A/N: As a "triathlete" in my real life and an avid swimmer… (purely an amateur/enthusiast), yeah I wasn't too thrilled that the "bad guy" in this particular "Rizzoli & Isles" episode was a triathlete! But *sigh* there's good guys and bad guys in every kind of field of pursuit!

Story Setting: Episode 5: "Money For Nothing"


I suppress a rumble, along with Jane's own disappointment, as both hers and Dr. Maura Isles' phones ring.

"Something tells me we're not gonna get much of a run today!" Jane grumbles as the two women answer their respective phones.

I barely (metaphorically) lift my head in feigned disinterest. "You talking about you and Maura or me and Maura?"

Jane only makes a face in response as she (and I) listen to the dispatcher conveying their information to the detective. To tell the truth, I personally haven't ran myself, ever since that night in our den after the close of the BCU student murder case and busting the student prostitution ring.

Maura's description of what transpired of my and Jane's allowing ourselves to let go of our holding back those intense feelings, especially our collective and individual anger and rage… of what my symbiant and I literally transformed into… it still sends chills up my spine.

Even long before Jane and me met our Human Friend, or even before we met Al, we found it highly extraordinary that a human and a wolf could share a single bodily existence. Despite all the mystery and unanswered questions as to why and how Jane was the only one of her family to be a werewolf, my symbiant and I have managed to achieve a highly peaceful coexistence. Even though it's still bragging and boasting even if one can back it up, but this is one particular accomplishment I'll fiercely defend… and I believe Jane Rizzoli would too.

But to now be aware of a potentially, wholly, new being or entirely different mindset from both of us… I still shudder. Plus Jane has just now subconsciously punched me with a growl of her own. She's certainly not happy at me thinking about this particular subject.

"Well, what would you have me think about?" I snark, baring my teeth.

Jane only crosses and rolls her eyes as she mentally snarls back. We hear Maura failing to suppress a chuckle as she senses our internal banter. Thankfully it provides the necessary relief for the both of us as the detective and medical examiner make their way to the scene.

My thoughts naturally return to the previous subject before that interruption… yeah, I only roll my eyes at Jane's own growl just now. Well, if she wasn't gonna provide alternatives, well, "tough claws!" *1 I'm going to think what I'm gonna think about! Even though Jane's not too thrilled about the resumption of my thoughts on this particular subject, the detective agrees with my wishing there were a video recording of that event where we became the… the… *2

"A wolf hulk?" Jane interjects suddenly, trying to repress a ripple of mild amusement.

I ponder the detective's term for several moments. Why, I don't know. It's practically perfect… but I'm not entirely sure if it was truly the sheer manifestation of our collective and individual anger and rage like those comic book characters we read about as pups with our human brothers.

"That would be interesting," Jane continues, obviously becoming intrigued despite her earlier scowling protests. "Becoming our own version of 'She-Hulk.'" *3

I simply shrug, just not sure what to think. To be fair, my symbiant is more intrigued with the "She-Hulk" story character than I am, but it does have some symmetry.

All I truly know of that event was of the extreme exhaustion, both mine and Jane's. The two of us experienced the deepest and most restful sleep we had ever known. Per our doctor friend's definitions the detective and me likely entered the Stage or Level 3 of the 3 (formerly known 4) Stages of sleep. This particular stage of sleep is considered the deepest phase of the sleep cycle. Per Dr. Isles, this is after the phase where one experiences dreams (or nightmares… Jane still denies that her, our collective nightmares of Hoyt have been getting worse lately) and the body's auto… nom… or whatever term she used about how the body functions will undergo various changes as it enters the deepest of sleep during a cycle.

Neither Jane nor I can recall any dreaming, even immediately after awakening from that event. I rumble along with Jane's feeling transmission… I guess we're gonna dub it the: "Wolf Hulk event."

Again, Jane and I both don't recollect ever dreaming. In fact, neither of us could really describe exactly how we felt afterwards. Despite the edge of trepidation in our Human Friend, Maura very scientifically proceeded in her meticulous manner on trying to help us interpret what those feelings truly were. Aside from the terms of: 'numb' and something called: 'melancholy,' neither of us or Maura could really achieve any finite conclusion. It made sense when the M.E. suggested that we let the matter rest and we would revisit the 'feelings analysis' later. However, Maura did mention the prospect of Jane and me potentially re-visiting those particular feelings… barrier, which led to 'Wolf-Hulk' some time in the future… A prospect that still un-nerves both me and my symbiant.

While a part might want to, but most of myself doesn't EVER wanna consider that prospect! If it took that much effort for the 'Wolf-Hulk' to emerge, then any repetitive attempts would likely only make that route of emergence easier and brings to light of the potential loss of control. Could we- either Jane or me, actually control this being of anger and rage?

My being is nearly convinced that answer would be no… and very likely never. No doubt Jane would…

...A sudden surge of concern bursts through us both as we sense Maura's own sudden emotional angst when she recognizes the deceased.

"What?" Jane inquires as she kneels down beside the medical examiner. "You know him?"

My vision beholds the man's pale face beginning to take on a blue-ish features… well, to Detective Rizzoli's vision is able to see those particular features more than mine.

"…but he's not anybody we'd personally recognize, right?"

I briefly study the face as the detective's sense of smell combines with mine and we strive to get past all of the smells of the seawater in order to detect his own body chemistry's scent.*4

"No," I finally confirm the detective's inquiry. "There's nothing recognizable about him at all."

"So, how does Maura know him?" Jane wonders in a mumbling tone.

Is my symbiant actually asking me or just muttering in her brooding way? A 'not so subtle' growl promptly responds to my thoughts with a mental, smacking punch following on its heels.


If Jane and I felt awkward near our Human Friend on the shore where Adam Fairfield's washed up, then this entering the so called: 'smaller castle,' *5 is going beyond awkward!

"Just take it easy," Jane Rizzoli shakes the imaginary dust and wrinkles from her shoulders as we and Detective Frost follow Dr. Isles further into the mansion. "Keep as many of your senses alert as you can… you know what to look for when it comes to hunting suspects."

I swallow down the eager and nervous rumbles as we proceed deeper inside this massive den of the Fairfield Family. I try ignoring the emotional feedback of this man Jane described as 'the butler.' Although his face features remain unchanged in greeting us, his emotional feedback indicate he seems to view Jane Rizzoli and Barry Frost as beneath even him and not truly belonging under this roof.

"Could it be it's just because we're not dressed as properly as Maura?" Jane seems to think out loud to me as the detective's eyes take in all of this massive den's layout and decoration… and also the people already here.

Our vision takes in the portrait of the 'Family Pack Father' of the Fairfield's and Jane simply looks at her partner regarding how this billionaire family built their wealth. I can't help but react to those surrounding within earshot.

"Did he really have to say that?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Just focus on what I need you to do!" Jane huffs, her annoyance starting to boil out as she watches the M.E. embrace one of the Fairfield Pack Brothers.

Struggling to regain my focus and objectivity, I carefully observe this man and his mate. Somehow this particular mated pair of humans don't seem to truly care for eachother as I sense most who typically do. Also, this SumnerFairfield is concealing something…

"What? What's he hiding?" Jane pounces on my interpretation.

I'm really struggling to keep from snarling out to my counterpart and I project the associated feelings towards her. "I might be able to if you'd let me continue to try analyzing what I can in order to find out more information!"

Jane barely conceals her huff of annoyance as the family lawyer begins 'running interference' against her and Frost when she notices Maura in another room with another Fairfield pup… er, brother. It doesn't take either of our individual natures being highly attuned with Maura Isles' to recognize that this is 'that Garrett' she mentioned dating in college. Even though Garrett's complete attention is on his former suitor, his emotional feedback is revealing something being farmore hidden than Sumner. This type of concealment has some form of or some element of danger…

Thankfully, Jane Rizzoli doesn't interrupt either aloud or thought wise. My symbiant's focus nearly zeros entirely on this particular member of the Fairfield Pack and starts striding towards them. I'm relieved the detective is maintaining a 'poker face' and not reaching towards her service weapon.

"It's kinda tempting!" Jane reacts to my feelings.

I pay no attention to her remark as I continue to ponder this one particular human. My ears barely hear Jane's words as she approaches Maura and Garrett. My vision narrows, along with the detective's, and I keep investigating him; however, that is becoming more and more difficult due to Jane's increasing annoyance and now irritation...

