Disclaimer: Rizzoli and Isles belongs to TNT, Tess Gerritsen and Janet Tamaro - Not us. We are just playing in their universe.

A/N: Hi everyone - Thanks for the reviews, reads, favs, and follows. We are trying to speed up the postings for you. Will have to see how that works out. Thanks again for your support of the story.

As the truck pulled into the open space of the base, Jane had finally freed herself from the compartment under the seat. Holding a happy Jo Friday in her arms she thought twice before stepping out of the truck. Tuck had walked to join Much, John and Vince and they all had turned to face her. "Aww Crap," whispered Jane as she moved out of the cab and walked towards the lineup of unhappy faces. Jo took the opportunity to wiggle and sneak in another doggie kiss. "Enough already, okay?" she said.

"Is that what Maura said at 5:30 this morning?" asked John with a gruff overly macho tone and Jane promptly flipped him off. There was a rather unpleasant exchange of glares after which John said, "Okay let's review, running to the first place that Gisborne is going to look for you, putting Maura and your family in the middle of things, sending a text that said "Morning" as a way to tell us what was going on and when to pick you up. This is not really sufficient information for planning how to get you out of a place that Gisborne and the police move in and out of freely, Sox." Watching Jane fire up at John's criticism the other men rolled their eyes. This was going to take a while and not be pretty. In silence Jane placed Jo on the ground, the little dog found Vince straight away and he picked her up. Tuck motioned for the others to follow him so he could relay what had happened with Angela as they let Jane and John finish their conversation.

"A time would have been nice, Jane. Maybe even a heads up that you were okay." The man was angry but it was with worry and Jane recognized it for what it was. "We saw Gisborne and his men show up. Then the cops show up and no sign of you anywhere. Just a stupid text that said morning and nothing more until 5:30 a.m., I thought I trained you better than that. The whole scenario could have been really bad for everyone involved, you, Maura, your family, everyone including us. We were fighting not to charge in and rescue you."

"I worried you John, I know and I'm sorry but truly I didn't know you were still around. Maura handled things beautifully with Gisborne and the police, but I was not going to leave her when everyone started showing up. I won't apologize for going to her, it was the right thing to do. The text was lame I admit, but I was involved with… personal things. You started everything by giving her my cell number remember, so don't blame me for all of this. I should have let you know I was okay and will the next time." said Jane.

"There has already been a next time," growled Jane's former commander, "Do we even need to discuss this morning? Tuck reported out on your run in with the security agency."

Jane growled in frustration, "Are you going to fault me for defending my brother? I hear my mother yelling in fear and anger and I am supposed to ignore that. They were threatening Tommy and Ma was scared." The Lieutenant was going to say something but Jane wouldn't let him, "John you would not have thought twice about interfering. Hell you already stepped in with Ma once."

"They are not trying to kill me Jane. They are trying to kill you. No, I would not have thought twice but it's not the same thing. I don't want anything to happen to you little one. As brave as you are, you are not bulletproof." He looked so serious and he used his other nickname for her.

Jane hated it when he called her little one. Okay she didn't hate it she actually really liked it, but the nickname disarmed her. It was something a father would call a daughter, and the fact he held that type of fondness for her touched her heart. "Damn it John," Jane shook her head. "In Afghanistan, we had space and could watch from afar making up plans of attack. Boston is different. We will be running up close and personal with the bad guys time and time again."

She turned to face him, "I'm good John, reckless at times but I'm damn good at catching criminals. I am not a newbie at this and I have the benefit of your training now to boot. Seeing Maura was not a mistake," Jane paused and the look in her eyes forced John to reach out and pulled her into his shoulder. "I had to see her John. Even if it hadn't been about letting her know I cared for her. Gisborne has his sights on her. We have to take him down before he hurts her."

"Did you ask her to come here?" John already knew the answer. There was just a nodded response. "She is taking care of people too. Huh?" Again Jane just nodded, "Well it looks like I have two reckless women to look out for now. Three if you count your mother." Jane was going to respond to that but a yell came from the doorway to the office.

