Hi everyone :)

As you already know, this is last chapter of the story. I am very thankful for every and each one of you who read this story- you have given my story part of your time and I hope I haven't disappointed you.

note- the last battle in this story happens few miles east then it was for real.

Maura stood in the middle of the base. She looked around herself, watching silently all the bodies lying on blood covered sand. Only few hours ago these people were smiling, reading, talking, playing chess or listened to radio. Up until few hours she and Jane were talking about the future in the comfort of their bed. But now, they all are dead, dying or about to be killed.

''Dr. Isles! We have to go'' a soldier grabbed her by the hand and helped her up the ambulance truck

Base was getting smaller and smaller and the remains of tents, few small buildings and lifeless bodies had became only a spot on the horizon. Maura sighed as tears filled her eyes knowing that Jane was flying and was in the middle of the fight.

''She'll be alright.'' said a woman sitting opposite of her

''Excuse me?'' Maura asked

''Your wife- she'll be alright.'' woman smiled ''I've seen you around the base, everybody knows about you. Handsome pilot with beautiful doctor, we were all quite surprised when you arrived. When they said doctor and pilot are coming, we haven't expect women.''

''I understand, it's mans job.'' nodded Maura still thinking about 'your wife' part. Will Jane ever ask her to marry? Even though they can't be legally married, maybe just to show her loyalty?

''I'm Emily.''

''Maura,'' she smiled

''I know'' smiled Emily

''Do you know where we are heading?'' asked Maura

''East, in direction of Alexandria. We'll be near some village.'' responded Emily

''Will soldiers come there as well?''

''I don't know.'' Emily answered truthfully

Maura slumped against hot metal of the truck. Hundred thoughts ran through her head- maybe they should have listened to Jack and ran away. They could have been safe and protected, but they were stuck in the middle of battle field because they were too stubborn and too proud of their work. Ironically it turned out that her mother was right- humanity leads you to death.

When they arrived to the place where they were about to set the base up, Maura recognised it immediately- it was the place they visited only months ago. Maura went in direction of the village

''Maura, where are you going?'' called Jack

''To see the man I treated few months ago. I want to see whether he's okay.''

Maura walked into the village and little boy, Unas she remembered the name, ran to her with smile on his face.

''Unas'' Maura smiled

''Hello, doctor'' boy said

''Unas, can you take me to the man I helped last time?''

Boy looked at her and said ''He around'' showing around them

''What?'' asked Maura confused

''He the moon, the sun, the air'' he said

''Hello'' Unas' mother came to greet doctor

''Hi, can you take me to the man I helped last time?'' asked Maura ''Old man, leaving in one of these houses.''

''He died.''

''I'm sorry.'' Maura said

''Don't be. He's here, all around you.'' woman smiled

''We'll be staying there,'' Maura pointed towards the trucks and tanks not even half a mile away.

Woman nodded and asked ''Where your wife?''

''In battle.'' at woman's confused look she added ''Fighting.'' woman nodded, took Maura by the hand and led her to the Juniperus tree in front of which old woman was sitting

''Be here, you good.'' woman said and walked away. Maura came beside the old woman, who was clearly not part of the tribe because she was caucasian and most likely European.

''Hello.'' woman turned around and smiled

''Hello, my dear.'' she said with thick British accent

''You're from Britain.'' said Maura

''So are you.'' woman smiled ''I'm Victoria, please to meet you.''

''I'm Maura, pleased to meet you too.''

''What are you doing here Maura?''

''I'm in the army''

''You're a nurse then?'' she questioned

''No, I'm a doctor.'' smiled Maura

''You're Maura Isles. Dianne and William's daughter.'' woman smiled ''I've heard a lot about you.''

''Well, knowing you're from London- it can't be anything good.'' sighed Maura sitting on the ground

''Well, I don't usually listen to people. Just like you, I'm not very fond of our society and vice verse. Maybe you heard of me on those boring parties they made you go on. I'm Victoria Chamberlaine.''

''You're Lady Chamberlaine? The one who travelled whole world?'' asked Maura

''That would be me.'' smiled Victoria ''And thank you for putting that into polite words.''

