Glazed Feelings

Chapter 9

Rizzoli and Isles are the property of TNT and Tess Gerritson. I am just borrowing them for a little fun. Sorry about the late posting. I am working very hard right now getting my students ready for state testing. I have not forgotten you all. Please review.

Frankie Rizzoli entered the darken apartment quietly. He laid his keys on the stand next to the door after he locked it. He was tired. Patrol has been crazy with several accidents from the icy weather. Then he had to break up a fight between two homeless men over who had the right to the heater grate for the night on the corner of Fifth and West Street. He had solved the discussion when he took them both in for disorderly conduct. They would both have a warm place to rest, a meal, and even a shower. The latter he had arranged with a friend in holding so they could get a set of clean clothes and feel clean for a change. It wasn't much, but by tomorrow they would have forgotten the argument and be on the street again. Frankie stretched noticing his ma had left the light on over the stove for him. He walked over to the note left on the counter.

Frankie-

Jane and Maura are in sleeping. Frost is in the car outside. Vince is on the couch. Wake him and tell him to go home. Dinner is in the oven.

Frankie glanced over at the stove noticing the oven light on. The light for the heat was on warm. Using a pot holder he pulled out a plate for himself. He smiled as he set it on the counter and grabbed a beer from the fridge.

Son, Jane still doesn't know about Eric. Please protect her. She is better, but not enough for his craziness. I love you. See you tomorrow.

Mom

Frankie shook his head at the note. He hadn't agreed with Maura, Vince, and Frost about keeping Jane in the dark. He had nodded his head though and followed their lead. Frankie walked over to the couch and woke Vince. It took a couple of gentle shakes and then a hard shove to get him to wake.

"Geeze Vince. You are supposed to be watching out for Jane." Frankie whispered fiercely. He was more than a little aggravated that the detective was sound asleep on the couch.

"Eric isn't coming around here. He will wait for Jane out there. He has time and money on his hands." Vince rose slowly. Frankie heard several of the older detectives joints pop and crack as he did. He knew Vince only had so many years left on the force. Time, age, and stress took terrible tolls on officers of the law. Vince was beginning to show some of the signs.

"Yeah, well we can't be too careful. Eric is one smart cookie. If he can escape two police officers then he can show up here. Get some rest Vince." Frankie saw the detective out the front door. He then went to the kitchen and began to eat his meal. After about fifteen minutes he realized he wasn't alone. He looked up and across the room into the eyes of his sister, Jane. Her eyes caught the light from the stove causing them to glitter ethereally. She walked so quietly across the room he thought she was a wraith at first.

"Eric has escaped?" Jane asked in a whisper. Frankie nodded.

"I had planned on telling you tonight anyway when Maura was in the restroom or out." Frankie said, and then took another bite of his chicken.

"Vince and Frost didn't want me to know because I was sick." Jane asked looking for confirmation in Frankie's eyes. She found it and a little more. "Maura too?" Frankie nodded and put his fork down. Jane kind of deflated. She couldn't blame them. If she was honest she had to admit she couldn't take down a perp to save her life right now, but it hurt her pride.

"Hey, they are worried about you. You have been real sick. Maura has been frantic inside at points I am sure, especially with your estrangement. Have faith in her, Vince, and Frost. Let us take care of you Jane. I know you are strong you don't have to prove that right now. We know it. Scalpels and bullets prove it." Jane looked into her little brother's eyes knowing exactly what he meant.

"I am a cop Frankie. I should be able to protect myself. I protect the public. What does that say when I can't even protect myself?"

"It says that sometimes the world is bigger than one person can take on so they have to depend on those they trust. Jane we are here. You have so many people to trust. Let us take care of you, please." Frankie stepped around the counter now. He laid his hands on his sister's shoulders pulling her close. "Please!" Frankie pleaded softly. She leaned forward pillowing her head against his chest. "Janie, let me take care of you for a change. I owe you so much." Jane's thoughts whirled inside her head. She knew being stalked and hunted was dangerous. Every time she had gone out on her own she had been grabbed, except the one time with Maura. But that had been a setup from the beginning with Hoyt. Jane began to cough a little, but not the harsh cough of earlier in the evening. She was so tired.

"All right, don't let them know I know. I'll let them have their way for now." Jane closed her eyes drifting off while her brother hugged her. The waves of exhaustion over took her some, and then she felt him shift his hold. The next thing the world spun as she was picked up and carried back to her bed. Jane didn't even have the energy to protest. It scared her how her body failed her so quickly right now. She felt Frankie tuck her in and Maura roll spooning into her. Strong, lithe arms wrapped around her providing a feeling of safety all out of proportion to the act. Jane submitted to her weakness falling into a deep healing sleep trusting her friends to protect her, except for that little area in her mind which went ahead planning.

Elsewhere, in a warehouse flat across the city Eric Wilder clipped two wires together by soldering the ends. His new short haircut, dye job, and false mustache had altered his appearance some; however, he had added a set of glasses. He had found it was enough to allow him to hide in plane site. He hummed to nessum dorma from the Opera Turandot. Eric set the wires into the device and reseated the outside of the device. He looked at the three devices he had created. Yes, he would take care of Detective Jane Rizzoli once and for all. Then as the song neared its end Eric began singing the final line…

"Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!"

("Vanish, o night! Set, stars! Set, stars! At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win! ")