"You two need to get up here. We have a problem." Vince yelled and the two were on the move.

xxxxXXXXXXxxxxx

Maura stopped for a tea and to settle herself down. "Stop it, just relax and breathe," the doctor told herself as she stood in line. She had rushed away from Jane like a child and now was regretting it. In her heart she knew that Jane understood her actions. Jane was the only person in the world that understood all the quirks that made up Maura Isles and yet she still loved her. "Stop it and breathe," the doctor had to start with the relaxation talk again as she moved up with the rest of the line. If Maura had been calmer she would have just picked up tea at work but the café would be out of bounds for her until she could think of how she would discuss Jane with Angela. Finally reaching the front of the line she placed her order and waited.

"Hey there Dr. Isles," the young man behind the counter that usually got her morning beverage smiled brightly. "Big day?" he asked as he handed over her order. She tilted her head in a question and he said rather shyly, "ah… you just look different, dressed for something special maybe. Have a nice day." He scampered off and Maura smiled as she dropped her tip in the jar. Returning to her car, the doctor put the car in gear and then grinned, "It is a special day. Jane is back." she thought and then gunned the engine and laughed at the acceleration of the vehicle as she sped down the street towards work.

As early as the day had started, Maura frowned as she pulled into her parking spot and checked the time on her cell. The 7:00 a.m. was displayed in bold type and she tsked at where all the time had gone. She stepped into the BPD and headed for the stairs eager to start the day. Waving hello to a few co-workers, it had been a while since she had felt this good about being at work. The Manolo Blahnik's heels she wore clicked as she moved down the stairs and into the lab. The sound was a clear, crisp and confident as was Maura's demeanor. With a small smirk she thought how she should be tired due to lack of sleep but instead she was just happy. "No," thought Maura," not just happy but loved too," and that made her feel wonderful.

Susie Chang and Scarlet Wills were chatting at Susie's desk. The wolf whistle from Scarlet echoed off all the hard surfaces. Maura stopped and turned at the unexpected sound. "Damn Sam, if that isn't a great outfit Doc. Don't you think so Susie? Look at her all put together like that. Smoking hot!" Susie rolled her eyes at the antics of her loud friend but was relieved to see a smile cross the doctor's face. Internally the criminologist was thrilled to see the doctor in her designer outfit. She could only hope this was an indication of more good things to come.

"Thanks Detective Wil….Scarlet. It seemed I needed to change things up a bit. You are the second person to comment on my appearance today." said Maura.

"Anything we should know that brought out the fancy duds? Do we need to thank a certain Mr. or Ms. Facilitator?" Scarlet winked knowingly as if maybe she thought the clothes were only a reflection of something else. Maura winked back but did not say anything else as she moved towards her office with the sound of Scarlet's laugh following her.

"Dr. Isles, I will prep our first body. It will take me fifteen minutes." Called Susie who, when Maura was out of view, smacked Scarlet hard in the arm stopping the laughing of her friend.

"What'd I do?" said the brash redhead in a mock whisper. The sound of a laugh from Maura's office forced Susie to hit Scarlet again.

xxxxXXXXXxxxx

Angela, Tommy and Frankie Rizzoli were sitting in the guesthouse living room talking quietly. The uniforms were there as were members of Gisborne Security. There were also news vans and the beleaguered chief of police with other higher ups milled around the front of the driveway.

"Janie looked good don't you think Ma? Thin but good, and man did she take down those agents fast. Sis has been working out." said Tommy and there was pride in his voice. Tommy had believed his sister was dead. He had seen the harder side of life and didn't hold on to hope as well as the others. He was never so glad to be wrong about something in his whole life.

"She is alive and that is all that matters." Said Angela, "Frankie I told you she said she loves you, right?"

The matriarch of the Rizzoli clan was still in shock and had mentioned this about ten times now. Frankie gently said, "Yeah Ma you told me. I am sorry I missed her." Patting her hand absent mindedly, he was more concerned because he heard the charges everyone was batting around. Frowning he saw his section chief pull up. "Damn it." He growled. Nodding to Tommy he stood up. "Watch her okay. Don't let her outside." Frankie was out the door and moving down the driveway towards the group of gathered policemen.

