Hi guys, thanks for all the reviews. The last chapter was a little bit difficult to write. Well, I wrote it out of experience because almost six years ago I was about to lose my right arm. I had an acute abscess in my breast and ate for a week just painkillers. I was too proud and too stubborn to tell my wife that I was in pain. I also went to work every day until I couldn't take it anymore. So I had to go to hospital at the weekend and got told that I was an emergency because this damn abscess was about to burst. Going to that hospital was my worst mistake cause it just got worse. I was a week in there and the pain got worse and wanders into my right arm, but I got discharged even though my doctor knew I had worse pain than before. I was one day home and then got sent straight to an specialty hospital. It turns out that I had another abscess and necrotic tissue in my right side. The doctors scraped out the wound and and I got operated again. I was for three month in a row in the hospital and got 5 times operated. Before the last time the doctor told me that I should prepare myself that I wake up and that my breast and my arm are may be amputated. I reached the point where I accepted that fact and didn't gave a damn anymore. I just wanted it to be over and to be with my family again, I wanted to be home. So I can kinda sympathize with people like that. I went through anger, depression and end up with acceptance. should mention that I am right handed but because of that I learned to use my left hand more. My advice, rather let take a look before it is too late.
However, enough with my story. I am glad that you liked the last chapter. Here's the next. I hope you like it as well. Enjoy. And I want to thank my beta who helped me with this chapter.
T73.
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Jane comes into the bullpen and frowns deeply when she sees her pale brother talking to Frost.
She walks over to her desk and looks at Korsak. "I haven't found the time to talk to Frankie. How is he doing?"
"He could be better," the older man replies and sips his coffee. "What did Maura say?"
Jane rubs both of her hands. "The wire that you found at the crime scene was actually the murder weapon. Could you find out what Stella did for work?"
He shakes his head and looks over the rim of his glasses. "Nothing stands out. I can't see why someone would kill her."
"Beside the fact that she is ... was a cop." she replies.
Korsak frowns deeply and looks long at her. "Do you think someone is seeking revenge on cops?"
She takes a deep breath and shrugs. "I don't know it yet. But I have a bad feeling, Korsak. Don't ask me why."
Frankie comes up to his sister and looks at her, horrified. "Jane, is it true? Is Stella Banks dead?"
Jane gets up from her chair and hugs him tightly, not minding that they are standing in the middle of the bullpen. All she cares about right now is her brother's well-being.
"I'm so sorry, Frankie," she croaks and looks at him.
He looks really awful. Stella's death really got to him more so than them.
Jane tries her best to comfort him by rubbing his arms. "Did the two of you stay in contact after you broke up?"
Frankie closes his eyes and rubs his forehead with the palm of his right hand. "Uh... Yeah," he says, "yeah, we had a couple of beers every now and then."
"Did she ever mention an eye-catching suspect?" she asks. Jane knows this isn't the standard procedure to get a statement from someone who knew the victim personally. She also knows that Cavanaugh will rip her head off once he knows about it. But she doesn't want to interview her own brother in a conference room.
Frankie frowns deeply and blinks a few times.
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Korsak slams Jane's photo on the metal table in the interrogation room and glares at Vera Flynn. "That's your husband's latest victim," he growls.
She stares at the photo and smiles proudly. "So what?"
"'So what?'" Frost barks at her. Anger is mirrored in his eyes. "'So what?' is all you have to say?"
"Yes, that's all I have to say," she says smirking.
Korsak is the one who loses his temper and wants to leap over the table. He wants to strangle her until she dies. But Frost is faster and holds his friend back. Chairs are knocking over. It is uncharacteristically for the older man to lose his temper over a female suspect.
"She has family," Korsak yells.
"So do I!" Vera yells back. "And you," she pauses. "You destroyed my family."
Frost pushes the raging Sergeant out of the room. "What the hell... Korsak!"
Korsak is enraged. "Fuck," he grunts and shakes his head. "Damn it. Listen, I'm sorry. But we are talking about Jane."
Frost presses his lips together in a thin line. "I know. But she wouldn't ... she wouldn't be okay with that." Frost tells Korsak. He lowers his voice and repeats, "She wouldn't be okay with this."
Korsak takes a deep breath and nods his head. He knows that the younger man is right. "I know. It's just..."
Frost glances at the blonde observer. "You should go home and get some rest."
Maura crosses her arms over her chest and shakes her head. She needs to know why those people did what they did, and the only person who can answer that question is sitting in the interrogation room right now. She can't blame Korsak for his flash of anger. If she were in his place, she probably would have gotten angry herself. She isn't a harmful or resentful person. But one thing she knows for sure is that she will never forgive the family who destroyed so many lives. "No, I'm fine. And I still have a lot of work to do."
Frankie enters the observation room and frowns. "Maura, can I talk to you?"
The blonde raises her eyebrows and leaves the room with her brother-in-law.
Did Jane ask him to try to convince her once more?
She sighs heavily. "Frankie, what is it? Did Jane tell you to talk to me again?"