''I learnt from the begging that most of the words people say are lies.'' shrugged Maura

''What are you doing here Maura?'' asked Victoria again

''I've told you...''started Maura confused

''No, I mean here- under this tree.''

''I came to see a man I treated few months ago, but he died. He was very old so it's not that surprising. Anyway woman I met before led me here.''

''Do you know what this tree means to this tribe?''

''Enternal love. Woman told us last time that people come here to confess their eternal love.''

''Yes, they do. But only true love.'' said Victoria ''Not like back home- where they make you married as if you're some cattle- good only for breeding. This tree is not only the place where you confess your love, it's also a place where you come when the love of your life isn't by your side. I presume that's the reason she led you here.''

''Yes, I believe it is.''

''He'll be alright.'' said Victoria with small smile

''She.'' said Maura quietly

''What? I'm sorry I hadn't heard you, what did you say?''

''It's not a he.'' said Maura louder ''It's a she and her name is Jane.''

''Oh, I see.'' said Victoria ''That is alright dear, society doesn't like it, but it's alright.''

''Well you haven't ran screaming'' said Maura

''Well, I presumed you're not into 55 year old women and that I don't have to worry about you jumping my bones.'' Victoria gave her warm smile

Maura laughed, she didn't think she could, but she laughed out loud. ''Thank you, I needed that.'' said Maura

''I could tell. Now, tell me about that Jane of yours.'

''Jane!'' Korsak ran towards remains of the plane

''I'm fine, I'm alright.'' said Jane as she walked towards Korsak

''What happened?''

''They shot left wing, I had to land it. It's not in the condition to fly at the moment. Maybe if we...'' she was cut by big explosion half a yard away. Korsak pulled her to the ground. Her plane was bombarded and exploded

''I don't think we can do anything about that.'' said Korsak ''C'mon kid.''

''Where is Maura?'' asked Jane the moment she sat in jeep.

''Near that village we visited months ago.'' said Frost

''Are we going there?'' asked Jane

''Yes, we are.'' confirmed Korsak ''We shouldn't but we are.''

''They will think we are dead as it is.'' said Frost

''What?'' asked Jane

''We don't have anything to communicate with, the last thing we heard was that they are moving that way and that we should join another unit. In meantime they will think we are dead.''

''Maura will kill me.'' sighed Jane

''Jack, have you heard anything about Jane?'' asked Maura as her and Victoria came to base

''No, nothing yet.'' Jack lied

''Alright'' sighed Maura ''Jack, this is Lady Victoria Chamberlaine.''

'Pleased to meet you' were politely exchanged

''I have to clean up little bit, Jack would you please show Lady Chamberlaine around?'' Jack nodded and Maura smiled as she turned and left

''Why are you lying to her?''

''I do not..''Jack started

''Is she dead?'' Victoria cut in

''Most likely, I'm waiting for conformation.''

Maura couldn't sleep in tent so she grabbed her things and went to the tree. She lied underneath it and felt somehow at ease- she couldn't realise how is that possible, but she fell asleep.

Maura spent next three nights under that tree. As familiar rays of sunshine woke her up, Maura found Victoria sitting not far away

''Victoria?''

''We need to talk Maura.''

''What happened? Is Jane okay?'' asked Maura getting up

''There are no news. But Maura maybe you should prepare yourself...'' started Victoria

''No!'' said Maura, tears in her eyes ''She's coming back to me. She promised she will!''

''I know she did, I know she did.'' Victoria said pulling now sobbing young woman into hug.

Twenty minutes later, Maura calmed down and was looking in the sky, not really knowing what will happen next. Victoria was sitting few feet away leaning against tree and looking at young woman, her heart breaking for her troubles.

''Maura!'' came voice that had Maura jump immediately

''Jane!'' she yelled and ran towards the figure approaching

Victoria stood up and took few steppes to see re-ecounter of two lovers. Jane was taller then Maura with slim body and raven hair. Maura hugged Jane and kissed her passionately.

''You're okay, you're alive.'' tears fell down her cheeks

''I told you I'll come back.'' said Jane as she wiped her tears away ''I'm here Maura, forever. I'm yours forever- dead or alive.''

Victoria smiled and moved away, going to the base.

