A/N: Again, thank you for all the reviews, follows and alerts for the story.

Thank you to ssa-rtune for the beta read and a couple of nice little suggestions. However, as before all and any mistakes are mine and only mine.

In case you were wondering, there might be a bit more action to the story sometime in the next three or four chapters, just to keep to characters within the realm of what we know from the show, as well as with what I'm trying to achieve with the story. Yep, I'm shamelessly dangling a carrot here.

In this chapter: Jane finds out a bit more from Maura, and we learn some history about Cameron. Jane starts to get to grips with the emotional fallout. I hope you enjoy.

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Chapter 10: Loved ones.

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Before I could start explaining how I felt Jane pre-empted me, her eyes set and fixed as she thought over the knowledge she'd gleaned from me the last few days. "So what's the rest of the bunker like, I know you've given me a general description, but where do you normally sleep?"

Having been prepared to lead the conversation I was slightly taken aback by the enquiry and I wondered where Jane was going with her question. Although if I knew Jane, she had a good reason to start like this so I had no qualms about doing a mental turnaround and answering. "Single people mostly share dormitories. A few of us were voted by the members of the community into having our own rooms. Any couple's we try to give privacy, the same for those with children."

"Did you get a room to yourself?"

"Yes, to start with it was because I had Jo and Bass with me."

There was still very little information I could read from Jane's facial expression. And as much as I could still read her, it was obvious that she could shut her facial emotions off much better now than she had been able to do in the past. I idly wondered if it was a side effect from either the virus or the antidote.

I had been thinking this as there was a slight pause while Jane considered what she wanted to say next. I was brought out of my reverie when Jane asked. "Where does Cameron live within the complex if he is an orphan?"

"He bunks we me, initially he was going to be placed with the woman next door, but he fell in love with Jo and Bass, and they seem to love him. Cameron ended up spending more time with me than with the woman assigned to his care, so after a couple of months it appeared to be the right compromise for all concerned. If for any reason I am unable to be there for him, he is cared for by your Mother or Frankie. They both love him dearly."

For the first time I recognised the emotion as it played across Jane's face, it was surprise, but there was something else there, something that I couldn't quite pinpoint. I was reminded of the time I had told Jane, 'you are deceptively complex. I do not understand you.' It made me realize that over the years I had grown to understand Jane's intricate personality more and more. Yet in some regards I felt as though I was back at square one, because so much had changed, for both of us.

Those beautiful angular features schooled themselves into an expressionless mask once more and Jane said. "That's quite a depth of connection between you and Cameron. I'm guessing deeper than even I first realized."

I wasn't sure if that statement warranted an answer or not, and I was just deciding I needed to reply when Jane carried on talking.

"I don't remember much, however I do recall you telling me you loved me after I freaked out when you weren't there the other day. Did you mean what you said?" Still no meaningful expressions that I could read, not even a glance my way. It was starting to make me feel very nervous. Something I had not felt in Jane's presence since the early days of knowing her.

"Yes." I was barely able to force the word out such were my nerves.

Jane nodded. "Before we talk more, I also need to know, have you adopted Cameron?"

"Yes."

"So it's a package deal?"

My heart thudded against my chest from the anxiety caused by worrying that not only would Jane not want to be with me as a significant other. But that she would also not want the responsibility of helping me raise the boy whom I'd come to love. "Yes," I replied solemnly.

"Hmm." That was followed by a silence that seemed to stretch on forever.

My anxiety only increased and so I employed the technique given to me by Elizabeth Marsden for refocusing my attention. I picked the observation window and silently counted to seven when I looked at each corner. On my third pass of the corners Jane spoke. "Does Ma know how you feel about me?"

"Yes."

"Did you tell her?"

"No."

"Yeah, knowing Ma she guessed. She can be pretty astute when she wants to be. And she obviously doesn't mind or she wouldn't be so happy around you, even allowing for my return."

"No, she doesn't mind." I seemed reduced to monosyllabic answers, 'not bad for a genius' I sarcastically thought to myself, 'especially as the word monosyllable has five syllables.'

