk. The tavern owner seemed unfazed by this. She continued to look up at Angela as she continued, "The only people who know about you being alive are Korsak, Cavanaugh and myself. I'm asking you to help them."

MacCoughlan stood up from her chair then stretched her neck to expose the scar along her neck. Tiredly, she rubbed her eyes then replied, "I…I will think about it."

"Thank you," Angela smiled and hugged her.

MacCoughlan patted her back and replied, "Don't thank me yet. I said I'd think about it."


The group entered the town and the sight devastated Maura. It seemed that a gloom had taken over with villagers looking for food. They glanced up at the sight of the group and immediately, a couple of the villagers approach them. Before anyone could say anything, Maura dismounted her horse.

She approached the people, touching their shoulders. "What happened here," she asked, looking around, taking in the sight of the people. Some of them were women and children who were covered in dirt and old rags while men were covered in the same or looked beaten with scars and bruises on their faces.

"This is what Hoyt's doing," Jane whispered.

"He's destroying the kingdom," Korsak mumbled. "He's tearing it down piece by piece."

"Look at this," everyone turned toward Tommy to see him by a wooden post. He gestured to the parchment on the post, ripping it off and handed it to Jane. "It looks like new laws," he told her.

Jane took the parchment and gazed down at it. "He placed a curfew over them. No one is supposed to be out when sundown comes. Anyone who questions the Centurions are subjected to interrogations," Jane read.

"Interrogations," Maura questioned.

"That's Centurion speak for torture," Jane retorted. "They weren't lying when they stated that Hoyt was asserting his control."

Maura took in the sight of the people again and shook her head. She looked up at Jane and whispered, "We need to help them."

Jane nodded in agreement. "I say we scope out a little bit more then we'll do something," she suggested to the group. The group agreed and Maura mounted her horse, giving a sympathetic look toward the people. Jane rode up to her and touched her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "We'll do something," she assured her friend.

"I hope so," Maura whispered as they rode further into town.

As they traveled further in, it seemed that the town was ransacked. Some of the homes were boarded up or deserted while others were in shambles from Centurions' invasion. The sight for Maura was a lot to digest as she took in each sight. I have to do something, she told herself.

"Look," Frost pointed.

Everyone's eyes followed his hand to where it was pointing to see that up ahead was a group of Centurions sitting in a circle, drinking. Korsak looked at Jane who nodded then tugged on Maura's arm for her to follow. The two dismounted their horses and Jane placed her hood up, as did Maura. Quietly, Jane lead Maura into an alleyway then stopped by an abandoned house, the bandit looked around briefly before climbing up the house onto the roof. Jane then placed her hand out to the princess who took it and helped her up onto the roof.

Jane then crouched down, running on the roof then jumping to the next roof over. Maura gave an unsure look until she heard Jane whisper, "You'll be fine. I'll catch you." At these words, Maura took in a deep breath and ran across the roof, jumping for the other roof. She caught the ledge and she gasped in surprise with her hands slipping. Suddenly, she felt Jane's hands grab hers and pulled her up onto the roof, landing on top of Jane.

They looked at each other for a moment. Maura could feel the muscle along Jane's body while Jane took in the curves on Maura's. "You okay," Jane asked finally.

"Um…yes," Maura replied quietly. Maura then stood up and placed her hand out to Jane who took it.

Before Jane could say anything, she heard a Centurion start to speak, "I say we go to the Robber."

"MacCoughlan will kick us out," a comrade argued.

"I don't give a damn about that woman," the Centurion barked. MacCoughlan's a woman, Jane processed to herself in surprise. The Centurion then stood up, removing his helmet to reveal the scar and bruising along his cheek. "She thinks she can keep fighting us but she'll give in and we'll be able to collect more money from her," he stated.

Jane and Maura glanced at each other with grim expressions. "But, you've heard what people say about MacCoughlan, Nathaniel? They say that MacCoughlan was born among wolves and can kill anyone in a single blow."

"It's all rumors! She's just an arrogant woman who thinks that she can keep disobeying us. Lord Hoyt wants us to collect the money and he doesn't care what we need to do. Look what he did to the king already." Maura let out a small gasp causing the Centurions to turn for a second. Jane placed her hand over Maura's, giving her a silent plead to stay quiet. The princess collected herself then nodded before they noticed that the Centurions returned to their conversation.

"I rather handle these peasants than be in front of Lord Hoyt though. I heard that he had a group of Centurions killed due to their failure to kill the princess," the third Centurion spoke finally. "He had General Stark do it too."