...Detective Barry Frost gently touches my symbiant's elbow and his support for his partner actually calms my ire towards Maura's words more than Jane's.

"Jane," his soft and gentle voice speaks. "Jane, let's go."

My symbiant's eyes remain glued to the M.E.'s for several long moments. Our Human Friend's just as resolutely stares back and I can't help but wonder if I'm glimpsing some mild shifting in the ginger blonde's hazel eyes. Could she actually be challenging us?!

"Jane?" Frost gently nudges his partner's elbow again.

Detective Rizzoli projects her feelings at Maura, very forcefully by my perspective. Jane only looks away when Dr. Isles first averts her eyes. My symbiant personally takes some form of pleasure that Maura looked away first and not us. At least we didn't have to sacrifice any of my own dignity and personal alpha tendencies. Jane's personal belief is that she's only leaving because the medical examiner deferred to my nature.

The detective continues to mentally fume as she and her partner are seen to the door by the butler. "No doubt he's pleased that us riff-raff are being booted out!"

I metaphorically step back and basically allow Jane Rizzoli to stampede. *6

"…space!" The raven-haired detective fumes as they walk towards their assigned vehicle after the door closes behind her and Frost. "How much space do they need?!"

While it's nearly impossible for us to individually surprise or startle each other, it can happen… just like now. The detective's venting just merely startles me, but it's nothing compared to the human's own, actual feelings!

I struggle between my own personal feelings and Jane's. And as much as I want to support my human counterpart, my better judgment… the pure intelligence without the emotional attachment, understands that anything I may do or even say will only make things worse. It would be no different than lighting a match in a room filled with fuel vapors. *7 (and disclaimer)

Detective Frost tries taking a shot at sarcasm regarding the arrangement of interviews later. This causes me to really tense up… seeing the proverbial match being lit by our human police partner. I brace myself for the impending explosion.

However, to my rare surprise for the second time in less than an hour, there's no boom. While Jane is annoyed at Barry's words, it does bring some relief from the overall tension. What's certainly NOT surprising is our noticing our young detective partner resuming his oogling the designer car… again. Soon Garrett and the aura of suspicion I detected around him were brought back to my immediate thoughts. Shoving those to the side, I continue watching Jane's partner practically drool over this whatever type of car Barry rattled the details and specifics about earlier. All that's missing is a stream of drool hanging from the side of his mouth.

"Quit drooling over the car, Frost!" Jane snarls, her mind and thoughts catching up with my own.

"Whoa," Frost simultaneously feels hurt and defensive while trying to defuse his partner's emotional roller coaster from de-railing.

"I'm not outta control!" Jane fumes at me, "yet!"

"Whoa, that's NOT a car! That's a work of art!"

This thankfully ignites a chuckle in my symbiant. "Yeah and you're a tool!"

Barry returns a chuckle along with a smile as the detectives walk to their unmarked."What about Dr. Isles?" Frost softly inquires in his unique and gentle manner once they've settled into their seats."She rode out here with us…" his voice trails off as Jane begins to slowly shake her head.

"She's very well known with this family… even if she didn't date one of them!" Her latter portion ended in a literal growl AND I contributed to absolutely none of it! "…if none of them are considerate enough to drive her home, she can always call a cab."

Our detective partner simply observes us… er, Jane Rizzoli, for several long moments and my symbiant resolutely keeps starring out the sedan's windshield, refusing to give in to the urge to turn and meet Barry's gentle eyes. My ears detect one of possibly the most discreet of sighs I've ever heard before in a human being as Frost shifts his body forward to start the engine.

I sense him continue sneaking a few glances at Garrett's car as we drive past it and in the rearview mirror. "He's still drooling, isn't he?" Jane rumbles to me as she continually keeps her eyes forward.

I only shrug. "Not anymore since it's now outta sight now."

To my relief, Jane actually mentally smiles and there's a palpable relief tension- wise, however minor. While it might appear to not be that much on the surface, per 'The Iceberg Principle' I once read… or possibly heard. What's seen on the surface is barely 5% or even 10% of the entirety. 90-95% of the entirety is always beneath the surface. So, that knowledge, and past experiences have taught me to always be cautious when approaching the surface indicators value. *8

Thankfully, Barold Frost seems to understand this about his partner and stays quiet, focusing on his driving as we notice the Boston Skyline getting closer and closer. At least the young man's emotional feedback seems to indicate it at present. I need to make a mental note to follow up on studying Frost's emotional feedback later in the future. Especially after this particular case is over, to look more into his and those of others and possibly see just how much he can really detect of Jane's emotions. It would be interesting to see just how much, emotionally wise, Barry can literally sense. Could he possibly detect me? It would be unrealistic to presume Maura Isles is the only one to be capable of sensing my own emotional feelings.

In fact, now that I think about it, have I… or even Jane truly studied or at least done any comparison regarding how others are able to discern my symbiant's emotional feedback as opposed to Dr. Isles' ability?

Jane's mental growl brings me back to the present. No doubt my thoughts leading to the M.E. have triggered this growl.

"Do you wanna go by the station?" Frost's question beats me before I could ask Jane anything specifically.

Detective Rizzoli takes a moment to consider her options. She scowls at herself when both of us realized we had ridden with Maura to the Headquarters Building to meet up with our partner prior to going to the Fairfield's Den called a 'Mansion.'

"No," Jane finally responds. "If you don't mind, drop me off at my place and I'll come in should something develop… which is a big if considering the stonewalling we got from that family lawyer!"

"Sure," Frost nodded. "In the meantime, I'll see what I can dig up regarding each member of the Fairfield Family and see if I can find any motive they might've had on wanting Adam dead."

Jane nods her agreement."Also, run a check on that family lawyer and see what you can find out of his past and what kind of… if any, cases he's handled… that kind of stuff."

Despite the silence between the two cops, I can detect a ripple of humor brewing in Barry. Hopefully, Jane is likewise sensing it and can appreciate whatever he might say.

"I feel it," my symbiant acknowledges as the familiar sights of our street come to view.

Frost pulled into a parking space and with an exaggerated exhale our Detective Partner turns to Jane."So, would you happen to have any shovels I can borrow for all this digging for dirt I've gotta do?"

This triggers a hearty laugh in us both and neither of us actually doesn't care if any indicators of my presence is actually seen by Detective Frost.

"You seemed like you needed a laugh." Frost chuckled as he wiped his 'sweaty forehead' while his partner caught her breath. *9

"Yeah," Jane rasped as she pinched between her eyes. "Yeah, I did… thanks, Partner."

Another few moments of silence lapse between once more.

"However," Jane finally spoke up, "should you need a shovel or two… I think my parents have some." *10

Barry's smile bursts into a chuckle as his eyes brighten in similar fashion and my symbiant playfully punches him in the arm as she would to one of our human brothers.

"I'll see ya later, partner." Jane opens the door and steps out onto the curb. She raps her knuckles on the roof after shutting the door and Barry waves his 'see ya, later' before pulling away.

A sudden vibration at Jane's side startles us slightly and the detective pulls it out as we're striding for the main entrance door of our den's building. Jane rumbles with her anger rising up once more as we read Maura's name on the attached text message. "What's so infuriating about her simply asking if we want to meet up with her at Northridge Park?" I ask as my symbiant shoves her phone into her pocket and stomps her way up to our den.

The fact the detective doesn't answer isn't surprising me… it wouldn't have surprised me even if it were the other way around. Jane growls in her throat- both in response to my own thoughts and feelings and the additional vibrations of her phone. She kicks our den's door shut as she growls again in the mild struggle to fish out her cell.

"Great! Now Ma's bugging us!" Jane huffs as she tosses the offensive device toward the nearest flat surface.

I only rumble my sympathy as the detective pauses in the threshold area separating the small hallway from the kitchen and living area of our den. She seethes and taps her foot as she tries blocking out her hearing the sounds of the phone buzzing against whatever flat surface it happened to land.

"Gawh, what I wouldn't give to have a punching bag right now!" Jane gruffs aloud as she skulks for the bedroom and yanks open a drawer. *11

I struggle to keep my thoughts (along with everything else) as withdrawn as possible to keep from disturbing my symbiant. That proverbial room of volatile fuel vapors is back. Along with my wanting to prevent an equally proverbial explosion, I certainly don't wanna go through an 'Incompatibility' event as much as I believe Jane doesn't! *12

"Do you wanna run?" The Human's question interrupts my thoughts. "I personally can't get settled and was wondering if you felt the same?"

