A/N: Please don't faint that it hasn't taken months for this update! Based on the reviews on the last chapter, I've lost some of my readers probably due to the long time between postings which isn't surprising. That's on me. But the good news is… I've heard from new people and that is so exciting! And for those that have reviewed, I give a hearty THANK YOU. Reviews to me are a way to get to know who is reading and what you like and dislike. That's honestly my favorite part of this whole process… not a numbers game or an ego thing. It keeps me inspired. I hope all you new reviewers like this chapter as well as my faithfuls… I have to pay special mention to sulee, sweetkid45, afret2010, and LOCISVU for their tenacity and patience from the beginning. Thank you all for hanging in there!

I'm going to wrap this up soon. I have the next chapter written. It was actually part of this one and was extremely long… 9000+ words and I was afraid that was a little too much even though I've been known to go on and on in other stories! If you have a second, please drop me a note to let me know you are reading. As always, thanks to all of you! You are appreciated and loved! Now…OH. I don't own anything. Is that really necessary any more?

Huffing a strand of hair out of her face, Jane scowled and checked her phone for what felt like the thousandth time, throwing the opened file in her hands down. "Dammit!" Fist pounding onto her desk sent pencils and papers jumping. Her foul mood had gotten worse with the physical distance from Maura, not to mention she was exhausted beyond reason. Frost was still following up on a lead and Korsak was in debrief with Cavanaugh leaving the lanky detective practically alone in the bullpen. Crowe didn't count. Banned from the morgue hours ago for being a "source of great distraction," fingertips rubbed absentmindedly against burning scars as she anxiously awaited the summons that would call her back down to the basement. "Shit!" Kicking the bottom drawer of the desk seemed like a perfectly reasonable way to expel frustration.

"Damn, Rizzoli. Take a Midol," Crowe's snide remark provided a welcome respite, wild curls flying as Jane swiveled around in her chair, glare firmly in place.

"Get some new material, Crowe." Snarled with disdain, a brow rose in challenge as dark eyes narrowed. Do something, Crowe. Anything. Jane licked her lips and flexed her hands in anticipation.

Not to be outdone by a woman and especially not by Rizolli, the department's fucking poster girl for hero, the bald detective leered in return. "What? Did the Queen of the Dead kick your ugly ass out of bed for leaving crumbs? Cause if she's in need of a real man and a good roll in the…"

Red. It was immediate. Jane had been expecting insults but none involving Maura. She stood so suddenly, the desk chair toppled behind her with a surprising cacophony in the relative quiet of the squad room. "You mother fuck…" The menacing growl was cut short.

"Jane." Maura's voice was surprisingly calm and sweet, a cool hand landing on exposed olive skin thanks to shirtsleeves being rolled up. "I have something I need for you to see in Autopsy." Knowing hazel green eyes waited while molten brown darted rapidly between her and the boorish excuse of a man before finally acknowledging the request with a clenched jaw and a terse nod. "Good." Patiently waiting for Jane to clip her gun back into place, grab her wrinkled blazer and rejoin her, the medical examiner was the picture of serene composure. Even clad in black scrubs and pristine lab coat, Doctor Isles projected an otherworldly grace. Her smile grew exponentially when she felt a scarred hand at the small of her back, gaze locking with her love's, throwing in a wink for good measure.

Exiting the room, Maura stopped at Darren Crowe's desk and leaned down, her voice low even though they were the only three present. "Detective Crowe, I wouldn't dream of kicking Detective Rizzoli out of my bed. Her skills as a lover have far exceeded my wildest expectations, not to mention experiences with past partners; male and female." Maura had fooled around with a few of her classmates at boarding school but had never quite found anyone that interested her enough to risk a sexual relationship. There were already too many oddities that placed the young woman firmly on the outside of acceptance and she didn't need one more to tip the scales to all out pariah… but Jane did seem to excel with each intimate encounter; so technically… not a lie. Manicured brow arched and enigmatic smile in place, the doctor primly straightened and allowed herself to be guided to the elevators.