Jane felt a chill run down her spine. General Stark was known to many as Hoyt's apprentice, trained to be exactly like Hoyt in every kind of way. To know that he was out killing Centurions proved how desperate Hoyt was to finding Maura.

The bandit then looked at the princess to see the concern expression. "We need to knock them out," Maura whispered to Jane.

"What," Jane questioned in surprise at the princess' suggestion.

"We have to or they will return to the Robber. You saw how much of the town remains and if they go back to the Robber, they might hurt everyone there, not just MacCoughlan."

Taking in this information, Jane bit her lower lip then glanced at the Centurions once more. She then looked back at Maura and nodded.

When the sun hit the midday, the Centurions resumed their patrol around the town. Unknown to them, the Freedom Fighters split into two separate groups with Jane leading Frost and Frankie while Korsak was with Maura, Crowe and Tommy. Patiently, Jane watched from the alleyway as the Centurions moved with two men go south toward her direction while the other two went north.

The Centurions passed her on their horses and she stepped back into the shadows and said to Frost, "Get ready."

Frost gave a quick nod, placed his hood on then walked off. Jane then placed hers on then climbed onto the roof to peer down to see the Centurions moving forward. She ran across the roof then hopped over to the next roof. As she landed onto the next roof, she glanced over to see Tommy several houses over doing the same thing.

They followed the Centurions for a bit until they reached the center of town where all four of the Centurions regrouped. As the two Rizzolis sat on the rooftops, Maura with the help of Frost and Frankie placed rope along any exits, attaching each rope to a barrel of water or ale. Frost then looked over at Korsak and Crowe who were sitting by one of the cottages, blending in with the crowd there. He let out a low whistle causing Korsak to nod back then whistle loud enough for Jane and Tommy hear.

"Ready," Jane mouthed to her younger brother.

Tommy gave a wink to his sister causing Jane to smirk. She took in a deep breath and looked over to see Frankie ready. She let out a whistle and watched as Frankie bolted from the alleyway with his hood on. As he ran, he passed one of the Centurions, grabbing a bag that sat on the saddle causing the Centurion to shout, "Stop, thief!"

But Frankie didn't stop but ran into the alleyway with the Centurion chasing after him on foot. Within a couple minutes, the remaining Centurions heard a loud crash causing one Centurion to ask, "What do we do?"

"Move," his comrade ordered.

However, before they could even do this, Jane and Tommy jumped from the roof, landing on top the two of the three riders, knocking them out on impact. The final Centurion looked at the rebels and drew his sword, "I'm not scared of you."

"You should be," Korsak replied with his hood on.

The Centurion's eyes widened as he watched multiple people with hoods appeared, surrounding with their weapons drawn. "What do you want," the Centurion demanded.

"Leave town," Maura suggested. "Take every Centurion and leave the town."

Jane then stepped forward with her sword, placing it along his neck. "Also tell Lord Hoyt that this is only the beginning," Jane told him.


"Sir, a falcon arrived."

Hoyt turned away from the battle maps and took the falcon from Rockmond. He then grabbed the note attached to the leg and unraveled the parchment. As he read it, a smirk formed across his lips. He then closed it, handed it to Rockmond and ordered, "Find Stark immediately. Once you do, I want you with Stark to take several Centurions with you and attack this location. Do I make myself clear?"

Rockmond bowed his head, "Of course, my Lord."

"Now, let's see what these Freedom Fighters will do now."


Nightfall came and the latest news arrived at the Robber quickly. "All the Centurions were gone just like that," Riley heard from the latest customer.

"The question though is when will they return," another retorted. "Sure, they're gone for now but they'll come back with more."

"You don't need to be negative," Nina argued.

"It's the truth."

Angela glanced over to see the shadow up in the rafters, knowing that MacCoughlan was listening in on the conversation. The door then opened suddenly to reveal Jane and the others entering the tavern. "Here are our saviors," shouted one of the patrons in the bar.

The tavern shouted in delight and cheers then it stopped at the sight of Maura. "The princess," someone whispered and everyone bowed.

The silence echoed for a moment until Maura stepped forward. She looked over to see a woman kneeling before her and Maura took the woman's hand, lifting her from the ground. "I maybe the princess but I am one of you," she announced.

"Long live the princess," Murray shouted and the crowed in the tavern came back alive. Frankie and Tommy were dragged by Lydia and Susie to dance while Korsak took a seat at the bar top with Maura and Jane while Crowe wander off to a corner.

Angela placed drinks in front of Jane, Maura and Korsak. The oldest of the three looked up at Angela and asked, "Well?"

"I tried but she said no," Angela answered.