Even though I do not believe so, I actively take a few moments to really take in how I feel overall. While my symbiant conceals it extremely well I can't help but sense the detective's personal hope that I don't need or even want to.

I just as covertly peek in through Jane's own thoughts after conveying that I personally don't require a run. Not only is the raven-haired human counterpart of mine pleased at my response, but also my suspicion is confirmed by what I've managed to glimpse in Jane Rizzoli's imagination. Images of my running in full body control in a wooded park with Maura discovering me by our special connection seems to haunt the detective.

"Are you wanting to avoid our Human Friend?" I already know the answer, but can't help but feel some air needs to be cleared between us.

Jane simply confirms before clarifying after nearly several minutes pass. "I just can't help feeling somehow… somehow betrayed by what Maura did earlier!"

A growling inflection and undertone inserted itself into the latter half of Jane's statement. Even if there wasn't, Jane's own feelings were blatantly obvious.

"Why are you constantly trying to get me to admit everything out loud? You already know the answer!" Jane snarls slightly as she scoops up her cell phone and jams it into a small pocket of her gym bag after setting it to complete silence. She doesn't even look at the unread texts and missed calls.

I only shrug; conveying my own thoughts while Jane exits our den and secures the locks. The detective only sighs in response to my thoughts as she slings her gym bag over her shoulder and makes her way for the stairs.

"And," my symbiant adds as she pushes the main entry door open and bounds down the few steps for her car. "For the record," she injects some overly exaggerated sarcasm into her tone, "I'm not sticking around here in case Ma or even Maura should possibly show up!"

I only sigh and mimic her crossing/eye roll *13 to which she responds in like manner with an attempted lip curl of how I'll begin a snarl or baring of teeth. I promptly curl mine, projecting the feeling of 'how it's supposed to be properly done.' Jane huffs out a chuckle and then focuses more on her driving and navigating what Boston traffic there is on this weekend day.

Some time passes before I decide to 'softly broach' the topic. After I already figured out where Jane's destination is, I need something to occupy my mind!

"Oh, shut up!" Jane roll/crosses her eyes with a mental punch. "How much do I complain about your romping and rolling around in the leaves and dirt?!"

I metaphorically flex my front claws. "Practically every time I do it!"

The human does another crossing, eye roll as she turns into the parking lot. "Key word," she plucked up the gym bag and exited the car. "'Practically.' So, I don't do it every single time."

I 'flex' my front claws again and allow my lip to start curling as I struggle to repress the urge to flinch against the intensifying smells of chlorine. And whatever other chemicals they put into swimming pool water!

"RIZZOLI!" The robust Italian voice nearly startled us both."You no been here for long time!"

Jane smiles at the natatorium's owner as she signs in at the front desk. "Hey Gregg!" She turned away from the desk to suddenly become enveloped by the burly Italian. Gregg Sperazzo looks more like a weightlifter instead of an actual swimmer and runner like Jane Rizzoli.

"Maybe he's recently gotten into weightlifting!" Jane responds to my thoughts as she huffs against his continued hug.

"Yeah, I know it's been a long time." My symbiant discreetly rubs her neck where Gregg's embrace had pulled slightly at the muscles and spine."Hopefully I'll get back into a some form of routine swimming."

Gregg claps a hand upon the detective's shoulder."Ya know me Rizzoli…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! You'll have to see it in order to believe it!" Jane finished for him with a laugh and starts off to the locker room.

I continue to struggle to keep from gagging at the funky smells of old chlorine and body odors of all the previous female swimmers who've been through here. Is it possible for a human to swim so much that their bodies will perspire? If not, then where does this stale scents of sweat come from?

"Will you quit complaining?" Jane grouses as she slams her selected locker door closed.

I rumble back with equal annoyance. "I'm not complaining out loud! If you don't 'hear it,' then don't pay attention to my thoughts!"

Jane grinds her teeth together- both in response to my words and to the sudden cold water of the shower. I, too, can't help the mild roar of surprise from this frigid…

"Oh, c'mon! Lighten up, it's not THAT cold!"

I don't consider it an exaggeration as my symbiant projects, feelings-wise. Granted, my individual senses have a secondary reduced ability whenever Jane's in total control, body-wise and vice versa, but it still feels VERY COLD to me!

"Next time I'll just jump in without a shower and see how you feel then," the detective jabs back as she secures her long hair into an elastic ring band as she approaches the roped off swim lanes of the pool.

I only growl out with no real committed feelings or thought behind it. I will acknowledge the fact of Jane having not complained that much recently of my own personal joy of rolling in the dirt and playing in the leaves. So in return I withdraw my immediate presence as much as possible so my personal thoughts will be less intrusive on Jane's.

Detective Rizzoli shakes out her arms and legs after stretching for several minutes before she proceeds to climb up on the starting blocks/platform that the competitive swimmers use to jump into the water for competitive meets. It's been a while- both for my symbiant swimming for exercise and especially for competitive swimming. In fact, not even I can remember with confidence of exactly when it was that Jane Rizzoli swam in a meet… it's at least as far back as her high school years. *14

Jane secures her swimming goggles and huffs out a massive exhale as our vision contemplates the wide, dark line on the pool's floor beneath her chosen swim lane. A part of me wants to believe Jane Rizzoli cringes at that prospect of the initial plunge as much as I do… but I can't be entirely sure. I certainly don't like it! Even if Jane's already showered to acclimate her body to the pool's temperature, there's just something about the water's impact to the detective's face immediately following the entire immersion! Although I'm not in any control body wise, my senses are still active though not as sensitive, but I can still certainly feel everything! And the opposite is true for when our positions are reversed and I'm in primary control body wise.

"No, I don't particularly like it either." Jane responds to my feelings as she slowly positions her feet in the appropriate places on the platform. "Want me to give you a warning or a countdown?" She asks as she begins to bend her body down and leaning forward.

"No," I convey through gritted teeth, "just go whenever you're ready."

This kind of takes Jane aback slightly. Apparently she wasn't expecting my response and transmits her gracious feelings along with a pledge to not be as complaining when I indulge in the leaves and dirt.

Her fingers wrap around the front edge of the platform and her feet slightly shift, adjusting for a more proper positioning and comfort. Our vision focuses back on the dark, wide stripe as Jane takes more measured and focused breaths.

"Six, five, four…"

I'm greeted by Jane's memory of her favorite swim meet before I ask if my symbiant is really counting down for my benefit.

"…one!" Jane finished as our collective memory recalls the sound of the starting horn.

I personally close my own eyes as the detective's feet spring from the starting blocks and moments later I feel the water's impact and compete circumscription of the human's body in the water. The detective's hands and arms begin slicing through the water with remembered practice and skill while I study the micro moments just prior to the water's 'explosion' into our face.

Despite the shutting of my eyes, my other senses actually didn't amplify, as most beings would experience. And the water's impact really wasn't that bad as I wasdreading. Perhaps I could get accustomed to it…

"Just as I can get used to your rolling and playing in the leaves and dirt." Jane conveys to me as she pushes off the opposite wall after completing a flip turn.

I metaphorically flash my teeth in a knowing grin. Neither of us have to admit it to each other, but we actually enjoy ribbing to full out busting each other's chops over these particular individual likes vs. dislikes of ours. I guess it's one of those 'sisterly things' about us. Like our human brothers who had those few fist fights that our mother wasn't around to stop. Brothers fighting each other is one thing, but God forbid another person enters the fray and punches on of those brothers, then the brother being defended will start punching his would be rescuer!

But then, Jane and me can't literally fight as Frankie and Tommie… which is very likely a good thing! Heaven forbid anybody try breaking up a 'sisterly fight' between Jane Rizzoli and a giant black wolf!

Jane's amused chuckle joins my thoughts. "That would be a sight! No doubt it would make Frankie and Tommie's fights look tame in comparison!"

I rumble along with my nod in agreement. "You gotta admit that it's amusing to imagine!"

Jane returns her own growl in agreement as she grips the appropriate handles below the starting blocks platform. I'm mildly surprised at how quickly a near hour has passed. The detective's usual swimming routine in the first hour will consist of freestyle and breaststroke. After that, Jane will transition to backstroke and concentrated drills in which she'll swim using only her legs or only her arms.

I personally prefer the swimming that has Jane Rizzoli on her back. An eager rumble escapes when the detective launches into the water and her arms and legs immediately begin to propel us through it. As our collective vision contemplates the reflective, near mirror ceiling, I project my inquiry.