Jane finally seemed to realize how tense I was and instantly changed her countenance. "Oh God Maur, I'm so sorry, I was so wrapping up in thinking about what you had confirmed for me I never even thought about how hard this must be for you." She reached out and wrapped me up in a hug and I allowed my cheek to fall and rest against the top of her shoulder. Easing into the embrace I revelled in the warmth of my friend.

Finally I felt relaxed enough to ask. "You're not mad or disgusted by me?"

"What? God Maur no!" Jane quietly moved so she could look directly into my eyes, the integrity that was Jane Rizzoli shining from her own eyes as her hands resting lightly on my shoulders. I never felt more protected than at that moment, safely cocooned within our shared space. "Maura, if you'd told me this a year ago I would have run for the hills, terrified by my own upbringing and my family's reaction." She shook her head sadly. "But now, now we have this plague which has brought so much destruction. How can I not be as open and honest as you've been with me? I love you too, and if I'm honest I've loved you for a very long time."

Sensing the tears of relief that had started spilling down my face, Jane moved so she could tenderly brush them away with the edges of her hands.

"Oh don't cry sweetie, please don't cry," Jane begged as the tears gathered apace and poured even harder down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry," I choked out between the sobs. Yet, no matter what I tried I couldn't find a way of getting the words out of my mouth, the tears were all encompassing. What I wanted to say flowed through my brain but I had no way of informing Jane of my innermost thoughts.

Once again this amazing woman, who was holding me in her arms, managed to understand what I was trying to tell her. "I bet this is the first time you've really cried over all you've witnessed this last year. Forever having to stay strong and not give into the emotions, that's gotta take its toll." I could only nod, still unable to articulate my feelings out loud. Jane pulled me into a tighter embrace. "It's okay," she whispered into my ear. "It's okay."

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Eventually the tears dried up and I could focus on Jane once more. Pulling back slightly I wiped down my face and dryly chuckled. "Goodness, I've not been much use to you so far this evening."

Jane softly joined in with my laughter. "Yeah, I think we covered that already, we help each other."

Looking shyly at Jane I said. "You meant it, you love me too?"

She beamed a smile back at me. "Abso-frigging-lutely."

Despite being more relaxed about language these days I couldn't help but say. "Jane…"

However before I could finish my sentence the other woman said. "Language I know. So a minute part," she made a small gap between her one thumb and forefinger to illustrate her point. "Of the Doctor Isles I knew before does still lurk under that newly toughened exterior."

"Maybe," I happily conceded.

Jane opened her arms back up and I gladly moved so we were lying against the pillows, in a comforting embrace. "So, tell me about Cameron. I want to know everything there is to know, if we're doing this together I want to be there for the little guy. How was the adoption agreed for a start?"

"Obviously the same rules and laws don't always govern us here, but we still maintain a system whereby anyone wishing to adopt or foster long term is considered by those we believe best qualified to make such a decision. I was granted adoption rights by that committee a while ago, and by default I was able to choose guardians for him in case anything happened to me. Because they are my family now I chose your Mother and Frankie."

"And how did he end up here?"

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Cameron, his story was like so many others, and yet for some reason he had tugged at my heart strings upon his arrival to the shelter.

"It began with Tommy storming out to find you in Boston," Jane and I were perfectly comfortable lying there in each other's arms, my cheek once more resting on Jane's solid shoulder. "About ten miles outside of the city he came across a group that had survived the first wave of the contagion. Cameron was in that group, being looked after by a couple of nuns who had escaped unscathed. He had been asleep when the virus struck his home, and his Mother, Father and older brother all disappeared during the night. When he realized he was alone he did the sensible thing and made his way down the street to the convent. He knew he would be safe there. Cameron's Mother was a diabetic, and she had always told him that if there was an emergency and if he needed help then to go straight there and ask for their assistance. It seems they didn't have a house phone that could be used to dial 911, but she knew the sisters would get help."

"Wow, smart kid."

I nodded at Jane's assessment. "Oh yes, very smart, he only turned four a month afterwards, just as he'd arrived here. His group were the first lot Tommy found. Finding them outside Boston like that was the catalyst for Tommy's return, and the nuns, Sarah and Kathleen, are now a part of his reconnaissance group."