"You got to be kidding," Jane hissed. "MacCoughlan won't give the supplies to us?"

"Janie…"

"Ma, those supplies are important. We need to keep the camp stable."

"I understand that but MacCoughlan also needs to keep the Robber going as well."

Jane sneered at this while Maura bit her lower lip, glancing up to see the shadowy figure walking on the upper floor. Korsak noticed Maura's gaze and stood up from his seat, walking up the staircase. He walked down the hall to see the office door open and peered inside to see MacCoughlan walking toward her desk.

"Do you refuse because you can't or simply won't," Korsak interrogated. MacCoughlan peered over her shoulder briefly then looked down at her desk. "People need hope and you're dashing it away," he told her.

"I'm also trying to stay alive, Vince," MacCoughlan retorted in a low voice. "You think that the Centurions are gone but they'll come back. They'll come back to the village and Robber, pillaging from us. Something I could handle easily but now, you poked the damn bear!"

"You should be grateful."

"I would be. However, we are in a different circumstance, Korsak. Young Rizzoli also taunted Hoyt. He'll come next then we are doomed. Your Freedom Fighter would hang."

Korsak shook his head, "You can't hide from him forever."

MacCoughlan's jaw tightened then barked, "Watch me."

R&I

Cavanaugh observed the map before him, going over the possible routes in the area. With the villagers gathering, he wasn't sure how many more people the camp could shelter. He hoped that the supply run wouldn't be too difficult especially if Vince talked with MacCoughlan.

Charles Hoyt's terror had finally reached the brink where no one could sit aside and watch. The Freedom Fighters were just the beginning in this struggle for the kingdom. Everything began to fall apart slowly until it was gone completely when the first invasion happened. Now, they had a fighting chance especially with the princess on their side.

These thoughts were constant now for Cavanaugh, thinking how fate brought them to this moment of time, how everyone's path crossed at once. He would avenge the people that have been lost over the years including his beloved wife and son.

Suddenly, his thoughts broke at the sound of a horn. The sound repeated again causing Cavanaugh to draw his sword and stormed out of the cottage to discover the chaos evoked upon the camp.

R&I

As the festivities of the Centurions' departure ended, the group loaded up their saddles. "So, no supplies," Frankie asked Korsak as he mounted his horse.

"No," he answered. "Looks like we're on our own for a bit."

"So much for help," Jane retorted before kicking the side of her horse.

Maura glanced back at the Robber briefly before she rode up next to Korsak. "It doesn't have to do with me," she inquired suddenly.

Korsak glanced at Maura. Unknown to her or Jane, MacCoughlan's reluctance to help was not just only to protect herself. Years before this darkness, he remembered his friend being more approachable and friendlier but now, she had become reclusive and secretive.

Eighteen years can do a lot to a person and she was a prime example of that.

"No," Korsak answered. "It's more of the fact that she is low on supplies." He then touched the princess' shoulder and continued, "Don't worry about it for now."

"It wouldn't have helped if I tried to talk to her?"

Korsak looked down, remembering the heartache on MacCoughlan's expression at the sight of Maura. "I don't think," he told her.

As they rode out, they reached halfway into the forest until they heard loud yells. Jane drew her sword as did Frost before they saw a horse riding toward them. Jane squinted her eyes for a moment before she shouted, "It's Cavanaugh."

Sean's horse rode up to them and the sight was horrific. Blood and soot covered the man's body as he looked at Korsak and the others before he began to fall of his horse. Frankie caught him quickly while Korsak approached, "Sean? Sean, what happened?"

"The camp….the camp was attacked," Cavanaugh mumbled wearily. "Stark with Rockmond attacked the camp with Centurions. The camp's gone…"

"What about my father," Frost questioned. Cavanaugh didn't answer but began to slump in Korsak's arms, making Frost grab him by the collar. "What happened to my family," he yelled.

"Frost stop," Korsak barked.

"I need to know!"

Maura grabbed hold of Frost's forearm as did Jane. Both gave sympathetic expressions to him before he calmed. "He has to be okay," Frost stated.

"He will be," Maura assured him.

"No one knew where the camp was at except anyone who lived there including us. How did Stark, Rockmond and the Centurions find it," Jane questioned aloud.

"We'll figure that out later, Rizzoli," Korsak replied.

Maura moved her horse away from Frost until she dismounted her horse. She then walked over to Cavanaugh's saddle and told Korsak, "Lower him down." Korsak with the help of Frankie and Jane lowered Cavanaugh onto the ground into Maura's arms.

