A/N: If you haven't heard, Rizzoli & Isles is ending after season 7. Let us be sad very briefly since we still got the rest of season 6 then the final season so that's like roughly 20 episodes. At least, we got our fics!
Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1
"Time may change me/ But I can't trace time, I said that time may change me/ But I can't trace time." – "Changes" by David Bowie.
Ch. 13: The Fall of the King
When Alexandra was eighteen, three years after becoming a guardian, she advanced in the ranks becoming a captain. Around the same time, Angela announced to Frank that she was pregnant with their first child. Frank was delighted and Alexandra was happy for her best friend. Soon, Hope married Patrick the Second with her guardian watching from the cathedral's balcony. With this also, the Order was shifting, as the Master grew older, creating discussion about who might become the new Master.
Voices echoed that it could be the Master's son, Charles but it also echoed that it could be his apprentice, Alexandra.
Alexandra ignored this and continued to train while becoming closer to Hope. The friendship was so strong that the princess decided that Alexandra needed her own tower. Within the months after, King Patrick the First became ill and soon, passed away, making his son the next heir for the throne.
A month later, it was the day of the coronation for both the future king and queen.
"Has anyone seen Princess Hope," Constance asked a couple servants, running through the hallways in her ball gown.
They shook their head and Constance continued to walk until she reached one of the towers. She then noticed that Samuel was walking down the hallway, adjusting his dress robes. "Sam, have you seen your sister," Constance inquired.
"No, I haven't," Samuel retorted. He gave a confused expression and asked, "You mean she disappeared?"
"I can't find her anywhere."
"You better find her soon? Coronation is in two hours."
"I know! I know!"
Constance then began to run up the staircase of the tower until she reached the door, knocking hard on it and before they said for her to enter, she barged in. "Have you seen Hope," Constance questioned.
Alexandra turned away from the mirror, revealing the assassin dress robes. It was darker robe than all of them and she was trying to place the cape on. "She's missing," Alexandra inquired in surprise as she got the cape finally on.
"I can't find her anywhere and everyone is wondering where she went."
Alexandra sighed, running her hand through her hair. "Make sure everything is ready. I'll look for her," she informed the Lady.
"You sure?"
"Constance, go."
Alexandra watched as Constance ran out of the room before she mumbled, "Nobles can be so confusing."
R&I
She searched in Hope's usual areas until she decided to look at one other place. She looked around Hope's room then opened her balcony then peered out fully until she noticed two feet. "You know Constance is going insane, trying to find you," Alexandra commented. Hope didn't reply and Alexandra huffed then asked, "May I come up?"
"Please," Hope answered.
Alexandra climbed up until she reached the roof to see Hope in another dress, looking out toward the lands. "I was wondering why you would go missing on your own coronation," Alexandra pondered.
"I'm terrified."
"In being queen? I thought you were ready?"
"I am but I'm not either. What if I can't do this? What if I'm horrible? I was a peasant girl before all of this."
Alexandra took her hand and gave it a small squeeze. "That means that you know the people better than anyone. They have a voice."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
Hope nodded, "After this, I won't be able to travel as much. I wanted to see so much especially the shores you were telling me about."
"You can still see them. We just have to wait later, my queen." Hope smiled then stood up, climbing down from the roof with Alexandra leaping down to the balcony. "Ready," Alexandra asked.
"Yes."
Constance arrived soon after and dressed Hope up for the coronation. With the Master, Cavanaugh, Korsak and Charles, Alexandra watched with her hood up as Hope stood before the Archbishop and spoke their vowels to be good rulers.
Alexandra glanced over toward the people sitting by the new royals before she spotted Samuel. He turned his head and noticed her watching him. He smiled and bowed his head before a blush rushed to her cheeks causing her to bow and smile back.
Unknown to them both, they were watched by inquisitive but blustery eyes.
Frankie, Frost and Tommy entered the main hall and watched as nobility walked passed them. "Wow," Tommy muttered as he watched as a woman with thick green skirts, walking through the ballroom.
"Focus," Frost mumbled, elbowing Tommy in the ribs.
Tommy hissed, "Ow…"
"You're married," Frankie pointed out to her brother.