Without losing her focus of the dark stripe's reflection, Jane acknowledges my feelings. "It might not be as much as it is for you," the human's fingers brush the pool's wall. My symbiant repositions her body and resumes her swimming before continuing. "But I do find it soothing and it does help me think better."

I, too, hum my agreement and an amused thought crosses my mind, triggering a chuckle in Jane Rizzoli.

"No, I don't think there's any chance of that happening… well, me at least!"

"So, you wouldn't mind if I do?" I yawn both in amusement and genuine effect.

Jane's smile broadens. "It wouldn't be the first time you've fallen asleep during my swims!"

I concede with a laugh of my own as some of my own memories of the detective fallen asleep on some of my runs are conveyed to my human symbiant.

Jane transitions into a modified sidestroke, focusing primarily on her legs instead of the arms. "Seems like it's called: 'A Fair Exchange' last I heard!" She grins in sarcasm to which I grin back before giving into another yawn.


The text alert wakes me up right before the detective and I strive to keep my own thoughts at a minimum so that Jane's sleep isn't disturbed. I haven't seen my human counterpart experience this quality of sleep in quite a while and I'll do everything possible to keep anything or anyone from interfering.

I too had a wonderful rest and it'd be fair to presume my awakening first is due to my falling asleep before Jane. I've no doubt that Dr. Isles could list off the countless benefits swimming has, especially better sleep. I know mine is better whenever Jane swims and maybe she'll do it more from now on regularly.

Jane turns over in the bed as her phone chirps out another text alert. I wish I could somehow manipulate the phone's audio functions the same way that I can transmit my thoughts to our Human Friend. Why did the detective allow the single chirp option to be on before retiring for the night?

"Because anything can develop on the case," Jane's response practically blends seamlessly with my thought process. "Or I could be called on to a new case that might require my attention."

I briefly start beating myself up before my symbiant rumbles, contradicting my thoughts. "But I really appreciate your wanting to keep me from being rudely awakened."

I simply acknowledge via thoughts and she nudges me to ensure I'm still not beating myself up. A mild grumble is my only response.

"C'mon," Jane nudges me again, "what's the matter?"

I snarl again. "I dunno! I guess I jus wanna be grouchy…"

The detective sighs and hesitantly offers an embrace, which I just as reluctantly accept it. We remain gently locked for a while. *15 I honestly don't know why I'm feeling this way. I hesitantly convey this to the human, feeling slightly ashamed due to my own specific instincts in a wolf's nature.

"Well," Jane slowly responds, "you've always been less of the morning type than me."

A slight rumbling moan is my only response, followed up by a massive sigh. The Boston Police Detective simply smiles sympathetically and briefly tightens her embrace as her body finally maneuvers around to sit on the side of the bed. The phone chirps as Jane looks at the time on the alarm clock.

"It's probably Ma," the human rumbles at my unspoken curiosity, "asking for the hundredth time if we'll be at Sunday dinner."

I only humph in acknowledgement.

To Jane's surprise, the text is actually from our Human Friend, Dr. Maura Isles. Her text simply informs Detective Rizzoli that she's proceeding with the autopsy of Adam Fairfield.

"That's interesting," the cop mutters to herself as she double checks the time between clock on her phone and the alarm clock. "Performing an autopsy around nine o'clock on a Sunday morning?"

I couldn't help but notice the growling undertone in my symbiant's tone. Yet I keep it to myself as the detective rises from her bed and begins her usual routine of getting ready as if it were a normal weekday. The human and I have an actual routine or some might consider a ritual of where both of us would exchange places body wise and leisurely stretch and even accomplish some simple exercises. However, I don't so much as even allow the emotional sense of wanting to inquire, let alone protest because the detective's brooding is taking on some form of an edge. While neither Jane nor I fear our respective natures, still we both possess a sense of mutual respect and try to continually maintain those boundaries between us. Although there's times we agree that those boundaries are impossible to enforce at times. During these times, along with the experiences of our past, I strive to keep a form of distance from my symbiant. Jane will come to me (seriously, where could either of us go to get away from each other?) whenever she's ready to talk… or if I believe it to be necessary to step in. Right now, however, I believe it's the proper time to remain back and leave Detective Rizzoli be.


"My grandfather was ironworker, HE helped build this city!" Jane's remark has mild ripple of pride, believing that hard work always triumphed over mere wealth. My own cringing and growling nervousness is starting to transform into anger towards my symbiant as the detective's and the medical examiner's exchange grows with intensity. I sense within Maura more confusion along with hurt feelings than actual anger and frustration that's clouded Jane's rationality at present.

Jane instantly reacts to that particular thought with an internal snarl at me. It only fuels my own resolve and I metaphorically "dig in" with my claws to stand up against Detective Jane Rizzoli, my Human Symbiant.

"Whose side are you on?" While the cop says it out loud to the M.E., she's also speaking to me.

The ever more perplexed ginger blonde struggles to explain her personal reasons for occupying the Chief Medical Examiner's position her desire and to assist in the pursuit of justice.

No different than you, the thought is projected into my mind from Maura. Hopefully it's been sensed by Jane as well.

I personally try to send back my own feelings of comfort as the doctor's own emotions and personal fears, along with her social awkwardness especially, begin to manifest from the recesses of her being. I can't help grinding my teeth hard as our Human Friend's whole emotional state brews itself into a cocktail of extreme hurt and confusion. There is so much that there seems to be no room left for anger.

Is she truly not angry or just cleverly concealing it? I find Jane wondering the same within herself and this nearly enrages me! How can she be so cruel?! I seethe to myself as I withdraw from our collective plane even further.

I cannot believe Jane Rizzoli has even permitted her rationality to become so lost in the consuming fog of her warring emotions! It NEVER accomplishes anything positive or constructive and leaves only a massive, dreadful wake of injured feelings, grudges, and even anger for everyone… regardless of their involvement.

In my effort to keep my own senses isolated as much as possible, my attention is so divided that I don't immediately comprehend Dr. Isles' question.

"…So, I'll tell you whether there's a case here or not!"

Maybe her rationality isn't too enshrouded after all; I try conveying to my Human Friend. However, a subtle sensation begins tickling the fringes of my mind, indicating my Human Symbiant has at least detected my intent of action. How much she actually knows is yet to be determined.

I can't help but to keep trying to imprint my feelings towards our confused and hurt Human Friend as the detective nearly stomps out of the morgue after declaring that she'll just figure everything out for herself. If Maura did sense it, I can't tell due to my own feelings and all of the near overwhelming ones boiling within Jane. I sigh and continue reinforcing my own mental and emotional resolve, expecting to inevitable snarl from Jane Rizzoli. No doubt she's…

"What was that all about?!" The dark haired human seethes as she repeatedly presses the elevator button. *16

I'm actually dumbfounded at Jane's current thought and mindset! Even if I could've at the moment, I literally wouldn't! In fact, I subconsciously withdraw my presence from the human part of our combined nature as much as possible, fearing that anything I might say or even think or feel could potentially trigger an 'incompatibility event.'

My feelings elicit a minor growl from Jane and her standard reaction of my worrying too much and my 'incompatibility phobia' to which triggers only more ire within my being. This, of course, only causes me to retreat further… to hell, if need be. So what if the cop symbiant thinks if I don't have her back like she believes the M.E. doesn't!

Thankfully, to my ultimate relief, Jane doesn't push me or attempt to coax me out back to the collective plane. I wouldn't even allow my thoughts or feelings to be felt even if she did. Nor do I permit my acknowledgement in feeling of Jane's jabs at my concerns of incompatibility.

However, my times with the grey Alpha wolf taught me to be more conscientious of those vulnerable events that could ("inevitability due to 2 distinct natures sharing a single existence" per the Alpha Wolf) occur between me and Jane. The Alpha Wolf shared (more like confirmed) my instinctive belief of prevention being the best form of dealing with life's issues and very graciously shared her knowledge and wisdom with me. *17 & 18


"The human mind's thought process is VASTLY as well as MYSTERIOUSLY more complex than how ours in how they function." The Alpha's words returns to my immediate thoughts. "Sometimes it often falls to our specific wolf natures to in a sense be the governor to the collective emotions and thought processes of our co-existence with a human."