He shakes his head and raises his eyebrows. "No. She called Ma. She told her that she wants to see her today. Of course Ma is all in a tizzy. She wants me to come with her. I was hoping that you could come with us too, so Ma doesn't get her hopes too high."
Maura frowns slightly. He is only asking for her help because Angela can become too euphoric.
And now she regrets neglecting her work for months. "I'm sorry, Frankie, but I have so much work to catch up. I can accompany you any other time. Just ... try to tell Angela that Jane needs time, and that she shouldn't push her."
He looks long at her and nods before he hugs her.
She smiles and hugs him back. "I'm so glad that she wants to see your mother."
He takes a deep breath. "Yeah, me too. And if Ma becomes too mushy, I'll cuff and gag her."
Maura chuckles and releases him. "If it's necessary... do it."
Frankie smirks broadly and starts walking again.
She closes her eyes and nods to herself.
That is a small step forward, isn't it?
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Jane is sitting in the common room and is frowning deeply. She asks herself if it was such a good idea to call her mother and tell her that she's finally ready to see her. She was so occupied in feeling sorry for herself that she'd forgotten her whole family. She just locked away her feelings so that she doesn't notice how lonely she really is. Maura's unannounced visit has stirred something deep inside her. Something she didn't know she was craving for. And what's more, she needs to know if Maura told her the truth. She knows that her wife is incapable of lying, but that she can bend the truth if it's really necessary. And seeing her mother would tell her everything she needs to know.
Jane is staring at the elevator the entire time. She is aware that her mother can show up at any moment. Her heart is thudding against her ribcage like crazy and her hands are all sweaty. She takes a deep breath and wipes her palms on her black jeans. She frowns deeply and stares at her numb legs. She flinches as she hears the bell of the elevator and her heart skips a beat as her mother emerges from it. At the same time she is relieved as she sees Frankie following Angela.
Angela beams broadly as she spots Jane and is waving her hand like crazy. Jane scoffs as Frankie rolls his eyes and forces Angela's hand back down. She smiles a little and wheels towards to the entrance. She can see that mother's smile falters for a second and her heart stops. Angela forces her eyes back up to Jane's and isn't sure what to do next. "Jane, you're looking great."
Jane frowns skeptically. "Yeah? You don't look very delighted to see me like this, Ma."
Angela blinks a couple of times and is frowning too. "Don't be ridiculous, Jane. It's just been a while since the last time I've seen you. Don't blame me for being a little bit overwhelmed."
Jane looks at her and opens her arms inviting. "I'm sorry, Ma."
Angela leans down and hugs her daughter tightly. It's nice but also a little bit odd at the same time. It's been ages since she had to lean down to hug her only daughter. She barely can remember. But it doesn't matter to her now. All that matters to her in this moment is that Jane is alive and she wants to see her.
"Ma, you're squeezing me too tight," Jane chokes out.
Angela breaks the hug and kisses Jane's cheek. "I'm sorry, Janie."
Jane smiles softly. "It's all right." She glances at her brother. "Hey, Frankie," she pauses. "Tommy couldn't come?"
He smiles a little. "No, he couldn't come. He has a job in Charlestown."
Jane nods, understanding.
Angela clasps her hands together. "So, when are you coming home?"
Frankie rolls his eyes again. "Ma!"
Angela is glaring at him. "What?"
"We just arrived a few minutes ago. Can't you give her at least half an hour?"
"It's okay, Frankie," Jane says with a small smile, "I'm a big girl." She takes a deep breath. "In a couple of weeks when the doctors clear me, I can come back home. Maura and I are trying it for thirty days, and if it doesn't work out, I'm moving into a residential home for the handicapped."
"Jane..." Angela starts to protest.
"Ma!" Frankie cuts her off and scowls. "It's Jane's and Maura's business, not ours."
"Maura knows about it, Ma." Jane says and takes Angela's hand in her own. "It was her idea. I mean, our house isn't very friendly to disabled people like me. And I'm not the same person anymore, Ma."
Angela takes a deep breath and let the words of her daughter sink in. "But you really have to try it, Jane."
"I'll try my best." Jane replies with a small smile.
"That's not enough," Angela scolds her daughter
"For heaven's sake, Ma!" Frankie groans.
Jane lowers her eyes and swallows hard. She asks herself if her mother's visit was the best idea she ever had since the incident that cost Jane her ability to walk. She wheels back a little to put some distance between her mother and herself.
Frankie sees the gesture and raises his eyebrows. He knows he should intervene. "Could we talk about something else?"
Angela looks questioningly at her son. "Why?"
"Because it is inappropriate right now." he growls low.
Angela rolls her eyes and sighs. "Fine. What are you doing in your spare time, Jane? Are you playing some sports?"
Jane's jaw drops to the floor and she furrows her eyebrows.
Frankie sighs and shakes his head.
"Really?" Jane asks. "Sports?"
"What?" Angela asks again, not understanding what she did wrong.
Jane glances at her brother and they both start to chuckle.
