"Well, Dr Isles, I think you should be fine to go home in a day or two," the surgeon was saying as he listened to her breathe. "Your wound seems to be healing up nicely, and judging by the sounds in your chest, your lung has repaired itself. You'll have to take it easy, and come in fairly often so we can check your progress, but aside from that, you're alright. I would recommend a leave of eight weeks from work, so you can be assured a full recovery."

From her position on the floor, Jane let out a feeble, hungover cheer. Angela – who had arrived an hour ago – echoed her sentiment. The elder Rizzoli had been significantly unimpressed to find her daughter in such a state, but had afforded her a grilled cheese sandwich nonetheless. The greasy food had made Jane feel considerably better, but still not well enough to gravitate into a chair. The floor felt safest. Maura, damn her, found the whole thing terribly amusing. Jane supposed she couldn't really blame her.

"I can go home?" Maura said tremulously. After almost a week in hospital, she could scarcely believe she was going to finally be well enough to leave.

"You can go home," the surgeon smiled. "Soon."

Maura laughed with relief. She was looking forward to being able to wear clothes, and underwear. Real underwear! Not the paper panties she'd been wearing here. She was missing proper food too. She positively salivated at the thought of being able to sample Angela Rizzoli's cooking again.

More than that, Maura was desperately eager to resume her life. Being shot had thrust her into a strange limbo, where everything was slightly dreamlike, and everyday living was something that happened elsewhere.

Jane's phone buzzed, marring the happy moment.

"Rizzoli."

Maura peered over the edge of the bed, watching the detective. Hangover forgotten, Jane's body language had shifted. She was in work mode now. The conversation was quick, with whoever was on the other end of the line doing most of the talking.

"Okay, I'll be there right away." Jane said, and hung up. "Korsak has a lead. I've got to go."

"You're on leave, Janie," Angela reminded her gently.

Maura knew that wouldn't make a difference. When homicide had a case, Jane sank her teeth in and didn't let go until she'd seen it through. Since the victim was someone close to her, the detective certainly wasn't going to let it slide. Not even Lieutenant Cavanaugh would be able to stop her from being involved. In fact, Maura thought it was probably best to have Jane working with the BPD on this. Kicking her off the case could turn her into a violent vigilante, and that wouldn't end well for anyone concerned.

"I gotta do this, Ma."

Angela sighed ruefully. "I know. Go do your thing."

Jane got up carefully and moved like someone who was afraid their head was going to fall off, and was thus trying not to joggle it. It was strange to watch. She hugged her mother, and then – without thinking – kissed Maura's cheek and headed out the door.

Angela rubbed her face to hide a smile. She could see how pleased that kiss had made Maura. The medical examiner unconsciously touched the spot where Jane's lips had been.

Heads turned as Jane entered BPD headquarters. Wary surprise registered on a lot of faces, sometimes combined with pity. Her expression stony, she ignored them as best she could. Nobody tried to talk to her. It probably didn't help that she was in last night's rumpled clothes. She hadn't had the energy to change, nor did she want to spare the time to go back to her apartment. She was too eager to find out what Korsak had managed to learn.

The first twenty four hours after a crime were critical. So much time had passed since the shooting that she knew Korsak and Frost were starting to get frustrated. The whole homicide department was desperate for a lead. Most people thought Maura was weird, but she was well-liked and respected. This was personal for all of them. Almost too personal, Janereflected.

As she entered the homicide division, she saw Korsak hurriedly cover the familiar photo of Maura's blood all over the floor. He tried, but he wasn't a subtle man. Jane did appreciate the attempt though – she didn't think she could ever see that image without wanting to cry. It was bad enough that it was burnt into her memory so indelibly.

"Rizzoli!" Cavanaugh shouted as he saw her. Jane winced, anticipating him telling her to get the hell out of there. She opened her mouth, ready to defend herself. But instead, quite unexpectedly, he gave her a short, awkward hug, and then – looking embarrassed – immediately retreated back into his office.

"Surreal," she murmured. This shooting was certainly bringing out facets of some people that she hadn't known about before.

She felt vindicated to note that Frost had dark circles under his eyes, and was moving slightly slower than usual. Flooded with delicious schadenfreude, she watched him yawn broadly and then rub his temples as if trying to dissipate a headache. She was glad he was hungover too. Suffering from viesalgia, she corrected, hearing it in Maura's voice and smiling.

"What have you got?" Jane asked the two men. She wanted to get straight to the point, and she knew neither of them would begrudge her lack of preamble.

"CCTV six blocks from the crime scene picked up a guy that matches the sketch of the unsub we had drawn up. It shows him getting into a car." Korsak explained.

"You trace it?"

"It's a rental. Hired two days before the shooting from a dealership at Logan International. We have a name – Martin Thomas – but it's an alias."

Jane sighed. "Damn."

Frost held up a hand. "Gets better. Uniforms showed the sketch around at the airport. Staff remember the guy. We found out he flew in from Charlotte last Thursday. He paid cash for his flight, but as far as we know, he used his real passport."