"Why?" said Angela suddenly much more aware. "What is Frankie talking about? Why can't I go outside?"

Tommy said quietly, "Remember how Jane said it was going to get bad before it got better. This is the start of the bad part I think?" Angela's youngest son walked over to the T.V. and turned on the local news. The breaking news banner flashed and it was only seconds before the front of Angela's home flashed on the screen.

Captain Brewer spent only a few minutes with the police chief before he called to the reporters to gather around. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, watching public, it is with a heavy heart that we ask for your help today. One of our own, Detective Jane Rizzoli, a decorated officer in the past is wanted for questioning in two violent crimes. A few days ago a cargo plane was blown up and five individuals were killed. This was a deliberate act of terror and Ms. Rizzoli's prints were found on pivotal evidence at the scene. Then again this morning, Gisborne Security Agents, in pursuit of information on Ms. Rizzoli's whereabouts were attacked by our suspect outside her mother's home. The Gisborne Security Agents involved in the altercation suffered grievous injury." He paused and shook his head in mock sorrow.

"At this time we are offering a reward of five thousand dollars for information that leads to the location and apprehension of Ms. Rizzoli. We ask the public to contact the BPD and not approach the suspect as she is armed and dangerous. Her training as a member of the force also makes approaching her a risk. The Gisborne Security Agency who has been such a great assistance to our department can also be contacted. I will take a few questions now." Brewer looked so smug, Frankie had to fight the urge to follow his sister's lead and flatten the man.

"Captain, is there an up to date picture of Rizzoli we can share with our viewers?" called a voice from the back.

Brewer held up a piece of paper. Jane's photo from her police I.D. as well as a more candid shot from a police department publication was visible and the reward amount was listed below. Frankie's mouth fell open as the thing looked like an old time wanted poster. He half way expected the publication to say dead or alive somewhere on the thing. "She is wanted just for questioning. Detective Rizzoli has not been charged with any crime." Frankie yelled it loud enough to force Brewer to answer.

A thin smile touched the captain's lips, "Yes, questioning only." He said quietly then added with more forcefully. "Ms. Rizzoli had been relieved of duty pending this investigation. Her badge and I.D. have been voided. Make no mistake she is a fugitive from justice and we will find her." A call from the back, "Wasn't Rizzoli reported as missing about six months ago?" Brewer faked like he could not hear the question and ended the press conference. Frankie who had asked the last question attempted to blend in with the crowd and then walked back towards his mother's place.

"Take one of these Rizzoli." The wanted poster with Jane's picture was thrust at him. Looking up Brewer was next to him, the young detective's antics had not been missed. "You will let me know if you see her. Tell your family we will be watching every move they make." The paper was then slammed into his chest. The curses running through Frankie's mind never made it to his lips as he watched the pit bull of a man walk away.

xxxxXXXXXxxxx

The breaking new report faded and then a history of Jane's career with the BPD started rolling across the screen. The news reports talking about the tragic events that had happened and how many times they had seen a hero fall from grace. "Bullshit. What a heaping pile of bullshit." roared Vince who then had to calm Jo as he scared the little dog with his outburst.

"We knew it was coming," said Jane but the color was gone from her cheeks and the men knew this hit her harder than she would have liked.

"No worries, Sox." said John over being upset with her and now trying to be reassuring. "This just gives us more of a reason to kick their asses."

"We can't kick their asses until we know why they want me dead." said Jane in frustration.

Vince added quickly, "Not just trying to kill you Janie, but me, Cavanaugh. Then there is Frost. What do we all know that they fear so much." Jane walked over and put her arm around the older detective in a show of understanding. Pulling away Jane began to pace. All the men smiled, from the bullpen at BPD to the sands of Afghanistan, a pacing Jane Rizzoli could only mean a plan was being formed. They all watched intensity of the woman boil.

"We have to know more." Jane said finally. "We either have to move the base or get more going here to help us. Much I need you to build an information gathering mecca. Tuck can you help him with any construction or electrical needs."