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Maura is about to put on her leather coat when her phone starts to ring on her desk. She frowns at the device, hating the nights when she is on call. All she wants to do now is go home and take a hot bath.
She sighs and walks to her desk. She doesn't bother to check the caller ID. "Isles." she says.
"Is my mother driving you crazy too?" the caller asks.
Maura raises her eyebrows and takes her purse into her hand. This isn't a usual greeting. "Excuse me?"
"Ma was here and told me that I have to try my very best so our marriage works out, and she asked if I play sports in my spare time," Jane says.
"Now I know from whom you get your lack of empathy."
Jane is quiet for a second. "Funny."
The blonde can hear the smile in the voice and smiles to herself as she switches off the lights in her office. "Did you enjoy her visit, Jane?"
Jane sighs heavily. "Yeah, I especially enjoy when my mother drops the ball on me."
"I'm sure she didn't mean to."
"You know her. She never does."
"Yes, I do know."
"Are you at home?"
"I'm leaving my office right now." Maura answers and locks the door.
Jane takes a moment. "I hope you're also this careful with the front door of our house."
Our house. Maura's heart skips a beat. A smile spread across her face. "Are you only calling to make sure that I am safe?"
"Maybe." Jane replies. "But maybe I missed your voice."
Maura raises a hand to say goodbye to one of the lab techs. "I missed..." She pauses for a moment before continuing, "your voice too, Jane."
The Italian is silent again. "Frankie told me Korsak freaked out as he and Frost interviewed Vera Flynn."
Maura sighs and nods to herself. "Yes, he did, understandably. If he wouldn't have ... freaked out, I'm sure that I would have."
"I hope you guys are aware of the fact that it won't change anything," Jane says cynically. "It doesn't matter anymore what she has to say. The victims are dead and I'm paralyzed."
The blonde clenches her teeth and walks towards her Toyota. "We are aware of the fact, Jane, we really are. But we want to understand why they did what they did. And why Vera Flynn was helping her husband."
"Because she was enthralled by him." the Italian almost growls. "Because they are sick. That's why they did all those things."
Maura nods to herself again. "Yes, we know that, Jane. But you have to understand that we want answers too. We want explanations."
Jane sighs heavily. "I know. I would like to have some more explanations too." She hesitates before speaking again. "What... what are you wearing, Maura?"
Maura is a little bit shocked by the drastic change of subject and laughs. "What?"
"Are you getting deaf?" the other woman chuckles. "Hey, we could live together in the residential home; you being hard of hearing and me not being able to walk. We'd be a great couple."
Maura is grinning broadly. "I heard you very clearly," she laughs. "Are you trying to seduce me over the phone, Jane Rizzoli?" Jane doesn't respond. Maura closes her eyes, cursing herself and her hormones for saying that out loud.
"Am I not allowed to ask my wife what she's wearing right now?" Jane asks playfully.
Maura licks her lips and takes a deep breath. "Of course you are. But you only do that when I'm out of town and when you are ..." she says but trails off.
"Needy?" Jane asks, finishing Maura's sentence.
The blonde closes her eyes. Her skin starts to tingle. She doesn't know what happened to her wife over the day and she doesn't want to push her luck too much. "Yes." she whispers.
Jane is quiet again. "Maybe I need to feel your skin against mine right now."
Maura inhales shakily through her mouth. "Please don't start things we can't finish right now."
"I'm sorry," the Italian says all of a sudden. "I must gross you out."
Maura shakes her head and a tear runs down her cheek. "No, you don't gross me out. It's just ... If you start something like that now, I'm not sure I can hold back. And I don't want to push you because ..." she closes her eyes and bite back a moan as imagines of Jane hovering over her are flashing through her mind. "I don't want to scare you. I don't want to force you."
Jane needs a moment. "Oh."
Maura is smiling a little. "But I am happy that you are feeling a little more comfortable now, Jane."
"I feel like a dirty minded freak." the Italian replies.
Maura has to laugh heartily. This is the woman she loves. "You are sometimes."
Jane is chuckling too. "It was good to see you, though. I mean yesterday. It made me realize what I've been missing over the months. And I am only saying this because I had a good day."
"Don't the good days override the bad ones?" Maura asks and starts the engine of her car.
Jane sighs heavily. "Currently, yes. Let's see how it'll be tomorrow."
Maura buckles her seatbelt. "You are on a very good path, Jane."
"Thank you," Jane mumbles.
Maura frowns. "What for?"
The Italian takes a moment. "For being patient with me."
Maura smiles broadly as if the Italian could see her. "I will give you all the time you need."
Jane laughs warm-hearted. "I'm hanging up now."
Please don't Maura yells in her head. "Have a nice evening."
Jane laughs briefly. "I love you."
Maura hesitates for a moment. Her wife probably took her mood elevator. But she can't help herself and waited for far too long to hear those words. "I love you too, Jane."
Jane is quiet for a moment. It seems like she hasn't expect to get a response. She takes a deep breath. "Night, Maura."
"Good night, Jane," the blonde replies and hangs up.
She smiles to herself and heads home.
