FINIS
A/N This will wrap up this story of our favorite Medical Examiner and Detective. Thank you all for reading and to those of you who took time to comment, "THANK YOU!" I'm truly grateful you found this a good read. FYI, an open ending might mean a follow up...you never know with me. :)
Jane stood outside Detective Rose's borrowed office. She alternated between pacing like a caged lion and squatting on her heels. Maura had been answering questions and giving her statement for three hours now. Jane had heard an edited version on the ride to the Hendersonville PD. Surely it had been enough time to dissect every second that lunatic had held and tortured her. She lifted her head from her crossed arms and raised her brows in question as Ryan Black stopped in front of her.
The young man cleared his throat and fought to keep his eyes from tearing. He swallowed painfully and held out his hand to help Jane stand. Once she was eye to eye with him, he took her other hand and held tightly to both hers. "I'm sorry Detective Rizzoli. Detective Grey was pronounced DOA at Vanderbilt."
A ragged sob tore from her throat as the door flew open and Maura rushed to Jane's side. Uncaring that at least a dozen police personnel watched, Maura pulled Jane into her arms and rubbed her back. "We just heard from the hospital. I'm so sorry."
Benni Rose stood just inside her office tears openly streaming down her tan cheeks. She waved the three of them inside. "I'm sorry Ma'am. I have to get back to HQ and start my own paperwork." He offered his hand to first Maura then Jane. When he took Benni's hands in his, he pulled her into a quick embrace before huskily promising. "We have Alexander's picture and description on the wire. Every officer in the entire sate is looking for her. We will bring her down." He dropped his gaze and swallowed hard before continuing. "Detective Grey was a good man. We'll bring her in, I promise you." He gave a curt nod to each woman and hurried from the building.
"Whatever questions you still have can wait." Jane assured Benni. "Maura and I would like to stay and pay our respects to Grey's family. We won't be leaving town for a few days" Maura nodded and grasped Jane's hand.
"Thank you. We are actually finished with Dr. Isles' statement. I was just going to tell you about Robert. We have been, had been, partners since Police Academy. He was a wonderful man and a great cop."
Jane understood the need to process, the need to grieve in the only way a cop could and still keep their head together. "Can you tell me what happened after you chased her from the basement?" She knew the detective needed to talk, and she honestly wanted to know what happened to the man she knew saved Maura's life.
"Come in and get comfortable." Benni walked to a small fridge by her desk and asked if they would like a soda or water.
"Beer would hit the spot, but a Dr. Pepper will do. Thank you." She accepted the plastic bottle and opened the lid while Maura opted for a bottle of water.
The instant Jane lunged for Maura, Benni and Grey opened fire on Angie. Knocked off balance by Maura's attack, she escaped the gunfire and ran for the stairs. At the top of the stairs she turned right and pressed a small brass knob. A door silently slid open revealing a small closet. Angie pulled the London Fog trench from the peg on the back of the door and slipped into it. She took two 9mms and slipped them into the inner pockets of the coat. She could hear the detectives lumbering up the stairs. "This is why you keep in shape, pigs." she giggled and sprinted for the back door. A quick look through the bullet proof glass assured her the rest of the rescue party had not yet arrived. She slipped her feet into the Wellies she kept handy for times like this, and slipped out the door. "If I can get to the yacht, I'm safe."
Benni got to the top of the steps first and took a cautious look. How hard could it be for a naked woman to escape in broad daylight? One thing was certain; the bitch was certifiable! "Clear." She called down to Grey two steps below.
"Back door's open. Think she went out, or is she trying to make us think she went out?" He asked his weapon trained on the open door.
"She knows she has to get to that boat in order to have a chance at getting away. I'll head to the dock and try to catch up to her."
Grey caught Benni's arm as she was about to run for the door. "I hate to swell your already over inflated head, but you're in better condition. Check the house then come to the dock to back me up. You got more gas in your tank, I'm only about three quarters full now."
"Wrong, Old Man, you're totally full of shit." She knew he was trying to keep her behind him and out of the direct line of fire. "I'll see you in two minutes flat." She scanned the room, then sprinted for the stairs to start her search.
Benni wiped her eyes and gave a sad smile. "It was literally two minutes later when I stepped onto the end of the dock." she drew a shaky breath and continued. "Alexander was on the yacht and Robert was standing on the dock below. Both had taken at least one hit. I could tell Robert's was serious. His breathing sounded like leaves rattling in the wind." She dropped her head trying to gather her composure. "I made a choice."
Jane shot from the chair and knelt beside the detective's chair. "We all would have made the same call. You tried to save your partner."
"Benni, Jane is right. We all, I, would have called for help for my partner. You did the right thing." Maura left her chair and stood beside Jane. She took the detective's hands in hers and waited until Benni could meet her gaze. "I owe you all my life. Thank you for coming with Jane to get me. Thank you."
An hour later Maura and Jane were back at the hotel. Jane had stopped at the Wal Mart in Hendersonville and bought something for Maura to wear. Maura had slipped into the jeans and sandals, but still kept on the Polo Jane had given her at the scene. "Do you want food first, or a nice hot shower?" Jane asked opening the door to the Kia Optima they had rented. If neither of them ever saw another Cadillac it would be too soon.
The thought of being in water again so soon sent a chill of fear racing down her spine. "Food. I haven't eaten in days."