Jane blew out a deep sigh. "Jeez. What an age to lose your family, and just before your birthday as well. Although, I have to say, the idea of Tommy and nuns working together seems pretty mind blowing!"

"I think it surprised everybody, but it has proven to be a perfect balance of empathy and brawn. They're all great friends now. And while I think about it, we're planning a beach BBQ for Camerons' birthday this year, we asked what he wanted to do and that's what he requested. There will be Cameron and a couple of his friends, plus Angela, Frankie, and probably Tommy now he's here. It's only a couple of weeks away now.

"I suppose it is," said Jane thoughtfully. "I'd like to be a part of that."

"Cameron would be delighted." I smiled, thinking that it was the sort of outing that would do Jane a lot of good.

"Are there many children here?" Jane asked.

I thought about the numbers for a moment. "There are 54 babies under eighteen months old. Plus one hundred and sixty nine children around Cameron's age, and finally, there are two hundred and three in their teenage years. Sadly Cameron's not the only orphan we've given sanctuary, luckily there are an abundance of good people here willing to take them under their wing and we provide them with as much stability as we can manage. It's hard sometimes," I acknowledged. "But worth it when their faces light up with more and more smiles as the days pass."

"I've just realized you secretly love it," Jane proclaimed, moving slightly enabling me to see the amusement on her face.

Genuinely puzzled I asked. "Love what?"

"Being a Mom."

"I…," I paused, thinking about what Jane had said, and suddenly it occurred to me that she was right. "Yes, I suppose I do, I hadn't really thought about it before now, but I really do love Cameron as if he were my own child."

Jane bent slightly and ghosted her lips against mine. I'm not even sure Jane was aware of what she was doing, because it transpired so naturally. Pulling back to her previous position she said. "Any child would be proud to call you Mom. In fact I think that should be our mission for Cameron, getting him used to thinking of you as his Mom instead of Doc Maurs."

"I'm not sure I'd be totally comfortable with that Jane."

"Why on earth not?" She asked, genuinely puzzled.

"He still has a memory of his family. I wouldn't want to confuse him, and then we need to consider how he sees you. You'll be yet another Mother for him to think about."

"That may be a fair point, but Maura, if anybody understands the concept of adoption it's you."

I realized Jane was right, but I would still need to think long and hard about how I should approach the subject with the young boy. He had been through enough traumas without the added confusion of getting to grips with two new Moms' in his life.

Before I could continue a huge yawn escaped from Jane. Looking at the time I realized the evening had flown by and it was now past ten at night.

"My, look at the time," I patted the bed. "We need to sleep. The conversation will still be there in the morning."

Jane's answer was yet another yawn and she smiled apologetically at me. "I guess you're right." Using her long arms to her advantage she lent over and keyed the switch that controlled the lights. In the darkened room I heard Jane whisper. "Goodnight my love." I found myself grinning like a fool at the endearment, and I returned the words with equally gentleness.

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Our sleep remained undisturbed until the very early hours, when Jane had another nightmare. Luckily I was able to get her back to sleep after only half an hour, but I vowed she would spend a bit of time learning about what psychological effects she might expect to come across as a result of the virus.

It was a cranky Jane that woke at seven that morning. She mumbled something about hating the goddamn frigging nightmares before stomping off to the bathroom refusing my offers of help. Taking the time to tidy the room, I phoned Angela and asked if she would mind spending breakfast with the boys. When she enquired why, I explained that it was time to start actively attacking the issues that were plaguing her daughter. Understanding what I needed she promised to bring our breakfast straightaway, and leave word with Vince that we weren't too be disturbed.

It took about twenty minutes for breakfast to arrive and be dished out. Angela was just about to leave when Jane reappeared, and with a scowl the younger Rizzoli muttered a barely civil. "Morning Ma."

"Morning Janie."

"Don't call me Janie! God, how many times do I have to tell you?" She threw her hands up in exasperation.

Looking at me for guidance I was pleased to see Angela had remembered that Jane was likely to have a few mood swings for the foreseeable future. I gave her a reassuring smile as she answered her daughter. "Sorry, I tend to forget. I'm eating with the boys this morning, so I'll see you two later."