"I can still look because she walked in front of me." Tommy then turned his head and stopped at the sight of a man wearing a crown and a huge cape while another man was standing next to him. He then noticed that on the other man was the bracelet that Jane, Korsak and Alexandra had. "That has to be Hoyt," Tommy pointed out.
Frost looked toward the direction that Tommy was staring at. He took in the sight then turned his head toward the door to see several guards. The biggest man was a man wearing a black suit of armor. His eyes widened in surprise then whispered, "Guys, that's the Black Knight."
Frankie glanced over toward the soldiers leaning against the wall. He walked over to them then asked nonchalantly, "Who's that?"
"The Black Knight," the man retorted. "You know it's Thomas O'Rourke."
Frost looked back and watched as O'Rourke removed his helmet. He began to move along the wall then went behind the throne. "Excellent work, King Fairfield," Hoyt complimented.
Garrett smiled widely and bowed his head, "Thank you, Lord Hoyt. I presume you are keeping things under control."
Hoyt smirked, "Of course. I'm awaiting for my spy to send out his information to me."
Frost's eyes widened at this. "You have a spy among the Freedom Fighters. How did you do that," Garrett inquired quietly.
"I didn't do that much. He was already part of the fighters and decided to turn to the right side."
Frost cussed under his breath and then walked back to Frankie and Tommy and whispered, "The Black Knight is O'Rourke and we need to find Jane quickly. We have a traitor among us."
"Someone's already doing that," Tommy pointed out, noticing a figure at an upper window, jumping down.
"We need to find Jane and Maura now," Frankie suggested.
Tommy and Frost nodded in agreement and began to walk away slowly, trying not to be caught. However, they didn't notice that a certain apprentice was behind them. He pushed pass several guests until he stopped before his master. "We have intruders," he informed under his breath.
R&I
Maura, Jane and Korsak went across the courtyard, blending in with the environment around them. They watched as Centurions went across the courtyard in a formal march. Maura then glanced up in pure surprise and tapped on Jane's shoulder. The bandit looked at the princess in confusion then looked at the direction she was pointing at. She followed the finger then noticed that along the stonewall balcony was a shadowy figure running toward the Centurions patrolling the upper level.
One by one, they fell as the figure ran. Jane and Maura watched in amazement as the final Centurion went down. Korsak went across first then looked up at the figure before he gestured for Jane and Maura to come over. They ran across and suddenly, Alexandra dropped down and whispered to Korsak, "We don't have much time. Someone's going to notice that half of the soldiers are dead."
"You killed them all," Jane hissed.
Alexandra ignored Jane and continued, "Some are dead and some incapacitated. If one of the knocked out ones wake up, we are caught. Also we have another issue."
"That be," Maura inquired.
"Hoyt has a spy among us."
"Oh god…"
"We can't even trust our friends," Jane mumbled as she ran her hand through her hair.
Maura touched Jane's hand and argued, "There are a couple people that we trust deeply, Jane. We can't lose faith yet especially now."
"I agree," Alexandra informed her. "We need to find the king now."
"Right," Jane agreed, trying to relax her body. She then looked around and commented, "We need to get into the tower."
"Pick the lock," Korsak ordered her.
Jane nodded then looked at the blade. She pressed the mechanism to reveal the blade and began to pick the lock while everyone watched her back. Maura glanced over toward Alexandra then noticed another chain around her neck. "Where did you go," Maura inquired quietly.
"Focus on the task at hand," Alexandra told her.
Suddenly, they heard a click with Jane pushing the door opened. Everyone followed after her and they began to descend the stairs until they noticed there was a guard by the prison cells. Korsak approached the man quietly from behind with his hidden blade to his back as he questioned, "Who else is here?"
"No one," the guard gulped.
"Hand the keys then walk away," Korsak ordered. The guard handed the keys with Korsak pulling the blade away, the man ran pass them.
"Why did you let him go," Jane questioned, watching the guard leave.
Korsak glanced over at Alexandra as he began to unlock the door. "To show mercy is to show strength," she commented quietly.
Jane gave a thoughtful expression until they heard the door unlock. They pushed through and Maura called aloud, "Papa! Where are you?"
"Maura!"