"Yes!" Much yelled. He had been so quiet it was like he wasn't there. Tuck smiled in agreement.

"John, I need you to talk this through with me and Vince. New ears and eyes on this thing might spot something to help." The big blonde nodded.

Walking to one of the bookcases Jane grabbed a wrapped up bundle. She looked at Vince and he nodded knowing it was his money. "Vince pulled his life saving out to help with expenses. It is all we have so don't waste it." Jane said and there was a break in her voice.

Much walked up to Vince and threw his arm around the man's shoulder kissing him on the cheek. "We will spend your money wisely and find a way to return in kind your generosity at the end of this adventure. Thank you." Vince's mouth fell open as this was as much as he had ever heard the man say.

The small scruffy man asked Jane, "Can I take lead for a moment?" she nodded as Much took the reins, "Tuck," the information specialist said "Do you have your list of needed supplies?" the giant of a man nodded he did and could not help but smile at the antics of his short friend. With a grin Much turned, "Jane we are taking your car. You need to arrange by phone to rent the two buildings next to us please. John we will having several trucks making deliveries during the day. Look for a list of vehicles by text on your phone. Direct them to the build directly to the left, we are expanding our base operations."

"Wait what is this all about? What do we need two more buildings for? You already have a list?" said Jane and the laughs around the room told her that the men had been busy last night during her absence.

"The building to the left allows for a better signal for cellular reception and our satellite connection." Jane did a double take at the man's words, "They had a satellite connection?"

"The building to the right will be storage unit for our growing number of vehicles and large equipment. Both buildings also have upper level and lower level rooms for sleeping." Much stammered a bit then added quickly, "We all want our own room." Jane shook her head and Much hurried on, "While you were away with the lovely Miss Maura, John stewed and Tuck and I went exploring and found some good things in those buildings. It is 8:30 a.m. now if we are lucky deliveries will start in an hour."

"Hey, I need a large erase board, markers and magnets too." Yelled Jane as the men moved out.

"Old school," Much yelled back but did not argue.

xxxxXXXXXxxxx

"That completes the autopsy on Mr. Mark Jones." Maura reported aloud and then pulled her gloves off and reached up to click the stop button on the recording device. "For what good it will do." She added for no one in particular. Susie was at her desk looking into fibers and a few hairs they had pulled but with the number of processing irregularities at the crime scene anything they found would be easily tossed out of court. Still any job worth doing was worth doing well and Dr. Isles' department never accepted less than top-notch work.

There was a buzzing sound which caused Susie to reach up and grabbed her phone. Dr. Isles had rolled the body of Mr. Jones to the holding cold room to await transport to the morgue. Susie glanced at the text, "to our lady" read on the screen, the senior criminologist almost fell out of her chair. Going over the plan in her head, she quickly took action. Moving across the room, Susie turned on the microphone over the autopsy table and then returned to her desk and placed a call to the homicide department. "Hey Scarlet, I have some test results you need to see about that abuse case." Not waiting for a reply she hung up and then waited for help to arrive.

The door swung open fast and Guy Gisborne waltzed in. The stride was to look carefree but it wasn't. It was the gait of a man on a mission. The Security CEO was on his way to Maura's office when he heard something that broke is train of thought. "Damn," Guy ground his teeth. That silly assistant of Maura's had just called his name.

Susie tried to steel herself, she barely got the words out, "Mr. Gisborne is there something I can do to help you?" There was anger in his eyes but he quickly killed the flames and flashed a dashing smile in the woman's direction. She shivered at the ease he switched his facial expression to a false front.

"My dear Ms. Chang you are looking lovely today." He cooed and Susie threw up a little in her mouth. "I need to speak to Dr. Isles for a moment. Won't you be a dear and fetch her for me."

"Ms. Chang is a senior criminologist for the Boston Police Department. She does not fetch anyone." said Maura in an even tone. "Thank you Susie. If you want to step out go ahead." She nodded at the door and Susie had no choice but to leave. As expected Dr. Isles was getting her out of danger, ever the protector of her people. As Susie reluctantly left, she was glad there was a plan in place to get someone else to the doctor's side in a hurry.