"What? So we're not good enough now?" Jane snapped, and I could see she immediately regretted her words.

She moved to apologise but Angela cut her off. "It's alright Jane. We all knew you'd have days that were harder than others. I just didn't want to feel like I was hovering."

"Yeah, helicopter Mom." Jane automatically responded, finally the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

I was genuinely baffled by the quotation. "I'm sorry, I don't get the reference."

"A Mother that hovers," explained Angela. "It's what my kids called me when they were younger and I wanted to know where they were going."

"Constantly interfering more like," retorted Jane, and if I looked carefully I could see the hint of Jane's smile was still showing.

"I was only looking out for your interests." Angela defended with good humor.

Sitting down by the small table Jane reached for her drink. "All seems kinda silly now." She said morosely, the brief respite from her previous mood evaporating.

Angela smiled, and decided to leave well alone. "I'll see you girls later. Love you."

"Thanks Angela," I said while Jane did little more than grunt a reply. Sitting by the taller woman I let her dictate any conversation while we ate. There was twenty minutes of silence, and I could almost feel the strain radiating off Jane. With as little fuss as possible, so as not to add to Jane's discomfort, I cleared away the dishes, and placed them on a tray outside the door. Moving to set up the laptop, I quietly went to move Jane from where she was still sitting.

"Come on," I encouraged. "It's time for you to read a bit about how you'll likely to react."

"It's happening now isn't it?"

"The more you understand the easier it will be," I reassured her as she sat down on the bed, and nervously tapped the top of the computer which was sitting on the rolling table.

"Tell me what you know first," I could see the pleading look in Jane's eyes. "I don't think I can face seeing it black and white without having your input on what it is I'm reading."

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"I think the first thing I need to explain is that the medical data we have stored on the computers here is what we had saved after the virus hit. You know we have electrical power, well, that's provided by wave turbines, although some wind turbines and solar panels were also added when my Father bought the place. He made sure the bunker wasn't reliant on one supply. If the main turbines fail, the rest produces enough power for all essential operations. With regards to the computers my Father had already got an internal network and server set up. When he had the extra supplies delivered he somehow managed to get a whole host of data downloaded into the system. This included medical and Government databases, a lot of Google information. Various other information sites, and computer upgrades that wouldn't have been made public for at least a year. I honestly have no idea about how he managed to get so much achieved with so little time."

"Let alone the legality of getting the Government to release their databases." Jane pointed out.

"I think they must have realized the situation was spiralling out of control." I conceded. "I can't see why else they would have allowed such sensitive information to be released to a member of the public, even though my Father held some influence within certain political circles. Or at the very least his money did."

Feeling like we were getting side-tracked slightly I brought the conversation back to the reading Jane was going to do. "Extreme Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was reclassified as Complex PTSD after about a year, although personally I still favor the original classification. It was first seen in patients who had been exposed to repeated traumas in which there was actual or perceived inability for the victim to escape. Very much in line to what you were exposed too this last year." I could see Jane retreating further into herself as I explained what she needed to know.

Taking a minute to let Jane absorb the information, I carried on after I'd taken hold of her hand. "PTSD descriptions fail to capture some of the core characteristics of C-PTSD. These elements include captivity, psychological fragmentation, the loss of a sense of safety, trust, and self-worth, as well as the tendency to be re-victimized, and, most importantly, the loss of a coherent sense of self. It is this loss of a coherent sense of self, and the ensuing symptom profile, that most pointedly differentiates C-PTSD from PTSD."

"That was the worst part for me, knowing somehow I wasn't the person I should have been."

"Yes, that loss of your own sense of self must have been horrendous, and that is why we were expecting you to react with C-PTSD. Other patients of C-PTSD had also been exposed to long term violence, war veterans and gang members most notably."

I paused, because for me the next lot of information was going to be the hardest to impart, and I suspected it would be equally hard for Jane to hear. "We…" I stopped and decided I didn't want it to sound as though a committee had come to these conclusions. I kept my gaze fixed on the back of Jane's hand, not want to have her feel as though I was scrutinizing her every reaction.