Stainless steel doors sliding shut, Jane pulled Maura close and kissed her thoroughly, crushing their bodies into the back wall of the elevator. Knowing the ride would be a short one, the detective broke with a feral grin, voice low and gravelly. Moving lips to trail down soft skin, kisses peppered and sucked between words. "That. Was. Fucking. Hot." Deft hands slid under black cotton, caressing smooth skin as she pressed a lean thigh between the doctor's legs; a sharp gasp and whimper her reward. Smiling against a pounding pulse, the detective couldn't seem to pull away.

Maura had never in her life… in her sexually active life experienced such a… desire… such a visceral need for anyone else. Even though the presented symptoms could probably be diagnosed scientifically, she physically ached for Jane. For her touch, for her voice… just for her companionship; she needed her near. "Oh god!" Fists curling in dark brown locks as a hot moist mouth and teeth closed around her right clavicle, the medical examiner braced herself as the doors to the elevator opened, thankfully revealing an empty hallway. "Jeh," Licking parched lips, she fought the urge to undo a pewter belt buckle and drop to her knees, ending all of the torturous teasing. Taking a deep breath, the doctor couldn't suppress the whine that escaped before intellect took control of the situation…partly. Running hands indulgently across taut muscles, the medical examiner swallowed before biting a swollen lip. "We're here."

Deep brown eyes shot up as Jane remembered their whereabouts, a sobering dread descending like an impenetrable fog across stooped shoulders. Straightening, she removed her hands from warm skin and righted the lab coat that had been pushed open only seconds before. Sure fingers linked with her own; their roles reversed as the doctor led her detective through the heavy doors of the morgue.

Clearing her throat, Maura found that they were alone except for Yoshima, who was meticulously arranging instruments on a sterile draped tray. Catching his swift gaze, she nodded. "I need the room, Yoshima." The medical examiner gave him a grateful smile as he retreated through bay doors before she crossed to the fourth table of remains. Intense emotions and worry for Jane playing havoc with a typically uncanny ability to compartmentalize, the doctor braced with both hands against the gurney and took a deep breath. Words were spoken in a voice that resembled her best lecture. "It is my opinion, based on the tool marks that I'm finding on all the C3 vertebrae that the victims suffered a lateral incised wound that would have encompassed both the left and right carotids and jugulars." Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Maura pushed her hands deep inside the pockets of her lab coat to keep from fidgeting as she walked toward the two center monitors to highlight said findings in front of Jane, a shaky index finger tracing the paths of mortal destruction.

Missing nothing, stomach twisting into knots, the detective lent her best supposition. "So their throats were slit." Falling into the moment, Jane could actually picture it, raspy voice taking on a disjointed tone, unseeing gaze settled on the side by side computer screens. "Probably just eating sandwiches on a beautiful fall day and Hoyt came across them." She could almost hear birds chirping in the background. "My guess is he…he went after one of the children first…used her to keep everyone else in line." Her mind's eye could imagine the scenario playing out and it left her feeling sick…rich Technicolor and fucking surround sound sick. "MmmNnnOogod." Sprinting to the metal sink, the unrecognizable contents of her lunch splattered against stainless steel. Coming back up in such spectacular fashion, the burn of acid left brown eyes tearing while the detective's nose watered relentlessly. Sputtering for breath with one arm clutched around her middle, Jane coughed and wheezed, relaxing slightly at the feel of a cool hand rubbing reassuring circles against the small of her back as the other restrained wild curls before finally moving forward to cut on an explosive flow of steady water, effectively erasing the last few embarrassing moments.

Cupping a hand forward into the stream and rinsing the acrid taste away, Jane spat into the sink… not once but twice… before resting her forehead against cold steel. "Fuck, Maur." Pinching eyes closed, her jaw clenched in anger and an over tired mind whirled in a foolhardy attempt at making sense of recent events. "What the fuck kind of animal does this shit?" Purely rhetorical in nature, the detective continued, melting into the gentle touch that had moved to lightly massage shoulders and neck. "Sorry. It's just… I want that monster for this one." Looking up into sympathetic hazel green, "Before Hoyt dies; I want him for this… for the Wilsons. I want to nail that bastard to the wall for their murders."