My own thoughts immediately think of the term: 'conscience' more than 'governor'… even though I understood the Alpha's term better than most, considering Jane Rizzoli took an Auto Shop class in the human's high school. *19 To my surprise, the Alpha wolf's chuckled in her thoughts as it sensed my comprehension.

I was not reprimanded by the Alpha, who was well within her right to impose for my being distracted from paying attention. The massive grey wolf simply nuzzled my ears as she projected a very gentle and calm sense in my anxious mind.

"Do not fret, Young One." Alpha's kind, and patient words spoke after a short while. Her muzzle lightly nudged me with the sense of instructing me to look into her eyes.

"One is free to have their own personal thoughts." Her words resume after I finally met and managed a comfortable grasp of us looking into each other's eyes. "And as you already very well know- along with your human counterpart and especially Human Friend- every individual mind and thought process is unique… even the wolf's!" The grey wolf's eyes actually brightened as I sensed her laughing/amused thoughts.

"Yes," she confirmed my unacknowledged thought, "life indeed would be very boring if everything were… worked the same way!"

The Alpha then nudged for me to rise up as she too arose to her paws. She proceeded to lead me on another hidden trail and I repressed the urges of wondering what the older wolf is planning to teach next or about where we are going. Not only will I learn when the appropriate/proper time arrives, but I also focus on keeping my senses alert.

I was more alert than one would believe a wolf normally would while following an older, mentoring wolf… especially an alpha one! However, even though I've had very limited experience with those of my own kind… or even 100% wolf, Alpha has actually conducted 'surprise attack' exercises to test my reflexive responses. Although she… and even Jane Rizzoli, have conveyed their perspectives on displaying or admitting to weakness non-verbally… heck, in all senses unspoken; I personally have a more lenient view toward it. A way that I believe doesn't cause any additional vulnerability and, well… also for the benefit of you, dear reader.

Anyway, per her instruction, though it was perplexing (and infuriating) at first, thankfully I was able to have my eyes opened to what Alpha's 'surprise attacks' were designed and intended to teach. Now it's kind of scary looking back on my situational awareness and alert mindset prior to my instruction with Alpha! Granted, there's often feelings such as this whenever any knowledge or whatever these 'breakthrough revelations' are called occur…

…My ears detected the sudden movement several seconds too late as my vision inverted, tilted, and suddenly darkened as my face pressed into the soft, forest floor.

While the growl had a menacing tone, I easily felt that stern instruction was the primary intent. The mild restraint that pressed my body into the ground lifted and I slowly, nearly hesitantly, lift my head.

The Grey Wolf simply sat, not too near, but within a single stride from me, her eyes unreadable. I quickly averted my eyes as I brought my body up, yet pressed my whole torso into the dirt and kept my thoughts and mind clear as Alpha gradually arose and slowly began circling me.

"What have you just learned, Young One?" I felt my mentor inquire simply as she continually circled around my position.

I cringed inwardly as I struggled to find the proper answer. Within my deepest instincts, I felt… even feared, that any answer or response I gave would not be acceptable.

"Answer," there was a mild growl in Alpha's firm nudge. "Never be ashamed of the truth."

"All I comprehend at the moment…" I paused; wanting to meet the alpha's eyes, yet force myself not to due to the current enforced standards. "I allowed my attention to be distracted by my thoughts."

"More like consumed," the alpha clarified just as firmly as I glimpsed the grey paws stop in front of me. She transmits the gentle nudge for me to look up.

Her eyes possess more of a gentle expression as I look up. However, the Alpha's eyes continue to carry a mild stern, instructing demeanor; conveying a reminder that this is no trivial manner.

The grey wolf rumbles in confirmation of my thoughts and I naturally react by averting my eyes and attempt to press my body somehow further into the ground. Not that I physically feared any harm, but my fear is a reverential, respectful type of fear.

She nuzzled my ears in return, easing my fears by accepting my response. "What else were you thinking, Young One?"

The alpha wolf's question actually puzzled me. Thinking? What part?

"When you reacted to my growl moments ago," she clarified with another nuzzle. "What else were you thinking of?"

While I better understood what my mentor was asking, not all of my perplexed feelings evaporated. Nevertheless, I quickly focus on transmitting my answer. "No-Nothing," I desperately hoped my perception wasn't considered an untruth. "All I could feel was the fearful respect one must render to an Alpha…"

Nothing is felt, on any plane of sense, from the grey wolf as my response trailed off. As if she were waiting for me to continue in a rare event of complete and utter silence. If I weren't able to see her massive paws standing before me, I would've been inclined to think she had left.

"Nothing else was in my thoughts!" I anxiously finished, hoping I wasn't speaking too rapidly. "Nothing else existed…" again, desperately hoping Alpha deemed anything not being entirely true. "… all that mattered is rendering the appropriate respect and courtesies unto their Alpha."

Several moments passed with complete, absolute silence between us. Again, I struggled to keep my sole focus at the current and present moment instead of also wondering whether or not I had properly said enough, too much, being imprudent and numerous other things. I instinctively pushed my body more into the forest floor as I ground my teeth against the unconscious urges to allow my thoughts to wander… wonder.

"Relax, Young One." The Alpha Wolf softly nuzzled me, also gently nudging me to look up.

The two of us softly stared in each other's eyes for a short while before the elder wolf spoke. "I personally wasn't questioning your integrity or absolute honesty," the wiser wolf began. "My only test just now was to see your focus and your own knowledge on what you've just learned."

I didn't entirely believe I had learned anything specifically just then, but I shoved those potential wonderings aside.

"You might not understand or admit it to yourself right now," the alpha wolf rumbled at my thoughts. "But I do know you actually comprehend the potential dangers that increase when allowing yourself- especially your mind, to become completely oblivious and unaware of your situation and surroundings.

"Granted, it's just as foolish and dangerous to NOT consider potential situations that would require alternative solutions. It should be the duty of every wolf- true wild or werewolf- to always be cautious and have various alternatives for any situation, but it must not be at the expense of one's present focus and overall situational awareness."

My confusion fully evaporated as Alpha's instruction was absorbed into my mind. And of course my having to contend with my thoughts habitually wanting to anxiously contemplate and analyze her words. Is this what Maura has to deal with in her beautiful, wondrous mind?

A gentle rumble is heard both via my ears and within my mind. "Yes, your Human Friend has this issue… though similar, not entirely the same." She nudged me to rise with no stern feelings or sense of reproval. "Practically every wolf… not just you solely, must continually contend with this form of hyperactive thinking… or 'ADHD' as human society calls it. However, humans in general barely understand the whole entirety, of anything mostly… at present. They will eventually learn, truly comprehend it in due time… unlike the current opinion, it's nothing to be ashamed of or dismiss as a disability. It's NOT a disability… it's an actual gift, a talent!"

The notion of ADHD isn't a foreign or new concept to me. Along with our origins, Jane Rizzoli also has wondered if either one or both of us have something like ADHD. While the human nature will likely deny it (as with practically everything), deep down, she truly wonders along with me.

My mentor softly pawed at one of my elongated front paws. "Come along," she conveyed just as softly as I briefly sensed an emotion that the Alpha quickly suppressed. "You have much to contemplate from today."

The larger wolf resumed leading me on her hidden trail… she rumbled as I, too, begin to sense the approaching (yet still distant) presence of my Human Friend.


I 'distantly observe' via Jane Rizzoli's eyes, as the detective studies all the information her partner has dug up on the Fairfield Pack… er, family. However, I can detect continued annoyance and unfocused anger still lingering within my symbiant's immediate thoughts/mind. No doubt her annoyance is with me… most likely believing that I, too, have likely sided with the medical examiner in not having Jane's back.

As for her anger, the human is primarily frustrated. Even though she's consciously attributing it to Maura, deep within her heart, she truly isn't. From Jane Rizzoli's instincts… or cop's gut feeling… she believes our Human Friend is as equally if not far more confused and frustrated than Detective Rizzoli. In fact, Dr. Isles feels very much like I do at the moment… Not knowing where one stands, loyalty-wise, when it comes to current friends and family vs. past friends, lovers, and familial ties of one's youth. Perhaps I understand this better than my human symbiant, but maybe not. Sometimes our respective personal thoughts are never fully glimpsed or shared by the other. So, Jane likely either hasn't shared or thought of it enough for me to sense it.