When the door swung closed, Maura continued, "Guy, what can I do for you?"

"Have you seen the news?" he asked and the sharpness to his tone was scary.

Maura shook her head, "I have been processing the body that was handled so poorly last night by your men. The condition of the remains made for a longer job than normal so no Guy, I have not watched the news."

"Jane Rizzoli attacked two of my guards outside her mother's place, your guesthouse, this morning right after you left for work." He spat the words at her.

Maura had been expecting something bad so she had been driving her fingernail into her palm to mask any color change in her face. It was something she learned as a girl to help cover her open book emotions at school. "Was anyone seriously hurt?" the doctor asked working furiously to keep an even tone.

"Well if hurt you mean killed then yes. Jane Rizzoli was shot four times but was finally put down like the killer she was." He laughed at the pale and shocked expression that crossed Maura's beautiful face. "I wanted you to be the first to know." Glaring he smiled as Maura started to slump towards the ground in shock and pain.

There was a clicking sound and Scarlet Wills spoke from the doorway, "I believe you have your facts wrong Mr. Gisborne. Jane Rizzoli got away before any police or security agents could arrive." There was a small sob from the doctor and Scarlet move towards Maura helping her to her feet. Carefully Scarlet turned the ME to face away from Gisborne to give her some privacy getting a hold of her emotions.

"My mistake, I must apologize. It appears someone lied to me." Gisborne snapped, mad his torment of the fine doctor had been interrupted so quickly. "You can see how easily people can get hurt by misinformation." The CEO was cold as he spoke. But the ice of his voice was nothing to the arctic glare from Scarlet Wills.

Looking back again to make sure the still shaky doctor was able to stand on her own. The fiery redhead returned her gaze to Gisborne and smiled a dangerous smile, "Well, to me that sounds like you are accusing Dr. Isles of lying to you. Maybe this is about your intrusion into her home last night."

"I was invited inside." He growled at the detective.

"Yes you were and you searched the house did you not?" Detective Wills waited for the man to nod. "And Mr. Security Agent, you know that Dr. Isles has a condition that causes blotches on her skin if she lies, don't you?" He nodded again. "You asked her if Jane Rizzoli was in the house last night correct?" forced to nod again, Gisborne's face was turning red, "She told you Jane was not there and did not display discoloration of the skin in anyway. So a bright boy like should be able to connect the dots. Jane was not there." She so wanted to add an expletive to the end of that statement but she bit it back. "By all your head nodding Mr. Gisborne are you agreeing with me or just nervous?"

"I am agreeing with you detective." snarled the CEO to angry to say more.

Scarlet stepped forward fast and put Gisborne on his heels, "Rizzoli was obviously following her brother who has been being pressured by your men." She took another step forward, her hand was on her gun now. Gisborne was forced to move back. "According to statements we have your men were openly discussing how they wanted to take Tommy Rizzoli in for questioning, something only the police have a right to do. Then there were the threats of possible parole violations if he didn't talk to your men this morning. Again something only the police have the authority to do." The man's eyes flashed with hate.

Scarlet continued, "I think those actions might cause a protective sister to step in, don't you? Something you have been hoping to provoke for a long time. I am just sorry she fell for it."

Now the handsome man smiled, "Jane Rizzoli is a wanted woman detective. Maybe Captain Brewer should hear about your support for such violent and blatant criminal acts."

"You just go and talk to…" Scarlet was leaning forward when she was interrupted.

"Detective Wills," said Maura softly. "That is enough. I appreciate your efforts on my behalf. Mr. Gisborne gets your point as I get the point he so clearly made to me. I would thank you both to leave my lab now. I have work to do." The detective could not believe her ears but nodded to the doctor. The doctor couldn't be mad at her could she? Scarlet thought about it and discovered she really didn't care if she was or not. This woman needed to be protected whether she knew it or not.

"Maura," said Gisborne but he was looking at her strangely. Was that defeat in her voice? The threat of Rizzoli's death was enough to tame the woman? How easy it had been when he found just the right button to push. He added quickly, "I will be in touch." The redheaded detective scowled and Gisborne turned quickly and left with a smile.