Nodding in agreement, the medical examiner subtly rolled a stool into place and pushed the lanky detective down into a seated position. Ignoring the patented look of stubborn refusal, Maura disappeared for a moment into her adjoining office and returned a few seconds later with a small cup of mouthwash. Stepping between long legs, the doctor smiled softly into warm brown eyes. "Take this." One hand settled on a lean shoulder as deft fingers moved up to brush a dark strand away, fingertips ghosting over olive skin as amused hazel green took in the way beloved features scrunched up and cheeks swished. One final swirl and a decidedly unladylike spit over the shoulder into the sink and she couldn't resist the chuckle bubbling up.

Scarred hands settled in the dips of Maura's waist as the detective fixed her patented accusatory glare, doing her best to ignore the beautiful sound of her love's giggles. "What the hell was that? Anti-freeze? Gah!" Jane couldn't help the small tug at the corners of her mouth as her thumbs swiped underneath two layers of fabric to find heated skin.

Not missing a beat and grateful for the temporarily lightened mood, the doctor cocked her head to the side with a look of pure exasperation. "Don't be ridiculous, Jane. Why would I have anti-freeze here in the lab? It was formaldehyde." Closing the gap between them, she pulled the detective into a loose embrace, whispering into curls that tickled her nose. "Are you going to be okay?" Accepting the nod and contented purr as a 'yes,' Maura continued sifting and scratching her fingers through Jane's hair.

The inconvenient buzz of her cell phone made Jane want to cry or shoot someone in equal measure. Reluctantly, she untangled herself from their warm cocoon and stood, squinting at the screen with a scowl. Unknown Number flashed. "Rizzoli." Her voice was hoarse even by normal standards. "Okay." She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "And the warden okayed that?" Her gaze shot to Maura's, the doctor's inquisitive look asking for silent explanation. "Yeah, I… I… I'll be right there." Pressing 'End,' she couldn't make sense of the news. Brows furrowed, tapping the now silent phone against her chin with a frown, she caught hazel green with a shake of her head. How long had she been waiting for this moment… the death of her own personal boogey man? "Hoyt's dying and he told the guard that he wants to see me… he wants to tell me… he… he says he's ready to give up the burial sites of all the people he's murdered." The temptation of knowing, of being able to bring so many families closure was paramount. Lost in her own thoughts, Jane barely registered Maura stripping off her lab coat and pulling at the hem of her top, shedding an outer layer.

"It will only take me a minute to change." Ah. There it is. The moment of recognition; a thunder cloud of darkness settled across sculpted features, lips pressed into a thin line. Down to a long sleeved black tee and scrub pants, the doctor's strides ate up personal space until hot breath puffed against tight lips. Voice low and sincere, one that tolerated no argument, "We've had this discussion, Jane. I will go with you to question Hoyt. Please do not insult me by trying to dissuade me from this course of action. I told you before…" Soft fingertips could not resist caressing a strong jaw, the need for touch too overwhelming. "I'm in this with you." Punctuating words with a sweet kiss to pursed lips, Maura groaned as her exasperating detective deepened the exchange and made her feel weak in the knees; finally understanding the meaning of such an overused phrase.

Snaking her arms around a narrow waist, Jane kept their bodies flush, foreheads together. "I love you." Words were barely above a whisper. She knew it was a losing battle to expect the medical examiner to step away while she faced her own special brand of hell. Exhaling a shaky breath, a tanned hand came up to brush through silky strands before settling against the doctor's nape, fingertips tracing random patterns. Maura's fierce determination and unwavering devotion stirred something deep within a heavily guarded soul, a sense of belonging so wholly to another that Jane never expected to feel. Letting someone have complete reign over your happiness; to willingly place yourself in a position of vulnerability… Detective Rizzoli couldn't allow that… and yet, here she stood at the complete mercy of this insanely beautiful, relentless and sometimes maddeningly frustrating woman. It was at once comforting and extremely fulfilling.