Even though I'm still 'keeping a distance' from Jane's personal issues regarding our Human Friend and her connection with the "Family of Suspects" (Detective Rizzoli's term, not mine!), I still contribute, sensory-wise as my symbiant converses with this so called: "Fancy Family Lawyer." At the moment, nothing particularly ominous or threatening appears to be emanating from him… yet…

"Would be a shame for such a brilliant career to be cut short."

Jane, too, struggles to manage repressing her own growl along with my internal one. My own vision narrows more than the detective's actual eyes as we watch him leave the squad room.

I release a rumble through Jane's massive sigh. "I don't know about you, but he made no effort whatsoever to veil that threat!"

Jane Rizzoli simply released another exhale after retaking her desk chair and pinching between her eyes. "Yeah, I know," she muttered aloud as my field of vision returned as my human counterpart released her eyes. "Hopefully he'll only turn out to be all growl, but no teeth if it comes down to it."

I can only growl out a cringe, not entirely certain if her words just now were a subtle jab at me. However, our collective senses return to the visit our human brother paid just before Coulburn walked. Jane shares my groan as we both simultaneously recall detecting 'those particular feelings' brewing within Frankie. I lightly embrace my human symbiant out of sympathy and even offer to lend her some of my own strength. Things are already tense enough without Angela Rizzoli and her…

"Careful!" A cautionary growl erupts within Jane. "Just because her stuff recently has…"

"I know! I know!" I mentally huff and bare my teeth as our thoughts briefly revisit our brother's visit.


Frankie absently plops down in the chair pressed against the side of his sister's desk, concealing his sigh while the hesitation practically oozes out of him like a leaking sieve. Even a blind wolf (or person) could tell something else was on our brother's mind.

"And big new job hocking anti-aging potion!" Jane's tone conveys a sarcastic, 'I-don't-think-so' type of feeling.

"I think Ma's saving up to leave Dad," Frankie finally replies to his sister. He rattles off a list of what the younger Rizzoli cop believes are the signs of his perceived theory.

I personally believe something is not quite right between the Rizzoli mates and that Frankie senses aren't misleading his instinctive nature. However, just because my senses are combined with Jane's, we don't necessarily apprehend more or more accurately than him. While I am certain, Jane is more on the fence and, to a degree, refusing to choose any particular side.

To be fair, I can understand Jane's point-of-view. We have both seen our human parents go through rough periods in our youth and there's no indications right now to point to what Frankie's worrying about.

"Yeah," Jane watches our brother walk for the elevators. "Frankie's always been the worrier of our bunch."

"Next to you," I can't help but grin at the detective's trademark crossing, eye roll.

"You know that's not entirely true!" Jane mockingly snarled back as she returned her focus on the case file she had been reading.

I only chuckle out a growl as I gradually begin to once more withdraw my immediate presence.


Jane holds out the bottle of red colored liquid to Maura. "Also, will you run some tests on this please?"

I sense some mild perplexion in our Human Friend as she accepts the bottle. "For what case?"

"Is Jane's mother poisoning the neighborhood?" I can't help combining my voice with the detective. Thankfully, Jane joins in with my smirk especially when we hear the M.E.'s response.

"Uh oh!" While Jane's not entirely sure if Dr. Isles' reaction is genuine, I'm more inclined to believe it was a combination of both- genuine alarm along with sarcasm.

"I still don't believe it's a good idea," I made one last stab at trying to talk Jane out of her idea. "I think she's going to interpret it all as some form of a bribe."

However… and unsurprisingly, the Boston Police Detective stubbornly plows ahead. I mentally grit my teeth and reinforce my psyche for the potential barrage of emotional flurry from both Dr. Isles and my symbiant, Detective Rizzoli. When will (if ever) Jane ever learn? Does she truly think her sensory abilities (regardless of their enhancement thanks to my coexisting nature) are superior to mine?

The cop doesn't even have time to growl or mentally respond to my thoughts when Maura immediately starts into it with Jane. The detective's buried irritation over this whole situation surrounding the current case erupts, and of course anger quickly resurfaces as her defensive instincts kick in. I can only cringe as I struggle to keep myself distant as this verbal exchange (yeah, I know that's likely putting it mildly) continues between Dr. Isles and Detective Rizzoli. Even if it didn't go against every fiber of my being to keep myself distant, (especially from Jane), I highly doubt I could've chosen a side between these two. While Jane and Maura have long resolved this particular difficulty between them as of this writing, I can still vividly recall all the emotions of this particular moment. As a tree or wooden pole that has had countless papers fastened to it and eventually wind torn away, the nails, staples, etc., remain. While time eventually allows some of those fasteners to be removed from their wooden depths, the scars linger.

Now I'm not saying this particular case has scarred me (or even Maura and Jane), but the emotional memories of any being, I believe, permanently linger/remain throughout one's mortal life. They say elephants never forget… they among the few animals with impeccable memories. I believe wolves do too. But despite recent knowledge, so much remains a mystery.

Granted, I'm not an ordinary wolf… unlike my 'wild cousins' as Maura Isles has charmingly described those of the wild as compared to me. To my Human Friend's scientific theory, my specific wolf nature is combined with additional instincts of those through the human nature… Jane Rizzoli. While the ginger blonde scientist would be quick to clarify that she's spent very little to no time with a wild wolf compared to her time with me (even long before meeting Jane Rizzoli), Dr. Maura Isles' emotional state would confess to interpreting human like rationality in her large, black furry friend she eventually named 'Vuk.'

Of course, Dr. Maura Isles, like Jane Rizzoli, is no ordinary human being. However, my so-called evidence on my Human Friend is extremely limited. Like my symbiant detective, most of it is gut instinct… unlike the medical examiner who prefers rational and scientific fact. But, when one truly and thoroughly considers it, what's rational about a werewolf such as me and Jane? Or shape-shifting for that matter?

Detective Vince Korsak happens to walk into the lab. Jane and I simultaneously detect the new emotional sense begin surging up within Maura.

"Oh c'mon!" Jane mentally gripes, "Does Maura really think I'd pull something like that?!"

I withdraw even further from our coexistence, like a turtle pulls into its shell to protect itself from harm. Is this how Bass feels whenever he feels a potential danger? However, it's having to remain distant at present that's really eating me up at the moment. I feel like I'm turning my back on both of them… abandoning Jane as well as having my distance and silence be a non-verbal confirmation to Maura of not being there for her.

It's the risk I have to take by allowing my own heart to become fond of Maura Isles… and if we're to become technical, nitty gritty with semantics here, I've been friends with the ginger blonde LONGER than Jane Rizzoli! I should be taking Maura's side overall! What's wrong with courting a former suitor who's family happened to have one of their pack members perish? And the M.E.'s correct, there's still no indications that Adam Fairfield's death is an actual homicide!

"Yeah, yeah!" Jane interrupts my thoughts. "It could all be 'an accident!'" My symbiant mentally added 'air quotations' on the accident… citing all of the secretive and certain suspicions we both (mostly me) felt emit from the various members of the family pack.

I don't immediately respond, much to Jane's annoyance. It's still quite an exercise in concentration to not automatically react to such jabs.

To my surprise, Vince Korsak actually walks out of the lab! Also, surprising for Jane Rizzoli, she's far more annoyed and now some of her unfocused anger is being diverted to her former partner, once more feeling betrayed that he doesn't have her back… again. However I, on the other hand, am feeling the exact opposite. Quite possibly the very first time I strongly admired the man!

Although I sensed the older cop disliking Jane's whole idea, like me, the emotional senses I detected just now as the man left proves that he has made up his mind. That resolve has only solidified my own feelings and justifying an attempt on my part to talk Jane out of this whole new fiasco.

"…sure looked home in that world!" My ears catch the detective's tone, still trying to inject her own barbs, trying to save face, and to not lose any more of the slippery, shaky ground the human symbiant's continually finding herself standing on.

"It's where I'm from,"our Human Friend's voice starts seemingly timid, but strengthens as she continued. "But it's not where I chose to remain!"

Her words nearly make me return to the present, collective plane. I guess it's had me unconsciously take a side… and it's certainly not Jane Rizzoli's.

Thankfully, I didn't have to struggle very long at fighting my instinctive response, wanting to be there for Maura, due to Jane's continuing remarks regarding being on her own and even uttering her not know what side our Human Friend is on!


"That's it!" Jane seethes as she exits the lab. "Anything about this case that involves Dr. Maura Isles from now on goes through Frost and Korsak!"