"So you've got an ID?"

"James Saunders. He's got no priors, but he's smart. No permanent address, no phone or anything registered to him. Just a Utah driver's license."

"We ran the Martin Thomas alias." Korsak chipped in. "Nothing attached to that name except a bank account on the Cayman Islands, which has two hundred grand in it. The money was deposited three weeks ago."

"Where from?"

"We're running it now. But I'm willing to bet it's from whoever paid him to kill our vic and toss his house."

"You got an APB out?"

"Yep. And we're chasing down the hire car. There's been no activity on either of the names we have, so I reckon our hitman is still in Boston."

"You think he's got more than one target here?"

Frost shrugged. "Hard to tell. Maybe he just stays wherever until he gets another job. It's a start though, Jane. We're getting there. We'll nail this bastard."

Jane chewed the side of her thumb thoughtfully. It was definitely a start. "So, we need to make sure Saunders doesn't leave Boston, and find out who paid him to kill our victim. Do we have any idea what he was looking for?"

Vince shook his head. "Vic was an IT tech with a major law firm. I figure it must be something to do with that."

"Makes sense, I guess."

Jane put her hands in her pockets self-consciously. It felt strange being here like this – on leave, but still investigating the shooting of her best friend.

"You look as rough as Frost. Can't handle your liquor?" Korsak joked.

"I don't think many people would be able to handle the amount we drank last night," Jane said, amused.

Frost groaned. "Don't remind me. How's the doc today?"

"Doing good. The surgeon says she can go home in a couple of days. In fact," Jane looked at her watch, "I should probably get back there. Ma has to go to work, and Constance is still on Italian time, so she's probably asleep. I gotta keep Maura company. Give me a copy of the case file to take away?"

"Sure," Korsak said, and wandered over to the photocopier.

Frost sidled close to Jane and lowered his voice. "You feeling okay about our conversation last night?" he asked; his brown eyes were full of concern.

She smiled. "I'm getting there. I'll feel better when Maura gets out the hospital."

"I hear that."

"You need a lift back there?"

Jane laughed. "My car's still over by the Robber. I can't remember exactly where I parked it though, so yeah, that'd be really handy."

After getting Korsak's assurances that he would call her as soon as he found out anything else, Jane allowed Frost to lead her back through headquarters. As they came out into the lobby, Frankie joined them.

"All okay?" he asked simply.

"All good." Jane agreed.

As she hugged her brother in greeting, Jane caught sight of the two officers – Burke and Smith – who'd been first on scene the previous weekend. They were both wearing suits and looking indignant. They looked like they were deep in a heated conversation with two uniformed cops.

"Cavanaugh ripped them both a new one," Frankie explained under his breath. "They've been suspended without pay for severe negligence."

"I'd do more than suspend them," Jane spat vehemently.

He grabbed her wrist as she lengthened her stride and pulled her up short. "Don't."

"Maura could have died."

"But she didn't. Please, Jane."

Jane didn't answer. Her fingers twitched, involuntarily forming fists, as she glared across the foyer. She longed to smack the shit out the two incompetent assholes. Maybe that would knock some sense into them. If she had been in their position, she would have been distraught at the idea that her oversight almost got someone killed. Burke and Smith didn't look remorseful though – they looked pissed off.

"It ain't fair," Smith was saying, "Dumb bitch should have checked it. It's that fucking dyke Rizzoli's fault the doc got shot."

Burke snorted. "Yeah, bro. And now we're suspended? What did Rizzoli get? Nothing. Fuck that. Stupid mother―"

Stupefied by fury, and utterly dumbfounded at their inhumanity, Jane froze. All her muscles tensed. She wasn't even aware of Frost moving, nor did she notice he wasn't standing beside her until she saw his fist connect with Burke's jaw. The incompetent cop's head snapped backwards and he smashed into the wall. Dazed, he sagged to the floor. Frost whipped around and seized Smith by the lapels, forcing the man to stand on tiptoes.

"You watch your mouth!" Frost yelled, his face a scant inch from Smith's. "You hear me? You fucking hear me?"

"Frost, stop!" Jane shouted. She grabbed Smith's shoulders and yanked him away from the enraged detective. Frankie threw up his arm to stop Frost going after Smith a second time. With his other hand, her brother warded against the two uniformed cops, who looked ready to wade into the fray.

"They were out of line, Jane!" Frost fumed. "I can't let that shit slide. You and Dr Isles could have been killed! They've got no right to talk like that."

"Jesus, Barry," Jane breathed, "Calm down."

She was shaken. Frost was one of the most even-tempered people she'd ever met. To see him lose his shit like that was wholly shocking. The use of his first name seemed to bring Frost back down to earth. He blinked and clasped his fist to his chest, clearly in pain.

"I'm not sorry," he muttered.

"Crazy son of a bitch," Burke cursed, clutching his jaw.