"Scarlet," said Maura just as the detective reached the door. "We need to talk. Lunch tomorrow? You alone not Frankie or Susie okay?"

"I'm there." Said the detective and she watched the doctor turn and move slowly towards her office. Quickly the detective returned to the middle of the room, reaching up she shut off the recording microphone and then exited the lab.

Maura focused on her steps to get to her office. "Just one foot in front of the other," she said to herself. Closing the door and locking it, Maura collapsed to the floor an emotional mess. Forcing herself to breathe and calm down, she knew passing out was a real possibility. "Jane, I need to talk to you." she whispered and then remembered how the detective said she would be contacting her. Grabbing for her purse she pulled the small tablet out and opened her e-mail. She sat on the floor as she searched her inbox. There was nothing out of the ordinary. She checked the spam folder and gasped.

"Killer blue dresses with insanely hot shoes - Click here now," Maura let out a laugh and which quickly turned to a relieved sob then back to a laugh as she clicked on the link to a shopping site that was set up entirely for her enjoyment. Finding the 'contact us' link she held her breath as she clicked it. A password box came up with instructions for setting up an account. She completed it and pressed the 'I agree' option. To her surprise an interesting looking rather rough around the edges man appeared in a video screen in the upper left hand corner.

"Hello." The man's voice drifted out of the speakers.

"Hello." Maura replied and she sniffed.

He smiled at her and said kindly, "Dr. Isles would you like to talk to Jane?"

"Yes please." She managed. He nodded and stood and moved away.

It was only seconds but it felt like an eternity, a beautiful smiling face then filled the small window. "Well hi there gorgeous. We just got this up and running. Can I interest you in some shoes?"

"No only the sales person thanks." Maura squeaked out and then started crying as she told Jane everything.

It was a half hour later when Vince Korsak face appeared in the screen. Jane had held it together to support Maura but when the doctor refused to let Jane come and get her the detective sort of flipped out. "Hi, Dr. Isles" He winced as he heard Jane yelling and John and Tuck trying to calm her down. "Say is there any way I can talk you into coming here with us. Jane would…" the conversation of small talk played between the two as Jane worked out her anger and the members of Outlaw unit kept her from getting in a car and going off and killing Gisborne.

"I can't leave Vince. I am sorry. If anything this shows me how much I need to be here. I shouldn't have lost it the way I did and upset Jane." There as a crashing noise and both parties were silent for a moment. "Maybe I shouldn't call again."

"No, you will call again and often okay. Say you will please." said the older man in a panic. Maura had to hold back a laugh. "I think Jane is calming down now. Are you sure you are okay?" he asked trying sound like everything was fine.

"I will call Vince I promise. I am fine we have established that several times. You are fine we have established that as well. Now tell me what you are working on. I have a few minutes then I do have to get back to the lab." said Maura. She was feeling better by the minute. This all felt so comfortable, like the way it used to be. Even Jane's yelling was soothing in its own strange way.

Korsak grumbled then he grabbed the newspaper clipping Sean had sent Jane. "Cavanaugh sent this to Jane. We have no idea what it means. There is a clue here but we just don't see it." There was the clicking of a few buttons and then there was a view of a wooden surface. "Hang on Doc." said the older detective as he slid an old sports article under the camera. He moved it about in an attempt to center and zoom the image. He did not notice that he had focused on the crossword puzzle and not the text of the article. There was the tell-tale sound of steps on the metal stairs, Jane and the others were returning and it had pulled his attention.

"Oh hell, Doc I put the thing in wrong. The part that Sean wrote on…" Vince finally noticed.

"On the bottom, focus on the bottom again please." Maura was almost shouting in excitement.

The image was on the paper but more voices could be heard. Jane's raspy voice came across, "What do you see Maur?"

In a whispered tone the doctor said, "Liam, moor, pets" Then there was a pause.

"We can't make the last one out either, Enitnemelc , it doesn't mean a thing." Jane added.

"But Clementine does." said Maura with a smile.