Jane needed the personal touch. I was her friend, but I was also a Doctor and had been in the forefront of working out what psychological effects survivors might face. "No, I expect you to suffer from some of the following side effects. Alterations in affect regulation, including persistent dysphoria, which basically means you could experience intense feelings of depression, discontent and indifference to the world around you. There might be thoughts of chronic suicidal preoccupation and or self-injury. Although given your history with coping with trauma before, I don't think that is likely. More probable for you is explosive or extremely inhibited anger and you might alternate between the two. Again, given your history I don't expect the following, but you need to be aware that you could experience compulsive or extremely inhibited sexuality, as with the anger, that might alternate."

I stopped to gauge how Jane was reacting, so far her face was impassive, and I ploughed on, wanting to get this over with. "There might be alterations in consciousness, including amnesia or hypermnesia for traumatic events. There might also be fleeting dissociative episodes and depersonalization to do with your experiences. Almost certainly the most common symptom you'll be dealing with will be reliving your experiences, either in the form of intrusive post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or in the form of ruminative preoccupation. Other alterations may occur in self-perception, including a sense of helplessness or shame, guilt, and self-blame. I expect you might have a sense of defilement or stigma associated to what happened. Almost without question there will be feelings of complete difference from others which might include feelings of specialness, of being utterly alone, belief no other person can understand, or nonhuman identity."

"Jesus Christ, can you just stop for a moment," Jane croaked out. I glanced up and could see the strain now showing on her face. "How much more crap am I likely to have to go through?"

"There are a few more things I need to explain to you, but you've heard over half the list. Do you want to stop for a moment?"

Gritting her teeth Jane shook her head. "No, let's get this over with."

"Okay, well, next on the list would normally apply to the perception of a perpetrator, including preoccupation with a relationship, or revenge with a perpetrator. However, that is the one list of symptoms we are not sure about as there was no one perpetrator as such. So we are unsure about how you might react. It could be you will see the Government or the FBI as the guilty party in all this. For that reason I've only given you the most common symptom, in the hope that it won't affect you in this way. If required we can come back to that, and we'll deal with it on a need to basis.

Jane nodded her understanding, although her jaw was still clenched tight. Taking a moment to let out a cleansing breath I concluded the catalogue of symptoms. "There will almost certainly be alterations in relations with others, including isolation and withdrawal, disruption in intimate relationships, persistent distrust and feelings of repeated failures of self-protection. Finally you might suffer from a loss of sustaining faith and have a sense of hopelessness and despair."

"Not too much worry about then!" Jane finally said in a tight voice.

"Jane, you have to remember that you've been through trauma before, a lot of what you learned then will help you now."

She rumbled out a laugh, no humor on her face whatsoever. "Oh yeah, good old Hoyt and his gang. Not to mention that scumbag Bobby Marino and his friendly cohorts."

Picking up on her stress I said. "I think you need to take a break before you read up on this."

Jane glanced at the laptop which was a mere half foot away from where we were sitting. "Yeah, I think you could be right."

I pulled her to her feet. "Come on, let's go and visit the stables for ten minutes, then you can attack the laptop."

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As promised I kept Jane away for ten minutes, then made sure she sat and read through the pages of information I brought up on the dreaded laptop. While she was doing that I took the chance to phone Korsak and catch up on news regarding bunker operations. There wasn't too much to report. Aside from the skirmish between the two transient groups all sections of the bunker had been operating at optimum efficiency. Vince also mentioned that Barry Frost was nearly ready to implement the security upgrades, the estimate was twelve to fourteen days but they'd need my security codes in order to proceed on the final input of instructions. That left me with a bit of a dilemma because to do that I would need to return to the main section of the bunker. However, I wasn't sure how ready Jane would be about me leaving for a while. Or, if she decided to join me, I hoped she was up to leaving the quieter areas we were currently in and able to face the crowds. Reminding myself there were twelve days of so before that needed dealing with, I placed the questions it raised to the back on my mind, to be dealt with nearer the time.