Frankie kicked the floored cop in the foot. "Shut it," he ordered. "Get up and go get your face checked out."

"You," Jane pointed at the two angry uniforms, "Go with him. Smith, get the hell out of here."

"You'll pay for this, you fucking lunatic," Smith snapped at Frost.

Frost raised an eyebrow and smiled coldly. "You got lucky, boys."

"Get him out of here," Jane whispered to Frankie. "Take him somewhere to cool off."

"You ok, Janie?" He looked as freaked out as she felt. It wasn't as though she hadn't wanted to put those two idiots in their place, but she'd never ever expected it to be Frost who exploded like that. There'd be trouble after this, but there was nothing any of them could do now.

Frost was shaking from the fading adrenaline. He'd regret losing his temper so completely, she knew. His face was tight with anger and burgeoning anxiety. She squeezed his shoulder supportively. She was torn between worrying about him, and wishing that it had been her who'd struck down Burke.

"Ice that hand," Jane ordered as Frankie hustled Frost out of HQ.

She put her hands on her hips and exhaled in a long stream, wondering what to do next.

Shit.

Three hours later, Jane made it back to Maura's bedside. She'd talked to Korsak, and then to Cavanaugh at great length. Although unhappy, the lieutenant had been understanding, and she'd left the matter in his hands. As Frost's superior, it was up to him to deal with now, but Jane was confident he would side with the homicide detective. She doubted he would be particularly keen to punish Frost, especially considering how angry he himself was with Smith and Burke.

She didn't mention the incident to Maura, preferring to keep the conversation light. The doctor could barely contain her excitement at the prospect of going home. Jane thought she was adorable.

"I've been missing Bass," Maura told her. "I hope he's okay."

"Don't worry. Someone's been looking after your turtle."

"Tortoise."

Jane snorted. She wasn't about to admit that she'd taken the tortoise a punnet of British strawberries on Wednesday. Maura had mentioned them once, and, since Jane hadn't been able to do anything particularly useful for Maura herself, she'd pampered Bass instead. It was as though the animal was a proxy for her friend. She wouldn't ever tell the ME that she rather liked the tortoise, and was even beginning to think it was kind of cute.

There was a light tap on the door. Frost peeked through the glass. His face was a picture of sheepishness. He didn't seem to be sure what his reception would be. Jane felt sorry for him.

"Can I come in?"

"Detective Frost!" Maura said happily, "Please do."

He sidled in, avoiding making eye contact with Jane and sat in the spare chair. He was holding an ice pack to his right hand.

"What did you do to yourself?" the doctor asked, concerned.

"Frost had a bit of an encounter with Jack Burke."

Maura looked blank.

"The officer who was first on scene last Saturday."

"Oh."

"I decked him," Frost told her shamefacedly.

"Good for you!" Maura said hotly.

"I didn't realise you two were quite so violent!" Jane quipped, slightly startled.

"A bullet wound can give one new perspective. I'd like to hit him myself, but I think it would be somewhat ineffective, especially given my current condition."

"It did feel good," Frost confessed. "Stupid, but worth it."

"And Frost has a pretty mean punch," Jane pointed out.

Maura was looking at Frost with gratitude and admiration. It made Jane wish that it had been her who'd lost her temper, just so that Maura would look at her that way. Dumb thought, she told herself, shoving the idea aside.

Frost cleared his throat. "So what do you have planned for when you get released?"

"Angela has agreed to make me a batch of cannoli. I cannot wait to eat them. Hospital food leaves a fair bit to be desired."

"How long will you be off work?"

"Eight weeks. So, I'll have plenty of time to catch up on my medical journals."

"Or you could just binge a TV show like a normal person." Jane told her jokingly.

"What would you suggest I watch?"

"The L Word?" Frost offered, with a grin and a meaningful, sidelong glance at Jane.

The detective bit down on what could only be described as an alarmed squeak and kicked him.

"I've already seen that," Maura said nonchalantly.

Jane gaped. "You watched it all?"

"Yes. For research."

She couldn't stop herself asking: "What kind of research?"

Maura fixed her with a level look. "Ethnographic."

In the ensuing deafening silence, the detective swallowed audibly as Maura captured her gaze. She didn't blink, and neither did Jane. Frost looked from one to the other, and then chose to study his fingernails as though they were the most interesting thing in the world, doing his best to pretend he wasn't in the room. He needn't have bothered: the two women seemed to have forgotten he was there. Maura's stare was suddenly full of a banked heat, and Jane could feel the room temperature spike as the doctor held her eyes.

Unable to help it, Jane dropped her attention to the other woman's mouth. Unconsciously, Maura licked her lips. Aware of her pulse quickening, Jane tore her attention away and cleared her throat unnecessarily loudly. Maura busied herself refilling her water glass, and took several gulps from it.

While she was occupied, Jane gave Frost an apologetic smile. He shook his head wryly.

Well, Jane thought. That was definitely what you'd call a 'moment.'