Though not strong in upper arm strength, Maura moved Cavanaugh toward a fallen tree stump. She rested his back against it while she heard him mumble, "Linda…Christopher…"

"Rest sir," Jane comforted him as she knelt by his side. Cavanaugh closed his eyes, falling unconscious while Maura began to examine his wounds. Jane glanced at her friend, admiring the concentrated look on her face as she moved some of Cavanaugh's robes aside to examine him. "How bad," she asked after a couple minutes.

"He needs more medicine to help his wounds," Maura replied, gazing down at the multiple lacerations along his body. "I don't have enough to help him."

"We need to find supplies. I doubt any survived at the camp."

"Someone needs to go back and inspect the camp though. You don't know if there are survivors or possible remains of supplies," Tommy added as he stepped off the carriage. "If anything, I can go."

Jane shook her head, "You need to stay with Lydia."

"Someone needs to help, Janie!"

"You also have a family to take care of, Tommy! What if the Centurions are still there," Jane argued.

"Both of you stop," Maura ordered them causing the two become silent. Surprised at what she did, Maura stood up from the ground and stated calmly, "We need to think this out. We can't just split up. Jane's right, Tommy, you should stay here with Lydia for her sanity. Our priority right now though is to find help for Cavanaugh before he becomes worse then we'll worry about the camp."

The group looked at Maura in impressive. The fact that she took control of the situation made Jane very proud of her. Maura, realizing what she did, felt a blush run up her cheeks and she even caught Jane's gaze, causing it to deepen.

"So what now," Frankie asked.

"We need to get supplies," Frost stated.

"How?"

"Only one way," Jane answered softly.

She looked at Korsak and he recognized the expression immediately causing him to shake his head. "No," he told her, "we can't do that."

"We have to. If she's going to refuse us, we need to go ourselves."


"Frank…"

"Stripped of rank!"

"Samuel…"

"Sentenced to death!"

"Hope!"

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of horses neighing. She shifted her body off her bed, rubbing her face briefly then stood up and approached her chest, sliding it a bit to reveal a silver handle with a red ruby on it . She picked it up and pulled the handle to reveal the glint of a saber then she grabbed another object, placing it on her belt.

Meanwhile, Jane cringed at the sound of the cellar door opening and hitting the ground. When the horses neighed, she looked at Maura and hissed, "Keep them quiet."

"Trying to," Maura replied softly. She glanced at Korsak who was supporting Cavanaugh up, trying to make sure that he stays conscious. As a group, they decided to have Frankie and Frost travel back toward the camp while Tommy and Lydia stayed in the wagon. "You sure she won't wake up," Maura inquired curiously.

Korsak glanced toward the window briefly, seeing that it was dark. "I hope she doesn't but I could be wrong," Korsak answered quietly.

"It doesn't matter. Cavanaugh needs help now," Jane told them.

Maura felt her chest tightened as Jane began to go down. "Be careful, Jane," she told her.

Jane glanced over her shoulder. "I'll be fine," Jane reassured, giving a small wink at her. She then continued her descent down the staircase of the cellar. About halfway down, she noticed darkness taking over the cellar and she prepared for it until she noticed a torch. She pulled out to flint rocks and knocked them together, lighting the torch then she grabbed it.

As she traveled through the cellar, she took in the sight of the near emptiness. She expected to see food or even drinks such as grog or wine but this sight proved how bad things had reached. She then noticed several chests causing her step toward them. She opened it and looked inside to see several vials of medicines and bandages. "Found it," she whispered.

Jane opened her satchel, placing several vials in until she stopped at the touch of a pointed object on her back. "Stand up slowly," Jane heard. The bandit followed the order, standing up slowly with the torch in her hand. "I sense that this might be your idea, young Rizzoli and I found this very foolish," the voice commented.

"Sometimes foolish is also smart," Jane retorted as she moved her left hand to pull her sword out. She swung it and it was blocked quickly then she was kicked in the ribs causing Jane to drop her torch.

The light hit the ground and Jane lunged into the darkness, hoping to injure her attacker. However, an arm wrapped around her neck causing Jane to elbow the person behind her but the person didn't react. Grunts echoed and Jane could feel her body slowly fighting for air. She then stepped on the foot causing an angry snarl to come, making her fall forward to the ground. Her attacker swung her sword and she blocked it, backing toward the opening of the cellar.

Hearing the commotion, Maura grabbed Korsak's sword and went toward the doorway to reveal Jane fighting her attacker. Maura attacked Jane's attacker with a swing of the blade but it was blocked with a dagger. She was shoved back as was Jane with the butt of the sword, hitting her chin making her fall back onto the grass.