I tighten the grinding of my teeth, not surprised that the brooding detective is doing the same. No doubt Jane is trying to provoke me, prodding at my feelings and draw me out into our constant back and forth… our never-ending bickering, arguing, etc. A metaphoric verbal hamster wheel or a treadmill- going nowhere in a hurry.

Vuk? I sense the distant 'sounding' thought transmission.

This also causes Jane Rizzoli to suddenly stop and even, for the briefest of moments, had the human's mind completely silent.

Vuk, are you still there?

I shudder. A small whimper escapes as I clamp down against practically every molecule of my being, instinctively yearning to respond. I can also sense Jane waiting, waiting to see if I'll actually respond to the M.E.'s call. Certainly Lupine will respond to her, I detect my symbiant's own thoughts rationalize, if not to me.

It's likely the MOST DIFFICULT thing I've ever had to do… to not answer Maura's call. I was also shocked that 'hiding my presence' was so effective and concealing. Although the Alpha Wolf had taught me this technique, and even informing me of it being likely to occur when withdrawing my presence from the collective plane, I didn't know it could be this thorough! Even my closest Human Friend (with the exception of Jane Rizzoli) cannot feel my presence or connection to her!

Whoa! Jane's thoughts react to her own (and possibly my personal) realization. Even Lupine won't answer! Does she truly feel so divided between us?

I grind my teeth even more intensely. You're damn right! I think to myself, continually reinforcing my own protective resolve. Somebody has to take the high road or even just simply keep themselves out of the equation for the hope and sake of peace between disagreeing parties!

The detective returns to her desk, noticing both her partner's and Korsak's desks vacant. Jane discovers the note after scanning the BRIC area and not finding Frost. My symbiant sighs as she crumbles up the note. I just managed to glimpse the words just before her fingers toss it into the nearby trashcan. Supposedly the two other detectives were out checking on leads and all that's left for Detective Rizzoli to do is basically read what little there is in the case file wise the Fairfield Family… and reading that can technically be accomplished anywhere.


"I'm not going anywhere, Lupine." Jane reminds me for the countless time.

I can't help sarcastically rolling my eyes while my symbiant's no doubt doing the same at my continued lack of response. However, I can't help my reluctance at coming forth as Jane Rizzoli is wanting…

Could this be another trait Bass the 'walking rock'… ahem, tortoise, experiences? Even after the so-called "all clear" is declared for one's safety, the one feeling potentially threatened errs on the side of caution and is still leery about emerging from their shelter. Plus, one can't help wondering at the possibility of being tricked, fooled…

Jane huffs a massive sigh, but to my mild surprise the human remains where she's sitting within the dense cluster of cedar trees in Westgate Park. This particular area has always been one of the places Jane and I have used to transition body form-wise. *20

After doing her own running regime on various trails, the detective proceeded to this particular 'staging area' of ours and has been sitting cross-legged ever since. I couldn't help but be mildly amused at sensing Jane's expectation of me immediately springing forth and totally taking over. Jane sighs once more as she leans forward with her face on her hands, bracing her elbows on her knees. The human is finding her patience nearly at the end of its rope and debating whether or not to give up and go home.

I begin to gradually allow my presence to be felt as I suddenly sense the familiar, albeit very distant, permeation of our Human Friend. However, I'm unable to tell if Jane's sensing her at the moment as the detective is currently preoccupied by my returning to our collective state.

I suppress a grin as I permit myself to abruptly begin the shifting process. The detective automatically starts loosening her clothes as she feels the transition take place. Jane manages to shove her trousers down to her ankles once she kicked her hiking, running boots off before the hips changed in alignment. The human fingers fumble at grasping the hem of her shirt and barely get it past and off the ever broadening, already black furry shoulders. Both of our hearing abilities pick up the sound of several areas of fabric stretching at the seams to nearly ripping.

I couldn't help but hear Jane's own personal thoughts of what type of clothing Al wears that seem to be virtually uneffected between her and the Alpha Wolf body shifts. I certainly can't blame my human counterpart's desire to learn more about it, due to all the clothes Jane and I have ripped and torn up over the years… like the undergarments I just managed to shake off now as I customarily shake out my fur once the body transformation is completely finished. Jane releases her own sigh through mine as we quickly divert our collective view away from my front paws.

Thankfully the human doesn't bombard me with all of her own thoughts, questions, or feelings regarding my recent distance. With me primarily in control of our body Jane being secondary, the detective is able to more freely view my thoughts, and experience my specific feelings especially. So, the human symbiant doesn't have to practically interrogate me in order to have the whole picture regarding how I've felt lately.

"Plus, it gives me a distraction." Jane responds simply to my thoughts.

I only rumble amusedly as I dig my shoulders more indulgently in the loose dirt and leaves. True to her word, Jane's thoughts remain especially silent on this particular trait of mine… but I can't speak for all wolves. I briefly rub my head into the dirt prior to rolling onto one side with a huge body sigh.

"I'm sorry," Jane suddenly spoke in a gentle tone.

"For what?" I gradually sit up and briefly stretch my abdomen into the cool dirt.

"For making you having to take a more high road than me." Jane's thoughts especially seem to sigh. "Causing you to feel so divided between Maura and me. I don't know…"

I gently growl to make the human stop speaking. "We both very well comprehend where both of us stand on this particular issue. So, what is there to say that neither of us already know?"

The detective's thoughts simply concede to my words as I slowly rise onto my four feet and rigorously shake out my fur. I snort out what's considered a 'wolf sneeze' as I exit the cedar cluster and start out for one of my hidden trails. While I continue to feel Maura Isles' presence gradually getting nearer as I start out with an easy trot, I'm actually surprised Jane is only just now sensing the M.E., too. The detective remains silent and I can't help noticing my symbiant really tamping down those instinctive urges to react as she has been lately.

"She deserves an apology," my trot pace takes on a careful and deliberate pace as my tone. "Even if your feelings are truly justified… Maura did nothing to deserve all…"

Now it's Jane's turn to interrupt with a growl of her own. But I stand my ground now on our collective plane with my teeth bared in a silent snarl. She naturally tries to counter with her own rising anger. However, I remain in place with my teeth bared.

Instead of another snarl or growl, I simply transmit my thoughts to the human. You know it in your heart… I gently convey, or you wouldn't be so angry. *21

While Jane doesn't respond right away, we both know the ultimate truth. Actually, my symbiant surprises me by slightly withdrawing herself from our collective state. Of course I naturally want to 'chase after' Jane Rizzoli and ascertain all of her feelings about this. Yeah, I'm sure some of you would be clamoring for me to do so! It's only natural for me to go after the human as Jane has gone after me, and to press (or force) the issue.

But, I snort out a sigh as I climb another nearby hill, Jane Rizzoli needs some personal solitude in order to re-gather her thoughts and feelings. Something the human nature and I both strongly, and mutually agree upon is that we wish Angela Rizzoli could only understand this part of our psyche. Personal space is a true thing… a genuine need, not an excuse.

"What is this?!" Jane suddenly interrupts my thoughts. "An ambush?!"

I then recognize the familiar ginger blonde human form some distance away from where I'm sitting, at the peak of one of the largest hills of Westgate Park. "Did you know she was gonna be here?" Jane snarls at me. "Did you somehow sense her presence and I didn't? Is this…"

I simply bare my teeth with a mental, snarling punch. The human nature's feelings are so "loudly intense" that even I can barely hear myself think! Our mental stare-down is so intense that I'm still not entirely certain of how long I sat there, nor am I comfortable trying to dictate all of the transpired thoughts here into written form… if you're that desperate for the truth, I'll see if Jane Rizzoli (or even Maura Isles) has saved all of the shredded and chewed up paper from my previous writing attempts!

Vuk? The familiar, sweet voice of our Human Friend greets our minds.

I divert my focus back toward that direction and realize Maura Isles is now standing near, but not right beside the base of the hill, looking up at me with a worried, almost questioning, expression. Her emotional feedback is heavily conflicted, divided between her yearning to climb the hill and be close to me and a concerned wonder about whether or not she would be intruding upon my (and Jane's) personal space. Would it be seen as her taking my side and potentially betraying Jane Rizzoli's perceptions of this whole… situation? The situation of whatever it was that's caused this friction between the detective and M.E.?

Have I truly taken a side? I personally can't help wondering, along with Jane… and Maura, also.

Vuk? We hear from our Human Friend once more and I gently meet her hazel green eyes.

I wordlessly, mentally, regard my symbiant in our collective mind instead of answering. Jane just as silently regards me before turning away from me and withdrawing further into the recesses of our combined being.