War was never stopped by love or hope. It stops when there are no bodies to fall or when there aren't any munition left. People were coming to the base, Americans, Australians, French- you name it. They were in shape to fight or on the edge of death.

Maura was lying in Jane's arms, thin sheet over their bodies.

''I missed you.'' said Jane ''I kept thinking whether will I ever see you again.''

''I know.'' said Maura kissing her neck ''I kept thinking you won't come back and it teared me up inside. I had a feeling I was drowning in my thoughts.''

''Even though I can't to do it right and legal, I'm yours Maura- 'till my last breath.''

''Good, because I won't let you go. Ever- you and I were meant to be together.''

Siren pierced the air and everyone started to ran, bombs fell on the ground, people were running, helping others or trying to hide.

''Jane!'' yelled Maura looking for Jane when she felt strong grip on her arm

''C'mon Maura, we need to hide.'' said Jane and pulled her in direction of bomb shelters. Only few feet away from bomb shelter, Jane spotted Frost lying on the ground

''Maura get inside, I need to get Frost- he's hurt.''

''Jane! I'm not...''

''Maura!'' Jane cut her off, ''I'll be back in a minute. Go inside, please- I love you baby and I need you to stay safe. I'll help Frost get into shelter.''

''Okay.'' said Maura kissing her and moving towards shelter as Jane ran towards Frost. Maura grabbed door handle when strong explosion went off near her.

''Jane!'' Maura screamed

Epilogue

The party was in full swing.

''Have you heard news about Dianne and William Isles? I heard that their daughter, the one who was a nurse, went missing in Africa.'' said fat old woman

''I bet she found some nigger to warm her bed and they are too ashamed to admit.'' added another one

''She wasn't a nurse.'' said a voice that made all five women turn around

''Lady Chamberlaine, what a pleasure.''

''My dear, you look terrible. Have you just came back?'' asked one

''No, I'm stopping by- this is after all my house and I can look like I want to.''

''Well, it is your family's party, dear. Maybe you should clean up a bit and change you clothes.''

''I just came from Africa, how am I supposed to look like?'' said Victoria sarcastically

''You did, we were just talking...''

''Lying. You were lying- she wasn't a nurse, she was a doctor. Excellent doctor, for that matter.'' with that she turned around and left to visit Isles household.

William and Dianne Isles were having family lunch with their family when butler came in

''Lady Chamberlain is here to see you.''

''Victoria Chamberlaine?'' asked Dianned confused and at butler's nodd William said ''Sent her in Charles.''

Victoria Chamberlaine walked into the room still wearing her boots, trousers and shirt.

''Victoria, what happened to you?'' asked Dianne getting up ''Are you alright?''

''I am fine Dianne, I'm fine. I'm here to speak with you and William.'' said Victoria ''I just came back from Africa.''

''Is she alright?'' asked William

''Are you sure you want to talk about this in front of them?'' she looked at Maura's brother, sister and their spouses.

''Yes, we need to know. All of us.'' Dianne said sitting down and grabbing William's hand

''I'm so sorry Dianne.'' said Victoria tears falling down her cheeks

''No! Oh God, not Maura. Just not Maura'' Dianne started to sob loudly

William pulled his wife into hug while tears fell down his eyes as well.

After few minutes of crying and sobbing, family calmed down a little bit. Dianne spoke first ''How? How did she die?''

''Her heart broke.'' said Victoria

''What?'' asked William

''She saw the love of her life dying. Her heart broke.'' said Victoria and after few moments added ''Maybe we should talk about this privately.''

Victoria, Dianne and William went to study room.

''Maura fell in love with some man you said?'' started Dianne

''No, she did fall in love- but it wasn't in a man. She loved a woman named Jane.''

''That's a lie!'' said William firmly

''I can assure you...''

''That's a lie!'' he said standing up. Victoria was furious

''It's no lie! I saw it with my own eyes!''

''Then you're mad!" William said

''I'm not mad, you're an idiot.'' Dianne gasped

''You're daughter fell in love with Jane Rizzoli, one of the best pilots world has ever seen. She loved her more then your other children will ever love their spouses or, for that matter, more then you ever loved yours.''

William turned around and left the room.

''Jane Rizzoli?'' asked Dianne ignoring what just happened ''Tell me what happened.''