Smiling down into hazel green, Jane dropped a gentle kiss to the doctor's forehead before a smirk slid into place. "Fine, Doctor Isles. You win… as long as I get to watch you undress." Waggling dark brows, warm brown eyes sparkled with mirth.

Maura couldn't help the chuckle at her detective's behavior, shaking her head as she dramatically pushed out of the embrace and pointed a disapproving finger. "You will do no such thing, Detective Rizzoli. I'm on to your ways…" Walking toward her office again, she sent a smoldering look over her shoulder. "I'm actually quite fond of your ways." The seriousness of the current situation added a somber note to playful banter. Stopping in the threshold, their gaze held for a beat, each woman aware of the emotionally trying time that lay ahead. Countenance softening slightly, capable fingers toyed with the drawstring of scrub pants, hesitant to leave, to be without. "I'll just be a moment." Jane's reassuring smile was enough.


Brakes squealed as the navy Crown Vic pulled to a stop at the main entrance outside of the Bremer Street Jail. Shoving her aviators into tangled bangs with practiced impatience, Jane scowled at the young man. "Detective Rizzoli, Boston Homicide and Doctor Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner." Maura smiled and leaned towards the driver's side window, placing a steadying hand on the detective's thigh as she produced her credentials. Eyes rolled as dark curls shook. Really?

Given the green flag to move on, Jane couldn't help the knot of anxiety that was beginning to painfully twist and pull in her gut. Taking the closest available slot in the lot set aside for law enforcement and legal representation, she cut off the engine with a sigh. Lids slid closed over tired eyes as the detective leaned back against the seat rest. "Are you sure I can't convince you to stay in the car?" Rolling her head to the side so she could connect with hazel green, a weary grin stretched into place. "Yeah, I didn't think so." Linking their hands, warm lips fluttered across the back of the doctor's hand. "Are you ready for this?"

Reaching for the door handle, Maura smirked before pushing it open and calling out over her shoulder. "I was birthed ready, Detective."

"Really?" Long legs caught up easily to the medical examiner, a sure, guiding hand finding its place low against a designer blazer. "It's 'I was born ready,' Maur, not 'birthed.' I mean, who says birthed anyway?"

Nose scrunched and frown in place, the doctor carefully picked her high heeled way across the pitted asphalt. It certainly would not do to ruin the leather on her four inch Giuseppe Zanotti's. They were barely three months old after all and this was their first outing. Absentmindedly hooking her left hand into the crease of Jane's right arm for balance, "I've never really understood that saying and why people believe there to be some iota of truth behind it. There is no difference. Birthed or born ready… neither makes any sense whatsoever. Homo sapiens aren't born ready for anything other than the natural instinct to feed and be nur…" They had reached the glass entry to the prison lobby and security checkpoint. Smiling up into amused brown eyes, Maura curled her fingers into sinewy muscle before dropping her hand. "You really don't care, do you?"

Swinging the door open, Jane motioned the doctor through with a smirk. "I care about everything you have to say, Doctor Isles." The burly guard that halted their progress, insisting that they endure the tedious protocol lit a fuse in the detective. When the female guard eagerly stepped forward to perform another pat down on Maura, the bomb detonated. Quietly maneuvering herself between the medical examiner and the prison attendant, Jane lowered her voice to a deadly calm. "You will not be touching her again. Ever. She is the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and she deserves your utmost respect. She passed through the metal detector. That's going to have to be enough." Leaning forward, jaw clenched, the full height advantage was in play. "Are we clear?"

A shiver passed through Maura's body. It was shameless and inappropriate but uncontrollable. While she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself; had proven that the majority of her life thanks to a solitary upbringing… the doctor couldn't help that she loved this side of Jane… the overbearing, over-protective strength that left her feeling completely taken care of and loved. Slipping back into her heels and jacket, she smiled sweetly at the dressed down guard before finding her detective and Pryce in a heated argument, a fisted hand wrinkling a cheap suit's sleeve. Deciding to speak up in hopes of defusing, "Is Hoyt lucid?"