They ran down the hallway until they stopped and heard, "Princess!" Maura turned and smiled at the sight of Cailin who placed her hand through the bars, taking Maura's hand and squeezing it. "I knew you would save us," Cailin smiled through the dirt on her face.
"What happened," Maura questioned.
"After Hoyt took over, he sent anyone who he knew who was loyal to your father or you," she explained.
"Where's my father," Maura questioned. Cailin's expression changed from the smile to a grim expression causing Maura to run down the hall again. "Papa," Maura shouted again.
"Maura," she turned her head toward a cell to reveal Constance holding a body. Maura gasped at the sight, taking the keys away from Korsak and unlocked the cell quickly. As she ran inside, Jane, Korsak and Alexandra followed close behind, watching her go to the ground. "Papa," Maura whispered as she took the king into her lap.
The king opened his eyes weakly and raised his hand, touching Maura's cheek. "My baby girl," he whispered softly.
"Oh god," Korsak mumbled, taking in the sight of the wounds and blood on King Doyle's body.
"What happened to him," Jane whispered in astonishment.
Alexandra stepped forward, removing her hood and answered softly, "Charles Hoyt."
Constance looked up and her eyes widened. "You're still alive," she whispered in pure surprise.
"You know her," Jane questioned.
Alexandra walked toward Constance who stood up unsteadily. She touched Alexandra's shoulders, taking in the sight then said softly, "After all of these years…"
"Hello Constance," Alexandra whispered.
"Maura…"
Everyone brought their attention back to the injured king, who continued to gaze at his daughter. "I'm here, Papa," Maura whispered to him. She then looked up to the others and said, "We need to get him out of here."
Jane looked down and asked softly, "How injured is he?"
Maura looked down at her father, examining the wounds. Alexandra walked slowly toward Maura then crouched down. She examined his wounds with her until she noticed the king turn his head toward her. His eyes widened then he mumbled, "I thought you were dead?" Alexandra shook her head and continued to examine him until she placed her head on his chest.
She then pulled back and whispered, "It's not good."
"He'll be okay," Maura argued.
"Maura…"
"I'll be with… her and…Samuel, Assassin," Patrick breathed quietly. Maura and Jane looked at Alexandra in surprise at especially what King Patrick said. "Why did…you come…back," he questioned.
"Because your daughter found me," Alexandra stated quietly.
Patrick raised his hand and pulled the chains out of Alexandra's tunic to reveal the silver pendants. Maura's eyes widened, remembering her dream then whispered, "You lied to me."
Alexandra bowed her head then she looked up as she heard a hard cough come from the king. He took Maura's hand then Alexandra as he spoke to his daughter. "You've…grown so beautiful, my child…"
"You'll be okay," Maura told him, feeling tears come from her eyes. "We'll get you out of here and you'll get better-"
"Maura."
"You can't leave me, Papa. I can't be alone. You can't leave me alone."
"You're…not," the king whispered. He then looked at Alexandra and asked softly, "Protect her…"
"Your Majesty-"
"Promise me," he gasped.
Alexandra let out a small sigh then nodded. "I promise by my blade," she told him.
The king looked back at his daughter then touched her cheek. He ran his thumb along her cheek as he breathed, "You look so much…like her especially your eyes. I love…you, Maura." His hand then slipped from her cheek and Maura looked down to see that her father was gone.
"No," Maura said immediately. "No…"
Alexandra stood up while Constance bowed her head as did Korsak. "Maura," Jane tried to pull her away from her father's body.
"Don't touch me," she shouted.
Jane backed away while Korsak looked at Constance and asked, "How many people are here?"
"Many," Constance answered.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps running toward them causing Jane, Korsak and Alexandra to draw their swords until they saw it was Tommy, Frankie, and Frost panting harshly. "We got company coming," Frost announced.
"What do you mean," Jane questioned. They then heard armor clattering against the stone floor. Jane looked at the two older people with wide eyes before glancing down at a mourning Maura. "Give me the keys," Jane ordered. Korsak tossed the keys over to him, making her catch them before she passed it to her brother. "Get everyone out," she ordered.
"We need to move," Korsak whispered, hearing the guards moving closer and closer.
Alexandra glanced down at Maura briefly, watching her stare at her father. She then looked back at Constance. "Stay close," she told the Lady as she placed the hood on.