Jane took Maura's hand and dropped a swift kiss on the inside of her wrist. "Food it is." She kept their fingers linked as she led Maura inside the hotel. At the desk Tammy was giving directions on how yo get to Music Row to an elderly couple. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed as she saw the pair approach the desk holding hands. "Suite 12C." Jane announced. She had watched Tammy's facial antics as they crossed the lobby. Amused, she dropped Maura's hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulling her close. "Thank you." She took the key and gave Tammy a wink before walking away. Life is too short to be a judgmental twit. Take real love when you find it and hold on for dear life, 'cause it can be taken away in an instant!
Inside the suite, Maura stepped out of Jane's embrace and immediately felt chilled from the loss. She dropped her head, heat flooding her cheeks. "Jane." She choked on the next words. Jane remained quiet, just walked to the bed and turned the covers back. She sat on the bed and patted the space next to her. Maura took halting steps, but sat next to her. "Jane, despite what you saw..."
"Maura, it's OK Babe. That bitch would be dead and cold by now if she had raped you." Jane gently took Maura's face in her hands and guided her to within inches of a kiss. "I meant it when I said it didn't matter. We can recover from this. Together we can face anything. If I had lost you, before I even found you..."
A sob tore through Maura as she let herself realize that Jane loved her too. "Jane, I."
She had to tell Maura how she felt first. It wasn't a competition, but she had promised herself she would tell Maura how she felt and she was going to keep that promise. "I know, baby. I love you so much it hurts."
Maura threw herself into Jane's arms and kissed her with all the love she felt. Long minutes later, she pulled back and admitted. "I don't know how to..."
"No one does, at first. Learning to love is an adventure meant to be shared. I don't know how to make love to a woman either. But, I'm going to learn to please you." Jane dropped a kiss on the tip of Maura's nose and laughed as a loud rumble announced Maura's need to eat. "The first thing I'm going to do is order you a huge steak, salad and sweet potato along with a bottle of that fancy wine we had in..."
A deep kiss silenced Jane. Maura closed her eyes and savored the taste of orange Tic Tac and Jane Rizzoli. Two flavors she now enjoyed more than any other. When they were panting and burning for more, Maura pulled back and said. "Forget the steak and wine. Get two burgers and beer up here now."
"What my Baby wants, she gets." Jane laughed and placed a call to room service. She watched as Maura shimmied out of the jeans and padded to the bathroom still wearing the Polo. Something told Jane she wasn't getting that shirt back anytime soon.
Maura returned from the bathroom just as the food was delivered. She was still wearing the shirt and her face had been scrubbed, her teeth brushed and her hair tamed. "Oh my this is the best burger I've ever tasted. Better than steak!" She inhaled the double meat patty and drank two bottles of beer. She also pilfered a fry or two from Jane's plate.
After dinner, Jane excused herself to shower and wash off the day. She washed her hair using liberal amounts of honey almond shampoo. After a thorough full body scrub she reached to turn off the water. Maura stood outside the etched glass door her eyes pleading and scared. Jane turned down the water and opened the door, unsure if she was going to step out, or invite Maura inside.
Without a word Maura stepped into the shower and into Jane's arms. She rested her head above Jane's heart and felt the reassuring beats accelerate. Seducing Jane was not her first thought, but now it was her only thought. She lifted her head until she could place her lips against Jane's chest.
Should she say something, or just let Maura take the comfort she needed? Jane hesitated another minute, then closed her arms around the small body pressed into her own. Mercy, Maura's skin was so soft and inviting. Jane tried to keep her hands still and non-threatening. That lasted until Maura deliberately rubbed her full breasts across Jane's chest. "Baby..."
"No words, please Jane. I need to show you how I feel." Maura cupped her lover's face in both hands and brought their lips together. She ended the kiss when she felt her body temp spike and moisture dampen her inner thighs. "If you don't want this..."
She didn't know what "This" was, but she wanted to touch and kiss and possess every inch of the woman looking at her so passionately. "I want you. Damned if I know what this is, but I want you. No." She whispered dropping a kiss on waiting lips. "I need you."
Happiness spilled from inside and Maura felt like it filled the whole universe with love. "Help me get cleaned up first?'
"Any excuse to touch you." Jane chuckled and poured a handful of body wash into her hand which she happily ran over Maura's entire body.
Ten minutes later, Jane led Maura into the bedroom. "There's still time to change your mind."
Maura launched herself at Jane tumbling them backward onto the bed. "In the words of one of my favorite singers, shut up and kiss me!"
Giddy with desire and so happy to hear the teasing back in Maura's voice, Jane rolled them over until she was on top. "Your wish is my command." Passion darkened eyes locked with equally aroused hazel. Jane lowered her head and sealed their lips. She waited for Maura's reaction and was rewarded with eager hands pulling her closer. Keeping most of her weight on her hands, Jane fitted her body into Maura's. It was amazing how perfectly they fit together. Jane's hips were securely cradled between Maura's thighs. Their mounds pressed together letting the copious amount of joint arousal coat them both. Maura lifted her hips and ground them together then angled her hips so Jane's outer lips opened and slipped between hers. "Any more wishes?" Jane asked breathless.
"Claim me and never let me go." Maura said lifting her hips again in encouragement for Jane to possess her.
"Never!" Jane vowed settling into the rhythm Maura established. Never, would she let Maura go now that she had finally claimed her and given herself to Maura.
A/N Thank you so much for all the comments, and views. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. As you probably noticed, Angie is still at large. I'm heading on vacation for a week (That's why I got everything finished and posted today, didn't want to leave anyone hanging). My next story won't have anything to do with Angie, but she will return at some point... Again, I greatly appreciate all the reviews you guys have literally made me smile every single day. Until next time, Panther out...
The end