Victoria told everything what Maura told her. Dianne smiled, that sounded like her little girl.

''How did they die?'' asked Dianne swallowing hard

''Explosion. Jane was running towards her friend- Frost to help him because he was injured and bomb fell near them. Maura ran towards her and Jane died on her hands'' said Victoria

Maura took Jane's blood covered body into her hands ''Jane, look at me. Please, look at me. Don't go away, Jane...'' she sobbed

''I'm sorry.'' said Jane slowly as she started to close her eyes

''Don't! Please! Jane- I love you, please don't leave me!''

''I wanted to go to them, but Jack stopped me and dragged me into the shelter. I tried to get away from his grip but he was stronger.'' Victoria said, tears falling down her cheeks.

''Let me go!'' screamed Victoria as Jack closed the doors of shelter

''You can't stay out there! Are you bloody mental?''

''Jane and Maura are out there!''

''Jesus Christ!'' Jack ran towards the exit, but was stopped by soldier.

''You can't go through, orders...''

''Screw orders, Jane and Maura are outside!'' Jack yelled, that earned him a punch over head and he lost his conscious

''Twenty minutes later, siren stopped and we ran out of that shelter only to be met with total destruction. I ran towards the place I had seen them last- they were already dead. Jane died because of explosion, but Maura- she'' Victoria barely controlled sobbing ''There wasn't a scratch on her body, only Jane's blood. Doctor said her heart stopped. Dianne, her hear did not stop because it was sick but because it broke.''

''My poor baby, my sweet little Maura.'' Dianne started to cry again. William came back in the room,

''She wanted you to have this.'' said Victoria giving Dianne a letter ''Her belongings are on the way, but she wanted you to read this. Excuse me.'' said Victoria and left the room.

Dianne opened the letter and pulled paper out of it. A photograph fell into her lap as she unfolded paper- she recognised her daughter's face immediately. She was next to other women- she had curly hair, black presumed Dianne, with beautiful smile and determent look in her eyes 'Jane'

''This is the woman our daughter fell in love with.'' Dianne said ''She's beautiful.'' William took the picture in his hands and was stunned to see his daughter so happy.

''Dear mother and father,

If you read this, then I must be dead. I know you probably think that you were right all along and shouldn't have let me go. But you are wrong- I was never cut out to be housewife, somebodies trophy wife. This is the best thing in my life, she is the best thing in my life. She makes me feel safe and protected; my heart started to beat when I met her. As if it was in some state of hibernation and it came to life- I know you can't understand my love towards her, but please understand me. I never wished to hurt you or put shame upon our family- it's just that I can't live without her, sometimes I believe that if she ever walks out of my life my heart will break. Whatever happened, please make sure that I'm with her, even in death. My diaries are probably on the way as you read this- they will explain everything to you, if you wish to read them of course.

I love you very much and I miss you

Maura.

''The moment those things arrive I want them in my room. I want to read about them, about my little girl.'' said Dianne tears streaming down her face.

July 2021.

''Here it is! Grandma!'' Abby called

''I'm coming, I'm coming.'' said Claire as she neared her granddaughters

''Juniperus tree...'' Angela read from small book she was reading

''They were buried here?'' asked Abby as she touched the ground in front of the tree

''Only two.'' small boy said

''Hello there'' greeted Claire and boy smiled

''What only two?'' asked Angela

''Juniperius is a tree of eternal love, when people of our tribe are truly in love we allow them to marry under this tree. When one is gone or sick, other partner seeks comfort underneath this tree. But only two ladies were buried here- because their love was special and stronger then life and death.''

''I don't understand.'' said Abby

''The greatest sacrifice in love is to stop breathing in order to be with the love of you life.'' boy finished

''Their story was so sad, grandma.'' said Angela ''I feel sorry for them.''

''How can you, when they are everywhere?'' asked the boy ''They are the moon, and the sun, and the stars, and the air we breathe and ground we walk on.''

Well, here we are. The ride is over, I hope ending was good enough for you.

I enjoyed writing this story, I hope you enjoyed reading it as well. Thank you for reviews and pm's- your support is my inspiration.

And please for one last time- press that button and tell whether you like it :)