"Prison break," someone shouted and the loud footsteps started to move faster.
"Maura, we have to go," Jane told the princess. She didn't move and Jane sighed, pulling her off the body. "Come on, Maura," she ordered, dragging her out of the prison.
"I can't leave him behind," Maura shouted.
"Intruders," Jane turned to see Centurions coming toward them.
Alexandra and Korsak pulled their swords and shouted, "Go! Now!"
Jane pulled on Maura's hand, dragging her down the hallway with the prisoners following quickly. Maura then stopped, making Jane state, "We need to get moving!"
"My father's dead because of me, Jane," Maura confessed.
"Maura, it's not your fault."
"You need to leave me behind," Maura ordered Jane. She touched her cheek and said, "I need you to go."
Jane shook her head and told her, "No, I'm not going to lose you. You are more important to me than this kingdom, Maura. If you stay, I stay." Looking up at Jane's eyes, seeing the passion and heartache as Jane repeated, "If you stay, I stay."
Maura felt the tears well up in her eyes before she whispered, "Ok. Let's get out of here."
Meanwhile, Charles Hoyt noticed his soldiers and O'Rourke's leaving the ballroom. "What's going on, Charles," Garrett questioned under his breath.
"I'll find out," Hoyt answered, turning away and walking out of the ballroom to the main courtyard. He could hear the soldiers yelling that there were intruders in the castle and the prisoners were escaping. He looked up to see a bunch people, exiting out the West Tower. "Seize them. I don't care if they are alive or-" He then stopped at the sight of a familiar hood and drew his sword then revealed the hidden blade.
"Move it," he heard. "We need to get her out of here."
Among the group running, he noticed that one of them was the princess. He stabbed his sword into the ground then pulled out several daggers and threw them. Jane and Maura were passing the wood post when one of the daggers missed Jane's head by an inch. Maura grabbed Jane, dragging her into the cellar.
"There's a secret passage in here," Maura informed Jane quickly as they moved through the cellar.
Jane began to look around as well before she heard, "Give me the princess." The two turned to see Charles Hoyt looking at them. He gazed at Jane and a smirk formed slowly on his face. "Hello Janie," he greeted softly. He twirled the dagger in his hand as he stepped forward with Jane placed her body in front of Maura. "This will be very delightful," Hoyt commented.
Jane drew her sword and revealed the hidden blade. "Maura, go," Jane shouted as she lunged at Hoyt who blocked her attack. He kicked her in the abdomen causing her to cry out in pain with her landing on the floor. He prepared to stab her until he landed on his back all of a sudden with Maura picking her up. They ran through the cellar until they reached the end where the passageway was.
"Come on," Maura whispered and she tried to push the door open but it wouldn't budge.
Jane could hear Hoyt moving closer toward them and she tightened her grip on the sword. "You still smell like lavender and fear, Janie," he stated with each step.
"Hurry, Maura," Jane hissed.
"I'm trying. I'm trying."
"Got you," Hoyt whispered.
"Charles," they all heard.
Hoyt turned to see a shadowy figure with a sword. As they moved closer, his eyes widened and his grip tightened on the sword. "You are suppose to be dead," he commented. "You are suppose to be dead, MacCoughlan!"
"Here I walk among the living," Alexandra commented.
"Got it," Maura shouted and the door opened with Jane and Maura running inside. Hoyt glanced back at the two then back at Alexandra. He threw the dagger at the door then charged at Alexandra who moved aside quickly.
He swung the sword again, trying to hit her then shouted, "You still trying to avoid everything. You ran from everything."
"You are still monster, Hoyt."
Hoyt looked around the corner, seeing nothing but an empty corner until he heard the secret passage door open. "You can't hide forever, Alexandra. I'll find them and I'll end them. You'll have no one left to protect," he shouted as the door closed.
He gritted his teeth and stalked up the staircase to see several Centurions and a masked figure next to Stark and Rockmond. "Track them down and I want you to bring them; the assassin, princess, and bandit alive. I'm going to kill them myself," he hissed.
"Anything else," the masked figure questioned.
"Be quick, Marino. Very quick."