"You can't just leave me here alone to deal with this!" I can't help growling out at Jane's receding presence. "You started this…"

"I did NOT!" The human nature immediately snarls at my both subtle and intentional jab. "SHE started it by being involved with the suspect's family!"

The regretful and hurt feelings from below waft up to my detection and I can't resist growling at Jane for causing our Human Friend to sense that outburst. I feebly try to project my own sense of comfort to the ginger blonde. This triggers additional anger in the detective and I resolutely stand my ground against them, hoping to be a barrier between her and Maura so the doctor can't sense it.

Jane… Vuk… we hear Maura's thoughts. I'm worried about both of you! I haven't seen you this upset since that break-in… her thoughts trail off as we likewise recall our own memories of that event. I'm afraid that the two of you might…

She's not able to complete her thought… nor do we want her to. Neither of our individual natures wants to recall that particular experience. *22 "And here she is dragging it back up!" Jane huffs, to which I promptly growl and bare my teeth in response.

Vuk, I don't expect you to take any side… Maura's mental voice sounds smaller, possibly timid, which I can only surmise is because she heard Jane's remarks a moment ago. I just wish none of this caused Jane to feel the way she does… I really didn't have a choice…

This causes a growling rumble from Jane that I try to silence.

…like my birth and adoption… I had no choice or control over what groups of society my adopted parents interacted with.

I mentally punch the human nature's instinctive thoughts in response.

I'm just trying to do what I can in hopes of solving this case, Maura's thoughts continue. I'm just sorry Detective Rizzoli can't understand my methods and reasoning. Although Detective Korsak spoke with me earlier this afternoon, I still cannot exactly see where the division is… why it's causing Jane to feel upset the way she is.

I snarl out another growl with another mental punch to my symbiant's knee-jerk response. "Will you just shut up and listen?!" I huff out, briefly recollecting the Alpha Wolf's "rough lesson" on how I have to pay attention and not keep my thoughts from being so loud. Jane should've taken that lesson as well! Or, maybe's it on me alone to accomplish it?

… not going to push you, Vuk. Maura's words recapture our attention. I don't want you to feel divided between Jane and me… and though I'm afraid for the two of you, I can't be the reason for both of you to feel divided… further divided… on this. As much as I want to try to fix this, I cannot fix something I do not truly understand. And I'm afraid of most likely making anything worse by trying to help… so I feel divided personally. I want to help, but that so-called help would only hurt us all the more.

We sense the weeping emotion brew up behind our Human Friend's words. Even Jane's own emotional reaction to this is so strong that it causes my body to rise up on all fours. Our combined vision doesn't notice any visible tears, but the emotional surge continues and our sense of smell is beginning to notice the indications of looming tears.

I'm not going to push your boundaries, Vuk. Maura's thought transmission resumes. I just wanted you to hear my thoughts and I can only hope you and Jane are able to maintain a homoeostatic state of being.

Our Human Friend suddenly turns away and begins walking for the nearby trail. We cannot help but feel the increasing scent of tears, along with her efforts to control her emotional responses as we watch her retreating figure.

I can't help a mental glare at Jane, who's eyes are still glued onto the M.E.'s departure. "Well, I hope you're satisfied!" I can't resist huffing out only to receive a mental punch from the human, but I don't care!

I simply remained in the same spot, long after we could no longer sense Maura Isles' presence and after sitting back down. Even as nightfall darkened the entire forest, I kept sitting there (as well as Jane), not knowing what to think or feel.

"Now what?


*1: My mother went through a phase in my early teens where she'd say: "Tough toenails!" instead of saying actual: "tough luck"… so, thought I'd make a wolf version of saying it!

*2: A nod to Chapter 10 of "Lupus Amicitia: Act III" where Maura discreetly videos (and seen in a Season 4 episode to fight back against a negative viral video) Jane… ahem, Vuk controlling the human detective's body as the wolf nature was returning from the injury inflicted by Hoyt.

*3: Actress Angie Harmon (Jane Rizzoli) has expressed being a fan of the comic book character "She-Hulk" in at least one interview and stated she would be interested in playing the role. So, I decided to incorporate that in this particular universe of "Rizzoli & Isles."

*4: While some scientific fields of study state the belief of human beings having no scent, I personally beg to differ due simple observations of tracker dogs following a person's trail. Plus, every time I wear a perfume or essential oil that I like smelling from another person, it NEVER smells the same on me due to it interacting with my own body chemistry.

*5: Per the episode (Season 1, episode 5) referenced in this particular vignette, Maura states the Fairfield Mansion in Scotland "…is much larger" than the one they go to in the episode.

*6: As my mother describes when people have to vent and such: "Sometimes you gotta let the cattle stampede!" (She's from the Western region of Texas and knows that when cattle stampede, you're better off standing back and let them vent out their frustration! "Same thing with people," she believes).

*7: Fuel vapors are FAR MORE volatile than simply tossing a lit match or ignition source into a pool of gasoline or other liquid fuel. While ignition can occur in a pool of fuel, 99% of the time, it's the actual vapors that ignite first before the fuel itself. I've literally seen a lit match and flame literally be dropped into a pool of fuel and watch the flame literally be extinguished by the liquid!

DON'T, I REPEAT, DONOT TRY THIS ON YOUR OWN! THOSE OBSERVATIONS I JUST DESCRIBED WERE IN A CONTROLLED, LAB ENVIRONMENT BY A HIGHLY TRAINED EXPLOSIVES SPECIALIST! THE STUDENTS (not just myself) WEREN'T EVEN PERMITTED TO TRY THAT EXPERIMENTAL DEMONSTRATION!

******* SERIOUSLY! DON'T TRY THAT ON YOUR OWN! ********

*8: Again, back to my mother- she loves certain particular pictures (that can be found on Google) of massive icebergs and she uses them as a reminder that what she sees in people she interacts with is roughly 5-10% of they truly are. I, too, strive to incorporate that so-called principle (in case there's a real actual one out there) myself when interacting with others either in real life or in the virtual world such as this one.

*9: Per Season 5, episode 2: "…Goodbye" Jane Rizzoli/Angie Harmon eulogizes how much she enjoyed Barry Frost/Lee Thompson Young making her laugh at his memorial, funeral service. To my understanding, those pictures used are actual behind-the-scenes and also outtake shots… one of those few moments in the show where I wonder how much is the character or just how much Angie Harmon is being displayed.

*10: "My parents are arguing over the snow shovel!" Jane Rizzoli says in a Season 2's episode … so, there's at least one shovel Frost could've borrowed!

*11: A nod to Season 2, episode 1: "We Don't Need Another Hero" where Maura jumps slightly at Jane's "get well" present from Korsak and Frost.

*12: Chapters 17-18 of "Lupus Amicitia: Act III"

*13: A nod to Angie Harmon's own personal & acting talent seen in various episodes throughout the series.

*14: Season 5, episode 13: "Bridge To the Future" in which Frankie assures Dr. Maura Isles that "…Jane's a hell of a swimmer…" and Frankie remarking: "Good thing Ma made us take all those swimming lessons, huh?" when brother & sister greet each other on the dock.

Plus I'm also an avid swimmer… however, never competed- just an amateur!

*15: First seen in Chapter 8 of "Lupus Amicitia."

*16: Nod to Season 5's first episode and Season 6's second episode

*17: Chapters of "Lupus Amicitia: Act III"

*18: My own personal belief in life… wishing more of society were this way. So much tragedy in life wouldn't have happened if more organizations took on a more "preventative mindset." Yes, yes, yes… it's EXTEMELY EXPENSIVE to put in measures as opposed to simply "cleaning up" reactionary wise… but as with long term investing= may feel expensive at the start but the payoff (or dividends) are SO VALUABLE later in the future! And this is from a person who'd sooner understand extinct languages LONG BEFORE understanding economics and such… but, if I was literally kicked out of a military budget meeting (dragged into it simply because I was a brand new military NCO) for having "too much of a common sense" approach (also had that dragged outta me), then ANYTHING is possible!

*19: Season 5 episode 8: "Lost and Found"

*20: Chapter 8 of "Lupus Amicitia"

*21: A spoken line from a musical movie, yet based upon real life people: "The Happiest Millionaire" which I really recommend for anyone who like watching family values type stories… and periodically burst into song.

*22: Chapters 17-20 of "Lupus Amicitia: Act III"