Other than that, the council had approved my continuing absence, and were working on getting the antidote made up so we could attempt to help twenty people at a time. Knowing that they wanted me to lead the first group, we were trying to find a balance between monitoring Jane for possible side effects, and wanting to get the help for those affected underway. The original medical assessment from six months ago had allowed for two month's observation of whomever we used the initial antidote on. Now that person was Jane I was especially keen we didn't jump the gun and leave people in a worse off state. Thinking of Jane I glanced over to see how she was doing.

Much to my surprise Jane wasn't looking as strained as she had earlier. I suspected that was because reading the information, rather than having me dictate it to her, was less personal and so easier to digest. Plus I had to remember that we were dealing with the one and only Jane Rizzoli. Here was a person whose tenacity and inner strength I had yet to witness being beaten. Emotionally she truly was the strongest person I knew. It would be that, as much as the aid from us, which would see her through this, of that I had no doubt.

Waiting until Jane sat back, I approached when she appeared to have finished. Sitting by her side I attentively studied her face for a moment to see if I could glean what she would want to talk about. It was pretty emotionless so I went with the obvious. "I know you're not okay in the rational sense. But are you alright?"

A slow nod was the only response before Jane said slowly. "I think it's going to take a while to sink in, but it does feel better now I have an idea of what to expect. As well as having you here to help me. Without that I'm not sure how strong I could be."

"There is no doubt that having people who care about you by your side always helps in these sorts of situations, although this is something that has never been documented before."

"Did that mean you had to take a guess?" I could see Jane brightening slightly at the thought of my discomfort whenever I was pushed to guess about something.

"More of an educated hypothesis," I countered.

"You so guessed, come on, admit it!"

I smiled. "Alright, there might have been a small amount of guesswork involved. Not the first time I've done that if you recall."

"Ah yes, the insulin pump being swapped over on the Katie Gaynor-Randle outside Merch. Not to mention my personal favorite, the 'it's national guessing day' on the Rachel Lawson case. And if I recall then you also mentioned something about the fact that you hadn't broken out in hives from the guessing."

I smiled at the memory. "Did Frankie ever tell you what happened between us later on that day in the morgue?"

Jane looked intrigued. "No, I can't say that he did."

"He was trying to make me guess about cause of death with the floater, and before I knew it I was telling him that, 'for all I know Wile E. Coyote dropped an anvil on his head.'"

"Oh God, you didn't," Jane was finally starting to relax a bit as she asked. "What happened next?"

"He tried to say that it was a gut feeling when I interrupted him and said, 'but this is a scientific process, do you understand officer? You do not guess, leap to conclusions, speculate, theorize, wonder or tell me about your gut. I am clear?' I don't think I had seen poor Frankie so browbeaten. I'm sure I scared him somewhat."

"Poor guy, I would have loved to have seen his face."

"It was pretty special." I agreed.

"I think I need to see a bit more of him. Tommy too."

"Are you sure?" I was pleased that Jane was trying to make an effort to move forward.

"Yeah, I mean only having you here, and seeing Ma on an infrequent basis is great and all, but if I'm going to beat this thing I need to start getting out from this protected bubble. And I reckon the best place to start is with Frankie and Tommy. Maybe even Korsak and Frost if that goes okay."

"I think that's a very good idea, any thoughts on when you'd like to start?"

Jane considered it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I'm thinking dinner. She wrapped her arms around my waist. "But first I just want to spend some time cuddling up to you."

I relaxed further into Jane's side. "We'll tell your Mother at lunchtime."

"Uh huh," was the only reply I got as Jane finally fully relaxed, and took a deep breath against my neck.

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Rather unexpectedly we'd both dozed off and were woken by Angela appearing with our lunches. Cameron was with her.

"I thought it'd do you good to see him." Angela offered by way of explanation.

"Yeah, thanks Ma, and..."

"Don't you dare say you're sorry, nothing to be sorry for," Angela quickly cut Jane off. "Now get settled and say hello to Cameron. I swear I brought you up with better manners than this."

"Hey buddy," Jane said as she half smirked at her Mother and half yawned. "How was school today?"

"It's Saturday, there's no school silly." Cameron gave Jane a look of exaggerated patience as if she were the child not him.

"Oh that's right," Jane theatrically clicked her fingers. "So what did you get up to instead?"