Released, Pryce's party line answer was ill advised as they moved deeper into the bowels of the drab prison. "Doctors said he won't last through the night." Shooting an ugly glare toward the female detective that he had learned to despise throughout his career as DA, "You've got a half hour with him, understand?" All movement ground to a halt as the full Rizzoli fury found focus.

Words coming in an impatient growl, a lithe body practically hummed with anger. "You don't get to tell me how long I can talk to him." Shoving a finger against soft gooey flesh, "I'll talk to him 'til he's dead if that means solving one more of his murders. I hope that's not too hysterical for you." Not waiting for a reply, the detective stalked forward with a confident swagger.

Oh my. Maura could only smile as she brushed past the gob smacked warden, unable to contain her wide grin. God, how I love her. Catching up to Jane at the outer door of the prison's medical ward, she could immediately feel a change in the other woman's demeanor. Confidence had been quickly replaced by trepidation and nerves; evident in the way fingers were systematically rubbing against scarred palms. Reaching over, a small hand closed around frantic movement, eyes searching tortured brown. "You can do this. He's dying. It's almost over and I'm here." Quickly scanning the immediate area; satisfied that they were for the moment alone. "I love you, Jane." The doctor's smile said it all, eyes tearing slightly, fingers squeezing those in her grasp. "We can do this… together."

"Detective Rizzoli." The words seemed to echo in the quiet space as Officer Mason approached from the infirmary with a smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting. The docs were doing some evaluations." Waving his badge over the electronic key prompt, metal doors loudly clanged open. "Looks like he's not going to last much longer. Probably a good thing you're here now." Another wave and the doors slammed shut behind the trio. "If you'll just follow me." Turning on his heel, the guard led the way to Hoyt's ward, finally pushing through a heavy metal door at the end of a long corridor numbered 3068. Mason stopped short of the foot of the prison approved hospital bed. "He's been in and out of it."

Crossing the threshold, Jane felt a deep chill of injustice. It didn't matter if she could tie the Wilson's murders to Hoyt or whatever information he was willing to give up about other victims… he would win. He would get to leave this life before being punished. "It's not fair." The detective smiled at Maura's attempts to appease. "It's not fair because… how could a person who tortured so many people get to go out so easily?"

Hoyt's broken voice drew all of their attention. "Jane. Jaaane. Come closer…I have more bad things to tell you." His words were nothing more than a hoarse husk and all had to lean closer to understand, Jane included.

"I'm here." The detective's world spun out of control and she couldn't be absolutely sure of accurate recollection when asked later by differing branches of law enforcement to recount her actions. All she knew for certain was that Charles Hoyt moved extraordinarily well for a dying man. Expectations of gruesome revelation morphed into a paralyzing fear as the detective found herself slammed flat on her back, a stranglehold around her throat and the face of the devil himself looming above her. The cold sweat was instantaneous along with the rapid-fire heartbeat that threatened a dangerous rhythm. She couldn't will her pinned body into action; the terror so strong that observation was the only alternative. Of all the thoughts, the most unlikely stood out. How can he still smell the same as he did in that basement so many years ago? If the situation weren't what it was, the random note might have been laughable. As it were, the stench of the monster's breath puffing against her face left Jane trapped in a memory just as effective as being skewered to the floor with scalpels through bleeding palms.

She had resigned herself long ago, that it would most likely be Hoyt in the end. Not the countless dirtbags and murderers the homicide detective dealt with on a daily basis or anything as mundane as a car crash or cancer. No. Their fates had somehow become intertwined when a rookie mistake was made to enter a crime scene without backup; that one decision bound them together in an unholy union… one that would ultimately be her downfall. The bite of an unyielding zip tie against slender wrists brought back reality with a gasp of pain. Peering up into soulless dark eyes, the leer of a madman widened and everything came into question… a fog lifting as a sharp mind stirred. How did I get here? If he were dying, how could he… could Maura have been wron… HOLY FUCK! MAURA!