Jane looked up to see the sword about to come down on her. "Alexandra, stop," Korsak shouted. At these words, Jane watched as the sword was stabbed into the ground by her head. She released a loud gasp then let her eyes travel up to see black boots with riding pants and a white tunic but her eyes widened realized that the figure was a woman.

"I believe this belongs to you, Vince," the woman stated, gesturing to Jane. She then shook her head and added, "Of all the dumb things, you try to steal items from me."

"It's not because you denied us," Maura answered quickly. "Please, help us."

The woman didn't face Maura but glanced over at Korsak. Concern crossed her face suddenly as she watched Cavanaugh looked up at her. "Sean," she mumbled, walking over to him and pushing his body up to observe the damage. She glanced at Korsak then ordered, "Quickly, bring him inside."

Jane sat up groggily to gaze at the woman as she went to the other side of Cavanaugh. She watched as they walked toward the tavern while Maura went to her side. She felt Maura's hands on her cheeks, examining her face while she heard Maura ask, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jane replied softly, "A bit dazed." She then looked over at Maura, realizing that this woman tossed Maura around besides her causing Jane to react and cup Maura's cheek, looking at her with concern. "Are you alright," she asked quietly.

Taking in the closeness, Maura nodded. "She only shoved me back. I think she wasn't planning to hurt us," Maura told her, placing her hand over Jane's.

"She put a hurting on me," Jane cringed, realizing that her nose hurt immensely.

Maura's eyes widened, realizing that she overlooked Jane's nose. "Oh Jane, I'm so sorry," she apologized as she took out a handkerchief from her sleeve. She placed it on Jane's nose, wiping the small bit of blood. Jane stood still, letting Maura wipe the blood off then pulled it back. "Your nose might disfigure," Maura stated to her.

"Can you do something about it," Jane asked.

"I'm not a doctor."

"You read scrolls about medicine. I think you qualify," Jane answered.

"I need better light," Maura told her. She then stood up from the ground and helped Jane up, walking her toward the tavern.

They entered the tavern to the sight of multiple candles lite. They noticed that on the main floor that Angela, in her nightgown, was at the doorway, peering inside. She glanced up and gasped, rushing over to her to examine her face. "Oh Janie, what did you do," she questioned.

"She tried to take the supplies to help Cavanaugh," Jane looked over her Ma's shoulder to see the woman exiting the bedroom. Korsak came following out with her, taking a seat at the table while the woman sat down as well. "Susie's taking care of him for now," she informed them.

Maura pulled a chair out for Jane, making her sit down. Jane took the seat and Maura moved Jane's head up then said, "This might hurt a little."

"Just do it," Jane answered. At this order, Maura touched the side of Jane's nose, pushing the bone in, making a loud crunch causing Jane to cry out in pain. She hissed then retorted, "Ow…a little?"

"Be glad that I only broke your nose," Jane and Maura heard.

Jane turned her head to face the woman who was not looking at them but at her hands. "Who the hell are you," Jane questioned.

"Janie," Angela scolded.

However, Jane ignored her mother and watched with Maura as a candle was suddenly lite, illuminating Korsak and the woman. Maura's eyes widened in surprise at the sight while Jane gave a curious expression.

Long black hair that reached the shoulders with a couple of greys peeking through. Maura could see the age around the piercing grey eyes but overall, the woman looked very young. She leaned back in the chair and began to tie her hair up in a tight ponytail.

Korsak looked at Jane and Maura as he introduced, "Janie, Maura, this is Alexandra MacCoughlan, owner of the Dirty Robber."

Jane's eyes widened as she thought, So this is MacCoughlan. "You're the stubborn supplier Centurions fear," Jane questioned aloud.

Korsak and Angela's eyes widened while Maura's mouth gaped in surprise. Alexandra smirked and she retorted back, "And you're the vagabond who taunted the Centurions as well as got your ass kicked by me."

Jane's jaw clenched with a deep blush taking over her cheeks. Korsak coughed, feeling the tension between Jane and Alexandra, which was a bit too familiar to him. "Alexandra, you obviously know Jane and this is-"

"Princess Maura Doyle," Alexandra retorted softly with her gaze toward Maura. Jane watched as Alexandra's gaze seemed to change a bit from hardened to a bit softer before they shifted away from her. The gaze then hardened once more with Alexandra leaning forward and asking bluntly, "Now what made you fools decide to do this and start from the beginning."


Wow. Lot of stuff happened and now, the big stuff begins. Also Alexandra is the original character I created not the one from the show! Definitely different! So review please if you can! I love hearing it!