"Barry showed me how to use a bow and arrow, but he's not as good as Docs Maurs." Cameron had once again made his way over to Jane and was busy getting himself comfortable in her lap.

I saw the genuine astonishment in Jane's face as both her eyebrows rose. "You were holding out on me Doc?"

I could feel the heat rising in my face as I blushed. "Not on purpose. The only time it could have been introduced into the conversation wasn't the right time for you to hear about it."

"When did it come up in conversation?" I could see Jane trying to work out the context.

"When I told you I tutored at the school, I left out the part that it was archery and fencing which I taught."

"Phew," Jane whistled. "That's pretty heady stuff Maura."

"Maybe," I gave a half shrug. "It's more of a necessity now though."

"Well, I can see how bows and arrows plus swords would be easier to produce than guns and explosives, but why do I get the feeling there is more to it than that."

"Because there is," placing a plate on the tray in front of Jane Angela shooed Cameron off her lap and placed his tray where he could easily reach it. "But I'm not going to have you talking like this at a family meal, so you can save the questions for later."

"Talking like what Ma?"

I got the impression this was a long standing tease within the Rizzoli family.

"You know very well what, all that icky stuff," she gestured to the plates. "Now eat, I didn't slave over a hot stove for it to go cold."

"Er Ma, its salad." Jane pointed out with some amusement.

"Then I didn't slave over a cold fridge for it to get warm. Eat!"

Chuckling lightly Jane picked up her fork and began to eat as ordered.

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Once again Cameron was a joy to be around, and he definitely helped Jane clear away the final vestiges of the lower mood which had plagued her that morning, even though a bit of strain remained around her eyes. Wanting Jane to get some exercise we decided to go and visit the outside section we'd visited before, there was about half a mile of safe coastline than we could walk along. Although Jane was surprised to see both Cameron and myself go to a cupboard outside the observation suite, then remove swords from it and strap them to our belts.

At her questioning look I explained. "Swords have proved very effective against those affected by the virus. Although I've yet to see evidence of anybody else using that stretch of beach I don't want to take chances."

She nodded at my explanation as we carried on walking towards the elevator. "That's fair enough, it just seems strange that you're the one defending me, normally it's the other way around. I feel a bit naked without a gun at my side." She touched the area where she would normally carry her police issue firearm. "I must admit I'm intrigued by the fact that the sword Cameron is using is a perfect size for him."

"We have some amazing metalworkers on site. They have managed a lot from so little. The story of the entire shelter really. Everybody puts in an astounding amount of effort," by this time we'd reached the outer door and I opened it allowing Jane and Cameron through.

Jane looked back at the open doorway. "How can you secure it from the outside?"

I motioned to the rock face closest to the door. "A hidden electronic keypad, courtesy of my Father's security upgrades. Before that there was only a key which could be used from the outside." I pushed a section of rock to reveal a pulsing green touchpad. It only took ten seconds to punch in the code and the door closed seamlessly behind us, becoming perfectly camouflaged against the natural surroundings.

"Now that's cool," looking impressed Jane inspected the area. "Of course you didn't need to shut the door last time we were out here." She turned her attention back to the beach. "Those white caps are amazing. I feel like walking along the edge of the surf barefoot. Is anybody going to join me?"

With joy on our faces Cameron and I turned to each other and hastily removed our footwear. Jane had already removed hers and was heading for the tideline.

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Frolicking in the sea with Jane and Cameron proved to be a lovely experience. Both my companions were carefree and laughing. Most gratifying for me was seeing Jane's face finally free of all the stresses and strains of the past few days. Because it was the first real exercise Jane had taken since she began her convalescence we didn't go far and took frequent breaks. Eventually weariness caught up with the tall woman and we made our way back inside. Although our spirits were much higher than they had been previously, which left us ready and eager to spend time with Frankie and Tommy. Because it was a Saturday I consented to Cameron staying up longer so he could join us. I wasn't sure who was more delighted by my decision, Cameron or Jane, as they both reacted with equal childlike glee.

Ordering Jane to rest I made sure Cameron was fixed up with some books to read before contacting Angela to let her know we were back. It was time for a true Rizzoli family dinner, the first we'd had since our forced evacuation from Boston.

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