It all came back with a roar and a burning that singed the detective's blood and hit like an electrical charge. Struggling with a renewed fervor, powerful legs kicked against the hospital bed mattress and bound hands pushed as she searched her mind desperately for anything that would give them the upper hand. Jane had never wanted that dream with Maura more… and if they couldn't have it together, she was going to make damn certain the doctor was the only one who walked away from this alive.

Ignoring Hoyt for once, dark eyes scanned the room until they landed on blood shot hazel green, mascara smeared under the doctor's glassy eyes. She was seated on a hospital bed two across from Jane, hands bound in front with the same black plastic looking lost and conflicted, big brain unable to reconcile recent events. The Maura she loved. Blinking against tears that threatened to form, the detective did her best to appear calm, nodding slightly before turning her focus on the guard. She needed division among the ranks; she needed to draw out Mason and make him feel like a pawn in the master's game… an afterthought. Doing her best to inject strength into her words, "He played you Mason… just like he plays all of his little apprentices." Gaze locking with Maura's, she willed her to go along.

It was too much. Everything was too much to take in. The medical examiner shivered as she watched Charles Hoyt place the tazer against Jane's neck, the resulting scream ripped loose and echoed in the stark confines of the infirmary leaving a raw burn in its wake. "NOOoooo! Please don't!" For a moment, spoken words seemed to be filtered through a puddle of mud as heavy lids blinked until hazel green caught sight of determined brown eyes. Drawing strength from a steady gaze, Maura turned to the guard, doing her best to keep him engaged, choking down the terror in her voice. "What was in it for you?" His response 'that it was fun' was unexpected and grotesque; it left the doctor without a response and without a doubt that they were in the presence of not one but two psychopaths… one more proficient and comfortable with his lack of feeling than the other but a deadly combination nonetheless. Raw fear clawed from the inside and threatened a complete shutdown but Maura resisted; hating her weakness even as her limbs trembled uncontrollably. I promised we would get through this together. She wanted to fight for Jane but couldn't seem to get her body to cooperate. Dread settled like a weight in her stomach as she watched Hoyt's scalpel cut a shallow swath across the same beautiful olive skin the medical examiner's lips had worshiped less than twenty-four hours prior. "NoooOOO!" The scream was raw and primal. Fighting against tight bindings, two beefy hands held Maura's struggling body in place, a sudden backhand leaving the telltale metallic taste on her lips and a ringing in her ears as everything fell out of focus and blurred at the edges.

Fucking bastard! Pulling against the plastic cuffs, Jane had no idea that the frantic movements were drawing blood from her wrists. All she knew was that son of a bitch had hit Maura and was going to pay seven ways to Sunday for it. Teeth grinding, her body thrashed and rebelled, bucking under heavy restraint. Fuck! Heart racing and adrenaline pumping, she had to concentrate on the now… And the now was Hoyt asking Mason to hold her down… to trade places? NO! No,no,no,NO! Finding her voice she tried to bargain as she watched her monster saunter toward Maura with the stun gun twirling through the air like a damn majorette's baton and talking about winning. Panic swelled and choked, laying bare all cards. "Hoyt! You want me! Look at me! You want ME… I'll do anything… anything you want… You can do anything…" Doing her best to squirm out of an oppressive hold, her eyes never left hazel green. Rage spilled over with a new tide of strength. "Hoyt! Don't you dare touch her! You mother fucking son of a bitch! I will fucking kill you! Leave her out of this!"

The blast of the professional grade tazer left Maura paralyzed and defenseless, her mind foggy as she fell back against the prison bed. The sensation was foreign; not unlike all of the research she had read pertaining to the deaf and blind… how remaining senses become heightened when one is taken away. Unable to move, she was keenly aware of Hoyt's weight pushing her further into the mattress… the horrible smell of his breath puffing across her face… the purely evil glint in dead eyes and the look of perfect bliss etched into burned features as he came into view. She could hear Jane screaming although the words weren't quite discernible above the persistent din clanging in her ears. Then there was the excruciating, white hot pain across her neck left by the easy glide of a razor sharp scalpel. Feeling the warm trickle slide down and pool into the absorbent collar of Vicuna wool, the doctor was certain it wasn't a life threatening injury. This knowledge did little to calm her escalating fear that the deranged madman was about to take her life and then Jane's. Oh god, Jane. So much I… And then the weight was gone.