Jane and Maura emerged from the secret passage to see Frankie with three horses. They looked in confusion until the door opened to reveal Alexandra as she shouted, "We got no time. Hoyt's coming fast!"
They mounted their horses and began to ride back to the main gate. Korsak caught sight of them and said to Jane and Maura, "Everyone's heading toward the tavern."
Maura and Jane both nodded. They looked at each other then glanced over at Alexandra, each with piercing hard gazes before they kicked the side of their horses and charged forward to return to the tavern. Korsak looked at Alexandra as he whispered, "I'm sorry."
"It was going to happen soon. I just delayed it and they were already figuring things out. However, we have a bigger problem."
"That is?"
"Hoyt knows Jane's alive with Maura and he knows I'm alive. He's going to send people to hunt. He never got the execution he wanted seventeen years ago and he wants the kingdom. He always had."
R&I
They never stopped riding until they reached the road that led to the tavern. Maura stopped her horse suddenly and Jane noticed it, pulling her horse to the side. "My father's gone," Maura whispered.
"I know," Jane retorted, taking Maura's hand into hers. "I'm sorry," she whispered to her.
"I lost my mother and father. Alexandra's been lying to us." The princess looked over, squeezing Jane's hand as she added, "You're all I have, Jane."
Jane gave a small smile then felt Maura rest her head on her shoulder. Jane looked down as Maura looked up, making eye contact with each other. "I got you," Jane told her softly before she cupped her cheek and kissed Maura gently on the lips. Maura placed her hand over Jane's heart before she pulled back. Her eyes were closed, feeling Jane move her lips to her forehead. "I got you," Jane repeated quietly.
I love you, Jane thought.
"Everything's clear," they heard Frost shout.
They pulled away from each other and they heard the horses riding up to see Korsak with Alexandra. Maura frowned at the sight as the older woman approached them. She straightened her spine then stated to her, "You have a lot of explaining to do. To both of us."
Alexandra bowed her head and answered, "I know."
They walked down the staircase as Alexandra followed behind quietly. "How did his assignment go," the Master asked his apprentice. Alexandra stayed silent until he asked again, "How did my son do?"
"He's not ready to be out there."
"The mission was a success, wasn't it?"
"It was, Master. However, I don't believe Charles is ready. He's vindictive and violent. He tortured the slave trader."
The Master stopped and turned with the scroll in his hand. "He's young," he commented.
"And several years older than me, Master. Your son is not willing to learn from me. He listens to you and I'm telling you that he is more violent; believing that torturing is our methods. Our creed is that our duty is to keep the peace, never create destruction," Alexandra hissed. "You taught me that the creed is everything."
"I did."
"Then I say as your apprentice and advisor, your son needs to learn more."
"Teach him. You are my best and if I wish to pass the torch to you, you must understand we have difficulties. If anything, teach him about the toxin."
Alexandra frowned and retorted, "Teach him the importance of the creed and I will do my best to teach the toxin."
The Master gazed at his apprentice then bowed his head, "I will talk to him later about the matter. But, I believe Francesco mentioned that you are needed to be at his home immediately. Something about his wife and child."
Alexandra's eyes widened and bolted down the stairs pass the Master who chuckled at his apprentice shouting to others to move.
R&I
"Frank, stop pacing. Angela will be fine."
Frank looked up at his best friend and sighed, "I'm sorry."
"I know but your child will be fine."
"Promise, Alex?"
"Of course," Alexandra assured with a smile. Frank nodded then resumed his pace causing Alexandra rolled her eyes. "As your captain, I need you to stop pacing, Lieutenant," she ordered jokingly.
Frank glared at her then he heard a small wail. A smile formed on Alexandra's face as the door opened to reveal the midwife. "Your wife wishes to see you," she informed Frank happily.
The assassin stood up and walked into his wife's room. Alexandra reclined back in her chair, trying to relax until she heard the door reopen to see Frank at the doorway. "Would you like to come in and meet your goddaughter," he asked.
Alexandra stood up and walked in to see Angela holding the baby girl. She looked up and introduced, "Alexandra, this is Jane. Jane, this is your godmother."
Well everything hit the fan as you can see. Also yay for Rizzles! Be wonderful as usual my readers and review please! The whole story for Jane and Maura will be revealed next chapter!