The sight of Maura's blood caused something to snap in the straining detective. One focus became clear and that was to protect her love at all costs. Sneering up at Mason, bound hands fisted in light blue polyester as Jane dragged the larger man forward into a head butt. A swift knee to the groin and a blast from the tazer took the dirty guard out of the equation just long enough for the detective to round on her real target. Everything seemed to slow as she turned toward Hoyt's approaching form, sinister leer in place, blood dripping down gleaming metal and onto pale, gnarled fingers. Maura's blood. Swinging the stun gun hard, the resulting blow sent both man and surgical knife to the floor, the latter clanging out across the hard polished concrete. Falling to the ground, their bodies entwined in a heated battle and Jane knew that this would be the end… for one of them at least.

Eyes and hands always on the scalpel that was once again in the deceptively strong grip, the detective managed to throw a leg over the prone body of her nemesis and kick hard against his thigh and groin. Weapon dislodged, Jane took full advantage, grasping it in bound fists while straddling her own worst nightmare. The fury… the atrocities he was about to perform on Maura surged through a raging mind. If she let him live… scenes from her dream flashed; her holding her pregnant wife, laughing at their son. No. They couldn't keep dancing this macabre dance… it could one day endanger the love of her life… and their children. The all-consuming loss the detective had felt earlier in the car seared through her gut. Jaw clenching, she raised the knife high, looking directly into cold eyes. "You don't get to take that from me." She didn't care if Hoyt understood. "I win… and you're going to hell alone." Plunging the scalpel deep, Jane watched in a daze as blood began to seep into the prison issued white uniform, pooling dark in a growing stain as cruel eyes dimmed.

So engrossed, she barely flinched at the two gunshots that took down a recovering Mason. Pulled upward by large hands, she couldn't control the shaking as her eyes found Korsak's and she crumbled into his arms. It was over. For both of them. Maura. I need to get to Maura. Shrugging out of the sudden embrace, dark eyes landed on her current partner helping the medical examiner up into a seated position before locking with ice blue. "Get these off, Vince." Holding her wrists out, she winced as the plastic bindings fell away, reopening newly formed scabs as she crossed the room in uneven strides to stand before the medical examiner. Trembling hands landed on the doctor's shoulders as she tried to assess the damage, ducking down until they were eye level. "Are you okay?" Words were raw and gravely. The detective didn't wait for an answer before taking in the gash across flawless skin and the red stain pooling at the collar of the doctor's jacket. Jaw clenching and releasing several times she finally met clouded hazel green, voice broken and hoarse as guilt overwhelmed. "I'm so sorry, Maura." Pulling the somewhat lethargic doctor into a hug; the feel of small hands sliding slowly across her back underneath her blazer left the detective feeling a modicum of relief. All energy seemed to vacate at once.

Slumping forward, the smell of Maura's shampoo was intoxicating… if she were being honest… it was one of Jane's favorite fragrances. Drawing back to lock their gaze, long fingers tenderly brushed hair behind the medical examiner's ear, so much passing in silence. "I…" Blinking in sudden confusion, darkness closed in on peripheral vision leaving a frown in its wake. "Maur?" The sensation was like floating down a black hole, ears popping with white noise as sudden heat prickled. She could hear the doctor scream her name as swift hands slowed her descent before sinking into oblivion.

I have to make a quick note that I am more than aware that car crashes and cancer are NOT mundane. The sentence worked with the story but I hesitated to include it because I have personal experience with losses from both. If that was hard to read, I'm so very sorry.

PLEASE take a second to let me know what you think. It keeps me motivated and I have the next chapter pretty much written.